the_o church_n be_v govern_v communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la by_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o presbyter_n in_o common_a and_o that_o even_o after_o this_o imparity_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o govern_v sciant_fw-la episcopi_fw-la se_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la debere_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la regere_fw-la five_o that_o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o imparity_n and_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n above_o elder_n be_v the_o division_n which_o through_o the_o devil_n instinct_n fall_v among_o the_o church_n post_fw-la quam_fw-la verò_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la saravia_n will_v take_v advantage_n of_o this_o place_n to_o deduce_v this_o imparity_n as_o high_a as_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n because_o even_o then_o they_o begin_v to_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n but_o sure_a s._n jerome_n be_v not_o so_o weak_a as_o this_o man_n will_v make_v he_o to_o speak_v inconsistency_n and_o when_o he_o propound_v it_o to_o himself_o to_o prove_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v in_o scripture_n the_o same_o to_o let_v fall_v word_n that_o shall_v confute_v his_o own_o proposition_n whereas_o therefore_o s._n jerome_n say_v that_o after_o man_n begin_v to_o say_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n and_o i_o of_o apollo_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v decree_v that_o one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v speak_v indeed_o in_o the_o apostle_n phrase_n but_o not_o of_o the_o apostle_n time_n else_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v that_o coacervation_n of_o text_n that_o follow_v but_o suppose_v it_o shall_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n which_o yet_o we_o grant_v not_o have_v prove_v the_o contrary_a yet_o it_o appear_v it_o be_v not_o of_o apostolical_a intention_n but_o of_o diabolical_a occasion_n and_o though_o the_o devil_n by_o kindle_v division_n in_o the_o church_n do_v minister_v occasion_n to_o the_o invention_n of_o the_o primacy_n or_o prelacy_n or_o one_o for_o the_o suppress_n of_o schism_n yet_o there_o be_v just_a cause_n to_o think_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o his_o apostle_n be_v never_o the_o author_n of_o this_o invention_n first_o because_o we_o read_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n there_o be_v division_n rome_n 16.7_o and_o schism_n 1_o cor._n 3.3_o &_o 11.18_o yet_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o direct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o ordâ—ine_a bishop_n for_o the_o take_v away_o of_o those_o division_n neither_o in_o the_o rule_v he_o prescribe_v for_o the_o heal_n of_o those_o breach_n do_v he_o mention_v bishop_n for_o that_o end_n nor_o in_o the_o direction_n give_v to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n for_o the_o ordination_n of_o bishop_n or_o elder_n do_v he_o mention_v this_o as_o one_o end_n of_o their_o ordination_n or_o one_o peculiar_a duty_n of_o their_o office_n and_o though_o the_o apostle_n say_v o_o portet_fw-la haereses_fw-la inter_fw-la vos_fw-la esse_fw-la ut_fw-la qui_fw-la probati_fw-la sunt_fw-la manifesti_fw-la fiant_fw-la inter_fw-la vos_fw-la yet_o the_o apostle_n no_o where_o say_v oportet_fw-la episcopos_fw-la esse_fw-la ut_fw-la tollantur_fw-la haereses_fw-la quae_fw-la mainifestae_fw-la fiunt_fw-la second_o because_o as_o doctor_n whitaker_n say_v the_o remedy_n devise_v have_v prove_v worse_a than_o the_o disease_n which_o do_v never_o happen_v to_o that_o remedy_n whereof_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o author_n three_o because_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o can_v foresee_v what_o will_v ensue_v thereupon_o will_v never_o ordain_v that_o for_o a_o remedy_n which_o will_v not_o only_o be_v ineffectual_a to_o the_o cut_n off_o of_o evil_a but_o become_v a_o stirrup_n for_o antichrist_n to_o get_v into_o his_o â—addle_n for_o if_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o set_v up_o one_o bishop_n over_o many_o presbyter_n for_o prevent_a schism_n there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o set_v up_o one_o archbishop_n over_o many_o bishop_n and_o one_o patriarch_n over_o many_o archbishop_n and_o one_o pope_n over_o all_o unless_o man_n will_v imagine_v that_o there_o be_v a_o danger_n of_o schism_n only_o among_o presbyter_n and_o not_o among_o bishop_n and_o archbishop_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n truth_n history_n and_o our_o own_o experience_n and_o lest_o our_o adversary_n