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
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
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
require_v and_o so_o not_o be_v so_o eminent_o worthy_a of_o the_o double_a honour_n as_o he_o that_o actual_o do_v both_o so_o certain_o he_o that_o rule_v well_o in_o any_o church_n and_o beside_o the_o care_n belong_v to_o rule_v undergo_v that_o other_o double_a hard_a travel_n so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v of_o preach_v the_o faith_n to_o infidel_n and_o confirm_v and_o instruct_v believer_n do_v very_o high_o deserve_v the_o double_a honour_n and_o alimonie_n and_o this_o as_o it_o be_v the_o exact_a meaning_n of_o that_o text_n so_o it_o utter_o supersede_v all_o force_n of_o this_o objection_n or_o exception_n against_o our_o understanding_n it_o of_o the_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o praelaticall_a sense_n four_o for_o the_o word_n presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o by_o which_o they_o say_v i_o understand_v episcopacy_n i_o answer_v that_o i_o interpret_v it_o of_o some_o combination_n either_o of_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n and_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o theodoret_n phrase_n such_o as_o be_v vouchsafe_v the_o apostolical_a grace_n i._n e._n of_o paul_n assure_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 6._o and_o perhaps_o of_o barnabas_n perhaps_o of_o some_o other_o apostolical_a person_n with_o he_o in_o like_a manner_n as_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n style_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o philad_n ignatius_n style_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o presbytery_n or_o eldership_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o of_o ignatius_n himself_o s._n chrysostome_n affirm_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o hand_n of_o more_o apostle_n than_o one_o be_v lay_v on_o he_o in_o his_o ordination_n to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o antioch_n to_o which_o matter_n the_o scholion_n of_o chrysostome_n be_v express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o presbyter_n but_o bishop_n add_v the_o reason_n because_o presbyter_n do_v not_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o so_o theophylact_v and_o oecumenius_n last_o for_o the_o other_o two_o place_n of_o not-rebuking_a and_o receive_v a_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a though_o in_o those_o place_n it_o be_v clear_o for_o my_o interest_n to_o interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n for_o then_o as_o 1._o epiphanius_n say_v there_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o the_o bishop_n have_v power_n over_o the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d timothy_n over_o the_o elder_a say_v he_o but_o never_o the_o elder_a over_o timothy_n yet_o i_o confess_v myself_o incline_v by_o other_o consideration_n to_o forego_v that_o advantageous_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n because_o timothy_n be_v place_v in_o the_o prime_a metropolis_n have_v power_n over_o the_o bishop_n of_o lesser_a city_n and_o that_o as_o have_v oft_o be_v show_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d power_n of_o â—udging_v as_o well_o as_o of_o ordain_v bishop_n which_o be_v 12._o elsewhere_o evidence_v to_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o s._n chrysostome_n in_o order_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o this_o place_n and_o so_o still_o the_o crime_n be_v not_o very_o great_a or_o reproachful_a which_o i_o be_o say_v to_o have_v confess_v it_o amount_v no_o high_a than_o the_o former_a confession_n have_v do_v that_o timothy_n be_v archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o yet_o this_o you_o see_v without_o any_o necessity_n to_o extort_v it_o from_o thou_o save_v that_o of_o speak_v free_o what_o i_o conceive_v most_o probable_a for_o otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n i_o defenâ—_n than_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n shall_v signify_v presbyter_n in_o these_o two_o place_n sect._n ix_o a_o four_o confession_n of_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n their_o four_o charge_n be_v that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o confess_v that_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v no_o commission_n from_o s._n paul_n to_o ordain_v single_a elder_n but_o only_o for_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n it_o seem_v say_v they_o this_o author_n slight_v the_o postscript_n where_o titus_n be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o crect_n and_o slight_v all_o those_o ancient_a father_n that_o be_v cite_v by_o his_o own_o party_n to_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o crect_n but_o he_o must_v be_v a_o archbishop_n and_o so_o must_v timothy_n also_o or_o else_o these_o assertion_n of_o he_o will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o arch-bishop_n have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v as_o we_o conceive_v in_o the_o former_a discourse_n that_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n i_o confess_v again_o that_o i_o can_v but_o believe_v till_o i_o be_o show_v how_o the_o contrary_a be_v possible_a i._n e._n how_o he_o that_o be_v fasten_v in_o and_o as_o 4._o eusebius_n say_v have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o episcopacy_n of_o a_o whole_a island_n which_o have_v a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o and_o be_v there_o place_v that_o he_o may_v ordain_v bishop_n under_o he_o in_o each_o of_o those_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5._o 7._o and_o as_o the_o ancients_n add_v exercise_v jurisdiction_n over_o they_o shall_v be_v other_o than_o a_o archbishop_n that_o this_o be_v his_o condition_n have_v be_v show_v already_o and_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o it_o be_v press_v with_o they_o will_v prove_v very_o supportable_a for_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o be_v oblige_v thereby_o to_o slight_v either_o postscript_n or_o father_n but_o give_v the_o disputer_n example_n to_o pay_v they_o all_o reverence_n be_v very_o well_o able_a to_o discern_v the_o bishop_n through_o the_o archbishop_n &_o have_v never_o imagine_v that_o the_o style_v michael_n a_o archangel_n be_v deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o angel_n he_o certain_o be_v a_o angel_n and_o that_o of_o a_o high_a degree_n or_o else_o can_v never_o have_v be_v just_o call_v a_o archangel_n and_o it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o titus_n if_o i_o have_v not_o think_v he_o a_o bishop_n i_o can_v never_o have_v affirm_v he_o a_o archbishop_n and_o they_o that_o in_o common_a speech_n give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o bishop_n do_v no_o way_n intimate_v their_o thought_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o i_o for_o every_o archbishop_n be_v certain_o a_o bishop_n though_o every_o bishop_n be_v not_o a_o archbishop_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o danger_n of_o my_o assertion_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n