if_o he_o will_v but_o have_v apply_v to_o the_o case_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o will_v have_v prevent_v the_o pain_n of_o all_o his_o ensue_a discourse_n for_o that_o be_v a_o society_n of_o itself_o as_o found_v upon_o divine_a right_n and_o power_n of_o govern_v itself_o be_v necessary_a to_o society_n what_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n themselves_o than_o that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o power_n so_o that_o once_o suppose_v society_n that_o alone_o infer_v government_n and_o all_o the_o act_n of_o it_o and_o to_o this_o purpose_n our_o author_n observe_v out_o of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n if_o their_o authority_n be_v to_o any_o purpose_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v six_o law_n give_v by_o god_n to_o our_o first_o parent_n to_o oblige_v all_o mankind_n the_o last_o be_v de_fw-la judiciis_fw-la for_o as_o much_o as_o without_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n will_v have_v be_v ineffectual_a thus_o whereas_o idolatry_n and_o blasphemy_n which_o refer_v only_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o two_o first_o they_o can_v never_o have_v have_v the_o force_n of_o law_n among_o mankind_n unless_o some_o person_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o judge_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o crime_n and_o inflict_a punishment_n in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o sentence_n which_o he_o style_v not_o only_o the_o soul_n of_o government_n but_o the_o noble_a faculty_n of_o that_o soul_n and_o the_o noble_a act_n of_o that_o faculty_n and_o therefore_o when_o our_o author_n dispute_v whether_o the_o christian_a excommunication_n be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n or_o the_o heathen_a and_o leave_v the_o case_n doubtful_a in_o that_o it_o be_v in_o use_n among_o most_o nation_n civil_a and_o barbarous_a as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n as_o he_o prove_v by_o a_o vast_a collection_n out_o of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o greek_n the_o roman_n arabian_n german_n gaul_n britan_n and_o other_o his_o most_o proper_a conclusion_n will_v have_v be_v that_o so_o universal_a a_o practice_n can_v be_v derive_v from_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n the_o two_o next_o period_n be_v from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n when_o the_o jew_n enjoy_v the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o their_o own_o commonwealth_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o our_o saviour_n when_o they_o be_v either_o whole_o deprive_v of_o it_o or_o limit_v in_o its_o exercise_n according_a to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n to_o who_o they_o be_v subject_a in_o the_o first_o interval_n he_o prove_v at_o large_a that_o they_o have_v no_o such_o punishment_n as_o excommunication_n strict_o so_o call_v but_o that_o all_o officer_n whatsoever_o be_v punish_v with_o a_o loss_n or_o abatement_n of_o their_o civil_a liberty_n but_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n or_o the_o civil_a government_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n they_o be_v force_v have_v no_o more_o effectual_a way_n to_o punish_v offender_n against_o their_o law_n by_o shame_n and_o dishonour_n as_o pregnant_a proof_n both_o these_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o a_o modest_a man_n can_v well_o have_v desire_v for_o what_o can_v follow_v with_o great_a clearness_n of_o reason_n than_o that_o if_o the_o jewish_a state_n have_v no_o use_n of_o mere_a excommunication_n whilst_o it_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o restrain_v vice_n by_o the_o civil_a sword_n and_o that_o when_o it_o be_v deprive_v of_o this_o power_n it_o be_v force_v by_o the_o mere_a necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o punishment_n that_o therefore_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n of_o temporal_a coercion_n to_o punish_v offence_n against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n must_v be_v vest_v with_o some_o other_o power_n of_o punishment_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o its_o constitution_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v a_o society_n found_v by_o god_n himself_o without_o sufficient_a mean_n to_o govern_v that_o be_v preserve_v itself_o and_o if_o it_o have_v a_o right_n or_o power_n of_o discipline_n within_o itself_o that_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o the_o church_n demand_v and_o that_o our_o author_n deny_v but_o of_o these_o two_o long_a period_n the_o account_n as_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v very_o short_a for_o as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o the_o right_n of_o church_n and_o state_n be_v grant_v by_o the_o same_o charter_n and_o the_o power_n of_o government_n vest_v in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o therefore_o all_o their_o act_n of_o jurisdiction_n carry_v in_o they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o society_n both_o a_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n whereas_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a constitution_n it_o be_v a_o kingdom_n indeed_o but_o not_o of_o this_o world_n endue_v with_o no_o temporal_a power_n and_o institute_v pure_o for_o spiritual_a end_n and_o therefore_o its_o government_n if_o it_o have_v any_o must_v be_v suitable_a to_o its_o institution_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o civil_a state_n and_o enforce_v by_o such_o penalty_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o society_n the_o great_a whereof_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o which_o answer_v to_o put_v to_o death_n by_o the_o civil_a sword_n so_o that_o the_o different_a constitution_n of_o these_o two_o society_n be_v consider_v it_o unavoidable_o follow_v because_o the_o jewish_a magistrate_n have_v a_o complete_a jurisdiction_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o therefore_o the_o jurisdiction_n proper_a to_o the_o church_n that_o have_v no_o civil_a power_n must_v be_v mere_o spiritual_a and_o if_o it_o have_v any_o jurisdiction_n proper_a to_o itself_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o our_o purpose_n against_o they_o who_o say_v it_o have_v none_o as_o for_o the_o second_o that_o excommunication_n be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n mere_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o the_o civil_a sword_n it_o be_v as_o clear_v a_o instance_n as_o can_v have_v be_v produce_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o or_o the_o like_a punishment_n in_o all_o society_n where_o there_o be_v no_o other_o coercive_a power_n but_o here_o by_o the_o way_n though_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v that_o this_o punishment_n be_v then_o first_o make_v use_v of_o upon_o this_o ground_n yet_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v of_o the_o account_n that_o our_o author_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n give_v of_o it_o out_o of_o the_o talmudical_a writer_n for_o beside_o that_o they_o all_o writ_n when_o their_o nation_n be_v debauch_v with_o misnical_a and_o talmudical_a fable_n than_o which_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o invent_v any_o thing_n more_o absurd_a and_o silly_a they_o who_o be_v in_o comparison_n but_o very_o modern_a writer_n have_v no_o other_o mean_n of_o know_v what_o be_v do_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o captivity_n but_o from_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o history_n of_o those_o time_n and_o therefore_o their_o report_n can_v have_v no_o authority_n but_o as_o justify_v by_o those_o ancient_a record_n and_o whereas_o mr._n selden_n tell_v we_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o own_o learning_n si_fw-mi cui_fw-la 1â—_n hic_fw-la dubium_fw-la forsan_fw-la occuâ—rat_fw-la utrum_fw-la corpori_fw-la &_o scriptoribus_fw-la talmuaiâ—is_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la quatenus_fw-la historicae_fw-la sunt_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la quatenus_fw-la in_o eye_n pro_fw-la jure_fw-la qualicunque_fw-la ebreis_n veteribus_fw-la recognito_o atque_fw-la usitato_fw-la traâ—untur_fw-la fides_fw-la sit_fw-la habenda_fw-la eo_fw-la scilicet_fw-la quod_fw-la corpus_fw-la illud_fw-la quo_fw-la jam_fw-la habetur_fw-la contextum_fw-la scriptoresque_fw-la illi_fw-la caeteri_fw-la saeculorum_fw-la sunt_fw-la templi_fw-la urbisque_fw-la excidio_fw-la recentiorum_fw-la be_v for_o san_fw-it etiam_fw-la dubitabit_fw-la de_fw-la justiniani_n seu_fw-la triboniani_n fide_fw-la dum_fw-la modestini_fw-la papiniani_n florentini_fw-la alpheni_fw-la proculi_fw-la celsi_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la aliorum_fw-la qui_fw-la trecentis_fw-la aut_fw-la circiter_fw-la sunt_fw-la justiniano_n annis_fw-la vetustiores_fw-la sententias_fw-la atque_fw-la scita_fw-la juris_fw-la alibi_fw-la non_fw-la reperta_fw-la he_o may_v have_v observe_v that_o these_o two_o case_n be_v vast_o different_a for_o there_o be_v certain_a record_n and_o report_n of_o those_o famous_a lawyer_n which_o be_v convey_v by_o write_v from_o age_n to_o age_n as_o be_v the_o write_n of_o other_o author_n whereas_o there_o be_v no_o footstep_n of_o any_o monument_n for_o the_o rabinical_a fable_n and_o as_o they_o have_v no_o ancient_a authority_n so_o they_o discover_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o foolishness_n to_o have_v be_v the_o invention_n of_o a_o very_a barbarous_a and_o degenerate_a age._n so_o that_o our_o author_n if_o he_o will_v have_v find_v a_o parallel_a
no_o more_o whereas_o the_o witty_a and_o learned_a cardinal_n perron_n run_v upon_o the_o same_o mistake_n and_o it_o be_v a_o mistake_n that_o they_o all_o wilful_o run_v upon_o king_n james_n in_o his_o reply_n le_fw-fr we_o he_o know_v that_o though_o christian_a king_n and_o emperor_n never_o arrogate_a to_o themselves_o a_o power_n of_o be_v sovereign_a judge_n in_o matter_n and_o controversy_n of_o faith_n yet_o for_o moderation_n of_o synod_n for_o determination_n and_o order_n establish_v in_o council_n and_o for_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n they_o have_v make_v a_o good_a and_o full_a use_n of_o their_o imperial_a authority_n and_o that_o for_o this_o very_a good_a reason_n that_o very_o much_o concern_v all_o prince_n that_o they_o may_v see_v and_o judge_v whether_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o power_n or_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o therefore_o for_o further_a satisfaction_n i_o shall_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o excellent_a discourse_n itself_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a account_n of_o the_o distinct_a power_n of_o church_n and_o state_n and_o show_v that_o whoever_o deny_v the_o distinction_n disow_v christianity_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v vest_v his_o church_n with_o a_o power_n peculiar_a to_o itself_o that_o the_o church_n have_v in_o all_o age_n exercise_v it_o that_o the_o christian_a emperor_n never_o deny_v it_o and_o last_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o reform_a prince_n thereof_o have_v remarkable_o own_a it_n but_o three_o constantine_n and_o his_o successor_n take_v upon_o they_o the_o title_n of_o pontifex_n maximus_n to_o which_o according_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n appertain_v the_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o authority_n they_o grant_v to_o the_o church_n among_o other_o privilege_n this_o power_n of_o excommunication_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o claudius_n and_o other_o heathen_a emperor_n give_v leave_n both_o to_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o