reinolds_n scheme_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v sufficient_o instruct_v by_o the_o primitive_a record_n and_o practice_n what_o kind_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n belong_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o president_n among_o they_o the_o very_a same_o that_o we_o now_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o bishop_n due_a and_o if_o christ_n letter_n be_v address_v to_o the_o angel_n as_o to_o such_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o president_n it_o be_v all_o that_o we_o desire_v to_o erect_v our_o fabric_n of_o spiscopacy_n on_o this_o one_o place_n if_o there_o be_v not_o as_o there_o be_v other_o able_a to_o support_v the_o weight_n of_o it_o 9_o and_o so_o we_o see_v what_o reason_n have_v be_v bring_v to_o make_v good_a their_o second_o head_n of_o answer_n of_o which_o we_o have_v promise_v that_o they_o be_v solid_a and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a answer_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o issue_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o much_o as_o offer_v towards_o it_o save_v only_o the_o testimony_n of_o master_n beza_n the_o divine_n at_o the_o isle_n of_o wight_n which_o be_v by_o interpretation_n themselves_o and_o doctor_n reynolds_n who_o yet_o be_v not_o perfect_o of_o their_o party_n neither_o section_n xvi_o of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v metropolitical_n of_o the_o paveity_n of_o believer_n have_v thus_o do_v they_o say_v it_o be_v object_v by_o some_o man_n that_o the_o seven_o city_n in_o which_o these_o seven_o asian_a church_n have_v their_o seat_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a and_o so_o have_v relation_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o town_n and_o city_n of_o asia_n as_o unto_o daughter_n rise_v under_o they_o and_o that_o therefore_o these_o church_n be_v metropolitical_a church_n and_o their_o angel_n metropolitical_a bishop_n 2._o how_o this_o come_v to_o be_v style_v a_o objection_n i_o can_v well_o guess_v or_o what_o it_o be_v against_o which_o it_o be_v think_v to_o be_v object_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o any_o episcopal_a person_n i_o know_v be_v interest_v in_o it_o be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o only_o evident_a of_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o asian_a church_n that_o they_o be_v bishop_n which_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o against_o the_o assembler_n but_o there_o be_v over_o and_o above_o that_o all_o reason_n to_o deem_v they_o star_n of_o a_o first_o magnitude_n i._n e._n bishop_n of_o mother-city_n metropolitan_n and_o that_o very_a pertinent_a to_o be_v urge_v in_o this_o matter_n of_o the_o asian_a angel_n not_o to_o secure_v the_o proof_n of_o episcopacy_n take_v from_o thence_o but_o to_o render_v a_o reason_n why_o in_o all_o asia_n but_o seven_o church_n and_o their_o bishop_n be_v name_v there_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o discourse_n be_v enlarge_v above_o what_o it_o need_v to_o have_v be_v dissert_n 4._o 5._o to_o set_v down_o the_o nature_n of_o metropolitan_n the_o exemplar_n of_o they_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o express_v of_o the_o institution_n in_o the_o apostle_n write_n and_o the_o signal_n evidence_n of_o it_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o the_o ancient_a canon_n in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o antioch_n and_o ephesus_n all_o own_v they_o as_o primitive_a and_o apostolical_a institution_n and_o all_o this_o exemplify_v in_o jerusalem_n in_o antioch_n in_o rome_n in_o alexandria_n in_o gortyna_n of_o crect_n and_o at_o length_n in_o all_o the_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n 3._o what_o be_v there_o thus_o set_v down_o if_o it_o have_v not_o perfect_a truth_n in_o it_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o see_v the_o weak_a part_n of_o that_o discourse_n discover_v and_o therefore_o though_o i_o never_o propose_v or_o mean_v it_o as_o a_o objection_n of_o we_o against_o the_o presbyterian_o have_v no_o need_n of_o such_o auxiliaries_n and_o the_o whole_a matter_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v without_o and_o this_o only_o add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la yet_o i_o shall_v most_o willing_o attend_v their_o motion_n and_o see_v what_o answer_v they_o will_v adapt_v to_o this_o objection_n