the_o jew_n as_o a_o significative_a rite_n in_o the_o ordain_v the_o elder_n among_o they_o and_o thereby_o qualify_a they_o either_o to_o be_v member_n of_o their_o sanhedrin_n or_o teacher_n of_o the_o law_n aâ—_n twofold_a use_n i_o find_v of_o this_o symbolical_a rite_n beside_o the_o solemn_a designation_n of_o the_o person_n on_o who_o the_o hand_n be_v lay_v the_o first_o be_v to_o denote_v the_o delivery_n of_o the_o person_n or_o thing_n thus_o lay_v hand_n upon_o for_o the_o right_n use_v and_o peculiar_a service_n of_o god_n and_o that_o i_o suppose_v be_v the_o reason_n of_o lay_v 21._o hand_n upon_o the_o beast_n under_o the_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v thereby_o note_v their_o own_o part_n with_o any_o right_n in_o it_o and_o give_v it_o up_o to_o be_v the_o lord_n for_o a_o sacrifice_n to_o he_o thus_o in_o the_o civil_a law_n this_o delivery_n be_v requisite_a in_o the_o transfer_v dominion_n which_o they_o call_v translatio_fw-la de_fw-la manu_fw-la in_o manum_fw-la the_o second_o end_n of_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n be_v the_o solemn_a juvocation_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n and_o assistance_n to_o be_v upon_o and_o with_o the_o person_n upon_o who_o the_o hand_n be_v thus_o lay_v for_o the_o hand_n with_o we_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o action_n they_o do_v by_o stretch_v out_o their_o hand_n upon_o the_o person_n represent_v the_o efficacy_n of_o divine_a power_n which_o they_o implore_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o 19_o perâ—on_n thus_o design_v tunc_fw-la enim_fw-la â—rabant_fw-la ut_fw-la sic_fw-la dei_fw-la efficacia_fw-la esset_fw-la super_fw-la illum_fw-la sicut_fw-la manus_fw-la efficaciae_fw-la symbolum_fw-la ei_fw-la imponebatur_fw-la as_o grotius_n observe_v thence_o in_o all_o solemn_a prayer_n wherein_o any_o person_n be_v particular_o design_v they_o make_v use_v of_o this_o custom_n of_o imposition_n of_o hand_n from_o which_o custom_n augustine_n speak_v quid_fw-la aliud_fw-la est_fw-la manuum_fw-la impositio_fw-la nisi_fw-la oratio_fw-la 14_o super_fw-la hominem_fw-la thence_o when_o jacob_n pray_v over_o josephs_n child_n he_o lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o they_o so_o when_o moses_n 23._o pray_v over_o joshua_n the_o practice_n likewise_o our_o saviour_n use_v in_o blessing_n child_n heal_v the_o sick_a and_o the_o apostle_n in_o confer_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n and_o from_o thence_o it_o be_v convey_v into_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n who_o use_v it_o in_o any_o more_o solemn_a invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o behalf_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n as_o over_o the_o sick_a upon_o repentance_n and_o reconciliation_n to_o the_o church_n in_o confirmation_n and_o in_o matrimony_n which_o as_o grotius_n observe_v be_v to_o this_o day_n use_v in_o the_o abissine_a church_n but_o the_o most_o solemn_a and_o peculiar_a use_n of_o this_o imposition_n of_o hand_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o the_o design_v of_o any_o person_n for_o any_o public_a employment_n among_o they_o not_o as_o though_o the_o bare_a imposition_n of_o hand_n do_v confer_v any_o power_n upon_o the_o person_n no_o more_o than_o the_o bare_a delivery_n of_o a_o thing_n in_o law_n give_v a_o legal_a title_n to_o it_o without_o express_a transfer_v dominion_n with_o it_o but_o with_o that_o ceremony_n they_o join_v those_o word_n whereby_o they_o do_v confer_v that_o authority_n upon_o they_o which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ecce_fw-la sis_fw-la tu_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ego_fw-la ordino_fw-la te_fw-la or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sis_fw-la ordinatus_fw-la to_o which_o they_o add_v according_a to_o the_o authority_n they_o ordain_v they_o to_o some_o thing_n peculiar_o express_v it_o whether_o it_o be_v for_o cause_n finable_a or_o pecuniary_a or_o bind_v and_o lose_v or_o rule_v in_o the_o synagogue_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n deserve_v consideration_n by_o those_o who_o use_v the_o rite_n of_o impose_v hand_n in_o ordination_n without_o any_o thing_n express_v that_o authority_n they_o convey_v by_o that_o ordination_n this_o custom_n be_v so_o general_o in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n when_o the_o apostle_n be_v send_v forth_o with_o authority_n for_o gather_v and_o settle_v church_n we_o find_v they_o according_o make_v use_n of_o this_o according_a to_o the_o former_a practice_n either_o in_o any_o more_o solemn_a invocation_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n upon_o any_o person_n or_o designation_n and_o appoint_v they_o for_o any_o peculiar_a service_n or_o function_n for_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n to_o think_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v any_o peculiar_a command_n for_o lay_v on_o their_o hand_n upon_o person_n in_o prayer_n over_o they_o or_o ordination_n of_o they_o but_o the_o thing_n its_o self_n be_v enjoin_v they_o viz._n the_o set_v apart_o some_o person_n for_o the_o peculiar_a work_n of_o attendance_n upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n by_o they_o plant_v they_o take_v up_o and_o make_v use_n of_o a_o laudable_a rite_n and_o custom_n then_o in_o use_n upon_o such_o occasion_n and_o so_o we_o find_v the_o apostle_n use_v it_o in_o the_o solemn_a designation_n of_o some_o person_n to_o the_o office_n of_o deacon_n answer_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o synagogue_n who_o 6._o office_n be_v to_o collect_v the_o money_n for_o the_o poor_a and_o to_o distribute_v it_o among_o they_o afterward_o we_o read_v it_o use_v upon_o a_o occasion_n not_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o synagogue_n which_o be_v for_o the_o confer_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n but_o although_o the_o occasion_n be_v 17._o extraordinary_a yet_o suppose_v the_o occasion_n the_o use_n of_o that_o rite_n in_o it_o be_v very_o suitable_a in_o as_o much_o as_o those_o gift_n do_v so_o much_o answer_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o the_o jew_n conceive_v do_v rest_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v so_o ordain_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n the_o next_o time_n we_o meet_v with_o this_o rite_n be_v upon_o a_o peculiar_a designation_n to_o a_o particular_a service_n of_o person_n already_o 3._o appoint_v by_o god_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n which_o be_v of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n by_o the_o prophet_n and_o teacher_n at_o antioch_n whereby_o god_n do_v set_v forth_o the_o use_n of_o that_o rite_n of_o ordination_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n according_o we_o find_v it_o after_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n timothy_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o presbytery_n and_o timothy_n have_v direction_n give_v he_o for_o the_o right_a management_n of_o it_o afterward_o 14._o lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n for_o they_o that_o will_v interpret_v that_o of_o reconcile_a man_n to_o the_o church_n by_o that_o rite_n must_v â—â—_o first_o give_v we_o evidence_n of_o so_o early_a a_o use_n of_o that_o custom_n which_o do_v not_o yet_o appear_v but_o there_o be_v one_o place_n common_o bring_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n in_o ordain_v elder_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v not_o observe_v the_o jewish_a form_n of_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n but_o observe_v a_o way_n quite_o different_a from_o the_o jewish_a practice_n viz._n appoint_v they_o by_o the_o choice_a consent_n and_o suffrage_n of_o the_o people_n which_o place_n be_v act_n 14_o 23._o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o render_v it_o ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n but_o other_o from_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d will_v have_v it_o render_v when_o they_o have_v appoint_v elder_n by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o people_n but_o how_o little_a the_o people_n power_n of_o ordination_n can_v be_v infer_v from_o these_o word_n will_v be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o shall_v but_o consider_v these_o thing_n first_o that_o though_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v original_o signify_v the_o choose_n by_o way_n of_o suffrage_n among_o the_o greek_n yet_o before_o the_o time_n of_o luke_n writing_n this_o the_o word_n be_v use_v for_o simple_a designation_n without_o that_o ceremony_n so_o hesychius_n interpret_v it_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n use_v schol._n of_o titus_n for_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n and_o in_o demosthenes_n and_o other_o it_o occur_v for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o decree_v and_o appoint_v and_o that_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n appear_v in_o saint_n luke_n himself_o act_v 10._o 41._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d witness_n foreappoint_v of_o god_n many_o example_n of_o this_o signification_n be_v bring_v by_o learned_a man_n of_o writer_n before_o and_o about_o the_o time_n when_o luke_n write_v
but_o say_v they_o whatever_o become_v of_o this_o order_n we_o have_v a_o strong_a foundation_n for_o saint_n peter_n power_n because_o christ_n say_v he_o will_v build_v his_o church_n upon_o he_o matth._n 16._o 17._o this_o be_v something_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v but_o i_o fear_v this_o rock_n will_v not_o hold_v water_n as_o it_o be_v bring_v by_o they_o nor_o saint_n peter_n prove_v to_o be_v that_o rock_n for_o indeed_o be_v the_o church_n build_v upon_o saint_n peter_n then_o he_o must_v be_v the_o chief_a foundation_n stone_n and_o peter_n must_v build_v upon_o himself_o and_o not_o upon_o christ_n and_o all_o the_o apostle_n upon_o he_o and_o thus_o in_o exalt_v the_o servant_n we_o depress_v the_o master_n and_o in_o set_v a_o new_a foundation_n we_o take_v 12._o away_o the_o only_a foundation_n jesus_n christ._n if_o by_o be_v build_v upon_o peter_n they_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o be_v build_v by_o he_o as_o the_o chief_a instrument_n it_o be_v both_o a_o very_a incongruous_a speech_n and_o imply_v nothing_o more_o than_o what_o be_v common_a to_o he_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v all_o master-builder_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o paul_n call_v himself_o and_o in_o that_o respect_n be_v 19_o set_v forth_o as_o the_o twelve_o foundation_n stone_n in_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n the_o rock_n then_o speak_v of_o by_o christ_n in_o his_o speech_n to_o peter_n if_o take_v doctrinal_o be_v saint_n peter_n confession_n as_o many_o of_o the_o father_n interpret_v it_o if_o take_v personal_o it_o be_v none_o other_o but_o christ_n himself_o who_o use_v a_o like_a speech_n to_o this_o when_o he_o 19_o say_v destroy_v this_o temple_n and_o in_o three_o day_n i_o will_v raise_v it_o up_o which_o word_n though_o speak_v by_o occasion_n of_o the_o material_a temple_n as_o those_o be_v of_o peter_n name_n yet_o christ_n understand_v they_o of_o the_o temple_n of_o his_o body_n as_o here_o likewise_o he_o do_v of_o his_o person_n but_o still_o they_o urge_v christ_n put_v the_o key_n into_o saint_n peter_n hand_n matthew_n 16._o 19_o now_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n do_v denote_v regal_a authority_n i_o answer_v first_o the_o key_n may_v be_v give_v two_o way_n either_o from_o a_o prince_n to_o a_o subject_a or_o from_o a_o city_n to_o a_o prince_n in_o this_o latter_a acception_n they_o denote_v principality_n in_o the_o receiver_n but_o withal_o inferiority_n and_o subjection_n in_o the_o give_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o be_o so_o charitable_a as_o to_o think_v they_o will_v not_o say_v that_o christ_n give_v the_o key_n to_o peter_n it_o must_v be_v then_o as_o a_o prince_n to_o a_o subject_a and_o when_o they_o be_v so_o give_v it_o do_v not_o imply_v a_o universal_a power_n in_o the_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v give_v but_o a_o invest_n they_o in_o that_o particular_a place_n he_o have_v appoint_v they_o to_o the_o office_n which_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n imply_v be_v ministerial_a and_o not_o authoritative_a delarative_a and_o not_o juridical_a over_o person_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n and_o not_o over_o officer_n join_v inâ—equality_n of_o power_n with_o they_o for_o so_o be_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n with_o peter_n in_o the_o same_o power_n of_o the_o key_n matth._n 18._o 18._o john_n 20._o 23._o this-power_n of_o the_o key_n than_o be_v give_v to_o peter_n in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n but_o nothing_o peculiar_a to_o he_o give_v thereby_o but_o still_o there_o remain_v another_o ward_n in_o saint_n peter_n key_n and_o the_o last_o foot_n to_o the_o pope_n chair_n which_o be_v pasce_fw-la oves_fw-la feed_v my_o sheep_n a_o charge_n give_v particular_o to_o peter_n john_n 21._o 15._o thence_o they_o infer_v his_o power_n over_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o this_o foot_n have_v neither_o joint_n nor_o sinew_n in_o it_o and_o be_v as_o infirm_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n sor_n neither_o do_v this_o command_n rather_o than_o commission_n belong_v only_o to_o peter_n for_o christ_n have_v before_o give_v they_o all_o their_o general_a commission_n as_o the_o father_n have_v send_v i_o even_o so_o send_v i_o you_o john_n 20_o 21._o whereby_o be_v imply_v a_o invest_n all_o the_o apostle_n equal_o with_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n of_o god_n although_o this_o charge_n be_v peculiar_o renew_v to_o peter_n because_o as_o he_o have_v particular_o fall_v so_o he_o shall_v be_v particular_o restore_v neither_o yet_o do_v we_o grant_v this_o do_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d imply_v such_o a_o power_n and_o authority_n as_o they_o plead_v for_o viz._n a_o supreme_a power_n over_o the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o this_o even_a by_o peter_n himself_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o fix_a presbyter_n of_o the_o church_n who_o by_o this_o argument_n have_v as_o much_o authority_n convey_v they_o as_o saint_n peter_n have_v 1_o pet._n 5._o 2._o and_o yet_o shall_v we_o grant_v this_o it_o will_v not_o infer_v what_o they_o desire_v for_o these_o sheep_n be_v not_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n take_v absolute_o but_o indefinite_o for_o all_o the_o apostle_n have_v a_o command_n to_o preach_v to_o every_o creature_n matth._n 28._o 18._o which_o be_v as_o to_o the_o word_n large_a as_o to_o the_o sense_n the_o same_o with_o that_o to_o saint_n peter_n here_o and_o afterward_o we_o find_v peter_n call_v the_o apostle_n of_o circumcision_n and_o the_o apostle_n send_v he_o 9_o to_o samaria_n and_o paul_n in_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n with_o peter_n which_o have_v be_v certain_o dishonourable_a to_o peter_n have_v he_o be_v invest_v with_o such_o a_o universal_a supreme_a power_n over_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n such_o pretence_n then_o as_o these_o be_v for_o such_o a_o extravagant_a power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n from_o such_o miserable_o weak_a foundation_n for_o the_o uphold_v a_o corrupt_a interest_n have_v give_v the_o occasion_n to_o that_o tart_a sarcasm_n in_o papatu_fw-la sub_fw-la petri_n nudo_fw-la nomine_fw-la satan_n non_fw-la amplius_fw-la larva_fw-la but_o that_o which_o will_v seem_v sufficient_a to_o awaken_v any_o out_o of_o this_o dream_n of_o saint_n peter_n power_n over_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n 46._o be_v the_o frequent_a contending_n of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n one_o among_o another_o who_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a and_o that_o even_o after_o that_o christ_n have_v say_v upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n as_o we_o may_v see_v matthew_n 20_o 24._o if_o christ_n have_v confer_v such_o a_o power_n on_o saint_n peter_n what_o little_a ground_n have_v there_o be_v for_o the_o request_n of_o james_n and_o john_n and_o will_v not_o our_o saviour_n rather_o have_v tell_v they_o the_o chief_a place_n be_v conser_v on_o peter_n already_o then_o have_v curb_v their_o ambition_n in_o seek_v who_o shall_v be_v great_a and_o will_v have_v bid_v they_o be_v subject_a to_o peter_n as_o their_o head_n and_o ruler_n we_o see_v not_o then_o the_o least_o foundation_n for_o a_o universal_a monarchy_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o so_o this_o form_n of_o government_n be_v not_o determine_v by_o any_o action_n or_o command_n of_o christ._n we_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v the_o plea_n of_o other_o who_o join_v in_o 7._o renounce_v any_o supreme_a power_n under_o christ_n over_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o differ_v as_o to_o the_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n those_o who_o be_v for_o a_o inequality_n usual_o fix_v on_o the_o imparity_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o parity_n upon_o matth._n 20._o 25._o and_o matth._n 18._o 17._o i_o shall_v here_o proceed_v in_o the_o former_a method_n to_o show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o can_v prove_v the_o form_n they_o contend_v for_o as_o only_o necessary_a nor_o their_o adversary_n prove_v it_o unlawful_a first_o then_o for_o the_o inequality_n between_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o disciple_n by_o that_o inequality_n be_v mean_v either_o only_a a_o inequality_n of_o order_n or_o else_o a_o inequality_n carry_v superiority_n and_o subordination_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o lxx_o disciple_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o order_n with_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n who_o christ_n have_v design_v for_o the_o chief_a government_n of_o his_o church_n after_o his_o ascension_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n the_o comparison_n of_o the_o twelve_o head_n of_o the_o tribe_n and_o the_o seventy_o elder_n seem_v parallel_n with_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o the_o lxx_o disciple_n but_o if_o by_o imparity_n be_v mean_v that_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n have_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n over_o the_o lxx_o disciple_n
precept_n of_o christ_n but_o with_o you_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o but_o however_o a_o inequality_n of_o power_n and_o order_n for_o the_o church_n good_a be_v not_o thereby_o prohibit_v which_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n the_o next_o place_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v that_o in_o matthew_n 18._o 15_o 8._o 16_o 17._o if_o thy_o brother_n shall_v trespass_v against_o thou_o go_v and_o tell_v he_o his_o fault_n between_o thou_o and_o he_o alone_o if_o he_o shall_v hear_v thou_o thou_o have_v gain_v thy_o brother_n but_o if_o he_o will_v not_o hear_v thou_o then_o take_v with_o thou_o one_o or_o two_o more_o that_o in_o the_o mouth_n of_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n every_o word_n may_v be_v establish_v and_o if_o he_o shall_v neglect_v to_o hear_v they_o tell_v it_o to_o the_o church_n but_o if_o he_o neglect_v to_o hear_v the_o church_n let_v he_o be_v unto_o thou_o as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o publican_n it_o seem_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o consider_v that_o this_o one_o place_n have_v be_v press_v by_o all_o party_n to_o serve_v under_o they_o for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o their_o own_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n so_o that_o as_o the_o jew_n fable_n of_o the_o manna_n it_o have_v have_v a_o different_a taste_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o the_o palate_n of_o man_n those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o congregational_a church_n be_v the_o first_o receptacle_n of_o church_n power_n set_v this_o place_n in_o the_o front_n of_o their_o argument_n those_o who_o plead_v for_o stand_v presbytery_n lay-elder_n subordination_n of_o court_n fetch_v all_o these_o out_o of_o this_o place_n those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o power_n of_o church_n discipline_n to_o be_v only_o lodge_v in_o a_o high_a order_n of_o chur_n 〈…〉_z officer_n succeed_a the_o apostle_n derive_v the_o succession_n of_o that_o power_n from_o this_o place_n nay_o lest_o quidlibet_fw-la shall_v not_o be_v prove_v èquolibet_n the_o papist_n despair_v not_o of_o prove_v the_o constant_a visibility_n of_o the_o church_n the_o subordination_n of_o all_o to_o the_o pope_n the_o infallibility_n of_o general_a council_n all_o out_o of_o this_o place_n methinks_v then_o it_o may_v be_v argument_n enough_o of_o the_o incompetency_n of_o this_o place_n to_o determine_v any_o one_o particular_a form_n when_o it_o be_v with_o equal_a confidence_n on_o all_o side_n bring_v to_o prove_v so_o many_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o the_o general_a rule_n lay_v down_o in_o these_o word_n may_v be_v observe_v under_o a_o diversity_n of_o form_n of_o government_n for_o whether_o by_o the_o church_n we_o mean_v the_o community_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o a_o particular_a congregation_n or_o the_o stand_a officer_n of_o such_o a_o church_n or_o a_o consistorial_n court_n or_o synodical_a assembly_n or_o high_a church-officer_n it_o be_v still_o the_o duty_n of_o man_n in_o case_n of_o offence_n to_o tell_v the_o church_n for_o redress_v of_o grievance_n or_o vindication_n of_o the_o person_n himself_o that_o he_o have_v discharge_v his_o duty_n this_o place_n than_o determine_v not_o what_o this_o church_n be_v nor_o what_o the_o form_n of_o itâ—_n government_n shall_v be_v when_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o hold_v good_a and_o true_a under_o such_o diversity_n of_o form_n but_o we_o shall_v further_o inquire_v what_o influence_n this_o place_n can_v have_v upon_o the_o model_a the_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n foâ—_n chamier_n tell_v we_o the_o prima_fw-la politia_fw-la ecclesiasticae_fw-la origo_fw-la be_v to_o be_v 2._o find_v in_o these_o word_n it_o will_v be_v then_o worth_a our_o enquiry_n to_o see_v what_o foundation_n for_o church_n government_n can_v be_v draw_v out_o of_o these_o word_n in_o which_o the_o variety_n of_o exposition_n like_o a_o multitude_n of_o physician_n to_o a_o distemper_a patient_n have_v leave_v it_o worse_o than_o they_o find_v it_o i_o mean_v more_o difficult_a and_o obscure_a we_o shall_v therefore_o endeavour_v to_o lay_v aside_o all_o pre-conception_n by_o other_o man_n judgement_n and_o opinion_n and_o see_v what_o innate_a light_n there_o be_v in_o the_o text_n itself_o to_o direct_v we_o to_o the_o full_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o it_o two_o thing_n the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o the_o place_n lie_v in_o what_o the_o offence_n be_v here_o speak_v of_o what_o the_o church_n be_v which_o must_v bâ—_n speak_v to_o for_o the_o first_o i_o conceive_v it_o evident_a to_o any_o unprejudicate_v mind_n that_o the_o matter_n our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o private_a offence_n and_o injury_n and_o not_o a_o matter_n of_o scandal_n as_o such_o consider_v in_o a_o church-society_n which_o i_o make_v appear_v thus_o first_o from_o the_o parallel_n place_n to_o this_o luke_n 17._o 3._o 〈…〉_z y_fw-es brother_n trespass_n against_o thou_o rebuke_v he_o and_o if_o he_o repent_v forgive_v he_o this_o can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o matter_n of_o private_a injury_n because_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o every_o private_a person_n to_o forgive_v it_o which_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o power_n to_o do_v be_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o scandal_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n unless_o we_o make_v it_o among_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v among_o the_o jew_n that_o every_o private_a person_n may_v excommunicate_v another_o and_o to_o release_v he_o afterward_o second_o it_o manifest_o appear_v from_o st._n peter_n word_n next_o after_o this_o paragraph_n matth._n 18._o 20._o lord_n how_o often_o shall_v my_o brother_n sin_n against_o i_o and_o i_o forgive_v he_o till_o seven_o time_n etc._n etc._n christ_n answer_v he_o till_o seventy_o time_n seven_o that_o be_v as_o often_o as_o he_o do_v it_o and_o thence_o christ_n bring_v the_o parable_n of_o the_o king_n forgive_a his_o servant_n v_o 23._o three_o be_v it_o mean_v of_o any_o scandalous_a sin_n commit_v with_o the_o privacy_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n as_o many_o understand_v trespass_v against_o thou_o that_o be_v te_fw-la conscio_fw-la then_o this_o inconvenience_n must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o matter_n of_o scandal_n must_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o church_n cognizance_n when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o way_n to_o decide_v they_o that_o be_v when_o one_o offend_v and_o only_o one_o person_n know_v it_o here_o will_v be_v a_o single_a affirmation_n on_o one_o side_n and_o denial_n on_o the_o other_o side_n and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o way_n to_o decide_v it_o the_o matter_n here_o speak_v of_o then_o be_v somewhat_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o offence_n or_o injury_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n and_o not_o a_o matter_n of_o scandal_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n the_o question_n then_o as_o propound_v to_o be_v speak_v to_o by_o our_o saviour_n be_v what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o case_n of_o private_a offence_n between_o man_n and_o man_n and_o not_o in_o case_n of_o secret_a sin_n against_o god_n and_o scandalous_a to_o the_o church_n now_o to_o this_o our_o saviour_n lay_v down_o his_o answer_n gradual_o first_o there_o must_v be_v private_a admonition_n if_o that_o succeed_v not_o admonition_n before_o witness_n if_o not_o that_o tell_v the_o church_n if_o not_o that_o neither_o repute_v he_o as_o a_o heathen_a and_o publican_n now_o in_o this_o answer_n we_o must_v conceive_v our_o saviour_n speak_v as_o to_o a_o ordinary_a case_n so_o in_o a_o way_n easy_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o all_o that_o hear_v he_o and_o therefore_o he_o must_v speak_v in_o allusion_n to_o what_o be_v at_o that_o time_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o such_o case_n which_o be_v free_o acknowledge_v both_o by_o calvin_n and_o beza_n loc_n upon_o the_o place_n nam_fw-la certè_fw-la tanquam_fw-la de_fw-la judais_n haec_fw-la dici_fw-la apparet_fw-la saltem_fw-la ex_fw-la eo_fw-la quod_fw-la addit_fw-la sit_fw-la tibi_fw-la sicut_fw-la ethnicus_fw-la &_o publicanus_fw-la we_o must_v then_o see_v what_o the_o custom_n be_v among_o the_o jew_n in_o such_o case_n and_o how_o far_o our_o saviour_n do_v either_o approve_v the_o custom_n receive_v or_o appoint_v new_a the_o law_n be_v very_o strict_a in_o case_n of_o offence_n for_o every_o man_n in_o any_o wise_a to_o rebuke_v his_o 17._o neighbour_n and_o not_o to_o suffer_v sin_n upon_o he_o arguendo_fw-la argue_v our_o old_a translation_n render_v it_o thou_o shall_v plain_o rebuke_v thy_o neighbour_n now_o this_o piece_n of_o necessary_a discipline_n our_o saviour_n endeavour_v to_o recover_v among_o they_o which_o it_o seem_v be_v grow_v much_o out_o of_o use_n with_o they_o for_o rabbi_n chanina_n as_o 119._o mr._n selden_n observe_v give_v this_o as_o one_o reason_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n because_o they_o leave_v off_o reprove_v one_o another_o non_fw-la excisa_fw-la fuissent_fw-la hierosolyma_n nisi_fw-la quoniam_fw-la alter_fw-la alterum_fw-la non_fw-la coarguebat_fw-la our_o saviour_n