govern_v themselves_o by_o their_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n and_o though_o the_o emperor_n gratian_n refuse_v to_o wear_v the_o pontifical_a habit_n as_o a_o piece_n of_o pagan_a superstition_n yet_o it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o he_o refuse_v the_o dignity_n itself_o and_o this_o discourse_n our_o author_n prosecute_v with_o much_o zeal_n and_o learning_n but_o what_o do_v these_o man_n make_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o rather_o of_o christ_n himself_o that_o he_o shall_v make_v no_o other_o provision_n for_o its_o government_n than_o to_o leave_v it_o whole_o to_o the_o superintendency_n of_o heathen_a priest_n this_o be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n in_o itself_o that_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v never_o have_v imagine_v any_o learned_a man_n can_v ever_o have_v make_v use_n of_o it_o against_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o this_o learned_a gentleman_n be_v not_o only_o serious_a but_o vehement_a and_o confident_a in_o it_o he_o urge_v it_o over_o and_o over_o and_o though_o he_o repeat_v every_o thing_n that_o he_o say_v so_o that_o indeed_o one_o half_a of_o his_o discourse_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o repetition_n of_o the_o other_o yet_o here_o he_o double_v his_o repetition_n and_o every_o where_o lay_v this_o principle_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o after_o time_n but_o can_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a take_v upon_o he_o the_o power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n if_o he_o real_o believe_v in_o christ_n himself_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n derive_v from_o the_o usurpation_n of_o julius_n caesar_n or_o that_o he_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o heathenish_a priestly_a power_n belong_v to_o he_o after_o his_o own_n christianity_n when_o by_o that_o the_o whole_a frame_n of_o the_o old_a roman_a religion_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v idolatrous_a so_o that_o the_o roman_a high_a priest_n be_v nothing_o better_o than_o the_o supreme_a head_n of_o idolatry_n a_o honour_n certain_o which_o no_o christian_a emperor_n will_v be_v very_o fond_a of_o astume_v to_o himself_o julian_n indeed_o challenge_v both_o the_o title_n and_o the_o dignity_n as_o the_o great_a ornament_n of_o his_o imperial_a crown_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o he_o be_v so_o vain_o fond_a of_o the_o pagan_a religion_n but_o how_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o have_v renounce_v paganism_n shall_v yet_o own_v himself_o high_a priest_n by_o virtue_n of_o that_o religion_n that_o he_o have_v renounce_v seem_v too_o great_a a_o contradiction_n for_o any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o believe_v but_o what_o if_o they_o accept_v of_o the_o title_n as_o our_o author_n very_o well_o know_v they_o do_v of_o divinity_n itself_o or_o rather_o what_o if_o it_o be_v customary_o give_v to_o they_o by_o other_o for_o i_o meet_v with_o no_o other_o monument_n of_o it_o but_o some_o old_a complimental_a inscription_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o customary_a title_n of_o honour_n it_o may_v easy_o for_o a_o time_n pass_v in_o the_o crowd_n of_o the_o other_o imperial_a title_n for_o it_o seem_v it_o continue_v not_o long_o be_v reject_v by_o gratian_n who_o live_v about_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o conversion_n of_o constantine_n and_o though_o our_o learned_a author_n affirm_v that_o the_o pious_a emperor_n only_o refuse_v the_o vestment_n but_o not_o the_o dignity_n it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o any_o man_n of_o much_o less_o understanding_n than_o himself_o that_o the_o emperor_n can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o refuse_v one_o but_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o other_o for_o the_o case_n be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v no_o superstition_n in_o the_o vestment_n but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o office_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n there_o be_v little_a if_o any_o use_n of_o the_o title_n afterward_o but_o last_o the_o power_n of_o judicature_n be_v first_o grant_v to_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o christian_a emperor_n and_o especial_o by_o a_o edict_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a whereby_o he_o grant_v the_o bishop_n a_o full_a power_n of_o hear_v and_o determine_v all_o cause_n civil_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastical_a and_o withal_o declare_v their_o decree_n to_o be_v more_o firm_a and_o bind_v than_o the_o sentence_n of_o any_o other_o judicature_n and_o from_o this_o great_a indulgence_n of_o the_o emperor_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o among_o other_o forensique_fw-la penalty_n they_o make_v use_v of_o excommunication_n of_o the_o inference_n i_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n by_o and_o by_o but_o as_o for_o the_o edict_n itself_o if_o it_o can_v do_v any_o service_n to_o our_o author_n design_n it_o at_o last_o prove_v supposititious_a as_o be_v full_o prove_v by_o gothofred_n in_o his_o excellent_a edition_n of_o the_o theodosian_a code_n his_o reason_n be_v too_o many_o to_o be_v here_o recite_v i_o will_v give_v but_o one_o for_o all_o viz._n that_o this_o law_n be_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n for_o though_o several_a emperor_n do_v in_o their_o several_a novel_n give_v the_o bishop_n power_n to_o decide_v cause_n by_o way_n of_o arbitration_n or_o the_o consent_n of_o both_o party_n which_o power_n they_o enlarge_v or_o contract_v as_o they_o please_v and_o to_o this_o all_o the_o other_o precedent_n produce_v by_o our_o author_n relate_v yet_o that_o one_o party_n shall_v have_v liberty_n of_o appeal_n from_o the_o civil_a court_n at_o any_o time_n before_o judgement_n give_v without_o the_o consent_n of_o his_o adversary_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a privilege_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o imperial_a law_n and_o yet_o that_o be_v the_o only_a design_n of_o that_o edict_n quicunque_fw-la itaque_fw-la litem_fw-la habens_fw-la sive_fw-la possessor_n sive_fw-la petitor_n erit_fw-la inter_fw-la initia_fw-la litis_fw-la vel_fw-la decursis_fw-la temporum_fw-la curriculis_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la negotium_fw-la peroratur_fw-la sive_fw-la cum_fw-la jam_fw-la coeperit_fw-la promi_fw-la sententia_fw-la judicium_fw-la eligit_fw-la sacrosanctae_a legis_fw-la antistitis_fw-la ilico_fw-la sine_fw-la aliqua_fw-la dubitatione_n etiamsi_fw-la alia_fw-la pars_fw-la refragatur_fw-la ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cum_fw-la sermone_fw-la litigantium_fw-la dirigatur_fw-la which_o i_o say_v be_v such_o a_o absurd_a liberty_n as_o will_v utter_o destroy_v all_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n if_o the_o humour_n or_o perverseness_n of_o any_o man_n can_v so_o easy_o balk_v their_o sentence_n but_o beside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o there_o be_v no_o such_o edict_n extant_a in_o the_o justinian_n code_n nor_o any_o mention_n of_o it_o in_o any_o ancient_a writer_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n for_o as_o for_o
the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n brief_o and_o true_o state_v in_o the_o three_o first_o and_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n i._o the_o obligation_n of_o christianity_n by_o divine_a right_n ii_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n by_o divine_a right_n iii_o the_o institution_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n by_o divine_a right_n by_o s._n p._n a_o presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n faithorne_n and_o john_n kersey_n and_o sell_v by_o walter_n davis_n in_o amen-corner_n 1681._o a_o scheme_n of_o the_o general_a content_n part_n i._n three_o popular_a principle_n destructive_a of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n page_n 1._o the_o absurdity_n of_o mr._n hobb_n principle_n that_o the_o sovereign_a power_n be_v the_o only_a founder_n of_o all_o religion_n in_o every_o commonwealth_n p._n 7_o mr._n selden'_v account_n of_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v mere_o civil_a p._n 27_o his_o account_n of_o excommunication_n from_o adam_n to_o moses_n consider_v p._n 37_o the_o same_o from_o moses_n to_o the_o captivity_n and_o from_o the_o captivity_n to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n p._n 42_o the_o same_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o first_o as_o to_o its_o usage_n p._n 54_o second_o as_o to_o the_o right_n which_o be_v prove_v to_o have_v be_v neither_o judicial_a nor_o imperial_a but_o pure_o divine_a p._n 62_o excommunication_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n p._n 71_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v ground_v carry_v in_o they_o true_a and_o proper_a jurisdiction_n and_o appropriate_v its_o exercise_n to_o the_o church_n p._n 76_o and_o that_o by_o divine_a institution_n not_o mere_a voluntary_a confederacy_n p._n 89_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n leave_v entire_o by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a state_n and_o that_o the_o imperial_a law_n extant_a both_o in_o the_o theodosian_a code_n and_o justinian_n be_v no_o new_a law_n but_o only_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n ratify_v with_o temporal_a penalty_n p._n 91_o part_n ii_o a_o account_n of_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o form_n of_o government_n settle_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n by_o divine_a institution_n page_n 117_o that_o our_o saviour_n found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n demonstrate_v this_o imparity_n prove_v to_o consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o power_n as_o well_o as_o order_n and_o the_o institution_n of_o it_o show_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a obligation_n p._n 124_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostolical_a practice_n vindicate_v against_o divers_a exception_n the_o vanity_n and_o absurdity_n of_o the_o objection_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o name_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n the_o divine_a obligation_n of_o apostolical_a practice_n in_o this_o matter_n prove_v p._n 135_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o pretence_n of_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n fall_v as_o foul_a upon_o christianity_n itself_o as_o the_o form_n of_o government_n p._n 143_o the_o argument_n first_o from_o the_o defect_n as_o to_o place_n consider_v and_o confute_v p._n 148_o second_o front_v the_o defect_n as_o to_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 150_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n prove_v first_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n clement_n of_o rome_n second_o of_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n demonstrate_v to_o be_v genuine_a p._n 155_o the_o same_o prove_v from_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n and_o the_o canon_n prove_v to_o be_v of_o primitive_a antiquity_n p._n 177_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n vindicate_v from_o the_o pretence_n of_o ambiguity_n and_o first_o in_o that_o they_o have_v not_o inform_v we_o whether_o the_o succession_n be_v only_o of_o order_n or_o of_o power_n p._n 183_o second_o in_o that_o it_o be_v not_o universal_a but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o it_o be_v sufficient_a in_o that_o there_o be_v no_o record_n against_o it_o and_o the_o record_n of_o all_o the_o chief_a church_n be_v clear_a for_o it_o p._n 189_o three_o in_o that_o