to_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o to_o a_o common_a council_n of_o social_a ruler_n but_o as_o so_o many_o several_a planter_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n each_o have_v all_o power_n commit_v to_o he_o and_o depend_v on_o no_o conjunction_n of_o any_o one_o or_o more_o apostle_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v large_o and_o clear_o deduce_v dissert_n 3._o c._n 1._o 2._o 3._o 4._o and_o this_o power_n be_v by_o they_o derive_v to_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o use_v it_o themselves_o which_o be_v also_o far_o evidence_v and_o vindicate_v c._n 5._o etc._n etc._n this_o be_v deem_v a_o first_o competent_a proof_n of_o this_o matter_n and_o as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o first_o bishop_n make_v by_o they_o be_v in_o the_o very_a scripture_n call_v apostle_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n diss_n 4._o c._n 3._o 8._o a_o second_o principal_a proof_n of_o scripture_n be_v take_v from_o the_o several_a mention_n of_o the_o so_o many_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o so_o many_o angel_n assign_v to_o they_o one_o to_o each_o as_o a_o singular_a governor_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o revelation_n and_o in_o discourse_n of_o these_o we_o have_v find_v great_a evidence_n of_o the_o fact_n to_o authorise_v we_o to_o improve_v the_o conclusion_n a_o little_a high_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n viz._n to_o affirm_v of_o these_o angel_n that_o each_o of_o they_o be_v a_o archbishop_n or_o metropolitan_a and_o have_v do_v so_o to_o discern_v upon_o undeniable_a ground_n that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o such_o mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n though_o not_o under_o that_o title_n as_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n metropolitan_a of_o all_o judea_n titus_n of_o all_o crete_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o etc._n etc._n 9_o and_o the_o way_n of_o according_a all_o other_o scripture_n with_o these_o have_v be_v brief_o these_o 1._o by_o observe_v this_o difference_n betwixt_o city_n and_o metropoles_fw-la as_o the_o true_a cause_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o mention_n of_o many_o bishop_n in_o not_o of_o one_o city_n mean_v thereby_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o the_o city_n under_o that_o metropolis_n as_o phil._n 1._o 1._o act._n 20._o 17._o second_o by_o examine_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o word_n which_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v use_v in_o scripture_n for_o bishop_n as_o beside_o apostle_n and_o angel_n foremention_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ruler_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d doctor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pastor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a and_o in_o the_o father_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chief_a priest_n and_o sacerdos_n priest_n each_o denote_v dignity_n and_o authority_n and_o all_o clear_v to_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n applicable_a and_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o context_n to_o be_v actual_o apply_v to_o the_o singular_a governor_n in_o each_o city_n most_o of_o they_o constant_o so_o and_o that_o one_o of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o not_o constant_o so_o yet_o very_o rare_o otherwise_o and_o this_o be_v do_v dissert_n 4._o c._n 7._o and_o so_o to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o diss_n three_o by_o observe_v the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o many_o city_n in_o the_o first_o plantation_n which_o make_v it_o unnecessary_a that_o there_o shall_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v ordain_v any_o more_o than_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o in_o each_o city_n and_o that_o this_o be_v according_o do_v by_o they_o at_o the_o first_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o most_o undeniable_a ancient_a record_n such_o as_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o profound_a history_n out_o of_o which_o 3._o epiphanius_n make_v this_o observation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o there_o want_v bishop_n and_o there_o be_v find_v person_n worthy_a of_o the_o office_n bishop_n be_v constitute_v but_o where_o there_o be_v no_o multitude_n there_o none_o be_v find_v among_o they_o to_o be_v constitute_v presbyter_n and_o they_o satisfy_v themselves_o with_o a_o bishop_n alone_o in_o a_o place_n only_o the_o bishop_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v without_o a_o deacon_n and_o according_o the_o apostle_n take_v care_n that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v his_o deacon_n to_o minister_v to_o he_o that_o which_o be_v thus_o cite_v by_o epiphanius_n out_o of_o those_o ancient_a record_n be_v find_v clear_o affirm_v by_o cor._n clemens_n romanus_n a_o apostolical_a person_n and_o witness_v of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n that_o they_o be_v send_v out_o by_o christ_n as_o he_o by_o his_o father_n go_v out_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o proclaim_v it_o through_o region_n and_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v to_o both_o which_o we_o shall_v again_o add_v what_o ephiphanius_n preface_v in_o that_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o when_o the_o preach_n be_v new_a the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n write_v agreeable_o to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o affair_n we_o have_v here_o so_o clear_a a_o account_n of_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o deacon_n to_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o and_o 1_o tim._n 3._o viz._n because_o those_o be_v the_o only_a two_o order_n then_o constitute_v in_o every_o church_n that_o these_o two_o place_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o adversary_n against_o we_o be_v most_o punctual_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o we_o and_o of_o the_o unseasonablenesse_n of_o their_o pretension_n 10._o as_o for_o the_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n the_o groundwork_n i_o have_v choose_v to_o lay_v in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n because_o the_o testimony_n thence_o be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o evident_a and_o the_o writer_n so_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o holy_a man_n be_v martyr_a in_o the_o 10._o of_o trajan_n to_o who_o reign_n s._n john_n live_v and_o most_o of_o his_o epistle_n write_v to_o the_o very_a church_n of_o asia_n plant_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o many_o of_o they_o name_v by_o he_o and_o of_o one_o bishop_n the_o presbyter_n under_o he_o that_o if_o that_o one_o author_n testimony_n be_v attend_v to_o there_o be_v a_o absolute_a decision_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v also_o vindicate_v these_o epistle_n from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v object_v to_o they_o in_o these_o late_a year_n and_o assert_v their_o authority_n by_o as_o ancient_a and_o authentic_a evidence_n as_o can_v be_v vouch_v for_o any_o ancient_a piece_n next_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o and_o content_v myself_o with_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o uncorrupted_a copy_n and_o edition_n of_o it_o 11._o in_o accord_n with_o these_o testimony_n i_o have_v also_o produce_v many_o other_o out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n hegesippus_n polycarpe_n papias_n polycrates_n justin_n jrenaeus_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n tâ—rtullian_n and_o as_o many_o of_o the_o first_o time_n as_o have_v say_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o find_v a_o full_a consent_n in_o all_o and_o in_o most_o irrefragable_a suffrage_n which_o conclude_v this_o whole_a controversy_n on_o the_o prelatists_n side_n to_o which_o i_o have_v also_o add_v some_o few_o observation_n of_o unquestionable_a truth_n as_o 1._o that_o of_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o use_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a to_o signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n among_o some_o of_o these_o most_o ancient_a church_n writer_n whereas_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v never_o use_v by_o any_o but_o for_o a_o singular_a governor_n second_o that_o of_o the_o distinct_a congregation_n of_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n the_o ground_n of_o which_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o several_a governor_n or_o bishop_n over_o they_o which_o be_v useful_a for_o the_o remove_n some_o seem_a difficulty_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n antiâ—ch_n etc._n etc._n and_o some_o other_o the_o like_a not_o for_o the_o serve_v the_o necessity_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o as_o supernumerary_n and_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o upon_o these_o and_o such_o like_a head_n of_o probation_n we_o have_v build_v our_o plea_n descend_v also_o to_o a_o particular_a survey_n of_o saint_n hierom_n testimony_n which_o be_v by_o the_o adversary_n principal_o make_v use_n of_o against_o we_o and_o if_o what_o be_v thus_o copious_o deduce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n together_o
expedite_v it_o it_o be_v sure_a very_o reasonable_a to_o examine_v and_o observe_v what_o they_o which_o make_v most_o advantage_n of_o hierome_n authority_n shall_v be_v find_v to_o say_v to_o this_o testimony_n of_o he_o for_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n of_o three_o order_n and_o among_o these_o three_o principal_a person_n offer_v themselves_o to_o our_o consideration_n d._n blondell_n walo_n messalinus_n or_o salmasius_n and_o lud._n capellus_n every_o of_o they_o have_v new_o write_v on_o this_o subject_n and_o collect_v especial_o what_o i_o have_v say_v of_o it_o of_o these_o three_o the_o last_o be_v soon_o discern_v to_o have_v deal_v most_o prudent_o set_v down_o the_o other_o testimony_n out_o of_o he_o but_o whole_o omit_v this_o the_o other_o two_o have_v not_o be_v so_o wary_a make_v use_v of_o another_o dexterity_n set_v down_o the_o word_n but_o defer_v their_o observation_n on_o they_o till_o some_o fit_a season_n d._n blondell_n put_v it_o off_o to_o his_o six_o section_n whereas_o upon_o examination_n he_o have_v but_o three_o in_o his_o whole_a book_n and_o so_o be_v certain_o never_o likely_a to_o speak_v of_o it_o nor_o can_v be_v just_o believe_v to_o have_v in_o earnest_n design_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o other_o say_v he_o expect_v more_o and_o better_a note_n on_o it_o from_o salmasius_n i.e._n from_o himself_o in_o another_o book_n viz._n de_fw-fr ecclesiastico_fw-la ordine_fw-la and_o after_o a_o great_a volume_n come_v out_o of_o that_o subject_n 8._o or_o 9_o year_n after_o he_o yet_o never_o take_v this_o place_n or_o his_o own_o promise_n into_o consideration_n this_o be_v all_o that_o my_o search_n produce_v and_o the_o take_a notice_n of_o these_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n the_o behaviour_n of_o these_o man_n in_o that_o which_o so_o much_o concern_v the_o whole_a cause_n to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o lay_v to_o heart_n be_v all_o that_o be_v do_v by_o i_o and_o which_o be_v style_v by_o these_o a_o triumph_v over_o those_o learned_a men._n and_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v little_a of_o hard_a measure_n and_o as_o little_a of_o insolence_n in_o