in_o the_o town_n of_o kirkwall_n the_o superintendent_n of_o rosse_n his_o dioecesse_n shall_v comprehend_v rosse_n sutherland_n murray_n and_o the_o north_n isle_n call_v the_o sky_n and_o lewes_n with_o their_o adjacent_n his_o residence_n shall_v be_v the_o canonry_n of_o rosse_n the_o superintendent_n of_o argile_n his_o dioecesse_n shall_v be_v argile_n kintire_n lorne_n the_o south_n isle_n argile_n and_o boot_n with_o their_o adjacent_n his_o residence_n be_v at_o argile_n the_o like_a of_o the_o superintendent_n of_o aberdene_n the_o superintendent_n of_o breckin_n the_o superintendent_n of_o fife_n the_o superintendent_n of_o edinburgh_n the_o superintendent_n of_o jedburgh_n the_o superintendent_n of_o glasgow_n the_o superintendent_n of_o dumfreys_n all_o of_o they_o bound_v with_o their_o several_a jurisdiction_n which_o who_o desire_v to_o know_v particular_o may_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o learned_a discourse_n of_o d_o lindsey_n than_o bishop_n of_o brechen_fw-ge concern_v the_o proceed_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o perth_n where_o he_o shall_v also_o find_v the_o particularity_n of_o the_o function_n and_o power_n of_o these_o superintendent_o among_o the_o rest_n these_o that_o they_o have_v power_n to_o plant_v and_o erect_v church_n to_o set_v order_n and_o appoint_v minister_n in_o their_o country_n that_o after_o they_o have_v remain_v in_o their_o chief_a town_n three_o or_o four_o month_n they_o shall_v enter_v into_o their_o visitation_n in_o which_o they_o shall_v not_o only_o preach_v but_o examine_v the_o life_n diligence_n and_o behaviour_n of_o the_o minister_n as_o also_o they_o shall_v try_v the_o estate_n of_o their_o church_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n they_o must_v consider_v how_o the_o poor_a be_v provide_v and_o the_o youth_n instruct_v they_o must_v admonish_v where_o admonition_n need_v and_o redress_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v able_a to_o appease_v they_o must_v note_v such_o crime_n as_o be_v heinous_a that_o by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n the_o same_o may_v be_v correct_v and_o now_o what_o main_a difference_n i_o beseech_v you_o can_v you_o find_v betwixt_o the_o office_n of_o these_o superintendent_o and_o the_o present_a bishop_n how_o come_v it_o then_o about_o that_o the_o wind_n be_v thus_o change_v that_o those_o church-governors_n which_o your_o own_o reformer_n with_o full_a consent_n allow_v and_o set_v down_o a_o order_n for_o their_o election_n in_o your_o constitution_n before_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n in_o meeter_n shall_v now_o be_v cashier_v there_o and_o then_o m._n knox_n himself_o who_o name_n you_o profess_v to_o honour_n by_o the_o public_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n conceive_v public_a prayer_n for_o m._n john_n spotteswood_n then_o admit_v superintendent_n of_o lothian_n in_o these_o word_n o_o lord_n send_v upon_o this_o our_o brother_n unto_o who_o we_o do_v in_o thy_o name_n commit_v the_o chief_a charge_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o division_n of_o lothian_n such_o a_o portion_n of_o thy_o holy_a spirit_n as_o that_o etc._n etc._n and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n bless_v his_o new_a superintendent_n thus_o god_n that_o have_v call_v thou_o to_o the_o office_n of_o a_o watchman_n over_o his_o people_n multiply_v the_o gift_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o thou_o etc._n etc._n now_o i_o beseech_v you_o how_o be_v this_o superintendency_n lose_v that_o which_o be_v then_o both_o lawful_a and_o useful_a and_o confess_v for_o no_o other_o than_o a_o call_n from_o god_n be_v it_o now_o become_v sinful_a and_o odious_a be_v we_o become_v so_o much_o wise_a and_o more_o zealous_a than_o our_o first_o reformer_n as_o there_o be_v distance_n betwixt_o a_o superintendent_n and_o no_o bishop_n but_o what_o be_v it_o the_o stroke_n the_o bishop_n have_v in_o government_n and_o their_o seat_n in_o parliament_n which_o be_v so_o great_a a_o eyesore_n let_v i_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n that_o your_o great_a patron_n of_o your_o desire_a discipline_n have_v strong_o motion_v a_o ecclesiastical_a commission_n for_o the_o overlook_a and_o overrule_a your_o consistory_n and_o even_o when_o they_o will_v have_v bishop_n exclude_v both_o out_o of_o those_o comitiall_a session_n mot._n move_v also_o to_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o counsel_n in_o q_o eliz._n time_n by_o the_o humble_a mot._n and_o out_o of_o the_o church_n yet_o have_v move_v such_o be_v beza_n device_n long_o since_o for_o scotland_n that_o in_o the_o place_n of_o bishop_n there_o may_v be_v present_a in_o the_o parliamenthouse_n some_o wise_a and_o grave_a minister_n of_o special_a gift_n and_o learning_n sort_v out_o of_o all_o the_o land_n to_o yield_v their_o counsel_n according_a to_o god_n heavenly_a law_n even_o as_o the_o civil_a judge_n be_v ready_a to_o give_v their_o advice_n according_a to_o the_o temporal_a law_n and_o for_o matter_n of_o great_a difficulty_n what_o a_o world_n be_v this_o grave_a and_o wise_a minister_n and_o yet_o no_o bishop_n do_v our_o episcopacy_n either_o abolish_v our_o ministry_n or_o detract_v aught_o from_o wisdom_n and_o gravity_n away_o with_o this_o absurd_a partiality_n but_o these_o must_v be_v to_o advise_v not_o to_o vote_n in_o any_o case_n beware_v of_o that_o where_o then_o be_v the_o three_o estate_n beza_n counsel_n we_o see_v be_v yet_o alive_a but_o it_o come_v not_o home_n to_o the_o purpose_n welfare_n that_o bold_a supplicator_n to_o q._n elizabeth_n which_o move_v that_o four_o and_o twenty_o doctor_n of_o divinity_n to_o be_v call_v by_o such_o name_n as_o shall_v please_v her_o highness_n may_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o parliament_n house_n and_o have_v their_o voice_n there_o instead_o of_o the_o bishop_n o_o impotent_a envy_n of_o poor_a humorist_n doctor_n but_o no_o bishop_n any_o man_n any_o name_n but_o they_o the_o old_a word_n be_v love_n creep_v where_o it_o can_v go_v how_o much_o be_v we_o behold_v to_o these_o kind_a friend_n who_o be_v so_o desirous_a to_o ease_v we_o of_o these_o unproper_a secularity_n even_o we_o at_o home_n can_v nibble_n at_o these_o as_o they_o think_v ill-placed_a honour_n and_o service_n you_o go_v alas_o too_o roundly_o to_o work_v strike_v at_o the_o root_n of_o their_o episcopacy_n