by_o that_o exact_a collation_n of_o their_o title_n and_o constitution_n that_o be_v prefix_v to_o gothofred_n edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o as_o for_o his_o own_o novel_n he_o frequent_o make_v particular_a reference_n to_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n challenge_v to_o himself_o a_o power_n of_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o one_o general_a law_n which_o he_o declare_v to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o predecessor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n and_o according_o he_o begin_v his_o law_n concern_v ecclesiastical_a matter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1._o we_o enact_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o number_n of_o our_o law_n and_o by_o that_o edict_n alone_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o other_o they_o be_v all_o constitute_v law_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n he_o declare_v in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o 83_o novel_a that_o he_o only_o follow_v the_o ancient_a canon_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o particular_o in_o his_o 137_o novel_a where_o he_o endeavour_v the_o restitution_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n he_o only_o enjoin_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o thirty_o six_z apostolical_a canon_n viz._n that_o the_o bishop_n of_o each_o province_n meet_v twice_o a_o year_n for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o he_o profess_v to_o do_v not_o as_o author_n but_o as_o protector_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o novel_a he_o challenge_v to_o himself_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o legislation_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o civil_a law_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o power_n of_o patronage_n or_o protection_n this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o happy_a and_o most_o flourish_a age_n of_o it_o whereby_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o emperor_n of_o those_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o assume_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n to_o themselves_o that_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o abet_v any_o matter_n of_o religion_n with_o their_o civil_a sanction_n that_o be_v not_o determine_v beforehand_o by_o the_o spiritual_a power_n whether_o they_o ever_o exceed_v their_o own_o bound_n i_o think_v not_o myself_o oblige_v to_o inquire_v they_o be_v liable_a to_o that_o as_o well_o as_o to_o other_o mistake_n and_o misearriage_n of_o govenment_n though_o i_o remember_v not_o any_o instance_n of_o that_o kind_n till_o the_o latter_a and_o degenerate_a age_n of_o christendom_n when_o barbarity_n be_v introduce_v by_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o goth_n and_o vandal_n and_o other_o savage_a nation_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n that_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n in_o the_o church_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n from_o constantine_n to_o justinian_n and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o enough_o in_o that_o whether_o they_o own_a it_o or_o not_o it_o be_v settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n but_o second_o emperor_n king_n and_o prince_n have_v limit_v the_o ecclesiastical_a order_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n and_o assign_v they_o either_o large_a or_o narrow_a bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o consistent_a with_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o which_o they_o evident_o declare_v what_o be_v their_o opinion_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o have_v suppose_v church-officer_n to_o have_v act_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n they_o dare_v never_o have_v presume_v to_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n by_o their_o own_o arbitrary_a decree_n as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n encroach_v upon_o that_o power_n that_o god_n have_v commit_v to_o prince_n which_o if_o they_o can_v do_v and_o some_o have_v do_v what_o affront_n be_v it_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o restrain_v his_o minister_n within_o those_o bound_n of_o jurisdiction_n that_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o they_o nay_o be_v not_o this_o very_a thing_n a_o very_a plain_a confession_n of_o a_o distinct_a authority_n when_o to_o limit_v a_o power_n suppose_v it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o argument_n of_o their_o disow_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a power_n that_o it_o be_v a_o demonstrative_a and_o undoubted_a proof_n of_o their_o acknowledgement_n of_o it_o this_o be_v grant_v i_o shall_v not_o concern_v myself_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o warrantableness_n of_o the_o several_a precedent_n allege_v though_o most_o of_o they_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o restraint_n of_o dilatory_a vexatious_a and_o uncanonical_a proceed_n for_o my_o only_a business_n be_v to_o gain_v the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n to_o my_o cause_n for_o which_o i_o be_o no_o way_n bind_v to_o prove_v they_o free_a from_o all_o error_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o government_n so_o that_o if_o they_o may_v at_o any_o time_n bear_v too_o hard_o upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o the_o church_n have_v give_v they_o too_o much_o reason_n so_o to_o do_v that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o prescription_n against_o its_o due_a exercise_n that_o it_o be_v a_o declaration_n of_o these_o prince_n that_o have_v be_v most_o unkind_a to_o it_o that_o they_o own_o its_o power_n provide_v it_o be_v keep_v within_o its_o due_a bound_n but_o what_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o christendom_n have_v be_v concern_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a power_n sufficient_o appear_v by_o those_o great_a difference_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v about_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o jurisdiction_n and_o though_o the_o christian_a emperor_n have_v of_o late_a time_n be_v force_v from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o struggle_v against_o the_o encroachment_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n yet_o they_o never_o question_v that_o i_o know_v of_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o their_o episcopal_a authority_n and_o therefore_o neither_o here_o shall_v i_o concern_v myself_o to_o examine_v the_o particular_a precedent_n plead_v by_o both_o party_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o respective_a power_n when_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o both_o power_n may_v and_o often_o have_v exceed_v their_o just_a limit_n which_o yet_o be_v such_o a_o inconvenience_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n and_o partiality_n of_o man_n be_v utter_o unavoidable_a and_o we_o can_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v give_v such_o law_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a liberty_n to_o break_v they_o for_o then_o the_o law_n be_v give_v to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o be_v sufficient_a to_o guide_v those_o that_o will_v resign_v themselves_o to_o be_v govern_v with_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n and_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o law_n to_o effect_v more_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a frivolous_a objection_n much_o insist_v upon_o by_o some_o ill-minded_n man_n that_o see_v the_o competition_n of_o these_o two_o power_n have_v be_v occasion_n of_o create_v so_o many_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n to_o christendom_n it_o be_v better_a that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v remove_v which_o beside_o the_o bold_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o because_o they_o think_v in_o their_o great_a wisdom_n that_o god_n ought_v not_o that_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o constitute_v two_o distinct_a power_n it_o be_v such_o a_o objection_n that_o no_o constitution_n can_v possible_o avoid_v for_o which_o way_n soever_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v settle_v there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o that_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o folly_n of_o mankind_n it_o may_v and_o often_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o abuse_n and_o particular_o in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o discern_v the_o bound_n that_o god_n have_v set_v to_o these_o two_o power_n if_o man_n will_v be_v honest_a and_o upright_a and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n of_o the_o law_n that_o they_o will_v break_v it_o for_o christianity_n be_v whole_o found_v upon_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o oblige_v they_o in_o all_o case_n either_o to_o obey_v or_o to_o suffer_v peaceable_o so_o that_o how_o great_a soever_o the_o authority_n of_o churchman_n may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o its_o interfering_n with_o or_o entrench_v upon_o
