that_o one_o of_o that_o name_n onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o trajan_n wherein_o ignatius_n write_v that_o epistle_n 7._o second_o that_o by_o one_o indication_n there_o be_v some_o small_a reason_n to_o guess_v that_o this_o onesimus_n be_v then_o late_o come_v to_o that_o dignity_n i_o mean_v ignatius_n his_o word_n of_o gratulation_n to_o that_o church_n that_o god_n have_v give_v they_o the_o favour_n to_o obtain_v or_o have_v such_o a_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 8._o three_o that_o according_a to_o epiphanius_n his_o set_v down_o the_o time_n of_o john_n banishment_n and_o vision_n in_o the_o day_n of_o claudius_n there_o must_v be_v above_o 50_o year_n distance_n between_o the_o date_n of_o this_o epistle_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o of_o ignatius_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o likely_a that_o onesimus_n that_o be_v their_o bishop_n in_o the_o late_a shall_v be_v that_o very_a angel_n in_o the_o former_a 9_o four_o that_o as_o i_o can_v have_v no_o cause_n to_o consent_v with_o ado_n in_o lib._n de_fw-fr fest_n apost_n ad_fw-la 14._o cal._n mart._n that_o this_o onesimus_n in_o ignatius_n be_v he_o that_o be_v mention_v by_o st._n paul_n to_o philemon_n so_o nor_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o roman_a martyrologie_n that_o he_o who_o paul_n mention_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n after_o timothy_n 10._o and_o therefore_o fifthly_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o both_o the_o greek_a menology_n and_o simeon_n metaphrastes_n who_o celebrate_v his_o memory_n on_o march_n 13._o acknowledge_v not_o that_o onesimus_n to_o have_v be_v at_o all_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o that_o other_o also_o of_o the_o ancients_n make_v he_o to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o beraea_n and_o martyr_v in_o domitian_n reign_n and_o dorothea_n in_o synopsi_n express_o affirm_v that_o gaius_n succeed_v timothy_n in_o ephesus_n 11._o from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o onesimus_n mention_v by_o ignatius_n be_v some_o late_a bishop_n of_o that_o city_n who_o bear_v that_o very_o ordinary_a greek_a name_n and_o so_o that_o his_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n no_o way_n belong_v to_o that_o time_n of_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o revelation_n not_o interfere_n with_o their_o opinion_n who_o think_v timothy_n to_o have_v be_v that_o angel_n the_o appear_a incompetibility_n whereof_o be_v it_o i_o spppose_v that_o bring_v in_o here_o the_o mention_n of_o onesimus_n 12._o this_o be_v here_o seasonable_a enough_o to_o be_v confront_v to_o their_o word_n in_o this_o place_n and_o will_v be_v of_o use_n to_o be_v remember_v in_o the_o process_n of_o their_o discourse_n 13._o three_o for_o polycarp'_v be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n as_o there_o be_v leave_v no_o place_n for_o the_o doubt_n of_o that_o if_o either_o irenaeus_n that_o live_v in_o his_o time_n and_o see_v he_o or_o if_o tertullian_n who_o live_v not_o long_o after_o and_o be_v a_o curious_a antiquary_n may_v be_v believe_v in_o their_o joint_a affirmation_n of_o a_o know_a matter_n of_o fact_n so_o it_o be_v again_o no_o where_o affirm_v by_o i_o that_o he_o be_v the_o very_a man_n to_o who_o that_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n be_v send_v and_o if_o that_o be_v their_o meaning_n they_o have_v again_o misreport_v my_o word_n 14._o all_o that_o i_o have_v say_v i_o think_v be_v prove_v irrefragable_o that_o in_o two_o of_o those_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o apocalypse_n timothy_n and_o poylcarpe_n be_v by_o anthentick_a testimony_n affirm_v to_o be_v constitute_v bishop_n the_o one_o by_o st._n paul_n the_o other_o by_o st._n john_n and_o that_o be_v a_o competent_a argument_n add_v to_o other_o to_o infer_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o each_o of_o those_o church_n be_v a_o single_a person_n and_o so_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o prelatist_n not_o in_o the_o presbyterian_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n a_o assertion_n which_o i_o need_v not_o fear_n will_v yield_v any_o advantage_n to_o the_o adversary_n and_o so_o i_o as_o brief_o commit_v it_o to_o they_o section_n 3._o of_o the_o negative_a argument_n from_o st._n john_n not_o use_v the_o word_n bishop_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o revelation_n in_o the_o next_o place_n by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o this_o plea_n of_o the_o prelatist_n we_o be_v refer_v to_o three_o write_n of_o their_o party_n smectymnuus_n the_o vindication_n of_o smectymnuus_n the_o humble_a address_n of_o the_o divine_n at_o the_o isle_n of_o wight_n wherein_o say_v they_o these_o thing_n be_v full_o clear_o and_o satisfactory_o handle_v 2._o but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o one_o of_o these_o three_o be_v publish_v some_o year_n before_o the_o dissertation_n i_o shall_v think_v it_o strange_a that_o the_o particular_n there_o insist_v on_o by_o i_o shall_v by_o divination_n be_v thus_o answer_v before_o their_o conception_n be_v able_a true_o to_o profess_v that_o though_o i_o be_o not_o unwilling_a to_o make_v use_n of_o any_o man_n aid_n for_o defend_v truth_n yet_o none_o of_o those_o write_n to_o which_o any_o of_o those_o three_o be_v give_v in_o answer_n be_v by_o i_o make_v use_v of_o in_o those_o composition_n 3._o but_o we_o be_v supersede_v the_o trouble_n of_o examine_v any_o of_o these_o three_o by_o the_o leave_n that_o be_v crave_v to_o borrow_v from_o they_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a for_o the_o turn_n and_o then_o in_o like_a manner_n i_o shall_v more_o willing_o receive_v from_o these_o what_o shall_v appear_v to_o answer_v or_o prejudge_v our_o plea_n than_o undertake_v new_a trouble_n in_o far_a unnecessary_a search_n of_o it_o 4._o first_o than_o they_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o s._n john_n the_o penman_n of_o the_o revelation_n do_v neither_o in_o it_o nor_o in_o any_o of_o his_o other_o write_n so_o much_o as_o upon_o the_o by_o i_o suppose_v for_o the_o printer_n fail_v i_o name_v bishop_n he_o name_v the_o name_n presbyter_n frequent_o in_o the_o revelation_n yea_o when_o he_o will_v set_v out_o the_o office_n of_o those_o who_o be_v near_o the_o throne_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n rev._n 4._o he_o call_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n ep._n 2._o and_o whereas_o in_o s._n john_n day_n some_o new_a expression_n be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v not_o in_o scripture_n as_o the_o christian_a sabbath_n begin_v to_o be_v call_v the_o lord_n day_n and_o christ_n himself_o the_o word_n now_o both_o these_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o st_n john_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o we_o that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v mention_v a_o new_a phrase_n and_o not_o mention_v a_o new_a office_n erect_v by_o this_o time_n as_o our_o brethren_n say_v in_o the_o church_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o polycarpe_n as_o it_o relate_v be_v make_v bishop_n by_o he_o and_o no_o doubt_n if_o he_o have_v be_v make_v bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n we_o shall_v have_v find_v the_o name_n bishop_n in_o some_o of_o his_o write_n who_o live_v so_o long_o as_o to_o see_v episcopacy_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n as_o our_o adversary_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v 5._o we_o be_v now_o to_o consider_v what_o degree_n of_o conviction_n or_o argument_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o our_o pretension_n can_v be_v fetch_v from_o this_o large_a consideration_n and_o first_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a and_o notorious_a among_o all_o artist_n that_o a_o argument_n from_o authority_n can_v conclude_v negative_o that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n in_o st_n john_n time_n because_o st._n john_n do_v not_o mention_v bishop_n it_o be_v the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o the_o time_n of_o write_v the_o canonical_a chapter_n of_o hester_n because_o god_n be_v not_o find_v once_o mention_v in_o those_o chapter_n and_o yet_o of_o this_o inartificiall_a kind_n be_v the_o whole_a discourse_n of_o this_o paragraph_n the_o premise_n bare_o negative_a throughout_o all_o the_o consideration_n and_o so_o nothing_o be_v conclusible_a from_o it_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o we_o or_o benefit_n of_o our_o adversary_n 6._o second_o all_o that_o this_o consideration_n pretend_v to_o be_v terminate_v in_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o bishop_n that_o be_v it_o which_o they_o pretend_v be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o st._n john_n but_o 1._o they_o know_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v oft_o in_o st_n john_n and_o by_o we_o contest_v by_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o person_n one_o angel_n in_o each_o church_n and_o other_o character_n to_o conclude_v the_o office_n of_o bishop_n as_o irrefragable_o as_o if_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v there_o specify_v nay_o of_o this_o we_o have_v a_o competent_a experience_n that_o if_o the_o word_n bishop_n have_v be_v find_v there_o
of_o st._n john_n who_o we_o know_v be_v after_o his_o return_n from_o banishment_n affix_v to_o asia_n and_o seat_v at_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n there_o to_o superintend_v in_o the_o jewish_a part_n of_o the_o asian_a church_n over_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o there_o 10._o to_o this_o i_o may_v add_v fifthly_o that_o the_o bishop_n in_o every_o city_n be_v successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o be_v large_o deduce_v diss_n 3._o c._n 3._o sect._n 14._o etc._n etc._n which_o they_o can_v not_o true_o be_v if_o the_o apostle_n who_o they_o succeed_v be_v not_o in_o vest_v with_o that_o power_n wherein_o they_o succeed_v they_o i._n e._n be_v not_o first_o bishop_n before_o they_o but_o i_o shall_v not_o enlarge_v of_o this_o have_v no_o need_n of_o more_o evidence_n in_o this_o matter_n 11._o four_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v add_v that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v affirm_v to_o be_v proper_o bishop_n this_o be_v to_o degrade_v the_o apostle_n and_o to_o make_v their_o office_n ordinary_a and_o perpetual_a this_o be_v but_o a_o shortness_n of_o discourse_n of_o which_o a_o very_a few_o word_n will_v suffice_v to_o admonish_v any_o for_o there_o be_v no_o more_o strength_n in_o that_o consequence_n than_o there_o will_v be_v in_o affirm_v that_o such_o a_o one_o be_v a_o man_n therefore_o he_o be_v not_o a_o live_a creature_n or_o that_o he_o that_o say_v he_o be_v a_o live_a creature_n degrade_v he_o from_o be_v a_o man_n for_o as_o to_o that_o of_o ordinary_n and_o perpetual_a it_o be_v no_o way_n inconvenient_a that_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v somewhat_o temporary_a and_o extraordinary_a for_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o church_n in_o respect_n of_o which_o especial_o they_o be_v call_v apostle_n may_v also_o have_v somewhat_o which_o be_v of_o ordinary_a perpetual_a use_n in_o the_o church_n wherein_o other_o might_n and_o shall_v succeed_v they_o and_o that_o be_v it_o unquestionable_o which_o we_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n bishop_n when_o we_o ascribe_v it_o to_o they_o or_o any_o of_o they_o or_o to_o christ_n himself_o the_o source_n and_o original_a copy_n of_o that_o power_n in_o the_o church_n 12._o five_o when_o another_o inconvenience_n be_v accumulate_v on_o this_o much_o to_o the_o former_a purpose_n but_o in_o more_o word_n this_o be_v to_o exalt_v the_o bishop_n above_o his_o degree_n and_o make_v he_o a_o apostle_n end_v to_o make_v the_o apostle_n a_o bishop_n 1._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o the_o forementioned_a exception_n be_v true_a viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o degrade_n the_o apostle_n it_o can_v not_o far_o be_v true_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o exalt_v the_o bishop_n above_o his_o degree_n for_o suppose_v one_o to_o be_v above_o the_o other_o the_o degrade_n one_o will_v make_v the_o other_o eguall_a to_o he_o without_o any_o new_a act_n of_o exalt_v he_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v already_o descend_v to_o the_o bishop_n sure_o the_o bishop_n need_v not_o can_v ascend_v to_o the_o apostle_n i_o can_v go_v up_o stair_n to_o he_o who_o have_v prevent_v i_o by_o his_o dignation_n or_o misfortune_n and_o be_v already_o come_v or_o fall_v downeâ—_n to_o i_o second_o therefore_o this_o make_v not_o the_o bishop_n