and_o therefore_o the_o first_o distribution_n of_o it_o be_v into_o several_a congregation_n which_o in_o scripture_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o church_n as_o be_v similar_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n even_o as_o every_o breath_n of_o air_n be_v call_v air_n and_o every_o drop_n of_o water_n water_n for_o thus_o those_o believer_n who_o be_v wont_a to_o assemble_v in_o any_o one_o particular_a house_n to_o worship_n god_n together_o be_v frequent_o call_v church_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o priscilla_n and_o aquila_n rom._n 16.5_o the_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o nymphas_n 1_o cor._n 16.19_o the_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o philemon_n col._n 4.15_o in_o which_o house_n in_o all_o probability_n there_o be_v a_o upper_a room_n consecrate_a and_o set_v apart_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o divine_a worship_n in_o which_o upper_a room_n not_o only_o the_o believer_n of_o the_o family_n but_o several_a other_o neighbour_a christian_n be_v wont_a to_o assemble_v for_o the_o public_a exercise_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o so_o where_o ever_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o several_a church_n in_o the_o same_o country_n as_o for_o instance_n the_o church_n of_o judea_n gal._n 1.22_o of_o samaria_n and_o galileâ—_n act_v 9.31_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o by_o these_o church_n no_o more_o be_v mean_v but_o only_o the_o several_a congregation_n of_o believer_n in_o those_o several_a church_n but_o these_o congregation_n grow_v numerous_a there_o be_v a_o second_o distribution_n make_v of_o they_o by_o which_o many_o of_o those_o congregation_n neighbour_a upon_o one_o another_o be_v collect_v into_o one_o body_n under_o one_o head_n or_o bishop_n who_o be_v the_o common_a guide_n and_o pastor_n of_o all_o the_o member_n whether_o lay_v or_o clergy_n appertain_v to_o they_o and_o these_o collection_n of_o several_a congregation_n under_o their_o several_a bishop_n or_o governor_n be_v in_o scripture_n also_o frequent_o call_v church_n for_o thus_o for_o instance_n the_o church_n of_o corinth_n contain_v in_o it_o several_a congregation_n and_o therefore_o though_o in_o the_o dedication_n of_o his_o epistle_n the_o apostle_n call_v it_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o yet_o in_o the_o epistle_n he_o enjoin_v that_o the_o woman_n shall_v keep_v silence_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14.34_o which_o be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n that_o in_o that_o church_n there_o be_v several_a church_n or_o congregation_n and_o so_o also_o we_o read_v of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o syria_n cilicia_n and_o macedonia_n all_o which_o be_v large_a country_n and_o do_v without_o doubt_n contain_v in_o they_o several_a congregation_n of_o christian_n and_o thus_o also_o we_o read_v of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n and_o so_o of_o antioch_n ephâ—sus_n etc._n etc._n which_o church_n doubtless_o consist_v of_o several_a congregation_n in_o and_o about_o thâ—se_a populous_a city_n which_o be_v all_o unite_a into_o one_o body_n under_o the_o care_n and_o inspection_n of_o one_o bishop_n or_o governor_n now_o as_o the_o first_o distribution_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n into_o distinct_a congregation_n be_v make_v for_o the_o convenience_n of_o worship_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o whole_a church_n when_o it_o begin_v to_o increase_v and_o enlarge_v itself_o to_o celebrate_v the_o divine_a office_n by_o the_o ministry_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o pastor_n so_o this_o second_o distribution_n of_o it_o into_o particular_a church_n consist_v of_o several_a congregation_n be_v make_v for_o the_o convenience_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o maintain_v its_o order_n government_n and_o discipline_n under_o the_o single_a inspection_n of_o any_o one_o bishop_n or_o governor_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o thâ—se_a distribution_n the_o church_n unity_n still_o remain_v for_o as_o the_o empire_n be_v but_o one_o notwithstanding_o that_o for_o the_o convenience_n of_o society_n and_o government_n it_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a city_n and_o region_n and_o those_o into_o several_a province_n because_o they_o be_v all_o incorporate_v together_o under_o one_o civil_a head_n the_o emperor_n so_o the_o church_n be_v but_o one_o though_o for_o the_o convenience_n of_o worship_n and_o government_n it_o be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o those_o into_o several_a particular_a church_n or_o episcopacy_n