his_o diocese_n but_o since_o there_o be_v no_o record_n leave_v as_o ancient_a as_o the_o time_n we_o speak_v of_o that_o give_v the_o just_a extent_n of_o any_o diocese_n and_o what_o we_o mention_v already_o be_v only_o accidental_a hint_n we_o must_v take_v some_o other_o way_n to_o make_v more_o just_a observation_n of_o the_o magnitude_n of_o those_o star_n and_o of_o the_o orb_n in_o which_o they_o move_v and_o since_o most_o of_o the_o remain_v of_o ancient_a writing_n do_v either_o concern_v religion_n in_o general_n and_o be_v take_v up_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o against_o idolatry_n and_o blasphemous_a heresy_n or_o else_o in_o give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o general_a administration_n of_o the_o church_n by_o bishop_n meet_v in_o council_n we_o must_v try_v whether_o we_o may_v not_o ground_v a_o probable_a computation_n of_o the_o bishopric_n of_o those_o time_n in_o some_o province_n upon_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n that_o usual_o meet_v there_o to_o determine_v such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o general_a union_n and_o the_o peace_n not_o only_o of_o the_o church_n within_o such_o a_o district_n but_o also_o the_o church_n universal_a now_o the_o church_n of_o africa_n at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n stand_v in_o the_o best_a light_n of_o any_o which_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o excellent_a writing_n of_o cyprian_a who_o give_v several_a particular_n concern_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o and_o before_o his_o time_n the_o first_o council_n mention_v there_o be_v under_o agrippinus_n bishop_n of_o carthage_n about_o rebaptise_v of_o heretic_n but_o the_o number_n be_v not_o mention_v which_o if_o it_o have_v be_v any_o thing_n extraordinary_a cyprian_n will_v not_o have_v forbear_v to_o allege_v to_o add_v weight_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o precedent_n he_o cite_v in_o favour_n of_o his_o own_o opinion_n gubernabant_fw-la cypr._n ep._n 71._o agrippinus_n bonae_fw-la memoriae_fw-la vir_fw-la cum_fw-la caeteris_fw-la coepiscopis_fw-la suis_fw-la qui_fw-la illo_fw-la tempore_fw-la in_o provincia_n africa_n &_o numidia_n ecclesiam_fw-la dei_fw-la gubernabant_fw-la the_o next_o we_o find_v be_v at_o lambese_n against_o one_o privatus_fw-la of_o that_o place_n where_o there_o be_v present_a ninety_o bishop_n the_o most_o numerous_a council_n we_o read_v of_o in_o africa_n before_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n 30._o ep._n 55._o compare_v with_o 30._o nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v wonder_v there_o shall_v be_v so_o many_o bishop_n meet_v together_o in_o a_o provincial_a synod_n since_o the_o province_n of_o cyprian_a contain_v africa_n proper_o so_o call_v numidia_n and_o the_o two_o mauritania_n 45._o latius_fw-la fusa_fw-la est_fw-la nostra_fw-la provincia_n habet_fw-la enim_fw-la numidiam_fw-la &_o mauritanias_fw-la dvas_fw-la sibi_fw-la cohaerentes_fw-la ep._n 45._o and_o we_o find_v several_a council_n compose_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o these_o province_n less_o numerous_a than_o this_o against_o privatus_fw-la 73._o nanc_fw-la cum_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la convenissemus_fw-la tam_fw-la provinciae_fw-la africaequam_fw-la numidiae_fw-la episcopi_fw-la numero_fw-la 71._o ep._n 73._o however_o this_o passage_n of_o cyprian_a of_o provincia_n nostra_fw-la whether_o it_o be_v understand_v here_o of_o the_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a province_n yet_o it_o be_v usual_a for_o the_o bishop_n of_o those_o province_n in_o cyprian_n time_n to_o meet_v at_o carthage_n to_o consult_v as_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o church_n do_v require_v goulart_n cum_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la cartheâ—ini_fw-la convenissent_fw-la kal._n sept._n episcopi_fw-la plurimi_fw-la ex_fw-la provincia_n africa_n numidia_n mauritâ—nia_n sententiae_fw-la episc_n ap_fw-mi cypr._n t._n 2._o ed_z goulart_n and_o it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o the_o number_n of_o the_o council_n of_o africa_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o the_o other_o more_o general_a one_o of_o the_o several_a province_n unite_v all_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o country_n or_o the_o great_a part_n come_v together_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n as_o we_o shall_v show_v present_o from_o the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o constitution_n which_o continue_v long_o in_o that_o church_n than_o in_o any_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o the_o strict_a obligation_n every_o particular_a bishop_n have_v of_o come_v to_o the_o synod_n which_o here_o be_v more_o indispensable_a because_o there_o be_v no_o metropolitan_n to_o represent_v the_o suffragans_fw-la of_o their_o province_n but_o of_o this_o hereafter_o after_o the_o persecution_n that_o force_v cyprian_a from_o carthage_n be_v cease_v a_o council_n be_v assemble_v to_o settle_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n relate_v to_o the_o lapse_v 42._o cum_fw-la quies_fw-la &_o tranquillitas_fw-la data_fw-la esset_fw-la &_o episcopis_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la convenire_fw-la indulgentia_fw-la divina_fw-la permitteret_fw-la tune_n communicate_v &_o librato_fw-la de_fw-la omnium_fw-la collatione_fw-la consilio_fw-la statueremque_fw-la quid_fw-la fieri_fw-la oporteret_fw-la si_fw-la quis_fw-la vero_fw-la ante_fw-la concilium_fw-la nostrum_fw-la &_o ante_fw-la sententiam_fw-la de_fw-la omnium_fw-la consilio_fw-la statutam_fw-la lapsis_fw-la temere_fw-la communicareâ—_n â—yseâ—â—_n communionâ—_n arceatur_fw-la persecutione_n sâ—pita_fw-la copiâ—sus_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la numerus_fw-la quos_fw-la integros_fw-la &_o incolumes_fw-la fides_fw-la sva_fw-la &_o domini_fw-la tutela_fw-la protexit_fw-la ac_fw-la si_fw-la minus_fw-la sufficing_n iâ—_n africa_n episcâ—porum_fw-la numerus_fw-la etiam_fw-la râ—mam_fw-la etc._n etc._n ep._n 52._o &_o epigraph_n ep._n 54._o cypriaâ—uâ—_n liberalis_fw-la etc._n etc._n numero_fw-la 42._o or_o such_o as_o have_v fall_v away_o in_o time_n of_o temptation_n and_o since_o cyprian_a in_o his_o recess_n will_v never_o determine_v any_o thing_n concern_v it_o before_o the_o storm_n be_v over_o and_o all_o the_o bishop_n permit_v to_o come_v together_o to_o establish_v a_o general_a rule_n concern_v it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v imagine_v that_o all_o that_o can_v possible_o come_v together_o will_v meet_v upon_o this_o occasion_n where_o they_o be_v all_o concern_v and_o so_o no_o doubt_n they_o do_v and_o cyprian_a intimate_v as_o much_o where_o he_o say_v that_o all_o that_o have_v stand_v and_o persevere_v under_o that_o persecution_n come_v together_o and_o their_o number_n do_v hardly_o exceed_v forty_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o only_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n of_o africa_n appear_v here_o the_o business_n require_v some_o speedy_a remedy_n and_o all_o of_o that_o province_n that_o have_v not_o lapse_v doubtless_o come_v together_o and_o cyprian_a with_o regard_n to_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o province_n call_v this_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n another_o syne_v be_v say_v to_o be_v call_v short_o after_o by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o libellus_fw-la synodicus_n in_o the_o cause_n of_o novatian_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v after_o that_o which_o we_o have_v mention_v last_o 45._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lib._n synod_n sed_fw-la cum_fw-la statuissemus_fw-la collegae_fw-la complures_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la conveneramus_fw-la perhaps_o in_o hadrumettina_n colonia_n &_o legatis_fw-la ad_fw-la vos_fw-la coepiscopis_fw-la nostris_fw-la omne_fw-la interim_n in_o it_o egrasuspenderentur_fw-la ut_fw-la tâ—_n universi_fw-la nostri_fw-la collega_n &_o communicationem_fw-la tuam_fw-la i._n e._n catholicae_fw-la ecclesie_n unitatem_fw-la probarent_fw-la firmiter_fw-la ac_fw-la tenerent_fw-la and_o these_o universi_fw-la collegae_fw-la it_o seem_v be_v the_o 84._o above_o mention_v who_o come_v from_o africa_n numidia_n and_o the_o two_o mauritaniâ—'s_n for_o the_o union_n and_o consent_n of_o all_o these_o be_v design_v by_o cyprian_a in_o order_n to_o which_o some_o bishop_n be_v send_v to_o rome_n to_o inform_v they_o of_o the_o whole_a matter_n cypr._n ep._n 45._o as_o well_o from_o the_o number_n which_o be_v eighty_o four_o and_o suppose_v the_o church_n in_o a_o peaceable_a condition_n as_o from_o cyprian_n letter_n to_o cornelius_n about_o the_o clergy_n in_o hadrumettina_n colonia_n which_o though_o it_o be_v place_v in_o the_o order_n of_o pamelius_n before_o the_o synod_n of_o carthage_n about_o the_o lapse_v yet_o from_o several_a circumstance_n i_o conceive_v be_v write_v some_o time_n after_o for_o 1._o from_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o synod_n last_o mention_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o first_o after_o the_o persecution_n 2._o it_o make_v no_o mention_n at_o all_o of_o novatian_n 3._o the_o letter_n of_o cyprian_a about_o polycarp_n and_o his_o clergy_n give_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o defer_v to_o determine_v the_o difference_n between_o cornelius_n and_o novatian_n because_o they_o stay_v for_o a_o account_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n from_o those_o bishop_n they_o have_v send_v to_o rome_n that_o the_o cause_n of_o cornelius_n may_v want_v no_o advantage_n of_o evidence_n to_o justify_v and_o clear_v it_o though_o he_o cyprian_a be_v well_o enough_o satisfy_v of_o the_o justice_n of_o it_o and_o have_v communicate_v with_o cornelius_n before_o all_o this_o he_o say_v in_o the_o same_o place_n be_v do_v
in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o bishop_n ordain_v by_o meletius_n and_o give_v in_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n the_o lastthing_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o diocese_n of_o theodoret._n this_o indeed_o i_o just_o mention_v and_o remit_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o d._n of_o paul_n who_o have_v speak_v very_o particular_o of_o it_o i_o shall_v therefore_o say_v very_o little_a to_o it_o here_o be_v unwilling_a to_o do_v any_o prejudice_n to_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n and_o so_o great_a a_o person_n by_o a_o weak_a and_o unnecessary_a defence_n but_o this_o i_o can_v omit_v that_o if_o those_o 800_o not_o 80_o church_n as_o this_o gentleman_n reckon_v they_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o metropolitan_a and_o they_o be_v all_o episcopal_a this_o poor_a region_n of_o cyrus_n will_v have_v more_o bishop_n than_o all_o africa_a notwithstanding_o they_o be_v more_o numerous_a there_o than_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n beside_o i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o add_v but_o that_o there_o be_v design_v a_o chapter_n concern_v the_o right_n of_o elect_a bishop_n and_o church-officer_n with_o a_o historical_a deduction_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n through_o the_o several_a age_n of_o it_o but_o because_o it_o can_v not_o answer_v the_o design_n first_o form_v without_o swell_v this_o book_n to_o too_o great_a a_o bulk_n it_o may_v hereafter_o in_o due_a time_n be_v publish_v by_o itself_o the_o subject_a afford_v variety_n enough_o for_o a_o large_a treatise_n and_o require_v some_o time_n and_o diligence_n to_o do_v it_o to_o any_o effect_n content_n of_o the_o chapter_n chap._n i._n of_o the_o design_n of_o mr._n baxter_n church-history_n and_o his_o notion_n of_o primitive_a congregational_a episcopacy_n page_n 1_o chap._n ii_o of_o heresy_n and_o the_o first_o council_n p._n 76._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o some_o that_o follow_v it_o p._n 105._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n p._n 130._o chap._n v._n of_o the_o first_o council_n of_o ephesus_n p._n 177._o chap._n vi_o council_n about_o the_o eutychian_a hereresie_n p._n 228._o chap._n seven_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n p._n 239._o chap._n viii_o of_o the_o author_n of_o heresy_n schism_n and_o corruption_n and_o whether_o they_o be_v all_o bishop_n p._n 276._o chap._n i._n a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o other_o government_n set_v up_o in_o opposition_n to_o episcopacy_n p._n 364._o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n p._n 433_o errata_fw-la the_o fault_n that_o have_v escape_v be_v almost_o infinite_a i_o have_v note_v some_o of_o the_o most_o gross_a page_n 5._o for_o the_o effect_n read_v this_o p._n 10._o for_o judicial_o r._n judicious_o p._n 11._o for_o concident_fw-la r._n coincident_a p._n 5._o for_o the_o right_n r._n their_o p._n 18._o for_o and_o so_o many_o r._n over_o p._n 21._o for_o or_o elder_n r._n over_o p_o 23._o there_o be_v a_o whole_a passage_n so_o mangle_v that_o it_o require_v some_o trouble_n to_o restore_v it_o what_o refer_v to_o the_o council_n of_o calchedon_n cite_v in_o the_o margin_n that_o be_v leave_v out_o viz._n that_o at_o that_o time_n they_o reckon_v 27_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n from_o timothy_n that_o polycrates_n reckon_v himself_o the_o 8._o not_o the_o 6._o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n for_o so_o many_o understand_v the_o passage_n of_o his_o epistle_n though_o that_o do_v not_o necessary_o follow_v from_o the_o word_n cite_v by_o eusebius_n p._n 27._o for_o positure_n law_n r._n positive_a ibid._n the_o residence_n r._n their_o p._n 29._o as_o they_o etc._n etc._n d._n as_o p._n 36._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ibid._n for_o our_o presbyter_n r._n your_o ibid._n for_o allege_v r._n allude_v 16._o for_o capital_a r._n capitol_n p._n 39_o in_o the_o margin_n r._n coimus_fw-la in_o caetum_fw-la p._n 41._o for_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n r._n many_o christian_n p._n 57_o for_o make_v r._n many_o congregational_a etc._n etc._n p._n 61._o for_o before_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v correct_v before_o his_o passion_n p._n 63._o r._n pantenus_n heraclas_n p._n 68_o for_o shine_n r._n thin_a p._n 69._o r._n that_o he_o shall_v be_v p._n 81._o for_o be_v dangerous_a r._n as_o p._n 113._o for_o constantin_n time_n r._n constantius_n p_o 126._o for_o a_o dozen_o time_n r._n line_n p._n 136._o for_o to_o meletius_n r._n to_o pautinus_n p._n 143._o for_o possum_fw-la r._n portum_fw-la p._n 319._o for_o observation_n r._n obsecration_n p._n 332._o for_o not_o a_o heretic_n r._n arch-heretick_n 16._o arch_a heresy_n d._n arch._n there_o be_v very_o many_o false_a pointing_n which_o the_o reader_n may_v correct_v as_o isidor_n pelus_n evagrius_n pontious_n etc._n etc._n where_o the_o comma_n be_v to_o be_v blot_v out_o and_o several_a other_o wrong_a punctation_n that_o render_v the_o sense_n sometime_o difficult_a but_o with_o a_o little_a observation_n the_o understand_a reader_n may_v restore_v they_o chap._n i._n of_o the_o design_n of_o mr._n baxter_n church_n history_n and_o his_o notion_n of_o primitive_a congregational_a episcopacy_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o fatal_a to_o christian_a religion_n as_o our_o unhappy_a dissension_n about_o it_o especial_o such_o as_o divide_v the_o church_n into_o party_n abhor_v each_o other_o communion_n for_o beside_o that_o the_o very_a disagreement_n between_o man_n of_o the_o same_o profession_n bring_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n under_o suspicion_n of_o falsehood_n or_o uncertainty_n the_o method_n that_o the_o party_n contend_v common_o make_v use_v of_o to_o set_v up_o themselves_o by_o the_o disparagement_n and_o reproach_n of_o the_o contrary_a side_n serve_v to_o bring_v they_o and_o their_o religion_n into_o the_o low_a contempt_n and_o the_o result_n of_o all_o be_v that_o the_o common_a enemy_n be_v make_v judge_n between_o they_o who_o fair_o sum_v up_o the_o evidence_n and_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o all_o side_n according_a to_o their_o mutual_a accusation_n this_o sad_a truth_n be_v but_o too_o much_o confirm_v by_o the_o experience_n of_o our_o time_n wherein_o there_o be_v few_o so_o happy_o remove_v from_o the_o noise_n of_o profane_a conversation_n as_o not_o frequent_o to_o hear_v the_o scurrilous_a blasphemy_n of_o the_o atheist_n under_o pretence_n of_o run_v down_o the_o several_a faction_n in_o religion_n it_o be_v this_o give_v they_o shelter_n and_o protection_n and_o while_o they_o pretend_v to_o expose_v this_o or_o that_o party_n they_o have_v the_o opportunity_n with_o little_a change_n of_o company_n to_o mock_v all_o religion_n by_o parcel_n and_o that_o with_o the_o great_a good_a like_v and_o approbation_n of_o christian_n themselves_o this_o be_v no_o such_o news_n but_o that_o most_o man_n seem_v to_o be_v sensible_a of_o it_o and_o bewail_v the_o thrive_a of_o profaneness_n by_o the_o countenance_n that_o it_o receive_v from_o our_o difference_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o how_o few_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o their_o fierceness_n how_o few_o will_v be_v so_o moderate_a as_o to_o sacrifice_v even_o the_o most_o disingenuous_a art_n of_o contention_n calumny_n and_o rail_a to_o the_o safety_n and_o honour_n of_o our_o common_a faith_n i_o wish_v mr._n b._n have_v have_v this_o consideration_n before_o he_o when_o he_o set_v upon_o the_o write_n of_o his_o church_n history_n of_o bishop_n and_o their_o council_n abridge_v he_o have_v indeed_o sufficient_o abridge_v all_o the_o good_a service_n that_o bishop_n and_o council_n have_v do_v to_o the_o church_n but_o their_o miscarriage_n he_o have_v enlarge_v upon_o to_o purpose_n and_o sometime_o by_o a_o foul_a juggle_v convey_v the_o best_a of_o their_o action_n into_o the_o catalogue_n of_o their_o crime_n and_o their_o great_a service_n for_o religion_n prove_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o their_o endictment_n i_o must_v confess_v i_o never_o see_v any_o thing_n that_o in_o my_o judgement_n reflect_v with_o more_o dishonour_n upon_o religion_n than_o this_o strange_a account_n that_o he_o have_v give_v of_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o and_o the_o frightful_a representation_n that_o he_o have_v make_v of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n heathen_n have_v be_v civil_a and_o modest_a in_o their_o character_n of_o we_o 27._o l._n 27._o compare_v with_o this_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n though_o he_o be_v something_o sharp_a upon_o damasus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n yet_o speak_v honourable_o of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_a bishop_n zosimus_n do_v not_o mention_n chrysostom_n with_o any_o disrespct_n 23._o l._n 5._o c._n 23._o though_o he_o have_v a_o fair_a occasion_n nay_o the_o scurril_a wit_n of_o that_o buffoon_n lucian_n nor_o the_o malice_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n have_v leave_v nothing_o half_a so_o scandalous_a in_o all_o their_o libel_n against_o christian_n as_o this_o church_n historian_n have_v rake_v up_o for_o here_o be_v
many_o it_o be_v pity_v these_o great_a london_n parish_n shall_v ever_o be_v divide_v they_o be_v so_o serviceable_a to_o dissenter_n on_o all_o occasion_n for_o if_o a_o conventicle_n be_v to_o be_v keep_v up_o the_o greatness_n of_o st._n martin_n or_o st._n giles_n parish_n will_v justify_v it_o those_o church_n will_v not_o hold_v a_o ten_o man_n that_o ought_v to_o repair_v to_o they_o and_o sure_o better_o set_v up_o a_o meeting_n against_o the_o law_n than_o that_o the_o people_n go_v unedified_a and_o again_o when_o rome_n or_o alexandria_n be_v to_o be_v reduce_v to_o a_o single_a congregation_n than_o it_o be_v but_o compare_v they_o to_o these_o great_a parish_n and_o the_o work_n be_v do_v it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o for_o two_o hundred_o year_n rome_n itself_o have_v near_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o one_o of_o these_o parish_n suppose_v they_o have_v not_o the_o question_n be_v not_o whether_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o that_o of_o st._n martin_n but_o whether_o they_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o congregation_n for_o suppose_v they_o be_v but_o half_a or_o a_o quarter_n so_o big_a if_o they_o can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n but_o must_v resolve_v into_o several_a assembly_n for_o to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n what_o proportion_n they_o hold_v to_o our_o london_n parish_n but_o what_o evidence_n be_v there_o out_o of_o history_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n for_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n be_v it_o that_o the_o people_n be_v say_v to_o consent_v to_o the_o election_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o to_o concur_v in_o several_a ecclesiastical_a act_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o be_v assure_v that_o every_o believer_n be_v oblige_v to_o be_v present_a or_o that_o matter_n be_v carry_v by_o vote_n and_o not_o by_o general_n and_o confuse_a approbation_n beside_o though_o all_o that_o have_v the_o right_a of_o elect_v church_n officer_n may_v possible_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o five_o part_n of_o the_o number_n that_o have_v right_o to_o congregation_n and_o personal_a communion_n for_o woman_n and_o child_n and_o servant_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v exclude_v together_o with_o the_o poor_a and_o the_o more_o inconsiderable_a person_n or_o if_o this_o practice_n of_o approve_v the_o election_n of_o church-officer_n be_v any_o argument_n for_o a_o church_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o single_a congregation_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o rome_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n for_o many_o hundred_o year_n after_o for_o the_o people_n be_v very_o long_o in_o possession_n of_o that_o right_n after_o the_o whole_a city_n be_v become_v christian_a and_o sure_o than_o they_o be_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o congregation_n anton._n de_fw-fr dom._n l._n 4._o c._n 11._o make_v a_o long_a deduction_n of_o the_o election_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o people_n until_o innocent_a the_o second_o for_o 1100_o year_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o alter_v the_o ancient_a way_n of_o election_n now_o if_o any_o one_o can_v believe_v that_o for_o eleven_o century_n there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n in_o rome_n much_o good_a may_v it_o do_v he_o as_o for_o the_o people_n right_a to_o choose_v which_o mr._n b._n do_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o and_o seem_v to_o give_v the_o people_n encouragement_n to_o revolt_v from_o those_o bishop_n which_o they_o never_o choose_v i_o shall_v give_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o it_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o treatise_n mr._n b._n make_v a_o computation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o time_n of_o cornelius_n and_o find_v it_o to_o fall_v much_o short_a of_o one_o of_o our_o great_a parish_n for_o when_o novatian_n divide_v that_o church_n it_o have_v but_o forty_o six_o priest_n seven_o deacon_n and_o as_o many_o subdeacons_a forty_o two_o acoluti_fw-la exorcist_n reader_n and_o porter_n fifty_o two_o widow_n and_o poor_a that_o be_v disable_v and_o live_v upon_o the_o charity_n of_o the_o church_n fifteen_o hundred_o upon_o which_o we_o compute_v thus_o suppose_v the_o poor_a the_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n as_o st._n chrysostom_n calculate_v the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n the_o product_n than_o will_v be_v fifteen_o thousand_o and_o not_o ten_o thousand_o five_o hundred_o as_o mr._n b._n reckon_v or_o the_o printer_n mistake_v and_o even_o thus_o will_v they_o be_v too_o many_o for_o one_o congregation_n we_o can_v imagine_v any_o five_o church_n of_o such_o as_o the_o christian_n may_v be_v suppose_v then_o to_o have_v 7._o ch._n hist_o p._n 7._o capable_a of_o hold_v they_o all_o 43._o euseb_n l._n â—_o c._n 43._o but_o if_o we_o consider_v this_o passage_n more_o narrow_o we_o shall_v find_v mr._n b.'s_n computation_n to_o be_v extreme_o short_a for_o these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o only_o poor_a but_o sick_a and_o disable_v for_o so_o the_o word_n be_v explain_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o carthage_n upon_o the_o subject_n of_o cyprian_n retire_v cyr_n ap._n cyr_n sive_fw-la viduae_fw-la sive_fw-la thlebomeni_n qui_fw-la se_fw-la exhibère_fw-fr non_fw-fr possunt_fw-la sive_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o carceribus_fw-la sunt_fw-la sive_fw-la exclusi_fw-la à _fw-la sedibus_fw-la suis_fw-la utique_fw-la habere_fw-la debent_fw-la qui_fw-la eye_n ministrent_fw-la so_o then_o these_o poor_a be_v such_o only_a as_o be_v not_o able_a to_o help_v themselves_o that_o be_v not_o able_a to_o come_v abroad_o and_o such_o as_o these_o sure_o be_v not_o the_o forty_o part_n of_o any_o people_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o plague_n or_o extraordinary_a sickness_n in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o number_n of_o the_o priest_n what_o use_n can_v there_o be_v of_o forty_o six_o in_o one_o congregation_n for_o they_o be_v neither_o to_o preach_v nor_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o first_o mr._n b._n urge_v it_o elsewhere_o to_o prove_v no_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n belong_v to_o one_o bishop_n and_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o be_v so_o disingenuous_a as_o to_o cast_v it_o off_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v serve_v his_o turn_n of_o it_o for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n justin_n martyr_n be_v very_o clear_a in_o his_o description_n that_o the_o bishop_n consecrate_v and_o give_v it_o the_o deacon_n to_o be_v distribute_v among_o the_o congregation_n supra_fw-la ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la so_o that_o unless_o there_o be_v distinct_a congregation_n at_o that_o time_n those_o 46_o presbyter_n can_v hardly_o find_v how_o to_o employ_v themselves_o but_o mr._n b._n do_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v this_o objection_n 8._o ch._n hist_o p._n 8._o by_o show_v the_o church-officer_n be_v very_o much_o multiply_v in_o those_o day_n to_o the_o end_n that_o as_o many_o as_o have_v any_o useful_a gift_n may_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n for_o this_o 45._o orat._n 1._o p._n 45._o he_o bring_v in_o nazianzen_n as_o a_o credible_a witness_n short_o after_o complain_v of_o the_o excess_n in_o this_o part_n that_o the_o church_n ruler_n be_v almost_o more_o than_o the_o subject_n but_o how_o short_o after_o will_v you_o have_v judge_v this_o to_o have_v be_v speak_v no_o long_o than_o about_o a_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n and_o after_o one_o of_o the_o great_a revolution_n that_o happen_v in_o the_o church_n in_o cornelius_n time_n the_o christian_n as_o mr._n b._n remark_n be_v not_o of_o the_o great_a and_o rich_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o the_o public_a charge_n shall_v be_v multiply_v without_o necessity_n and_o forty_o six_o presbyter_n be_v appoint_v for_o one_o congregation_n but_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n the_o church_n be_v in_o a_o prosperous_a and_o flourish_a condition_n the_o governor_n be_v now_o become_v christian_n and_o great_a privilege_n and_o wealth_n be_v add_v to_o the_o clergy_n which_o make_v it_o then_o so_o desirable_a a_o thing_n but_o in_o cornelius_n time_n the_o great_a dignity_n be_v martyrdom_n and_o the_o clergy_n be_v particular_o aim_v at_o by_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n their_o portion_n be_v labour_n and_o danger_n they_o be_v to_o come_v and_o assist_v the_o brethren_n in_o the_o prison_n and_o at_o the_o stake_n and_o the_o office_n be_v so_o unpleasant_a that_o novatian_n the_o author_n of_o that_o sect_n which_o mr._n b._n speak_v so_o favourable_o of_o desire_v to_o be_v ease_v of_o the_o burden_n 43._o euseb_n l._n 6â—_n c._n 43._o and_o renounce_v his_o priesthood_n beside_o the_o same_o epistle_n of_o cornelius_n
he_o which_o i_o wonder_v as_o much_o he_o shall_v believe_v as_o that_o he_o be_v satisfy_v with_o another_o friend_n computation_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n in_o strabo_n time_n it_o be_v in_o short_a this_o that_o he_o though_o his_o voice_n be_v none_o of_o the_o loud_a yet_o he_o preach_v to_o a_o congregation_n judge_v to_o be_v about_o ten_o thousand_o man_n 10000_o 2_o part_n of_o ch._n hist_o in_o one_o place_n he_o have_v but_o 6000._o but_o in_o another_o he_o come_v up_o again_o to_o 10000_o and_o that_o they_o all_o hear_v he_o i_o be_o afraid_a that_o this_o friend_n calculation_n exceed_v as_o much_o as_o the_o other_o fall_v short_a for_o we_o reckon_v now_o that_o three_o thousand_o make_v a_o extraordinary_a congregation_n and_o it_o may_v be_v possible_a for_o a_o mighty_a voice_n to_o speak_v to_o a_o thousand_o more_o but_o it_o may_v be_v that_o the_o world_n be_v degenerate_v since_o and_o that_o our_o lung_n be_v no_o more_o in_o comparison_n with_o those_o of_o the_o time_n he_o speak_v of_o than_o they_o be_v compare_v to_o those_o of_o the_o eastern_a preacher_n at_o last_o to_o make_v sure_a work_n he_o conclude_v that_o though_o jerusalem_n may_v have_v many_o assembly_n and_o yet_o but_o one_o church_n 82._o p._n 81._o &_o 82._o and_o after_o the_o disperse_v of_o the_o apostle_n but_o one_o bishop_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o precedent_n this_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v be_v something_o more_o than_o the_o independent_o will_v adventure_v to_o say_v they_o mince_v the_o matter_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o first_o bear_v church_n and_o nurse_v up_o by_o the_o joint_a care_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n may_v arrive_v to_o a_o extraordinary_a stature_n and_o look_v gigantic_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n yet_o they_o dare_v not_o say_v it_o have_v more_o than_o one_o congregation_n and_o be_v no_o precedent_n what_o shall_v we_o judge_v then_o that_o the_o apostle_n build_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n after_o one_o model_n and_o those_o of_o other_o city_n after_o another_o or_o if_o they_o do_v sure_o they_o be_v both_o lawful_a do_v that_o overthrow_n the_o church_n and_o discipline_n of_o christ_n institution_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o his_o own_o apostle_n or_o can_v a_o conformity_n to_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o mother-church_n of_o jerusalem_n become_v in_o its_o self_n a_o sin_n wherein_o shall_v we_o be_v save_v if_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o secure_v we_o but_o mr._n b._n say_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n suppose_v he_o to_o have_v no_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n since_o he_o must_v hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o all_o in_o preach_v and_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n visit_v the_o sick_a relieve_v the_o poor_a and_o the_o like_a but_o must_v all_o these_o act_n be_v perform_v by_o himself_o in_o person_n must_v he_o have_v no_o assistance_n be_v nothing_o to_o be_v do_v within_o his_o congregation_n without_o his_o presence_n may_v not_o he_o do_v all_o this_o occasional_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n do_v of_o every_o bishop_n have_v presbyter_n in_o the_o first_o time_n and_o if_o he_o be_v so_o indispensable_o oblige_v to_o do_v all_o himself_o what_o use_n be_v they_o of_o and_o yet_o appoint_v elder_n for_o the_o ordinary_a and_o constant_a performance_n of_o the_o ministry_n who_o he_o shall_v supervise_v and_o direct_v it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v have_v be_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n in_o a_o office_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o discharge_v and_o yet_o this_o be_v never_o discover_v by_o themselves_o or_o other_o however_o the_o generality_n of_o bishop_n you_o say_v for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v but_o one_o congregation_n to_o govern_v what_o then_o if_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o and_o about_o a_o city_n will_v hardly_o make_v a_o congregation_n that_o be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o time_n and_o not_o to_o be_v reckon_v essential_a to_o the_o office_n all_o thing_n have_v their_o beginning_n but_o be_v not_o confine_v to_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o infancy_n and_o if_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o small_a even_o the_o great_a city_n it_o can_v be_v a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o it_o if_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n shall_v increase_v since_o they_o be_v appoint_v in_o clemens_n opinion_n for_o the_o government_n not_o only_o of_o those_o that_o have_v already_o corinth_n ep._n ad_fw-la corinth_n but_o of_o such_o as_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n be_v evident_o on_o our_o side_n for_o who_o have_v ever_o hear_v of_o two_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o great_a unless_o in_o time_n of_o schism_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a when_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v increase_v beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o personal_a communion_n that_o none_o shall_v ever_o discern_v the_o necessity_n of_o divide_v into_o several_a church_n and_o learn_v this_o wisdom_n from_o the_o example_n of_o bee_n but_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n by_o their_o affectation_n of_o empire_n become_v evil_a example_n to_o other_o by_o their_o first_o corruption_n of_o church_n discipline_n it_o be_v strange_a then_o that_o among_o all_o the_o quarrel_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o in_o all_o their_o accusation_n of_o one_o another_o that_o this_o crime_n of_o so_o high_a a_o nature_n shall_v never_o be_v object_v that_o no_o good_a man_n can_v never_o complain_v of_o this_o corruption_n that_o there_o shall_v never_o be_v lay_v to_o their_o charge_n this_o usurp_a of_o authority_n over_o whole_a city_n and_o multitude_n of_o congregation_n but_o suppose_v this_o a_o usurpation_n in_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n how_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o all_o the_o great_a city_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v carry_v away_o with_o their_o example_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v not_o one_o honest_a bishop_n leave_v that_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o his_o office_n or_o the_o just_a bound_n of_o his_o diocese_n or_o suppose_v the_o bishop_n so_o far_o prejudice_v with_o self-interest_n as_o to_o have_v neglect_v a_o duty_n that_o redound_v so_o much_o to_o the_o diminution_n of_o their_o power_n yet_o be_v the_o people_n who_o in_o those_o time_n have_v some_o part_n in_o their_o election_n ignorant_a of_o this_o great_a secret_n will_v not_o they_o right_v themselves_o and_o not_o have_v suffer_v their_o several_a congreation_n to_o become_v chappelry_n etc._n etc._n dependency_n upon_o the_o bishop_n church_n will_v not_o they_o have_v govern_v themselves_o rather_o than_o become_v as_o it_o be_v a_o province_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o if_o the_o people_n be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o be_v there_o no_o priest_n that_o be_v ambitious_a enough_o to_o be_v bishop_n that_o can_v inform_v they_o of_o their_o right_n in_o expectation_n that_o they_o will_v be_v grateful_a to_o the_o discoverer_n of_o their_o privilege_n and_o last_o be_v there_o no_o schismatic_a learn_v enough_o to_o justify_v his_o set_n up_o of_o a_o altar_n against_o a_o altar_n by_o this_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v more_o believer_n than_o can_v hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o the_o bishop_n altar_n that_o there_o be_v work_n enough_o for_o more_o bishop_n than_o one_o and_o that_o in_o populous_a city_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v several_a church_n yet_o they_o be_v all_o so_o dull_a as_o never_o to_o think_v of_o this_o way_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a every_o one_o pretend_a that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o city_n and_o that_o himself_o have_v the_o right_n and_o the_o other_o be_v the_o usurper_n in_o short_a since_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n require_v that_o it_o shall_v swarm_v when_o believer_n grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o assembly_n and_o send_v out_o new_a colony_n under_o independant-officer_n be_v it_o not_o very_o strange_a that_o it_o shall_v so_o far_o forget_v its_o nature_n as_o never_o to_o have_v do_v this_o and_o to_o leave_v not_o one_o poor_a instance_n upon_o who_o authority_n the_o independency_n of_o congregation_n may_v rely_v it_o be_v upon_o this_o that_o the_o present_a question_n turn_v and_o not_o whether_o bishop_n at_o first_o have_v but_o single_a congregation_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o more_o believer_n within_o or_o belong_v to_o the_o city_n they_o can_v have_v no_o more_o but_o after_o they_o be_v multiply_v into_o several_a congregation_n still_o they_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n and_o mr._n b._n do_v not_o as_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o any_o evidence_n of_o history_n to_o the_o contrary_a unless_o it_o be_v when_o the_o church_n be_v divide_v