the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n unless_o they_o misuse_v it_o and_o if_o they_o do_v as_o they_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n so_o they_o deserve_v their_o punishment_n in_o this_o lâ—fe_n among_o the_o worst_a of_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n and_o be_v sure_a to_o have_v it_o in_o the_o next_o for_o as_o their_o power_n be_v not_o only_o pure_o spiritual_a void_a of_o all_o temporal_a force_n and_o coercion_n so_o be_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o above_o all_o thing_n forbid_v to_o use_v any_o violence_n or_o raise_v any_o disturbance_n against_o government_n so_o that_o if_o any_o prince_n think_v good_a to_o oppose_v they_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o to_o punish_v they_o for_o so_o do_v they_o be_v not_o to_o oppose_v he_o but_o only_o to_o sacrifice_v their_o life_n in_o justification_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o submission_n to_o his_o will_n and_o for_o so_o do_v they_o shall_v have_v their_o reward_n but_o if_o they_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o weapon_n whatsoever_o beside_o prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o suffering_n they_o then_o suffer_v deserve_o as_o disturber_n of_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o in_o that_o they_o have_v be_v so_o express_o forewarn_v by_o our_o saviour_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v draw_v the_o sword_n in_o his_o cause_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o perish_v by_o it_o and_o as_o upon_o this_o principle_n he_o found_v his_o church_n so_o upon_o it_o his_o apostle_n build_v it_o when_o in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o command_n they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o if_o any_o prince_n be_v please_v to_o countermand_v they_o they_o do_v not_o plead_v any_o exemption_n from_o the_o government_n much_o less_o do_v they_o libel_v it_o but_o only_o represent_v the_o innocence_n and_o justice_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o satisfy_v declare_v their_o readiness_n to_o submit_v to_o his_o pleasure_n and_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n and_o in_o this_o they_o enjoy_v no_o other_o exemption_n from_o the_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n than_o what_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v challenge_v by_o every_o private_a christian_a who_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o his_o christian_a faith_n and_o if_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n so_o require_v to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n this_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o in_o its_o first_o profession_n and_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o its_o reformation_n for_o whereas_o a_o foreign_a italian_a bishop_n have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n usurp_v wellnigh_o all_o both_o secular_a and_o spiritual_a power_n into_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o a_o exorbitant_a abuse_n of_o it_o have_v enslave_v the_o prince_n and_o empoverish_v the_o people_n only_o to_o enrich_v himself_o and_o his_o own_o courtier_n they_o that_o be_v concern_v after_o long_a patience_n and_o much_o provocation_n at_o last_o resolve_v upon_o what_o motive_n concern_v not_o we_o to_o resume_v their_o right_n the_o king_n that_o power_n which_o be_v exercise_v by_o the_o king_n of_o judah_n of_o old_a and_o by_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o bishop_n that_o power_n wherewith_o they_o be_v as_o immediate_o entrust_v by_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n general_a commission_n to_o the_o apostolical_a order_n as_o any_o other_o foreign_a bishop_n or_o bishop_n within_o their_o respective_a diocese_n whatsoever_o and_o to_o prevent_v all_o jealousy_n in_o the_o prince_n lest_o they_o shall_v play_v he_o the_o same_o game_n that_o his_o holiness_n have_v do_v who_o in_o ordinc_fw-la ad_fw-la spiritualia_fw-la have_v fine_o strip_v he_o of_o almost_o all_o his_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n by_o except_v all_o ecclesiastical_a both_o person_n and_o cause_n from_o his_o cognizance_n they_o therefore_o freelv_v declare_v he_o supreme_a governor_n first_o over_o all_o person_n so_o that_o no_o ecclesiastical_a subject_n may_v as_o former_o appeal_v from_o his_o tribunal_n and_o in_o all_o cause_n so_o that_o every_o subject_a whatsoever_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o his_o decree_n and_o determination_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o either_o to_o obey_v his_o law_n as_o long_o as_o he_o own_a and_o protect_v true_a christianity_n as_o the_o christian_a bishop_n of_o old_a do_v to_o the_o christian_a emperor_n or_o if_o he_o oppose_v it_o cheerful_o and_o peaceable_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o penalty_n as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o roman_a persecutor_n and_o whereas_o from_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n enjoy_v a_o power_n of_o make_v canon_n and_o constitution_n for_o discipline_n and_o good_a order_n yet_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n they_o submit_v the_o exercise_n thereof_o to_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n protest_v in_o verbo_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o that_o famous_a act_n call_v the_o submission_n of_o the_o clergy_n that_o they_o will_v never_o from_o henceforth_o presume_v to_o attempt_v allege_v claim_v or_o put_v in_o ure_n enact_v promulge_v or_o execute_v any_o new_a canon_n constitution_n ordinance_n provincial_a or_o other_o or_o by_o whatsoever_o other_o name_n they_o shall_v be_v call_v in_o the_o convocation_n unless_o the_o king_n be_v most_o royal_a assent_n and_o licence_n may_v to_o they_o be_v have_v to_o make_v promulge_fw-mi and_o execute_v the_o same_o and_o that_o his_o majesty_n do_v give_v his_o royal_a assent_n and_o authority_n in_o that_o behalf_n whereby_o they_o do_v not_o pass_v away_o their_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a canon_n but_o only_o give_v security_n to_o the_o government_n that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o attempt_v any_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o injurious_a to_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o crown_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v such_o a_o submission_n as_o all_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o world_n ought_v in_o duty_n to_o make_v to_o their_o sovereign_n at_o least_o in_o gratitude_n for_o his_o protection_n and_o that_o without_o any_o abatement_n or_o diminution_n of_o their_o own_o authority_n viz._n the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v secure_v to_o submit_v all_o other_o matter_n to_o his_o sovereign_n will_v and_o pleasure_n whereby_o as_o they_o will_v bring_v no_o damage_n to_o the_o church_n in_o that_o this_o power_n be_v exercise_v mere_o in_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n if_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o approve_v of_o their_o constitution_n it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a thing_n to_o provide_v for_o decency_n some_o other_o way_n so_o they_o will_v bring_v great_a security_n to_o the_o state_n when_o the_o prince_n be_v assure_v that_o under_o that_o pretence_n they_o will_v not_o as_o the_o roman_a clergy_n have_v do_v disturb_v or_o undermine_v his_o authority_n and_o as_o they_o part_v not_o with_o their_o spiritual_a legislative_a power_n so_o not_o with_o any_o other_o power_n proper_a to_o their_o function_n as_o the_o power_n of_o preach_v the_o christian_a religion_n administer_a the_o holy_a sacrament_n and_o confer_v holy_a order_n neither_o do_v any_o prince_n in_o the_o least_o ever_o claim_v or_o exercise_v any_o of_o they_o and_o because_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n elizabeth_n make_v a_o mighty_a noise_n with_o this_o objection_n as_o if_o by_o virtue_n of_o her_o supremacy_n her_o majesty_n have_v challenge_v a_o spiritual_a or_o ministerial_a power_n in_o the_o church_n the_o queen_n have_v with_o great_a indignation_n disow_v any_o such_o power_n and_o defy_v the_o calumny_n and_o yet_o when_o she_o have_v make_v her_o disclaimour_n of_o any_o spiritual_a power_n in_o the_o church_n she_o part_v not_o with_o her_o royal_a supremacy_n over_o those_o that_o have_v it_o as_o we_o be_v particular_o instruct_v by_o our_o church_n in_o her_o 37th_o article_n where_o we_o attribute_v to_o the_o queen_n majesty_n the_o chief_a government_n by_o which_o title_n we_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o dangerous_a folk_n to_o be_v offend_v we_o give_v not_o our_o prince_n the_o minister_a either_o of_o god_n word_n or_o the_o sacrament_n the_o which_o thing_n the_o injunction_n late_o set_v forth_o by_o elizabeth_n our_o queen_n do_v most_o plain_o testify_v but_o that_o only_a prerogative_n which_o we_o see_v to_o have_v be_v give_v always_o to_o all_o godly_a prince_n in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o god_n himself_o that_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v rule_v all_o estate_n and_o degree_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n by_o god_n whether_o they_o be_v ecclesiastical_a or_o temporal_a and_o restrain_v with_o the_o civil_a sword_n the_o stubborn_a and_o evil_a doer_n and_o last_o to_o mention_v