because_o they_o be_v all_o incorporate_a under_o one_o spiritual_a head_n even_o jesus_n christ_n the_o supreme_a bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o our_o soul_n six_o it_o be_v the_o universal_a society_n of_o all_o christian_a people_n distribute_v into_o particular_a church_n under_o lawful_a governor_n and_o pastor_n and_o it_o be_v this_o indeed_o that_o constitute_v they_o distinct_a church_n viz._n their_o be_v join_v and_o unite_v together_o under_o distinct_a pastor_n and_o governor_n for_o thus_o a_o single_a congregation_n be_v a_o distinct_a church_n because_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o do_v local_o communicate_v together_o in_o all_o the_o office_n of_o divine_a worship_n administer_v to_o they_o by_o a_o distinct_a pastor_n and_o so_o also_o a_o collection_n of_o several_a congregation_n be_v a_o distinct_a church_n because_o they_o all_o participate_v together_o of_o the_o direction_n and_o conduct_n of_o a_o distinct_a governor_n for_o as_o i_o show_v before_o the_o reason_n of_o these_o distribution_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n first_o into_o single_a congregation_n be_v the_o convenience_n of_o worship_n and_o then_o into_o several_a collection_n of_o several_a congregation_n be_v the_o convenience_n of_o government_n and_o therefore_o since_o that_o which_o serve_v the_o convenience_n of_o worship_n be_v the_o have_v distinct_a pastor_n to_o administer_v it_o and_o that_o which_o serve_v the_o convenience_n of_o government_n be_v the_o have_v distinct_a ruler_n to_o exercise_v it_o it_o hence_o necessary_o follow_v that_o that_o which_o make_v a_o congregation_n a_o distinct_a distribution_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n must_v be_v its_o worship_v together_o under_o a_o distinct_a pastor_n and_o that_o which_o make_v a_o collection_n of_o congregation_n a_o distinct_a distribution_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n must_v be_v its_o be_v unite_v together_o under_o a_o distinct_a governor_n because_o without_o their_o pastor_n or_o their_o governor_n they_o want_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o their_o be_v distribute_v into_o distinct_a church_n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v no_o church_n whatsoever_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o single_a congregation_n or_o a_o collection_n of_o congregation_n can_v act_v as_o a_o church_n without_o a_o pastor_n or_o governor_n no_o congregation_n can_v lawful_o communicate_v in_o the_o public_a office_n of_o divine_a worship_n without_o a_o lawful_a pastor_n to_o administer_v it_o no_o collection_n of_o congregation_n can_v lawful_o exert_v any_o act_n of_o church-government_n without_o have_v a_o authorize_v governor_n to_o exercise_v it_o for_o the_o administration_n of_o all_o church-office_n be_v commit_v by_o our_o saviour_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o church_n officer_n it_o be_v to_o they_o that_o he_o have_v give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n i._n e._n authority_n to_o admit_v or_o exclude_v or_o readmit_v man_n into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v they_o alone_o who_o he_o have_v make_v the_o keeper_n of_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n viz._n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o alone_a who_o he_o have_v authorize_v to_o teach_v the_o gospel_n to_o bless_v the_o people_n and_o to_o offer_v up_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o christian_a assembly_n and_o these_o be_v the_o proper_a act_n of_o a_o church_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n so_o that_o without_o pastor_n or_o governor_n there_o be_v no_o church_n can_v perform_v any_o of_o those_o act_n that_o be_v proper_a to_o a_o church_n and_o therefore_o since_o all_o action_n proceed_v from_o the_o essence_n of_o the_o agent_n pastor_n and_o governor_n without_o which_o church_n as_o such_o can_v act_v must_v necessary_o be_v essential_a to_o church_n and_o hence_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o great_a purpose_n for_o which_o christ_n ordain_v apostle_n prophet_n evangelist_n and_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o compact_n or_o join_v together_o the_o saint_n as_o one_o body_n in_o church-communion_n and_o society_n eph._n 4.11_o 12._o and_o hence_o also_o you_o find_v the_o church_n of_o asia_n follow_v the_o number_n of_o the_o angel_n or_o ruler_n of_o they_o rev._n 1.20_o which_o plain_o imply_v that_o therefore_o they_o be_v seven_o distinct_a church_n because_o they_o have_v seven_o distinct_a ruler_n or_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o ordination_n of_o pastor_n and_o