let_v we_o see_v they_o at_o large_a unto_o the_o brethren_n which_o be_v of_o the_o gentile_n in_o antioch_n and_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n there_o be_v nothing_o then_o peculiar_a to_o those_o of_o the_o gentile_n at_o antioch_n more_o than_o in_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n and_o if_o those_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d imply_v a_o coetus_fw-la distinct_a of_o gentile-christians_a from_o the_o jew_n at_o antioch_n it_o must_v do_v so_o through_o all_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n 3._o which_o be_v paul_n province_n and_o not_o peter_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o travel_n in_o the_o acts._n eâ—theâ—_n then_o the_o apostle_n of_o the_o uncircumcision_n must_v form_v distinct_a church_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n in_o his_o preach_n through_o syria_n and_o silicia_n which_o be_v irreconcilable_a with_o the_o former_a pretence_n of_o distinct_a province_n assert_v by_o the_o same_o author_n who_o plead_v for_o distinct_a coetus_fw-la or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d can_v imply_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o distinct_a church_n of_o gentile_n to_o whomsover_v it_o be_v speak_v and_o so_o not_o at_o antioch_n more_o than_o through_o all_o syria_n and_o silicia_n the_o plain_a ground_n then_o of_o the_o apostle_n inscribe_v the_o order_n of_o the_o council_n to_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v because_o the_o matter_n of_o that_o order_n do_v particular_o concern_v they_o and_o not_o the_o jew_n as_o be_v obvious_a to_o any_o that_o will_v but_o cast_v a_o eye_n upon_o the_o 23_o 24_o 29._o verse_n of_o the_o 15._o of_o the_o acts._n as_o well_o may_v then_o a_o order_n suppose_v from_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o several_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o thing_n concern_v they_o as_o such_o imply_v that_o they_o make_v distinct_a church_n from_o their_o people_n as_o this_o order_n concern_v the_o gentile_a brethren_n be_v therefore_o direct_v to_o they_o do_v imply_v their_o make_n distinct_a church_n from_o the_o jewish_a brethren_n in_o the_o city_n where_o they_o live_v together_o what_o be_v further_o produce_v out_o of_o antiquity_n to_o this_o purpose_n have_v neither_o evidence_n nor_o pertinency_n enough_o to_o stop_v the_o passage_n of_o one_o who_o be_v return_v from_o this_o digression_n to_o his_o former_a matter_n although_o then_o we_o grant_v not_o any_o such_o distinct_a coetus_fw-la of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o christian_n yet_o that_o hinder_v not_o but_o that_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n join_v together_o in_o one_o church_n may_v retain_v still_o the_o synagogue_n form_n of_o government_n among_o they_o which_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o why_o the_o christian_n shall_v scruple_n the_o use_n of_o either_o as_o jew_n or_o gentile_n because_o it_o import_v nothing_o either_o typical_a and_o ceremonial_a or_o heavy_a and_o burdensome_a which_o be_v the_o ground_n why_o former_a custom_n in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v lay_v aside_o by_o the_o christian_n but_o instead_o of_o that_o it_o be_v most_o suitable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o apostolical_a time_n which_o be_v the_o three_o consideration_n to_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o synagogue_n form_n of_o government_n be_v use_v by_o the_o christian_n and_o the_o suitablenesse_n of_o this_o government_n to_o the_o church_n lay_v in_o the_o conveniency_n of_o it_o for_o the_o attain_v all_o end_n of_o government_n in_o that_o condition_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v at_o that_o time_n for_o church_n officer_n act_v then_o either_o in_o gather_v or_o govern_v church_n without_o any_o authority_n from_o magistrate_n such_o a_o way_n of_o government_n be_v most_o suitable_a to_o their_o several_a church_n as_o whereby_o the_o church_n may_v be_v govern_v and_o yet_o have_v no_o dependency_n upon_o the_o secular_a power_n which_o the_o way_n of_o government_n in_o the_o synagogue_n be_v most_o convenient_a for_o for_o the_o jew_n though_o they_o enjoy_v a_o bare_a permission_n from_o the_o civil_a state_n where_o they_o live_v yet_o by_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o synagogue_n government_n they_o be_v able_a to_o order_v all_o affair_n belong_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o to_o keep_v all_o member_n belong_v to_o their_o several_a synagogue_n in_o unity_n and_o peace_n among_o themselves_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o synagogue_n and_o church_n these_o subsist_v by_o the_o same_o permission_n which_o the_o other_o enjoy_v the_o end_n of_o these_o be_v the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o preserve_v that_o order_n among_o they_o which_o may_v best_o become_v society_n so_o constitute_v there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n then_o assign_v why_o the_o apostle_n in_o settle_v particular_a church_n shall_v not_o follow_v the_o synagogue_n in_o its_o model_n of_o government_n these_o thing_n may_v suffice_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v probable_a that_o they_o do_v so_o which_o be_v all_o these_o consideration_n tend_v to_o have_v thus_o prepare_v the_o way_n by_o make_v it_o probable_a i_o 10._o now_o further_o inquire_v into_o the_o particular_a part_n of_o government_n and_o what_o order_n in_o the_o synagogue_n be_v which_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n for_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v take_v up_o and_o follow_v here_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o thing_n first_o propound_v the_o order_n of_o public_a worship_n which_o do_v much_o resemble_v those_o of_o the_o synagogue_n only_o with_o those_o alteration_n which_o do_v arise_v from_o the_o advance_n of_o christianity_n that_o the_o christian_n have_v their_o public_a and_o set_v meeting_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n be_v evident_a from_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o a_o society_n constitute_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o christianity_n we_o read_v of_o the_o three_o thousand_o convert_v by_o peter_n sermon_n that_o they_o continue_v in_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o 42._o fellowship_n and_o break_v of_o bread_n and_o prayer_n where_o we_o have_v all_o that_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o synagogue_n and_o somewhat_o more_o here_o there_o be_v public_a join_v together_o employ_v in_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o solemn_a prayer_n express_v which_o be_v constant_o observe_v in_o the_o synagogue_n instead_o of_o read_v the_o section_n of_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n we_o have_v the_o apostle_n teach_v by_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o to_o all_o these_o as_o the_o proper_a service_n of_o christianity_n be_v set_v down_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o lords-supper_n which_o we_o shall_v seldom_o or_o ever_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n read_v the_o public_a service_n on_o lord_n day_n perform_v without_o during_o the_o apostolical_a time_n in_o which_o there_o be_v such_o a_o land-flood_n of_o extraordinary_a gift_n overflow_a the_o church_n in_o the_o public_a meeting_n we_o find_v those_o person_n who_o be_v endue_v with_o those_o gift_n to_o be_v much_o in_o exercise_v they_o as_o to_o the_o custom_n agree_v with_o the_o synagogue_n but_o as_o to_o the_o gift_n exceed_v it_o concern_v the_o order_n of_o which_o for_o the_o public_a edification_n of_o the_o church_n the_o apostle_n paul_n lay_v down_o so_o many_o rule_n in_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n to_o the_o corinthian_n but_o assoon_o as_o this_o flood_n begin_v to_o abate_v which_o be_v then_o necessary_a for_o the_o quick_a soften_a the_o world_n for_o receive_v christianity_n the_o public_a service_n begin_v to_o run_v in_o its_o former_a channel_n as_o be_v apparent_a from_o the_o unquestionable_a testimony_n of_o justin_n martyr_n and_o tertullian_n who_o most_o full_o relate_v to_o we_o the_o order_n of_o public_a worship_n use_v among_o the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n justin_n martyr_n the_o most_o ancient_a next_o to_o clemens_n who_o epistle_n be_v late_o recover_v to_o the_o christian_a world_n of_o the_o unquestionable_a writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n give_v we_o a_o clear_a narration_n of_o the_o public_a order_n observe_v by_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d par._n upon_o the_o day_n call_v sunday_n all_o the_o christian_n whether_o in_o town_n or_o country_n assemble_v in_o the_o same_o place_n wherein_o the_o memoires_n or_o commentary_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v read_v as_o long_o as_o the_o time_n will_v permit_v then_o the_o reader_n sit_v down_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n stand_v up_o and_o make_v a_o sermon_n of_o instruction_n and_o exhortation_n to_o the_o follow_v so_o good_a example_n after_o this_o be_v end_v we_o all_o stand_v up_o to_o prayer_n prayer_n end_v the_o bread_n wine_n and_o water_n be_v all_o bring_v forth_o then_o the_o precedent_n again_o pray_v and_o praise_v to_o his_o utmost_a ability_n the_o people_n testify_v their_o consent_n by_o say_v amen_o what_o can_v have_v be_v speak_v with_o great_a congruity_n or_o correspondency_n to_o the_o synagogue_n abate_v the_o
of_o the_o assembly_n of_o presbyter_n may_v be_v so_o call_v what_o superiority_n can_v be_v deduce_v thence_o any_o more_o than_o such_o a_o one_o enjoy_v nay_o if_o in_o the_o prophetical_a style_n a_o unity_n may_v be_v set_v down_o by_o way_n of_o representation_n of_o a_o multitude_n what_o evidence_n can_v be_v bring_v from_o the_o name_n that_o by_o it_o some_o one_o particular_a person_n must_v be_v understand_v and_o by_o this_o mean_v 4._o timothy_n may_v avoid_v be_v charge_v with_o leave_v his_o first_o love_n which_o he_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v by_o those_o that_o make_v he_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o time_n of_o write_v these_o epistle_n neither_o be_v this_o any_o way_n solve_v by_o the_o answer_v give_v that_o the_o name_n angel_n be_v representative_a of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n the_o angel_n shall_v be_v personal_o guilty_a of_o it_o for_o first_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o the_o whole_a diffusive_a body_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v charge_v with_o a_o crime_n by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o angel_n and_o he_o that_o be_v particular_o mean_v by_o that_o name_n shall_v be_v free_a from_o it_o as_o if_o a_o prince_n shall_v charge_v the_o mayor_n of_o a_o corporation_n as_o guilty_a of_o rebellion_n and_o by_o it_o shall_v only_o mean_v that_o the_o corporation_n be_v guilty_a but_o the_o mayor_n be_v innocent_a himself_n second_o if_o mady_a thing_n in_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o angel_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o to_o concern_v the_o whole_a body_n then_o of_o necessity_n the_o angel_n must_v be_v take_v as_o representative_a of_o the_o body_n and_o then_o why_o may_v not_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v take_v only_o by_o way_n of_o representation_n of_o the_o body_n its_o self_n either_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o which_o be_v far_o more_o probable_a of_o the_o consessus_fw-la or_o order_n of_o presbyter_n in_o that_o church_n we_o see_v what_o miserable_o unconcluding_a argument_n those_o be_v which_o be_v bring_v for_o any_o form_n of_o government_n from_o metaphorical_a or_o ambiguous_a expression_n or_o name_n promiscuous_o use_v which_o may_v be_v interpret_v to_o different_a sense_n what_o certainty_n then_o can_v any_o rational_a man_n find_v what_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n when_o only_o those_o argument_n be_v use_v which_o may_v be_v equal_o accommodate_v to_o different_a form_n and_o without_o such_o a_o certainty_n with_o what_o confidence_n can_v man_n speak_v of_o a_o divine_a right_n of_o any_o one_o particular_a form_n second_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a form_n be_v argue_v from_o the_o place_n most_o in_o controversy_n about_o the_o form_n of_o government_n because_o that_o without_o any_o apparent_a incongruity_n they_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o either_o of_o the_o different_a form_n which_o i_o shall_v make_v out_o by_o go_v through_o the_o several_a place_n the_o controversy_n then_o on_o foot_n be_v this_o as_o it_o be_v of_o late_o state_v whether_o the_o church_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o bishop_n only_o and_o deacon_n or_o by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n act_v in_o a_o parity_n of_o power_n the_o place_n insist_v on_o on_o both_o side_n be_v these_o act_v 11._o 30._o act_n 14._o 23._o act_n 28._o 17_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o titus_n 1._o 5._o the_o thing_n in_o controversy_n be_v whether_o bishop_n with_o deacon_n or_o presbyter_n in_o a_o parity_n of_o power_n be_v understand_v in_o these_o place_n i_o begin_v then_o in_o order_n with_o act_n 11._o 30._o the_o first_o place_n wherein_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d occurr_n as_o apply_v to_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n understand_v by_o these_o elder_n those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n who_o do_v govern_v the_o affair_n of_o that_o church_n those_o that_o be_v for_o a_o solitary_a episcopacy_n by_o these_o elder_n understand_v not_o the_o local_a elder_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o the_o several_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n let_v we_o now_o see_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o evidence_n from_o the_o place_n to_o determine_v which_o of_o these_o two_o must_v necessary_o be_v understand_v there_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o mention_v in_o the_o place_n but_o only_o that_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o famine_n they_o send_v relief_n to_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n and_o send_v it_o to_o the_o elder_n by_o the_o hand_n of_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n which_o may_v either_o be_v to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v distribute_v to_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n or_o else_o to_o the_o several_a pastor_n of_o those_o church_n either_o collective_o as_o meet_v together_o at_o jerusalem_n to_o receive_v this_o contribution_n or_o distributive_o as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o several_a church_n the_o relief_n may_v be_v send_v to_o all_o the_o brethren_n of_o judea_n and_o yet_o either_o be_v convey_v to_o the_o particular_a elder_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o send_v it_o abroad_o or_o to_o the_o several_a elder_n of_o the_o church_n within_o the_o circuit_n of_o judea_n but_o other_o place_n be_v bring_v by_o both_o party_n for_o their_o particular_a sense_n in_o this_o as_o act_n 15._o 6._o here_o indeed_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n together_o at_o jerusalem_n but_o nothing_o express_v whereby_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o the_o fix_a elder_n of_o that_o church_n or_o else_o the_o elder_n of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o judea_n assemble_v upon_o this_o solemn_a occasion_n of_o the_o council_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o so_o act_v 21._o 11._o when_o paul_n go_v in_o to_o james_n it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a no_o more_o certainty_n here_o neither_o for_o either_o they_o may_v be_v the_o fix_a officer_n of_o that_o church_n meet_v with_o james_n upon_o paul_n come_v or_o else_o they_o may_v be_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o judea_n meet_v together_o not_o to_o take_v account_n of_o paul_n ministry_n as_o some_o improbable_o conjecture_n but_o assemble_v together_o there_o at_o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n at_o which_o paul_n come_v to_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v more_o probable_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o what_o we_o read_v v_o 20._o of_o the_o many_o thousand_o believe_a jew_n than_o at_o jerusalem_n who_o be_v zealous_a of_o the_o law_n who_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v the_o believe_a jew_n of_o judea_n who_o do_v yet_o observe_v the_o annual_a festival_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o so_o most_o likely_a their_o several_a elder_n may_v go_v up_o together_o with_o they_o and_o there_o be_v with_o james_n at_o paul_n come_v in_o to_o he_o no_o certainty_n then_o of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n how_o that_o be_v govern_v whether_o by_o apostle_n themselves_o or_o other_o unfixed_a elder_n or_o only_o by_o james_n who_o exercise_v his_o apostleship_n most_o there_o and_o thence_o afterwards_o call_v the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o the_o government_n of_o other_o church_n and_o the_o next_o place_n be_v act_v 14._o 23._o and_o when_o they_o have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n here_o some_o plead_v for_o a_o plurality_n of_o elder_n as_o fix_v in_o every_o church_n but_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n hold_v true_a if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o in_o each_o church_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d titus_n 1._o 5._o for_o both_o place_n will_v admit_v of_o the_o same_o answer_n do_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o oppidatim_o or_o ecclesiatim_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gradatim_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d viritim_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d particulatim_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d vicatim_fw-la no_o more_o than_o be_v import_v than_o that_o elder_n be_v ordain_v city_n by_o city_n or_o church_n by_o church_n as_o we_o will_v render_v iâ—_n and_o thereby_o nothing_o be_v express_v but_o that_o no_o church_n want_v a_o elder_a but_o not_o that_o every_o church_n have_v more_o elder_n than_o one_o but_o the_o place_n most_o controvert_v be_v act_v 20._o 17._o and_o from_o miletus_n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n those_o that_o say_v these_o elder_n be_v those_o only_o of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n seem_v to_o be_v most_o favour_v by_o the_o article_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o seem_v to_o apply_v it_o to_o that_o particular_a church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o by_o the_o syriack_n version_n which_o render_v it_o venire_fw-la fecit_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ephesi_n to_o the_o same_o
matter_n for_o true_o religious_a and_o plainhearted_a man_n to_o lay_v aside_o their_o error_n and_o to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v by_o return_v to_o the_o head_n and_o spring_n of_o divine_a tradition_n viz._n the_o scripture_n which_o he_o express_v further_a with_o a_o elegant_a similitude_n si_fw-mi canalis_fw-la aquam_fw-la ducens_fw-la qui_fw-la copiose_fw-la prius_fw-la &_o largiter_fw-la profluebat_fw-la subito_fw-la deficiat_fw-la nun_n ad_fw-la fontem_fw-la pergitur_fw-la ut_fw-la illic_fw-la 14._o defectionis_fw-la ratio_fw-la noscatur_fw-la utrumne_n arescentibus_fw-la venis_fw-la in_fw-la capite_fw-la unda_fw-la siccaverit_fw-la a_o verò_fw-la integra_fw-la deinde_fw-la &_o plena_fw-la procurrens_fw-la in_fw-la medio_fw-la itinere_fw-la destiterit_fw-la ut_fw-la si_fw-la vitio_fw-la interrupti_fw-la aut_fw-la bibuli_fw-la canalis_fw-la effectum_fw-la est_fw-la quò_fw-la minus_fw-la aqua_fw-la continua_fw-la perseveranter_fw-la &_o jugiter_fw-la flueret_fw-la refecto_fw-la &_o confirmato_fw-la canali_fw-la ad_fw-la usum_fw-la atque_fw-la ad_fw-la potum_fw-la civitatis_fw-la aqua_fw-la collecta_fw-la eadem_fw-la ubertate_fw-la atque_fw-la integritate_fw-la repraesentaretur_fw-la qua_fw-la de_fw-la fonte_fw-la proficiscitur_fw-la quod_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la facere_fw-la oportet_fw-la dei_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la praecepta_fw-la divina_fw-la servante_n ut_fw-la si_fw-la in_o aliquo_fw-la mutaverit_fw-la l._n nutaverit_fw-la &_o vacillaverit_fw-la veritas_fw-la ad_fw-la originem_fw-la dominicam_fw-la &_o evangelicam_fw-la &_o apostolicam_fw-la traditionem_fw-la revertamur_fw-la &_o inde_fw-la surgat_fw-la actus_fw-la nostri_fw-la ratio_fw-la unde_fw-la &_o ordo_fw-la &_o origo_fw-la surrexit_fw-la his_o meaning_n be_v that_o as_o when_o a_o channel_n sudden_o fail_v we_o present_o inquire_v where_o and_o how_o the_o breach_n be_v make_v and_o look_v to_o the_o spring_n and_o fountain_n to_o see_v the_o water_n be_v full_o convey_v from_o thence_o as_o former_o so_o upon_o any_o failure_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n our_o only_a recourse_n must_v be_v to_o the_o true_a fountain_n of_o tradition_n the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o ground_n the_o reason_n of_o our_o action_n upon_o that_o which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o profession_n and_o when_o stephen_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n will_v tedder_n he_o to_o tradition_n cyprian_n keep_v his_o liberty_n by_o this_o close_a question_n unde_fw-la illa_fw-la traditio_fw-la â—_o utrumne_n de_fw-fr dominica_n &_o evangelica_n auctoritate_fw-la descendens_fw-la a_fw-fr de_fw-fr apostolorum_fw-la mandatis_fw-la atque_fw-la epistolis_fw-la veniens_fw-la si_fw-mi ergo_fw-la aut_fw-la evangelio_n praecipitur_fw-la aut_fw-la in_o apostolorum_fw-la epistolis_fw-la aut_fw-la actibus_fw-la continetur_fw-la observetur_fw-la divina_fw-la haec_fw-la &_o sancta_fw-la traditio_fw-la we_o see_v this_o good_a man_n will_v not_o balk_v his_o way_n on_o foot_n for_o the_o great_a bugbear_n of_o tradition_n unless_o it_o do_v bear_v the_o character_n of_o a_o divine_a truth_n in_o it_o and_o can_v produce_v the_o credential_n of_o scripture_n to_o testify_v its_o authority_n to_o he_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n that_o stout_a bishop_n of_o cappadocia_n firmilian_a who_o unhappiness_n with_o cyprian_n be_v only_o that_o of_o job_n friend_n that_o they_o excellent_o manage_v a_o bad_a cause_n and_o with_o far_o more_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n than_o stephen_n do_v who_o be_v to_o be_v justify_v in_o nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n he_o defend_v eos_n autem_fw-la say_v firmilian_a 5._o qui_fw-la roma_fw-la sunt_fw-la non_fw-la ea_fw-la in_o omnibus_fw-la observare_fw-la quae_fw-la sint_fw-la ab_fw-la origine_fw-la tradita_fw-la &_o frustra_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la auctoritatem_fw-la prâ—tendere_fw-la which_o he_o there_o make_v out_o at_o large_a viz._n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v gather_v corruption_n betimes_o which_o after_o break_v out_o into_o a_o impostume_n in_o the_o head_n of_o it_o where_o then_o must_v we_o find_v the_o certain_a way_n of_o resolve_v the_o controversy_n we_o be_v upon_o the_o scripture_n determine_v it_o not_o the_o father_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v no_o believe_a tradition_n any_o further_a than_o it_o be_v found_v in_o scripture_n thus_o be_v we_o send_v back_o from_o one_o to_o the_o other_o till_o at_o last_o we_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o certain_a way_n at_o all_o left_a to_o find_v out_o a_o decision_n of_o it_o not_o that_o we_o be_v leave_v at_o such_o uncertainty_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o mistake_v we_o have_v archimedes_n his_o postulatum_fw-la grant_v we_o for_o that_o a_o place_n to_o fix_v our_o faith_n on_o though_o the_o world_n be_v move_v out_o of_o its_o place_n i_o mean_v the_o undoubted_a word_n of_o god_n but_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n not_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n no_o certainty_n can_v be_v have_v of_o they_o from_o the_o hover_a light_n of_o unconstant_a tradition_n neither_o be_v it_o only_o unconstant_a but_o in_o many_o thing_n repugnant_a to_o its_o self_n which_o be_v the_o last_o consideration_n to_o be_v speak_v to_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o show_v the_o incompetency_n of_o antiquity_n for_o decide_v our_o controversy_n well_o then_o suppose_v we_o ourselves_o now_o wait_v for_o the_o final_a verdict_n of_o church-tradition_n to_o determine_v our_o present_a cause_n if_o the_o jury_n can_v agree_v we_o be_v as_o far_o from_o satisfaction_n as_o ever_o and_o this_o be_v certain_o the_o case_n we_o be_v now_o in_o the_o main_a difficulty_n lie_v in_o the_o immediate_a succession_n to_o the_o apostle_n if_o that_o be_v but_o once_o clear_v we_o may_v bear_v with_o interruption_n afterward_o but_o the_o main_a seat_n of_o the_o controversy_n lie_v there_o whether_o the_o apostle_n upon_o their_o withdraw_n from_o the_o government_n of_o church_n do_v substitute_n single_a person_n to_o succeed_v they_o or_o no_o so_o that_o unless_o that_o be_v clear_v the_o very_a deed_n of_o gift_n be_v question_v and_o if_o that_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v all_o other_o thing_n will_v speedy_o follow_v yes_o say_v some_o that_o be_v clear_a for_o at_o jerusalem_n antioch_n and_o rome_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o single_a person_n be_v entrust_v with_o the_o government_n of_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n say_v they_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o the_o apostle_n but_o whence_o do_v that_o 22._o appear_v it_o be_v say_v from_o hegesippus_n in_o eusebius_n but_o what_o if_o he_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n his_o word_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v there_o interpret_v ecclesiae_fw-la administrationem_fw-la una_fw-la cum_fw-la caeteris_fw-la apostolis_n suscepit_fw-la and_o no_o more_o be_v thereby_o mean_v but_o that_o this_o james_n who_o be_v by_o the_o ancient_n conceive_v to_o be_v only_o a_o disciple_n before_o be_v now_o take_v into_o a_o high_a charge_n and_o invest_v in_o a_o power_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n as_o the_o apostle_n be_v his_o power_n it_o be_v plain_a be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o who_o will_v go_v about_o to_o degrade_v they_o so_o much_o as_o to_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o office_n of_o ordinary_a bishop_n james_n in_o probability_n do_v exercise_v his_o apostleship_n the_o most_o at_o jerusalem_n where_o by_o the_o scripture_n we_o find_v he_o resident_n and_o from_o hence_o the_o church_n afterward_o because_o of_o his_o not_o travel_v abroad_o as_o the_o other_o apostle_n do_v according_a to_o the_o language_n of_o their_o own_o time_n they_o fix_v the_o title_n of_o bishop_n upon_o he_o but_o great_a difference_n we_o shall_v find_v in_o those_o who_o be_v plead_v to_o be_v successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n at_o antioch_n some_o as_o origen_n and_o eusebius_n make_v ignatius_n to_o succeed_v peter_n jerome_n make_v he_o the_o three_o bishop_n and_o place_v evodius_n before_o he_o other_o therefore_o to_o solve_v that_o make_v they_o cotemporary_a bishop_n the_o one_o of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o other_o of_o the_o gentile_n with_o what_o congruity_n to_o their_o hypothesis_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n place_v in_o every_o city_n i_o know_v not_o but_o that_o salvo_n have_v be_v discuss_v before_o come_v we_o therefore_o to_o rome_n and_o 10._o here_o the_o succession_n be_v as_o muddy_a as_o the_o tiber_n itself_o for_o here_o tertullian_n rufinus_n and_o several_a other_o place_n clement_n next_o to_o peter_n irenaeus_n and_o eusebius_n set_v anacletus_fw-la before_o he_o epiphanius_n and_o optatus_n both_o anacletus_fw-la and_o cletus_n augustinus_n and_o damasus_n with_o other_o make_v anacletus_fw-la cletus_n and_o linus_n all_o to_o precede_v he_o what_o way_n shall_v we_o find_v to_o extrica_fw-la e_fw-es ourselves_o out_o of_o this_o labyrinth_n so_o as_o to_o reconcile_v it_o with_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n certain_o if_o the_o line_n of_o succession_n fail_v we_o here_o when_o we_o most_o need_v it_o we_o have_v little_a cause_n to_o pin_v our_o faith_n upon_o it_o as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o
