the_o invisible_a church_n but_o all_o that_o profess_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v repute_v member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n this_o saint_n paul_n have_v put_v whole_o out_o of_o controversy_n by_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o a_o great_a house_n there_o be_v not_o only_o vessel_n of_o gold_n and_o of_o silver_n but_o also_o of_o wood_n and_o of_o earth_n and_o some_o to_o honour_n and_o some_o to_o dishonour_v 2_o tim._n 2.20_o and_o for_o the_o elect_v in_o saint_n peter_n text_n the_o great_a patron_n of_o absolute_a and_o irrespective_a election_n understand_v they_o either_o of_o general_a election_n to_o christianity_n electis_fw-la i._n e._n defaece_n hominum_fw-la segregatis_fw-la ad_fw-la meliorem_fw-la quandam_fw-la sortem_fw-la aret._n elect_v that_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o dregs_o and_o vap_o of_o mankind_n to_o a_o better_a lot_n and_o portion_n in_o christianity_n or_o at_o most_o elect_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n so_o calvin_n god_n election_n be_v a_o secret_a lay_v up_o in_o his_o own_o bosom_n which_o can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o the_o singular_a and_o especial_a revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n quaeri_fw-la potest_fw-la unde_fw-la hoc_fw-la compertum_fw-la habuerit_fw-la it_o may_v be_v demand_v how_o the_o apostle_n know_v that_o these_o person_n be_v elect_v and_o his_o answer_n be_v we_o may_v not_o anxious_o inquire_v concern_v the_o election_n of_o our_o brethren_n but_o make_v our_o judgement_n of_o it_o from_o their_o vocation_n ut_fw-la pro_fw-la electis_fw-la habeantur_fw-la quicunque_fw-la per_fw-la fidem_fw-la in_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la sunt_fw-la coaptati_fw-la that_o they_o shall_v be_v deem_v elect_v who_o be_v join_v unto_o the_o church_n by_o faith_n est_fw-la enim_fw-la hoc_fw-la charitatis_fw-la non_fw-la fidei_fw-la judicium_fw-la the_o utmost_a judgement_n that_o we_o can_v make_v in_o this_o case_n be_v of_o charity_n only_o and_o not_o assurance_n and_o he_o sum_v up_o his_o resolution_n in_o these_o word_n quatenus_fw-la ergo_fw-la prae_fw-la se_fw-la ferebant_fw-la se_fw-la dei_fw-la spiritu_fw-la regenitos_fw-la in_fw-la electis_fw-la dei_fw-la ipsos_fw-la numerat_fw-la for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o they_o profess_v themselves_o regenerate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n he_o reckon_v they_o among_o the_o elect_a this_o second_o title_n then_o elect_a do_v not_o even_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o these_o man_n oppose_v or_o gainsay_v our_o interpretation_n of_o you_o by_o christian_n all_o that_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v in_o general_n who_o be_v the_o material_n of_o this_o house_n you_o christians_o 2_o more_o particular_o lively_a or_o live_v stone_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d christian_n be_v here_o call_v live_v stone_n wave_v some_o other_o respect_n by_o way_n of_o antithesis_fw-la or_o opposition_n especial_o to_o those_o inanimate_a or_o dead_a stone_n that_o be_v the_o material_n of_o the_o jewish_a temple_n live_v stone_n i._n e._n such_o as_o have_v a_o principle_n of_o life_n and_o motion_n in_o themselves_o and_o they_o be_v therefore_o say_v in_o the_o precede_a verse_n to_o come_v unto_o the_o foundation_n to_o who_o come_v the_o stone_n in_o the_o material_a temple_n be_v not_o active_a they_o do_v not_o offer_v themselves_o or_o come_v unto_o the_o foundation_n but_o mere_o passive_a they_o be_v bring_v and_o lay_v upon_o it_o but_o here_o the_o stone_n be_v active_a and_o come_v and_o according_o the_o apostle_n bespeak_v they_o as_o live_a stone_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o only_a aedificati_fw-la as_o beza_n who_o our_o translation_n follow_v build_v but_o edifice_n mini_fw-la as_o tremel_n and_o the_o margin_n in_o our_o bibles_n be_v you_o bvilt_v which_o clear_o imply_v not_o a_o little_a activity_n in_o christian_n in_o build_v up_o themselves_o no_o