this_o succession_n be_v sometime_o attribute_v to_o presbyter_n this_o show_v to_o be_v apparent_o false_a and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a frivolous_a p._n 203_o that_o the_o ancient_a church_n own_a episcopacy_n as_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o not_o ecclesiastical_a p._n 213_o st._n jeroms_n authority_n thorough_o consider_v and_o turn_v upon_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o make_v this_o objection_n out_o of_o he_o against_o it_o the_o strong_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o divine_a institution_n of_o episcopacy_n p._n 216_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n of_o the_o ordination_n of_o their_o bishop_n by_o presbyter_n refute_v and_o the_o story_n of_o eutychius_n concern_v it_o show_v to_o be_v false_a and_o foolish_a p._n 231_o if_o we_o take_v away_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o some_o form_n of_o church-government_n it_o unavoidable_o resolve_v the_o church_n into_o independency_n and_o confusion_n p._n 243_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o episcopacy_n as_o settle_v by_o divine_a right_o the_o only_a effectal_a bulwark_n against_o popery_n p._n 252_o a_o postscript_n p._n 263_o part_n i._n when_o i_o consider_v on_o one_o side_n with_o what_o triumph_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v together_o with_o his_o majesty_n restore_v with_o what_o law_n guard_v with_o what_o vigour_n assert_v with_o what_o zeal_n defend_v and_o on_o the_o other_o with_o what_o folly_n and_o peevishness_n oppose_v that_o none_o of_o its_o implacable_a enemy_n have_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o the_o least_o real_a defect_n or_o corruption_n in_o its_o constitution_n that_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o all_o wise_a man_n it_o approach_v near_a of_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o primitive_a purity_n that_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o imposture_n and_o innovation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o abuse_v its_o child_n with_o pious_a fraud_n and_o art_n of_o gain_n nor_o sacrifice_v the_o interest_n of_o soul_n to_o its_o own_o wealth_n and_o grandeur_n that_o it_o assert_n the_o right_n of_o prince_n against_o all_o priestly_a usurpation_n that_o it_o do_v not_o enrage_v the_o people_n with_o enthusiasm_n on_o one_o hand_n nor_o enslave_v they_o with_o superstition_n on_o the_o other_o that_o its_o doctrine_n be_v pure_a simple_a and_o apostolical_a and_o its_o discipline_n easie_n prudent_a and_o merciful_a in_o a_o word_n that_o it_o be_v a_o church_n that_o want_v nothing_o but_o only_o that_o we_o will_v suffer_v she_o to_o be_v what_o she_o profess_v and_o desire_v to_o be_v when_o i_o say_v i_o consider_v all_o this_o with_o myself_o it_o can_v not_o but_o strike_v i_o with_o wonder_n and_o amazement_n that_o a_o church_n so_o unanimous_o own_v so_o powerful_o protect_v so_o excellent_o constitute_v so_o approve_v by_o all_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n shall_v in_o all_o this_o time_n be_v so_o far_o from_o obtain_v any_o true_a and_o effectual_a settlement_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v almost_o strip_v naked_a of_o all_o the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n expose_v to_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n desert_v by_o its_o friend_n trample_v upon_o by_o its_o enemy_n and_o true_o reduce_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o poor_a despise_a church_n of_o england_n but_o then_o consider_v far_o with_o myself_o what_o may_v be_v the_o ground_n and_o occasion_n of_o such_o a_o wild_a and_o seem_o unaccountable_a apostasy_n i_o quick_o find_v three_o very_a prevail_a principle_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a church_n wherewith_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v possess_v and_o especial_o those_o that_o have_v of_o late_o appear_v the_o most_o zealous_a patriot_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o the_o building_n be_v so_o weak_a and_o totter_a when_o it_o be_v erect_v upon_o such_o false_a and_o rot_a foundation_n so_o that_o whilst_o these_o treacherous_a principle_n lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o work_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a to_o bring_v it_o to_o any_o sure_a and_o last_a settlement_n and_o it_o be_v these_o false_a and_o unhappy_a principle_n that_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v and_o by_o plain_a reason_n to_o remove_v they_o be_v chief_o these_o three_o the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o his_o follower_n that_o own_o the_o church_n of_o england_n only_o because_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o england_n and_o allow_v no_o authority_n either_o to_o that_o or_o any_o other_o religion_n than_o as_o it_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o sovereign_a power_n though_o a_o religion_n
against_o the_o government_n for_o if_o the_o church_n have_v no_o right_n of_o exercise_v any_o discipline_n within_o itself_o but_o by_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o empire_n than_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o empire_n be_v reverse_v it_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o thus_o have_v he_o fair_o bring_v this_o confederate_a discipline_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n which_o he_o have_v contrive_v pure_o to_o avoid_v any_o government_n found_v upon_o divine_a right_n into_o downright_a rebellion_n and_o no_o wonder_n when_o all_o confederacy_n against_o the_o command_n of_o the_o sovereign_a power_n can_v be_v no_o better_o unless_o when_o warrant_v by_o divine_a authority_n and_o now_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o after_o these_o premise_n our_o author_n begin_v his_o next_o chapter_n with_o a_o confession_n that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v when_o the_o present_a form_n of_o excommunication_n begin_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n quandonam_fw-la primo_fw-la discrepantia_fw-la ejusmodi_fw-la inter_fw-la christianae_n &_o judaicae_n seu_fw-la vetustioris_fw-la excommunicationis_fw-la effectus_fw-la inciperet_fw-la non_fw-la quidem_fw-la satis_fw-la liquet_fw-la sed_fw-la ante_fw-la origenis_n ac_fw-la tertulliani_n etiam_fw-la &_o irenaei_n tempora_fw-la juxta_fw-la jam_fw-la dicta_fw-la effectum_fw-la quoad_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la communicatinis_fw-la negationem_fw-la inolevisse_fw-la non_fw-la dubitandum_fw-la though_o i_o shall_v have_v think_v it_o a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o it_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n when_o we_o find_v it_o in_o the_o church_n immediate_o after_o they_o and_o find_v no_o beginning_n of_o its_o institution_n especial_o when_o it_o can_v have_v no_o other_o because_o the_o apostle_n challenge_v no_o civil_a authority_n they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o power_n but_o a_o cut_n off_o from_o the_o spiritual_a privilege_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o remark_n it_o as_o the_o peculiar_a disingenuity_n of_o all_o the_o adversary_n both_o of_o the_o government_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n i._n e._n excommunication_n and_o episcopacy_n that_o they_o will_v allow_v their_o usage_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o because_o they_o imagine_v that_o in_o their_o time_n there_o be_v no_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o their_o practice_n for_o that_o reason_n destroy_v their_o reverence_n and_o neglect_v their_o authority_n whereas_o have_v these_o man_n the_o common_a modesty_n of_o mankind_n they_o will_v revere_v they_o for_o their_o so_o ancient_a and_o catholic_n practice_n and_o when_o with_o all_o their_o search_n they_o can_v discover_v any_o late_a beginning_n of_o they_o they_o will_v conclude_v it_o at_o least_o a_o very_a fair_a probability_n that_o they_o descend_v from_o apostolical_a prescription_n and_o in_o our_o present_a case_n one_o will_v wonder_v that_o when_o our_o author_n have_v trace_v this_o usage_n both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n into_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v any_o other_o time_n of_o its_o first_o institution_n how_o any_o man_n shall_v doubt_v of_o its_o apostolical_a antiquity_n what_o record_n can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o write_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n that_o live_v in_o the_o first_o century_n after_o they_o and_o st._n cyprian_n in_o the_o second_o who_o do_v not_o only_o mention_v this_o power_n of_o the_o church_n as_o a_o thing_n then_o in_o common_a use_n but_o speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o ancient_a right_o derive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n i_o shall_v give_v one_o instance_n for_o all_o because_o our_o author_n have_v the_o boldness_n to_o quote_v it_o and_o yet_o to_o overlook_v the_o consequence_n and_o that_o be_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n who_o expostulate_v with_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n about_o his_o rash_a excommunication_n of_o the_o asiatic_a church_n thus_o bespeak_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d never_o be_v any_o man_n excommunicate_v after_o this_o rate_n upon_o which_o our_o learned_a author_n observe_v excommunicationis_fw-la usus_fw-la qualiscunque_fw-la ut_fw-la ab_fw-la anterioribus_fw-la seculis_fw-la illuc_fw-la propagatus_fw-la utrinque_fw-la pariter_fw-la tunc_fw-la admittitur_fw-la from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o on_o all_o side_n the_o use_n of_o excommunication_n be_v admit_v as_o descend_v from_o the_o forego_n age_n after_o this_o can_v any_o man_n think_v it_o possible_a that_o when_o he_o have_v allow_v this_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n who_o by_o his_o own_o computation_n flourish_v about_o seventy_o year_n after_o st._n john_n that_o he_o shall_v ever_o doubt_v of_o its_o be_v a_o apostolical_a practice_n or_o can_v any_o man_n desire_v to_o reduce_v his_o adversary_n to_o a_o great_a absurdity_n than_o be_v here_o so_o frank_o own_a that_o irenaeus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n shall_v speak_v of_o this_o thing_n as_o the_o custom_n of_o former_a age_n and_o yet_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o such_o custom_n in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v his_o discourse_n of_o the_o time_n when_o this_o power_n be_v first_o appropriate_v to_o the_o christian_a bishop_n which_o he_o confess_v to_o be_v altogether_o unknown_a though_o he_o find_v it_o in_o common_a use_n in_o the_o time_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n and_o that_o be_v time_n enough_o to_o give_v it_o right_o to_o apostolic_a prescription_n especial_o when_o he_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o any_o record_n that_o the_o key_n be_v ever_o in_o the_o people_n hand_n neither_o have_v he_o any_o ground_n for_o this_o imagination_n but_o only_o his_o old_a conceit_n that_o among_o the_o jew_n every_o man_n have_v this_o power_n and_o therefore_o among_o the_o christian_n whereas_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n of_o surmise_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o custom_n among_o the_o ancient_a jew_n but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mere_a offspring_n of_o the_o talmudical_a folly_n or_o if_o there_o be_v yet_o it_o be_v too_o foolish_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o serious_a discipline_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o of_o what_o use_n can_v it_o be_v when_o any_o man_n may_v excommunicate_v who_o he_o please_v and_o when_o he_o may_v be_v absolve_v from_o the_o