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sense_n bishop_n church_n universal_a 2,507 5 9.6158 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A33359 Diocesan churches not yet discovered in the primitive times, or, A defence of the answer to Dr. Stillingfleets allegations out of antiquity for such churches against the exceptions offered in the preface to a late treatise called A vindication of the primitive church, where what is further produced out of Scripture and antient authors for diocesan churches is also discussed. Clarkson, David, 1622-1686. 1682 (1682) Wing C4571; ESTC R16204 84,843 132

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that_o other_o city_n have_v two_o bishop_n together_o and_o except_v only_a alexandria_n to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o epiphanius_n can_v mean_v that_o all_o other_o city_n have_v two_o bishop_n at_o a_o time_n nor_o do_v i_o say_v that_o he_o mean_v this_o but_o his_o expression_n import_v no_o less_o than_o that_o it_o be_v usual_a for_o other_o city_n to_o have_v two_o bishop_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o epiphanius_n respect_v only_o the_o case_n allege_v it_o be_v quite_o another_o case_n that_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o his_o word_n and_o diverse_a other_o instance_n may_v be_v bring_v of_o a_o different_a nature_n and_o occasion_n though_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o rule_n against_o two_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n be_v not_o inviolable_a he_o add_v i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o advantage_n can_v be_v make_v of_o this_o passage_n this_o passage_n show_v that_o there_o be_v common_o two_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n at_o once_o 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more_o for_o he_o affirm_v they_o have_v a_o eminent_a bishop_n in_o c._n p._n and_o be_v not_o only_o numerous_a there_o before_o the_o edict_n but_o continue_v so_o after_o the_o gentleman_n be_v in_o too_o much_o haste_n here_o as_o himself_o will_v perceive_v by_o observe_v how_o much_o his_o account_n differ_v from_o the_o historian_n at_o last_o he_o come_v to_o that_o passage_n of_o theodoret_n which_o occasion_v all_o these_o line_n but_o theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v actual_o do_v so_o i_o answer_v say_v he_o that_o theodoret_n do_v not_o say_v so_o and_o the_o passage_n cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v it_o i_o do_v not_o say_v theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n but_o he_o say_v the_o same_o in_o effect_n viz._n that_o all_o the_o brethren_n assemble_v with_o alexander_n his_o word_n be_v alexander_n the_o church_n rejoice_v hcld_v a_o assembly_n with_o all_o the_o brethren_n pray_v and_o great_o glorify_v god_n the_o word_n be_v plain_a and_o the_o sense_n i_o take_v they_o in_o be_v open_a in_o the_o face_n of_o they_o nor_o do_v i_o believe_v that_o any_o disintere_v person_n will_v put_v any_o other_o sense_n upon_o they_o than_o this_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n of_o which_o the_o church_n at_o constantinople_n consist_v assemble_v together_o with_o their_o bishop_n alexander_n to_o praise_n god_n joyful_o for_o their_o deliverance_n by_o the_o death_n of_o arius_n but_o he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o word_n take_v in_o a_o general_a sense_n but_o will_v suppose_v they_o take_v with_o respect_n to_o that_o particular_a congregation_n in_o which_o arius_n be_v to_o be_v reconcile_v yet_o this_o supposition_n have_v no_o ground_n either_o in_o the_o word_n or_o in_o the_o