as_o they_o call_v it_o 4._o and_o 1._o they_o answer_v that_o it_o will_v hardly_o be_v prove_v that_o these_o seven_o city_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o s._n john_n day_n and_o the_o situation_n of_o most_o they_o lie_v near_o together_o on_o the_o sea_n side_n make_v it_o very_o improbable_a 5._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o for_o five_o of_o they_o ephesus_z smyrna_n sardis_n pergamus_n and_o laodicaea_n pliny_n that_o live_v and_o write_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o vespatian_n reign_n 30._o be_v a_o competent_a witness_n that_o they_o be_v city_n wherein_o the_o roman_a proconsul_n six_o their_o court_n or_o seat_n of_o judicature_n and_o administer_v justice_n there_o to_o all_o the_o city_n about_o they_o and_o that_o be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o a_o chief_a city_n or_o metropolis_n in_o the_o secular_a account_n and_o agreeable_o ulpian_n mention_n ephesus_n as_o the_o chief_a of_o these_o metropoles_fw-la and_o for_o the_o other_o two_o philadelphia_n and_o thyatira_n the_o latter_a of_o these_o by_o 2._o ptolomee_o the_o former_a by_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n sub_fw-la menâ_fw-la be_v punctual_o affirm_v to_o be_v a_o metropolis_n to_o these_o be_v add_v other_o evidence_n and_o reason_n and_o the_o lord_n archbishop_n of_o armagh_n have_v write_v beside_o his_o original_a of_o metropolitan_n he_o very_o learned_a dissertation_n of_o the_o lydian_a asia_n on_o purpose_n to_o clear_v this_o matter_n 6._o and_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v so_o large_o prove_v already_o and_o when_o a_o satisfactory_a proof_n of_o it_o in_o any_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o city_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o the_o assert_v of_o metropolitan_n for_o then_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o one_o be_v a_o metropolitan_a it_o be_v then_o certain_o a_o very_a incompetent_a confutation_n bare_o to_o say_v that_o it_o will_v hardly_o be_v prove_v that_o these_o seven_o city_n be_v all_o of_o they_o metropolitical_a city_n in_o saint_n john_n day_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v it_o matter_n now_o how_o hardly_o and_o if_o any_o one_o be_v so_o in_o s._n john_n day_n it_o matter_n not_o if_o possible_o some_o other_o be_v not_o that_o one_o be_v a_o metropolitical_a angel_n which_o be_v all_o we_o need_v insist_v on_o 7._o and_o for_o the_o argument_n to_o make_v it_o improbable_a draw_v from_o the_o situation_n of_o the_o city_n that_o be_v as_o infirm_a for_o this_o as_o all_o other_o controversy_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n must_v be_v wage_v by_o authority_n of_o those_o which_o be_v likely_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o testify_v aright_o and_o to_o those_o we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o adhere_v and_o not_o to_o be_v move_v by_o argument_n that_o seem_v probable_a to_o those_o that_o live_v 1600._o year_n after_o and_o be_v not_o perhaps_o so_o perfect_a master_n of_o the_o geography_n of_o the_o place_n as_o due_o to_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v even_o what_o be_v in_o that_o respect_n most_o probable_a 8._o nay_o for_o the_o distance_n of_o these_o city_n though_o i_o have_v not_o now_o mr._n brightman_n by_o i_o yet_o my_o note_n out_o of_o he_o tell_v i_o that_o in_o his_o scale_n of_o furlong_n pergamus_n be_v distant_a from_o smyrna_n 540._o furlong_n i._n e._n about_o 68_o english_a mile_n and_o ephesus_n from_o smyrna_n 320._o i_o e._n about_o 40._o mile_n and_o thyatira_n from_o pergamus_n 80._o english_a mile_n which_o be_v a_o distance_n very_o reconcileable_a with_o their_o being_n metropoles_fw-la 9_o but_o they_o be_v content_a to_o suppose_v this_o be_v true_a and_o then_o have_v answer_n ready_a another_o way_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v no_o good_a argument_n from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n to_o infer_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o the_o city_n be_v great_a yet_o the_o church_n be_v but_o small_a and_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n very_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n 10._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o by_o concession_n that_o in_o all_o place_n and_o time_n the_o greatness_n of_o the_o church_n can_v absolute_o be_v conclude_v from_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n because_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o a_o great_a city_n may_v have_v utter_o resist_v the_o faith_n and_o a_o lesser_a city_n receive_v it_o or_o again_o a_o great_a city_n that_o have_v receive_v the_o faith_n in_o some_o of_o the_o member_n may_v yet_o have_v few_o believer_n in_o it_o than_o another_o city_n which_o be_v not_o so_o great_a this_o therefore_o be_v not_o our_o way_n of_o conclude_v from_o the_o bare_a greatness_n of_o the_o city_n to_o infer_v the_o great_a number_n of_o believer_n in_o they_o 11._o our_o way_n of_o conclude_v be_v this_o paul_n have_v spend_v three_o year_n act._n
