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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n rome_n true_a 6,945 5 5.7926 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A56382 The case of the Church of England, briefly and truly stated in the three first and fundamental principles of a Christian Church : I. The obligation of Christianity by divine right, II. The jurisdiction of the Church by divine right, III. The institution of episcopal superiority by divine right / by S.P. Parker, Samuel, 1640-1688. 1681 (1681) Wing P455; ESTC R12890 104,979 280

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the_o opposition_n of_o the_o time_n the_o worse_a they_o be_v the_o more_o they_o require_v our_o zeal_n to_o oppose_v and_o to_o reform_v they_o and_o it_o be_v never_o more_o seasonable_a to_o assert_v the_o right_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o when_o they_o be_v most_o disow_v let_v we_o but_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o god_n will_v do_v his_o work_n and_o let_v we_o not_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o trick_n and_o shift_n upon_o any_o pretence_n if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v of_o loss_n or_o danger_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n subsist_v upon_o no_o other_o politic_n than_o courage_n and_o integrity_n let_v we_o then_o be_v true_a to_o those_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o our_o saviour_n have_v undertake_v for_o the_o event_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n much_o less_o rome_n or_o geneva_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o postscript_n i_o have_v thus_o far_o adventure_v to_o state_n the_o case_n of_o the_o protestant_a 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apostolical_a authority_n especial_o from_o tertullian_n who_o be_v neither_o thomist_n nor_o scotist_n and_o so_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o those_o fine_a distinction_n of_o degree_n order_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o speak_v like_o a_o plain_a and_o a_o blunt_a african_a when_o he_o call_v the_o bishop_n in_o their_o several_a diocese_n the_o apostle_n successor_n and_o so_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o same_o age_n understand_v by_o a_o bishop_n one_o superior_a to_o subject_a presbyter_n for_o whatever_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v now_o determine_v to_o this_o order_n and_o so_o use_v in_o vulgar_a speech_n so_o that_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o it_o in_o their_o write_n we_o must_v understand_v it_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o therefore_o by_o a_o bishop_n we_o must_v mean_v the_o same_o thing_n from_o the_o apostle_n downward_o and_o a_o bishop_n in_o their_o time_n be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o the_o apostle_n be_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v superior_a to_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o the_o succession_n from_o first_o to_o last_o continue_v in_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n and_o now_o when_o this_o succession_n be_v
practice_n of_o this_o thing_n as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v in_o those_o time_n to_o expel_v they_o out_o of_o their_o society_n without_o variety_n of_o lesser_a or_o great_a degree_n but_o whoever_o be_v excommunicate_a be_v to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n degrade_v from_o be_v jew_n but_o herein_o perhaps_o i_o be_o mistake_v and_o whether_o i_o be_o or_o be_o not_o i_o be_o as_o little_a concern_v as_o my_o cause_n to_o which_o i_o now_o return_v and_o here_o all_o that_o our_o author_n have_v to_o the_o purpose_n be_v that_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v only_o a_o abatement_n of_o their_o civil_a not_o their_o sacred_a privilege_n which_o if_o true_a will_v do_v very_o little_a service_n to_o his_o conclusion_n that_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v so_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n where_o there_o be_v no_o privilege_n but_o what_o be_v sacred_a but_o the_o principle_n itself_o be_v altogether_o ungrounded_a without_o authority_n and_o without_o reason_n and_o that_o too_o though_o we_o understand_v it_o of_o his_o talmudical_a excommunication_n for_o as_o he_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o no_o authority_n so_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v be_v as_o good_a as_o none_o viz._n that_o those_o under_o nidui_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o synagogue_n and_o so_o they_o be_v as_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o civil_a conversation_n keep_v their_o distance_n of_o four_o pace_n and_o from_o thence_o alone_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o conclude_v that_o as_o the_o sentence_n proceed_v high_a so_o it_o be_v raise_v in_o both_o kind_n of_o punishment_n however_o there_o be_v one_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o jewish_a excommunication_n to_o be_v a_o sacred_a as_o well_o as_o civil_a interdiction_n and_o that_o so_o very_o obvious_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o our_o learned_a author_n can_v have_v overlook_v it_o have_v not_o his_o eye_n be_v so_o whole_o fix_v upon_o his_o own_o hypothesis_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o they_o look_v upon_o all_o excommunicate_a person_n as_o no_o jew_n or_o as_o we_o cite_v before_o out_o of_o the_o three_o book_n of_o the_o maccabee_n as_o enemy_n to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o than_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o man_n that_o no_o such_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o public_a service_n and_o so_o we_o come_v to_o the_o period_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v divide_v into_o three_o age_n the_o first_o during_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o second_o from_o their_o death_n or_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o century_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n the_o three_o from_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n and_o that_o excommunication_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n our_o learned_a author_n demonstrate_v because_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n practise_v it_o in_o imitation_n of_o their_o discipline_n though_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v understand_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v follow_v more_o plain_o than_o that_o excommunication_n if_o it_o be_v a_o civil_a punishment_n among_o the_o jew_n must_v be_v mere_o sacred_a among_o the_o christian_n for_o if_o the_o jew_n take_v it_o up_o as_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o only_o to_o supply_v their_o want_n of_o civil_a government_n it_o must_v therefore_o as_o he_o right_o infer_v be_v use_v by_o they_o as_o a_o civil_a penalty_n then_o when_o our_o bless_a saviour_n institute_v the_o same_o in_o his_o church_n it_o must_v not_o be_v a_o civil_a but_o a_o sacred_a penalty_n because_o his_o church_n be_v no_o civil_a but_o a_o sacred_a society_n if_o indeed_o christian_n as_o christian_n confederate_v together_o to_o maintain_v their_o secular_a interest_n that_o will_v make_v temporal_a punishment_n necessary_a to_o the_o preservation_n of_o their_o confederacy_n but_o when_o they_o enter_v into_o a_o society_n pure_o to_o enjoy_v some_o spiritual_a right_n and_o privilege_n than_o all_o separation_n from_o the_o society_n by_o way_n of_o punishment_n can_v be_v nothing_o else_o than_o debar_v they_o from_o those_o right_n and_o privilege_n so_o that_o if_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v as_o our_o author_n contend_v the_o same_o with_o out-lawry_a as_o