admonish_v heretic_n and_o in_o case_n of_o pertinacy_n to_o reject_v they_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n chap._n 3._o vers_fw-la 10._o from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o apostolate_a of_o titus_n consist_v in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a superiority_n which_o be_v the_o very_a same_o in_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n that_o the_o first_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v in_o the_o several_a church_n that_o be_v plant_v by_o they_o and_o according_o he_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o antiquity_n to_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n so_o euseb._n lib._n 3._o cap._n 4._o affirm_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o have_v receive_v episcopal_a authority_n over_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n so_o also_o theodoret._n in_o argum._n ep._n ad_fw-la tit._n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v ordain_v by_o s._n paul_n bishop_n of_o crete_n and_o so_o also_o s._n chrysostom_n s._n jerom_n and_o s._n ambrose_n and_o several_a other_o of_o the_o father_n and_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n this_o episcopal_a authority_n therefore_o which_o s._n paul_n give_v titus_n over_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n be_v another_o plain_a instance_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v apostle_n or_o derive_v to_o other_o their_o apostolic_a power_n and_o superiority_n over_o particular_a church_n the_o four_o and_o last_o instance_n i_o shall_v give_v be_v that_o of_o timothy_n who_o as_o it_o appear_v by_o s._n paul_n epistle_n to_o he_o have_v episcopal_a authority_n over_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o this_o not_o only_o over_o the_o laity_n to_o command_v and_o teach_v they_o 1_o tim._n 4.11_o to_o receive_v widow_n into_o the_o church_n service_n or_o reject_v and_o refuse_v they_o 1_o tim._n 5.4.9.16_o and_o to_o oblige_v the_o woman_n to_o go_v modest_o in_o their_o apparel_n and_o keep_v silence_n in_o the_o church_n 1_o tim._n 2.11_o 12._o but_o also_o over_o the_o clergy_n to_o take_v care_n that_o suitable_a provision_n shall_v be_v make_v for_o they_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o that_o none_o shall_v be_v admit_v a_o deacon_n till_o after_o competent_a trial_n nor_o ordain_v a_o elder_a till_o after_o he_o have_v well_o acquit_v himself_o in_o the_o deaconship_n 1_o tim._n 3.10.13_o to_o exercise_v ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n over_o they_o to_o receive_v accusation_n against_o they_o and_o if_o he_o find_v they_o guilty_a to_o put_v they_o to_o open_a shame_n 1_o tim._n 5.19_o 20._o and_o s._n paul_n charge_v he_o to_o exercise_v this_o his_o jurisdiction_n without_o prefer_v one_o before_o another_o and_o without_o partiality_n ibid._n ver_fw-la 21._o which_o if_o he_o have_v no_o jurisdiction_n over_o they_o have_v be_v very_o impertinent_a and_o as_o he_o have_v jurisdiction_n over_o the_o clergy_n concredit_v to_o he_o so_o have_v he_o also_o the_o authority_n of_o ordain_v they_o for_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o which_o s._n paul_n give_v he_o that_o necessary_a rule_n 1_o tim._n 5.22_o lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n neither_o be_v partaker_n of_o other_o man_n sin_n and_o that_o this_o authority_n of_o he_o in_o the_o ephesian_a church_n over_o both_o the_o laity_n and_o clergy_n be_v give_v by_o s._n paul_n for_o a_o stand_a form_n of_o government_n there_o be_v evident_a from_o hence_o because_o it_o be_v confer_v on_o he_o after_o the_o presbytery_n be_v form_v and_o settle_v in_o that_o church_n for_o in_o plant_v and_o cultivate_v this_o large_a and_o populous_a church_n which_o extend_v itself_o over_o all_o the_o proconsular_a asia_n s._n paul_n have_v labour_v for_o three_o year_n together_o with_o incredible_a diligence_n which_o be_v a_o much_o long_a time_n than_o he_o spend_v in_o any_o other_o church_n and_o therefore_o by_o this_o time_n to_o be_v sure_o he_o have_v not_o only_o constitute_v a_o presbytery_n in_o it_o as_o he_o do_v in_o all_o other_o church_n act_n 14.23_o but_o also_o reduce_v it_o to_o much_o great_a perfection_n than_o any_o other_o that_o so_o in_o the_o constitution_n of_o it_o it_o may_v be_v a_o pattern_n to_o all_o other_o church_n and_o if_o so_o then_o to_o be_v sure_o the_o government_n which_o he_o have_v now_o at_o last_o establish_v in_o it_o be_v such_o as_o he_o intend_v shall_v continue_v viz._n by_o a_o single_a person_n preside_v over_o both_o clergy_n and_o laity_n and_o that_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la it_o be_v so_o we_o have_v not_o only_o the_o authority_n of_o s._n paul_n epistle_n to_o timothy_n but_o also_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n