the_o difference_n of_o some_o account_n concern_v the_o succession_n of_o some_o bishop_n but_o this_o have_v be_v object_v two_o or_o three_o time_n already_o and_o as_o often_o answer_v and_o therefore_o at_o present_a i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o it_o than_o only_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n to_o mind_v the_o reader_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o conclusion_n that_o from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o succession_n infer_v a_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n itself_o and_o now_o be_o i_o come_v to_o our_o adversary_n only_o positive_a proof_n in_o their_o own_o behalf_n that_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n for_o though_o they_o pretend_v to_o one_o or_o two_o author_n more_o yet_o still_o at_o the_o last_o push_n st._n hierom_n be_v the_o only_a man_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o all_o that_o be_v pretend_v from_o he_o be_v this_o that_o though_o the_o apostle_n exercise_v a_o superiority_n over_o the_o other_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n during_o their_o own_o life_n yet_o immediate_o upon_o their_o decease_n have_v it_o seem_v provide_v no_o successor_n in_o that_o power_n that_o themselves_o enjoy_v the_o church_n be_v every_o where_o govern_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n or_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n but_o this_o form_n of_o government_n be_v quick_o find_v very_o apt_a to_o breed_v schism_n and_o division_n it_o be_v for_o the_o better_a prevention_n of_o they_o agree_v upon_o all_o the_o world_n over_o to_o choose_v one_o presbyter_n out_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o settle_v a_o supremacy_n of_o power_n upon_o he_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a government_n of_o the_o church_n antequam_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la &_o diceretur_fw-la in_o populis_fw-la ego_fw-la sum_fw-la pauli_n ego_fw-la apollo_n ego_fw-la autem_fw-la cephae_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la 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but_o observe_v what_o disingenuous_a advantage_n these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o hasty_a expression_n of_o that_o good_a father_n let_v he_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o eagerness_n of_o dispute_n but_o drop_n a_o inconsiderate_a word_n that_o may_v reflect_v upon_o the_o record_n or_o the_o reputation_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n it_o immediate_o serve_v to_o justify_v all_o their_o innovation_n and_o thus_o i_o remember_v mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr in_o his_o shallow_a book_n of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o father_n frequent_o make_v good_a as_o he_o think_v his_o charge_n against_o they_o all_o only_a by_o impleading_a st._n hierom_n but_o though_o he_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o serve_v they_o at_o all_o turn_n yet_o in_o this_o argument_n they_o devolve_v the_o whole_a credit_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n upon_o his_o single_a authority_n and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a that_o two_o or_o three_o hasty_a passage_n of_o this_o single_a father_n not_o only_o against_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o against_o his_o own_o express_a opinion_n shall_v be_v seize_v upon_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o greediness_n to_o give_v defiance_n to_o all_o the_o practice_n of_o antiquity_n that_o be_v bold_a enough_o but_o it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o to_o force_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n against_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o declaration_n to_o subscribe_v to_o his_o opinion_n as_o blondel_n have_v do_v who_o have_v first_o place_v st._n jerom_n in_o the_o front_n and_o flourish_v all_o his_o say_n with_o large_a commentary_n range_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n under_o his_o colour_n except_v only_a ignatius_n though_o since_o he_o too_o have_v have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o service_n but_o he_o have_v draw_v they_o into_o the_o party_n by_o such_o a_o force_a and_o presumptuous_a way_n of_o argue_v that_o i_o know_v not_o a_o great_a instance_n of_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n in_o a_o learned_a man_n i_o once_o think_v to_o have_v take_v he_o particular_o to_o task_n but_o his_o trifle_n be_v so_o gross_o palpable_a that_o there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o expose_v it_o to_o any_o man_n contempt_n than_o that_o he_o can_v endure_v the_o penance_n of_o read_v he_o over_o and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o discourse_n after_o a_o wise_a rate_n that_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n epiphanius_n eusebius_n chrysostom_n theodoret_n theophylact_fw-mi be_v presbyterian_o it_o be_v just_a such_o another_o design_n as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o calvin_n beza_n blondel_n salmasius_n daillé_n and_o all_o the_o other_o calvinian_a father_n have_v be_v zealous_a assertor_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o yet_o this_o task_n too_o some_o man_n have_v undertake_v and_o i_o suppose_v will_v make_v good_a by_o the_o same_o topic_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o will_v both_o gain_v belief_n together_o now_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o great_a authority_n of_o st._n jerom_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n allege_v and_o insist_v upon_o by_o learned_a man_n some_o plead_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o his_o own_o express_a and_o declare_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v for_o his_o settle_a and_o deliberate_a sense_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o only_o for_o a_o hasty_a and_o over-lavish_a expression_n other_o endeavour_v to_o expound_v he_o to_o a_o good_a sense_n consistent_a with_o himself_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o father_n viz._n that_o writing_n against_o some_o proud_a deacon_n that_o will_v set_v themselves_o above_o presbyter_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v much_o the_o same_o insolence_n as_o if_o they_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o prefer_v themselves_o above_o the_o bishop_n in_o that_o the_o distance_n be_v much_o the_o same_o they_o alone_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o priesthood_n with_o the_o bishop_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v no_o high_a office_n in_o the_o church_n than_o to_o serve_v table_n and_o poor_a widow_n so_o that_o the_o difference_n be_v the_o same_o as_o in_o the_o levitical_a priesthood_n the_o bishop_n and_o the_o presbyter_n be_v as_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n who_o alone_o be_v account_v into_o the_o priestly_a office_n whereas_o the_o deacon_n have_v only_o the_o office_n of_o levite_n that_o be_v no_o better_a than_o servant_n to_o the_o priest_n and_o though_o presbyter_n at_o that_o time_n exercise_v no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n in_o the_o church_n yet_o they_o be_v former_o join_v with_o the_o bishop_n himself_o in_o the_o government_n of_o it_o and_o share_v in_o all_o act_n of_o power_n and_o discipline_n except_v only_a ordination_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o they_o be_v place_v so_o near_o to_o the_o high_a order_n that_o they_o be_v capable_a by_o virtue_n of_o their_o own_o order_n to_o exercise_v almost_o all_o the_o office_n of_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v endure_v that_o such_o inferior_a minister_n as_o the_o deacon_n be_v shall_v prefer_v themselves_o above_o they_o quis_fw-la patiatur_fw-la ut_fw-la mensarum_fw-la &_o viduarum_fw-la minister_n supra_fw-la eos_fw-la se_fw-la tumidus_fw-la efferat_fw-la ad_fw-la quorum_fw-la preces_fw-la christi_fw-la corpus_fw-la sanguisque_fw-la conficitur_fw-la though_o this_o probable_o be_v all_o the_o design_n of_o st._n jerom_n yet_o because_o he_o seem_v to_o have_v say_v more_o than_o he_o design_v i_o shall_v not_o contend_v about_o his_o meaning_n but_o shall_v give_v my_o adversary_n the_o whole_a advantage_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o let_v they_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o neither_o shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o overthrow_v it_o by_o the_o contrary_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n for_o though_o that_o be_v easy_o do_v the_o cause_n do_v not_o require_v it_o but_o grant_v the_o authority_n of_o st._n jeroms_n opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v never_o contradict_v by_o any_o ancient_a writer_n i_o will_v demonstrate_v the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o opinion_n itself_o from_o its_o own_o absurdity_n