a_o apostle_n which_o be_v a_o degree_n high_o than_o he_o though_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o episcopal_a power_n common_a to_o they_o with_o the_o aposle_v it_o be_v nothing_o strange_a in_o the_o ancient_a writer_n for_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n thaddaeus_n luke_n barnabas_n mark_v timothy_n titus_n clemens_n ignatius_n to_o be_v call_v apostle_n as_o be_v evidence_v at_o large_a in_o the_o 3._o dissertation_n but_o only_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v a_o bishop_n which_o he_o may_v well_o be_v as_o the_o great_a contain_v the_o less_o though_o the_o bishop_n be_v no_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o less_o contain_v not_o the_o great_a 13._o and_o last_o for_o the_o citation_n out_o of_o dr._n whitaker_n i_o have_v no_o direction_n to_o the_o place_n which_o may_v enable_v i_o to_o examine_v it_o and_o i_o know_v circumstance_n of_o the_o context_n or_o the_o design_n of_o the_o speech_n may_v much_o alter_v it_o from_o what_o it_o signify_v to_o i_o at_o my_o read_n it_o thus_o cite_v but_o if_o it_o be_v distinct_o thus_o and_o incapable_a of_o a_o more_o commodious_a interpretation_n i_o can_v consent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o or_o comprehend_v upon_o what_o ground_n of_o reason_n he_o shall_v so_o severe_o censure_v those_o scripture_n and_o father_n which_o have_v be_v produce_v to_o affirm_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n and_o particular_o st._n john_n and_o st._n peter_n and_o indeed_o when_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o each_o of_o those_o two_o apostle_n peculiar_o call_v himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o elder_a or_o as_o they_o render_v it_o presbyter_n i_o shall_v demand_v do_v either_o of_o those_o speak_v proper_o or_o no_o if_o they_o do_v be_v either_o of_o those_o little_a distant_a from_o madman_n if_o so_o i_o shall_v be_v content_a to_o be_v under_o any_o censure_n in_o their_o company_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o speak_v not_o so_o proper_o i_o shall_v be_v content_a with_o they_o to_o have_v speak_v improper_o also_o but_o if_o apostle_n may_v be_v call_v presbyter_n without_o any_o of_o these_o inconvenience_n of_o degradation_n in_o they_o any_o insolence_n in_o the_o presbyter_n or_o madness_n in_o the_o speaker_n my_o only_a remain_v quaere_fw-la be_v why_o they_o may_v not_o without_o all_o this_o ado_n be_v call_v bishop_n also_o meaning_n by_o bishop_n as_o i_o now_o mean_a for_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o i_o understand_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a in_o those_o three_o place_n and_o they_o who_o differ_v from_o i_o herein_o do_v yet_o understand_v it_o of_o presbyter_n and_o so_o have_v say_v in_o the_o second_o consideration_n express_o that_o st._n john_n call_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n and_o then_o all_o the_o spice_n of_o madness_n consist_v in_o this_o think_v a_o bishop_n capable_a of_o that_o exaltation_n that_o a_o presbyter_n in_o perfect_a sobriety_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o three_o consideration_n section_n vi._n of_o the_o word_n angel_n and_o star_n pretend_v to_o be_v common_a to_o all_o minister_n of_o messenger_n and_o ambassador_n the_o singularity_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n the_o four_o consideration_n be_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n which_o be_v the_o title_n give_v to_o those_o suppose_a bishop_n do_v not_o import_v any_o peculiar_a jurisdiction_n or_o praeeminence_n but_o be_v a_o common_a name_n to_o all_o minister_n and_o so_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n for_o all_o minister_n be_v god_n messenger_n and_o ambassador_n send_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o elect_a and_o therefore_o the_o name_n be_v common_a to_o all_o minister_n why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o thing_n speak_v to_o one_o minister_n that_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o all_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o word_n star_n which_o be_v also_o a_o title_n give_v to_o those_o suppose_a metropolitan_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o faithful_a minister_n be_v call_v star_n in_o scripture_n who_o duty_n be_v to_o shine_v as_o light_n unto_o the_o church_n in_o all_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n and_o holiness_n of_o conversation_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o these_o title_n that_o argue_v these_o minister_n to_o be_v bishop_n in_o our_o brethren_n sense_n insomuch_o as_o have_v they_o not_o be_v call_v bishop_n by_o some_o author_n that_o succeed_v they_o who_o speak_v of_o former_a time_n in_o the_o language_n of_o their_o own_o time_n this_o way_n of_o argue_v will_v have_v be_v count_v ridiculous_a 2._o â—o_o this_o consideration_n i_o may_v if_o it_o be_v needful_a reply_n 1._o that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v no_o where_o use_v for_o any_o other_o officer_n or_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n save_v only_o the_o prophet_n such_o as_o haggai_n c._n 1._o 13._o and_o john_n baptist_n mat._n 11._o 10._o and_o the_o chief_a priest_n mal._n 2._o 7._o 3._o second_o that_o as_o to_o the_o word_n messenger_n and_o ambassador_n there_o be_v in_o ordinary_a speech_n some_o considerable_a difference_n between_o they_o the_o latter_a have_v in_o it_o a_o connotation_n of_o dignity_n sustain_v the_o person_n of_o the_o king_n from_o who_o he_o be_v send_v immediate_o which_o be_v not_o applicable_a to_o the_o former_a and_o agreeable_o when_o it_o be_v use_v of_o st._n paul_n and_o timothy_n in_o who_o name_n that_o epistle_n be_v write_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o be_v ambassador_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 20._o there_o be_v add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
last_o charge_n be_v more_o severe_a than_o any_o of_o the_o former_a that_o these_o paradox_n as_o they_o style_v they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o we_o have_v make_v it_o evident_a in_o our_o argument_n against_o the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la of_o episcopacy_n and_o will_v far_o manifest_v it_o if_o we_o think_v it_o necessary_a this_o i_o confess_v of_o contrariety_n to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n right_o understand_v i_o look_v upon_o as_o so_o high_a a_o charge_n that_o i_o very_o expect_v somewhat_o extraordinary_a to_o bind_v it_o on_o i_o and_o i_o sudden_o resolve_v as_o i_o read_v the_o first_o word_n of_o that_o section_n to_o examine_v those_o scripture_n that_o shall_v now_o be_v produce_v ponder_o and_o exact_o and_o either_o confess_v my_o own_o conviction_n or_o give_v competent_a reason_n why_o i_o be_v not_o convince_v by_o they_o but_o i_o soon_o find_v my_o expectation_n frustrate_v for_o as_o here_o be_v no_o one_o such_o scripture_n mention_v so_o for_o their_o argument_n against_o the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la of_o episcopacy_n i_o know_v not_o where_o to_o seek_v they_o and_o never_o hear_v and_o very_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n that_o they_o have_v former_o write_v any_o such_o book_n against_o bishop_n wherein_o the_o dissertation_n or_o any_o assertion_n of_o i_o therein_o be_v so_o much_o as_o arraign_v by_o they_o much_o less_o evidence_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o scripture_n if_o i_o have_v i_o assure_v they_o i_o shall_v then_o have_v be_v as_o ready_a to_o have_v make_v my_o reply_n as_o now_o i_o have_v be_v to_o attend_v they_o thus_o far_o and_o for_o their_o evidence_v this_o in_o any_o tract_n publish_v by_o they_o before_o the_o dissertation_n be_v write_v by_o which_o notwithstanding_o the_o dissertation_n be_v to_o be_v conclude_v i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o to_o be_v their_o meaning_n because_o these_o assertion_n of_o i_o be_v by_o they_o affirm_v to_o be_v paradox_n contrary_a to_o all_o that_o have_v ever_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o unless_o it_o be_v by_o divination_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o prevent_v by_o they_o after_o they_o have_v express_v their_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a for_o they_o far_o to_o manifest_v the_o contrariety_n of_o my_o paradox_n to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o yet_o far_o proceed_v in_o these_o word_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v james_n 5._o 14._o be_v any_o man_n sick_a among_o you_o let_v he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v there_o that_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v that_o all_o these_o elder_n be_v bishop_n in_o the_o sense_n that_o bishop_n be_v take_v in_o in_o our_o day_n be_v this_o the_o prope_a work_n of_o bishop_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a and_o beside_o if_o the_o apostle_n by_o elder_n have_v mean_v bishop_n in_o that_o sense_n he_o will_v have_v say_v let_v he_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o church_n unless_o our_o brethren_n will_v say_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o every_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o sick_a person_n what_o the_o for_o in_o the_o front_n here_o signify_v i_o shall_v not_o go_v about_o to_o conjecture_v the_o antecedent_n will_v incline_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o pretend_v to_o introduce_v a_o reason_n which_o may_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o my_o assertion_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n of_o scripture_n but_o that_o sure_a it_o do_v not_o any_o way_n attempt_n or_o appear_v to_o do_v unless_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v suppose_v here_o to_o signify_v presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n but_o then_o that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o only_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o matter_n of_o question_n betwixt_o we_o all_o this_o while_n and_o so_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v not_o suppose_v or_o presume_v in_o this_o matter_n but_o bate_v they_o this_o beg_n of_o the_o question_n i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o satisfy_v their_o wonderment_n that_o i_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v any_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o this_o place_n of_o saint_n james_n be_v bishop_n in_o that_o sense_n that_o we_o now_o understand_v and_o use_v the_o word_n and_o 1._o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o avow_v that_o for_o all_o that_o space_n that_o in_o any_o church_n there_o be_v no_o other_o officer_n ordain_v but_o only_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n it_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v resolve_v the_o proper_a work_n of_o bishop_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a that_o there_o be_v at_o the_o first_o when_o the_o faith_n be_v but_o thin_a plant_v such_o a_o time_n have_v already_o be_v evidence_v out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n and_o the_o profound_a antequity_n that_o epiphanius_n can_v meet_v with_o and_o that_o then_o this_o office_n must_v either_o be_v neglect_v or_o perform_v by_o either_o bishop_n or_o deacon_n will_v not_o need_v any_o far_a proof_n as_o for_o the_o the_o deacon_n in_o their_o institution_n we_o find_v not_o that_o to_o be_v any_o part_n of_o their_o office_n and_o indeed_o the_o suitablenesse_n of_o absolution_n to_o that_o state_n of_o dangerous_a sickness_n and_o the_o mention_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o have_v commit_v sin_n and_o the_o command_n of_o give_v it_o in_o case_n he_o be_v qualify_v for_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d absolvetur_fw-la ei_fw-la absolution_n shall_v be_v give_v he_o do_v render_v the_o deacon_n incompetent_a for_o that_o work_n and_o so_o where_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n must_v needs_o divolve_v it_o on_o the_o bishop_n and_o this_o account_n have_v more_o than_o probability_n no_o less_o than_o perfect_a evidence_n in_o it_o if_o we_o only_o suppose_v what_o have_v be_v so_o oft_o clear_v from_o the_o ancient_n to_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n that_o where_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v small_a and_o none_o qualify_v for_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n there_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v no_o more_o but_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o deacon_n in_o each_o city_n for_o whilst_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o that_o city_n i_o shall_v suppose_v a_o man_n sick_a and_o by_o the_o force_n of_o s._n james_n exhortation_n