very_o solid_a and_o demonstrative_a to_o this_o purpose_n they_o cite_v act._n 20._o 17._o 28._o philip._n 1.1_o 1_o tim._n 3._o and_o several_a other_o place_n whether_o a_o bishop_n be_v of_o a_o high_a order_n than_o a_o presbyter_n do_v not_o now_o fall_v under_o our_o enquiry_n nor_o be_v it_o in_o itself_o very_o material_a sometime_o they_o may_v be_v consider_v of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o priesthood_n common_a to_o either_o by_o which_o both_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n and_o other_o subordinate_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n though_o at_o other_o time_n when_o authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n be_v name_v the_o bishop_n with_o regard_n to_o his_o dignity_n and_o power_n be_v always_o reckon_v above_o a_o presbyter_n here_o we_o be_v careful_o to_o observe_v that_o when_o the_o inspire_a writer_n dichotomize_v the_o clergy_n into_o two_o order_n they_o but_o follow_v the_o dialect_n and_o example_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o thus_o divide_v their_o minister_n also_o into_o priest_n and_o levite_n though_o the_o high_a order_n be_v again_o subdivide_v both_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n when_o the_o priest_n be_v consider_v with_o regard_n to_o that_o subordination_n establish_v among_o themselves_o and_o without_o any_o regard_n to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n this_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o language_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o idiom_n of_o the_o hellenistical_a tribe_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n the_o first_o confound_v the_o name_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n with_o that_o of_o a_o priest_n without_o any_o other_o distinguish_v charcteristic_a or_o discrimination_n for_o proof_n of_o this_o see_v levit._fw-la 1._o 7_o 8._o 11._o and_o the_o son_n of_o aaron_n the_o priest_n shall_v put_v fire_n upon_o the_o altar_n and_o lay_v the_o wood_n in_o order_n upon_o the_o fire_n v_o 8._o and_o the_o priest_n aaron_n son_n shall_v lay_v the_o part_n the_o head_n and_o the_o fat_a in_o order_n upon_o the_o wood_n that_o be_v on_o the_o fire_n which_o be_v upon_o the_o altar_n here_o we_o plain_o find_v that_o in_o the_o first_o establishment_n of_o the_o mosaic_a oeconomy_n in_o which_o the_o patriarchal_a subordination_n of_o priest_n be_v still_o retain_v the_o high_a priest_n be_v name_v by_o the_o same_o appellative_a without_o any_o distinction_n of_o order_n or_o jurisdiction_n that_o the_o other_o priest_n be_v name_v by_o and_o the_o title_n of_o a_o priest_n be_v promisevous_o apply_v without_o any_o distinction_n or_o mark_n of_o eminence_n to_o the_o high_a priest_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o subordinate_a yet_o it_o be_v never_o question_v but_o that_o there_o be_v extraordinary_a privilege_n and_o dignity_n reserve_v to_o the_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n though_o thus_o place_v among_o the_o other_o priest_n without_o any_o nominal_a distinction_n nor_o do_v we_o find_v the_o title_n of_o high_a priest_n ever_o affix_v to_o the_o particular_a name_n of_o aaron_n or_o eleazar_n in_o all_o the_o pentateuch_n nor_o be_v the_o word_n highpriest_n itself_o mention_v in_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n but_o either_o twice_o or_o thrice_o and_o that_o only_a with_o regard_n to_o the_o administration_n of_o after_o day_n yet_o this_o homonomy_n of_o name_n can_v not_o be_v reasonable_o plead_v then_o against_o the_o subordination_n of_o other_o priest_n to_o aaron_n nor_o against_o the_o deference_n due_a to_o his_o pontifical_a character_n be_v it_o then_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o the_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a man_n when_o they_o occasional_o mention_v the_o presbyter_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n may_v not_o make_v use_n of_o the_o currant_n language_n and_o pharaseology_n of_o their_o own_o countryman_n who_o divide_v their_o clergy_n into_o priest_n and_o levite_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o but_o two_o order_n even_o when_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o jew_n know_v that_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n be_v very_o honourable_a and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o subordinate_a priest_n by_o all_o mark_n of_o eminence_n and_o authority_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o hagiographical_a and_o prophetical_a write_n the_o high_a priest_n be_v very_o frequent_o distinguish_v by_o his_o proper_a and_o special_a character_n yet_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o jewish_a oeconomy_n neither_o aaron_n nor_o eleazar_n be_v call_v high-priest_n when_o they_o be_v particular_o name_v