doctrine_n have_v ever_o shed_v a_o more_o malignant_a influence_n upon_o religion_n or_o cast_v the_o professor_n of_o it_o into_o so_o deep_a a_o sleep_n as_o that_o which_o with_o a_o open_a face_n and_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n and_o with_o a_o glance_n of_o its_o eye_n ascribe_v the_o whole_a work_n of_o our_o salvation_n so_o to_o god_n as_o to_o deny_v man_n any_o activity_n in_o the_o conduct_n or_o promote_a of_o it_o for_o they_o who_o be_v excite_v with_o the_o great_a earnestness_n to_o build_v up_o themselves_o be_v yet_o too_o prone_a to_o lie_v still_o in_o the_o dust_n but_o when_o man_n persuade_v themselves_o or_o be_v teach_v by_o other_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o can_v contribute_v any_o thing_n towards_o the_o build_n up_o of_o themselves_o they_o must_v unavoidable_o remain_v rivet_v to_o or_o root_v in_o the_o earth_n without_o any_o endeavour_n of_o come_v to_o the_o foundation_n make_v any_o application_n of_o themselves_o to_o christ_n as_o suetonius_n observe_v of_o tiberius_n religionum_fw-la negligentiorem_fw-la fuisse_fw-la guippe_n persuasionis_fw-la plenum_fw-la cuncta_fw-la fato_fw-la agi_fw-la he_o be_v the_o more_o careless_a in_o the_o thing_n of_o religion_n because_o he_o be_v full_a of_o this_o persuasion_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v guide_v by_o fate_n to_o prevent_v this_o the_o apostle_n tell_v christian_n that_o they_o be_v live_v stone_n in_o which_o expression_n as_o the_o privilege_n of_o christian_n be_v couch_v so_o their_o duty_n be_v employ_v for_o as_o live_a stone_n you_o have_v a_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o understanding_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o foundation_n whether_o it_o be_v a_o rock_n or_o sand_n as_o live_v stone_n you_o be_v endue_v with_o will_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o the_o rock_n or_o sand_n as_o your_o foundation_n to_o come_v or_o not_o to_o come_v to_o to_o build_v or_o not_o to_o build_v upon_o the_o live_a stone_n christ_n and_o thus_o you_o have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o 1._o particular_a the_o material_n of_o this_o house_n you_o and_o you_o as_o live_a stone_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o edifice_n a_o spiritual_a house_n a_o house_n thus_o the_o church_n be_v frequent_o style_v in_o scripture_n that_o thou_o may_v know_v how_o thou_o ought_v to_o behave_v thyself_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n 1_o tim._n 3.15_o &_o heb._n 3.5_o 6._o and_o mases_n very_o be_v faithful_a in_o all_o his_o house_n as_o a_o servant_n but_o christ_n as_o a_o son_n over_o his_o own_o house_n who_o house_n be_v we_o etc._n etc._n the_o church_n be_v call_v a_o house_n either_o metonymical_o as_o the_o house_n be_v put_v for_o the_o family_n that_o inhabit_v it_o as_o gen._n 7.1_o and_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o noah_n come_v thou_o and_o all_o thy_o house_n into_o the_o ark._n and_o now_o say_v jacob_n gen_n 30.30_o when_o shall_v i_o provide_v for_o my_o own_o house_n also_o or_o a_o house_n by_o way_n of_o allusion_n principal_o to_o the_o temple_n or_o unto_o any_o other_o house_n 2._o a_o spiritual_a house_n that_o be_v metaphorical_o and_o allusive_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n in_o spiritual_a thing_n that_o which_o a_o house_n be_v in_o temporal_a the_o estate_n of_o christian_n as_o they_o be_v in_o society_n be_v set_v forth_o to_o we_o in_o scripture_n in_o divers_a and_o sundry_a term_n sometime_o of_o a_o flock_n you_o be_v his_o flock_n frequent_o in_o the_o psalm_n sometime_o of_o husbandry_n you_o be_v god_n husbandry_n 1_o cor._n 3.9_o sometime_o of_o a_o building_n you_o be_v god_n building_n 1_o cor._n 3.9_o and_o so_o in_o the_o text_n a_o spiritual_a house_n in_o this_o spiritual_a house_n without_o offer_v violence_n to_o the_o allegory_n there_o be_v as_o in_o every_o well_o build_v material_a house_n 3._o thing_n especial_o requisite_a symmetry_n decor_fw-la and_o distribution_n 1_o symmetry_n this_o in_o a_o material_a building_n