that_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o mistake_n for_o this_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v count_v a_o consultation_n than_o a_o council_n and_o as_o if_o they_o have_v want_v authority_n to_o determine_v any_o thing_n in_o that_o ticklish_a point_n of_o receive_v the_o lapse_v into_o communion_n they_o only_o agree_v this_o 31._o ap_fw-mi cypr._n ep._n 31._o that_o nothing_o shall_v be_v change_v before_o the_o election_n of_o their_o next_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o letter_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o carthage_n the_o bishop_n that_o be_v here_o present_a be_v such_o as_o come_v to_o assist_v and_o advise_v the_o roman_a clergy_n in_o a_o time_n of_o so_o great_a danger_n and_o not_o to_o determine_v any_o thing_n authoritative_o in_o council_n much_o less_o to_o be_v preside_v and_o govern_v by_o the_o roman_a presbyter_n after_o this_o say_v he_o 26._o p._n 35._o §_o 26._o there_o be_v another_o council_n in_o carthage_n two_o in_o rome_n and_o one_o in_o carthage_n about_o the_o same_o controversy_n these_o he_o pass_v over_o very_o light_o and_o the_o schism_n that_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o some_o of_o they_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o charge_v it_o upon_o any_o bishop_n cyprian_n behave_v himself_o like_o a_o prudent_a good_a man_n and_o a_o indulgent_a father_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o can_v not_o prevent_v schism_n and_o conventicle_n faelicissimus_fw-la priest_n of_o carthage_n make_v the_o first_o breach_n who_o mr._n b._n mistake_v for_o felicissimus_n the_o deacon_n 26._o §_o 26._o who_o join_v himself_o afterward_o with_o novatus_n against_o the_o good_a bishop_n cyprian_n novatus_n a_o african_a presbyter_n improve_v this_o difference_n and_o not_o content_a to_o disturb_v his_o own_o church_n go_v to_o rome_n and_o kindle_a discord_n and_o dissension_n there_o baronius_n will_v have_v this_o novatus_n to_o be_v a_o bishop_n because_o he_o be_v say_v by_o cyprian_n to_o have_v ordain_v felicissimus_n a_o deacon_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a as_o well_o out_o of_o cyprian_a as_o the_o chronicle_n of_o eusebius_n that_o he_o be_v but_o priest_n novatus_n presbyter_n cypriani_fw-la romam_fw-la veniens_fw-la 49._o ep._n 49._o etc._n etc._n say_v eusebius_n and_o cyprian_a after_o he_o have_v show_v what_o manner_n oâ—_n man_n he_o be_v add_v that_o be_v conscious_a of_o such_o horrid_a crime_n he_o must_v expect_v non_fw-fr 〈◊〉_d presbyterio_n excitari_fw-la tantum_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o communicatione_n prohiberi_fw-la and_o as_o for_o the_o ordination_n oâ—_n felicissimus_n cyprian_n in_o the_o same_o epistle_n shewâ—_n it_o to_o have_v be_v do_v against_o all_o rule_n and_o order_n because_o he_o say_v that_o he_o do_v it_o nec_fw-la pâ—mittente_fw-la i_o nec_fw-la sciente_fw-la but_o sva_fw-la factione_n &_o ambitione_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o novatâ—â—_fw-la be_v cyprian_n presbyter_n and_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v ordain_v a_o deacon_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o he_o or_o by_o his_o permissionâ—_n whereas_o if_o he_o have_v be_v a_o bishop_n his_o right_n to_o the_o ordain_v of_o deacon_n will_v have_v be_v unquestionable_a this_o be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o schism_n mr._n b._n favour_n so_o much_o throughout_o his_o whole_a history_n and_o claim_v kindred_n with_o they_o as_o the_o puritan_n and_o nonconformist_n of_o those_o time_n yet_o have_v know_v what_o manner_n of_o man_n he_o have_v be_v he_o may_v have_v be_v ashamed_a of_o such_o a_o progenitor_n who_o if_o cyprian_a be_v to_o be_v believe_v be_v always_o restless_a arrogant_a proud_a perfidious_a a_o flatterer_n and_o a_o incendiary_n that_o carry_v a_o tempest_n with_o he_o wheresoever_o he_o go_v and_o be_v a_o swear_a enemy_n to_o peace_n and_o settlement_n he_o rob_v the_o orphan_n cheat_v the_o widow_n purloin_v the_o treasure_n of_o the_o church_n he_o suffer_v his_o father_n to_o starve_v and_o will_v not_o as_o much_o as_o bury_v he_o when_o dead_a he_o kick_v his_o wife_n be_v great_a with_o child_n and_o cause_v sudden_a abortion_n and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a saint_n and_o puritan_n that_o can_v find_v no_o church_n no_o bishop_n holy_a enough_o for_o his_o communion_n this_o be_v the_o severe_a judge_n that_o will_v not_o admit_v repentance_n and_o represent_v god_n cruel_a and_o implacable_a as_o himself_o for_o it_o be_v real_o his_o opinion_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o due_a place_n that_o there_o be_v no_o pardon_n for_o the_o lapse_v no_o not_o with_o god_n and_o that_o mr._n b._n mistake_v when_o he_o affirm_v this_o rigour_n to_o extend_v no_o far_o than_o to_o refuse_v a_o outward_a reconciliation_n with_o the_o church_n the_o next_o be_v another_o council_n of_o carthage_n 36._o p._n 36._o under_o cyprian_a where_o one_o victor_n be_v condemn_v for_o make_v a_o priest_n guardian_n of_o his_o child_n and_o entangle_v a_o man_n devote_v to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o altar_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o world_n all_o that_o he_o have_v to_o except_v against_o this_o be_v the_o rigour_n of_o the_o sentence_n that_o forbid_v his_o name_n to_o be_v mention_v in_o prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o oblation_n make_v for_o his_o rest_n but_o this_o show_v that_o the_o ancient_a pray_v for_o the_o dead_a be_v intend_v rather_o as_o a_o honourable_a remembrance_n of_o they_o than_o any_o act_n of_o charity_n towards_o the_o soul_n depart_v else_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a so_o good_a and_o indulgent_a a_o man_n as_o st._n cyprian_n be_v will_v have_v be_v so_o cruel_a in_o his_o intention_n as_o to_o deprive_v a_o poor_a soul_n of_o any_o relief_n he_o have_v judge_v necessary_a for_o it_o â—8_o p._n â—5_n §_o â—8_o after_o this_o he_o give_v a_o short_a account_n of_o several_a council_n call_v upon_o the_o subject_n of_o rebaptisation_n of_o heretic_n and_o here_o to_o do_v he_o right_o he_o be_v just_a enough_o in_o his_o remark_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n be_v for_o rebaptise_v heretic_n and_o consider_v what_o manner_n of_o man_n the_o first_o heretic_n be_v it_o be_v probable_a they_o have_v tradition_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n on_o their_o side_n however_o mr._n b._n endeavour_n fair_o to_o excuse_v these_o difference_n and_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n with_o honour_n and_o respect_n allow_v they_o to_o be_v man_n of_o eminent_a piety_n and_o worth_n have_v he_o use_v the_o same_o candour_n towards_o other_o who_o be_v no_o less_o eminent_a it_o will_v have_v be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o his_o judgement_n or_o sincerity_n but_o his_o contrary_a unequal_a deal_v be_v not_o much_o for_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o charity_n and_o modesty_n there_o be_v a_o mistake_n §_o 29._o where_o he_o make_v eus_n bius_fw-la to_o speak_v that_o in_o his_o own_o person_n 〈…〉_o 〈…〉_o which_o he_o cite_v not_o of_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n that_o he_o do_v not_o condemn_v the_o rebaptise_v of_o heretic_n 6._o euseb_n l._n 7_o c._n 6._o which_o be_v a_o tradition_n of_o so_o great_a antiquity_n the_o council_n of_o antioch_n that_o condemn_v paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la be_v in_o effect_n acquit_v by_o mr._n b._n when_o he_o acknowledge_v he_o that_o be_v reject_v by_o those_o council_n a_o gross_a heretic_n that_o infamous_a meeting_n of_o traditor_n at_o cyrta_n parmen_fw-la p._n 36._o §_o 37._o a_o meeting_n of_o 12_o evil_a man_n that_o be_v bishop_n lib._n 1._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la be_v rather_o a_o conspiracy_n than_o a_o council_n and_o i_o be_o sorry_a mr._n b._n have_v not_o do_v that_o right_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o to_o show_v who_o these_o man_n be_v opatus_fw-la milev_n reproach_n his_o donatist_n adversary_n with_o these_o progenitor_n among_o these_o be_v donatus_n masculitanus_n victor_n rusicciadiensis_n marinus_n ab_fw-la aquis_fw-la tibilitanis_n donatus_n calumensis_n and_o the_o murderer_n purpurius_n limatensis_n the_o great_a promoter_n of_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o apostle_n of_o that_o sect_n yet_o these_o man_n though_o they_o be_v confess_v traditor_n become_v of_o so_o tender_a conscience_n soon_o after_o as_o to_o abhor_v communion_n with_o cecilianus_n because_o he_o be_v ordain_v by_o felix_n who_o they_o suspect_v of_o the_o same_o crime_n that_o they_o have_v pardon_v one_o another_o the_o church_n be_v so_o unconcern_v with_o the_o crime_n of_o these_o man_n that_o they_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n her_o vindication_n they_o go_v out_o from_o we_o because_o they_o be_v not_o of_o we_o and_o they_o leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n because_o their_o crime_n make_v they_o despair_v of_o enjoy_v it_o the_o next_o council_n he_o mention_n 38._o c._n 2._o §_o 38._o be_v that_o of_o sinuessa_n one_o of_o the_o most_o nonsensical_a piece_n of_o forgery_n that_o ever_o i_o see_v three_o hundred_o bishop_n be_v say_v to_o meet_v together_o to_o judge_v pope_n marcellinus_n and_o can_v find_v no_o better_a
place_n than_o a_o cave_n where_o they_o can_v meet_v but_o fifty_o at_o a_o time_n like_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v feed_v by_o obadiah_n in_o the_o time_n of_o jezebel_n persecution_n and_o these_o judge_n when_o they_o come_v together_o dare_v not_o be_v so_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o judge_v a_o pope_n but_o desire_v he_o to_o condemn_v himself_o and_o when_o the_o poor_a man_n be_v persuade_v to_o pass_v his_o own_o sentence_n melchiade_n pronounce_v these_o word_n justè_fw-la ore_fw-la svo_fw-la condemnatus_fw-la est_fw-la nemo_fw-la enim_fw-la unquam_fw-la judicavit_fw-la pontificem_fw-la nec_fw-la praesul_fw-la sacerdotem_fw-la suum_fw-la quoniam_fw-la prima_fw-la sedes_fw-la non_fw-la judicatur_fw-la à _fw-la quoquam_fw-la and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o mr._n b._n declare_v that_o whether_o this_o be_v true_a or_o forge_v be_v too_o hard_a a_o controversy_n just_o as_o hard_o as_o that_o concern_v st._n ursula_n and_o her_o eleven_o thousand_o virgin_n or_o the_o travel_a chapel_n of_o loretto_n or_o the_o history_n of_o the_o seven_o champion_n the_o council_n of_o illiberis_n follow_v next_o that_o have_v many_o very_a good_a canon_n and_o some_o have_v need_n of_o a_o favourable_a interpretation_n it_o be_v very_o severe_a in_o some_o case_n deny_v communion_n even_o at_o the_o hour_n of_o death_n but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v condemn_v in_o the_o novatian_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n follow_v that_o begin_v the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n 40._o p._n 39_o §_o 40._o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o cecilianus_n his_o election_n thus_o say_v he_o the_o doleful_a tragedy_n of_o the_o donatist_n begin_v by_o bishop_n divide_v about_o the_o carthage_n bishop_n though_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o bishop_n have_v a_o hand_n in_o carry_v on_o this_o schism_n parmen_fw-la opt._n lib._n 1._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o it_o be_v begin_v by_o they_o for_o optatus_n make_v botrus_fw-la and_o caeleusius_n the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o schism_n for_o these_o desire_v themselves_o to_o be_v bishop_n of_o carthage_n and_o disappoint_v of_o their_o hope_n by_o the_o unanimous_a election_n of_o cecilianus_n leave_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o draw_v lucilla_n a_o rich_a and_o potent_a lady_n into_o their_o party_n et_fw-la sic_fw-la tribus_fw-la convenientibus_fw-la causis_fw-la &_o personis_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la malignitas_fw-la haberet_fw-la effectum_fw-la schisma_fw-la igitur_fw-la illo_fw-la tempore_fw-la confuse_fw-la mulieris_fw-la iracundia_fw-la peperit_fw-la ambitus_fw-la nutrivit_fw-la avaritia_fw-la roboravit_fw-la these_o three_o invite_v those_o traditor_n of_o the_o council_n of_o cyrta_n to_o carthage_n to_o judge_v the_o cause_n of_o cecilianus_n who_o they_o pretend_v be_v ordain_v by_o a_o traditor_n and_o these_o inveigle_v a_o great_a many_o other_o by_o a_o plausible_a pretence_n of_o zeal_n against_o the_o betrayer_n of_o religion_n so_o cecilianus_n be_v condemn_v and_o majorinus_n put_v into_o his_o place_n the_o donatist_n say_v mr._n b._n be_v so_o call_v from_o donatus_n 40._o §_o 40._o a_o very_a good_a bishop_n of_o carthage_n heretofore_o and_o not_o from_o donatus_n à _fw-fr casis_n nigris_fw-la it_o be_v true_a the_o former_a give_v they_o the_o name_n but_o i_o wonder_v where_o mr._n b._n find_v that_o he_o be_v so_o good_a a_o bishop_n donat._n bishop_n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n in_o donat._n st._n jerom_n make_v he_o a_o arrian_n parmen_fw-la arrian_n optat._n lib._n 3._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la optatus_n represent_v he_o as_o the_o most_o arrogant_a proud_a man_n that_o ever_o be_v that_o he_o exact_v such_o a_o submission_n even_o from_o bishop_n as_o to_o make_v they_o worship_v he_o with_o no_o less_o regard_n than_o god_n himself_o that_o he_o suffer_v man_n to_o swear_v by_o his_o name_n friem_n name_n aust_n in_o joh._n tract_n 3._o prop._n friem_n st._n austin_n make_v he_o a_o impostor_n that_o he_o make_v his_o party_n believe_v that_o when_o he_o pray_v god_n answer_v he_o from_o heaven_n and_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n find_v he_o no_o less_o turbulent_a than_o the_o church_n his_o contumelious_a language_n to_o the_o emperor_n and_o their_o lieutenant_n show_v sufficient_o what_o spirit_n he_o be_v of_o praefectorum_fw-la gregori_n macula_n senatus_n &_o dedecus_fw-la praefectorum_fw-la last_o he_o mistake_v the_o time_n of_o this_o council_n with_o binnius_n and_o baroneus_n place_v it_o in_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 306._o but_o optatus_n make_v this_o election_n of_o cecilianus_n subsequent_a of_o the_o toleration_n grant_v the_o african_a church_n by_o maxentius_n who_o have_v not_o reduce_v africa_n 41._o valesius_fw-la de_fw-la schismate_fw-la donatist_n c._n 1._o §_o 41._o till_o about_o five_o year_n after_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o this_o council_n can_v not_o be_v before_o an._n 308._o another_o council_n be_v hold_v at_o carthage_n where_o no_o less_o than_o two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o donatist-bishop_n occasion_n the_o bishop_n now_o begin_v to_o multiply_v schism_n the_o occasion_n for_o moderation_n agree_v to_o communicate_v with_o penitent_a traditor_n without_o rebaptise_v they_o and_o so_o do_v for_o forty_o year_n this_o look_v like_a a_o piece_n of_o policy_n than_o moderation_n for_o it_o have_v no_o tendence_n to_o peace_n but_o to_o strengthen_v the_o schism_n for_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n in_o this_o council_n we_o have_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o tychonius_n vincentiam_fw-la aug._n epist_n ad_fw-la vincentiam_fw-la a_o donatist_n who_o probable_o as_o the_o humour_n of_o those_o schismatic_n be_v may_v magnify_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o party_n and_o stretch_v it_o a_o point_n beyond_o what_o it_o real_o be_v the_o time_n of_o this_o council_n be_v likewise_o very_o much_o mistake_v as_o appear_v by_o what_o we_o have_v say_v of_o the_o council_n go_v before_o and_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o it_o be_v hold_v in_o the_o time_n of_o donatus_n 3._o vale_n de_fw-fr schism_n donat._n c._n 3._o schismatic_a bishop_n of_o carthage_n and_o immediate_a successor_n of_o majorinus_n st._n jerom_n in_o his_o chronicle_n set_v his_o promotion_n in_o the_o year_n 331._o donatus_n agnoscitur_fw-la à _fw-la quo_fw-la per_fw-la africam_fw-la donatiani_fw-la and_o it_o can_v be_v well_o imagine_v that_o schism_n shall_v spread_v so_o sudden_o as_o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o to_o have_v two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o bishop_n of_o their_o party_n especial_o consider_v that_o constantine_n the_o great_a use_v all_o his_o endeavour_n to_o suppress_v they_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o before_o this_o time_n we_o do_v not_o meet_v any_o very_a numerous_a council_n either_o in_o africa_n or_o any_o where_o else_o the_o great_a fall_v much_o short_a of_o a_o hundred_o which_o show_v that_o bishop_n be_v not_o yet_o so_o much_o multiply_v and_o that_o their_o bishopric_n be_v of_o a_o large_a extent_n but_o these_o schismatic_n have_v divide_v the_o church_n make_v bishop_n in_o every_o village_n to_o strengthen_v their_o party_n and_o to_o outnumber_n the_o orthodox_n beside_o that_o they_o have_v set_v up_o a_o altar_n 44._o p._n 4._o §_o 44._o and_o make_v they_o bishop_n in_o every_o city_n where_o they_o can_v get_v the_o least_o congregation_n to_o join_v with_o they_o mr._n b._n complain_v upon_o this_o occasion_n that_o some_o popish_a person_n liken_v the_o separatist_n among_o we_o to_o the_o donatist_n who_o those_o popish_a person_n be_v i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o guess_v however_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o the_o word_n heresy_n of_o old_a be_v never_o worse_o abuse_v than_o that_o of_o popery_n be_v now_o for_o whosoever_o man_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o render_v odious_a to_o the_o people_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o call_v he_o popish_a and_o then_o he_o be_v bait_v under_o that_o infamous_a name_n as_o the_o christian_n ancient_o be_v in_o the_o skin_n of_o beast_n but_o if_o a_o man_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o make_v odious_a comparison_n mr._n b_n defence_n of_o our_o separatist_n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o be_v like_o the_o donatist_n will_v render_v they_o but_o little_a service_n for_o his_o first_o exception_n of_o our_o separatist_n have_v no_o bishop_n which_o the_o donatist_n have_v make_v they_o differ_v not_o only_o from_o that_o sect_n but_o from_o all_o the_o sect_n and_o church_n in_o the_o worldâ—_n till_o the_o last_o age_n and_o his_o second_o exception_n of_o their_o be_v the_o lesser_a number_n signify_v as_o little_a for_o so_o be_v the_o donatist_n at_o first_o and_o so_o may_v they_o long_o continue_v or_o rather_o may_v the_o name_n of_o separation_n cease_v and_o all_o return_n into_o one_o flock_n under_o one_o shepherd_n but_o the_o donatist_n divide_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n appoint_a bishop_n against_o bishop_n and_o altar_n against_o altar_n pretend_v to_o a_o great_a purity_n than_o the_o orthodox_n and_o boast_v that_o their_o church_n
the_o puritan_n 43._o euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o novatian_n in_o like_a manner_n withdraw_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n before_o he_o be_v excommunicate_v and_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o be_v renounce_v by_o the_o church_n be_v because_o he_o have_v first_o renounce_v their_o communion_n this_o pharisaical_a saint_n can_v not_o vouchsafe_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o same_o church_n with_o sinner_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o purge_v of_o all_o dross_n and_o corruption_n it_o must_v be_v unworthy_a of_o his_o communion_n yet_o this_o severe_a refiner_n of_o all_o other_o have_v least_o reason_n to_o exact_v this_o purity_n who_o entrance_n into_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o the_o ministry_n be_v by_o extraordinary_a dispensation_n and_o indulgence_n he_o be_v baptize_v in_o his_o bed_n in_o great_a danger_n of_o death_n he_o neglect_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o bishop_n he_o be_v make_v priest_n against_o ecclesiastical_a law_n that_o forbid_v clinic_n to_o have_v any_o share_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o intercession_n of_o the_o bishop_n who_o promise_v the_o people_n who_o be_v general_o against_o his_o admission_n that_o this_o act_n shall_v never_o be_v draw_v into_o precedent_n be_v make_v priest_n he_o become_v no_o great_a credit_n to_o his_o friend_n that_o promote_v he_o for_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n be_v desire_v to_o assist_v some_o of_o the_o brethren_n that_o be_v in_o distress_n he_o renounce_v his_o office_n and_o religion_n say_v that_o he_o will_v be_v priest_n no_o long_o and_o have_v a_o inclination_n to_o betake_v himself_o to_o another_o sort_n of_o philosophy_n than_o the_o christian_a this_o be_v the_o man_n that_o be_v so_o rigid_a and_o cruel_a as_o not_o to_o receive_v the_o repentance_n of_o such_o as_o have_v fall_v in_o time_n of_o persecution_n but_o insinuate_v himself_o into_o the_o good_a opinion_n of_o the_o confessor_n such_o as_o have_v endure_v the_o fiery_a trial_n he_o begin_v to_o bring_v they_o into_o a_o dislike_n of_o the_o church_n since_o it_o do_v receive_v those_o that_o have_v abjure_v that_o religion_n for_o which_o the_o confessor_n have_v so_o glorious_o suffer_v and_o equal_v they_o to_o these_o holy_a martyr_n in_o all_o the_o privilege_n of_o communion_n some_o of_o these_o good_a man_n be_v carry_v away_o with_o his_o dissimulation_n to_o do_v countenance_n to_o the_o schism_n and_o their_o authority_n bring_v off_o several_a other_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o bishop_n but_o these_o at_o last_o discover_v the_o wolf_n in_o sheep_n clothing_n forsake_v the_o impostor_n and_o return_v to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n use_v all_o diligence_n to_o widen_v the_o breach_n and_o to_o make_v it_o perpetual_a by_o set_v up_o himself_o for_o a_o bishop_n which_o then_o be_v think_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n although_o he_o have_v swear_v solemn_o before_o never_o to_o take_v the_o office_n upon_o he_o to_o compass_v his_o design_n he_o send_v some_o of_o the_o subtle_a of_o his_o agent_n to_o three_o plain_a ignorant_a bishop_n to_o invite_v they_o to_o rome_n under_o pretence_n that_o this_o wretched_a schism_n may_v be_v end_v by_o their_o good_a office_n these_o good_a man_n suspect_v no_o trick_n come_v and_o overcome_v with_o his_o good_a entertainment_n with_o too_o much_o wine_n and_o persuasion_n be_v force_v at_o last_o to_o lay_v their_o hand_n on_o he_o and_o consecrate_v he_o a_o bishop_n and_o not_o think_v himself_o secure_a enough_o yet_o under_o this_o title_n he_o make_v every_o one_o of_o his_o congregation_n engage_v himself_o by_o oath_n never_o to_o forsake_v he_o or_o to_o return_v to_o cornelius_n and_o this_o in_o a_o manner_n so_o solemn_a that_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o strike_v a_o horror_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o reader_n for_o when_o he_o administer_v the_o sacrament_n after_o consecration_n he_o make_v every_o one_o that_o receive_v when_o the_o bread_n be_v in_o his_o hand_n to_o swear_v to_o he_o by_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o they_o will_v never_o forsake_v he_o or_o return_v to_o their_o former_a bishop_n these_o be_v the_o man_n these_o be_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o novatian_o be_v begin_v and_o carry_v on_o a_o schism_n no_o less_o execrable_a in_o the_o conduct_n of_o it_o than_o infamous_a in_o its_o author_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o worse_o than_o all_o this_o most_o blasphemous_a in_o its_o doctrine_n mr._n b._n be_v too_o favourable_a in_o his_o representation_n of_o the_o novatian_a doctrine_n for_o in_o the_o place_n above-cited_n he_o make_v these_o two_o observation_n in_o favour_n of_o they_o first_o that_o novatus_n do_v not_o deny_v the_o lapse_v pardon_n of_o sin_n with_o god_n 39_o p._n 39_o but_o only_a church-communion_n second_o that_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v this_o to_o other_o great_a sinner_n repent_v but_o only_o to_o those_o that_o lapse_v to_o idolatry_n or_o deny_v christ_n but_o the_o novatian_o long_o after_o extend_v it_o to_o other_o heinous_a crime_n as_o upon_o suppose_a parity_n of_o reason_n as_o to_o the_o first_o 28._o lib._n 4._o c._n 28._o socrates_n do_v endeavour_v to_o excuse_v they_o by_o say_v that_o those_o who_o have_v sacrifice_v to_o idol_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n be_v to_o be_v exhort_v to_o repentance_n though_o not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o communion_n and_o as_o to_o the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n they_o be_v to_o leave_v that_o to_o god_n who_o alone_o have_v power_n to_o forgive_v sin_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o socrates_n be_v a_o historian_n of_o good_a credit_n and_o it_o seem_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o novatian_o who_o probable_o in_o his_o time_n may_v have_v grow_v more_o moderate_a in_o their_o opinion_n concern_v remission_n of_o sin_n but_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o author_n of_o that_o schism_n deny_v not_o only_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o god_n pardon_n to_o those_o who_o have_v sin_v after_o baptism_n for_o this_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o that_o time_n who_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o understand_v their_o tenet_n do_v unanimous_o affirm_v dionysius_n alexandrinus_n who_o live_v the_o same_o time_n with_o novatian_n and_o write_v to_o he_o to_o advise_v he_o to_o return_v and_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n and_o lay_v down_o that_o honour_n of_o a_o bishop_n which_o he_o pretend_v be_v force_v upon_o he_o this_o ancient_a writer_n give_v we_o this_o account_n of_o their_o doctrine_n 8._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 8._o novatian_n say_v he_o i_o just_o abhor_v because_o he_o have_v divide_v the_o church_n and_o draw_v aside_o several_a brethren_n into_o impiety_n and_o blasphemy_n and_o bring_v in_o a_o most_o wicked_a doctrine_n concern_v god_n represent_v our_o most_o merciful_a saviour_n as_o cruel_a and_o void_a of_o pity_n beside_o this_o be_v evacuate_n holy_a baptism_n and_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n that_o be_v before_o he_o and_o last_o he_o banish_v the_o holy_a ghost_n irrevocable_o from_o those_o in_o who_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o hope_v that_o either_o it_o remain_v still_o or_o may_v return_v to_o they_o again_o so_o far_o dionysius_n haer._n cypr._n ad_fw-la nou._n haer._n s._n cyprian_n argue_v in_o several_a place_n upon_o the_o same_o supposition_n and_o look_n upon_o their_o severity_n in_o not_o admit_v penitent_n to_o communion_n as_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o more_o cruel_a doctrine_n that_o god_n will_v never_o receive_v they_o into_o favour_n 2._o idem_fw-la ad_fw-la anton._n l._n 4._o ep_n 2._o this_o be_v the_o main_a argument_n against_o the_o lapse_v he_o that_o deny_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o deny_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o consequent_o they_o deny_v they_o communion_n because_o they_o believe_v christ_n will_v final_o reject_v they_o this_o the_o same_o father_n use_v great_a diligence_n to_o explain_v and_o confute_v their_o inference_n from_o it_o by_o the_o example_n of_o st._n peter_n who_o deny_v his_o master_n and_o yet_o be_v receive_v into_o grace_n he_o do_v acknowledge_v indeed_o frequent_o that_o novatus_n do_v exhort_v those_o to_o repentance_n he_o refuse_v to_o receive_v but_o then_o he_o urge_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o impertinent_a than_o to_o press_v man_n to_o repent_v and_o yet_o to_o take_v away_o from_o they_o all_o hope_n of_o pardon_n and_o therefore_o he_o note_v this_o as_o a_o pernicious_a effect_n of_o their_o doctrine_n that_o it_o fright_v man_n out_o of_o their_o religion_n and_o make_v they_o turn_v heathen_a upon_o despair_n of_o mercy_n and_o cast_v away_o all_o thought_n of_o repentance_n since_o it_o will_v not_o avail_v they_o to_o