shall_v appeal_v from_o hierome_n as_o a_o incompetent_a judge_n in_o this_o case_n because_o a_o presbyter_n and_o so_o a_o party_n we_o will_v therefore_o subjoyne_v the_o judgement_n of_o other_o ancient_a father_n who_o be_v themselves_o bishop_n the_o commentary_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o saint_n ambrose_n upon_o ephes._n 4._o mention_n another_o occasion_n of_o this_o discrimination_n or_o priority_n and_o that_o be_v etc._n the_o increase_n and_o dilatation_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o occasion_n whereof_o they_o do_v ordain_v rector_n or_o governor_n and_o other_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o this_o he_o grant_v that_o this_o do_v differ_v from_o the_o former_a order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o from_o apostolical_a writ_n and_o this_o rectorship_n or_o priority_n be_v devolve_v at_o first_o from_o one_o elder_a to_o another_o by_o succession_n when_o he_o who_o be_v in_o the_o place_n be_v remove_v the_o next_o in_o order_n among_o the_o elder_n succeed_v but_o this_o be_v afterward_o change_v and_o that_o unworthy_a man_n may_v not_o be_v prefer_v it_o be_v make_v a_o matter_n of_o election_n and_o not_o a_o matter_n of_o succession_n thus_o much_o we_o find_v concern_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o imparity_n enough_o to_o show_v it_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a authority_n for_o the_o second_o thing_n the_o person_n who_o bring_v in_o this_o imparity_n the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o the_o presbyter_n themselves_o bring_v it_o in_o witness_n hierome_n ad_fw-la evag._n alexandria_n presbyteri_fw-la unum_fw-la ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la evag._n episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la quomodo_fw-la si_fw-la exercitus_fw-la imperatorem_fw-la faceret_fw-la aut_fw-la diaconi_fw-la de_fw-la se_fw-la archidiaconum_n the_o presbyter_n of_o alexandria_n do_v call_v he_o their_o bishop_n who_o they_o have_v choose_v from_o among_o themselves_o and_o place_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n as_o if_o a_o army_n shall_v make_v a_o emperor_n or_o the_o deacon_n a_o archdeacon_n ambrose_n upon_o the_o four_o of_o the_o ephesian_n tell_v we_o prius_fw-la it_o be_v do_v by_o a_o council_n and_o although_o he_o neither_o name_v the_o time_n nor_o place_n of_o the_o council_n yet_o ascribe_v it_o to_o a_o council_n he_o grant_v it_o not_o to_o be_v apostolical_a this_o give_v occasion_n to_o other_o to_o fix_v it_o upon_o custom_n as_o hieronym_n in_o tit._n and_o august_n epist._n 19_o secundùm_fw-la honorum_fw-la vocabula_fw-la quae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la usus_fw-la obtinuit_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la presbyterio_n major_a est_fw-la and_o have_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o prelacy_n have_v the_o seal_n and_o confirmation_n of_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a authority_n gregory_n nazianzen_n will_v never_o in_o such_o a_o patheticke_a manner_n have_v wish_v the_o abolition_n of_o it_o 28._o as_o he_o do_v in_o his_o 28._o oration_n and_o now_o where_o be_v that_o acknowledgement_n 21.22_o and_o conveyance_n of_o imparity_n and_o jurisdiction_n which_o say_v this_o remonstrant_a be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n hand_n and_o deduce_v in_o a_o uninterrupted_a line_n unto_o this_o day_n where_o be_v it_o we_o find_v no_o such_o imparity_n deliver_v from_o apostolical_a hand_n nor_o acknowledge_v in_o apostolical_a write_n yet_o have_v there_o be_v such_o a_o acknowledgement_n and_o conveyance_n of_o imparity_n how_o this_o shall_v have_v be_v deduce_v to_o we_o in_o a_o uninterrupted_a line_n we_o know_v not_o unless_o our_o bishop_n will_v draw_v the_o line_n of_o their_o pedigree_n through_o the_o loin_n of_o antichrist_n and_o join_v issue_n and_o mingle_v blood_n with_o rome_n prius_fw-la which_o it_o seem_v they_o will_v rather_o do_v then_o lose_v this_o plea_n for_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o tyrannical_a prerogative_n as_o nazianzen_n call_v it_o suffer_v we_o therefore_o humble_o to_o appeal_v to_o your_o honour_n whether_o this_o remonstrant_a have_v not_o give_v sentence_n against_o himself_o who_o be_v so_o confident_a of_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o cause_n that_o he_o do_v not_o fear_v to_o say_v if_o there_o can_v be_v better_a evidence_n under_o heaven_n for_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n then_o there_o be_v for_o his_o episcopacy_n 22._o let_v episcopacy_n before_o ever_o abandon_v out_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god._n sect_n vii_o yet_o it_o seem_v himself_o in_o the_o height_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v not_o without_o jealousy_n of_o some_o thing_n may_v be_v speak_v against_o his_o cause_n therefore_o he_o seem_v to_o hear_v what_o be_v speak_v against_o it_o 23._o that_o the_o apostle_n bishop_n and_o we_o be_v two_o there_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o parochial_a pastor_n a_o preach_a presbyter_n without_o