be_v consequent_a to_o this_o of_o titus_n or_o timothy_n prove_v to_o be_v no_o archbishop_n i_o shall_v deem_v they_o competent_o safe_a for_o each_o of_o they_o be_v unavoidable_o such_o timothy_n archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n the_o prime_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o titus_n of_o the_o whole_a island_n of_o crect_n and_o according_o to_o those_o two_o peculiarly_a as_o such_o directions_z be_v give_v for_o the_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o every_o city_n and_o the_o proof_n which_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o contrary_a have_v i_o suppose_v already_o be_v answer_v and_o be_v not_o here_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v recite_v the_o reply_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o impertinent_a as_o to_o appear_v without_o their_o antagonist_n only_o because_o it_o be_v here_o insert_v as_o part_v of_o my_o inconvenient_a confession_n that_o titus_n receive_v no_o commission_n from_o saint_n paul_n to_o ordain_v single_a elder_n which_o i_o believe_v i_o no_o where_o say_v any_o otherwise_o than_o that_o the_o commission_n cap._n 1._o 5._o be_v to_o create_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n i_o shall_v free_o tell_v they_o my_o opinion_n of_o that_o viz._n that_o a_o great_a power_n may_v very_o fit_o be_v say_v to_o comprehend_v under_o it_o the_o lesser_a of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o consequent_o that_o both_o timothy_n and_o he_o which_o have_v commission_n to_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n have_v also_o by_o the_o same_o commission_n power_n to_o ordain_v single_a presbyter_n where_o those_o be_v useful_a to_o be_v ordain_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o qualification_n of_o deacon_n and_o widow_n aftermentioned_a in_o one_o certain_o and_o as_o i_o conceive_v in_o both_o epistle_n for_o that_o suppose_v their_o commission_n to_o extend_v to_o the_o ordain_v of_o those_o who_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v name_v in_o they_o if_o we_o may_v guess_v by_o that_o of_o titus_n cap._n 1._o 5._o and_o so_o much_o also_o of_o that_o part_n of_o my_o confession_n which_o be_v as_o free_a and_o unforced_a as_o the_o former_a have_v be_v and_o i_o believe_v as_o fafe_v to_o the_o affirmer_n sect._n x._o a_o five_o charge_n of_o contrariety_n to_o scripture_n answer_v of_o visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a belong_v to_o elder_n james_n 5._o but_o the_o five_o and_o
to_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o to_o a_o common_a council_n of_o social_a ruler_n but_o as_o so_o many_o several_a planter_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n each_o have_v all_o power_n commit_v to_o he_o and_o depend_v on_o no_o conjunction_n of_o any_o one_o or_o more_o apostle_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v large_o and_o clear_o deduce_v dissert_n 3._o c._n 1._o 2._o 3._o 4._o and_o this_o power_n be_v by_o they_o derive_v to_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o use_v it_o themselves_o which_o be_v also_o far_o evidence_v and_o vindicate_v c._n 5._o etc._n etc._n this_o be_v deem_v a_o first_o competent_a proof_n of_o this_o matter_n and_o as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o first_o bishop_n make_v by_o they_o be_v in_o the_o very_a scripture_n call_v apostle_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n diss_n 4._o c._n 3._o 8._o a_o second_o principal_a proof_n of_o scripture_n be_v take_v from_o the_o several_a mention_n of_o the_o so_o many_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o so_o many_o angel_n assign_v to_o they_o one_o to_o each_o as_o a_o singular_a governor_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o revelation_n and_o in_o discourse_n of_o these_o we_o have_v find_v great_a evidence_n of_o the_o fact_n to_o authorise_v we_o to_o improve_v the_o conclusion_n a_o little_a high_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n viz._n to_o affirm_v of_o these_o angel_n that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v a_o archbishop_n or_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v do_v so_o to_o discern_v upon_o undeniable_a ground_n that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o such_o mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n though_o not_o under_o that_o title_n as_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n metropolitan_a of_o all_o judea_n titus_n of_o all_o crete_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o etc._n etc._n 9_o and_o the_o way_n of_o according_a all_o other_o scripture_n with_o these_o have_v be_v brief_o these_o 1._o by_o observe_v this_o difference_n betwixt_o city_n and_o metropoles_fw-la as_o the_o true_a cause_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o mention_n of_o many_o bishop_n in_o not_o of_o one_o city_n mean_v thereby_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o the_o city_n under_o that_o metropolis_n as_o phil._n 1._o 1._o act._n 20._o 17._o second_o by_o examine_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o word_n which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n for_o bishop_n as_o beside_o apostle_n and_o angel_n foremention_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ruler_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d doctor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pastor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a and_o in_o the_o father_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chief_a priest_n and_o sacerdos_n priest_n each_o denote_v dignity_n and_o authority_n and_o all_o clear_v to_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n applicable_a and_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o context_n to_o be_v actual_o apply_v to_o the_o singular_a governor_n in_o each_o city_n most_o of_o they_o constant_o so_o and_o that_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o not_o constant_o so_o yet_o very_o rare_o otherwise_o and_o this_o be_v do_v dissert_n 4._o c._n 7._o and_o so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o diss_n three_o by_o observe_v the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o many_o city_n in_o the_o first_o plantation_n which_o make_v it_o unnecessary_a that_o there_o shall_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordain_v any_o more_o than_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o in_o each_o city_n and_o that_o this_o be_v according_o do_v by_o they_o at_o the_o first_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o most_o undeniable_a ancient_a record_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o profound_a history_n out_o of_o which_o 3._o epiphanius_n make_v this_o observation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o there_o want_v bishop_n and_o there_o be_v find_v person_n worthy_a of_o the_o office_n bishop_n be_v constitute_v but_o where_o there_o be_v no_o multitude_n there_o none_o be_v find_v among_o they_o to_o be_v constitute_v presbyter_n and_o they_o satisfy_v themselves_o with_o a_o bishop_n alone_o in_o a_o place_n