to_o their_o civil_a right_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n among_o christian_n because_o as_o such_o they_o have_v no_o civil_a right_n to_o lose_v and_o for_o this_o reason_n whereas_o he_o conclude_v that_o because_o excommunication_n be_v take_v up_o into_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jewish_a discipline_n that_o therefore_o it_o be_v the_o same_o if_o he_o have_v consider_v thing_n instead_o of_o word_n he_o will_v have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v his_o own_o conclusion_n that_o he_o will_v have_v conclude_v that_o if_o one_o be_v civil_a the_o other_o be_v not_o so_o that_o when_o our_o saviour_n establish_v the_o custom_n of_o his_o country_n in_o his_o church_n it_o be_v manifest_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o church_n which_o be_v a_o spiritual_a kingdom_n that_o he_o never_o intend_v it_o shall_v be_v exercise_v in_o any_o other_o matter_n than_o what_o be_v peculiar_a to_o his_o religion_n or_o if_o he_o do_v that_o he_o lose_v his_o intention_n and_o therefore_o it_o seem_v no_o better_a than_o mere_a obstinacy_n in_o our_o author_n to_o insist_v upon_o it_o so_o importunate_o that_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n must_v be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o jewish_a because_o borrow_v from_o it_o when_o for_o that_o reason_n alone_o it_o must_v be_v different_a because_o so_o be_v the_o society_n to_o which_o they_o relate_v and_o he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v argue_v that_o the_o christian_a baptism_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o the_o jew_n because_o it_o be_v the_o form_n of_o proselytism_n in_o both_o whereas_o by_o one_o man_n become_v jew_n by_o the_o other_o christian_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v excommunication_n for_o as_o by_o that_o we_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n so_o by_o this_o be_v we_o cast_v out_o of_o it_o and_o whereas_o our_o author_n will_v have_v it_o to_o have_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n both_o among_o jew_n and_o christian_n because_o it_o be_v express_v by_o the_o same_o phrase_n it_o be_v as_o absurd_a as_o if_o he_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v banish_v out_o of_o england_n because_o he_o may_v be_v banish_v out_o of_o france_n for_o though_o banishment_n out_o of_o both_o kingdom_n be_v the_o same_o punishment_n yet_o be_v their_o banishment_n out_o of_o different_a kingdom_n so_o by_o excommunication_n among_o the_o jew_n pass_v mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o it_o be_v man_n cast_v out_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o all_o the_o right_n of_o it_o and_o among_o the_o christian_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o benefit_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o therefore_o unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o jewish_a common_a wealth_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o he_o to_o insist_v thus_o weak_o upon_o the_o fignification_n of_o word_n for_o that_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o therefore_o where_o they_o be_v different_a there_o be_v no_o avoid_v it_o but_o that_o the_o word_n by_o which_o they_o be_v express_v must_v signify_v different_a thing_n but_o this_o be_v premise_v our_o author_n divide_v his_o discourse_n into_o two_o part_n first_o to_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n second_o upon_o what_o right_n it_o be_v found_v as_o for_o the_o first_o he_o allege_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o gal._n 1._o 8._o though_o we_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n unto_o you_o than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v preach_v unto_o you_o let_v he_o be_v anathema_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 22._o if_o any_o man_n love_v not_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n let_v he_o be_v anathema_n maran_n atha_n but_o to_o what_o purpose_n this_o be_v past_o my_o comprehension_n for_o the_o only_a design_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostolical_a excommunication_n be_v mere_o jewish_n as_o he_o have_v before_o prove_v that_o the_o jewish_a be_v mere_o civil_a now_o can_v any_o man_n imagine_v that_o such_o dreadful_a curse_n as_o these_o shall_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o a_o separation_n from_o neighbour_n commerce_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o st._n paul_n strain_v for_o the_o high_a expression_n of_o misery_n and_o therefore_o to_o heighten_v his_o sense_n he_o suppose_v a_o impossible_a thing_n that_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v a_o
and_o therefore_o these_o person_n that_o rely_v so_o much_o on_o this_o distinction_n will_v have_v do_v very_o well_o to_o have_v consider_v with_o themselves_o wherein_o consist_v the_o essence_n of_o order_n when_o separate_v from_o power_n which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v they_o will_v soon_o have_v discern_v that_o they_o have_v only_o deceive_v themselves_o with_o a_o idle_a and_o a_o empty_a word_n however_o it_o be_v worth_a their_o while_n to_o define_v what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n beside_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o party_n the_o apostle_n enjoy_v during_o their_o own_o life_n the_o supreme_a power_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o the_o parity_n of_o presbyter_n arise_v not_o till_o after_o their_o death_n they_o have_v appoint_v no_o successor_n in_o their_o apostolical_a supremacy_n from_o whence_o what_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o their_o office_n can_v not_o possible_o consist_v in_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o all_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o now_o when_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v thus_o express_o establish_v the_o government_n of_o his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o order_n and_o power_n what_o far_a prescript_n will_v man_n have_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o own_o establishment_n that_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prescribe_v to_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v dare_v to_o remonstrate_v to_o its_o obligation_n he_o must_v have_v confidence_n enough_o to_o presume_v that_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o more_o wisdom_n or_o entrust_v with_o more_o authority_n than_o our_o saviour_n himself_o for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v but_o think_v that_o he_o be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n and_o modesty_n too_o rather_o to_o esteem_v this_o model_n than_o any_o one_o of_o his_o own_o or_o any_o other_o contrivance_n yes_o but_o though_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v superiority_n of_o order_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o act_n of_o christ_n yet_o it_o must_v further_o be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v christ_n intention_n that_o superiority_n shall_v continue_v in_o their_o successor_n or_o it_o make_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o a_o bare_a divine_a command_n say_v they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o law_n immutable_a unless_o there_o be_v likewise_o express_v that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o continue_v no_o no_o you_o be_v too_o nice_a and_o rich_a of_o your_o obedience_n in_o this_o particular_a case_n and_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n set_v yourselves_o loose_a from_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o be_v not_o enjoin_v with_o a_o express_a declaration_n of_o their_o be_v immutable_a and_o thereby_o you_o have_v quit_v yourselves_o