the_o two_o son_n of_o zebedee_n james_n and_o john_n to_o be_v choose_v the_o peculiar_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o then_o mother_n church_n of_o the_o world_n after_o the_o death_n of_o james_n the_o just_a 32._o hegesippus_n declare_v that_o symeon_n the_o son_n of_o clopas_n or_o cleophas_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n and_o so_o continue_v until_o the_o day_n of_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n under_o who_o he_o suffer_v a_o glorious_a martyrdom_n about_o the_o same_o time_n that_o ignatius_n do_v be_v then_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o by_o that_o account_n bear_v before_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n where_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o prime_a historian_n be_v not_o to_o be_v pass_v over_o that_o 32._o until_o these_o time_n the_o church_n be_v call_v a_o virgin_n as_o be_v not_o yet_o corrupt_v with_o the_o overspread_n of_o heretical_a doctrine_n for_o howsoever_o heresy_n do_v spring_v up_o before_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o keep_v down_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o disciple_n who_o have_v hear_v our_o lord_n himself_o preach_v that_o the_o author_n and_o fautor_n thereof_o be_v not_o able_a to_o get_v any_o great_a head_n be_v force_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o opposite_n to_o lurk_v in_o obscurity_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o all_o that_o generation_n be_v gather_v unto_o their_o father_n and_o none_o of_o those_o be_v leave_v who_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o hear_v the_o gracious_a word_n that_o proceed_v from_o the_o lord_n own_o mouth_n the_o heretic_n take_v that_o advantage_n begin_v to_o enter_v into_o a_o kind_n of_o combination_n and_o with_o open_a face_n public_o to_o maintain_v the_o 20._o opposition_n of_o their_o science_n false_o so_o call_v from_o whence_o they_o assume_v unto_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o gnostic_n or_o man_n of_o knowledge_n against_o the_o preach_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o by_o those_o who_o be_v 2._o eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n have_v be_v 3._o once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o beginner_n of_o which_o conspiracy_n be_v one_o thebûthis_n who_o have_v at_o the_o first_o be_v breed_v in_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o sect_n into_o which_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o those_o day_n divide_v but_o afterward_o because_o he_o miss_v of_o a_o bishopric_n unto_o which_o he_o have_v aspire_v this_o of_o jerusalem_n as_o it_o may_v seem_v whereunto_o justus_n after_o the_o death_n of_o symeon_n be_v prefer_v before_o he_o can_v think_v of_o no_o readyer_n a_o way_n thorough_o to_o revenge_v himself_o of_o this_o disgrace_n than_o by_o raise_v up_o the_o like_a distraction_n among_o the_o christian_n which_o as_o in_o the_o effect_n it_o show_v the_o malignity_n of_o that_o ambitious_a sectary_n so_o do_v it_o in_o the_o occasion_n discover_v withal_o the_o great_a esteem_n that_o in_o those_o early_a day_n be_v have_v of_o episcopacy_n when_o hegesippus_n write_v this_o ecclesiastical_a history_n the_o ancient_a of_o any_o since_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n eleutherius_fw-la as_o we_o hear_v before_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n unto_o who_o 4._o lucius_n king_n of_o the_o britain_n as_o our_o bede_n relate_v send_v a_o epistle_n desire_v that_o by_o his_o mean_n he_o may_v be_v make_v christian._n who_o present_o obtain_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o pious_a request_n and_o the_o britain_n keep_v the_o faith_n then_o receive_v sound_a and_o undefiled_a in_o quiet_a peace_n until_o the_o time_n of_o dioclesian_n the_o emperor_n by_o who_o bloody_a persecution_n the_o faith_n and_o discipline_n of_o our_o british_a church_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o quite_o extinguish_v but_o that_o within_o ten_o year_n after_o and_o eleven_o before_o the_o first_o general_a council_n of_o nice_a three_o of_o our_o bishop_n be_v present_a and_o subscribe_v unto_o the_o council_n of_o arles_n 9_o eborius_n of_o york_n restitutus_n of_o london_n and_o adelfius_n of_o colchester_n if_o that_o be_v it_o which_o be_v call_v there_o colonia_n londinensium_n the_o first_o root_n of_o who_o succession_n we_o must_v