not_o prune_v off_o some_o superfluous_a twig_n of_o privilege_n &_o rather_o than_o not_o strike_v home_o not_o care_v who_o they_o hit_v in_o the_o way_n will_v god_n i_o may_v not_o say_v even_o the_o lord_n anoint_v who_o they_o verbal_o profess_v to_o honour_v at_o who_o sacred_a crown_n and_o sceptre_n if_o any_o of_o the_o son_n of_o belial_n among_o you_o do_v secret_o aim_v while_o they_o stalk_v under_o the_o pretence_n of_o opposition_n to_o episcopacy_n the_o god_n of_o heaven_n find_v they_o out_o and_o power_n upon_o they_o deserve_a confusion_n but_o for_o you_o alas_o brethren_n what_o hope_n can_v i_o conceive_v that_o these_o pre-judged_n paper_n can_v have_v any_o access_n to_o your_o eye_n much_o less_o to_o your_o heart_n my_o very_a title_n be_v bar_v too_o much_o but_o if_o any_o of_o you_o will_v have_v so_o much_o patience_n as_o to_o admit_v these_o line_n to_o your_o perusal_n i_o shall_v beseech_v he_o for_o god_n sake_n and_o for_o his_o own_o to_o be_v so_o far_o indifferent_a also_o as_o not_o upon_o groundless_a suggestion_n to_o abandon_v god_n truth_n and_o ordinance_n and_o out_o of_o mere_a opinion_n of_o the_o worth_n of_o some_o late_a author_n to_o adore_v a_o idol_n make_v of_o the_o earing_n of_o the_o people_n and_o fashion_v out_o with_o the_o grave_v tool_n of_o a_o suppose_a skilful_a aaron_n short_o after_o these_o poor_a well-meant_a howsoever_o i_o doubt_v ineffectual_a endeavour_n my_o prayer_n shall_v not_o be_v want_v for_o your_o comfortable_a peace_n loyal_a obedience_n perfect_a happiness_n oh_o that_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n will_v open_v your_o eye_n that_o you_o may_v see_v the_o truth_n and_o compare_v what_o you_o have_v do_v with_o what_o you_o shall_v do_v how_o soon_o will_v you_o find_v cause_n to_o retract_v your_o own_o decree_n and_o to_o re-establish_a that_o true_a ordinance_n of_o the_o live_a god_n which_o you_o have_v be_v mis-induced_n to_o abandon_v §._o 9_o a_o exhortary_n conclusion_n to_o our_o brethren_n at_o home_n and_o for_o you_o my_o dear_o belove_a brethren_n at_o home_n for_o christ_n sake_n for_o the_o church_n sake_n for_o your_o soul_n sake_n be_v exhort_v to_o hold_v fast_o to_o this_o holy_a institution_n of_o your_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o unerring_a apostle_n and_o bless_v god_n for_o episcopacy_n do_v but_o cast_v your_o eye_n a_o little_a back_n and_o see_v what_o noble_a instrument_n of_o god_n glory_n he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o raise_v up_o in_o this_o very_a church_n of_o we_o out_o of_o this_o sacred_a vocation_n what_o famous_a servant_n of_o god_n what_o strong_a champion_n of_o truth_n and_o renown_a antagonist_n of_o rome_n and_o her_o superstition_n what_o admirable_a preacher_n what_o incomparable_a writer_n yea_o what_o constant_a and_o undaunted_a martyr_n and_o confessor_n man_n that_o give_v their_o blood_n for_o the_o gospel_n and_o embrace_v their_o faggot_n flame_a which_o many_o gregarie_n professor_n hold_v enough_o to_o carry_v cold_a and_o painless_a to_o the_o wonder_n and_o gratulation_n of_o all_o foreign_a church_n and_o to_o the_o unparallelable_a glory_n of_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n i_o can_v fill_v this_o page_n with_o such_o a_o catalogue_n of_o they_o who_o be_v now_o in_o their_o heaven_n that_o come_v for_o the_o present_a to_o my_o thought_n beside_o those_o worthy_n yet_o live_v both_o here_o and_o in_o ireland_n who_o will_v be_v unwilling_a from_o my_o pen_n to_o blush_v at_o their_o own_o just_a praise_n as_o may_v just_o shame_v and_o silence_v any_o gaine-say_a after_o that_o a_o malicious_a libeler_n have_v spit_v out_o all_o his_o poison_n against_o episcopacy_n and_o rake_v together_o out_o of_o all_o history_n all_o the_o insolence_n and_o ill_a office_n which_o have_v in_o former_a age_n be_v do_v by_o profess_o popish_a prelate_n which_o do_v almost_o as_o much_o concern_v we_o as_o all_o the_o treason_n and_o murder_n of_o former_o malcontented_n person_n can_v concern_v he_o fain_o will_v i_o have_v he_o show_v i_o what_o christian_a church_n under_o heaven_n have_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n yield_v so_o many_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o many_o able_a and_o prevalent_a adversary_n of_o schism_n and_o antichristianisme_n so_o many_o eminent_a author_n of_o learned_a work_n which_o shall_v outbid_v time_n itself_o let_v envy_n grind_v her_o tooth_n and_o eat_v her_o heart_n the_o memory_n of_o these_o worthy_a prelate_n shall_v be_v ever_o sweet_a and_o bless_a neither_o doubt_v i_o but_o that_o it_o will_v please_v god_n out_o of_o the_o same_o rod_n of_o aaron_n still_o to_o raise_v such_o blossom_n and_o fruit_n as_o shall_v win_v he_o glory_n to_o all_o eternity_n go_v you_o on_o to_o honour_v these_o your_o reverend_a pastor_n to_o hate_v all_o factious_a withdrawing_n from_o that_o government_n which_o come_v the_o near_a of_o any_o church_n upon_o earth_n to_o the_o apostolical_a and_o that_o i_o may_v draw_v to_o conclusion_n for_o the_o far_a confirmation_n of_o your_o good_a opinion_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o your_o great_a britain_n hear_v what_o jacobus_n lectius_n 2._o jacob_n lectius_n prascriptionum_fw-la theologicarum_fw-la l._n 2._o nota._n 2._o the_o learned_a civilian_n of_o geneva_n in_o his_o theological_a prescription_n dedicate_v to_o the_o consul_n and_o senate_n of_o geneva_n say_v of_o they_o de_fw-fr episcoporum_fw-la autem_fw-la vestorum_fw-la vocatione_n etc._n etc._n as_o for_o the_o call_n of_o your_o bishop_n say_v he_o speak_v to_o his_o popish_a adversary_n other_o have_v accurate_o write_v thereof_o and_o we_o short_o say_v that_o they_o have_v a_o show_n of_o a_o ordinary_a ministry_n but_o not_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o those_o only_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v for_o true_a and_o legitimate_a which_o paul_n describe_v to_o we_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n cujusmodi_fw-la olim_fw-la in_o magno_fw-la illo_fw-la britanniarum_fw-la regno_fw-la extitisse_fw-la atque_fw-la etiamnum_fw-la superesse_fw-la subindeque_fw-la eligi_fw-la episcopos_fw-la non_fw-la diffitemur_fw-la such_o kind_n of_o bishop_n as_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o yield_v to_o have_v be_v of_o old_a and_o to_o be_v still_o at_o this_o day_n successive_o elect_v in_o the_o great_a kingdom_n of_o britain_n thus_o he_o when_o geneva_n itself_o plead_v for_o we_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v our_o own_o adversary_n let_v i_o therefore_o confident_o shut_v up_o all_o with_o that_o resolute_a word_n of_o that_o bless_a martyr_n and_o saint_n ignatius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n give_v respect_n to_o your_o bishop_n as_o you_o will_v god_n shall_v respect_v you_o my_o soul_n for_o they_o which_o obey_v their_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n god_n grant_v that_o my_o portion_n may_v be_v the_o same_o with_o they_o and_o let_v my_o soul_n have_v the_o same_o share_n with_o that_o bless_a martyr_n that_o say_v so_o amen_n finis_fw-la