of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o your_o christian_a duty_n for_o we_o shall_v find_v but_o very_o few_o precept_n either_o of_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n tie_v with_o this_o double_a knot_n and_o it_o seem_v without_o that_o they_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o tie_v any_o man_n to_o obedience_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v how_o upon_o this_o principle_n we_o can_v avoid_v that_o frivolous_a objection_n of_o the_o socinian_o against_o the_o perpetual_a necessity_n of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n viz._n that_o see_v it_o be_v institute_v by_o our_o saviour_n only_o to_o pass_v man_n from_o judaisme_n and_o gentilism_n to_o christianity_n it_o be_v therefore_o now_o of_o no_o necessity_n among_o christian_n unless_o our_o saviour_n have_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v his_o will_n and_o intention_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o continue_v in_o his_o church_n especial_o when_o this_o ceremony_n be_v take_v up_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o synagogue_n where_o when_o any_o man_n have_v once_o renounce_v heathenism_n and_o enter_v himself_o into_o the_o jewish_a church_n it_o be_v never_o after_o repeat_v in_o any_o of_o his_o posterity_n but_o they_o be_v all_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o forefather_n baptism_n esteem_v as_o bear_v in_o a_o state_n of_o holiness_n and_o regeneracy_n but_o however_o this_o general_a principle_n be_v so_o far_o from_o truth_n and_o sobriety_n that_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a thrust_v our_o own_o presumption_n upon_o the_o will_n of_o god_n which_o be_v once_o declare_v it_o bind_v we_o for_o ever_o till_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o reverse_v it_o his_o mere_a institution_n be_v its_o own_o perpetual_a obligation_n and_o whatever_o he_o command_v no_o power_n can_v take_v it_o off_o but_o that_o which_o bind_v it_o on_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a scrupulosity_n if_o i_o may_v call_v so_o sceptical_a a_o pretence_n by_o that_o name_n to_o require_v of_o he_o not_o only_o to_o fasten_v his_o law_n by_o enact_v they_o but_o as_o it_o be_v to_o clinch_n they_o too_o by_o declare_v their_o perpetuity_n in_o all_o other_o case_n but_o this_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o whatever_o he_o command_v he_o command_v for_o ever_o till_o he_o declare_v the_o contrary_a for_o though_o his_o positive_a law_n be_v revocable_a in_o themselves_o yet_o be_v revocable_a only_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o his_o own_o power_n since_o he_o have_v already_o in_o his_o word_n full_o reveal_v his_o will_n unless_o therein_o he_o have_v declare_v when_o their_o obligation_n shall_v cease_v they_o continue_v irreversible_a it_o therefore_o be_v once_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o superiority_n of_o jurisdiction_n by_o a_o act_n of_o christ_n it_o plain_o follow_v that_o without_o any_o far_a declaration_n of_o its_o perpetuity_n their_o power_n be_v irreversible_a especial_o when_o the_o rule_n whereby_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n viz._n that_o the_o reason_n continue_v the_o law_n shall_v remain_v in_o force_n though_o i_o can_v see_v of_o what_o use_v this_o shall_v be_v to_o those_o who_o will_v give_v leave_n to_o demand_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o any_o divine_a positive_a law_n beside_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n for_o if_o that_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o the_o law_n than_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v to_o judge_n of_o it_o by_o any_o other_o but_o yet_o however_o i_o shall_v close_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o to_o save_v far_a trouble_n i_o will_v only_o put_v they_o to_o assign_v what_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v of_o establish_v a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church-officer_n then_o that_o be_v cease_v for_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v give_v themselves_o and_o we_o some_o competent_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o desire_v they_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o our_o saviour_n institution_n but_o alas_o this_o be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v and_o be_v manifest_o impossible_a to_o be_v perform_v for_o that_o man_n no_o doubt_n will_v make_v wise_a work_n of_o it_o that_o shall_v undertake_v to_o give_v the_o world_n a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o the_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n that_o shall_v make_v a_o inequality_n of_o power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n necessary_a in_o our_o saviour_n day_n and_o needless_a ever_o since_o but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v do_v as_o it_o be_v certain_a at_o first_o view_n that_o it_o never_o can_v then_o certain_o the_o mere_a institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a moment_n to_o the_o church_n be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o pass_v a_o perpetual_a and_o indispensible_a obligation_n upon_o all_o age_n of_o it_o and_o now_o upon_o these_o ground_n that_o i_o have_v already_o obtain_v from_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n i_o need_v not_o dispute_v with_o our_o adversary_n for_o that_o be_v one_o of_o their_o little_a shift_n whether_o the_o mission_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o be_v only_o temporary_a for_o whether_o they_o be_v or_o be_v not_o it_o be_v from_o thence_o evident_a what_o model_n of_o government_n our_o saviour_n frame_v for_o his_o church_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o my_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o i_o will_v free_o grant_v that_o our_o saviour_n design_n in_o life-time_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v not_o so_o much_o to_o find_v church_n himself_o as_o to_o have_v prepare_v and_o instruct_v his_o disciple_n how_o to_o do_v it_o after_o his_o departure_n so_o that_o he_o rather_o make_v a_o specimen_fw-la of_o the_o constitution_n of_o his_o church_n than_o erect_v any_o stand_a fabric_n of_o it_o for_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a
sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o writer_n and_o yet_o produce_v but_o one_o and_o he_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o seven_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o last_o aggravation_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v when_o he_o profess_v that_o he_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o stichometria_fw-la not_o to_o prove_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o novelty_n and_o yet_o cite_v no_o other_o author_n in_o its_o behalf_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o proof_n be_v draw_v from_o negative_a authority_n in_o which_o he_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a than_o in_o his_o many_o one_o positive_a testimony_n for_o when_o he_o argue_v that_o these_o epistle_n be_v unknown_a to_o every_o writer_n that_o do_v not_o quote_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a condition_n that_o he_o impose_v upon_o all_o author_n to_o cite_v all_o the_o book_n that_o they_o read_v but_o say_v he_o because_o of_o that_o great_a authority_n that_o ignatius_n have_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o any_o christian_a writer_n have_v any_o fair_a occasion_n for_o it_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o they_o will_v have_v appeal_v to_o his_o authority_n which_o because_o they_o have_v not_o do_v we_o may_v just_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o write_n extant_a