one_o of_o his_o book_n that_o alexander_n die_v and_o yet_o must_v live_v some_o while_n after_o this_o panegyrical_a assembly_n in_o the_o year_n 331._o soz._n l._n 2._o observe_v i●_n soc._n &_o soz._n and_o its_o manifest_a that_o c._n p_o be_v not_o build_v nor_o have_v that_o name_n till_o 331._o for_o though_o it_o be_v build_v the_o year_n before_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o finish_v till_o 25_o of_o constantine_n reign_n as_o jerome_n and_o other_o and_o the_o beginning_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v chronic._n chronic._n reckon_v from_o the_o death_n of_o constantius_n his_o father_n who_o be_v consul_n with_o maximiunus_fw-la in_o the_o year_n 306_o and_o consul_n fast_o consul_n die_v in_o the_o middle_n of_o it_o there_o need_v not_o a_o word_n more_o to_o show_v that_o all_o his_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_n be_v whole_o insignificant_a and_o not_o at_o all_o for_o his_o purpose_n though_o this_o be_v the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o his_o preface_n this_o author_n give_v several_a instance_n of_o several_a bishop_n be_v in_o one_o city_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o paul_n who_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v a_o inviolable_a rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v but_o one_o etc._n etc._n jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o instance_n etc._n etc._n i_o wonder_v to_o find_v a_o man_n of_o learning_n cite_v this_o passage_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a to_o his_o cause_n there_o be_v one_o who_o i_o suppose_v pass_v for_o a_o man_n of_o learning_n who_o for_o the_o same_o purpose_n make_v use_v of_o this_o instance_n since_o i_o be_v publish_v we_o have_v say_v he_o example_n in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n of_o of_o two_o bishop_n at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o the_o same_o see_v and_o yet_o this_o be_v never_o think_v schismatical_a when_o the_o second_o be_v advance_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o first_o thus_o alexander_n a_o bishop_n in_o cappadocia_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n while_o narcissus_n be_v live_v but_o very_o old_a and_o anatolius_n at_o the_o same_o time_n sit_v in_o the_o church_n of_o caesarea_n with_o theotecnus_n and_o this_o be_v st._n austin_n be_v own_o case_n who_o be_v make_v bishop_n of_o hippo_n while_o there_o be_v another_o bishop_n live_v 178._o live_v defence_n of_o dr._n st._n p._n 178._o he_o say_v also_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a to_o my_o cause_n than_o this_o passage_n if_o it_o have_v be_v no_o advantage_n to_o my_o cause_n i_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o bad_a enough_o but_o if_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o disadvantageous_a i_o be_o very_o unhappy_a let_v we_o see_v how_o it_o be_v make_v good_a narcissus_n have_v retire_v and_o the_o people_n not_o know_v what_o have_v become_v of_o he_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n ordain_v dius_n in_o his_o place_n who_o be_v succeed_v by_o gordius_n and_o after_o by_o germanico_n it_o shall_v be_v by_o germanico_n and_o after_o by_o gordius_n in_o who_o time_n narcissus_n return_v and_o be_v desire_v to_o resume_v his_o office_n and_o do_v so_o what_o become_v of_o germanico_n he_o mean_v gordius_n be_v not_o say_v but_o probable_o he_o resign_v or_o die_v present_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o make_v either_o of_o these_o probable_a it_o be_v altogether_o as_o likely_a if_o not_o more_o that_o he_o continue_v bishop_n there_o with_o narcissus_n for_o some_o time_n but_o because_o eusebius_n say_v nothing_o of_o it_o i_o insist_v not_o on_o it_o but_o beside_o he_o tell_v we_o narcissus_n take_v alexander_n into_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o charge_n that_o signify_v narcissus_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o the_o episcopal_a charge_n both_o have_v their_o part_n therein_o no_o but_o say_v he_o alexander_n be_v the_o bishop_n narcissus_n retain_v but_o the_o name_n and_o title_n only_o that_o be_v he_o be_v but_o a_o titular_a not_o real_o a_o bishop_n and_o why_o so_o because_o alexander_n say_v he_o join_v with_o he_o in_o prayer_n and_o the_o historian_n say_v he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o officiate_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o