will_v not_o have_v be_v impose_v as_o their_o duty_n but_o the_o modus_fw-la or_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v do_v namely_o not_o in_o a_o confuse_a and_o tumultuary_a way_n but_o in_o method_n agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o regular_a society_n when_o timothy_n be_v command_v to_o fight_v the_o good_a fight_n lay_v hold_v on_o eternal_a life_n to_o keep_v that_o which_o be_v commit_v to_o he_o and_o titus_n to_o speak_v the_o thing_n which_o become_v sound_a doctrine_n rebuke_v with_o all_o authority_n avoid_v foolish_a question_n we_o may_v as_o well_o conclude_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o elder_n as_o those_o before_o mention_v there_o be_v nothing_o express_v in_o the_o text_n which_o discover_v any_o discrimination_n the_o independency_n of_o their_o power_n be_v visible_a in_o the_o deportment_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o delegate_n they_o be_v s._n paul_n challenge_v to_o himself_o alone_o a_o authority_n to_o set_v in_o order_n what_o be_v amiss_o to_o deliver_v to_o satan_n to_o visit_v with_o his_o rod_n and_o exempt_v no_o degree_n whether_o elder_n or_o people_n from_o be_v the_o object_n of_o it_o eusebius_n out_o of_o clemens_n inform_v we_o of_o s._n john_n visitation_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n epiphanius_n of_o s._n peter_n in_o pontus_n and_o bythinia_n par_fw-fr l._n 3._o c._n 23.3_o l._n 1._o tom_n 2._o p._n 107._o par_fw-fr if_o titus_n and_o timothy_n be_v delegated_a to_o do_v the_o work_n of_o a_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a they_o be_v and_o a_o apostle_n do_v act_n without_o a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o elder_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o their_o obligation_n to_o they_o be_v no_o great_a elder_n indeed_o be_v ordain_v in_o every_o city_n but_o not_o to_o govern_v alone_o what_o they_o do_v be_v in_o a_o subordination_n to_o the_o apostle_n the_o apostle_n act_v without_o their_o concurrence_n but_o we_o never_o read_v that_o they_o do_v any_o thing_n for_o which_o they_o be_v not_o accountable_a to_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a the_o spirit_n and_o authority_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v the_o first_o mover_n in_o the_o ordination_n of_o timothy_n the_o hand_n of_o the_o holy_a apostle_n be_v signal_o interest_v if_o any_o find_v themselves_o dispose_v to_o believe_v that_o this_o authority_n to_o visit_v and_o govern_v the_o clergy_n by_o a_o single_a person_n be_v a_o remedy_n adapt_v only_o to_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o that_o in_o after-age_n the_o apostolical_a superiority_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o and_o a_o parity_n prevail_v they_o will_v meet_v with_o no_o small_a inducement_n to_o alter_v their_o mind_n if_o they_o please_v impartial_o to_o weigh_v these_o three_o particular_n the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o declaration_n of_o god_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n 1._o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n be_v such_o that_o it_o can_v continue_v long_o in_o repair_v without_o inspection_n and_o government_n though_o the_o universal_a be_v build_v upon_o a_o rock_n yet_o particular_a church_n be_v liable_a to_o dilapidation_n and_o if_o government_n be_v necessary_a no_o form_n ought_v to_o take_v place_n and_o be_v prefer_v before_o that_o which_o prevail_v in_o the_o apostolical_a age._n those_o who_o be_v most_o under_o the_o power_n of_o imagination_n will_v scarce_o be_v able_a to_o fancy_v that_o he_o who_o shed_v his_o precious_a blood_n in_o order_n to_o the_o purchase_v a_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o unconcern_v for_o it_o as_o to_o leave_v it_o in_o the_o world_n without_o rule_n of_o settlement_n that_o he_o who_o do_v erect_v this_o new_a society_n shall_v contrary_v to_o the_o method_n of_o all_o founder_n leave_v it_o without_o statute_n prescribe_v the_o mode_n of_o regulation_n that_o he_o who_o have_v the_o government_n upon_o his_o shoulder_n shall_v ascend_v with_o it_o to_o heaven_n and_o not_o deposit_v it_o in_o some_o prudent_a hand_n to_o secure_v his_o subject_n upon_o the_o earth_n against_o the_o inevitable_a inconvenience_n of_o anarchy_n that_o he_o who_o be_v the_o great_a shepherd_n shall_v leave_v his_o flock_n either_o to_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o tremulous_a decision_n of_o their_o own_o discretion_n or_o else_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n which_o by_o