and_o if_o in_o those_o day_n any_o have_v be_v so_o mad_a as_o to_o have_v infer_v from_o this_o confusio_fw-la nominum_fw-la a_o equality_n between_o all_o priest_n he_o will_v certain_o have_v be_v expose_v for_o the_o office_n themselves_o be_v sufficient_o distinguish_v by_o those_o special_a ministries_n and_o jurisdiction_n that_o be_v peculiar_o appropriate_v to_o the_o one_o and_o deny_v to_o the_o other_o such_o as_o be_v visible_a to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o mean_a among_o the_o jew_n we_o do_v not_o at_o all_o deny_v but_o that_o bishop_n may_v be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o just_o so_o too_o though_o they_o have_v other_o presbyter_n under_o their_o government_n and_o inspection_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v another_o thing_n then_o than_o now_o if_o we_o consider_v it_o in_o its_o full_a latitude_n and_o extent_n with_o we_o it_o signify_v such_o priest_n as_o assist_v the_o bishop_n in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a administration_n and_o be_v accountable_a to_o he_o for_o their_o performance_n and_o though_o all_o presbyter_n be_v not_o bishop_n yet_o all_o bishop_n be_v presbyter_n and_o to_o infer_v a_o equality_n of_o office_n from_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o name_n i_o think_v be_v neither_o good_a logic_n nor_o good_a history_n we_o do_v not_o now_o plead_v as_o some_o ignorant_a people_n may_v pretend_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v bishop_n above_o presbyter_n because_o there_o be_v a_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n but_o rather_o thus_o that_o the_o hierarchy_n that_o obtain_v in_o the_o patriarchal_a and_o jewish_a oeconomy_n be_v never_o abrogate_a in_o the_o new_a and_o though_o we_o meet_v with_o the_o same_o dichotomy_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o be_v frequent_o see_v in_o the_o old_a we_o ought_v not_o to_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v a_o equality_n among_o they_o of_o the_o high_a order_n in_o that_o division_n no_o more_o than_o there_o be_v a_o parity_n among_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o old_a testment_n for_o that_o same_o high_a order_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v again_o divide_v into_o two_o viz._n the_o supreme_a and_o subordinate_a and_o not_o only_o they_o but_o the_o jew_n also_o of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n divide_v their_o clergy_n into_o two_o class_n when_o they_o speak_v of_o they_o only_o as_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o people_n they_o make_v no_o other_o distinction_n among_o they_o than_o that_o of_o priest_n and_o levite_n but_o then_o again_o upon_o other_o occasion_n they_o subdivide_v the_o priest_n into_o the_o high_a and_o subordinate_a order_n 205._o when_o they_o consider_v the_o hierarchy_n in_o itself_o and_o distinguish_v every_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o priesthood_n from_o one_o another_o of_o this_o we_o have_v clear_a instance_n from_o philo_n the_o jew_n be_v it_o not_o then_o reasonable_a that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v speak_v the_o language_n of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o live_v and_o that_o of_o their_o predecessor_n whether_o then_o the_o clergy_n be_v divide_v into_o their_o several_a class_n by_o a_o biparite_n or_o triparite_n division_n both_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o jew_n if_o they_o compare_v the_o priest_n among_o themselves_o and_o reckon_v up_o their_o distinction_n and_o subordination_n to_o one_o another_o than_o they_o be_v divide_v by_o a_o tipartite_a division_n but_o if_o they_o speak_v of_o they_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o people_n than_o the_o bipartite_a division_n be_v more_o convenient_a so_o that_o the_o community_n of_o name_n be_v very_o observable_a when_o the_o office_n themselves_o be_v as_o true_o separate_v and_o distinguish_v a_o they_o can_v be_v in_o like_a manner_n the_o first_o presbyter_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n he_o that_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o prostasia_fw-la be_v a_o much_o above_o the_o subordinate_a presbyter_n as_o the_o highpriest_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v above_o other_o priest_n with_o who_o nevertheless_o he_o be_v frequent_o subordinate_a presbuyter_n as_o the_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v above_o other_o priest_n with_o who_o nevertheless_o he_o be_v frequent_o rank_v without_o any_o nominal_a distinction_n or_o discrimination_n nay_o salmasius_n himself_o grant_v that_o even_o when_o the_o pretend_a equality_n