desirous_a of_o absolution_n etc._n etc._n who_o be_v there_o supposeable_a in_o that_o city_n to_o give_v it_o he_o but_o the_o bishop_n and_o who_o else_o can_v he_o call_v to_o he_o for_o this_o purpose_n and_o than_o who_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o be_v the_o work_n in_o itself_o very_o agreeable_a and_o in_o this_o suppose_a case_n peculiar_a and_o proper_a to_o the_o bishop_n so_o that_o unless_o this_o supposition_n be_v false_a nay_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a i_o may_v safe_o say_v this_o be_v or_o may_v be_v the_o bishop_n work_n to_o visit_v the_o sick_a etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o how_o can_v it_o be_v by_o the_o bishop_n when_o other_o part_n of_o his_o office_n become_v his_o full_a employment_n commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n for_o 1._o he_o can_v not_o commit_v this_o to_o other_o if_o he_o first_o have_v it_o not_o in_o himself_o and_o second_o this_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o ordain_v inferior_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n that_o part_n of_o the_o bishop_n task_n may_v be_v perform_v by_o they_o as_o when_o the_o whole_a burden_n which_o be_v too_o heavy_a for_o moses_n be_v distribute_v among_o other_o man_n which_o in_o this_o particular_a can_v not_o be_v if_o before_o this_o assignation_n of_o assistant_n it_o be_v not_o original_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d work_n or_o proper_a task_n of_o the_o bishop_n to_o this_o may_v be_v far_o add_v the_o real_a dignity_n because_o necessary_a charity_n of_o this_o performance_n of_o visit_v the_o sick_a etc._n etc._n and_o this_o arise_v both_o from_o the_o intimation_n of_o god_n own_o finger_n pointing_z out_o this_o a_o most_o agreeable_a season_n for_o all_o spiritual_a admonition_n and_o comfort_n a_o molle_fw-la tempus_fw-la fandi_fw-la wherein_o a_o word_n seasonable_o speak_v may_v most_o probable_o find_v the_o due_a reception_n and_o wherein_o the_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n of_o the_o most_o apostolical_a person_n or_o the_o most_o high_o and_o just_o dignify_v in_o the_o church_n &_o in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n may_v come_v in_o most_o opportune_o &_o in_o this_o respect_n we_o see_v in_o that_o place_n that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o great_a prophet_n elias_n be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o s._n james_n to_o exemplify_v
and_o nothing_o yet_o reply_v to_o my_o answer_n and_o therefore_o must_v not_o for_o ever_o turn_v the_o same_o stone_n begin_v the_o same_o task_n again_o but_o for_o the_o conceit_n which_o be_v here_o cite_v from_o salmasius_n which_o i_o confess_v i_o consider_v not_o so_o much_o before_o as_o to_o make_v any_o reply_n to_o it_o viz._n that_o these_o epistle_n be_v write_v when_o episcopacy_n proper_o so_o call_v come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o that_o prove_v from_o hence_o because_o in_o all_o his_o epistle_n he_o speak_v high_o in_o honour_n of_o presbytery_n as_o well_o as_o of_o episcopacy_n that_o so_o the_o people_n that_o have_v be_v accustom_v to_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n may_v the_o more_o willing_o and_o easy_o receive_v this_o now_o government_n by_o episcopacy_n and_o not_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o novelty_n of_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a how_o easy_o this_o may_v be_v retort_v and_o the_o argument_n as_o firm_o form_v to_o conclude_v that_o presbyter_n be_v then_o new_o come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o to_o make_v the_o people_n inclinable_a to_o give_v they_o a_o willing_a reception_n without_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o novelty_n of_o they_o he_o still_o speak_v high_o in_o honour_n of_o episcopacy_n such_o argument_n as_o these_o you_o will_v guess_v from_o hence_o how_o incompetent_a they_o be_v to_o conclude_v matter_n of_o fact_n do_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n ago_o such_o be_v the_o question_n whether_o ignatius_n write_v these_o epistle_n or_o no_o it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o they_o want_v argument_n of_o any_o real_a validity_n who_o be_v fain_o to_o fly_v to_o such_o succour_n as_o these_o yet_o one_o far_o misadventure_n there_o be_v in_o form_v or_o make_v use_n of_o this_o conceit_n for_o what_o be_v say_v in_o those_o epistle_n concern_v the_o honour_n due_a to_o presbyter_n or_o the_o presbytery_n be_v far_o from_o look_v favourable_o on_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n for_o certain_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n properly_z so_o call_v set_v over_o the_o presbyter_n as_o they_o know_v there_o be_v in_o all_o those_o epistle_n and_o as_o long_o as_o the_o presbyter_n be_v to_o do_v nothing_o without_o commission_n from_o he_o as_o they_o know_v also_o and_o even_o now_o quarrel_v at_o it_o that_o by_o he_o they_o be_v require_v to_o do_v there_o be_v little_a show_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a model_n discernible_a no_o whit_n more_o than_o there_o be_v in_o england_n long_o before_o they_o covenant_v to_o cast_v the_o bishop_n out_o of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o no_o community_n or_o equality_n of_o presbyter_n take_v into_o council_n with_o the_o bishop_n do_v constitute_v the_o government_n presbyterian_a as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v any_o bishop_n to_o have_v power_n over_o presbyter_n else_o have_v the_o convocation_n of_o dean_n archdoacon_n and_o clerk_n fourteen_o year_n ago_o be_v the_o platform_n of_o presbyterian_a government_n in_o england_n this_o be_v i_o conceive_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o every_o the_o most_o minute_n part_v or_o appearance_n of_o argument_n here_o produce_v against_o these_o epistle_n and_o be_v all_o that_o be_v proper_a here_o to_o be_v say_v concern_v ignatius_n who_o epistle_n as_o long_o as_o they_o have_v any_o authority_n with_o we_o let_v it_o be_v in_o the_o most_o reform_a purify_a edition_n that_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v hope_v for_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o for_o the_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o they_o must_v have_v no_o authority_n for_o no_o other_o crime_n but_o because_o they_o be_v such_o punctual_a asserter_n of_o this_o doctrine_n it_o be_v to_o little_a purpose_n far_o to_o examine_v or_o inquire_v what_o antiquity_n have_v affirm_v or_o practise_v in_o this_o matter_n sect._n v._n testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n the_o use_n of_o presbyteri_fw-la for_o bishop_n yet_o because_o their_o method_n lead_v we_o forward_o to_o consider_v some_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n and_o i_o have_v promise_v so_o far_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o i_o shall_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n attend_v they_o to_o the_o view_n of_o two_o of_o those_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n p._n 114._o 115._o where_n have_v acknowledge_v of_o they_o that_o they_o say_v that_o apostle_n make_v bishop_n in_o church_n polycarpe_n in_o smyrna_n clemens_n at_o rome_n etc._n etc._n all_o that_o they_o require_v of_o we_o to_o prove_v be_v that_o by_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v mean_v a_o bishop_n as_o distinct_a from_o presbyter_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o think_v this_o needs_o prove_v be_v because_o both_o those_o author_n use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d presbyteri_fw-la seniores_fw-la for_o the_o same_o thing_n the_o one_o call_v anicetus_n pius_n hyginus_n telesphorus_n xystus_n presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o victor_n the_o other_o call_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o church_n seniores_fw-la in_o his_o apology_n and_o some_o other_o place_n be_v produce_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o this_o therefore_o i_o shall_v now_o brief_o give_v answer_n i._n e_o by_o concession_n that_o the_o same_o person_n who_o by_o these_o two_o author_n be_v call_v bishop_n be_v promiscuous_o call_v presbyteri_fw-la and_o seniores_fw-la also_o and_o therefore_o second_o that_o this_o question_n be_v thus_o far_o as_o to_o the_o name_n equal_o balance_v between_o we_o they_o say_v that_o bishop_n signify_v presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n we_o that_o presbyter_n signify_v bishop_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n some_o other_o indication_n beside_o this_o of_o the_o name_n must_v be_v make_v use_n of_o on_o either_o side_n towards_o the_o decision_n of_o it_o of_o this_o sort_n there_o be_v no_o one_o offer_v to_o we_o by_o they_o and_o so_o as_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o incline_v the_o balance_n their_o way_n so_o we_o have_v nothing_o to_o make_v answer_n to_o in_o that_o particular_a i_o shall_v therefore_o as_o the_o only_a thing_n leave_v for_o i_o to_o do_v render_v some_o few_o reason_n why_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n in_o these_o author_n must_v needs_o signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o the_o first_o proof_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v ironaeus_fw-la be_v because_o irenaeus_n who_o use_v these_o word_n promiscuous_o be_v himself_o a_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n and_o yet_o be_v by_o other_o in_o his_o own_o day_n call_v elder_a of_o the_o church_n of_o lion_n at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o he_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o it_o in_o our_o modern_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n this_o i_o thus_o manifest_a in_o each_o part_n and_o first_o that_o irenaeus_n be_v bishop_n of_o lion_n in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o we_o now_o use_v bishop_n appear_v by_o what_o 23._o eusebius_n say_v of_o he_o import_v that_o he_o be_v primate_n of_o all_o france_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o province_n through_o france_n now_o this_o we_o know_v can_v be_v affirm_v of_o a_o modern_a presbyter_n who_o pretend_v not_o to_o any_o such_o wide_a and_o singular_a jurisdiction_n and_o this_o need_v no_o far_a proof_n it_o be_v by_o d._n blondell_n in_o his_o apology_n for_o st._n hierome_n confess_v that_o 140._o year_n after_o christ_n i.e._n nigh_o 40._o year_n before_o this_o time_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o bishop_n over_o all_o the_o world_n one_o in_o every_o church_n set_v over_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o second_o part_n then_o that_o at_o that_o time_n when_o he_o be_v thus_o a_o acknowleged_a bishop_n and_o archbishop_n he_o be_v yet_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a of_o the_o church_n i_o appeal_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o gallicane_n church_n at_o that_o time_n as_o it_o lie_v record_v in_o 4._o eusebius_n where_o in_o a_o embassy_n perform_v by_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o lion_n to_o elentherius_fw-la the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n we_o have_v these_o word_n concern_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o have_v entreat_v our_o brother_n and_o partaker_n irenaeus_n to_o bear_v these_o letter_n to_o you_o o_o father_n eleutherius_fw-la and_o we_o beseech_v you_o to_o prize_v he_o at_o one_o very_o zealous_a of_o christ_n covenant_n if_o we_o think_v that_o