the_o church_n 4_o paracle_n l._n 1._o c._n 4_o and_o her_o governor_n in_o the_o second_o their_o practice_n prescribe_v her_o government_n although_o as_o he_o add_v without_o book_n not_o without_o the_o church_n own_o consultation_n and_o consent_n which_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v make_v the_o more_o for_o we_o who_o ever_o since_o we_o be_v a_o church_n have_v consent_v to_o the_o apostle_n practice_n and_o constant_o use_v the_o same_o what_o do_v i_o stand_v upon_o this_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o cartwright_n himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n under_o their_o government_n draw_v a_o necessity_n §._o 9_o the_o three_o ground_n that_o the_o form_n ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v for_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a use_n three_o it_o be_v no_o less_o evident_a that_o the_o form_n which_o the_o apostle_n set_v and_o ordain_v for_o the_o govern_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o intend_v by_o they_o for_o that_o present_a time_n or_o place_n only_o but_o for_o continuance_n and_o succession_n for_o ever_o for_o no_o man_n i_o suppose_v can_v be_v so_o weak_a 4_o praecepta_fw-la ipsa_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la omnibus_fw-la in_o futurum_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la dictante_fw-la sp._n sancto_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la sco._n why_o paracle_n l._n 1._o c._n 4_o as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v personal_a local_a temporary_a as_o some_o dial_n or_o almanac_n that_o be_v make_v for_o some_o special_a meridian_n but_o as_o their_o office_n and_o charge_n so_o their_o rule_n be_v universal_a to_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o far_o and_o as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n last_v for_o what_o reason_n be_v there_o that_o crete_n or_o ephesus_n shall_v be_v otherwise_o provide_v for_o than_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o or_o what_o possibility_n to_o think_v that_o those_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v leave_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o christ_n church_n as_o the_o ostrich_n do_v her_o egg_n in_o the_o dust_n without_o any_o far_a care_n the_o extent_n and_o duration_n of_o any_o rule_n will_v best_o be_v measure_v as_o by_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o author_n so_o by_o the_o nature_n and_o use_v of_o it_o s._n paul_n intention_n be_v clear_o express_v for_o a_o continuance_n until_o the_o appear_a of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n 6.14_o 1_o tim._n 6.14_o as_o for_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o several_a direction_n they_o carry_v perpetuity_n and_o universality_n of_o use_n in_o the_o face_n of_o they_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n of_o their_o observation_n by_o all_o person_n concern_v and_o in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n why_o shall_v not_o every_o bishop_n be_v as_o unreprovable_a as_o a_o cretian_a or_o a_o ephesian_a why_o shall_v a_o accusation_n be_v receive_v against_o a_o elder_a upon_o more_o slender_a evidence_n in_o one_o place_n than_o another_o why_o shall_v there_o not_o be_v the_o same_o course_n take_v for_o ordination_n and_o censure_n in_o all_o age_n and_o church_n since_o the_o same_o thing_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v do_v every_o where_o in_o all_o age_n and_o church_n but_o why_o shall_v i_o strive_v for_o a_o grant_v truth_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o isle_n of_o crete_n and_o ephesus_n be_v but_o the_o pattern_n of_o other_o church_n and_o timothy_n and_o titus_n of_o other_o faithful_a overseer_n if_o therefore_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o episcopacy_n so_o state_v as_o we_o have_v express_v be_v in_o these_o person_n and_o church_n order_v and_o settle_v by_o apostolical_a direction_n it_o must_v necessary_o be_v yield_v to_o be_v of_o apostolic_a and_o therefore_o divine_a institution_n §._o 10._o the_o four_o ground_n that_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostolic_a time_n be_v a_o sure_a commentary_n upon_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o our_o best_a direction_n fourthly_o i_o must_v challenge_v it_o for_o a_o no_o less_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n be_v the_o best_a commentary_n upon_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o withal_o that_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o god_n church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n be_v next_o unto_o god_n word_n the_o best_a guide_n and_o direction_n for_o our_o carriage_n and_o form_n of_o administration_n the_o copartner_n and_o immediate_a successor_n of_o those_o bless_a man_n can_v best_a tell_v what_o they_o next_o before_o they_o do_v for_o who_o can_v better_a tell_v a_o man_n way_n or_o pace_n than_o he_o that_o follow_v he_o close_o at_o the_o heel_n and_o if_o particular_a man_n or_o church_n may_v mistake_v yet_o that_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christian_a man_n shall_v at_o once_o mistake_n that_o which_o be_v in_o their_o eye_n it_o be_v far_o more_o than_o utter_o improbable_a a_o truth_n which_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n any_o sober_a christian_n shall_v bogle_v at_o yet_o such_o there_o be_v to_o our_o grief_n and_o to_o the_o shame_n of_o this_o late_a giddy_a age_n even_o the_o great_a guide_n of_o their_o faction_n etc._n polit._n eccles_n l._n 2._o cap._n 7._o falsum_fw-la est_fw-la etc._n etc._n our_o mis-learned_n countryman_n parker_n the_o second_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la