in_o their_o time_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o negative_a argument_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o particular_n he_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o only_o to_o produce_v those_o author_n who_o custom_n it_o be_v to_o avoid_v this_o kind_n of_o quotation_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v concern_v irenaeus_n and_o so_o for_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v a_o great_a quoter_n of_o heathen_a and_o heretical_a writer_n yet_o no_o where_o cite_v ecclesiastical_a author_n unless_o such_o as_o he_o suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o sacred_a canon_n and_o so_o for_o tertullian_n who_o too_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n or_o heretic_n but_o scarce_o ever_o mention_n any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o doctrine_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o case_n of_o epiphanius_n who_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v only_o in_o a_o historical_a way_n either_o to_o spare_v his_o own_o pain_n or_o to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o relation_n out_o of_o other_o history_n but_o never_o as_o daillé_n require_v of_o he_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o opinion_n i_o mention_v no_o more_o of_o his_o negative_a man_n who_o make_v a_o great_a show_n in_o the_o content_n of_o his_o chapter_n in_o that_o they_o be_v allege_v altogether_o impertinent_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o imagine_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v quote_v belong_v not_o to_o the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o eusebius_n but_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o late_a interpolation_n and_o now_o compare_v the_o testimony_n on_o both_o side_n we_o may_v very_o safe_o turn_v any_o honest_a man_n loose_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v once_o establish_v we_o can_v neither_o have_v nor_o desire_v a_o more_o ample_a testimony_n than_o they_o give_v we_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n the_o holy_a martyr_n every_o where_o sound_v the_o peace_n and_o security_n of_o the_o church_n against_o schism_n and_o heresy_n upon_o the_o bishop_n supreme_a authority_n which_o he_o as_o our_o adversary_n fancy_v magnify_v so_o high_o though_o not_o more_o than_o the_o other_o order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o respective_a function_n that_o they_o think_v that_o alone_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o in_o truth_n set_v aside_o all_o testimony_n the_o argument_n and_o spirit_n of_o they_o be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o their_o genuine_a antiquity_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o argument_n peculiar_a to_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o vehement_a zeal_n for_o unity_n and_o a_o passionate_a sense_n of_o immortality_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o therefore_o they_o live_v in_o this_o world_n pure_o in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o earnest_o the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n thirst_v after_o it_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v read_v without_o great_a pleasure_n and_o be_v affect_v with_o some_o work_n of_o the_o same_o passion_n and_o as_o for_o his_o way_n of_o secure_v peace_n and_o unity_n in_o all_o church_n by_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o under_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n for_o his_o fundamental_a rule_n be_v that_o 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the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o 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they_o as_o
superiority_n of_o order_n be_v make_v equivalent_a to_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o that_o from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n be_v grant_v they_o by_o our_o adversary_n though_o it_o be_v deny_v their_o successor_n thus_o we_o enlarge_v or_o abate_v or_o evacuate_v that_o commission_n that_o god_n himself_o have_v give_v they_o at_o our_o own_o mere_a will_n and_o pleasure_n if_o it_o be_v convenient_a for_o our_o cause_n to_o assert_v in_o one_o place_n that_o they_o be_v vest_v with_o no_o superiority_n of_o power_n they_o shall_v be_v put_v off_o with_o a_o empty_a superiority_n of_o order_n separate_v from_o power_n if_o in_o another_o that_o assertion_n seem_v not_o so_o convenient_a to_o our_o purpose_n they_o shall_v be_v present_o advance_v to_o a_o absolute_a supremacy_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o then_o that_o must_v last_v only_o during_o their_o life_n and_o as_o for_o their_o successor_n we_o be_v please_v to_o 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particular_a pastor_n discharge_v their_o duty_n such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o church-censure_n and_o make_v rule_n for_o decency_n in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v that_o we_o call_v the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n now_o this_o latter_a power_n though_o it_o belong_v habitual_o and_o in_o actu_fw-la primo_fw-la to_o every_o presbyter_n yet_o be_v about_o matter_n of_o public_a and_o common_a concernment_n some_o further_a authority_n in_o a_o church_n constitute_v be_v necessary_a beside_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o when_o this_o power_n either_o by_o consent_n of_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o a_o christian_a magistrate_n or_o both_o be_v devolve_v to_o some_o particular_a person_n though_o quoad_fw-la aptitudinem_fw-la the_o power_n remain_v in_o every_o presbyter_n yet_o quoad_fw-la executionem_fw-la it_o belong_v to_o those_o who_o be_v so_o appoint_v whatever_o truth_n there_o be_v in_o this_o the_o assertion_n be_v plain_a that_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v but_o one_o order_n in_o the_o clergy_n and_o that_o the_o difference_n which_o have_v since_o be_v make_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o jurisdiction_n and_o this_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o the_o former_a assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o beside_o distinction_n of_o order_n when_o now_o there_o be_v no_o more_o by_o divine_a appointment_n than_o one_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o their_o flutter_v between_o order_n and_o power_n degree_n and_o order_n power_n of_o order_n and_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n all_o superiority_n of_o order_n so_o much_o as_o it_o be_v be_v so_o much_o superiority_n of_o power_n thus_o to_o take_v their_o own_o instance_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n be_v so_o far_o superior_a over_o his_o colleague_n in_o power_n as_o he_o be_v in_o order_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o his_o office_n give_v he_o some_o more_o advantage_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n than_o they_o have_v for_o the_o very_a power_n of_o call_v and_o adjourn_v assembly_n preside_v and_o moderate_v in_o they_o be_v no_o small_a degree_n of_o power_n in_o a_o republican_n government_n but_o see_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n be_v think_v to_o be_v make_v out_o best_o by_o these_o parallel_a instance_n of_o commonwealth_n let_v we_o run_v the_o parallel_n with_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o for_o if_o to_o be_v superior_a only_o in_o order_n be_v to_o be_v precedent_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o prolocutor_n in_o a_o convocation_n and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o the_o office_n peculiar_a to_o the_o apostle_n then_o when_o our_o saviour_n appoint_v seventy_o disciple_n and_o twelve_o apostle_n he_o make_v