the_o rest_n the_o residue_n of_o the_o people_n the_o people_n govern_v and_o the_o governor_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a to_o prove_v that_o by_o angel_n be_v mean_v not_o one_o singular_a person_n but_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o presbyter_n that_o be_v in_o thyatira_n this_o also_o further_o appear_v because_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o only_o in_o other_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o also_o in_o this_o very_a book_n of_o the_o revelation_n to_o express_v a_o company_n under_o one_o singular_a person_n thus_o the_o civil_a state_n of_o rome_n as_o opposite_a to_o christ_n be_v call_v a_o beast_n with_o ten_o horn_n and_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n antichristian_a be_v call_v the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n and_o the_o devil_n and_o all_o his_o family_n be_v call_v a_o old_a red_a dragon_n thus_o also_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o blow_v the_o seven_o trumpet_n revel_v 8.2_o and_o the_o seven_o angel_n that_o pour_v out_o the_o seven_o vial_n be_v not_o literal_o to_o be_v take_v but_o synecdochical_o as_o all_o know_v and_o why_o not_o then_o the_o seven_o angel_n in_o those_o epistle_n master_n meed_n in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o revelation_n pag._n 265_o have_v these_o word_n denique_fw-la ut_fw-la jam_fw-la semel_fw-la iterumque_fw-la monuimus_fw-la quoniam_fw-la deus_fw-la adhibet_fw-la angelos_fw-la providentiae_fw-la sitae_fw-la in_o rerum_fw-la humanarum_fw-la motibus_fw-la &_o conversionibus_fw-la ciendis_fw-la gubernandisque_fw-la administros_fw-la idcirco_fw-la quae_fw-la multorum_fw-la manibus_fw-la peraguntur_fw-la angelo_n tamen_fw-la tanquam_fw-la rei_fw-la gerendae_fw-la praesidi_fw-la &_o duci_fw-la pro_fw-la communi_fw-la loquendi_fw-la modo_fw-la tribuuntur_fw-la add_v three_o that_o the_o very_a name_n angel_n be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o one_o person_n alone_o because_o the_o word_n angel_n do_v not_o import_v any_o peculiar_a jurisdiction_n or_o pre-eminence_n but_o be_v a_o common_a name_n to_o all_o minister_n and_o be_v so_o 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._n 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 like_a argument_n we_o draw_v from_o the_o word_n star_n use_v revel_v 1.20_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n now_o 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 and_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o word_n be_v use_v when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o star_n be_v darken_v revel_v 8.12_o and_o that_o the_o dragon_n tail_n draw_v the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n &_o cast_v they_o to_o the_o earth_n revel_v 12.4_o which_o be_v mean_v not_o only_o of_o bishop_n but_o of_o other_o minister_n unless_o the_o bishop_n will_v appropriate_v all_o corruption_n and_o apostasy_n unto_o themselves_o add_v four_a out_o of_o the_o text_n itself_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o our_o saviour_n in_o open_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o vision_n revel_v 1.20_o say_v the_o seven_o candlestick_n which_o thou_o see_v be_v the_o seven_o church_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v the_o seven_o star_n be_v the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o same_o church_n but_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n wherein_o not_o without_o some_o mystery_n the_o number_n of_o the_o angel_n in_o omit_v lest_o we_o shall_v understand_v by_o angel_n one_o minister_n alone_o and_o not_o a_o company_n and_o yet_o the_o septenary_a number_n of_o church_n be_v twice_o set_v down_o last_o though_o but_o one_o angel_n be_v mention_v in_o the_o forefront_n yet_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o be_v dedicate_v to_o all_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n in_o every_o church_n and_o to_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o if_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n much_o more_o to_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n this_o be_v prove_v revel_n 1.11_o what_o thou_o see_v write_v in_o a_o book_n and_o send_v it_o to_o the_o seven_o church_n which_o be_v