fetch_v beyond_o eleutherius_fw-la and_o as_o high_a as_o s._n peter_n himself_n if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o he_o junii_fw-la constitute_v church_n here_o and_o ordain_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o they_o as_o symeon_n metaphrastes_n relate_v out_o of_o some_o part_n of_o ibid._n eusebius_n as_o it_o seem_v that_o be_v not_o come_v unto_o our_o hand_n but_o to_o return_v unto_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o s._n john_n by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v apparent_a that_o seven_o singular_a bishop_n who_o be_v the_o constant_a precedent_n over_o those_o church_n be_v point_v at_o under_o that_o name_n for_o other_o sure_a they_o can_v not_o be_v if_o all_o of_o they_o be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n and_o be_v of_o the_o same_o quality_n with_o polycarpus_n the_o then_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o smyrna_n who_o without_o all_o question_n be_v such_o if_o any_o credit_n may_v be_v give_v herein_o unto_o those_o that_o see_v he_o and_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o as_o tertullian_n in_o express_a term_n affirm_v he_o to_o have_v be_v place_v there_o by_o s._n john_n himself_o in_o the_o testimony_n before_o allege_v out_o of_o his_o 2._o prescription_n so_o do_v he_o elsewhere_o from_o the_o order_n of_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n not_o obscure_o intimate_v that_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o number_n be_v to_o be_v refer_v unto_o the_o same_o descent_n 5._o we_o have_v say_v he_o the_o church_n that_o be_v breed_v by_o john_n for_o although_o martion_n do_v reject_v his_o revelation_n yet_o the_o order_n of_o the_o bishop_n reckon_v up_o unto_o their_o original_n will_v stand_v for_o john_n to_o be_v their_o founder_n neither_o do_v the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o timothy_n mention_v by_o photius_n mean_v any_o other_o by_o those_o seven_o bishop_n who_o assistance_n he_o say_v s._n john_n do_v use_v after_o his_o return_n from_o patmos_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n for_o 254._o be_v revoke_v from_o his_o exile_n say_v he_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o nerva_n he_o betake_v himself_o to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n and_o be_v assist_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o seven_o bishop_n he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o continue_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o piety_n until_o the_o empire_n of_o trajan_n that_o he_o remain_v with_o the_o ephesian_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o asia_n until_o the_o day_n of_o trajan_n and_o that_o during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o abode_n with_o they_o he_o publish_v his_o gospel_n be_v sufficient_o witness_v by_o 3_o ireneus_fw-la that_o upon_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n he_o apply_v himself_o to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v confirm_v likewise_o both_o by_o 23._o eusebius_n and_o by_o 9_o hierom_n who_o further_o add_v that_o matthaei_n at_o the_o earnest_a entreaty_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n he_o write_v there_o his_o gospel_n and_o that_o he_o himself_o also_o be_v free_a from_o his_o banishment_n do_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o diverse_a church_n be_v clear_o testify_v by_o clement_n of_o alexandria_n who_o live_v in_o the_o next_o age_n after_o and_o deliver_v it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o those_o who_o go_v before_o he_o and_o can_v not_o be_v far_o from_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v act_v 23._o when_o s._n john_n say_v he_o domitian_n the_o tyrant_n be_v dead_a remove_v from_o the_o island_n of_o patmos_n unto_o ephesus_n by_o the_o entreaty_n of_o some_o he_o go_v also_o unto_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n in_o some_o place_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o other_o sound_v whole_a church_n among_o these_o neighbour_a church_n be_v that_o of_o hierapolis_n which_o have_v papias_n place_v 2._o bishop_n therein_o that_o this_o man_n be_v 33._o a_o hearer_n of_o s._n john_n and_o a_o companion_n of_o polycarpus_n be_v testify_v by_o his_o own_o scholar_n theodoram_fw-la irenaeus_n and_o that_o he_o converse_v with_o meminit_fw-la the_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o of_o christ_n also_o he_o himself_o do_v thus_o declare_v in_o the_o proëme_n of_o the_o five_o book_n which_o he_o entitle_v a_o declaration_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n ibid._n if_o upon_o occasion_n any_o of_o the_o presbyter_n which_o have_v accompany_v the_o apostle_n do_v come_v i_o diligent_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o speech_n which_o the_o apostle_n use_v what_o andrew_n or_o what_o peter_n do_v say_v or_o what_o philip_n or_o thomas_n or_o james_n or_o john_n or_o