twelve_o prolocutor_n over_o a_o convocation_n of_o seventy_o see_v therefore_o that_o be_v too_o great_a a_o number_n of_o speaker_n for_o so_o small_a a_o assembly_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o when_o he_o separate_v they_o for_o a_o distinct_a office_n he_o intend_v something_o more_o by_o a_o apostle_n than_o mere_o a_o chairman_n in_o a_o presbytery_n and_o whatever_o it_o be_v it_o be_v either_o a_o high_a power_n than_o other_o have_v or_o it_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o second_o this_o succession_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a and_o convince_v in_o all_o place_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o thing_n intend_v for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o show_v a_o list_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n but_o it_o shall_v be_v produce_v at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o perceive_v to_o be_v our_o adversary_n darling_a objection_n be_v the_o only_a matter_n make_v use_v of_o to_o shift_v off_o several_a head_n of_o argument_n this_o be_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n as_o to_o place_n and_o be_v now_o here_o the_o only_a evidence_n of_o its_o ambiguity_n and_o by_o and_o by_o will_v be_v call_v in_o as_o the_o only_a instance_n of_o its_o repugnancy_n but_o certain_o their_o fondness_n to_o it_o be_v not_o ground_v upon_o any_o great_a virtue_n that_o they_o see_v in_o it_o but_o they_o be_v only_o force_v for_o want_n of_o more_o material_a argument_n to_o lay_v a_o mighty_a stress_n upon_o such_o poor_a pretence_n as_o in_o any_o other_o dispute_n they_o will_v be_v a_o shame_v to_o own_o for_o first_o suppose_v the_o succession_n can_v be_v show_v in_o all_o church_n be_v that_o any_o proof_n against_o the_o succession_n that_o can_v and_o suppose_v i_o can_v produce_v a_o list_n of_o bishop_n at_o philippi_n corinth_n and_o caesarea_n shall_v i_o thence_o conclude_v against_o the_o succession_n though_o i_o have_v very_o good_a history_n for_o it_o at_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n this_o be_v such_o a_o inference_n as_o rather_o show_v a_o man_n good_a will_n to_o his_o opinion_n than_o his_o understanding_n but_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a to_o conclude_v the_o custom_n of_o those_o church_n that_o be_v not_o know_v from_o those_o that_o be_v and_o apparent_o absurd_a to_o question_v the_o record_n of_o those_o that_o be_v preserve_v for_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o those_o that_o be_v not_o but_o second_o what_o though_o we_o do_v not_o find_v in_o all_o church_n a_o accurate_a catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o all_o bishop_n do_v we_o find_v any_o instance_n in_o any_o one_o ancient_a church_n of_o any_o other_o form_n of_o government_n if_o we_o can_v that_o be_v something_o to_o the_o argument_n but_o that_o be_v not_o pretend_v in_o the_o exception_n but_o otherwise_o because_o the_o exact_a
succession_n of_o person_n in_o any_o bishopric_n have_v not_o be_v preserve_v with_o that_o care_n and_o diligence_n that_o it_o ought_v or_o may_v have_v be_v to_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o episcopal_a form_n of_o government_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o conclude_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o ancient_a monarchy_n in_o the_o world_n because_o in_o all_o their_o history_n there_o be_v some_o flaw_n or_o defect_n or_o disagreement_n as_o to_o the_o name_n of_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n but_o we_o think_v it_o enough_o that_o where_o we_o find_v a_o establish_a monarchy_n though_o we_o meet_v with_o some_o interval_n of_o history_n in_o which_o the_o prince_n name_n that_o then_o reign_v be_v uncertain_a or_o forget_v and_o meet_v with_o no_o record_n that_o the_o government_n be_v at_o that_o time_n change_v into_o a_o commonwealth_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o monarchy_n be_v all_o along_o preserve_v and_o that_o be_v the_o case_n of_o episcopal_a government_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o in_o all_o time_n and_o place_n where_o and_o when_o record_n have_v be_v preserve_v we_o find_v the_o same_o form_n practise_v and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o conclude_v that_o the_o same_o be_v observe_v in_o those_o short_a interval_n of_o time_n if_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v any_o such_o in_o which_o they_o be_v lose_v though_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o register_n of_o particular_a person_n be_v so_o defective_a as_o be_v pretend_v but_o that_o in_o most_o church_n their_o very_a name_n be_v accurate_o enough_o record_v thus_o first_o for_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o which_o we_o find_v a_o succession_n of_o fifteen_o bishop_n before_o its_o destruction_n attest_v by_o the_o best_a and_o most_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o validity_n of_o who_o testimony_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v for_o it_o be_v no_o objection_n that_o so_o many_o bishop_n shall_v be_v crowd_v into_o so_o narrow_a a_o room_n that_o many_o of_o they_o can_v not_o have_v have_v above_o two_o year_n time_n to_o rule_v in_o the_o church_n when_o almost_o all_o that_o time_n the_o jew_n be_v in_o rebellion_n against_o the_o roman_n continual_o provoke_v they_o by_o their_o insurrection_n to_o the_o utmost_a severity_n both_o against_o jew_n and_o christian_n for_o as_o yet_o the_o roman_n understand_v no_o difference_n nor_o be_v they_o break_v into_o any_o open_a division_n among_o themselves_o all_o these_o bishop_n be_v as_o formal_o circumcise_v as_o any_o of_o the_o most_o zealous_a retainer_n to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o more_o wonder_n that_o so_o many_o bishop_n shall_v succeed_v in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n than_o that_o such_o a_o incredible_a number_n of_o jew_n shall_v perish_v by_o the_o sword_n but_o second_o it_o be_v less_o material_a to_o inquire_v as_o scaliger_n mmcxl_o do_v where_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n by_o titus_n till_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n for_o what_o if_o he_o have_v no_o palace_n be_v he_o no_o bishop_n or_o what_o if_o we_o can_v tell_v where_o he_o assemble_v his_o flock_n be_v there_o no_o church_n perhaps_o it_o be_v in_o a_o cockloft_o at_o pella_n but_o because_o we_o can_v tell_v where_o it_o be_v be_v it_o no_o where_o and_o therefore_o to_o return_v the_o quere_z be_v there_o then_o a_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n if_o there_o be_v whether_o episcopal_a presbyterian_a or_o independent_a or_o all_o together_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v where_o it_o be_v and_o if_o you_o can_v tell_v i_o conclude_v as_o you_o do_v that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n at_o all_o and_o so_o he_o have_v answer_v his_o own_o little_a objection_n himself_o that_o the_o church_n follow_v the_o bishop_n and_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o stone_n wall_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v then_o at_o pella_n though_o there_o be_v no_o such_o place_n as_o jerusalem_n as_o at_o this_o day_n the_o patriarchal_a seat_n of_o antioch_n be_v at_o meredin_n in_o mesopotamia_n and_o that_o of_o alexandria_n at_o grand_a cairo_n as_o for_o the_o succession_n at_o antioch_n i_o find_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n to_o doubt_v of_o its_o truth_n for_o i_o think_v it_o no_o objection_n that_o though_o it_o be_v clear_a it_o be_v not_o certain_a whether_o they_o succeed_v st._n peter_n or_o st._n paul_n for_o be_v it_o either_o or_o both_o or_o neither_o it_o be_v all_o one_o so_o it_o be_v any_o that_o be_v enough_o