facundo_n editae_fw-la à _fw-la sirmondo_n though_o mr._n b._n make_v they_o 660._o by_o compare_v the_o arrian_n visitation_n of_o africa_n where_o there_o be_v but_o four_o hundred_o sixty_o six_o bishop_n in_o all_o and_o i_o believe_v the_o schismatic_n come_v into_o the_o number_n who_o may_v abhor_v arrianism_n no_o less_o than_o the_o catholic_n and_o then_o church_n must_v be_v of_o great_a extent_n even_o in_o africa_a than_o mr._n b._n fancy_n they_o all_o these_o be_v call_v before_o king_n hunnericus_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n of_o who_o but_o eighty_o eight_o fall_v away_o and_o three_o hundred_o seventy_o eight_o persevere_v it_o seem_v the_o majority_n of_o bishop_n be_v not_o then_o so_o comply_v as_o they_o be_v injurious_o represent_v in_o this_o history_n st._n basil_n in_o the_o description_n he_o make_v of_o the_o lamentable_a estate_n of_o the_o eastern_a church_n do_v not_o complain_v of_o the_o temporize_a and_o compliance_n of_o the_o bishop_n but_o of_o the_o hard_a measure_n they_o receive_v and_o how_o they_o be_v general_o turn_v out_o by_o the_o arrian_n thus_o that_o excellent_a bishop_n complain_v to_o his_o brethren_n of_o the_o west_n 70._o basil_n ep._n 70._o the_o shepherd_n be_v drive_v away_o that_o the_o flock_n may_v be_v dissipate_v and_o a_o little_a far_o there_o be_v no_o criminal_a condemn_v without_o some_o evidence_n but_o orthodox_n bishop_n be_v punish_v without_o any_o proof_n at_o all_o some_o of_o they_o never_o see_v their_o accuser_n and_o be_v never_o bring_v to_o any_o bar_n nor_o be_v ever_o indict_v of_o any_o misdemeanour_n but_o secret_o in_o the_o stillness_n of_o the_o night_n be_v hurry_v away_o into_o banishment_n and_o die_v with_o the_o hardship_n of_o the_o wilderness_n and_o though_o we_o shall_v be_v silent_a yet_o the_o world_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o banishment_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o of_o the_o havoc_n that_o be_v make_v of_o the_o whole_a clergy_n and_o in_o another_o place_n 220._o ep._n 220._o among_o all_o the_o diocese_n of_o the_o bishop_n those_o that_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a assertor_n of_o the_o faith_n be_v drive_v out_o of_o their_o country_n by_o calumny_n and_o false_a accusation_n and_o other_o bring_v in_o who_o lead_v captive_a the_o soul_n of_o the_o ignorant_a and_o if_o you_o will_v know_v what_o person_n they_o be_v that_o make_v up_o the_o arrian_n council_n the_o same_o author_n tell_v you_o they_o be_v such_o as_o they_o put_v into_o the_o place_n of_o those_o good_a man_n that_o be_v turn_v out_o man_n that_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o serve_v they_o 69._o basil_n ep._n 69._o the_o arrian_n that_o put_v they_o in_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o be_v the_o slave_n and_o instrument_n of_o those_o that_o promote_v they_o in_o their_o revenge_n upon_o the_o orthodox_n doctrine_n and_o now_o judge_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o compliance_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o heretic_n that_o make_v so_o great_a and_o sudden_a change_n in_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o council_n in_o reckon_v up_o the_o principal_a thing_n do_v in_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n 66._o §_o 4._o p._n 66._o he_o make_v the_o deposition_n of_o gregory_n naz._n to_o be_v one_o against_o all_o history_n and_o against_o himself_o in_o the_o next_o page_n where_o he_o say_v that_o gregory_n see_v the_o resolution_n and_o offend_v with_o the_o furious_a carriage_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o council_n resign_v to_o the_o emperor_n and_o depart_v let_v they_o be_v resolve_v upon_o cast_v he_o out_o as_o much_o as_o they_o will_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o do_v only_o they_o put_v another_o into_o his_o place_n which_o be_v make_v vacant_a by_o his_o voluntary_a resignation_n upon_o this_o account_n he_o represent_v this_o council_n in_o a_o most_o odious_a manner_n 7._o p._n 66._o §_o 7._o and_o for_o this_o end_n make_v use_n of_o the_o word_n of_o nazianz._n speak_v of_o the_o general_a corruption_n of_o the_o time_n and_o the_o division_n of_o the_o church_n and_o what_o age_n have_v be_v so_o happy_a as_o not_o to_o labour_v under_o these_o evil_n but_o he_o have_v mangle_v and_o disjoint_v the_o word_n of_o that_o eloquent_a father_n more_o barbarous_o than_o ever_o the_o bishop_n or_o their_o council_n do_v the_o church_n the_o courtier_n synod_n gregor_n orat._n in_o synod_n whether_o true_a to_o the_o emperor_n i_o know_v not_o but_o for_o the_o most_o part_n perfidious_a to_o god_n this_o be_v in_o the_o close_a of_o his_o speech_n in_o the_o council_n among_o those_o passionate_a valediction_n but_o mr._n b._n join_v with_o it_o his_o sharp_a reproof_n of_o the_o bishop_n page_z 524._o where_o we_o may_v observe_v his_o wont_a candour_n for_o nazianz._n speak_v of_o the_o faction_n of_o the_o bishop_n under_o these_o metaphor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d mr._n b._n think_v fit_a to_o render_v it_o rage_v like_o furious_a horse_n in_o battle_n and_o leave_v out_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d almost_o to_o make_v the_o satyr_n more_o full_a write_v and_o like_a madman_n cast_v dust_n into_o the_o air._n and_o as_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o leave_v out_o in_o one_o place_n so_o he_o add_v in_o another_o to_o the_o word_n and_o sense_n of_o nazianzen_n therefore_o he_o profess_v that_o it_o be_v unseemly_a for_o he_o to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o their_o council_n as_o it_o be_v to_o leave_v his_o study_n and_o quietness_n to_o go_v play_n with_o the_o lad_n in_o the_o street_n to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o their_o council_n be_v a_o addition_n of_o mr._n b._n the_o word_n of_o gregory_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o like_a manner_n it_o will_v not_o become_v i_o who_o know_v better_a thing_n than_o the_o multitude_n whilst_o other_o bustle_n in_o a_o crowd_n to_o choose_v rather_o to_o be_v one_o of_o they_o than_o to_o enjoy_v my_o liberty_n with_o obscurity_n there_o be_v nothing_o reflect_v upon_o this_o council_n before_o which_o this_o oration_n be_v speak_v but_o only_o represent_v the_o great_a trouble_n that_o will_v attend_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n and_o especial_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o imperial_a city_n that_o he_o may_v obtain_v the_o request_n he_o have_v make_v before_o and_o which_o all_o this_o lamentable_a description_n of_o the_o church_n be_v design_v to_o recommend_v he_o desire_v to_o be_v dismiss_v give_v i_o say_v he_o the_o reward_n of_o my_o labour_n what_o 23._o p._n 23._o not_o such_o as_o some_o envious_a man_n may_v think_v but_o such_o as_o i_o may_v safe_o ask_v give_v i_o rest_n and_o ease_n from_o my_o long_a labour_n have_v compassion_n on_o my_o gray_a hair_n have_v some_o respect_n to_o a_o stranger_n and_o put_v another_o into_o my_o place_n who_o may_v be_v vex_v and_o disturb_v in_o my_o stead_n such_o as_o have_v clean_a hand_n and_o a_o eloquent_a tongue_n such_o as_o be_v able_a to_o gratify_v you_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o join_v with_o you_o in_o a_o effectual_a care_n for_o the_o church_n but_o as_o for_o i_o you_o see_v how_o i_o be_o waste_v with_o time_n and_o labour_n and_o sickness_n the_o verse_n cite_v out_o of_o gregory_n 67._o ch._n hist_o p._n 67._o do_v not_o concern_v this_o council_n at_o all_o but_o represent_v the_o miserable_a distraction_n of_o the_o church_n at_o that_o time_n he_o accept_v the_o bishopric_n of_o c._n p._n and_o his_o chief_a design_n in_o it_o sva_fw-la 1_o carm._n de_fw-fr vita_fw-la sva_fw-la be_v to_o reconcile_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a these_o difference_n which_o be_v occasion_v by_o heretic_n who_o envy_v the_o orthodox_n bishop_n and_o have_v a_o violent_a passion_n for_o their_o chair_n however_o mr._n b._n will_v have_v it_o that_o he_o speak_v all_o this_o and_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o of_o this_o council_n of_o c._n p._n one_o of_o the_o four_o which_o be_v equal_v to_o the_o four_o evangelist_n he_o do_v indeed_o in_o several_a place_n find_v fault_n with_o this_o council_n but_o be_v far_o from_o make_v such_o a_o riot_n as_o this_o and_o it_o seem_v he_o have_v a_o great_a many_o friend_n in_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o their_o dissension_n concern_v he_o which_o he_o put_v a_o end_n to_o by_o a_o voluntary_a resignation_n of_o his_o place_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o account_n that_o the_o council_n have_v not_o agree_v upon_o his_o deposition_n till_o after_o his_o resignation_n sva_fw-la carm._n de_fw-fr vita_fw-la sva_fw-la for_o after_o his_o speech_n he_o say_v that_o a_o confuse_a murmur_n follow_v and_o the_o young_a man_n bring_v the_o old_a over_o i_o suppose_v to_o accept_v of_o this_o offer_n that_o since_o his_o case_n do_v
justification_n and_o the_o example_n and_o miracle_n of_o st._n martin_n but_o this_o instance_n can_v become_v no_o man_n worse_o than_o mr._n b._n who_o in_o a_o letter_n to_o dr._n hill_n confess_v himself_o to_o have_v be_v a_o man_n of_o blood_n and_o therefore_o despair_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o ever_o be_v instrumental_a in_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n if_o st._n martin_n be_v so_o far_o in_o the_o right_n why_o do_v not_o m._n b._n imitate_v he_o why_o do_v he_o not_o renounce_v communion_n with_o those_o bloody_a man_n that_o instigate_v the_o long_a parliament_n and_o people_n to_o rebel_v that_o press_v the_o king_n death_n and_o defend_v it_o when_o it_o be_v do_v why_o do_v he_o not_o renounce_v these_o especial_o since_o they_o never_o give_v the_o least_o sign_n of_o repentance_n these_o be_v the_o man_n that_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o maximi_fw-la of_o this_o nation_n to_o persecute_v not_o priscillianist_n but_o a_o great_a many_o worthy_a honest_a man_n and_o i_o need_v not_o call_v to_o mr._n b_n remembrance_n who_o be_v the_o sordid_a complier_n with_o these_o usurper_n who_o compare_v cromwell_n to_o david_n cromwell_n disput_fw-la 1._o ep._n ded._n to_o r._n cromwell_n and_o his_o wise_a son_n to_o solomon_n but_o this_o have_v transport_v i_o a_o little_a too_o far_o and_o to_o say_v truth_n who_o can_v forbear_v where_o man_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o suggest_v those_o thing_n against_o other_o that_o they_o stand_v most_o notorious_o guilty_a of_o themselves_o the_o next_o thing_n worth_a reflection_n be_v his_o remark_n upon_o the_o council_n of_o capua_n 20._o §._o 20._o this_o council_n say_v he_o have_v more_o wit_n than_o many_o other_o and_o order_v that_o both_o congregation_n flavian_n be_v and_o evagriu_n be_v be_v all_o good_a christian_n shall_v live_v in_o love_a communion_n o_o that_o other_o have_v be_v as_o wise_a in_o not_o believe_v the_o prelate_n that_o persuade_v the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v so_o pernicious_a a_o thing_n for_o two_o church_n and_o bishop_n to_o be_v in_o one_o city_n as_o peter_n and_o paul_n be_v say_v to_o be_v at_o rome_n whatever_o wit_n this_o council_n have_v it_o seem_v mr._n b._n show_v little_a in_o mistake_v it_o so_o gross_o for_o the_o council_n of_o capua_n never_o order_v that_o the_o two_o opposite_a bishop_n and_o congregation_n at_o antioch_n shall_v join_v in_o love_a communion_n but_o only_o that_o the_o eastern_a bishop_n that_o have_v divide_v themselves_o upon_o that_o occasion_n some_o take_a part_n with_o flavianus_n other_o with_o evagrius_n cap._n conc._n cap._n that_o these_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n if_o they_o be_v orthodox_n in_o the_o faith_n so_o that_o if_o the_o schism_n at_o antioch_n can_v not_o be_v compose_v the_o mischief_n shall_v not_o go_v any_o further_a or_o divide_v the_o catholic_n church_n 78._o ambros_n theoph._n ep._n 78._o as_o st._n ambrose_n write_v to_o theophilus_n alex._n cui_fw-la bonae_fw-la pacis_fw-la naufragio_fw-la synodus_fw-la capuensis_fw-la tandem_fw-la obtulerat_fw-la possum_fw-la tranquillitatis_fw-la ut_fw-la omnibus_fw-la per_fw-la totum_fw-la orientem_fw-la daretur_fw-la communio_fw-la catholicam_fw-la confitentibus_fw-la fidem_fw-la &_o duobus_fw-la estis_fw-la tuus_fw-la sanctitatis_fw-la examen_fw-la impertiretur_fw-la and_o now_o mr._n b_n violent_a exclamation_n against_o those_o who_o will_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v so_o pernicious_a a_o thing_n to_o have_v two_o bishop_n in_o the_o same_o city_n may_v have_v be_v spare_v but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v pardon_v when_o we_o consider_v that_o a_o gun_n make_v the_o same_o noise_n whether_o it_o hit_v or_o miss_v the_o mark_n but_o this_o council_n condemn_v a_o new_a heresy_n hereticate_a be_v in_o fashion_n viz._n of_o one_o bishop_n bonosus_n 72._o ch._n hist_o §_o 21._o p._n 72._o deny_v mary_n to_o have_v continue_v a_o virgin_n to_o her_o death_n here_o mr._n b._n make_v himself_o pleasant_a with_o his_o own_o dream_n for_o sure_o no_o man_n with_o his_o eye_n open_a ever_o see_v this_o condemnation_n of_o bonosus_n by_o the_o council_n of_o capua_n which_o determine_v only_o that_o the_o neighbour_a bishop_n shall_v judge_v between_o he_o bonosus_n and_o his_o accuser_n 79._o ambr._n ep._n 79._o sed_fw-la cum_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la fuerit_fw-la concilii_fw-la capuensis_fw-la judicium_fw-la ut_fw-la finitimi_fw-la bonoso_fw-la atque_fw-la ejus_fw-la accusatoribus_fw-la judices_fw-la tribuerentur_fw-la &_o praecipuè_fw-la macedones_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la thessaloniensi_fw-la de_fw-la ejus_fw-la factis_fw-la cognoscerent_fw-la advertimus_fw-la quod_fw-la nobis_fw-la judicandi_fw-la forma_fw-la competere_fw-la non_fw-la posset_n next_o say_v our_o author_n we_o have_v a_o strange_a thing_n 23._o §_o 23._o a_o heresy_n raise_v by_o one_o that_o be_v no_o bishop_n but_o the_o best_a be_v it_o be_v but_o a_o lit-heresie_n that_o of_o jovinian_a but_o how_o be_v it_o so_o strange_a a_o thing_n that_o a_o heresy_n shall_v be_v raise_v by_o one_o that_o be_v no_o bishop_n or_o do_v he_o not_o turn_v heretic_n because_o he_o be_v not_o make_v one_o cerinthus_n ebion_n martion_n valentinus_n artemon_n arrius_n etc._n etc._n be_v they_o bishop_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v any_o bishop_n to_o have_v be_v the_o author_n of_o any_o heresy_n for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o christ_n and_o even_o those_o that_o give_v name_n to_o heresy_n be_v not_o the_o first_o that_o give_v they_o be_v as_o we_o shall_v show_v more_o particular_o hereafter_o it_o be_v strange_a say_v mr._n b._n that_o binnius_n vouchsafe_v next_o 24._o §_o 24._o to_o add_v out_o of_o socrates_n when_o he_o hereticate_v he_o also_o a_o council_n of_o the_o novatian_o and_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v so_o strange_a since_o binnius_n set_v down_o a_o great_a many_o more_o council_n that_o be_v heretical_a in_o his_o opinion_n but_o let_v mr._n b._n enjoy_v his_o wonder_n when_o he_o be_v in_o the_o fit_a he_o must_v give_v other_o leave_v to_o wonder_v a_o little_a too_o at_o the_o transport_v of_o a_o man_n that_o pretend_v so_o much_o to_o moderation_n that_o will_v say_v as_o loud_o as_o i_o can_v speak_v if_o all_o the_o proud_a ambitious_a hereticate_a part_n of_o the_o bishop_n have_v be_v of_o this_o mind_n o_o what_o sin_n 24._o ch._n hist_o p._n 73._o §_o 24._o what_o scandal_n and_o what_o shame_n what_o cruelty_n confusion_n and_o misery_n have_v the_o christian_a world_n escape_v and_o what_o be_v all_o this_o about_o the_o leave_v easter_n indifferent_a i._n e._n whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v with_o the_o jew_n or_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o mr._n b._n in_o this_o very_a paragraph_n find_v fault_n with_o silence_v of_o minister_n that_o will_v not_o keep_v it_o at_o the_o wrong_a time_n if_o all_o time_n be_v indifferent_a to_o observe_v it_o in_o what_o time_n be_v wrong_a and_o who_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n indifferent_a the_o bishop_n or_o those_o that_o make_v a_o conscience_n of_o observe_v it_o upon_o a_o mistake_a time_n he_o be_v very_o much_o here_o in_o the_o commendation_n of_o the_o novatian_o as_o if_o none_o have_v ever_o observe_v this_o moderation_n but_o these_o schismatic_n do_v not_o irenaeus_n and_o many_o other_o good_a bishop_n show_v the_o same_o moderation_n before_o novatian_n be_v bear_v but_o these_o heretic_n than_o who_o there_o never_o be_v a_o more_o proud_a pharisaical_a sort_n of_o man_n must_v have_v the_o honour_n of_o it_o when_o it_o be_v their_o necessity_n that_o put_v they_o upon_o this_o indulgence_n one_o towards_o another_o and_o that_o you_o may_v understand_v how_o peaceable_o they_o behave_v themselves_o in_o this_o present_a case_n take_v this_o short_a account_n of_o it_o out_o of_o socrates_n and_o sozomen_n who_o if_o they_o be_v not_o novatian_n as_o most_o learned_a man_n both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n be_v of_o opinion_n be_v too_o great_a favourer_n of_o that_o sect_n as_o all_o complain_v of_o they_o the_o novatian_o 18._o socr._n l._n 5._o c._n 20._o sozom._n l._n 7._o c._n 18._o in_o the_o time_n of_o valens_n the_o emperor_n do_v think_v fit_a for_o reason_n unknown_a to_o change_v the_o rule_n for_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n which_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a be_v become_v in_o a_o manner_n universal_a it_o may_v be_v they_o will_v have_v no_o observance_n common_a with_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o especial_o at_o that_o time_n when_o they_o be_v all_o under_o the_o same_o persecution_n and_o the_o catholic_n desire_v a_o reconciliation_n with_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o fly_v off_o as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v to_o avoid_v such_o a_o conjunction_n however_o this_o innovation_n do_v not_o so_o general_o obtain_v among_o the_o eastern_a novatian_o but_o that_o the_o contrary_a usage_n prevail_v almost_o every_o
owe_v he_o still_o the_o duty_n of_o child_n notwithstanding_o his_o absence_n and_o last_o that_o he_o will_v come_v to_o they_o short_o by_o way_n of_o apostolical_a visitation_n and_o examine_v the_o power_n of_o those_o that_o enter_v into_o competition_n with_o he_o for_o as_o far_o as_o his_o line_n or_o diocese_n or_o province_n do_v extend_v so_o far_o he_o pretend_v a_o peculiar_a authority_n to_o govern_v salmeron_n rom_n 15.19_o 2_o cor._n 10.13_o to_o 16._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dioecesis_fw-la sive_fw-la certus_fw-la pastorum_fw-la &_o ecâ—lesiarum_fw-la numerus_fw-la unit._fw-la frat._n bohem._n sect._n de_fw-fr anti_v regulam_fw-la vocat_fw-la ditionem_fw-la &_o praescriptum_fw-la praedicationis_fw-la terminum_fw-la salmeron_n and_o exercise_v diocesan_n jurisdiction_n upon_o all_o within_o his_o rule_n but_o when_o this_o line_n be_v so_o far_o extend_v that_o he_o neither_o be_v able_a to_o visit_v every_o part_n himself_o and_o his_o communication_n by_o letter_n will_v not_o answer_v all_o the_o occasion_n of_o those_o church_n he_o have_v plant_v 2.15_o 1._o tim._n 1.3_o 18._o c._n 2.14_o 15._o c._n 4.12_o 14._o c._n 5.21.22_o tit._n 1.5_o c._n 2.15_o he_o provide_v for_o they_o not_o by_o leave_v every_o congregation_n independent_a and_o resign_v all_o authority_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o particular_a presbytery_n but_o by_o send_v person_n endue_v not_o only_o with_o extraordinary_a gift_n but_o with_o apostolical_a power_n to_o ordain_v elder_n to_o end_n dispute_v to_o censure_v the_o unruly_a and_o irregular_a whether_o of_o the_o clergy_n or_o people_n to_o confute_v heretic_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o in_o short_a by_o all_o mean_n to_o provide_v for_o thou_o welfare_n of_o those_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o and_o now_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v before_o ordain_v assistant_n elder_n in_o the_o several_a church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v for_o the_o ordinary_a attendance_n of_o the_o congregation_n so_o now_o he_o take_v to_o himself_o assistant_n of_o another_o sort_n suffragans_fw-la for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o province_n which_o he_o distribute_v as_o he_o find_v most_o expedient_a timoth._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 1._o c._n 12._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d theod_n in_o 1_o tim._n 3._o phil._n 3.25_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d acceperat_fw-la in_o illis_fw-la apostolatus_fw-la officium_fw-la hieron_n in_o locum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d anonym_n 〈◊〉_d phot._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost_n in_o timoth._n and_o these_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v sometime_o call_v apostle_n or_o evangelist_n bishop_n presbyter_n fellow_n labourer_n helper_n deacon_n etc._n etc._n but_o their_o successor_n leave_v great_a and_o more_o invidious_a title_n content_v themselves_o with_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o ordinary_a presbyter_n at_o first_o though_o the_o office_n be_v always_o distinct_a of_o this_o kind_n we_o have_v several_a mention_v in_o scripture_n of_o st._n paul_n province_n as_o barnabas_n timothy_n titus_n crescens_n epaphraditus_fw-la sosthenes_n and_o some_o other_o that_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o he_o as_o james_z the_o just_a mark_n linus_n clemens_n etc._n etc._n these_o exercise_v episcopal_a jurisdiction_n in_o that_o district_n where_o they_o be_v appoint_v ordain_v presbyter_n receive_v accusation_n against_o they_o reprove_v and_o censure_v they_o as_o there_o be_v cause_n and_o in_o short_a govern_v those_o church_n over_o which_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o full_a apostolical_a power_n which_o be_v transmit_v to_o their_o successor_n but_o the_o extraordinary_a ability_n of_o some_o of_o these_o man_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o several_a other_o church_n make_v their_o residence_n less_o constant_a in_o the_o diocese_n where_o they_o be_v place_v 4.9_o 2_o tim._n 4.9_o than_o otherwise_o may_v have_v be_v expect_v 2._o phil._n 2._o and_o therefore_o timothy_n the_o bishop_n and_o apostle_n of_o ephesus_n be_v call_v to_o rome_n by_o st._n paul_n to_o be_v employ_v as_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v require_v titus_n be_v send_v to_o dalmatia_n though_o crete_n be_v his_o first_o province_n but_o this_o conclude_v no_o more_o against_o their_o be_v diocesan_n than_o the_o voyage_n of_o germanus_n and_o lupus_n into_o britain_n to_o oppose_v the_o pelagian_a heresy_n will_v conclude_v against_o their_o be_v bishop_n now_o what_o care_n be_v take_v for_o those_o church_n which_o these_o apostolic_a diocesan_n leave_v whether_o they_o return_v again_o to_o their_o province_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o scripture_n but_o ecclesiastical_a record_n show_v a_o uninterrupted_a succession_n from_o the_o bishop_n in_o several_a church_n nor_o do_v we_o find_v that_o they_o be_v all_o so_o unfixed_a as_o they_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o adversary_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o mark_n who_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n remain_v in_o that_o province_n auth._n euseb_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 16._o niceph._n l._n 2._o c._n 43._o gelas_n in_o conc._n rom._n in_o decr_n de_fw-fr lib._n auth._n plant_v church_n in_o the_o country_n round_o about_o and_o govern_v they_o by_o apostolical_a authority_n which_o after_o his_o martyrdom_n there_o be_v derive_v to_o his_o successuor_n in_o the_o same_o charge_n now_o this_o order_n be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n and_o necessity_n in_o the_o church_n to_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n to_o exercise_v discipline_n to_o preserve_v unity_n they_o be_v multiply_v according_a as_o the_o apostle_n find_v most_o expedient_a for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n become_v the_o residence_n of_o these_o first_o bishop_n not_o because_o god_n take_v great_a care_n of_o city_n than_o he_o do_v of_o lesser_a town_n and_o village_n but_o because_o the_o apostle_n think_v it_o the_o most_o natural_a way_n to_o follow_v the_o distribution_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o more_o civilzed_a part_n of_o the_o world_n st._n john_n a_o little_a while_n before_o his_o death_n mention_n seven_o in_o the_o lydian_a asia_n under_o the_o name_n of_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v any_o more_o in_o that_o province_n the_o seven_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o all_o the_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n paraus_n rev._n 1.20.2.23_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d andr._n caesar_n ego_fw-la puto_fw-la simul_fw-la inveniri_fw-la posse_fw-la angelum_fw-la &_o hominem_fw-la bonos_fw-es ecclesia_fw-la episcopos_fw-la origen_n in_o lucam_n hom._n 13._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ut_fw-la collegas_fw-la moneat_fw-la beza_n ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la loci_fw-la dirigitur_fw-la paraus_n and_o carolus_n à _fw-it sancto_fw-it paulo_n conclude_v the_o same_o thing_n out_o of_o st._n john_n cu_z in_o asia_n septem_fw-la tantum_fw-la hisce_fw-la temporibus_fw-la essent_fw-la episcopi_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o apocalypsi_fw-la legere_fw-la est_fw-la nec_fw-la majorem_fw-la corum_fw-la numerum_fw-la in_o ponto_n tunc_fw-la fuisse_fw-la probalile_fw-la est_fw-la 162._o geogr._n sacra_fw-la p._n 289._o dissert_n 4._o c._n 5._o quod_fw-la si_fw-la de_fw-fr angelis_n superiorum_fw-la coelorum_fw-la &_o non_fw-fr de_fw-fr praepositis_fw-la ecclesie_n intelligi_fw-la vellet_fw-la none_o consequenter_fw-la diceret_fw-la laudatur_fw-la sub_fw-la angeli_fw-la nomine_fw-la praepositas_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la aug._n ep._n 162._o but_o dr._n hammond_n make_v all_o these_o angel_n to_o be_v metropolitan_o have_v several_a bishop_n under_o they_o for_o the_o reason_n i_o must_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o his_o dissertation_n thus_o far_o the_o scripture_n discover_v the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n which_o be_v the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n under_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v large_a province_n to_o supervise_v and_o their_o suffragans_fw-la such_o as_o be_v common_o call_v evangelist_n have_v several_a congregation_n to_o govern_v and_o this_o be_v undeniable_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o inquire_v be_v whether_o the_o office_n expire_v with_o those_o person_n or_o be_v design_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n in_o the_o church_n the_o adversary_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o all_o agree_v as_o to_o this_o point_n the_o presbyterian_o general_o look_v upon_o the_o office_n of_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n extraordinary_a as_o the_o person_n be_v mr._n b._n be_v something_o more_o scrupulous_a because_o he_o do_v not_o find_v any_o where_o that_o christ_n design_v to_o have_v this_o alter_v and_o yet_o he_o condemn_v diocesan_n episcopacy_n as_o be_v altogether_o different_a from_o it_o i_o have_v say_v something_o to_o this_o already_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v answer_v here_o more_o brief_o 1._o that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v from_o scripture_n that_o the_o office_n of_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n which_o concern_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o for_o a_o time_n only_o
and_o the_o extraordinariness_n of_o their_o gift_n can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o their_o continuance_n for_o notwithstanding_o they_o do_v many_o miraculous_a thing_n yet_o they_o never_o can_v contrive_v to_o be_v in_o two_o place_n a_o the_o same_o time_n and_o as_o to_o their_o govern_n of_o several_a congregation_n they_o be_v under_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n with_o their_o successor_n they_o visit_v from_o place_n to_o place_n they_o call_v the_o presbyter_n of_o some_o church_n to_o they_o to_o give_v they_o direction_n they_o proceed_v by_o information_n and_o legal_a evidence_n and_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o they_o to_o do_v in_o these_o case_n be_v not_o become_v impossible_a to_o those_o that_o succeed_v they_o 2._o all_o other_o office_n have_v extraordinary_a man_n in_o those_o day_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n will_v hold_v against_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o against_o bishop_n for_o the_o first_o deacon_n that_o be_v elect_v be_v man_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o the_o unfixedness_n of_o these_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o continuance_n and_o all_o that_o will_v follow_v from_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o if_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o their_o office_n to_o be_v unfixed_a they_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o still_o and_o not_o to_o cease_v to_o be_v at_o all_o 4._o all_o of_o they_o be_v not_o unfixed_a and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n require_v it_o it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o accidental_a 5._o that_o they_o govern_v several_a church_n and_o be_v arch-bishop_n as_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n or_o church_n it_o be_v not_o very_o material_a whether_o we_o say_v bishop_n of_o one_o or_o of_o many_o church_n for_o many_o worship_a church_n may_v make_v but_o one_o govern_v church_n and_o worship_v church_n may_v have_v their_o officer_n too_o as_o our_o parish_n but_o still_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o the_o several_a church_n under_o these_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n be_v subordinate_v to_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o ordination_n but_o because_o many_o depend_v upon_o the_o title_n which_o these_o secondary_a apostle_n have_v in_o scripture_n as_o timothy_n be_v command_v to_o do_v the_o werk_n of_o a_o evangelist_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o their_o work_n to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o gospel_n but_o to_o settle_v church_n to_o govern_v they_o to_o ordain_v officer_n to_o censure_v offender_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n particular_o give_v in_o charge_n that_o of_o evangelist_n be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o divers_a other_o but_o ordination_n be_v make_v their_o peculiar_a right_n for_o why_o do_v paul_n leave_v timothy_n and_o titus_n one_o in_o ephesus_z the_o other_o in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v elder_n be_v there_o not_o presbyter_n in_o ephesus_n already_o may_v not_o they_o ordain_v may_v not_o they_o receive_v accusation_n and_o excommunicate_v why_o then_o be_v there_o one_o single_a person_n leave_v to_o do_v all_o this_o and_o in_o crete_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v but_o that_o since_o st._n paul_n have_v convert_v several_a to_o the_o faith_n in_o that_o island_n he_o also_o have_v ordain_v some_o church_n officer_n in_o those_o place_n of_o the_o island_n where_o he_o most_o reside_v or_o what_o need_n have_v he_o to_o leave_v a_o bishop_n behind_o he_o to_o ordain_v when_o he_o may_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o few_o presbyter_n in_o one_o city_n provide_v sufficient_o for_o ordination_n in_o the_o rest_n or_o last_o since_o this_o ordination_n be_v make_v so_o insignificant_a by_o mr._n b._n why_o may_v not_o these_o believer_n have_v appoint_v their_o own_o teacher_n without_o any_o further_a circumstance_n and_o by_o a_o instance_n of_o their_o power_n have_v free_v posterity_n from_o the_o superstition_n of_o think_v apostolical_a ordination_n and_o succession_n so_o requisite_a to_o authorize_v pastor_n but_o since_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v all_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n by_o themselves_o or_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o assistant_n their_o suffragan_a bishop_n and_o leave_v some_o of_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o do_v this_o work_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o conceive_v some_o kind_n of_o necessity_n for_o it_o and_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o the_o power_n so_o common_a or_o insignificant_a as_o late_a projector_n of_o church_n settlement_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v now_o as_o the_o scripture_n discover_v no_o other_o sort_n of_o episcopacy_n than_o such_o as_o we_o have_v describe_v so_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n know_v of_o no_o other_o original_a of_o their_o office_n for_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o ordinary_a presbyter_n or_o deacon_n but_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o such_o a_o pre-eminence_n of_o dignity_n and_o power_n as_o their_o first_o assistant_n be_v endue_v with_o and_o eusebius_n who_o diligence_n nothing_o can_v escape_v and_o who_o judgement_n be_v not_o easy_o impose_v on_o aâ—ter_v all_o his_o search_n can_v find_v no_o other_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n and_o derive_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o assistant_n who_o they_o appoint_v as_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d hist_o eccl._n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d how_o many_o say_v he_o and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v think_v worthy_a to_o govern_v those_o church_n which_o they_o found_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o say_v beside_o these_o which_o st._n paul_n mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n he_o indeed_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o assistant_n and_o as_o he_o call_v they_o fellow_n soldier_n who_o name_n be_v preserve_v in_o his_o epistle_n and_o luke_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v mention_v of_o some_o of_o they_o among_o these_o timothy_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v first_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d titus_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n crescens_n be_v send_v to_o gallatia_n as_o the_o present_a read_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v but_o as_o eusebius_n read_v it_o to_o gallia_n linus_n who_o he_o mention_n in_o his_o second_o to_o timothy_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n next_o to_o peter_n and_o clemens_n who_o succeed_v linus_n be_v own_v by_o paul_n as_o his_o fellow_n labourer_n and_o last_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n who_o st._n paul_n mention_n as_o the_o first_o convert_n of_o athens_n be_v report_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n by_o another_o dionysius_n a_o very_a ancient_a writer_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n this_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o episcopacy_n according_a to_o eusebius_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o show_v by_o set_v down_o the_o successor_n of_o these_o and_o other_o bishop_n to_o his_o own_o time_n magn._n ep._n ad_fw-la smyrn_n ad_fw-la ephes_n ad_fw-la magn._n ignatius_n derive_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n a_o little_a high_o yet_o from_o christ_n himself_o the_o universal_a bishop_n and_o compare_v the_o bishop_n with_o his_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n to_o christ_n sit_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o be_v the_o most_o express_a and_o vehement_a of_o all_o the_o ancient_n in_o set_v out_o the_o dignity_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n irenaus_n deduce_v the_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o same_o original_a and_o make_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v his_o principal_a argument_n against_o the_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n of_o his_o time_n and_o because_o it_o be_v endless_a to_o make_v a_o perfect_a enumeration_n of_o those_o who_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n 3_o valde_fw-la longum_fw-la esset_fw-la in_o tali_fw-la volumine_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 3_o he_o instance_n in_o that_o of_o rome_n where_o linus_n be_v first_o ordain_v bishop_n ibid._n lino_n episcopatum_fw-la administrandae_fw-la ecelesiae_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la apofloli_fw-la ibid._n polycarpus_n ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_fw-la eâ_fw-la qua_fw-la est_fw-la smyrnis_fw-la constitutus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la qui_fw-la usque_fw-la adbue_fw-la successerunt_fw-la polycarpe_n ibid._n than_o clemens_n and_o so_o on_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o in_o another_o place_n propose_v it_o as_o the_o only_a remedy_n against_o heresy_n to_o obey_v those_o that_o have_v a_o due_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n who_o though_o they_o be_v there_o call_v presbyteri_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v plain_a who_o he_o mean_v by_o they_o when_o he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o he_o show_v before_o to_o have_v succeed_v the_o