his_o unerring_a prescience_n he_o be_v assure_v will_v have_v for_o three_o hundred_o year_n the_o same_o degree_n of_o kindness_n for_o they_o as_o wolf_n have_v for_o sheep_n that_o he_o who_o after_o his_o resurrection_n spend_v forty_o day_n upon_o the_o earth_n speak_v of_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v pass_v by_o in_o silence_n the_o regiment_n of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o small_a moment_n and_o have_v a_o inseparable_a connexion_n with_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o who_o give_v a_o positive_a commission_n to_o his_o apostle_n undoubted_o contain_v something_o over_o and_o above_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n which_o be_v that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v govern_v in_o the_o government_n there_o must_v be_v a_o superiority_n in_o some_o a_o subordination_n in_o other_o superior_n must_v have_v all_o become_a regard_n express_v to_o they_o inferior_n be_v accountable_a for_o the_o violation_n of_o their_o rule_n and_o yet_o express_v nothing_o concern_v the_o particular_a form_n of_o government_n which_o be_v the_o only_a positive_a which_o can_v have_v be_v add_v to_o what_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n give_v we_o the_o perception_n of_o though_o it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o presumption_n to_o determine_v what_o christ_n have_v appoint_v by_o what_o we_o conceive_v he_o ought_v to_o appoint_v our_o intellect_n be_v no_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o method_n of_o his_o wisdom_n yet_o when_o we_o find_v by_o revelation_n that_o he_o have_v institute_v a_o church_n will_v have_v this_o church_n to_o be_v one_o this_o one_o church_n to_o be_v well_o govern_v that_o some_o mode_n of_o government_n be_v of_o indispensable_a necessity_n in_o order_n to_o this_o end_n it_o be_v not_o unbecoming_a our_o christian_a humility_n to_o pronounce_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v a_o particular_a form_n he_o who_o will_v the_o end_n never_o fail_v to_o contrive_v the_o mean_n which_o conduce_v to_o it_o among_o the_o object_n of_o our_o belief_n we_o do_v not_o only_o rank_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o particular_a proposition_n but_o whatsoever_o have_v a_o inseparable_a connexion_n with_o such_o axiom_n and_o if_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o our_o bless_a lord_n have_v appoint_v some_o government_n none_o can_v make_v a_o more_o just_a claim_n to_o be_v it_o then_o that_o which_o be_v practise_v by_o his_o holy_a apostle_n who_o be_v inspire_v by_o his_o spirit_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o a_o intimate_a converse_n with_o he_o do_v enjoy_v the_o most_o advantageous_a opportunity_n to_o gain_v a_o full_a comprehension_n of_o his_o mind_n this_o certain_o have_v the_o best_a right_a to_o be_v the_o standard_n whereby_o all_o model_n be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o from_o whence_o they_o be_v to_o receive_v their_o allowance_n or_o disallowance_n according_a as_o they_o appear_v conformable_a or_o disagreeable_a to_o it_o though_o a_o argument_n from_o apostolical_a practice_n in_o general_n may_v fail_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o love-feast_n the_o community_n of_o good_n the_o office_n of_o deaconiss_n yet_o when_o it_o be_v derive_v from_o such_o a_o species_n of_o practice_n as_o be_v ground_v upon_o universal_a reason_n and_o not_o upon_o peculiar_a respect_n and_o incommunicable_a circumstance_n the_o validity_n of_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v those_o who_o have_v make_v the_o most_o scrupulous_a inquiry_n into_o the_o government_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v find_v nothing_o in_o it_o of_o a_o inseparable_a accommodation_n to_o that_o age._n it_o be_v true_a the_o unction_n whereby_o they_o be_v qualify_v for_o it_o be_v not_o of_o the_o vulgar_a composition_n the_o holy_a spirit_n give_v they_o a_o unerring_a conduct_n in_o frame_v rule_n of_o discipline_n a_o power_n to_o assert_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o action_n by_o miraculous_a operation_n yet_o their_o function_n namely_o to_o govern_v be_v ordinary_a and_o do_v import_v nothing_o but_o what_o may_v be_v enjoy_v by_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n in_o after-age_n the_o power_n may_v descend_v where_o the_o same_o gift_n and_o degree_n of_o aptitude_n to_o use_v it_o do_v not_o commodus_n be_v inferior_a to_o antoninus_n in_o political_a accomplishment_n and_o yet_o do_v inherit_v his_o power_n in_o the_o amplitude_n of_o it_o caligula_n be_v not_o comparable_a to_o augustus_n in_o architectonicall_a skill_n