apt_a to_o think_v now_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n will_v carry_v they_o to_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o too_o common_a and_o very_a dangerous_a deceit_n of_o man_n to_o look_v upon_o religion_n more_o as_o a_o profession_n than_o matter_n of_o life_n more_o as_o a_o notion_n then_o a_o inward_a temper_n man_n must_v be_v beat_v off_o from_o more_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o trust_v to_o for_o salvation_n now_o than_o in_o those_o time_n man_n can_v not_o think_v so_o much_o then_o that_o diligence_n in_o public_a assembly_n and_o attendance_n at_o public_a prayer_n be_v the_o main_a religion_n few_o will_v profess_v christianity_n in_o those_o time_n but_o such_o as_o be_v resolve_v before_o hand_n rather_o to_o let_v go_v their_o life_n then_o their_o profession_n but_o the_o more_o profess_v it_o now_o without_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o salvation_n by_o it_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o preach_v to_o instruct_v man_n in_o it_o but_o i_o think_v more_o need_v not_o be_v say_v of_o this_o to_o those_o that_o know_v it_o be_v another_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n then_o to_o be_v call_v so_o but_o however_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n preach_v be_v the_o great_a work_n and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v we_o think_v one_o single_a person_n in_o a_o great_a city_n be_v sufficient_a both_o to_o preach_v to_o and_o rule_v the_o church_n and_o to_o preach_v abroad_o in_o order_n to_o the_o conversion_n of_o more_o from_o their_o gentilism_n to_o christianity_n especial_o if_o the_o church_n of_o every_o city_n be_v so_o large_a as_o some_o will_v make_v it_o viz._n to_o comprehend_v all_o the_o believer_n under_o the_o civil_a jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o so_o both_o city_n and_o country_n the_o only_a charge_n of_o one_o single_a bishop_n i_o think_v the_o vastness_n of_o the_o work_n and_o the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o right_a discharge_n of_o it_o by_o one_o single_a person_n may_v be_v argument_n enough_o to_o make_v we_o interpret_v the_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o may_v be_v understand_v in_o that_o sense_n as_o of_o more_o than_o one_o pastor_n in_o every_o city_n as_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v say_v to_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n and_o paul_n calling_n for_o the_o elder_n from_o ephesus_n and_o his_o writing_n to_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n this_o consideration_n i_o say_v grant_v that_o the_o text_n may_v be_v otherwise_o understand_v will_v be_v enough_o to_o incline_v man_n to_o think_v that_o in_o great_a city_n there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o presbyter_n act_v together_o for_o the_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o convert_v some_o to_o and_o build_v up_o of_o other_o in_o the_o faith_n of_o christ._n and_o it_o seem_v not_o in_o the_o least_o manner_n probable_a to_o i_o that_o the_o care_n of_o those_o great_a church_n shall_v at_o first_o be_v entrust_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o one_o single_a pastor_n and_o deacon_n and_o afterward_o a_o new_a order_n of_o presbyter_n erect_v under_o they_o without_o any_o order_n or_o rule_v lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n for_o it_o or_o any_o mention_n in_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n of_o any_o such_o after_o institution_n but_o instead_o of_o that_o in_o the_o most_o populous_a church_n we_o have_v many_o remain_a footstep_n of_o such_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n there_o establish_v in_o apostolical_a time_n thence_o ignatius_n say_v tral_n the_o presbyter_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1â—9_n the_o sanhedrin_n of_o the_o church_n appoint_v by_o god_n and_o the_o bench_n of_o apostle_n sit_v together_o for_o rule_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n and_o origen_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o college_n in_o every_o city_n of_o god_n appoint_v and_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n colligium_n nostrum_fw-la and_o collegium_fw-la fratrum_fw-la pius_fw-la pauperem_fw-la 5._o senatum_fw-la christi_fw-la apud_fw-la romam_fw-la constitutum_fw-la tertullian_n probatos_fw-la seniores_fw-la cyprian_n cleri_fw-la nostri_fw-la sacrum_fw-la venerandumque_fw-la concessum_fw-la and_o to_o cornelius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o his_o clergy_n florentissimo_fw-la clero_fw-la tecum_fw-la praesidenti_fw-la jerome_n senatum_fw-la nostrum_fw-la coetum_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la &_o commune_v concilium_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la quo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la gubernabantur_fw-la hilary_n seniores_fw-la sinâ—_n quorum_fw-la consilio_fw-la nihil_fw-la agebatur_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la the_o author_n de_fw-mi 7_o ordinibus_fw-la ad_fw-la rustiâ—um_fw-la call_v the_o presbyter_n negotiorum_fw-la judices_fw-la enâ—ychius_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v twelve_o presbyter_n at_o alexandria_n to_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o itinerary_n of_o peter_n of_o as_o many_o constitute_v at_o caesaria_n who_o though_o counterfeit_v must_v be_v allow_v to_o speak_v though_o not_o verâ—_n yet_o verisimilia_fw-la though_o not_o true_a yet_o likely_a thing_n be_v iâ—_n possible_a all_o these_o author_n shall_v thus_o speak_v of_o their_o several_a place_n of_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n act_v in_o power_n with_o the_o bishop_n if_o at_o first_o church_n be_v govern_v only_o by_o a_o single_a bishop_n and_o afterward_o by_o subject_a presbyter_n that_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n but_o be_v only_o depute_v to_o some_o particular_a office_n under_o he_o which_o they_o be_v impower_v to_o do_v only_o by_o his_o authority_n but_o the_o joint-rule_a of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n will_v be_v more_o large_o deduce_v afterward_o thus_o we_o see_v a_o company_n of_o presbyter_n settle_v in_o great_a church_n now_o we_o be_v not_o to_o imagine_v that_o all_o these_o do_v equal_o attend_v to_o one_o part_n of_o their_o woâ—k_n but_o all_o of_o they_o according_a to_o their_o several_a ability_n lay_v out_o themselves_o some_o in_o overseeing_a and_o guide_v the_o church_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o upon_o occasion_n to_o discharge_v all_o pastoral_a act_n belong_v to_o their_o function_n other_o betake_v themselves_o chief_o to_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o to_o the_o faith_n either_o in_o the_o city_n or_o the_o adjacent_a country_n by_o which_o we_o come_v to_o a_o full_a clear_a and_o easy_a understanding_n of_o that_o so_o much_o controvert_v place_n 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n especial_o they_o that_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n not_o as_o though_o it_o employ_v a_o distâ—â—ct_a sort_n of_o elder_n from_o the_o pastor_n of_o church_n but_o among_o those_o elder_n that_o be_v ordain_v in_o the_o great_a church_n some_o attend_v most_o to_o rule_v the_o flock_n already_o convert_v other_o labour_v most_o in_o convert_v other_o to_o the_o faith_n by_o preach_v though_o both_o these_o be_v enter_v into_o this_o peculiar_a function_n of_o lay_v themselves_o forth_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n do_v deserve_v both_o respect_n and_o maintenance_n yet_o especial_o those_o who_o employ_v themselves_o in_o convert_v other_o in_o as_o much_o as_o their_o burden_n be_v great_a their_o labour_n more_o abundant_a their_o suffering_n more_o and_o their_o very_a office_n come_v the_o near_a to_o the_o apostolical_a function_n so_o chrysostome_n resolve_v it_o upon_o the_o 11._o four_o of_o the_o ephesian_n that_o those_o who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o theodoret_n express_v it_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o fix_a officer_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v inferior_a to_o those_o who_o go_v abroad_o preach_v the_o gospel_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o evident_a argument_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o intend_v any_o sort_n of_o elder_n dictinct_n from_o these_o ordain_a presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n be_v from_o that_o very_a argument_n which_o the_o great_a friend_n to_o lay-elder_n draw_v out_o of_o this_o epistle_n which_o be_v from_o the_o promiscuous_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o this_o very_a epistle_n to_o timothy_n the_o argument_n run_v thus_o the_o presbyter_n speak_v of_o by_o paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n be_v scripture-bishop_n but_o lay-elder_n be_v not_o scripture-bishop_n therefore_o these_o can_v here_o be_v mean_v the_o major_n be_v their_o own_o from_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1._o compare_v with_o 4._o 14._o those_o which_o be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o one_o place_n be_v bishop_n in_o another_o and_o the_o main_a force_n of_o the_o argument_n lie_v in_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n now_o than_o if_o lay-elder_n be_v not_o such_o bishop_n than_o they_o be_v not_o paul_n presbyter_n now_o paul_n bishop_n must_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d fit_a to_o teach_v and_o therefore_o no_o
propound_a method_n to_o examine_v what_o light_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n will_v cast_v upon_o the_o controversy_n we_o be_v upon_o for_o although_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n establish_v and_o â—aid_v down_o by_o we_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o settle_v as_o a_o universal_a law_n for_o the_o church_n but_o what_o we_o find_v in_o scripture_n yet_o because_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n be_v conceive_v to_o be_v of_o â—o_o great_a use_n for_o understanding_n what_o the_o apostle_n intention_n as_o well_o as_o action_n be_v we_o shall_v cheerful_o pass_v over_o this_o rubicon_n because_o not_o with_o a_o intent_n to_o increase_v division_n but_o to_o find_v out_o some_o further_a evidence_n of_o a_o way_n to_o compose_v they_o our_o inquiry_n then_o be_v whether_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v conceive_v its_o self_n oblige_v to_o observe_v unalterable_o one_o individual_a form_n of_o government_n as_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o either_o by_o a_o law_n of_o christ_n or_o a_o universal_a constitution_n of_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o do_v only_o settle_v and_o order_v thing_n for_o church-government_n according_a as_o it_o judge_v they_o tend_v most_o to_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n without_o any_o antecedent_n obligation_n as_o necessary_o bind_v to_o observe_v only_o one_o course_n this_o latter_a i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o to_o have_v be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o law_n which_o the_o primitive_a church_n observe_v as_o to_o church-government_n viz._n the_o tendency_n of_o its_o constitution_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o any_o bind_a law_n or_o practice_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o demonstrate_v of_o which_o i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o such_o argument_n as_o most_o immediate_o teâ—d_v to_o the_o prove_v of_o it_o for_o if_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o its_o officer_n do_v increase_v mere_o from_o the_o enlargement_n of_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n if_o no_o one_o certain_a form_n be_v observe_v in_o all_o church_n but_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o officer_n and_o diocese_n if_o the_o course_n use_v in_o settle_v the_o power_n of_o the_o chief_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n be_v from_o agreement_n with_o the_o civil_a government_n if_o notwithstanding_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n be_v own_v as_o valid_a if_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n concern_v the_o church_n polity_n the_o church_n prudence_n be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o establish_v thing_n then_o we_o may_v with_o reason_n conciude_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n demonstrative_a of_o any_o one_o fix_a form_n of_o church-government_n deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n â—o_o they_o have_v thus_o by_o a_o lâ—ght_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d draw_v ouâ—_n the_o several_a line_n of_o the_o portraiture_n of_o the_o polity_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o fill_v they_o up_o though_o not_o with_o that_o life_n which_o it_o deserve_v yet_o so_o far_o as_o the_o model_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v permit_v our_o first_o argument_n than_o be_v from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o church-governor_n which_o i_o assert_v not_o to_o have_v be_v from_o any_o order_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o the_o gradual_a increase_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n this_o will_v be_v best_a do_v by_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o church_n and_o how_o proportionable_o the_o power_n of_o the_o governor_n do_v increase_v with_o it_o as_o to_o that_o there_o â—re_n four_o observable_a step_n or_o period_n as_o so_o many_o age_n of_o growth_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n first_o when_o church_n and_o city_n be_v of_o the_o same_o extent_n second_o when_o church_n take_v in_o the_o adjoin_a territory_n with_o the_o village_n belong_v to_o the_o city_n three_o when_o several_a city_n with_o their_o village_n do_v associate_v for_o church-government_n in_o the_o same_o province_n four_o when_o several_a province_n do_v associate_v for_o government_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n of_o these_o in_o their_o order_n the_o first_o period_n of_o church_n government_n observable_a in_o the_o 2._o primitive_a church_n be_v when_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o christian_n in_o whole_a city_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v first_o show_v that_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n of_o church_n be_v in_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o same_o city_n second_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o government_n then_o observe_v among_o they_o three_o consider_v what_o relation_n the_o several_a church_n in_o city_n have_v to_o one_o another_o first_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v christian_n of_o whole_a city_n it_o be_v but_o a_o late_a and_o novel_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n church_n whereby_o it_o be_v take_v for_o state_v fix_a congregation_n for_o public_a worship_n and_o doubtless_o the_o original_n of_o it_o be_v only_o from_o the_o distinction_n of_o church_n in_o great_a city_n into_o their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o public_a place_n for_o meeting_n whence_o the_o scotch_a kirk_n and_o our_o english_a church_n so_o that_o from_o call_v the_o place_n church_n they_o proceed_v to_o call_v the_o person_n there_o meet_v by_o that_o name_n and_o thence_o some_o think_v the_o name_n of_o church_n so_o appropriate_v to_o such_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n as_o may_v meet_v at_o such_o a_o place_n that_o they_o make_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o religion_n not_o to_o call_v those_o place_n church_n from_o whence_o original_o the_o very_a name_n as_o we_o use_v it_o be_v derive_v but_o this_o may_v be_v pardon_v among_o other_o the_o religious_a weakness_n of_o well_o meaning_n but_o less_o know_v people_n a_o church_n in_o its_o primary_n sense_n as_o it_o answer_v to_o the_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d apply_v to_o christian_n be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n live_v together_o in_o one_o city_n whether_o meet_v together_o in_o many_o congregation_n or_o one_o be_v not_o at_o all_o material_a because_o they_o be_v not_o call_v a_o church_n as_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n but_o as_o they_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n inhabit_v together_o in_o such_o a_o city_n not_o but_o that_o i_o think_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n may_v be_v call_v a_o church_n wherever_o they_o be_v whether_o in_o a_o city_n or_o country_n but_o because_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a mention_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o scripture_n of_o church_n be_v of_o such_o as_o do_v dwell_v together_o in_o the_o same_o city_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o many_o pregnant_a place_n of_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n as_o act_v 14._o 23._o compare_v with_o titus_n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o one_o place_n be_v the_o same_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o other_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n and_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o city_n which_o imply_v that_o by_o church_n then_o be_v mean_v the_o body_n of_o christian_n reside_v in_o the_o city_n over_o which_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v elder_n to_o rule_v they_o so_o act_v 16._o 4._o 5._o as_o they_o go_v through_o the_o city_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o be_v the_o church_n establish_v in_o the_o faith_n the_o church_n here_o be_v the_o christian_n of_o those_o city_n which_o they_o go_v through_o so_o act_v 20._o 17._o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n if_o by_o the_o elder_n we_o mean_v as_o all_o those_o do_v we_o now_o deal_v with_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n than_o it_o be_v here_o evident_a that_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o city_n be_v all_o one_o but_o what_o be_v more_o observable_a ver_fw-la 28._o he_o call_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d take_v heed_n to_o yourselves_o and_o to_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n where_o several_a thing_n be_v observable_a to_o our_o purpose_n first_o that_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n in_o ephesus_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o flock_n of_o the_o church_n and_o not_o the_o several_a flock_n and_o church_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o bishop_n second_o that_o all_o these_o speak_v to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v a_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o this_o one_o flock_n paul_n call_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o charge_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o pastor_n towards_o it_o so_o
that_o either_o there_o must_v be_v several_a pastor_n take_v the_o pastoral_a charge_n of_o one_o congregation_n which_o be_v not_o very_o suitable_a with_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o i_o now_o dispute_v against_o or_o else_o many_o congregation_n in_o one_o city_n be_v all_o call_v but_o one_o church_n and_o one_o flock_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o plead_v for_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o observation_n of_o good_a use_n to_o the_o purpose_n in_o hand_n that_o the_o new_a testament_n speak_v of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o province_n always_o speak_v of_o they_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n gal._n 1._o 22_o 1_o thes._n 2_o 14._o the_o church_n of_o samaâ—iâ—_n and_o galilee_n act_v 9_o 31._o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o câ—icia_n act_v 15._o 41._o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n 1_o cor._n 16._o 1._o gal_n 1._o 1_o 2._o the_o church_n of_o asia_n rom._n 16._o 16._o rev._n 1._o 11._o but_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o any_o particular_a city_n than_o it_o be_v always_o use_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act_v 8._o 1._o 15_o 4_o 22._o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n act_v 11._o 26_o 13._o 1._o the_o church_n at_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 1â—_n and_o so_o of_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n smyrna_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o we_o can_v find_v in_o scripture_n the_o least_o footstep_n of_o any_o difference_n between_o a_o church_n and_o the_o christian_n of_o such_o a_o city_n whereas_o have_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v restrain_v to_o a_o particular_a congregation_n doubtless_o we_o shall_v have_v find_v some_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o several_a place_n for_o it_o be_v scarce_o imaginable_a that_o in_o all_o those_o city_n speak_v of_o as_o for_o example_n ephesus_n where_o paul_n be_v for_o above_o two_o year_n together_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o convert_n than_o will_v make_v one_o congregation_n according_o in_o the_o time_n immediate_o after_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o language_n and_o custom_n continue_v still_o so_o clement_n inscribe_v his_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n so_o by_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o all_o the_o believer_n at_o that_o time_n in_o rome_n make_v up_o but_o one_o church_n as_o likewise_o do_v they_o at_o corinth_n sâ—_n polycarp_n in_o the_o epistle_n write_v by_o he_o from_o the_o church_n at_o smyrna_n to_o the_o church_n at_o phylomilium_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o in_o his_o epistle_n 13._o to_o the_o philippian_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d polycarp_n and_o the_o elder_n with_o he_o to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n origen_n compare_v the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o athens_n corinth_n alexandria_n and_o oâ—her_a place_n with_o the_o people_n of_o those_o several_a city_n and_o so_o the_o etc._n church_n senate_n with_o the_o people_n and_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v his_o word_n chief_a ruler_n with_o the_o mayor_n of_o those_o city_n imply_v thereby_o that_o as_o there_o be_v one_o civil_a society_n in_o such_o place_n to_o make_v a_o city_n so_o there_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n incorporate_v together_o to_o make_v a_o church_n so_o that_o a_o church_n settle_v with_o a_o full_a power_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o exerc_n sing_v all_o act_n of_o church-discipline_n within_o its_o self_n be_v ancient_o the_o same_o with_o the_o society_n of_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n not_o but_o that_o the_o name_n church_n be_v attribute_v sometime_o to_o family_n in_o which_o sense_n tertullian_n speak_v ubi_fw-la duo_fw-la aut_fw-la tres_fw-la sunt_fw-la ibi_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la est_fw-la cust_z licet_fw-la laici_fw-la and_o may_v on_o the_o same_o account_n be_v attribute_v to_o a_o small_a place_n such_o as_o many_o imagine_v the_o church_n of_o cenchrea_n to_o be_v it_o be_v a_o port_n to_o corinth_n on_o the_o sinus_n sarònicus_n but_o stephanus_n byzantinus_n call_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d suidas_n urbibus_fw-la say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d strabo_n and_o pausanias_n only_o speak_v of_o the_o situation_n of_o it_o as_o one_o of_o the_o poâ—ts_n of_o corinth_n lie_v in_o the_o way_n from_o tegaea_n to_o argos_n nor_o be_v 4._o any_o more_o say_v of_o it_o by_o pliny_n then_o that_o it_o answer_v to_o lechaeum_n the_o port_n on_o the_o other_o side_n upon_o the_o sinus_n corinthiacus_n ubbo_n emmius_n in_o his_o description_n of_o old_a greece_n call_v both_o of_o they_o oppidula_fw-la duo_fw-la cum_fw-la duobus_fw-la praeclaris_fw-la portubus_fw-la in_o ora_fw-la utriusq_fw-la maris_fw-la but_o withal_o add_v that_o they_o be_v duo_fw-la vrbis_fw-la emporia_fw-la the_o two_o mart_n of_o corinth_n therefore_o in_o probability_n because_o 2._o of_o the_o great_a merchandise_n of_o that_o city_n they_o be_v much_o frequent_v cenchrea_fw-mi be_v about_o twelve_o furlong_n distance_n from_o corinth_n where_o pareus_n conjecture_n the_o place_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n be_v because_o of_o the_o trouble_v they_o 1._o meet_v with_o in_o the_o city_n and_o therefore_o they_o retire_v thither_o for_o great_a conveniency_n and_o privacy_n which_o conjecture_n will_v appear_v not_o to_o be_v altogether_o improbable_a when_o we_o consider_v the_o furious_a opposition_n make_v by_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o christian_n at_o corinth_n act_v 18._o 12._o and_o withal_o how_o usual_a it_o be_v both_o for_o jew_n and_o christian_n to_o have_v their_o place_n of_o meeting_n at_o a_o distance_n from_o the_o city_n as_o act_v 16._o 13._o they_o go_v out_o from_o philippi_n to_o the_o river_n side_n where_o there_o be_v a_o proseucha_fw-la or_o a_o place_n of_o 10._o prayer_n where_o the_o jew_n of_o philippi_n accustom_v to_o meet_v according_a to_o this_o interpretation_n the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n there_o assemble_v as_o the_o reform_a church_n at_o paris_n have_v their_o meeting_n place_n at_o charenton_n which_o may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o charenton_n from_o their_o public_a assembly_n there_o but_o the_o church_n of_o paris_n from_o the_o residence_n of_o the_o chief_a officer_n and_o people_n in_o that_o city_n so_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n may_v be_v call_v the_o church_n at_o cenchrea_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n at_o all_o of_o any_o settle_a government_n there_o at_o cenchrea_fw-mi distinct_a from_o that_o at_o corinth_n so_o that_o this_o place_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o bring_v against_o that_o position_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o have_v no_o force_n at_o all_o against_o it_o i_o conclude_v then_o that_o church_n and_o city_n be_v original_o of_o equal_a extent_n and_o that_o the_o formal_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n lie_v not_o in_o their_o capacity_n of_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n but_o act_v as_o a_o society_n of_o christian_n embody_v together_o in_o one_o city_n have_v officer_n and_o ruler_n among_o themselves_o equal_o respect_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o believer_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o second_o thing_n the_o way_n and_o manner_n then_o use_v for_o the_o model_a the_o government_n of_o these_o church_n which_o may_v be_v consider_v in_o a_o double_a period_n of_o time_n either_o before_o several_a congregation_n in_o church_n be_v settle_v or_o after_o those_o we_o now_o call_v parish_n be_v divide_v first_o before_o distinct_a congregation_n be_v settle_v and_o this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v be_v not_o only_o during_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o for_o a_o competent_a time_n after_o general_o during_o the_o persecution_n of_o church_n for_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o such_o a_o number_n of_o believer_n as_o can_v not_o convenient_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n and_o the_o distribute_v of_o believer_n into_o their_o several_a distinct_a congregation_n i_o can_v see_v any_o reason_n but_o to_o think_v that_o in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n ephesus_n and_o the_o like_a there_o be_v more_o believer_n than_o can_v well_o meet_v together_o consider_v the_o state_n of_o those_o time_n but_o that_o they_o be_v then_o distribute_v into_o their_o several_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o century_n as_o the_o athenian_n and_o roman_n divide_v their_o people_n i._n e._n into_o several_a worship_a congregation_n with_o peculiar_a officer_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o for_o it_o they_o have_v no_o such_o convenience_n then_o of_o settle_v several_a congregation_n under_o their_o particular_a pastor_n but_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n look_v upon_o