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
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 religion_n as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n thereby_o to_o declare_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o contend_v for_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o all_o sort_n of_o recusant_n and_o dissenter_n for_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a what_o we_o oppose_v but_o what_o we_o assert_v and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o harm_n in_o error_n be_v it_o not_o for_o its_o contrariety_n to_o truth_n so_o that_o before_o we_o defend_v the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o define_v the_o true_a state_n of_o its_o cause_n otherwise_o we_o contend_v about_o we_o know_v not_o what_o for_o as_o for_o the_o general_a term_n of_o protestancy_n it_o be_v a_o indefinite_a thing_n so_o that_o if_o all_o the_o man_n in_o england_n that_o be_v enemy_n or_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v be_v list_v under_o that_o name_n we_o have_v some_o protestant_n that_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o some_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o some_o that_o believe_v they_o have_v a_o saviour_n and_o a_o soul_n to_o save_v and_o some_o that_o laugh_v at_o both_o there_o be_v hobbian_a protestant_n muggletonian_a protestant_n socinian_n protestant_n quaker_n protestant_n rebel_n protestant_n protestant_n of_o 41_o and_o protestant_n of_o 48._o all_o or_o most_o of_o which_o be_v as_o different_a as_o popery_n itself_o from_o the_o true_a protestancy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o stick_v close_o to_o that_o both_o as_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n and_o by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o limit_v it_o to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n we_o may_v in_o time_n have_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o nothing_o but_o protestant_n dissent_v from_o the_o establish_a religion_n that_o be_v a_o church_n not_o only_o without_o but_o against_o itself_o and_o unless_o we_o derive_v the_o authority_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o be_v by_o law_n establish_v from_o the_o antecedent_n law_n of_o christ_n we_o may_v quick_o be_v as_o we_o be_v in_o a_o fair_a way_n to_o be_v a_o reform_a church_n of_o protestant_a atheist_n that_o be_v a_o church_n without_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o must_v be_v build_v upon_o this_o one_o boâ—â—om_n that_o the_o church_n own_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n for_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n be_v original_o settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n with_o divine_a authority_n we_o deny_v his_o supremacy_n over_o his_o own_o church_n and_o unless_o we_o suppose_v that_o the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v power_n to_o abett_v and_o ratify_v our_o saviour_n establishment_n by_o civil_a law_n we_o deny_v his_o majesty_n supremacy_n over_o his_o christian_a subject_n and_o therefore_o both_o together_o must_v be_v take_v in_o to_o the_o right_a state_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o that_o do_v what_o we_o can_v will_v involve_v the_o leader_n of_o our_o present_a separation_n in_o the_o guilt_n both_o of_o schism_n and_o sedition_n of_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n in_o that_o they_o withdraw_v themselves_o and_o their_o obedience_n from_o those_o who_o be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n to_o command_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o divine_a commission_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o state_n in_o that_o they_o needless_o and_o without_o any_o justifiable_a pretence_n violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n though_o the_o truth_n be_v their_o dissension_n be_v somewhat_o worse_o for_o as_o they_o manage_v it_o it_o be_v not_o only_a sedition_n but_o rebellion_n in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o disobey_v the_o law_n but_o disavow_v their_o obligation_n stand_v resolute_o upon_o that_o one_o principle_n that_o no_o magistrate_n whatsoever_o have_v any_o power_n of_o establish_v any_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o act_n of_o uniformity_n be_v not_o so_o much_o faulty_a for_o the_o particular_a matter_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o for_o the_o unlawful_a and_o usurp_a authority_n of_o it_o and_o when_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n enjoin_v the_o book_n of_o common-prayer_n to_o be_v use_v in_o all_o church_n they_o challenge_v a_o power_n to_o which_o they_o have_v no_o right_n and_o invade_v the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n himself_o this_o be_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o separation_n as_o it_o be_v state_v by_o the_o chief_a ringleader_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a renunciation_n of_o their_o allegiance_n as_o well_o as_o conformity_n i_o can_v with_o all_o the_o streining_n of_o charity_n make_v no_o better_o of_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v hearty_o glad_a if_o i_o can_v see_v they_o without_o shuffle_n and_o prevarication_n clear_v themselves_o of_o so_o pernicious_a a_o principle_n to_o conclude_v methinks_v religion_n have_v be_v long_o enough_o trifle_v with_o in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o after_o so_o long_a and_o so_o sad_a experience_n of_o our_o folly_n it_o be_v time_n to_o return_v to_o some_o sense_n of_o discretion_n and_o sobriety_n before_o the_o late_a barbarous_a war_n we_o have_v the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbytery_n to_o advance_v but_o now_o after_o the_o murder_n of_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o man_n that_o cause_o have_v prove_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o that_o it_o be_v grow_v ashamed_a of_o itself_o however_o the_o pretence_n be_v great_a and_o solemn_a but_o at_o this_o time_n the_o people_n be_v drive_v into_o the_o same_o excess_n against_o the_o church_n no_o body_n know_v for_o what_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n among_o we_o be_v too_o proud_a or_o too_o peevish_a to_o recant_v their_o folly_n and_o therefore_o i_o conjure_v they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o without_o passion_n serious_o to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v for_o which_o they_o renounce_v the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n tear_n and_o rend_v it_o into_o numberless_a piece_n and_o faction_n scare_v multitude_n of_o silly_a and_o well-meaning_a people_n out_o of_o it_o as_o they_o tender_v the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o put_v the_o whole_a kingdom_n into_o perpetual_a tumult_n and_o combustion_n about_o religion_n and_o when_o they_o have_v consider_v it_o i_o shall_v only_o bind_v it_o upon_o their_o conscience_n so_o to_o answer_v it_o to_o themselves_o now_o as_o they_o hope_v to_o answer_v it_o to_o their_o saviour_n at_o the_o last_o day_n as_o for_o the_o foreign_a reform_a church_n i_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o they_o because_o they_o be_v altogether_o out_o of_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o argument_n which_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o four_o sea_n and_o concern_v only_o those_o that_o either_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o in_o any_o thing_n any_o other_o church_n deviate_v from_o the_o primitive_a institution_n they_o must_v stand_v and_o fall_v to_o their_o own_o master_n and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o un-church_n they_o or_o renounce_v brotherly_a communion_n with_o they_o or_o to_o think_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n shall_v withdraw_v the_o promise_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o protection_n from_o they_o for_o if_o every_o defect_n from_o his_o institution_n shall_v forfeit_v the_o right_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n there_o never_o be_v as_o we_o may_v find_v by_o the_o apostle_n account_v of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n nor_o ever_o will_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o any_o thing_n