for_o so_o euseb._n eccles._n hist._n lib._n 3._o cap._n 4._o tell_v we_o he_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n or_o diocese_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o anonimous_a author_n of_o his_o life_n in_o photius_n that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o act_v as_o bishop_n in_o ephesus_n and_o that_o he_o be_v ordain_v and_o enthrone_v bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n by_o the_o great_a s._n paul_n and_o in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n twenty_o seven_o bishop_n be_v say_v to_o have_v succeed_v in_o that_o chair_n from_o timothy_n who_o be_v the_o first_o and_o saint_n chrysostom_n hom._n 15._o in_o 1_o tim._n 5.19_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_a timothy_n be_v entrust_v with_o a_o church_n or_o rather_o with_o a_o whole_a nation_n viz._n that_o of_o asia_n upon_o which_o account_n he_o be_v style_v by_o theodoret_n in_o 1_o tim._n 3.1_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d timothy_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o asiatiques_n and_o to_o name_n no_o more_o of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o authority_n that_o may_v be_v cite_v in_o the_o apostolical_a constitution_n we_o be_v express_o tell_v that_o he_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n by_o s._n paul._n this_o therefore_o be_v another_o evident_a instance_n of_o the_o apostle_n derive_v down_o their_o apostolic_a authority_n other_o instance_n may_v be_v give_v but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o look_v upon_o our_o saviour_n institution_n of_o a_o superior_a order_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n as_o a_o temporary_a thing_n that_o be_v to_o expire_v with_o they_o but_o as_o a_o stand_a model_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n since_o they_o derive_v to_o other_o that_o superiority_n over_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o communicate_v to_o they_o for_o from_o all_o these_o instance_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a both_o that_o the_o apostolical_a office_n do_v not_o expire_v with_o the_o twelve_o but_o be_v transfer_v by_o they_o to_o other_o and_o that_o that_o which_o be_v now_o call_v the_o episcopacy_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o apostolical_a office_n derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n to_o their_o successor_n for_o in_o the_o primitive_a language_n of_o the_o church_n bishop_n be_v general_o style_v apostle_n for_o which_o no_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v assign_v but_o that_o they_o succeed_v in_o the_o apostolical_a superiority_n thus_o as_o have_v be_v show_v before_o s._n james_n epaphroditus_n titus_n and_o timothy_n be_v style_v apostle_n in_o scripture_n and_o by_o the_o primitive_a writer_n clemens_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v a_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._o e._n clemens_n the_o apostle_n vid._n clem._n alex._n strom._n lib._n 4._o and_o ignatius_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apostle_n and_o bishop_n by_o s._n chrysostom_n and_o thaddaeus_n who_o be_v send_v bâ—_n s._n thomas_n to_o the_o prince_n of_o edessa_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o eusebius_n and_o so_o be_v also_o s._n mark_n and_o s._n luke_n by_o epiphanius_n and_o theodoret_n lay_v it_o down_o for_o a_o general_a rule_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n those_o who_o we_o now_o call_v bishop_n be_v ancient_o call_v apostle_n but_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o name_n of_o apostle_n be_v leave_v to_o they_o who_o be_v more_o strict_o apostles_n viz._n the_o twelve_o and_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v restrain_v to_o those_o who_o be_v ancient_o call_v apostle_n if_o therefore_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n proceed_v upon_o the_o express_a institution_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v sufficient_a to_o found_v a_o divine_a right_n we_o have_v this_o you_o see_v to_o plead_v for_o a_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a office_n since_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o only_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n in_o the_o several_a church_n they_o plant_v but_o also_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n to_o preside_v over_o they_o and_o if_o their_o ordain_v of_o presbyter_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n as_o the_o presbyterian_o themselves_o contend_v it_o be_v why_o shall_v not_o their_o ordain_v bishop_n also_o be_v as_o good_a a_o argument_n of_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o the_o