divine_a right_n of_o it_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o may_v prove_v that_o the_o power_n of_o a_o father_n of_o a_o family_n have_v not_o its_o foundation_n in_o a_o divine_a law_n because_o it_o receive_v a_o augmentation_n as_o his_o child_n increase_v and_o fall_v under_o divers_a modification_n according_a to_o the_o various_a station_n they_o be_v place_v in_o or_o that_o the_o theocracy_n record_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v not_o derive_v its_o original_n from_o heaven_n because_o it_o be_v of_o a_o large_a extent_n when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n be_v settle_v in_o their_o apartment_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n then_o when_o they_o live_v in_o the_o wilderness_n altogether_o 3._o the_o conform_v ecclesiastical_a government_n to_o the_o civil_a be_v no_o just_a presumption_n against_o a_o divine_a original_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n which_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n shall_v conform_v itself_o to_o the_o mould_n it_o fall_v into_o when_o the_o church_n be_v first_o plant_v it_o find_v the_o world_n canton_v into_o province_n in_o every_o province_n a_o metropolis_n inferior_a city_n suburbicarian_a region_n in_o every_o metropolis_n a_o proconsul_n in_o every_o city_n a_o defensor_fw-la upon_o which_o the_o suburbicarian_a region_n do_v depend_v the_o imitation_n of_o this_o civil_a disposition_n in_o place_v a_o bishop_n in_o every_o city_n answerable_a to_o the_o defensor_fw-la in_o every_o metropolis_n a_o archbishop_n suitable_a to_o the_o proconsul_n be_v of_o a_o eminent_a use_n to_o invite_v the_o people_n to_o a_o ready_a obedience_n they_o be_v by_o custom_n habituate_v to_o the_o like_a regiment_n in_o civil_a concernment_n and_o likewise_o give_v the_o governor_n a_o singular_a advantage_n to_o obtain_v the_o end_n of_o their_o constitution_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o daily_a confluence_n to_o those_o place_n upon_o secular_a account_n there_o be_v a_o high_a degree_n of_o probability_n that_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o he_o who_o constitution_n be_v always_o conformable_a to_o the_o deep_a reason_n some_o footstep_n it_o we_o find_v as_o early_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n church_n be_v plant_v in_o metropoles_fw-la as_o corinth_n thessalonica_n antioch_n upon_o which_o those_o who_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o province_n entertain_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v some_o dependence_n the_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v inscribe_v to_o all_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v in_o all_o achaia_n the_o first_o to_o the_o thessalonian_o have_v a_o peculiar_a aspect_n upon_o all_o in_o macedonia_n 3.10_o c._n 3.10_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n to_o antioch_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o brethren_n in_o syria_n and_o silicia_n achaia_n be_v the_o province_n of_o corinth_n macedonia_n of_o thessalonica_n syria_n and_o silicia_n of_o antioch_n why_o these_o epistle_n send_v to_o the_o metropolis_n about_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n shall_v be_v inscribe_v to_o all_o in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o province_n and_o no_o other_o though_o all_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n there_o must_v be_v some_o peculiar_a reason_n 15.4_o rom._n 15.4_o and_o none_o can_v be_v render_v more_o congruous_a than_o this_o that_o all_o christian_n in_o every_o part_n of_o it_o whether_o city_n or_o suburbicarian_a region_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o metropolis_n in_o point_n of_o government_n as_o the_o roman_n when_o they_o subdue_v a_o country_n by_o force_n of_o arm_n do_v constitute_v there_o a_o civil_a province_n so_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o have_v make_v a_o spiritual_a conquest_n by_o the_o weapon_n of_o their_o warfare_n a_o ecclesiastical_a therefore_o s._n peter_n when_o he_o write_v to_o the_o convert_v in_o the_o dispersion_n direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o they_o in_o their_o distinct_a province_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n bythinia_n and_o when_o s._n paul_n mention_n the_o contribution_n of_o the_o church_n he_o characterize_v they_o by_o the_o name_n of_o their_o province_n