will_v do_v i_o but_o small_a service_n for_o the_o force_n of_o the_o testimony_n which_o i_o cite_v from_o he_o depend_v on_o the_o word_n magisterium_fw-la and_o magisterium_fw-la signify_v not_o as_o i_o understand_v it_o a_o masterly_a authority_n but_o teach_v and_o doctrine_n for_o in_o this_o latter_a sense_n the_o word_n be_v often_o use_v by_o the_o father_n and_o particular_o by_o s._n cyprian_n as_o i_o may_v see_v lib._n 1._o ep._n 3._o and_o in_o other_o place_n yet_o in_o that_o very_a epistle_n to_o which_o you_o refer_v i_o we_o may_v not_o understand_v by_o it_o doctrine_n without_o authority_n nor_o be_v it_o limit_v to_o any_o such_o sense_n among_o ancient_a writer_n in_o suetonius_n 2._o in_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n 455._o in_o sulpicius_n severus_n 162._o and_o many_o other_o it_o signify_v some_o dignity_n or_o office_n with_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n it_o signify_v government_n in_o apuleius_n 161._o and_o casaubon_n 157._o observe_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o magisterium_fw-la sacerdotii_fw-la be_v expression_n equivalent_a from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o locus_fw-la magisterii_fw-la in_o irenaeus_n may_v fit_o be_v translate_v the_o place_n of_o authority_n or_o government_n and_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o will_v be_v manifest_a if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o he_o think_v it_o peculiar_a to_o the_o bishop_n to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o own_o place_n or_o office_n he_o can_v not_o think_v it_o peculiar_a to_o they_o to_o derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n the_o mere_a power_n of_o preach_v which_o be_v know_v to_o be_v common_a to_o other_o minister_n his_o word_n therefore_o can_v import_v no_o less_o than_o that_o the_o bishop_n be_v constitute_v supreme_a pastor_n without_o that_o dependence_n on_o presbyter_n which_o these_o have_v on_o they_o or_o that_o they_o be_v vest_v with_o such_o authority_n over_o other_o officer_n and_o church_n as_o the_o apostle_n before_o enjoy_v and_o exercise_v and_o now_o it_o may_v be_v fit_a and_o it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o answer_v your_o objection_n which_o i_o omit_v before_o against_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o which_o be_v to_o this_o effect_n the_o prelate_n you_o conceive_v can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o apostle_n successor_n because_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o life_n time_n can_v not_o constitute_v any_o officer_n over_o who_o they_o do_v not_o retain_v a_o jurisdiction_n nor_o convey_v to_o other_o the_o place_n which_o you_o suppose_v they_o still_o keep_v but_o if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o appoint_v that_o the_o prelate_n shall_v be_v induct_v into_o those_o place_n after_o their_o decease_n you_o think_v there_o be_v no_o credible_a tradition_n transmit_v to_o we_o of_o that_o matter_n but_o here_o be_v one_o thing_n you_o have_v forget_v that_o may_v deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v which_o be_v that_o unless_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v die_v together_o the_o surviver_n may_v put_v other_o into_o the_o place_n of_o the_o decease_a according_o though_o simeon_n be_v not_o nominate_v by_o s._n james_n to_o be_v his_o successor_n nor_o come_v into_o his_o place_n whilst_o he_o be_v alive_a yet_o after_o the_o death_n of_o that_o apostle_n he_o be_v by_o other_o constitute_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n 11._o it_o be_v far_a observable_a that_o the_o apostle_n before_o their_o decease_n be_v sometime_o oblige_v to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o the_o church_n which_o they_o have_v plant_v and_o govern_v and_o thereupon_o they_o commit_v the_o government_n of_o they_o to_o fit_a person_n who_o may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o be_v their_o successor_n in_o that_o administration_n especial_o since_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v the_o apostle_n communicate_v to_o they_o the_o same_o authority_n that_o themselves_o have_v exercise_v yet_o as_o julius_n capitolinus_n acquaint_v we_o loc_n that_o lucius_n be_v as_o observant_a of_o marcus_n who_o make_v he_o partner_n of_o his_o empire_n as_o a_o precedent_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v of_o the_o emperor_n himself_o thus_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o other_o of_o the_o same_o rank_n who_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n may_v still_o pay_v they_o such_o respect_n and_o deference_n as_o be_v due_a to_o person_n of_o incomparable_a excellence_n and_o yet_o all_o be_v of_o the_o same_o order_n the_o apostle_n have_v communicate_v their_o episcopal_a authority_n to_o some_o in_o their_o own_o time_n these_o transmit_v it_o to_o other_o in_o the_o follow_a century_n and_o in_o this_o manner_n it_o have_v be_v convey_v to_o bishop_n in_o all_o age_n the_o bishop_n therefore_o may_v be_v say_v to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o the_o government_n of_o church_n which_o be_v of_o their_o plantation_n but_o of_o other_o also_o in_o country_n to_o which_o they_o never_o arrive_v for_o since_o they_o have_v commission_n to_o bring_v all_o nation_n under_o the_o discipline_n of_o christ_n and_o govern_v they_o in_o his_o name_n a_o right_a to_o that_o descend_v to_o their_o spiritual_a heir_n and_o they_o may_v exercise_v it_o in_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o notwithstanding_o your_o attempt_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o apostle_n can_v have_v no_o successor_n you_o make_v no_o doubt_n to_o affirm_v that_o presbyter_n succeed_v they_o in_o their_o ordinary_a work_n and_o about_o this_o i_o shall_v make_v some_o enquiry_n when_o i_o have_v first_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n that_o either_o you_o must_v suppose_v these_o presbyter_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o discharge_n of_o that_o work_n and_o if_o so_o a_o subjection_n be_v consistent_a with_o a_o succession_n to_o they_o or_o else_o they_o be_v not_o subject_a and_o then_o you_o must_v allow_v that_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v officer_n over_o who_o they_o retain_v no_o jurisdiction_n take_v it_o which_o way_n you_o please_v you_o be_v concern_v i_o think_v to_o reject_v or_o answer_v your_o own_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o priest_n be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n you_o quote_v a_o passage_n 1688._o of_o nilus_n as_o you_o call_v the_o author_n of_o the_o treatise_n de_fw-fr primatu_fw-la papae_fw-la which_o as_o colomesius_n inform_v we_o be_v compose_v by_o mark_n the_o ephesian_a but_o to_o which_o of_o they_o soever_o it_o belong_v it_o be_v not_o very_o material_a for_o neither_o of_o they_o flourish_v within_o a_o thousand_o year_n of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o come_v too_o late_o to_o determine_v what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v