may_v as_o well_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o all_o the_o republic_n in_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o faction_n become_v monarchy_n by_o mutual_a consent_n nay_o this_o might_n with_o great_a reason_n be_v believe_v for_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o man_n who_o be_v satisfy_v of_o their_o power_n to_o set_v up_o what_o form_n of_o government_n they_o please_v may_v agree_v to_o shake_v off_o together_o a_o form_n that_o they_o find_v very_o incommodious_a but_o that_o so_o many_o society_n as_o there_o be_v church_n in_o the_o world_n appoint_v by_o divine_a direction_n shall_v so_o universal_o change_v what_o the_o apostle_n have_v institute_v without_o any_o noise_n or_o resistance_n and_o that_o by_o one_o common_a decree_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a and_o one_o may_v say_v with_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o they_o conspire_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o change_v their_o creed_n have_v examine_v st._n jeroms_n singular_a opinion_n concern_v the_o rise_n of_o episcopal_a government_n i_o shall_v now_o conclude_v that_o point_n if_o clemens_n romanus_n in_o his_o excellent_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v not_o seem_v to_o favour_v this_o opinion_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o consider_v such_o passage_n in_o it_o as_o be_v allege_v against_o episcopacy_n and_o from_o the_o whole_a to_o make_v a_o conjecture_n of_o the_o state_n of_o that_o church_n when_o that_o epistle_n be_v write_v the_o inscription_n of_o it_o afford_v blondel_n a_o argument_n against_o episcopacy_n for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o clergy_n but_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n that_o it_o be_v write_v the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o corinth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o whence_o blondel_n infer_v that_o since_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o clergy_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v then_o not_o by_o the_o pleasure_n of_o one_o man_n but_o by_o the_o common_a counsel_n of_o those_o that_o be_v set_v over_o it_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v i_o must_v confess_v to_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a because_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n subjacuisse_fw-la ubi_fw-la cum_fw-la nulla_fw-la peculiaris_fw-la vel_fw-la scribentis_fw-la mentio_fw-la vel_fw-la cleri_fw-la romani_fw-la praerogativa_fw-la vel_fw-la corinthiaci_n presbyterii_fw-la a_o plebe_fw-la discretio_fw-la appareat_fw-la sed_fw-la omnes_fw-la ad_fw-la omnes_fw-la confertim_fw-la scripsisse_fw-la compertum_fw-la sit_fw-la luce_fw-fr meridiana_fw-la clarius_fw-la clucescit_fw-la tune_n temporis_fw-la ecclesias_fw-la communi_fw-la praepositorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la gubernatas_fw-la non_fw-la unius_fw-la regi_fw-la mini_fw-la à _fw-la cujus_fw-la â—utu_fw-la penderent_fw-la omnes_fw-la subjacuisse_fw-la or_o of_o that_o of_o corinth_n as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o laity_n it_o be_v clear_a nay_o clear_a than_o the_o day_n that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o see_v two_o man_n with_o their_o eye_n open_a dispute_v fierce_o whether_o it_o be_v noonday_n or_o midnight_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v our_o case_n that_o consequence_n which_o to_o he_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v to_o other_o if_o he_o have_v say_v because_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o the_o inscription_n as_o the_o govern_n part_n therefore_o there_o be_v no_o clergy_n or_o the_o clergy_n do_v not_o govern_v the_o inference_n will_v have_v appear_v but_o what_o truth_n there_o will_v be_v in_o it_o i_o need_v not_o say_v other_o inscribe_v epistle_n in_o the_o same_o style_n to_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n where_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v a_o bishop_n and_o a_o clergy_n 23._o diony_n corinth_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o yet_o in_o the_o body_n of_o these_o letter_n he_o mention_n the_o bishop_n of_o those_o church_n irenaeus_n ubi_fw-la supra_fw-la euseb_n l._n 4._o c._n 23._o and_o this_o argument_n of_o blondel_n may_v be_v just_o suspect_v when_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o ancient_n though_o they_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o this_o epistle_n of_o clemens_n and_o its_o inscription_n yet_o they_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n see_v this_o consequence_n that_o be_v now_o draw_v from_o it_o irenaeus_n have_v doubtless_o see_v that_o epistle_n for_o it_o be_v in_o his_o time_n common_o read_v in_o church_n and_o yet_o he_o think_v clemens_n who_o write_v it_o to_o be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n notwithstanding_o his_o name_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o it_o dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n say_v it_o be_v read_v in_o his_o church_n and_o yet_o he_o can_v not_o find_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o to_o persuade_v he_o that_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v no_o bishop_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o bishop_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o dionysius_n areopagita_n be_v ordain_v by_o st._n paul_n the_o first_o bishop_n of_o athens_n so_o that_o these_o ancient_a writer_n it_o seem_v be_v as_o blind_a as_o we_o and_o can_v not_o observe_v either_o in_o the_o inscription_n or_o body_n of_o this_o epistle_n what_o blondel_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n of_o time_n can_v perceive_v as_o clear_v as_o the_o noon_n day_n and_o yet_o those_o writer_n if_o they_o have_v suspect_v any_o such_o thing_n may_v have_v be_v easy_o satisfy_v by_o their_o father_n who_o may_v have_v see_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n about_o which_o the_o difficulty_n be_v and_o so_o tell_v they_o upon_o their_o own_o knowledge_n whether_o the_o government_n be_v episcopal_a or_o presbyterian_a and_o therefore_o this_o be_v our_o comfort_n that_o if_o we_o can_v discern_v this_o light_n which_o blondel_n talk_v of_o that_o those_o who_o live_v near_o the_o east_n the_o rise_n of_o it_o can_v see_v no_o more_o than_o we_o but_o some_o man_n sure_o have_v glass_n for_o distance_n of_o time_n as_o well_o as_o place_n and_o can_v see_v far_o in_o the_o apostolic_a time_n than_o the_o next_o generation_n that_o follow_v they_o but_o to_o proceed_v clemens_n own_a but_o two_o order_n in_o the_o church_n of_o apostolic_a institution_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o he_o say_v the_o apostle_n ordain_v out_o of_o the_o first-fruit_n of_o the_o gospel_n over_o those_o that_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v and_o these_o be_v appoint_v in_o city_n and_o the_o country_n or_o region_n round_o about_o from_o whence_o blondel_n draw_v many_o observation_n and_o out_o of_o he_o mr._n b._n as_o 1._o that_o in_o those_o day_n no_o body_n think_v of_o what_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n do_v afterward_o decree_n that_o no_o bishop_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o any_o village_n or_o small_a city_n lest_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o office_n shall_v be_v undervalue_v and_o grow_v cheap_a this_o be_v ground_v as_o most_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o blondel_n and_o mr._n b.'s_n argument_n from_o this_o epistle_n upon_o a_o mistake_n and_o i_o fear_v a_o wilful_a one_o concern_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n for_o if_o the_o bishop_n of_o clemens_n who_o he_o say_v be_v apponited_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v only_a presbyter_n than_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n do_v not_o do_v any_o extraordinary_a thing_n by_o that_o prohibition_n of_o bishop_n in_o little_a diocese_n for_o presbyter_n be_v still_o allow_v in_o the_o country_n village_n by_o that_o council_n and_o therefore_o if_o episcopacy_n be_v a_o institution_n late_a than_o clemens_n this_o council_n have_v do_v nothing_o so_o contrary_a to_o this_o by_o forbid_v bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o allow_v presbyter_n to_o reside_v in_o country_n village_n some_o there_o be_v that_o interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o province_n but_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o for_o this_o though_o the_o phrase_n will_v very_o well_o bear_v it_o for_o these_o bishop_n i_o believe_v with_o blondel_n and_o mr._n b._n be_v no_o other_o than_o presbyter_n such_o as_o be_v first_o appoint_v to_o govern_v the_o church_n but_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o proper_a bishop_n of_o those_o church_n they_o found_v and_o as_o they_o find_v occasion_n appoint_v other_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o that_o eminence_n of_o authority_n over_o such_o district_n of_o the_o apostolical_a province_n as_o they_o judge_v most_o convenient_a for_o the_o edification_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o distribution_n of_o church_n officer_n by_o clemens_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o less_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o as_o exact_v 60.17_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d esay_n 60.17_o because_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v make_v only_o with_o allusion_n to_o a_o place_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n where_o those_o
happy_a be_v those_o that_o enter_v that_o way_n behave_v themselves_o peaceable_o for_o let_v a_o man_n be_v faithful_a let_v he_o be_v never_o so_o powerful_a a_o preacher_n let_v he_o be_v never_o so_o wise_a and_o discern_a holy_a in_o his_o life_n yet_o by_o how_o much_o he_o seem_v to_o excel_v other_o by_o so_o much_o ought_v he_o to_o behave_v himself_o more_o humble_o and_o seek_v the_o common_a good_a of_o all_o and_o not_o his_o own_o particular_a beside_o this_o the_o passionate_a expostulation_n of_o clemens_n with_o the_o ringleader_n of_o this_o sedition_n make_v this_o conjecture_n yet_o more_o probable_a who_o be_v there_o among_o you_o generous_a and_o charitable_a let_v he_o say_v if_o this_o schism_n and_o sedition_n have_v be_v raise_v upon_o my_o account_n i_o will_v withdraw_v i_o will_v be_v go_v whithersoever_o you_o please_v only_o let_v the_o fold_n of_o christ_n live_v in_o unity_n and_o peace_n with_o the_o presbyter_n that_o be_v over_o it_o and_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o this_o generous_a resignation_n he_o tell_v they_o of_o many_o king_n that_o have_v offer_v themselves_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o country_n how_o many_o to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o sedition_n have_v leave_v their_o own_o city_n 45._o apud_fw-la euseb_n hist_o l._n 6._o c._n 45._o with_o more_o to_o that_o effect_n which_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n borrow_v out_o of_o this_o epistle_n and_o send_v it_o as_o a_o exhortation_n to_o novatus_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o that_o schism_n he_o have_v cause_v and_o what_o be_v there_o so_o proper_a against_o a_o schismatic_a bishop_n we_o may_v judge_v not_o without_o reason_n to_o have_v be_v apply_v by_o the_o first_o author_n upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n at_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o last_o thing_n i_o shall_v observe_v out_o of_o clemens_n be_v a_o passage_n that_o seem_v to_o favour_v the_o distribution_n of_o the_o clergy_n into_o three_o order_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n priests_z and_o deacon_n the_o highpriest_n say_v he_o have_v his_o proper_a office_n the_o priest_n have_v a_o proper_a place_n appoint_v for_o they_o and_o the_o levite_n have_v their_o peculiar_a ministry_n and_o the_o layman_n be_v oblige_v to_o keep_v himself_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o own_o station_n brethren_n let_v every_o one_o of_o you_o glorify_v god_n in_o his_o own_o place_n and_o keep_v himself_o within_o his_o own_o line_n not_o break_v over_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o own_o office_n and_o ministry_n have_v now_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n out_o of_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n and_o examine_v the_o singular_a opinion_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v it_o i_o come_v now_o to_o give_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o progress_n and_o advancement_n of_o it_o the_o first_o bishop_n after_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o rabanus_n maurus_n 4._o in_o 1_o tim._n 4._o have_v very_o large_a diocese_n primis_fw-la temporibâ—â—_n episcopi_fw-la provincias_fw-la integras_fw-la regebant_fw-la apostâ—lorum_fw-la nomine_fw-la nuncupati_fw-la i._n e._n in_o those_o first_o time_n bishop_n govern_v whole_a province_n be_v call_v then_o apostle_n and_o this_o conformable_a to_o theodoret_n who_o affirm_v not_o only_o the_o same_o thing_n of_o the_o first_o bishop_n be_v call_v apostle_n 3._o be_v argumento_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la tit._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d theod._n in_o 1_o tim._n 3._o but_o also_o that_o they_o have_v large_a diocese_n too_o for_o speak_v of_o titus_n he_o call_v he_o bishop_n of_o crete_n though_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a island_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o say_v that_o epaphroditus_n be_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o philippian_n titus_n of_o the_o cretan_n and_o timothy_n of_o the_o asian_o i_o e._n in_o his_o language_n their_o bishop_n and_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o apostle_n signify_v as_o much_o where_o they_o order_v every_o bishop_n to_o medale_n only_o with_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o the_o region_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o 〈◊〉_d can._n ap._n 33._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o as_o christian_n be_v multiply_v in_o the_o world_n so_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n increase_v every_o considerable_a city_n with_o the_o country_n about_o become_a diocese_n loc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d phil_n 1._o chryso_v in_o loc_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oecum_fw-la theoph._n nor_o â—â—iâ—_n una_fw-la in_o urbe_fw-la plures_fw-la episcopi_fw-la esse_fw-la potuissent_fw-la hieron_n it_o can_v not_o be_v it_o be_v against_o the_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n loci_fw-la ipsius_fw-la episcâ—â—o_fw-la scribendum_fw-la esset_fw-la non_fw-la duobus_fw-la aut_fw-la tribus_fw-la ambr._n in_o loc._n so_o asia_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o st._n john_n have_v seven_o bishop_n and_o by_o proportion_n we_o may_v conjecture_v of_o other_o country_n and_o the_o first_o advance_v of_o christianity_n be_v very_o wonderful_a and_o the_o success_n of_o our_o religion_n give_v occasion_n to_o envy_n and_o persecution_n the_o condition_n of_o those_o time_n seem_v to_o have_v proportion_v the_o distribution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o multiply_v diocese_n for_o in_o those_o troublesome_a time_n it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o maintain_v such_o a_o communication_n as_o aught_o to_o be_v between_o a_o bishop_n and_o all_o the_o part_n of_o his_o diocese_n it_o be_v find_v necessary_a to_o multiply_v church_n and_o that_o every_o city_n with_o some_o portion_n of_o country_n belong_v to_o it_o shall_v have_v its_o own_o bishop_n who_o though_o his_o flock_n may_v at_o first_o be_v but_o small_a and_o not_o exceed_v a_o congregation_n yet_o be_v he_o proper_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n i._n e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o those_o that_o afterward_o shall_v believe_v whatever_o accession_n be_v make_v to_o this_o church_n though_o the_o whole_a city_n and_o country_n shall_v be_v convert_v 43._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cornel._n ap_fw-mi eâ—seb_n l._n 6._o c._n 43._o episcope_n cedunt_fw-la they_o accrue_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o place_n into_o how_o many_o congregation_n soever_o they_o may_v after_o be_v distribute_v and_o therefore_o the_o church_n of_o a_o bishop_n retain_v still_o the_o singular_a number_n though_o distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n and_o in_o such_o a_o church_n they_o contend_v there_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n though_o it_o have_v never_o so_o many_o presbyter_n as_o that_o of_o rome_n have_v when_o cornelius_n pretend_v there_o aught_o to_o be_v but_o one_o bishop_n and_o novatus_n do_v not_o contradict_v he_o but_o the_o dispute_n be_v about_o this_o which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o rightful_a bishop_n episcopacy_n be_v settle_v upon_o these_o foundation_n with_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o future_a increase_n as_o well_o as_o the_o first_o condition_n and_o small_a beginning_n of_o the_o church_n we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o for_o the_o first_o three_o centery_n the_o number_n of_o bishop_n be_v near_o so_o great_a as_o it_o become_v afterward_o although_o in_o a_o little_a while_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n be_v so_o great_a that_o there_o be_v no_o country_n no_o city_n no_o village_n in_o several_a province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n where_o there_o be_v not_o a_o good_a number_n of_o christian_n before_o the_o persecution_n of_o trajan_n they_o be_v so_o increase_v that_o in_o the_o province_n of_o bythinia_n as_o pliny_n complain_v the_o heathen_a temple_n be_v become_v desolate_a 100_o prope_fw-la jam_fw-la desolata_fw-la templa_fw-la coepisse_fw-la celebrari_fw-la &_o sacra_fw-la solemnia_fw-la diu_fw-la intermissa_fw-la repetl_n paffimque_fw-la venire_fw-la victimas_fw-la quarum_fw-la ad_fw-la huâ—_n rarissimus_fw-la emptor_n inveniebatur_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la facile_fw-la est_fw-la opinari_fw-la quae_fw-la turba_fw-la hominum_fw-la emendati_fw-la possit_fw-la yet_o after_o the_o apostasy_n of_o so_o many_o the_o number_n be_v still_o great_a visa_fw-la est_fw-la mihi_fw-la res_fw-la consultation_n digna_fw-la maxim_n proper_a periclitantiam_fw-la numerum_fw-la multi_fw-la enim_fw-la omnis_fw-la aetatis_fw-la omnis_fw-la or_o diâ—is_fw-la utriusque_fw-la sexus_fw-la neque_fw-la enim_fw-la civitates_fw-la tantum_fw-la sed_fw-la &_o vicos_fw-la &_o agros_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la istius_fw-la contagio_fw-la pervagata_fw-la est_fw-la plin._n ep._n l._n 10._o ep._n 100_o the_o sacrifice_n neglect_v and_o lay_v aside_o and_o notwithstanding_o the_o severity_n of_o that_o persecution_n make_v great_a number_n fall_v off_o yet_o those_o that_o remain_v unshaken_a and_o resolve_v to_o die_v martyr_n for_o their_o religion_n be_v exceed_o numerous_a not_o long_o after_o arrius_n antoninus_n find_v so_o many_o of_o they_o in_o asia_n that_o it_o be_v a_o endless_a thing_n to_o put_v they_o to_o death_n though_o they_o make_v no_o resistance_n and_o when_o they_o throng_v so_o much_o about_o his_o tribunal_n
go_v to_o the_o confessor_n in_o prison_n by_o turn_n to_o administer_v the_o communion_n to_o they_o that_o the_o change_n of_o the_o person_n and_o the_o see_v of_o new_a face_n daily_o may_v render_v it_o less_o envy_v or_o observe_v beside_o when_o four_o of_o his_o presbyter_n and_o those_o probable_o live_v at_o some_o distance_n from_o carthage_n have_v write_v to_o he_o about_o something_o relate_v to_o the_o church_n he_o tell_v his_o clergy_n that_o he_o be_v resolve_v from_o the_o time_n he_o be_v make_v bishop_n 28._o ad_fw-la id_fw-la vero_fw-la quod_fw-la scripserunt_fw-la mihi_fw-la compresbyteri_fw-la nostri_fw-la donatus_n &_o fortunatus_n &_o gordias_n &_o novatus_n solus_fw-la rescribere_fw-la nihil_fw-la potui_fw-la quando_fw-la à _fw-la primordio_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la mei_fw-la statuerim_fw-la nihil_fw-la sine_fw-la consilio_fw-la vestro_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la consensu_fw-la plebis_fw-la meae_fw-la privatae_fw-la sententia_fw-la gerere_fw-la sed_fw-la cum_fw-la ad_fw-la vos_fw-la venere_fw-la in_o common_a tractabimus_fw-la ep._n 6._o decipientes_fw-la quosdam_fw-la fratres_fw-la ex_fw-la plebe_fw-la nostra_fw-la ep._n 28._o to_o determine_v nothing_o without_o advise_v with_o his_o clergy_n which_o intimate_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o clergy_n reside_v at_o carthage_n for_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o four_o person_n will_v pretend_v to_o write_v to_o their_o bishop_n about_o any_o public_a concern_v of_o the_o church_n without_o consult_v their_o brethren_n if_o they_o live_v together_o with_o they_o and_o meet_v daily_o at_o the_o same_o altar_n and_o cyprian_n speak_v of_o they_o with_o this_o strangeness_n make_v it_o improbable_a that_o they_o be_v among_o this_o clergy_n to_o who_o he_o write_v concern_v they_o beside_o we_o have_v express_v mention_n of_o one_o country_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o carthage_n gaius_n diddensis_fw-la presbyter_n who_o from_o several_a passage_n of_o that_o epistle_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v near_o the_o city_n and_o under_o its_o jurisdiction_n and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o presbyter_n cyprian_a complain_v of_o in_o another_o place_n for_o their_o presumption_n in_o receive_v the_o lapse_v into_o communion_n 10._o quorundam_fw-la immoderata_fw-la praesumptio_fw-la plebis_fw-la universae_fw-la tranquillitatem_fw-la turbare_fw-la conetur_fw-la aliqui_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la nec_fw-la sibi_fw-la praepositum_fw-la episcopum_fw-la cogitantes_fw-la quod_fw-la nunquam_fw-la omnino_fw-la sub_fw-la antecessoribus_fw-la nostris_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la contumelia_fw-la &_o contemptu_fw-la prapositi_fw-la totum_fw-la sibi_fw-la vendicent_fw-la interim_n prohibeantur_fw-la offer_n acturi_fw-la apud_fw-la nos_fw-la &_o apud_fw-la confessores_fw-la ipsos_fw-la &_o apud_fw-la universam_fw-la plebem_fw-la causam_fw-la svam_fw-la ep._n 10._o without_o consult_v their_o bishop_n or_o the_o clergy_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o fault_n make_v it_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v several_a congregation_n now_o in_o carthage_n for_o this_o can_v never_o have_v be_v do_v by_o a_o few_o in_o the_o episcopal_a church_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o all_o the_o presbytery_n it_o be_v not_o probable_a they_o will_v have_v endure_v it_o or_o if_o they_o have_v than_o they_o have_v be_v all_o in_o equal_a fault_n which_o cyprian_n do_v by_o no_o mean_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n but_o lay_v it_o upon_o a_o few_o and_o order_n they_o shall_v be_v suspend_v from_o their_o office_n by_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o presbyter_n and_o their_o cause_n reserve_v to_o be_v try_v before_o he_o and_o the_o whole_a church_n at_o his_o return_n beside_o this_o the_o charity_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o carthage_n towards_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o numidian_a captive_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v gather_v in_o one_o oâ—_n a_o few_o congregation_n accipere_fw-la misimus_fw-la autem_fw-la sestertia_fw-la centum_fw-la millia_fw-la nummum_fw-la quae_fw-la istic_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la cvi_fw-la de_fw-la domini_fw-la indulgentia_fw-la praesuâ—us_fw-la cleri_fw-la &_o plebis_fw-la apud_fw-la nos_fw-la consistentis_fw-la collatione_fw-la collecta_fw-la sunt_fw-la and_o if_o the_o like_a shall_v happen_v again_o he_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o his_o diocese_n will_v relieve_v they_o libenter_fw-la &_o largiter_fw-la subsidia_fw-la praestare_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la opus_fw-la tam_fw-la necessarium_fw-la fratres_n &_o sorores_n prompt_v &_o libenter_fw-la operati_fw-la sunt_fw-la ep._n 60._o ll._n s._n centum_fw-la millia_fw-la ll._n centum_fw-la as_o pamelius_n correct_v it_o though_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o ms_n s._n potest_fw-la inter_fw-la caeteros_fw-la qui_fw-la alimentis_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la sustinentur_fw-la huius_fw-la histrionis_fw-la necessitas_fw-la adjuvari_fw-la si_fw-la illic_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la non_fw-la sufficit_fw-la ut_fw-la laborantibus_fw-la prâ—stet_fw-la alimenta_fw-la poterit_fw-la se_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la transfer_v &_o hic_fw-la quod_fw-la sibi_fw-la ad_fw-la victum_fw-la &_o vestitum_fw-la necessarium_fw-la fuerit_fw-la accipere_fw-la especial_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o cyprian_a when_o he_o send_v it_o to_o the_o bishop_n of_o numidia_n with_o a_o letter_n and_o particular_n do_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o as_o any_o extraordinary_a matter_n and_o all_o the_o observation_n he_o make_v of_o the_o contribution_n of_o his_o flock_n be_v that_o they_o be_v do_v prompt_a &_o libenter_fw-la ready_o and_o willing_o and_o he_o promise_n that_o they_o will_v be_v as_o ready_a upon_o any_o such_o occasion_n 2._o the_o ordinary_a charge_n of_o that_o church_n be_v so_o great_a for_o the_o support_n of_o the_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o a_o very_a numerous_a clergy_n beside_o poor_a who_o be_v plentiful_o relieve_v and_o especial_o in_o dangerous_a time_n beside_o the_o maintenance_n of_o such_o as_o when_o they_o become_v christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o quit_v their_o former_a calling_n as_o inconsistent_a with_o that_o holy_a profession_n and_o the_o extraordinary_a charge_n of_o messenger_n that_o pass_v perpetual_o between_o they_o and_o other_o church_n this_o ordinary_a charge_n be_v so_o great_a that_o the_o sum_v collect_v in_o this_o diocese_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o those_o captives_n at_o the_o low_a computation_n must_v suppose_v a_o considerable_a diocese_n to_o furnish_v it_o especial_o so_o soon_o after_o a_o terrible_a persecution_n as_o that_o which_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o follow_v last_o the_o diocese_n of_o carthage_n be_v not_o extraordinary_a in_o all_o these_o circumstance_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o africa_n be_v some_o of_o they_o distribute_v into_o several_a parish_n for_o caldonius_n a_o african_a bishop_n make_v mention_n of_o one_o felix_n 19_o faelix_fw-la qui_fw-la presbyterium_fw-la subministrabat_fw-la sub_fw-la decimo_fw-la proximus_fw-la mihi_fw-la vicinus_fw-la plenius_fw-la câ—gnevi_fw-la â—â—ndem_fw-la cum_fw-la ergo_fw-la universi_fw-la pacem_fw-la preterent_fw-la quamvis_fw-la mihi_fw-la videaâ—tur_fw-la debere_fw-la pacem_fw-la accipere_fw-la tamen_fw-la ad_fw-la consultum_fw-la vestrum_fw-la â—â—s_o dimisi_fw-la â—e_n videar_fw-la aliquid_fw-la temere_fw-la praesumere_fw-la caldon_n ep._n ad_fw-la cypr._n 19_o who_o do_v the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n under_o one_o decimus_n another_o presbyter_n of_o caldoniuâ—'s_n diocese_n as_o will_v appear_v from_o some_o passage_n of_o that_o epistle_n though_o goulartius_n be_v of_o opinion_n this_o decimus_n be_v a_o bishop_n and_o felix_n his_o presbyter_n but_o pamelius_n his_o conjecture_n be_v much_o better_o ground_v who_o make_v he_o the_o vicar_n or_o curate_n of_o decimus_n for_o 1._o if_o he_o and_o his_o wife_n victoria_n have_v belong_v to_o another_o bishop_n why_o do_v they_o make_v their_o application_n to_o caldonius_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o church_n why_o do_v not_o they_o go_v to_o their_o own_o bishop_n decimus_n or_o if_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o no_o other_o yet_o ordain_v in_o his_o place_n why_o not_o to_o the_o presbytery_n there_o who_o ought_v to_o have_v reconcile_v they_o and_o in_o a_o vacance_n take_v care_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n as_o the_o clergy_n of_o rome_n declare_v that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n they_o be_v to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o church_n cum_fw-la nobis_fw-la incumbat_fw-la 3._o ap._n cypr._n ep_v 3._o qui_fw-la praepositi_fw-la esse_fw-la videmur_fw-la &_o vice_fw-la pastoris_fw-la custodire_fw-la gregem_fw-la but_o their_o make_v their_o application_n to_o caldonius_n make_v it_o clear_a that_o he_o be_v their_o diocesan_n that_o the_o cure_n in_o which_o felix_n officiate_v be_v in_o his_o diocese_n 2._o caldonius_n his_o remit_v they_o to_o cyprian_a as_o the_o first_o bishop_n make_v it_o probable_a that_o he_o be_v their_o ordinary_n for_o what_o else_o have_v he_o to_o do_v to_o meddle_v with_o or_o remit_v the_o cognizance_n of_o any_o person_n belong_v to_o another_o church_n to_o any_o other_o than_o their_o own_o clergy_n and_o let_v they_o remit_v they_o to_o the_o primate_n if_o they_o judge_v the_o case_n difficult_a therefore_o it_o be_v much_o more_o probable_a that_o caldonius_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o suppliant_n and_o that_o the_o priest_n mention_v exercise_v his_o charge_n in_o some_o village_n or_o town_n in_o