justice_n will_v purchase_v a_o place_n to_o any_o we_o have_v commend_v he_o in_o a_o principal_a manner_n as_o elder_a of_o the_o church_n for_o so_o he_o be_v here_o nine_o year_n after_o he_o have_v be_v bishop_n and_o archbishop_n of_o lion_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 177._o he_o be_v style_v by_o those_o letter_n elder_a of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o his_o time_n elder_a be_v the_o title_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o consequent_o so_o it_o may_v fit_o signify_v in_o his_o own_o write_n and_o so_o must_v needs_o do_v there_o when_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v acknowlege_v bishop_n at_o that_o time_n when_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o acknowledgement_n episcopacy_n be_v come_v in_o in_o that_o notion_n wherein_o we_o now_o understand_v it_o a_o second_o proof_n of_o this_o be_v that_o what_o in_o one_o place_n out_o of_o papias_n he_o say_v of_o all_o the_o seniores_fw-la or_o elder_n which_o in_o asia_n converse_v with_o st._n john_n that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n affirm_v of_o the_o bishop_n or_o elder_n of_o asia_n meaning_n by_o both_o of_o they_o the_o bishop_n in_o our_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v his_o stromata_n about_o the_o year_n 192._o which_o be_v five_o year_n before_o irenaeus_n martyrdom_n in_o the_o 5._o of_o severus_n now_o of_o this_o clemens_n it_o be_v certain_a 1._o that_o he_o acknowlege_v the_o three_o order_n in_o the_o church_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o three_o degree_n or_o promotion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n and_o consequent_o must_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d understand_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n second_o that_o when_o he_o make_v the_o relation_n of_o john_n meeting_n with_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n which_o be_v the_o same_o matter_n which_o irenaeus_n produce_v out_o of_o papias_n he_o call_v they_o in_o the_o same_o period_n both_o elder_n and_o bishop_n indifferent_o for_o speak_v of_o st._n john_n he_o have_v this_o passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d come_v to_o a_o city_n not_o far_o off_o and_o look_v on_o the_o bishop_n which_o be_v constitute_v over_o all_o see_v a_o young_a man_n he_o say_v this_o person_n i_o commit_v to_o thou_o and_o the_o elder_n take_v he_o home_o bring_v he_o up_o baptize_v and_o at_o last_o give_v he_o confirmation_n here_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o elder_n of_o asia_n one_o of_o those_o which_o in_o irenaeus_n converse_v with_o saint_n john_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o bishop_n constitute_v over_o all_o in_o that_o city_n and_o agreeable_o when_o saint_n john_n come_v back_o that_o way_n again_o he_o call_v to_o he_o by_o that_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d o_o bishop_n render_v we_o the_o depositum_fw-la which_o both_o i_o and_o christ_n deliver_v to_o thou_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o church_n over_o which_o thou_o be_v set_v where_o again_o he_o that_o be_v call_v elder_a both_o by_o he_o and_o irenaeus_n be_v also_o by_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bishop_n set_v over_o the_o church_n and_o so_o that_o be_v a_o second_o evidence_n of_o it_o three_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n he_o speak_v of_o his_o predecessor_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n which_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n which_o thou_o rule_a anicetus_n pius_n hyginus_n and_o telesphorus_n and_o lib._n 3._o cap._n 3_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bless_a apostle_n have_v found_v and_o build_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n put_v the_o episcopal_a office_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o linus_n anacletus_fw-la succeed_v he_o clemens_n anacletus_fw-la evarestus_n clemens_n alexander_n evarestus_n than_o xystus_n the_o six_o from_o the_o apostle_n after_o he_o telesphorus_n than_o hyginus_n than_o pius_n after_o he_o anicetus_n after_o anicetus_n soter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o in_o the_o twelve_o place_n eleutherus_n possess_v the_o bishopric_n from_o the_o apostle_n here_o 1._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o every_o one_o first_o name_v as_o elder_n be_v yet_o single_a person_n one_o succeed_v another_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d set_v over_o or_o rule_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n second_o that_o for_o twelve_o succession_n together_o they_o be_v by_o irenaeus_n look_v upon_o all_o as_o of_o the_o same_o rank_n succeed_v one_o another_o and_o the_o first_o as_o well_o as_o the_o last_o called_z bishop_n which_o must_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o he_o in_o such_o a_o notion_n as_o be_v equal_o compatible_a to_o all_o and_o so_o must_v be_v in_o our_o modern_a notion_n if_o the_o great_a asserter_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a cause_n say_v true_a that_o about_o the_o year_n 140._o i_o e._n certain_o before_o elutherius_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v bishop_n over_o presbyter_n all_o the_o world_n over_o last_o 44._o irenaeus_n speak_v of_o some_o unworthy_a voluptuous_a elder_n express_v their_o fault_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o can_v fit_o belong_v to_o any_o but_o bishop_n principalis_fw-la concessionis_fw-la tumore_fw-la elati_fw-la sunt_fw-la they_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o the_o â—ride_n of_o the_o principal_a place_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o principal_a chair_n which_o as_o bishop_n belong_v to_o they_o â—or_a though_o it_o be_v as_o possible_a that_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o pride_n the_o tumour_n and_o elation_n as_o that_o bishop_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o yet_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o there_o mention_v the_o principalis_fw-la consessio_fw-la the_o chief_a place_n of_o dignity_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o one_o and_o not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equality_n of_o the_o other_o these_o evidence_n have_v ready_o offer_v themselves_o to_o show_v what_o irenaeus_n mean_v by_o presbyteri_fw-la when_o he_o use_v that_o and_o bishop_n promiscuous_o viz._n by_o both_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v read_v over_o that_o author_n diligent_o and_o compare_v his_o dialect_n with_o polycarpe_n and_o papias_n with_o who_o he_o accord_v the_o former_a use_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o bishop_n as_o have_v large_o be_v insist_v on_o and_o the_o latter_a for_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n single_a governor_n of_o each_o church_n 39_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d andrew_n peter_n aristion_n john_n mark_v all_o elder_n will_v doubtless_o find_v many_o more_o proof_n that_o thus_o he_o use_v the_o word_n and_o i_o shall_v adventure_v to_o undertake_v meet_v with_o no_o one_o indication_n to_o the_o contrary_n sect._n v._n testimony_n of_o tertullian_n seniores_fw-la &_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la for_o bishop_n so_o in_o firmilian_a as_o for_o tertullian_n i_o shall_v need_v say_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o great_a patron_n of_o presbyterian_o 38._o that_o he_o do_v aperte_fw-la tueri_fw-la communiusu_fw-la receptam_fw-la ordinis_fw-la in_o episcopos_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o diaconos_fw-la distinctionem_fw-la open_o defend_v the_o receive_v common_a distinction_n of_o the_o ecclesiastic_a order_n into_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o he_o that_o can_v yet_o doubt_v of_o it_o let_v he_o examine_v his_o citation_n the_o prescript_n cap._n 41._o the_o baptism_n cap_n 17._o de_fw-fr monogam_fw-la cap._n 11._o de_fw-la fuga_fw-la c._n 11._o and_o that_o de_fw-la baptismo_fw-la as_o high_a &_o clear_a as_o that_o which_o be_v most_o quarrel_v with_o in_o ignatius_n dandi_fw-la baptismum_fw-la jus_o habit_n summus_fw-la sacerdos_fw-la qui_fw-la est_fw-la episcopus_fw-la dein_fw-ge presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la non_fw-la tamen_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopi_fw-la authoritate_fw-la propter_fw-la honorem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la quo_fw-la salvo_fw-la salva_fw-la pax_fw-la est_fw-la the_o bishop_n have_v the_o right_a of_o give_v baptism_n after_o he_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n yet_o not_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v preserve_v peace_n be_v preserve_v so_o that_o of_o he_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v as_o of_o irenaeus_n or_o clemens_n that_o he_o must_v understand_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a
he_o govern_v the_o metropolitan_a city_n of_o ephesus_n that_o prime_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n to_o the_o bishop_n whereof_o say_v 19_o chrysostome_n be_v entrust_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o whole_a nation_n of_o asia_n these_o testimony_n may_v suffice_v for_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o affirmation_n that_o st._n john_n govern_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o under_o it_o all_o asia_n which_o be_v the_o notion_n we_o now_o have_v of_o a_o bishop_n metropolitan_a and_o primate_n 4._o as_o for_o the_o word_n bishop_n how_o can_v it_o be_v inconvenient_a to_o bestow_v that_o upon_o he_o when_o he_o discharge_v the_o office_n nay_o when_o christ_n himself_o that_o great_a exemplar_n and_o original_n of_o this_o power_n be_v express_o call_v the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n when_o the_o office_n from_o which_o judas_n fall_v and_o to_o which_o mathias_n be_v assume_v be_v by_o st._n luke_n out_o of_o the_o septuagint_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishopric_n act._n 1._o 20._o when_o according_o from_o the_o scripture_n usage_n the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n have_v continue_v the_o style_n apostolos_n i._n e._n episcopos_fw-la &_o praepositos_fw-la dominus_fw-la elegit_fw-la the_o lord_n choose_v apostle_n i._n e._n bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n say_v 65._o cyprian_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d peter_n and_o paul_n be_v the_o first_o or_o chief_a in_o rome_n the_o same_o person_n apostle_n and_o bishop_n say_v carpocr_n epiphanius_n and_o apostoli_fw-la episcopi_fw-la sunt_fw-la firmante_fw-la illud_fw-la petro_n apostolâ—_n the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n as_o be_v confirm_v by_o peter_n in_o these_o word_n his_o bishopric_n let_v another_o take_v say_v 29._o hilarius_n sardus_n and_o again_o areall_a apostle_n â—tis_n true_a say_v he_o quia_fw-la in_o ecelesiâ_fw-la unus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la because_o in_o each_o church_n there_o be_v one_o bishop_n and_o nemo_fw-la ignorat_fw-la episcopos_fw-la servatorem_fw-la ecclesiâ—s_fw-la instituisse_fw-la ipse_fw-la enim_fw-la priusquam_fw-la ascenderet_fw-la imponens_fw-la manum_fw-la apostolis_n ordinavit_fw-la eos_fw-la episcopos_fw-la no_o man_n be_v ignorant_a that_o our_o saviour_n institute_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n for_o before_o he_o ascend_v to_o heaven_n he_o lay_v his_o hand_n on_o the_o disciple_n and_o ordain_v they_o bishop_n say_v the_o 97._o writer_n of_o the_o question_n on_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o sanctus_n matthâ—us_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la sortitus_fw-la est_fw-la st._n matthew_n be_v bishop_n say_v gildas_n and_o to_o shut_v up_o all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o apostle_n be_v bishop_n st_z john_n in_o asia_n st._n andrew_n in_o achaia_n st._n thomas_n in_o india_n say_v 〈◊〉_d gabriel_n philadelph_n and_o agreeable_o when_o st._n john_n of_o who_o we_o now_o speak_v call_v himself_o in_o the_o front_n of_o two_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a the_o greek_a scholiast_n resolve_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o word_n elder_a he_o call_v himself_o bishop_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o news_n in_o thus_o affirm_v 5._o but_o than_o second_o when_o they_o take_v this_o for_o a_o evident_a demonstration_n that_o these_o author_n do_v not_o use_v the_o word_n bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n this_o be_v very_o far_o distant_a from_o a_o demonstration_n have_v not_o arrive_v to_o the_o low_a degree_n of_o probability_n or_o credibility_n for_o what_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o the_o prelatical_a sense_n but_o a_o single_a person_n govern_v in_o chief_a in_o a_o city_n or_o wide_a circuit_n and_o such_o certain_o be_v st._n peter_n at_o rome_n s._n john_n at_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n as_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v to_o execute_v that_o power_n of_o the_o key_n the_o donation_n of_o which_o institute_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d steward_n be_v in_o god_n house_n governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o or_o that_o city_n or_o region_n and_o ordain_v other_o bishop_n there_o three_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v add_v that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v proper_o call_v bishop_n i_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a they_o may_v not_o only_o because_o these_o so_o many_o ancient_a writer_n through_o several_a age_n have_v call_v they_o so_o and_o may_v not_o with_o any_o justice_n from_o we_o be_v accuse_v of_o impropriety_n but_o because_o the_o donation_n of_o the_o key_n do_v as_o proper_o make_v they_o bishop_n as_o the_o commission_n to_o go_v preach_v to_o all_o nation_n be_v add_v to_o it_o make_v they_o apostle_n to_o which_o purpose_n let_v these_o few_o thing_n be_v consider_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v here_o by_o the_o