confession_n and_o proof_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o office_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o use_v the_o best_a together_o with_o a_o brief_a treatise_n touch_v the_o original_a of_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_o print_a in_o the_o year_n 1662._o to_o the_o pious_a and_o religious_a reader_n grace_n and_o peace_n in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o matter_n subject_n of_o this_o treatise_n be_v yet_o in_o suspense_n and_o to_o be_v determine_v the_o future_a viz._n what_o ecclesiastical_a government_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o office_n itself_o and_o also_o the_o best_a in_o respect_n of_o its_o use_n after_o that_o upon_o more_o and_o more_o deliberation_n i_o have_v perfect_v my_o conlusion_n the_o say_n of_o augustine_n come_v into_o my_o mind_n he_o that_o conceal_v a_o truth_n and_o he_o that_o teach_v a_o falsehood_n be_v both_o guilty_a the_o first_o because_o he_o will_v not_o profit_v the_o other_o because_o he_o intend_v to_o hurt_v and_o delude_v which_o i_o apprehend_v as_o a_o double_a caution_n both_o of_o not_o publish_v any_o utopian_a ecclesiastical_a form_n of_o government_n of_o my_o own_o forge_n as_o also_o of_o not_o stifle_v by_o my_o silence_n a_o form_n true_o apostolical_a which_o resolution_n notwithstanding_o i_o do_v not_o adventure_v to_o take_v before_o that_o i_o be_v fortify_v in_o my_o persuasion_n by_o a_o general_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o reform_a church_n and_o among_o other_o in_o some_o principal_n point_v appeal_n to_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n nor_o yet_o do_v we_o so_o much_o insist_v upon_o their_o confession_n as_o upon_o their_o proof_n especial_o be_v ground_v upon_o two_o infallible_a foundation_n the_o first_o the_o general_a verdict_n of_o antiquity_n as_o well_o doctrinal_a as_o historical_a though_o we_o shall_v not_o name_v that_o general_a council_n of_o chalcedon_n consist_v of_o 630_o father_n which_o by_o one_o canon_n decree_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sacrilege_n to_o press_v down_o a_o bishop_n into_o the_o degree_n of_o a_o presbyter_n the_o same_o council_n that_o do_v also_o ordain_v another_o canon_n which_o be_v then_o the_o very_a break-neck_n of_o romish_a popedom_n 2._o the_o authentical_a text_n of_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o thereby_o to_o demonstrate_v christ_n his_o own_o approbation_n of_o episcopal_n prelacy_n after_o his_o ascension_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n in_o one_o whereof_o without_o all_o contradiction_n be_v one_o polycarpus_n bishop_n and_o martyr_n as_o for_o the_o church_n whereof_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v the_o tractate_n have_v be_v undertake_v in_o behalf_n of_o protestant_a church_n which_o practice_n at_o this_o day_n the_o same_o prelacy_n under_o these_o two_o divers_a name_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o superintendency_n as_o much_o exceed_v the_o number_n of_o those_o which_o be_v destitute_a of_o bishop_n yet_o so_o as_o just_o condemn_v the_o romish_a hierarchy_n rather_o tyranny_n poison_v with_o most_o gross_a idolatry_n and_o not_o so_o only_o but_o so_o far_o opposite_a to_o the_o episcopacy_n which_o we_o defend_v that_o it_o be_v a_o false_a usurpation_n that_o all_o bishop_n be_v original_o deduce_v from_o the_o pope_n and_o dependent_a upon_o he_o other_o church_n destitute_a of_o bishop_n we_o differ_v from_o yet_o not_o so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o we_o as_o not_o to_o account_v they_o essential_a church_n of_o christ_n but_o to_o who_o as_o former_o we_o do_v desirous_o give_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o brotherly_a fellowship_n to_o join_v against_o the_o common_a and_o grand_a adversary_n in_o the_o romish_a babylon_n concerinng_a other_o point_n circumstantial_a we_o have_v