in_o asia_n and_o also_o by_o the_o epiphonema_n of_o every_o epistle_n he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o church_n upon_o which_o word_n ambrose_n ausbertus_n in_o his_o second_o book_n upon_o the_o revelation_n say_v thus_o unâ_fw-la eadâ—mque_fw-la locutione_n &_o angelos_n &_o ecclesias_fw-la â—num_fw-la esse_fw-la designat_fw-la nam_fw-la cum_fw-la in_o principio_fw-la locutionum_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la sepâ—em_fw-la fiunt_fw-la angelos_n dicat_fw-la &_o angelo_n illius_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la scribe_n in_o â—ine_o tamen_fw-la carundem_fw-la non_fw-la dicit_fw-la qui_fw-la habet_fw-la aurem_fw-la audiat_fw-la quod_fw-la spiritus_fw-la dicat_fw-la angelo_n sed_fw-la quid_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la dicat_fw-la by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o phrase_n of_o speech_n he_o show_v the_o angel_n and_o the_o church_n to_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o whereas_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o speech_n which_o he_o make_v to_o the_o seven_o church_n he_o say_v and_o write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o in_o the_o close_a of_o the_o same_o he_o do_v not_o say_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o angel_n but_o what_o he_o say_v to_o the_o church_n and_o this_o be_v further_a prove_v by_o the_o whole_a argument_n of_o those_o epistle_n wherein_o the_o admonitionâ—_n threaten_n commendation_n and_o reproof_n be_v direct_v to_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o all_o the_o church_n revel_v 2.10_o the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n etc._n etc._n rev._n 2.16_o i_o will_v fight_v against_o they_o with_o the_o sword_n of_o my_o mouth_n rev._n 2.24_o i_o will_v put_v upon_o you_o no_o other_o burden_n etc._n etc._n i_o say_v unto_o you_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatira_n as_o many_o as_o have_v not_o this_o doctrine_n and_o which_o have_v not_o know_v the_o depth_n of_o satan_n etc._n etc._n and_o when_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o it_o be_v often_o i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o thy_o labour_n etc._n etc._n vers_fw-la 2._o &_o vers_fw-la 4._o repent_v and_o do_v thy_o first_o work_n and_o verse_n 13._o thou_o have_v not_o deny_v my_o faith_n etc._n etc._n and_o cap._n 3.26_o because_o thou_o be_v neither_o hot_a nor_o cold_a etc._n etc._n all_o these_o and_o the_o like_a place_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o mean_v of_o one_o individual_a person_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o minister_n and_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n because_o that_o the_o punishment_n threaten_v be_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n revel_v 2.5_o repent_v and_o do_v thy_o first_o work_n or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o remove_v thy_o candlestick_n out_o of_o his_o place_n rev._n 2.16_o repent_v or_o else_o i_o will_v come_v unto_o thou_o quick_o and_o will_v fight_v against_o they_o with_o the_o sword_n of_o my_o mouth_n revel_v 2.24_o i_o will_v not_o put_v upon_o you_o any_o other_o burden_n now_o we_o have_v no_o warrant_n in_o the_o word_n to_o think_v that_o christ_n will_v remove_v his_o gospel_n from_o a_o church_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o one_o bishop_n when_o all_o the_o other_o minister_n and_o the_o church_n themselves_o be_v free_a from_o those_o sin_n and_o if_o god_n shall_v take_v this_o course_n in_o what_o woeful_a and_o miserable_a condition_n shall_v the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v which_o groan_v under_o so_o many_o corrupt_a prelate_n by_o all_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o proper_o but_o figurative_o and_o this_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o master_n perkins_n upon_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o of_o master_n brightman_n and_o of_o doctor_n fulke_n who_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o rhemist_n in_o apoc._n 1.20_o have_v these_o word_n s._n john_n by_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n mean_v not_o all_o that_o shall_v wear_v on_o their_o head_n mitre_n and_o hold_v crosier_n staff_n in_o their_o hand_n like_o dead_a idol_n but_o they_o that_o be_v the_o faithful_a messenger_n of_o god_n word_n and_o utter_v and_o declare_v the_o same_o again_o they_o be_v call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n because_o they_o be_v god_n messenger_n master_n fox_n likewise_o in_o his_o meditation_n upon_o the_o revelation_n pag._n 7_o 9.17â—_n be_v of_o this_o