that_o there_o be_v a_o succession_n though_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o particular_a founder_n of_o the_o church_n in_o who_o it_o begin_v and_o whoever_o of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v whether_o one_o or_o more_o they_o have_v apostolical_a authority_n over_o it_o and_o whoever_o succeed_v they_o succeed_v in_o the_o same_o form_n of_o government_n as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v about_o the_o succession_n of_o linus_n and_o clemens_n be_v both_o reckon_v in_o the_o first_o place_n but_o the_o conjecture_n be_v very_o probable_a that_o clemens_n succeed_v st._n peter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o linus_n do_v st._n paul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o survive_v both_o linus_n and_o cletus_n that_o succeed_v he_o till_o the_o union_n of_o the_o two_o church_n he_o govern_v both_o for_o whatever_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o the_o conjecture_n that_o there_o be_v separate_v church_n of_o christian_a jew_n and_o gentile_n in_o other_o city_n there_o be_v a_o very_a probable_a foundation_n for_o it_o at_o rome_n in_o the_o apostolical_a history_n act_v xxviii_o where_o st._n paul_n express_o declare_v to_o the_o jew_n that_o from_o thenceforth_o he_o will_v preach_v only_o to_o the_o gentile_n and_o so_o in_o all_o probability_n gather_v a_o distinct_a church_n of_o they_o by_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o in_o that_o famous_a passage_n of_o irenaeus_n in_o which_o he_o derive_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o st._n peter_n and_o paul_n down_o to_o eleutherius_fw-la his_o cotemporary_a that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o single_a number_n but_o ecclesiae_fw-la petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o canstitutae_fw-la as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v several_a church_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o pretty_a observation_n of_o mr._n thorndike_n that_o st._n paul_n be_v bury_v in_o the_o 18._o way_n to_o ostia_n and_o st._n peter_n in_o the_o vatican_n as_o we_o understand_v by_o caius_n in_o eusebius_n seem_v to_o point_v they_o out_o head_n the_o one_o of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n the_o other_o of_o the_o gentile_n in_o that_o the_o vatican_n be_v then_o the_o jury_n of_o rome_n and_o notorious_a for_o the_o residence_n of_o jew_n but_o though_o these_o first_o record_n can_v not_o be_v full_o make_v out_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o history_n but_o rather_o to_o suspect_v some_o mistake_n in_o aftertime_n or_o the_o omission_n of_o some_o circumstance_n that_o may_v if_o it_o have_v be_v record_v have_v remove_v the_o difficulty_n for_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a that_o when_o irenaeus_n to_o mention_v no_o more_o give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n from_o st._n peter_n down_o to_o the_o time_n when_o himself_o be_v at_o rome_n and_o who_o live_v not_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o st._n peter_n than_o we_o do_v from_o the_o first_o archbishop_n in_o queen_n elizabeth_n reign_n that_o we_o shall_v suspect_v the_o whole_a truth_n of_o his_o relation_n because_o we_o can_v give_v a_o account_n of_o all_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o the_o succession_n this_o i_o say_v be_v too_o hard_a deal_n with_o any_o ancient_a record_n though_o the_o conclusion_n be_v much_o hard_a that_o because_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o all_o the_o person_n that_o succeed_v in_o church-government_n and_o of_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o their_o succession_n that_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o we_o have_v no_o record_n of_o any_o form_n but_o one_o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n there_o the_o succession_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v clear_a as_o indeed_o it_o be_v unquestionable_a only_o it_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o presbyter_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n the_o evidence_n of_o personal_a succession_n be_v enough_o and_o all_o that_o be_v pertinent_a to_o our_o present_a debate_n and_o the_o succession_n of_o ephesus_n may_v have_v be_v as_o unquestionable_a but_o that_o one_o leontius_n plead_v at_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n that_o all_o
to_o put_v a_o abuse_n upon_o all_o their_o posterity_n as_o to_o say_v in_o this_o case_n that_o there_o once_o be_v such_o a_o season_n in_o which_o all_o the_o world_n agree_v though_o no_o body_n know_v when_o or_o where_o to_o make_v a_o universal_a and_o perpetual_a alteration_n of_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n but_o to_o conclude_v grant_v these_o man_n all_o that_o they_o contend_v for_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o great_a advantage_n any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v either_o to_o make_v good_a the_o title_n or_o to_o enhance_v the_o excellency_n of_o episcopal_a government_n than_o st._n hierom_n and_o blondel_n give_v we_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o that_o upon_o their_o decease_n their_o authority_n devolve_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o presbyter_n which_o form_n of_o government_n be_v every_o where_o find_v so_o incompetent_a and_o inconvenient_a that_o all_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o five_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o convince_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o retrieve_v the_o old_a apostolical_a inequality_n as_o they_o ever_o intend_v to_o secure_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v pretty_a well_o and_o advantage_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o reasonable_a man_n and_o therefore_o with_o it_o i_o shall_v rest_v content_v only_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n the_o strange_a partiality_n of_o our_o adversary_n in_o this_o cause_n not_o only_o to_o set_v up_o this_o absurd_a suggestion_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o unknown_a time_n of_o a_o universal_a alteration_n of_o church-government_n and_o that_o not_o only_o without_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o record_n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o then_o it_o have_v not_o be_v unknown_a but_o against_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o history_n and_o the_o most_o certain_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o clear_a in_o ecclesiastical_a story_n than_o the_o succession_n of_o single_a person_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o his_o own_o age_n especial_o in_o the_o great_a and_o most_o eminent_a church_n such_o as_o rome_n jerusalem_n antiochia_n and_o alexandria_n so_o that_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o such_o universal_a change_n as_o st._n jerom_n dream_v of_o when_o in_o these_o great_a church_n episcopacy_n be_v establish_v antecedent_o to_o any_o such_o suppose_a alteration_n but_o beside_o this_o they_o oppose_v the_o custom_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n and_o that_o attest_v only_o by_o one_o author_n to_o the_o know_a practice_n not_o only_o of_o all_o other_o church_n but_o of_o that_o particular_a church_n itself_o thus_o because_o the_o same_o st._n jerom_n say_v with_o the_o same_o haste_n and_o inconsideration_n that_o there_o be_v a_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n from_o st._n mark_v down_o to_o heraclas_n and_o dionysius_n for_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n in_o the_o vacancy_n of_o the_o see_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o own_o number_n and_o from_o thenceforward_a call_v he_o