themselves_o as_o one_o body_n and_o meet_v together_o as_o occasion_n serve_v they_o where_o either_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o justin_n martyr_n language_n do_v perform_v the_o solemn_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n or_o some_o other_o of_o the_o elder_n that_o be_v present_a with_o they_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a for_o man_n to_o dream_v of_o set-time_n and_o canonical_a hour_n and_o public_a place_n of_o assembly_n at_o that_o time_n when_o their_o chief_a time_n of_o meeting_n be_v in_o the_o night_n or_o very_o early_a 10._o in_o the_o morning_n which_o pliny_n call_v conventus_fw-la antelucanus_fw-la whence_o they_o be_v call_v latebrosa_fw-la &_o lucifugax_fw-la natio_fw-la and_o samas_n be_v fain_o to_o make_v use_n of_o wax-light_n which_o from_o that_o custom_n the_o papist_n continue_v still_o in_o their_o taper_n always_o burn_v upon_o the_o altar_n from_o what_o reason_n i_o know_v not_o unless_o to_o show_v the_o darkness_n of_o error_n and_o superstition_n which_o that_o church_n lie_v under_o still_o and_o the_o place_n of_o the_o christian_n meeting_n be_v general_o either_o some_o private_a room_n or_o some_o grott_n or_o cryptae_n vault_n under_o ground_n where_o they_o may_v be_v least_o discern_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o or_o in_o the_o coemeteria_fw-la the_o martyrum_fw-la memoriae_fw-la as_o they_o call_v they_o where_o their_o common_a assembly_n be_v thence_o pontius_n paulinus_n speak_v of_o the_o edict_n of_o valerian_n against_o the_o christian_n jussum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la nulla_fw-la conciliabula_fw-la faciant_fw-la neque_fw-la coemeteria_fw-la ingrediantur_fw-la indeed_o when_o they_o have_v any_o public_a liberty_n grant_v they_o they_o be_v so_o mindful_a of_o their_o duty_n of_o public_a profession_n of_o the_o faith_n as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o public_a place_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o appear_v by_o lampridius_n in_o the_o life_n of_o alexander_n sâ—verus_n quum_fw-la christiani_n quendam_fw-la locum_fw-la qui_fw-la publicus_fw-la fuerat_fw-la occupassent_fw-la contrà _fw-la popinarii_fw-la dicerent_fw-la sibi_fw-la cum_fw-la deberi_fw-la rescripsit_fw-la melius_fw-la esse_fw-la ut_fw-la quomâ—docunque_fw-la illic_fw-la deus_fw-la colatur_fw-la quam_fw-la popinariis_fw-la dedatur_fw-la but_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n it_o be_v most_o improbable_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o fix_a congregation_n and_o place_n when_o the_o christian_n be_v so_o much_o hunt_v after_o and_o inquire_v for_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o former_a epistle_n of_o pliny_n and_o the_o know_a rescript_n 2._o of_o trajan_n upon_o it_o so_o much_o exagitated_a by_o tertullian_n they_o do_v meet_v often_o it_o be_v certain_a ad_fw-la confaederandum_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la at_o which_o meeting_n tertullian_n tell_v we_o president_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la which_o he_o elsewhere_o explain_v by_o consessus_fw-la ordiâ—is_fw-la the_o bench_n of_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n which_o do_v in_o common_a consult_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n without_o any_o cantonize_a the_o christian_n into_o several_a distinct_a and_o fix_a congregation_n but_o after_o that_o believer_n be_v much_o increase_v and_o any_o peace_n or_o liberty_n obtain_v they_o then_o begin_v to_o contrive_v the_o distribution_n of_o the_o work_n among_o the_o several_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o settle_v the_o several_a bound_n over_o which_o every_o presbyter_n be_v to_o take_v his_o charge_n but_o yet_o so_o as_o that_o every_o presbyter_n retain_v a_o double_a aspect_n of_o his_o office_n the_o one_o particular_a to_o his_o charge_n the_o other_o general_a respect_v the_o church_n in_o common_a for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o weak_a conceit_n to_o imagine_v that_o after_o the_o settle_n of_o congregation_n every_o one_o have_v a_o distinct_a presbytery_n to_o rule_v it_o which_o we_o find_v not_o any_o obseure_fw-fr footstep_n of_o in_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a church_n but_o there_o be_v still_o one_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n which_o rule_v all_o the_o several_a congregation_n of_o those_o city_n in_o common_a of_o which_o the_o several_a presbyter_n of_o the_o congregation_n be_v member_n and_o in_o which_o the_o bishop_n act_v as_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o senate_n for_o the_o better_a govern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n and_o thus_o we_o find_v cornelius_n at_o rome_n sit_v there_o cum_fw-la florentissimo_fw-la clero_fw-la thus_o cyprian_n at_o carthage_n 21._o one_o who_o plead_v as_o much_o as_o any_o for_o obedience_n to_o bishop_n and_o yet_o none_o more_o evident_a for_o the_o presence_n and_o joint_a concurrence_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o clergy_n at_o all_o church_n debate_v who_o resolution_n from_o his_o first_o entrance_n into_o his_o bishopric_n be_v to_o do_v all_o thing_n communi_fw-la concilio_fw-la clericorum_fw-la with_o the_o common-council_n 32._o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o say_v they_o be_v cum_fw-la episcopo_fw-la sacerdotali_fw-la honore_fw-la conjuncti_fw-la victor_n at_o rome_n decree_v easter_n to_o be_v keep_v on_o the_o lord_n day_n collatione_fw-la facta_fw-la cum_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la &_o diaconibus_fw-la according_a to_o the_o latin_a of_o that_o age_n as_o damasus_n 91._o the_o suppose_a author_n of_o the_o life_n of_o the_o pope_n tell_v we_o in_o the_o proceed_n against_o novatus_n at_o rome_n we_o have_v a_o clear_a testimony_n of_o the_o concurrence_n of_o presbyter_n where_o a_o great_a synod_n be_v call_v as_o eâ—sebius_n express_v it_o of_o sixty_o bishop_n but_o 43._o more_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o what_o be_v more_o full_a to_o our_o purpose_n not_o only_o the_o several_a presbyter_n of_o the_o city_n but_o the_o country_n pastor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v likewise_o give_v their_o advice_n about_o that_o business_n at_o this_o time_n cornelius_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v forty_o six_o presbyter_n in_o that_o one_o city_n of_o rome_n who_o concur_v with_o he_o in_o condemn_v novatus_n 30._o so_o at_o antioch_n in_o the_o case_n of_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la we_o find_v a_o synod_n gather_v consist_v of_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o in_o their_o name_n the_o synodal_n epistle_n be_v pen_v and_o direct_v to_o the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o catholic_n church_n at_o the_o council_n of_o eliberis_n in_o spain_n be_v present_a but_o ninteen_o bishop_n and_o twenty_o six_o presbyter_n the_o case_n between_o sylvanus_n consul_n bishop_n of_o cirta_n in_o africa_n and_o nundinaris_n the_o deacon_n be_v refer_v by_o purpuriuâ—_n to_o the_o clergy_n to_o decide_v it_o for_o the_o presence_n of_o presbyter_n at_o synod_n instance_n be_v bring_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o blondel_n in_o his_o apology_n and_o that_o they_o concur_v 200._o in_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o not_o only_o by_o their_o counsel_n but_o authority_n appear_v from_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n even_o when_o episcopacy_n be_v at_o the_o high_a nazianzen_n speak_v of_o the_o office_n of_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o he_o know_v not_o whither_o to_o call_v it_o ministry_n or_o superintendency_n and_o those_o who_o be_v make_v presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o be_v rule_v they_o ascend_v to_o be_v ruler_n themselves_o and_o their_o power_n by_o he_o be_v in_o several_a 11._o place_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v call_v by_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysostome_n give_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o paul_n pass_v over_o from_o bishop_n to_o deacon_n without_o name_v presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o there_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n of_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n for_o these_o likewise_o have_v the_o instruction_n and_o charge_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o which_o word_n theophylact_fw-mi chrysostom_n echo_n repeat_v after_o he_o 1._o which_o the_o council_n of_o aquen_n thus_o express_v presbyterorum_fw-la verô_o qui_fw-la praesunt_fw-la ecclesiâ—_n christi_fw-la ministerium_fw-la esse_fw-la videtur_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o doctrina_fw-la praesint_fw-la populis_fw-la &_o in_fw-la officio_fw-la praedicandi_fw-la nec_fw-la in_o aliquo_fw-la desides_fw-la inuâ—nti_fw-la appareant_fw-la clemens_n alexandrinus_n before_o all_o these_o speak_v of_o himself_o and_o his_o fellow-presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o be_v pastor_n 6._o and_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o proper_a act_n of_o discipline_n be_v perform_v by_o they_o appear_v both_o by_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n about_o their_o preserve_a discipline_n to_o cyprian_a and_o likewise_o by_o the_o act_n of_o that_o clergy_n in_o exclude_v martion_n from_o communion_n with_o they_o so_o the_o presbyter_n 4â—_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n excommunicate_v noetus_n for_o after_o they_o have_v cite_v he_o before_o they_o and_o find_v he_o obstinate_a in_o his_o heresy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o put_v both_o he_o and_o his_o disciple_n 1._o out_o of_o the_o church_n together_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o the_o
question_n be_v start_v at_o antioch_n act_v 14._o 26._o with_o act_n 15._o 2._o from_o thence_o they_o send_v to_o jerusalem_n for_o a_o resolution_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n there_o concern_v not_o only_a aâ—tioch_n but_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n which_o be_v under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o antioch_n and_o therefore_o metropolitan_a church_n 〈…〉_z e_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la i_o be_o afraid_a the_o argument_n will_v sc_v 〈…〉_z owe_v its_o self_n in_o the_o dress_n of_o a_o syllogism_n thus_o it_o run_v if_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o question_n at_o antioch_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v at_o jerusalem_n concern_v all_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n than_o all_o these_o church_n have_v a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o metropolis_n of_o antioch_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v true_a therefore_o the_o consequent_a let_v we_o see_v how_o the_o argument_n will_v do_v in_o another_o â—orm_n if_o upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o question_n at_o antioch_n the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v all_o the_o church_n of_o christian_n converse_v with_o jew_n then_o all_o these_o church_n have_v dependence_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n but_o etc._n etc._n how_o thankful_a will_v the_o papist_n have_v be_v if_o only_a rome_n have_v be_v put_v instead_o of_o antiochâ—_n and_o then_o the_o conclusion_n have_v be_v true_a what_o ever_o the_o premise_n be_v but_o in_o good_a earnest_n do_v the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n be_v bind_v by_o this_o decree_n prove_v their_o subordination_n to_o antioch_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n be_v they_o bind_v because_o antioch_n be_v their_o metropolis_n or_o because_o they_o be_v the_o apostle_n who_o resolve_v the_o question_n but_o be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o phrygia_n and_o galatia_n bind_v to_o observe_v these_o decree_n as_o well_o as_o other_o for_o of_o these_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o apostle_n go_v through_o the_o city_n of_o they_o deliver_v the_o decree_n to_o keep_v as_o it_o be_v express_v act_n 16._o 4._o compare_v with_o the_o 6._o verse_n or_o do_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v only_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v inscribe_v and_o upon_o who_o occasion_n they_o be_v pen_v then_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n paul_n epistle_n be_v write_v many_o of_o they_o upon_o occasion_n as_o that_o to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o corinth_n do_v only_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o that_o city_n and_o those_o of_o achaia_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o city_n and_o so_o for_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n a_o fair_a way_n to_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o no_o effect_n to_o we_o because_o for_o sooth_n we_o live_v not_o in_o obedience_n to_o those_o metropoles_fw-la to_o which_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v from_o whence_o we_o be_v tell_v how_o many_o thing_n we_o may_v understand_v by_o this_o notion_n of_o metropolitan_o especial_o why_o ignatius_n superscribe_v his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o church_n which_o preâ—ides_v in_o the_o place_n of_o the_o roman_a region_n or_o the_o suburbicarian_a province_n but_o let_v we_o see_v whether_o this_o place_n may_v not_o be_v understand_v better_a without_o the_o help_n of_o this_o notion_n casaubon_n call_v it_o locutionem_fw-la barbarâ—m_fw-la 2._o vedelius_fw-la be_v more_o favourable_a to_o it_o and_o think_v si_fw-la non_fw-la elegans_fw-la saltem_fw-la viâ—ii_fw-la libera_fw-la est_fw-la and_o explain_v it_o by_o the_o suburbicarian_a province_n and_o make_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o place_n which_o be_v the_o roman_a region_n and_o parallel_v it_o with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d luke_n 9_o 10._o bellarmine_n think_v he_o have_v â—ound_v the_o pope_n universal_a power_n in_o his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o methinks_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v hardly_o be_v render_v orbis_n universus_fw-la unless_o bellarmine_n be_v no_o more_o skill_v in_o greek_a than_o casaubon_n think_v he_o be_v who_o he_o call_v in_o the_o pâ—ace_n forecited_a hominem_fw-la graecarum_fw-la literarum_fw-la prorsus_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o most_o ingenuous_a conjecture_n concern_v this_o place_n be_v that_o of_o our_o learned_a mr._n thorndike_n the_o word_n 164._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o be_v here_o use_v as_o many_o time_n beside_o speak_v of_o those_o place_n which_o a_o man_n will_v neither_o call_v city_n nor_o town_n as_o act_n 27_o 2._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o sail_v by_o the_o place_n of_o asia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v plain_a it_o signify_v the_o country_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d then_o must_v necessary_o signify_v here_o the_o vatican_n lie_v in_o the_o field_n as_o a_o suburb_n to_o rome_n and_o be_v the_o place_n where_o st._n peter_n be_v bury_v and_o where_o the_o jew_n of_o rome_n then_o dwell_v as_o we_o learn_v by_o philo_n legatione_fw-la ad_fw-la caium_fw-la out_o of_o who_o he_o produce_v a_o large_a place_n to_o that_o purpose_n and_o so_o make_v this_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n the_o vatican_n be_v then_o the_o jewry_n of_o rome_n but_o there_o be_v no_o clear_a evidence_n of_o any_o such_o distinction_n of_o church_n there_o and_o as_o little_a reason_n why_o ignatius_n shall_v write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n and_o not_o to_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_a christian_n i_o therefore_o embrace_v his_o sense_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o the_o vatican_n but_o explain_v it_o in_o another_o way_n viz._n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o chief_a place_n of_o meeting_n for_o the_o christian_n in_o gentile_n rome_n be_v in_o the_o coemetery_n of_o the_o martyr_n now_o these_o coemeteria_fw-la be_v all_o of_o they_o without_o the_o city_n and_o the_o coemeteria_fw-la where_o peter_n linus_n cletus_n and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o primitive_a martyr_n lay_v inter_v in_o the_o vatican_n beyond_o the_o river_n tiber._n so_o damasus_n in_o the_o life_n of_o cletus_n qui_fw-la etiam_fw-la sepultus_fw-la est_fw-la juxta_fw-la corpus_fw-la b._n petri_n in_o vaticano_n the_o church_n then_o in_o the_o pâ—ace_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o roman_n be_v the_o christian-church_n of_o rome_n assemble_v chief_o in_o the_o coemetery_n of_o the_o vatican_n or_o any_o other_o of_o those_o vault_n which_o be_v in_o the_o field_n at_o a_o good_a distance_n from_o the_o city_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v one_o argument_n more_o for_o metropolitan_n and_o that_o be_v from_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v take_v to_o signify_v both_o the_o city_n and_o country_n and_o so_o the_o inscription_n of_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n be_v explain_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._n e._n the_o church_n of_o god_n dwell_v about_o rome_n to_o the_o church_n dwell_v about_o corinth_n whereby_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v comprehend_v the_o whole_a territory_n which_o be_v these_o be_v metropoles_fw-la take_v in_o the_o whole_a province_n and_o so_o polycarp_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o all_o this_o arise_v from_o a_o mistake_n of_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o signify_v not_o so_o much_o accolere_fw-la as_o incolere_fw-la and_o therefore_o the_o old_a latin_a version_n render_v it_o ecclâ—siae_fw-la dei_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la philippis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o remove_v from_o one_o city_n to_o sojourn_v in_o another_o and_o the_o ground_n of_o attribute_v that_o name_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v either_o because_o that_o many_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n be_v jew_n they_o do_v true_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v as_o stranger_n out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n or_o else_o among_o the_o christian_n because_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o continual_a persecution_n they_o be_v still_o put_v in_o mind_n of_o their_o flit_a uncertain_a condition_n â—0_n in_o the_o world_n their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d country_n citizenship_n be_v in_o heaven_n of_o this_o the_o apostle_n often_o tell_v they_o from_o hence_o iâ—_n come_v to_o signify_v the_o society_n of_o such_o christian_n so_o live_v together_o which_o as_o it_o increase_v so_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d increase_v and_o so_o go_v from_o the_o city_n into_o the_o country_n and_o come_v not_o from_o the_o country_n into_o the_o city_n for_o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v be_v take_v for_o accolere_fw-la than_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d can_v signify_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o territory_n belong_v to_o it_o but_o the_o church_n adjacent_a to_o
of_o necessity_n be_v valid_a which_o i_o have_v already_o show_v do_v evident_o prove_v that_o episcopal_a government_n be_v not_o found_v upon_o any_o unalterable_a divine_a right_n for_o which_o purpose_n many_o evidence_n be_v produce_v from_o dr._n field_n of_o the_o church_n lib._n 3._o c._n 39_o b._n downam_n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o b._n jewel_n p._n 2._o p._n 131._o saravia_n cap._n 2._o p._n 10._o 11._o b._n alley_n praelect_a 3._o &_o 6._o b._n pilkinton_n b._n bridges_n b._n bilson_n d._n nowell_n b._n davenant_n b._n prideaux_n b._n andrews_n and_o other_o by_o our_o 63._o reverend_n and_o learned_a m._n baxter_n in_o his_o christian_a concord_n to_o who_o may_v be_v add_v the_o late_a most_o reverend_a and_o eminent_a the_o bishop_n of_o durham_n apolog._n cathol_n p._n 1._o l._n 1._o c._n 21._o and_o the_o primate_n of_o armagh_n who_o judgement_n be_v well_o know_v as_o to_o the_o point_n of_o ordination_n so_o much_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o both_o those_o who_o hold_v a_o equality_n among_o minister_n to_o be_v the_o apostolical_a form_n and_o those_o that_o do_v hold_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v it_o do_v yet_o both_o of_o they_o agree_v at_o last_o in_o this_o that_o no_o one_o form_n be_v settle_v by_o a_o unalterable_a law_n of_o christ_n nor_o consequent_o found_v upon_o divine_a right_n for_o the_o former_a notwithstanding_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o primitive_a form_n do_v hold_v episcopacy_n lawful_a and_o the_o latter_a who_o hold_v episcopacy_n to_o have_v be_v the_o primitive_a form_n do_v not_o hold_v it_o perpetual_o and_o immutable_o necessary_a but_o that_o presbyter_n where_o bishop_n can_v be_v have_v may_v lawful_o discharge_v the_o office_n belong_v to_o bishop_n both_o which_o concession_n do_v necessary_o destroy_v the_o perpetual_a divine_a right_n of_o that_o form_n of_o government_n they_o assert_v which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v be_v so_o long_o in_o prove_v and_o i_o hope_v make_v it_o evident_a to_o any_o unprejudicate_v mind_n have_v lay_v down_o this_o now_o as_o a_o sure_a foundation_n for_o peace_n 8._o and_o union_n it_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a matter_n to_o improve_v it_o in_o order_n to_o a_o accommodation_n of_o our_o present_a difference_n about_o church_n government_n i_o shall_v only_o lay_v down_o three_o general_a principle_n deducible_a from_o hence_o and_o leave_v the_o whole_a to_o the_o mature_a consideration_n of_o the_o lover_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n the_o first_o principle_n be_v that_o prudence_n must_v be_v use_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n this_o have_v be_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o this_o treatise_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n be_v a_o mere_a matter_n of_o prudence_n regulate_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o i_o need_v not_o insist_v on_o the_o argument_n already_o bring_v to_o prove_v it_o for_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v although_o the_o several_a party_n in_o their_o contention_n with_o one_o another_o plead_v for_o divine_a right_n yet_o when_o any_o one_o of_o they_o come_v to_o settle_v their_o own_o particular_a form_n they_o be_v fain_o to_o call_v in_o the_o help_n of_o prudence_n even_o in_o thing_n suppose_v by_o the_o several_a party_n as_o necessary_a to_o the_o establishment_n of_o their_o own_o form_n the_o congregational_a man_n may_v despair_v of_o ever_o find_v elective_a synod_n a_o explicit_a church-covenant_n or_o positive_a sign_n of_o grace_n in_o admission_n of_o church-member_n in_o any_o law_n of_o christ_n nay_o they_o will_v not_o general_o plead_v for_o any_o more_o for_o they_o then_o general_a rule_n of_o scripture_n fine_a similitude_n and_o analogy_n and_o evidence_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o what_o be_v all_o these_o at_o last_o to_o a_o express_a law_n of_o christ_n without_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v nothing_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o presbyterian_o seem_v more_o general_o to_o own_o the_o use_n of_o general_n rule_n and_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n in_o order_n to_o the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n as_o in_o the_o subordination_n of_o court_n classical_a assembly_n and_o the_o more_o moderate_a sort_n as_o to_o lay_v elder_n the_o episcopal_a man_n will_v hardly_o find_v any_o evidence_n in_o scripture_n or_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o church_n consist_v of_o many_o fix_a congregation_n for_o worship_n under_o the_o charge_n of_o one_o person_n nor_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n without_o the_o precede_a election_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o at_o least_o consent_n and_o approbation_n of_o the_o people_n and_o neither_o in_o scripture_n nor_o antiquity_n the_o least_o footstep_n of_o a_o delegation_n of_o church-power_n so_o that_o upon_o the_o matter_n at_o last_o all_o of_o they_o make_v use_n of_o those_o thing_n in_o church_n government_n which_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o the_o principle_n of_o humane_a prudence_n guide_v by_o the_o scripture_n and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o that_o be_v observe_v still_o the_o second_o principle_n be_v that_o form_n of_o government_n be_v the_o best_a according_a to_o principle_n of_o christian_a prudence_n which_o come_v the_o near_a to_o apostolical_a practice_n and_o tend_v most_o to_o the_o advance_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n what_o that_o form_n be_v i_o presume_v not_o to_o define_v and_o determine_v but_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n and_o antiquity_n as_o to_o the_o primitive_a practice_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n state_n and_o condition_n of_o that_o church_n wherein_o it_o be_v to_o be_v settle_v as_o to_o its_o tendency_n to_o the_o advancement_n of_o peace_n and_o unity_n in_o it_o in_o order_n to_o the_o find_v out_o of_o which_o that_o proposal_n of_o his_o late_a most_o excellent_a majesty_n of_o glorious_a memory_n sinâ—_n be_v most_o high_o just_a and_o reasonable_a his_o majesty_n think_v it_o well_o worthy_a the_o study_n and_o endeavour_n of_o divine_n of_o both_o opinion_n lay_v aside_o emulation_n and_o private_a interest_n to_o reduce_v episcopacy_n and_o presbytery_n into_o such_o a_o well-proportioned_a form_n of_o superiority_n and_o subordination_n as_o may_v best_o resemble_v the_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a time_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o the_o different_a condition_n of_o the_o time_n and_o the_o exigence_n of_o all_o considerable_a circumstance_n will_v admit_v if_o this_o proposal_n be_v embrace_v as_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v not_o then_o all_o such_o thing_n must_v be_v retrieve_v which_o be_v unquestionable_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n but_o have_v be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n through_o the_o length_n and_o corruption_n of_o time_n such_o be_v the_o restore_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o several_a church_n as_o the_o senate_n to_o the_o bishop_n with_o whole_a counsel_n and_o advice_n all_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o contract_n of_o diocese_n into_o such_o a_o compass_n as_o may_v be_v fit_v for_o the_o personal_a inspection_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o care_n of_o himself_o and_o the_o senate_n the_o place_n of_o bishop_n in_o all_o great_a town_n of_o resort_n especial_o county_n town_n that_o according_a to_o the_o ancient_a course_n of_o the_o church_n its_o government_n may_v be_v proportion_v etc._n to_o the_o civil_a government_n the_o constant_a preach_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o some_o church_n of_o his_o charge_n and_o residence_n in_o his_o diocese_n the_o solemnity_n of_o ordination_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o people_n the_o observe_v provincial_a synod_n twice_o every_o year_n the_o employ_v of_o none_o in_o judge_a church_n matter_n but_o the_o clergy_n these_o be_v thing_n unquestionable_o of_o the_o primitive_a practice_n and_o no_o argument_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n why_o they_o be_v not_o as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o necessary_a than_o ever_o and_o therefore_o all_o who_o appeal_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n must_v condemn_v themselves_o if_o they_o justify_v the_o neglect_n of_o they_o but_o i_o only_o touch_v at_o these_o thing_n my_o design_n be_v only_o to_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o a_o happy_a union_n last_o what_o form_n of_o government_n be_v determine_v by_o lawful_a authority_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n ought_v so_o far_o to_o be_v submit_v to_o as_o it_o contain_v nothing_o repugnant_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n so_o that_o let_v man_n judgement_n be_v what_o they_o will_v concern_v the_o primitive_a form_n see_v it_o have_v be_v prove_v that_o that_o form_n do_v not_o bind_v unalterable_o and_o necessary_o it_o remain_v that_o the_o determine_n of_o the_o form_n of_o government_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o liberty_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o be_v so_o