assembly_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v eminent_o contain_v the_o episcopal_a office_n which_o though_o it_o be_v a_o little_a hasty_o express_v and_o shall_v be_v i_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostolical_a office_n do_v eminent_o contain_v the_o episcopal_a yet_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v all_o the_o episcopal_a power_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o over_o and_o above_o something_o more_o and_o if_o they_o have_v episcopal_a power_n then_o sure_a in_o respect_n of_o that_o they_o may_v as_o proper_o be_v call_v bishop_n as_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o apostolical_a commission_n which_o they_o have_v also_o they_o may_v be_v proper_o call_v apostle_n thus_o we_o know_v that_o they_o that_o have_v first_o the_o power_n of_o deacon_n bestow_v on_o they_o and_o after_o of_o presbyter_n be_v questionless_a deacon_n still_o though_o they_o be_v also_o presbyter_n and_o they_o which_o from_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n be_v advance_v to_o bishop_n be_v certain_o presbyter_n still_o though_o they_o be_v also_o bishop_n and_o do_v not_o lose_v the_o former_a power_n by_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o latter_a be_v not_o lessen_v by_o this_o increase_n of_o their_o dignity_n 7._o second_o that_o when_o a_o apostle_n be_v difference_v from_o a_o bishop_n it_o be_v either_o by_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n grant_v he_o for_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o the_o universality_n of_o his_o diocese_n the_o all_o the_o world_n to_o which_o his_o commission_n extend_v whereas_o the_o ordinary_a bishop_n power_n and_o diocese_n be_v more_o limit_v but_o then_o these_o difference_n be_v of_o no_o force_n in_o this_o matter_n they_o only_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v more_o than_o a_o bishop_n in_o those_o two_o respect_n not_o that_o in_o other_o sufficient_a respect_n he_o be_v not_o a_o bishop_n 8._o three_o when_o the_o apostle_n have_v each_o of_o they_o not_o only_o all_o together_o in_o a_o consistory_n that_o unlimited_a power_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o extent_n to_o all_o the_o world_n give_v to_o they_o by_o christ_n we_o know_v that_o after_o his_o ascent_n they_o part_v and_o distribute_v this_o province_n among_o they_o assign_v every_o one_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d his_o proper_a place_n or_o lot_n to_o which_o he_o shall_v betake_v himself_o for_o the_o plant_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o there_o will_v be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o he_o who_o according_a to_o his_o line_n in_o st._n paul_n phrase_n have_v plant_v the_o faith_n in_o such_o a_o city_n or_o province_n and_o sit_v down_o and_o confirm_v and_o far_o institute_v which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o labour_v in_o the_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o word_n and_o govern_v they_o and_o exercise_v all_o episcopal_a act_n among_o they_o may_v in_o so_o do_v be_v style_v a_o bishop_n in_o that_o city_n or_o province_n and_o that_o as_o true_o and_o as_o proper_o as_o he_o that_o can_v do_v all_o the_o latter_a and_o not_o the_o former_a build_v on_o another_o man_n foundation_n govern_v and_o instruct_v where_o another_o have_v plant_v the_o faith_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v 9_o nay_o four_a we_o know_v that_o although_o by_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v provision_n make_v upon_o prudentiall_a consideration_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o bishop_n sine_fw-la titulo_fw-la without_o a_o title_n or_o particular_a see_v to_o which_o he_o be_v assign_v yet_o before_o those_o canon_n forbid_v it_o such_o bishop_n there_o be_v and_o those_o never_o doubt_v to_o be_v proper_o bishop_n though_o they_o be_v not_o affix_v to_o any_o diocese_n and_o then_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v but_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v each_o the_o whole_a world_n for_o his_o title_n though_o he_o be_v never_o affix_v to_o any_o particular_a diocese_n or_o province_n may_v be_v most_o proper_o style_v a_o bishop_n for_o all_o that_o but_o this_o be_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la more_o than_o be_v needful_a to_o our_o present_a praetention_n
may_v be_v in_o they_o 4._o master_n brightman_n i_o know_v and_o some_o other_o it_o be_v possible_a may_v have_v interpret_v the_o angel_n to_o signify_v the_o whole_a college_n of_o pastor_n and_o true_o i_o shall_v much_o soon_o take_v up_o a_o interpretation_n upon_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o these_o assembler_n than_o i_o will_v upon_o no_o better_a evidence_n from_o m._n brightman_n he_o be_v one_o learned_a man_n long_o know_v to_o be_v unkind_a to_o our_o pralate_n and_o here_o be_v many_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v as_o learned_a though_o under_o the_o same_o praejudices_fw-la 5._o some_o other_o here_o cite_v i_o can_v believe_v be_v bring_v to_o testify_v this_o but_o only_o that_o what_o be_v say_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o each_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v say_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o not_o only_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o if_o that_o be_v all_o they_o say_v it_o be_v that_o which_o we_o can_v doubt_v to_o affirm_v with_o they_o and_o have_v oft_o confess_v to_o understand_v christ_n epistle_n so_o without_o any_o incommodity_n to_o our_o praetension_n 6._o if_o i_o mistake_v in_o these_o conjecture_n i_o desire_v pardon_n and_o shall_v hope_v to_o give_v a_o better_a account_n when_o i_o read_v the_o testimony_n in_o the_o author_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v cite_v for_o in_o these_o derivation_n of_o testimony_n the_o assembler_n cite_v they_o from_o smectymnuus_n smectymnuus_n from_o master_n fox_n master_n fox_n from_o primasius_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v great_a possibility_n of_o mistake_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v follow_v the_o example_n before_o i_o forbear_v add_v any_o more_o of_o this_o matter_n 7._o in_o the_o next_o place_n they_o be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n as_o of_o a_o objection_n against_o their_o interpretation_n that_o some_o author_n say_v timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o our_o saviour_n write_v this_o epistle_n other_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n other_o that_o polycarp_n be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o these_o angel_n must_v needs_o be_v take_v individual_o for_o so_o many_o single_a person_n 8._o of_o this_o objection_n which_o they_o have_v thus_o form_v for_o we_o there_o be_v only_o thus_o much_o of_o truth_n that_o out_o of_o authentic_a record_n we_o bring_v undeniable_a evidence_n for_o timothy_n be_v constitute_v by_o st._n paul_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n for_o onesimus_n be_v place_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o time_n of_o ignatius_n writing_n to_o the_o ephesian_n that_o polycarpe_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o s._n john_n of_o all_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v enough_o already_o 9_o but_o of_o all_o or_o any_o of_o these_o be_v bishop_n in_o those_o city_n at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o christ_n address_v this_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o each_o this_o have_v no_o where_o be_v our_o affirmation_n nor_o will_v it_o have_v be_v useful_a to_o we_o in_o any_o considerable_a degree_n if_o we_o have_v ground_n positive_o to_o affirm_v it_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o we_o be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o ancient_a record_n which_o evidence_n they_o to_o have_v be_v so_o early_a bishop_n in_o two_o of_o those_o church_n to_o which_o christ_n epistle_n be_v send_v and_o bishop_n in_o the_o notion_n wherein_o we_o now_o use_v the_o word_n we_o be_v secure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o ouâ—_n collection_n when_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o 7._o church_n we_o assert_v the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n to_o be_v own_v and_o confirm_v by_o christ_n and_o suppose_v some_o other_o person_n and_o none_o of_o these_o three_o to_o have_v be_v those_o very_a numericall_a angel_n to_o who_o those_o epistle_n be_v write_v this_o conclusion_n of_o we_o stand_v yet_o as_o firm_a as_o if_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v it_o of_o those_o very_a numericall_a person_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o government_n continue_v all_o the_o scripture_n time_n and_o to_o timothy_n successor_n and_o onesimus_n predecessor_n be_v as_o certain_o bishop_n as_o either_o onesimus_n or_o timothy_n himself_o when_o withal_o we_o have_v already_o produce_v mention_n from_o the_o ancient_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o bishop_n which_o succe_fw-la deed_n timothy_n in_o that_o see_n 10._o have_v thus_o set_v right_o the_o objection_n for_o they_o so_o as_o it_o be_v own_v by_o we_o to_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o they_o it_o will_v now_o soon_o appear_v what_o force_n there_o be_v in_o their_o answer_n to_o it_o and_o those_o be_v three_o 11._o first_o that_o they_o that_o say_v that_o timothy_n be_v then_o bishop_n offer_v no_o little_a injury_n to_o he_o for_o they_o thereby_o charge_v he_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o apostasy_n and_o of_o lose_v his_o first_o love_n and_o so_o out_o of_o a_o blind_a zeal_n to_o episcopacy_n they_o make_v that_o glorious_a saint_n to_o stand_v charge_v as_o a_o apostate_n the_o like_a injury_n be_v offer_v by_o objection_n to_o onesimâ—s_n 12._o but_o first_o you_o see_v whatever_o our_o opinion_n be_v express_v to_o be_v we_o have_v not_o affirm_v either_o of_o these_o as_o to_o the_o person_n either_o of_o timothy_n or_o onesimus_n but_o leave_v it_o uncertain_a who_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v whether_o either_o or_o neither_o of_o these_o but_o some_o successor_n of_o the_o one_o and_o predecessor_n of_o the_o other_o and_o so_o what_o charge_v soever_o fall_v on_o that_o angel_n it_o fall_v not_o necessary_o on_o either_o of_o these_o 13._o second_o it_o be_v already_o agree_v betwixt_o the_o party_n affirm_v by_o they_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o i_o that_o the_o epistle_n be_v address_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n the_o church_n or_o diffusive_a body_n the_o christian_n in_o it_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o content_n of_o it_o and_o than_o whatsoever_o charge_n be_v find_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o how_o heavy_a a_o nature_n soever_o even_o of_o apostasy_n itself_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n the_o angel_n or_o bishop_n shall_v be_v personal_o guilty_a of_o it_o and_o so_o whosoever_o the_o bishop_n be_v though_o timothy_n himself_o our_o zeal_n to_o episcopacy_n have_v not_o be_v so_o blind_a or_o transport_v as_o to_o put_v we_o on_o any_o uncharitable_a censure_n to_o affix_v any_o unhandsome_a character_n upon_o so_o glorious_a a_o saint_n 14._o last_o to_o remove_v this_o answer_n yet_o one_o degree_n far_o from_o be_v satisfactory_a it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o apostasy_n be_v in_o that_o epistle_n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n whether_o of_o the_o church_n or_o angel_n the_o first_o part_n be_v all_o in_o commendation_n of_o their_o former_a zeal_n and_o the_o late_a wherein_o their_o charge_n consist_v v_o 4._o be_v only_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v not_o as_o be_v suggest_v lose_v their_o first_o love_n but_o remit_v it_o their_o love_n to_o christ_n have_v former_o be_v strong_a as_o death_n pure_a and_o vehement_a such_o as_o have_v cast_v out_o all_o fear_n of_o danger_n and_o evidence_v itself_o in_o courageous_a confession_n but_o now_o though_o it_o be_v not_o quite_o lose_v yet_o it_o be_v remit_v lessen_v in_o the_o degree_n not_o so_o intense_a as_o formerly_z and_o therefore_o when_o they_o be_v bid_v remember_v from_o whence_o they_o be_v fall_v that_o fall_n do_v not_o necessary_o signify_v apostasy_n or_o renounce_v of_o christianity_n for_o than_o it_o have_v be_v a_o impertinent_a threaten_a to_o remove_v their_o chandlestick_n v._n 5._o but_o a_o fall_n from_o the_o former_a degree_n a_o cool_a of_o the_o intense_a heat_n which_o have_v be_v so_o laudable_a in_o they_o and_o so_o still_o there_o be_v more_o invalidity_n in_o this_o first_o answer_n section_n xii_o of_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n that_o it_o hinder_v not_o his_o be_v a_o bishop_n the_o second_o be_v that_o they_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n in_o a_o proper_a sense_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v call_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o their_o sense_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o that_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n no_o way_n prejudge_v his_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o our_o â—ense_n a_o evangelist_n be_v one_o commissionated_a by_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n '_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o any_o city_n or_o people_n and_o a_o bishop_n be_v one_o commissionated_a by_o the_o like_a apostle_n to_o praeside_fw-la in_fw-la and_o govern_v a_o church_n already_o plant_v and_o what_o hinder_v but_o that_o he_o that_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o former_a capacity_n to_o plant_v may_v elsewhere_o or_o in_o the_o same_o place_n be_v appoint_v to_o govern_v and_o