where_o their_o abode_n be_v it_o have_v please_v they_o of_o macedonia_n and_o achaia_n rom._n 15.26_o achaia_n be_v ready_a a_o year_n ago_o 2_o cor._n 9.2_o this_o hypothesis_n give_v the_o most_o intelligible_a account_n why_o all_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v reduce_v to_o seven_o no_o doubt_n there_o be_v more_o congregation_n within_o that_o compass_n 10._o act_n 19_o v._o 10._o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n be_v say_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o preacher_n be_v s._n john_n and_o s._n paul_n who_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o speak_v in_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n the_o city_n from_o which_o these_o church_n have_v their_o denomination_n be_v metrople_n upon_o which_o the_o lesser_a with_o the_o suburbicarian_a region_n do_v depend_v in_o point_n of_o government_n and_o make_v but_o one_o community_n the_o church_n in_o they_o and_o in_o the_o metropolis_n symbolise_v with_o this_o temper_n in_o the_o state_n be_v represent_v but_o as_o one_o church_n that_o the_o immunity_n of_o a_o metropolis_n do_v belong_v to_o ephesus_n 2._o nat._n hist_o l._n 5._o c._n 29._o c._n 30._o pro._n geo._n l._n 5._o c._n 2._o smyrna_n sardis_n pergamos_n laodicea_n be_v assert_v by_o pliny_n to_o thyatira_n by_o ptolemy_n to_o philadelphia_n by_o the_o greek_a act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n under_o menna_n 69._o actio_fw-la quint_v orig_n of_o metropolitan_n p._n 69._o though_o pliny_n do_v not_o attribute_v this_o honour_n to_o thyatira_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o the_o defect_n of_o his_o testimony_n be_v full_o supply_v by_o ptolemy_n who_o be_v not_o his_o inferior_a in_o point_n of_o authority_n philadelphia_n be_v place_v in_o the_o notitiae_fw-la under_o sardis_n be_v no_o demonstration_n that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mother-city_n the_o same_o individual_a may_v be_v a_o mother_n in_o one_o respect_n and_o a_o daughter_n in_o another_o the_o province_n themselves_o be_v not_o all_o equal_a and_o by_o consequence_n the_o mother-city_n in_o one_o province_n may_v be_v inferior_a in_o dignity_n and_o dependent_a in_o power_n upon_o the_o metropolis_n of_o another_o we_o need_v go_v no_o further_o for_o a_o instance_n than_o our_o own_o nation_n of_o the_o two_o province_n into_o which_o it_o be_v divide_v one_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v a_o superiority_n and_o some_o power_n over_o the_o other_o all_o this_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o conform_v ecclesisticall_a government_n to_o the_o civil_a be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o divine_a original_n of_o it_o the_o vine_n which_o be_v plant_v by_o a_o divine_a hand_n under_o the_o civil_a power_n as_o a_o wall_n of_o defence_n do_v natural_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o he_o who_o plant_v it_o adapt_v itself_o to_o the_o mode_n of_o that_o which_o it_o grow_v against_o the_o rain_n which_o descend_v from_o heaven_n conform_v to_o the_o figure_n of_o the_o vessel_n it_o fall_v into_o 4._o ecclesiastical_a concern_v be_v manage_v according_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n but_o not_o all_o of_o they_o the_o ancient_a church_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o double_a rule_n the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o council_n the_o last_o consist_v either_o of_o declaration_n of_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n or_o else_o constitution_n to_o restrain_v liberty_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n have_v leave_v to_o our_o choice_n either_o to_o do_v or_o not_o to_o do_v as_o for_o prelacy_n the_o essence_n of_o which_o lie_v in_o a_o superiority_n of_o a_o ecclesiastical_a person_n over_o elder_n within_o a_o certain_a precinct_n it_o be_v ever_o own_v by_o the_o church_n as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n council_n suppose_v it_o to_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o right_n more_o early_o than_o themselves_o and_o never_o give_v it_o a_o place_n in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o may_v be_v or_o not_o be_v the_o object_n of_o their_o determination_n he_o who_o think_v fit_a to_o consult_v the_o code_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n can_v remain_v unacquainted_a with_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o assertion_n 5._o the_o church_n acknowledgement_n of_o her_o subordination_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v reconcileable_a with_o a_o belief_n that_o her_o government_n be_v ground_v upon_o a_o divine_a right_n economical_a regiment_n which_o do_v undoubted_o derive_v its_o origin_n from_o heaven_n be_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o subordinate_a to_o the_o civil_a power_n a_o father_n of_o a_o family_n though_o he_o govern_v his_o progeny_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n yet_o be_v accountable_a to_o his_o prince_n and_o limitable_a by_o his_o decree_n in_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o authority_n 3.15_o eph._n 3.15_o the_o church_n be_v