christian_a religion_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v of_o any_o authority_n in_o any_o commonwealth_n otherwise_o than_o as_o it_o be_v own_v and_o ratify_v by_o the_o supreme_a secular_a power_n so_o that_o if_o cromwell_n or_o any_o other_o sovereign_a prince_n be_v please_v to_o command_v his_o subject_n only_o to_o renounce_v their_o saviour_n and_o their_o christian_a faith_n and_o declare_v themselves_o jew_n or_o mahometan_n in_o that_o case_n they_o be_v indispensable_o bind_v to_o obedience_n in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o the_o christian_a or_o any_o other_o law_n to_o have_v any_o bind_a force_n than_o what_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o arbitrary_a power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o agreeable_a to_o that_o general_n proposition_n the_o philosopher_n be_v please_v to_o inform_v we_o 14_o that_o the_o whole_a power_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o any_o religion_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n that_o the_o 26._o subject_n of_o every_o commonwealth_n ought_v to_o receive_v every_o thing_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o the_o civil-law_n declare_v to_o be_v so_o that_o by_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o 35._o sovereign_a command_n to_o be_v teach_v we_o be_v to_o examine_v and_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o doctrine_n which_o pretend_v prophet_n with_o miracle_n or_o without_o shall_v at_o any_o time_n pretend_v to_o advance_v that_o 42._o moses_n make_v the_o scripture_n canonical_a as_o civil_a sovereign_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o our_o saviour_n give_v his_o apostle_n power_n to_o preach_v and_o baptise_v in_o all_o part_n 311._o of_o the_o world_n suppose_v they_o be_v not_o by_o their_o own_o lawful_a sovereign_n forbid_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v not_o ibid._n the_o force_n of_o law_n till_o it_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v original_o in_o himself_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o sovereign_a ibid._n supremacy_n a_o power_n of_o ordain_v priest_n and_o administer_a sacrament_n that_o christian_a king_n be_v the_o only_a pastor_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o that_o 43._o the_o faith_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n depend_v only_o upon_o their_o authority_n and_o he_o be_v so_o entire_o possess_v with_o this_o notion_n of_o kingly_a power_n that_o he_o allow_v no_o other_o authority_n to_o god_n himself_o and_o thus_o when_o he_o appoint_v the_o punishment_n of_o death_n to_o false_a prophet_n because_o they_o tempt_v the_o people_n to_o revolt_v from_o the_o lord_n their_o god_n these_o word_n he_o tell_v we_o to_o revolt_v from_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n 32._o be_v equivalent_a to_o revolt_v from_o your_o king_n for_o they_o have_v make_v god_n their_o king_n by_o pact_n at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n sinai_n so_o that_o have_v they_o not_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o that_o covenant_n it_o have_v be_v no_o sin_n to_o worship_v other_o god_n i._n e._n it_o be_v all_o one_o in_o itself_o to_o worship_v the_o true_a and_o to_o worship_n false_a god_n which_o be_v plain_o to_o say_v there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o and_o as_o for_o the_o worship_n they_o pay_v to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n it_o be_v not_o due_a to_o he_o as_o sovereign_n of_o the_o universe_n but_o only_o as_o their_o king_n by_o pact_n and_o so_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o every_o subject_a owe_v to_o his_o sovereign_n and_o 35._o therefore_o he_o in_o express_a term_n define_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n to_o be_v a_o civil_a kingdom_n and_o to_o this_o purpose_n he_o expound_v the_o three_o commandment_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o take_v the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o vain_a that_o 42._o be_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o speak_v rash_o of_o their_o king_n nor_o dispute_v his_o right_n nor_o the_o commission_n of_o moses_n and_o aaron_n his_o lieutenant_n and_o this_o be_v the_o end_n of_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o ibid._n restore_v unto_o god_n by_o a_o new_a covenant_n the_o kingdom_n which_o be_v his_o by_o the_o old_a covenant_n have_v be_v cut_v off_o by_o the_o rebellion_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o election_n of_o saul_n and_o the_o same_o account_n he_o give_v of_o christianity_n itself_o that_o it_o be_v only_o receive_v our_o saviour_n for_o king_n so_o that_o when_o st._n paul_n say_v to_o the_o galatian_n that_o if_o himself_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o 3â—_n heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n to_o they_o than_o he_o have_v preach_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v that_o gospel_n be_v that_o christ_n be_v king_n so_o that_o all_o preach_v against_o the_o power_n of_o the_o king_n receive_v in_o consequence_n to_o these_o word_n be_v by_o st._n paul_n accurse_v for_o his_o speech_n be_v address_v to_o those_o who_o by_o his_o preach_v have_v already_o receive_v jesus_n for_o the_o christ_n that_o be_v to_o say_v for_o king_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o owe_v no_o other_o duty_n to_o our_o saviour_n than_o if_o he_o have_v be_v only_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n see_v all_o that_o be_v due_a to_o he_o be_v only_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o covenant_n whereby_o we_o receive_v he_o for_o our_o king_n neither_o be_v this_o kingdom_n 42._o of_o his_o present_n but_o be_v to_o be_v establish_v upon_o the_o earth_n after_o the_o general_a resurrection_n and_o therefore_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o pact_n that_o the_o faithful_a make_v with_o he_o in_o baptism_n they_o be_v only_o oblige_v to_o obey_v he_o for_o king_n whensoever_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o take_v the_o kingdom_n upon_o he_o now_o bare_o to_o represent_v this_o train_n of_o absurdity_n be_v more_o than_o enough_o to_o confute_v they_o in_o that_o they_o all_o resolve_v into_o this_o one_o gross_a contradiction_n that_o for_o the_o end_n of_o government_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o same_o end_n of_o government_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v that_o we_o owe_v no_o other_o obedience_n to_o it_o than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o law_n of_o man_n but_o though_o such_o manifest_a trifle_n deserve_v not_o the_o civility_n of_o be_v confute_v yet_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o let_v mr._n hobbs_n his_o credulous_a disciple_n and_o in_o all_o my_o conversation_n i_o never_o meet_v with_o a_o more_o ignorant_a or_o confident_a credulity_n understand_v after_o what_o a_o childish_a rate_n their_o mighty_a master_n of_o demonstration_n prove_v these_o and_o indeed_o every_o thing_n else_o for_o he_o have_v but_o one_o way_n of_o prove_v all_o thing_n first_o to_o define_v his_o own_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a and_o then_o by_o virtue_n of_o that_o definition_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o for_o a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o this_o we_o will_v take_v a_o review_n of_o all_o the_o forementioned_a proposition_n where_o we_o shall_v find_v all_o his_o mathematical_a demonstration_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o so_o many_o positive_a and_o dogmatical_a tautology_n thus_o when_o he_o prove_v there_o can_v be_v no_o first_o mover_n because_o he_o have_v already_o define_v that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o from_o whence_o it_o demonstrative_o follow_v that_o all_o motion_n must_v be_v eternal_a for_o otherwise_o if_o we_o assert_v a_o eternal_a first_o cause_n we_o run_v upon_o that_o desperate_a absurdity_n that_o something_o may_v move_v itself_o he_o have_v argue_v full_a as_o mathematical_o that_o nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o because_o i_o say_v nothing_o can_v move_v itself_o so_o again_o when_o he_o prove_v that_o god_n be_v neither_o the_o universe_n nor_o a_o part_n of_o it_o nor_o something_o beside_o he_o have_v argue_v as_o well_o have_v he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o be_v distinct_a from_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v none_o so_o again_o those_o book_n only_o can_v be_v law_n in_o every_o nation_n that_o be_v establish_v for_o such_o by_o the_o sovereign_a authority_n because_o a_o law_n as_o i_o have_v already_o define_v it_o be_v nothing_o else_o than_o the_o command_n of_o that_o man_n or_o company_n of_o man_n that_o have_v the_o supreme_a power_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n from_o whence_o say_v he_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o law_n but_o what_o be_v enact_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n and_o so_o it_o will_v have_v follow_v as_o unavoidable_o if_o he_o have_v only_o say_v that_o the_o sovereign_n only_o can_v make_v law_n because_o the_o sovereign_n only_o can_v make_v law_n and_o yet_o upon_o this_o one_o mighty_a demonstration_n be_v build_v all_o the_o other_o bold_a assertion_n that_o i_o have_v collect_v out_o of_o his_o book_n that_o the_o sovereign_a prince_n be_v sovereign_a prophet_n too_o that_o he_o be_v sole_a pastor_n to_o the_o people_n of_o his_o