these_o consideration_n i_o say_v we_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o argument_n plead_v against_o episcopacy_n found_v upon_o such_o dichotomy_n be_v not_o only_o weak_a but_o very_o foolish_a and_o extravagant_a yet_o blondel_n salmasius_n and_o daille_n man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o reputation_n employ_v much_o read_n and_o artifice_n to_o support_v their_o new_a hypothesis_n by_o this_o argument_n and_o to_o wrest_v so_o many_o place_n of_o the_o father_n to_o promote_v a_o opinion_n which_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o the_o day_n of_o aerius_n tho'_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o man_n of_o extraordinary_a learning_n have_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o same_o fallacy_n particular_o our_o countryman_n sir_n thomas_n craig_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr success_n reg._n angl._n but_o if_o he_o have_v read_v the_o ancient_a monument_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n with_o that_o accurate_a attention_n wherewith_o he_o peruse_v the_o vast_a volume_n of_o civilian_n canonist_n and_o historian_n he_o have_v certain_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n so_o visible_a be_v the_o confusion_n of_o name_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o apostle_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sometime_o mention_v without_o any_o remarkable_a distinction_n yet_o so_o as_o the_o government_n of_o one_o among_o many_o be_v particular_o demonstrate_v our_o saviour_n himself_o be_v call_v a_o apostle_n heb._n 3.1_o sometime_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v restrain_v to_o the_o number_n of_o twelve_o and_o mathias_n upon_o the_o apostasy_n of_o judas_n be_v choose_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o number_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n but_o in_o the_o same_o apostolical_a write_n the_o name_n of_o a_o apostle_n be_v bestow_v upon_o several_a other_o beside_o the_o twelve_o epist_n as_o s._n s._n barnabas_n corinth_n paul_n andronicus_n junias_n epaphroditus_n and_o other_o our_o saviour_n be_v call_v a_o bishop_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 25._o 7._o again_o the_o government_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v their_o episcopacy_n 1_o act._n 20._o sometime_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n be_v attribute_v to_o such_o priest_n as_o be_v of_o the_o first_o order_n invest_v with_o apostolical_a power_n and_o jurisdiction_n 1_o tim._n chap._n 3._o tit._n 1._o 7._o these_o place_n be_v so_o understand_v by_o all_o the_o father_n again_o the_o bishop_n mention_v 1._o philip._n 1_o be_v understand_v by_o st._n chrysostom_n oecumenius_n theophilact_fw-mi and_o theodoret_n to_o be_v the_o priest_n of_o the_o second_o order_n for_o they_o conclude_v epaphroditus_n to_o have_v be_v then_o bishop_n of_o philippi_n as_o may_v be_v reasonable_o collect_v from_o philip._n 2._o 25._o our_o english_a version_n follow_v beza_n and_o understand_v it_o as_o if_o epaphroditus_n have_v be_v a_o messenger_n send_v by_o the_o philippian_n to_o s._n paul_n but_o salmasius_n be_v much_o more_o ingenuous_a mâ—â—_n and_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o word_n apostle_n in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n never_o signify_v any_o other_o than_o legatum_fw-la dei_fw-la ad_fw-la homines_fw-la and_o this_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o theodoret_n who_o think_v that_o when_o the_o bishop_n be_v name_v in_o the_o apostolic_a age_n so_o as_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o subordinate_a priest_n they_o be_v then_o call_v apostle_n tho'_o upon_o other_o occasion_n they_o be_v promiscuous_o name_v without_o any_o distinction_n i_o only_o mention_v this_o transient_o not_o insist_v upon_o it_o my_o business_n at_o present_a be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o community_n of_o name_n be_v so_o familiar_a in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n that_o no_o man_n can_v conclude_v from_o thence_o a_o community_n of_o office_n st._n peter_n call_v himself_o a_o presbyter_n so_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o the_o presbytery_n mention_v in_o the_o first_o of_o timothy_n 4._o 14._o be_v a_o senate_n compose_v of_o apostle_n and_o other_o presbyter_n whether_o of_o the_o first_o or_o second_o rank_n be_v not_o certain_a but_o that_o s._n paul_n himself_o be_v one_o of_o they_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o second_o epist_n to_o timothy_n 1._o 6._o in_o the_o first_o timothy_n be_v exhort_v not_o to_o neglect_v the_o gift_n which_o be_v give_v he_o with_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o last_o he_o be_v put_v in_o mind_n to_o stir_v up_o the_o same_o gift_n which_o he_o receive_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o st._n paul_n hand_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n as_o s._n chrysostom_n witness_v