last_o period_n all_o the_o hesitancy_n be_v about_o the_o first_o and_o yet_o upon_o a_o deliberate_a reflection_n the_o matter_n will_v be_v beyond_o dispute_n this_o be_v make_v up_o of_o three_o century_n the_o first_o of_o which_o must_v necessary_o be_v resign_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o delegate_n who_o undoubted_o do_v exercise_v a_o episcopal_a authority_n as_o we_o have_v before_o demonstrate_v s._n john_n the_o last_o of_o they_o who_o live_v to_o the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o write_v his_o revelation_n about_o the_o ninety_o seven_o year_n describe_v the_o church_n of_o asia_n every_o one_o with_o his_o tutelary_a angel_n to_o superintend_v and_o govern_v all_o as_o well_o teacher_n as_o people_n and_o leave_v they_o in_o trajan's_n time_n under_o this_o imparity_n as_o for_o the_o three_o century_n we_o have_v undoubted_a instance_n of_o a_o like_a inequality_n in_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n etc._n hierom._n in_o apol_n ad_fw-la ruff._n ep._n 79._o pam._n epist_n 38._o ad_fw-la caldon_n etc._n etc._n demetrius_n the_o bishop_n excommunicate_v origen_n a_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n cyprian_n pass_v the_o same_o censure_n upon_o felicissimus_n his_o take_v up_o a_o resolution_n not_o to_o act_v without_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o presbyter_n be_v but_o a_o voluntary_a and_o prudent_a accommodation_n to_o some_o circumstance_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o he_o in_o his_o election_n and_o no_o prejudice_n to_o his_o hierarchicall_a power_n which_o he_o abundant_o assert_n to_o be_v vest_v in_o he_o by_o a_o divine_a institution_n in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n 22._o eus_n h._n e._n l._n 7._o c._n 22._o the_o deportment_n of_o the_o bishop_n towards_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la in_o suppress_v his_o heresy_n be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o person_n at_o that_o time_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n 35._o eus_n c._n 6._o c._n 35._o novatianus_n a_o presbyter_n his_o procure_v 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himself_o that_o there_o be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n such_o a_o order_n of_o man_n very_o well_o know_v in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o blondell_n himself_o do_v free_o acknowledge_v a_o episcopal_a power_n to_o be_v lodge_v in_o a_o single_a person_n about_o the_o forty_o year_n of_o the_o second_o century_n so_o that_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o suffragans_n do_v retain_v the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n during_o the_o first_o which_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o who_o impartial_o peruse_v the_o record_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o question_n which_o have_v give_v so_o much_o molestation_n to_o the_o christian_a world_n will_v be_v reduce_v to_o this_o state_n whether_o the_o church_n for_o the_o space_n of_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n and_o upward_o have_v be_v without_o the_o apostolical_a or_o episcopal_a government_n for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o only_a shall_v we_o grant_v that_o which_o can_v never_o be_v prove_v namely_o that_o the_o stream_n of_o apostolical_a authority_n do_v like_o the_o river_n guadian_n in_o spain_n conceal_v itself_o and_o run_v under_o ground_n for_o this_o little_a time_n this_o will_v no_o more_o be_v a_o argument_n to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o use_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v supersede_v than_o it_o be_v to_o the_o israelite_n that_o the_o regal_a power_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o because_o of_o the_o interregnum_n which_o do_v frequent_o put_v a_o demur_v upon_o the_o succession_n but_o second_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o such_o interregnum_fw-la