in_o order_n to_o establish_v a_o general_a consent_n about_o communicate_v with_o cornelius_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o a_o full_a council_n of_o all_o the_o province_n the_o same_o that_o we_o have_v set_v down_o here_o from_o the_o libellus_fw-la synodicus_n another_o african_a council_n who_o epistle_n to_o fidus_n about_o the_o baptism_n of_o infant_n be_v still_o extant_a â—_o ap._n cypr._n ep._n 59_o aug._n â—â—â—tr_n duâ—â—_n ep._n â—th_o l._n 4._o c._n â—_o have_v sixty_o six_o bishop_n as_o st._n augustine_n report_v and_o name_n the_o number_n as_o extraordinary_a to_o add_v great_a authority_n to_o their_o testimony_n that_o concern_v basilides_n and_o martialis_n have_v but_o a_o very_a small_a number_n and_o the_o first_o about_o the_o validity_n of_o baptism_n by_o a_o heretic_n have_v no_o great_a number_n as_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o the_o inscription_n of_o it_o which_o show_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o numidia_n be_v not_o there_o and_o that_o it_o consist_v only_o of_o the_o province_n of_o africa_n proper_o so_o call_v numidas_n cyp._n ep._n 68.70_o ep._n ad_fw-la januarium_fw-la &_o caeteros_fw-la episcopos_fw-la numidas_n and_o cyprian_a though_o he_o mention_n this_o council_n in_o several_a place_n yet_o he_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o number_n nay_o though_o he_o mention_n it_o in_o the_o very_a same_o period_n with_o that_o which_o follow_v upon_o the_o same_o account_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o multitude_n of_o bishop_n there_o but_o express_v that_o of_o the_o other_o because_o he_o think_v it_o remarkable_a consider_v the_o number_n of_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n when_o we_o have_v meet_v together_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n and_o numidia_n seventy_o one_o in_o number_n 73._o quid_fw-la in_o concilio_n cum_fw-la complures_fw-la adessemus_fw-la decreverimus_fw-la et_fw-la nunc_fw-la quoque_fw-la cum_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la convenissemus_fw-la tam_fw-la provinciae_fw-la africa_n quam_fw-la numidiae_fw-la episcopi_fw-la septuaginta_fw-la unus_fw-la ep._n 73._o and_o this_o council_n as_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v full_a enough_o be_v confirm_v by_o another_o of_o great_a extent_n and_o number_n 15_o cum_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la convenissent_fw-la episcopi_fw-la plurimi_fw-la ex_fw-la provincia_n africa_n numidia_n mauritania_n sententiae_fw-la 87._o episâ—c_fw-mi ap_fw-mi cypr._n t._n 2._o c._n 15_o consist_v of_o eighty_o seven_o bishop_n assemble_v out_o of_o the_o province_n of_o africa_n numidia_n mauritania_n and_o of_o these_o eighty_o seven_o two_o leave_v their_o suffrage_n with_o proxy_n and_o this_o be_v the_o most_o numerous_a of_o all_o the_o council_n in_o cyprian_n time_n and_o the_o last_o of_o that_o country_n we_o have_v any_o account_n of_o in_o that_o age_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o africa_n and_o the_o number_n of_o their_o bishop_n which_o if_o we_o compare_v with_o the_o vast_a increase_n of_o christian_n there_o describe_v by_o tertullian_n and_o the_o accession_n we_o may_v probable_o conceive_v to_o have_v be_v make_v after_o by_o the_o care_n and_o ministry_n of_o those_o good_a bishop_n that_o govern_v that_o church_n we_o must_v conclude_v the_o african_a diocese_n to_o be_v very_o large_a and_o to_o contain_v each_o of_o they_o not_o only_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o believer_n but_o those_o also_o disperse_v throughout_o a_o great_a extent_n of_o country_n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o africa_n may_v not_o meet_v in_o these_o council_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o computation_n to_o be_v make_v of_o their_o number_n from_o this_o observation_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a every_o individual_a bishop_n may_v not_o be_v present_a yet_o the_o great_a part_n be_v and_o none_o be_v to_o absent_v himself_o without_o absolute_a necessity_n as_o of_o sickness_n or_o the_o like_a and_o the_o number_n of_o such_o will_v be_v inconsiderable_a and_o the_o canon_n of_o that_o church_n be_v very_o strict_a in_o this_o point_n in_o after_o time_n 43._o codex_fw-la canon_n afric_n c._n 53._o vid._n conc._n carth._n 3._o c._n 43._o and_o give_v strange_a encouragement_n to_o such_o as_o have_v otherwise_o but_o ill_a title_n to_o their_o bishopric_n to_o hold_v they_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o he_o who_o have_v the_o just_a title_n if_o the_o one_o frequent_a their_o council_n and_o the_o other_o neglect_v they_o on_o the_o otherside_n neglect_v of_o duty_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v make_v liable_a to_o deprivation_n mittat_fw-la carth._n 4._o c._n 21._o episcopus_fw-la ad_fw-la synodum_fw-la irâ—_n non_fw-la sine_fw-la satis_fw-la gravi_fw-la necessitate_v inhibâ—atur_fw-la fic_z tamen_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o sva_fw-la persona_fw-la â—egatum_fw-la mittat_fw-la 2._o in_o cyprian_n time_n when_o the_o african_a bishop_n have_v no_o dependence_n one_o upon_o another_o and_o no_o subordination_n to_o metropolitan_o and_o the_o decree_n of_o their_o synod_n do_v and_o can_v oblige_v only_o such_o as_o be_v present_a and_o consent_v to_o they_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o all_o shall_v come_v together_o or_o send_v their_o proxy_n in_o order_n to_o establish_v that_o unity_n among_o they_o which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o these_o council_n and_o yet_o all_o the_o number_n even_o of_o their_o most_o solemn_a council_n be_v not_o great_a 3._o the_o practice_n of_o the_o african_a church_n within_o half_a a_o à ge_n after_o this_o time_n confirm_v this_o inference_n from_o the_o number_n of_o the_o bishop_n at_o council_n to_o the_o number_n of_o diocese_n in_o that_o country_n for_o we_o find_v present_o as_o bishopric_n be_v multiply_v by_o the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n so_o council_n become_v much_o more_o numerous_a and_o whereas_o ninety_o be_v the_o great_a number_n that_o ever_o meet_v there_o before_o this_o schism_n afterward_o we_o find_v several_a hundred_o but_o however_o this_o inference_n will_v hold_v it_o be_v some_o comfort_n to_o find_v some_o other_o of_o great_a knowledge_n and_o judgement_n in_o antiquity_n to_o hold_v the_o conclusion_n that_o the_o number_n of_o bishopric_n be_v not_o great_a in_o cyprian_n time_n which_o be_v assign_v as_o a_o reason_n why_o his_o province_n be_v so_o large_a 84._o aucto_fw-la numero_fw-la sedium_fw-la episcopalium_n adeo_fw-la ut_fw-la omnibus_fw-la invigilare_fw-la haud_fw-la facile_fw-la esset_fw-la carthagâ—nensi_fw-la episcâ—po_fw-la carol._n à _fw-fr s._n paulo_n geogr._n sacr_n p._n 84._o but_o to_o make_v this_o point_n clear_a beyond_o all_o exception_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o show_v from_o unquestionable_a testimony_n how_o bishopric_n come_v to_o be_v multiply_v in_o africa_n more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o part_n and_o then_o notwithstanding_o this_o i_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o those_o bishop_n be_v diocesan_n and_o some_o of_o they_o after_o the_o crumble_a of_o that_o church_n into_o small_a piece_n have_v yet_o very_o large_a diocese_n not_o inferior_a to_o most_o of_o we_o for_o extent_n of_o territory_n the_o schism_n of_o the_o donatist_n though_o it_o break_v not_o forth_o with_o any_o violence_n till_o after_o caecilianus_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o carthage_n yet_o it_o be_v hatch_n long_a before_o in_o the_o time_n of_o mensurius_n 163._o aug._n ep._n 163._o when_o the_o faction_n be_v keep_v up_o under_o hand_n and_o have_v its_o agent_n in_o several_a place_n but_o be_v grow_v ripe_a it_o take_v occasion_n from_o the_o promotion_n of_o caecilianus_n to_o declare_v itself_o secundus_fw-la tisnigensis_n be_v call_v to_o carthage_n with_o his_o numidian_a bishop_n to_o set_v up_o another_o he_o come_v according_o with_o about_o seventy_o bishop_n all_o the_o strength_n he_o can_v make_v and_o perhaps_o more_o than_o his_o own_o province_n can_v afford_v he_o these_o declare_v they_o will_v not_o communicate_v with_o caecilianus_n and_o therefore_o set_v up_o majorinus_n against_o he_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n where_o ever_o they_o can_v make_v the_o least_o party_n imaginable_a they_o appoint_v a_o schismatical_a bishop_n and_o not_o content_a to_o equal_v the_o number_n of_o the_o catholic_n they_o divide_v the_o ancient_a diocese_n and_o erect_v several_a new_a episcopal_a seat_n that_o by_o the_o number_n of_o their_o bishop_n at_o least_o they_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v catholic_n as_o they_o afterward_o lay_v claim_n to_o the_o title_n upon_o that_o account_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o this_o breach_n 48._o aug._n ep._n 48._o but_o we_o hear_v of_o unusual_a number_n of_o bishop_n meet_v in_o council_n and_o one_o of_o the_o donatist_n of_o carthage_n according_a to_o tychonius_n his_o relation_n donat_n vid._n valesii_n dissert_n de_fw-fr schism_n donat_n have_v no_o less_o than_o two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o bishop_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a show_v this_o change_n to_o have_v be_v very_o sudden_a though_o it_o can_v be_v so_o soon_o as_o balduinus_n and_o out_o of_o he_o baronius_n will_v understand_v it_o to_o be_v but_o of_o this_o i_o have_v
but_o a_o synod_n hold_v at_o rome_n about_o the_o same_o subject_n have_v but_o fourteen_o bishop_n and_o several_a other_o synod_n about_o this_o controversy_n have_v not_o many_o more_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n under_o narcissus_n have_v but_o fourteen_o evocavit_fw-la papa_n victor_n direxit_fw-la authoritatem_fw-la not_o the_o language_n of_o that_o time_n praecepta_fw-la it_o aque_fw-la authoritate_fw-la praedictus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la nonsolum_fw-la de_fw-la sva_fw-la provincia_n sed_fw-la de_fw-la diversis_fw-la regionibus_fw-la omnes_fw-la episcopos_fw-la evocavit_fw-la and_o the_o famous_a council_n under_o theophilus_n bishop_n of_o caesarea_n have_v but_o twelve_o beside_o he_o eusebius_n make_v but_o one_o of_o both_o these_o bede_n represent_v it_o as_o a_o extraordinary_a great_a assembly_n for_o the_o preface_n to_o it_o i_o conceive_v to_o be_v his_o he_o make_v he_o to_o assemble_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n of_o his_o own_o province_n but_o from_o several_a other_o part_n the_o council_n of_o lion_n under_o irenaeus_n make_v up_o but_o fourteen_o that_o of_o corinth_n under_o bachillus_n eighteen_o that_o under_o pasna_n or_o palma_n the_o same_o number_n that_o of_o osroena_fw-la eighteen_o but_o the_o precedent_n of_o it_o be_v not_o know_v that_o of_o mesapotamia_n which_o follow_v have_v the_o same_o number_n and_o it_o may_v be_v be_v the_o same_o synod_n as_o that_o of_o rome_n which_o follow_v be_v it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o be_v mention_v before_o to_o have_v have_v the_o like_a number_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o such_o mistake_n as_o these_o be_v that_o when_o man_n find_v a_o synod_n cite_v upon_o several_a account_n although_o it_o may_v be_v the_o same_o meeting_n that_o determine_v several_a thing_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o conclude_v they_o be_v several_a synod_n however_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o hence_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o bishop_n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o they_o grow_v to_o within_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o and_o that_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o largeness_n of_o their_o diocese_n but_o you_o will_v say_v there_o be_v but_o few_o christian_n in_o these_o part_n the_o contrary_n be_v notorious_a to_o all_o the_o word_n for_o these_o part_n where_o most_o of_o these_o council_n be_v hold_v be_v the_o best_a plant_v and_o furnish_v with_o christian_n of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v but_o few_o in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o time_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o this_o that_o tertullian_n write_v his_o apology_n and_o what_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o be_v then_o we_o have_v show_v already_o how_o then_o can_v this_o be_v imagine_v for_o every_o city_n if_o it_o have_v a_o church_n must_v have_v a_o bishop_n there_o be_v no_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o that_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v its_o peculiar_a bishop_n for_o we_o have_v see_v already_o one_o bishop_n as_o that_o of_o milevis_n have_v more_o city_n than_o one_o in_o his_o diocese_n and_o it_o have_v be_v so_o from_o ancient_a time_n or_o rather_o from_o the_o beginning_n antiquitus_fw-la pertinuit_fw-la and_o in_o this_o time_n we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v likely_a the_o apostolic_a constitution_n of_o bishopric_n which_o in_o the_o beginning_n as_o rabanus_n maurus_n observe_v be_v very_o large_a do_v hold_v and_o it_o be_v the_o best_a suit_v to_o the_o infancy_n of_o the_o church_n when_o one_o general_n visit_v our_o shall_v take_v care_n of_o several_a church_n scatter_v as_o yet_o and_o incoherent_a and_o because_o a_o persecution_n may_v overthrow_v these_o little_a beginning_n it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v one_o who_o office_n it_o shall_v be_v to_o cultivate_v these_o new_a plantation_n and_o where_o they_o be_v root_v up_o to_o set_v anew_o and_o to_o confirm_v those_o that_o be_v shake_v with_o a_o competent_a district_n but_o when_o christian_n multiply_v every_o where_o and_o most_o city_n have_v such_o number_n belong_v to_o they_o as_o must_v be_v distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n the_o diocese_n of_o the_o first_o constitution_n become_v too_o great_a and_o every_o city_n with_o some_o of_o the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o become_v a_o diocese_n and_o have_v its_o proper_a bishop_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a both_o to_o the_o scripture_n history_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o have_v make_v a_o deduction_n of_o before_o and_o to_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o church_n in_o succeed_a age_n and_o particular_o to_o the_o number_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o first_o synod_n but_o to_o proceed_v the_o synod_n at_o rome_n under_o victor_n wherein_o novatus_n be_v condemn_v be_v much_o more_o numerous_a than_o any_o mention_v before_o 43._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n hist_o l._n 6._o c._n 43._o and_o consist_v of_o sixty_o bishop_n beside_o priest_n and_o deacon_n and_o eusebius_n speak_v of_o this_o observe_v the_o number_n to_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a consisider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o those_o time_n and_o the_o number_n assemble_v in_o forego_v synod_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o the_o libellus_fw-la synodicus_n reckon_v but_o eighteen_o which_o it_o may_v be_v be_v a_o small_a synod_n previous_a to_o this_o great_a one_o mention_v by_o eusebius_n the_o eastern_a synod_n about_o rebaptise_v heretic_n be_v reckon_v as_o for_o those_o time_n very_o numerous_a 3._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c_o 5._o plurimi_fw-la tractavimus_fw-la firmil_n ep._n ad_fw-la cypr._n contra_fw-la crescon_n l._n 3._o c._n 3._o and_o yet_o that_o of_o iconium_n the_o great_a of_o those_o of_o the_o east_n consist_v of_o but_o fifty_o bishop_n and_o these_o meet_v together_o out_o of_o several_a country_n as_o galatia_n cappadocia_n cilicia_n and_o other_o neighbour_a province_n st._n augustin_n despise_v the_o smallness_n of_o their_o number_n though_o dionysius_n confess_v these_o be_v mighty_a synod_n in_o his_o time_n or_o rather_o before_o his_o time_n for_o they_o seem_v to_o be_v early_o than_o baronius_n place_n they_o but_o what_o be_v these_o against_o so_o many_o thousand_o bishop_n as_o be_v in_o the_o world_n then_o say_v augustin_n i_o believe_v it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o have_v find_v so_o many_o thousand_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n discover_v no_o such_o multitude_n of_o they_o and_o they_o must_v be_v very_o negligent_a if_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o many_o and_o yet_o suffer_v thing_n to_o be_v carry_v any_o way_n in_o council_n by_o a_o very_a few_o person_n that_o father_n judge_v of_o former_a age_n by_o his_o own_o when_o dioceses_n be_v exceed_o multipy_v even_o to_o be_v the_o grievance_n and_o complaint_n of_o the_o african_a church_n but_o baronius_n go_v to_o mend_v the_o matter_n by_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o opinion_n can_v find_v but_o fifty_o to_o countenance_v it_o among_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o east_n one_o will_v imagine_v by_o this_o that_o the_o council_n of_o iconium_n and_o synadae_fw-la 258_o an._n ch._n 258_o be_v but_o a_o small_a number_n of_o bishop_n protest_v against_o the_o general_a suffrage_n of_o their_o neighbour_n bishop_n but_o if_o this_o be_v true_a stephen_n bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v act_v very_o extravagant_o and_o upon_o ill_a information_n when_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o public_a resolution_n take_v by_o fifty_o bishop_n he_o go_v to_o excommunicate_v all_o the_o bishop_n of_o cilicia_n galatia_n 5._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 5._o cappadocia_n and_o the_o border_a nation_n what_o number_n of_o bishop_n france_n have_v at_o this_o time_n appear_v from_o the_o council_n 2._o vita_fw-la 5._o pauli_n ap_fw-mi bosquet_n hist_o eccl._n gal._n par_fw-fr 2._o where_o paul_n bishop_n of_o narbonne_n be_v accuse_v of_o in_o continence_n evocatis_fw-la paucis_fw-la episcopis_fw-la galliae_fw-la quia_fw-la nondum_fw-la erant_fw-la plures_fw-la have_v call_v a_o few_o bishop_n together_o for_o at_o that_o time_n gallia_n have_v not_o many_o nor_o do_v we_o find_v that_o diocese_n be_v much_o multiply_v in_o spain_n as_o yet_o the_o famous_a council_n of_o illiberis_n which_o decree_v so_o many_o thing_n relate_v to_o communion_n and_o such_o as_o all_o the_o church_n there_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o consent_v to_o have_v but_o nineteen_o bishop_n a_o number_n so_o small_a that_o baronius_n take_v occasion_n from_o hence_o to_o despise_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o assembly_n but_o what_o ever_o may_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o smallness_n of_o their_o number_n sure_o one_o must_v infer_v that_o their_o diocese_n be_v divide_v into_o parish_n from_o canon_n seventy_o seven_o mendoza_n siquis_fw-la dia_n conus_fw-la regens_fw-la plebem_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopo_fw-la vel_fw-la presbytero_fw-la aliquns_fw-la baptizaverit_fw-la etc._n etc._n conc._n illib_a c._n 77._o hic_fw-la regere_fw-la posse_fw-la plebem_fw-la diaconum_fw-la hoc_fw-la
or_o deacon_n that_o be_v ordain_v in_o their_o diocese_n without_o their_o consent_n and_o that_o by_o simple_a presbyter_n who_o be_v never_o chorepiscopi_fw-la or_o have_v any_o character_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o presbyter_n therefore_o the_o case_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v reckon_v so_o hard_o as_o it_o be_v common_o represent_v by_o the_o more_o moderate_a nonconformist_n who_o pretend_v this_o point_n of_o reordination_n the_o only_a bar_n that_o keep_v they_o out_o of_o the_o church_n since_o there_o be_v never_o any_o other_o church_n not_o any_o in_o ancient_a time_n will_v have_v receive_v they_o upon_o any_o other_o term_n and_o they_o must_v have_v remain_v nonconformist_n under_o basil_n athanasius_n and_o all_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n who_o name_n be_v and_o always_o have_v be_v have_v in_o veneration_n with_o all_o christian_n not_o one_o of_o these_o will_v have_v ever_o be_v persuade_v to_o own_o a_o pastor_n that_o his_o presbyter_n have_v ordain_v in_o opposition_n to_o he_o nay_o hardly_o can_v they_o have_v be_v prevail_v with_o to_o admit_v such_o as_o any_o other_o bishop_n shall_v ordain_v within_o their_o diocese_n so_o extreme_a punctilious_a they_o be_v in_o this_o matter_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o one_o thing_n that_o cause_v so_o frequent_a and_o dangerous_a contention_n between_o they_o as_o the_o point_n of_o ordination_n nor_o be_v this_o province_n singular_a in_o the_o extent_n of_o its_o bishopric_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o administration_n but_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n go_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n as_o to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n and_o most_o of_o they_o have_v much_o large_a diocese_n than_o these_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o the_o frontier_n province_n of_o the_o empire_n towards_o the_o east_n be_v more_o remote_a from_o the_o contention_n that_o afflict_v the_o church_n be_v not_o canton_v into_o so_o small_a diocese_n as_o other_o country_n and_o be_v likewise_o less_o divide_v in_o their_o civil_a condition_n because_o it_o may_v render_v they_o less_o defensible_a against_o invasion_n the_o ecclesiastical_a diocese_n likewise_o remain_v entire_a in_o the_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o first_o constitution_n the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o extraordinary_a extent_n 10._o conc._n chal._n act._n 10._o even_o at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n when_o the_o ambition_n of_o some_o metropolitan_o and_o the_o contention_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n have_v reduce_v bishopric_n to_o be_v very_o small_a for_o 1._o some_o of_o the_o misdemeanour_n charge_v upon_o ibas_n bishop_n of_o this_o place_n show_v that_o diocese_n to_o be_v extreme_o rich_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o collection_n for_o redemption_n of_o captive_n amount_v to_o fifteen_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o though_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o reduce_v that_o sum_n to_o our_o money_n yet_o we_o must_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v a_o considerable_a sum_n when_o we_o reflect_v upon_o another_o accusation_n of_o daniel_n brother_n to_o ibas_n as_o if_o he_o have_v bestow_v on_o calloa_n the_o money_n of_o the_o church_n for_o she_o have_v let_v out_o to_o use_v two_o or_o three_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o must_v be_v a_o considerable_a sum_n since_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o as_o a_o argument_n of_o her_o wealth_n beside_o the_o church_n of_o edessa_n have_v six_o thousand_o more_o of_o these_o numismata_fw-la beside_o its_o ordinary_a revenue_n and_o one_o of_o its_o manor_n call_v lafargaritha_n be_v mention_v there_o and_o two_o hundred_o pound_n weight_n of_o church_n plate_n 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o city_n of_o battina_n be_v in_o the_o diocese_n of_o edessa_n for_o ibas_n be_v accuse_v of_o have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v one_o john_n bishop_n of_o it_o who_o be_v suspect_v of_o magic_n but_o ibas_n his_o archdeacon_n of_o that_o place_n oppose_v it_o 3._o maras_n who_o be_v one_o of_o ibas_n his_o accuser_n be_v excommunicate_v by_o another_o archdeacon_n of_o he_o 4._o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o city_n of_o edessa_n be_v above_o two_o hundred_o person_n not_o reckon_v that_o of_o the_o country_n within_o his_o diocese_n and_o this_o be_v a_o diocesan_n bishop_n to_o purpose_n who_o beside_o a_o large_a diocese_n have_v excommunicate_v arch-deacon_n and_o a_o great_a revenue_n and_o if_o mr._n b._n or_o his_o brethren_n have_v be_v of_o that_o diocese_n we_o may_v have_v find_v they_o among_o his_o accuser_n the_o diocese_n of_o cyrus_n whereof_o theodoret_n be_v bishop_n be_v yet_o large_a 113._o theodor._n ep._n 113._o contain_v eight_o hundred_o church_n as_o he_o write_v to_o leo_n bishop_n of_o rome_n the_o exception_n which_o mr._n b._n make_v against_o this_o epistle_n be_v so_o full_o answer_v by_o the_o incomparable_a dean_n of_o paul_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v add_v but_o if_o mr._n b._n shall_v quarrel_v with_o any_o writing_n of_o this_o time_n for_o mention_v great_a diocese_n we_o must_v have_v a_o new_a critic_n and_o disgrace_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o father_n that_o have_v hitherto_o be_v receive_v by_o a_o general_a consent_n it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o convince_v man_n that_o imagine_v all_o that_o time_n for_o they_o whereof_o we_o have_v little_a or_o no_o account_n and_o reckon_v silence_n of_o antiquity_n for_o consent_n and_o than_o if_o any_o thing_n shall_v appear_v against_o what_o they_o have_v once_o fanfy_v though_o it_o be_v never_o of_o so_o good_a credit_n it_o be_v spurious_a it_o be_v all_o imposture_n because_o it_o make_v against_o they_o who_o will_v ever_o be_v convict_v if_o it_o shall_v be_v defence_n enough_o to_o say_v the_o evidence_n be_v a_o lie_n petavius_n mistake_v a_o passage_n in_o epiphanius_n hieron_n not._n in_o epiph_n haeres_fw-la arr._n epiph._n ep._n ad_fw-la joh._n hieros_n ap_fw-mi hieron_n think_v the_o diocese_n of_o cyprus_n to_o be_v very_o small_a but_o from_o epiphanius_n his_o letter_n to_o john_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n it_o appear_v that_o his_o diocese_n be_v of_o good_a extent_n john_n have_v a_o quarrel_n with_o he_o for_o have_v ordain_v a_o presbyter_n in_o his_o diocese_n though_o it_o be_v only_o for_o the_o use_n of_o a_o monastery_n and_o he_o excuse_v himself_o by_o show_v how_o common_a a_o thing_n this_o be_v and_o how_o frequent_o it_o be_v do_v in_o his_o own_o diocese_n and_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o take_v offence_n at_o it_o that_o he_o think_v himself_o oblige_v to_o some_o of_o his_o neighbour_a bishop_n for_o use_v that_o liberty_n and_o therefore_o commend_v the_o good_a nature_n and_o meekness_n of_o the_o cyprian_a bishop_n who_o never_o quarrel_v with_o one_o another_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o then_o add_v that_o many_o bishop_n of_o our_o communion_n have_v ordain_v presbyter_n in_o our_o province_n that_o we_o can_v not_o take_v because_o they_o flee_v from_o we_o on_o purpose_n to_o avoid_v that_o honour_n which_o be_v the_o modesty_n of_o those_o time_n nay_o i_o myself_o desire_v philo_n of_o bless_a memory_n and_o theophorbus_n that_o they_o will_v ordain_v presbyter_n in_o those_o church_n of_o cyprus_n which_o be_v near_o they_o presbyteros_fw-la o_o veer_fw-mi benedicta_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la cypri_n mansuetudo_fw-la &_o bonitas_fw-la multi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la communionis_fw-la nostrae_fw-la &_o presbyteros_fw-la in_o nostra_fw-la ordinaverunt_fw-la provincia_n quos_fw-la nos_fw-la comprehendere_fw-la non_fw-la poteramus_fw-la &_o ipse_fw-la cohortatus_fw-la slim_fw-la b._n m._n philonem_fw-la &_o sanctum_fw-la theophorbum_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la cypri_n quae_fw-la juxta_fw-la se_fw-la grant_v ad_fw-la meae_fw-la autem_fw-la parochiae_fw-la videbantur_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la pertinere_fw-la to_o quod_fw-la grandis_fw-la esset_fw-la &_o late_a paten_n provincia_n ordinarent_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la and_o belong_v to_o my_o diocese_n because_o my_o province_n i.e._n my_o docess_n be_v very_o large_a now_o that_o this_o province_n which_o be_v here_o say_v to_o be_v of_o so_o large_a extent_n be_v no_o other_o than_o his_o diocese_n appear_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o if_o we_o shall_v imagine_v that_o it_o be_v his_o province_n as_o metropolitan_a the_o word_n will_v have_v no_o sense_n for_o then_o be_v not_o there_o bishop_n enough_o disperse_v through_o this_o great_a province_n who_o may_v ordain_v within_o their_o respecture_n diocese_n and_o to_o they_o belong_v the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n and_o not_o to_o the_o metropolitan_a if_o we_o shall_v take_v this_o province_n for_o a_o civil_a division_n there_o will_v be_v yet_o great_a absurdity_n for_o there_o may_v be_v other_o metropolitan_o as_o well_o as_o he_o and_o by_o what_o authority_n can_v he_o dispose_v of_o their_o diocese_n or_o province_n in_o short_a there_o he_o give_v leave_v to_o ordain_v presbyter_n where_o the_o right_a of_o ordain_v they_o belong_v to_o
before_o the_o council_n of_o toledo_n write_v a_o sermon_n for_o they_o the_o bishop_n wherein_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o every_o parish_n that_o have_v twelve_o family_n must_v have_v their_o proper_a governor_n i._n e._n a_o presbyter_n whereas_o that_o be_v not_o part_n of_o the_o king_n sermon_n as_o mr._n b._n call_v that_o prince_n his_o letter_n to_o the_o council_n but_o a_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n itself_o for_o the_o king_n letter_n end_v long_o before_o with_o a_o formal_a date_n dat._n die_v 70_o faeliciter_fw-la 60_o regni_fw-la toleto_n in_o the_o same_o page_n mr._n b._n to_o show_v his_o skill_n make_v willibrood_n and_o wilfrid_n to_o be_v the_o same_o i_o wonder_v the_o more_o at_o this_o because_o binius_fw-la in_o this_o very_a place_n from_o whence_o mr._n b._n take_v his_o account_n of_o willibrood_n and_o wilfrid_n do_v plain_o make_v they_o to_o be_v two_o person_n but_o when_o mr._n b._n go_v to_o play_v the_o critic_n this_o be_v constant_o his_o success_n but_o binius_fw-la lead_v he_o into_o a_o mistake_n p._n 253._o where_o he_o transcribe_v out_o of_o his_o author_n that_o ludovicus_n deprive_v he_o pepin_n of_o his_o kingdom_n of_o italy_n and_o divide_v it_o between_o his_o two_o son_n by_o the_o second_o wife_n charles_n and_o rodolphus_n it_o be_v great_a news_n to_o historian_n to_o hear_v that_o lewis_n have_v two_o son_n by_o his_o second_o wife_n since_o no_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o any_o other_o but_o charles_n the_o writer_n of_o that_o emperor_n life_n speak_v of_o no_o other_o nor_o ammonius_n who_o transcribe_v he_o nor_o the_o follow_a chronicle_n girard_n vignier_n mezeraye_n who_o reckon_v up_o lewis_n his_o child_n have_v no_o such_o person_n and_o say_v express_o that_o judith_n have_v but_o one_o son_n she_o have_v a_o brother_n indeed_o name_v rodolphus_n but_o he_o have_v no_o share_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o this_o division_n of_o pepin_n kingdom_n be_v between_o lotharius_n and_o charles_n as_o the_o annal._n franc._n before_o mention_v do_v deliver_v nor_o be_v italy_n the_o kingdom_n of_o pepin_n the_o son_n of_o lewis_n as_o binius_fw-la and_o mr._n b._n tell_v we_o but_o aquitain_n lotharius_n have_v be_v a_o good_a while_n before_o make_v king_n of_o italy_n and_o crown_v by_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o place_n of_o bernard_n mr._n b._n by_o way_n of_o remark_n p._n 342._o say_v that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o pope_n benedict_n and_o his_o company_n shall_v condemn_v berengarius_fw-la but_o lanfrancus_fw-la in_o his_o book_n against_o berengarius_fw-la write_v that_o leo_n the_o nine_o be_v the_o first_o that_o condemn_v he_o some_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o benedict_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1050._o we_o have_v a_o conjecture_n of_o mr._n b_n p._n 356._o that_o be_v not_o unpleasant_a and_o that_o show_v his_o profound_a skill_n in_o history_n he_o cite_v a_o epistle_n of_o gregory_n the_o seven_o to_o the_o king_n of_o denmark_n where_o among_o other_o thing_n he_o invite_v he_o to_o send_v his_o son_n with_o a_o army_n to_o conquer_v a_o maritine_n province_n not_o far_o from_o rome_n possess_v by_o vile_a and_o sluggish_a heretic_n what_o province_n he_o mean_v say_v mr._n b._n i_o be_o not_o certain_a unless_o it_o be_v the_o waldenses_n it_o be_v pretty_a well_o guess_v for_o gregory_n the_o seven_o die_v in_o the_o year_n 1085._o and_o p._n waldo_n from_o who_o the_o waldenses_n have_v their_o denomination_n begin_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o about_o the_o year_n 1160._o but_o fourscore_o year_n break_v no_o square_a nor_o be_v our_o author_n much_o more_o happy_a in_o his_o geography_n than_o in_o his_o chronology_n for_o p._n 421._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o council_n hold_v at_o vienna_n near_o france_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v say_v the_o city_n of_o sarum_n near_o england_n but_o there_o will_v be_v no_o end_n of_o instance_v all_o the_o oversight_n of_o this_o church-history_n the_o reader_n may_v dip_v at_o adventure_n and_o if_o he_o do_v not_o light_v upon_o mistake_v as_o remarkable_a as_o any_o of_o these_o he_o have_v but_o ill_a fortune_n he_o that_o take_v any_o pleasure_n to_o trace_v beveus_n and_o mistake_v may_v find_v here_o a_o endless_a comedy_n of_o error_n 5._o but_o i_o have_v almost_o forget_v one_o qualification_n very_o requisite_a for_o a_o church-historian_n which_o must_v not_o be_v omit_v the_o learned_a call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o want_n of_o which_o betray_v a_o writer_n sometime_o when_o fortune_n be_v not_o propitious_a into_o great_a absurdity_n i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o bold_a with_o mr._n b._n as_o to_o say_v this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o a_o strange_a misadventure_n of_o he_o p._n 122._o for_o speak_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n conclude_v upon_o in_o a_o council_n at_o rome_n under_o pope_n gelasius_n mr._n b._n make_v a_o wonderful_a discovery_n that_o in_o the_o canon_n they_o put_v a_o book_n call_v ordo_fw-la historiarum_fw-la and_o now_o let_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n value_v itself_o if_o it_o dare_v for_o have_v preserve_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n entire_a and_o undiminish_a since_o mr._n b._n plain_o discover_v a_o book_n to_o have_v be_v once_o in_o their_o canon_n which_o be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o pope_n bibles_n a_o strange_a thing_n this_o that_o no_o body_n shall_v ever_o discover_v this_o before_o but_o i_o wonder_v that_o he_o do_v not_o find_v out_o another_o book_n in_o that_o canon_n every_o whit_n as_o strange_a as_o this_o and_o that_o be_v ordo_fw-la prophetarum_fw-la for_o there_o it_o be_v as_o a_o general_n title_n before_o the_o prophet_n as_o this_o ordo_fw-la historiarum_fw-la be_v before_o some_o historical_a book_n this_o mistake_n be_v as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v find_v a_o chapter_n in_o the_o bible_n call_v content_n or_o a_o book_n call_v apocrypha_fw-la i_o have_v give_v these_o few_o instance_n out_o of_o many_o of_o mr._n b_n great_a ability_n in_o church-history_n that_o the_o reader_n may_v perceive_v how_o much_o this_o infamous_a libel_n against_o bishop_n and_o council_n be_v to_o be_v depend_v upon_o and_o let_v any_o man_n that_o have_v any_o acquaintance_n with_o these_o mattter_n judge_v impartial_o whether_o this_o history_n do_v real_o disgrace_v bishop_n or_o council_n or_o any_o body_n else_o so_o effectual_o as_o it_o do_v the_o author_n and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o have_v make_v history_n once_o long_o and_o hard_a study_n even_o let_v we_o burn_v binius_fw-la and_o baronius_n and_o go_v make_v button_n we_o may_v with_o honest_a application_n employ_v our_o time_n so_o to_o much_o better_a purpose_n i_o must_v detain_v the_o reader_n a_o little_a long_o with_o this_o preface_n while_o i_o endeavour_v to_o clear_v some_o passage_n of_o this_o book_n which_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v answer_v already_o the_o effect_n of_o they_o be_v say_v in_o behalf_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o reply_v to_o on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o dissenter_n for_o some_o part_n of_o this_o book_n be_v print_v 8_o or_o 9_o month_n ago_o and_o the_o subject_a have_v be_v treat_v by_o several_a hand_n it_o can_v not_o be_v but_o that_o several_a thing_n shall_v be_v say_v to_o the_o same_o effect_n in_o answer_n to_o mr._n b_n allegation_n for_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o in_o confirmation_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n with_o what_o be_v write_v here_o and_o be_v reply_v to_o there_o seem_v already_o to_o have_v receive_v their_o answer_n wherefore_o i_o conceive_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v off_o such_o exception_n as_o prevent_v any_o passage_n in_o this_o book_n and_o because_o it_o can_v not_o be_v do_v convenient_o in_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o reserve_v they_o for_o the_o preface_n but_o upon_o examination_n i_o find_v they_o to_o be_v few_o than_o i_o do_v at_o first_o imagine_v for_o mr._n baxter_n since_o his_o church-history_n and_o treatise_n of_o episcopacy_n have_v make_v no_o far_a impression_n into_o this_o controversy_n i_o have_v examine_v some_o chapter_n of_o that_o book_n that_o pursue_v the_o design_n of_o this_o history_n by_o the_o addition_n of_o several_a historical_a passage_n to_o disgrace_v the_o episcopal_a government_n as_o the_o occasion_n of_o all_o mischief_n in_o the_o church_n as_o for_o the_o first_o part_n about_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n it_o have_v too_o many_o particular_n to_o be_v minutely_o consider_v but_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o have_v be_v say_v in_o short_a in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o church_n and_o more_o at_o large_a in_o his_o disputation_n of_o church_n government_n have_v be_v examine_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o book_n dr._n o._n have_v follow_v mr._n b._n in_o the_o congregational_a way_n and_o as_o for_o his_o allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n they_o