of_o our_o poor_a mislead_v brethren_n and_o some_o second_o of_o he_o stand_v peremptory_o and_o high_o upon_o the_o denial_n it_o be_v false_a say_v he_o that_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v of_o apostolic_a original_a and_o jeer_o soon_o after_o vniversa_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la praxis_fw-la &_o consensus_fw-la patrum_fw-la unica_fw-la hierarchicorum_fw-la helena_n est_fw-la the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n and_o consent_n of_o father_n say_v he_o be_v the_o only_a darling_n of_o the_o abettor_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n but_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n be_v no_o evidence_n hear_v now_o i_o beseech_v you_o my_o dear_a brethren_n all_o you_o who_o will_v pretend_v to_o any_o christian_a ingenuity_n and_o consider_v whether_o you_o have_v not_o reason_n to_o distrust_v such_o a_o leader_n as_o will_v persuade_v you_o to_o slight_a and_o reject_v the_o testimony_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o god_n upon_o earth_n from_o the_o first_o plantation_n of_o it_o to_o this_o present_a age_n and_o to_o cast_v yourselves_o upon_o the_o private_a opinion_n of_o himself_o and_o some_o few_o other_o man_n of_o yesterday_o sure_o in_o very_a matter_n of_o doctrine_n this_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o deep_o suspicious_a than_o foul_o odious_a if_o no_o man_n before_o luther_n and_o calvin_n have_v except_v against_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o differ_v from_o rome_n i_o shall_v have_v hate_v to_o follow_v they_o how_o much_o more_o must_v this_o need_v hold_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n judge_n what_o a_o shame_n it_o be_v to_o hear_v a_o christian_a divine_v careless_o shake_v off_o all_o argument_n draw_v from_o antiquity_n continuance_n perpetual_a succession_n in_o and_o from_o apostolic_a church_n unanimous_a consent_n universal_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n immediate_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o either_o popish_a or_o nothing_o and_o all_o these_o be_v acknowledge_v for_o our_o ground_n and_o be_v not_o popish_a for_o i_o i_o profess_v i_o can_v not_o without_o blush_v and_o astonishment_n read_v such_o stuff_n as_o confound_v in_o myself_o to_o see_v that_o any_o son_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v not_o only_o so_o rebellious_o unnatural_a to_o his_o holy_a mother_n as_o to_o broach_v so_o putrid_a a_o doctrine_n to_o her_o utter_a disparagement_n but_o so_o contumelious_a also_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n for_o the_o dear_a spouse_n of_o his_o saviour_n here_o upon_o earth_n holy_a jrenaeus_fw-la haeres_fw-la iren._n l._n 4._o contr_n haeres_fw-la i_o be_o sure_a be_v of_o another_o mind_n agnitio_fw-la vera_fw-la say_v he_o the_o true_a acknowledgement_n be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n &_o antiquus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la status_fw-la and_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n by_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o church_n which_o be_v in_o every_o place_n and_o then_o while_o we_o have_v both_o these_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n second_v by_o the_o ancient_a state_n of_o the_o church_n who_o can_v outface_v we_o what_o mean_v then_o this_o wilful_a and_o peevish_a stupidity_n nihil_fw-la pro_fw-la apostolico_fw-la habendum_fw-la 7._o ibid._n l._n 2._o c._n 7._o nothing_o say_v parker_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v for_o apostolic_a but_o that_o which_o be_v find_v record_v in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n nothing_o be_v all_o
other_o than_o to_o snatch_v the_o reins_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o skilful_a coachman_n and_o either_o to_o lay_v they_o loose_v on_o the_o horse_n neck_n or_o to_o deliver_v they_o to_o the_o hand_n of_o some_o ignorant_a and_o unskilful_a lackey_n that_o run_v along_o by_o they_o but_o of_o this_o point_n more_o elsewhere_o my_o zeal_n and_o my_o respect_n to_o the_o church_n abroad_o and_o my_o care_n and_o pity_n of_o many_o seduce_a soul_n at_o home_n have_v draw_v i_o on_o far_a in_o this_o discourse_n than_o i_o mean_v for_o who_o can_v endure_v to_o see_v simple_a and_o well_o meaning_n christian_n abuse_v with_o the_o false_a colour_n of_o conformity_n with_o other_o church_n when_o there_o be_v apparent_o more_o distance_n in_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o difference_n than_o in_o the_o place_n of_o their_o situation_n be_v wise_a my_o dear_a brethren_n and_o suffer_v not_o yourselves_o to_o be_v cheat_v of_o the_o truth_n by_o the_o mis-zealous_a suggestion_n of_o partiall-teacher_n reserve_v your_o heart_n free_a for_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o scripture_n and_o right_a reason_n which_o shall_v in_o this_o discourse_n offer_v to_o shine_v into_o your_o soul_n for_o you_o sir_n fu_fw-la friar_fw-la confess_v unless_o you_o can_v in_o truth_n deny_v it_o that_o you_o go_v alone_o and_o that_o you_o have_v reason_n absolute_o to_o quit_v all_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o patrocination_n of_o other_o church_n which_o you_o may_v seem_v to_o challenge_v from_o their_o example_n and_o practice_n for_o now_o that_o i_o have_v get_v you_o alone_o i_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o take_v you_o to_o task_n and_o do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o almighty_a god_n vehement_o urge_v and_o challenge_v you_o to_o maintain_v if_o by_o any_o skill_n or_o pretence_n you_o may_v your_o own_o act_n of_o the_o condemnation_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o your_o penitent_a submission_n to_o a_o presbyterial_a government_n wherein_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o i_o shall_v convince_v you_o of_o a_o high_a and_o irreparable_a injury_n do_v by_o you_o to_o god_n his_o ordinance_n and_o his_o church_n §_o 6._o the_o project_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o treatise_n follow_v for_o the_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a performance_n whereof_o i_o shall_v only_o need_v to_o make_v good_a these_o two_o main_a point_n first_o that_o episcopacy_n such_o as_o you_o have_v renounce_v even_o that_o which_o imply_v a_o fix_a superiority_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v