by_o their_o own_o testimony_n indeed_o if_o a_o subordinate_a officer_n may_v be_v say_v to_o succeed_v the_o supreme_a for_o do_v some_o thing_n after_o his_o example_n by_o authority_n derive_v from_o he_o then_o may_v priest_n be_v say_v to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n and_o so_o they_o be_v by_o some_o that_o use_v a_o great_a latitude_n of_o expression_n but_o the_o ancient_n speak_v exact_o and_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o bishop_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n thereby_o intimate_v that_o they_o be_v both_o of_o the_o same_o order_n or_o that_o both_o have_v the_o same_o function_n for_o this_o they_o believe_v and_o urge_v when_o there_o be_v occasion_n photius_n mention_n it_o as_o a_o thing_n common_o acknowledge_v that_o both_o have_v the_o same_o dignity_n of_o place_n 108._o clarus_n à _fw-fr muscula_n acquaint_v we_o suprà _fw-la that_o both_o govern_v with_o the_o same_o power_n s._n basil_n ascribe_v to_o both_o the_o same_o prelacy_n 830._o and_o according_a to_o tertullian_n both_o sit_v in_o the_o same_o chair_n 215._o and_o that_o not_o only_o as_o teacher_n but_o as_o precedent_n or_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v true_a the_o bishop_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o assume_v to_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o apostle_n for_o a_o reason_n already_o give_v yet_o that_o it_o be_v sometime_o ascribe_v to_o they_o appear_v from_o several_a instance_n veterum_fw-la it_o be_v also_o manifest_a that_o sometime_o they_o be_v style_v apostolici_fw-la 2._o that_o their_o office_n be_v call_v a_o apostolate_a 388._o and_o that_o any_o bishopric_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v found_v by_o a_o apostle_n be_v call_v a_o apostolic_a see_n for_o the_o title_n of_o apostolic_a that_o i_o may_v note_v this_o by_o the_o way_n be_v not_o appropriate_v to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n before_o the_o eleven_o century_n say_v the_o author_n of_o the_o note_n on_o paulinus_n 1685._o it_o be_v not_o before_o the_o thirteen_o say_v mabillon_n 64._o it_o be_v not_o certain_o before_o the_o pope_n have_v trample_v under_o their_o foot_n the_o right_n of_o episcopacy_n chap._n xiii_o the_o bishop_n after_o the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n stand_v relate_v among_o themselves_o as_o equal_n but_o to_o other_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n as_o superior_n as_o the_o bishop_n be_v successor_n
place_n of_o those_o that_o be_v the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o determine_v how_o many_o and_o who_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d yet_o from_o the_o word_n of_o s._n paul_n the_o name_n of_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v gather_v he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o none_o that_o be_v constitute_v governor_n of_o the_o apostolic_a church_n except_o those_o that_o be_v mention_v by_o that_o apostle_n nor_o do_v he_o say_v as_o you_o will_v have_v he_o that_o he_o find_v the_o name_n of_o some_o in_o scripture_n and_o tack_v bishopric_n to_o they_o from_o his_o own_o fancy_n on_o the_o contrary_a he_o acquaint_v we_o in_o the_o chapter_n to_o which_o you_o refer_v i_o that_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o athens_n where_o he_o do_v not_o establish_v he_o by_o way_n of_o collection_n and_o inference_n nor_o do_v he_o pretend_v to_o ground_v the_o relation_n he_o have_v leave_v we_o of_o he_o on_o the_o word_n either_o of_o s._n paul_n or_o s._n luke_n or_o on_o his_o own_o invention_n but_o he_o have_v it_o from_o dionysius_n of_o corinth_n who_o he_o call_v a_o most_o ancient_a writer_n and_o that_o with_o good_a reason_n for_o he_o flourish_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o second_o century_n from_o a_o epistle_n of_o the_o same_o dionysius_n of_o corinth_n 23._o he_o be_v inform_v that_o publius_n succeed_v the_o areopagite_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o athens_n and_o suffer_v martyrdom_n and_o that_o quadratus_n succeed_v publius_n and_o this_o be_v that_o quadratus_n quadrato_fw-la who_o be_v a_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o who_o declare_v in_o his_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_n which_o he_o present_v to_o the_o emperor_n hadrian_n that_o he_o have_v see_v many_o that_o have_v be_v cure_v and_o raise_v from_o death_n by_o our_o lord_n himself_o and_o that_o a_o person_n of_o such_o eminence_n shall_v be_v bishop_n of_o athens_n after_o such_o predecessor_n as_o he_o have_v be_v more_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o episcopacy_n than_o all_o the_o quotation_n be_v against_o it_o that_o have_v be_v heap_v up_o by_o blondel_n in_o his_o laborious_a collection_n and_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o if_o a_o instance_n so_o early_o and_o so_o well_o attest_v can_v have_v be_v produce_v in_o favour_n of_o a_o presbyterian_a parity_n it_o have_v long_o since_o make_v a_o mighty_a noise_n and_o alarm_v the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a eusebius_n be_v the_o first_o that_o leave_v we_o a_o body_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n but_o he_o do_v not_o frame_v it_o out_o of_o his_o own_o conjecture_n himself_o have_v give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o help_v he_o have_v from_o other_o that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o valesius_fw-la will_v present_v you_o at_o one_o view_n with_o a_o catalogue_n of_o book_n and_o record_n out_o of_o which_o he_o draw_v material_n for_o his_o work_n that_o be_v very_o considerable_a they_o be_v not_o so_o many_o indeed_o as_o one_o may_v have_v desire_v yet_o as_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o observe_v 619._o with_o his_o usual_a exactness_n of_o judgement_n even_o the_o darkness_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n afford_v a_o very_a strong_a argument_n for_o episcopacy_n which_o from_o the_o history_n of_o they_o obscure_a as_o they_o be_v receive_v so_o full_a and_o clear_a a_o proof_n as_o scarce_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n have_v find_v the_o like_a against_o tertullian_n you_o object_n 49._o that_o many_o fob_v tradition_n pass_v for_o current_n in_o his_o time_n a_o exception_n that_o will_v destroy_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v if_o it_o be_v of_o force_n against_o any_o for_o fob_v tradition_n as_o you_o call_v they_o have_v pass_v for_o current_n among_o some_o in_o every_o age_n since_o the_o day_n of_o adam_n but_o tertullian_n himself_o you_o think_v be_v one_o that_o transmit_v such_o tradition_n to_o posterity_n and_o particular_o you_o be_v offend_v at_o he_o for_o report_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v chair_n in_o particular_a church_n and_o yet_o you_o be_v not_o sure_a that_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v lay_v to_o his_o charge_n only_o you_o tell_v i_o his_o word_n at_o first_o sight_n may_v seem_v to_o sound_v that_o