heavy_a sentence_n of_o the_o court_n by_o any_o three_o person_n that_o he_o can_v pack_v together_o such_o ridiculous_a trifle_n be_v at_o first_o view_n too_o absurd_a to_o be_v entertain_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o as_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o people_n ever_o exercise_v this_o power_n de_fw-fr facto_fw-la so_o neither_o do_v it_o that_o they_o can_v ever_o challenge_v it_o de_fw-fr jure_fw-la in_o that_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o our_o saviour_n ever_o vest_v the_o body_n of_o believer_n in_o any_o power_n of_o govern_v his_o church_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o when_o ever_o he_o give_v out_o his_o commission_n he_o ever_o address_v himself_o to_o particular_a person_n and_o thus_o be_v we_o fall_v upon_o the_o main_a controversy_n where_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v begin_v and_o where_o we_o may_v have_v end_v but_o he_o that_o pursue_v a_o adversary_n must_v follow_v his_o motion_n otherwise_o certain_o the_o matter_n of_o right_a aught_o to_o have_v be_v determine_v before_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o therefore_o the_o first_o question_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v whether_o the_o primitive_a christian_n exercise_v any_o such_o jurisdiction_n but_o whether_o they_o receive_v any_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n for_o their_o authority_n which_o if_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v will_v prevent_v the_o follow_a dispute_n concern_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n but_o see_v our_o author_n be_v please_v to_o take_v this_o method_n we_o shall_v tread_v in_o his_o step_n and_o thus_o he_o bring_v it_o in_o that_o when_o the_o bishop_n have_v unwarrantable_o assume_v this_o power_n to_o themselves_o they_o justify_v their_o usurpation_n by_o pretend_a patent_n make_v to_o themselves_o in_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n and_o of_o bind_v and_o lose_v and_o if_o any_o man_n hear_v not_o the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o a_o publican_n and_o now_o to_o elude_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a passage_n what_o infinite_a pain_n have_v be_v take_v by_o our_o author_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n i_o need_v not_o represent_v but_o whatever_o shift_v man_n may_v invent_v their_o true_a meaning_n discover_v and_o clear_v itself_o by_o this_o one_o plain_a and_o obvious_a consideration_n viz._n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v already_o set_v up_o his_o kingdom_n or_o society_n of_o his_o church_n upon_o which_o supposition_n all_o these_o grant_n can_v signify_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o donation_n of_o power_n thus_o when_o he_o choose_v officer_n
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 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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 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to_o provoke_v they_o and_o with_o this_o honest_a resolution_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o vindicate_v one_o of_o the_o most_o evident_a but_o most_o injure_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o it_o i_o shall_v be_v much_o brief_a than_o at_o first_o i_o intend_v for_o when_o we_o have_v lop_v off_o all_o that_o be_v not_o direct_o pertinent_a to_o the_o enquiry_n as_o we_o shall_v reduce_v the_o debate_n to_o a_o narrow_a compass_n so_o may_v we_o easy_o bring_v it_o to_o a_o speedy_a issue_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v purposely_o pass_v over_o all_o those_o thing_n that_o relate_v only_o to_o the_o occasional_a exercise_n and_o outward_a administration_n of_o church-authority_n and_o particular_o that_o wide_a argument_n of_o dispute_n whether_o the_o distribution_n of_o province_n and_o diocese_n be_v through_o the_o roman_a empire_n frame_v by_o the_o division_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n for_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o be_v not_o that_o concern_v not_o the_o question_n 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themselves_o so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o preeminence_n and_o superiority_n of_o one_o order_n above_o all_o other_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v thereby_o make_v good_a all_o that_o be_v essential_a to_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n that_o we_o challenge_v as_o proper_a only_o to_o the_o episcopal_a order_n and_o office_n and_o this_o we_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o perform_v with_o clear_a and_o demonstrative_a evidence_n from_o these_o three_o topic_n i._o of_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a institution_n ii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o conformity_n to_o it_o iii_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o the_o age_n next_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n and_o first_o as_o to_o our_o saviour_n institution_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o found_v his_o church_n in_o a_o imparity_n of_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n in_o that_o he_o do_v by_o his_o own_o immediate_a appointment_n authorize_v and_o set_v apart_o two_o distinct_a order_n of_o man_n for_o ecclesiastical_a ministry_n the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n who_o office_n if_o it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v they_o distinguish_v and_o why_o when_o a_o place_n be_v vacant_a in_o the_o apostolate_a must_v one_o be_v substitute_v by_o divine_a designation_n to_o complete_a the_o number_n why_o shall_v not_o one_o of_o the_o seventy_o without_o any_o further_a election_n have_v serve_v the_o turn_n see_v he_o be_v qualify_v with_o a_o identity_n of_o office_n and_o order_n nay_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o be_v reckon_v apart_o under_o different_a name_n and_o in_o different_a rank_n if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n intend_v in_o their_o employment_n and_o commission_n and_o why_o be_v they_o not_o all_o comprehend_v in_o one_o number_n and_o range_v in_o one_o catalogue_n if_o the_o twelve_o be_v nothing_o more_o than_o the_o seventy_o and_o the_o seventy_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o twelve_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v we_o hear_v so_o oft_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o the_o seventy_o or_o of_o the_o seventy_o two_o for_o of_o that_o the_o learned_a dispute_n and_o not_o rather_o of_o the_o eighty_o two_o or_o eighty_o four_o for_o do_v we_o think_v that_o our_o saviour_n will_v distinguish_v the_o officer_n of_o his_o kingdom_n by_o mere_a word_n and_o empty_a title_n and_o yet_o the_o apostleship_n can_v be_v nothing_o more_o if_o it_o carry_v in_o it_o no_o superiority_n of_o office_n above_o the_o seventy_o some_o inequality_n we_o must_v discover_v and_o that_o intend_v too_o by_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o else_o shall_v we_o never_o be_v able_a to_o give_v ourselves_o any_o imaginable_a account_n of_o their_o institution_n and_o now_o what_o clear_a evidence_n can_v any_o man_n demand_n for_o a_o divine_a right_n of_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n of_o church_n officer_n than_o our_o saviour_n own_o express_a and_o particular_a institution_n yes_o say_v they_o but_o the_o inequality_n between_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n consist_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o office_n not_o of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n very_o good_a this_o grant_v all_o that_o we_o can_v desire_v or_o demand_v to_o prove_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o supreme_a order_n because_o every_o superior_a ecclesiastical_a order_n as_o such_o be_v authoritative_a and_o therefore_o a_o eminency_n of_o order_n must_v not_o only_o infer_v but_o include_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n see_v the_o order_n itself_o as_o such_o if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o immediate_a seat_n of_o authority_n and_o all_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o bishop_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v be_v claim_v and_o exercise_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o order_n so_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o high_a order_n of_o ecclesiastic_n they_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n alone_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o the_o high_a judicature_n and_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o proportion_n that_o they_o be_v advance_v above_o other_o in_o dignity_n of_o title_n they_o be_v so_o in_o supremacy_n of_o power_n because_o their_o dignity_n as_o such_o be_v nothing_o else_z but_o so_o much_o power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n divest_v they_o of_o that_o and_o they_o immediate_o return_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o ordinary_a and_o unconsecrated_a man_n and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v no_o more_o than_o all_o other_o common_a believer_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o commission_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n reverse_v that_o and_o they_o be_v degrade_v from_o their_o order_n as_o well_o as_o strip_v of_o their_o jurisdiction_n so_o lamentable_o do_v these_o learned_a man_n entangle_v themselves_o by_o distinguish_v so_o vain_o in_o this_o case_n between_o a_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o the_o one_o be_v not_o only_o the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n but_o to_o speak_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o schoolman_n from_o who_o these_o metaphysical_a nothing_o be_v take_v the_o very_a formality_n of_o the_o other_o and_o the_o apostolical_a power_n be_v formal_o and_o as_o such_o the_o very_a same_o with_o the_o apostolical_a office_n so_o little_a real_a difference_n be_v there_o in_o this_o distinction_n that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o frame_v one_o in_o notion_n and_o conception_n but_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o conceive_v one_o must_v of_o necessity_n conceive_v both_o or_o conceive_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o i_o will_v very_o fain_o know_v wherein_o consist_v this_o superiority_n of_o order_n and_o dignity_n without_o any_o superiority_n of_o power_n for_o what_o do_v man_n mean_v by_o power_n but_o a_o right_a to_o govern_v and_o what_o by_o order_n but_o a_o superiority_n of_o some_o as_o ruler_n and_o a_o subordination_n of_o other_o as_o rule_v what_o then_o be_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o inequality_n of_o order_n and_o power_n when_o they_o both_o equal_o signify_v superiority_n and_o subjection_n