this_o now_o because_o what_o these_o learned_a man_n thus_o avert_v the_o do_n be_v yet_o here_o say_v to_o be_v do_v by_o smectymnuus_n and_o that_o if_o i_o have_v cast_v a_o eye_n on_o the_o vindication_n i_o shall_v there_o have_v find_v that_o place_n of_o hierome_n answer_v i_o be_o now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n to_o obey_v their_o direction_n and_o consider_v the_o answer_n which_o from_o smectymnuus_n they_o have_v set_v down_o for_o i_o and_o it_o be_v twofold_a the_o first_o be_v a_o civil_a denial_n that_o there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o the_o word_n for_o say_v they_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o this_o imparity_n can_v be_v proper_o call_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n when_o jerome_n have_v mention_v john_n the_o last_o of_o the_o apostle_n say_v it_o be_v postea_fw-la that_o one_o be_v set_v over_o the_o rest_n but_o be_v this_o the_o way_n of_o answer_v the_o place_n or_o salve_v the_o difficulty_n hierome_n say_v bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n that_o sure_o be_v this_o imparity_n be_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o they_o answer_v it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v how_o it_o can_v be_v proper_o so_o call_v what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o make_v hierom_n word_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o he_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o accord_v not_o with_o their_o interest_n as_o unreconcilable_a with_o truth_n as_o with_o his_o own_o former_a word_n which_o they_o have_v cite_v from_o he_o and_o then_o how_o much_o kind_a to_o hierome_n be_v i_o than_o they_o who_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o affix_v a_o commodious_a meaning_n to_o his_o former_a word_n and_o interpret_v confuetudo_fw-la the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n begin_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n that_o so_o in_o thus_o say_v he_o may_v be_v reconcileable_a with_o himself_o when_o he_o call_v episcopacy_n a_o tradition_n apostolical_a as_o for_o the_o reason_n which_o make_v this_o so_o hard_a for_o they_o to_o conceive_v from_o hierome_n word_n i_o believe_v it_o have_v no_o force_n in_o it_o for_o though_o after_o the_o mention_n of_o s._n john_n word_n in_o his_o second_o and_o three_o epistle_n he_o say_v that_o postea_fw-la afterward_o this_o imparity_n be_v introduce_v yet_o this_o prove_v not_o his_o opnion_n to_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o apostolical_a tradition_n it_o may_v be_v do_v after_o the_o write_n of_o those_o epistle_n and_o yet_o in_o st._n john_n time_n i._n e._n before_o his_o death_n and_o though_o i_o believe_v st._n hierome_n be_v mistake_v in_o think_v there_o be_v no_o bishop_n till_o then_o it_o will_v have_v have_v more_o truth_n in_o it_o if_o he_o have_v say_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n till_o then_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o be_v his_o opnion_n because_o as_o he_o no_o where_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o this_o so_o here_o be_v say_v express_o that_o it_o be_v apostolical_a tradition_n which_o in_o his_o opinion_n it_o can_v not_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n in_o his_o opinion_n before_o st._n john_n death_n and_o so_o there_o be_v but_o little_a appearance_n of_o validity_n in_o their_o first_o answer_n and_o for_o their_o second_o that_o be_v somewhat_o like_o the_o former_a viz._n that_o with_o hierome_n apostolical_a tradition_n and_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n be_v the_o same_o if_o this_o be_v true_a then_o certain_o i_o do_v not_o amiss_o in_o think_v that_o when_o hierome_n use_v consuetudo_fw-la custom_n in_o opposition_n to_o dominica_n dispositio_fw-la christ_n appointment_n or_o institution_n i_o ought_v to_o interpret_v custom_n in_o that_o place_n by_o apostolical_a tradition_n in_o the_o other_o for_o how_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n with_o he_o and_o apostolical_a tradition_n shall_v be_v the_o same_o and_o yet_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n may_v not_o be_v interpret_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n especial_o when_o the_o same_o man_n affirm_v they_o both_o of_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v apprehend_v but_o than_o second_o because_o i_o must_v suppose_v that_o by_o make_v they_o the_o same_o they_o must_v mean_v to_o bring_v down_o apostolical_a tradition_n to_o signify_v ecclesiastical_a custom_n not_o to_o advance_v custom_n to_o signify_v apostolical_a tradition_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o when_o they_o make_v bishop_n and_o elder_a the_o â—ame_n they_o bring_v down_o bishop_n to_o signify_v presbyter_n but_o will_v not_o allow_v elder_a to_o signify_v bishop_n that_o also_o will_v be_v worth_a examine_v a_o while_n and_o 1._o can_v there_o be_v any_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o hierome_n or_o any_o man_n shall_v set_v down_o that_o for_o a_o instance_n of_o apostolical_a tradition_n which_o the_o same_o person_n do_v not_o believe_v to_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o to_o be_v of_o a_o latter_a date_n that_o which_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o receive_v and_o practise_v by_o the_o church_n may_v fit_o be_v call_v a_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n without_o add_v or_o specify_v that_o we_o mean_v the_o apostolical_a church_n because_o the_o apostle_n while_o they_o live_v be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o follow_a age_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o church_n also_o but_o can_v it_o be_v true_o say_v that_o that_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v only_o accustom_v in_o the_o subsequent_a church_n and_o not_o so_o much_o as_o introduce_v under_o the_o apostle_n this_o certain_o be_v another_o strange_a way_n of_o interpret_n word_n or_o phrase_n quite_o contrary_a to_o all_o lexicon_n or_o to_o the_o use_n of_o such_o word_n or_o phrase_n which_o unless_o they_o be_v change_v it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v he_o that_o say_v tradition_n apostolical_a do_v not_o mean_a tradition_n apostolical_a and_o this_o sure_a will_v bring_v little_a credit_n to_o st._n hierome_n on_o who_o authority_n they_o so_o much_o depend_v in_o this_o matter_n as_o for_o their_o proof_n of_o what_o they_o say_v viz._n because_o the_o observation_n of_o lent_n which_o he_o say_v ad_fw-la marcellum_fw-la be_v apostolica_fw-la traditio_fw-la be_v contra_fw-la luciferianos_fw-la say_v by_o he_o to_o be_v ecclesiae_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la that_o sure_a be_v not_o of_o force_n to_o conclude_v what_o they_o will_v have_v it_o for_o it_o may_v be_v or_o by_o he_o be_v deem_v to_o be_v both_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o a_o custom_n of_o the_o hurch_n too_o it_o be_v very_o ordinary_a and_o reasonable_a that_o what_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o church_n shall_v also_o accustom_v and_o practice_n but_o can_v both_o these_o be_v say_v by_o he_o of_o that_o which_o he_o think_v be_v but_o one_o of_o these_o that_o be_v
the_o region_n adjacent_a and_o pertain_v to_o that_o city_n and_o so_o as_o church_n and_o congregation_n be_v all_o one_o as_o in_o ordinary_a use_n in_o all_o language_n they_o be_v they_o be_v congregationall_a and_o diocesan_n also_o 12._o what_o follow_v of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o great_a city_n and_o their_o meeting_n in_o one_o place_n as_o also_o of_o a_o church_n and_o city_n be_v all_o one_o be_v willing_o grant_v by_o we_o and_o have_v not_o the_o least_o appearance_n of_o be_v useful_a to_o their_o pretension_n or_o hurtful_a to_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o make_v any_o the_o lest_o reply_v to_o it_o 13._o that_o which_o next_o follow_v though_o it_o concern_v we_o not_o to_o examine_v it_o our_o interest_n be_v equal_o secure_v be_v it_o true_a or_o false_a yet_o i_o can_v but_o take_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o in_o pass_v because_o it_o be_v a_o little_a extraordinary_a 14._o afterward_o say_v they_o we_o conceive_v that_o believer_n become_v so_o numerous_a in_o these_o great_a city_n as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n act._n 2._o 41._o and_o 4._o 4._o and_o 5._o 14._o and_o thus_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v in_o most_o of_o these_o asian_a church_n in_o st._n john_n time_n 15._o here_o certain_o the_o word_n afterward_o be_v relative_a and_o refer_v to_o the_o antecedent_n in_o the_o former_a paragraph_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n hereupon_o i_o demand_v what_o time_n be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n be_v it_o that_o wherein_o christ_n continue_v on_o the_o earth_n if_o so_o they_o will_v easy_o believe_v we_o that_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v place_v in_o the_o church_n within_o that_o period_n if_o it_o be_v the_o time_n immediate_o follow_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n when_o the_o apostle_n begin_v to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o faith_n then_o how_o come_v they_o to_o divide_v that_o time_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o act._n 2._o 41._o from_o that_o time_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n by_o this_o word_n afterwards_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a what_o be_v there_o story_a of_o the_o 3000._o convert_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o first_o sermon_n preach_v by_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_o upon_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o and_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n the_o wonderment_n whereof_o bring_v those_o so_o many_o auditor_n together_o 16._o so_o second_o when_o they_o say_v of_o this_o point_n of_o time_n act._n 2._o 41._o the_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meâ—t_v in_o one_o place_n this_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o text_n which_o say_v express_o five_o 44._o that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n they_o interpret_v meet_v in_o â—ne_n and_o the_o same_o place_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o place_n act_n 4._o â—4_n and_o 5_o 14._o for_o certain_o as_o yet_o though_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v yet_o they_o be_v not_o distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n be_v assure_v that_o this_o disquisition_n be_v perfect_o extrinsecall_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o because_o as_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o ancient_n be_v clear_a in_o affirm_v that_o soon_o after_o christ_n ascension_n 〈◊〉_d peter_n and_o james_n and_o john_n choose_v james_n the_o just_a the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o constitute_v he_o bishop_n or_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o need_v pretend_v to_o from_o the_o story_n of_o that_o church_n so_o it_o matter_n not_o much_o at_o what_o point_n of_o time_n that_o be_v do_v whether_o at_o the_o very_a beginning_n or_o afterward_o much_o less_o how_o soon_o it_o be_v that_o that_o church_n be_v distribute_v into_o several_a divide_a assembly_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o bishop_n not_o at_o all_o depend_v on_o that_o as_o have_v former_o be_v show_v 17._o hence_o will_v it_o appear_v to_o how_o very_o little_a purpose_n be_v those_o caution_n add_v and_o observation_n make_v in_o the_o remain_a part_n