way_n a_o notable_a way_n of_o confute_v the_o father_n ground_v on_o the_o sense_n of_o one_o of_o they_o and_o that_o not_o certain_a neither_o but_o take_v from_o his_o word_n as_o at_o first_o sight_n they_o seem_v to_o sound_v one_o may_v have_v expect_v that_o you_o shall_v have_v spend_v a_o thought_n or_o two_o more_o about_o they_o before_o you_o pass_v your_o censure_n on_o they_o or_o reckon_v the_o author_n among_o the_o fabulous_a writer_n and_o make_v he_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o partiality_n or_o imposture_n of_o the_o ancient_n for_o my_o part_n i_o think_v he_o mean_v by_o chair_n what_o you_o so_o quick_o apprehend_v at_o the_o first_o glance_n and_o that_o bishop_n sit_v in_o the_o material_a seat_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o government_n and_o yet_o i_o see_v nothing_o in_o this_o that_o be_v incredible_a it_o be_v neither_o contrary_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o history_n nor_o without_o example_n in_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o improbable_a that_o before_o adoration_n be_v pay_v to_o relic_n the_o chair_n of_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v preserve_v about_o a_o hundred_o year_n sure_o i_o be_o that_o he_o may_v better_o judge_v of_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n than_o we_o can_v at_o this_o time_n and_o i_o know_v not_o why_o this_o word_n may_v not_o as_o well_o be_v accept_v when_o he_o discourse_n of_o these_o chair_n as_o when_o he_o add_v 215._o that_o the_o authentic_a letter_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v read_v in_o the_o apostolic_a church_n but_o whatever_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o chair_n it_o be_v plain_a enough_o he_o think_v the_o bishop_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o particular_a diocese_n or_o church_n 49._o and_o if_o you_o can_v no_o more_o believe_v this_o than_o the_o story_n of_o the_o cell_n of_o the_o seventy_o interpreter_n though_o justin_n martyr_n affirm_v that_o he_o see_v the_o ruin_n of_o those_o very_a cell_n and_o that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o pharos_n of_o alexandria_n i_o can_v help_v it_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o enter_v into_o a_o dispute_n about_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o justin_n relation_n but_o since_o that_o which_o he_o say_v of_o those_o cell_n depend_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o some_o unknown_a alexandrian_n since_o they_o be_v report_v to_o have_v be_v build_v in_o the_o pharos_n only_o and_o that_o about_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o write_v his_o paraenesis_n to_o the_o greek_n and_o since_o the_o tradition_n which_o he_o have_v convey_v to_o we_o about_o they_o be_v not_o universal_o receive_v but_o be_v with_o some_o disdain_n reject_v by_o s._n jerom_n the_o most_o learned_a critic_n of_o his_o age_n it_o be_v not_o in_o any_o of_o these_o respect_n parallel_n to_o the_o account_n which_o i_o have_v give_v from_o tertullian_n and_o other_o concern_v the_o original_a of_o bishop_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o such_o connexion_n between_o they_o as_o that_o they_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v together_o there_o be_v such_o clear_a evidence_n that_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o bishop_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o second_o century_n that_o it_o have_v extort_a a_o confession_n from_o the_o most_o learned_a adversary_n and_o if_o we_o have_v never_o be_v tell_v that_o they_o be_v constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n or_o derive_v their_o power_n by_o succession_n from_o they_o the_o thing_n have_v notwithstanding_o be_v probable_a but_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o when_o we_o find_v it_o so_o universal_o believe_v by_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o particular_o when_o tertullian_n assert_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o he_o do_v and_o urge_v it_o with_o so_o much_o assurance_n against_o the_o heretic_n for_o if_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o it_o i_o shall_v not_o say_v that_o he_o be_v taint_v with_o partial_a humour_n and_o frame_v matter_n according_a to_o his_o own_o conceit_n but_o that_o he_o be_v void_a of_o common_a sense_n and_o as_o extravagant_a as_o a_o protestant_n will_v be_v at_o this_o day_n if_o to_o confute_v the_o exception_n of_o papist_n against_o the_o meanness_n of_o some_o of_o the_o first_o reformer_n he_o shall_v affirm_v with_o great_a confidence_n and_o insist_v on_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n too_o notorious_a to_o be_v deny_v that_o calvin_n succeed_v peter_n de_fw-fr la_fw-fr
to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o those_o gentleman_n to_o who_o he_o dedicate_v his_o book_n but_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v in_o their_o character_n they_o be_v of_o more_o judgement_n than_o to_o believe_v that_o if_o other_o be_v as_o candid_a as_o themselves_o this_o idea_n which_o he_o so_o much_o magnify_v will_v be_v of_o infinite_a advantage_n they_o will_v rather_o perceive_v that_o it_o will_v not_o otherwise_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o fatal_a controversy_n that_o have_v perplex_v the_o church_n than_o poison_n will_v cure_v disease_n that_o be_v by_o the_o death_n of_o the_o patient_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o design_n of_o it_o be_v to_o abrogate_v the_o authority_n which_o christ_n bestow_v on_o his_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n and_o consequent_o our_o author_n instead_o of_o intitle_v his_o book_n the_o nature_n of_o church-government_n free_o discuss_v may_v more_o fit_o have_v call_v it_o a_o treatise_n of_o church-anarchy_n or_o church-confusion_n i_o know_v not_o whether_o the_o applause_n of_o his_o performance_n be_v continue_v to_o he_o in_o his_o own_o person_n which_o he_o first_o receive_v by_o proxy_n from_o the_o neighbour_a dissenter_n but_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o he_o contradict_v the_o avow_a principle_n of_o their_o party_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o writer_n he_o contend_v that_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o authority_n but_o what_o they_o derive_v from_o the_o state_n he_o make_v church-government_n a_o mere_a prudential_n thing_n and_o alterable_a in_o the_o form_n of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o various_a form_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n and_o argue_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o take_v its_o model_n from_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n whereas_o their_o other_o writer_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o spiritual_a extraction_n of_o a_o legitimate_a ecclesiastical_a power_n can_v be_v make_v from_o a_o secular_a root_n etc._n that_o the_o introduction_n of_o humane_a authority_n into_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o any_o kind_n destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o 30._o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o form_n of_o government_n lay_v down_o in_o the_o word_n and_o that_o unchangeable_a quest_n and_o that_o to_o think_v church-government_n must_v be_v frame_v according_a to_o the_o commonwealth_n or_o civil_a government_n be_v as_o if_o one_o shall_v fashion_v his_o house_n according_a to_o his_o hang_n 181._o but_o that_o his_o friend_n may_v not_o resent_v the_o matter_n too_o high_o when_o they_o find_v how_o they_o have_v be_v impose_v on_o by_o he_o i_o can_v assure_v they_o that_o in_o contradict_v their_o author_n he_o use_v they_o no_o worse_o than_o he_o do_v himself_o for_o have_v former_o conclude_v from_o 2_o thess_n 2.15_o that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o christian_n to_o preserve_v the_o same_o government_n in_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n day_n that_o be_v appoint_v and_o practise_v in_o they_o he_o now_o come_v to_o prove_v that_o let_v the_o government_n in_o those_o day_n be_v what_o it_o will_v it_o be_v but_o a_o prudential_n and_o ambulatory_a thing_n and_o liable_a to_o change_n according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o time_n and_o occasion_n and_o that_o his_o friend_n may_v not_o for_o the_o future_a expect_v to_o find_v he_o any_o more_o fix_v or_o steady_a he_o profess_v in_o his_o epistle_n dedicatory_a that_o he_o have_v nothing_o of_o fondness_n in_o he_o for_o any_o opinion_n he_o have_v as_o little_a fondness_n in_o he_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o he_o have_v for_o his_o own_o opinion_n for_o however_o he_o take_v diocesan_n prelacy_n to_o be_v a_o degeneracy_n or_o defection_n from_o a_o apostolical_a constitution_n yet_o he_o boast_v of_o his_o vindication_n of_o it_o upon_o prudential_n ground_n ms._n he_o represent_v episcopacy_n as_o a_o corruption_n and_o yet_o he_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n when_o it_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v dedicatory_a the_o truth_n be_v he_o have_v confuse_o jumble_v together_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o dissenter_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o hobbes_n and_o erastus_n and_o with_o this_o odd_a kind_n of_o mixture_n he_o think_v himself_o sufficient_o qualify_v to_o heal_v the_o breach_n of_o christendom_n before_o he_o one_o peter_z cornelius_z van_fw-mi zurick-zee_a set_v up_o for_o a_o reconciler_n general_n and_o his_o project_n for_o union_n be_v peace_n that_o in_o every_o city_n and_o in_o every_o county_n there_o shall_v be_v appoint_v a_o general_n meeting-place_n in_o which_o the_o christian_n of_o all_o persuasion_n shall_v be_v require_v to_o assemble_v together_o that_o they_o may_v hear_v the_o scripture_n read_v and_o afterward_o talk_v about_o they_o and_o give_v their_o interpretation_n of_o they_o according_a to_o their_o various_a sentiment_n of_o this_o device_n he_o have_v such_o a_o conceit_n that_o leave_v his_o family_n and_o native_a country_n 1._o he_o cross_v the_o sea_n that_o he_o may_v reveal_v it_o in_o england_n expect_v that_o here_o it_o will_v receive_v a_o kind_a entertainment_n and_o from_o hence_o break_v forth_o as_o a_o light_n into_o all_o other_o country_n and_o nation_n 6._o but_o whether_o this_o man_n or_o the_o free_a discusser_n have_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o better_a plan_n of_o a_o universal_a peace_n or_o whether_o prudential_n reason_n have_v be_v more_o happy_a than_o a_o freak_n of_o enthusiasm_n in_o propose_v a_o method_n of_o union_n or_o scheme_n of_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n i_o leave_v you_o to_o determine_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o the_o way_n of_o govern_v church_n which_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v not_o to_o be_v invent_v or_o first_o discover_v fifteen_o or_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n i_o suppose_v a_o thing_n of_o such_o use_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v know_v to_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o they_o general_o believe_v 1._o that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o founder_n of_o church-government_n bestow_v on_o his_o officer_n such_o authority_n as_o qualify_v they_o for_o the_o administration_n of_o it_o 2._o that_o this_o government_n be_v episcopal_a from_o the_o beginning_n on_o these_o two_o thing_n i_o have_v chief_o insist_v in_o this_o discourse_n but_o far_o more_o copious_o on_o the_o last_o against_o which_o i_o meet_v with_o the_o great_a opposition_n by_o which_o opposition_n i_o do_v not_o only_o mean_v that_o which_o have_v be_v make_v by_o my_o adversary_n for_o i_o have_v consider_v the_o utmost_a that_o i_o can_v find_v object_v on_o that_o side_n and_o upon_o the_o whole_a i_o be_o satisfy_v that_o it_o require_v no_o great_a ability_n to_o defend_v episcopacy_n and_o that_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o cause_n that_o the_o more_o learned_a the_o opposer_n of_o it_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a have_v they_o be_v to_o let_v fall_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v serve_v for_o the_o vindication_n of_o it_o and_o answer_v their_o own_o objection_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o blondel_n and_o salmasius_n but_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o last_o who_o have_v so_o many_o thing_n that_o favour_v my_o hypothesis_n that_o of_o all_o modern_a author_n none_o have_v be_v more_o useful_a to_o i_o than_o walo_n messalinus_n but_o all_o the_o assistance_n i_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o have_v be_v only_o to_o confirm_v the_o notion_n which_o i_o have_v before_o ground_v on_o the_o holy_a scripture_n &_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n from_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v that_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o mere_a presbyter_n be_v general_o subordinate_a to_o superior_a pastor_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o afterward_o in_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n and_o if_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n concern_v the_o succeed_a time_n or_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v affirm_v by_o the_o lord_n falkland_n in_o a_o warm_a speech_n which_o he_o make_v against_o some_o of_o the_o bishop_n 771._o that_o the_o order_n of_o the_o bishop_n have_v always_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n from_o christ_n to_o calvin_n what_o i_o have_v say_v on_o this_o subject_n fasten_v a_o imputation_n of_o novelty_n on_o the_o dissenter_n but_o i_o can_v help_v it_o and_o they_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o it_o for_o their_o own_o friend_n the_o elder_n and_o messenger_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n who_o meet_v at_o the_o savoy_n 1658._o confess_v etc._n that_o it_o be_v true_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o public_a and_o open_a profession_n either_o of_o presbytery_n or_o independency_n this_o nation_n have_v be_v a_o stranger_n to_o each_o way_n it_o be_v possible_a ever_o since_o it_o have_v be_v christian_n and_o i_o will_v adventure_v to_o add_v that_o the_o nation_n may_v be_v