foreign_a church_n calvin_n and_o beza_n both_o approve_v episcopacy_n and_o diocesan_n church_n salmatius_n etc._n etc._n 3_o those_o who_o judge_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v the_o primitive_a form_n yet_o look_v not_o on_o it_o as_o necessary_a bishop_n jewel_n fulk_n field_n bishop_n downam_n bishop_n bancroft_n bishop_n morton_n bishop_n andrews_n saravia_n francis_n mason_n and_o other_o the_o conclusion_n hence_o lay_v in_o order_n to_o peace_n principle_n conduce_v thereto_o 1._o prudence_n must_v be_v use_v in_o church-government_n at_o last_o confess_v by_o all_o party_n independent_o in_o elective_a synod_n and_o church_n covenant_n admission_n of_o member_n number_n in_o congregation_n presbyterian_o in_o class_n and_o synod_n lay-elder_n etc._n etc._n episcopal_a in_o diocese_n cause_n rite_n etc._n etc._n 2._o that_o prudence_n best_o which_o come_v near_a primitive_a practice_n a_o presidency_n for_o life_n over_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n show_v to_o be_v that_o form_n in_o order_n to_o it_o presbytery_n to_o be_v restore_v diocese_n lessen_v provincial_n synod_n keep_v twice_o a_o year_n the_o reasonableness_n and_o easiness_n of_o accommodation_n show_v the_o whole_a conclude_v p._n 383._o 384._o a_o weapon-salve_n for_o the_o church_n wound_n or_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n discuss_v and_o examine_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o reform_a divine_n part_n i._n chap._n i._n thing_n necessary_a for_o the_o church_n peace_n must_v be_v clear_o reveal_v the_o form_n of_o church-government_n not_o so_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o remain_a controversy_n about_o it_o a_o evidence_n thence_o that_o christ_n never_o intend_v any_o one_o form_n as_o the_o only_a mean_n to_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n the_o nature_n of_o a_o divine_a right_o discuss_v right_o in_o general_a either_o make_v thing_n lawful_a or_o else_o due_a for_o the_o former_a a_o non-prohibition_n sufficient_a the_o late_a a_o express_a command_n duty_n suppose_v legislation_n and_o promulgation_n the_o question_n state_v nothing_o bind_v unalterable_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o stand_a law_n and_o that_o twofold_a the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n three_o way_n to_o know_v when_o positive_a law_n be_v unalterable_a the_o divine_a right_o arise_v from_o scripture-example_n divine_a act_n and_o divine_a approbation_n consider_v he_o that_o impose_v any_o matter_n of_o opinion_n upon_o the_o 1._o belief_n of_o other_o without_o give_v evidence_n of_o reason_n for_o it_o proportionable_a to_o the_o confidence_n of_o his_o assertion_n must_v either_o suppose_v the_o thing_n propound_v to_o carry_v such_o unquestionable_a credential_n of_o truth_n and_o reason_n with_o it_o that_o none_o who_o know_v what_o they_o mean_v can_v deny_v it_o entertainment_n or_o else_o that_o his_o own_o understanding_n have_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a perfection_n as_o to_o have_v authority_n sufficient_a to_o oblige_v all_o other_o to_o follow_v it_o this_o latter_a can_v be_v presume_v among_o any_o who_o have_v assert_v the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n from_o the_o dictate_v of_o a_o infallible_a chair_n but_o if_o any_o shall_v forget_v themselves_o so_o far_o as_o to_o think_v so_o there_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v they_o not_o to_o be_v infallible_a in_o their_o assertion_n than_o this_o one_o assertion_n that_o they_o be_v infallible_a it_o be_v a_o undoubted_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v actual_o deceive_v who_o know_v so_o little_a the_o measure_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n the_o former_a can_v never_o be_v pretend_v in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o controversy_n among_o man_n who_o have_v not_o whole_o forget_v they_o be_v reasonable_a creature_n by_o their_o bring_v probable_a argument_n for_o the_o maintain_v one_o part_n of_o a_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o another_o in_o which_o case_n though_o the_o argument_n bring_v be_v not_o convince_a for_o the_o necessary_a entertain_v either_o part_n to_o a_o unbiased_a understanding_n yet_o the_o difference_n of_o their_o opinion_n be_v argument_n sufficient_a that_o the_o thing_n contend_v for_o be_v not_o so_o clear_a as_o both_o party_n will_v make_v it_o to_o be_v on_o their_o own_o side_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n of_o necessity_n to_o salvation_n it_o give_v man_n ground_n to_o think_v that_o a_o final_a decision_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o controversy_n be_v never_o intend_v as_o a_o necessary_a mean_n for_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o we_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n imagine_v that_o our_o supreme_a law_n giver_n and_o saviour_n who_o have_v make_v it_o a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o all_o true_a member_n of_o his_o church_n to_o endeavour_v after_o the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o it_o shall_v suspend_v the_o performance_n of_o that_o duty_n upon_o a_o matter_n of_o opinion_n which_o when_o man_n have_v use_v their_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o satisfy_v themselves_o about_o they_o yet_o find_v that_o those_o very_a ground_n which_o they_o be_v most_o inclinable_a to_o build_v their_o judgement_n upon_o be_v either_o whole_o reject_v by_o other_o as_o wise_a and_o able_a as_o themselves_o or_o else_o it_o may_v be_v they_o erect_v a_o far_o different_a fabric_n upon_o the_o very_a same_o foundation_n it_o be_v no_o way_n consistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o christ_n in_o sound_v his_o church_n and_o provide_v for_o the_o peace_n and_o settlement_n of_o it_o to_o leave_v it_o at_o the_o mercy_n of_o man_n private_a judgement_n and_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n than_o which_o nothing_o more_o uncertain_a and_o thereby_o make_v it_o to_o depend_v upon_o a_o condition_n never_o like_v to_o be_v attain_v in_o this_o world_n which_o be_v the_o agreement_n and_o uniformity_n of_o man_n opinion_n for_o as_o long_o as_o man_n face_n differ_v their_o judgement_n will_n and_o until_o there_o be_v a_o intellectus_fw-la averroisticus_fw-la the_o same_o understanding_n in_o all_o person_n we_o have_v little_a ground_n to_o hope_v for_o such_o a_o universal_a harmony_n in_o the_o intellectual_a world_n and_o yet_o even_o then_o the_o soul_n may_v pass_v a_o different_a judgement_n upon_o the_o colour_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o different_a tincture_n of_o the_o several_a optick-glass_n in_o particular_a body_n which_o it_o take_v a_o prospect_n of_o thing_n through_o reason_n and_o experience_n then_o give_v we_o little_a hope_n of_o any_o peace_n in_o the_o church_n if_o the_o unity_n of_o man_n judgement_n be_v suppose_v the_o condition_n of_o it_o the_o next_o inquiry_n than_o be_v how_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v attain_v or_o preserve_v when_o man_n be_v under_o such_o different_a persuasion_n especial_o if_o they_o respect_v the_o mean_n in_o order_n to_o a_o peace_n and_o settlement_n for_o the_o way_n to_o peace_n like_o the_o fertile_a soil_n of_o greece_n have_v be_v ofttimes_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o great_a quarrel_n and_o no_o sickness_n be_v so_o dangerous_a as_o that_o when_o man_n be_v sick_a of_o their_o remedy_n and_o nauseate_a that_o most_o which_o tend_v to_o their_o recovery_n but_o while_o physician_n quarrel_n about_o the_o method_n of_o cure_n the_o patient_n languish_v under_o their_o hand_n and_o when_o man_n increase_v contention_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o peace_n while_o they_o seem_v to_o court_v it_o they_o destroy_v it_o the_o only_a way_n leave_v for_o the_o church_n settlement_n and_o peace_n under_o such_o variety_n of_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o mean_n and_o method_n in_o order_n to_o it_o be_v to_o pitch_v upon_o such_o a_o foundation_n if_o possible_a to_o be_v find_v out_o whereon_o the_o different_a party_n retain_v their_o private_a apprehension_n may_v yet_o be_v agree_v to_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o work_n in_o common_a in_o order_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o can_v be_v by_o leave_v all_o absolute_o to_o follow_v their_o own_o way_n for_o that_o be_v to_o build_v a_o babel_n instead_o of_o salem_n confusion_n instead_o of_o peace_n it_o must_v be_v then_o by_o convince_a man_n that_o neither_o of_o those_o way_n to_o peace_n and_o order_n which_o they_o contend_v about_o be_v necessary_a by_o way_n of_o divine_a command_n though_o some_o be_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o a_o end_n but_o which_o particular_a way_n or_o form_v it_o must_v be_v be_v whole_o leave_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o in_o who_o power_n and_o trust_v it_o be_v to_o see_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v secure_v on_o last_a foundation_n how_o near_o this_o concern_v the_o present_a debate_n about_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n any_o one_o
divide_v and_o separate_v from_o church-society_n so_o it_o be_v a_o offence_n on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o continue_v communion_n when_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o withdraw_v it_o for_o the_o resolve_v this_o knotty_a and_o intricate_a question_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o some_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o premisall_n and_o come_v close_o to_o the_o resolution_n of_o it_o first_o every_o christian_n be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o join_v in_o church-society_n with_o other_o because_o it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o profess_v himself_o a_o christian_n and_o to_o own_o his_o religion_n public_o and_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n and_o sacrament_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o can_v be_v without_o society_n with_o some_o church_n or_o other_o every_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v bind_v to_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o member_n of_o a_o body_n viz._n the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o how_o can_v he_o be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o member_n who_o be_v not_o unite_v with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o body_n there_o be_v then_o a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o christianâ—_n to_o engage_v in_o a_o religious_a society_n with_o other_o for_o partake_v of_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o have_v be_v a_o case_n dispute_v by_o some_o particular_o by_o grotius_n the_o suppose_a author_n of_o a_o little_a tract_n a_o semper_fw-la sit_fw-la communicandum_fw-la per_fw-la symbolu_fw-la when_o he_o design_v the_o syncretism_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n whether_o in_o a_o time_n when_o church_n be_v divide_v it_o be_v a_o christian_n duty_n to_o communicate_v with_o any_o of_o those_o party_n which_o divide_v the_o church_n and_o not_o rather_o to_o suspend_v communion_n from_o all_o of_o they_o a_o case_n not_o hard_a to_o be_v decide_v for_o either_o the_o person_n question_v it_o do_v suppose_v the_o church_n divide_v to_o remain_v true_a church_n but_o some_o to_o be_v more_o pure_a than_o other_o in_o which_o case_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o general_a obligation_n to_o communion_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o that_o church_n which_o appear_v most_o to_o retain_v its_o evangelicall_n purity_n or_o else_o he_o must_v suppose_v one_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o the_o other_o not_o in_o which_o the_o case_n be_v clear_a that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o communicate_v with_o the_o true_a church_n or_o he_o must_v judge_v they_o alike_o impure_a which_o be_v a_o case_n hard_a to_o be_v find_v but_o suppose_v it_o be_v so_o either_o he_o have_v join_v former_o with_o one_o of_o they_o or_o he_o be_v now_o to_o choose_v which_o to_o join_v with_o if_o he_o be_v join_v already_o with_o that_o church_n and_o see_v no_o other_o but_o as_o impure_a as_o that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o declare_v against_o the_o impurity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o continue_v his_o communion_n with_o it_o if_o he_o be_v to_o choose_v communion_n he_o may_v so_o long_o suspend_v till_o he_o be_v satisfy_v which_o church_n come_v near_a to_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n and_o no_o long_o and_o therefore_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o chrysostom_n act_n be_v to_o be_v commend_v who_o after_o be_v make_v a_o deacon_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n by_o meletius_n upon_o his_o death_n because_o flavianus_n come_v in_o irregular_o as_o bishop_n of_o the_o 3._o church_n will_v neither_o communicate_v with_o he_o nor_o with_o paulinus_n another_o bishop_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o city_n nor_o with_o the_o meletian_o but_o for_o three_o year_n time_n withdraw_v himself_o from_o communion_n with_o any_o of_o they_o much_o less_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o haesitantes_fw-la as_o the_o latin_n call_v they_o to_o be_v commend_v who_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedou_n against_o entyches_n because_o of_o great_a difference_n remain_v 4_o in_o egypt_n and_o the_o eastern_a church_n follow_v zenoes_n henoticum_fw-la and_o will_v communicate_v neither_o with_o the_o orthodox_n church_n nor_o eutychian_o but_o i_o see_v not_o what_o censure_n jâ—â—ome_v can_v in_o â—urr_n who_o go_v into_o the_o diocese_n of_o antioeh_n and_o find_v the_o church_n there_o under_o great_a division_n there_o be_v beside_o the_o arian_n bishop_n three_z other_o in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n meletius_n paulinus_n and_o vitalis_n do_v so_o long_o suspend_v communion_n with_o any_o of_o they_o till_o he_o have_v satisfy_v himself_o about_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o schism_n and_o the_o innocency_n of_o the_o person_n and_o church_n engage_v in_o it_o but_o if_o he_o have_v withdraw_v long_o he_o have_v offend_v against_o his_o obligation_n to_o join_v in_o church-society_n with_o other_o for_o participation_n of_o gospel-ordinance_n which_o be_v the_o necessary_a duty_n of_o every_o christian._n second_o every_o christian_a actual_o join_v in_o church-society_n 4._o with_o other_o be_v so_o long_o bind_v to_o maintain_v society_n with_o they_o till_o his_o communion_n with_o they_o become_v sin_n for_o nothing_o else_o can_v justify_v withdraw_v from_o such_o a_o society_n but_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o continue_v any_o long_o in_o it_o suppose_v a_o church_n then_o to_o remain_v true_a as_o to_o its_o constitution_n and_o essential_o but_o there_o be_v many_o corruption_n creep_v into_o that_o church_n whether_o be_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_n to_o withdraw_v from_o that_o church_n because_o of_o those_o corruption_n and_o to_o gather_v new_a church_n only_o for_o pure_a administration_n or_o to_o join_v with_o they_o only_o for_o that_o end_n this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o understand_v it_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o our_o parochial_a church_n and_o the_o congregationall_a the_o resolution_n of_o this_o great_a question_n must_v depend_v on_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o a_o sin_n to_o communicate_v with_o church_n true_a as_o to_o essentials_n but_o suppose_v corrupt_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n for_o parochial_a church_n be_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v the_o essentials_n of_o true_a church_n by_o any_o sober_a congregational_a man_n for_o there_o be_v in_o they_o the_o true_a word_n of_o god_n preach_v the_o true_a sacrament_n administer_v and_o a_o implicit_a covenant_n between_o pastor_n and_o people_n in_o their_o join_v together_o all_o that_o be_v plead_v then_o be_v corruption_n and_o defect_n in_o the_o exercise_n and_o administration_n of_o church_n order_n and_o discipline_n now_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o christian_n to_o join_v with_o church_n so_o defective_a be_v not_o only_o acknowledge_v by_o reverend_a mr._n norton_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o apollius_n but_o large_o and_o full_o prove_v for_o 16._o which_o he_o lay_v down_o five_o proposition_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v serious_o consider_v by_o all_o which_o make_v that_o a_o plea_n for_o withdraw_v from_o society_n with_o other_o church_n first_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v himself_o in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n where_o he_o can_v enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n aâ—_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n which_o refuse_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o baptism_n of_o john_n and_o yet_o our_o saviour_n bid_v we_o hear_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n which_o hear_v say_v he_o do_v imply_v conjunctionem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la judaicae_n a_o join_n with_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o so_o with_o church_n reject_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galatia_n the_o doctrine_n of_o ju_n 〈…〉_z ion_n by_o faith_n but_o the_o apostle_n nowhere_o require_v separation_n on_o that_o account_n from_o they_o second_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n in_o which_o some_o corruption_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v tolerate_v without_o reformation_n as_o the_o offering_n on_o high-place_n from_o solomon_n to_o hezâ—kiah_n in_o the_o church_n of_o juda_n observation_n of_o circumcision_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o keep_v the_o ceremonial_a law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o galaâ—ia_n three_o a_o believer_n may_v lawful_o join_v himself_o in_o communion_n with_o such_o a_o church_n in_o which_o such_o be_v admit_v to_o sacrament_n who_o give_v no_o evident_a sign_n of_o grace_n but_o seem_v to_o be_v lover_n of_o this_o world_n which_o he_o prove_v because_o it_o be_v every_o one_o main_a duty_n to_o examine_v himself_o and_o because_o another_o sin_n be_v no_o hurt_n to_o he_o and_o therefore_o can_v keep_v he_o from_o his_o duty_n and_o then_o by_o man_n come_v unworthy_o non_fw-la polluitur_fw-la communio_fw-la licet_fw-la minuitur_fw-la consolatio_fw-la the_o communion_n iâ—_n not_o defile_v though_o the_o comfort_n of_o it_o be_v diminish_v he_o bring_v instance_n from_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n among_o who_o be_v many_o
avoid_n of_o her_o error_n and_o not_o partake_v of_o her_o sin_n be_v thence_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o reject_v such_o as_o be_v heretic_n and_o withdraw_v from_o their_o society_n which_o will_v as_o well_o hold_v to_o church_n as_o to_o person_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o as_o the_o corruption_n be_v more_o dangerous_a and_o the_o relation_n near_o of_o a_o member_n to_o a_o church_n then_o of_o one_o man_n to_o another_o and_o from_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o command_n we_o read_v in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n that_o when_o eulalius_n euphronius_n and_o placentius_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n be_v arrian_n many_o both_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o people_n 22._o who_o resolve_v to_o adhere_v to_o the_o true_a faith_n withdraw_v from_o the_o public_a meeting_n and_o have_v private_a assembly_n of_o their_o own_o and_o after_o when_o leontius_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o antioch_n who_o 24._o favour_v the_o arrian_n flavianus_n and_o diodorus_n not_o only_o public_o reprove_v he_o for_o desert_v the_o orthodox_n faith_n but_o withdraw_v the_o people_n from_o communion_n with_o he_o and_o undertake_v advers._fw-la the_o charge_n of_o they_o themselves_o so_o when_o foelix_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o rome_n none_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v enter_v into_o the_o church_n while_o he_o be_v there_o and_o vincentius_n 16._o lyrinensis_n tell_v we_o a_o remarkable_a story_n of_o photinus_n bishop_n of_o syrmium_fw-la in_o pannonia_n a_o man_n of_o great_a ability_n and_o same_o who_o sudden_o turn_v from_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o though_o his_o people_n both_o love_v and_o admire_v he_o yet_o when_o they_o discern_v his_o error_n quem_fw-la antea_fw-la quasi_fw-la arietem_fw-la gregis_fw-la sequebantur_fw-la eundem_fw-la deinceps_fw-la veluti_fw-la lupum_fw-la fugere_fw-la coeperunt_fw-la who_o they_o follow_v before_o as_o the_o leader_n of_o the_o flock_n they_o now_o run_v away_o from_o as_o a_o devour_a wolf_n this_o be_v the_o first_o thing_n which_o make_v separation_n and_o withdrawment_n of_o communion_n lawful_a and_o necessary_a viz._n corruption_n of_o doctrine_n the_o second_o be_v corruption_n of_o practice_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o practice_n as_o relate_v to_o the_o civil_a conversation_n of_o man_n but_o as_o it_o take_v in_o the_o agenda_fw-la of_o religion_n when_o idolatrous_a custom_n and_o superstitious_a practice_n be_v not_o only_o creep_v into_o a_o church_n but_o be_v the_o prescribe_a devotion_n of_o it_o such_o as_o the_o adoration_n of_o the_o eucharist_n chief_o insist_v on_o by_o mr._n daillé_n in_o his_o apology_n as_o a_o cause_n of_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n worship_v image_n and_o other_o of_o a_o like_a nature_n use_v among_o the_o papist_n which_o be_v of_o themselves_o sufficient_a to_o make_v our_o separation_n from_o they_o necessary_a but_o than_o three_o as_o a_o accession_n to_o these_o two_o be_v the_o public_a own_n and_o profess_v they_o and_o require_v they_o as_o necessary_a condition_n of_o communion_n from_o all_o the_o member_n of_o their_o church_n which_o make_v our_o withdraw_n from_o they_o unavoidable_o necessary_a as_o long_o as_o we_o judge_v they_o to_o be_v such_o corruption_n as_o indeed_o they_o be_v for_o man_n not_o to_o forsake_v the_o belief_n of_o error_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v such_o be_v impossible_a and_o not_o to_o forsake_v the_o practice_n and_o profession_n of_o they_o upon_o such_o belief_n be_v the_o high_a hypocrisy_n and_o to_o do_v so_o and_o not_o to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o these_o be_v own_v be_v apparent_o contradictious_a as_o mr._n chill_a worth_n well_o observe_v see_v the_o condition_n of_o communion_n 22._o with_o it_o be_v that_o we_o must_v profess_v to_o believe_v all_o the_o doctrine_n of_o that_o church_n not_o only_o not_o to_o be_v error_n but_o to_o be_v certain_a and_o necessary_a truth_n so_o that_o on_o this_o account_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o error_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v actual_o and_o ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n because_o the_o condition_n of_o its_o communion_n be_v the_o belief_n that_o there_o be_v none_o and_o so_o that_o learned_a and_o rational_a author_n there_o full_o prove_v that_o those_o who_o require_v unlawful_a and_o unnecessary_a condition_n of_o communion_n must_v take_v the_o imputation_n of_o schism_n upon_o themselves_o by_o make_v separation_n from_o they_o just_a and_o necessary_a in_o this_o case_n when_o corruption_n in_o opinion_n or_o practice_n be_v thus_o require_v as_o condition_n of_o communion_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o one_o to_o communicate_v with_o such_o a_o church_n without_o sin_n both_o material_o as_o the_o thing_n be_v unlawful_a which_o he_o join_v with_o they_o in_o and_o formal_o as_o he_o judge_v they_o so_o this_o be_v the_o first_o proposition_n the_o second_o be_v where_o a_o church_n retain_v the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n 6._o in_o its_o public_a profession_n but_o have_v a_o mixture_n of_o some_o corruption_n as_o to_o practice_n which_o be_v only_o tolerate_v and_o not_o impose_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a to_o withdraw_v communion_n from_o such_o a_o church_n much_o less_o to_o run_v into_o total_a separation_n from_o it_o for_o here_o be_v no_o just_a and_o lawful_a cause_n give_v of_o withdraw_a here_o be_v no_o own_a corruption_n of_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n nor_o any_o thing_n require_v as_o a_o condition_n of_o communion_n but_o what_o be_v in_o its_o self_n necessary_a and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o plea_n but_o only_a pollution_n from_o such_o a_o communion_n which_o can_v be_v to_o any_o who_o do_v not_o own_o any_o such_o suppose_a corruption_n in_o the_o church_n man_n may_v communicate_v with_o a_o church_n and_o not_o communicate_v with_o the_o abuse_n of_o a_o church_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o communicate_v be_v its_o be_v a_o church_n and_o not_o a_o corrupt_a or_o defective_a church_n and_o that_o man_n be_v not_o themselves_o guilty_a by_o partake_v with_o those_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o corruption_n in_o a_o church_n may_v be_v easy_o and_o large_o prove_v both_o from_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o case_n of_o elies_n son_n and_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o asâ—â—_n and_o corinth_n where_o we_o read_v of_o many_o corruption_n reprove_v yet_o nothing_o speak_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o member_n of_o those_o church_n to_o separate_v from_o they_o which_o will_v have_v be_v have_v it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o communicate_v with_o those_o church_n when_o such_o corruption_n be_v in_o it_o beside_o what_o reason_n be_v there_o that_o one_o man_n sin_n shall_v defile_v another_o more_o than_o another_o grace_n sanctify_v another_o and_o why_o corruption_n in_o another_o shall_v defile_v he_o more_o than_o in_o himself_o and_o so_o keep_v he_o from_o communicate_v with_o himself_o and_o what_o security_n any_o one_o can_v have_v in_o the_o most_o refine_a church_n but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o scandalous_a or_o at_o least_o unworthy_a person_n among_o they_o and_o whether_o then_o it_o be_v not_o his_o duty_n to_o try_v and_o examine_v all_o himself_o particular_o with_o who_o he_o communicate_v and_o why_o his_o presence_n at_o one_o ordinance_n shall_v defile_v it_o more_o than_o at_o another_o and_o why_o at_o any_o more_o than_o in_o worldly_a converse_n and_o so_o turn_v at_o last_o to_o make_v man_n anchoret_n as_o it_o have_v do_v some_o many_o other_o reason_n 12._o may_v be_v produce_v against_o this_o which_o i_o forbear_v it_o be_v full_o speak_v to_o by_o other_o and_o so_o i_o come_v to_o the_o three_o proposition_n which_o be_v where_o any_o church_n retain_v the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n do_v require_v the_o own_n of_o and_o conform_v to_o any_o unlawful_a or_o suspect_a practice_n man_n may_v lawful_o deny_v conformity_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o that_o church_n in_o such_o thing_n without_o incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n i_o say_v not_o man_n may_v proceed_v to_o positive_a schism_n as_o it_o be_v call_v that_o be_v erect_v of_o new_a church_n which_o from_o cyprian_n be_v call_v erigere_fw-la altar_n contra_fw-la altar_n but_o only_o that_o withdraw_a communion_n from_o a_o church_n in_o unlawful_a or_o suspect_a thing_n do_v not_o lay_v man_n under_o the_o guilt_n of_o schism_n which_o because_o i_o know_v it_o may_v meet_v with_o some_o opposition_n from_o those_o man_n who_o will_v soon_o call_v man_n schismatic_n than_o prove_v they_o so_o i_o shall_v offer_v this_o reason_n for_o it_o to_o consideration_n if_o our_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v therefore_o lawful_a because_o she_o require_v unlawful_a thing_n as_o condition_n of_o her_o communion_n then_o wherever_o such_o thing_n be_v require_v by_o any_o church_n non-communion_n