so_o the_o evangelist_n be_v a_o bishop_n 3._o whatsoever_o objection_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v will_v be_v easy_o answer_v but_o there_o be_v no_o offer_n of_o any_o here_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v not_o be_v pertinent_a far_o to_o treat_v it_o in_o this_o place_n 4._o second_o it_o must_v again_o be_v remember_v that_o what_o be_v here_o say_v of_o timothy_n be_v proper_a to_o his_o person_n both_o from_o onesimus_n and_o polycarpe_n and_o all_o other_o angel_n whether_o succeed_a timothy_n in_o ephesus_n or_o praeside_v in_o the_o other_o 7._o asian_a church_n and_o therefore_o though_o timothy_n by_o be_v a_o evangelist_n be_v render_v uncapable_a which_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o of_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o our_o sense_n yet_o those_o other_o seven_o angel_n at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o write_v this_o epistle_n of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v evangelist_n may_v still_o be_v bishop_n in_o our_o sense_n 5._o three_o i_o shall_v demand_v upon_o the_o assembler_n principle_n who_o allow_v a_o primus_fw-la presbyter_n a_o prolocutor_n in_o their_o consistory_n or_o council_n of_o presbyter_n may_v timothy_n be_v that_o first_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n or_o do_v his_o be_v a_o evangelist_n hinder_v he_o from_o be_v so_o when_o he_o be_v by_o st._n paul_n exhort_v or_o appoint_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o abide_v in_o that_o city_n i_o can_v imagine_v they_o will_v say_v he_o can_v not_o who_o give_v both_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n john_n leave_v to_o call_v themselves_o presbyter_n but_o if_o he_o can_v in_o their_o opinion_n then_o why_o may_v he_o not_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o our_o sense_n notwithstanding_o that_o he_o be_v a_o evangelist_n as_o well_o as_o a_o presbyter_n in_o they_o i_o foresee_v not_o what_o answer_n can_v be_v adapt_v to_o this_o dilemma_n section_n xiii_o of_o the_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n of_o the_o plural_a number_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n there_o remain_v a_o three_o branch_n of_o the_o answer_n that_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v because_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o st._n john_n day_n that_o therefore_o he_o be_v the_o only_a person_n to_o who_o christ_n write_v his_o epistle_n for_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n beside_o the_o suppose_a onesimus_n and_o christ_n may_v very_o well_o write_v to_o he_o and_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o well_o as_o he_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v concern_v polycarpe_n for_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n rev._n 2._o 10._o and_o therefore_o he_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o write_v to_o all_o the_o other_o angel_n that_o be_v at_o smyrna_n as_o well_o as_o to_o one_o 2._o here_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o branch_n but_o what_o have_v be_v distinct_o forestall_v and_o speak_v to_o large_o already_o it_o will_v suffice_v that_o we_o repeat_v the_o head_n and_o leave_v the_o reader_n to_o view_v the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v more_o explicit_o handle_v and_o 1._o tho_o st._n paul_n shall_v tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n as_o there_o may_v be_v from_o other_o city_n occasional_o meet_v there_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n or_o consequent_o that_o christ_n in_o a_o peculiar_a address_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o city_n can_v write_v to_o more_o bishop_n there_o 3._o but_o than_o second_o the_o whole_a truth_n be_v this_o that_o s._n luke_n and_o not_o st_n paul_n tell_v that_o upon_o st._n paul_n summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n many_o bishop_n meet_v he_o at_o miletus_n ephesus_n be_v the_o chief_a metropolis_n be_v the_o fit_a mean_n to_o convey_v the_o summons_n to_o the_o city_n near_o it_o and_o from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o from_o ephesus_n come_v the_o bishop_n to_o he_o as_o have_v be_v declare_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n 4._o three_o for_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n that_o be_v not_o punctual_o true_a for_o though_o the_o letter_n be_v write_v and_o inscribe_v to_o the_o angel_n yet_o as_o have_v oft_o be_v say_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o content_n of_o it_o and_o so_o speak_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o singular_a he_o may_v yet_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n and_o so_o much_o again_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o ineffectualnesse_n of_o the_o first_o head_n of_o answer_n section_n fourteen_o of_o beza_n interpretation_n of_o the_o president_n the_o second_o follow_v upon_o a_o supposition_n but_o not_o grant_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v personae_fw-la singulares_fw-la and_o that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v to_o be_v take_v individual_o yet_o they_o conceive_v this_o will_v not_o at_o all_o advantage_n the_o episcopal_a cause_n for_o 1._o mr._n beza_n no_o great_a friend_n to_o episcopacy_n acknowledge_v that_o by_o these_o word_n to_o the_o angel_n be_v mean_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o president_n as_o who_o it_o behoove_v special_o to_o be_v admonish_v touch_v those_o matter_n and_o by_o he_o both_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n likewise_o but_o then_o he_o add_v but_o that_o episcopal_a degree_n which_o be_v afterward_o by_o humane_a invention_n bring_v into_o the_o church_n of_o god_n certain_o neither_o can_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v from_o hence_o conclude_v nay_o not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o perpetual_a precedent_n shall_v be_v of_o necessity_n as_o the_o thence_o arise_v oligarchical_a tyranny_n who_o head_n be_v the_o antichristian_a beast_n now_o at_o length_n with_o the_o most_o certain_a ruin_n not_o of_o the_o church_n only_o but_o of_o the_o word_n also_o make_v manifest_a by_o which_o quotation_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o beza_n hold_v the_o angel_n to_o be_v a_o singular_a person_n yet_o he_o hold_v he_o to_o be_v angelus_n praeses_fw-la not_o angelus_n princeps_fw-la and_o that_o he_o be_v praeses_fw-la pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la just_a as_o a_o moderator_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o as_o a_o speaker_n in_o parliament_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o that_o mr._n beza_n interpretation_n as_o it_o be_v foreknow_v and_o former_o mention_v by_o we_o so_o be_v it_o not_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v of_o any_o force_n or_o authority_n with_o we_o if_o it_o be_v but_o upon_o the_o score_n intimate_v here_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o no_o great_a friend_n but_o a_o know_a profess_a enemy_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o so_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v by_o the_o course_n wherein_o he_o be_v engage_v at_o geneva_n all_o that_o his_o authority_n conclude_v be_v that_o to_o avoid_v a_o plain_a testimony_n which_o be_v not_o for_o his_o turn_n a_o man_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o affirm_v that_o confident_o for_o which_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n of_o proof_n nay_o wherein_o all_o way_n of_o evidence_n that_o thâ—_n matter_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v absolute_o against_o he_o 3._o thus_o it_o be_v certain_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o when_o beza_n have_v here_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o angel_n be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n who_o will_v be_v the_o most_o competent_a judge_n or_o witness_v to_o determine_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d president_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n what_o kind_n of_o praesidency_n he_o have_v whether_o only_o of_o place_n or_o order_n and_o that_o only_a for_o a_o time_n or_o of_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o office_n and_o that_o perpetual_a in_o all_o reason_n this_o be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o those_o first_o writer_n which_o speak_v of_o it_o and_o either_o use_v the_o very_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n for_o such_o a_o bishop_n as_o we_o now_o assert_v a_o singular_a person_n in_o every_o church_n have_v a_o power_n for_o life_n over_o all_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o succeed_v some_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n in_o that_o power_n or_o else_o in_o other_o word_n affirm_v the_o same_o thing_n 4._o of_o this_o store_n of_o evidence_n be_v 4._o elsewhere_o produce_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o several_a title_n by_o which_o this_o singular_a perfect_a be_v ancient_o know_v whether_o of_o apostle_n in_o a_o secondary_a use_n of_o that_o word_n of_o angel_n of_o bishop_n of_o elder_a of_o ruler_n of_o pastor_n of_o doctor_n of_o steward_n of_o precedent_n of_o priest_n against_o which_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o mr._n beza_n name_n who_o have_v fancy_v
be_v only_o to_o state_n the_o question_n betwixt_o we_o which_o be_v all_o the_o while_n no_o more_o but_o this_o whether_o tertullian_n and_o irenaeus_n that_o call_v polycarpe_n and_o onesymus_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o ephesus_n mean_v bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o peculiar_a sense_n or_o in_o a_o general_a phrase_n as_o all_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o this_o i_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o only_a question_n between_o we_o and_o if_o bishop_n do_v signify_v bishop_n i_o can_v doubt_v but_o the_o cause_n be_v by_o they_o adjudge_v on_o our_o side_n and_o why_o it_o shall_v not_o they_o have_v to_o conclude_v only_o this_o offer_n of_o argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n have_v all_o one_o name_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o long_o after_o in_o irenaeus_n time_n 55._o i_o be_o true_o weary_a of_o the_o length_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o can_v but_o by_o consent_n have_v some_o compassion_n on_o the_o reader_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v bring_v the_o matter_n to_o this_o short_a issue_n this_o reason_n of_o they_o be_v no_o reason_n unless_o the_o word_n bishop_n both_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o long_a after_o irenaeus_n time_n signify_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n for_o if_o both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o elder_n signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o notion_n this_o again_o give_v the_o cause_n to_o we_o from_o they_o and_o upon_o these_o term_n i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o if_o ever_o they_o find_v in_o irenaeus_n that_o episcopus_fw-la signify_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n i_o will_v confess_v they_o conqueror_n but_o this_o they_o have_v not_o offer_v here_o to_o do_v and_o i_o have_v some_o moderate_a assurance_n they_o never_o will_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o chapter_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n section_n i._n four_o sort_n of_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n propose_v the_o next_o place_n where_o i_o find_v myself_o call_v forth_o be_v about_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o seven_o chapter_n towards_o the_o bottom_n of_o pag._n 92._o only_o