noble_a job_n ludolfus_n 445._o make_v for_o he_o may_v be_v admit_v that_o he_o mention_v they_o under_o that_o denomination_n by_o way_n of_o anticipation_n this_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v in_o his_o vindication_n but_o that_o he_o do_v not_o only_o speak_v proper_o but_o may_v as_o well_o be_v believe_v to_o have_v forget_v his_o own_o name_n as_o that_o of_o his_o predecessor_n be_v a_o thought_n peculiar_a to_o yourself_o it_o be_v not_o my_o business_n here_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o original_a of_o patriarch_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n that_o they_o be_v not_o mention_v by_o any_o author_n under_o that_o title_n before_o socrates_n who_o flourish_v in_o the_o five_o century_n but_o the_o jew_n have_v their_o patriarch_n much_o more_o early_a as_o jacobus_n gothofredus_n 230._o and_o other_o learned_a man_n have_v prove_v from_o unquestionable_a evidence_n and_o among_o these_o jewish_a patriarch_n i_o reckon_v this_o in_o vopiscus_n not_o only_o for_o the_o reason_n already_o give_v but_o because_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v compel_v to_o worship_n christ_n if_o he_o have_v be_v a_o christian_a there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o that_o compulsion_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o infidel_n will_v have_v attempt_v to_o force_v he_o to_o do_v what_o his_o avow_a principle_n oblige_v he_o to_o perform_v indeed_o if_o some_o cruelty_n have_v be_v use_v to_o extort_v from_o he_o a_o denial_n of_o christ_n this_o have_v be_v a_o argument_n that_o he_o make_v profession_n of_o christianity_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o title_n if_o without_o violence_n he_o can_v not_o be_v bring_v to_o confess_v our_o saviour_n and_o adore_v he_o 2._o you_o suppose_v the_o little_a knowledge_n hadrian_n have_v of_o the_o egyptian_a christian_n confute_v my_o argument_n take_v from_o his_o testimony_n by_o which_o i_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n in_o his_o time_n be_v distinct_a from_o that_o of_o a_o presbyter_n whereas_o it_o give_v it_o the_o great_a force_n for_o the_o thing_n may_v well_o be_v think_v to_o be_v the_o more_o evident_a in_o that_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o a_o person_n who_o be_v so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o christian_a affair_n in_o egypt_n 3._o you_o suppose_v that_o because_o hadrian_n be_v under_o great_a mistake_n concern_v the_o egyptian_a christian_n and_o their_o bishop_n this_o must_v render_v his_o testimony_n useless_a whereas_o it_o evident_o prove_v what_o i_o design_v by_o it_o whether_o his_o description_n of_o they_o be_v true_a or_o false_a for_o whosoever_o give_v he_o this_o relation_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o they_o invent_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o never_o be_v in_o be_v that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o subject_n for_o their_o accusation_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o hadrian_n or_o his_o informer_n have_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n or_o discover_v by_o divination_n that_o there_o will_v be_v such_o officer_n in_o succeed_a time_n as_o have_v not_o then_o be_v hear_v of_o and_o that_o they_o contrive_v to_o bring_v a_o odium_fw-la upon_o the_o prelate_n before_o they_o do_v exist_v but_o as_o we_o may_v collect_v from_o the_o emperor_n word_n that_o whether_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o fickle_a or_o not_o as_o he_o represent_v they_o yet_o there_o be_v christian_n so_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o whether_o the_o bishop_n worship_v serapis_n or_o not_o there_o be_v bishop_n notwithstanding_o and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o intend_v by_o this_o instance_n yet_o i_o may_v further_o add_v that_o if_o the_o charge_n against_o these_o bishop_n be_v false_a as_o you_o will_v have_v it_o it_o be_v more_o for_o my_o purpose_n than_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o it_o be_v far_o more_o desirable_a that_o person_n of_o their_o character_n shall_v walk_v worthy_a of_o their_o vocation_n than_o dishonour_v it_o by_o their_o practice_n and_o be_v load_v with_o infamy_n and_o reproach_n in_o your_o endeavour_n therefore_o to_o vindicate_v their_o innocence_n you_o have_v take_v care_n to_o confute_v your_o own_o objection_n which_o be_v found_v on_o the_o injustice_n of_o the_o accusation_n that_o the_o emperor_n bring_v against_o they_o but_o if_o you_o have_v omit_v this_o stroke_n you_o have_v lose_v a_o fair_a opportunity_n of_o be_v deliver_v of_o a_o quaint_a conceit_n which_o i_o have_v not_o meet_v with_o in_o any_o other_o author_n and_o i_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v new_a as_o for_o the_o devotion_n you_o say_v of_o the_o egyptian_a bishop_n to_o serapis_n you_o can_v imagine_v any_o occasion_n they_o shall_v give_v which_o with_o any_o colour_n shall_v render_v they_o suspect_v of_o idolatry_n but_o their_o sign_v with_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o you_o be_v incline_v to_o think_v so_o be_v because_o pignorius_n in_o his_o mensa_fw-la isiaca_n assure_v we_o that_o serapis_n be_v ancient_o denote_v by_o a_o cross_n and_o you_o conceive_v that_o this_o may_v be_v the_o hieroglyphic_n of_o the_o three_o head_a monster_n of_o which_o chartarius_fw-la give_v the_o icon_n since_o that_o be_v annect_v to_o the_o image_n of_o serapis_n now_o chartarius_fw-la and_o his_o terrible_a icon_n i_o never_o see_v but_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o the_o act_n of_o sign_v with_o the_o cross_n which_o leave_v no_o visible_a impression_n behind_o it_o have_v no_o great_a resemblance_n of_o a_o three_o head_a monster_n and_o however_o pignorius_n say_v that_o the_o cross_n denote_v serapis_n i_o know_v not_o that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o any_o assurance_n of_o it_o we_o find_v another_o interpretation_n put_v upon_o it_o in_o suidas_n 〈◊〉_d to_o who_o you_o refer_v i_o and_o in_o socrates_n 17._o who_o be_v cite_v by_o pignorius_n for_o in_o both_o it_o be_v say_v to_o signify_v the_o life_n to_o come_v be_v it_o as_o it_o will_v the_o egyptian_n must_v have_v be_v very_o foolish_a if_o they_o gather_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v worshipper_n of_o serapis_n from_o the_o use_n of_o that_o which_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o devotion_n and_o of_o their_o adherence_n to_o christ_n in_o opposition_n to_o all_o idolatry_n the_o heathen_n can_v without_o any_o such_o ground_n cast_v reproach_n on_o the_o innocent_a and_o of_o this_o they_o make_v no_o difficulty_n the_o apologist_n general_o take_v notice_n how_o they_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o atheism_n and_o incest_n and_o devour_a man_n flesh_n when_o