opinion_n and_o have_v gather_v to_o our_o hand_n the_o opinion_n of_o all_o interpreter_n he_o can_v meet_v and_o say_v that_o they_o all_o consent_n in_o this_o that_o under_o the_o person_n of_o a_o angel_n the_o pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n be_v understand_v saint_n austin_n in_o his_o 132._o epistle_n say_v thus_o sic_fw-la enim_fw-la in_o apocalypsi_fw-la legitur_fw-la angelus_n etc._n etc._n quod_fw-la si_fw-la de_fw-la angelo_fw-la superiorum_fw-la coelorum_fw-la &_o non_fw-fr de_fw-fr praepositis_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la vellet_fw-la intelligi_fw-la none_o consequenter_fw-la diceret_fw-la habeo_fw-la adversum_fw-la te_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o so_o in_o his_o second_o homily_n upon_o the_o revelation_n if_o that_o book_n be_v his_o quod_fw-la autem_fw-la dicit_fw-la angelo_fw-la thyatiraeâ—_n â—_z habeo_fw-la adversum_fw-la te_fw-la pauca_fw-la dicit_fw-la praepositis_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la etc._n etc._n this_o also_o gregory_n the_o great_a lib._n 34._o moralâ—_n in_o job_n cap._n 4._o saepè_fw-la sacrum_fw-la scripturam_fw-la prâ—dicatores_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la pro_fw-la eo_fw-la quod_fw-la patris_fw-la gloriam_fw-la annunciant_fw-la angelorum_fw-la nomine_fw-la solere_fw-la de_fw-la signare_fw-la &_o hinc_fw-la esse_fw-la quod_fw-la johannes_n in_o apocalypsi_fw-la septem_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la scribens_fw-la angelis_fw-la ecclesiaâ—um_fw-la loquor_fw-la id_fw-la â—st_fw-la praedicatoribus_fw-la populorum_fw-la master_n fox_n cit_v primasius_n haymo_n beda_n richard_n thomas_n and_o other_o to_o who_o we_o refer_v you_o if_o it_o be_v here_o demand_v as_o it_o be_v much_o by_o the_o hierarchicall_a side_n that_o if_o by_o angel_n be_v mean_v the_o whole_a company_n oâ—_n presbyter_n why_o christ_n do_v not_o say_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n but_o to_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o singular_a we_o answer_v that_o though_o this_o question_n may_v savour_v of_o a_o little_a too_o much_o curiosity_n yet_o we_o will_v make_v bold_a to_o subjoin_v three_o conjectural_a reason_n of_o this_o phrase_n of_o speech_n first_o it_o be_v so_o use_v in_o this_o place_n because_o it_o be_v the_o common_a language_n of_o other_o scripture_n in_o type_n and_o vision_n to_o set_v down_o a_o certain_a number_n for_o a_o uncertain_a and_o the_o singular_a number_n for_o the_o purall_a thus_o the_o ram_n dan._n 8.3_o be_v interpret_v vers_fw-la 20._o to_o be_v the_o king_n of_o media_n and_o persia_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n church_n be_v set_v out_o by_o four_o hoâ—nes_n and_o the_o deliverer_n by_o four_o carpenter_n zach._n 1.18_o 20._o and_o the_o wise_a and_o foolish_a virgin_n be_v say_v to_o be_v five_o wise_a and_o five_o foolish_a and_o many_o such_o like_a and_o therefore_o as_o we_o answer_v the_o papist_n when_o they_o demand_v why_o christ_n if_o he_o mean_v figurative_o when_o he_o say_v this_o be_v my_o body_n do_v not_o speak_v in_o plain_a language_n this_o be_v the_o sign_n of_o my_o body_n we_o say_v that_o this_o phrase_n of_o speech_n be_v proper_a to_o all_o sacrament_n so_o we_o also_o answer_v here_o this_o phrase_n of_o speech_n angel_n for_o angel_n be_v common_a to_o all_o type_n and_o vision_n second_o angel_n be_v put_v though_o more_o be_v mean_v that_o so_o it_o may_v hold_v proportion_n with_o the_o vision_n which_o john_n sawâ—_n chap_n 1.12.20_o he_o see_v seven_o golden_a candlestick_n and_o seven_o star_n and_o therefore_o to_o hold_v proportion_n the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o seven_o angel_n and_o to_o seven_o church_n and_o this_o be_v call_v a_o mystery_n revel_v 1.20_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o seven_o star_n etc._n etc._n now_o a_o mystery_n be_v a_o secret_a which_o comprehend_v more_o than_o be_v express_v and_o therefore_o though_o but_o one_o angel_n be_v express_v yet_o the_o mystery_n imply_v all_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n three_o to_o signify_v their_o unity_n in_o the_o ministerial_a function_n and_o joint_a commission_n to_o attend_v upon_o the_o feed_n and_o govern_v of_o one_o church_n with_o one_o common_a care_n as_o it_o be_v with_o one_o hand_n and_o heart_n and_o this_o be_v more_o fit_o declare_v by_o the_o name_n of_o one_o angel_n then_o of_o many_o we_o often_o find_v the_o name_n of_o one_o prophet_n or_o priest_n to_o be_v put_v for_o the_o general_a body_n of_o the_o ministry_n or_o whole_a multitude_n of_o prophet_n or_o priest_n in_o the_o church_n of_o israel_n or_o judah_n when_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n intend_v to_o reprove_v threaten_v