part_n of_o a_o rule_v presbytery_n which_o their_o brethren_n that_o have_v not_o those_o ambition_n be_v far_o from_o think_v to_o have_v any_o divine_a stamp_n upon_o it_o i_o shall_v have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o unskilfulnesse_n of_o their_o reproach_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o invalidity_n of_o their_o answer_n 10._o as_o for_o the_o fear_n which_o their_o discourse_n on_o this_o matter_n suggest_v to_o their_o more_o moderate_a brethren_n that_o if_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la be_v stamp_v on_o archbishop_n and_o primate_fw-la and_o patriarch_n they_o may_v be_v force_v by_o the_o same_o proportion_n to_o put_v a_o divine_a stamp_n upon_o the_o pope_n himself_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o i_o have_v give_v the_o ingenious_a reader_n a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o the_o inconsequence_n hereof_o in_o a_o discourse_n of_o schism_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v refer_v he_o if_o he_o need_v or_o desire_v far_o trouble_v or_o direction_n in_o this_o business_n section_n xix_o of_o division_n into_o parish_n and_o union_n into_o diocese_n of_o diocesan_n bishop_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n elder_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 14._o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o that_o place_n vindicate_v from_o exception_n after_o all_o this_o they_o add_v a_o four_o whether_o answer_n or_o suppletory_n consideration_n for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n concern_v the_o asian_a angel_n and_o i_o shall_v follow_v they_o to_o that_o more_o cheerful_o because_o it_o look_v like_o a_o conclusion_n 2._o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v provide_v that_o these_o asian_a angel_n be_v bishop_n in_o a_o praelaticall_a sense_n much_o less_o arch-bishop_n and_o metropolitan_n for_o it_o be_v believe_v upon_o all_o part_n that_o believer_n in_o great_a city_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o set_n and_o fix_v congregation_n and_o parish_n till_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o that_o parish_n be_v not_o unite_v into_o diocese_n till_o 260._o year_n after_o christ_n and_o therefore_o sure_o we_o be_v that_o there_o can_v not_o be_v diocesane_a church_n and_o diocesane_n bishop_n former_o so_o call_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n these_o angel_n be_v congregationall_a not_o diocesan_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n the_o number_n of_o believer_n even_o in_o the_o great_a city_n be_v so_o few_o that_o they_o may_v well_o meet_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o these_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o the_o city_n and_o therefore_o to_o ordain_v elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v all_o one_o in_o scripture_n 3._o to_o the_o praeface_n of_o this_o conclusion_n that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v it_o be_v again_o very_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v that_o when_o a_o proposition_n have_v already_o be_v prove_v so_o far_o that_o no_o answer_n have_v be_v render_v which_o at_o all_o satisfy_v or_o invalidate_n the_o force_n of_o the_o proof_n it_o be_v very_o unlike_a artist_n to_o say_v that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v nay_o although_o some_o inconvenience_n be_v producible_a which_o will_v press_v our_o assertion_n yet_o the_o old_a rule_n will_v require_v its_o place_n incommodum_fw-la non_fw-la solvit_fw-la argumentum_fw-la the_o mention_n of_o a_o inconvenience_n ensue_a do_v not_o take_v off_o the_o force_n of_o a_o argument_n 4._o but_o we_o need_v not_o that_o wariness_n here_o the_o reason_n which_o be_v here_o annex_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v