apostle_n themselves_o but_o as_o to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n who_o they_o employ_v in_o the_o settlement_n of_o church_n and_o to_o who_o they_o commit_v the_o apostolical_a power_n for_o their_o government_n and_o these_o too_o he_o prove_v be_v style_v apostle_n such_o as_o titus_n timothy_n epaphroditus_n clemens_n linus_n marcus_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o evangelist_n as_o they_o call_v they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o other_o clergy_n and_o endue_v with_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o respective_a church_n and_o hereby_o we_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n not_o only_o for_o themselves_o but_o for_o their_o companion_n and_o successor_n which_o do_v not_o only_o extend_v our_o argument_n but_o join_v together_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n of_o which_o we_o have_v certain_a record_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o prevent_v all_o their_o fond_a dream_n of_o a_o 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but_o be_v or_o may_v be_v of_o equal_a usefulness_n to_o all_o place_n time_n and_o person_n that_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a evidence_n of_o their_o constant_a and_o unabolishable_a obligation_n and_o therefore_o here_o i_o shall_v only_o put_v they_o to_o their_o former_a task_n 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 in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v cease_v in_o all_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o till_o they_o can_v discharge_v this_o task_n advise_v they_o not_o to_o depart_v rash_o from_o so_o sacred_a and_o venerable_a a_o prescription_n but_o that_o which_o improve_v the_o argument_n both_o from_o our_o saviour_n institution_n and_o the_o apostle_n practise_v into_o a_o complete_a demonstration_n be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n for_o if_o 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and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o be_v pretend_v competent_a witness_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n because_o of_o their_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n neither_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v their_o report_n to_o be_v rely_v upon_o with_o any_o confidence_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o of_o their_o write_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o i_o shall_v here_o reprent_v how_o false_a this_o exception_n be_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la and_o how_o unreasonable_a de_fw-la jure_fw-la either_o against_o the_o constitution_n or_o the_o authentic_a epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o they_o stand_v and_o fall_v together_o so_o that_o whoever_o oppose_v the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n defeat_v and_o reject_v all_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o that_o those_o sceptical_a ground_n and_o pretence_n he_o be_v force_v to_o urge_v against_o one_o fall_v as_o dangerous_o on_o both_o and_o this_o may_v serve_v to_o prevent_v and_o invalidate_v the_o force_n of_o their_o argument_n without_o answer_v it_o when_o if_o they_o shall_v deal_v as_o rigorous_o in_o any_o other_o case_n as_o they_o be_v please_v to_o do_v in_o this_o the_o most_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a record_n can_v escape_v the_o severity_n of_o their_o censure_n though_o our_o comfort_n be_v that_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o wild_a and_o wanton_a objection_n in_o that_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v always_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o chasm_n as_o be_v pretend_v between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o next_o christian_n writer_n for_o to_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o the_o man_n of_o that_o age_n leave_v we_o no_o formal_a history_n and_o catalogue_n of_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o their_o several_a see_v wherewith_o some_o man_n unreasonable_a enough_o upbraid_v we_o when_o it_o be_v so_o manifest_a that_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n too_o young_a for_o that_o care_n in_o that_o as_o yet_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o succession_n yet_o be_v they_o no_o less_o than_o apostolical_a man_n that_o vouch_v the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o jurisdiction_n of_o bishop_n and_o this_o one_o will_v think_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o modest_a or_o ingenious_a man_n of_o their_o institution_n from_o the_o beginning_n when_o it_o be_v assert_v or_o rather_o suppose_v by_o the_o very_a first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o attest_v it_o so_o that_o whoever_o can_v withstand_v their_o evidence_n be_v proof_n against_o all_o evidence_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o may_v if_o he_o please_v laugh_v at_o all_o the_o tale_n and_o legend_n that_o be_v tell_v concern_v the_o
and_o therefore_o in_o answer_n to_o it_o i_o will_v at_o present_v only_o return_v these_o few_o brief_a consideration_n each_o whereof_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v man_n if_o they_o will_v be_v reasonable_a and_o altogether_o more_o than_o enough_o to_o silence_v they_o if_o they_o will_v not_o the_o first_o ill_a consequence_n then_o of_o this_o opinion_n be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o charge_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n of_o not_o make_v sufficient_a provision_n for_o the_o last_a peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o have_v not_o after-age_n supply_v their_o defect_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o it_o there_o have_v be_v no_o remedy_n for_o cure_v or_o avoid_v eternal_a schism_n and_o division_n for_o according_a to_o this_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n all_o the_o world_n be_v by_o sad_a experience_n convince_v of_o its_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o faction_n and_o confusion_n now_o what_o a_o dishonourable_a reflection_n be_v this_o upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o institute_v a_o society_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n without_o provide_v a_o competent_a government_n to_o secure_v its_o continuance_n in_o peace_n and_o unity_n but_o than_o second_o whilst_o this_o conceit_n explode_v the_o claim_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n it_o be_v force_v to_o grant_v a_o necessity_n found_v upon_o natural_a reason_n so_o that_o accord_v to_o it_o episcopal_a government_n be_v make_v necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o all_o those_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o nature_n that_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o universal_a agreement_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o bishop_n that_o st._n jerom_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la viz._n ut_fw-la schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o this_o evil_n whilst_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v administer_v by_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o presbyter_n the_o consequence_n be_v unavoidable_a that_o though_o our_o saviour_n or_o at_o least_o his_o apostle_n have_v no_o more_o discretion_n that_o to_o leave_v all_o church-officer_n in_o a_o equality_n of_o power_n yet_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o society_n make_v it_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o another_o ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendet_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la the_o security_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n depend_v upon_o the_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n power_n which_o be_v it_o not_o supreme_a and_o paramount_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o other_o clergy_n we_o shall_v quick_o have_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n say_v st._n jerom_n set_v aside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o man_n the_o reason_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o argument_n itself_o be_v unanswerable_a for_o in_o such_o a_o vast_a body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v obvious_a to_o every_o man_n understanding_n that_o consider_v the_o passion_n of_o mankind_n there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a agreement_n and_o by_o consequence_n no_o government_n without_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n in_o some_o above_o other_o now_o this_o be_v another_o pretty_a handsome_a reflection_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o be_v so_o shameful_o defective_a in_o their_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o show_v they_o to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v direct_v by_o any_o divine_a and_o 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totter_a condition_n insomuch_o that_o it_o must_v unavoidable_o have_v perish_v have_v not_o some_o that_o come_v after_o they_o invent_v better_a mean_n to_o prevent_v or_o redress_v mischief_n than_o they_o have_v leave_v they_o for_o upon_o this_o it_o be_v that_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a sort_n consider_v the_o abuse_n follow_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o this_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o withal_o have_v in_o their_o mind_n the_o excellent_a frame_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n