not_o only_o a_o holy_a and_o lawful_a but_o a_o divine_a institution_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v abdicate_v without_o a_o manifest_a violation_n of_o god_n ordinance_n second_o that_o the_o presbyterian_a government_n so_o constitute_v as_o you_o have_v now_o submit_v to_o it_o however_o venditate_v under_o the_o glorious_a name_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n and_o ordinance_n by_o those_o specious_a and_o gloze_a term_n to_o bewitch_n the_o ignorant_a multitude_n and_o to_o ensnare_v their_o conscience_n have_v no_o true_a foot_n either_o in_o scripture_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n from_o christ_n time_n to_o the_o present_a that_o i_o may_v clear_o evince_v these_o two_o main_a point_n wherein_o indeed_o consist_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o the_o whole_a cause_n i_o shall_v take_v leave_n to_o lay_v down_o certain_a just_a and_o necessary_a postulata_fw-la as_o the_o groundwork_n of_o my_o ensue_a proof_n all_o which_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o evident_a that_o i_o will_v fain_o suppose_v neither_o yourself_o nor_o any_o ingenuous_a christian_a can_v grudge_v to_o yield_v they_o but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v be_v so_o stiff_a and_o close-fisted_n as_o to_o stick_v at_o any_o of_o they_o they_o shall_v be_v easy_o wring_v out_o of_o his_o finger_n by_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n and_o manifest_a demonstration_n of_o truth_n §._o 7._o the_o first_o ground_n or_o postulate_v that_o government_n who_o foundation_n be_v lay_v by_o christ_n and_o who_o fabric_n be_v raise_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n the_o first_o whereof_o shall_v be_v this_o that_o government_n who_o ground_n be_v lay_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o be_v afterward_o raise_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o apostle_n can_v be_v deny_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n a_o proposition_n so_o clear_a that_o it_o be_v a_o injury_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v it_o he_o can_v be_v a_o christian_n who_o will_v not_o grant_v that_o as_o in_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o deity_n dwell_v bodily_a so_o in_o his_o servant_n also_o and_o agent_n under_o he_o the_o apostle_n the_o spirit_n of_o the_o same_o god_n dwell_v so_o as_o all_o their_o action_n be_v god_n by_o they_o like_a as_o it_o be_v the_o same_o spring-water_n that_o be_v derive_v to_o we_o by_o the_o conduit-pipe_n and_o the_o same_o sunbeam_n which_o pass_v to_o we_o through_o our_o window_n some_o thing_n they_o do_v as_o man_n action_n natural_a civil_a moral_a these_o thing_n be_v their_o own_o yet_o they_o even_o in_o they_o no_o doubt_n be_v assist_v with_o a_o excellent_a measure_n of_o grace_n but_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v as_o messenger_n from_o god_n so_o their_o name_n signify_v these_o be_v not_o they_o but_o his_o that_o send_v they_o a_o ambassador_n dispatch_v his_o domestical_a affair_n as_o a_o private_a man_n but_o when_o he_o treat_v or_o conclude_v matter_n of_o state_n in_o his_o prince_n name_n his_o tongue_n be_v not_o his_o own_o but_o his_o master_n much_o more_o be_v it_o so_o in_o this_o case_n wherein_o beside_o the_o interest_n the_o agent_n be_v free_v from_o error_n the_o carefull_a ambassador_n may_v perhaps_o swerve_v from_o his_o message_n these_o which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v through_o the_o guidance_n of_o god_n spirit_n in_o the_o act_n of_o their_o function_n inerrable_a so_o then_o if_o the_o foundation_n be_v lay_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o wall_n build_v up_o by_o his_o apostle_n the_o fabric_n can_v be_v no_o less_o than_o divine_a §._o 8._o the_o second_o ground_n that_o the_o practice_n and_o recommendation_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v sufficient_a warrant_n for_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n second_o it_o must_v also_o be_v grant_v that_o not_o only_o the_o government_n which_o be_v direct_o command_v and_o enact_v but_o that_o which_o be_v practise_v and_o recommend_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o church_n be_v just_o to_o be_v hold_v for_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n in_o eminent_a and_o authorize_v person_n even_o example_n be_v rule_n much_o more_o in_o so_o sacred_a neither_o do_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n confine_v itself_o to_o word_n but_o express_v itself_o also_o in_o the_o holy_a action_n of_o his_o inspire_a servant_n as_o chrysostome_n therefore_o true_o say_v that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o only_o speak_v but_o work_n parable_n so_o may_v we_o say_v here_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o only_o enact_v but_o even_o act_v law_n for_o his_o holy_a church_n 3.8.16_o licèt_fw-la autem_fw-la nullum_fw-la extat_fw-la praeceptum_fw-la de_fw-la manuum_fw-la impositione_n etc._n etc._n calv._n l._n 4._o instit_fw-la c._n 3.8.16_o and_o this_o be_v learned_a calvin_n determination_n about_o imposition_n of_o hand_n although_o say_v he_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a precept_n concern_v imposition_n of_o hand_n yet_o because_o we_o see_v it_o be_v in_o perpetual_a use_n with_o the_o apostle_n their_o so_o accurate_a observation_n of_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v unto_o we_o instead_o of_o a_o command_n and_o therefore_o soon_o after_o he_o affirm_v plain_o that_o this_o ceremony_n proceed_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n himself_o and_o in_o the_o foregoing_a chapter_n speak_v of_o the_o distribution_n of_o pastor_n to_o their_o several_a charge_n he_o say_v nec_fw-la humanum_fw-la est_fw-la inventum_fw-la etc._n etc._n it_o be_v no_o humane_a device_n but_o the_o institution_n of_o god_n himself_o for_o we_o read_v that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n ordain_v presbyter_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o lystra_n antioch_n iconium_n and_o that_o direction_n which_o the_o great_a apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n give_v to_o timothy_n be_v as_o calvin_n true_o mandati_fw-la nomine_fw-la in_o the_o name_n and_o nature_n of_o a_o command_n and_o what_o else_o i_o beseech_v you_o will_v the_o rigid_a exacter_n of_o the_o oversevere_a and_o judaical_a observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n as_o a_o evangelicall_n sabbath_n seem_v to_o plead_v for_o their_o warrant_n be_v they_o able_a to_o make_v it_o good_a any_o way_n but_o the_o guise_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n precept_n certain_o there_o be_v none_o either_o give_v or_o pretend_v thus_o the_o bitter_a tileno-mastix_a can_v say_v there_o be_v a_o double_a discipline_n of_o the_o apostle_n docens_fw-la and_o vtens_fw-la in_o the_o first_o they_o give_v precept_n to_o