their_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o when_o a_o army_n make_v their_o own_o general_n or_o the_o deacon_n may_v choose_v one_o out_o of_o themselves_o and_o constitute_v he_o their_o archdeacon_n now_o i_o say_v suppose_v this_o story_n to_o be_v true_a be_v it_o not_o very_o severe_a by_o the_o singular_a practice_n of_o one_o church_n to_o overthrow_v the_o constitution_n of_o all_o other_o church_n for_o what_o if_o at_o alexandria_n they_o have_v a_o peculiar_a or_o a_o corrupt_a custom_n do_v that_o impair_n or_o destroy_v the_o catholic_n practice_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v possible_a not_o only_o for_o one_o particular_a church_n to_o deviate_v in_o some_o circumstance_n from_o their_o primitive_a institution_n but_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o a_o certain_a right_n yes_o but_o say_v they_o this_o custom_n be_v derive_v from_o st._n mark_v himself_o but_o that_o will_v require_v some_o better_a proof_n than_o the_o bare_a assertion_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v have_v be_v a_o preposterous_a practice_n in_o aftertime_n which_o he_o to_o give_v the_o more_o authority_n to_o it_o may_v in_o his_o lavish_a heat_n ascribe_v to_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o but_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a story_n what_o be_v this_o custom_n be_v it_o for_o presbyter_n to_o ordain_v their_o bishop_n st._n jerom_n seem_v willing_a to_o say_v so_o but_o dare_v not_o and_o therefore_o express_v himself_o in_o odd_a ambiguous_a and_o general_a term_n unum_n ex_fw-la se_fw-la electum_fw-la in_o excelsiori_fw-la gradu_fw-la collocatum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la nominabant_fw-la which_o signify_v nothing_o certain_a but_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o ordination_n be_v evident_a by_o the_o word_n that_o immediate_o follow_v quid_fw-la enim_fw-la facit_fw-la exceptâ_fw-la ordinatione_fw-la episcopus_fw-la quod_fw-la presbyter_n non_fw-la faciat_fw-la which_o word_n upon_o whatsoever_o account_n they_o be_v add_v come_v in_o here_o very_o impertinent_o if_o he_o have_v by_o the_o story_n speak_v of_o ordination_n at_o least_o out_o of_o these_o general_a word_n nothing_o more_o can_v be_v collect_v than_o their_o right_n or_o custom_n of_o elect_v their_o own_o bishop_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o cathedral_n church_n afterward_o nay_o that_o too_o be_v more_o than_o be_v true_a or_o can_v be_v prove_v for_o st._n jerom_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v choose_v by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o out_o of_o the_o presbyter_n so_o that_o he_o do_v not_o give_v they_o so_o much_o as_o the_o right_n of_o election_n but_o only_a appropriate_n to_o they_o the_o capacity_n of_o be_v elect_v and_o that_o be_v all_o the_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o church_n that_o they_o alone_o be_v qualify_v to_o succeed_v in_o the_o see_v and_o if_o any_o one_o will_v from_o hence_o infer_v as_o mr._n selden_n be_v please_v to_o do_v 27._o their_o power_n not_o only_o of_o election_n but_o ordination_n he_o may_v thank_v himself_o and_o not_o st._n jerom_n for_o his_o conclusion_n for_o there_o be_v not_o any_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o the_o inference_n beside_o the_o learned_a gentleman_n resolution_n to_o have_v it_o so_o and_o therefore_o when_o he_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o several_a both_o divine_n and_o lawyer_n that_o understand_v no_o more_o by_o this_o passage_n than_o mere_o capitular_a election_n he_o confute_v they_o with_o no_o other_o argument_n than_o only_o by_o say_v positive_o that_o they_o be_v ip_v hieronymo_n adversissimi_fw-la but_o alas_o wise_a man_n will_v not_o quit_v their_o own_o opinion_n only_o to_o submit_v to_o the_o confidence_n of_o other_o man_n assertion_n and_o therefore_o he_o ought_v either_o to_o have_v prove_v more_o or_o to_o have_v say_v nothing_o nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o have_v any_o power_n of_o ordination_n that_o they_o have_v not_o that_o of_o election_n when_o it_o be_v so_o very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n be_v of_o old_a time_n choose_v not_o by_o the_o presbyter_n but_o by_o the_o people_n so_o that_o to_o ascribe_v their_o election_n to_o the_o presbyter_n be_v plain_o to_o contradict_v the_o know_a custom_n of_o that_o church_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v too_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a as_o mr._n selden_n 6._o himself_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v the_o least_o footstep_n of_o this_o alexandrian_a custom_n in_o any_o legitimate_a ancient_a author_n but_o only_a st._n jerom._n for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o custom_n in_o this_o church_n of_o which_o we_o have_v as_o good_a and_o as_o many_o record_n as_o of_o any_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a but_o that_o upon_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o some_o writer_n shall_v have_v take_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o so_o universal_a a_o silence_n can_v but_o bring_v a_o very_a great_a suspicion_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o st._n jeroms_n relation_n at_o least_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a upon_o the_o single_a report_n of_o one_o hasty_a man_n concern_v the_o peculiar_a custom_n of_o one_o church_n to_o renounce_v as_o our_o adversary_n do_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o but_o to_o avoid_v this_o heavy_a objection_n of_o singularity_n our_o learned_a adversary_n have_v take_v vast_a pain_n to_o find_v out_o a_o second_o witness_n and_o then_o two_o witness_n we_o know_v according_a to_o our_o law_n can_v prove_v any_o thing_n and_o at_o length_n he_o have_v discover_v a_o arabian_a author_n and_o with_o more_o than_o ordinary_a joy_n and_o transport_v immediate_o publish_v the_o particular_a story_n by_o itself_o with_o large_a and_o learned_a note_n upon_o it_o but_o
so_o express_o derive_v down_o by_o single_a person_n and_o when_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v vouch_v by_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o succession_n it_o be_v a_o very_a cold_a answer_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o father_n talk_v only_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n and_o not_o of_o person_n four_o this_o personal_a succession_n so_o much_o speak_v of_o be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n even_o after_o the_o distinction_n come_v in_o use_n between_o bishop_n and_o they_o i_o pray_v by_o who_o why_o by_o irenaeus_n but_o do_v irenaeus_n when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n of_o his_o own_o time_n confound_v their_o name_n and_o office_n or_o any_o other_o author_n of_o the_o same_o age_n nay_o do_v they_o not_o careful_o distinguish_v they_o from_o each_o other_o though_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o thing_n as_o do_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n they_o may_v speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o those_o time_n the_o name_n therefore_o of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v not_o then_o distinguish_v it_o be_v but_o proper_a for_o they_o to_o express_v thing_n as_o they_o be_v then_o express_v so_o that_o though_o irenaeus_n never_o will_v style_v a_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o time_n by_o the_o name_n of_o presbyter_n but_o ever_o careful_o distinguish_v the_o two_o order_n yet_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o first_o time_n it_o be_v neither_o wonder_n nor_o impropriety_n if_o he_o call_v they_o presbyter_n for_o i_o will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o our_o