be_v the_o convenience_n or_o proportion_n that_o run_v between_o the_o part_n and_o the_o whole_a and_o this_o reconcile_v those_o seem_o opposite_a thing_n uniformity_n and_o variety_n uniformity_n be_v so_o necessary_a if_o not_o to_o the_o be_v yet_o to_o the_o well_o or_o comely_a be_v of_o any_o house_n that_o without_o this_o it_o be_v but_o a_o confuse_a heap_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o most_o uniform_a building_n shall_v not_o admit_v of_o variety_n for_o art_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v in_o its_o high_a pefection_n when_o it_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o some_o natural_a principle_n the_o most_o judicious_a artist_n be_v but_o the_o mimique_n of_o nature_n now_o the_o natural_a fabric_n of_o man_n body_n be_v according_a to_o the_o say_n of_o protagoras_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o prototype_n of_o all_o exact_a symmetry_n no_o structure_n can_v be_v possible_o more_o uniform_a than_o our_o body_n in_o the_o whole_a figuration_n of_o they_o each_o side_n agree_v with_o the_o other_o both_o in_o the_o number_n the_o quality_n and_o in_o
day_n of_o the_o rain_n or_o tempest_n as_o for_o instance_n 1_o they_o who_o build_v upon_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o nominal_n and_o real_n name_n will_v never_o pass_v in_o the_o account_n of_o heaven_n for_o thing_n the_o church_n of_o sardis_n have_v a_o fair_a name_n a_o name_n that_o she_o live_v but_o this_o do_v not_o advantage_v she_o any_o thing_n because_o she_o be_v dead_a apoc._n 3.1_o 2_o they_o who_o build_v upon_o the_o shoulder_n of_o their_o religious_a progenitor_n the_o grandmother_n lois_fw-fr and_o the_o mother_n eunice_n it_o be_v a_o happiness_n too_o great_a for_o parent_n to_o entail_v their_o grace_n together_o with_o their_o estate_n upon_o their_o child_n all_o the_o holiness_n they_o derive_v to_o they_o be_v a_o faederal_a holiness_n only_o a_o leprous_a father_n beget_v a_o leprous_a child_n the_o father_n take_v a_o potion_n and_o be_v heal_v of_o his_o leprosy_n but_o if_o the_o child_n use_v not_o that_o remedy_n he_o die_v in_o his_o uncleanness_n if_o you_o reflect_v upon_o the_o child_n of_o many_o holy_a man_n in_o scripture_n you_o may_v behold_v adam_n cain_n abraham_n ishmael_n isaack_n esau_n david_n amnon_n &_o absolom_n aaron_n nadab_n &_o abihu_n eli'_v hophni_n &_o phineas_n too_o many_o child_n be_v like_o manasses_n hoc_fw-la uno_fw-la patris_fw-la spectaculum_fw-la quod_fw-la ejus_fw-la imaginem_fw-la reddidi_fw-la ex_fw-la contrario_fw-la eman._n thesaur_n 3_o they_o who_o expect_v the_o end_n without_o the_o mean_n who_o build_v upon_o their_o predestination_n there_o be_v a_o predestination_n to_o work_n as_o well_o as_o to_o life_n for_o we_o be_v his_o workmanship_n create_v in_o christ_n jesus_n unto_o good_a work_n which_o god_n have_v before_o ordain_v that_o we_o shall_v walk_v in_o they_o ephes_n 2.10_o 4_o they_o who_o rely_v upon_o poor_a weak_a languish_a intention_n that_o never_o ripen_v into_o action_n the_o poet_n deride_v those_o who_o intention_n be_v always_o blossom_a but_o never_o bring_v forth_o any_o ripe_a fruit_n cras_fw-la te_fw-la victorum_fw-la etc._n etc._n good_a intention_n fortify_v with_o pious_a resolution_n do_v fair_o introduce_v one_o into_o the_o path_n of_o virtue_n but_o the_o best_a intention_n without_o action_n will_v never_o bring_v he_o to_o his_o journey_n end_n the_o jew_n i_o believe_v intend_v as_o they_o say_v when_o they_o desire_v the_o prophet_n to_o pray_v for_o they_o and_o say_v they_o according_a to_o all_o that_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n shall_v say_v so_o declare_v unto_o we_o and_o we_o will_v do_v it_o jeremiah_n 42.20_o and_o yet_o he_o tell_v they_o they_o dissemble_v in_o their_o heart_n when_o they_o send_v he_o unto_o the_o lord_n because_o say_v he_o i_o have_v declare_v it_o to_o you_o but_o you_o have_v not_o obey_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o lord_n nor_o any_o thing_n for_o which_o he_o have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o