of_o this_o six_o chapter_n 18._o thus_o say_v they_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v i.e._n the_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a in_o great_a city_n that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n in_o most_o of_o these_o asian_a church_n in_o st._n john_n time_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n diligent_o to_o be_v observe_v first_o that_o these_o meet_v place_n be_v frequent_v promiscuous_o and_o indistinct_o and_o that_o believer_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o set_n and_o fix_v church_n or_o congregation_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n 19_o but_o first_o i_o demand_v be_v there_o any_o truth_n in_o this_o observation_n be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n a_o set_v and_o fix_a church_n so_o as_o to_o be_v perfect_o sever_v from_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n and_o ephesus_n be_v not_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o the_o one_o and_o not_o of_o the_o other_o 20._o second_o why_o be_v this_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o be_v so_o diligent_o observe_v if_o one_o of_o these_o church_n be_v not_o thus_o divide_v and_o sever_v from_o other_o how_o can_v it_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n as_o they_o pretend_v it_o be_v must_v it_o not_o be_v a_o determinate_a fix_a body_n that_o be_v govern_v by_o any_o whether_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n i_o profess_v not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v by_o my_o most_o diligent_a observation_n why_o this_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o be_v so_o diligent_o observe_v 21._o second_o say_v they_o it_o must_v be_v as_o diligent_o observe_v that_o notwithstanding_o these_o different_a meeting_n place_n yet_o the_o believer_n of_o one_o city_n make_v but_o one_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v call_v a_o church_n not_o church_n act._n 8._o 1._o &_o 15._o 6._o &_o 22._o 16._o and_o so_o likewise_o it_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n etc._n etc._n not_o church_n etc._n etc._n 22._o this_o observation_n i_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v perfect_a truth_n in_o it_o and_o not_o to_o be_v confutable_a in_o any_o part_n save_o only_a that_o the_o two_o latter_a text_n be_v certain_o misquote_v and_o not_o rectify_v in_o the_o errata_fw-la and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o reject_v i_o shall_v embrace_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o incongruity_n in_o assign_v of_o one_o bishop_n to_o one_o church_n and_o so_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n because_o it_o be_v a_o church_n not_o church_n be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o where_o there_o be_v more_o church_n there_o be_v more_o bishop_n and_o so_o likewise_o one_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n and_o of_o thyatira_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o suppose_v be_v not_o the_o thing_n they_o mean_v to_o infer_v from_o hence_o nor_o indeed_o do_v i_o conceive_v it_o necessary_o infer_v from_o only_a very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o oneness_n of_o each_o church_n without_o other_o argument_n to_o join_v with_o it_o but_o i_o be_o still_o to_o seek_v and_o emand_v what_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o their_o cause_n or_o disadvantage_n to_o we_o by_o this_o observation_n 23._o but_o than_o three_o they_o add_v that_o this_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n 24._o this_o indeed_o be_v worth_a their_o diligent_a observe_v if_o it_o can_v be_v descry_v and_o will_v abundant_o recompense_v they_o for_o the_o no-profit_n their_o two_o former_a observation_n bring_v they_o in_o if_o it_o can_v be_v obtain_v by_o all_o their_o diligence_n but_o this_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o only_a thing_n in_o question_n betwixt_o we_o whether_o the_o church_n in_o each_o city_n be_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n or_o by_o one_o single_a bishop_n call_v sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n as_o that_o signify_v simple_o a_o governor_n not_o with_o restriction_n a_o member_n of_o a_o college_n of_o governor_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o only_a question_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o it_o must_v not_o be_v any_o far_o yield_v to_o they_o than_o their_o proof_n and_o evidence_n will_v enforce_v it_o and_o these_o of_o what_o virtue_n they_o be_v must_v now_o appear_v
to_o discern_v the_o word_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a without_o any_o addition_n of_o ephesus_n or_o the_o like_a which_o restrain_v it_o in_o all_o the_o example_n there_o produce_v to_o be_v appliable_a to_o a_o far_o large_a body_n than_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n and_o consequent_o be_v quit_v from_o all_o obligation_n of_o make_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o 17._o the_o elder_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n 45._o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n i_o suppose_v but_o the_o church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n consist_v of_o many_o church_n as_o the_o part_n thereof_o may_v be_v and_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a and_o so_o certain_o may_v the_o church_n of_o a_o nation_n or_o a_o province_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v unite_v together_o under_o one_o primate_n or_o metropolitan_a as_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o church_n and_o city_n near_o ephesus_n nay_o over_o all_o asia_n be_v according_a to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n who_o when_o 254._o other_o affirm_v of_o timothy_n that_o he_o be_v by_o paul_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o epheâ—us_n express_v the_o same_o thing_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a that_o timothy_n have_v a_o church_n commit_v to_o he_o or_o indeed_o a_o entire_a nation_n that_o of_o asia_n the_o like_a be_v ordinary_o observable_a of_o crete_n a_o whole_a island_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o in_o each_o of_o which_o titus_n be_v appoint_v to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n or_o elder_n which_o yet_o be_v style_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o crete_n and_o the_o subscription_n never_o question_v upon_o that_o score_n by_o any_o that_o it_o speak_v improper_o herein_o 46._o and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o harshness_n in_o this_o interpretation_n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o he_o to_o miletus_n and_o in_o his_o oration_n address_v to_o they_o call_v they_o bishop_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n mean_v they_o singular_a praefect_n of_o several_a city_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n especial_o of_o those_o which_o be_v near_a ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n 47._o and_o so_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n as_o they_o call_v they_o 48._o another_o proof_n of_o the_o same_o be_v there_o add_v pag._n 85._o thus_o the_o syriack_n translation_n read_v it_o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n so_o hierome_n presbyteros_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ephesinae_n so_o concilium_fw-la aquisgranense_n 49._o what_o authority_n st_n hierome_n testimony_n be_v to_o carry_v with_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v elsewhere_o large_o show_v and_o we_o may_v hereafter_o have_v far_a occasion_n to_o declare_v it_o and_o our_o reason_n of_o it_o at_o the_o present_a it_o be_v willing_o confess_v that_o st._n hierome_n on_o tit._n 1._o do_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o in_o scripture_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o from_o he_o isidore_n hispalensis_n de_fw-fr officiis_fw-la eccl._n l._n 2._o have_v the_o same_o and_o both_o have_v according_a to_o that_o prolepsis_n change_v the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n in_o the_o act_n and_o instead_o of_o what_o there_o we_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n they_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o same_o church_n express_v themselves_o to_o mean_v of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o council_n of_o aken_n aquisgranense_n have_v transcribe_v nine_o chapter_n from_o isidore_n verbatim_o consequent_o do_v the_o like_a so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o isidore_n and_o that_o council_n be_v as_o great_a as_o st._n hierome_n can_v make_v it_o from_o who_o evident_o it_o proceed_v may_v yet_o be_v allow_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o far_o great_a authority_n of_o polycarp'_v auditor_n irenaeus_n who_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o contrary_n 50._o as_o for_o the_o syriack_n tanslation_n it_o be_v not_o here_o recite_v exact_o according_o to_o the_o truth_n for_o in_o that_o thus_o the_o word_n lie_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v and_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o be_v but_o one_o mention_n of_o ephesus_n not_o two_o as_o be_v here_o suggest_v from_o the_o translation_n that_o it_o read_v he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o short_a of_o it_o be_v ephesus_z being_z but_o once_o name_v in_o that_o verse_n the_o greek_a place_v it_o in_o the_o begin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o this_o be_v the_o original_a must_v certain_o over-rule_v all_o translation_n and_o according_o all_o translation_n but_o one_o to_o read_v it_o only_o the_o syriack_n have_v misplaced_n the_o word_n ephesus_n put_v it_o in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o period_n quite_o against_o all_o syntaxis_fw-la and_o for_o do_v so_o be_v here_o cite_v and_o their_o testimony_n make_v use_v of_o to_o assist_v presbytery_n when_o the_o manifest_a truth_n in_o the_o original_a and_o by_o all_o other_o translation_n acknowledge_v will_v not_o allow_v they_o any_o the_o least_o advantage_n 51._o after_o they_o have_v produce_v these_o two_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o a_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n the_o reader_n will_v hardly_o expect_v that_o which_o now_o next_z follow_v in_o these_o word_n from_o all_o this_o we_o gather_v that_o the_o asian_a angel_n be_v not_o diocesan_n bishop_n but_o congregationall_a presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o in_o one_o church_n not_o any_o of_o they_o in_o more_o than_o one_o 52._o this_o conclusion_n as_o the_o word_n lie_v consist_v of_o two_o part_n 1._o that_o each_o of_o these_o asian_a angel_n under_o the_o title_n of_o congregationall_a presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o one_o church_n this_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v as_o the_o word_n sound_v be_v the_o grant_n to_o we_o all_o that_o we_o contend_v and_o will_v hardly_o be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o three_o observation_n that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n for_o sure_o each_o of_o those_o presbyter_n be_v not_o a_o common_a council_n but_o i_o rather_o believe_v they_o have_v not_o so_o soon_o disclaim_v their_o praemiss_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o interpret_v their_o word_n by_o their_o principle_n than_o their_o meaning_n by_o their_o word_n and_o so_o that_o by_o congregationall_a presbyter_n they_o mean_v so_o many_o college_n of_o such_o presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o i._n e._n each_o of_o