great_a age_n he_o be_v not_o able_a it_o may_v be_v to_o perform_v all_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n but_o what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v no_o doubt_n he_o perform_v now_o if_o they_o must_v be_v but_o titular_a bishop_n who_o perform_v not_o personal_o all_o the_o office_n of_o a_o pastoral_n charge_n when_o they_o can_v pretend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d how_o many_o real_a bishop_n shall_v we_o find_v in_o the_o world_n but_o beside_o the_o name_n and_o title_n do_v he_o not_o retain_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o a_o bishop_n if_o not_o how_o come_v he_o to_o loose_v it_o do_v he_o resign_v or_o be_v he_o depose_v that_o he_o resign_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o this_o historian_n or_o any_o other_o nor_o any_o instance_n in_o the_o ancient_a church_n that_o ever_o any_o bishop_n divest_v himself_o of_o all_o pastoral_a power_n upon_o this_o account_n to_o have_v depose_v he_o for_o his_o great_a age_n have_v be_v a_o barbarous_a act_n and_o such_o as_o the_o church_n in_o those_o time_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o no_o doubt_n but_o he_o retain_v the_o episcopal_a power_n though_o through_o age_n he_o can_v not_o exercise_v it_o in_o all_o instance_n and_o if_o he_o have_v not_o only_o the_o title_n but_o the_o power_n he_o be_v real_o a_o bishop_n and_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n at_o once_o in_o one_o church_n and_o then_o this_o instance_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v most_o disadvantageous_a that_o it_o serve_v i_o with_o all_o the_o advantage_n i_o design_v in_o allege_v it_o as_o for_o the_o word_n of_o valesius_fw-la cite_v by_o he_o if_o they_o be_v take_v in_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o author_n will_v have_v they_o that_o learned_a man_n will_v not_o agree_v with_o himself_o for_o but_o a_o very_a few_o line_n before_o he_o say_v these_o two_o be_v co-episcopi_n bishop_n together_o in_o that_o city_n superstite_fw-la episcopo_fw-la adjutor_fw-la &_o coepiscopus_fw-la est_fw-la adjunctus_fw-la and_o though_o he_o say_v but_o say_v it_o doubtful_o with_o a_o ni_fw-fr fallor_fw-la this_o be_v forbid_v at_o sardica_n above_o 100_o year_n after_o yet_o he_o add_v that_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v still_o usual_a in_o the_o church_n nihil_fw-la ominous_a identidem_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la usurpatum_fw-la est_fw-la which_o be_v all_o that_o i_o need_v desire_n and_o afterward_o where_o eusebius_n 32._o in_o l._n 7._o c._n 32._o again_o mention_n two_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n he_o observe_v that_o in_o one_o of_o his_o copy_n the_o scholiast_n h●s_v this_o note_n upon_o it_o in_o the_o margin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o also_o there_o be_v two_o bishop_n of_o one_o church_n valesius_fw-la add_v the_o scholiast_n understand_v alexander_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n together_o with_o narcissus_n the_o next_o instance_n be_v of_o theotecnus_n and_o anatolius_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o caesarea_n together_o against_o this_o he_o have_v little_a to_o say_v i_o suppose_v because_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v against_o it_o in_o reason_n only_o he_o seem_v willing_a that_o anatolius_n shall_v pass_v but_o as_o episcopus_fw-la designatus_fw-la whereby_o if_o he_o mean_v one_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o actual_o a_o bishop_n but_o design_v to_o be_v one_o hereafter_o as_o eradius_fw-la be_v by_o augustine_n it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o what_o eusebius_n say_v and_o himself_n quote_v but_o one_o line_n before_o viz._n that_o theotecnus_n ordain_v he_o bishop_n in_o his_o life-time_n for_o if_o he_o be_v not_o actual_o bishop_n after_o he_o be_v thus_o ordain_v he_o be_v never_o bishop_n at_o all_o 32._o all_o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 