vers_n 21._o good_a intention_n be_v like_o the_o angel_n that_o go_v before_o toby_n to_o rage_n but_o the_o non_fw-fr execuion_n of_o they_o be_v like_o the_o dog_n that_o follow_v after_o he_o 5_o they_o who_o build_v upon_o their_o civil_a honesty_n or_o negative_a goodness_n they_o do_v no_o man_n wrong_v they_o be_v not_o this_o or_o that_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharise_n be_v without_o controversy_n unblameable_a in_o their_o conversation_n towards_o man_n and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v question_v but_o that_o the_o pharisee_v speak_v truth_n who_o say_v god_n i_o thank_v thou_o that_o i_o be_o not_o as_o other_o man_n be_v extortioner_n unjust_a adulterer_n i_o fast_o twice_o in_o the_o week_n i_o give_v tithe_n of_o all_o that_o i_o possess_v luke_n 18.11_o 12._o and_o yet_o our_o lord_n christ_n say_v except_o your_o righteousness_n exceed_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharise_n you_o shall_v in_o no_o case_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n mat_n 5.20_o 6_o they_o who_o build_v upon_o their_o religious_a performance_n their_o own_o righteousness_n christ_n become_v a_o stone_n of_o offence_n to_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o will_v be_v save_v by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n rom._n 9.31_o 32._o and_o saint_n paul_n say_v christ_n be_v become_v of_o none_o effect_v unto_o you_o whosoever_o of_o you_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n you_o be_v fall_v from_o grace_n galat._n 5.4_o we_o may_v safe_o say_v of_o all_o these_o as_o christ_n do_v to_o his_o disciple_n when_o they_o show_v he_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o material_a temple_n there_o shall_v not_o be_v leave_v one_o stone_n upon_o another_o that_o shall_v not_o be_v throw_v down_o mark_n 13.2_o 2_o take_v heed_n of_o disallow_v or_o reject_v christ_n beza_n upon_o the_o t._n say_v etiam_fw-la nos_fw-la hodie_fw-la vita_fw-la &_o moribus_fw-la reprobamus_fw-la man_n may_v and_o do_v at_o this_o day_n reject_v christ_n by_o their_o vicious_a life_n and_o evil_a manner_n they_o reject_v or_o reprobate_v he_o in_o general_n who_o be_v disobedient_a to_o the_o word_n a_o stone_n of_o stumble_v and_o a_o rock_n of_o offence_n even_o to_o they_o which_o stumble_v at_o the_o word_n be_v disobedient_a 1_o pet._n 2.8_o they_o more_o particular_o who_o refuse_v neglect_n or_o despise_v his_o ordinance_n the_o reject_v of_o they_o be_v the_o reject_v of_o christ_n in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o faithfulness_n every_o man_n that_o live_v in_o a_o know_a sin_n prefer_v barrabas_n before_o he_o it_o be_v this_o and_o this_o only_a that_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n perfect_o reasonable_a that_o the_o suffering_n of_o sinner_n shall_v be_v eternal_a in_o the_o place_n of_o torment_n because_o by_o reject_v christ_n they_o contemn_v that_o immortal_a and_o eternal_a life_n which_o god_n put_v into_o their_o hand_n and_o upon_o which_o they_o may_v lay_v hold_n by_o embrace_v and_o entertain_v he_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n more_o rational_a and_o equal_a then_o this_o that_o when_o god_n set_v life_n and_o death_n before_o man_n immortal_a life_n by_o entertain_v christ_n and_o eternal_a death_n by_o reject_v he_o they_o who_o choose_v death_n shall_v have_v their_o portion_n or_o part_n in_o it_o take_v heed_n least_o while_n you_o acknowledge_v as_o you_o can_v but_o do_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o this_o you_o do_v not_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v condemn_v yourselves_o in_o a_o their_o d_o person_n mat._n 21.41_o and_o so_o i_o pass_v from_o this_o to_o the_o second_o general_n 2_o the_o superstructure_n or_o fabric_n that_o be_v build_v upon_o this_o foundation_n you_o also_o as_o lively_a stone_n be_v build_v up_o a_o spiritual_a house_n vers_n 5._o in_o which_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n considerable_a the_o material_n edifice_n and_o the_o manner_n how_o it_o become_v such_o 1_o