whereof_o saint_n peter_n acknowledge_v himself_o a_o compresbyter_n for_o if_o it_o be_v allege_v as_o it_o be_v that_o this_o be_v against_o our_o own_o principle_n who_o allow_v but_o one_o bâ—shop_n in_o one_o city_n and_o these_o be_v many_o let_v i_o put_v the_o objector_n in_o mind_n that_o though_o these_o bishop_n be_v call_v together_o by_o saint_n paul_n from_o miletum_n to_o ephesus_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o all_o say_v to_o be_v elder_n of_o ephesus_n but_o from_o thence_o monition_n go_v speedily_o out_o to_o all_o place_n to_o call_v they_o and_o so_o we_o hear_v saint_n paul_n say_v you_o all_o among_o who_o i_o have_v go_v preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o plain_o argue_v they_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o city_n or_o territory_n but_o over_o seer_n of_o several_a and_o far-dispersed_n charge_n as_o saint_n paul_n therefore_o to_o his_o timothy_n so_o saint_n luke_n here_o use_v the_o term_n promiscuous_o one_o be_v as_o yet_o in_o common_a use_n for_o both_o though_o the_o office_n be_v sensible_o distinguish_v and_o now_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o this_o tell_v i_o you_o that_o look_v upon_o these_o paper_n with_o censorious_a eye_n tell_v i_o be_v all_o this_o think_v you_o no_o other_o than_o a_o formal_a presidence_n of_o a_o assembly_n without_o any_o power_n or_o command_v be_v this_o to_o do_v but_o as_o a_o consul_n in_o a_o senate_n to_o propound_v case_n to_o gather_v vote_n to_o declare_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n or_o as_o zanchy_a resemble_v it_o ut_fw-la rector_n in_o academia_n as_o a_o rector_n in_o one_o of_o their_o academy_n or_o rather_o as_o saint_n jerome_n who_o you_o challenge_v for_o your_o patron_n in_o this_o point_n have_v it_o tanquam_fw-la imperator_fw-la in_o exercitu_fw-la evangâ—â—â—_n â—â—â—â—on_n epist_n 〈◊〉_d evangâ—â—â—_n as_o a_o general_n in_o a_o army_n who_o have_v power_n both_o to_o marshal_v all_o the_o troop_n and_o to_o command_v the_o captain_n and_o colonel_n and_o to_o execute_v martial_a law_n upon_o officer_n if_o you_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o suffer_v your_o eye_n to_o be_v willing_o blind_v with_o such_o improbable_a suggestion_n fall_v from_o those_o who_o you_o think_v you_o have_v otherwise_o reason_n to_o honour_n hug_v still_o your_o own_o palpable_a error_n not_o without_o our_o pity_n though_o without_o the_o power_n of_o redress_n but_o if_o you_o care_v for_o truth_n and_o desire_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n to_o embrace_v it_o for_o truth_n own_o sake_n without_o respect_n of_o person_n ask_v your_o own_o heart_n whether_o these_o charge_n and_o service_n lay_v by_o the_o elect_a vessel_n upon_o his_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v any_o other_o than_o real_o episcopal_a and_o such_o as_o manifest_o carry_v in_o they_o both_o superiority_n and_o jurisdiction_n §._o 7._o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n john_n in_o his_o revelation_n press_v neither_o can_v all_o the_o shift_n in_o the_o world_n elude_v that_o pregnant_a vision_n and_o charge_n of_o the_o bless_a apostle_n st._n john_n in_o who_o long_o lasting_a time_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v full_o settle_v in_o this_o threefold_a imparity_n of_o the_o order_n and_o degree_n who_o have_v have_v the_o special_a supervision_n of_o the_o whole_a asian_a church_n be_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n command_v to_o direct_v his_o 7_o epistle_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o those_o seven_o famous_a church_n by_o the_o name_n of_o so_o many_o angel_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n etc._n etc._n for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o in_o every_o of_o these_o chur_n his_fw-mi as_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o ephesus_n there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n yet_o but_o one_o angel_n if_o that_o one_o be_v not_o in_o place_n above_o the_o rest_n and_o high_a by_o the_o head_n than_o they_o how_o come_v he_o to_o be_v note_v in_o the_o throng_n why_o be_v not_o the_o direction_n to_o all_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n 162._o divina_fw-la voce_fw-la laudatur_fw-la sub_fw-la angeli_fw-la nomine_fw-la pâ—aepositus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la aug._n epi._n 162._o all_o be_v angel_n in_o respect_n of_o their_o ministry_n one_o be_v the_o angel_n in_o respect_n of_o his_o fix_a superiority_n there_o be_v thousand_o of_o star_n in_o this_o firmament_n of_o the_o asian_a church_n there_o be_v but_o seven_o of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n who_o can_v endure_v such_o a_o invasion_n that_o one_o be_v mention_v many_o be_v mean_v as_o if_o they_o have_v say_v mâ—rlâ—rat_fw-la non_fw-la populum_fw-la aggrâ—dit_fw-la sed_fw-la principem_fw-la claâ—â—_n utique_fw-la episcopum_fw-la mâ—rlâ—rat_fw-la to_o one_o that_o be_v to_o more_o to_o one_o angel_n that_o be_v to_o more_o angel_n than_o one_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o insist_v upon_o any_o propriety_n of_o speech_n if_o we_o may_v take_v such_o liberty_n of_o construction_n as_o if_o when_o the_o prophet_n come_v to_o jehu_n with_o a_o message_n and_o express_o say_v to_o thou_o o_o captain_n he_o shall_v have_v turn_v it_o off_o to_o the_o rest_n and_o have_v say_v to_o i_o that_o be_v not_o to_o i_o alone_o but_o to_o all_o my_o felllow_n with_o i_o but_o to_o put_v this_o matter_n out_o of_o doubt_n it_o be_v particular_o know_v who_o some_o of_o those_o angel_n be_v holy_a polycarpus_n be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n who_o ignatius_n the_o bless_a martyr_n mention_n as_o by_o his_o episcopacy_n great_a than_o his_o clergy_n timothy_n have_v be_v not_o long_o before_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n yea_o of_o the_o asian_o