or_o admonish_v they_o thus_o it_o be_v jere._n 6.13.18.18_o isa._n 3.2_o hos._n 9.8_o ezek._n 7.26_o hos._n 4.6_o mal._n 2.7_o neither_o shall_v it_o seem_v strange_a that_o a_o multitude_n or_o company_n of_o minister_n shall_v be_v understand_v under_o the_o name_n of_o one_o angel_n see_v a_o multitude_n of_o heavenly_a angel_n employ_v in_o one_o service_n for_o the_o good_a of_o god_n saint_n be_v sometime_o in_o the_o scripture_n shut_v up_o under_o one_o angel_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o gen._n â—4_n 7_o 2_o king_n 19.35_o psal._n 34.7_o compare_v with_o psalm_n 91.11_o gen._n 32.1.2_o king_n 6.16_o 17._o and_o also_o a_o multitude_n of_o devil_n or_o evil_a angel_n joint_o labour_v in_o any_o one_o work_n be_v set_v forth_o under_o the_o name_n of_o one_o evil_a or_o unclean_a spirit_n 1_o king_n 22.21_o 22._o mark_n 1_o 23_o 24._o markâ—_n 5.2.9_o luke_n 4.33_o 34._o luk._n 8.27.30_o 1_o pet._n 5.8_o heb._n 2.14_o ephes._n 6.11.12_o but_o now_o let_v we_o suppose_v which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v take_v individual_o for_o one_o particular_a person_n as_o doctor_n reynolds_n seem_v to_o interpret_v it_o together_o with_o master_n beza_n yet_o nevertheless_o there_o will_v nothing_o follow_v out_o of_o this_o acception_n that_o will_v any_o way_n make_v for_o the_o uphold_v of_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n with_o sole_a power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n as_o a_o distinct_a superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o this_o appear_v first_o because_o it_o never_o be_v yet_o prove_v nor_o ever_o will_v as_o we_o conceive_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v diocesan_n bishop_n consider_v that_o parish_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o diocese_n in_o s._n johns_n day_n and_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v say_v to_o be_v fix_v in_o their_o seven_o candlestick_n or_o church_n not_o one_o star_n over_o divers_a candlestick_n neither_o can_v those_o church_n be_v think_v to_o be_v diocesan_n when_o not_o only_a tindall_n and_o the_o old_a translation_n call_v they_o seven_o congregation_n but_o we_o read_v also_o act_v 20._o that_o at_o ephesus_n which_o be_v one_o of_o those_o candlestick_n there_o be_v but_o one_o flock_n and_o second_o we_o further_o find_v that_o in_o ephesus_n one_o of_o those_o seven_o church_n there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n which_o be_v all_o call_v bishop_n act_n 20.28_o and_o we_o find_v no_o colour_n of_o any_o superintendency_n or_o superiority_n of_o one_o bishop_n over_o another_o to_o they_o in_o general_a the_o church_n be_v commit_v to_o be_v feed_v by_o they_o without_o any_o respect_n have_v to_o timothy_n who_o stand_v at_o his_o elbow_n and_o have_v be_v with_o he_o in_o macedonia_n and_o be_v now_o wait_v upon_o he_o to_o jerusalem_n this_o be_v also_o confirm_v by_o epiphanius_n who_o write_v of_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o meletian_o say_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n this_o be_v peculiar_a to_o alexandria_n that_o it_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n whereas_o other_o city_n have_v two_o and_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o cypress_n may_v well_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n which_o be_v so_o nigh_o unto_o he_o three_o there_o be_v nothing_o say_v in_o the_o seven_o epistle_n that_o imply_v any_o superiority_n or_o majority_n of_o rule_n or_o power_n that_o these_o angel_n have_v over_o the_o other_o angel_n that_o be_v join_v with_o they_o in_o their_o church_n it_o be_v write_v indeed_o in_o commendation_n of_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n that_o he_o can_v not_o bear_v they_o that_o be_v evil_a and_o that_o he_o have_v try_v they_o which_o say_v they_o be_v apostle_n and_o be_v not_o &_o have_v find_v they_o liar_n and_o it_o be_v speak_v in_o dispraise_n of_o the_o angel_n of_o pergamus_n that_o he_o suffer_v they_o which_o hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o balaam_n etc._n etc._n but_o these_o thing_n be_v common_a duty_n requirable_a at_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o minister_n who_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o soul_n but_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v some_o superiority_n and_o preeminency_n insinuate_v by_o this_o individual_a angel_n yet_o who_o know_v not_o that_o there_o be_v divers_a kind_n of_o superiority_n to_o wit_n of_o order_n of_o dignity_n of_o gift_n and_o part_n or_o in_o degree_n of_o ministry_n or_o in_o charge_n of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o how_o will_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o