the_o material_n be_v 1._o in_o general_n you_o 2._o more_o particular_o lively_a stone_n if_o you_o will_v know_v 1_o who_o these_o you_o be_v you_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o epistle_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o verse_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n they_o be_v describe_v by_o two_o name_n stranger_n and_o elect_a 1_o stranger_n advenis_fw-la inquilinis_fw-la in_fw-la solos_fw-la judaeos_fw-la competit_fw-la it_o appertain_v to_o the_o jew_n only_a say_v master_n calvin_n upon_o the_o place_n who_o be_v here_o call_v stranger_n not_o as_o the_o believer_n be_v afterward_o i_o beseech_v you_o as_o stranger_n and_o pilgrim_n abstain_v from_o fleshly_a lust_n 1_o pet._n 2.11_o because_o heaven_n be_v their_o country_n and_o they_o be_v here_o from_o home_n but_o because_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o from_o that_o land_n the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o be_v peculiar_o they_o and_o be_v now_o disperse_v and_o scatter_v through_o pontus_n galatia_n cappadocia_n etc._n etc._n or_o advenis_fw-la stranger_n i._n e._n ijs_fw-la qui_fw-la ex_fw-la gentilismo_fw-la in_o rem_fw-la publicam_fw-la populi_fw-la dei_fw-la transierant_fw-la gualt_n who_o be_v transplant_v from_o gentilism_n into_o the_o society_n of_o god_n people_n i_o undertake_v not_o to_o umpire_n between_o calvin_n and_o gualther_n whether_o they_o be_v jew_n or_o gentile_n but_o take_v that_o which_o they_o both_o agree_v in_o the_o you_o here_o the_o material_n of_o this_o spiritual_a house_n to_o be_v christian_n that_o be_v person_n make_v proselyte_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o christ_n whether_o from_o the_o tent_n of_o judaisme_n or_o gentilism_n it_o matter_n not_o the_o you_o be_v christian_n they_o the_o material_n of_o this_o spiritual_a house_n but_o not_o all_o we_o hope_v will_n some_o say_v for_o the_o apostle_n style_v they_o 2_o elect._n whence_o they_o infer_v that_o none_o ought_v to_o be_v account_v member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o material_n of_o this_o spiritual_a house_n but_o the_o elect_n only_o the_o elect_a in_o their_o sense_n be_v i_o acknowledge_v the_o sole_a member_n of_o
congregation_n of_o christian_n in_o all_o the_o world_n have_v receive_v and_o embrace_v the_o episcopacy_n we_o contend_v for_o to_o this_o all_o the_o father_n without_o exception_n of_o any_o one_o bear_v witness_n he_o among_o they_o who_o ascribe_v least_o to_o episcopacy_n st._n jerom_n who_o be_v not_o a_o bishop_n but_o a_o presbyter_n of_o a_o inferior_a order_n who_o testimony_n therefore_o may_v stand_v in_o stead_n of_o many_o say_v in_o toto_fw-la orbe_fw-la decretum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la caeteris_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la ad_fw-la quem_fw-la omnis_fw-la cura_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la pertineret_fw-la it_o be_v universal_o decree_v that_o one_o choose_v from_o among_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n to_o who_o the_o whole_a care_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v appertain_v and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o universal_a custom_n of_o the_o church_n appear_v by_o this_o because_o those_o heretic_n who_o make_v a_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n catholic_n do_v yet_o retain_v this_o order_n among_o they_o thus_o the_o author_n of_o the_o homily_n upon_o st._n matthew_n heretic_n in_o their_o schism_n have_v all_o those_o thing_n among_o they_o which_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o true_a church_n similiter_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la similiter_fw-la scripturas_fw-la similiter_fw-la episcopos_fw-la caeterosque_fw-la clericorum_fw-la ordines_fw-la they_o have_v their_o congregation_n scripture_n bishop_n and_o other_o order_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o the_o church_n have_v aerius_n indeed_o in_o a_o pang_n of_o indignation_n because_o he_o miss_v a_o bishopric_n which_o he_o stand_v for_o will_v