they_o be_v think_v by_o those_o who_o be_v equal_o enemy_n to_o both_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o body_n and_o community_n which_o consideration_n will_v make_v the_o thing_n i_o aim_v at_o seem_v more_o probable_a when_o withal_o we_o observe_v that_o the_o jewish_a custom_n in_o their_o synagogue_n be_v those_o whereby_o they_o be_v most_o know_v among_o the_o roman_n and_o therefore_o when_o they_o look_v on_o the_o christian_n as_o of_o the_o same_o religion_n with_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v evident_a they_o observe_v no_o difference_n as_o to_o their_o public_a practice_n in_o their_o religious_a society_n which_o be_v the_o first_o consideration_n to_o show_v how_o probable_a it_o be_v that_o christian_n observe_v the_o same_o form_n in_o government_n with_o what_o they_o find_v in_o the_o synagogue_n to_o which_o i_o add_v a_o second_o consideration_n which_o be_v the_o 9_o apostle_n form_v christian_a church_n out_o of_o jewish_a synagogue_n we_o have_v already_o show_v how_o much_o their_o resort_n be_v to_o they_o in_o their_o preach_n from_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o paul_n although_o he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o uncircumcision_n much_o more_o than_o be_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o other_o especial_o peter_n james_n and_o john_n do_v resort_v to_o the_o circumcision_n and_o in_o the_o settle_n thing_n at_o first_o we_o see_v how_o fearful_a the_o apostle_n be_v of_o give_v offence_n to_o the_o jew_n how_o ready_a to_o condescend_v to_o they_o in_o any_o thing_n they_o lawful_o may_v and_o can_v we_o think_v that_o paul_n will_v yield_v so_o far_o to_o the_o jew_n as_o to_o circumcise_v timothy_n rather_o than_o give_v offence_n to_o the_o jew_n in_o 3._o those_o part_n where_o he_o be_v and_o that_o in_o a_o thing_n which_o seem_v most_o immediate_o to_o thwart_v the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o circumcision_n 2._o do_v witness_v the_o apostle_n himself_o that_o yet_o he_o will_v scruple_n the_o retain_v the_o old_a model_n of_o the_o synagogue_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o at_o all_o repugnant_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o christian_a church_n when_o the_o apostle_n then_o do_v not_o only_o gather_v church_n out_o of_o synagogue_n but_o at_o some_o place_n in_o probability_n whole_a synagogue_n be_v convert_v as_o well_o as_o whole_a church_n form_v what_o show_v of_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o the_o apostle_n shall_v flight_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n which_o have_v no_o dependence_n on_o the_o jewish_a hierarchy_n and_o subsist_v not_o by_o any_o command_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n the_o work_n of_o the_o synagogue_n not_o belong_v to_o the_o priest_n as_o such_o but_o as_o person_n qualify_v for_o instruct_v other_o and_o the_o first_o model_n of_o the_o synagogue_n government_n be_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o probability_n derive_v from_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o government_n thereof_o this_o consideration_n will_v be_v further_o improve_v if_o the_o notion_n of_o distinct_a coetus_fw-la of_o the_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o place_n can_v be_v make_v out_o by_o any_o irrefragable_a testimony_n of_o antiquity_n or_o clear_a evidence_n of_o reason_n draw_v from_o scripture_n because_o the_o same_o reason_n which_o will_v ground_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n from_o the_o gentile_a will_v likewise_o hold_v for_o the_o jewish_a church_n to_o retain_v her_o old_a form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o synagogue_n way_n for_o it_o must_v be_v some_o kind_n of_o peculiarity_n suppose_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o themselves_o as_o distinct_a from_o the_o gentile_n which_o do_v make_v they_o form_v a_o distinct_a congregation_n from_o they_o which_o peculiarity_n do_v imply_v the_o observe_v those_o custom_n among_o they_o still_o by_o which_o that_o peculiarity_n be_v know_v to_o other_o among_o which_o those_o of_o the_o synagogue_n be_v not_o the_o least_o know_v or_o take_v notice_n of_o but_o i_o must_v free_o confess_v i_o find_v not_o any_o thing_n bring_v by_o that_o learned_a person_n who_o have_v manage_v this_o hypothesis_n with_o the_o great_a dexterity_n to_o have_v etc._n that_o evidence_n in_o it_o which_o will_v command_v assent_n from_o a_o unprejudicate_v mind_n and_o it_o be_v pity_n that_o such_o infirm_a hypothesis_n shall_v be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o justify_v our_o separation_n from_o rome_n which_o be_v build_v upon_o reason_n of_o great_a strength_n and_o evidence_n than_o those_o which_o have_v be_v of_o late_o plead_v by_o some_o assertor_n of_o the_o protestant_a cause_n though_o man_n of_o excellent_a ability_n and_o learning_n for_o there_o be_v many_o reason_n convictive_a enough_o that_o peter_n have_v no_o universal_a power_n over_o the_o church_n suppose_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o distinction_n between_o the_o jewish_a and_o gentile_n coetus_fw-la i_o deny_v not_o but_o at_o first_o before_o the_o jew_n be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o gentile_n right_a to_o gospel_n privilege_n they_o be_v very_o shy_a of_o communicate_v with_o they_o especial_o the_o believe_a jew_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o some_o of_o who_o come_v down_o to_o antioch_n from_o james_n it_o be_v that_o peter_n withdraw_v and_o separate_v himself_o from_o the_o gentile_n with_o who_o before_o 12._o he_o familiar_o converse_v which_o action_n of_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o settle_v any_o distinct_a church_n 8._o of_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o gentile_n there_o that_o it_o yield_v many_o reason_n against_o it_o for_o first_o peter_n withdraw_n be_v only_o occasional_a and_o not_o out_o of_o design_n whereas_o have_v it_o be_v part_n of_o his_o commission_n to_o do_v it_o we_o can_v conceive_v peter_n so_o mindless_a of_o his_o office_n as_o to_o let_v it_o alone_o till_o some_o jew_n come_v down_o from_o jerusalem_n to_o tell_v he_o of_o it_o second_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o jew_n at_o antioch_n that_o he_o withdraw_v but_o for_o the_o jew_n which_o come_v down_o from_o jerusalem_n whereas_o have_v he_o intend_v a_o distinct_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n he_o will_v before_o have_v settle_v and_o fix_v they_o as_o member_n of_o another_o body_n but_o now_o it_o evident_o appear_v that_o not_o only_a peter_n himself_o but_o the_o jew_n with_o he_o do_v before_o those_o jew_n come_v to_o antioch_n associate_v with_o the_o gentile_n which_o be_v evident_a by_o v_o 13._o and_o other_o jew_n dissemble_v likewise_o with_o he_o in_o so_o much_o that_o barnabas_n also_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o their_o dissimulation_n whereby_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o these_o jew_n do_v before_o join_v with_o the_o gentile-christians_a or_o else_o they_o can_v not_o be_v say_v to_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o dissimulation_n of_o peter_n three_o st._n paul_n be_v so_o far_o from_o look_v upon_o this_o withdraw_n of_o peter_n and_o the_o jew_n from_o the_o gentile_n society_n to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o st._n peter_n office_n that_o he_o open_o and_o sharp_o reprove_v he_o for_o it_o what_o then_o be_v paul_n so_o ignorant_a that_o there_o must_v be_v two_o distinct_a church_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n there_o that_o he_o call_v this_o action_n of_o his_o dissimulation_n in_o all_o reason_n then_o suppose_v this_o notion_n to_o be_v true_a the_o blame_n light_v on_o paul_n and_o not_o on_o peter_n as_o not_o understand_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o be_v form_v into_o distinct_a body_n from_o the_o gentile-christians_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o same_o author_n who_o be_v produce_v as_o assert_v 22._o that_o seorsim_fw-la quae_fw-la ex_fw-la judais_n erant_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la habebantur_fw-la nec_fw-la his_fw-la quae_fw-la â—rant_fw-la ex_fw-la gentibus_fw-la miscebantur_fw-la be_v he_o who_o make_v this_o reproof_n of_o peter_n by_o paul_n to_o be_v a_o mere_a matter_n of_o dissimulation_n between_o they_o both_o which_o sense_n of_o that_o action_n whoever_o will_v be_v so_o favourable_a to_o it_o as_o to_o embrace_v it_o as_o some_o seem_v inclinable_a to_o do_v it_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v the_o argument_n bring_v by_o st._n augustine_n hier._n against_o it_o this_o place_n than_o be_v unhappy_o light_a upon_o to_o ground_n a_o distinction_n of_o the_o several_a coeius_n or_o distinct_a church_n of_o jew_n and_o christian_n at_o antioch_n but_o it_o may_v be_v more_o evidence_n for_o it_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o rescript_n of_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v direct_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o brethren_n of_o antioch_n those_o of_o the_o gentile_n 75._o but._n lest_o some_o hide_a mystery_n shall_v lie_v in_o this_o curtail_v the_o word_n
necessary_a observation_n of_o the_o bucharist_n as_o proper_a to_o christianity_n here_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n read_v by_o one_o appoint_v for_o that_o purpose_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o synagogue_n after_o which_o follow_v the_o word_n of_o exhortation_n in_o use_n among_o they_o by_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o assembly_n answer_v to_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n after_o this_o the_o public_a prayer_n perform_v by_o the_o same_o precedent_n as_o among_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o public_a minister_n of_o the_o synagogue_n as_o be_v already_o observe_v out_o of_o maimoni_n than_o the_o solemn_a acclamation_n of_o amen_o by_o the_o people_n the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o synagogue_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n tertullian_n who_o if_o he_o have_v be_v to_o set_v forth_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o synagogue_n can_v scarce_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o word_n more_o accommodate_v to_o that_o purpose_n coimus_fw-la say_v he_o in_o coetum_fw-la &_o congregationem_fw-la ut_fw-la ad_fw-la deum_fw-la quasi_fw-la manu_fw-la factà _fw-la precationibus_fw-la ambiamus_fw-la or_o ant_n cogimur_fw-la ad_fw-la divinarum_fw-la literarum_fw-la commemorationem_fw-la si_fw-la quid_fw-la praesentium_fw-la temporum_fw-la qualitas_fw-la aut_fw-la praemonere_fw-la cogit_fw-la aut_fw-la recognoscere_fw-la certè_fw-la fidem_fw-la sanctis_fw-la vocibus_fw-la pascimus_fw-la spem_fw-la erigimus_fw-la fiâ—uciam_fw-la figimus_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la praeceptorum_fw-la nihilominus_fw-la inculcationibus_fw-la densamus_fw-la ibidem_fw-la etiam_fw-la exhortationes_fw-la castigationes_fw-la &_o censura_fw-la divina_fw-la no_o &_o judicatur_fw-la magno_fw-la cum_fw-la pondere_fw-la ut_fw-la 3â—_n apud_fw-la certos_fw-la de_fw-la dei_fw-la conspectu_fw-la summumque_fw-la futuri_fw-la judicii_fw-la prae_fw-la judicium_fw-la est_fw-la siquis_fw-la ita_fw-la deliquerit_fw-la ut_fw-la à _fw-la communicatione_n orationis_fw-la &_o conventûs_fw-la &_o omnis_fw-la sancti_fw-la commercii_fw-la relegetur_fw-la prasident_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la honorem_fw-la istum_fw-la non_fw-la pretio_fw-la sed_fw-la testimonio_fw-la adepti_fw-la where_o we_o have_v the_o same_o order_n for_o prayer_n read_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o occasion_n and_o sermon_n make_v out_o of_o they_o for_o increase_v of_o faith_n raise_v hope_n strengthen_v confidence_n we_o have_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n answer_v the_o admonition_n and_o excommunication_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o last_o of_o all_o we_o have_v the_o bench_n of_o elder_n sit_v in_o these_o assembly_n and_o order_v the_o thing_n belong_v to_o they_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o general_a correspondency_n between_o the_o public_a service_n of_o the_o church_n and_o synagogue_n they_o that_o will_v see_v more_o particular_n may_v read_v our_o learned_a mr._n thorndikes_n discourse_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o religious_a assembly_n who_o design_n throughout_o be_v to_o make_v this_o out_o more_o at_o large_a but_o we_o must_v only_o touch_v at_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o way_n as_o it_o be_v look_v into_o the_o synagogue_n and_o go_v on_o our_o way_n we_o therefore_o proceed_v from_o their_o service_n to_o their_o custom_n of_o 11._o ordination_n which_o be_v evident_o take_v up_o by_o the_o christian_n from_o a_o correspondency_n to_o the_o synagogue_n for_o which_o we_o be_v first_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o proper_o succeed_v the_o priest_n and_o levite_n under_o the_o law_n whoâ—e_a office_n be_v ceremonial_a and_o who_o be_v not_o admit_v by_o any_o solemn_a ordination_n into_o their_o function_n but_o succeed_v by_o birth_n into_o their_o place_n only_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n do_v judge_v of_o their_o fitness_n as_o to_o birth_n and_o body_n before_o their_o entrance_n upon_o their_o function_n so_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n tell_v we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3._o i._o e._n in_o the_o stone_n parlour_n the_o great_a sanhedrin_n of_o israel_n sit_v and_o do_v there_o judge_v the_o priest_n the_o priest_n that_o be_v find_v defective_a put_v on_o mourn_a garment_n and_o so_o go_v forth_o he_o that_o be_v not_o put_v on_o white_a and_o go_v in_o and_o minister_v with_o the_o priest_n his_o brethren_n and_o when_o no_o fault_n be_v find_v in_o the_o son_n of_o aaron_n they_o observe_v a_o festival_n solemnity_n for_o it_o three_o thing_n be_v observable_a in_o this_o testimony_n first_o that_o the_o inquiry_n that_o be_v make_v concern_v 6._o the_o priest_n be_v chief_o concern_v the_o purity_n of_o their_o birth_n and_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o body_n from_o those_o defect_n which_o the_o law_n mention_n unless_o in_o the_o case_n of_o grosser_n and_o more_o scandalous_a sin_n as_o idolatry_n murder_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o they_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o priestly_a office_n the_o second_o be_v that_o the_o great_a sanhedrin_n have_v this_o inspection_n over_o and_o examination_n of_o the_o priest_n before_o their_o admission_n for_o what_o that_o learned_a man_n const._n l'empereur_n there_o conjecture_n that_o there_o be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a sanhedrin_n which_o do_v pass_v judgement_n 188._o on_o these_o thing_n be_v overthrow_v by_o the_o very_a word_n of_o the_o talmudist_n already_o cite_v the_o last_o thing_n observable_a be_v the_o garment_n which_o the_o priest_n put_v on_o viz._n white_a raiment_n upon_o his_o approbation_n by_o the_o sanhedrin_n and_o soon_o after_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o temple_n with_o great_a joy_n to_o which_o our_o saviour_n manifest_o allude_v revel_v 3._o 4._o 5._o thou_o have_v a_o few_o name_n even_o in_o sardis_n which_o have_v not_o defile_v their_o garment_n and_o they_o shall_v walk_v with_o i_o in_o white_a for_o they_o be_v worthy_a he_o that_o overcome_v the_o same_o shall_v be_v clothe_v in_o white_a raiment_n but_o the_o priest_n under_o the_o law_n be_v never_o ordain_v by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n as_o the_o elder_n and_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n be_v and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o come_v to_o that_o office_n they_o as_o well_o as_o other_o have_v peculiar_a designation_n and_o appointment_n to_o it_o it_o be_v then_o a_o common_a mistake_n to_o think_v that_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n succeed_v by_o way_n of_o correspondence_n and_o analogy_n to_o the_o priest_n under_o the_o law_n which_o mistake_n have_v be_v the_o foundation_n and_o original_n of_o many_o error_n for_o when_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o name_n of_o priest_n come_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o gospel-minister_n from_o a_o fair_a compliance_n as_o be_v think_v then_o of_o the_o christian_n only_o to_o the_o name_n use_v both_o among_o jew_n and_o gentile_n in_o process_n of_o time_n corruption_n increase_v in_o the_o church_n those_o name_n that_o be_v use_v by_o the_o christian_n by_o way_n of_o analogy_n and_o accommodation_n bring_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o primary_o intend_v by_o those_o name_n so_o by_o the_o metaphorical_a name_n of_o priest_n and_o altar_n at_o last_o come_v up_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n without_o which_o they_o think_v the_o name_n of_o priest_n and_o altar_n be_v insignificant_a this_o mistake_n we_o see_v run_v all_o along_o through_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n assoon_o as_o the_o name_n priest_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o derive_v their_o succession_n from_o the_o priest_n of_o aaron_n 85._o order_n presbyterorum_fw-la ordo_fw-la exordium_n sumpsit_fw-la à _fw-la filiis_fw-la aaron_n qui_fw-la enim_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la vocabantur_fw-la in_o uâ—teri_fw-la testamento_fw-la hi_o sunt_fw-la qui_fw-la nunc_fw-la appestantur_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la &_o qui_fw-la nuncupabantur_fw-la principes_fw-la sacerdotum_fw-la nuno_fw-it episcopi_fw-la nominantur_fw-la as_o isidorus_n and_o ivo_n tell_v we_o so_o before_o they_o both_o jerome_n in_o his_o know_a epistle_n to_o evagrius_n et_fw-la ut_fw-la sciamus_fw-la traditiones_fw-la apostolicas_fw-la sumptas_fw-la de_fw-la veteri_fw-la testamento_fw-la quod_fw-la aaron_n &_o silij_fw-la ejus_fw-la atque_fw-la levitae_fw-la 28._o in_o temple_n fuerunt_fw-la hoc_fw-la sibi_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la atque_fw-la diaconi_fw-la vendicent_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la from_o which_o word_n a_o leoâ—ned_a doctor_n and_o strenuous_a assertor_n of_o the_o jus_o divinum_fw-la of_o prelacy_n question_n not_o but_o to_o make_v jerome_n either_o apparent_o contradictious_a to_o himself_o or_o else_o to_o assert_v that_o the_o superiority_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n be_v by_o his_o confession_n a_o apostolical_a tradition_n for_o say_v he_o nihil_fw-la manifestius_fw-la dici_fw-la potuit_fw-la and_o s._n 2._o quid_fw-la ad_fw-la hoc_fw-la responderi_fw-la possit_fw-la aut_fw-la quo_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d artificio_fw-la deliniri_fw-la aut_fw-la deludi_fw-la tam_fw-la diserta_fw-la affirmatio_fw-la fateor_fw-la ego_fw-la â—e_n divinando_fw-la assequi_fw-la non_fw-la posse_fw-la sed_fw-la è_fw-la contra_fw-la exiis_fw-la quae_fw-la d._n blondellus_n quae_fw-la walo_fw-la quae_fw-la ludou._n capellus_fw-la hâ—c_fw-la in_o re_fw-mi praestiterunt_fw-la mihi_fw-la persuasissimum_fw-la esse_fw-la nihil_fw-la uspiam_fw-la contra_fw-la apertaâ—_n lucem_fw-la obtendi_fw-la posse_fw-la in_o a_o case_n then_o so_o desperate_a
it_o transplant_v into_o the_o church_n there_o be_v yet_o some_o thing_n remain_v as_o to_o ordination_n 14._o wherein_o the_o church_n do_v imitate_v the_o synagogue_n which_o will_v admit_v of_o a_o quick_a dispatch_n as_o the_o number_n of_o the_o person_n which_o under_o the_o synagogue_n be_v always_o to_o be_v at_o least_o three_o this_o be_v a_o fundamental_a constitution_n among_o the_o 6._o jew_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o write_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ordination_n of_o presbyter_n by_o lay_v on_o of_o hand_n must_v be_v do_v by_o three_o at_o the_o least_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n maimonides_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o do_v not_o ordain_v any_o by_o imposition_n of_o hand_n into_o a_o power_n of_o judicature_n without_o the_o number_n of_o three_o which_o number_n peter_n galatinus_n and_o postellus_n conceive_v necessary_a to_o be_v all_o ordain_v themselves_o but_o master_n selden_n think_v it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o there_o 377_o be_v but_o one_o of_o that_o number_n so_o ordain_v who_o be_v to_o be_v as_o principal_a in_o the_o action_n who_o opinion_n be_v favour_v by_o maimonides_n who_o add_v to_o the_o word_n last_o cite_v out_o of_o he_o of_o which_o three_o one_o at_o the_o least_o must_v be_v ordain_v himself_o let_v we_o now_o see_v the_o parallel_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o first_o solemn_a ordination_n of_o elder_n under_o the_o gospel_n which_o some_o think_v to_o be_v set_v down_o as_o a_o pattern_n for_o the_o church_n to_o follow_v be_v that_o we_o read_v of_o act_v 13._o 1_o 2_o 3._o which_o be_v perform_v by_o three_o for_o we_o read_v in_o the_o first_o verse_n that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o church_n at_o antioch_n five_o prophet_n and_o teacher_n barnabas_n simeon_n lucius_n manaen_n and_o saul_n of_o these_o five_o the_o holy-ghost_n say_v that_o two_o must_v be_v separate_v for_o the_o work_n whereto_o god_n have_v call_v they_o which_o be_v barnabas_n and_o saul_n there_o remain_v only_o the_o other_o three_o simeon_n lucius_n and_o manaen_n to_o lay_v their_o hand_n on_o they_o and_o ordain_v they_o to_o their_o work_n according_o 1._o those_o who_o tell_v we_o that_o james_n be_v ordain_v bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v mention_v the_o three_o apostle_n who_o concur_v in_o the_o ordain_v of_o he_o but_o most_o remarkable_a for_o this_o purpose_n be_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n wherein_o this_o number_n be_v set_v down_o as_o the_o regular_a number_n for_o the_o ordination_n of_o bishop_n without_o which_o it_o be_v not_o account_v canonical_a the_o word_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._o e._n the_o ordination_n of_o a_o bishop_n shall_v if_o possible_a be_v perform_v by_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n which_o if_o it_o can_v easy_o be_v do_v either_o through_o some_o urgent_a necessity_n or_o the_o tediousness_n of_o the_o way_n three_o bishop_n at_o least_o must_v be_v there_o for_o the_o do_v it_o which_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o ordination_n if_o those_o that_o be_v absent_a do_v express_v their_o consent_n and_o by_o letter_n approve_v 23._o of_o the_o do_v of_o it_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n theodoret_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 140._o the_o canon_n enjoin_v all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o ordination_n of_o one_o and_o forbid_v the_o ordination_n of_o any_o without_o three_o be_v present_a at_o it_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o synagogue_n be_v exact_o observe_v in_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o person_n concur_v to_o a_o regular_a ordination_n the_o last_o thing_n as_o to_o ordination_n bear_v analogy_n to_o the_o synagogue_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o ordination_n upon_o the_o person_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o speak_v of_o all_o that_o be_v legal_o ordain_v among_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o divine_a presence_n or_o schecinah_n rest_v upon_o they_o which_o sometime_o they_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o holy_a spirit_n suppose_v to_o be_v in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n present_a after_o this_o solemn_a separation_n of_o they_o from_o other_o in_o the_o world_n and_o dedication_n of_o they_o unto_o god_n answerable_a to_o this_o may_v that_o of_o our_o saviour_n be_v when_o he_o give_v his_o apostle_n authority_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n he_o do_v it_o in_o that_o form_n of_o word_n receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o 21_o then_o give_v they_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v usual_o convey_v in_o the_o jewish_a ordination_n who_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o 29._o be_v remit_v and_o who_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v so_o that_o as_o under_o the_o law_n they_o by_o their_o ordination_n receive_v a_o moral_a faculty_n or_o right_o to_o exercise_v that_o power_n they_o be_v ordain_v to_o so_o under_o the_o gospel_n all_o who_o be_v ordain_v according_a to_o gospel_n rule_n have_v a_o right_n authority_n and_o power_n convey_v thereby_o for_o the_o dispense_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sacrament_n which_o right_a and_o power_n must_v not_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v a_o internal_a indelible_a character_n as_o the_o papist_n groundless_o conceive_v but_o a_o moral_a legal_a right_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n because_o the_o person_n ordain_v do_v not_o act_v in_o it_o in_o a_o natural_a but_o a_o moral_a capacity_n and_o so_o the_o effect_n must_v be_v moral_a and_o not_o physical_a which_o they_o must_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v who_o make_v it_o a_o character_n and_o that_o indelible_a thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o clear_v how_o ordination_n in_o all_o its_o circumstance_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n the_o other_o thing_n remain_v to_o be_v speak_v to_o as_o to_o the_o correspondence_n 15._o of_o the_o church_n with_o the_o synagogue_n in_o its_o constitution_n be_v what_o order_n the_o apostle_n do_v settle_v in_o the_o several_a church_n of_o their_o plantation_n for_o the_o rule_v and_o order_v the_o affair_n of_o they_o before_o i_o come_v to_o speak_v so_o much_o to_o it_o as_o will_v be_v pertinent_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n and_o design_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o the_o same_o name_n for_o church-ruler_n under_o the_o gospel_n which_o there_o be_v under_o the_o synagogue_n viz._n that_o of_o presbyter_n the_o name_n presbyter_n as_o the_o hebr._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d though_o it_o original_o import_v age_n yet_o by_o way_n of_o connotation_n it_o have_v be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o name_n both_o of_o dignity_n and_o power_n because_o wisdom_n be_v suppose_v to_o dwell_v with_o a_o multitude_n of_o year_n therefore_o person_n of_o age_n and_o experience_n be_v common_o choose_v to_o place_n of_o honour_n and_o trust_v and_o thence_o the_o name_n import_v age_n do_v likewise_o carry_v dignity_n along_o with_o it_o thence_o we_o read_v in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n how_o often_o the_o elder_n be_v gather_v together_o thence_o etc._n eliezer_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gen._n 24._o 2._o which_o the_o greek_a render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o signior_n domo_fw-la the_o chief_a officer_n in_o his_o house_n and_o so_o we_o read_v gen._n 50._o 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n so_o the_o elder_n of_o median_a the_o elder_n of_o israel_n the_o elder_n of_o the_o city_n so_o among_o the_o greek_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o their_o council_n of_o state_n and_o among_o the_o latin_n senatus_n and_o our_o saxon_a alderman_n in_o all_o import_v both_o age_n and_o honour_n and_o power_n together_o but_o among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d import_v not_o only_a dignity_n but_o power_n the_o presbyter_n among_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o power_n both_o of_o judgeing_a and_o teach_v give_v they_o by_o their_o semicha_n or_o ordination_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o apostle_n retain_v the_o name_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o ordination_n but_o not_o confer_v that_o judiciary_n power_n by_o it_o which_o be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o show_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v requisite_a some_o other_o name_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n which_o shall_v qualify_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n presbyter_n to_o a_o sense_n proper_a to_o a_o gospel_n state_n which_o be_v the_o original_a of_o give_v the_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o gospel_n a_o name_n import_v duty_n more_o than_o honour_n and_o not_o a_o