for_o prevent_v future_a schism_n and_o division_n among_o themselves_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o choose_v one_o out_o of_o their_o number_n who_o be_v best_a qualify_v for_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n and_o to_o devolve_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n and_o jurisdiction_n to_o he_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v more_o oblige_v to_o those_o wise_a and_o grave_a sort_n than_o to_o the_o apostle_n for_o their_o care_n in_o prevent_v schism_n and_o division_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o three_o this_o conceit_n bottom_n upon_o no_o better_a foundation_n than_o a_o bold_a and_o presumptuous_a conjecture_n and_o there_o be_v no_o deal_n with_o such_o man_n as_o be_v able_a to_o blast_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o the_o most_o undoubted_a record_n of_o ancient_a time_n with_o a_o imaginary_a and_o sinister_a suspicion_n for_o when_o we_o have_v pursue_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n up_o to_o the_o very_a time_n next_o to_o the_o apostle_n it_o require_v somewhat_o a_o bold_a face_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o though_o this_o perhaps_o may_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o deputy_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o dark_a interval_n between_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n in_o which_o it_o be_v abolish_v and_o a_o new_a form_n of_o government_n set_v up_o but_o that_o be_v find_v inconvenient_a it_o be_v think_v good_a and_o agree_v upon_o in_o all_o church_n to_o lay_v that_o aside_o and_o restore_v the_o old_a apostolical_a superiority_n these_o be_v very_o hard_a conceit_n especial_o when_o they_o can_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o give_v we_o any_o the_o least_o probable_a account_n where_o and_o when_o and_o by_o who_o this_o be_v do_v and_o this_o be_v pretty_a modest_a to_o bear_v up_o so_o confident_o against_o all_o the_o current_n of_o antiquity_n without_o so_o much_o as_o any_o pretence_n of_o ground_n or_o evidence_n to_o rely_v upon_o but_o so_o it_o happen_v once_o upon_o a_o time_n in_o which_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la though_o when_o that_o time_n be_v we_o have_v no_o more_o certain_a knowledge_n than_o we_o have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o latitude_n this_o totus_fw-la orbis_n lie_v perhaps_o it_o be_v as_o blondel_n will_v have_v it_o about_o the_o thirty_o five_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o st._n john_n and_o what_o if_o he_o have_v be_v please_v to_o have_v say_v the_o fifteen_o or_o sixty_o five_o year_n the_o guess_n have_v be_v altogether_o both_o as_o learned_a and_o as_o well_o ground_v however_o be_v it_o not_o a_o pleasant_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o bold_o and_o at_o all_o adventure_n in_o toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la without_o so_o much_o as_o tell_v we_o when_o or_o where_o or_o attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a that_o so_o universal_a and_o remarkable_a a_o change_n shall_v be_v so_o unanimous_o agree_v upon_o and_o effect_v and_o that_o upon_o such_o great_a and_o urgent_a reason_n without_o ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o discredit_v any_o record_n choose_v what_o you_o please_v by_o pretend_v there_o once_o be_v or_o perhaps_o may_v have_v be_v a_o unknown_a time_n in_o which_o all_o mankind_n conspire_v
settle_n of_o church-government_n but_o july_n 9_o that_o nine_o of_o the_o laity_n and_o three_o or_o the_o clergy_n in_o every_o diocese_n shall_v have_v power_n to_o exercise_v all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n as_o shall_v be_v order_v by_o parliament_n and_o to_o have_v their_o monthly_a meeting_n for_o that_o purpose_n that_o five_o of_o the_o commissioner_n shall_v be_v a_o quorum_fw-la and_o have_v full_a power_n to_o try_v all_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n and_o to_o appoint_v deputy_n under_o they_o in_o several_a place_n and_o that_o if_o any_o of_o the_o nine_o commissioner_n shall_v die_v or_o resign_v that_o five_o or_o more_o of_o they_o be_v to_o choose_v another_o present_o thus_o far_o they_o proceed_v under_o the_o government_n of_o midsummer-moon_n but_o about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o dog-day_n they_o vote_v that_o no_o clergyman_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o commission_n and_o that_o the_o committee_n shall_v be_v empower_v to_o appoint_v five_o of_o the_o clergy_n in_o every_o county_n under_o they_o to_o grant_v ordination_n now_o all_o these_o proceed_n as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v and_o destructive_a of_o the_o very_o be_v of_o a_o church_n yet_o have_v the_o king_n join_v with_o his_o parliament_n have_v upon_o this_o principle_n be_v justifiable_a and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o vote_n up_o and_o down_z what_o order_n and_o office_n in_o the_o church_n they_o please_v to_o day_n episcopacy_n to_o morrow_n presbytery_n next_o day_n independency_n than_o a_o committee_n and_o that_o of_o layman_n too_o and_o if_o they_o please_v at_o last_o to_o abolish_v all_o order_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o that_o there_o be_v none_o by_o this_o principle_n establish_v by_o divine_a right_n these_o be_v excellent_a model_n of_o church-government_n and_o admirable_a method_n of_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o but_o if_o this_o trust_n be_v vest_v in_o the_o people_n beside_o that_o this_o too_o will_v require_v some_o proof_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n before_o it_o be_v grant_v and_o that_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o all_o the_o former_a inconvenience_n in_o that_o the_o put_v the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n into_o their_o hand_n make_v the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o most_o giddy_a most_o ignorant_a and_o most_o uncertain_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o all_o this_o i_o say_v this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o destroy_v any_o divine_a and_o unalterable_a form_n of_o church-government_n that_o it_o set_v up_o the_o socinian_n model_n of_o independency_n for_o f._n socinus_n be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o it_o by_o divine_a right_n in_o that_o according_a to_o it_o all_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v by_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v with_o a_o power_n within_o themselves_o of_o elect_v of_o church-officer_n and_o govern_v church-affair_n as_o they_o shall_v judge_v most_o conducible_a to_o peace_n order_n and_o tranquillity_n which_o be_v the_o exact_a model_n of_o independent_a government_n now_o this_o model_n if_o they_o will_v own_v it_o be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o they_o plead_v for_o but_o independency_n and_o if_o it_o be_v that_o they_o assert_v let_v they_o say_v so_o and_o not_o carry_v on_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o congregational_a church_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o if_o they_o disavow_v it_o as_o they_o all_o do_v i_o shall_v only_o challenge_v they_o how_o to_o avoid_v it_o but_o to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n in_o this_o one_o principle_n do_v all_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n lie_v their_o groundwork_n that_o there_o be_v no_o know_a and_o settle_a seat_n of_o ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o therefore_o that_o whoever_o happen_v to_o have_v its_o present_a possession_n see_v he_o never_o receive_v it_o by_o any_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n he_o may_v without_o any_o offence_n against_o the_o stand_a law_n of_o christianity_n be_v depose_v from_o it_o the_o inconvenience_n whereof_o be_v so_o great_a that_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o very_a forcible_a argument_n from_o the_o nature_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o for_o some_o certain_a divine_a establishment_n of_o church-government_n in_o that_o without_o it_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a either_o to_o secure_v any_o peace_n or_o exercise_v any_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n because_o whoever_o obtain_v it_o have_v it_o not_o from_o any_o divine_a commission_n and_o if_o no_o commission_n than_o no_o authority_n however_o i_o can_v but_o admire_v that_o those_o learned_a man_n who_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o particular_a form_n of_o church-government_n have_v not_o all_o this_o while_n be_v aware_a that_o they_o run_v we_o into_o all_o the_o exorbitancy_n and_o confusion_n of_o independency_n in_o that_o when_o they_o have_v once_o remove_v the_o settlement_n by_o divine_a right_n they_o leave_v it_o do_v what_o they_o can_v entire_o in_o the_o people_n power_n to_o set_v up_o their_o own_o form_n of_o government_n see_v then_o that_o unless_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v subject_a to_o government_n it_o can_v be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o