only_o the_o bishop_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v without_o a_o deacon_n and_o according_o the_o apostle_n take_v care_n that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v his_o deacon_n to_o minister_v to_o he_o that_o which_o be_v thus_o cite_v by_o epiphanius_n out_o of_o those_o ancient_a record_n be_v find_v clear_o affirm_v by_o cor._n clemens_n romanus_n a_o apostolical_a person_n and_o witness_v of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n that_o they_o be_v send_v out_o by_o christ_n as_o he_o by_o his_o father_n go_v out_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o proclaim_v it_o through_o region_n and_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v to_o both_o which_o we_o shall_v again_o add_v what_o ephiphanius_n preface_v in_o that_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o when_o the_o preach_n be_v new_a the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n write_v agreeable_o to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o affair_n we_o have_v here_o so_o clear_a a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o deacon_n to_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o and_o 1_o tim._n 3._o viz._n because_o those_o be_v the_o only_a two_o order_n then_o constitute_v in_o every_o church_n that_o these_o two_o place_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o adversary_n against_o we_o be_v most_o punctual_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o we_o and_o of_o the_o unseasonablenesse_n of_o their_o pretension_n 10._o as_o for_o the_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n the_o groundwork_n i_o have_v choose_v to_o lay_v in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n because_o the_o testimony_n thence_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o evident_a and_o the_o writer_n so_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o holy_a man_n be_v martyr_a in_o the_o 10._o of_o trajan_n to_o who_o reign_n s._n john_n live_v and_o most_o of_o his_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o very_a church_n of_o asia_n plant_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o many_o of_o they_o name_v by_o he_o and_o of_o one_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n under_o he_o that_o if_o that_o one_o author_n testimony_n be_v attend_v to_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a decision_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v also_o vindicate_v these_o epistle_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v object_v to_o they_o in_o these_o late_a year_n and_o assert_v their_o authority_n by_o as_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a evidence_n as_o can_v be_v vouch_v for_o any_o ancient_a piece_n next_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o and_o content_v myself_o with_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a copy_n and_o edition_n of_o it_o 11._o in_o accord_n with_o these_o testimony_n i_o have_v also_o produce_v many_o other_o out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n hegesippus_n polycarpe_n papias_n polycrates_n justin_n jrenaeus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n tâ—rtullian_n and_o as_o many_o of_o the_o first_o time_n as_o have_v say_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o find_v a_o full_a consent_n in_o all_o and_o in_o most_o irrefragable_a suffrage_n which_o conclude_v this_o whole_a controversy_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o i_o have_v also_o add_v some_o few_o observation_n of_o unquestionable_a truth_n as_o 1._o that_o of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o use_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a to_o signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n among_o some_o of_o these_o most_o ancient_a church_n writer_n whereas_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v never_o use_v by_o any_o but_o for_o a_o singular_a governor_n second_o that_o of_o the_o distinct_a congregation_n of_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n the_o ground_n of_o which_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o several_a governor_n or_o bishop_n over_o they_o which_o be_v useful_a for_o the_o remove_n some_o seem_a difficulty_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n antiâ—ch_n etc._n etc._n and_o some_o other_o the_o like_a not_o for_o the_o serve_v the_o necessity_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o as_o supernumerary_n and_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o upon_o these_o and_o such_o like_a head_n of_o probation_n we_o have_v build_v our_o plea_n descend_v also_o to_o a_o particular_a survey_n of_o saint_n hierom_n testimony_n which_o be_v by_o the_o adversary_n principal_o make_v use_n of_o against_o we_o and_o if_o what_o be_v thus_o copious_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n together_o
titus_n be_v apostle_n of_o the_o cretanes_n and_o timothy_n of_o the_o asiatic_n so_o when_o chrysostome_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi and_o oecumenius_n approve_v of_o the_o three_o species_n 1._o and_o affirm_v bishop_n to_o be_v call_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n also_o and_o on_o the_o contrary_a presbyter_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n yet_o of_o each_o of_o they_o it_o be_v notorious_a that_o they_o assert_v the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o but_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n the_o concession_n and_o testimony_n of_o peter_n moulin_n be_v produce_v winton_n that_o the_o most_o famous_a bishop_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n chrysostome_n etc._n etc._n do_v not_o think_v it_o any_o diminution_n to_o their_o dignity_n that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n be_v at_o first_o conceive_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n which_o observation_n be_v premise_v and_o thereby_o the_o prelatists_n pretension_n competent_o secure_v which_o soever_o of_o those_o sense_n shall_v be_v accept_v so_o long_o as_o they_o that_o be_v author_n of_o the_o assertion_n be_v permit_v to_o give_v their_o own_o interpretation_n of_o they_o it_o be_v then_o i_o think_v perfect_o seasonable_a and_o safe_a to_o discuss_v the_o question_n free_o and_o to_o set_v down_o what_o to_o i_o appear_v most_o probable_a without_o prejudice_n to_o any_o other_o dissenter_n and_o upon_o those_o term_n and_o not_o otherwise_o these_o two_o proposition_n be_v offer_v to_o far_a consideration_n of_o learned_a man_n 1._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o scripture_n constant_o signify_v a_o singular_a bishop_n 2._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d either_o constant_o signify_v a_o bishop_n also_o or_o else_o common_o a_o bishop_n and_o sometime_o but_o rare_o a_o presbyter_n these_o be_v somewhat_o different_a from_o the_o two_o paradox_n affix_v to_o i_o and_o in_o these_o term_n i_o shall_v now_o resume_v they_o again_o and_o clear_v they_o to_o be_v no_o paradox_n and_o begin_v first_o with_o the_o former_a of_o they_o concern_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o this_o be_v