to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v whether_o he_o can_v desire_v or_o contrive_v more_o evidence_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o book_n than_o be_v produce_v for_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n st._n polycarp_n then_o who_o be_v his_o particular_a friend_n and_o fellow-pupil_n under_o st._n john_n and_o st._n irenaeus_n who_o be_v disciple_n to_o polycarp_n give_v in_o full_a and_o clear_a testimony_n to_o the_o martyr_n epistle_n polycarp_n send_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o to_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n as_o appear_v both_o by_o his_o own_o epistle_n still_o extant_a and_o by_o eusebius_n his_o quotation_n out_o of_o it_o and_o that_o at_o a_o time_n when_o it_o be_v vulgar_o know_v and_o common_o read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n polycarp'_v epistle_n be_v never_o call_v in_o question_n by_o any_o good_a author_n be_v immediate_o attest_v by_o irenaeus_n read_v with_o veneration_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n even_o to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o eusebius_n and_o st._n hierom._n so_o that_o i_o know_v not_o what_o more_o undoubted_a or_o public_a testimony_n mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr can_v demand_v for_o his_o satisfaction_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o more_o effectual_a evidence_n can_v have_v be_v provide_v to_o secure_v their_o authority_n for_o when_o st._n polycarp'_v epistle_n be_v so_o universal_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o corrupt_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o this_o wild_a supposition_n be_v monsieur_n daillé_fw-fr force_v at_o last_o to_o shelter_v himself_o he_o allow_v his_o epistle_n itself_o to_o be_v of_o undoubted_a credit_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o polycarp_n but_o that_o a_o certain_a impostor_n a_o little_a before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n have_v foist_v in_o that_o paragraph_n in_o which_o this_o passage_n concern_v ignatius_n his_o epistle_n be_v find_v which_o eusebius_n meet_v with_o he_o take_v it_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o credit_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v all_o so_o very_o ungrounded_a and_o precarious_a that_o with_o the_o same_o liberty_n he_o may_v deny_v or_o destroy_v the_o validity_n of_o any_o ancient_a record_n whatsoever_o but_o beside_o this_o the_o epistle_n be_v so_o public_a so_o expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o all_o man_n so_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a that_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o poison_v the_o sea_n as_o for_o a_o private_a man_n to_o corrupt_v it_o or_o if_o he_o will_v attempt_v to_o do_v it_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o eusebius_n and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o to_o be_v delude_v by_o so_o bold_a a_o imposture_n do_v not_o eusebius_n himself_o inform_v we_o that_o it_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o writing_n do_v he_o not_o then_o know_v what_o be_v read_v there_o and_o therefore_o if_o this_o passage_n be_v not_o read_v can_v he_o be_v so_o stupid_a as_o to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o one_o single_a private_a man_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o public_a book_n or_o if_o he_o be_v can_v all_o the_o father_n who_o daillé_n will_v have_v to_o have_v follow_v his_o dance_n be_v so_o prodigious_o blind_a and_o careless_a as_o in_o a_o thing_n so_o know_v and_o common_a to_o be_v deceive_v by_o he_o and_o that_o no_o man_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v he_o shall_v discover_v the_o mistake_n till_o nicephorus_n who_o live_v five_o hundred_o year_n after_o he_o but_o grant_v the_o testimony_n to_o be_v true_a he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v effectual_a because_o polycarp_n only_o say_v that_o ignatius_n write_v epistle_n but_o no_o where_o affirm_v that_o those_o we_o have_v be_v the_o true_a one_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v unless_o st._n polycarp_n have_v write_v particular_o against_o monsieur_fw-fr dailâ—é_fw-fr himself_n and_o declare_v that_o those_o very_a epistle_n that_o he_o oppose_v with_o so_o much_o zeal_n be_v write_v by_o his_o friend_n the_o martyr_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o give_v sufficient_a testimony_n to_o their_o truth_n and_o yet_o that_o can_v not_o have_v be_v a_o more_o ample_a proof_n than_o this_o amount_n to_o for_o he_o declare_v not_o only_o that_o ignatius_n write_v certain_a epistle_n but_o that_o himself_o make_v a_o collection_n of_o they_o and_o this_o collection_n be_v see_v by_o eusebius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n now_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o reputation_n of_o the_o martyr_n both_o for_o his_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o apostle_n his_o eminent_a dignity_n in_o the_o church_n the_o gallantry_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n when_o we_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o occasion_n of_o his_o writing_n which_o be_v at_o the_o approach_n of_o his_o death_n and_o as_o it_o be_v his_o die_a exhortation_n to_o the_o church_n when_o we_o consider_v how_o they_o be_v recommend_v by_o polycarp_n who_o epistle_n be_v public_o read_v in_o their_o assembly_n be_v it_o any_o way_n credible_a that_o these_o true_a epistle_n shall_v all_o perish_v before_o the_o time_n of_o eusebius_n and_o other_o counterfeit_a one_o rise_v up_o in_o their_o room_n and_o among_o all_o those_o learned_a man_n that_o then_o be_v very_o inquisitive_a after_o ancient_n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n none_o shall_v ever_o discern_v or_o discover_v it_o nay_o that_o eusebius_n a_o man_n so_o thorough_o verse_v in_o all_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n so_o conversant_a with_o the_o choice_a library_n shall_v be_v so_o gross_o and_o so_o easy_o cheat_v by_o a_o double_a imposture_n contrive_v in_o his_o own_o time_n as_o to_o take_v the_o new_a invent_v epistle_n of_o ignatius_n for_o the_o old_a authentic_a write_n of_o that_o holy_a martyr_n and_o then_o to_o vouch_v it_o by_o a_o forge_a passage_n foist_v into_o polycarp_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o all_o the_o vulgar_a book_n so_o many_o hard_a supposition_n one_o will_v think_v be_v enough_o to_o shame_v any_o modest_a man_n out_o of_o his_o opinion_n the_o second_o witness_n to_o these_o epistle_n be_v st._n irenaeus_n who_o testimony_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o than_o the_o former_a be_v extant_a both_o in_o eusebius_n and_o those_o piece_n of_o irenaeus_n that_o be_v preserve_v down_o to_o our_o time_n though_o most_o of_o his_o work_n be_v perish_v but_o to_o this_o mounseur_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr answer_n that_o irenaeus_n cautious_o express_v his_o quotation_n of_o the_o holy_a martyr_n by_o dixit_fw-la and_o not_o scripsit_fw-la and_o thence_o conjecture_n that_o he_o quote_v it_o only_o as_o a_o say_v or_o apothegm_n and_o not_o as_o a_o citation_n out_o of_o his_o write_n but_o 1._o there_o be_v no_o record_n of_o any_o such_o say_v as_o this_o neither_o in_o that_o particular_a quotation_n that_o be_v preserve_v can_v we_o know_v who_o irenaeus_n mean_v do_v we_o not_o find_v the_o same_o sentence_n in_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o a_o frivolous_a thing_n to_o forsake_v that_o and_o to_o fetch_v the_o business_n from_o unknown_a and_o unheard_a of_o report_n and._n 2._o this_o be_v the_o very_a form_n of_o all_o irenaeus_n his_o quotation_n who_o never_o use_v the_o word_n scripsit_fw-la but_o always_o dixit_fw-la but_o then_o why_o do_v he_o not_o cite_v some_o testimony_n against_o the_o heretic_n out_o of_o ignatius_n in_o who_o there_o be_v so_o many_o apposite_a to_o his_o purpose_n i_o answer_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o he_o do_v not_o cite_v other_o as_o pertinent_a author_n as_o ignatius_n for_o out_o of_o all_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o he_o have_v in_o his_o survive_a work_n but_o four_o quotation_n of_o which_o that_o out_o of_o ignatius_n be_v one_o neither_o will_v this_o way_n of_o dispute_v have_v be_v at_o all_o pertinent_a in_o the_o day_n of_o irenaeus_n when_o the_o heretic_n against_o who_o he_o write_v allow_v no_o authority_n to_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o always_o recur_v to_o certain_a wild_a apocryphal_a book_n of_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o it_o have_v be_v but_o a_o vain_a thing_n for_o irenaeus_n to_o have_v press_v they_o with_o this_o topick_n the_o next_o witness_n be_v origen_n who_o quote_v he_o by_o name_n but_o against_o this_o testimony_n we_o have_v these_o two_o exception_n first_o that_o it_o be_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o the_o time_n of_o ignatius_n second_o that_o those_o write_n in_o which_o he_o be_v quote_v be_v none_o of_o origen_n first_o as_o to_o the_o first_o we_o will_v grant_v the_o force_n of_o the_o objection_n if_o this_o have_v be_v the_o first_o testimony_n in_o the_o cause_n but_o follow_v polycarp_n and_o irenaeus_n it_o prove_v the_o constant_a opinion_n of_o learned_a man_n before_o eusebius_n and_o his_o impostor_n second_o it_o overthrow_v daillé_n
great_a conceit_n that_o these_o epistle_n appear_v not_o till_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o ignatius_n whereas_o by_o his_o own_o confession_n origen_n write_v within_o one_o hundred_o and_o forty_o year_n three_o it_o cut_v off_o the_o great_a pretence_n that_o eusebius_n be_v the_o founder_n of_o this_o mistake_n whereas_o it_o hereby_o appear_v that_o if_o it_o be_v one_o he_o only_o follow_v his_o predecessor_n in_o it_o but_o the_o main_a of_o the_o controversy_n here_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n whether_o those_o book_n ascribe_v to_o origen_n in_o which_o ignatius_n be_v quote_v be_v real_o he_o or_o not_o daillé_fw-fr ses_fw-fr no_o but_o his_o learned_a adversary_n have_v with_o no_o less_o than_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n prove_v they_o be_v though_o if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o st._n jerom_n have_v do_v it_o long_o since_o who_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o himself_o translate_v they_o out_o of_o origen_n greek_a into_o latin_a and_o now_o after_o these_o i_o need_v add_v nothing_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n and_o those_o that_o follow_v he_o for_o if_o he_o be_v mistake_v their_o authority_n be_v of_o no_o use_n if_o he_o be_v not_o it_o be_v of_o little_a necessity_n but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o these_o more_o ancient_a testimony_n though_o if_o any_o man_n desire_v more_o witness_n i_o shall_v refer_v he_o to_o my_o learned_a author_n who_o have_v summon_v 2._o they_o out_o of_o every_o age_n from_o that_o in_o which_o the_o epistle_n themselves_o be_v write_v down_o to_o that_o next_o our_o own_o but_o to_o all_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n what_o do_v our_o adversary_n oppose_v irst_fw-mi salmasius_n oppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o nicephorus_n patriarch_n of_o 252._o constantinople_n by_o which_o say_v he_o the_o authentic_a and_o spurious_a book_n of_o the_o church_n be_v distinguish_v and_o among_o many_o other_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n be_v censure_v for_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o to_o this_o it_o be_v reply_v by_o the_o pious_a the_o reverend_n and_o the_o learned_a dr._n hammond_n 2._o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o author_n especial_o of_o late_a date_n for_o nicephorus_n live_v not_o before_o the_o nine_o century_n be_v not_o of_o weight_n and_o authority_n enough_o to_o oppose_v to_o the_o consent_n of_o so_o many_o ancient_a writer_n second_o that_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a which_o be_v use_v by_o nicephorus_n do_v not_o always_o signify_v spurious_a but_o it_o be_v very_o often_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n as_o oppose_v to_o canonical_a and_o so_o be_v give_v to_o book_n who_o author_n be_v never_o question_v only_o to_o seclude_v they_o from_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o first_o it_o be_v reply_v by_o daillé_n and_o that_o i_o must_v say_v 4._o with_o impertinency_n enough_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o nicephorus_n be_v at_o least_o equal_a to_o dr._n hammonds_n as_o if_o the_o dispute_n be_v between_o they_o two_o whereas_o the_o dispute_n be_v between_o walo_n and_o the_o doctor_n who_o when_o he_o have_v produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n of_o all_o former_a age_n can_v not_o but_o think_v it_o very_o hard_o that_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o late_a writer_n shall_v be_v oppose_v to_o all_o their_o authority_n to_o the_o second_o he_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a be_v oftentimes_o oppose_v to_o canonical_a yet_o it_o be_v very_o frequent_o too_o use_v by_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n as_o equivalent_a to_o spurious_a and_o counterfeit_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o doctor_n in_o vain_a take_v refuge_n in_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n but_o certain_o it_o be_v the_o manifest_a design_n of_o these_o man_n to_o tire_v out_o their_o adversary_n with_o verbose_a trifle_n for_o who_o can_v have_v expect_v this_o answer_n that_o when_o walo_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o word_n apocryphal_a as_o if_o it_o only_o signify_v spurious_a and_o that_o when_o to_o the_o argument_n the_o doctor_n have_v answer_v that_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v because_o it_o as_o often_o signify_v not_o canonical_a who_o i_o say_v after_o this_o will_v have_v expect_v that_o his_o adversary_n shall_v upbraid_v he_o with_o take_v refuge_n in_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n when_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o the_o word_n alone_o be_v not_o only_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o but_o a_o clear_a confutation_n of_o the_o argument_n but_o he_o reply_v second_o that_o some_o of_o the_o book_n join_v with_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v supposititious_a and_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v censure_v for_o that_o reason_n so_o must_v the_o ignatian_a epistle_n but_o this_o be_v manifest_o false_a and_o though_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o follow_v like_o all_o the_o rest_n for_o the_o censure_n have_v no_o regard_n to_o their_o author_n but_o whether_o spurious_a or_o genuine_a to_o their_o authority_n and_o only_a design_n to_o shut_v they_o out_o from_o creep_v in_o among_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a danger_n it_o aim_v to_o prevent_v lest_o the_o book_n that_o either_o be_v or_o pretend_v to_o be_v of_o apostolical_a antiquity_n shall_v creep_v into_o the_o canon_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o decree_n itself_o that_o nicephorus_n intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o to_o determine_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o prevent_v all_o other_o that_o come_v near_o to_o they_o in_o age_n from_o obtain_v sacred_a authority_n but_o ses_fw-fr daillé_fw-fr pope_n gelasius_n when_o he_o define_v what_o book_n be_v apocryphal_a he_o do_v not_o confine_v it_o mere_o to_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n but_o to_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n not_o allow_v of_o and_o therefore_o this_o must_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o nicephorus_n that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o because_o gelasius_n in_o his_o decree_n determine_v what_o ecclesiastical_a book_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o be_v to_o be_v repute_v orthodox_n what_o heterodox_n that_o therefore_o nicephorus_n when_o he_o distinguish_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a do_v not_o mean_a as_o himself_o declare_v but_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o gelasius_n and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v there_o be_v no_o such_o testimony_n but_o the_o whole_a story_n be_v a_o mere_a dream_n of_o their_o own_o who_o catch_v at_o any_o shadow_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o serve_v their_o turn_n for_o first_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o nicephorus_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o the_o stichometria_fw-la second_o that_o the_o author_n of_o it_o whoever_o he_o be_v do_v not_o pass_v this_o censure_n upon_o ignatius_n his_o epistle_n for_o we_o find_v in_o it_o only_o the_o name_n of_o ignatius_n without_o any_o mention_n of_o his_o epistle_n which_o indeed_o can_v in_o daillé'_v sense_n be_v call_v apocryphal_a because_o they_o be_v never_o esteem_v canonical_a for_o that_o be_v the_o true_a original_a of_o the_o distinction_n that_o whereas_o there_o be_v some_o book_n write_v by_o the_o follower_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o clemens_n barnabas_n and_o hermas_n leave_v these_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o nearness_n to_o the_o canonical_a book_n shall_v in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v reckon_v with_o they_o the_o church_n be_v careful_a to_o range_v they_o in_o a_o classis_fw-la by_o themselves_o and_o whereas_o there_o be_v many_o other_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o be_v dictate_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o write_v by_o their_o disciple_n lest_o they_o shall_v gain_v the_o authority_n they_o pretend_v to_o it_o concern_v the_o church_n to_o give_v they_o the_o apocryphal_a mark._n see_v therefore_o ignatius_n epistle_n be_v never_o upon_o either_o of_o these_o account_n in_o any_o probability_n of_o be_v account_v canonical_a it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o needless_a caution_n to_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o apocryphal_a catalogue_n and_o though_o to_o ignatii_n daillé_n after_o his_o usual_a way_n of_o make_v bold_a with_o his_o quotation_n add_v omnia_fw-la it_o be_v probable_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v add_v as_o it_o be_v in_o another_o index_n of_o apocryphal_a book_n in_o the_o oxford_n library_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o some_o idle_a man_n of_o those_o time_n to_o make_v institution_n of_o divinity_n and_o then_o fasten_v they_o upon_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a man_n out_o of_o which_o as_o our_o learned_a author_n with_o great_a probability_n conjecture_n be_v afterward_o make_v that_o collection_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o apostolical_a constitution_n now_o these_o spurious_a piece_n pretend_v to_o canonical_a authority_n it_o be_v very_o requisite_a to_o prevent_v and_o discover_v the_o imposture_n but_o whatever_o probability_n may_v be_v in_o this_o conjecture_n of_o which_o we_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n i_o be_o
sure_a there_o be_v as_o little_a modesty_n as_o reason_n in_o salmasius_n his_o argument_n when_o he_o oppose_v the_o single_a authority_n of_o nicephorus_n to_o the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o ancient_n but_o much_o less_o in_o daillès_fw-fr defence_n especial_o when_o we_o consider_v with_o what_o state_n and_o confidence_n he_o usher_v it_o in_o ecce_fw-la auctores_fw-la habemus_fw-la &_o multis_fw-la ante_fw-la nos_fw-la seculis_fw-la denatos_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omni_fw-la contra_fw-la hierarchiam_fw-la suspicion_n semotos_fw-la qui_fw-la omne_fw-la ignatii_n scripta_fw-la rotunde_v ac_fw-la sine_fw-la ullâ_fw-la haesitatione_n ad_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la relegarunt_fw-la in_o stichometriâ_fw-la georgio_n sincello_n in_o libro_fw-la antiquissimo_fw-la praefixâ_fw-la for_o what_o confidence_n can_v be_v more_o enormous_a than_o that_o when_o these_o epistle_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o some_o of_o the_o best_a of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n ter_n to_o pretend_v to_o destroy_v their_o authority_n by_o a_o multitude_n of_o writer_n and_o yet_o produce_v but_o one_o and_o he_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o seven_o hundred_o year_n but_o the_o last_o aggravation_n of_o his_o confidence_n be_v when_o he_o profess_v that_o he_o produce_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o stichometria_fw-la not_o to_o prove_v his_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v the_o prejudice_n of_o its_o novelty_n and_o yet_o cite_v no_o other_o author_n in_o its_o behalf_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o proof_n be_v draw_v from_o negative_a authority_n in_o which_o he_o be_v no_o more_o happy_a than_o in_o his_o many_o one_o positive_a testimony_n for_o when_o he_o argue_v that_o these_o epistle_n be_v unknown_a to_o every_o writer_n that_o do_v not_o quote_v they_o methinks_v it_o be_v a_o hard_a condition_n that_o he_o impose_v upon_o all_o author_n to_o cite_v all_o the_o book_n that_o they_o read_v but_o say_v he_o because_o of_o that_o great_a authority_n that_o ignatius_n have_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n when_o any_o christian_a writer_n have_v any_o fair_a occasion_n for_o it_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o they_o will_v have_v appeal_v to_o his_o authority_n which_o because_o they_o have_v not_o do_v we_o may_v just_o presume_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o write_n extant_a in_o their_o time_n this_o be_v the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o negative_a argument_n and_o yet_o when_o he_o come_v to_o particular_n he_o be_v so_o unhappy_a as_o only_o to_o produce_v those_o author_n who_o custom_n it_o be_v to_o avoid_v this_o kind_n of_o quotation_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v concern_v irenaeus_n and_o so_o for_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o though_o he_o be_v a_o great_a quoter_n of_o heathen_a and_o heretical_a writer_n yet_o no_o where_o cite_v ecclesiastical_a author_n unless_o such_o as_o he_o suppose_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o sacred_a canon_n and_o so_o for_o tertullian_n who_o too_o be_v frequent_a in_o the_o testimony_n of_o heathen_n or_o heretic_n but_o scarce_o ever_o mention_n any_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o doctrine_n by_o their_o authority_n and_o this_o in_o the_o last_o place_n be_v the_o case_n of_o epiphanius_n who_o make_v no_o mention_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n that_o live_v before_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v it_o in_o his_o book_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v only_o in_o a_o historical_a way_n either_o to_o spare_v his_o own_o pain_n or_o to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o own_o relation_n out_o of_o other_o history_n but_o never_o as_o daillé_n require_v of_o he_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o opinion_n i_o mention_v no_o more_o of_o his_o negative_a man_n who_o make_v a_o great_a show_n in_o the_o content_n of_o his_o chapter_n in_o that_o they_o be_v allege_v altogether_o impertinent_o to_o his_o purpose_n because_o all_o those_o passage_n which_o he_o imagine_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o have_v quote_v belong_v not_o to_o the_o ancient_a copy_n of_o eusebius_n but_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o late_a interpolation_n and_o now_o compare_v the_o testimony_n on_o both_o side_n we_o may_v very_o safe_o turn_v any_o honest_a man_n loose_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o be_v once_o establish_v we_o can_v neither_o have_v nor_o desire_v a_o more_o ample_a testimony_n than_o they_o give_v we_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n of_o episcopal_a superiority_n the_o holy_a martyr_n every_o where_o sound_v the_o peace_n and_o security_n of_o the_o church_n against_o schism_n and_o heresy_n upon_o the_o bishop_n supreme_a authority_n which_o he_o as_o our_o adversary_n fancy_v magnify_v so_o high_o though_o not_o more_o than_o the_o other_o order_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o respective_a function_n that_o they_o think_v that_o alone_o the_o main_a objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o