they_o be_v the_o holy_a and_o the_o most_o virtuous_a person_n in_o the_o world_n eusebius_n acquaint_v we_o 6._o that_o they_o forge_v lie_n and_o calumny_n against_o our_o lord_n himself_o under_o the_o name_n of_o pilat_n act_n and_o no_o wonder_n that_o they_o treat_v the_o servant_n no_o better_o than_o they_o do_v the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n but_o to_o give_v more_o colour_n to_o their_o slander_n they_o compel_v some_o infamous_a person_n to_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n ibid._n that_o they_o may_v load_v those_o that_o be_v so_o indeed_o with_o the_o black_a aspersion_n and_o if_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n flee_v from_o the_o rage_n of_o persecution_n or_o hide_v themselves_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o man_n extreme_o malicious_a against_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n may_v hite_a or_o force_v some_o wretch_n to_o personate_v they_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o serapis_n and_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o any_o thing_n which_o tend_v to_o the_o dishonour_n of_o christianity_n will_v gain_v a_o easy_a belief_n among_o the_o adversary_n but_o whether_o the_o calumny_n be_v propagate_v this_o or_o some_o other_o way_n against_o the_o bishop_n i_o be_o not_o much_o concern_v about_o it_o since_o we_o be_v agree_v about_o their_o existence_n and_o their_o innocence_n but_o about_o their_o character_n you_o have_v raise_v some_o doubt_n for_o in_o this_o epistle_n you_o say_v there_o be_v only_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n without_o any_o specification_n of_o the_o office_n signify_v by_o it_o either_o as_o to_o its_o nature_n or_o limit_n as_o if_o these_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v know_v unless_o we_o have_v here_o meet_v with_o their_o description_n or_o the_o emperor_n can_v not_o write_v intelligible_o unless_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o a_o clavis_fw-la or_o glossary_a to_o let_v we_o into_o his_o meaning_n i_o think_v it_o have_v be_v sufficient_a for_o that_o purpose_n that_o he_o use_v the_o word_n bishop_n in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o the_o other_o writer_n of_o that_o age_n general_o do_v none_o of_o which_o apply_v it_o to_o any_o other_o person_n of_o their_o own_o time_n but_o the_o prelate_n only_o beside_o as_o i_o have_v show_v he_o distinguish_v the_o bishop_n from_o the_o presbyter_n for_o which_o he_o
you_o much_o insist_v as_o if_o it_o afford_v some_o great_a advantage_n to_o your_o cause_n whereas_o the_o father_n who_o use_v that_o expression_n which_o you_o so_o well_o approve_v have_v no_o such_o notion_n of_o a_o first_o presbyter_n as_o you_o have_v entertain_v but_o make_v the_o same_o distinction_n between_o he_o and_o his_o clergy_n as_o there_o be_v between_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o the_o other_o priest_n that_o be_v under_o his_o authority_n another_o thing_n for_o which_o you_o cite_v this_o commentator_n be_v the_o information_n he_o give_v we_o that_o the_o elder_a be_v always_o the_o first_o presbyter_n 4.11_o till_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o that_o course_n occasion_v the_o change_n which_o he_o say_v be_v make_v by_o a_o council_n but_o to_o this_o i_o know_v not_o how_o to_o assent_v because_o it_o appear_v from_o scripture_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a father_n that_o they_o who_o in_o the_o early_a time_n of_o christianity_n be_v advance_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o bishop_n be_v common_o qualify_v for_o it_o and_o distinguish_v by_o the_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o their_o own_o personal_a worth_n and_o there_o be_v no_o probability_n that_o a_o mere_a number_n of_o year_n be_v then_o hold_v sufficient_a to_o recommend_v a_o person_n to_o the_o high_a office_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n yet_o if_o there_o be_v sometime_o such_o preference_n give_v to_o seniority_n and_o such_o a_o change_n make_v in_o some_o particular_a country_n as_o the_o author_n mention_n i_o be_o not_o concern_v about_o it_o but_o if_o you_o think_v the_o ancient_a custom_n he_o speak_v of_o be_v universal_a and_o that_o a_o departure_n from_o it_o over_o the_o world_n be_v decree_v by_o a_o general_n council_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v where_o it_o be_v assemble_v blondel_n think_v the_o alteration_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o for_o this_o he_o direct_v we_o to_o the_o four_o canon_n of_o that_o council_n in_o which_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o this_o matter_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o footstep_n of_o it_o in_o antiquity_n but_o whatever_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o advance_v person_n to_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n manifest_v it_o be_v that_o this_o commentator_n believe_v the_o office_n itself_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o superior_a to_o that_o of_o presbyter_n 4.11_o for_o he_o declare_v that_o james_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n in_o general_n be_v bishop_n he_o affirm_v that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n and_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n be_v bishop_n also_o and_o in_o the_o bishop_n say_v he_o all_o order_n be_v contain_v because_o he_o be_v the_o prince_n or_o chief_a of_o the_o priest_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o father_n by_o who_o testimony_n you_o be_v content_a matter_n between_o we_o shall_v be_v determine_v another_o of_o they_o be_v s._n jerom_n 1._o who_o inform_v we_o i_o confess_v that_o original_o a_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o as_o a_o bishop_n and_o that_o at_o first_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a counsel_n of_o priest_n but_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o according_a to_o he_o the_o church_n be_v only_o under_o that_o administration_n till_o by_o the_o instigation_n of_o the_o devil_n division_n do_v arise_v and_o one_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o another_o say_v i_o be_o of_o apollo_n or_o i_o of_o cephas_n and_o it_o may_v seem_v not_o a_o little_a for_o the_o advantage_n of_o episcopacy_n if_o as_o he_o intimate_v it_o be_v the_o best_a mean_n of_o extirpate_v schism_n when_o a_o presbyterian_a parity_n be_v find_v insufficient_a for_o that_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o be_v therefore_o establish_v over_o the_o world_n by_o universal_a decree_n and_o that_o whilst_o many_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v alive_a 3._o blondel_n i_o know_v assign_v a_o late_a date_n to_o that_o decree_n and_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o make_v before_o the_o year_n 140._o but_o i_o be_o much_o more_o incline_v to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v never_o make_v at_o all_o than_o that_o this_o project_n be_v first_o set_v on_o foot_n to_o remove_v