already_o do_v 1._o by_o consider_v the_o original_a notation_n and_o use_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o by_o go_v over_o every_o place_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v section_n ii_o of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d natural_o signify_v a_o overseer_n and_o use_v by_o aristides_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o governor_n the_o same_o that_o justinian_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ruler_n of_o province_n and_o metropoles_fw-la and_o by_o cicero_n ad_fw-la articum_fw-la render_v speculator_n &_o custos_fw-la one_o that_o look_v to_o and_o guard_v a_o province_n and_o so_o fit_o style_v angel_n who_o be_v general_o deem_v to_o have_v those_o two_o office_n and_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n call_v a_o eye_n and_o vulgar_o a_o guardian_n do_v in_o the_o greek_a of_o the_o old_a testament_n sometime_o render_v the_o hebrew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v common_a to_o god_n lord_n angel_n and_o general_o denote_v dominion_n sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o praefect_n or_o commissary_n entrust_v with_o the_o administration_n of_o some_o affair_n whether_o in_o army_n as_o a_o commander_n numb_a 31._o 14._o in_o mechanical_a work_n as_o a_o master-workeman_n 2_o chron._n 34._o 12._o 17._o in_o a_o city_n a_o ruler_n or_o prince_n nehem._n 11._o 9_o peculiarly_a the_o chief_a of_o the_o priest_n v._n 10_o in_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o temple_n as_o eleazar_n the_o ruler_n of_o the_o levite_n num._n 4._o 16._o and_o last_o in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o ruler_n set_v over_o that_o 2_o kin._n 11._o 18._o and_o the_o result_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o it_o general_o signify_v a_o office_n of_o charge_n and_o dignity_n and_o power_n and_o superiority_n over_o other_o all_o one_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v all_o use_v to_o render_v the_o same_o word_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v and_o so_o be_v most_o fit_o qualify_v to_o signify_v the_o like_a viz._n a_o praefecture_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n according_o there_o we_o find_v it_o apply_v 1._o to_o christ_n himself_o the_o bishop_n of_o our_o soul_n who_o though_o he_o minister_v to_o his_o disciple_n yet_o own_v the_o title_n of_o lord_n and_o master_n as_o that_o which_o from_o they_o belong_v to_o he_o joh._n 13._o 13._o second_o to_o the_o apostle_n act._n 1._o 20._o and_o for_o all_o other_o place_n where_o it_o be_v use_v it_o be_v evident_o capable_a of_o a_o sense_n very_o agreeable_a to_o these_o premise_n be_v never_o once_o use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o where_o it_o will_v be_v very_o commodious_a to_o render_v it_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n for_o a_o singular_a perfect_a in_o each_o church_n not_o a_o colleague_n in_o a_o presbytery_n this_o be_v at_o large_a show_v by_o a_o survey_n of_o every_o of_o those_o place_n first_o that_o of_o act._n 20._o 28._o where_o the_o apostle_n take_v leave_v and_o exhort_v the_o bishop_n set_v over_o the_o flock_n by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n they_o be_v there_o bid_v to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n i.e._n the_o christian_n of_o the_o several_a city_n of_o asia_n or_o near_o about_o ephesus_n as_o be_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n evidence_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n auditor_n to_o polycarpe_n make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o st._n john_n and_o therefore_o may_v well_o be_v resolve_v to_o be_v the_o singular_a bishop_n of_o those_o city_n and_o not_o only_o of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n as_o be_v large_o show_v in_o the_o last_o chapter_n the_o second_o place_n be_v that_o of_o phil._n 1._o 1._o where_o after_o the_o mention_n of_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n be_v add_v with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n where_o although_o some_o of_o the_o greek_a commentator_n which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n assert_v episcopacy_n do_v for_o that_o very_a reason_n because_o there_o can_v not_o be_v many_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n understand_v that_o place_n of_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n and_o add_v that_o the_o word_n 1._o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n yea_o and_o deacon_n too_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o distinct_a but_o promiscuous_o use_v the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o here_o the_o word_n bishop_n for_o presbyter_n as_o elsewhere_o the_o presbytery_n be_v use_v for_o bishop_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 4._o add_v this_o reason_n 〈◊〉_d because_o presbyter_n ordain_v not_o a_o bishop_n and_o although_o many_o expedient_n be_v ready_a at_o hand_n to_o keep_v the_o text_n from_o be_v useful_a to_o the_o presbyterian_o in_o case_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o by_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n be_v mean_v as_o that_o epaphroditus_n their_o present_a bishop_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o theodoret_n chrysostome_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi who_o be_v most_o favourable_a to_o that_o interpretation_n be_v with_o st._n paul_n at_o the_o writing_n that_o epistle_n c._n 4._o 18._o yet_o i_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o epiphanius_n to_o affirm_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o signify_v peculiarly_a bishop_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o may_v do_v so_o refer_v it_o to_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a city_n belong_v to_o that_o metropolis_n for_o such_o be_v philippi_n both_o as_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o all_o macedonia_n first_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n 2_o act._n 16._o 9_o &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o prime_a city_n of_o that_o province_n of_o macedon_n v_o 12._o of_o itself_o before_o its_o conversion_n and_o so_o say_v 247._o photius_n distinct_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o according_o polycarp_n epistle_n to_o they_o be_v inscribe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o whole_a province_n that_o belong_v to_o philippi_n in_o which_o there_o be_v diverse_a city_n and_o bishop_n in_o they_o the_o epistle_n to_o st._n paul_n be_v to_o be_v conceive_v write_v to_o they_o all_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v write_v to_o the_o saint_n of_o all_o achaia_n and_o be_v inscribe_v to_o philippi_n be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o those_o other_o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o laodicaean_n col._n 4._o 16._o and_o that_o which_o the_o laodicaeans_n have_v receive_v whether_o as_o tertullian_n seem_v to_o believe_v that_o to_o the_o ephesian_n or_o any_o other_o in_o like_a manner_n to_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