in_o truth_n set_v aside_o all_o testimony_n the_o argument_n and_o spirit_n of_o they_o be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o their_o genuine_a antiquity_n be_v compose_v of_o two_o argument_n peculiar_a to_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n a_o vehement_a zeal_n for_o unity_n and_o a_o passionate_a sense_n of_o immortality_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o a_o serious_a belief_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o therefore_o they_o live_v in_o this_o world_n pure_o in_o order_n to_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o how_o earnest_o the_o author_n of_o these_o epistle_n thirst_v after_o it_o no_o good_a christian_n can_v read_v without_o great_a pleasure_n and_o be_v affect_v with_o some_o work_n of_o the_o same_o passion_n and_o as_o for_o his_o way_n of_o secure_v peace_n and_o unity_n in_o all_o church_n by_o obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o under_o they_o to_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n for_o his_o fundamental_a rule_n be_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o bishop_n he_o derive_v it_o from_o our_o saviour_n commission_n and_o promise_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n for_o ever_o when_o he_o constitute_v they_o pastor_n of_o his_o flock_n and_o promise_v to_o be_v perpetual_o assistant_n to_o they_o by_o his_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o office_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o refer_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o they_o for_o the_o great_a wisdom_n great_a learning_n or_o any_o other_o natural_a advantage_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o but_o only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n express_a institution_n who_o have_v send_v they_o as_o his_o father_n have_v send_v he_o and_o have_v therefore_o engage_v himself_o to_o be_v present_a with_o they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o upon_o that_o security_n to_o follow_v the_o bishop_n be_v to_o follow_v christ_n because_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n guide_n and_o this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o case_n between_o ignatius_n and_o his_o adversary_n their_o objection_n will_v not_o reflect_v upon_o his_o discretion_n but_o our_o saviour_n integrity_n and_o when_o the_o cause_n be_v bring_v to_o that_o ignatius_n be_v secure_a and_o if_o any_o man_n be_v please_v to_o raise_v any_o further_a controversy_n it_o be_v only_o between_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o leviathan_n and_o there_o i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o the_o next_o proof_n of_o the_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a practice_n of_o episcopacy_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o among_o the_o ancient_n be_v in_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n i._n e._n a_o collection_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o synod_n and_o council_n between_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a so_o that_o they_o may_v not_o improper_o be_v style_v the_o code_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o now_o concern_v they_o the_o case_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o ignatius_n epistle_n for_o the_o testimony_n that_o they_o give_v in_o to_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n be_v so_o full_a and_o plain_a that_o it_o be_v undeniable_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o avoid_v they_o but_o by_o impeach_v their_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n and_o as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n be_v the_o same_o so_o be_v the_o success_n too_o for_o it_o have_v be_v thorough_o dispute_v between_o the_o say_v mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la and_o a_o very_a learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o that_o with_o the_o very_a same_o inequality_n of_o reason_n too_o i_o shall_v not_o give_v any_o large_a account_n of_o the_o engagement_n because_o the_o book_n be_v so_o late_o publish_v and_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o peruse_v and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v rather_o refer_v to_o the_o author_n themselves_o especial_o because_o i_o be_o not_o a_o little_a zealous_a to_o recommend_v one_o of_o they_o as_o
a_o incomparable_a treasure_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n and_o therefore_o omit_v daille_n belove_a negative_a and_o internal_a argument_n which_o his_o adversary_n have_v for_o ever_o rout_v with_o a_o prodigious_a force_n of_o reason_n and_o dexterity_n of_o learning_n i_o shall_v only_o give_v a_o account_n in_o short_a of_o the_o main_a rational_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o be_v what_o ancient_a testimony_n be_v to_o be_v allege_v either_o for_o or_o against_o their_o antiquity_n on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o be_v frequent_o own_v and_o quote_v by_o all_o the_o first_o general_a council_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v be_v enact_v in_o the_o interval_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a they_o be_v cite_v by_o many_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n as_o canon_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o early_a antiquity_n and_o they_o be_v express_o refer_v to_o by_o the_o most_o famous_a emperor_n in_o their_o ecclesiastical_a law_n all_o which_o concurrent_a testimony_n any_o moderate_a man_n will_v think_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o any_o write_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v all_o overrule_v by_o a_o single_a decree_n of_o pope_n gelasius_n suppose_v to_o be_v make_v anno_fw-la domini_fw-la 494._o in_o which_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v reckon_v among_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o first_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o set_v up_o the_o opinion_n of_o one_o man_n against_o many_o that_o be_v more_o ancient_a and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o competent_a witness_n than_o himself_o second_o it_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o any_o such_o decree_n as_o be_v pretend_v be_v ever_o make_v by_o gelasius_n in_o that_o we_o never_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o till_o at_o least_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o time_n three_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o decree_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o passage_n concern_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v foist_v into_o it_o it_o not_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n and_o hincmarus_n a_o person_n of_o singular_a learning_n in_o his_o time_n that_o make_v mention_n of_o this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n as_o early_o as_o any_o writer_n whatsoever_o express_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n in_o the_o whole_a decree_n de_fw-fr his_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la canonibus_fw-la penitus_fw-la taâ—uit_fw-la sed_fw-la nec_fw-la inter_fw-la apocrypha_fw-la eos_fw-la misit_fw-la where_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o decree_n these_o canon_n be_v altogether_o omit_v and_o range_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n nor_o with_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n this_o testimony_n be_v give_v in_o with_o as_o peremptory_a term_n as_o can_v be_v express_v and_o therefore_o daillé_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o to_o serve_v his_o cause_n quite_o invert_v the_o proposition_n and_o change_v misit_fw-la into_o omisit_fw-la that_o be_v turn_v i_o into_o no._n but_o man_n that_o can_v deal_v thus_o with_o their_o author_n need_v never_o trouble_v their_o head_n with_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o after_o this_o rate_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o make_v any_o author_n affirm_v or_o deny_v what_o they_o please_v but_o four_a suppose_v gelasius_n have_v make_v any_o such_o decree_n how_o do_v that_o destroy_v the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o canon_n when_o he_o have_v condemn_v the_o book_n of_o tertullian_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o eusebius_n for_o apocryphal_a and_o yet_o tertullian_n live_v three_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o decree_n and_o therefore_o why_o may_v not_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n be_v allow_v their_o repute_a antiquity_n too_o notwithstanding_o that_o sentence_n which_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o authority_n his_o holiness_n be_v please_v to_o allow_v they_o in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o their_o antiquity_n unless_o perhaps_o he_o design_v to_o declare_v that_o they_o be_v not_o frame_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o as_o he_o may_v fancy_v from_o their_o title_n not_o know_v that_o whatever_o be_v of_o prime_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v by_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o it_o style_v apostolical_a as_o be_v suppose_v to_o descend_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o five_o will_n mounseur_fw-fr daillè_fw-la allow_v this_o decree_n of_o gelasius_n sufficient_a to_o give_v any_o book_n the_o apocryphal_a stamp_n if_o he_o will_v than_o he_o must_v reject_v many_o of_o the_o best_a father_n and_o in_o their_o stead_n admit_v the_o act_n of_o st._n sylvester_n the_o invention_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o st._n john_n baptist_n head_n for_o whilst_o the_o history_n of_o eusebius_n together_o with_o the_o other_o father_n be_v reject_v such_o fable_n as_o these_o be_v warrant_v by_o that_o barbarous_a and_o gothish_a decree_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o to_o destroy_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o man_n censure_n his_o mere_a want_n of_o judgement_n now_o compare_v this_o one_o pretend_a testimony_n of_o gelasius_n under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n that_o i_o have_v represent_v with_o the_o express_a counter-testimony_n of_o so_o many_o council_n father_n and_o emperor_n if_o any_o man_n be_v resolve_v notwithstanding_o all_o to_o stick_v to_o it_o i_o will_v say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o his_o cause_n be_v much_o more_o beholden_a to_o he_o than_o he_o to_o his_o cause_n and_o now_o have_v give_v this_o account_n of_o these_o apostolical_a man_n that_o converse_v with_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n if_o we_o descend_v to_o their_o successor_n from_o age_n to_o age_n we_o be_v there_o overwhelm_v with_o the_o crowd_n of_o witness_n but_o because_o they_o have_v be_v so_o often_o allege_v and_o urge_v by_o learned_a man_n i_o shall_v have_v whole_o wave_v their_o citation_n have_v not_o our_o adversary_n make_v use_v of_o several_a shift_n and_o artifices_fw-la to_o evade_v their_o authority_n and_o therefore_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o their_o direct_a testimony_n yet_o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n pretence_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o ancient_n against_o all_o their_o exception_n and_o here_o the_o first_o pretence_n be_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o their_o testimony_n which_o be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v make_v out_o by_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o that_o personal_a succession_n may_v be_v without_o such_o superiority_n of_o order_n second_o that_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v common_a after_o the_o distinction_n between_o they_o be_v introduce_v three_o that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o