again_o we_o read_v of_o elder_a and_o elder_n presbyter_n and_o senior_n in_o one_o church_n both_o those_o passage_n be_v upon_o record_n in_o the_o public_a act_n which_o be_v more_o full_o set_v down_o by_o baronius_n ao._n 303._o num._n 15.16_o 17._o as_o also_o by_o albaspineus_n in_o his_o edition_n of_o optatus_n in_o which_o act_v the_o senior_n be_v often_o mention_v in_o that_o famous_a relation_n of_o the_o purge_n of_o cecilianus_n and_o felix_n there_o be_v a_o copy_n of_o a_o letter_n fratribus_fw-la &_o filiis_fw-la clero_fw-la &_o senioribus_fw-la fortis_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la aeternam_fw-la salutem_fw-la another_o letter_n be_v mention_v a_o little_a before_o clericis_fw-la &_o senioribus_fw-la cirthensium_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la aeternum_fw-la salutem_fw-la these_o senior_n be_v interest_v in_o affair_n concern_v the_o church_n as_o be_v the_o man_n by_o who_o advice_n they_o be_v manage_v the_o letter_n of_o purpurius_n to_o silvanus_n say_v adhibete_fw-la conclâ—ricos_fw-la &_o seniores_fw-la plebis_fw-la ecclesiasticos_fw-la viros_fw-la &_o inquirant_fw-la quae_fw-la sunt_fw-la ista_fw-la dissensiones_fw-la ut_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la sunt_fw-la secundum_fw-la fidei_fw-la praecepta_fw-la fiant_fw-la where_o we_o see_v the_o joint_a power_n of_o these_o senior_n with_o the_o clergy_n in_o order_v ecclesiastical_a affair_n that_o by_o their_o wisdom_n and_o care_n peace_n may_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o church_n for_o which_o cause_n these_o senior_n be_v call_v ecclesiastical_a man_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o clergy_n man_n they_o be_v mention_v again_o afterward_o by_o maximus_n say_v loquor_fw-la nomine_fw-la seniorum_n populi_n christiani_n greg._n mag._n distinguish_v they_o also_o from_o the_o clergy_n tabellarium_fw-la cum_fw-la consensu_fw-la seniorum_n &_o cleri_fw-la memineris_fw-la ordinandum_fw-la these_o senior_n have_v power_n to_o reprove_v offender_n otherwise_o why_o shall_v augustine_n say_v cum_fw-la ob_fw-la errorem_fw-la aliquem_fw-la à _fw-la senioribus_fw-la arguuntur_fw-la &_o imputatur_fw-la alicui_fw-la cur_n ebrius_fw-la fuerit_fw-la dom._n cur_n res_fw-la alienas_fw-la pervaserit_fw-la etc._n etc._n when_o they_o be_v by_o the_o elder_n reprove_v for_o their_o error_n and_o drunkenness_n be_v lay_v to_o a_o man_n charge_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o senior_n to_o have_v the_o cognizance_n of_o delinquent_n and_o to_o reprove_v they_o 2._o the_o same_o augustine_n in_o psalm_n 36._o necesse_fw-la nos_fw-la fuerat_fw-la primianicausam_fw-la quem_fw-la etc._n etc._n seniorun_n literis_fw-la ejusdem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la postulantibus_fw-la audire_fw-la be_v request_v by_o letter_n from_o the_o senior_n of_o that_o church_n it_o be_v needful_a for_o i_o to_o hear_v the_o the_o cause_n of_o primian_n etc._n etc._n so_o again_o optatus_n who_o mention_v a_o persecution_n that_o do_v for_o a_o while_n scatter_v the_o church_n say_v erant_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ex_fw-la auro_fw-la &_o argento_fw-la quam_fw-la plurima_fw-la ornamenta_fw-la quae_fw-la nec_fw-la defodere_fw-la terrae_fw-la nec_fw-la secum_fw-la portare_fw-la poterat_fw-la quare_fw-la fidelibus_fw-la senioribus_fw-la commendavit_fw-la albaspinâ—us_n that_o learned_a antiquary_n on_o that_o place_n acknowledge_v that_o beside_o the_o clergy_n there_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o people_n man_n of_o approve_a life_n that_o do_v tend_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n of_o who_o this_o place_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o all_o these_o testimony_n it_o be_v apparent_a first_o that_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n there_o be_v some_o call_v senior_n second_o that_o these_o senior_n be_v not_o clergy_n man_n three_o that_o they_o have_v a_o stroke_n in_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o manage_v the_o affair_n thereof_o four_o that_o senior_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n 32._o neither_o wouâ—d_v we_o desire_v to_o choose_v any_o other_o judge_n in_o this_o whole_a controversy_n than_o who_o himself_o constitute_v foreign_a divine_n take_v the_o general_a suffrage_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o of_o particular_a man_n as_o for_o the_o learned_a spanhemius_fw-la who_o he_o produce_v though_o we_o give_v he_o the_o deserve_a honour_n of_o a_o worthy_a man_n yet_o we_o think_v it_o too_o much_o to_o speak_v of_o he_o as_o if_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o geneva_n be_v