the_o practice_n which_o in_o this_o particular_a he_o recommend_v to_o the_o church_n and_o i_o must_v needs_o tell_v the_o objector_n that_o as_o mean_v a_o opinion_n as_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o this_o work_n of_o visit_v the_o sick_a i_o can_v but_o affirm_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o if_o it_o be_v due_o and_o advantageous_o manage_v it_o be_v extreme_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a to_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n and_o as_o proper_a for_o a_o bishop_n personal_o to_o perform_v when_o his_o other_o public_a necessary_a task_n wherein_o many_o more_o be_v concern_v and_o wherein_o he_o have_v no_o proxy_n to_o supply_v his_o place_n permit_v as_o any_o one_o part_n of_o his_o divine_a office_n differ_v from_o the_o rest_n only_o in_o this_o and_o in_o that_o respect_n yield_v the_o precedence_n to_o they_o that_o other_o part_n of_o his_o office_n be_v or_o may_v be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n extensive_a to_o many_o whilst_o each_o act_n of_o this_o be_v terminate_v in_o some_o one_o who_o soul_n yet_o aught_o to_o be_v more_o precious_a in_o his_o eye_n than_o all_o other_o acquisition_n in_o the_o world_n according_o it_o be_v in_o the_o 22._o dissertation_n evidence_v out_o of_o polycarp'_v epistle_n who_o be_v somewhat_o after_o the_o time_n of_o james_n the_o author_n of_o this_o epistle_n that_o part_n of_o the_o bishop_n office_n it_o be_v then_o esteem_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o visit_v all_o the_o sick_a in_o like_a manner_n as_o in_o justin_n martyr_n he_o be_v make_v the_o curator_n of_o all_o that_o be_v in_o want_n the_o grand_a distributer_n of_o all_o the_o liberality_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o be_v here_o tender_v against_o this_o interpretation_n of_o the_o place_n from_o the_o singalar_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o church_n the_o answer_n be_v obvious_a that_o this_o epistle_n of_o james_n be_v write_v to_o all_o the_o jew_n in_o dispersion_n jam._n 1._o 1._o these_o can_v not_o make_v up_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n of_o any_o single_a denomination_n but_o yet_o all_o conjoin_v very_o fit_o in_o that_o one_o universal_a style_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o this_o respect_n we_o know_v it_o be_v call_v the_o catholic_n epistle_n of_o james_n because_o write_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n all_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o nation_n wheresoever_o disperse_v out_o of_o their_o country_n now_o these_o inhabit_v in_o divers_a city_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a there_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o this_o circuit_n and_o so_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o commodious_o set_v to_o express_v these_o several_a bishop_n belong_v to_o this_o complexe_n body_n the_o church_n of_o the_o dispersion_n not_o that_o there_o be_v more_o of_o these_o in_o one_o city_n for_o that_o consideration_n will_v never_o have_v cause_v the_o plural_a expression_n because_o be_v there_o never_o so_o many_o the_o sick_a person_n need_v not_o have_v call_v more_o at_o once_o and_o upon_o that_o score_n 〈◊〉_d shall_v demand_v of_o they_o that_o argue_v from_o the_o number_n be_v every_o sick_a man_n in_o their_o opinion_n to_o call_v for_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n â—or_a again_o because_o there_o be_v not_o as_o many_o church_n as_o elder_n but_o only_o because_o these_o many_o particular_a church_n of_o which_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a number_n of_o elder_n be_v very_o fit_o comprehend_v under_o the_o one_o general_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n sect._n xi_o a_o last_o objection_n from_o act._n 21._o 18._o and_o 14._o 3._o and_o 11._o 30._o answer_v elder_n for_o ruler_n or_o bishop_n there_o yet_o remain_v one_o sort_n of_o objection_n more_o against_o these_o paradox_n in_o these_o word_n beside_o when_o it_o to_o say_v act_n 21._o 18._o paul_n go_v in_o with_o we_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a it_o be_v suppose_v by_o our_o episcopal_a man_n that_o james_n be_v at_o this_o time_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o we_o demand_v who_o be_v these_o elder_n be_v these_o also_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n will_v this_o answer_n consist_v with_o our_o brethren_n judgement_n so_o likewise_o when_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 15_o 4._o and_o when_o they_o be_v comâ—_n to_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n we_o demand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o church_n be_v it_o not_o mean_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o which_o place_n they_o be_v say_v to_o come_v and_o if_o so_o than_o we_o askâ—_n far_o what_o be_v meanâ—_n by_o the_o elder_n must_v it_o not_o be_v answer_v that_o by_o elder_n be_v mean_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n 〈◊〉_d we_o how_o these_o elder_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n especial_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o brethren_n who_o make_v james_n to_o be_v at_o this_o time_n the_o only_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n add_v far_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 14._o 3._o whâ—n_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 11._o 30._o they_o send_v relief_n to_o the_o elder_n etc._n etc._n can_v any_o imagine_v that_o this_o relief_n be_v send_v only_o to_o bishop_n and_o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n ordain_v no_o presbyter_n in_o any_o church_n but_o only_a bishop_n be_v not_o this_o to_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o instead_o of_o uphold_v of_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o this_o sufficient_a to_o render_v it_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a to_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n but_o we_o forbear_v it_o seem_v we_o have_v still_o remain_v another_o heap_n of_o inconvenient_a confession_n that_o we_o labour_v under_o and_o upon_o they_o more_o socratico_n they_o make_v their_o demand_n and_o although_o i_o may_v just_o wonder_v why_o they_o which_o have_v read_v the_o dissertation_n and_o know_v what_o answer_n i_o give_v to_o every_o of_o their_o demand_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o trouble_n to_o ask_v they_o again_o yet_o because_o i_o be_o resolve_v not_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o attend_v they_o i_o shall_v answer_v they_o as_o punctual_o as_o they_o can_v wish_v and_o patient_o support_v all_o the_o odium_fw-la that_o will_v result_v from_o thence_o among_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n here_o only_o i_o desire_v two_o thing_n may_v be_v remember_v which_o have_v already_o be_v evidence_v 1._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elderâ—_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o continue_a use_n of_o all_o language_n be_v a_o expression_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n be_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n upon_o all_o