both_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v sometime_o call_v deacon_n which_o may_v be_v just_o conclude_v from_o coloss_n 4._o 17._o and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o the_o first_o of_o the_o act_n their_o apostolical_a ministry_n to_o which_o mathias_n be_v assume_v be_v call_v their_o deaconship_n 1_o act._n 17._o now_o i_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o if_o any_o man_n pretend_v to_o infer_v a_o community_n of_o office_n from_o the_o community_n of_o name_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o must_v needs_o confound_v the_o high_a order_n of_o the_o church_n even_o the_o apostolical_a dignity_n with_o the_o low_a rank_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n yet_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o several_a office_n be_v careful_o separate_v in_o those_o day_n tho'_o the_o humility_n of_o such_o as_o be_v uppermost_a teach_v they_o not_o to_o be_v very_o forward_o to_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o their_o subordinate_a brethren_n by_o title_n of_o eminence_n and_o jurisdiction_n and_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o second_o century_n transcribe_v the_o same_o copy_n in_o their_o behaviour_n who_o tho'_o they_o be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v the_o necessary_a distinction_n between_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o first_o and_o second_o order_n yet_o they_o study_v the_o most_o modest_a expression_n of_o humility_n and_o condescension_n as_o may_v be_v see_v from_o the_o forecited_a inscription_n of_o s._n polycarp'_v epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n that_o apostolic_a martyr_n and_o prince_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n i_o have_v consider_v this_o argument_n the_o more_o careful_o in_o that_o i_o find_v it_o over_o and_o over_o again_o in_o all_o the_o write_n of_o our_o ecclesiastic_a leveller_n as_o their_o first_o and_o last_o refuge_n to_o which_o they_o flee_v to_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o frivolous_a and_o trifle_a for_o the_o name_n of_o the_o low_a officer_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v frequent_o assume_v by_o the_o high_a and_o distinction_n of_o office_n be_v rather_o infer_v from_o their_o practice_n peculiar_a ministry_n and_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n than_o from_o any_o name_n that_o we_o can_v fix_v upon_o three_o if_o they_o can_v establish_v their_o new_a doctrine_n of_o parity_n neither_o upon_o the_o express_a commandment_n of_o our_o saviour_n nor_o upon_o the_o consequence_n they_o manage_v a_o confusione_n nominum_fw-la they_o endeavour_v to_o support_v it_o by_o some_o testimony_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n when_o the_o government_n and_o revenue_n of_o the_o church_n be_v sacrilegious_o invade_v by_o atheist_n and_o enthusiast_n under_o oliver_n cromwell_n the_o learned_a blondel_n employ_v all_o his_o skill_n to_o make_v the_o ancient_n contradict_v themselves_o and_o all_o contemporary_a record_n when_o his_o 1646._o book_n appear_v the_o presbyterian_o conclude_v before_o ever_o they_o read_v it_o that_o all_o be_v pure_a and_o undeniable_a demonstration_n and_o our_o countryman_n think_v they_o need_v return_v no_o other_o answer_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v against_o they_o than_o to_o say_v that_o episcopacy_n and_o all_o that_o may_v be_v say_v in_o its_o defence_n be_v quite_o ruin_a and_o destroy_v by_o mounseur_fw-fr blondel_n and_o salmasius_n and_o tho'_o there_o be_v but_o very_o few_o of_o they_o that_o ever_o read_v they_o and_o that_o every_o line_n of_o their_o write_n that_o have_v the_o least_o colour_n of_o argument_n be_v frequent_o answer_v and_o expose_v yet_o such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n that_o they_o shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o clear_a evidence_n that_o be_v produce_v by_o their_o adversary_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o they_o to_o say_v that_o blondel_n have_v write_v a_o book_n in_o their_o defence_n of_o 549_o page_n and_o this_o in_o their_o opinion_n may_v bar_v all_o disputation_n of_o that_o nature_n when_o we_o bid_v they_o name_v the_o place_n that_o they_o think_v prove_v their_o new_a doctrine_n most_o plausible_o they_o refuse_v any_o such_o close_a engagement_n they_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o i_o be_v of_o their_o opinion_n and_o that_o their_o learned_a champion_n blondel_n have_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o this_o ancient_a monk_n be_v a_o presbyterian_a i_o must_v not_o transscribe_v the_o accurate_a and_o unanswerable_a dissertation_n of_o several_a learned_a