those_o college_n in_o one_o church_n and_o if_o that_o be_v their_o conclusion_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o to_o accord_v perfect_o with_o their_o praemiss_n which_o be_v already_o answer_v there_o remain_v no_o force_n in_o the_o conclusion_n 53._o and_o for_o the_o second_o part_n that_o not_o any_o of_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o more_o than_o one_o understand_v it_o again_o as_o the_o word_n sound_v it_o be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o our_o pretension_n for_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n be_v seat_v in_o smyrna_n or_o in_o any_o church_n but_o that_o of_o ephesios_n and_o the_o territory_n thereof_o and_o although_o as_o that_o be_v a_o metropolis_n other_o city_n be_v under_o it_o and_o so_o other_o bishop_n subordinate_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n yet_o be_v not_o any_o other_o city_n the_o seat_n of_o that_o metropolitan_a but_o only_o ephesus_n whereof_o he_o take_v his_o denomination_n as_o although_o rochester_n be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o canterbury_n yet_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v not_o seat_v at_o rochester_n but_o some_o other_o bishop_n affix_v to_o that_o city_n and_o diocese_n as_o for_o any_o other_o meaning_n of_o it_o proportionable_a to_o that_o which_o we_o be_v fain_o to_o affix_v to_o the_o former_a i_o confess_v myself_o ignorant_a what_o it_o can_v tend_v to_o for_o it_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v not_o any_o council_n of_o presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o more_o church_n than_o one_o which_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v no_o one_o body_n be_v in_o several_a place_n and_o i_o know_v no_o prelatist_n that_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n have_v affirm_v it_o be_v 54._o what_o remain_v in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n of_o this_o chapter_n
again_o to_o make_v he_o testify_v against_o his_o conscience_n to_o say_v lent_n be_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o to_o believe_v it_o be_v not_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n here_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v debate_n whether_o the_o observation_n of_o lent_n be_v apostolical_a or_o no_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o insist_v on_o be_v whether_o saint_n hierome_n that_o say_v it_o be_v such_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o if_o he_o be_v mistake_v in_o his_o belief_n than_o he_o may_v be_v as_o well_o mistake_v in_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o interpret_v so_o as_o be_v useful_a to_o and_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o presbyterian_o as_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n act._n 20._o be_v the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n phil._n 1._o be_v presbyter_n of_o that_o one_o church_n or_o city_n and_o the_o like_a for_o either_o of_o those_o be_v but_o his_o belief_n or_o persuasion_n too_o and_o the_o more_o fallible_a they_o find_v he_o in_o other_o thing_n the_o less_o weight_n they_o ought_v to_o lay_v on_o his_o opinion_n in_o this_o and_o the_o less_o blame_n on_o we_o for_o depart_v from_o his_o opinion_n but_o have_v say_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o repel_v all_o force_n of_o their_o objection_n i_o shall_v now_o add_v some_o other_o testimony_n out_o of_o saint_n hierome_n and_o after_o they_o one_o argument_n ad_fw-la homines_fw-la undeniable_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v indeed_o and_o without_o question_n s._n hierome_n opinion_n that_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o 1._o in_o his_o 54._o epistle_n he_o set_v down_o this_o difference_n among_o other_o between_o the_o catholic_n and_o the_o montanist_a heretic_n apud_fw-la nos_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la locum_fw-la tenent_fw-la episcopi_fw-la apud_fw-la eos_fw-la episcopus_fw-la tertius_fw-la est_fw-la among_o the_o catholic_n the_o bishop_n such_o as_o be_v in_o s._n hierome_n time_n i._n e._n certain_o such_o as_o in_o we_o not_o mere_a presbyter_n hold_v the_o place_n of_o the_o apostle_n i._n e._n the_o uppermost_a place_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o it_o and_o among_o those_o heretic_n the_o bishop_n be_v the_o three_o which_o it_o seem_v be_v one_o character_n of_o their_o be_v heretic_n and_o so_o a_o deviation_n from_o a_o apostolical_a truth_n 2._o in_o this_o book_n the_o script_n ecclâ—sâ—_n he_o say_v of_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n jacobus_n ab_fw-la apostolis_n statim_fw-la post_fw-la ascensionem_fw-la domini_fw-la hierosylimorum_fw-la episcopus_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la suscepit_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la hierosolyma_n timotheus_n à _fw-fr paulo_n ephesiorum_n episcopus_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la titus_n cretae_fw-la polycarpus_n à _fw-fr johanne_n smyrnae_fw-la episcopus_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la james_n present_o after_o christ_n ascension_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o undertake_v i._o e._n rule_v as_o to_o receive_v the_o congregation_n psal_n 75._o be_v to_o rule_v it_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n timothy_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o ephesian_n by_o paul_n titus_n of_o crete_n polycarpe_n be_v by_o john_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n where_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o acknowledge_v that_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v singular_a ruler_n which_o therefore_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o excuse_v by_o say_v they_o be_v extraordinary_a officer_n or_o evangelist_n and_o yet_o by_o he_o say_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o crete_n and_o so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n so_o it_o be_v consequent_a that_o james_n and_o polycarpe_n be_v by_o he_o deem_v singular_a ruler_n also_o and_o not_o colleague_n in_o a_o presbytery_n and_o those_o so_o constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n also_o and_o according_o of_o this_o james_n he_o say_v ad_fw-la gal._n 2._o jacobus_n primus_fw-la ei_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la praefuit_fw-la eciscopus_fw-la hierosolymorum_fw-la primus_fw-la fuit_fw-la james_n be_v the_o first_o that_o be_v set_v over_o that_o church_n be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o in_o consequence_n thereto_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o isae_fw-la lib._n 5._o cap._n 17._o he_o call_v this_o james_n decimum_fw-la tertium_fw-la apostolum_n the_o thirteen_o apostle_n 3._o in_o like_a manner_n 85._o epist_n ad_fw-la euagrium_n speak_v of_o mark_n who_o die_v in_o the_o 8_o of_o nero_n what_o be_v do_v by_o he_o must_v be_v resolve_v to_o have_v be_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o agreeable_a to_o then_o practice_n he_o say_v alexandâ—iae_fw-la à _fw-la maâ—co_fw-la evangâ—â—â—stâ_fw-la ad_fw-la heraclam_fw-la &_o dionysium_fw-la episcopos_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la semper_fw-la unum_fw-la ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la super_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la graduâ—_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la quomodo_fw-la si_fw-la exercitus_fw-la imperatorem_fw-la faceret_fw-la at_o alexandria_n from_o the_o time_n of_o mark_n the_o evangelist_n to_o the_o time_n of_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n bishop_n the_o presbyter_n always_o name_v one_o choose_v from_o among_o themselves_o and_o place_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n above_o presbyter_n their_o bishop_n as_o if_o a_o army_n shall_v choose_v their_o general_n that_o what_o be_v say_v of_o the_o presbyter_n choose_v their_o bishop_n belong_v not_o to_o presbyter_n impose_v hand_n on_o he_o be_v 10._o elsewhere_o large_o evidence_v and_o so_o by_o the_o way_n appear_v the_o falseness_n of_o the_o citation_n out_o of_o jerome_n appen_n p._n 142._o that_o in_o alexandria_n for_o a_o long_a time_n the_o presbyter_n ordain_v it_o shall_v have_v be_v say_v elect_v their_o bishop_n that_o which_o i_o here_o infer_v from_o the_o testimony_n be_v manifest_a viz._n that_o in_o saint_n mark_v time_n and_o from_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o church_n at_o alexandria_n one_o bishop_n or_o singular_a ruler_n be_v constitute_v among_o they_o as_o that_o signify_v a_o high_a degree_n than_o that_o of_o presbyter_n 4._o more_o place_n there_o be_v in_o he_o which_o evidence_n his_o opinion_n that_o bishop_n as_o they_o differ_v from_o presbyter_n be_v successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o comment_n on_o psal_n 45._o nunc_fw-la quia_fw-la apostoli_fw-la à _fw-la mundo_fw-la recesserunt_fw-la habes_fw-la pro_fw-la his_fw-la episcopos_fw-la filios_fw-la sunt_fw-la &_o high_a patres_fw-la tui_fw-la quia_fw-la ab_fw-la ipsis_fw-la regeris_fw-la now_o inâ—_n hierome_n time_n because_o the_o apostle_n be_v part_v from_o the_o world_n you_o have_v in_o their_o stead_n bishop_n their_o son_n they_o also_o be_v thy_o father_n because_o thou_o be_v govern_v by_o they_o where_o the_o bishop_n that_o then_o rule_v those_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v single_a person_n not_o presbytery_n be_v the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o his_o opinion_n and_o ep._n 1._o ad_fw-la heliodorum_n of_o not_o undertake_v the_o office_n of_o bishop_n non_fw-fr est_fw-fr facile_fw-la stare_n loco_fw-la pauli_n tenere_fw-la gradum_fw-la petri_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o stand_v in_o paul_n place_n to_o hold_v the_o degree_n of_o peter_n where_o episcopacy_n be_v the_o place_n and_o degree_n of_o those_o apostle_n and_o so_o ep._n 13._o ad_fw-la paulinum_n episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la habeant_fw-la in_o exemplum_fw-la apostolos_n &_o apostolicos_fw-la vires_fw-la quorum_fw-la honorem_fw-la possidentes_fw-la habere_fw-la nitantur_fw-la &_o meritum_fw-la bishop_n and_o presbyter_n must_v have_v for_o their_o example_n the_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a man_n who_o honour_n they_o possess_v and_o therefore_o ought_v to_o endeavour_n to_o imitate_v their_o merit_n 5._o i_o shall_v add_v a_o cumulus_fw-la of_o other_o passage_n much_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n with_o the_o former_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v take_v in_o conjunction_n with_o they_o to_o give_v we_o the_o full_a understanding_n of_o s._n hierome_n opinion_n in_o this_o matter_n ad_fw-la nepotian_n ep._n 2._o esto_fw-la subjectus_fw-la pontificituo_fw-la &_o quasi_fw-la anima_fw-la parentem_fw-la suscipe_fw-la quod_fw-la aaroâ—_n &_o filios_fw-la ejus_fw-la hoc_fw-la episcopum_fw-la &_o presbyteros_fw-la esse_fw-la noverimus_fw-la be_v subject_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o parent_n of_o thy_o soul_n what_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v that_o we_o must_v know_v the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v and_o on_o tit._n 1._o speak_v of_o s._n paul_n direction_n for_o the_o make_v a_o bishop_n apostolus_fw-la say_v he_o ecclesiae_fw-la principem_fw-la formans_fw-la the_o apostle_n form_v the_o prince_n or_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o again_o in_o the_o same_o word_n on_o psal_n 45._o decipher_v a_o single_a ruler_n by_o that_o bishop_n which_o the_o apostle_n there_o mean_v to_o form_n so_o on_o that_o 45._o psal_n constituit_fw-la christus_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la finibus_fw-la mundi_fw-la principes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la episcopos_fw-la christ_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n constitute_v prince_n of_o the_o church_n the_o bishop_n just_o