universal_a conformity_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o the_o episcopal_a government_n it_o remain_v that_o if_o any_o credit_n may_v be_v give_v either_o to_o those_o writer_n that_o live_v in_o the_o apostolic_a age_n or_o to_o those_o who_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o their_o unanimous_a testimony_n that_o the_o episcopacy_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o only_o the_o apostolic_a superiority_n derive_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o continue_a succession_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o to_o reject_v their_o testimony_n be_v not_o only_o very_o unreasonable_a there_o be_v at_o least_o as_o much_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v reject_v all_o ancient_a history_n but_o also_o of_o very_o dangerous_a consequence_n since_o it_o be_v from_o thence_o that_o we_o derive_v the_o very_a canon_n of_o scripture_n and_o so_o we_o may_v as_o well_o reject_v it_o in_o this_o instance_n as_o in_o the_o other_o iu._n and_o last_o that_o the_o rightful_a government_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v episcopal_a be_v evident_a also_o from_o our_o saviour_n declare_a allowance_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n in_o this_o matter_n viz._n in_o those_o seven_o epistle_n which_o he_o send_v by_o s._n john_n to_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n all_o which_o he_o direct_v particular_o to_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o those_o church_n who_o he_o not_o only_o style_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o own_o right_a hand_n or_o the_o seven_o light_n of_o those_o seven_o church_n vid._n rev._n 1.20_o and_o rev._n 2.1_o but_o in_o every_o epistle_n particular_o own_v they_o for_o his_o angel_n or_o messenger_n if_o therefore_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o these_o seven_o angel_n be_v at_o that_o time_n the_o seven_o bishop_n that_o preside_v over_o both_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n of_o those_o seven_o church_n they_o will_v be_v a_o unanswerable_a instance_n of_o our_o saviour_n allowance_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n in_o order_n therefore_o to_o the_o clear_v this_o matter_n i_o shall_v show_v first_o that_o they_o be_v single_a person_n second_o that_o they_o be_v person_n of_o great_a authority_n in_o those_o church_n three_o that_o they_o be_v the_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n of_o those_o church_n first_o that_o they_o be_v single_a person_n be_v evident_a because_o they_o be_v all_o along_o mention_v as_o such_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o so_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o so_o every_o where_o in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o epistle_n they_o be_v all_o along_o address_v to_o in_o the_o singular_a number_n i_o know_v thy_o work_n and_o thy_o labour_n nevertheless_o i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n against_o thou_o remember_v whence_o thou_o be_v fall_v repent_v and_o do_v thy_o first_o work_n and_o the_o like_a in_o all_o which_o our_o saviour_n plain_o write_v to_o they_o as_o to_o single_a person_n it_o be_v true_a what_o he_o write_v to_o they_o he_o write_v not_o only_o to_o they_o personal_o but_o also_o to_o the_o people_n under_o their_o government_n and_o inspection_n and_o therefore_o sometime_o he_o mention_n the_o people_n plural_o so_o chap._n 2._o ver_fw-la 10._o the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o into_o prison_n and_o so_o ver_fw-la 13._o and_o ver_fw-la 23._o but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o argue_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v not_o single_a person_n that_o it_o argue_v the_o quite_o contrary_a since_o if_o they_o have_v not_o what_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v assign_v why_o our_o saviour_n shall_v not_o mention_v they_o plural_o as_o well_o as_o the_o people_n i_o know_v it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n be_v mention_v plural_o chap._n 2._o ver_fw-la 24._o but_o unto_o you_o i_o say_v and_o unto_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatira_n where_o by_o you_o it_o be_v suppose_v must_v be_v mean_v the_o angel_n and_o by_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatira_n the_o people_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o in_o the_o ancient_a greek_a manuscript_n and_o particular_o in_o that_o at_o s._n james_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o and_o be_v leave_v out_o and_o so_o the_o word_n run_v thus_o but_o unto_o you_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatira_n or_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o you_o at_o