32._o another_o instance_n be_v of_o macarius_n and_o maximus_n both_o bishop_n at_o once_o of_o jerusalem_n he_o will_v not_o have_v maximus_n to_o be_v bishop_n while_n macarius_n live_v because_o it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v to_o rule_v the_o church_n after_o his_o death_n but_o maximus_n be_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n not_o only_o after_o his_o death_n if_o he_o survive_v he_o as_o he_o be_v like_a to_o do_v be_v much_o young_a but_o while_o he_o live_v and_o so_o do_v actual_o together_o with_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o denote_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o same_o function_n together_o 19_o together_o sez_fw-fr l._n 2._o c._n 19_o beside_o the_o historian_n say_v maximus_n be_v before_o this_o ordain_a bishop_n of_o diospolis_n and_o if_o he_o have_v officiate_v at_o jerusalem_n where_o they_o be_v so_o desirous_a of_o he_o in_o a_o low_a capacity_n their_o kindness_n to_o he_o have_v be_v a_o degrade_n him_z which_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v they_o will_v either_o offer_n or_o he_o yield_v to_o i_o allege_v epiphanius_n who_o signify_v
a_o city_n yet_o it_o be_v think_v so_o by_o st._n austin_n when_o he_o excuse_v his_o suffering_n himself_o to_o be_v make_v bishop_n with_o valerius_n by_o this_o that_o he_o know_v no●_n it_o be_v forbid_v by_o a_o rule_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n quod_fw-la concilio_n niceno_fw-la prohibitum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la nesciebam_fw-la and_o give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o will_v not_o so_o ordain_v eradius_fw-la next_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o this_o provision_n for_o a_o successor_n do_v not_o destroy_v that_o rule_n by_o a_o instance_n i_o need_v not_o transcribe_v it_o at_o large_a the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v this_o when_o the_o government_n be_v monarchical_a if_o it_o fall_v out_o once_o in_o many_o age_n as_o it_o do_v in_o england_n once_o in_o above_o 500_o year_n that_o another_o king_n be_v crown_v beside_o he_o who_o have_v the_o throne_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v true_a enough_o that_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o those_o kingdom_n to_o have_v but_o one_o king_n to_o which_o i_o say_v brief_o if_o it_o be_v usual_a to_o have_v two_o king_n in_o such_o a_o government_n it_o will_v scarce_o be_v think_v true_a that_o it_o be_v the_o inviolable_a rule_n of_o those_o kingdom_n to_o have_v but_o one_o king_n and_o then_o how_o this_o instance_n will_v suit_v his_o purpose_n let_v those_o judge_n who_o take_v notice_n that_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v it_o usual_a in_o the_o ancient_a church_n for_o city_n in_o all_o part_n to_o have_v two_o bishop_n at_o once_o from_o pag._n 12._o he_o pass_v to_o pag._n 23._o to_o show_v there_o be_v more_o bishopric_n than_o one_o in_o the_o region_n or_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n i_o bring_v several_a instance_n and_o may_v have_v produce_v more_o but_o that_o i_o confine_v myself_o to_o those_o which_o the_o learned_a dean_n allege_v to_o the_o contrary_n fussala_n be_v one_o of_o they_o and_z than_z alone_o this_o gentleman_n take_v notice_n of_o st._n austin_n call_v it_o castellum_n diverse_a time_n in_o one_o epistle_n he_o find_v fault_n that_o i_o translate_v castellum_n a_o castle_n i_o do_v no_o more_o expect_v to_o be_v blame_v for_o this_o than_o if_o i_o have_v render_v oppidum_n a_o town_n but_o i_o suppose_v he_o count_v it_o no_o great_a crime_n since_o he_o run_v into_o it_o himself_o and_o in_o a_o few_o line_n after_o call_v it_o a_o castle_n but_o these_o castle_n say_v he_o be_v garrison_n town_n with_o a_o good_a dependence_n of_o village_n belong_v to_o they_o they_o be_v fortress_n and_o sometime_o have_v village_n depend_v on_o they_o and_o may_v contain_v so_o many_o building_n as_o there_o be_v in_o some_o village_n or_o little_a town_n