be_v transcribe_v out_o of_o mr._n baxter_n with_o little_a of_o improvement_n or_o addition_n one_o will_v think_v a_o diligent_a man_n may_v find_v good_a glean_v after_o mr._n b._n but_o dr._n oh_o book_n it_o seem_v be_v answer_v already_o by_o a_o unknown_a hand_n but_o there_o be_v a_o late_a book_n publish_v under_o the_o title_n of_o no_o evidence_n for_o diocesan_n church_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n for_o such_o church_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o reply_n be_v yet_o make_v that_o i_o know_v of_o to_o those_o exception_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o take_v off_o such_o of_o they_o as_o may_v concern_v i_o 1._o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o cyprian_n time_n be_v diocesan_n and_o among_o other_o thing_n urge_v for_o it_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n that_o belong_v to_o that_o church_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v fall_v off_o the_o author_n abovementioned_a except_v against_o this_o where_o it_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o dean_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o offer_v two_o thing_n in_o answer_n 1._o a_o passage_n out_o of_o bishop_n downham_n that_o indeed_o at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o people_n convert_v be_v sometime_o not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v but_o a_o small_a congregation_n but_o this_o allegation_n can_v be_v of_o little_a use_n because_o 1._o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a convert_v church_n but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n 2._o many_o more_o presbyter_n may_v be_v ordain_v in_o a_o city_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o a_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o future_a increase_n and_o for_o the_o service_n of_o such_o as_o afterward_o shall_v believe_v so_o that_o though_o there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o new_a gather_v church_n almost_o as_o many_o presbyter_n as_o there_o be_v people_n yet_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v be_v for_o several_a congregation_n when_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o place_n shall_v become_v so_o numerous_a as_o not_o to_o be_v contain_v in_o one_o 3._o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o one_o congregational_a church_n may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o uncertain_a abide_v of_o most_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_a ordainer_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o scripture_n therefore_o they_o may_v ordain_v more_o than_o be_v just_o necessary_a for_o the_o present_a occasion_n of_o a_o church_n because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v present_a to_o ordain_v as_o often_o as_o the_o increase_n of_o a_o church_n or_o vacancy_n or_o other_o necessity_n of_o it_o shall_v require_v but_o that_o any_o church_n fix_v and_o settle_v have_v its_o bishop_n always_o present_a shall_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n before_o constantine_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o great_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n be_v it_o credible_a that_o person_n in_o this_o condition_n will_v multiply_v officer_n without_o necessity_n who_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o the_o public_a stock_n as_o cyprian_n affirm_v the_o presbyter_n of_o carthage_n be_v and_o last_o if_o this_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v any_o certain_a ground_n in_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v probable_o hear_v of_o it_o with_o both_o ear_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o recommend_v upon_o ancient_a authority_n than_o his_o but_o the_o first_o which_o this_o author_n cite_v be_v nazianzen_n who_o complain_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n in_o his_o time_n this_o have_v be_v already_o allege_v by_o mr._n baxter_n and_o have_v receive_v answer_n and_o he_o that_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o himself_o from_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cyprian_a and_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n have_v a_o fondness_n for_o the_o argument_n beyond_o my_o skill_n to_o remove_v the_o next_o instance_n of_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a church_n of_o c._n p._n st._n sophia_n the_o great_a perhaps_o in_o the_o world_n will_v do_v as_o little_a service_n as_o the_o complaint_n of_o nazianzen_n justinian_n say_v that_o gentleman_n observe_v that_o officer_n in_o church_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o reason_n and_o measure_n take_v order_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o in_o the_o great_a church_n at_o c._n p._n he_o will_v have_v the_o presbyter_n bring_v down_o to_o sixty_o and_o what_o follow_v from_o this_o that_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v become_v extravagant_a in_o justinian_n time_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o their_o number_n in_o cyprian_n for_o this_o very_a edict_n of_o justinian_n show_v that_o this_o multiply_v of_o church-officer_n be_v a_o innovation_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v they_o reduce_v to_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o that_o first_o establishment_n it_o seem_v admit_v great_a number_n for_o one_o church_n have_v sixty_o true_a but_o it_o must_v also_o be_v note_v first_o that_o these_o sixty_o be_v to_o serve_v more_o than_o one_o church_n for_o there_o be_v three_o more_o beside_o st._n sophia_n to_o be_v supply_v by_o those_o presbyter_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o constitution_n nou._n 3._o c._n 1._o viz._n st._n mary_n church_n and_o that_o of_o theodorus_n the_o martyr_n and_o that_o of_o helena_n as_o some_o but_o of_o irene_n as_o other_o read_v yet_o after_o all_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o this_o number_n for_o these_o be_v canon_n of_o a_o particular_a foundation_n design_v for_o the_o service_n of_o a_o collegiate_n church_n and_o no_o measure_n to_o be_v take_v from_o hence_o concern_v the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o preface_n of_o the_o say_v novel_a whither_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o this_o gentleman_n add_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n be_v something_o surprise_v no_o doubt_n say_v he_o they_o the_o presbyter_n be_v more_o numerous_a in_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n who_o endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n in_o all_o thing_n equal_a to_o rome_n and_o build_v two_o church_n in_o it_o 2._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 2._o yet_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o reign_n after_o the_o death_n of_o arrius_n the_o christian_n there_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o worship_n it_o be_v say_v express_o that_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n sozomen_n do_v not_o say_v but_o that_o he_o build_v many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n there_o 48._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o ed._n vales._n euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr const_n l._n 3._o c._n 48._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d after_o the_o same_o manner_n eusebius_n say_v that_o he_o adorn_v the_o city_n that_o he_o call_v after_o his_o own_o name_n with_o many_o church_n and_o great_a temple_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o within_o the_o city_n and_o in_o the_o suburb_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o two_o church_n much_o less_o one_o can_v suffice_v all_o the_o christian_n in_o c.p._n when_o the_o city_n of_o heliopolis_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n require_v more_o and_o constantine_n build_v several_a for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o i._n e._n have_v build_v several_a church_n he_o order_v a_o bishop_n but_o one_o for_o all_o those_o church_n and_o clergy_n to_o be_v ordain_v there_o socrates_n indeed_o say_v that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n and_o name_v they_o but_o do_v not_o say_v either_o that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o there_o in_o his_o time_n or_o that_o he_o build_v no_o more_o but_o these_o be_v remarkable_a for_o the_o magnificence_n of_o the_o structure_n be_v perhaps_o upon_o that_o account_n only_o mention_v by_o this_o author_n but_o we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o other_o writer_n of_o as_o good_a or_o better_a credit_n that_o this_o emperor_n build_v there_o very_a many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n nor_o be_v these_o only_a for_o state_n and_o
ornament_n but_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n in_o that_o city_n do_v require_v many_o church_n for_o their_o assembly_n and_o the_o passage_n of_o theodoret_n above_o cite_v do_v not_o import_v the_o contrary_a therefore_o to_o clear_v this_o point_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n about_o the_o late_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n and_o how_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o meet_v all_o in_o one_o place_n 2._o i_o will_v show_v that_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o believer_n of_o c._n p._n be_v assemble_v in_o one_o congregation_n with_o alexander_n their_o bishop_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o state_n of_o this_o church_n it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v very_o numerous_a when_o we_o consider_v what_o care_n the_o emperor_n take_v to_o bring_v inhabitant_n to_o it_o from_o all_o part_n some_o from_o rome_n some_o from_o other_o province_n and_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o much_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o that_o come_v to_o inhabit_v the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n favourite_n city_n be_v christian_n 2._o his_o care_n for_o render_v this_o city_n great_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o magnificence_n of_o so_o mighty_a a_o prince_n have_v that_o success_n that_o it_o do_v not_o only_o equal_a old_a rome_n but_o excel_v it_o as_o well_o in_o greatness_n of_o its_o wealth_n as_o the_o multitude_n of_o its_o inhabitant_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v sozom._n 3._o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o and_o the_o same_o author_n add_v that_o the_o piety_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o of_o the_o citizen_n and_o their_o charity_n towards_o the_o poor_a be_v the_o reason_n of_o its_o mighty_a increase_n from_o the_o whence_o may_v be_v judge_v what_o religion_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o city_n do_v profess_v 3._o the_o success_n of_o that_o charity_n do_v not_o only_o add_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o citizen_n but_o very_o considerable_o to_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n for_o the_o same_o author_n write_v that_o it_o have_v so_o good_a effect_n there_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i.e._n that_o many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o heathen_n be_v convert_v and_o become_v christian_n 4._o the_o same_o author_n to_o make_v it_o altogether_o a_o christian_a city_n write_v far_a that_o it_o be_v never_o pollute_v with_o any_o heathen_a temple_n or_o sacrifice_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n 5._o the_o provision_n which_o constantine_n make_v for_o the_o burial_n of_o the_o dead_a show_v the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n of_o c._n p._n to_o be_v far_o too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n for_o he_o allot_v to_o that_o charitable_a use_v no_o less_o than_o nine_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o shop_n or_o work-house_n who_o profit_n be_v to_o be_v employ_v in_o bury_v the_o poor_a decent_o which_o shop_n be_v to_o be_v free_a from_o all_o tax_n and_o duty_n to_o the_o prince_n as_o you_o may_v see_v by_o compare_v these_o several_a place_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o civil_a law_n n._n 59_o with_o n._n 43._o and_o with_o n._n l._n 12._o and_o honorius_n in_o the_o year_n 409._o consider_v the_o number_n of_o the_o decani_fw-la the_o small_a officer_n that_o attend_v funeral_n to_o have_v grow_v inordinate_a reduce_v they_o to_o nine_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o probable_o the_o first_o establishment_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a see_v justinian_n code_n l._n 1_o t._n 2_o 4._o and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o church_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n we_o must_v conclude_v some_o wonderful_a mortality_n to_o have_v happen_v and_o that_o these_o decani_fw-la have_v have_v extraordinary_a employment_n and_o bury_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o whole_a city_n but_o let_v they_o believe_v that_o can_v comprehend_v for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v as_o soon_o imagine_v that_o homer_n with_o all_o his_o scholiast_n can_v be_v put_v into_o a_o nut_n shell_n or_o that_o a_o witch_n can_v turn_v herself_o in_o a_o keyhole_n as_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n make_v but_o one_o congregation_n but_o notwithstanding_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o c._n p._n may_v be_v much_o too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n yet_o the_o major_a part_n may_v be_v heretic_n or_o schismatic_n such_o as_o come_v not_o to_o the_o bishop_n church_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o he_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o assembly_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n that_o the_o number_n of_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n be_v inconsiderable_a and_o most_o of_o those_o be_v force_v to_o come_v to_o church_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o difficulty_n remain_v in_o this_o point_n i_o will_v give_v some_o far_a account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o catholic_n christian_n in_o comparison_n with_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n constantine_n the_o great_a have_v set_v his_o heart_n upon_o christian_a religion_n to_o settle_v and_o adorn_v it_o he_o think_v nothing_o more_o effectual_a than_o the_o unity_n and_o concord_n of_o christian_n to_o promote_v which_o he_o resolve_v to_o proceed_v against_o all_o heretic_n and_o dissenter_n by_o a_o severe_a law_n and_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n the_o doctrine_n of_o arrius_n though_o it_o begin_v to_o be_v favour_v in_o several_a place_n have_v not_o yet_o make_v a_o formal_a separation_n 32._o l._n 2._o c._n 32._o say_v sozomen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n all_o come_v to_o church_n and_o communicate_v together_o but_o the_o novatian_o and_o some_o old_a heretic_n against_o these_o the_o emperor_n make_v a_o edict_n whereby_o he_o take_v away_o their_o church_n and_o order_v they_o to_o be_v join_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o catholic_n he_o tell_v they_o it_o be_v better_a for_o they_o to_o communicate_v with_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o advise_v they_o to_o come_v over_o to_o it_o the_o success_n of_o this_o law_n we_o find_v in_o the_o very_a same_o place_n that_o by_o this_o mean_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o memory_n of_o those_o heresy_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n extinguish_v for_o they_o come_v all_o to_o church_n for_o fear_n of_o that_o law_n against_o their_o conventicle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ibid._n ibid._n and_o those_o that_o persist_v in_o their_o opinion_n have_v no_o opportunity_n to_o conventicle_n nor_o to_o corrupt_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n die_v at_o last_o and_o leave_v none_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o opinion_n only_o the_o novatian_o remain_v who_o say_v the_o author_n do_v not_o suffer_v much_o by_o this_o edict_n be_v befriend_v by_o the_o emperor_n who_o have_v a_o esteem_n for_o their_o bishop_n of_o c._n p._n upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o holiness_n and_o therefore_o his_o church_n there_o be_v not_o much_o endamage_v though_o the_o historian_n speak_v this_o very_a mince_o and_o say_v only_o that_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o so_o it_o be_v and_o likely_o have_v no_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o than_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o novatian_o have_v of_o that_o bishop_n and_o that_o their_o church_n be_v not_o altogether_o extirpate_v then_o like_o those_o of_o other_o heretic_n but_o he_o confess_v that_o every_o where_o else_o they_o suffer_v the_o same_o measure_n with_o other_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o phrygia_n and_o some_o border_v province_n and_o now_o to_o allow_v the_o novatian_o a_o conventicle_n in_o constantinople_n towards_o the_o late_a end_n of_o constantine_n reign_n which_o be_v more_o than_o sozomen_n dare_v affirm_v yet_o i_o hope_v the_o catholic_n will_v be_v still_o too_o numerous_a to_o meet_v all_o of_o they_o in_o one_o congregation_n but_o theodoret_n affirm_v they_o be_v no_o more_o than_o can_v meet_v in_o one_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v actual_o do_v so_o i_o answer_v that_o theodoret_n do_v not_o say_v so_o and_o that_o the_o passage_n cite_v do_v not_o conclude_v it_o therefore_o to_o clear_v this_o difficulty_n let_v we_o examine_v it_o after_o the_o death_n of_o arrius_n say_v theodoret_n those_o of_o eusebius_n faction_n be_v much_o out_o of_o countenance_n and_o bury_v he_o but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n 14._o l._n 1._o c._n 14._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o valesius_fw-la render_v thus_o b._n autem_fw-la alexander_n cum_fw-la gaudio_fw-la totius_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la collectas_fw-la celebravit_fw-la piè_fw-la &_o orthodox_n simul_fw-la cum_fw-la universis_fw-la fratribus_fw-la deum_fw-la orans_fw-la &_o impense_v glorificans_fw-la now_o he_o take_v the_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o
194._o ad_fw-la pleb_n nicop_n as_o for_o nynius_n history_n of_o st._n patrick_n and_o the_o three_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o five_o bishop_n which_o he_o plant_v in_o ireland_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v invent_v by_o some_o learned_a monk_n to_o fill_v up_o the_o irish_a calendar_n and_o to_o leave_v no_o day_n in_o the_o year_n so_o forlorn_a but_o that_o the_o name_n of_o one_o of_o these_o bishop_n can_v vindicate_v it_o from_o profaneness_n that_o which_o follow_v of_o scotland_n have_v no_o bishop_n before_o palladius_n nice_n disp_n 1.97_o yet_o england_n have_v bishop_n long_o before_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o council_n of_o orleans_n and_o nice_n but_o that_o the_o people_n there_o be_v instruct_v by_o priest_n and_o monk_n make_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n though_o the_o authority_n of_o henricus_n major_n and_o johannes_n fordorius_n be_v unquestionable_a for_o there_o be_v no_o account_n of_o settle_a church_n or_o discipline_n but_o only_o that_o some_o good_a man_n out_o of_o their_o zeal_n for_o religion_n do_v endeavour_v to_o propagate_v it_o among_o the_o scot_n and_o that_o these_o be_v not_o bishop_n but_o buchanan_n stretch_v this_o point_n high_o than_o it_o will_v bear_v and_o will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n be_v govern_v by_o presbyter_n and_o monk_n the_o first_o time_n i_o believe_v in_o story_n we_o meet_v with_o monk_n among_o the_o order_n of_o church-government_n but_o i_o believe_v that_o the_o story_n itself_o may_v be_v easy_o disprove_v and_o we_o may_v expect_v short_o a_o full_a account_n of_o this_o and_o other_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o ancient_a british_a church_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o of_o the_o great_a master_n of_o antiquity_n in_o this_o nation_n the_o last_o part_n of_o mr._n b_n evidence_n have_v some_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o ancient_a council_n but_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v he_o do_v not_o cite_v with_o that_o accuracy_n that_o one_o will_v expect_v from_o a_o person_n that_o advance_v so_o singular_a a_o notion_n the_o first_o be_v the_o fourteen_o of_o the_o council_n of_o adge_n 1._o can_v 1._o the_o sum_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v desire_v a_o chapel_n of_o ease_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o family_n he_o may_v be_v gratify_v in_o it_o but_o with_o this_o proviso_n that_o upon_o the_o most_o solemn_a feast_n he_o shall_v hear_v divine_a service_n in_o parochiis_fw-la aut_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la mr._n b._n make_v parochia_fw-la signify_v a_o diocese_n because_o the_o word_n be_v use_v frequent_o in_o that_o sense_n by_o eusebius_n and_o other_o ancient_n but_o do_v not_o consider_v that_o the_o import_n of_o it_o be_v change_v by_o this_o time_n and_o be_v take_v for_o a_o parish_n in_o the_o fifty_o three_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o adge_n who_o title_n be_v de_fw-fr presbyteris_fw-la parochianis_fw-la rei_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la distrahentibus_fw-la &_o cap._n 2._o vass_v 3._o there_o be_v express_a difference_n make_v where_o a_o presbyter_n be_v allow_v to_o preach_v non_fw-la solum_fw-la in_o civitatibus_fw-la sed_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la parochiis_fw-la 47._o 47._o the_o next_o be_v the_o thirty_o canon_n of_o the_o same_o council_n benedictionem_fw-la super_fw-la plebem_fw-la fundere_fw-la aut_fw-la poenitentem_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la benedicere_fw-la presbytero_fw-la poenitus_fw-la non_fw-la licebit_fw-la to_o which_o he_o add_v the_o thirty_o first_o 47._o 47._o missas_fw-la die_fw-la dominico_fw-la saecularibus_fw-la totas_fw-la audire_fw-la speciali_fw-la ordine_fw-la praecipimus_fw-la ita_fw-la ut_fw-la ante_fw-la benedictionem_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la egredi_fw-la populus_fw-la non_fw-la presumat_fw-la quod_fw-la si_fw-la fecerit_fw-la ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la publicè_fw-la confundatur_fw-la from_o whence_o he_o infer_v that_o all_o the_o people_n be_v oblige_v to_o come_v to_o the_o bishop_n church_n because_o they_o be_v to_o stay_v till_o the_o benediction_n which_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o bishop_n only_o to_o give_v but_o if_o mr._n b._n have_v consider_v these_o two_o canon_n he_o must_v have_v observe_v that_o either_o they_o contradict_v one_o another_o or_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v not_o mean_v by_o the_o benediction_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o first_o which_o be_v reserve_v to_o the_o bishop_n confirmation_n must_v in_o all_o probability_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o second_o the_o priest_n benediction_n that_o which_o be_v pronounce_v at_o the_o dismiss_v the_o congregation_n or_o if_o he_o will_v understand_v a_o bishop_n by_o sacerdos_n the_o canon_n forbid_v it_o in_o make_v a_o distinction_n between_o they_o ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la confundatur_fw-la whereas_o if_o by_o sacerdos_n they_o will_v have_v understand_v a_o bishop_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a they_o will_v have_v either_o change_v the_o term_n or_o repeat_v it_o but_o have_v add_v ab_fw-la eo_fw-la confundatur_fw-la but_o why_o shall_v we_o insist_v upon_o this_o since_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o notorious_a than_o that_o presbyter_n have_v church_n now_o distinct_a from_o bishop_n and_o every_o diocese_n almost_o a_o great_a number_n of_o parish_n and_o there_o be_v few_o council_n of_o that_o age_n but_o oblige_v the_o bishop_n to_o visit_v all_o these_o church_n once_o a_o year_n to_o these_o he_o add_v the_o thirty_o eight_o canon_n of_o the_o same_o council_n 99_o disp_n p._n 99_o cives_fw-la qui_fw-la superiorum_fw-la solemnitatum_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la paschae_fw-la &_o natalis_n domini_fw-la vel_fw-la pentecostes_fw-la festivalibus_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopis_fw-la interest_n neglexerint_fw-la quum_fw-la in_o civitatibus_fw-la communionis_fw-la vel_fw-la benedictionis_fw-la accipiendae_fw-la causa_fw-la positos_fw-la se_fw-la nosse_fw-la debeant_fw-la triennio_fw-la communione_fw-la priventur_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o it_o be_v the_o ancient_a custom_n for_o all_o the_o parish_n or_o place_n depend_v upon_o any_o episcopal_a church_n on_o certain_a time_n to_o repair_v to_o it_o not_o so_o much_o for_o personal_a communion_n as_o for_o homage_n but_o we_o be_v not_o therefore_o to_o conceive_v that_o every_o soul_n under_o a_o bishop_n charge_n be_v to_o appear_v before_o he_o on_o those_o solemn_a time_n but_o only_o the_o most_o considerable_a person_n of_o every_o division_n and_o this_o canon_n mean_v no_o more_o sirmond_n can_v never_o find_v any_o more_o than_o 47_o canon_n of_o this_o council_n the_o rest_n be_v take_v out_o of_o conc._n epaonense_n from_o whence_o the_o true_a read_n of_o this_o canon_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v for_o there_o be_v cives_fw-la superiorum_fw-la natalium_fw-la not_o solennitatum_fw-la and_o so_o it_o be_v correct_v in_o the_o best_a edition_n of_o the_o council_n of_o agde_a and_o communionis_fw-la be_v leave_v out_o which_o restore_v of_o this_o canon_n overthrow_v all_o the_o use_n that_o m._n b._n will_v make_v of_o it_o since_o all_o be_v neither_o oblige_v to_o be_v present_a nor_o to_o personal_a communion_n but_o what_o cives_fw-la superiorum_fw-la natalium_fw-la signify_v we_o must_v learn_v from_o other_o council_n of_o this_o age_n in_o the_o 14_o chap._n of_o the_o council_n of_o arvern_n we_o have_v it_o thus_o explain_v that_o together_o with_o all_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n of_o a_o diocese_n quicunque_fw-la sunt_fw-la etiam_fw-la cives_fw-la natu_fw-la majores_fw-la pari_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o vrbibus_fw-la ad_fw-la pontifices_fw-la suos_fw-la in_o praedictis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la veniant_fw-la and_o the_o three_o canon_n of_o the_o four_o council_n of_o orleans_n oblige_v only_o the_o principal_a citizen_n to_o assist_v the_o bishop_n on_o these_o solemn_a time_n quisquis_fw-la de_fw-la prioribus_fw-la civibus_fw-la pascha_fw-la extra_fw-la civitatem_fw-la tencre_fw-la voluerit_fw-la sciat_fw-la sibi_fw-la à _fw-la cuncta_fw-la synodo_fw-la esse_fw-la prohibitum_fw-la which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o if_o the_o lord_n mayor_n and_o court_n of_o alderman_n the_o livery_n and_o most_o considerable_a citizen_n be_v oblige_v on_o certain_a high_a festival_n to_o come_v to_o church_n to_o st._n paul_n the_o next_o of_o the_o canon_n he_o produce_v be_v either_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n with_o what_o he_o have_v already_o allege_v or_o not_o direct_o to_o his_o purpose_n so_o that_o i_o believe_v upon_o a_o review_n he_o will_v judge_v as_o well_o as_o i_o that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o a_o reply_n mr._n b._n have_v heretofore_o except_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o alexandria_n 23._o ch._n hist_o p._n 7._o §_o 23._o and_o have_v despair_v of_o bring_v they_o ever_o to_o comply_v with_o his_o model_n but_o now_o it_o seem_v he_o have_v find_v a_o mean_n to_o reduce_v they_o to_o a_o congregation_n he_o revoke_v his_o former_a concession_n and_o declare_v that_o he_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o ever_o the_o two_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n have_v so_o long_o that_o be_v for_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n more_o than_o some_o london_n parish_n or_o near_o half_a so_o
as_o if_o it_o be_v to_o prevent_v such_o a_o mistake_n as_o this_o anti._n ad_fw-la fahiâ—â—n_n anti._n express_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o officer_n be_v not_o useless_a and_o unnecessary_a but_o call_v the_o clergy_n to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o appear_v by_o what_o immediate_o follow_v because_o they_o have_v the_o direction_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o a_o great_a and_o innumerable_a people_n and_o now_o with_o what_o reason_n mr._n b._n have_v retract_v his_o exception_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n let_v the_o reader_n judge_n but_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v long_o before_o outgrow_v the_o stature_n of_o a_o congregation_n for_o euaristus_n the_o six_o from_o st._n peter_n be_v say_v to_o have_v divide_v rome_n into_o title_n or_o parish_n the_o multitude_n be_v grow_v too_o numerous_a for_o one_o assembly_n baron_n ep._n pii_fw-la ad_fw-la baron_n or_o if_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pseudo_fw-la damasus_n be_v not_o to_o be_v depend_v upon_o we_o have_v the_o two_o epistle_n of_o pius_n to_o confirm_v it_o in_o the_o first_o we_o have_v mention_n of_o euprepia_n that_o have_v give_v to_o the_o poor_a titulum_fw-la domus_fw-la suae_fw-la ubi_fw-la nunc_fw-la cum_fw-la pauperibus_fw-la nostris_fw-la commorantes_fw-la missas_fw-la agimus_fw-la several_a learned_a man_n do_v except_v against_o the_o word_n missa_fw-la as_o not_o be_v yet_o in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n temp._n hospin_n de_fw-fr temp._n but_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a matter_n to_o show_v when_o it_o be_v first_o take_v up_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o way_n of_o speak_v be_v make_v use_n of_o not_o long_o after_o remissa_fw-la for_o remissio_fw-la be_v find_v in_o tertullian_n and_o cyprian_n in_o the_o second_o epist_n we_o have_v these_o word_n presbyter_n pastor_n titulum_fw-la condidit_fw-la &_o dignè_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la obiit_fw-la i_o must_v needs_o say_v blondel_n do_v not_o deal_v very_o ingenious_o and_o equal_o with_o these_o epistle_n for_o in_o his_o pseudo_fw-la isidocus_n he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v they_o suppositious_a though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o isidorus_n collection_n yet_o in_o his_o apology_n for_o st._n jerom_n opinion_n concern_v bishop_n he_o vouchsafe_v to_o make_v use_n of_o one_o of_o they_o to_o prove_v that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o pius_n day_n it_o be_v a_o sad_a case_n that_o the_o ancient_n shall_v have_v no_o far_o credit_n with_o we_o than_o they_o serve_v our_o turn_n when_o they_o speak_v what_o man_n will_v not_o have_v they_o than_o they_o be_v false_a and_o impostor_n let_v they_o give_v the_o same_o man_n but_o some_o little_a countenance_n and_o then_o they_o be_v true_a man_n again_o the_o great_a liberality_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v no_o small_a argument_n of_o its_o greatness_n for_o beside_o the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o own_o clergy_n and_o poor_a they_o be_v able_a to_o relieve_v most_o other_o church_n 23._o euseb_n l._n 14._o c._n 23._o and_o it_o be_v their_o practice_n from_o the_o beginning_n to_o oblige_v all_o the_o brethren_n by_o all_o manner_n of_o kindness_n and_o to_o send_v to_o a_o great_a many_o church_n that_o be_v establish_v in_o every_o city_n the_o necessary_n of_o life_n relieve_v the_o necessity_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o want_n and_o send_v necessary_a relief_n to_o those_o who_o be_v condemn_v to_o the_o mine_n this_o be_v the_o ancient_a liberality_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o soter_n be_v say_v not_o only_o to_o have_v continue_v but_o improve_v it_o now_o if_o according_a to_o mr._n b_n notion_n of_o those_o time_n not_o many_o rich_a not_o many_o noble_a be_v call_v the_o number_n of_o believer_n must_v be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o great_a 5._o euseb_n l._n 7._o c._n 5._o to_o be_v able_a to_o supply_v the_o necessity_n almost_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n speak_v of_o the_o roman_a church_n charity_n in_o his_o time_n in_o these_o word_n all_o the_o province_n of_o syria_n together_o with_o arabia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o you_o relieve_v every_o one_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v there_o emphatical_a and_o imply_v a_o admiration_n of_o as_o it_o be_v the_o all-sufficiency_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o so_o many_o church_n and_o to_o furnish_v so_o expensive_a a_o charity_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o commodus_n the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v enjoy_v peaceable_a and_o happy_a time_n and_o to_o have_v thrive_v so_o well_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v reduce_v the_o word_n of_o eusebius_n express_v a_o wonderful_a increase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o every_o soul_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o every_o sort_n come_v over_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o rome_n particular_o the_o increase_n be_v so_o great_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o abundance_n of_o considerable_a person_n for_o their_o nobility_n and_o wealth_n come_v over_o with_o their_o whole_a family_n and_o relation_n euseb_n l._n 15._o c._n 21._o certain_a it_o be_v that_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n at_o rome_n be_v proportionable_o great_a than_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n for_o thither_o they_o flee_v for_o refuge_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o shelter_v themselves_o in_o a_o crowd_n and_o if_o tertullian_n account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o his_o time_n make_v it_o very_o probable_a that_o they_o make_v the_o better_a half_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n if_o he_o boast_v of_o multitude_n and_o say_v that_o they_o have_v possess_v themselves_o of_o the_o city_n and_o country_n and_o every_o place_n be_v full_a of_o they_o but_o the_o temple_n if_o they_o do_v in_o a_o manner_n besiege_v the_o heathen_a in_o every_o part_n and_o be_v more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o public_a by_o the_o consumption_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o commodity_n and_o make_v use_v of_o more_o frankincense_n in_o one_o street_n than_o the_o heathen_a do_v in_o any_o one_o temple_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v the_o major_a part_n every_o where_o but_o in_o rome_n more_o eminent_o so_o see_v this_o urge_v far_o by_o mr._n dodwel_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o mr._n b._n towards_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o three_o century_n they_o receive_v a_o considerable_a increase_n from_o the_o countenance_n of_o alexander_n severus_n the_o great_a part_n of_o who_o family_n and_o that_o alone_o will_v make_v a_o good_a congregation_n be_v christian_n 21.28_o euseb_n l._n 6._o c._n 21.28_o and_o this_o favourer_n of_o christianity_n reign_v thirteen_o year_n towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o that_o age_n their_o condition_n be_v most_o flourish_a and_o all_o the_o world_n in_o a_o manner_n have_v receive_v the_o faith_n let_v we_o observe_v in_o what_o glorious_a expression_n eusebius_n represent_v the_o church_n before_o the_o persecution_n of_o dioclesian_n 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 8._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o say_v he_o can_v describe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o full_a and_o innumerable_a assembly_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o every_o city_n so_o that_o by_o this_o time_n not_o only_o in_o rome_n but_o almost_o in_o every_o city_n the_o christian_n have_v several_a congregation_n valesius_fw-la though_o he_o correct_v the_o old_a translator_n yet_o it_o seem_v do_v not_o full_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o place_n nor_o see_v the_o elegancy_n of_o eusebius_n gradation_n for_o first_o he_o represent_v the_o many_o thousand_o that_o come_v together_o to_o make_v a_o congregation_n than_o the_o number_n of_o such_o assembly_n that_o there_o be_v several_a of_o they_o and_o at_o last_o mention_n the_o place_n that_o receive_v they_o that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n no_o chapel_n no_o oratory_n but_o be_v full_a in_o those_o day_n about_o this_o time_n or_o not_o long_o after_o rome_n have_v above_o forty_o church_n which_o we_o must_v not_o imagine_v to_o be_v build_v all_o at_o the_o same_o time_n but_o by_o degree_n according_a as_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n do_v require_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n there_o must_v be_v more_o than_o one_o or_o two_o even_o in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o century_n and_o now_o i_o have_v mention_v this_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o clear_v that_o passage_n of_o optatus_n about_o these_o forty_o church_n parmen_fw-la optat._n mii_o l._n 2._o contra_fw-la parmen_fw-la from_o the_o exception_n of_o blondel_n who_o mr._n b._n follow_v in_o his_o mistake_n optatus_n in_o that_o place_n trace_n the_o donatist_n of_o rome_n to_o their_o first_o original_a if_o macrobius_n say_v he_o be_v demand_v who_o he_o succeed_v he_o must_v needs_o confess_v it_o be_v to_o eucolpius_fw-la if_o eucolpius_fw-la