record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o word_n 32._o as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n relate_v polycarpe_n to_o have_v be_v constitute_v there_o by_o john_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n affirm_v clement_n to_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o peter_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n exhibit_v the_o record_n of_o those_o who_o they_o have_v have_v their_o bishop_n constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o conveyor_n of_o the_o apostolical_a seed_n to_o they_o and_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o subject_n of_o our_o present_a discourse_n 5._o we_o have_v the_o church_n feed_v by_o john_n and_o the_o course_n of_o bishop_n be_v drive_v to_o the_o original_a acknowledge_v john_n the_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o here_o certain_o be_v light_n enough_o to_o make_v some_o confidence_n excusable_a in_o a_o prelatist_n and_o to_o make_v his_o wonder_n seasonable_a that_o any_o that_o have_v eye_n shall_v in_o so_o clear_a a_o sunshine_n want_v the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o to_o think_v it_o no_o very_o auspicious_a omen_n that_o they_o do_v yet_o because_o i_o have_v much_o rather_o assist_v then_o upbraid_v other_o man_n infirmity_n i_o have_v here_o give_v they_o a_o instance_n how_o easy_a it_o have_v be_v for_o they_o to_o have_v inform_v themselves_o and_o their_o respective_a charge_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o prelatists_n confidence_n that_o the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o asian_a church_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o his_o approbation_n of_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o that_o word_n for_o a_o single_a overseer_n in_o every_o church_n 12._o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o obscurity_n still_o remain_v in_o the_o premise_n because_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n and_o polycrates_n make_v timothy_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o paul_n the_o first_o bishop_n or_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o tertullian_n divolve_v the_o original_a of_o the_o course_n or_o catalogue_n to_o st_n john_n the_o answer_n be_v easy_a that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o christian_n in_o ephesus_n and_o throughout_o all_o asia_n the_o first_o of_o gentile_a convert_n bring_v into_o the_o faith_n by_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o over_o they_o it_o be_v that_o timothy_n be_v by_o he_o place_v in_o ephesuâ—_n their_o bishop_n the_o second_o of_o jewish_a proselyte_n convert_v by_o st._n john_n by_o compact_n design_v to_o go_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o his_o province_n gal._n 2._o 9_o and_o those_o peculiarly_a the_o asian_a jew_n as_o appear_v every_o where_o in_o 23._o eusebius_n story_n and_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o his_o death_n in_o that_o place_n give_v we_o by_o 31._o polycrates_n a_o early_a bishop_n there_o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o constivation_n out_o of_o a_o ancient_a tradition_n tell_v we_o that_o another_o of_o the_o same_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v by_o that_o apostle_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n there_o as_o timothy_n by_o s._n paul_n of_o the_o other_o congregation_n of_o gentile_a christian_n a_o observation_n which_o be_v large_o educe_v and_o exemplify_v in_o the_o etc._n dissertation_n and_o of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o small_a use_n for_o the_o dilucidating_a of_o obscurity_n in_o ancient_a story_n and_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o presbyterian_o but_o i_o must_v not_o here_o take_v liberty_n to_o enlarge_v on_o it_o unnecessary_o have_v be_v thus_o far_o force_v to_o expatiate_v somewhat_o above_o proportion_n to_o the_o length_n of_o their_o own_o period_n wherein_o my_o confidence_n and_o censoriousnesse_n be_v short_o accuse_v how_o deserve_o i_o hope_v have_v now_o be_v make_v manifest_a section_n ii_o of_o timothy_n of_o onesimus_n of_o polycarpe_n the_o next_o period_n in_o their_o charge_n against_o i_o run_v thus_o 1._o it_o be_v far_a add_v that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n mention_n the_o very_a man_n that_o be_v the_o angel_n of_o those_o church_n some_o say_v timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o john_n write_v his_o epistle_n to_o it_o other_o say_v onesimus_n other_o say_v that_o policarpe_n be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o from_o hence_o they_o conclude_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plansibility_n that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n be_v seven_o individual_a bishop_n 2._o here_o be_v as_o yet_o no_o great_a charge_n offer_v but_o a_o confession_n rather_o that_o i_o have_v some_o temptation_n for_o the_o confidence_n of_o which_o i_o be_v former_o accuse_v my_o conclusion_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o adversary_n to_o be_v infer_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plausibility_n but_o i_o have_v not_o so_o much_o reason_n to_o depend_v on_o their_o civility_n as_o to_o omit_v the_o insert_v here_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o prevent_v mistake_n and_o shall_v therefore_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o set_v down_o entire_o what_o it_o be_v which_o i_o have_v affirm_v in_o this_o matter_n 3._o and_o 1._o i_o have_v yet_o no_o where_o say_v that_o timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o john_n write_v this_o epistle_n to_o that_o church_n my_o word_n be_v express_o otherwise_o exit_fw-la quibus_fw-la patet_fw-la vel_fw-la timotheum_n ipsum_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ei_fw-la succedaneum_fw-la hunc_fw-la ipsum_fw-la angelum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la quem_fw-la c._n 2._o 1._o christus_fw-la alloquitur_fw-la by_o which_o it_o appear_v have_v former_o set_v down_o my_o ground_n to_o induce_v this_o conclusion_n that_o either_o timothy_n himself_o or_o some_o body_n that_o succeed_v he_o be_v that_o very_a angel_n to_o who_o christ_n address_v his_o speech_n c._n 2._o 1._o but_o that_o be_v not_o to_o affirm_v it_o of_o timothy_n but_o purposely_o to_o abstain_v from_o affirm_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v deny_v or_o doubt_v and_o only_o to_o affirm_v it_o either_o to_o timothy_n or_o some_o successor_n of_o he_o which_o evident_o and_o infallible_o it_o must_v be_v if_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o the_o premise_v from_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v the_o word_n of_o the_o council_n and_o the_o father_n that_o after_o timothy_n the_o first_o succeed_v of_o continual_a series_n of_o bishop_n there_o 4._o what_o my_o opinion_n be_v in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v now_o free_o tell_v they_o though_o before_o i_o have_v not_o occasion_n to_o do_v it_o together_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v only_o my_o opinion_n and_o so_o still_o affirm_v nothing_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o some_o uncertainty_n or_o far_o than_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o my_o opinion_n be_v found_v shall_v appear_v able_a to_o support_v it_o my_o opinion_n brief_o be_v that_o timothy_n be_v then_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o time_n of_o address_v that_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n and_o the_o ground_n be_v these_o 1._o that_o st._n 〈◊〉_d john_n banishment_n and_o prophesy_a be_v by_o epiphanius_n twice_o express_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n caesar_n then_o second_o that_o as_o it_o be_v by_o chronologer_n set_v down_o to_o be_v in_o the_o 13._o of_o claudius_n that_o timothy_n be_v leave_v by_o paul_n at_o ephesus_n when_o he_o go_v into_o macedonia_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 3_o act._n 20._o so_o it_o be_v general_o resolve_v that_o timothy_n suffer_v at_o ephesus_n under_o nerva_n and_o that_o agreeable_a enough_o with_o his_o age_n who_o appear_v to_o be_v young_a when_o paul_n first_o place_v he_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n if_o these_o ground_n have_v truth_n in_o they_o than_o timothy_n can_v be_v doubt_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o st_n john_n vision_n be_v receive_v and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o ireneus_fw-la seem_v to_o assign_v another_o date_n of_o these_o vision_n at_o least_o of_o some_o of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o the_o end_n of_o domitian_n reign_n which_o what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v deem_v to_o signify_v be_v 906._o elsewhere_o explain_v yet_o still_o that_o be_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o timothy_n life_n if_o he_o suffer_v not_o till_o nerva_n reign_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o of_o timothy_n 5._o second_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o date_n of_o that_o epistle_n be_v no_o where_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v to_o be_v my_o opinion_n much_o less_o affirm_v by_o i_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v reply_n no_o more_o to_o that_o yet_o because_o ignatius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n mention_n onesimus_n their_o bishop_n and_o that_o testimony_n be_v produce_v by_o i_o dissert_n 2._o c._n 25._o sect._n 9_o i_o shall_v here_o free_o give_v they_o my_o opinion_n also_o of_o that_o matter_n 6._o first_o that_o there_o be_v little_a ground_n of_o question_n but_o