for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n etc._n etc._n for_o although_o in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o that_o chapter_n they_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v their_o chief_a proof_n of_o scripture_n act._n 20._o 17_o 28._o phil._n 1._o 1._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o pet._n 5._o and_o to_o make_v reply_n to_o the_o answer_v give_v to_o they_o and_o although_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o in_o the_o dissertation_n every_o of_o those_o place_n be_v answer_v and_o show_v to_o be_v full_o reconcileable_a with_o our_o praetension_n for_o praelacy_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o please_v to_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o what_o be_v there_o say_v which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v i_o may_v without_o insolence_n undertake_v to_o show_v that_o it_o have_v prevent_v all_o appearance_n of_o force_n in_o any_o of_o their_o reply_v and_o therefore_o be_v by_o this_o mean_n perfect_o free_v from_o all_o obligation_n to_o view_v any_o paragraph_n of_o that_o former_a part_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o have_v already_o say_v somewhat_o to_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o place_n act._n 20._o and_o foreseeing_a a_o fit_a opportunity_n for_o the_o rest_n i_o shall_v for_o my_o own_o and_o the_o reader_n ease_v punctual_o expect_v and_o obey_v the_o summons_n appear_v when_o i_o be_o call_v before_o they_o but_o no_o soon_o avert_v their_o charge_n and_o not_o multiply_v debate_n above_o what_o be_v necessary_a thus_o than_o they_o begin_v that_o there_o be_v a_o doctor_n a_o high_a praelatist_n etc._n etc._n that_o in_o a_o late_a book_n of_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o these_o two_o great_a paradox_n 1._o that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o praelaticall_a sense_n 2._o that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o of_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n but_o of_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o whereas_o we_o say_v that_o the_o scripture-bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o presbyter_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n distinct_a from_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n this_o author_n on_o the_o contrary_n say_v that_o the_o scripture-presbyter_n be_v a_o true_a bishop_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o single_a and_o mere_a presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a survey_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o paradox_n only_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o dissertation_n set_v down_o in_o these_o word_n that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o believe_v that_o i_o be_o the_o author_n here_o charge_v for_o these_o two_o paradox_n that_o they_o be_v so_o style_v by_o those_o who_o be_v contrary_a mind_v and_o who_o have_v assume_v a_o power_n which_o if_o either_o of_o these_o proposition_n be_v true_a they_o must_v be_v oblige_v to_o part_v with_o i_o can_v think_v strange_a and_o if_o i_o shall_v style_v their_o assertion_n as_o perfect_o paradox_n i.e._n as_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o ancients_n sense_n or_o doctrine_n in_o this_o matter_n when_o they_o say_v that_o the_o scripture-bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v certain_o a_o introduction_n fit_a to_o be_v confront_v to_o they_o as_o be_v equal_o argumentative_a but_o because_o this_o verbal_a eloquence_n have_v little_a of_o efficacy_n in_o it_o and_o will_v never_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o pretension_n by_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a to_o be_v error_n or_o paradox_n and_o because_o what_o be_v affix_v to_o i_o be_v not_o entire_o my_o sense_n though_o it_o recite_v it_o in_o some_o part_n and_o approach_v near_o to_o it_o i_o shall_v here_o begin_v with_o a_o brief_a relation_n of_o what_o be_v affirm_v by_o the_o dissertation_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o then_o inquire_v what_o be_v here_o produce_v to_o invalidate_v it_o dissert_n 4._o c._n 6._o the_o method_n lead_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_a in_o the_o scripture_n the_o first_o thing_n take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o many_o to_o which_o purpose_n theodoret_n chrysostome_n oecumenius_n and_o st_n hierome_n be_v cite_v as_o favourer_n of_o this_o opinion_n but_o this_o with_o some_o difference_n of_o the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o and_o for_o the_o distinct_a state_v of_o the_o question_n four_o sense_n be_v set_v down_o wherein_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o this_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n may_v be_v understand_v 1._o that_o both_o bishop_n and_o elder_n shall_v signify_v one_o and_o the_o same_o viz._n a_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n 2._o that_o both_o shall_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n viz._n a_o presbyter_n 3._o that_o both_o of_o they_o shall_v signify_v promiscuous_o sometime_o a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n i._n e._n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v sometime_o signify_v a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v sometime_o a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n 4._o that_o the_o word_n bishop_n shall_v always_o signify_v a_o singular_a bishop_n and_o the_o word_n elder_a sometime_o a_o bishop_n and_o sometime_o a_o presbyter_n of_o these_o four_o sense_n of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n it_o be_v sure_o no_o error_n to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o they_o true_a each_o be_v exclusive_a of_o the_o other_o three_o and_o although_o some_o of_o the_o ancients_n may_v be_v bring_v in_o favour_n to_o one_o more_o than_o to_o the_o other_o yet_o this_o be_v eminent_o observable_a that_o those_o that_o favour_v that_o species_n which_o be_v most_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o be_v accept_v do_v yet_o assert_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o prelatist_n as_o confident_o as_o any_o so_o theodoret_n who_o seem_v most_o to_o assert_v the_o second_o species_n do_v yet_o propugne_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o superior_a dignity_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n and_o affirm_v 1._o those_o who_o be_v in_o his_o time_n call_v bishop_n the_o singular_a praefect_n of_o city_n to_o have_v be_v style_v apostle_n in_o the_o scripture-time_n and_o that_o epaphroditus_n be_v call_v so_o by_o st._n paul_n as_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o philippian_n and_o so_o say_v he_o
transcribe_v it_o three_o that_o if_o any_o one_o or_o more_o place_n shall_v be_v think_v by_o any_o man_n to_o belong_v to_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n as_o that_o of_o jam_fw-la 5._o 14._o or_o the_o like_a i_o shall_v only_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v bring_v any_o convince_a proof_n or_o authentic_a testimony_n that_o in_o that_o or_o those_o place_n it_o so_o signify_v and_o i_o shall_v most_o willing_o grant_v it_o to_o he_o and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v it_o in_o the_o least_o degree_n disadvantageous_a to_o our_o pretension_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o evidence_n it_o a_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o confirm_v they_o but_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o insist_v on_o that_o till_o such_o proof_n be_v offer_v four_o that_o by_o this_o it_o be_v already_o most_o evident_a that_o my_o assertion_n be_v not_o true_o cite_v p._n 92._o in_o these_o word_n that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o of_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n but_o of_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v certain_o neither_o my_o word_n nor_o sense_n extend_v to_o the_o wheresoever_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v be_v only_o in_o a_o disjunctive_a form_n either_o constant_o so_o or_o sometime_o but_o rare_o otherwise_o five_o that_o if_o i_o be_v not_o misreport_v and_o the_o paradox_n be_v as_o high_a and_o as_o positive_a as_o it_o be_v represent_v yet_o i_o conceive_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o that_o have_v with_o great_a confidence_n affirm_v that_o both_o bishop_n and_o elder_n do_v always_o signify_v in_o scripture_n their_o presbyter_n and_o no_o more_o for_o if_o either_o of_o those_o word_n do_v but_o once_o signify_v a_o bishop_n their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la and_o whole_a cause_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n irrecoverable_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o at_o leisure_n from_o excuse_v themselves_o to_o accuse_v that_o for_o a_o paradox_n in_o other_o which_o be_v not_o imaginable_a to_o be_v more_o a_o extreme_a on_o one_o side_n then_o they_o be_v on_o the_o other_o last_o that_o if_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a survey_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o which_o they_o thus_o please_v to_o style_v paradox_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v profess_v to_o deny_v and_o declaim_v against_o the_o conclusion_n without_o attempt_v to_o satisfy_v any_o reason_n by_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v it_o may_v be_v as_o just_a in_o i_o to_o tender_v they_o answer_v of_o the_o same_o make_n and_o so_o to_o supersede_n any_o far_a dispute_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o i_o shall_v not_o imitate_v their_o method_n but_o rather_o prepare_v to_o attend_v they_o in_o it_o and_o have_v thus_o far_o serve_v they_o by_o undertake_v the_o task_n which_o be_v due_a to_o they_o in_o give_v the_o reader_n a_o brief_a view_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o assertion_n which_o be_v too_o long_o for_o they_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o i_o shall_v now_o trace_v their_o step_n and_o follow_v they_o which_o way_n soever_o they_o lead_v section_n iu._n of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n of_o praelatists_n disagreement_n among_o themselves_o first_o then_o say_v they_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o these_o assertion_n be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o our_o brethren_n do_v so_o high_o magnify_v and_o boast_v of_o it_o in_o this_o controversy_n and_o for_o recede_v from_o which_o as_o they_o say_v we_o do_v they_o do_v most_o deep_o charge_v we_o that_o these_o assertion_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v own_v by_o i_o and_o be_v assertion_n be_v so_o distant_a from_o be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n that_o they_o be_v found_v in_o the_o record_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a reverend_a authority_n have_v appear_v most_o plain_o by_o what_o have_v now_o be_v say_v and_o have_v before_o be_v lay_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o interpretation_n in_o the_o four_o dissert_n if_o they_o which_o gather_v the_o conclusion_n from_o thence_o will_v have_v vouchsafe_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o praemiss_n the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v with_o truth_n pretend_v be_v that_o some_o of_o the_o text_n which_o we_o have_v insist_v on_o here_o and_o so_o likewise_o some_o of_o those_o where_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n be_v mention_v be_v not_o by_o all_o the_o ancients_n interpret_v just_a in_o that_o manner_n as_o i_o think_v they_o may_v safe_o and_o most_o probable_o be_v interpret_v and_o so_o as_o they_o will_v best_o accord_v with_o the_o opinion_n which_o those_o very_a ancient_n appear_v to_o have_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n in_o this_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v not_o offend_v against_o the_o ancient_a church_n or_o if_o i_o have_v as_o i_o shall_v have_v expect_v other_o accuser_n than_o those_o i_o have_v so_o shall_v i_o wait_v for_o no_o other_o judge_n but_o myself_o and_o immediate_o submit_v to_o any_o penance_n for_o it_o but_o they_o which_o true_o reverence_n antiquity_n discern_v also_o wherein_o this_o reverence_n be_v terminate_v not_o in_o adhere_v to_o every_o interpretation_n of_o each_o text_n of_o scripture_n give_v by_o any_o ancient_a commentator_n or_o interpreter_n for_o true_o that_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a several_a of_o they_o be_v know_v in_o interpret_n of_o text_n very_o frequent_o to_o differ_v one_o from_o the_o other_o this_o can_v be_v no_o news_n to_o any_o man_n who_o have_v but_o light_o view_v they_o or_o but_o occasional_o consult_v tirinus_n or_o such_o like_o late_a commentator_n who_o have_v