provide_v that_o our_o method_n be_v with_o coherence_n our_o still_o plain_a and_o even_o our_o allegation_n direct_v and_o punctual_a our_o author_n just_o approvable_a our_o taxation_n toothless_a and_o our_o inferency_n brief_a pertinent_a and_o consectary_n as_o for_o you_o good_a christian_a reader_n his_o hope_n be_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o need_v the_o use_n of_o the_o apostle_n expostulation_n say_v be_o i_o your_o enemy_n because_o i_o tell_v you_o the_o truth_n and_o his_o prayer_n to_o god_n shall_v be_v to_o protect_v and_o bless_v you_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o save_a grace_n in_o christ_n jesus_n that_o he_o also_o will_v distribute_v to_o this_o our_o lacerate_v church_n some_o portion_n of_o that_o his_o peerless_a legacy_n leave_v unto_o his_o apostle_n when_o he_o say_v my_o peace_n i_o leave_v with_o you_o by_o virtue_n whereof_o we_o may_v with_o one_o heart_n and_o mind_n faithful_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o content_n of_o every_o thesis_n i._o thesis_n that_o our_o english_a episcopacy_n have_v be_v justify_v b_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o most_o learned_a protestant_n of_o remote_a church_n in_o special_a by_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n pag._n 1_o ii_o thesis_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o visible_a constitute_v church_n in_o all_o christendom_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o 1500._o year_n and_o more_o which_o hold_v episcopacy_n in_o itself_o to_o be_v unlawful_a 5_o iii_o thesis_n that_o episcopal_a prelacy_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o consent_n therein_o unto_o primitive_a antiquity_n 7_o iu._n thesis_n that_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o necessary_a use_n thereof_o the_o best_a by_o the_o consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n 9_o v._o thesis_n that_o the_o most_o protestant_a church_n do_v profess_v and_o practice_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n 13_o vi_o thesis_n that_o the_o former_a reason_n of_o confession_n of_o protestant_a divine_n concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o episcopal_a prelacy_n for_o preservation_n of_o concord_n and_o prevent_v of_o schism_n be_v correspondent_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o antiquity_n 14_o vii_o thesis_n that_o bishop_n primitive_o be_v not_o only_o the_o chief_a champion_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o the_o great_a adversary_n to_o romish_a popedom_n as_o have_v also_o our_o english_a 16_o viii_o thesis_n that_o to_o be_v of_o aposticall_a institution_n argue_v in_o it_o a_o divine_a right_n by_o the_o confession_n of_o excellent_a divine_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n 18_o ix_o thesis_n that_o no_o ancient_a father_n absolute_o deny_v the_o aposticall_a original_a of_o episcopacy_n no_o not_o the_o object_v hieròme_n who_o will_v show_v himself_o a_o manifest_a patron_n thereof_o 19_o x._o thesis_n that_o clement_n a_o apostolical_a disciple_n to_o who_o arbitrement_n both_o our_o opposite_n and_o we_o offer_v to_o yield_v ourselves_o do_v patronize_v episcopacy_n as_o be_v apostolical_a 21_o xi_o thesis_n that_o other_o primitive_a father_n before_o hierome_n do_v unanimous_o testify_v a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n 24_o xii_o thesis_n that_o the_o apostolical_a antiquity_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v confess_o prove_v out_o of_o ignatius_n 26_o xiii_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n have_v give_v we_o rule_n of_o resolution_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o apostolical_a practice_n which_o may_v serve_v in_o the_o case_n of_o episcopacy_n 27_o fourteen_o thesis_n that_o protestant_a divine_n of_o other_o reform_a church_n have_v hold_v it_o most_o equal_a to_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_n for_o a_o proof_n of_o a_o practice_n apostolical_a 28_o xv._n thesis_n that_o mr._n beza_n himself_o be_v challengable_a to_o yield_v unto_o a_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n from_o his_o own_o former_a confession_n 30_o xvi_o thesis_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o nazianzen_n and_o augustine_n be_v unworthy_o object_v to_o the_o contrary_n 30_o xvii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n both_o have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n of_o