be_v ask_v in_o who_o chair_n he_o sit_v he_o must_v say_v where_o bonifacius_n ballitanus_fw-la sit_v before_o he_o and_o he_o where_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la who_o be_v the_o first_o donatist_n bishop_n in_o rome_n and_o there_o the_o succession_n end_v he_o have_v none_o to_o succeed_v to_o filius_fw-la sine_fw-la patre_fw-la tyro_n sine_fw-la principe_fw-la hospes_fw-la sine_fw-la hospitio_fw-la pastor_n sine_fw-la grege_fw-la episcopus_fw-la sine_fw-la populo_fw-la non_fw-la enim_fw-la populus_fw-la aut_fw-la grex_n appellandi_fw-la fuerant_fw-la pauci_fw-la qui_fw-la intra_fw-la quadraginta_fw-la &_o quod_fw-la excurrit_fw-la basilicas_fw-la locum_fw-la ubi_fw-la colligerent_fw-la non_fw-la haberent_fw-la it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o optatus_n do_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o time_n but_o of_o victor_n garbiensis_fw-la the_o first_o donatist_n bishop_n when_o this_o be_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o fix_v there_o be_v no_o great_a argument_n for_o a_o great_a number_n of_o congregation_n under_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n than_o what_o mr._n b._n observe_v of_o their_o church_n before_o dioclesian_n time_n that_o they_o be_v but_o like_o our_o tabernacle_n as_o to_o the_o capaciousness_n 8._o euseb_n l._n 8._o i_o suppose_v as_o well_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o structure_n and_o therefore_o the_o lesser_a they_o be_v the_o great_a number_n there_o must_v be_v of_o they_o and_o the_o church_n must_v grow_v too_o big_a for_o his_o definition_n since_o there_o must_v be_v more_o than_o can_v in_o those_o circumstance_n have_v personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n when_o the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n be_v reduce_v within_o the_o narrow_a bound_n of_o a_o single_a congregation_n what_o other_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o more_o and_o if_o the_o imperial_a city_n need_v not_o be_v except_v alexandria_n can_v hope_v for_o exemption_n therefore_o he_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o alexandria_n the_o great_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n in_o the_o world_n next_o to_o rome_n have_v no_o more_o christian_n than_o can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n and_o of_o this_o he_o offer_v a_o bold_a proof_n that_o it_o be_v so_o in_o the_o time_n of_o athanasius_n 9_o athan._n t._n 1._o p._n 531._o ch._n hist_o 9_o who_o word_n he_o cite_v where_o he_o excuse_v himself_o for_o have_v celebrate_v easter_n in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o alexandria_n and_o draw_v together_o such_o a_o multitude_n as_o give_v great_a occasion_n of_o jealousy_n to_o the_o emperor_n but_o his_o plea_n be_v that_o the_o other_o church_n be_v so_o narrow_a that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o suffer_v by_o the_o crowd_n and_o as_o if_o this_o church_n will_v have_v hold_v all_o the_o people_n he_o add_v that_o it_o be_v better_a for_o the_o whole_a multitude_n to_o meet_v in_o the_o great_a church_n and_o to_o have_v the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o people_n with_o one_o voice_n etc._n etc._n this_o church_n be_v new_o build_v by_o constantius_n and_o we_o may_v suppose_v it_o very_o large_a though_o not_o yet_o so_o great_a as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v all_o the_o believer_n in_o alexandria_n nor_o do_v mr._n b._n desire_v it_o shall_v but_o only_o the_o generality_n 10._o ch._n hist_o p._n 10._o yet_o grant_v that_o it_o receive_v all_o it_o will_v follow_v indeed_o that_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n then_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n but_o what_o be_v it_o before_o this_o great_a church_n be_v build_v when_o they_o have_v no_o possibility_n of_o personal_a communion_n be_v not_o they_o then_o make_v congregational_a church_n under_o one_o bishop_n and_o athanasius_n in_o the_o same_o place_n confess_v the_o multitude_n be_v so_o great_a that_o all_o the_o other_o church_n in_o the_o city_n can_v not_o hold_v it_o beside_o the_o orthodox_n be_v probable_o much_o more_o numerous_a before_o the_o build_n of_o that_o church_n and_o the_o banishment_n of_o athanasius_n and_o if_o this_o vast_a fabric_n can_v not_o receive_v the_o party_n of_o athanasius_n what_o church_n shall_v we_o imagine_v can_v have_v be_v large_a enough_o for_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o alexandria_n before_o they_o be_v divide_v by_o arrius_n and_o before_o they_o be_v govern_v by_o gregory_n and_o george_n the_o arrian_n bishop_n he_o add_v to_o this_o of_o athanasius_n 30._o p._n 10._o §_o 30._o another_o argument_n give_v he_o by_o a_o learned_a friend_n which_o i_o will_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o examine_v the_o city_n of_o alexandria_n say_v strabo_n be_v like_o a_o soldier_n cloak_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o computation_n about_o ten_o mile_n in_o compass_n a_o three_o or_o forth_o part_v of_o this_o be_v take_v up_o with_o public_a building_n temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n thus_o be_v two_o mile_n and_o a_o half_a or_o three_o and_o a_o quarter_n take_v up_o i_o will_v not_o say_v this_o learned_a friend_n have_v impose_v on_o mr._n b._n but_o there_o be_v a_o very_a great_a mistake_n betwixt_o they_o suppose_v temple_n and_o royal_a palace_n shall_v take_v up_o such_o a_o part_n of_o the_o city_n must_v there_o therefore_o be_v no_o inhabitant_n in_o those_o palace_n or_o no_o christian_n among_o those_o inhabitant_n but_o he_o believe_v this_o to_o be_v that_o region_n call_v bruchium_n which_o epiphanius_n speak_v of_o in_o his_o time_n as_o destitute_a what_o all_o the_o public_a building_n of_o the_o town_n in_o one_o region_n and_o that_o a_o outer_a skirt_n too_o as_o it_o be_v describe_v by_o the_o greek_a martyrology_n in_o hilarion_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o in_o the_o life_n of_o apollonius_n discolus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o epiphanius_n say_v be_v destitute_a of_o inhabitant_n in_o his_o time_n and_o not_o unlikely_a and_o perhaps_o destitute_a of_o public_a building_n too_o for_o it_o be_v destroy_v after_o a_o obstinate_a siege_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o aurelian_a as_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n or_o of_o claudius_n 22._o l._n 22._o as_o eusebius_n will_v have_v it_o however_o the_o city_n must_v be_v reckon_v by_o so_o much_o the_o less_o chronico_fw-la in_o chronico_fw-la neither_o be_v there_o any_o necessity_n of_o this_o for_o they_o may_v enlarge_v upon_o another_o quarter_n be_v it_o may_v be_v forbid_v to_o build_v in_o bruchium_n because_o it_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o city_n and_o too_o favourable_a a_o refuge_n of_o rebellion_n to_o which_o that_o people_n be_v too_o much_o addict_v they_o may_v dwell_v close_o than_o before_o and_o so_o their_o multitude_n be_v undiminisht_v however_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o this_o city_n long_o after_o the_o destruction_n of_o bruchium_n retainrd_n it_o be_v ancient_a greatness_n and_o be_v represent_v by_o no_o writer_n as_o diminish_v either_o in_o number_n or_o wealth_n but_o to_o let_v this_o pass_v let_v we_o see_v what_o become_v of_o the_o rest_n he_o add_v a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o city_n be_v assign_v to_o the_o jew_n so_o strabo_n indefinite_o as_o josephus_n quote_v he_o other_o tell_v we_o more_o punctual_o that_o their_o share_n be_v two_o of_o the_o five_o division_n ush_n annal_n p._n 859._o though_o many_o of_o they_o have_v their_o habitation_n in_o the_o other_o division_n yet_o they_o have_v two_o five_o part_n entire_a to_o themselves_o which_o he_o may_v have_v find_v as_o punctual_o in_o strabo_n as_o in_o bishop_n usher_n and_o this_o continue_v he_o be_v i_o suppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o josephus_n say_v the_o successor_n of_o alexander_n set_v apart_o for_o they_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o six_o or_o seven_o mile_n of_o the_o ten_o be_v dispose_v of_o and_o by_o the_o same_o rule_n he_o may_v have_v dispose_v of_o all_o at_o once_o and_o conclude_v out_o of_o strabo_n division_n of_o the_o town_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o christian_a it_o it_o for_o strabo_n live_v in_o augustus_n his_o time_n when_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v a_o christian_a in_o alexandria_n unless_o we_o will_v take_v in_o justin_n martyr_n old_a christian_n such_o as_o socrates_n i.e._n all_o virtuous_a good_a man_n and_o then_o i_o be_o afraid_a they_o will_v be_v too_o few_o to_o make_v a_o congregation_n the_o number_n of_o these_o jew_n be_v much_o lessen_v within_o a_o little_a while_n after_o strabo_n by_o a_o insurrection_n of_o the_o alexandrian_n against_o they_o the_o civil_a war_n afterward_o under_o trajan_n and_o his_o successor_n have_v almost_o extirpate_v they_o and_o yet_o even_o at_o this_o time_n alexandria_n be_v as_o populous_a as_o ever_o and_o frequent_v by_o almost_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o dion_n chrysostomus_n represent_v the_o flourish_a state_n of_o it_o in_o his_o time_n but_o no_o matter_n what_o number_n of_o jew_n or_o heathen_n it_o have_v in_o strabo_n day_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o many_o
before_o arrius_n time_n arrian_n epiphan_n haeres_fw-la melet_n &_o arrian_n who_o be_v the_o fix_a minister_n of_o one_o of_o they_o call_v buchalis_n be_v to_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v institute_v before_o for_o epiphanius_n though_o he_o observe_v this_o as_o singular_a in_o the_o alexandrian_a church_n at_o that_o time_n yet_o say_v nothing_o at_o all_o of_o its_o novelty_n which_o he_o will_v not_o probable_o have_v omit_v and_o sozomen_n seem_v to_o imply_v 15._o soz._n l._n 1._o c._n 15._o that_o it_o be_v a_o ancient_a custom_n petavius_n mistake_v epiphanius_n his_o word_n and_o imagine_v epiph._n in_o epiph._n that_o these_o division_n of_o alexandria_n be_v therefore_o say_v by_o he_o to_o be_v singular_a and_o different_a from_o the_o usage_n of_o other_o church_n because_o say_v he_o those_o which_o epiphanius_n have_v see_v be_v but_o small_a and_o may_v have_v but_o one_o congregation_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o epiphanius_n his_o word_n that_o what_o he_o look_v upon_o as_o singular_a be_v not_o their_o have_v several_a distinct_a assembly_n but_o because_o they_o have_v certain_a and_o fix_a presbyter_n and_o therefore_o he_o add_v as_o a_o effect_n of_o that_o custom_n that_o every_o one_o will_v be_v denominate_v from_o his_o pastor_n as_o the_o corinthian_n do_v when_o one_o cry_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n i_o be_o of_o apollo_n and_o this_o indeed_o be_v so_o singular_a that_o perhaps_o no_o other_o church_n in_o the_o world_n have_v it_o beside_o 15._o vale_n annot_n in_o sâ—zom_n l._n 11._o c._n 15._o not_o that_o of_o rome_n and_o valesius_fw-la infer_v from_o the_o same_o passage_n of_o pope_n innocent_n epistle_n to_o decentius_n which_o petavius_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a that_o although_o there_o be_v several_a title_n or_o church_n in_o rome_n then_o and_o have_v be_v long_o before_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o be_v as_o yet_o appropriate_v to_o any_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v serve_v in_o common_a as_o great_a city_n in_o holland_n and_o some_o other_o reform_a country_n that_o have_v several_a church_n and_o minister_n who_o preach_v in_o they_o all_o by_o their_o turn_n last_o and_o to_o conclude_v this_o account_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n it_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o athanasius_n how_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n have_v from_o the_o beginning_n several_a fix_a congregation_n under_o he_o 802._o athan._n t._n 1._o p._n 802._o particular_o those_o of_o mareote_n who_o though_o they_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o receive_v the_o faith_n almost_o as_o early_o as_o alexandria_n yet_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n before_o ischyrias_n if_o he_o be_v to_o be_v reckon_v one_o mareote_n say_v athanasius_n be_v a_o country_n belong_v to_o alexandria_n wherein_o there_o never_o be_v a_o bishop_n not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o chorepiscopus_n but_o all_o the_o church_n of_o that_o place_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o now_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_n whether_o the_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n have_v more_o congregation_n than_o one_o under_o he_o or_o no_o more_o than_o can_v convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n i_o have_v hitherto_o examine_v mr._n b_n evidence_n of_o history_n for_o his_o congregational_a church_n let_v we_o now_o see_v whether_o there_o be_v not_o as_o good_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_n the_o growth_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v so_o sudden_a and_o so_o great_a as_o to_o exceed_v the_o measure_n of_o one_o or_o two_o congregation_n st._n peter_n first_o sermon_n bring_v over_o three_o thousand_o another_o five_o thousand_o 2.41_o act_n 2.41_o then_o the_o sacred_a historian_n as_o if_o the_o multitude_n have_v grow_v too_o great_a to_o be_v number_v mention_n the_o other_o accession_n in_o gross_a and_o indefinite_o but_o with_o such_o expression_n as_o imply_v they_o much_o exceed_v the_o number_n aforemention_v multitude_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n be_v add_v to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o disciple_n multiply_v in_o jerusalem_n great_o and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v obedient_a to_o the_o faith_n act._n 6.7_o now_o let_v we_o serious_o consider_v whether_o all_o these_o convert_v can_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o personal_a communion_n doctrine_n and_o worship_n or_o whether_o they_o can_v find_v a_o room_n spacious_a enough_o to_o meet_v in_o all_o together_o we_o find_v but_o two_o sort_n of_o place_n they_o meet_v in_o the_o temple_n and_o from_o house_n to_o house_n the_o temple_n can_v be_v suppose_v the_o ordinary_a place_n of_o their_o assembly_n since_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o people_n do_v oppose_v they_o and_o though_o the_o apostle_n preach_v there_o it_o be_v not_o otherwise_o than_o they_o do_v in_o the_o synagogue_n acd_v market-place_n and_o other_o place_n of_o concourse_n to_o gain_v new_a proselyte_n and_o not_o to_o instruct_v those_o they_o have_v convert_v when_o they_o preach_v from_o house_n to_o house_n the_o five_o or_o ten_o part_n of_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v convenience_n for_o personal_a communion_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o do_v break_v bread_n no_o otherwise_o than_o from_o house_n to_o house_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o they_o all_o to_o hold_v personal_a communion_n in_o the_o principal_a part_n of_o christian_a worship_n i._n c._n the_o holy_a eucharist_n which_o be_v make_v by_o mr._n b._n as_o necessary_a to_o the_o individuation_n of_o a_o church_n as_o communion_n in_o doctrine_n the_o presbyterian_o press_v this_o instance_n very_o unmerciful_o upon_o those_o of_o the_o congregational_a way_n who_o make_v use_v of_o all_o shift_n and_o most_o of_o they_o very_o poor_a one_o to_o elude_v the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n sometime_o they_o turn_v the_o temple_n into_o a_o church_n another_o while_n they_o send_v the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o home_o to_o the_o country_n and_o whatsoever_o other_o mean_v they_o can_v find_v to_o diminish_v their_o number_n they_o lay_v hold_v of_o they_o and_o this_o way_n not_o succeed_v in_o their_o own_o opinion_n they_o find_v a_o secret_a in_o the_o air_n ibid._n grand_fw-fr debate_n answer_v of_o the_o assembly_n to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o dissent_v br._n p._n 27._o ibid._n which_o they_o fancy_v to_o be_v much_o more_o pure_a and_o shine_v in_o jerusalem_n than_o our_o northern_a climate_n and_o so_o more_o proper_a to_o convey_v a_o voice_n to_o a_o great_a distance_n whereas_o our_o dull_a unyield_a fog_n arrest_v the_o voice_n in_o every_o point_n as_o it_o pass_v however_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n resolve_v they_o will_v not_o be_v pay_v with_o this_o piece_n of_o philosophy_n and_o undertake_v to_o show_v the_o argument_n to_o be_v as_o thin_a as_o the_o air_n they_o talk_v of_o and_o the_o lord_n bacon_n relieve_v they_o in_o this_o distress_n who_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o a_o voice_n can_v be_v hear_v much_o far_o in_o a_o gross_a than_o a_o pure_a air_n the_o resistance_n perhaps_o preserve_v it_o long_o as_o opposition_n serve_v to_o lengthen_v a_o discourse_n and_o to_o make_v dispute_n endless_a again_o p._n 81.82_o but_o in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o ch._n hist_o take_v it_o up_o again_o but_o mr._n b._n in_o his_o first_o disputation_n of_o church-government_n sum_v up_o the_o exception_n of_o the_o independent_o against_o the_o presbyterian_a argument_n draw_v from_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n prudent_o leave_v out_o this_o of_o the_o air_n but_o find_v another_o expedient_a as_o proper_a for_o his_o purpose_n and_o that_o be_v that_o man_n have_v much_o strong_a voice_n in_o those_o time_n and_o place_n which_o they_o may_v believe_v that_o can_v fancy_v nature_n to_o decay_v and_o that_o our_o forefather_n be_v giant_n for_o my_o part_n the_o next_o thing_n i_o expect_v be_v that_o they_o shall_v believe_v with_o kirker_n that_o the_o ancient_n know_v the_o use_n of_o sir_n samuel_n morland_n speaking-trumpet_n for_o kirker_n have_v a_o vision_n of_o some_o old_a manuscript_n that_o no_o body_n else_o ever_o see_v which_o reveal_v to_o he_o that_o alexander_n the_o great_a can_v speak_v to_o his_o whole_a army_n together_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o trumpet_n and_o who_o can_v tell_v but_o in_o this_o vast_a congregation_n of_o jerusalem_n such_o a_o engine_n may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o however_o since_o diocese_n be_v to_o be_v no_o large_a than_o the_o sphere_n of_o a_o man_n voice_n it_o will_v be_v a_o useful_a instrument_n to_o a_o preacher_n of_o weak_a lung_n to_o stretch_v out_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o diocese_n and_o be_v as_o serviceable_a to_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v to_o the_o camp_n 81._o disp_n of_o ch._n gou._n p._n 81._o but_o mr._n b._n tell_v we_o one_o thing_n more_o which_o a_o friend_n tell_v
where_n in_o a_o short_a time_n sabbatius_n a_o convert_n jew_n ordain_v priest_n by_o marcianus_n the_o novatian_a bishop_n of_o c._n p._n begin_v to_o favour_v the_o jewish_a time_n of_o observe_v easter_n establish_v in_o the_o council_n of_o pazus_fw-la and_o for_o this_o and_o the_o pretence_n of_o great_a purity_n begin_v to_o separate_v from_o the_o church_n he_o be_v call_v upon_o to_o show_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o separation_n and_o declare_v his_o great_a grievance_n be_v about_o easter_n the_o novatian_a bishop_n perceive_v this_o be_v but_o a_o pretence_n and_o that_o his_o real_a disease_n be_v the_o desire_n of_o be_v a_o bishop_n be_v resolve_v to_o take_v away_o this_o excuse_n and_o leave_v it_o indifferent_a for_o every_o one_o to_o observe_v easter_n when_o he_o think_v fit_a and_o what_o be_v the_o issue_n he_o seem_v to_o be_v satisfy_v for_o some_o time_n till_o he_o find_v he_o have_v some_o follower_n and_o a_o opportunity_n to_o set_v up_o a_o congregation_n for_o himself_o and_o then_o notwithstanding_o his_o compliance_n turn_v schismatic_a so_o little_a good_a do_v concession_n do_v with_o man_n that_o be_v set_v upon_o separation_n so_o that_o though_o you_o shall_v take_v away_o all_o rule_n and_o all_o order_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o a_o wantonness_n of_o spirit_n have_v make_v restless_a that_o will_v never_o be_v satisfy_v the_o disease_n be_v feed_v by_o concession_n and_o then_o it_o be_v most_o violent_a when_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o will_v have_v a_o great_a council_n say_v our_o historian_n be_v call_v at_o hippo_n 25._o p._n 73._o §_o 25._o and_o augustin_n yet_o a_o presbyter_n be_v there_o good_a man_n will_v do_v well_o and_o most_o of_o the_o african_a council_n be_v the_o best_a in_o all_o the_o world_n and_o why_o will_v you_o judge_v because_o their_o bishopric_n be_v but_o like_o our_o parish_n and_o they_o strive_v not_o who_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a or_o domineer_v i_o be_o content_a he_o shall_v like_v any_o council_n or_o bishop_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a this_o good_a opinion_n will_v not_o continue_v long_o for_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o good_a like_n be_v a_o great_a mistake_n that_o they_o be_v bishop_n according_a to_o his_o own_o model_n who_o diocese_n be_v no_o big_a than_o our_o parish_n but_o sure_o this_o can_v be_v for_o all_o africa_n from_o tangier_n to_o egypt_n have_v but_o four_o hundred_o sixty_o six_o bishopric_n affr._n notitia_fw-la affr._n which_o be_v thus_o divide_v according_a to_o the_o province_n 1._o proconsularis_fw-la 54._o 2._o numidia_n 125._o 3._o provincia_n bizac_n 107._o see_v without_o bishop_n 006._o 4._o maurit_fw-la caesar_n 120._o without_o bishop_n 006._o 5._o maurit_fw-la sitifens_n 044._o 6._o tripoli_n 005._o 7._o sardinia_n 008._o there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o the_o sum_n in_o gross_a and_o the_o particular_n which_o will_v not_o agree_v though_o you_o shall_v deduct_v the_o twelve_o vacant_a see_v for_o then_o the_o particular_n will_v not_o come_v up_o to_o the_o sum_n of_o four_o hundred_o sixty_o six_o and_o now_o judge_n whether_o the_o african_a bishopric_n be_v not_o big_a than_o our_o parish_n by_o compare_v the_o vast_a extent_n of_o africa_n with_o our_o england_n which_o be_v not_o near_o so_o big_a as_o some_o of_o those_o province_n and_o yet_o the_o bishopric_n of_o africa_n be_v multiply_v thus_o occasional_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o and_o can_v prescribe_v to_o other_o country_n nor_o can_v the_o church_n of_o africa_n notwithstanding_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o narrowness_n of_o their_o diocese_n keep_v themselves_o in_o peace_n any_o more_o than_o their_o neighbour_n but_o be_v divide_v as_o soon_o as_o any_o and_o their_o division_n be_v as_o long_o and_o irremediable_a as_o their_o neighbour_n and_o indeed_o schism_n come_v over_o from_o hence_o into_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o novatus_n and_o who_o teach_v the_o roman_a presbyter_n first_o to_o set_v up_o against_o their_o bishop_n in_o short_a there_o be_v not_o where_o a_o great_a breach_n nor_o more_o extravagant_a schismatic_n who_o oppose_v themselves_o not_o only_o against_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o civil_a government_n too_o now_o lest_o this_o may_v put_v our_o author_n out_o of_o conceit_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o council_n of_o africa_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n i_o must_v put_v he_o in_o mind_n of_o his_o own_o remark_n that_o good_a man_n will_v do_v well_o whether_o they_o be_v bishop_n or_o not_o whether_o they_o have_v large_a or_o small_a diocese_n and_o a_o very_a good_a man_n in_o a_o very_a great_a diocese_n will_v do_v a_o extraordinary_a deal_n of_o good_a a_o donatist_n council_n at_o bagai_n 73._o s_o 29._o p._n 73._o have_v three_o hundred_o and_o ten_o bishop_n who_o condemn_v maximianus_n and_o upon_o this_o council_n mr._n b._n make_v two_o observation_n 1._o how_o great_a a_o number_n the_o donatist_n be_v and_o upon_o what_o pretence_n as_o over-voting_a they_o they_o call_v other_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n very_o unjust_o no_o doubt_n for_o they_o be_v heretic_n and_o schismatic_n themselves_o still_o notwithstanding_o their_o increase_n multitude_n may_v render_v a_o sect_n formidable_a but_o it_o be_v but_o a_o poor_a argument_n of_o right_n 2._o how_o small_a bishopric_n than_o be_v the_o number_n tell_v we_o not_o so_o small_a as_o our_o parish_n though_o the_o donatist_n do_v use_v all_o mean_n in_o the_o world_n to_o multiply_v they_o and_o to_o strengthen_v their_o party_n the_o council_n of_o turin_n order_v 30._o p._n 74._o §_o 30._o that_o communion_n shall_v not_o be_v deny_v felix_n one_o of_o ithacius_n his_o party_n and_o not_o the_o contrary_a according_a as_o the_o false_a read_n of_o binnius_n sirm._n vid._n conc._n sirm._n so_o sirmond_n in_o loc_n male_a enim_fw-la in_o vulgatis_fw-la qui_fw-la felici_fw-la non_fw-la communicant_a abest_fw-la enim_fw-la in_o manuscriptis_fw-la negatio_fw-la another_o carthage_n council_n 31._o §_o 31._o call_v the_o second_o which_o binnius_n say_v be_v the_o last_o be_v place_v next_o and_o so_o our_o author_n take_v it_o this_o mistake_v binnius_n take_v from_o baronius_n 1158._o conc._n t._n 2._o p._n 1158._o as_o labbe_n show_v erravit_fw-la post_fw-la baronium_n binnius_n verè_fw-la enim_fw-la hoc_fw-la concilium_fw-la celebratum_fw-la fuit_fw-la anno_fw-la 390._o sub_fw-la genethlio_fw-la decessore_fw-la aurelii_n cujus_fw-la nomen_fw-la necnon_fw-la alypii_n exulat_fw-la à _fw-la ms._n optimae_fw-la notae_fw-la the_o canon_n that_o mr._n b._n instance_n from_o hence_o in_o favour_n of_o his_o congregational_a church_n will_v not_o comply_v with_o his_o design_n ibid._n ibid._n that_o the_o bishop_n only_o have_v the_o power_n of_o make_v crisme_n and_o all_o the_o priest_n be_v to_o receive_v it_o from_o he_o that_o the_o bishop_n alone_o be_v to_o reconcile_v penitent_n public_o this_o may_v consist_v with_o a_o great_a many_o congregation_n and_o the_o canon_n 3._o can._n 3._o reconciliare_fw-la quemquam_fw-la in_fw-la publicâ_fw-la missâ_fw-la presbytero_fw-la non_fw-la licere_fw-la may_v probable_o extend_v only_o to_o the_o cathedral_n service_n and_o that_o the_o priest_n shall_v not_o do_v this_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o bishop_n as_o he_o be_v forbid_v several_a other_o act_n which_o he_o be_v suppose_v to_o do_v apart_o and_o in_o the_o bishop_n absence_n but_o with_o the_o supposition_n of_o his_o consent_n 4._o can._n 4._o the_o four_o canon_n express_v the_o absolution_n of_o penitent_n by_o reconciliare_fw-la sacris_fw-la altaribus_fw-la the_o plural_a though_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v it_o be_v improper_a for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o principal_a altar_n that_o be_v proper_o so_o call_v though_o several_a communion-table_n depend_v upon_o the_o great_a altar_n there_o may_v be_v in_o the_o same_o diocese_n unless_o the_o reconcile_n to_o one_o church_n be_v reckon_v a_o reconcile_n to_o all_o other_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n the_o five_o canon_n be_v disingenious_o cite_v by_o mr._n b._n thus_o 5._o can._n 5._o when_o christian_n be_v multiply_v they_o that_o desire_v a_o bishop_n in_o a_o place_n that_o have_v none_o before_o may_v have_v one_o but_o he_o leave_v out_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n out_o of_o who_o diocese_n that_o other_o be_v take_v which_o be_v make_v absolute_o necessary_a dioeceses_fw-la quae_fw-la nunquam_fw-la episcopos_fw-la habucrunt_fw-la non_fw-la habeant_fw-la &_o illa_fw-la dioecesis_fw-la quae_fw-la aliquando_fw-la habuit_fw-la habeat_fw-la proprium_fw-la &_o si_fw-la accedente_fw-la tempore_fw-la crescente_fw-la fide_fw-la dei_fw-la populus_fw-la multiplicatus_fw-la desideraverit_fw-la proprium_fw-la habere_fw-la rectorem_fw-la ejus_fw-la videlicet_fw-la voluntate_fw-la in_o cujus_fw-la potestate_fw-la est_fw-la dioecesis_fw-la constituta_fw-la habeat_fw-la episcopum_fw-la which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o three_o council_n of_o carthage_n where_o it_o be_v add_v 20._o