now_o onesimus_n be_v who_o metropolis_n ephesus_n be_v wherein_o ignatius_n acknowledge_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o very_a great_a multitude_n of_o christian_n so_o large_a that_o in_o the_o emperor_n leo_n time_n 90._o jura_n graec._n p._n 88_o 90._o it_o have_v 36._o bishopric_n under_o it_o and_o so_o be_v sardis_n have_v under_o it_o 24._o and_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o these_o great_a diocese_n be_v as_o some_o obscure_a parish_n wherein_o be_v no_o variety_n of_o eminent_a person_n so_o as_o the_o angel_n that_o be_v note_v here_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o a_o large_a jurisdiction_n and_o great_a authority_n but_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v imagine_v these_o thing_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n as_o to_o he_o under_o that_o title_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n let_v he_o know_v that_o this_o can_v be_v for_o that_o the_o charge_n and_o challenge_v there_o make_v be_v personal_a and_o such_o as_o can_v not_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o for_o who_o can_v say_v that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v patient_a and_o laborious_a 2.2_o revel_v 2.2_o that_o none_o of_o they_o faint_v that_o they_o all_o lose_v their_o first_o love_n that_o all_o hate_v the_o work_n of_o the_o nicholaitan_n who_o can_v say_v that_o all_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n be_v either_o poor_a or_o rich_a that_o none_o in_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n deny_v the_o faith_n beside_o here_o be_v a_o manifest_a distinction_n betwixt_o the_o pastor_n or_o bishop_n and_o those_o of_o his_o charge_n and_o they_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o severalty_n of_o their_o estate_n as_o when_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o grace_n of_o polycarpus_n the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n 2.10_o revel_v 2.10_o and_o encourage_v that_o bless_a martyr_n by_o way_n of_o premonition_n to_o some_o of_o his_o church_n behold_v some_o of_o you_o the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v into_o prison_n and_o you_o shall_v be_v try_v and_o endure_v tribulation_n ten_o day_n and_o then_o address_v to_o he_o be_v thou_o faithful_a to_o the_o death_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o his_o four_o epistle_n 2.24_o revel_v 2.24_o distinguish_v the_o angel_n or_o bishop_n of_o thyatyra_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o charge_n but_o unto_o you_o say_v say_v he_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatyra_n as_o many_o as_o have_v not_o this_o doctrine_n and_o the_o depth_n of_o satan_n as_o they_o speak_v i_o will_v put_v none_o other_o burden_n upon_o they_o but_o that_o which_o you_o have_v hold_v fast_o till_o i_o come_v so_o that_o this_o conceit_n be_v no_o less_o wild_a than_o that_o other_o which_o follow_v it_o of_o my_o old_a acquaintance_n brightman_n who_o make_v not_o only_o these_o angel_n the_o type_n of_o those_o church_n but_o those_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o type_n and_o history_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o shall_v be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n thus_o the_o bell_n say_v what_o some_o hearer_n think_v so_o clear_o be_v this_o truth_n that_o the_o opposite_n have_v be_v force_v to_o yield_v priority_n here_o intimate_v but_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n only_o not_o
to_o give_v some_o colour_n and_o god_n know_v but_o a_o colour_n of_o a_o lay-presbytery_n let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o 5.17_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o say_v st._n paul_n to_o timothy_n be_v count_v worthy_a of_o all_o honour_n especial_o they_o who_o labour_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n a_o place_n which_o have_v be_v so_o thorough_o sift_v by_o all_o who_o have_v meddle_v with_o this_o ill-raised_n controversy_n as_o that_o no_o humane_a wit_n can_v devise_v to_o add_v one_o scruple_n of_o a_o notion_n towards_o a_o far_a discussion_n of_o it_o i_o dare_v confident_o say_v there_o be_v scarce_o any_o one_o sentence_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v undergo_v a_o more_o busy_a and_o curious_a agitation_n the_o issue_n be_v this_o that_o never_o any_o expositor_n for_o the_o space_n of_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n take_v these_o aeresbyter_n for_o any_o other_o than_o priest_n or_o minister_n of_o eleven_o or_o twelve_o several_a exposition_n of_o the_o word_n each_o one_o be_v more_o fair_a and_o probable_a than_o this_o which_o be_v new_o devise_v and_o obtrude_v upon_o the_o church_n that_o the_o text_n be_v so_o far_o from_o favour_v these_o lay-presbyter_n that_o we_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n against_o they_o for_o where_o be_v it_o ever_o hear_v of_o or_o how_o can_v it_o be_v that_o mere_a laic_n shall_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o pastor_n have_v have_v that_o stile_n as_o in_o scripture_n so_o in_o follow_v antiquity_n that_o passage_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n cite_v by_o eusebius_n concern_v saint_n john_n that_o he_o at_o ephesus_n commit_v the_o charge_n of_o his_o young_a man_n to_o a_o old_a bishop_n who_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d beside_o that_o of_o justin_n martyr_n already_o cite_v and_o other_o show_v it_o plain_o and_o if_o as_o some_o our_o appellation_n of_o priest_n come_v from_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o it_o well_o may_v how_o can_v a_o layman_n be_v so_o or_o if_o from_o prebstre_n as_o the_o more_o think_v let_v we_o have_v lay-priest_n if_o lay-presbyters_a and_o what_o better_a commentary_n can_v we_o have_v of_o saint_n paul_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o himself_o give_v of_o himself_o in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o the_o elder_n or_o pastor_n at_o ephesus_n who_o interpret_v it_o by_o careful_a attend_v to_o themselves_o and_o their_o flock_n which_o even_o their_o own_o author_n be_v wont_a to_o appropriate_v to_o pastor_n and_o what_o can_v that_o double_a honour_n be_v which_o the_o apostle_n claim_v for_o these_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n but_o respect_n and_o due_a maintenance_n to_o who_o be_v this_o due_a but_o to_o those_o that_o serve_v at_o