rabble_n and_o a_o riot_n see_v unless_o the_o government_n thereof_o be_v vest_v in_o some_o certain_a order_n of_o man_n it_o must_v be_v for_o ever_o obnoxious_a to_o unavoidable_a disorder_n and_o confusion_n and_o see_v it_o be_v with_o particular_a care_n settle_v by_o our_o saviour_n on_o his_o apostle_n and_o convey_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o christian_a bishop_n as_o their_o proper_a successor_n i_o can_v see_v how_o the_o divine_a and_o apostolical_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n if_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n have_v design_v to_o make_v it_o unquestionable_a can_v have_v be_v make_v more_o evident_a either_o from_o common_a reason_n or_o catholic_n tradition_n but_o second_o as_o the_o take_n away_o of_o the_o divine_a and_o perpetual_a right_n of_o episcopacy_n do_v on_o one_o hand_n open_v a_o door_n for_o independency_n so_o it_o do_v on_o the_o other_o for_o popery_n for_o next_o to_o rescue_v the_o king_n of_o england_n from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n upon_o their_o crown_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o oblique_a or_o direct_a supremacy_n over_o they_o and_o the_o reform_v of_o many_o superstition_n both_o in_o worship_n and_o doctrine_n the_o main_a design_n of_o our_o endeavour_v reformation_n be_v to_o assert_v and_o retrieve_v the_o right_n of_o the_o episcopal_a order_n against_o his_o illegal_a encroachment_n for_o whereas_o the_o original_a government_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v vest_v in_o the_o apostolical_a order_n whereby_o as_o every_o bishop_n have_v supreme_a ordinary_a power_n within_o his_o own_o diocese_n so_o a_o general_a council_n of_o bishop_n have_v supreme_a power_n over_o the_o universal_a church_n so_o that_o whatever_o privilege_n or_o preeminence_n be_v grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o particular_a church_n by_o ecclefiastical_a constitution_n yet_o their_o essential_a power_n be_v equal_a and_o can_v no_o way_n exert_v itself_o as_o to_o the_o catholic_n church_n but_o in_o council_n and_o so_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v for_o many_o hundred_o year_n till_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n take_v advantage_n of_o those_o peculiar_a privilege_n and_o preeminence_n that_o be_v grant_v to_o his_o see_n as_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n do_v by_o degree_n assume_v to_o himself_o a_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n transfer_v all_o ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n where_o it_o be_v manage_v by_o himself_o and_o his_o officer_n with_o all_o the_o art_n of_o tyranny_n and_o oppression_n and_o here_o first_o begin_v the_o breach_n our_o reform_a bishop_n at_o first_o not_o dispute_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o his_o see_n because_o that_o concern_v not_o they_o which_o he_o have_v for_o a_o long_a time_n enjoy_v in_o most_o other_o part_n of_o the_o western_a world_n and_o perhaps_o may_v still_o have_v do_v will_v he_o have_v be_v content_v with_o it_o but_o alas_o they_o be_v no_o more_o fond_a even_o of_o the_o title_n of_o patriarch_n as_o great_a as_o it_o be_v than_o they_o be_v of_o their_o mock_n title_n of_o servus_n servorum_fw-la domini_fw-la nothing_o less_o will_v satiate_v their_o ambition_n than_o a_o sole_a and_o absolute_a sovereignty_n over_o all_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n they_o impudent_o apply_v all_o those_o promise_n that_o our_o saviour_n make_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n of_o be_v for_o ever_o present_a with_o and_o assistant_n to_o they_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n to_o the_o pope_n person_n and_o they_o have_v once_o assume_v this_o power_n resolve_v to_o keep_v it_o and_o for_o many_o age_n reign_v absolute_a monarch_n over_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o here_o i_o say_v
shall_v be_v absolute_o perfect_a the_o very_a nature_n of_o christianity_n suppose_v imperfection_n and_o accept_v of_o integrity_n and_o as_o long_o as_o with_o sincere_a affection_n man_n adhere_v to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n they_o be_v within_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n neither_o beside_o this_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o in_o the_o least_o refuse_v communion_n with_o the_o episcopal_a church_n which_o be_v the_o main_a charge_n against_o our_o separatist_n nay_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v too_o evident_a that_o they_o unanimous_o condemn_v our_o dissenter_n for_o their_o schismatical_a departure_n from_o it_o but_o be_v it_o seem_v accidental_o cast_v into_o another_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o state-tumult_n they_o continue_v in_o it_o either_o first_o through_o the_o power_n of_o prejudice_n and_o prepossession_n which_o be_v strong_a thing_n and_o more_o or_o less_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o all_o man_n or_o second_o for_o want_v of_o opportunity_n to_o new-mould_v themselves_o after_o the_o platform_n of_o the_o episcopal_a church_n which_o if_o they_o shall_v attempt_v in_o popish_a country_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o foresee_v with_o what_o fury_n it_o will_v be_v oppose_v or_o else_o three_o for_o want_v of_o due_a information_n of_o the_o primitive_a institution_n suppose_v that_o as_o our_o saviour_n have_v found_v the_o society_n of_o his_o church_n upon_o divine_a right_n so_o he_o have_v leave_v it_o in_o the_o power_n of_o every_o particular_a church_n to_o model_n itself_o as_o it_o shall_v judge_v most_o convenient_a to_o its_o own_o circumstance_n or_o last_o out_o of_o that_o reverence_n they_o bear_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o learned_a man_n who_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n unfortunate_o happen_v to_o mistake_v the_o true_a form_n of_o the_o primitive_a government_n or_o for_o whatever_o other_o reason_n it_o be_v we_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o charitable_a as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v not_o convince_v of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n or_o if_o they_o be_v we_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o civil_a as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o will_v not_o refuse_v it_o and_o then_o as_o long_o as_o their_o mistake_n proceed_v from_o want_n of_o information_n it_o be_v a_o unchristian_a thing_n to_o deny_v they_o our_o charity_n much_o more_o god_n grace_n and_o mercy_n for_o though_o his_o law_n be_v perfect_a and_o unchangeable_a yet_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o they_o he_o condescend_v to_o the_o error_n and_o weakness_n of_o his_o creature_n so_o that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o lamentable_a way_n of_o argue_v against_o any_o divine_a institution_n because_o such_o and_o such_o church_n have_v depart_v from_o it_o this_o be_v to_o set_v up_o their_o authority_n not_o only_o above_o but_o against_o that_o of_o god_n himself_o however_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v that_o in_o a_o little_a time_n they_o may_v come_v to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o this_o thing_n for_o the_o controversy_n about_o it_o have_v not_o be_v till_o very_o late_o thorough_o sift_v in_o the_o latin_a tongue_n but_o now_o it_o be_v determine_v with_o that_o strange_a weight_n of_o reason_n that_o they_o can_v but_o discern_v when_o they_o come_v impartial_o as_o in_o time_n they_o will_v to_o examine_v it_o on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n stand_v i_o pray_v god_n to_o assist_v and_o direct_v they_o and_o we_o to_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o thing_n that_o all_o part_n of_o his_o holy_a catholic_n church_n may_v daily_o grow_v more_o and_o more_o into_o unity_n among_o themselves_o and_o more_o and_o more_o conform_v their_o holy_a discipline_n to_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a institution_n amen_n finis_fw-la phys._n c._n 26._o leviatiâ—_n c._n 12._o leviath_n c._n 23._o 14_o c._n 26._o c._n 35._o c._n 42._o ib._n p._n 311._o ibid._n ibid._n c._n 43._o c._n 32._o c._n 35._o c._n 42._o ibid._n c._n 3â—_n c._n 42._o cap._n 11._o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la nat_n &_o gent._n l._n 2._o 2._o comment_fw-fr in_o eutych_n p._n 54._o v._o scaliger_n de_fw-fr emendat_fw-la temp_n 1â—_n psal._n 1._o 1._o ps._n 26._o 4._o p._n 12â—_n p._n 237._o epilogue_n b._n 1._o c._n 12._o mat._n 4._o 17._o lib._n 16._o tit._n 2._o l._n 45._o nou._n 6._o c._n 1._o nou._n 131._o c._n 1._o praefat._n in_o eutych_n diff._n 1._o cap._n 1._o lib._n 3._o cap._n 18._o l._n 3._o c._n 4._o part._n 1._o cap._n 2._o walo_n messal_n p._n 252._o diss._n 2._o c._n 1._o §_o 2._o lib._n 2._o cap._n 4._o animad_fw-la in_o eâ—â—o_o chron._n n._n mmcxl_o ep._n l._n 3._o chap._n 18._o apol._n p._n 23._o v._o vales._n annot._n in_o euseb._n hist._n l._n 5._o prooem_n &_o cap._n 4._o comment_fw-fr in_o eutych_n p._n 27._o prefat_n in_o eutych_n p._n 6._o dissert_n 3._o cap._n 10._o vindic._n l._n 1._o c._n 10._o pag._n 38._o