the_o community_n of_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sufficient_o confess_v by_o protestant_a divine_n of_o remote_a church_n 32_o xviii_o thesis_n that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n have_v have_v a_o prelacy_n as_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n that_o they_o be_v call_v evangelist_n according_a to_o consent_n of_o protestant_n of_o reform_a church_n 34_o xix_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n teach_v a_o episcopacy_n both_o in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n 36_o xx._n thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n first_o exposition_n which_o interprete_v the_o angel_n to_o mean_v the_o whole_a church_n and_o congregation_n be_v notable_o extravagant_a 38_o xxi_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n second_v exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v only_o the_o order_n and_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v erroneous_a notwithstanding_o the_o argument_n of_o
our_o opposite_n to_o the_o contrary_n 39_o the_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o argument_n 39_o to_o the_o second_o 39_o to_o the_o three_o 41_o to_o the_o four_o 42_o to_o the_o last_o 43_o xxii_o thesis_n that_o our_o opposite_n third_n exposition_n of_o the_o word_n angel_n to_o signify_v one_o only_a pastor_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v extreme_o new_a and_o naught_o 44_o xxiii_o thesis_n that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n of_o ephesus_n to_o signify_v a_o singular_a and_o individual_a pastor_n have_v a_o prelacy_n over_o presbyter_n be_v prove_v by_o a_o large_a consent_n of_o protestant_a divine_n without_o exception_n judicious_a and_o ingenuous_a 45_o xxiv_o thesis_n that_o antiquity_n hold_v not_o the_o word_n angel_n whereof_o we_o treat_v to_o be_v take_v collective_o for_o a_o multitude_n of_o pastor_n 48_o xxv_o thesis_n that_o the_o word_n angel_n in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v common_o if_o not_o always_o individual_o take_v 48_o xxvi_o 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or_o france_n ever_o have_v which_o say_v he_o none_o will_v deny_v be_v so_o if_o not_o wilful_o stupid_a and_o blind_v in_o daylight_n yea_o and_o touch_v those_o then_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n habuerit_fw-la beza_n for_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n it_o happen_v in_o our_o memory_n that_o she_o speak_v of_o our_o english_a church_n have_v have_v man_n of_o that_o call_n not_o only_o constant_a martyr_n of_o god_n but_o also_o excellent_a pastor_n and_o doctor_n 2._o in_o the_o day_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n calvin_n the_o most_o illustrious_a star_n of_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n doubt_v not_o to_o instile_n archbishop_n cranmer_n consulas_fw-la a_o most_o accomplish_a prelate_n say_v he_o who_o have_v the_o cure_n not_o only_o of_o england_n but_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n which_o he_o do_v to_o the_o dignify_n of_o the_o government_n of_o our_o english_a church_n and_o no_o marvel_n see_v that_o he_o dare_v profess_v to_o yield_v in_o behalf_n even_o 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may_v be_v perpetual_a unto_o they_o putant_fw-la sadell_n likewise_o who_o be_v sufficient_o commend_v by_o his_o excellent_a write_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n do_v join_v together_o with_o beza_n in_o a_o apology_n to_o vindicate_v themselves_o from_o a_o sinister_a report_n as_o if_o they_o have_v detract_v from_o the_o right_n of_o government_n by_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n avouch_v the_o same_o aspersion_n to_o have_v be_v a_o most_o impious_a slander_n and_o observande_n bishop_n jevell_v how_o be_v he_o honour_v by_o peter_n martyr_n call_v he_o a_o most_o renown_a prelate_n and_o by_o sibbrandus_fw-la 25._o lubbartus_fw-la entitle_v he_o the_o ornament_n not_o only_o of_o england_n but_o also_o of_o the_o whole_a world_n audias_fw-la hierom_n zanchee_n one_o in_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o opposite_n we_o doubt_v not_o worthy_o renown_v in_o his_o letter_n to_o queen_n elizabeth_n he_o exhort_v her_o majesty_n with_o a_o imprimis_fw-la and_o especial_o to_o extend_v her_o care_n power_n and_o authority_n to_o have_v godly_a bishop_n skilful_a in_o holy_a scripture_n of_o which_o sort_n say_v