affirm_v that_o the_o woman_n be_v receive_v regular_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o theophilus_n himself_o and_o that_o isidore_n can_v testify_v all_o this_o which_o he_o do_v at_o his_o return_n from_o rome_n whither_o he_o then_o be_v send_v theophilus_n excommunicate_v both_o as_o have_v do_v he_o wrong_n and_o belie_v he_o this_o some_o say_v but_o i_o have_v hear_v from_o a_o very_a credible_a person_n who_o converse_v familiar_o with_o those_o monk_n at_o that_o very_a time_n who_o say_v that_o there_o be_v two_o reason_n of_o theophilus_n his_o fall_v out_o with_o isidore_n the_o one_o common_a to_o he_o and_o peter_n because_o they_o refuse_v to_o witness_v for_o theophilus_n his_o sister_n that_o a_o certain_a person_n have_v make_v she_o his_o heir_n the_o other_o particular_a to_o isidore_n because_o he_o be_v overseer_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o have_v a_o considerable_a sum_n of_o money_n in_o his_o disposal_n refuse_v to_o re-imburse_a the_o bishop_n what_o he_o lay_v out_o upon_o the_o building_n of_o church_n say_v that_o it_o it_o be_v far_o better_a to_o refresh_v the_o body_n of_o the_o poor_a for_o who_o that_o treasure_n be_v intend_v and_o which_o be_v proper_o the_o temple_n of_o god_n than_o to_o lay_v it_o out_o upon_o the_o build_n of_o church_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v for_o these_o or_o for_o other_o reason_n so_o it_o be_v that_o isidore_n be_v excommunicate_v and_o come_v to_o scetis_n to_o his_o old_a friend_n the_o monk_n ammonius_n take_v some_o of_o they_o along_o with_o he_o go_v to_o theophilus_n and_o desire_v he_o to_o be_v reconcile_v to_o isidore_n which_o he_o be_v say_v then_o ready_o to_o have_v promise_v but_o after_o some_o time_n when_o nothing_o be_v do_v and_o they_o see_v plain_o that_o theophilus_n do_v intend_v to_o put_v they_o off_o they_o come_v again_o and_o renew_v the_o request_n with_o great_a earnestness_n require_v a_o performance_n of_o his_o promise_n he_o take_v one_o of_o the_o monk_n and_o put_v he_o in_o the_o common_a prison_n for_o a_o terror_n to_o the_o rest_n but_o this_o will_v not_o do_v for_o ammonius_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o monk_n that_o come_v with_o he_o under_o pretence_n of_o bring_v relief_n to_o the_o prisoner_n get_v into_o the_o prison_n and_o resolve_v to_o stay_v there_o with_o their_o companion_n theophilus_n hear_v this_o send_v for_o they_o but_o they_o at_o first_o desire_v he_o to_o come_v himself_o and_o fetch_v they_o out_o for_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a they_o say_v that_o since_o the_o affront_n they_o have_v receive_v be_v public_a they_o shall_v private_o be_v dismiss_v yet_o afterward_o they_o be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o come_v to_o he_o and_o he_o send_v they_o away_o after_o he_o have_v beg_v their_o pardon_n and_o promise_v never_o to_o molest_v they_o more_o however_o he_o fret_v and_o be_v vex_v in_o himself_o and_o cast_v about_o how_o he_o he_o shall_v do_v they_o a_o mischief_n and_o since_o they_o despise_v every_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o their_o philosophical_a life_n he_o resolve_v to_o attack_v they_o in_o that_o part_n and_o to_o disturb_v their_o peace_n and_o quietness_n for_o understand_v by_o the_o discourse_n he_o have_v have_v with_o they_o and_o the_o complaint_n they_o be_v use_v to_o make_v to_o he_o of_o the_o anthropomorphites_n that_o they_o be_v favourer_n of_o origen_n he_o kindle_v a_o deadly_a feud_n between_o they_o and_o the_o monk_n of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n which_o be_v blow_v up_o by_o their_o undecent_a wrangling_n and_o dispute_n in_o which_o they_o leave_v the_o question_n and_o instead_o of_o argue_v reproach_v one_o another_o so_o they_o that_o believe_v god_n incorporeal_a be_v call_v origenist_n those_o of_o the_o contrary_a persuasion_n anthropomorphites_n so_o far_o sozomen_n socrates_n differ_v something_o in_o the_o relation_n of_o this_o matter_n from_o sozomen_n though_o as_o to_o the_o great_a part_n one_o have_v copy_v out_o of_o the_o other_o yet_o so_o as_o to_o leave_v it_o a_o very_a hard_a question_n to_o determine_v which_o be_v the_o original_a and_o which_o the_o copy_n socrates_n say_v nothing_o of_o isidor_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o quarrel_n 7._o socr._n l._n 6._o c._n 7._o but_o only_o that_o those_o monk_n dislike_a the_o covetousness_n of_o theophilus_n will_v live_v with_o he_o no_o long_o but_o return_v to_o their_o solitude_n and_o when_o dioscorus_n be_v have_v in_o great_a veneration_n of_o the_o monk_n theophilus_n envy_v he_o and_o be_v angry_a with_o his_o brethren_n resolve_v to_o ruin_v they_o by_o stir_v up_o the_o anthropomorphites_n against_o they_o that_o he_o write_v to_o the_o monk_n against_o dioscorus_n accuse_v he_o with_o hold_v god_n to_o be_v incorporeal_a and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o member_n like_o man_n as_o the_o scripture_n describe_v he_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o set_v they_o all_o together_o by_o the_o ear_n isidor_n pelusiota_n confirm_v sozomen_n 152._o isid_n ep._n l._n 1._o ep._n 152._o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v isidor_n to_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o this_o quarrel_n without_o any_o particular_n but_o treat_v theophilus_n very_o outrageous_o call_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o if_o we_o examine_v these_o relation_n impartial_o we_o may_v observe_v several_a thing_n that_o be_v very_o improbable_a almost_o impossible_a to_o conceive_v all_o these_o man_n that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v persecute_v unjust_o by_o theophilus_n be_v such_o as_o he_o have_v a_o extraordinary_a kindness_n for_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a without_o special_a provocation_n he_o shall_v ever_o endeavour_v to_o ruin_v those_o he_o take_v so_o much_o pain_n to_o set_v up_o and_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o story_n of_o isidore_n it_o be_v altogether_o improbable_a for_o this_o be_v the_o man_n he_o oppose_v to_o chrysostom_n as_o competitor_n for_o the_o bishopric_n of_o c._n p._n this_o be_v he_o that_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o great_a secret_n upon_o which_o his_o life_n and_o dignity_n do_v depend_v he_o that_o have_v receive_v double_a order_n and_o letter_n to_o present_v he_o that_o shall_v overcome_v whether_o theodosius_n or_o maximus_n and_o be_v it_o likely_a he_o shall_v fall_v out_o with_o this_o man_n so_o desperate_o about_o a_o punctilio_fw-la of_o reconcile_a a_o heretic_n woman_n or_o witness_v that_o himself_o must_v know_v not_o to_o be_v truth_n be_v it_o likely_a a_o person_n so_o eminent_a in_o place_n and_o reputation_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a fortune_n too_o shall_v suborn_v two_o the_o most_o considerable_a man_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n to_o forswear_v themselves_o in_o favour_n of_o his_o sister_n sure_o he_o must_v know_v they_o too_o well_o after_o so_o long_a a_o acquaintance_n and_o experience_n to_o hazard_v his_o reputation_n upon_o so_o unlikely_a a_o project_n he_o must_v know_v they_o to_o be_v very_o evil_a man_n before_o he_o will_v attempt_v they_o in_o that_o nature_n nor_o be_v it_o very_o likely_a that_o isidore_n consider_v his_o obligation_n to_o theophilus_n shall_v have_v refuse_v he_o any_o money_n to_o carry_v on_o and_o support_v his_o magnificence_n in_o public_a building_n however_o suppose_v all_o this_o true_a they_o must_v be_v only_o private_a reason_n such_o as_o theophilus_n keep_v secret_a to_o himself_o but_o he_o must_v find_v some_o other_o plausible_a pretence_n to_o justify_v his_o excommunication_n of_o these_o person_n that_o be_v so_o considerable_a in_o their_o place_n and_o reputation_n in_o the_o world_n he_o can_v not_o be_v so_o brutish_a as_o to_o excommunicate_v a_o man_n because_o he_o will_v not_o forswear_v himself_o or_o rob_v the_o poor_a to_o serve_v he_o there_o must_v be_v something_o for_o a_o colour_n and_o that_o these_o impartial_a credible_a historian_n do_v both_o forget_v for_o i_o suppose_v the_o monk_n from_o who_o they_o have_v this_o relation_n do_v not_o care_n much_o to_o insist_v upon_o that_o point_n which_o will_v make_v a_o man_n suspect_v that_o theophilus_n his_o cause_n may_v be_v something_o justifiable_a and_o sure_o it_o be_v very_o plausible_a when_o all_o the_o world_n in_o a_o manner_n do_v approve_v it_o thus_o every_o malefactor_n will_v give_v out_o that_o he_o be_v persecute_v out_o of_o envy_n and_o malice_n and_o such_o a_o one_o they_o have_v disoblige_v in_o this_o manner_n and_o another_o become_v their_o enemy_n upon_o another_o account_n but_o not_o a_o word_n of_o the_o crime_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n or_o of_o the_o evidence_n against_o they_o no_o poor_a man_n though_o they_o talk_v sedition_n or_o treason_n blaspheme_v god_n or_o the_o king_n and_o the_o fact_n be_v notorious_a yet_o they_o fall_v innocent_a victim_n to_o the_o malice_n or_o covetousness_n of_o their_o judge_n sozomen_n unaware_o discover_v
and_o dignity_n with_o respect_n to_o which_o opinion_n cyril_n press_v the_o unity_n of_o nature_n and_o make_v use_v of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o hypostasis_fw-la indiscriminate_o and_o last_o nestorius_n deny_v christ_n to_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o god_n in_o his_o first_o anathema_n in_o answer_n to_o those_o of_o cyril_n say_v si_fw-mi quis_fw-la christum_fw-la verum_fw-la deum_fw-la &_o non_fw-la immanuel_n dixerit_fw-la i._n e._n whosoever_o shall_v call_v he_o true_a god_n let_v he_o be_v anathema_n which_o show_v that_o the_o union_n he_o mean_v be_v not_o personal_a but_o that_o christ_n be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o cyril_n often_o charge_v nestorius_n with_o hold_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o those_o twelve_o article_n of_o nestorius_n be_v extant_a in_o greek_a they_o will_v likely_o discover_v more_o of_o his_o mind_n but_o as_o they_o be_v they_o have_v hardly_o any_o sense_n at_o all_o how_o far_o nestorius_n dissemble_v his_o opinion_n by_o those_o plausible_a expression_n of_o one_o person_n and_o two_o nature_n may_v be_v judge_v from_o what_o be_v already_o observe_v concern_v he_o but_o our_o author_n fall_v into_o a_o great_a passion_n against_o those_o that_o say_v nestorius_n dissemble_v when_o he_o affirm_v two_o nature_n and_o one_o person_n i_o take_v they_o say_v he_o to_o be_v the_o firebrand_n of_o the_o world_n and_o unworthy_a the_o regard_n of_o sober_a man_n who_o pretend_v to_o know_v man_n judgement_n better_o than_o themselves_o etc._n etc._n it_o can_v be_v unknown_a to_o any_o man_n that_o have_v read_v any_o thing_n in_o ecclesiastical_a writing_n that_o heretic_n be_v use_v to_o take_v refuge_n in_o equivocation_n and_o to_o show_v a_o fair_a plausible_a doctrine_n to_o the_o first_o view_n but_o when_o this_o be_v narrow_o examine_v and_o compare_v with_o other_o thing_n that_o drop_v from_o they_o either_o unaware_o or_o in_o great_a confidence_n it_o be_v find_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o deceit_n and_o illusion_n thus_o the_o arian_n frequent_o impose_v upon_o the_o orthodox_n thus_o the_o nestorian_n seem_v to_o own_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d change_v only_o the_o accent_n which_o change_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n from_o the_o mother_n to_o the_o child_n and_o offspring_n of_o god_n and_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v not_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o art_n of_o heretic_n give_v this_o caution_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o present_o to_o be_v take_v for_o what_o they_o appear_v 18._o rom._n 16.17_o 18._o now_o i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n mark_v they_o which_o cause_n division_n and_o offence_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o you_o have_v learn_v and_o avoid_v they_o for_o such_o serve_v not_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o their_o own_o belly_n and_o by_o good_a word_n and_o fair_a speech_n deceive_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o simple_a but_o let_v they_o be_v account_v firebrand_n of_o the_o world_n that_o will_v not_o put_v the_o most_o charitable_a interpretation_n upon_o the_o expression_n of_o man_n of_o suspect_a doctrine_n i_o be_o content_a and_o i_o believe_v the_o bishop_n will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o this_o accusation_n i_o can_v wish_v our_o author_n will_v look_v home_o and_o observe_v those_o firebrand_n that_o will_v make_v man_n of_o what_o religion_n they_o please_v in_o despite_n of_o all_o protestation_n and_o oath_n to_o the_o contrary_a be_v it_o not_o strange_a that_o man_n who_o subscribe_v the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o destructive_a of_o all_o the_o error_n of_o popery_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o reformation_n that_o renounce_v transubstantiation_n pope_n supremacy_n idolatry_n rebellion_n for_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n adoration_n of_o image_n and_o saint_n and_o angel_n that_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o these_o man_n must_v be_v papist_n and_o popish_o affect_v and_o let_v they_o say_v or_o believe_v what_o they_o will_v they_o must_v be_v account_v so_o what_o shall_v a_o man_n do_v to_o these_o man_n who_o instead_o of_o pull_v down_o popery_n strengthen_v it_o by_o reckon_v so_o many_o learned_a and_o godly_a person_n of_o that_o side_n and_o while_o they_o endeavour_v to_o dishonour_v these_o person_n by_o so_o odious_a a_o name_n do_v no_o small_a honour_n to_o the_o papist_n by_o make_v the_o most_o eminent_a party_n of_o man_n both_o for_o learning_n and_o integrity_n that_o perhaps_o be_v now_o in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v favourer_n of_o their_o way_n hoc_fw-la ithacus_n velit_fw-la the_o jesuit_n indeed_o be_v apt_a to_o feign_v several_a deathbed_n reconciliation_n to_o their_o church_n to_o gain_v it_o credit_n by_o the_o accession_n of_o some_o eminent_a opposer_n of_o it_o but_o this_o they_o do_v spare_o as_o the_o easy_a people_n can_v swallow_v the_o cheat_n but_o these_o papist-maker_n of_o we_o will_v present_v they_o with_o thousand_o together_o and_o send_v they_o the_o protestant_a church_n of_o three_o kingdom_n in_o one_o present_a if_o any_o be_v fire_n brand_n of_o the_o world_n if_o any_o set_v up_o popery_n under_o the_o disguise_n of_o protestant_n they_o be_v sure_o these_o man_n that_o cry_v down_o all_o for_o papist_n that_o they_o have_v any_o prejudice_n against_o and_o out_o of_o spite_n to_o their_o brethren_n assist_v that_o common_a enemy_n and_o become_v the_o most_o liberal_a benefactor_n to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o ever_o it_o have_v since_o the_o reformation_n nay_o not_o inferior_a to_o the_o forger_n of_o constantine_n donation_n these_o man_n will_v deserve_v better_o of_o rome_n than_o francis_n or_o dominick_n can_v they_o but_o make_v their_o word_n good_a sure_o the_o papist_n be_v not_o now_o to_o learn_v how_o to_o make_v the_o best_a use_n of_o a_o fictitious_a title_n they_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o boast_v of_o that_o strength_n which_o dissenter_n give_v they_o and_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o a_o calumny_n that_o be_v so_o much_o to_o their_o credit_n and_o advantage_n i_o must_v beseech_v the_o reader_n pardon_v for_o this_o digression_n and_o god_n pardon_v to_o these_o false_a accuser_n of_o their_o brethren_n that_o they_o may_v know_v in_o this_o their_o day_n the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o their_o peace_n to_o return_v now_o to_o the_o business_n we_o leave_v it_o will_v not_o suit_v the_o proportion_n of_o my_o design_n to_o dwell_v upon_o every_o particular_a expression_n of_o cyril_n that_o may_v be_v suspect_v and_o to_o detect_v the_o heresy_n of_o nestorius_n lurk_v under_o the_o disguise_n of_o orthodox_n expression_n i_o hope_v that_o what_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v may_v be_v sufficient_a at_o least_o to_o suspend_v the_o reader_n judgement_n from_o pronounce_v cyril_n a_o heretic_n with_o derodon_n or_o nestorius_n who_o be_v condemn_v by_o almost_o all_o the_o world_n a_o orthodox_n and_o sound_a believer_n until_o some_o able_a hand_n undertake_v that_o matter_n and_o treat_v it_o more_o particular_o our_o author_n though_o he_o make_v use_v of_o derodon_n citation_n to_o disparage_v the_o authority_n of_o these_o council_n yet_o he_o differ_v from_o he_o in_o conclusion_n and_o be_v loath_a to_o give_v in_o to_o that_o bold_a paradox_n that_o cyril_n so_o much_o celebrate_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o his_o defence_n of_o the_o faith_n shall_v at_o last_o after_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n good_a credit_n prove_v downright_a heretic_n therefore_o he_o endeavour_v to_o moderate_v the_o business_n and_o to_o make_v both_o party_n friend_n and_o orthodox_n though_o they_o themselves_o be_v not_o sensible_a of_o it_o all_o this_o stir_n say_v our_o author_n proceed_v only_o from_o misunderstanding_n and_o cyril_n and_o nestorius_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n do_v not_o understand_v one_o another_o meaning_n it_o be_v not_o unpleasant_a to_o observe_v a_o man_n 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both_o find_v
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highness_n faithful_a subject_n r._n baxter_n i_o hope_v mr._n b._n will_v find_v no_o reason_n to_o tax_v i_o of_o any_o disingenuity_n in_o this_o extract_n for_o i_o have_v not_o tear_v piece_n of_o sentence_n and_o conceal_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v give_v word_n a_o more_o favourable_a construction_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v with_o great_a reluctance_n that_o i_o have_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o at_o all_o and_o since_o mr._n b._n himself_o refer_v to_o they_o and_o compare_v they_o with_o ambrose_n his_o epistle_n and_o endeavour_n to_o justify_v they_o by_o hint_v at_o other_o instance_n i_o can_v not_o avoid_v give_v some_o account_n of_o they_o i_o have_v promise_v to_o make_v no_o inference_n malicious_a or_o not_o malicious_a from_o they_o but_o as_o to_o the_o occasion_n that_o have_v bring_v in_o all_o this_o i_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o show_v he_o beside_o the_o expression_n a_o great_a difference_n between_o these_o epistle_n and_o that_o he_o compare_v they_o with_o for_o that_o be_v extort_a by_o importunity_n these_o be_v volunteer_v service_n to_o a_o usurper_n eugenius_n have_v write_v twice_o to_o ambrose_n before_o he_o will_v make_v any_o answer_n and_o then_o he_o own_v such_o a_o frowardness_n that_o unless_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n threaten_v by_o the_o restauration_n of_o idolatry_n have_v require_v it_o of_o he_o he_o will_v not_o then_o have_v be_v prevail_v with_o to_o have_v make_v any_o application_n to_o he_o although_o there_o have_v pass_v a_o acquaintance_n and_o friendship_n between_o they_o when_o eugenius_n be_v a_o private_a man_n but_o mr._n b._n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o r._n cromwell_n and_o have_v no_o great_a temptation_n to_o dedicate_v book_n to_o he_o nor_o any_o reasonable_a hope_n that_o the_o protector_n will_v
upon_o the_o multitude_n say_v to_o be_v convert_v the_o number_n of_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a labourer_n common_o reside_v in_o this_o city_n the_o conjunction_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n under_o the_o common_a title_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n especial_o before_o the_o place_n of_o assembly_n can_v be_v imagine_v very_o capacious_a and_o i_o believe_v mr._n b._n do_v not_o imagine_v such_o vast_a cathedral_n as_o paul_n to_o be_v very_o primitive_a ign._n orat_fw-la de_fw-la s._n ign._n but_o what_o ever_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o may_v be_v at_o that_o time_n ignatius_n his_o bishopric_a be_v never_o the_o less_o diocesan_n in_o its_o constitution_n and_o design_n or_o else_o chrysostom_n mistake_v one_o topick_n of_o his_o commendation_n he_o reckon_v five_o thing_n that_o be_v much_o to_o his_o honour_n whereof_o two_o bring_v he_o under_o suspicion_n of_o diocesan_n prelacy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o his_o authority_n or_o government_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n whereof_o he_o be_v bishop_n the_o first_o i_o suppose_v refer_v to_o his_o metropolitan_a power_n the_o second_o to_o his_o peculiar_a diocese_n but_o if_o this_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v but_o one_o congregation_n what_o will_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n signify_v how_o many_o more_o will_v have_v the_o same_o honour_n with_o he_o or_o what_o so_o great_a difference_n be_v there_o between_o a_o full_a congregation_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o city_n and_o another_o as_o full_a in_o chelsey_n at_o leastwise_o what_o honour_n do_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n do_v the_o minister_n of_o that_o single_a congregation_n and_o now_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n where_o st._n paul_n preach_v for_o a_o year_n and_o six_o month_n upon_o a_o divine_a assurance_n of_o extraordinary_a success_n and_o that_o god_n have_v much_o people_n in_o that_o place_n 11._o act_n 18.8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o and_o where_o many_o effectual_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a where_o peter_n and_o apollo_n preach_v with_o that_o effect_n as_o to_o leave_v many_o disciple_n 3._o 1_o cor._n 3._o who_o call_v themselves_o by_o their_o name_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o ephesus_n where_o a_o numerous_a church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v gather_v by_o st._n paul_n who_o preach_v there_o for_o two_o year_n and_o not_o only_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o ephesus_n but_o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n 19.10_o act_n 19.10_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o the_o shrine-maker_n apprehend_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o trade_n when_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v that_o paul_n not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n but_o throughout_o all_o asia_n have_v persuade_v and_o turn_v away_o much_o people_n 26._o v._o 26._o to_o pass_v by_o these_o and_o several_a other_o eminent_a church_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v very_o uncertain_a who_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o this_o church_n though_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o before_o paul_n come_n there_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o only_o receive_v seq_fw-la rom._n 1.13_o 15_o 17._o &_o seq_fw-la but_o their_o church_n be_v very_o considerable_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n write_v long_o before_o his_o come_n there_o as_o he_o himself_o witness_v say_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n beza_n rom._n 16._o ostendit_fw-la congregationem_fw-la fidelium_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la nominari_fw-la hieron_n in_o lo_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d coetum_fw-la fidelium_fw-la nec_fw-la mirum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o tam_fw-la be_fw-mi plâ_fw-la civitate_fw-la distinctos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la fidelium_fw-la coetus_fw-la beza_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v occasionly_a mention_v and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n for_o it_o appear_v that_o most_o of_o these_o be_v of_o the_o ministry_n and_o such_o by_o who_o mean_n the_o roman_n believe_v and_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v thither_o from_o other_o part_n where_o paul_n have_v know_v they_o hieron_n congregationem_fw-la vert_fw-fr eras_n istos_fw-la amat_n quos_fw-la satutat_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la ex_fw-la nominiâ—us_fw-la suiffe_fw-mi peregrinos_fw-la per_fw-la quorum_fw-la exemylum_fw-la atque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la non_fw-la absurd_a existimamus_fw-la credidisse_fw-la roman_n hieron_n for_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o see_v rome_n and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o this_o city_n may_v be_v far_o observe_v from_o the_o persecution_n of_o nero_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n 15._o ingens_fw-la multitude_n hand_n perinde_v in_o crimint_n ineendii_fw-la quam_fw-la odio_fw-la bumani_fw-la generis_fw-la convicti_fw-la sunt_fw-la tac._n h._n l._n 15._o upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o they_o who_o confess_v be_v first_o lay_v hold_v on_o than_o a_o vast_a company_n be_v convict_v by_o their_o indication_n where_o by_o the_o by_o beside_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o sufferer_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v mistake_v general_o as_o if_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v the_o fact_n and_o accuse_v the_o rest_n lipsius_n thus_o understand_v the_o passage_n give_v tacitus_n the_o lie_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o fact_n but_o they_o confess_v without_o express_v the_o particular_n but_o what_o do_v they_o confess_v then_o if_o it_o be_v this_o crime_n that_o theâ—_n own_a themselves_o and_o charge_v other_o with_o how_o come_v he_o to_o add_v that_o they_o be_v not_o convict_v so_o much_o of_o this_o crime_n by_o this_o indication_n as_o by_o the_o hatred_n of_o all_o mankind_n therefore_o this_o confession_n be_v no_o more_o than_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o the_o hatred_n they_o be_v in_o make_v this_o sufficient_a conviction_n to_o these_o instance_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o some_o more_o considerable_a city_n 〈◊〉_d eccles_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v add_v only_o the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v and_o the_o granary_n of_o christ_n be_v fill_v up_o to_o the_o top_n with_o the_o wheat_n that_o be_v gather_v in_o hitherto_o i_o have_v observe_v chief_o the_o growth_n of_o christianity_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o some_o city_n such_o a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o can_v not_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o assembly_n for_o personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o must_v show_v in_o order_n to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n must_v be_v that_o such_o number_n of_o believer_n make_v but_o one_o church_n govern_v by_o one_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o the_o most_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writing_n that_o james_n the_o just_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n i._n e._n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n nor_o be_v that_o tradition_n without_o ground_n in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o for_o st._n paul_n reckon_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n among_o the_o apostle_n of_o that_o church_n 1.19_o sal._n 1.19_o though_o he_o be_v none_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o mention_n he_o as_o a_o person_n in_o eminent_a place_n and_o authority_n there_o one_o that_o have_v send_v several_a brethren_n to_o antioch_n before_o that_o certain_a brethren_n come_v from_o james_n 12_o â—_o 12_o here_o we_o find_v the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o alter_v in_o favour_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o hitherto_o the_o messenger_n who_o be_v send_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v
be_v say_v to_o contain_v many_o church_n by_o that_o canon_n whereby_o it_o be_v provide_v that_o equitius_n the_o bishop_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v depose_v and_o another_o put_v in_o his_o place_n and_o for_o the_o easy_a effect_n of_o it_o it_o be_v say_v ecclesiae_fw-la ibi_fw-la ab_fw-la his_fw-la retinentur_fw-la qui_fw-la equitii_fw-la facinorosam_fw-la communionem_fw-la declinaverunt_fw-la the_o diocese_n whereof_o xantippus_n be_v bishop_n must_v be_v suppose_v of_o good_a extent_n 236._o august_n ep._n 236._o for_o augustine_n complain_v to_o he_o of_o one_o abundantius_fw-la a_o presbyter_n in_o fundo_fw-la strabonensi_fw-la at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o his_o bishop_n and_o near_o it_o seem_v to_o augustine_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o nature_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o complaint_n in_o the_o same_o place_n there_o be_v 〈…〉_o presbyter_n gippitanus_n who_o be_v neighbour_n to_o this_o abundantius_fw-la or_o rather_o they_o live_v both_o together_o though_o they_o have_v several_a cure_n alypius_n bishop_n of_o tagastis_n 289._o id_fw-la ep._n 289._o have_v likewise_o the_o church_n thyana_n under_o he_o which_o probable_o be_v a_o considerable_a city_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n augustin_n to_o melania_n who_o son_n be_v force_v by_o a_o tumult_n of_o the_o people_n of_o hippo_n to_o take_v order_n hippo_n regia_n the_o diocese_n of_o st._n augustin_n be_v very_o large_a ep._n ep._n 74.212_o 236._o ep._n he_o mention_n many_o parochial_a presbyter_n and_o parish_n in_o it_o as_o presbyter_n germaniciensis_n armemansis_n subsana_n where_o timothy_n be_v ordain_v reader_n which_o occasion_v not_o small_a trouble_n malliana_n turres_n ciran_n vitalis_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o be_v the_o number_n of_o church_n in_o his_o diocese_n that_o he_o excuse_v himself_o to_o a_o friend_n who_o he_o have_v promise_v to_o assist_v in_o some_o kind_n of_o study_n that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v as_o good_a as_o his_o word_n because_o he_o be_v go_v upon_o his_o visitation_n which_o will_v hold_v a_o considerable_a time_n and_o therefore_o he_o remit_v he_o to_o one_o of_o his_o presbyter_n quoniam_fw-la visitandarum_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la ad_fw-la meam_fw-la curam_fw-la pertinentium_fw-la necessitate_v profectus_fw-la sum_fw-la but_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o this_o diocese_n than_o of_o any_o other_o in_o africa_n town_n id_fw-la ep._n 261._o volens_fw-la prodesse_fw-la quibusdam_fw-la in_o nostra_fw-la vicinitate_fw-la this_o neighbourhood_n which_o mr._n b._n sometime_o argue_v from_o to_o show_v the_o smallness_n of_o diocese_n then_o be_v not_o the_o next_o door_n or_o the_o next_o town_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o celestinus_fw-la bishop_n of_o rome_n where_o he_o mention_n a_o place_n in_o his_o neighbourhood_n as_o he_o express_v it_o that_o belong_v to_o his_o diocese_n and_o have_v never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o its_o own_o yet_o forty_o mile_n distant_a from_o hippo_n the_o passage_n because_o it_o be_v something_o remarkable_a i_o will_v set_v down_o in_o st._n augustine_n word_n fussala_n dicitur_fw-la territorio_fw-la hipponensi_fw-la confine_v castellum_n antea_fw-la ibi_fw-la nunquam_fw-la episcopus_fw-la fuit_fw-la sed_fw-la simul_fw-la cum_fw-la contigua_fw-la sibi_fw-la region_fw-la ad_fw-la paroeciam_fw-la hipponensis_n ecclesiae_fw-la pertinebat_fw-la i._n e._n tâ—e_v place_n be_v call_v fussala_n a_o town_n adjoin_v to_o the_o territory_n of_o hippo_n which_o never_o have_v a_o bishop_n of_o it_o own_o but_o belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n with_o the_o country_n about_o it_o sed_fw-la quod_fw-la ab_fw-la hippone_v memoratum_fw-la castellum_fw-la millibus_fw-la quadraginta_fw-la sejungitur_fw-la because_o it_o be_v forty_o mile_n distant_a from_o hippo_n and_o the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o that_o church_n require_v the_o presence_n of_o a_o bishop_n he_o ordain_v one_o for_o they_o which_o not_o prove_v as_o useful_a as_o he_o expect_v he_o send_v this_o letter_n to_o excuse_v himself_o nor_o be_v we_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o diocese_n of_o hippo_n be_v singular_o great_a above_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o africa_n 1.65_o collat._n carth._n 1.65_o but_o that_o carthage_n cirta_n milevis_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o more_o eminent_a bishopric_n have_v more_o church_n under_o the_o inspection_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o the_o diocese_n of_o milevis_n particular_o have_v beside_o town_n and_o village_n city_n likewise_o belong_v to_o it_o for_o beside_o milevis_n civitas_n tuncensis_n belong_v to_o that_o bishop_n and_o now_o if_o mr._n b._n and_o the_o nonconformist_n in_o who_o name_n he_o make_v diocesan_n episcopacy_n a_o reason_n of_o separation_n have_v live_v in_o africa_n in_o the_o time_n of_o cyprian_a or_o augustin_n they_o must_v have_v renounce_v their_o communion_n or_o must_v have_v renounce_v these_o principle_n they_o must_v have_v be_v nonconformist_n there_o and_o abhor_v the_o largeness_n of_o the_o bishop_n diocese_n no_o less_o than_o the_o donatist_n do_v the_o largeness_n of_o their_o charity_n augustin_n will_v have_v be_v reckon_v for_o all_o his_o learning_n and_o holiness_n no_o better_a than_o a_o antichristian_a bishop_n and_o our_o reformer_n must_v have_v have_v toleration_n to_o separate_a from_o he_o and_o what_o be_v the_o sweet_a liberty_n of_o all_o to_o discharge_v their_o gall_n and_o bitterness_n upon_o he_o so_o that_o this_o be_v our_o comfort_n that_o these_o man_n that_o be_v such_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n to_o our_o church_n will_v have_v be_v no_o otherwise_o to_o the_o prophet_n the_o holy_a primitive_a bishop_n that_o have_v go_v before_o we_o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o reproach_v we_o they_o must_v reproach_v the_o ancient_a renown_a church_n of_o christ_n nay_o the_o church_n universal_a as_o will_v further_o appear_v by_o what_o follow_v although_o it_o may_v seem_v sufficient_a for_o my_o design_n to_o have_v show_v the_o progress_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n in_o africa_n the_o country_n that_o mr._n b._n single_v out_o as_o retain_v the_o clear_a footstep_n of_o the_o congregational_a form_n yet_o for_o far_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o point_n i_o will_v brief_o show_v the_o progress_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n in_o other_o nation_n and_o show_v how_o at_o first_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n not_o only_o for_o want_v of_o christian_n in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n but_o by_o choice_n and_o when_o they_o come_v afterward_o to_o be_v multiply_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o from_o the_o increase_n of_o believer_n as_o from_o schism_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n and_o from_o the_o increase_n of_o metropoles_fw-la by_o the_o christian_a emperor_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n i_o have_v do_v hitherto_o from_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n that_o be_v disperse_v into_o all_o part_n and_o city_n and_o the_o small_a number_n of_o bishop_n that_o meet_v in_o council_n especial_o provincial_a where_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v present_a as_o also_o from_o some_o general_a expression_n of_o the_o condition_n of_o some_o bishop_n in_o the_o early_a time_n as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v presume_v that_o in_o the_o early_a time_n of_o the_o church_n the_o provincial_a synod_n be_v the_o majority_n at_o least_o of_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o several_a province_n so_o the_o first_o synod_n have_v so_o few_o bishop_n that_o we_o must_v needs_o conclude_v their_o number_n then_o to_o be_v very_o small_a for_o instance_n therefore_o the_o gallic_a synod_n assemble_v at_o lion_n under_o irenaeus_n synod_n exit_fw-la libello_fw-la synod_n against_o martion_n and_o other_o heretic_n have_v but_o twelve_o bishop_n in_o it_o the_o synod_n of_o hierapolis_n under_o apolinarius_n against_o montanus_n and_o maximilla_n have_v twenty_o six_o ibid._n ibid._n the_o synod_n of_o anchialus_n under_o sotas_n have_v twelve_o or_o thirteen_o bishop_n ibid._n ibid._n and_o eusebius_n have_v cite_v two_o or_o three_o subscription_n out_o of_o serapions_n epistle_n 9_o hist_o â—ocl_n l._n 5._o c._n 9_o add_v that_o there_o be_v the_o subscription_n of_o many_o more_o not_o name_v the_o number_n perhaps_o because_o in_o his_o time_n it_o will_v have_v look_v but_o inconsiderable_a all_o be_v but_o twelve_o the_o synod_n of_o ephesus_n under_o polycrates_n about_o the_o time_n of_o easter_n be_v probable_o more_o numerous_a than_o most_o of_o the_o provincial_a council_n of_o this_o age_n as_o consist_v not_o only_a of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n but_o of_o those_o of_o the_o neighbour_a country_n as_o we_o may_v conclude_v from_o victor_n attempt_n to_o excommunicate_v they_o synod_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 5._o c._n 25._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d libà l_o synod_n polycrates_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o victor_n say_v they_o be_v a_o considerable_a number_n and_o if_o he_o shall_v write_v down_o all_o their_o name_n it_o will_v seem_v a_o great_a multitude_n but_o no_o number_n be_v any_o where_o express_v