man_n who_o have_v sufficient_o expose_v the_o write_n of_o blondel_n and_o salmasius_n on_o this_o head_n particular_o the_o incomparable_a bishop_n of_o chester_n ignat._n yet_o i_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o examine_v some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a testimony_n from_o antiquity_n that_o be_v allege_v by_o those_o man_n to_o support_v their_o doctrine_n of_o parity_n that_o the_o reader_n may_v have_v a_o sample_n of_o their_o partiality_n and_o prepossession_n and_o if_o none_o of_o the_o first_o worthy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n appear_v for_o the_o new_a doctrine_n of_o parity_n we_o may_v safe_o infer_v that_o there_o be_v little_a hope_n to_o defend_v their_o cause_n by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o after_o age_n and_o in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o will_v particular_o examine_v blondel_n argument_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerome_n and_o demonstrate_v that_o he_o mistake_v or_o which_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a hide_v and_o misrepresent_v the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o learned_a father_n and_o if_o st._n jerome_n be_v not_o his_o friend_n he_o and_o his_o associate_n may_v despair_v of_o any_o other_o first_o i_o will_v examine_v some_o of_o the_o most_o remarkable_a testimony_n from_o antiquity_n and_o the_o first_o that_o be_v name_v be_v s._n clement_n in_o his_o famous_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n this_o be_v the_o celebrate_a s._n clement_n so_o honourable_o mention_v by_o s._n paul_n himself_o 3._o philip._n 4._o 3._o together_o with_o some_o other_o who_o name_n be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n who_o be_v fellow_n labourer_n with_o the_o apostle_n 18._o and_o three_o bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o probable_o sit_v in_o the_o chair_n of_o rome_n from_o the_o year_n 64_o until_o the_o year_n 81_o or_o 83._o he_o write_v his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o compose_v the_o scandalous_a division_n and_o schism_n that_o have_v rise_v among_o they_o by_o the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o some_o turbulent_a brethren_n who_o value_v themselves_o upon_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o contempt_n of_o their_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a governor_n it_o be_v think_v by_o some_o that_o this_o epistle_n be_v write_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o nero_n persecution_n before_o he_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o blondel_n before_o he_o produce_v any_o testimony_n from_o s._n clement_n acknowledge_v sit_fw-la that_o by_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o ancient_n this_o very_a saint_n clement_n succeed_v s._n peter_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n and_o tho'_o they_o vary_v as_o to_o his_o order_n of_o succession_n yet_o all_o of_o they_o agree_v as_o to_o the_o thing_n itself_o his_o first_o argument_n for_o parity_n be_v found_v on_o s._n clement_n inscription_n of_o his_o epist_n to_o the_o corinthian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o this_o inscription_n he_o conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v then_o govern_v by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n because_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o rome_n write_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o corinth_n not_o mention_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o clergy_n from_o the_o laity_n when_o the_o learned_a blondel_n reason_v at_o this_o rate_n he_o design_v it_o seem_v to_o please_v the_o independent_a party_n who_o be_v then_o most_o numerous_a and_o potent_a in_o england_n rather_o than_o the_o presbyterian_o 9_o for_o if_o his_o argument_n prove_v any_o thing_n it_o prove_v too_o much_o viz._n that_o the_o laity_n have_v a_o equal_a share_n of_o jurisdiction_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n with_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o thus_o he_o may_v conclude_v that_o when_o s._n paul_n write_v a_o epistle_n together_o with_o sosthenes_n timotheus_n sylvanus_n and_o all_o the_o brethren_n that_o be_v with_o he_o that_o he_o have_v no_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n than_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o laity_n our_o learned_a countryman_n junius_n gives_z a_o far_o more_o reasonable_a account_n of_o this_o ancient_a simplicity_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n than_o such_o childish_a reason_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o st._n clement_n do_v not_o prefix_v his_o name_n ut_fw-la modestiae_fw-la &_o humilitatis_fw-la posteris_fw-la aetatibus_fw-la exemplar_n imitandum_fw-la proponeret_fw-la and_o this_o be_v very_a subservient_fw-fr to_o his_o design_n that_o he_o may_v teach_v the_o corinthian_n who_o he_o exhort_v