thyatira_n which_o be_v set_v in_o opposition_n to_o those_o of_o thyatira_n that_o have_v be_v seduce_v into_o the_o sect_n of_o jezebel_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o angel_n who_o be_v all_o along_o mention_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n wherefore_o have_v he_o not_o be_v a_o single_a person_n no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v why_o he_o shall_v be_v mention_v single_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o thyatira_n plural_o but_o than_o second_o that_o these_o single_a person_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n in_o those_o church_n be_v evident_a not_o only_o by_o that_o honourable_a title_n of_o angel_n that_o be_v give_v they_o which_o plain_o show_v they_o to_o be_v person_n of_o office_n and_o eminence_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o our_o saviour_n direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o they_o to_o be_v communicate_v by_o they_o to_o their_o several_a church_n but_o also_o from_o that_o authority_n which_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n exercise_v there_o and_o which_o the_o angel_n of_o pergamus_n and_o thyatira_n ought_v to_o have_v exercise_v but_o do_v not_o for_o as_o for_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n he_o be_v commend_v for_o try_v they_o which_o say_v they_o be_v apostle_n and_o be_v not_o and_o discover_v they_o to_o be_v liar_n which_o word_n plain_o denote_v a_o juridical_a trial_n and_o conviction_n of_o some_o person_n or_o person_n who_o pretend_v to_o apostolical_a authority_n but_o upon_o examination_n be_v find_v to_o be_v cheat_n and_o impostor_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o pergamus_n he_o be_v blame_v for_o have_v in_o his_o church_n those_o that_o hold_v the_o doctrine_n of_o balaam_n or_o of_o the_o nicolaitan_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o he_o have_v power_n to_o remedy_v it_o by_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o he_o have_v not_o how_o can_v he_o have_v be_v just_o blame_v for_o suffer_v they_o and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n who_o be_v also_o blame_v for_o suffer_v the_o woman_n jezebel_n which_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o prevent_v unless_o we_o suppose_v he_o to_o have_v authority_n to_o eject_v she_o and_o her_o follower_n but_o than_o three_o and_o last_o that_o these_o single_a person_n be_v the_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n of_o those_o church_n be_v also_o evident_a from_o the_o most_o primitive_a antiquity_n for_o so_o in_o the_o anonymus_fw-la tract_n of_o timothy_n martyrdom_n record_v in_o biblioth_n pat._n n._n 244._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o when_o s._n john_n the_o apostle_n return_v from_o his_o exile_n in_o patmos_n which_o be_v two_o or_o three_o year_n after_o he_o write_v his_o revelation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n that_o be_v assist_v with_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o seven_o bishop_n of_o that_o province_n he_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o government_n of_o it_o now_o that_o these_o seven_o bishop_n be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o seven_o angel_n he_o write_v to_o in_o his_o revelation_n be_v evident_a because_o all_o those_o seven_o church_n in_o which_o those_o seven_o angel_n preside_v lay_v within_o the_o circuit_n of_o the_o lydian_a or_o proconsular_a asia_n of_o which_o ephesus_n be_v the_o metropolis_n and_o therefore_o who_o else_o can_v we_o so_o fair_o suppose_v these_o seven_o bishop_n to_o be_v by_o who_o he_o govern_v the_o province_n of_o ephesus_n as_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o those_o seven_o church_n which_o be_v all_o of_o they_o within_o that_o province_n and_o s._n austin_n express_o call_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o proepositus_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la i._n e._n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n ep._n 162._o and_o speak_v of_o those_o seven_o angel_n he_o style_v they_o episcopi_fw-la sive_fw-la praepositi_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la the_o bishop_n or_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n comment_n in_o revel_v so_o also_o the_o commentary_n under_o the_o name_n of_o s._n ambrose_n refer_v to_o these_o angel_n in_o 1_o cor._n c._n 11._o express_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o those_o angel_n he_o mean_v the_o bishop_n and_o that_o they_o be_v so_o be_v most_o indubitable_o evident_a of_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o particular_a who_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o s._n polycarp_n who_o be_v most_o certain_o make_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n some_o year_n before_o the_o writing_n these_o epistle_n and_o continue_a bishop_n of_o