he_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n you_o have_v already_o very_a many_o and_o to_o cherish_v and_o hear_v they_o possit_fw-la also_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o archbishop_n grindall_n upon_o occasion_n of_o his_o remove_n to_o canterbury_n he_o express_v his_o joy_n for_o that_o access_n of_o dignity_n as_o a_o testimony_n of_o god_n love_n towards_o he_o and_o a_o mean_n whereby_o he_o may_v more_o and_o more_o promote_v god_n true_a religion_n our_o opposite_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v offend_v with_o we_o although_o we_o offer_v unto_o they_o next_o a_o author_n somewhat_o distasteful_a unto_o they_o at_o the_o first_o hear_n namely_o retinet_fw-la d._n saravia_n because_o as_o he_o be_v a_o religious_a divineâ—_n and_o as_o un-episcopall_a as_o any_o other_o so_o also_o be_v he_o as_o orthodox_n everywhere_o as_o they_o know_v inveigh_v against_o the_o romish_a hierarchy_n he_o confess_v himself_o to_o wonder_v at_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o reformer_n of_o religion_n in_o england_n so_o as_o not_o any_o where_o deviate_a from_o the_o ancient_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o conclude_v with_o this_o epiphonema_n say_v i_o hold_v it_o a_o part_n of_o her_o happiness_n that_o she_o have_v retain_v with_o she_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n 3._o in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n james_n that_o famous_a etc._n isaac_n casaubon_n who_o we_o reckon_v as_o the_o four_o witness_n from_o the_o church_n of_o geneva_n have_v that_o estimation_n of_o our_o english_a episcopal_a government_n as_o to_o confess_v that_o no_o church_n do_v come_v near_o the_o form_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n than_o it_o do_v so_o far_o that_o even_o they_o who_o envy_v her_o happiness_n be_v notwithstanding_o constrain_v to_o extol_v it_o he_o proceed_v furthermore_o to_o blazon_v the_o worthiness_n of_o it_o if_o say_v he_o the_o 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amity_n to_o the_o prelate_n of_o england_n
as_o not_o to_o give_v it_o up_o until_o they_o perfect_o understand_v concern_v episcopacy_n itself_o quid_fw-la mali_fw-la fecit_fw-la i_o shall_v speak_v at_o this_o time_n only_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o three_o point_n that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o repugnant_a to_o the_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n for_o perpetuity_n by_o the_o apostle_n whereof_o i_o conceive_v this_o which_o follow_v as_o clear_v a_o demonstration_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o this_o government_n be_v receive_v universal_o in_o the_o church_n either_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o present_o after_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o unquestionable_a that_o the_o most_o learned_a adversary_n of_o this_o government_n do_v themselves_o confess_v it_o petrus_n molinaeus_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr munere_fw-la postorali_fw-la purposely_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o presbyterial_a government_n acknowledge_v that_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n 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this_o kind_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v whatsoever_o we_o read_v concern_v the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n as_o justin_n martyr_n call_v they_o in_o ignatius_n and_o other_o more_o ancient_a writer_n certain_o from_o apostle_n these_o two_o great_a defender_n of_o the_o presbytery_n we_o shall_v never_o have_v this_o free_a acknowledgement_n so_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o own_o pretence_n and_o so_o advantageous_a to_o their_o adversary_n purpose_n have_v not_o the_o evidence_n of_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a truth_n enforce_v they_o to_o it_o it_o will_v not_o therefore_o be_v necessary_a to_o spend_v any_o time_n in_o confute_v that_o uningenuous_a assertion_n of_o the_o anonymus_fw-la author_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o testimony_n for_o the_o equality_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n who_o affirm_v that_o their_o disparity_n begin_v long_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o we_o may_v safe_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o which_o these_o two_o learned_a adversary_n have_v confess_v and_o see_v whether_o upon_o