reasonable_a account_n as_o proper_o applicable_a to_o the_o ruler_n and_o governor_n ecclesiastical_a as_o the_o word_n apostles_n or_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n or_o ruler_n or_o any_o the_o like_a will_v be_v think_v to_o be_v and_o withal_o very_o fit_a to_o express_v single_a ruler_n in_o each_o particular_a church_n in_o case_n any_o such_o may_v otherwise_o appear_v to_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o propriety_n in_o the_o word_n or_o peculiarity_n in_o the_o usage_n of_o it_o to_o incline_v it_o to_o joint_a power_n of_o colleague_n rule_v in_o common_a according_o evidence_n have_v be_v produce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n to_o show_v the_o continuance_n of_o this_o usage_n among_o author_n after_o the_o scripture-time_n that_o it_o long_o remain_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o ancient_n policarpe_a papias_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o tertullian_n many_o of_o which_o be_v know_v and_o by_o the_o adversary_n acknowledge_v to_o assert_v episcopacy_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o yet_o use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n to_o denote_v sometime_o the_o apostle_n sometime_o the_o singular_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o affirm_v this_o one_o thing_n so_o attest_v and_o confirm_v viz._n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v very_o convenient_o be_v interpret_v bishop_n as_o oft_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o text_n will_v bear_v it_o will_v not_o i_o hope_v still_o be_v so_o unfortunate_a as_o to_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o paradox_n and_o odious_a be_v indeed_o a_o plain_a obvious_a observation_n which_o have_v nothing_o of_o difficulty_n or_o harshness_n in_o it_o have_v praemise_v this_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o all_o praelatist_n i_o hope_v convince_o affirm_v and_o prove_v to_o have_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n of_o convert_v and_o
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
notion_n and_o yet_o even_o by_o he_o these_o of_o this_o uppermost_a degree_n be_v call_v seniores_fw-la and_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la elder_n president_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la the_o elder_n praeside_fw-la apol._n c._n 39_o and_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o series_n of_o who_o he_o have_v bring_v down_o to_o anicetus_n lib._n 3._o contr_n martion_n cap._n 9_o he_o express_v they_o by_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o book_n write_v in_o verse_n against_o martion_n and_o there_o will_v be_v less_o wonder_n in_o this_o when_o it_o be_v remember_v that_o after_o this_o in_o saint_n cyprian_n time_n who_o have_v be_v sufficient_o evidence_v to_o speak_v of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o they_o firmilian_a bishop_n of_o caesarea_n in_o cappadocia_n in_o vulgar_a style_n call_v they_o seniores_fw-la and_o praepositi_fw-la elder_n and_o provost_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o cyprian_a and_o again_o president_n majores_fw-la natu_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o elder_n praeside_fw-la evident_o mean_v the_o bishop_n by_o those_o title_n and_o so_o much_o be_v speak_v in_o return_n to_o what_o they_o have_v object_v from_o these_o two_o ancient_n irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n suppose_v that_o i_o have_v competent_o perform_v the_o task_n by_o they_o impose_v on_o the_o praelatist_n show_v that_o the_o bishop_n speak_v of_o by_o they_o be_v bishop_n over_o presbyter_n and_o by_o they_o understand_v to_o be_v so_o sect._n vi._n saint_n jerom_n testimony_n of_o bishop_n etc._n etc._n by_o apostolical_a tradition_n consuetudo_fw-la oppose_v to_o dominica_n dispositio_fw-la saint_n jerom_n meaning_n evidence_v by_o many_o other_o testimony_n to_o be_v that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o by_o panormitan_n also_o the_o testimony_n of_o isidore_n etc._n etc._n the_o council_n of_o aquen_n and_o of_o leo_n vindicate_v of_o ischyras_n ordination_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o synod_n ad_fw-la zurrium_n and_o of_o the_o four_o council_n of_o carthage_n in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o be_o to_o proceed_v to_o that_o of_o saint_n hierome_n in_o his_o 85._o epistle_n ad_fw-la euagrium_n the_o unanswerableness_n of_o which_o i_o be_o affirm_v to_o make_v matter_n of_o triumph_n over_o d._n blondel_n and_o walo_n massalinus_n seem_v to_o say_v that_o it_o never_o can_v be_v answer_v whereas_o say_v they_o if_o i_o have_v be_v please_v to_o cast_v a_o eye_n upon_o the_o vindication_n write_v by_o smectymnuus_n i_o shall_v have_v find_v this_o answer_n what_o this_o answer_n be_v we_o shall_v see_v anon_o in_o the_o mean_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o give_v a_o brief_a account_n what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v call_v a_o triumph_v over_o these_o two_o learned_a man_n and_o first_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v what_o advantage_n the_o defender_n of_o presbyterâ—_n conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v from_o that_o one_o ancient_a writer_n the_o presbyter_n saint_n hierome_n from_o he_o they_o have_v the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o scripture_n which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v for_o their_o use_n as_o that_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o in_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o both_o signify_v presbyter_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n at_o first_o design_v ut_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorun_n concilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernarentur_fw-la that_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n and_o that_o it_o so_o continue_a till_o upon_o the_o dissension_n which_o by_o this_o mean_n arise_v in_o the_o church_n it_o be_v judge_v more_o prudent_a and_o useful_a to_o the_o preserve_n of_o unity_n ut_fw-la unus_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la reliquis_fw-la that_o one_o shall_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n and_o all_o the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n belong_v to_o he_o and_o this_o say_v hierome_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la decree_v and_o execute_v over_o the_o whole_a world_n by_o who_o this_o be_v conceive_v by_o he_o to_o be_v thus_o decree_v he_o give_v we_o not_o to_o understand_v in_o that_o place_n nor_o in_o what_o point_n of_o time_n he_o think_v it_o be_v do_v but_o leave_v we_o to_o collect_v both_o from_o some_o few_o circumstance_n as_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v after_o schism_n enter_v into_o the_o church_n and_o one_o say_v i_o be_o paul_n i_o of_o apollo_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o it_o be_v immediate_o after_o that_o than_o the_o presbyterian_o will_v gain_v but_o little_a by_o this_o patron_n for_o his_o whole_a meaning_n will_v be_v that_o the_o apostle_n first_o put_v the_o government_n of_o each_o