however_o he_o call_v they_o castle_n and_o may_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o do_v so_o too_o he_o add_v it_o be_v 40_o mile_n distant_a from_o hippo_n and_o be_v in_o st._n austine_n diocese_n and_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o it_o be_v say_v indeed_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o say_v to_o be_v in_o st._n austine_n diocese_n or_o bishopric_n these_o be_v two_o thing_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v confound_v when_o it_o be_v say_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n so_o far_o distant_a diocese_n be_v not_o take_v as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v with_o we_o for_o part_n of_o a_o country_n under_o the_o government_n of_o one_o bishop_n but_o as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o africa_n in_o a_o civil_a sense_n for_o part_n of_o a_o province_n without_o respect_n to_o one_o bishop_n or_o to_o any_o one_o bishop_n at_o all_o some_o part_n there_o call_v diocese_n have_v no_o bishop_n nor_o be_v to_o have_v any_o by_o decree_n of_o the_o african_a council_n 53._o council_n con._n carth._n 2._o can._n 5._o code_n africa_n 53._o other_o place_n call_v a_o diocese_n have_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o petilian_n say_v that_o in_o the_o place_n where_o his_o colleague_n januarius_n be_v bishop_n there_o be_v 4_o bishop_n beside_o all_o five_o in_o unâ_fw-la dioecesi_fw-la 117._o dioecesi_fw-la coll._n carth._n d._n 1_o num._n 117._o and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o many_o other_o place_n particular_o in_o that_o call_v the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n as_o i_o show_v by_o diverse_a instance_n and_o st._n augustine_n own_o testimony_n hereby_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o africa_n a_o diocese_n and_o a_o bishopric_n be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n though_o they_o be_v with_o we_o there_o be_v diverse_a diocese_n and_o no_o bishopric_n and_o many_o bishopric_n where_o but_o one_o diocese_n so_o that_o fussala_n and_o 20_o other_o castle_n and_o town_n may_v be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n at_o 40_o mile_n distance_n or_o more_o and_o yet_o st._n augustine_n bishopric_n not_o one_o jot_n the_o large_a for_o it_o nor_o he_o more_o a_o diocesan_n whereas_o he_o add_v that_o it_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a that_o fussala_n have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o in_o augustine_n time_n and_o this_o render_v it_o whole_o unserviceable_a to_o their_o purpose_n for_o the_o bishopric_n of_o hippo_n say_v to_o be_v of_o 40_o mile_n extent_n will_v not_o upon_o the_o count_n of_o fussala_n be_v 40_o yard_n large_a nor_o will_v either_o of_o these_o bishop_n nor_o any_o other_o in_o that_o region_n be_v diocesan_n unless_o there_o can_v be_v two_o diocesan_n and_o i_o know_v not_o how_o many_o more_o in_o one_o diocese_n i_o assign_v this_o reason_n why_o fussala_n have_v not_o a_o bishop_n soon_o because_o austin_n declare_v there_o be_v not_o one_o catholic_n in_fw-la it_o and_o suppose_v this_o may_v serve_v the_o turn_n not_o dream_v that_o those_o who_o count_v all_o the_o people_n in_o a_o very_a large_a parish_n or_o in_o a_o 100_o parish_n little_a enough_o for_o a_o diocesan_n can_v think_v his_o diocese_n competent_o furnish_v when_o he_o have_v not_o one_o soul_n or_o but_o some_o few_o in_o communion_n with_o he_o he_o say_v the_o town_n or_o castle_n indeed_o have_v none_o but_o the_o county_n belong_v to_o it_o have_v some_o he_o will_v have_v the_o territory_n or_o parish_n depend_v on_o this_o castle_n to_o be_v a_o county_n i_o can_v but_o observe_v the_o admirable_a power_n of_o a_o fancy_n tinctured_a and_o prepossess_v it_o will_v turn_v a_o parish_n into_o a_o county_n and_o a_o castle_n into_o a_o county_n town_n and_o since_o a_o county_n with_o we_o be_v a_o province_n with_o they_o one_o province_n must_v be_v as_o much_o as_o all_o africa_n and_o a_o very_a small_a part_n of_o