intend_v it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o show_v a_o list_n of_o some_o person_n in_o the_o great_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n antioch_n rome_n and_o alexandria_n although_o none_o of_o these_o be_v unquestionable_a but_o it_o shall_v be_v produce_v at_o philippi_n corinth_n caesarea_n and_o in_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n and_o not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o crect_n some_o succeed_a titus_n and_o not_o think_v man_n will_v be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o name_v a_o bishop_n of_o gortyna_n so_o long_o after_o he_o but_o as_o i_o say_v before_o in_o none_o of_o the_o church_n most_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o succession_n so_o clear_a as_o be_v necessary_a for_o at_o jerusalem_n it_o seem_v somewhat_o strange_a how_o fifteen_o bishop_n of_o the_o circumcision_n shall_v be_v crowd_v into_o so_o narrow_a a_o room_n as_o they_o be_v so_o that_o many_o of_o they_o can_v not_o have_v above_o two_o year_n time_n to_o rule_v in_o the_o church_n and_o it_o will_v bear_v a_o inquiry_n where_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o city_n by_o titus_n when_o the_o wall_n be_v lay_v even_o wih_o the_o ground_n by_o musonius_n till_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n for_o till_o that_o time_n the_o succession_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o circumcision_n continue_v for_o antioch_n it_o be_v far_o from_o be_v agree_v whether_o evodius_n or_o ignatius_n succeed_v peter_n or_o paul_n or_o the_o one_o peter_n and_o the_o other_o paul_n much_o less_o at_o rome_n whether_o cletus_n anacletus_fw-la or_o clemens_n be_v to_o be_v reckon_v first_o but_o of_o these_o afterward_o at_o alexandria_n where_o the_o succession_n run_v clear_a the_o original_a of_o the_o power_n be_v imputedito_fw-mi the_o choice_n of_o presbyter_n and_o to_o no_o divine_a institution_n but_o at_o ephesus_n the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o timothy_n be_v plead_v with_o the_o great_a confidence_n and_o the_o testimony_n bring_v 410._o for_o it_o be_v from_o leontius_n bishop_n of_o magnesia_n in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n who_o word_n be_v these_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o timothy_n to_o this_o day_n there_o have_v be_v a_o succession_n of_o seven_o and_o twenty_o bishop_n all_o of_o they_o ordain_v in_o ephesus_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v so_o much_o on_o the_o incompetency_n of_o this_o single_a witness_n to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n upon_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o four_o hundred_o year_n in_o which_o time_n record_v be_v lose_v and_o bishop_n be_v after_o settle_v there_o no_o doubt_n they_o will_v begin_v their_o account_n from_o timothy_n because_o of_o his_o employment_n there_o once_o for_o settle_v the_o church_n thereabouts_o and_o to_o that_o end_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o in_o the_o aftertime_n of_o the_o church_n they_o never_o meet_v with_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n in_o any_o place_n but_o they_o present_o make_v they_o bishop_n of_o that_o place_n so_o philip_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o trallis_n ananias_n bishop_n of_o damascus_n nicolaus_n bishop_n of_o samaria_n barnabas_n bishop_n of_o milan_n silas_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n sylvanus_n of_o thessalonica_n crescens_n of_o chalcedon_n andreas_n of_o byzantium_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n peter_n bishop_n of_o rome_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o leontius_n make_v timothy_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o derive_v the_o succession_n down_o from_o he_o but_o again_o this_o be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o the_o council_n its_o self_n but_o only_o of_o one_o single_a person_n deliver_v his_o private_a opinion_n in_o it_o and_o that_o which_o be_v most_o observable_a be_v that_o in_o the_o thing_n main_o insist_v on_o by_o leontius_n he_o be_v contradict_v in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a council_n by_o philip_n a_o presbyter_n of_o constantinople_n for_o the_o case_n of_o bâ—ssianus_n and_o stephen_n about_o their_o violent_a intrusion_n into_o the_o bishopric_n of_o ephesus_n be_v discuss_v before_o the_o council_n a_o question_n be_v propound_v by_o the_o council_n where_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n be_v to_o be_v regular_o ordain_v according_a to_o the_o canon_n leontius_n bishop_n of_o magnesia_n say_v that_o there_o have_v be_v twenty_o seven_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n from_o timothy_n and_o all_o of_o they_o ordain_v in_o the_o place_n his_o business_n be_v not_o to_o derive_v exact_o the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n but_o speak_v according_a to_o vulgar_a tradition_n he_o insist_o that_o all_o have_v be_v ordain_v there_o now_o if_o he_o be_v convict_v of_o the_o crimen_fw-la falsi_fw-la in_o his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o wonder_n if_o we_o meet_v with_o a_o mistake_n in_o his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i._o e._n if_o he_o be_v out_o in_o his_o allegation_n no_o wonder_n if_o he_o be_v deceive_v in_o his_o tradition_n now_o as_o to_o the_o ordination_n of_o the_o bishop_n in_o ephesus_n philip_n a_o presbyter_n of_o constantinople_n convict_v he_o of_o falsehood_n in_o that_o for_o say_v he_o john_n bishop_n of_o constantinople_n go_v into_o asia_n depose_v fifteen_o bishop_n there_o and_o ordain_v other_o in_o their_o room_n and_o aetius_n archdeacon_n of_o constantinople_n instance_v in_o castinus_n heraclides_fw-la basilius_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n all_o ordain_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o constantinople_n if_o then_o the_o certainty_n of_o succession_n rely_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o this_o leontius_n let_v they_o thank_v the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n who_o have_v sufficient_o blast_v it_o by_o determine_v the_o cause_n against_o he_o in_o the_o main_a evidence_n produce_v by_o he_o so_o much_o to_o show_v how_o far_o the_o clear_a evidence_n for_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o apostolical_a time_n be_v from_o be_v convince_a to_o any_o rational_a man._n three_o the_o succession_n so_o much_o plead_v by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v not_o a_o succession_n of_o person_n in_o apostolical_a power_n but_o a_o succession_n in_o apostolical_a doctrine_n which_o will_v be_v see_v by_o a_o view_n of_o the_o place_n produce_v to_o that_o purpose_n the_o first_o be_v that_o of_o irenaeus_n quoniam_fw-la valdè_fw-la longum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o hoc_fw-la tali_fw-la 3._o volumine_fw-la omnium_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la maximae_fw-la &_o antiquissimae_fw-la &_o omnibus_fw-la cognitae_fw-la à _fw-la gloriossimis_fw-la duobus_fw-la apostolis_n petro_n &_o paulo_n romae_fw-la fundatae_fw-la &_o constitutae_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la eam_fw-la quam_fw-la habet_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n traditionem_fw-la &_o annunciatam_fw-la hominibus_fw-la fidem_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la perveniâ—nâ—es_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la indicantes_fw-la confundimus_fw-la omnes_fw-la eos_fw-la etc._n etc._n where_o we_o see_v irenaeus_n do_v the_o least_o of_o all_o aim_n at_o the_o make_v out_o of_o a_o succession_n of_o apostolical_a power_n in_o the_o bishop_n he_o speak_v of_o but_o a_o convey_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n down_o to_o they_o by_o their_o hand_n which_o doctrine_n be_v here_o call_v tradition_n not_o as_o that_o word_n be_v abuse_v by_o the_o papist_n to_o signify_v something_o distinct_a from_o the_o scripture_n but_o as_o it_o signify_v the_o conveyance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o which_o be_v clear_v by_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o chapter_n traditionem_fw-la itaque_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la in_o toto_fw-la mundo_fw-la manifestatam_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la adest_fw-la perspic_fw-la â—re_n omnibus_fw-la qui_fw-la vera_fw-la uâ—lint_fw-la audire_fw-la &_o habemus_fw-la annumerare_fw-la eos_fw-la qui_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n instituti_fw-la sunt_fw-la episcopi_fw-la in_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la &_o successores_fw-la eorum_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la qui_fw-la nihil_fw-la tale_n docuerunt_fw-la nâ—que_fw-la cognoverunt_fw-la quale_fw-la ab_fw-la his_fw-la deliratur_fw-la his_o plain_a meaning_n be_v that_o those_o person_n who_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o oversee_v and_o govern_v church_n be_v sufficient_a witness_n themselves_o of_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n have_v convey_v it_o down_o to_o we_o by_o their_o successor_n and_o we_o can_v learn_v any_o such_o thing_n of_o they_o as_o valentinus_n and_o his_o follower_n broach_v we_o see_v it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n still_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o not_o a_o word_n what_o power_n and_o superiority_n these_o bishop_n have_v over_o presbyter_n in_o their_o several_a church_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n tertullian_n in_o that_o know_a speech_n of_o he_o edant_fw-la origines_fw-la ecclesiarum_fw-la suarum_fw-la evolvant_fw-la ordinem_fw-la episcoporum_fw-la suorum_fw-la ita_fw-la per_fw-la successiones_fw-la ab_fw-la initio_fw-la decurrentem_fw-la ut_fw-la primuâ—_fw-la 32._o ille_fw-la episcopus_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ex_fw-la apostolis_n aut_fw-la apostolicis_fw-la viris_fw-la habuerit_fw-la authorem_fw-la &_o antecessorem_fw-la hoc_fw-la modo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la apostolicae_fw-la census_fw-la suos_fw-la deferunt_fw-la sicut_fw-la smyrnaeorum_n ecclesia_fw-la habens_fw-la polycarpum_fw-la
lay-elder_n again_o we_o may_v consider_v where_o timothy_n now_o be_v viz_o at_o ephesus_n and_o therefore_o if_o such_o lay-elder_n anywhere_o they_o shall_v be_v there_o let_v we_o see_v then_o whether_o any_o such_o be_v here_o it_o be_v earnest_o plead_v by_o all_o who_o be_v for_o lay-elder_n that_o the_o elder_n speak_v of_o act_n 20._o 17._o be_v the_o particular_a elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n to_o who_o paul_n speak_v v_o 28._o where_o we_o may_v find_v their_o office_n at_o large_a describe_v take_v heed_n therefore_o unto_o yourselves_o and_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o god_n have_v make_v you_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n or_o overseer_n here_o we_o see_v both_o the_o name_n elder_n and_o bishop_n confound_v again_o so_o that_o he_o that_o be_v a_o elder_a be_v a_o bishop_n too_o and_o the_o office_n of_o such_o elder_n describe_v to_o be_v a_o pastoral_n charge_n over_o a_o flock_n which_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o lay-elder_n paul_n send_v indefinite_o for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o he_o if_o any_o such_o then_o at_o ephesus_n they_o must_v come_v at_o this_o summons_n all_o the_o elder_n that_o come_v be_v such_o as_o be_v pastor_n of_o church_n therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o lay_n elder_n there_o i_o insist_v not_o on_o the_o argument_n for_o maintenance_n employ_v in_o double_a honour_n which_o chrysostome_n explain_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o supply_n of_o necessary_n to_o be_v give_v to_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o ver_fw-la 18._o which_o argument_n blondel_n see_v such_o strength_n in_o that_o it_o bring_v he_o quite_o off_o from_o lay-elder_n in_o that_o place_n etc._n of_o timothy_n and_o he_o that_o will_v remove_v the_o controversy_n from_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o if_o such_o be_v appoint_v they_o shall_v be_v so_o soon_o lay_v aside_o will_v find_v it_o the_o great_a difficulty_n to_o trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o a_o lay-elder_n through_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o three_o first_o century_n especial_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n speak_v of_o no_o presbyter_n but_o such_o as_o preach_v as_o appear_v by_o origen_n cyprian_n and_o clement_n of_o 37._o alexandria_n origen_n say_v omnes_fw-la episcopi_fw-la atque_fw-la omnâ—s_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la vel_fw-la diaconi_fw-la â—rudiunt_fw-la nos_fw-la &_o erudientes_fw-la adhibent_fw-la correptionem_fw-la &_o verbis_fw-la austerioribus_fw-la increpant_fw-la we_o see_v all_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n wâ—re_v in_o his_o time_n preacher_n so_o cyprian_n et_fw-la creâ—ideram_fw-la quidem_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o diaconos_fw-la 11._o qui_fw-la illic_fw-la praesentes_fw-la sunt_fw-la monere_fw-la vos_fw-la &_o instruere_fw-la plenissimè_fw-la circa_fw-la evangelii_n legem_fw-la sicut_fw-la semper_fw-la ab_fw-la antecessoribus_fw-la nostris_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la and_o in_o another_o epistle_n about_o make_v numidicus_n a_o presbyter_n he_o thus_o express_v it_o ut_fw-la ascribatur_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la 35._o carthaginensium_fw-la numero_fw-la &_o nobiscum_fw-la sedeat_fw-la in_o clero_fw-la where_o to_o sit_v as_o one_o of_o the_o clergy_n and_o to_o be_v a_o presbyter_n be_v all_o one_o again_o have_v there_o be_v any_o such_o elder_n it_o will_v have_v belong_v to_o they_o to_o lay_v hand_n on_o those_o that_o be_v reconcile_v to_o the_o church_n after_o censure_n now_o hand_n be_v only_o lay_v on_o 12._o ab_fw-la episcopo_fw-la &_o clero_fw-la as_o the_o same_o cyprian_a tell_v we_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n describe_v the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n have_v these_o heins_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d where_o teach_v be_v look_v on_o as_o his_o proper_a work_n and_o elsewhere_o more_o full_o and_o express_o discourse_v of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o distinguish_v it_o according_a to_o the_o twofold_a service_n of_o man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o apply_v these_o to_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 700._o the_o former_a he_o explain_v afterward_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbyter_n be_v one_o that_o be_v ordain_v or_o appoint_v for_o the_o instruction_n of_o other_o in_o order_n to_o their_o amendment_n imply_v thereby_o the_o office_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o be_v whole_o conversant_a about_o teach_v other_o to_o who_o on_o that_o account_n the_o art_n of_o make_v other_o better_a do_v proper_o belong_v so_o much_o may_v suffice_v for_o those_o first_o time_n of_o the_o church_n that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n then_o but_o such_o as_o have_v the_o office_n of_o teach_v and_o for_o the_o time_n afterward_o of_o the_o church_n let_v it_o suffice_v at_o present_a to_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o a_o council_n hold_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o century_n who_o absolute_o decree_v against_o all_o lay-person_n meddle_v in_o church-affair_n nova_n actione_n didicimus_fw-la quosdam_fw-la 9_o ex_fw-la nostro_fw-la collegio_fw-la contra_fw-la mores_fw-la ecclesiasticos_fw-la laicos_fw-la habere_fw-la in_o rebus_fw-la divinis_fw-la constitutos_fw-la oeconomos_fw-la proinde_fw-la pariter_fw-la tractantes_fw-la eligimus_fw-la ut_fw-la unusquisque_fw-la nostrûm_fw-la secundum_fw-la chalcedonensium_fw-la patrum_fw-la decreta_fw-la ex_fw-la proprio_fw-la clero_fw-la oeconomum_fw-la sibi_fw-la constituat_fw-la indecorum_n est_fw-la enim_fw-la laicum_fw-la esse_fw-la vicarium_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o saculare_v in_o ecclesia_fw-la judicare_fw-la iâ—_n uno_fw-la enim_fw-la eodemque_fw-la officiâ—_n non_fw-la debet_fw-la esse_fw-la dispar_fw-la professio_fw-la a_o canon_n direct_o level_v against_o all_o lay-chancellour_n in_o bishop_n court_n and_o such_o official_o but_o do_v with_o the_o same_o force_n take_v away_o all_o lay-elder_n as_o imply_v it_o to_o be_v whole_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n to_o have_v secular_a person_n to_o judge_v in_o the_o church_n but_o although_o i_o suppose_v this_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o manifest_v the_o no_o divine_a right_n of_o lay-elder_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o therefore_o absolute_o condemn_v all_o use_n of_o some_o person_n choose_v by_o the_o people_n to_o be_v as_o their_o representative_n for_o manage_v their_o interest_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n for_o now_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o people_n which_o be_v use_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n be_v grow_v out_o of_o use_n such_o a_o constitution_n whereby_o two_o or_o more_o of_o the_o people_n choice_n may_v be_v present_a at_o church_n debate_n may_v be_v very_o useful_a so_o they_o be_v look_v on_o only_o as_o a_o prudential_a humane_a constitution_n and_o not_o as_o any_o thing_n found_v on_o divine_a right_n so_o much_o may_v serve_v for_o the_o first_o ground_n of_o the_o probability_n of_o the_o apostle_n not_o observe_v one_o settle_v form_n of_o church-government_n which_o be_v from_o the_o different_a state_n quantity_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n by_o they_o plant_v the_o second_o be_v from_o the_o multitude_n of_o unfixed_a officer_n reside_v in_o some_o place_n who_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n in_o chief_a during_o their_o residence_n such_o be_v the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n and_o all_o person_n almost_o of_o note_n in_o scripture_n they_o be_v but_o very_o sew_v and_o those_o in_o probability_n not_o the_o able_a who_o be_v leave_v at_o home_n to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o spoil_n the_o strong_a and_o able_a like_o commander_n in_o a_o army_n be_v not_o settle_v in_o any_o troop_n but_o go_v up_o and_o down_o from_o this_o company_n to_o that_o to_o order_v they_o and_o draw_v they_o forth_o and_o while_o they_o be_v they_o have_v the_o chief_a authority_n among_o they_o but_o as_o commandets_n of_o the_o army_n and_o not_o as_o officer_n of_o the_o troop_n such_o be_v evangelist_n who_o be_v send_v sometime_o into_o this_o country_n to_o put_v the_o church_n in_o order_n there_o sometime_o into_o another_o but_o where_o ever_o they_o be_v they_o act_v as_o evangelist_n and_o not_o as_o fix_v officer_n and_o sâ—câ—_n be_v timothy_n and_o titus_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o opposition_n make_v against_o it_o as_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o that_o will_v take_v a_o impartial_a survey_n of_o the_o argument_n on_o both_o side_n now_o where_o there_o be_v in_o some_o place_n evangelist_n in_o other_o not_o and_o in_o many_o church_n it_o may_v be_v no_o other_o officer_n but_o these_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o observe_v one_o constant_a form_n but_o be_v with_o the_o evangelist_n travel_v abroad_o to_o the_o church_n and_o order_v thing_n in_o they_o as_o they_o see_v cause_n but_o as_o to_o this_o i_o have_v anticipate_v myself_o already_o the_o last_o ground_n be_v from_o the_o different_a custom_n observe_v in_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n time_n for_o no_o other_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o epiphanius_n jerome_n and_o
with_o they_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o action_n of_o paschasinus_n the_o roman_a legate_n in_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n from_o whence_o forward_o the_o great_a leviâ—than_n by_o his_o tumble_v in_o the_o wave_n endeavour_v to_o get_v the_o dominion_n of_o all_o into_o his_o hand_n but_o god_n have_v at_o last_o put_v a_o hook_n into_o his_o nostril_n and_o raise_v up_o the_o great_a instrument_n of_o reformation_n who_o like_o the_o sword_n fish_n have_v so_o pierce_v into_o his_o bowel_n that_o by_o his_o tumble_v he_o may_v only_o hasten_v his_o approach_a ruin_n and_o give_v the_o church_n every_o day_n more_o hope_n of_o see_v its_o self_n free_v from_o the_o tyranny_n of_o a_o usurp_v power_n by_o this_o scheme_n and_o draught_n now_o of_o the_o increase_n of_o the_o church_n power_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a then_o that_o it_o rise_v not_o from_o any_o divine_a institution_n but_o only_o from_o positive_a &_o ecclesiastical_a law_n make_v according_a to_o the_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n wherein_o the_o church_n be_v which_o as_o it_o gradual_o grow_v up_o so_o waâ—_n the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n by_o mutual_a consent_n fit_v to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n in_o its_o several_a age_n which_o be_v the_o fiâ—st_a argument_n that_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v not_o conceive_v its_o self_n bind_v to_o observe_v any_o one_o unalterable_a form_n of_o government_n this_o be_v the_o chief_a the_o rest_n that_o follow_v will_v soon_o be_v dispatch_v the_o second_o be_v from_o the_o great_a variety_n as_o to_o government_n 6._o which_o be_v in_o several_a church_n what_o come_v from_o divine_a right_n be_v observe_v unalterable_o in_o one_o uniform_a &_o constant_a tenor_n but_o what_o we_o find_v so_o much_o diversify_v according_a to_o several_a place_n we_o may_v have_v ground_n to_o look_v on_o only_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n which_o be_v follow_v by_o every_o church_n as_o it_o judge_v convenient_a now_o as_o to_o church_n government_n we_o may_v find_v some_o church_n without_o bishop_n for_o a_o long_a time_n some_o but_o with_o one_o bishop_n in_o a_o whole_a nation_n many_o city_n without_o any_o where_o bishop_n be_v common_a many_o church_n discontinue_v bishop_n for_o a_o great_a while_n where_o they_o have_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n observe_v for_o model_v their_o diocese_n where_o they_o be_v still_o continue_v will_v not_o all_o these_o thing_n make_v it_o seem_v very_o improbable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n that_o no_o church_n shall_v be_v without_o a_o bishop_n first_o than_o some_o whole_a nation_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v without_o any_o bishop_n at_o all_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v their_o own_o historian_n so_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v the_o great_a antiquary_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n that_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o their_o culdei_n as_o they_o call_v their_o presbyter_n without_o any_o bishop_n over_o they_o for_o a_o long_a time_n johannes_n maior_n speak_v of_o their_o instruction_n in_o the_o faith_n per_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la &_o monachos_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopis_fw-la scoti_n in_fw-la fide_fw-la eruditi_fw-la but_o least_o 2._o that_o shall_v be_v interpret_v only_o of_o theâ—r_a conversion_n johannes_n fordònus_n be_v clear_a and_o full_a to_o their_o government_n from_o the_o time_n of_o their_o conversion_n about_o a._n d_o 263._o to_o the_o come_n of_o palladius_n a._n d._n 430._o that_o they_o be_v only_o govern_v by_o presbyter_n 1._o and_o monk_n ante_fw-la palladii_fw-la adventum_fw-la habebant_fw-la scoti_n fidei_fw-la dâ—ctores_fw-la ac_fw-la sacramentorum_fw-la ministratores_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la solunmodo_fw-la vel_fw-la monachos_fw-la ritum_fw-la sequentes_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la primitivae_fw-la 314._o so_o much_o mistake_v be_v that_o learned_a man_n who_o say_v that_o neither_o beda_n nor_o any_o other_o affirm_v that_o the_o scot_n be_v former_o rule_v by_o a_o presbytery_n or_o so_o much_o as_o that_o they_o have_v any_o presbyter_n among_o they_o neither_o be_v it_o any_o way_n sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o these_o presbyter_n do_v derive_v their_o authority_n from_o some_o bishop_n for_o however_o we_o see_v here_o a_o church_n govern_v without_o such_o or_o if_o they_o have_v any_o they_o be_v only_o choose_v from_o their_o culdei_fw-la much_o after_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n as_o hector_n boethiuâ—_n do_v imply_v and_o if_o we_o believe_v 5._o philostorgius_n the_o gothick_n church_n be_v plant_v and_o govern_v by_o presbyter_n for_o above_o seventy_o year_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o their_o first_o conversion_n to_o the_o time_n of_o ulphilas_n who_o he_o make_v their_o first_o bishop_n and_o great_a probability_n there_o be_v that_o where_o church_n be_v plant_v by_o presbyter_n as_o the_o church_n of_o france_n by_o andochius_n and_o benignus_n that_o afterward_o upon_o the_o increase_n of_o church_n and_o presbyter_n to_o rule_v they_o they_o do_v from_o among_o themselves_o choose_v one_o to_o be_v as_o the_o bishop_n over_o they_o as_o pothinus_n be_v at_o lion_n for_o we_o nowhere_o read_v in_o those_o early_a plantation_n of_o church_n that_o where_o there_o be_v presbyter_n already_o they_o send_v to_o other_o church_n to_o derive_v episcopal_a ordination_n from_o they_o now_o for_o whole_a nation_n have_v but_o one_o bishop_n we_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o sozomen_n that_o in_o scythia_n which_o by_o the_o roman_n be_v call_v masia_n inferior_a 19_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d although_o there_o be_v many_o city_n they_o have_v but_o one_o bishop_n the_o like_a godignus_n 321._o relate_v of_o the_o abâ—ssine_a church_n though_o their_o territory_n be_v of_o vast_a extent_n there_o be_v but_o only_o one_o bishop_n in_o all_o those_o dominion_n who_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o abuna_n and_o where_o bishop_n be_v most_o common_a it_o be_v evident_a they_o look_v not_o on_o it_o as_o a_o apostolical_a rule_n for_o every_o city_n to_o have_v a_o bishop_n which_o it_o must_v have_v if_o it_o be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n for_o the_o church_n to_o follow_v the_o civil_a government_n theodoret_n mention_n 800_o church_n 113._o under_o his_o charge_n in_o who_o diâ—cess_n ptolemy_n place_v many_o other_o city_n of_o note_n beside_o cirus_n as_o ariseria_fw-la regius_fw-la ruba_n 15_o heraclea_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o province_n of_o tripoli_n he_o reckon_v nine_o city_n which_o have_v but_o five_o bishop_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o notitia_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la africanae_n in_o thracia_n every_o bishop_n have_v several_a city_n under_o hâ—m_n the_o bishop_n of_o heraclea_n that_o and_o panion_n the_o bishop_n of_o byze_n have_v it_o and_o arcadiapolis_n of_o coela_n have_v 7._o it_o and_o callipolis_n sabsadia_n have_v it_o and_o aphrodisias_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o produce_v more_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n either_o ancient_a or_o modern_a they_o be_v so_o common_a and_o obvious_a but_o further_a we_o find_v bishop_n discontinue_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o great_a church_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o church_n without_o a_o bishop_n where_o be_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o from_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o fabian_n and_o the_o banishment_n of_o lucius_n the_o church_n be_v govern_v only_o by_o the_o clergy_n 31._o so_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n when_o cyprian_n be_v banish_v the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n when_o meletius_n of_o antioeh_n eusebius_n samosatenus_fw-la pelagius_n of_o laodicea_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n be_v banish_v for_o ten_o year_n space_n and_o flavianus_n and_o diodorus_n two_o presbyter_n rule_v the_o church_n of_o antioch_n 22._o the_o mean_a while_n the_o church_n of_o carthage_n be_v twenty_o four_o year_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o the_o time_n of_o hunerik_n king_n of_o the_o vandal_n and_o when_o it_o be_v offer_v they_o that_o vand._n they_o may_v have_v a_o bishop_n upon_o admit_v the_o arrian_n to_o a_o free_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n among_o they_o their_o answer_n be_v upon_o those_o term_n ecclesia_fw-la episcopum_fw-la non_fw-la delictatur_fw-la habere_fw-la laod._n and_o balsamon_n speak_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o east_n determine_v it_o neither_o safe_a nor_o necessary_a in_o their_o present_a state_n to_o have_v bishop_n set_v up_o over_o they_o and_o last_o for_o their_o diocese_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v no_o certain_a rule_n for_o model_v they_o in_o some_o place_n they_o be_v far_o less_o than_o in_o other_o siast_n general_o in_o the_o primitive_a and_o eastern_a church_n they_o be_v very_o small_a and_o little_a as_o far_o more_o convenient_a for_o the_o end_n of_o they_o in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n under_o the_o bishop_n charge_n it_o be_v observe_v out_o of_o walafridus_n strabo_n by_o a_o learned_a man_n fertur_fw-la in_o orientis_fw-la partibus_fw-la per_fw-la singulas_fw-la urbes_fw-la &_o praefecturas_fw-la singulas_fw-la