incorporate_v into_o he_o as_o this_o remonstrant_a do_v and_o for_o spanhemius_fw-la himself_o we_o may_v true_o say_v in_o the_o place_n cite_v he_o deliver_v a_o compliment_n rather_o than_o his_o judgement_n which_o in_o dedicatory_a epistle_n be_v not_o unusual_a we_o know_v that_o reverend_a calvin_n and_o learned_a beza_n have_v say_v as_o much_o upon_o occasion_n in_o their_o epistle_n and_o yet_o the_o christian_a world_n know_v their_o judgement_n be_v to_o the_o contrary_n little_a reason_n therefore_o have_v this_o remonstrant_a 33._o to_o declaim_v against_o all_o such_o as_o speak_v against_o this_o government_n as_o unlawful_a 33._o with_o the_o term_n of_o ignorant_a and_o spiteful_a sectary_n because_o they_o call_v the_o government_n unlawful_a have_v they_o proceed_v further_a to_o call_v it_o antichristian_a which_o he_o charge_v upon_o they_o they_o have_v say_v no_o more_o than_o what_o our_o ear_n have_v hear_v some_o of_o their_o principal_a agent_n their_o legati_fw-la à _fw-la latere_fw-la speak_v public_o in_o their_o visitation_n that_o how_o ever_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v as_o sound_v and_o orthodox_n in_o her_o doctrine_n as_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n duck_n yet_o in_o our_o discipline_n and_o government_n we_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o amount_v to_o asmuch_o as_o to_o say_v the_o government_n be_v antichristian_a unless_o they_o will_v say_v the_o government_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o so_o nor_o the_o pope_n antichrist_n sect_n xvi_o now_o our_o remonstrant_n begin_v to_o leave_v his_o dispute_n for_o the_o office_n and_o flow_v into_o the_o large_a praâ—ses_n of_o the_o person_n and_o what_o be_v want_v in_o his_o argument_n for_o the_o place_n think_v to_o make_v up_o in_o his_o encomiastics_n of_o the_o person_n that_o have_v possess_v that_o place_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o religious_a bishop_n of_o all_o time_n be_v and_o have_v be_v they_o that_o have_v strong_o uphold_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n against_o satan_n and_o his_o antichrist_n it_o be_v well_o he_o set_v this_o crown_n only_o upon_o the_o head_n of_o religious_a bishop_n as_o know_v that_o there_o be_v and_o have_v be_v some_o irreligious_a one_o 34._o that_o have_v as_o strong_o uphold_v satan_n and_o his_o antichrist_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n but_o the_o religious_a bishop_n be_v they_o that_o have_v all_o time_n uphold_v the_o truth_n what_o they_o and_o only_o they_o do_v never_o any_o uphold_v the_o truth_n but_o a_o religious_a bishop_n do_v never_o any_o religious_a minister_n or_o professor_n preach_v or_o write_v or_o die_v to_o uphold_v the_o truth_n but_o a_o religious_a bishop_n if_o so_o then_o there_o be_v some_o persuasive_a strength_n in_o that_o he_o say_v and_o a_o credulous_a man_n may_v be_v induce_v â—o_o think_v if_o bishop_n go_v down_o truth_n will_v go_v down_o too_o but_o if_o we_o can_v produce_v for_o one_o bishop_n many_o other_o that_o give_v be_v valiant_a for_o the_o truth_n this_o rhethoricall_a insinuation_n will_v contribute_v no_o great_a help_n to_o their_o establishment_n nor_o indeed_o any_o at_o all_o unless_o he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v this_o good_a of_o our_o time_n as_o well_o as_o of_o all_o other_o 35._o which_o he_o assay_v for_o say_v he_o even_o among_o our_o own_o how_o many_o of_o the_o reverend_a &_o learned_a father_n of_o the_o church_n now_o live_v 2_o have_v spend_v their_o spirit_n &_o wear_v out_o their_o life_n in_o the_o powerful_a opposition_n of_o that_o man_n of_o sin_n how_o many_o i_o sir_n we_o will_v fain_o know_v how_o many_o that_o there_o be_v some_o that_o have_v stand_v up_o to_o bear_v witness_n against_o that_o man_n of_o sin_n we_o acknowledge_v with_o all_o due_a respect_n to_o the_o learning_n and_o worth_n of_o their_o person_n but_o that_o their_o episcopal_a dignity_n have_v add_v either_o any_o flame_n to_o their_o zeal_n or_o any_o nerve_n to_o their_o ability_n we_o can_v believe_v nor_o can_v we_o think_v they_o will_v have_v do_v less_o in_o that_o cause_n though_o they_o have_v be_v no_o bishop_n but_o what_o if_o this_o be_v true_a of_o some_o bishop_n in_o the_o kingdom_n be_v it_o true_a of_o all_o be_v there_o not_o some_o that_o have_v spend_v their_o spirit_n in_o the_o opposition_n of_o christ_n as_o other_o have_v in_o the_o opposition_n of_o antichrist_n &_o be_v there_o none_o but_o zealous_a religious_a prelate_n in_o the_o kingdom_n be_v there_o none_o upon_o who_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o may_v meritorious_o be_v charge_v 35._o which_o other_o have_v convince_o and_o