in_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n notwithstanding_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n yet_o there_o be_v catalogue_n extant_a of_o the_o chief_a city_n as_o jerusalem_n antioch_n alexandria_n rome_n wherein_o be_v name_v the_o single_a person_n as_o distinct_a from_o and_o superior_a to_o presbyter_n who_o be_v interest_v in_o the_o power_n of_o inspection_n during_o the_o space_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o and_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o in_o the_o great_a city_n it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o divine_v how_o it_o be_v in_o the_o less_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n include_v a_o uniformity_n of_o government_n the_o first_o who_o lead_v the_o van_n in_o the_o catalogue_n be_v either_o a_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n as_o s._n peter_n in_o that_o of_o antioch_n s._n mark_v in_o that_o of_o alexandria_n who_o undoubted_o be_v vest_v in_o a_o episcopal_a jurisdiction_n those_o who_o conclude_v it_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o to_o have_v the_o same_o power_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v deny_v to_o those_o in_o the_o middle_n no_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v produce_v they_o be_v represent_v as_o have_v a_o equal_a share_n in_o the_o succession_n which_o can_v be_v except_o they_o be_v in_o the_o fruition_n of_o the_o same_o power_n a_o succession_n but_o not_o in_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v like_o a_o resurrection_n but_o not_o of_o the_o same_o body_n which_o be_v no_o resurrection_n at_o all_o let_v we_o suppose_v among_o the_o nine_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o athens_n one_o of_o they_o the_o first_o year_n to_o be_v vest_v in_o a_o superiority_n over_o his_o colleague_n as_o a_o apostle_n or_o a_o evangelist_n be_v over_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o next_o the_o constitution_n to_o be_v metamorphize_v into_o a_o parity_n and_o to_o continue_v for_o forty_o year_n as_o blondell_n conceive_v the_o ecclesiastical_a equality_n do_v and_o then_o after_o the_o expiration_n of_o that_o term_n the_o former_a imparity_n to_o be_v introduce_v again_o it_o will_v be_v a_o incongruity_n scarce_o to_o be_v parallel_v to_o represent_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o second_o year_n as_o a_o successor_n to_o he_o of_o the_o first_o he_o enjoy_v nothing_o of_o his_o power_n or_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o forty_o first_o to_o he_o of_o the_o forty_o hen_n enjoy_v a_o power_n paramount_n which_o the_o other_o be_v never_o acquaint_v with_o this_o will_v be_v as_o inconvenient_a as_o if_o we_o shall_v make_v a_o list_n of_o the_o king_n of_o rome_n and_o after_o tarqvinius_n superbus_n place_n junius_n brutus_n who_o be_v next_o to_o he_o in_o power_n but_o of_o a_o very_a different_a nature_n the_o government_n be_v change_v and_o the_o community_n now_o under_o consul_n it_o be_v true_a there_o may_v be_v catalogue_n of_o single_a person_n succeed_v one_o another_o in_o a_o priority_n of_o order_n as_o well_o as_o of_o power_n but_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o our_o present_a case_n here_o be_v list_n before_o we_o and_o all_o in_o they_o represent_v to_o be_v upon_o equal_a term_n as_o have_v a_o fruition_n of_o the_o same_o immunity_n and_o the_o first_o and_o last_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v a_o superiority_n of_o power_n over_o their_o colleague_n from_o whence_o a_o computation_n may_v be_v easy_o make_v what_o we_o may_v conclude_v concern_v the_o rest_n those_o who_o say_v though_o the_o apostle_n stand_v at_o the_o head_n of_o the_o catalogue_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o include_v in_o they_o contradict_v the_o sense_n of_o primitive_a antiquity_n which_o account_v all_o in_o the_o list_n to_o be_v successor_n to_o the_o apostle_n a_o successor_n &_o a_o predecessor_n be_v relative_n which_o go_v always_o together_o if_o the_o successor_n be_v in_o the_o roll_n the_o predecessor_n must_v necessary_o be_v so_o it_o will_v not_o be_v easy_a to_o disappoint_v the_o prevalency_n of_o this_o argument_n if_o the_o catalogue_n may_v be_v admit_v as_o authentic_a and_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o i_o see_v no_o just_a reason_n the_o variation_n in_o they_o be_v not_o uncapable_a of_o a_o reconciliation_n and_o they_o argue_v strong_o that_o they_o be_v not_o the_o fiction_n of_o a_o private_a invention_n forgery_n use_v