presbyterii_fw-la honore_fw-la provehor_fw-la what_o more_o plain_a and_o evident_a then_o that_o here_o a_o presbyter_n ordain_v a_o presbyter_n which_o we_o now_o here_o read_v be_v pronounce_v null_a by_o theophilus_n then_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n or_o any_o other_o that_o at_o time_n it_o be_v a_o know_a instance_n that_o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o pelagius_n first_o bishop_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v only_o two_o bishop_n concur_v and_o one_o presbyter_n whereas_o according_a to_o the_o four_o canon_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n three_o bishop_n be_v absolute_o require_v for_o ordination_n 〈…〉_z bishop_n either_o â—hen_n pelagius_n be_v no_o canonical_a bishop_n and_o so_o the_o point_n of_o succession_n prim._n thereby_o fail_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o else_o a_o presbyter_n have_v the_o same_o intrinsical_a power_n of_o ordination_n which_o a_o bishop_n have_v but_o it_o be_v only_o restrain_v by_o ecclesiastical_a law_n in_o the_o time_n of_o eustathius_n bishop_n of_o antioch_n which_o be_v do_v a._n d._n 328_o as_o jacobus_n gothâ—â—redus_n prove_v till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o ordination_n 7._o of_o paulinus_n a._n d._n 362._o which_o be_v for_o thirty_o four_o year_n space_n when_o the_o church_n be_v govern_v by_o paulinus_n and_o his_o colleague_n withdraw_v from_o the_o public_a assembly_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o say_v by_o who_o the_o ordination_n be_v perform_v all_o this_o while_n unless_o by_o paulinus_n and_o his_o colleague_n in_o the_o year_n 452._o it_o appear_v by_o leo_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o rusticus_n narbonensis_n that_o some_o presbyter_n take_v upon_o they_o to_o ordain_v as_o bishop_n 1._o about_o which_o he_o be_v consult_v by_o rusticus_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v in_o that_o case_n with_o those_o so_o ordain_v leo_n his_o resolution_n of_o that_o case_n be_v observable_a siqui_fw-la autem_fw-la clerici_fw-la ab_fw-la ist_fw-mi be_v pseudo-episcopis_a in_o iis_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la ordinati_fw-la sunt_fw-la quae_fw-la ad_fw-la prâ—prios_fw-la episcopos_fw-la pertinebant_fw-la &_o ordinatio_fw-la â—orum_fw-la cum_fw-la consensn_a &_o judicio_fw-la praesidentium_fw-la facta_fw-la est_fw-la potest_fw-la rata_fw-la haberi_fw-la ita_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o ipsis_fw-la ecclesiis_fw-la perseverent_fw-la those_o clergy_n man_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o such_o as_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n in_o church_n belong_v to_o proper_a bishop_n if_o the_o ordination_n be_v perform_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n it_o may_v be_v look_v on_o as_o valid_a and_o those_o presbyter_n remain_v in_o their_o office_n in_o the_o church_n so_o that_o by_o the_o consent_n ex_fw-la post_fw-la facto_fw-la of_o the_o true_a bishop_n those_o presbyter_n thus_o ordain_v be_v look_v on_o as_o lawful_a presbyter_n which_o can_v not_o be_v unless_o their_o ordainer_n have_v a_o intrinsical_v power_n of_o ordination_n which_o be_v only_o restrain_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o have_v no_o power_n of_o ordination_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v confer_v any_o thing_n by_o their_o ordination_n if_o to_o this_o it_o be_v answer_v that_o the_o validity_n of_o their_o ordination_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o that_o presbyter_n may_v ordain_v if_o delegated_a thereto_o by_o bishop_n as_o paulinus_n may_v ordain_v on_o that_o account_n at_o antioch_n it_o be_v easy_o answer_v that_o this_o very_a power_n of_o do_v it_o by_o delegation_n do_v imply_v a_o intrinsical_v power_n in_o themselves_o of_o do_v it_o for_o iâ—_n presbyter_n be_v forbid_v ordain_v other_o by_o scripture_n than_o they_o can_v neither_o do_v it_o in_o their_o own_o person_n nor_o by_o delegation_n from_o other_o fâ—â—_v quoth_v alicui_fw-la svo_fw-la nomine_fw-la â—on_n lices_fw-la nec_fw-la 〈…〉_z anâ—â—â—â—â—_n rule_v oâ—_n cyprian_n must_v 67._o hold_v true_a non_fw-la aliquid_fw-la câ—i_fw-fr â—â—â—â—_o largiri_fw-la potest_fw-la humana_fw-la indulgentia_fw-la ubi_fw-la intercâ—dit_fw-la &_o legâ—â—_n tribuit_fw-la divina_fw-la â—râ—scriptio_fw-la 8._o there_o can_v be_v no_o dispense_n with_o divine_a law_n which_o must_v be_v if_o that_o may_v be_v delegated_a to_o other_o person_n which_o be_v require_v of_o man_n in_o the_o office_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o if_o presbyter_n have_v power_n of_o confer_v nothing_o by_o their_o ordination_n how_o can_v a_o after-consent_n of_o bishop_n make_v that_o act_n of_o they_o valid_a for_o conser_v right_o and_o power_n by_o it_o it_o appear_v then_o that_o this_o power_n be_v restrain_v by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n for_o preserve_a unity_n in_o its_o self_n but_o yet_o so_o that_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n what_o be_v do_v by_o presbyter_n be_v not_o look_v on_o as_o invalid_a but_o against_o this_o the_o case_n of_o ischyras_n ordain_v as_o it_o be_v say_v a_o presbyter_n by_o collutbus_fw-la and_o pronounce_v null_n by_o the_o council_n of_o alexandria_n be_v common_o plead_v but_o there_o be_v no_o great_a difficulty_n in_o answer_v it_o for_o first_o the_o pronounce_v such_o a_o ordination_n null_n do_v not_o evidence_n that_o they_o look_v on_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n as_o belong_v of_o divine_a right_a only_o to_o bishop_n for_o we_o find_v by_o many_o instance_n that_o act_v in_o a_o bare_a contempt_n of_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n be_v sufficient_a to_o degrade_v any_o from_o be_v presbyter_n second_o 325._o if_o ischyras_n have_v be_v ordain_v by_o a_o bishop_n there_o be_v circumstance_n enough_o to_o induce_v the_o council_n to_o pronounce_v it_o null_a first_o as_o do_v out_o of_o the_o diocese_n in_o which_o case_n ordination_n be_v null_v by_o council_n arel_n cap._n 13._o second_o do_v by_o open_a and_o pronounce_v schismatic_n three_o do_v sine_fw-la titulo_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o â—o_o null_v by_o the_o canon_n then_o three_o colluthns_n do_v not_o act_v as_o a_o presbyter_n in_o ordain_v but_o as_o a_o bishop_n of_o the_o meletian_a party_n in_o cynus_n as_o the_o clergy_n of_o mareotis_n speak_v of_o ischyras_n his_o ordination_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o collytbus_n a_o presbyter_n make_v show_n of_o be_v a_o bishop_n and_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v ordain_v a_o bishop_n by_o meletius_n more_o concern_v this_o may_v be_v see_v in_o 327._o blondel_n who_o full_o clear_v all_o the_o particular_n here_o mentiâ—â—eâ—_n so_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o instance_n nothing_o appear_v but_o that_o the_o power_n of_o ordination_n be_v restrain_v only_o by_o ecclesiastical_a lawâ—_n the_o last_o thing_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n do_v act_n upon_o prudence_n 9_o in_o church-government_n be_v from_o the_o many_o restraint_n in_o other_o case_n make_v by_o the_o church_n for_o restraint_n of_o that_o liberty_n which_o be_v allow_v by_o divine_a law_n he_o must_v be_v a_o stranger_n to_o the_o ancient_a canon_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n that_o take_v not_o notice_n of_o such_o restraint_n make_v by_o canon_n as_o in_o reference_n to_o observation_n of_o several_a rite_n and_o custom_n in_o the_o church_n determine_v by_o the_o provincial_a synod_n of_o the_o several_a church_n for_o which_o purpose_n their_o provincial_a synod_n be_v still_o keep_v up_o in_o the_o eastern_a church_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o firmilian_a in_o his_o epistle_n to_o cyprian_a qua_fw-la ex_fw-la causa_fw-la 75._o necessariò_fw-la apud_fw-la nos_fw-la fit_a ut_fw-la per_fw-la singulos_fw-la annos_fw-la seniores_fw-la &_o praepositi_fw-la in_o unum_fw-la conveniamus_fw-la ad_fw-la disponenda_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la curae_fw-la nostrae_fw-la commissa_fw-la sunt_fw-la ut_fw-la si_fw-la quae_fw-la graviora_fw-la sunt_fw-la communi_fw-la consilio_fw-la dirigantur_fw-la lapsis_fw-la quoque_fw-la fratribus_fw-la etc._n etc._n medela_fw-la quaeratur_fw-la non_fw-la quasi_fw-la à _fw-la nobis_fw-la remissionem_fw-la peccatorum_fw-la consequâ—ntâ—r_fw-la sed_fw-la â—t_a per_fw-la nos_fw-la ad_fw-la intelligentiam_fw-la delictorum_fw-la suorum_fw-la convertantur_fw-la &_o domino_fw-la pleniùs_fw-la satisfacere_fw-la cogantur_fw-la the_o several_a order_n about_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n be_v determine_v in_o these_o synod_n as_o to_o which_o he_o that_o will_v find_v a_o command_n in_o scripture_n for_o their_o orde_n about_o the_o catechumeni_fw-la and_o lapsi_fw-la will_v take_v pain_n to_o no_o purpose_n the_o church_n order_v thing_n itself_o for_o the_o better_a regulate_v the_o several_a church_n they_o be_v place_v over_o a_o demonstrative_a argument_n that_o these_o thing_n come_v not_o from_o divine_a command_n be_v from_o the_o great_a diversiâ—y_n of_o these_o custom_n 19_o in_o several_a place_n of_o which_o beside_o socrates_n sozomen_n large_o speak_v and_o may_v easy_o be_v gather_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a church_n when_o the_o church_n begin_v to_o enjoy_v ease_n eccl._n and_o liberty_n and_o thereby_o have_v opportunity_n of_o enjoy_v great_a conveniency_n for_o council_n we_o find_v what_o be_v detrrmine_v by_o those_o council_n be_v enter_v into_o a_o codex_fw-la canonum_fw-la for_o that_o purpose_n which_o
be_v observe_v next_o to_o the_o scripture_n not_o from_o any_o obligation_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o from_o the_o conduceableneâ—s_n of_o those_o thing_n as_o they_o judge_v they_o to_o the_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n chap._n viii_o a_o inquiry_n into_o the_o judgement_n of_o reform_a divine_v concern_v the_o unalterable_a divine_a right_n of_o particular_a form_n of_o church-government_n wherein_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o the_o most_o â—minent_a divines_n of_o the_o reformation_n do_v never_o conceive_v any_o one_o form_n necessary_a manifest_v by_o three_o argument_n 1._o from_o the_o judgement_n of_o those_o who_o make_v the_o form_n of_o church-government_n mutable_a and_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o church_n this_o clear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o judgement_n of_o most_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n since_o the_o reformation_n archbishop_n cranmers_n judgement_n with_o other_o of_o the_o reformatiion_n in_o edward_n the_o sixth_n time_n now_o first_o publish_v from_o his_o authentic_a ms._n the_o same_o ground_n of_o settle_v episcopacy_n in_o queen_n elizabeth_n time_n the_o judgement_n of_o archbishop_n wâ—itgift_n bishop_n bridges_n dr._n â—oe_o mr._n hooker_n large_o to_o that_o purpose_n in_o king_n james_n his_o time_n the_o king_n own_o opinion_n dr._n suâ—clâ—ffe_n since_o of_o â—rakanâ—horp_n mr._n hales_n mr._n chillingworth_n the_o testimony_n of_o foreign_a divine_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n chemnitius_n zanchy_a french_a divine_n peter_n moulâ—n_n fregevil_n blondel_n bochartus_fw-la amyraldus_n other_o learned_a man_n groâ—â—uâ—_n lord_n bacon_n etc._n etc._n 2._o those_o who_o look_v upon_o equality_n as_o the_o primitive_a form_n yet_o judge_v episcopacy_n lawful_a augustane_n confession_n melâ—nchthon_n arâ—icuâ—â—_fw-la smaâ—caldici_fw-la prince_n of_o anhalt_n hyperius_n hemingius_fw-la the_o practice_n of_o most_o foreign_a church_n câ—lvin_n and_o beza_n both_o approve_v episcopacy_n and_o diocesan_n church_n salmasius_n etc._n etc._n 3._o those_o who_o judge_n episcopacy_n to_o be_v the_o primitive_a form_n yet_o look_v not_o on_o it_o as_o necessary_a bishop_n jewel_n fulk_n field_n bishop_n downam_n bishop_n bancâ—oâ—t_n bishop_n morton_n bishop_n andrews_n saravia_n francis_n mason_n and_o other_o the_o conclusion_n hence_o lay_v in_o order_n to_o peace_n principle_n conduce_v thereto_o 1._o prudence_n must_v be_v use_v in_o church-government_n at_o last_o confess_v by_o all_o party_n independent_o in_o elective_a synod_n and_o church_n covenant_n admission_n of_o member_n number_n in_o congregation_n presbyterian_o in_o class_n and_o synod_n lay-elder_n etc._n etc._n episcopal_a in_o diocese_n cause_n rite_n etc._n etc._n 2._o that_o prudence_n best_o which_o come_v near_a primitive_a practice_n a_o presidency_n for_o life_n over_o a_o ecclesiastical_a senate_n show_v to_o be_v that_o form_n in_o order_n to_o it_o presbytery_n to_o be_v restore_v diocese_n lessen_v provincial_n synod_n keep_v twice_o a_o year_n the_o reasonableness_n and_o easiness_n of_o accommodation_n show_v the_o whole_a conclude_v have_v thus_o far_o proceed_v through_o divine_a assistance_n in_o 1._o our_o intend_a method_n and_o have_v find_v nothing_o determine_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n in_o the_o several_a law_n of_o nature_n and_o christ_n nor_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o apostle_n or_o primitive_a church_n the_o only_a thing_n possible_a to_o raise_v a_o suspicion_n of_o novelty_n in_o this_o opinion_n be_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o the_o reformation_n i_o know_v it_o be_v the_o last_o asylum_n which_o many_o run_v to_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v off_o from_o their_o imaginary_a fancy_n by_o pregnant_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n to_o shelter_v themselves_o under_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o some_o particular_a person_n to_o who_o their_o understanding_n be_v bore_v in_o perpetual_a slavery_n but_o if_o man_n will_v but_o once_o think_v their_o understanding_n at_o age_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o not_o make_v they_o live_v under_o a_o continual_a pupillage_n and_o but_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o travel_v over_o the_o several_a church_n of_o the_o reformation_n they_o will_v find_v themselves_o free_v of_o many_o strange_a misprision_n they_o be_v possess_v with_o before_o and_o understand_v far_o better_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o pitch_v upon_o their_o several_a form_n than_o they_o seem_v to_o do_v who_o find_v all_o thing_n upon_o a_o divine_a right_n i_o believe_v there_o will_v upon_o the_o most_o impartial_a survey_n scarce_o be_v one_o church_n of_o the_o reformation_n bring_v which_o do_v embrace_v any_o form_n of_o government_n because_o it_o look_v upon_o that_o form_n as_o only_o necessary_a by_o a_o unalterable_a stand_a law_n but_o every_o one_o take_v up_o that_o form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o their_o several_a church_n but_o that_o i_o may_v the_o better_o make_v this_o appear_v i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o some_o argument_n whereby_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o most_o eminent_a divine_n that_o have_v live_v since_o the_o reformation_n have_v be_v all_o of_o this_o mind_n that_o no_o one_o form_n be_v determine_v as_o necessary_a for_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n for_o if_o many_o of_o they_o have_v in_o thesi_fw-la assert_v the_o form_n of_o church-government_n mutable_a if_o those_o who_o have_v think_v a_o equality_n among_o minister_n the_o primitive_a form_n have_v yet_o think_v a_o government_n by_o episcopacy_n lawful_a and_o useful_a if_o last_o those_o who_o have_v be_v for_o episcopacy_n have_v not_o judge_v it_o necessary_a than_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v evident_a that_o none_o of_o they_o have_v judge_v any_o one_o form_n take_v exclusive_o of_o other_o to_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o unalterable_a right_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v so_o found_v be_v make_v a_o necessary_a duty_n in_o all_o church_n to_o observe_v it_o and_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o vary_v from_o it_o or_o to_o change_v it_o according_a to_o the_o prudence_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o it_o i_o now_o therefore_o undertake_v to_o make_v these_o thing_n out_o in_o their_o order_n first_o i_o begin_v with_o those_o who_o have_v in_o thesi_fw-la assert_v the_o mutability_n 2._o of_o the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n herein_o i_o shall_v not_o follow_v the_o english_a humour_n to_o be_v more_o acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n of_o foreign_a place_n then_o their_o own_o but_o it_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n to_o know_v upon_o what_o account_v episcopal_a government_n be_v settle_v among_o ourselves_o in_o order_n to_o our_o submission_n to_o it_o i_o shall_v therefore_o make_v inquiry_n into_o the_o judgement_n of_o those_o person_n concern_v it_o who_o either_o have_v be_v instrumental_a in_o settle_v it_o or_o the_o great_a defender_n of_o it_o after_o its_o setlement_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o before_o these_o late_a unhappy_a time_n the_o main_a ground_n for_o settle_v episcopal_a government_n in_o this_o nation_n be_v not_o account_v any_o pretence_n of_o divine_a right_n but_o the_o conveniency_n of_o that_o form_n of_o church_n government_n to_o the_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o this_o church_n at_o the_o time_n of_o its_o reformation_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o reformation_n of_o our_o church_n be_v not_o wrought_v by_o the_o torrent_n of_o a_o popular_a fury_n nor_o the_o insurrection_n of_o one_o part_n of_o the_o nation_n against_o another_o but_o be_v wise_o grave_o and_o mature_o debate_v and_o settle_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o consideration_n i_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o time_n of_o henry_n 8._o when_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o the_o first_o quicken_n of_o the_o reformation_n may_v be_v but_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v as_o yet_o rude_a and_o undigested_a i_o date_n the_o birth_n of_o it_o from_o the_o first_o setlement_n of_o that_o most_o excellent_a prince_n edward_n 6._o the_o phosphorus_n of_o our_o reformation_n who_o a._n d._n 1547._o be_v no_o soon_o enter_v upon_o his_o throne_n but_o some_o course_n be_v present_o take_v in_o order_n to_o reformation_n commissioner_n with_o injunction_n be_v dispatch_v to_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o land_n but_o the_o main_a business_n of_o the_o reformation_n be_v refer_v to_o the_o parliament_n call_v november_n 4._o the_o same_o year_n when_o all_o former_a statute_n about_o 657._o religion_n be_v recall_v as_o may_v be_v see_v at_o large_a in_o mr._n fox_n and_o liberty_n allow_v for_o profess_v the_o gospel_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o reformation_n all_o banish_a person_n for_o religion_n be_v call_v home_o upon_o this_o for_o the_o better_a establish_n of_o
purpose_n likewise_o hierome_n understand_v it_o on_o the_o contrary_a those_o that_o say_v that_o these_o elder_n be_v those_o of_o the_o several_a church_n of_o asia_n be_v favour_v by_o v_o 18._o that_o from_o the_o first_o day_n he_o come_v into_o asia_n he_o have_v be_v with_o they_o at_o all_o season_n now_o paul_n do_v not_o remain_v all_o the_o time_n at_o ephesus_n as_o appear_v by_o act_n 19_o 10_o 22_o 26._o where_o he_o be_v say_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n abroad_o in_o asia_n and_o so_o in_o probability_n church_n be_v plant_v and_o ruler_n settle_v in_o they_o and_o that_o these_o be_v at_o this_o time_n call_v to_o miletus_n by_o paul_n be_v the_o express_a affirmation_n of_o irenaeus_n 14._o in_o mileto_n enim_fw-la convocatis_fw-la episcopis_fw-la &_o presbyteris_fw-la qui_fw-la eraâ—t_fw-la ab_fw-la epheso_fw-la &_o à _fw-la reliquis_fw-la proximis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la quoniam_fw-la ipse_fw-la festinavit_fw-la hierosolymis_fw-la pentecostem_fw-la agere_fw-la here_o be_v nothing_o then_o either_o in_o the_o text_n or_o antiquity_n that_o do_v absolute_o determine_v whence_o these_o elder_n come_v but_o there_o may_v be_v a_o probability_n on_o either_o side_n and_o so_o no_o certainty_n or_o necessity_n of_o understand_v it_o either_o way_n and_o so_o for_o the_o other_o place_n in_o timothy_n and_o titus_n it_o be_v certain_a the_o care_n of_o those_o person_n do_v extend_v to_o many_o place_n and_o therefore_o the_o elder_n or_o bishop_n make_v by_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o plurality_n of_o elder_n in_o one_o place_n thus_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o incongruity_n in_o apply_v either_o of_o these_o two_o form_n to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n in_o question_n i_o dispute_v not_o which_o be_v the_o true_a or_o at_o least_o more_o probable_a sense_n but_o that_o we_o can_v find_v nothing_o in_o the_o several_a place_n which_o do_v necessary_o determine_v how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o to_o one_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o now_o aim_v at_o the_o prove_v of_o and_o if_o neither_o form_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o place_n how_o can_v any_o one_o be_v necessary_o infer_v from_o they_o as_o if_o the_o several_a motion_n and_o phaenomena_fw-la of_o the_o heaven_n may_v be_v with_o equal_a probability_n explain_v according_a to_o the_o ptolemaick_a or_o copernican_n hypothesis_n viz._n about_o the_o rest_n or_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n than_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o from_o those_o phaenomena_n no_o argument_n can_v be_v draw_v evince_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o one_o hypothesis_n and_o overturning_a the_o probability_n of_o the_o other_o if_o that_o great_a wonder_n of_o nature_n the_o flux_n and_o reflux_n of_o the_o sea_n may_v with_o equal_a congruity_n be_v solve_v according_a to_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o its_o be_v cause_v by_o subterraneous_a fire_n or_o from_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o moon_n or_o the_o depression_n of_o the_o lunar_a vortex_n or_o which_o to_o i_o be_v far_o the_o most_o probable_a by_o a_o motion_n of_o consent_n of_o the_o sea_n with_o all_o the_o other_o great_a body_n of_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v find_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o entertain_v one_o opinion_n above_o another_o but_o to_o look_v upon_o all_o as_o probable_a and_o none_o as_o certain_a so_o likewise_o for_o the_o composition_n and_o motion_n of_o all_o natural_a body_n the_o several_a hypothesis_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a philosophy_n imply_v no_o apparent_a incongruity_n to_o nature_n do_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o all_o or_o any_o of_o they_o may_v be_v embrace_v as_o ingenious_a romance_n in_o philosophy_n as_o they_o be_v no_o more_o but_o that_o none_o of_o they_o be_v the_o certain_a truth_n or_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v so_o to_o be_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n so_o it_o be_v in_o controversy_n in_o theology_n if_o the_o matter_n propound_v to_o be_v believe_v may_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v equal_o believe_v under_o different_a way_n of_o explication_n than_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n as_o to_o the_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n to_o believe_v it_o under_o such_o a_o explication_n of_o it_o more_o than_o under_o another_o as_o for_o instance_n in_o the_o case_n of_o christ_n descent_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o i_o may_v true_o believe_v that_o christ_n do_v descend_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d whether_o by_o that_o we_o understand_v the_o state_n of_o the_o dead_a or_o a_o local_a descent_n to_o hell_n than_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n in_o order_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o article_n of_o the_o ancient_a creed_n call_v the_o apostle_n under_o that_o restriction_n of_o a_o local_a descent_n by_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o if_o these_o place_n of_o scripture_n may_v be_v understand_v in_o these_o two_o different_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n elder_n viz._n either_o take_v collective_o in_o one_o city_n or_o distributive_o in_o many_o then_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n which_o of_o these_o two_o sense_n must_v be_v embrace_v and_o so_o the_o form_n of_o church-government_n which_o must_v be_v thence_o derive_v be_v leave_v still_o at_o as_o great_a uncertainty_n as_o ever_o notwithstanding_o these_o place_n of_o scripture_n bring_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d three_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a form_n of_o government_n 16._o will_v be_v make_v appear_v from_o the_o defectivenesse_n ambiguity_n partiality_n and_o repugnancy_n of_o the_o record_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n which_o shall_v inform_v we_o what_o apostolical_a practice_n be_v when_o man_n be_v by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o former_a argument_n drive_v off_o from_o scripture_n than_o they_o present_o run_v to_o take_v sanctuary_n in_o the_o record_n of_o succeed_a age_n to_o the_o apostle_n thus_o estius_n no_o mean_a school-man_n handle_v this_o very_a question_n of_o the_o difference_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n very_o fair_o quit_v the_o scripture_n and_o betake_v himself_o to_o other_o weapon_n quod_fw-la autem_fw-la jure_fw-la divino_fw-la sint_fw-la episcopi_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la superiores_fw-la et_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la ita_fw-la clarum_fw-la est_fw-la è_fw-la sacris_fw-la literis_fw-la aliunde_fw-la tamen_fw-la 25._o satis_fw-la efficaciter_fw-la probari_fw-la potest_fw-la ingenuous_o say_v however_o but_o all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v how_o a_o ius_n divinum_fw-la shall_v be_v prove_v when_o man_n leave_v the_o scripture_n which_o make_v other_o so_o loath_a to_o leave_v this_o hold_n although_o they_o do_v it_o in_o effect_n when_o they_o call_v in_o the_o help_n of_o succeed_a age_n to_o make_v the_o scripture_n speak_v plain_a for_o they_o we_o follow_v therefore_o the_o scent_n of_o the_o game_n into_o this_o wood_n of_o antiquity_n wherein_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o lose_v ourselves_o then_o to_o find_v that_o which_o we_o be_v upon_o the_o pursuit_n of_o a_o ius_n divinum_fw-la of_o any_o one_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n i_o handle_v now_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o will_v call_v for_o a_o particular_a discourse_n afterward_o and_o herein_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o incompetency_n of_o this_o testimony_n as_o to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n of_o church-government_n be_v practise_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o that_o i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o this_o four_o fold_n argument_n from_o the_o defectivenesse_n of_o this_o testimony_n from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o it_o from_o the_o partiality_n of_o it_o and_o from_o the_o repugnancy_n of_o it_o to_o its_o self_n first_o then_o for_o the_o defectivenesse_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o show_v what_o certain_a form_n the_o apostle_n observe_v in_o settle_v the_o government_n of_o church_n a_o threefold_a defectivenesse_n i_o observe_v in_o it_o as_o to_z place_n as_o to_z time_n as_o to_o person_n first_o defectivenesse_n as_o to_o place_n for_o he_o that_o will_v be_v satisfy_v what_o course_n the_o apostle_n take_v for_o govern_v church_n it_o will_v be_v very_o requisite_a to_o observe_v the_o uniformity_n of_o the_o apostle_n practice_n in_o all_o church_n of_o their_o plantation_n and_o if_o but_o one_o place_n vary_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o necessity_n of_o any_o one_o form_n of_o government_n because_o thereby_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a that_o they_o observe_v no_o certain_a or_o constant_a course_n nor_o do_v they_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o oblige_v so_o to_o do_v now_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o universal_a testimony_n as_o to_o place_n be_v this_o we_o have_v already_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o christ_n absolute_o