church_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o many_o but_o soon_o see_v the_o inconvenience_n of_o do_v so_o and_o the_o schism_n and_o rupture_n consequent_a to_o it_o and_o change_v it_o themselves_o and_o settle_a one_o singular_a bishop_n in_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o government_n in_o every_o church_n to_o which_o very_o fit_o coheres_fw-la what_o clement_a have_v say_v that_o lest_o new_a contention_n shall_v arise_v about_o this_o singular_a dignity_n and_o authority_n who_o shall_v succeed_v to_o it_o they_o make_v a_o roll_n or_o catalogue_n of_o those_o which_o in_o vacancy_n shall_v succeed_v in_o each_o church_n that_o this_o be_v not_o in_o hierome_n opinion_n do_v thus_o early_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n the_o presbyterian_o think_v they_o may_v conclude_v from_o what_o he_o say_v on_o tit._n 1._o episcopi_fw-la noverint_fw-la se_fw-la magis_fw-la consuetudine_fw-la quam_fw-la dispositionis_fw-la dominicae_fw-la veritate_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la esse_fw-la majores_fw-la let_v bishop_n know_v that_o their_o greatness_n and_o superiority_n over_o presbyter_n be_v hold_v rather_o by_o custom_n than_o by_o christ_n have_v dispose_v it_o so_o but_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o this_o may_v not_o prove_v the_o conclusion_n which_o be_v think_v to_o be_v infer_v by_o it_o for_o here_o consuetudo_fw-la custom_n as_o oppose_v to_o christ_n disposition_n may_v well_o signify_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o ever_o since_o to_o s._n hierome_n day_n and_o that_o may_v well_o be_v sever_v from_o all_o command_n or_o institution_n of_o christ_n &_o so_o jerom_n opinion_n may_v well_o be_v this_o that_o christ_n do_v not_o ordain_v this_o superiority_n of_o one_o above_o another_o but_o leave_v all_o in_o common_a in_o the_o apostle_n hand_n who_o within_o awhile_o to_o avoid_v schism_n put_v the_o power_n in_o each_o church_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o one_o singular_a person_n and_o that_o this_o be_v hierome_n meaning_n i_o think_v myself_o in_o charity_n to_o he_o oblige_v to_o think_v both_o because_o in_o this_o sense_n his_o word_n will_v better_a agree_v with_o the_o universal_a affirmation_n of_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n that_o before_o he_o and_o after_o he_o too_o unless_o those_o few_o that_o take_v it_o on_o his_o credit_n speak_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o also_o because_o if_o this_o be_v not_o his_o sense_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v find_v to_o contradict_v himself_o have_v elsewhere_o affirm_v that_o the_o three_o degree_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n be_v of_o apostolical_a tradition_n i._n e._n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o now_o before_o i_o proceed_v i_o desire_v the_o ingenuous_a reader_n who_o be_v contrary_a mind_a to_o consider_v what_o he_o can_v object_v to_o this_o conclusion_n of_o i_o thus_o infer_v concern_v s._n hierome_n opinion_n and_o consequent_o what_o probability_n there_o be_v that_o the_o presbyterian_o cause_o shall_v be_v superstruct_v on_o any_o testimony_n of_o s._n hierome_n suppose_v what_o i_o be_o next_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o three_o order_n be_v by_o he_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o this_o be_v evident_a in_o his_o epistle_n to_o euagrius_n where_o have_v again_o deliver_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o have_v be_v now_o cite_v from_o his_o note_n on_o tit._n 1._o he_o yet_o conclude_v et_fw-la ut_fw-la sciamus-traditiones_a apostolicas_fw-la sumptas_fw-la de_fw-la veteritestamento_fw-la quod_fw-la aaron_n &_o silij_fw-la ejus_fw-la atque_fw-la levitae_fw-la in_o temple_n fuerunt_fw-la hoc_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la vendicent_fw-la that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n we_o have_v this_o instance_n that_o what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v in_o the_o temple_n the_o same_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n challenge_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o church_n where_o these_o three_o degree_n and_o so_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n be_v by_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n on_o occasion_n therefore_o of_o inquire_v into_o hierome_n meaning_n and_o because_o this_o place_n so_o ready_o offer_v itself_o to_o
the_o same_o as_o have_v be_v cite_v from_o ignatius_n that_o all_o the_o world_n over_o the_o bishop_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o dial._n adv_o luciferian_n ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendit_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la and_o si_fw-mi quaeris_fw-la quare_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la baptizatus_fw-la nisi_fw-la per_fw-la manus_fw-la episcopi_fw-la non_fw-la accipiat_fw-la spiritum_fw-la sanctum_fw-la disce_fw-la hanc_fw-la observationem_fw-la ex_fw-la â—a_n authoritate_fw-la descendere_fw-la quod_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sanctus_fw-la ad_fw-la apostolos_fw-la descendit_fw-la the_o safety_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v on_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o chief_a priest_n or_o bishop_n to_o who_o if_o a_o peculiar_a power_n be_v not_o give_v above_o all_o that_o other_o have_v there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n in_o the_o church_n if_o you_o demand_v why_o he_o that_o have_v be_v baptize_v in_o the_o church_n may_v not_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n learn_v that_o this_o observance_n descend_v from_o that_o authority_n in_o that_o the_o holy_a spâ—it_n descend_v on_o thâ—_n apostles_n 〈◊〉_d testimony_n as_o it_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o singular_a bishop_n to_o avoid_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n and_o so_o must_v affix_v the_o institution_n of_o they_o on_o the_o apostle_n who_o make_v provision_n against_o that_o danger_n and_o that_o i_o suppose_v be_v his_o meaning_n in_o tit._n that_o place_n which_o the_o presbyterian_o make_v most_o use_n of_o so_o it_o direct_o derive_v the_o authority_n by_o which_o bishop_n stand_v in_o the_o church_n distinct_a from_o presbyter_n and_o above_o they_o from_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o apostle_n last_o adv_o jovinian_a 〈◊〉_d episcopâ—_n &_o presbyter_n &_o diaconus_fw-la non_fw-la sunt_fw-la meritorum_fw-la nomina_fw-la sed_fw-la offiâ—iorâ—m_fw-la nec_fw-la dicitur_fw-la si_fw-la quis_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la desilerat_fw-la the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n be_v name_n of_o office_n neither_o be_v it_o say_v if_o any_o man_n dâ—siâ—e_v a_o bishopric_n applying_z those_o text_n of_o saint_n paul_n concern_v the_o qualification_n of_o bishop_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o in_o his_o time_n he_o stand_v distinct_a from_o presbyter_n all_o this_o i_o suppose_v may_v suffice_v to_o give_v authority_n to_o my_o collection_n and_o conclusion_n from_o plain_a word_n of_o saint_n