the_o altar_n as_o for_o lay-presbyters_a be_v it_o ever_o require_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v maintain_v by_o the_o church_n and_o what_o can_v those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v but_o those_o priest_n which_o diligent_o and_o painful_o toil_n in_o god_n harvest_n in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n all_o the_o elder_n therefore_o there_o intend_v be_v exercise_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n but_o there_o be_v some_o that_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d labour_v more_o abundant_o than_o the_o rest_n these_o must_v be_v respect_v and_o encourage_v according_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o induce_v a_o indifferent_a man_n to_o think_v that_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v imiplie_v a_o several_a and_o distinct_a office_n but_o rather_o a_o more_o intense_a and_o serious_a labour_n in_o the_o same_o office_n as_o may_v be_v show_v in_o a_o thousand_o instance_n whereas_o therefore_o this_o be_v the_o only_a scripture_n that_o in_o some_o foreprised_n ear_n seem_v to_o sound_v towards_o a_o lay-presbytery_a i_o must_v needs_o profess_v for_o my_o part_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o text_n in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o god_n more_o pregnant_a for_o their_o disproof_n i_o shall_v think_v this_o alone_a a_o very_a sufficient_a warrant_n for_o their_o disclamation_n and_o i_o do_v very_o persuade_v myself_o that_o those_o man_n who_o upon_o such_o weak_a yea_o such_o no-ground_n have_v take_v upon_o they_o be_v mere_a laic_n to_o manage_v these_o holy_a affair_n of_o god_n have_v a_o hard_a answer_n to_o make_v one_o day_n before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o almighty_a god_n for_o this_o their_o presumptuous_a usurpation_n now_o then_o since_o this_o one_o litigious_a and_o unprove_v text_n be_v the_o only_a place_n in_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n that_o can_v bear_v any_o pretence_n for_o the_o lay-presbytery_n for_o as_o for_o their_o dic_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la and_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v so_o improbable_a and_o have_v be_v so_o oft_o and_o thorough_o charm_v that_o they_o be_v not_o worth_a either_o urge_v or_o answer_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a so_o many_o manifest_a and_o pregnant_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v produce_v within_o the_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n only_o mean_v for_o the_o spiritual_a guide_n of_o his_o people_n i_o hope_v every_o ingenuous_a christian_a will_v easy_o resolve_v how_o much_o safe_o it_o be_v for_o he_o to_o follow_v the_o clear_a light_n of_o many_o evident_a scripture_n than_o the_o doubtful_a glimmer_n of_o one_o mistake_v text_n §._o 3._o lay-eldership_n a_o mere_a stranger_n to_o antiquity_n which_o acknowledge_v no_o presbyter_n but_o divine_n and_o as_o the_o scripture_n of_o god_n never_o mean_v to_o give_v countenance_n to_o a_o lay-presbytery_n so_o neither_o do_v subsequent_a antiquity_n i_o speak_v it_o upon_o good_a assurance_n there_o be_v never_o any_o clause_n in_o any_o father_n council_n history_n that_o do_v so_o much_o as_o intimate_v any_o such_o office_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n or_o the_o man_n that_o wield_v it_o the_o fautor_n of_o it_o will_v glad_o snatch_v at_o every_o sentence_n in_o old_a record_n where_o they_o meet_v with_o the_o name_n of_o a_o presbyter_n as_o if_o there_o the_o bell_n chime_v to_o their_o thought_n but_o certain_o for_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n no_o man_n ever_o dream_v of_o such_o a_o device_n if_o he_o do_v let_v we_o know_v the_o man_n i_o be_o sure_a our_o apostolical_a clemens_n make_v a_o contradistinction_n of_o laic_n and_o presbyter_n laic_a clem._n epâ—st_n ad_fw-la corinth_n supra_fw-la ignat._n ep._n ad_fw-la magn._n do_v nothing_o without_o your_o bishop_n â—eithâ—r_v presbyter_n nor_o deacon_n nor_o laic_a and_o ignatius_n the_o holy_a martyr_n yet_o more_o punctual_o go_v in_o these_o degree_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o difference_n be_v so_o familiar_a with_o that_o saint_n as_o that_o we_o scarce_o miss_v it_o in_o any_o of_o his_o epistle_n in_o so_o much_o as_o vedelius_fw-la himself_o find_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o this_o martyr_n to_o the_o ephesian_n ephes_n ignat._n epist_n ad_fw-la ephes_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d translate_v it_o memorabile_fw-la sacerdotum_fw-la vestrorum_fw-la collegium_fw-la a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n such_o the_o bishop_n of_o those_o first_o time_n have_v as_o we_o have_v still_o the_o dean_n and_o chapter_n to_o consult_v withal_o upon_o any_o occasion_n but_o those_o presbyter_n be_v no_o other_o than_o profess_v divine_n neither_o be_v ever_o otherwise_o construe_v if_o we_o look_v a_o little_a low_o who_o can_v but_o turn_v over_o any_o two_o leaf_n of_o the_o first_o tome_n of_o the_o counsel_n and_o not_o fall_v upon_o some_o passage_n that_o may_v settle_v his_o assurance_n this_o way_n those_o ancient_a canon_n which_o carry_v the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v exceed_o frequent_a in_o the_o distinction_n they_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n offer_v on_o the_o altar_n of_o god_n which_o no_o layman_n may_v do_v they_o make_v a_o act_n against_o a_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n rejection_n of_o his_o wife_n 3.4.5_o can._n apost_n c._n 3.4.5_o under_o pretence_n of_o religion_n which_o in_o a_o layman_n be_v never_o question_v 7._o c_o 6_o 7._o they_o forbid_v a_o bishop_n presbyter_n or_o deacon_n to_o meddle_v with_o any_o secular_a care_n or_o employment_n a_o laic_a person_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v so_o restrain_v short_o for_o we_o may_v here_o easy_o weary_a our_o reader_n the_o nine_o of_o their_o canon_n be_v punctual_a which_o plain_o reckon_v up_o the_o bishop_n â—_o can._n â—_o presbyter_n deacon_n as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o priestly_a list_n and_o in_o the_o fourteen_o if_o any_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o whosoever_o else_o of_o the_o clergy_n dionysius_n the_o misnamed_n areopagite_n have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o the_o holy_a martyr_n