it_o will_v by_o presbyterian_o be_v as_o ready_o expound_v to_o signify_v a_o presbyter_n or_o college_n of_o such_o for_o so_o certain_o they_o have_v do_v in_o other_o place_n and_o true_o with_o as_o much_o reason_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o any_o impartial_a judge_n as_o they_o have_v affirm_v the_o word_n angel_n in_o each_o church_n to_o denote_v such_o and_o therefore_o 7._o three_o i_o shall_v demand_v will_v the_o apostle_n st._n john_n use_v the_o name_n bishop_n be_v at_o all_o useful_a to_o the_o prelatists_n interest_n to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o office_n in_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n or_o will_v it_o not_o if_o not_o then_o sure_o it_o be_v not_o to_o our_o prejudice_n that_o he_o have_v not_o mention_v that_o name_n and_o then_o this_o whole_a consideration_n be_v perfect_o to_o no_o purpose_n if_o it_o will_v then_o sure_a st._n paul_n and_o st._n luke_n frequent_a mention_n of_o they_o i_o may_v add_v st._n peter_n also_o will_v supply_v st._n john_n omission_n and_o conclude_v there_o be_v bishop_n in_o their_o time_n and_o that_o be_v long_o before_o st._n john_n death_n if_o it_o have_v be_v consider_v 8._o four_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o st._n john_n frequent_o name_v the_o name_n presbyter_n in_o the_o apocalypse_n it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a that_o they_o shall_v think_v the_o author_n of_o the_o dissertation_n can_v receive_v any_o prejudice_n from_o thence_o when_o he_o have_v avow_v to_o believe_v that_o those_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n mention_v in_o those_o so_o many_o place_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v the_o 24._o bishop_n of_o judaea_n sit_v in_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n their_o metropolis_n encompass_v james_n the_o bishop_n there_o together_o with_o the_o four_o live_a creature_n denote_v the_o four_o apostle_n that_o be_v join_v with_o they_o in_o the_o council_n and_o the_o 7._o lamp_n the_o emblem_n of_o the_o 7._o deacon_n attend_v of_o which_o matter_n till_o they_o have_v disprove_v what_o be_v commodious_o deduce_v dissert_n 4._o c._n 20._o sect._n 10._o i_o shall_v have_v no_o need_n far_o to_o enlarge_v it_o be_v perfect_o useless_a to_o our_o present_a inquiry_n that_o either_o the_o word_n bishop_n or_o elder_n shall_v be_v use_v by_o s._n john_n for_o a_o single_a perfect_a in_o the_o christian_a church_n suppose_v as_o now_o we_o do_v in_o the_o objection_n and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o beg_n of_o the_o question_n in_o the_o respondent_fw-la to_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v a_o notation_n of_o it_o 9_o by_o this_o it_o appear_v fifthly_o how_o little_a we_o incommodate_v by_o the_o position_n of_o these_o elder_n in_o the_o revelation_n place_v near_a to_o the_o throne_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o church_n for_o suppose_v as_o i_o do_v that_o christ_n be_v by_o way_n of_o vision_n represent_v there_o under_o the_o person_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n sit_v in_o council_n and_o encompass_v on_o each_o side_n with_o a_o semicircle_n of_o throne_n on_o which_o sit_v the_o 24_o bishop_n of_o judea_n i_o can_v well_o allow_v these_o 24._o call_v they_o elder_n or_o what_o you_o please_v to_o be_v near_o to_o that_o middle_a throne_n whereon_o christ_n be_v seat_v and_o true_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o interpret_v of_o presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o make_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o vision_n to_o bear_v proportion_n with_o that_o fancy_n for_o i_o must_v suppose_v according_a to_o st._n john_n word_n that_o in_o the_o vision_n these_o throne_n be_v set_v up_o in_o heaven_n and_o then_o i_o shall_v demand_v be_v that_o a_o representation_n of_o any_o council_n or_o judicature_n on_o earth_n or_o not_o if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v thence_o in_o favour_n of_o presbyter_n more_o than_o of_o bishop_n for_o of_o both_o these_o we_o speak_v as_o of_o officer_n on_o earth_n but_o if_o it_o be_v then_o apply_v it_o to_o presbyter_n it_o must_v follow_v that_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o there_o be_v some_o other_o environ_v on_o each_o side_n by_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sit_v upon_o that_o throne_n of_o principal_a dignity_n before_o who_o also_o they_o on_o the_o other_o throne_n must_v fall_v down_o v_o 10_o or_o else_o the_o parallel_n will_v not_o hold_v throughout_o and_o the_o least_o that_o can_v be_v signify_v hereby_o will_v be_v superiority_n of_o dignity_n in_o he_o that_o sit_v on_o that_o middle_a throne_n above_o all_o the_o 24._o elder_n which_o will_v be_v deem_v to_o exceed_v the_o case_n of_o a_o prolocutor_n or_o moderator_n of_o a_o assembly_n which_o be_v the_o ut_fw-mi most_o that_o the_o presbyterian_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equality_n can_v admit_v of_o but_o much_o more_o commodious_o agree_v to_o the_o metropolitan_a of_o all_o judea_n sit_v in_o a_o national_n council_n with_o the_o bishop_n about_o he_o for_o of_o these_o we_o doubt_v not_o to_o affirm_v that_o they_o be_v as_o much_o inferior_a to_o he_o as_o this_o representation_n do_v pretend_v they_o to_o be_v 10._o as_o for_o the_o sense_n affix_v to_o it_o by_o the_o assembler_n that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n and_o that_o he_o that_o sit_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o be_v christ_n this_o be_v against_o all_o analogy_n and_o rule_n of_o interpret_n a_o mine_v and_o confound_v the_o original_a with_o the_o copy_n the_o type_n with_o the_o antitype_n interpret_n one_o part_n of_o the_o vision_n as_o if_o it_o be_v in_o heaven_n for_o it_o be_v there_o where_o christ_n do_v sit_v as_o judge_n and_o the_o other_o as_o if_o it_o be_v on_o earth_n for_o sure_a the_o presbyter_n in_o this_o notion_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o there_o and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a sufficient_a prejudice_n against_o their_o interpretation_n if_o there_o be_v not_o enough_o beside_o and_o such_o as_o no_o way_n press_v our_o way_n of_o set_v it_o as_o have_v be_v already_o manifest_v 11._o six_o for_o his_o calling_n himself_o a_o presbyter_n ep._n 2._o i_o answer_v that_o as_o far_o as_o this_o allegation_n have_v truth_n it_o have_v no_o force_n in_o it_o at_o all_o against_o our_o pretension_n he_o do_v indeed_o call_v himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a we_o fit_o render_v it_o note_v thereby_o according_a to_o analogy_n with_o the_o solemn_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n both_o among_o sacred_a and_o profane_a writer_n set_v down_o at_o large_a dissert_n 4._o c._n 19_o a_o person_n of_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n a_o apostle_n first_o and_o then_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o whole_a jewish_a church_n in_o asia_n which_o be_v but_o proportionable_a to_o saint_n paul_n beginning_n his_o epistle_n with_o paul_n a_o apostle_n or_o commissioner_n of_o jesus_n christ_n place_v in_o that_o power_n in_o the_o church_n by_o christ_n himself_o and_o with_o the_o same_o style_n in_o the_o front_n of_o saint_n peter_n epistle_n only_o with_o this_o characteristic_a note_n peculiar_a to_o saint_n john_n in_o his_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o omit_v the_o expression_n of_o his_o own_o name_n and_o then_o all_o that_o this_o text_n be_v of_o force_n to_o do_v be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o import_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a use_n of_o the_o word_n govern_v in_o common_a with_o other_o presbyter_n but_o rather_o a_o singular_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o bishop_n be_v by_o we_o contest_v to_o be_v and_o so_o the_o greek_a scholiast_n have_v express_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o the_o word_n elder_a he_o call_v himself_o bishop_n and_o this_o it_o be_v certain_a be_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o dissertation_n and_o no_o way_n to_o his_o prejudice_n if_o it_o have_v be_v advert_v by_o they_o that_o produce_v it_o 12._o seven_o when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o saint_n john_n day_n some_o new_a expression_n be_v use_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v not_o in_o scripture_n as_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o the_o word_n i_o profess_v not_o to_o comprehend_v what_o advantage_n to_o their_o praetension_n can_v be_v design_v or_o aim_v at_o in_o this_o part_n of_o the_o consideration_n for_o 1._o how_o can_v it_o true_o be_v say_v that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lord_n day_n which_o be_v in_o the_o revelation_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n which_o be_v in_o saint_n john_n gospel_n be_v not_o in_o scripture_n i_o must_v suppose_v the_o meaning_n be_v that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o any_o other_o write_n of_o
make_v use_n of_o but_o after_o another_o manner_n according_a to_o the_o city_n in_o which_o they_o keep_v their_o court_n or_o assize_n as_o before_o be_v say_v of_o the_o city_n of_o asia_n according_o when_o s._n paul_n first_o come_v to_o philippi_n st._n luke_n mention_n it_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o prime_a city_n of_o the_o province_n of_o macedonia_n and_o be_v not_o that_o more_o to_o be_v heed_v speak_v so_o express_o of_o that_o city_n at_o that_o time_n than_o that_o geographer_n description_n which_o no_o way_n discover_v to_o what_o time_n it_o belong_v and_o can_v belong_v to_o this_o time_n of_o the_o plant_n the_o faith_n at_o philippi_n if_o s._n luke_n may_v be_v believe_v second_o the_o same_o st._n luke_n say_v of_o it_o at_o that_o time_n that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o colony_n of_o i.e._n a_o city_n replenish_v by_o the_o inhabitation_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o of_o those_o colony_n in_o chief_a city_n there_o be_v no_o question_n but_o they_o be_v especial_o choose_v to_o be_v place_n of_o their_o assize_n whither_o the_o neighbour_a city_n resort_v for_o justice_n and_o so_o be_v metropoles_fw-la in_o the_o civil_a account_n three_o of_o this_o city_n of_o philippi_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v the_o first_o convert_v of_o all_o macedonia_n and_o that_o from_o thence_o he_o go_v after_o to_o thessalonica_n and_o so_o the_o right_a of_o primogeniture_n which_o ordinary_o give_v claim_v to_o the_o metropolitical_a dignity_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a account_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o antioch_n and_o jerusalem_n appear_v belong_v to_o philippi_n over_o and_o above_o the_o forementioned_a praecedence_n thereof_o in_o civil_a account_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o this_o be_v a_o metropolitical_a church_n a_o elder_a sister_n to_o thessalonica_n and_o each_o a_o mother_n to_o the_o church_n of_o lesser_a city_n of_o macedonia_n that_o belong_v to_o they_o according_a to_o which_o it_o be_v that_o polycarpe_n in_o his_o epistle_n mention_n st._n paul_n epistle_n in_o the_o plural_a write_v to_o these_o philippian_n which_o learned_a man_n interpret_v of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n and_o it_o can_v commodious_o be_v understand_v any_o other_o way_n sect._n viii_o a_o three_o confession_n of_o timothy_n be_v a_o archbishop_n of_o the_o qualification_n 1_o tim._n 3_o 2._o belong_v to_o bishop_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n though_o he_o never_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o of_o rebuke_v and_o receive_v accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a the_o three_o confession_n be_v that_o timothy_n be_v archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n that_o when_o paul_n set_v down_o the_o qualification_n of_o bishop_n though_o he_o mention_v none_o but_o such_o as_o be_v common_a to_o a_o presbyter_n with_o a_o bishop_n yet_o he_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v to_o speak_v of_o bishop_n in_o a_o praelaticall_a sense_n and_o not_o at_o all_o of_o presbyter_n and_o when_o he_o say_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n this_o be_v say_v this_o author_n the_o bishop_n that_o rule_v well_o thereby_o hold_v out_o this_o great_a error_n that_o a_o bishop_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n though_o he_o never_o preach_v and_o when_o st._n paul_n bid_v timothy_n not_o neglect_v the_o gift_n that_o be_v give_v he_o by_o the_o lay_n on_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n that_o be_v say_v he_o of_o episcopacy_n and_o when_o the_o apostle_n charge_v he_o not_o to_o rebuke_v a_o elder_a and_o not_o to_o receive_v a_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o bishop_n say_v he_o and_o not_o of_o mere_a presbyter_n to_o this_o accumulative_a crime_n affirm_v to_o be_v confess_v by_o i_o in_o so_o many_o particular_n i_o answer_v by_o avow_v my_o confession_n thus_o far_o 1._o that_o i_o take_v timothy_n to_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o conclude_v it_o from_o 1_o tim._n 1._o 3._o then_o that_o ephesus_n be_v a_o prime_a metropolis_n of_o