this_o foundation_n lay_v by_o they_o we_o may_v not_o by_o unanswerable_a reason_n raise_v this_o superstruction_n that_o see_v episcopal_a government_n be_v confess_o so_o ancient_a and_o so_o catholic_a it_o can_v with_o reason_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v apostolic_a for_o so_o great_a a_o change_n as_o between_o presbyterial_a government_n and_o episcopal_a can_v not_o possible_o have_v prevail_v all_o the_o world_n over_o in_o a_o little_a time_n have_v episcopal_a government_n be_v a_o aberration_n from_o or_o a_o corruption_n of_o the_o government_n leave_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n it_o have_v be_v very_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v receive_v in_o any_o one_o church_n so_o sudden_o or_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v prevail_v in_o all_o for_o many_o age_n after_o variâsse_fw-la debuerat_fw-la error_n ecclesiarum_fw-la quod_fw-la autem_fw-la apud_fw-la omnes_fw-la unum_fw-la est_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la erratum_fw-la sed_fw-la traditum_fw-la have_v the_o church_n err_v they_o will_v have_v vary_v what_o therefore_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o among_o all_o come_v not_o sure_a by_o error_n but_o tradition_n thus_o tertullian_n argue_v very_o probable_o from_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n of_o his_o time_n not_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n much_o more_o subject_a to_o unobserved_a alteration_n but_o that_o in_o the_o frame_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o necessary_a government_n of_o the_o church_n a_o thing_n always_o in_o use_n and_o practice_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o sudden_a a_o change_n as_o present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o so_o universal_a as_o receive_v in_o all_o the_o church_n this_o be_v clear_o impossible_a for_o what_o universal_a cause_n can_v be_v assign_v or_o feign_v of_o this_o universal_a apostasy_n you_o will_v not_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o make_v any_o decree_n for_o this_o change_n when_o they_o be_v live_v or_o leave_v order_n for_o it_o in_o any_o will_n or_o testament_n when_o they_o be_v die_v this_o be_v to_o grant_v the_o question_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v to_o leave_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n themselves_o and_o either_o see_v by_o experience_n or_o foresee_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o distraction_n and_o disorder_n which_o will_v arise_v from_o a_o multitude_n of_o equal_n substitute_v episcopal_a government_n instead_o of_o their_o own_o general_n counsel_n to_o make_v a_o law_n for_o a_o general_a change_n for_o many_o age_n there_o be_v none_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a emperor_n no_o coercive_a power_n over_o the_o church_n to_o enforce_v it_o or_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o we_o know_v no_o force_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o courage_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n their_o life_n be_v then_o at_o command_n for_o they_o have_v not_o then_o learn_v to_o 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many_o of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o possess_v they_o with_o a_o ambitious_a desire_n of_o a_o forbid_a superiority_n be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v attempt_v and_o achieve_v it_o once_o without_o any_o opposition_n or_o contradiction_n and_o beside_o that_o the_o contagion_n of_o this_o ambition_n shall_v spread_v itself_o and_o prevail_v without_o stop_n or_o control_n nay_o without_o any_o noise_n or_o notice_n take_v of_o it_o through_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n all_o the_o watchman_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v so_o fast_o asleep_a and_o all_o the_o dog_n so_o dumb_a that_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o shall_v open_v his_o mouth_n against_o it_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v though_o it_o be_v a_o horrible_a untruth_n that_o the_o presbyter_n and_o people_n than_o be_v not_o so_o good_a christian_n as_o the_o presbyter_n be_v now_o that_o they_o be_v general_o so_o negligent_a to_o retain_v the_o government_n of_o christ_n church_n command_v by_o christ_n which_o 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metamorphosis_n act_v and_o prove_v story_n when_o i_o