collect_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o marshal_v their_o name_n and_o tell_v we_o how_o many_o have_v be_v for_o one_o how_o many_o for_o another_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o text._n and_o in_o affair_n of_o this_o nature_n wherein_o they_o have_v neither_o teach_v doctrine_n nor_o testify_v tradition_n but_o only_o express_v their_o single_a opinion_n or_o conjecture_n of_o a_o apostle_n meaning_n in_o word_n capable_a of_o more_o sense_n than_o one_o i_o know_v no_o praelatist_n that_o ever_o deny_v late_a writer_n liberty_n to_o recede_v from_o one_o and_o adhere_v to_o some_o other_o of_o the_o ancients_n or_o if_o more_o convince_a reason_n appear_v for_o any_o fresh_a interpretation_n never_o give_v before_o the_o like_a liberty_n have_v be_v allow_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o our_o study_v of_o the_o original_n inquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n observation_n of_o custom_n among_o the_o ancients_n and_o all_o wherein_o learned_a man_n differ_v from_o unlearned_a consideration_n of_o the_o context_n and_o argument_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o each_o difficult_a place_n and_o all_o the_o other_o skill_v and_o advantage_n of_o a_o good_a interpreter_n will_v all_o be_v unuseful_a first_o and_o then_o dangerous_a will_v tempt_v one_o oit_n to_o recede_v from_o some_o former_a writer_n to_o forsake_v the_o road_n and_o method_n so_o ordinary_a of_o transcribe_v other_o man_n labour_n and_o by_o incite_v he_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o have_v not_o oft_o be_v say_v before_o which_o if_o it_o have_v why_o do_v he_o again_o trouble_v himself_o and_o other_o to_o repeat_v it_o will_v infallible_o involve_v he_o under_o the_o burden_n and_o guilt_n that_o be_v here_o lay_v on_o i_o of_o be_v contrary_a to_o antiquity_n but_o i_o be_o unwilling_a to_o discourage_v they_o from_o any_o sort_n or_o degree_n of_o reverence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o on_o condition_n they_o will_v be_v fair_o try_v by_o it_o in_o any_o notion_n by_o which_o they_o can_v imagine_v to_o define_v that_o reverence_n or_o the_o word_n antiquity_n i_o will_v forgo_v all_o my_o novel_a interpretation_n and_o say_v no_o one_o word_n which_o the_o ancient_n have_v not_o distinct_o say_v before_o i_o and_o refer_v the_o whole_a fate_n of_o the_o cause_n to_o this_o judicature_n their_o second_o consideration_n be_v that_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o that_o have_v ever_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o whence_o they_o conclude_v that_o till_o their_o brethren_n i._n e._n we_o praelatist_n agree_v among_o themselves_o they_o need_v not_o spend_v time_n to_o answer_v the_o private_a opinion_n of_o one_o doctor_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o have_v always_o be_v deem_v lawful_a to_o any_o man_n which_o have_v undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o a_o christian_a cause_n assert_v constant_o by_o the_o church_n to_o choose_v his_o argument_n as_o combatant_n do_v their_o weapon_n such_o as_o he_o think_v be_v fit_a for_o his_o managery_n and_o will_v most_o probable_o in_o his_o opinion_n convince_v
follow_a page_n the_o reader_n must_v again_o be_v tell_v that_o what_o they_o have_v do_v most_o unreasonable_o before_o be_v here_o practise_v again_o at_o large_a several_a place_n bring_v out_o of_o the_o former_a corrupt_a edition_n of_o ignatius_n of_o which_o no_o one_o word_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o new_a edition_n out_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n greek_a and_o latin_a from_o which_o alone_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o produce_v all_o our_o testimony_n for_o episcopacy_n and_o so_o have_v produce_v very_o few_o of_o those_o which_o they_o be_v thus_o please_v to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o place_n which_o they_o urge_v be_v eight_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o set_v they_o down_o but_o give_v the_o leader_n a_o much_o short_a and_o yet_o as_o satisfactory_a a_o account_n of_o they_o two_o be_v cite_v from_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o trallian_n and_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v in_o any_o part_n to_o be_v find_v in_o our_o edition_n two_o be_v cite_v from_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o magnesian_o and_o the_o first_o be_v not_o at_o all_o in_o our_o edition_n nor_o the_o second_o any_o far_a than_o thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o christ_n be_v one_o with_o his_o father_n do_v nothing_o without_o he_o either_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o apostle_n so_o neither_o do_v you_o act_v any_o thing_n without_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n nor_o endeavour_v that_o any_o thing_n shall_v appear_v reasonable_a to_o you_o which_o be_v private_a or_o of_o your_o own_o devise_v a_o speech_n in_o every_o syllable_n of_o it_o very_o well_o become_v that_o holy_a martyr_n write_v by_o he_o at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o truth_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n deposit_v with_o the_o bishop_n all_o private_a devise_n of_o their_o own_o be_v most_o just_o to_o be_v suspect_v the_o five_o be_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o polycarpe_n and_o be_v in_o our_o copy_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o become_v the_o man_n that_o marry_v and_o the_o woman_n that_o be_v marry_v to_o consummate_v their_o union_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o i_o wonder_v what_o age_n of_o the_o church_n there_o have_v be_v from_o that_o time_n to_o this_o which_o have_v not_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o what_o be_v by_o bishop_n commit_v to_o presbyter_n that_o be_v not_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o bishop_n as_o elsewhere_o in_o those_o epistle_n appear_v of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n neither_o of_o which_o say_v he_o be_v to_o be_v meddle_v with_o without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o many_o testimony_n out_o of_o antiquity_n be_v 55._o elsewhere_o produce_v in_o perfect_a conformity_n therewith_o and_o consequent_o if_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n marriage_n have_v always_o be_v consummate_v by_o the_o priest_n or_o presbyter_n then_o can_v this_o speech_n of_o ignatius_n have_v any_o blame_n in_o it_o and_o that_o thus_o it_o have_v be_v through_o all_o age_n there_o be_v little_a matter_n of_o question_n and_o no_o word_n here_o produce_v by_o the_o objector_n to_o the_o contrary_a *_o tertullian_n will_v be_v a_o good_a competent_a tostimonie_n for_o the_o next_o centurie_n ult_n speak_v of_o the_o felicity_n of_o the_o christian_a marriage_n quod_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la conciliat_fw-la &_o confirmat_fw-la oblatio_fw-la &_o obsignat_fw-la benedictio_fw-la angeli_fw-la renuntiant_fw-la etc._n etc._n which_o the_o church_n make_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n confirm_v the_o benediction_n of_o the_o priest_n seales_n and_o the_o angel_n pronounce_v valid_a and_o in_o *_o another_o place_n 4._o penes_fw-la nos_fw-la occultae_fw-la coâ—junctiones_fw-la i._n e._n non_fw-la prius_fw-la apud_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la professa_fw-la juxta_fw-la moechiam_fw-la &_o fornicationem_fw-la judicari_fw-la periclitantur_fw-la marriage_n that_o be_v not_o do_v public_o before_o the_o church_n be_v in_o danger_n with_o we_o to_o go_v for_o adultery_n and_o fornication_n the_o same_o be_v every_o where_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o decretal_a epistle_n of_o euaristus_n about_o ignatius_n time_n which_o make_v it_o a_o tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n of_o soter_n not_o above_o 50._o year_n after_o of_o callistus_n near_o fifty_o year_n after_o he_o of_o silvester_n a_o 100_o year_n after_o he_o of_o siricius_n 70._o year_n after_o silvester_n of_o hormisdas_n 130._o year_n after_o siricius_n and_o though_o some_o of_o these_o be_v by_o d._n blondel_n think_v to_o be_v of_o late_a date_n than_o the_o title_n of_o they_o will_v pretend_v yet_o the_o authority_n of_o most_o of_o they_o be_v unquestioned_a as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o ancient_a piece_n late_o publish_v by_o sirmund_n concern_v the_o heresy_n of_o the_o predestinati_n write_v say_v he_o 1200._o year_n since_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o know_a custom_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n over_o all_o the_o world_n for_o say_v that_o ancient_a author_n if_o marriage_n be_v unlawful_a emendate_fw-it ergo_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la regulâ—m_fw-la damnate_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la sunt_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la nuptiarum_fw-la initia_fw-la benedicentes_fw-la consecrantes_fw-la &_o in_o dei_fw-la mysteriis_fw-la sociante_n amend_v then_o the_o rule_n the_o of_o church_n and_o condemn_v the_o priest_n which_o be_v in_o all_o the_o world_n who_o bless_v the_o beginning_n of_o marriage_n consecrate_v and_o join_v the_o party_n together_o with_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n before_o the_o year_n 400._o have_v these_o word_n sponsus_fw-la &_o sponsa_fw-la cum_fw-la benedicendi_fw-la sunt_fw-la à _fw-la sacerdote_fw-la when_o the_o bridegroom_n and_o the_o bride_n be_v to_o be_v blessed_v by_o the_o priest_n can._n 13._o and_o for_o latter_a age_n the_o matter_n be_v out_o of_o question_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o reasonable_a from_o this_o passage_n in_o ignatius_n be_v find_v so_o perfect_o concordant_a with_o other_o passage_n of_o the_o time_n so_o near_o he_o to_o resolve_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n concern_v sacerdotal_a benediction_n in_o marriage_n to_o be_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n than_o from_o find_v this_o speech_n in_o one_o of_o ignatius_n epistle_n to_o cast_v away_o the_o whole_a volume_n as_o for_o that_o which_o be_v add_v at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o testimony_n from_o the_o epistle_n to_o polycarpe_n my_o soul_n for_o they_o that_o obey_v the_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n there_o can_v be_v no_o fault_n in_o that_o suppose_v as_o have_v be_v say_v that_o the_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n &_o the_o presbyter_n &_o deacon_n live_v regular_o and_o in_o union_n with_o they_o have_v the_o true_a safe_a way_n among_o they_o wherein_o any_o man_n may_v walk_v confident_o all_o danger_n be_v from_o the_o heresy_n that_o creep_v in_o and_o break_v man_n off_o from_o that_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n the_o six_o place_n from_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o philadelphian_o of_o the_o prince_n and_o emperor_n obey_v the_o bishop_n be_v certain_o insert_v by_o forgery_n in_o the_o former_a for_o not_o one_o word_n of_o it_o or_o like_v it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o our_o edition_n so_o likewise_o for_o both_o part_n of_o the_o seven_o place_n out_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o smyrnaean_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o our_o edition_n the_o last_o only_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o there_o but_o that_o in_o a_o much_o more_o moderate_a strain_n than_o the_o former_a in_o word_n and_o sense_n very_o agreeable_a to_o wholesome_a doctrine_n and_o the_o exigency_n of_o those_o time_n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a way_n to_o keep_v out_o the_o tare_n of_o false_a teacher_n but_o by_o require_v all_o to_o be_v keep_v to_o the_o managery_n of_o the_o true_a husbandman_n and_o according_o i_o have_v cite_v this_o very_a speech_n out_o of_o ignatius_n for_o the_o assert_v of_o prelacy_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o the_o epistle_n may_v pass_v well_o enough_o with_o these_o as_o with_o all_o other_o man_n they_o will_v have_v need_v no_o vindication_n have_v no_o adversary_n the_o word_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d all_o of_o you_o follow_v the_o bishop_n as_o christ_n jesus_n do_v his_o father_n i._n e._n as_o elsewhere_o appear_v by_o the_o like_a expression_n with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d add_v to_o it_o be_v at_o perfect_a unity_n of_o doctrine_n etc._n etc._n with_o the_o bishop_n as_o christ_n be_v with_o god_n the_o father_n and_o the_o presbytery_n as_o the_o apostle_n and_o reverence_v the_o deacon_n as_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n viz._n mediate_o by_o the_o apostle_n where_o it_o may_v be_v observable_a that_o the_o obiector_n which_o find_v such_o fault_n with_o this_o speech_n of_o ignatius_n in_o