have_v make_v himself_o equal_a to_o the_o reverend_a bishop_n by_o broach_v this_o doctrine_n presbyterum_fw-la ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la nulla_fw-la differentia_fw-la discerni_fw-la debere_fw-la that_o a_o presbyter_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v distinguish_v by_o any_o difference_n from_o a_o bishop_n but_o this_o error_n of_o his_o be_v condemn_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n when_o one_o write_v to_o st._n jerom_n nihil_fw-la interest_n inter_fw-la episcopum_fw-la &_o presbyterum_fw-la there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n he_o reprove_v he_o sharp_o in_o the_o answer_n which_o he_o return_v hoc_fw-la satis_fw-la imperite_fw-la this_o be_v not_o say_v for_o want_v of_o ignorance_n in_o portu_fw-la ut_fw-la dicitur_fw-la naufragium_fw-la you_o make_v shipwreck_n as_o they_o say_v proverbial_o in_o the_o haven_n three_o the_o episcopacy_n under_o our_o present_a consideration_n be_v of_o venerable_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n have_v its_o rise_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n in_o proof_n of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o better_a evidence_n than_o the_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n in_o irenaeus_n eusebius_n socrates_n and_o theodoret_n who_o begin_v from_o the_o age_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n live_v now_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v his_o assent_n to_o such_o grave_a authority_n so_o unanimous_o conspire_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n without_o incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o singular_a irreverence_n and_o pertinacy_n it_o be_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v deny_v that_o which_o all_o the_o roman_a history_n affirm_v that_o the_o consulship_n of_o rome_n begin_v from_o the_o banishment_n of_o the_o tarquin_n will_v you_o hear_v st._n jerom_n alexandria_n a_o marco_n evangelista_n presbyteri_fw-la unum_fw-la semper_fw-la ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_fw-la celsiori_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la ep._n 85._o the_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n ever_o since_o st._n mark_n the_o evangelist_n have_v choose_v one_o from_o among_o themselves_o and_o exalt_v he_o to_o a_o high_a place_n style_v he_o bishop_n st._n mark_v die_v in_o the_o eight_o year_n of_o nero_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 62._o who_o successor_n st._n john_n the_o apostle_n yet_o live_v be_v amianus_n to_o he_o succeed_v abilius_n to_o abilius_n cerdo_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n james_n simon_n succeed_v he_o in_o the_o bishopric_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o st._n peter_n departure_n linus_n anacletus_fw-la and_o clement_n or_o as_o some_o st._n peter_n yet_o live_v sit_v in_o the_o episcopal_a chair_n at_o rome_n as_o evodius_n and_o ignatius_n do_v at_o antioch_n a_o record_n of_o such_o antiquity_n confirm_v by_o ignatius_n the_o disciple_n of_o st._n john_n can_v be_v reject_v by_o any_o save_o such_o only_a who_o have_v no_o faith_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o themselves_o see_v not_o who_o may_v as_o well_o deny_v that_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o philip_n of_o spain_n or_o lewis_n of_o france_n or_o henry_n king_n of_o england_n as_o that_o the_o person_n before_o mention_v be_v bishop_n of_o their_o respective_a see_v four_o the_o episcopacy_n we_o intend_v be_v approve_v by_o divine_a right_n or_o as_o bucer_n express_v it_o visum_fw-la spiritui_fw-la sancto_fw-la utinter_n presbyteros_fw-la unus_fw-la cur_n be_fw-mi singularem_fw-la gereret_fw-la it_o seem_v good_a unto_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o one_o among_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v have_v the_o especial_a care_n of_o the_o church_n of_o this_o we_o have_v a_o undeniable_a argument_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n where_o we_o find_v christ_n from_o heaven_n command_v