own_o episcopacy_n as_o a_o divine_a institution_n but_o ecclesiastical_a and_o those_o who_o seem_v to_o speak_v most_o of_o it_o do_v mean_v no_o more_o first_o then_o a_o succession_n there_o may_v be_v as_o to_o a_o different_a degree_n and_o not_o as_o to_o a_o different_a order_n before_o we_o distinguish_v between_o order_n and_o power_n now_o between_o order_n and_o degree_n and_o by_o and_o by_o between_o the_o power_n of_o order_n and_o the_o power_n of_o jurisdiction_n but_o these_o distinction_n be_v only_o the_o trifling_n of_o the_o schoolman_n who_o proper_a faculty_n it_o be_v to_o divide_v every_o thing_n till_o they_o have_v reduce_v it_o to_o nothing_o for_o what_o do_v the_o degree_n of_o a_o church-officer_n signify_v but_o such_o a_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o order_n be_v there_o without_o a_o power_n of_o office_n according_a to_o its_o degree_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a prevaricate_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n to_o impose_v these_o little_a subtlety_n upon_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n they_o good_a man_n mean_v plain_o and_o honest_o and_o when_o they_o give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o apostolical_a succession_n they_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o these_o scholastic_a distinction_n and_o intend_v nothing_o else_o than_o a_o succession_n in_o the_o government_n of_o their_o several_a church_n thus_o when_o irenaeus_n give_v we_o a_o catalogue_n of_o twelve_o bishop_n of_o rome_n successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o see_v what_o do_v he_o mean_v but_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o that_o church_n when_o that_o be_v the_o only_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o his_o time_n he_o never_o dream_v of_o their_o be_v strip_v of_o the_o apostolical_a power_n and_o so_o only_o succeed_v they_o in_o a_o empty_a title_n in_o the_o mere_a name_n or_o the_o metaphysical_a notion_n of_o bishop_n and_o they_o be_v no_o more_o if_o they_o have_v no_o more_o power_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o second_o this_o new_a distinction_n spoil_v the_o former_a evasion_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v superior_a in_o order_n not_o in_o power_n over_o the_o lxx_o but_o now_o a_o
confine_v myself_o to_o the_o discourse_n of_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o learning_n i._n e._n no_o smectymnuans_n and_o have_v distinct_o consider_v and_o i_o hope_v confute_v all_o their_o material_a pretence_n against_o the_o episcopal_a superiority_n in_o the_o premise_n but_o as_o for_o grammatical_a criticism_n and_o historical_a digression_n they_o concern_v not_o we_o because_o they_o concern_v not_o our_o enquiry_n and_o if_o learned_a man_n will_v but_o come_v up_o roundly_o and_o keep_v ingenuous_o to_o the_o main_a point_n of_o the_o controversy_n they_o must_v rub_v their_o forehead_n pretty_a hard_a to_o outface_v the_o evidence_n of_o our_o cause_n but_o alas_o the_o custom_n of_o they_o all_o be_v to_o range_v up_o and_o down_o through_o the_o whole_a field_n or_o rather_o wood_n of_o antiquity_n and_o pursue_v every_o thing_n little_a or_o great_a that_o start_v within_o their_o view_n and_o they_o seem_v to_o make_v choice_n of_o this_o subject_a rather_o from_o it_o to_o take_v occasion_n of_o show_v the_o variety_n of_o their_o read_n than_o with_o any_o design_n to_o make_v good_a the_o undertake_n of_o their_o title_n page_n and_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o among_o the_o many_o thousand_o page_n that_o have_v be_v of_o late_a year_n waste_v in_o the_o anti-episcopal_a cause_n it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o find_v half_o a_o hundred_o direct_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o that_o of_o itself_o be_v argument_n enough_o that_o they_o have_v but_o very_o little_a to_o say_v against_o it_o and_o what_o that_o be_v i_o have_v in_o the_o premise_n full_o represent_v for_o i_o protest_v that_o as_o i_o will_v answer_v it_o to_o almighty_a god_n i_o know_v no_o other_o pretence_n that_o be_v at_o all_o pertinent_a or_o material_a beside_o those_o that_o i_o have_v consider_v but_o in_o the_o last_o place_n beside_o the_o direct_a and_o positive_a argument_n that_o i_o have_v thus_o far_o pusue_v from_o oursaviour_n own_o express_a institution_n the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o most_o unquestionable_a record_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o topick_n propound_v those_o enormous_a inconvenience_n that_o unavoidable_o result_v from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n i_o shall_v represent_v only_o two_o the_o first_o be_v this_o that_o if_o the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v not_o settle_v by_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o that_o then_o we_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n to_o know_v by_o who_o it_o may_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v determine_v for_o the_o society_n of_o the_o church_n be_v found_v upon_o a_o immediate_a divine_a right_n no_o person_n can_v just_o challenge_v any_o authority_n in_o it_o as_o such_o unless_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o grant_n or_o commission_n from_o the_o divine_a founder_n of_o it_o if_o therefore_o those_o commission_n that_o be_v grant_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o descend_v to_o some_o certain_a order_n of_o man_n as_o their_o successor_n in_o that_o authority_n wherewith_o they_o be_v invest_v who_o shall_v challenge_v the_o exercise_n of_o it_o after_o their_o decease_n to_o this_o we_o never_o receive_v any_o certain_a answer_n but_o be_v only_o tell_v in_o the_o general_n that_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n be_v leave_v whole_o to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o in_o who_o power_n and_o trust_v it_o be_v to_o see_v that_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n but_o then_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v who_o those_o be_v that_o be_v entrust_v with_o this_o power_n it_o will_v have_v be_v very_o well_o worth_a their_o pain_n to_o have_v determine_v the_o particular_a person_n express_o appoint_v by_o god_n to_o this_o office_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v lay_v down_o as_o a_o fundamental_a principle_n that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o church_n peace_n must_v be_v clear_o reveal_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o if_o so_o than_o no_o one_o particular_a form_n may_v be_v establish_v in_o it_o by_o any_o authority_n whatsoever_o because_o no_o one_o particular_a form_n as_o be_v all_o along_o plead_v be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v plain_o necessary_a to_o the_o church_n peace_n if_o government_n be_v so_o that_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o some_o one_o particular_a form_n but_o yet_o however_o when_o we_o come_v to_o inquire_v after_o these_o trustee_n to_o who_o power_n it_o be_v leave_v to_o see_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n the_o answer_n be_v ever_o ambiguous_a and_o unconstant_a sometime_o it_o be_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o sometime_o the_o people_n but_o this_o very_a uncertainty_n where_o this_o power_n be_v lodge_v be_v both_o in_o itself_o and_o according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a notion_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n that_o we_o oppose_v a_o manifest_a confutation_n of_o the_o whole_a design_n for_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o determine_v to_o who_o it_o appertain_v that_o be_v evidence_n enough_o that_o he_o never_o intend_v by_o this_o way_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o his_o church_n for_o if_o he_o have_v appoint_v such_o feoffee_n in_o trust_n as_o be_v imagine_v he_o will_v at_o least_o have_v leave_v it_o certain_a who_o they_o be_v that_o he_o intend_v which_o not_o have_v do_v that_o be_v demonstration_n enough_o that_o it_o be_v never_o his_o intention_n to_o set_v any_o such_o pretend_a guardian_n over_o his_o church_n but_o be_v it_o where_o it_o will_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o these_o learned_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o intent_n upon_o the_o fineness_n of_o their_o model_n as_o never_o to_o consider_v the_o wild_a consequence_n of_o either_o way_n when_o reduce_v to_o practice_n for_o be_v it_o in_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o will_v first_o have_v do_v very_o well_o according_a to_o their_o own_o rule_n ro_o have_v search_v for_o some_o commission_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n whereby_o our_o saviour_n entrust_v this_o power_n with_o he_o we_o find_v indeed_o prophecy_n and_o prediction_n that_o prince_n shall_v become_v patron_n and_o protector_n of_o his_o church_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v vest_v with_o a_o power_n of_o institute_v and_o abolish_n church_n order_n and_o office_n at_o pleasure_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a conceit_n as_o will_v not_o find_v any_o the_o least_o countenance_n from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n second_o by_o what_o authority_n be_v the_o church_n govern_v from_o our_o saviour_n to_o the_o reign_n of_o constantine_n when_o if_o he_o have_v appoint_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n overseer_n of_o his_o infant_n church_n there_o be_v then_o none_o that_o care_v to_o execute_v his_o office_n beside_o three_o if_o church-officer_n derive_v their_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o mere_a appointment_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n they_o be_v then_o only_o of_o humane_a institution_n and_o derive_v not_o their_o power_n from_o any_o appointment_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o so_o be_v only_a minister_n of_o state_n and_o not_o of_o the_o gospel_n but_o to_o put_v it_o into_o the_o power_n of_o any_o mortal_a man_n to_o alter_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n as_o he_o please_v be_v the_o most_o improper_a way_n in_o the_o world_n to_o provide_v for_o its_o peace_n and_o settlement_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v it_o will_v be_v ever_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o commonwealth_n lawful_o to_o overturn_v all_o manner_n of_o ecclesiastical_a order_n at_o pleasure_n if_o to_o day_n perhaps_o the_o bishop_n either_o by_o chance_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o grant_n from_o the_o civil_a government_n enjoy_v the_o supreme_a power_n in_o the_o church_n it_o may_v with_o good_a authority_n to_o morrow_n depose_v they_o and_o translate_v their_o power_n to_o the_o presbyter_n from_o the_o presbyter_n to_o the_o deacon_n from_o the_o deacon_n to_o the_o people_n and_o from_o the_o people_n to_o the_o pope_n and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o consistent_a no_o doubt_n with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n in_o sound_v his_o church_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o leave_v its_o whole_a frame_n of_o government_n thus_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o any_o man_n power_n or_o will._n we_o have_v one_o example_n of_o this_o project_n put_v in_o practice_n upon_o record_n in_o the_o long_a parliament_n midsummer-model_n of_o reformation_n when_o they_o vote_v june_n 12._o 1641._o that_o all_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o such_o commissioner_n as_o their_o worship_n shall_v think_v fit_a in_o pursuance_n of_o which_o they_o vote_v june_n 21._o that_o six_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o six_o of_o the_o laity_n shall_v be_v appoint_v in_o every_o county_n for_o the_o