numidia_n must_v be_v far_o great_a than_o the_o whole_a but_o there_o be_v some_o hypothesis_n which_o may_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o such_o imagination_n however_o he_o like_v not_o my_o reason_n and_o why_o because_o though_o it_o have_v no_o catholic_n in_o it_o then_o it_o may_v have_v some_o before_o and_o conclude_v it_o have_v because_o it_o belong_v heretofore_o to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo._n but_o that_o it_o former_o have_v catholic_n say_v he_o we_o may_v conclude_v by_o mr._n baxter_n reason_v because_o it_o belong_v heretofore_o to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo._n if_o diocese_n be_v take_v in_o a_o civil_a sense_n as_o it_o be_v frequent_o in_o african_a author_n this_o will_v be_v no_o proof_n that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o catholic_n in_o it_o because_o in_o this_o sense_n fussala_n may_v belong_v to_o that_o diocese_n though_o there_o have_v not_o be_v either_o christian_a or_o bishop_n in_o the_o whole_a region_n nor_o will_v it_o be_v hereby_o prove_v take_v it_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a sense_n for_o that_o part_n of_o hippo_n which_o be_v under_o the_o donatist_n bishop_n have_v no_o catholic_n and_o yet_o the_o jure_fw-la as_o he_o tell_v we_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n as_o he_o call_v it_o or_o charge_v of_o st._n austin_n yet_o since_o he_o allow_v mr._n baxter_n argument_n he_o must_v admit_v what_o it_o conclude_v viz._n that_o a_o place_n that_o have_v no_o christian_n or_o catholic_n in_o it_o belong_v to_o no_o bishop_n and_o than_o fussala_n never_o belong_v to_o st._n austin_n as_o its_o bishop_n either_o before_o it_o have_v catholic_n for_o against_o this_o the_o argument_n be_v admit_v to_o be_v conclusive_a not_o after_o for_o than_o it_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o and_o so_o all_o they_o have_v to_o allege_v for_o the_o largeness_n of_o st._n augustine_n bishopric_n come_v to_o nothing_o so_o that_o i_o conceive_v the_o reason_n will_v not_o hold_v for_o its_o have_a no_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o since_o the_o same_o reason_n destroy_v its_o dependence_n upon_o the_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n which_o be_v express_o affirm_v the_o reason_n i_o give_v for_o its_o have_a no_o bishop_n be_v because_o st._n
there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o pretence_n for_o what_o he_o say_v but_o there_o be_v not_o any_o hint_n of_o this_o in_o the_o whole_a epistle_n that_o which_o be_v desire_v be_v a_o meeting_n for_o conference_n hoc_fw-la est_fw-la ergo_fw-la desiderium_fw-la nostrum_fw-la etc._n etc._n primum_fw-la si_fw-la fieri_fw-la potest_fw-la ut_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopis_fw-la nostris_fw-la pacificè_fw-la conferatis_fw-la ideo_fw-la nos_fw-la confer_v volumus_fw-la and_o the_o prime_a occasion_n of_o it_o be_v the_o outrage_n commit_v in_o that_o region_n by_o the_o donatist_n wherein_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o place_n be_v particular_o concern_v this_o be_v signify_v as_o in_o other_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n so_o particular_o in_o the_o passage_n cite_v episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la qui_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la ubi_fw-la tanta_fw-la mala_fw-la patimur_fw-la this_o meeting_n be_v to_o be_v with_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n upon_o the_o place_n in_fw-la region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la not_o any_o to_o be_v call_v from_o other_o part_n and_o these_o word_n seem_v bring_v in_o to_o prevent_v a_o objection_n which_o the_o donatist_n may_v make_v against_o a_o more_o general_a or_o more_o public_a meeting_n as_o that_o which_o may_v bring_v they_o in_o danger_n of_o the_o law_n in_o force_n against_o they_o a_o fortè_fw-la istae_fw-la leges_fw-la imperatoris_fw-la vos_fw-la non_fw-la permittunt_fw-la nostros_fw-la episcopos_fw-la convenire_fw-la