to_o concord_n and_o humility_n by_o his_o own_o example_n that_o true_a and_o undisguised_a modesty_n which_o be_v then_o so_o visible_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n when_o both_o clergy_n and_o laity_n be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o mind_n the_o next_o attempt_n that_o blondel_n make_v to_o support_v his_o imaginary_a parity_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n 〈◊〉_d be_v from_o st._n clement_n divide_v the_o clergy_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n according_a to_o the_o current_a phraseology_n that_o prevail_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age._n when_o they_o consider_v the_o clergy_n only_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n i_o have_v answer_v this_o already_o when_o i_o examine_v their_o argument_n found_v upon_o such_o dichotomy_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v this_o particular_a place_n of_o s._n clement_n with_o regard_n to_o that_o latitude_n and_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o name_n that_o be_v very_o current_a in_o those_o day_n the_o word_n deacon_n may_v be_v understand_v to_o comprehend_v all_o those_o minister_n of_o religion_n whether_o presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n or_o deacon_n who_o by_o the_o first_o institution_n be_v oblige_v to_o attend_v upon_o table_n and_o then_o his_o argument_n vanish_v into_o nothing_o nay_o rather_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a confirmation_n of_o that_o which_o he_o will_v most_o willing_o destroy_v 314._o for_o by_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n we_o may_v understand_v apostle_n bishop_n presbyter_n and_o attendant_n upon_o table_n for_o the_o word_n deacon_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v take_v in_o the_o great_a latitude_n that_o may_v be_v not_o only_o for_o such_o as_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n particular_o to_o the_o ministry_n of_o table_n but_o also_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o the_o high_a officer_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v call_v deacon_n 5._o who_o then_o be_v paul_n and_o who_o be_v apollo_n but_o deacon_n by_o who_o they_o believe_v even_o as_o the_o lord_n give_v to_o every_o man_n and_o again_o 6._o who_o have_v make_v we_o able_a deacon_n of_o the_o new-testament_n etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o other_o occasion_n they_o be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o those_o who_o be_v ordain_v to_o the_o special_a ministry_n or_o table_n be_v original_o constitute_v that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o may_v not_o be_v divert_v from_o the_o ministry_n of_o deaconship_n of_o the_o word_n supra_fw-la and_o tychicus_n be_v call_v a_o faithful_a deacon_n as_o also_o timothy_n so_o likewise_o arthippus_n be_v command_v to_o take_v heed_n to_o his_o deaconship_n tho'_o it_o be_v not_o express_o determine_v what_o room_n he_o hold_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n weather_n he_o be_v bishop_n presbyter_n or_o deacon_n nay_o such_o be_v the_o latitude_n of_o the_o word_n deacon_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n that_o it_o be_v apply_v promiscuous_o to_o all_o the_o three_o order_n of_o the_o christain_n hierarchy_n so_o that_o if_o we_o understand_v st._n clement_n according_a to_o the_o current_a extent_n of_o the_o word_n we_o may_v safe_o judge_v he_o to_o have_v mean_v by_o bishop_n the_o ecclesiastical_a governor_n and_o by_o deacon_n all_o subordinate_a minister_n of_o religion_n whether_o such_o as_o be_v promote_v the_o priesthood_n or_o the_o deacon_n who_o be_v confine_v to_o their_o attendance_n upon_o table_n what_o advantage_n then_o do_v monsieur_n blondel_n gain_v to_o his_o cause_n for_o though_o presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n be_v not_o perhaps_o the_o only_a person_n who_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o word_n deacon_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v comprehend_v as_o well_o as_o other_o minister_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n let_v it_o be_v observe_v also_o that_o s._n clement_n speak_v not_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a polity_n such_o as_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o perfection_n after_o ward_n by_o the_o apostle_n but_o rather_o of_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n immediate_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o tho'_o all_o the_o degree_n and_o subordination_n of_o the_o apostolical_a government_n be_v found_v upon_o divine_a right_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o in_o one_o moment_n establish_v in_o their_o true_a and_o everlasting_a figure_n but_o have_v their_o beginning_n as_o the_o jewish_a church_n go_v on_o from_o lessen_v step_n to_o