adversary_n that_o they_o be_v so_o call_v till_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o then_o succeed_v into_o their_o power_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v distinguish_v by_o some_o proper_a name_n from_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o there_o lie_v the_o root_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n that_o they_o will_v have_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v bear_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o name_n which_o if_o we_o will_v not_o grant_v they_o as_o without_o a_o manifest_a affront_n to_o the_o apostle_n we_o can_v their_o whole_a cause_n sink_v to_o nothing_o for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a proof_n allege_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o sententia_fw-la hieronymi_n that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o distinguish_v before_o the_o name_n but_o of_o that_o in_o its_o due_a place_n already_o at_o present_a i_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v any_o one_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o thing_n after_o the_o separation_n of_o the_o word_n be_v make_v ever_o call_v a_o bishop_n a_o presbyter_n or_o a_o presbyter_n a_o bishop_n and_o in_o that_o i_o be_o very_o much_o their_o friend_n for_o if_o they_o can_v it_o utter_o overthrow_v their_o main_a argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o their_o name_n in_o that_o we_o find_v they_o promiscuous_o use_v after_o the_o distinction_n but_o that_o by_o the_o word_n presbyteri_fw-la irenaeus_n do_v not_o mean_v a_o simple_a presbyter_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n themselves_o in_o which_o he_o prescribe_v against_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heretic_n by_o the_o undoubted_a antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n which_o he_o say_v be_v convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o the_o ancient_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o episcopacy_n so_o that_o by_o his_o presbyteri_fw-la he_o mean_v as_o he_o explain_v himself_o such_o of_o the_o ancient_n qui_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n i._n e._n the_o ancient_a bishop_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o meet_v with_o material_a upon_o this_o head_n for_o when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o ignatius_n himself_o that_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o a_o divine_a but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n they_o be_v to_o be_v give_v up_o for_o pleasant_a man_n that_o will_v attempt_v any_o paradox_n in_o pursuit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o it_o exceed_v even_o the_o rashness_n of_o blondel_n himself_o who_o that_o as_o he_o speak_v his_o st._n jerom_n may_v not_o stand_v alone_o like_o a_o sparrow_n upon_o the_o house_n top_n have_v after_o his_o rate_n of_o infer_v fetch_v in_o all_o the_o father_n to_o bear_v he_o company_n except_o only_a ignatius_n who_o it_o seem_v he_o despair_v of_o make_v ever_o to_o chirp_v pro_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la hieronymi_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v at_o last_o that_o the_o holy_a martyr_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v make_v the_o solitary_a sparrow_n by_o be_v desert_v by_o all_o the_o father_n he_o be_v bring_v over_o to_o the_o party_n but_o with_o such_o manifest_a force_n to_o himself_o as_o plain_o show_v he_o to_o be_v no_o volunteer_n in_o the_o cause_n thus_o when_o he_o commend_v the_o deacon_n sotion_n for_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n ut_fw-la gratiae_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o to_o the_o presbytery_n ut_fw-la legi_fw-la jesus_n christi_fw-la by_o the_o law_n of_o jesus_n christ_n we_o be_v teach_v to_o understand_v divine_a institution_n but_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n only_o humane_a prudence_n though_o that_o too_o be_v direct_v to_o it_o by_o the_o special_a favour_n or_o providence_n of_o god_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o preserve_a peace_n and_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v it_o so_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n no_o doubt_n be_v as_o firm_a a_o ground_n of_o divine_a institution_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n special_a favour_n we_o be_v as_o well_o content_a with_o it_o as_o if_o it_o have_v come_v by_o the_o grace_n of_o christ._n neither_o do_v this_o interpretation_n derogate_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o episcopal_a order_n but_o very_o much_o from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n wisdom_n viz._n that_o when_o he_o have_v establish_v presbytery_n in_o his_o church_n for_o the_o government_n of_o it_o that_o establishment_n be_v find_v so_o ineffectual_a for_o its_o end_n that_o almighty_a god_n be_v afterward_o constrain_v for_o prevent_v of_o schism_n and_o preserve_v of_o unity_n in_o the_o church_n in_o a_o special_a manner_n to_o inspire_v the_o governor_n of_o it_o in_o after-age_n to_o set_v up_o the_o form_n of_o episcopal_a government_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v no_o less_o disparagement_n to_o himself_o than_o his_o son_n for_o see_v what_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o his_o church_n he_o do_v by_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o father_n if_o its_o institution_n prove_v defective_a for_o its_o end_n it_o be_v a_o equal_a oversight_n of_o both_o and_o the_o aftergame_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o to_o supply_v a_o defect_n that_o they_o do_v not_o foresee_v but_o be_v teach_v by_o experience_n a_o very_a honourable_a representation_n this_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n however_o take_v it_o which_o way_n we_o will_v we_o can_v desire_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o divine_a institution_n for_o so_o it_o come_v from_o god_n it_o matter_n not_o which_o way_n he_o be_v please_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o we_o and_o now_o have_v we_o not_o reason_n to_o wonder_v when_o we_o see_v man_n attempt_v to_o bring_v this_o holy_a martyr_n off_o with_o such_o slight_n so_o express_o against_o his_o own_o declare_a opinion_n who_o every_o where_o ground_n his_o exhortation_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n and_o add_v even_o in_o the_o word_n follow_v the_o forecited_a passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o not_o to_o he_o but_o to_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o we_o all_o and_o therefore_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o he_o that_o require_v it_o it_o be_v our_o bind_a duty_n to_o be_v obedient_a without_o hypocrisy_n what_o can_v be_v plain_a than_o that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o bishop_n stand_v whole_o upon_o the_o command_n of_o god_n so_o again_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o take_v care_n not_o to_o oppose_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v be_v obedient_a to_o god_n and_o if_o any_o man_n observe_v the_o silence_n of_o his_o bishop_n let_v he_o reverence_v he_o so_o much_o the_o more_o for_o every_o one_o that_o the_o master_n of_o the_o family_n put_v into_o the_o stewardship_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o the_o master_n himself_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o we_o ought_v to_o reverence_v the_o bishop_n as_o we_o will_v our_o lord_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a oversight_n to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o testimony_n in_o all_o ignatius_n epistle_n that_o prove_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o a_o institution_n of_o christ_n for_o episcopacy_n when_o