hierome_n that_o his_o meaning_n be_v as_o plain_a and_o undubitable_a that_o episcopacy_n be_v deliver_v down_o and_o institute_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o i_o can_v conceive_v what_o can_v be_v invent_v to_o avoid_v the_o evidence_n of_o these_o testimony_n yet_o because_o i_o promise_v it_o i_o shall_v now_o add_v that_o one_o argument_n ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o much_o more_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o same_o purpose_n viz._n to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v hierome_n meaning_n which_o i_o pretend_v it_o to_o be_v and_o that_o such_o as_o by_o these_o objector_n can_v with_o justice_n be_v deny_v to_o have_v a_o full_a irrefragable_a force_n in_o it_o have_v themselves_o make_v use_v of_o it_o against_o we_o which_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v do_v if_o by_o themselves_o it_o shall_v now_o be_v deny_v when_o it_o be_v produce_v by_o we_o in_o the_o close_a of_o their_o appendix_n they_o have_v set_v down_o several_a proposition_n declare_v the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n about_o ordination_n of_o minister_n and_o their_o first_o proposition_n be_v this_o that_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n there_o be_v ordination_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n their_o proof_n be_v this_o for_o these_o bishop_n come_v in_o postea_fw-la and_o pâ—ulâ—tim_fw-la afterward_o and_o by_o little_a and_o little_a as_o i_o say_v and_o panormitan_n lib._n 1._o decretal_a de_fw-fr consuetud_fw-la cap._n 4._o say_v olympia_n presbyteri_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la regebant_fw-la ecclesianâ—_n &_o 〈◊〉_d sacerdotes_fw-la &_o pariter_fw-la conferebant_fw-la omne_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la of_o old_a the_o elder_n rule_v the_o church_n in_o common_a and_o ordain_v priest_n and_o joint_o confer_v all_o the_o sacrament_n these_o two_o testimony_n of_o hierome_n and_o panormitan_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o proposition_n concern_v ordination_n by_o presbyter_n and_o the_o time_n of_o bishop_n come_v in_o to_o the_o church_n it_o must_v sure_o be_v reasonable_a to_o resolve_v that_o what_o panormitan_n have_v define_v in_o this_o matter_n that_o be_v saint_n hieromes_n sense_n also_o now_o what_o that_o be_v will_v be_v discern_v by_o set_v down_o panormitane_n word_n at_o large_a as_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o place_n cite_v by_o they_o the_o business_n he_o have_v there_o in_o hand_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o custom_n be_v not_o of_o force_n so_o far_o as_o to_o prescribe_v that_o a_o ordinary_a clerk_n as_o presbyter_n shall_v perform_v a_o episcopal_a act_n ea_fw-la quae_fw-la sum_fw-la ordinis_fw-la episcopalis_fw-la non_fw-la possunt_fw-la acquiri_fw-la per_fw-la ordinem_fw-la inferiorem_fw-la ex_fw-la consuitudine_fw-la quantamcunque_fw-la veâ—ustissimâ_fw-la those_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o episcopal_a order_n can_v be_v any_o custom_n how_o ancient_a soever_o be_v acquire_v by_o any_o inferior_a order_n the_o reason_n be_v quia_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la non_fw-la facit_fw-la quem_fw-la capacem_fw-la because_o custom_n do_v make_v no_o man_n capable_a then_o he_o make_v this_o observation_n that_o ritus_fw-la apostol_n orum_fw-la circa_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la habent_fw-la impedire_fw-la characterus_a impressionem_fw-la the_o rite_n or_o practice_n or_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n about_o the_o sacrament_n have_v power_n to_o hâ—nd_n â—the_v impression_n of_o the_o character_n na_o immediate_a post_fw-la mortem_fw-la christiâ—omâ—es_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la regebant_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la non_fw-la fuerant_fw-la inter_fw-la ipsos_fw-la epiâ—scopi_n sed_fw-la idem_fw-la presbyter_n quod_fw-la epiâ—copus_fw-la &_o pariter_fw-la conferebant_fw-la omne_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la sed_fw-la postinodum_fw-la ad_fw-la schismata_fw-la sedâ—nda_fw-la fecerunt_fw-la seu_fw-la ordinaverunt_fw-la apostoli_fw-la ut_fw-la crearentur_fw-la episcopâ—_n &_o certa_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la iis_fw-la reservarunt_fw-la illa_fw-la interdicendo_fw-la simplicibus_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la for_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n all_o thâ—_n elder_n in_o common_a rule_v the_o church_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n among_o they_o but_o a_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o that_o a_o bishop_n and_o they_o joint_o confer_v all_o the_o sacrament_n but_o after_o a_o while_n for_o the_o appease_n of_o schism_n the_o apostle_n cause_v or_o ordain_v that_o bishop_n shall_v be_v create_v and_o reserve_v to_o they_o some_o sacrament_n or_o holy_a rite_n forbid_v single_a presbyter_n to_o meddle_v with_o they_o and_o he_o conclude_v et_fw-la vides_fw-la hic_fw-la quod_fw-la talis_fw-la ordinatio_fw-la habet_fw-la impedire_fw-la etiam_fw-la impressionem_fw-la characteris_fw-la quia_fw-la si_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la illa_fw-la de_fw-la facto_fw-la conferunt_fw-la nihil_fw-la conferunt_fw-la and_o here_o you_o see_v that_o such_o a_o ordination_n be_v able_a to_o hinder_v the_o impression_n of_o the_o character_n because_o if_o presbyter_n do_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la confer_v they_o they_o confer_v nothing_o where_o as_o panormitan_n cite_v by_o they_o to_o prove_v ordination_n without_o bishop_n and_o specious_a word_n pick_v out_o of_o he_o to_o that_o purpose_n do_v yet_o distinct_o affirm_v that_o presbyter_n which_o confer_v order_n without_o a_o bishop_n confer_v nothing_o all_o their_o ordination_n be_v mere_a nullity_n and_o what_o can_v have_v be_v say_v more_o severe_o against_o their_o practice_n and_o their_o design_n in_o cite_v he_o than_o this_o so_o he_o plain_o interpret_v st._n jeromes_n assertion_n of_o the_o occasion_n and_o time_n of_o bishop_n be_v set_v over_o the_o presbyter_n that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o so_o that_o consuetudo_fw-la custom_n in_o jerome_n oppose_v to_o christ_n disposal_n be_v no_o more_o than_o postmodum_fw-la ordinaverunt_fw-la apostoli_fw-la after_o a_o while_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v oppose_v to_o immediatè_fw-la post_fw-la mortem_fw-la christi_fw-la immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o by_o the_o way_n as_o the_o reader_n may_v hence_o discern_v what_o force_n there_o be_v in_o this_o testimony_n of_o panormitan_n to_o support_v their_o first_o proposition_n concern_v the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n for_o which_o beside_o st._n jeromes_n postea_fw-la and_o paulatim_fw-la and_o part_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o panormitan_n they_o produce_v no_o other_o and_o as_o by_o what_o be_v former_o say_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o cyprian_a and_o firmilian_a their_o chief_a support_n for_o their_o 129_o second_o proposition_n