that_o more_o perfect_a scheme_n that_o be_v to_o continue_v until_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n this_o be_v certain_a that_o before_o the_o apostle_n leave_v the_o world_n they_o establish_v such_o a_o ecclesiastical_a government_n as_o aught_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n until_o the_o second_o come_v of_o our_o savioar_n but_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o where_o we_o meet_v with_o such_o dichetomy_n in_o other_o author_n such_o a_o parity_n as_o be_v intend_v by_o the_o presbyterian_o may_v be_v understand_v yet_o when_o we_o view_v the_o text_n of_o st._n clement_n more_o narrow_o we_o must_v not_o presume_v to_o make_v any_o such_o inference_n for_o the_o very_a same_o st._n clement_n dichotomizies_n the_o jewish_a clergy_n who_o be_v know_v to_o have_v have_v their_o high_a priest_n chief_z priests_z priest_n 41._o and_o levite_n yet_o he_o comprehend_v they_o all_o in_o this_o short_a and_o bipartite_a division_n for_o speak_v of_o jacob_n he_o have_v these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o must_v we_o from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v a_o parity_n among_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n because_o they_o be_v thus_o distinguish_v from_o the_o laity_n without_o mention_v the_o several_a gradation_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n among_o themselves_o nay_o so_o little_a do_v our_o adversary_n gain_v by_o strain_v the_o language_n of_o st._n clement_n contrary_a to_o the_o latitude_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o apostolical_a age_n that_o the_o same_o author_n comprehend_v all_o minister_n of_o religion_n 〈◊〉_d under_o one_o general_a word_n whether_o prophet_n apostle_n bishop_n presbyter_n or_o deacon_n and_o not_o only_o do_v he_o thus_o speak_v of_o the_o priest_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o also_o of_o the_o *_o egyptian_a priest_n who_o be_v know_v to_o have_v have_v their_o several_a subordination_n but_o that_o which_o be_v most_o material_a to_o our_o purpose_n be_v that_o the_o same_o st._n clement_n when_o he_o exhort_v the_o corinthian_n to_o christian_a order_n and_o harmony_n set_v before_o they_o the_o beautiful_a subordination_n under_o the_o temple-service_n how_o the_o high_a priest_n priests_z and_o levite_n be_v distinguish_v by_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o immediate_o recommend_v to_o the_o corinthian_n 53._o that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v continue_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o primitive_a method_n of_o reason_v from_o jewish_a precedent_n st._n clement_n have_v never_o talk_v at_o this_o rate_n if_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o one_o over_o many_o priest_n have_v be_v abolish_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o jerome_n himself_o on_o who_o write_n m._n blondel_n endeavour_v to_o establish_v his_o opinion_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o evagrius_n 95._o give_v light_n to_o this_o place_n of_o st._n clement_n et_fw-la ut_fw-la sciamus_fw-la traditiones_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la sumptas_fw-la de_fw-la veteri_fw-la testamento_fw-la quod_fw-la aaron_n &_o silij_fw-la ejus_fw-la atque_fw-la levitae_fw-la in_o templo_fw-la fuerunt_fw-la hoc_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la vendicent_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la for_o without_o all_o controversy_n those_o tradition_n descend_v from_o the_o jewish_a church_n to_o the_o christian_a as_o their_o true_a inheritance_n nay_o st._n clement_n himself_o express_o distinguish_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o last_o may_v signify_v office_n and_o age_n both_o together_o nor_o can_v it_o be_v a_o objection_n of_o any_o weight_n that_o the_o first_o who_o be_v there_o spiritual_a governor_n be_v mention_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n since_o this_o be_v a_o encyclical_a epistle_n address_v to_o corinth_n as_o the_o principal_a city_n and_o from_o thence_o transmit_v to_o its_o dependency_n how_o considerable_a the_o city_n of_o corinth_n be_v in_o those_o day_n every_o body_n know_v and_o s._n chrysostom_n inform_v we_o 12._o that_o it_o be_v populous_a and_o magnificent_a in_o regard_n of_o its_o riches_n and_o wisdom_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o far_o be_v s._n clement_n from_o intend_v a_o parity_n of_o priest_n by_o his_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o word_n that_o he_o himself_o distinguish_v plain_o the_o spiritual_a governor_n from_o the_o body_n of_o subordinate_a presbyter_n and_o it_o be_v surprise_v to_o observe_v how_o much_o man_n may_v be_v blind_v with_o prejudice_n contrary_a to_o the_o universal_a suffrage_n of_o the_o ancient_n who_o