the_o seed_n or_o beginning_n of_o schism_n almost_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o they_o be_v sow_v at_o corinth_n or_o after_o it_o be_v there_o say_v among_o the_o people_n i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n and_o i_o of_o cephas_n 1.12_o blondel_n see_v this_o absurdity_n and_o to_o avoid_v it_o he_o fall_v into_o another_o he_o will_v persuade_v we_o that_o the_o schism_n here_o mention_v be_v such_o as_o do_v not_o disturb_v the_o church_n till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o paul_n and_o apollo_n and_o cephas_n and_o do_v not_o arise_v among_o the_o corinthian_n but_o other_o that_o imitate_v their_o example_n but_o by_o this_o exposition_n he_o do_v not_o only_o force_v the_o word_n of_o the_o author_n from_o their_o plain_a literal_a meaning_n without_o any_o necessity_n but_o also_o make_v he_o contradict_v his_o own_o avow_a sense_n &_o say_v in_o effect_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o institute_v before_o the_o year_n 140_o notwithstanding_o in_o his_o catalogue_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o other_o part_n of_o his_o work_n he_o have_v leave_v we_o a_o account_n of_o several_a bishop_n distinct_a from_o presbyter_n that_o be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o it_o be_v true_a s._n jerom_n sometime_o in_o his_o heat_n of_o which_o the_o cause_n be_v sufficient_o know_v let_v fall_v such_o word_n as_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o right_n of_o episcopacy_n yet_o if_o those_o word_n have_v be_v assault_v by_o his_o adversary_n he_o will_v not_o have_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n but_o have_v make_v provision_n for_o a_o vindication_n of_o himself_o or_o a_o safe_a retreat_n either_o by_o other_o expression_n or_o the_o secret_a meaning_n of_o the_o same_o he_o may_v seem_v to_o oppose_v the_o subordination_n of_o presbyter_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o a_o innovation_n or_o a_o departure_n from_o a_o former_a institution_n of_o government_n yet_o he_o allow_v as_o we_o have_v see_v that_o this_o departure_n be_v make_v about_o the_o time_n that_o s._n paul_n write_v his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o intimate_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o in_o his_o treatise_n against_o the_o luciferian_o he_o declare_v 96._o that_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v on_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o bishop_n to_o who_o say_v he_o if_o there_o be_v not_o grant_v a_o certain_a peerless_a authority_n there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o there_o be_v priest_n he_o may_v seem_v to_o believe_v that_o bishop_n be_v not_o constitute_v by_o any_o divine_a 1._o order_n or_o disposal_n and_o perhaps_o he_o think_v that_o they_o be_v not_o appoint_v by_o any_o precept_n of_o christ_n himself_o yet_o he_o deny_v not_o that_o they_o be_v ordain_v by_o those_o that_o have_v commission_n from_o he_o and_o act_v in_o his_o name_n and_o by_o his_o power_n he_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o episcopal_a praeeminence_n or_o jurisdiction_n be_v at_o first_o a_o mere_a prudential_a contrivance_n and_o afterward_o confirm_v by_o custom_n yet_o in_o the_o production_n of_o it_o he_o ascribe_v no_o more_o to_o prudence_n than_o the_o lay_n hold_v on_o a_o sad_a occasion_n when_o it_o be_v offer_v for_o its_o establishment_n suprà _fw-la and_o the_o custom_n he_o speak_v of_o he_o resolve_v into_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o this_o he_o ground_n on_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v know_v say_v he_o sine_fw-la that_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v in_o the_o temple_n that_o may_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n challenge_v in_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o i_o demand_v another_o of_o your_o author_n be_v s._n augustin_n who_o acquaint_v we_o indeed_o 19_o that_o the_o title_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v distinguish_v by_o custom_n but_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o disparity_n of_o officer_n when_o those_o word_n be_v of_o promiscuous_a use_n as_o there_o be_v afterward_o when_o they_o be_v limit_v in_o their_o signification_n if_o this_o give_v you_o not_o satisfaction_n grotius_n will_v tell_v you_o 355._o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o that_o which_o have_v be_v say_v already_o that_o when_o the_o father_n speak_v of_o custom_n they_o do_v not_o exclude_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n nay_o s._n augustin_n say_v that_o what_o have_v be_v always_o hold_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o be_v not_o appoint_v by_o council_n be_v most_o
into_o their_o thought_n epiphanius_n know_v very_o well_o that_o plurality_n of_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n proceed_v common_o from_o schism_n or_o heresy_n and_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o take_v that_o to_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o church_n which_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o christian_n both_o before_o and_o after_o his_o own_o time_n be_v esteem_v a_o corruption_n danaeus_n have_v a_o conceit_n that_o when_o there_o be_v in_o a_o city_n a_o plurality_n of_o bishop_n they_o differ_v in_o this_o from_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n that_o they_o be_v presbyter_n and_o he_o a_o prelate_n 53._o which_o sufficient_o discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o his_o judgement_n or_o something_o worse_o but_o he_o be_v willing_a we_o see_v it_o shall_v be_v believe_v that_o the_o first_o prelate_n be_v to_o be_v find_v at_o alexandria_n that_o he_o may_v have_v occasion_n to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o prelacy_n and_o monkery_n and_o other_o plague_n of_o the_o church_n have_v their_o original_a from_o the_o same_o place_n but_o that_o all_o bishop_n be_v equal_a or_o that_o they_o have_v the_o same_o prelatical_a authority_n i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o and_o i_o be_o no_o far_o concern_v with_o it_o here_o than_o as_o it_o result_v from_o this_o proposition_n that_o according_a to_o the_o primitive_a rule_n the_o government_n of_o every_o diocese_n be_v monarchical_a and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v manifest_a from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v beyond_o all_o just_a exception_n chap._n xii_o the_o bishop_n be_v successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o have_v see_v that_o in_o the_o second_o and_o other_o century_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o single_a person_n who_o be_v distinguish_v by_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n because_o this_o will_v confirm_v my_o lead_a proposition_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordinary_a pastor_n and_o prepare_v my_o way_n to_o consider_v how_o the_o bishop_n stand_v relate_v among_o themselves_o and_o to_o other_o and_o what_o regard_n be_v due_a to_o person_n