and_o then_o immediate_o follow_v these_o word_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o ecce_fw-la interim_n episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la qui_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o region_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la etc._n etc._n so_o that_o this_o to_o i_o seem_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o both_o objection_n and_o answer_n if_o because_o of_o the_o law_n you_o dare_v not_o meet_v we_o in_o a_o more_o general_n or_o provincial_a council_n yet_o give_v a_o meeting_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o this_o particular_a region_n where_o there_o can_v be_v no_o apprehension_n of_o danger_n all_o which_o make_v i_o judge_v what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n as_o here_o intend_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o evasion_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o region_n of_o hippo_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o clergy_n there_o call_v in_o the_o inscription_n of_o a_o epistle_n clerici_fw-la regionis_fw-la hipponensium_fw-la speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o hippo_n do_v call_v he_o their_o bishop_n and_o not_o one_o of_o their_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o clergy_n so_o call_v may_v be_v only_o the_o clergy_n of_o hippo_n and_o so_o they_o be_v in_o the_o title_n of_o the_o epistle_n clerici_fw-la hippone_v catholici_fw-la and_o well_o may_v they_o of_o hippo_n be_v call_v the_o clergy_n of_o the_o region_n both_o because_o they_o be_v in_o that_o region_n and_o be_v the_o clergy_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o if_o the_o expression_n shall_v be_v extend_v to_o more_o or_o to_o all_o in_o the_o region_n their_o call_v he_o episcopus_fw-la noster_fw-la will_v be_v no_o proof_n that_o they_o have_v no_o other_o bishop_n but_o he_o at_o hippo._n for_o that_o phrase_n episcopus_fw-la noster_fw-la or_o episcopi_fw-la nostri_fw-la all_o along_o in_o this_o epistle_n do_v not_o denote_v the_o bishop_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n to_o which_o they_o belong_v as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o but_o a_o bishop_n of_o their_o party_n or_o persuasion_n so_o they_o call_v valentinus_n nostrum_fw-la catholicum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la who_o yet_o be_v not_o bishop_n of_o hippo._n so_o they_o call_v they_o episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la who_o they_o desire_v the_o donatist_n to_o meet_v once_o and_o again_o 373_o again_o pag._n 373_o and_o thrice_o in_o another_o page_n where_o our_o author_n find_v episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la 371._o nostros_fw-la pag._n 371._o he_o may_v have_v many_o more_o instance_n hereof_o in_o that_o epistle_n if_o there_o be_v so_o many_o bishop_n in_o hippo_n or_o in_o that_o region_n as_o the_o clergy_n call_v episcopos_fw-la nostros_fw-la he_o must_v grant_v many_o more_o bishop_n in_o that_o region_n than_o i_o need_v desire_n so_o that_o this_o phrase_n however_o it_o be_v understand_v be_v a_o medium_n unhappy_o choose_v if_o it_o be_v take_v in_o my_o sense_n it_o be_v impertinent_a and_o can_v conclude_v nothing_o for_o he_o if_o it_o be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o sense_n it_o will_v conclude_v direct_o against_o he_o he_o pass_v to_o alexandria_n and_o to_o pag._n 32._o the_o instance_n of_o mareotis_n he_o say_v little_a to_o so_o our_o author_n i_o may_v think_v it_o enough_o where_o there_o be_v so_o little_a occasion_n he_o insinuate_v as_o if_o mareotis_n may_v not_o have_v number_n enough_o of_o christian_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n but_o this_o athanasius_n do_v sufficient_o show_v to_o be_v a_o groundless_a conjecture_n i_o have_v no_o intention_n or_o occasion_n to_o signify_v that_o mareotis_n have_v not_o christian_n enough_o to_o have_v a_o bishop_n i_o know_v that_o it_o both_o have_v many_o christian_n and_o a_o bishop_n also_o