place_n s._n clement_n so_o early_o in_o the_o apostolical_a succession_n of_o the_o chair_n of_o rome_n the_o reader_n may_v see_v they_o all_o in_o one_o view_n prefix_v to_o junius_n his_o edition_n of_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n a_o second_o witness_v make_v to_o appear_v a_o evidence_n for_o parity_n be_v the_o venerable_a s._n polycarp_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n who_o by_o aetate_fw-la ireneus_fw-la bishop_n of_o lion_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o have_v converse_v with_o many_o who_o have_v see_v our_o saviour_n and_o that_o he_o himself_o see_v he_o in_o his_o young_a day_n and_o that_o he_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o the_o apostle_n this_o be_v he_o who_o by_o eccles_n s._n jerome_n be_v call_v totius_fw-la asiae_n princeps_fw-la one_o will_v think_v that_o when_o they_o name_n s._n polycarp_n they_o have_v discover_v some_o clear_a testimony_n in_o his_o write_n to_o build_v their_o hypothesis_n upon_o but_o instead_o of_o this_o nothing_o but_o a_o wretched_a consequence_n found_v upon_o the_o bipartite_a division_n of_o the_o clergy_n mention_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n and_o yet_o the_o epigraphe_n of_o s._n polycarp'_v epistle_n clear_o distinguish_v he_o from_o his_o presbyter_n who_o be_v then_o with_o he_o which_o run_v thus_o polycarp_n and_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v with_o he_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n and_o if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v vest_v with_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n and_o eminence_n among_o those_o presbyter_n how_o be_v it_o agreeable_a to_o the_o primitive_a modesty_n and_o self_n denial_n to_o have_v name_v himself_o only_o in_o the_o frontispiece_n of_o this_o epistle_n and_o to_o mention_v none_o of_o his_o brother_n save_v only_o by_o the_o general_a name_n of_o presbyter_n this_o be_v mighty_a uneasy_a to_o blondel_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n force_n from_o he_o the_o follow_a word_n iâ—_n id_fw-la tamen_fw-la in_o s._n martyris_fw-la epistola_fw-la peculiare_a apparet_fw-la quod_fw-la eam_fw-la pr._n vatim_fw-la svo_fw-la &_o presbyterorum_fw-la nomine_fw-la ad_fw-la philippensium_fw-la fraternitatem_fw-la dedit_fw-la ac_fw-la sibi_fw-la quandam_fw-la supra_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d reservasse_fw-la videtur_fw-la ut_fw-la jam_fw-la tum_fw-la in_o episcopali_fw-la apice_fw-la constitutum_fw-la reliquos_fw-la smyrnensium_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la gradu_fw-la superasse_fw-la conjicere_fw-la liceat_fw-la there_o be_v two_o thing_n that_o baffle_v this_o shadow_n of_o a_o argument_n bring_v from_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n polycarp_n the_o first_o be_v that_o irenaeus_n who_o be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o he_o and_o know_v he_o to_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o s._n john_n the_o apostle_n and_o by_o he_o ordain_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n do_v refute_v the_o heresy_n of_o the_o valentintan_n from_o the_o unanimous_a doctrine_n preserve_v among_o the_o single_a successor_n of_o s._n polycarp_n downward_o to_o that_o very_a period_n in_o which_o he_o write_v for_o if_o the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n have_v be_v equal_o lodge_v in_o the_o college_n of_o presbyter_n his_o argument_n against_o the_o heretic_n from_o the_o succession_n of_o single_a person_n teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n first_o deliver_v by_o s._n john_n and_o convey_v by_o s._n polycarp_n to_o the_o follow_a bishop_n i_o say_v such_o a_o argument_n so_o manage_v can_v have_v no_o force_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o irenaeus_n to_o have_v use_v it_o the_o next_o be_v this_o that_o in_o the_o same_o epistle_n of_o s._n polycarp_n to_o the_o philippian_n the_o epistle_n of_o s._n ignatius_n be_v zealous_o recommend_v and_o we_o need_v not_o inform_v the_o reader_n how_o much_o the_o divine_a institution_n power_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n be_v assert_v in_o those_o epistle_n of_o which_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v in_o due_a time_n the_o question_n then_o concern_v s._n polycarp_n be_v whether_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v s._n irenaeus_n bishop_n of_o lion_n who_o be_v full_o acquaint_v with_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o education_n apostolical_a doctrine_n and_o promotion_n to_o the_o see_v of_o smyrna_n rather_o than_o the_o dark_a and_o groundless_a conjecture_n of_o late_a age_n and_o from_o this_o single_a instance_n alone_o we_o see_v how_o inflexible_a and_o stubborn_a the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n be_v how_o far_o it_o