you_o keep_v bind_v or_o oblige_v to_o that_o penalty_n i_o also_o will_v keep_v bind_v and_o oblige_v to_o this_o this_o be_v the_o spirtual_a jurisdiction_n which_o christ_n have_v establish_v in_o his_o church_n to_o bind_v or_o loose_v suspend_v or_o restore_v excommunicate_a or_o absolve_v and_o this_o he_o have_v whole_o deposit_v in_o the_o episcopal_a order_n for_o in_o all_o the_o abovecited_a place_n it_o be_v only_o to_o his_o apostle_n that_o he_o derive_v this_o jurisdiction_n they_o alone_o be_v the_o steward_n to_o who_o he_o commit_v the_o key_n and_o government_n of_o his_o family_n and_o it_o be_v to_o they_o alone_o that_o he_o promise_v that_o they_o shall_v sit_v upon_o twelve_o throne_n judge_v the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o israel_n that_o be_v to_o rule_n and_o govern_v the_o spiritual_a israel_n which_o be_v the_o christian_a church_n even_o as_o the_o phylarchae_n or_o chief_n of_o the_o tribe_n govern_v the_o twelve_o tribe_n of_o natural_a israel_n mat._n 19.28_o and_o hence_o in_o that_o mystical_a representation_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o city_n descend_v from_o heaven_n rev._n 21._o the_o wall_n of_o it_o be_v say_v to_o have_v twelve_o foundation_n and_o upon_o they_o twelve_o name_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n ver_fw-la 14._o and_o those_o twelve_o foundation_n be_v compare_v to_o twelve_o precious_a stone_n to_o denote_v their_o power_n and_o dignity_n in_o the_o church_n ver_fw-la 19_o 20._o and_o the_o wall_n be_v exact_o mete_v be_v find_v to_o be_v 144_o cubit_n that_o be_v twelve_o time_n twelve_o to_o denote_v that_o these_o twelve_o apostle_n have_v each_o of_o they_o a_o equal_a portion_n allot_v he_o in_o the_o government_n and_o administration_n of_o the_o church_n ver_fw-la 17._o this_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n therefore_o of_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o administer_a the_o censure_n of_o it_o be_v by_o our_o saviour_n whole_o lodge_v in_o the_o apostolate_a none_o can_v just_o claim_v or_o pretend_v to_o it_o but_o such_o as_o be_v of_o the_o apostolic_a order_n and_o according_o in_o the_o apostolic_a age_n we_o find_v it_o be_v always_o administer_v either_o immediate_o by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o by_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a church_n to_o who_o they_o communicate_v their_o order_n for_o thus_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n it_o be_v s._n paul_n who_o pronounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n against_o the_o incestuous_a person_n for_o i_o very_o as_o absent_v in_o body_n but_o present_a in_o spirit_n have_v judge_v or_o pronounce_v sentence_n already_o as_o though_o i_o be_v present_a concern_v he_o that_o have_v do_v this_o deed_n 1_o cor._n 5.3_o and_o what_o he_o order_v they_o to_o do_v ver_fw-la 4_o 5._o be_v only_o to_o declare_v and_o execute_v his_o sentence_n and_o 2_o cor._n 13.2_o he_o threaten_v they_o that_o heretofore_o have_v sin_v that_o if_o he_o come_v again_o he_o will_v not_o spare_v they_o and_o that_o by_o his_o not_o spare_v they_o he_o mean_v that_o he_o will_v proceed_v against_o they_o with_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n be_v evident_a from_o ver_fw-la 1._o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n shall_v every_o word_n be_v establish_v which_o be_v the_o very_a word_n of_o our_o saviour_n matt._n 18.16_o when_o he_o institute_v the_o power_n of_o censure_v and_o then_o ver_fw-la 10._o he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o write_v these_o thing_n be_v absent_a lest_o be_v present_a he_o shall_v use_v severity_n according_a to_o the_o power_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v they_o to_o edification_n and_o not_o to_o destruction_n by_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o mean_v the_o power_n of_o excommunicate_v and_o 1_o cor._n 4.21_o he_o threaten_v to_o come_v to_o they_o with_o a_o rod_n that_o be_v to_o chastise_v they_o with_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o with_o this_o rod_n as_o he_o himself_o tell_v he_o chastise_v hymenoeus_fw-la and_o alexander_n two_o stickle_a heretic_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n who_o he_o deliver_v unto_o satan_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v not_o to_o blaspheme_v 1_o tim._n 1.20_o and_o as_o he_o frequent_o execute_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o own_o person_n so_o he_o derive_v this_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n who_o he_o ordain_v apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o crete_n for_o so_o he_o order_v timothy_n against_o a_o elder_a receive_v not_o a_o accusation_n but_o before_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n which_o plain_o imply_v his_o authority_n to_o examine_v and_o try_v the_o cause_n even_o of_o the_o elder_n themselves_o when_o they_o be_v accuse_v and_o to_o punish_v they_o if_o he_o find_v they_o guilty_a for_o so_o it_o follow_v they_o that_o sin_n rebuke_n before_o all_o that_o other_o also_o may_v fear_v 1_o tim._n 5.19_o 20._o so_o also_o he_o exhort_v titus_n to_o exercise_v this_o his_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v tit._n 3.10_o which_o plain_o imply_v that_o he_o have_v a_o authority_n inherent_a in_o he_o as_o he_o be_v the_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o crete_n to_o cite_v examine_v admonish_v and_o censure_v person_n of_o erroneous_a principle_n and_o the_o same_o authority_n it_o be_v evident_a be_v inherent_a in_o the_o angel_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n thus_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n have_v authority_n to_o try_v such_o as_o say_v they_o be_v apostle_n and_o be_v not_o and_o to_o convict_v they_o for_o liar_n rev._n 2.2_o and_o the_o bishop_n of_o pergamus_n be_v blame_v for_o tolerate_v the_o sect_n of_o the_o nicolaitan_n in_o his_o church_n ver_fw-la 14_o 15._o and_o so_o also_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o thyatira_n for_o suffer_v that_o woman_n jezebel_n ver_fw-la 20._o which_o plain_o imply_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o curb_v and_o correct_v those_o profligate_n sectary_n be_v inherent_a in_o they_o else_o why_o shall_v they_o be_v blame_v any_o more_o than_o other_o for_o not_o restrain_v they_o from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o power_n of_o christian_a jurisdiction_n be_v original_o seat_v in_o the_o apostolate_a and_o that_o throughout_o the_o apostolic_a age_n it_o be_v always_o exercise_v by_o such_o and_o only_o such_o as_o be_v admit_v into_o that_o sovereign_a order_n viz._n either_o by_o the_o twelve_o prime_a apostle_n or_o by_o those_o secondary_a apostle_n who_o they_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o particular_a church_n and_o according_o we_o find_v in_o the_o primitive_a age_n the_o bishop_n be_v the_o sole_a administrator_n of_o this_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n and_o though_o ordinary_o they_o administer_v it_o with_o the_o advice_n and_o concurrence_n of_o their_o presbytery_n yet_o this_o be_v more_o than_o they_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o for_o thus_o s._n cyprian_n in_o the_o time_n of_o his_o recess_n do_v by_o his_o own_o single_a authority_n excommunicate_a felicissimus_n augendus_n and_o other_o of_o his_o presbyter_n ep._n 38_o 39_o and_o when_o rogatianus_n a_o bishop_n of_o his_o metropolitick_a church_n complain_v to_o he_o in_o a_o synod_n of_o a_o disorderly_a deacon_n he_o tell_v he_o that_o pro_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la vigore_fw-la &_o cathedrae_fw-la authoritate_fw-la i._n e._n by_o his_o own_o episcopal_a authority_n without_o appeal_n to_o the_o synod_n he_o may_v have_v chastise_v he_o and_o the_o five_o canon_n of_o the_o first_o nicene_n council_n plain_o show_v that_o it_o be_v then_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o the_o power_n of_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n be_v whole_o seat_v in_o the_o bishop_n for_o it_o decree_v that_o in_o every_o province_n there_o shall_v be_v twice_o a_o year_n a_o council_n of_o bishop_n to_o examine_v whether_o any_o person_n lay_v or_o clergy_n have_v be_v unjust_o excommunicate_v by_o his_o bishop_n which_o show_v that_o then_o this_o sentence_n be_v inflict_v by_o the_o bishop_n only_o though_o afterward_o to_o prevent_v abuse_v it_o be_v decree_v in_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v hear_v no_o man_n cause_n but_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o clergy_n and_o that_o his_o sentence_n shall_v be_v void_a unless_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o their_o presence_n but_o yet_o still_o the_o sentence_n be_v peculiar_o he_o and_o not_o his_o clergy_n in_o some_o church_n indeed_o the_o bishop_n do_v many_o time_n delegate_v power_n to_o their_o presbyter_n both_o to_o excommunicate_v and_o absolve_v as_o perhaps_o s._n paul_n himself_o do_v in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n but_o in_o this_o case_n the_o presbyter_n be_v only_o the_o bishop_n mouth_n and_o his_o sentence_n receive_v all_o its_o force_n from_o that_o episcopal_a authority_n he_o be_v arm_v with_o iv._o another_o peculiar_a ministry_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o