and_o name_v he_o too_o and_o therefore_o the_o groundless_a conjecture_n may_v be_v fix_v somewhere_o else_o and_o even_o before_o athanasius_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o people_n there_o be_v christian_n how_o long_o before_o dionysius_n in_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o three_o age_n declare_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quite_o destitute_a of_o christian_n 11._o christian_n euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 11._o and_o the_o gain_v the_o generality_n there_o to_o the_o faith_n require_v some_o considerable_a time_n and_o it_o be_v like_o proceed_v not_o far_o till_o christianity_n general_o prevail_v beside_o ischyras_n i_o have_v mention_v dracontius_n both_o bishop_n in_o the_o territory_n of_o alexandria_n as_o agathammon_n also_o be_v 612._o be_v apol._n 2._o p._n 612._o of_o dracontius_n he_o take_v notice_n and_o say_v possible_o he_o be_v a_o chorepiscopus_n but_o a_o chorepiscopus_n be_v elsewhere_o with_o he_o a_o diocesan_n a_o and_o here_o he_o say_v that_o he_o do_v accept_v 590._o accept_v pag._n 590._o bishopric_n now_o these_o put_v together_o will_v go_v near_o to_o make_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n but_o then_o if_o there_o be_v two_o or_o three_o bishop_n in_o the_o diocese_n of_o alexandria_n beside_o athanasius_n they_o will_v scarce_o be_v so_o much_o as_o half_a diocesan_n he_o say_v athanasius_n press_v he_o to_o accept_v it_o if_o so_o this_o great_a person_n be_v no_o more_o unwilling_a to_o have_v another_o bishop_n in_o his_o diocese_n and_o in_o a_o country_n place_n too_o than_o austin_n be_v to_o have_v one_o at_o fussala_n he_o say_v further_o this_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a case_n though_o what_o be_v extraordinary_a in_o it_o i_o can_v imagine_v to_o prove_v any_o thing_n there_o mention_v to_o be_v so_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a task_n and_o allow_v this_o man_n a_o country_n bishopric_n that_o of_o alexandria_n will_v be_v a_o great_a deal_n too_o big_a for_o the_o congregational_a measure_n and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v and_o yet_o be_v no_o diocesan_n church_n if_o that_o will_v satisfy_v he_o which_o be_v too_o big_a for_o those_o measure_n he_o seem_v content_a to_o drop_v his_o cause_n and_o may_v leave_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o presbyterian_o and_o he_o be_v in_o the_o more_o danger_n because_o he_o seem_v not_o apprehensive_a of_o it_o but_o count_v it_o enough_o if_o he_o think_v a_o church_n be_v any_o where_o find_v large_a than_o one_o congregation_n i_o have_v give_v instance_n of_o several_a town_n that_o have_v bishop_n and_o be_v but_o two_o or_o three_o or_o four_o etc._n etc._n mile_n distant_a one_o from_o another_o this_o he_o deny_v not_o but_o ask_v what_o do_v this_o conclude_v may_v not_o those_o diocese_n be_v yet_o much_o large_a than_o one_o congregation_n i_o may_v conclude_v that_o these_o be_v just_o such_o diocese_n as_o our_o country_n parish_n be_v and_o have_v such_o congregation_n as_o those_o parish_n church_n have_v and_o some_o of_o they_o in_o time_n may_v have_v provision_n as_o some_o of_o we_o have_v for_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o and_o if_o our_o modern_a diocese_n be_v of_o this_o proportion_n they_o will_v be_v much_o more_o conformable_a to_o the_o ancient_a model_n suppose_v the_o chief_a congregation_n of_o holland_n have_v each_o a_o bishop_n yet_o i_o conceive_v they_o will_v be_v diocesan_n though_o those_o city_n lie_v very_o close_o together_o he_o may_v have_v lay_v the_o scene_n at_o home_n where_o we_o be_v better_o acquaint_v and_o suppose_v this_o of_o our_o country_n town_n or_o of_o both_o the_o chief_a and_o lesser_a town_n in_o holland_n if_o he_o have_v design_v what_o will_v be_v most_o parallel_a but_o to_o take_v it_o as_o it_o be_v form_v though_o those_o city_n lay_v not_o further_o distant_a and_o have_v each_o of_o they_o a_o bishop_n yet_o if_o their_o church_n be_v