asia_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o pliny_n and_o ulpian_n and_o general_o the_o church-writer_n and_o from_o those_o two_o put_v together_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v gain_v liberty_n to_o confess_v that_o timothy_n be_v archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n second_o that_o paul_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o 2._o speak_v of_o episcopacy_n as_o of_o a_o good_a work_n or_o office_n and_o the_o qualification_n require_v in_o the_o person_n to_o be_v promote_v to_o it_o speak_v of_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o praelaticall_a sense_n so_o i_o be_o sure_a chrysostome_n do_v understand_v he_o and_o the_o testimony_n be_v late_o cite_v out_o of_o he_o and_o theodoret_n that_o understand_v it_o otherwise_o yet_o apply_v it_o first_o to_o bishop_n and_o say_v on_o that_o occasion_n that_o their_o degree_n in_o the_o church_n be_v superior_a to_o that_o of_o presbyter_n and_o if_o no_o high_a qualification_n be_v require_v of_o a_o bishop_n than_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v require_v of_o a_o presbyter_n which_o yet_o i_o no_o where_o say_v and_o the_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o nooth_a qualification_n here_o specify_v than_o only_o for_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o deacon_n be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o induce_v it_o both_o because_o it_o be_v a_o negative_a argument_n and_o there_o be_v another_o reason_n for_o the_o omit_v presbyter_n because_o in_o this_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v not_o any_o such_o need_n of_o they_o the_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o be_v sufficient_a in_o every_o city_n and_o beside_o the_o qualification_n assign_v the_o deacon_n may_v be_v common_a to_o he_o with_o the_o presbyter_n as_o well_o as_o those_o assign_v the_o bishop_n yet_o that_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o superiority_n of_o the_o office_n or_o to_o my_o interpret_n that_o text_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o sure_o i_o may_v as_o convenient_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v name_v without_o the_o presbyter_n at_o a_o time_n when_o there_o be_v bishop_n but_o as_o yet_o no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n and_o that_o when_o there_o be_v presbyter_n institute_v their_o qualification_n be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o the_o rule_v give_v of_o bishop_n as_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o be_v fit_o say_v by_o they_o that_o the_o place_n be_v mean_v of_o presbyter_n when_o the_o apostle_n name_n bishop_n express_o and_o when_o by_o many_o other_o evidence_n we_o know_v that_o then_o there_o be_v bishop_n but_o by_o no_o footstep_n can_v discern_v that_o then_o there_o be_v presbyter_n upon_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o that_o the_o qualification_n be_v common_a to_o presbyter_n three_o for_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o may_v very_a commedicuoly_n be_v interpret_v of_o the_o bishop_n through_o all_o his_o province_n for_o as_o there_o the_o style_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d praeside_fw-la or_o rule_v so_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v the_o title_n of_o the_o bishop_n as_o have_v former_o be_v show_v out_o of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o other_o and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d double_a honour_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o privilege_n of_o primogeniture_n be_v assign_v as_o his_o portion_n be_v a_o evidence_n thereof_o and_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o be_v here_o urge_v against_o that_o interpretation_n be_v perfect_o of_o no_o force_n for_o 1._o if_o from_o hence_o it_o may_v be_v conclude_v that_o a_o bishop_n be_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n though_o he_o never_o preach_v then_o from_o their_o interpret_n it_o of_o the_o presbyter_n it_o will_v as_o much_o follow_v to_o be_v their_o opinion_n that_o the_o presbyter_n be_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n though_o he_o never_o preach_v but_o than_o second_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o neither_o of_o these_o conclusion_n follow_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o interpration_n for_o the_o first_o phrase_n of_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o the_o other_o of_o labour_v in_o the_o doctrine_n which_o by_o these_o be_v confound_v and_o so_o express_v undistinct_o by_o preach_v denote_v two_o several_a thing_n the_o former_a the_o plant_n of_o the_o faith_n where_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o receive_v which_o be_v constant_o express_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o word_n the_o latter_a signify_v take_v pain_n in_o a_o church_n already_o gather_v for_o the_o confirm_v and_o far_o instruct_v of_o believer_n and_o then_o as_o he_o that_o do_v one_o of_o these_o may_v yet_o possible_o not_o do_v both_o occasion_n not_o
6._o second_o by_o the_o several_a employment_n assign_v they_o in_o the_o subsequent_a part_n of_o the_o vision_n which_o bring_v they_o upon_o the_o scene_n one_o after_o another_o the_o first_o angel_n ver_fw-la 7._o the_o second_o angel_n ver_fw-la 8._o and_o so_o to_o the_o seven_o three_o by_o the_o distinction_n that_o be_v evident_o make_v between_o those_o seven_o angel_n and_o another_o angel_n ver_fw-la 3._o and_o another_o come_v and_o stand_v at_o the_o altar_n which_o make_v it_o certain_a that_o the_o former_a seven_o do_v not_o signify_v all_o the_o angel_n unless_o after_o all_o there_o can_v yet_o be_v one_o more_o four_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o spirit_n cap._n 1._o 4._o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v before_o god_n throne_n that_o sure_o be_v all_o one_o with_o stand_v before_o he_o here_o and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o angel_n be_v spirit_n i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o these_o seven_o angel_n be_v those_o seven_o spirit_n and_o so_o still_o a_o definite_a number_n of_o seven_o and_o no_o more_o five_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o eye_n zach._n 4._o 10._o which_o seem_v to_o be_v interpret_v to_o this_o sense_n rev._n 5._o 6._o seven_o eye_n which_o be_v the_o seven_o spirit_n of_o god_n send_v into_o all_o the_o land_n 8._o and_o though_o in_o some_o of_o these_o place_n other_o man_n have_v have_v other_o notion_n yet_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v more_o to_o be_v approve_v that_o we_o understand_v angel_n by_o that_o phrase_n cap._n 1._o say_v andrea_n câ—sariensis_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o be_v seven_o which_o have_v the_o great_a power_n the_o first_o bear_v prince_n of_o the_o angel_n say_v clemens_n alexandrinus_n in_o which_o word_n of_o he_o 6_o the_o first_o bear_v prince_n be_v evident_o take_v from_o dan._n 10._o 13._o where_o the_o hebrew_n read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o principal_a or_o first_o ruler_n or_o prince_n of_o which_o michael_n be_v the_o first_o and_o thence_o call_v archangel_n 9_o and_o so_o in_o tobit_n cap._n 12._o 15._o we_o find_v seven_o holy_a angel_n which_o present_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o saint_n which_o description_n of_o they_o and_o their_o office_n to_o present_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o saint_n if_o it_o be_v think_v unagreeable_a to_o their_o stand_v here_o before_o god_n or_o be_v before_o his_o throne_n it_o will_v soon_o be_v reconcile_v by_o that_o speech_n of_o christ_n that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o infant_n tender_a christian_n always_o behold_v the_o face_n of_o god_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n be_v qualify_v to_o make_v their_o want_n know_v unto_o he_o which_o be_v all_o one_o with_o present_v of_o prayer_n 10._o six_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o lamp_n rev._n 4._o 5._o style_v lamp_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o like_a number_n of_o lamp_n on_o the_o candlestick_n in_o the_o sanctuary_n which_o burn_v before_o the_o throne_n as_o cap._n 1._o they_o be_v before_o the_o throne_n for_o of_o these_o it_o be_v add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v the_o seven_o by_o way_n of_o eminency_n or_o the_o seven_o principal_n spirit_n of_o god_n 11._o seven_o from_o the_o no_o appearance_n of_o the_o least_o reason_n produce_v to_o the_o contrary_a for_o as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v introduce_v with_o a_o for_o and_o supply_v the_o place_n of_o a_o reason_n it_o be_v evident_o a_o bare_a assertion_n of_o the_o contrary_a there_n be_v no_o seven_o individual_a angel_n that_o stand_v before_o god_n without_o any_o offer_n of_o proof_n that_o testimony_n out_o of_o dan._n 7._o that_o all_o do_v be_v far_o from_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v not_o such_o seven_o principal_a angel_n which_o these_o so_o many_o evidence_n assure_v we_o there_o be_v 12._o in_o that_o of_o dan._n 7._o 10._o upon_o that_o solemn_a occasion_n of_o god_n judgement_n express_v by_o a_o fiery_a stream_n thousand_o thousand_o be_v say_v to_o minister_n to_o he_o and_o ten_o thousand_o time_n ten_o thousand_o to_o stand_v before_o he_o but_o how_o do_v that_o hinder_v but_o at_o another_o time_n seven_o principal_a angel_n may_v be_v employ_v by_o he_o and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o stand_v before_o he_o too_o and_o when_o we_o so_o oft_o read_v of_o such_o seven_o what_o question_n but_o they_o be_v individual_a angel_n and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o three_o reason_n section_n xi_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n not_o to_o the_o bishop_n only_o of_o timothy_n onesimus_n and_o polycarp_n be_v bishop_n of_o some_o of_o the_o asian_a church_n without_o any_o charge_n of_o apostasy_n fall_v on_o they_o by_o this_o mean_n there_o be_v a_o four_o behind_v still_o that_o though_o but_o one_o angel_n â—e_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 though_o we_o be_v far_o from_o think_v that_o in_o formal_a denomination_n the_o angel_n and_o the_o candlestick_n be_v the_o same_o be_v dedicate_v to_o all_o the_o angel_n and_o minister_n in_o the_o church_n and_o to_o the_o church_n themselves_o as_o appear_v râ—v_n 1._o 10._o rev._n 2._o 7._o 11._o 17._o and_o therefore_o when_o it_o be_v say_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n this_o thou_o have_v repent_v and_o do_v thy_o first_o work_n 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 the_o punishment_n threaten_v be_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n rev._n 2._o 5._o 16._o 2._o 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 church_n be_v far_o from_o those_o sin_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o shall_v need_v make_v no_o reply_n have_v do_v it_o sufficient_o already_o by_o concession_n that_o the_o angel_n be_v the_o ruler_n of_o a_o church_n the_o whole_a epistle_n belong_v to_o he_o and_o the_o church_n promiscuous_o and_o agreeable_o those_o expression_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n do_v not_o all_o belong_v to_o the_o bishop_n but_o to_o the_o church_n wherein_o he_o praesides_fw-la but_o certain_o this_o be_v far_o from_o infer_v that_o the_o bishop_n and_o church_n be_v all_o one_o or_o that_o the_o word_n angel_n signify_v the_o collective_a body_n of_o the_o church_n for_o beside_o that_o the_o text_n be_v express_v in_o make_v a_o signal_n difference_n between_o