of_o their_o character_n that_o the_o bishop_n be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n s._n augustin_n think_v may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o prediction_n that_o be_v make_v to_o the_o church_n by_o the_o psalmist_n in_o these_o word_n in_o stead_n of_o thy_o father_n shall_v be_v thy_o child_n 45.16_o for_o of_o they_o he_o give_v we_o the_o follow_a paraphrase_n 169._o the_o apostle_n beget_v thou_o they_o be_v thy_o father_n but_o can_v they_o remain_v with_o we_o always_o one_o of_o they_o say_v i_o desire_v to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a nevertheless_o to_o abide_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v more_o needful_a for_o you_o he_o say_v so_o indeed_o but_o how_o long_o can_v he_o continue_v here_o can_v he_o live_v on_o earth_n to_o this_o and_o future_a age_n or_o be_v the_o church_n desert_v when_o the_o apostle_n be_v decease_v god_n forbid_v instead_o of_o the_o father_n there_o be_v child_n bishop_n be_v constitute_v in_o room_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o therefore_o think_v thyself_o forsake_v because_o thou_o see_v not_o peter_n or_o because_o thou_o see_v not_o paul_n or_o because_o thou_o see_v not_o any_o of_o those_o from_o who_o thou_o be_v descend_v since_o father_n be_v rise_v out_o of_o thy_o own_o offspring_n the_o author_n of_o the_o commentary_n on_o the_o psalm_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o jerom_n agree_v with_o s._n augustin_n in_o that_o exposition_n and_o s._n jerom_n himself_o who_o upbraid_v the_o montanist_n for_o depress_v the_o bishop_n into_o the_o three_o rank_n 52._o say_v in_o opposition_n to_o they_o with_o we_o the_o bishop_n possess_v the_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n his_o sense_n of_o this_o he_o express_v more_o copious_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o evagrius_n for_o there_o he_o say_v wherever_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n whether_o at_o rome_n or_o eugubium_n at_o constantinople_n or_o rhegium_n at_o alexandria_n or_o tanis_n he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o merit_n and_o of_o the_o same_o priesthood_n the_o power_n of_o riches_n and_o meanness_n of_o poverty_n may_v render_v one_o bishop_n high_o or_o low_a than_o another_o that_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o thing_n external_a or_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n if_o that_o be_v the_o true_a read_v which_o i_o follow_v but_o they_o be_v all_o the_o apostle_n successor_n 85._o long_o before_o jerom_n firmilian_a 225._o be_v of_o the_o same_o judgement_n for_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n in_o general_a he_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n and_o with_o he_o agree_v cyprian_n 45._o and_o clarus_n à _fw-fr muscula_n 242._o his_o cotemporary_a many_o other_o may_v be_v add_v but_o here_o i_o shall_v only_o mention_v s._n irenaeus_n who_o argue_v thus_o against_o the_o heretic_n in_o his_o time_n we_o can_v number_v those_o say_v he_o 232._o who_o by_o the_o apostle_n be_v institute_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n and_o their_o successor_n to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o they_o teach_v we_o none_o of_o the_o dotage_n of_o these_o man_n but_o if_o the_o apostle_n know_v any_o hide_a mystery_n which_o they_o secret_o teach_v the_o perfect_a they_o will_v chief_o have_v impart_v they_o to_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o commit_v the_o church_n for_o they_o desire_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v very_o perfect_a and_o unblamable_a to_o who_o they_o deliver_v their_o own_o place_n of_o government_n thus_o that_o excellent_a father_n and_o his_o testimony_n be_v the_o more_o considerable_a because_o of_o his_o great_a antiquity_n for_o it_o be_v probable_a he_o be_v bear_v several_a year_n before_o the_o death_n of_o s._n john_n 1._o and_o it_o be_v certain_a he_o receive_v instruction_n from_o some_o that_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o invalidate_v his_o authority_n you_o tell_v i_o he_o be_v agree_v by_o some_o to_o have_v affirm_v that_o our_o lord_n christ_n do_v undergo_v his_o passion_n in_o the_o fifty_o year_n of_o his_o age_n as_o if_o that_o may_v better_o be_v determine_v by_o their_o agreement_n about_o it_o than_o his_o own_o write_n in_o which_o we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n he_o no_o where_o fix_v the_o period_n of_o our_o saviour_n passion_n he_o no_o where_o assign_v it_o to_o a_o certain_a year_n yet_o i_o grant_v he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o our_o saviour_n live_v about_o fifty_o year_n if_o that_o passage_n be_v he_o wherein_o he_o treat_v of_o this_o matter_n 39_o but_o antonius_n pagi_n 5._o and_o other_o learned_a man_n conceive_v it_o have_v be_v corrupt_v it_o seem_v incredible_a to_o they_o that_o irenaeus_n shall_v attribute_v to_o our_o lord_n so_o many_o year_n in_o that_o very_a chapter_n wherein_o he_o reckon_v no_o more_o than_o three_o passover_n which_o he_o celebrate_v after_o he_o enter_v upon_o the_o thirty_o year_n of_o his_o age_n and_o declare_v he_o do_v eat_v the_o last_o of_o they_o the_o day_n before_o his_o suffering_n but_o there_o be_v no_o copy_n to_o justify_v that_o charge_n of_o corruption_n what_o i_o insist_v upon_o be_v that_o if_o irenaeus_n be_v mistake_v in_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n passion_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o he_o be_v so_o in_o the_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v cite_v from_o he_o if_o he_o err_v concern_v that_o period_n about_o which_o all_o mankind_n have_v be_v in_o the_o dark_a he_o may_v notwithstanding_o be_v a_o credible_a witness_n of_o such_o matter_n as_o can_v not_o well_o escape_v his_o notice_n and_o have_v nothing_o in_o they_o that_o be_v improbable_a such_o be_v the_o severity_n of_o our_o saviour_n life_n and_o deportment_n that_o it_o may_v seem_v he_o appear_v more_o aged_a than_o he_o be_v for_o when_o the_o jew_n say_v to_o he_o thou_o be_v not_o yet_o fifty_o year_n old_a 8.57_o doubtless_o they_o think_v he_o be_v near_o so_o much_o and_o it_o be_v easy_a then_o to_o conceive_v how_o the_o report_n may_v arise_v and_o be_v continue_v which_o irenaeus_n follow_v but_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o become_v a_o universal_a tradition_n that_o it_o be_v never_o embrace_v that_o we_o find_v by_o so_o much_o as_o two_o of_o the_o father_n the_o case_n be_v very_o different_a when_o he_o relate_v who_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n for_o of_o this_o lie_n can_v hardly_o be_v ignorant_a that_o live_v so_o near_o they_o and_o the_o account_n he_o give_v have_v be_v confirm_v by_o many_o other_o and_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o universal_a approbation_n can_v be_v reject_v by_o we_o with_o any_o shadow_n of_o reason_n but_o you_o say_v admit_v irenaeus_n be_v authority_n to_o be_v unblemished_a and_o cite_v as_o one_o can_v wish_v it_o yet_o on_o this_o occasion_n it_o