st._n john_n to_o write_v unto_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o title_n of_o angel_n may_v i_o acknowledge_v be_v apply_v in_o a_o general_a signification_n to_o every_o particular_a pastor_n or_o presbyter_n but_o here_o it_o be_v manifest_a christ_n intend_v one_o in_o each_o church_n only_o who_o he_o style_v the_o angel_n in_o a_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a sense_n for_o it_o be_v no_o way_n probable_a that_o church_n so_o large_a of_o such_o vast_a extent_n as_o ephesus_n smyrna_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v have_v but_o one_o pastor_n or_o presbyter_n in_o each_o of_o they_o nay_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o evident_a concern_v ephesus_n that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o st_n paul_n there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n ordain_v or_o constitute_v to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n act_n 20.17_o and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o say_v unto_o they_o verse_n 28._o take_v heed_n unto_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n etc._n etc._n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o we_o may_v as_o rational_o conclude_v concern_v the_o rest_n that_o there_o be_v many_o pastor_n in_o each_o church_n why_o then_o shall_v christ_n direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o one_o the_o angel_n if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v one_o among_o they_o of_o a_o superior_a function_n and_o more_o eminent_a dignity_n sub_fw-la angeli_fw-la nomine_fw-la say_v st._n augustine_n epist_n 162._o laudatur_fw-la praepositus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o angel_n he_o commend_v the_o perfect_a of_o the_o church_n angelos_n ecclesiis_fw-la praesidentes_fw-la dixit_fw-la hierom_n by_o angel_n he_o understand_v the_o precedent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o smyrna_n polycarpus_n be_v without_o controversy_n bishop_n of_o it_o ordain_v by_o st._n john_n as_o bullinger_n himself_o acknowledge_v and_o irenaeus_n say_v of_o he_o l._n 3._o c._n 3._o polycarpus_n non_fw-la solum_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n eruditus_fw-la etc._n etc._n polycarp_n be_v not_o only_o instruct_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o conversant_a with_o divers_a of_o those_o person_n who_o see_v our_o lord_n in_o the_o flesh_n but_o in_o asia_n he_o be_v constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n who_o i_o see_v say_v the_o father_n while_o i_o be_v a_o young_a man_n i_o whole_o wave_v many_o other_o evidence_n and_o descend_v to_o a_o late_a protestant_a writer_n marlorat_n in_o locum_fw-la st._n john_n say_v he_o mention_n first_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o place_n nec_fw-la populum_fw-la aggreditur_fw-la sed_fw-la principem_fw-la cleri_fw-la utique_fw-la episcopum_fw-la and_o he_o do_v not_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o people_n but_o to_o the_o principal_a of_o the_o clergy_n to_o wit_n the_o bishop_n and_o because_o the_o authority_n of_o mr._n beza_n and_o doctor_n reinolds_n may_v possible_o go_v further_a with_o those_o who_o have_v no_o great_a friendship_n for_o the_o episcopal_a dignity_n let_v we_o in_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n hear_v they_o to_o the_o angel_n say_v beza_n id_fw-la est_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quem_fw-la nimirum_fw-la oportuit_fw-la inprimis_fw-la de_fw-la his_fw-la rebus_fw-la admoneri_fw-la ac_fw-la per_fw-la eum_fw-la caeteros_fw-la collegas_fw-la totamque_fw-la adeo_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la that_o be_v the_o precedent_n who_o first_o ought_v to_o be_v admonish_v and_o by_o he_o his_o colleague_n and_o so_o the_o whole_a church_n reinolds_n in_o his_o conference_n with_o hart_n c._n 8._o sect._n 3_o say_v though_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n many_o presbyter_n and_o pastor_n to_o administer_v to_o that_o church_n yet_o there_o be_v one_o ever_o those_o many_o who_o our_o saviour_n style_v the_o