the_o star_n and_o the_o candlestick_n the_o angel_n and_o the_o church_n and_o the_o assembler_n be_v here_o force_v to_o confess_v that_o the_o angel_n and_o candlestick_n be_v not_o the_o same_o the_o confound_v they_o will_v be_v as_o disadvantageous_a to_o they_o as_o to_o we_o and_o i_o shall_v as_o regular_o be_v able_a to_o conclude_v that_o the_o word_n angel_n signify_v not_o the_o presbytery_n but_o the_o whole_a diffusive_a body_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o do_v upon_o their_o own_o postulatum_fw-la that_o the_o angel_n denote_v not_o the_o bishop_n but_o the_o whole_a church_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o they_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o church_n or_o multitude_n of_o believer_n and_o the_o presbytery_n that_o be_v set_v over_o they_o to_o rule_v as_o we_o do_v between_o the_o same_o church_n and_o the_o bishop_n 3._o thus_o have_v we_o view_v all_o the_o reason_n produce_v by_o they_o to_o assert_v or_o confirm_v their_o first_o answer_n and_o show_v divers_a way_n how_o no_o manner_n of_o validity_n there_o be_v in_o any_o one_o or_o all_o of_o they_o to_o evidence_n it_o to_o be_v a_o solid_a and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a answer_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v some_o use_n of_o the_o next_o part_n of_o the_o method_n to_o call_v in_o the_o authority_n of_o other_o man_n to_o countenance_v this_o interpretation_n master_n brightman_n master_n perkins_n master_n fox_n who_o cit_v primasius_n haymo_n beda_n richardus_fw-la thomas_n etc._n etc._n doctor_z fulke_n master_n meade_n gregory_n and_o saint_n austin_n but_o although_o they_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o set_v down_o these_o name_n yet_o have_v omit_v to_o add_v their_o testimony_n and_o indeed_o have_v resolve_v to_o forbear_v because_o smectymnuus_n have_v do_v it_o already_o i_o shall_v confess_v myself_o willing_a to_o leave_v this_o chase_n and_o in_o stead_n of_o lead_v the_o reader_n so_o wearisome_a a_o walk_n to_o examine_v the_o several_a comment_n here_o name_v and_o but_o name_v give_v he_o more_o short_o my_o conjecture_n what_o truth_n
may_v be_v in_o they_o 4._o master_n brightman_n i_o know_v and_o some_o other_o it_o be_v possible_a may_v have_v interpret_v the_o angel_n to_o signify_v the_o whole_a college_n of_o pastor_n and_o true_o i_o shall_v much_o soon_o take_v up_o a_o interpretation_n upon_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o these_o assembler_n than_o i_o will_v upon_o no_o better_a evidence_n from_o m._n brightman_n he_o be_v one_o learned_a man_n long_o know_v to_o be_v unkind_a to_o our_o pralate_n and_o here_o be_v many_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v as_o learned_a though_o under_o the_o same_o praejudices_fw-la 5._o some_o other_o here_o cite_v i_o can_v believe_v be_v bring_v to_o testify_v this_o but_o only_o that_o what_o be_v say_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o each_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v say_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o not_o only_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o if_o that_o be_v all_o they_o say_v it_o be_v that_o which_o we_o can_v doubt_v to_o affirm_v with_o they_o and_o have_v oft_o confess_v to_o understand_v christ_n epistle_n so_o without_o any_o incommodity_n to_o our_o praetension_n 6._o if_o i_o mistake_v in_o these_o conjecture_n i_o desire_v pardon_n and_o shall_v hope_v to_o give_v a_o better_a account_n when_o i_o read_v the_o testimony_n in_o the_o author_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v cite_v for_o in_o these_o derivation_n of_o testimony_n the_o assembler_n cite_v they_o from_o smectymnuus_n smectymnuus_n from_o master_n fox_n master_n fox_n from_o primasius_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v great_a possibility_n of_o mistake_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v follow_v the_o example_n before_o i_o forbear_v add_v any_o more_o of_o this_o matter_n 7._o in_o the_o next_o place_n they_o be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n as_o of_o a_o objection_n against_o their_o interpretation_n that_o some_o author_n say_v timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o our_o saviour_n write_v this_o epistle_n other_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n other_o that_o polycarp_n be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o these_o angel_n must_v needs_o be_v take_v individual_o for_o so_o many_o single_a person_n 8._o of_o this_o objection_n which_o they_o have_v thus_o form_v for_o we_o there_o be_v only_o thus_o much_o of_o truth_n that_o out_o of_o authentic_a record_n we_o bring_v undeniable_a evidence_n for_o timothy_n be_v constitute_v by_o st._n paul_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n for_o onesimus_n be_v place_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o time_n of_o ignatius_n writing_n to_o the_o ephesian_n that_o polycarpe_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o s._n john_n of_o all_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v enough_o already_o 9_o but_o of_o all_o or_o any_o of_o these_o be_v bishop_n in_o those_o city_n at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o christ_n address_v this_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o each_o this_o have_v no_o where_o be_v our_o affirmation_n nor_o will_v it_o have_v be_v useful_a to_o we_o in_o any_o considerable_a degree_n if_o we_o have_v ground_n positive_o to_o affirm_v it_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o we_o be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o ancient_a record_n which_o evidence_n they_o to_o have_v be_v so_o early_a bishop_n in_o two_o of_o those_o church_n to_o which_o christ_n epistle_n be_v send_v and_o bishop_n in_o the_o notion_n wherein_o we_o now_o use_v the_o word_n we_o be_v secure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o ouâ—_n collection_n when_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o 7._o church_n we_o assert_v the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n to_o be_v own_v and_o confirm_v by_o christ_n and_o suppose_v some_o other_o person_n and_o none_o of_o these_o three_o to_o have_v be_v those_o very_a numericall_a angel_n to_o who_o those_o epistle_n be_v write_v this_o conclusion_n of_o we_o stand_v yet_o as_o firm_a as_o if_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v it_o of_o those_o very_a numericall_a person_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o government_n continue_v all_o the_o scripture_n time_n and_o to_o timothy_n successor_n and_o onesimus_n predecessor_n be_v as_o certain_o bishop_n as_o either_o onesimus_n or_o timothy_n himself_o when_o withal_o we_o have_v already_o produce_v mention_n from_o the_o ancient_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o bishop_n which_o succe_fw-la deed_n timothy_n in_o that_o see_n 10._o have_v thus_o set_v right_o the_o objection_n for_o they_o so_o as_o it_o be_v own_v by_o we_o to_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o they_o it_o will_v now_o soon_o appear_v what_o force_n there_o be_v in_o their_o answer_n to_o it_o and_o those_o be_v three_o 11._o first_o that_o they_o that_o say_v that_o timothy_n be_v then_o bishop_n offer_v no_o little_a injury_n to_o he_o for_o they_o thereby_o charge_v he_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o apostasy_n and_o of_o lose_v his_o first_o love_n and_o so_o out_o of_o a_o blind_a zeal_n to_o episcopacy_n they_o make_v that_o glorious_a saint_n to_o stand_v charge_v as_o a_o apostate_n the_o like_a injury_n be_v offer_v by_o objection_n to_o onesimâ—s_n 12._o but_o first_o you_o see_v whatever_o our_o opinion_n be_v express_v to_o be_v we_o have_v not_o affirm_v either_o of_o these_o as_o to_o the_o person_n either_o of_o timothy_n or_o onesimus_n but_o leave_v it_o uncertain_a who_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v whether_o either_o or_o neither_o of_o these_o but_o some_o successor_n of_o the_o one_o and_o predecessor_n of_o the_o other_o and_o so_o what_o charge_v soever_o fall_v on_o that_o angel_n it_o fall_v not_o necessary_o on_o either_o of_o these_o 13._o second_o it_o be_v already_o agree_v betwixt_o the_o party_n affirm_v by_o they_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o i_o that_o the_o epistle_n be_v address_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n the_o church_n or_o diffusive_a body_n the_o christian_n in_o it_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o content_n of_o it_o and_o than_o whatsoever_o charge_n be_v find_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o how_o heavy_a a_o nature_n soever_o even_o of_o apostasy_n itself_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n the_o angel_n or_o bishop_n shall_v be_v personal_o guilty_a of_o it_o and_o so_o whosoever_o the_o bishop_n be_v though_o timothy_n himself_o our_o zeal_n to_o episcopacy_n have_v not_o be_v so_o blind_a or_o transport_v as_o to_o put_v we_o on_o any_o uncharitable_a censure_n to_o affix_v any_o unhandsome_a character_n upon_o so_o glorious_a a_o saint_n 14._o last_o to_o remove_v this_o answer_n yet_o one_o degree_n far_o from_o be_v satisfactory_a it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o apostasy_n be_v in_o that_o epistle_n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n whether_o of_o the_o church_n or_o angel_n the_o first_o part_n be_v all_o in_o commendation_n of_o their_o former_a zeal_n and_o the_o late_a wherein_o their_o charge_n consist_v v_o 4._o be_v only_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v not_o as_o be_v suggest_v lose_v their_o first_o love_n but_o remit_v it_o their_o love_n to_o christ_n have_v former_o be_v strong_a as_o death_n pure_a and_o vehement_a such_o as_o have_v cast_v out_o all_o fear_n of_o danger_n and_o evidence_v itself_o in_o courageous_a confession_n but_o now_o though_o it_o be_v not_o quite_o lose_v yet_o it_o be_v remit_v lessen_v in_o the_o degree_n not_o so_o intense_a as_o formerly_z and_o therefore_o when_o they_o be_v bid_v remember_v from_o whence_o they_o be_v fall_v that_o fall_n do_v not_o necessary_o signify_v apostasy_n or_o renounce_v of_o christianity_n for_o than_o it_o have_v be_v a_o impertinent_a threaten_a to_o remove_v their_o chandlestick_n v._n 5._o but_o a_o fall_n from_o the_o former_a degree_n a_o cool_a of_o the_o intense_a heat_n which_o have_v be_v so_o laudable_a in_o they_o and_o so_o still_o there_o be_v more_o invalidity_n in_o this_o first_o answer_n section_n xii_o of_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n that_o it_o hinder_v not_o his_o be_v a_o bishop_n the_o second_o be_v that_o they_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n in_o a_o proper_a sense_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v call_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o their_o sense_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o that_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n no_o way_n prejudge_v his_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o our_o â—ense_n a_o evangelist_n be_v one_o commissionated_a by_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n '_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o any_o city_n or_o people_n and_o a_o bishop_n be_v one_o commissionated_a by_o the_o like_a apostle_n to_o praeside_fw-la in_fw-la and_o govern_v a_o church_n already_o plant_v and_o what_o hinder_v but_o that_o he_o that_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o former_a capacity_n to_o plant_v may_v elsewhere_o or_o in_o the_o same_o place_n be_v appoint_v to_o govern_v and_o