be_v of_o no_o force_n against_o we_o for_o 1._o as_o congregation_n and_o parish_n be_v synonimous_a in_o their_o style_n so_o i_o yield_v that_o believer_n in_o great_a city_n be_v not_o at_o first_o divide_v into_o parish_n while_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o a_o city_n be_v so_o small_a that_o they_o may_v well_o assemble_v in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o so_o need_v no_o partition_n or_o division_n 5._o but_o what_o disadvantage_n be_v this_o to_o we_o who_o affirm_v that_o one_o bishop_n not_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n preside_v in_o this_o one_o congregation_n and_o that_o the_o believer_n in_o the_o region_n and_o village_n about_o do_v belong_v to_o the_o care_n of_o that_o single-bishop_n of_o the_o city-church_n may_v not_o these_o be_v rule_v by_o a_o bishop_n as_o well_o before_o as_o after_o the_o division_n into_o parish_n or_o be_v this_o division_n more_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n by_o one_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n than_o to_o the_o government_n of_o more_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n in_o all_o reason_n the_o division_n of_o this_o one_o into_o several_a parish_n shall_v make_v presbyter_n more_o necessary_a after_o than_o before_o such_o division_n that_o each_o parish_n may_v have_v one_o presbyter_n to_o officiate_v among_o they_o in_o thing_n of_o daily_a use_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v that_o when_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n be_v so_o far_o increase_v that_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o a_o city_n can_v not_o meet_v commodious_o in_o one_o place_n and_o when_o the_o region_n and_o village_n so_o abound_v with_o proselyte_n that_o in_o respect_n of_o they_o also_o it_o be_v necessary_a than_o the_o bishop_n of_o each_o city_n think_v fit_a to_o con_v tute_a presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o they_o many_o in_o every_o city_n and_o many_o in_o every_o region_n one_o in_o every_o village_n though_o as_o yet_o the_o word_n parish_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n be_v not_o come_v into_o the_o world_n 6._o and_o so_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v argumentative_a against_o we_o it_o be_v rather_o useful_a to_o confirm_v what_o be_v assert_v by_o we_o that_o it_o be_v against_o the_o whole_a scheme_n which_o the_o scripture_n or_o first_o writer_n give_v we_o of_o church_n to_o imagine_v that_o in_o every_o city_n there_o be_v by_o the_o apostle_n a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n constitute_v when_o as_o they_o agree_v to_o assure_v we_o a_o bishop_n and_o his_o deacon_n be_v sufficient_a at_o the_o first_o so_o thin_a plantation_n 7._o so_o again_o when_o they_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o parish_n be_v not_o unite_v into_o diocese_n till_o 260._o year_n after_o christ_n i_o shall_v ask_v 1._o whether_o they_o be_v soon_o divide_v into_o class_n etc._n etc._n and_o if_o not_o what_o they_o have_v gain_v to_o their_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la by_o this_o observation_n 8._o but_o than_o second_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o may_v be_v diocese_n before_o this_o division_n into_o parish_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n for_o what_o be_v a_o diocesâ—_n but_o a_o church_n in_o a_o city_n with_o the_o suburb_n and_o territory_n or_o region_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o this_o certain_o may_v be_v and_o â—emaine_v under_o the_o government_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n as_o well_o before_o as_o after_o any_o more_o minute_n distribution_n into_o such_o as_o we_o now_o call_v parish_n 9_o for_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n for_o the_o church_n of_o this_o city_n to_o be_v divide_v from_o the_o church_n of_o every_o other_o city_n another_o thing_n for_o the_o same_o church_n to_o be_v divide_v into_o many_o assemble_v the_o first_o be_v it_o which_o be_v require_v for_o the_o set_n up_o of_o government_n and_o of_o any_o such_o church_n so_o bound_v there_o may_v be_v a_o bishop_n and_o that_o whole_a church_n shall_v be_v his_o diocese_n and_o so_o he_o a_o diocesan_n bishop_n though_o as_o yet_o this_o church_n be_v not_o subdivide_v into_o more_o several_a assembly_n 10._o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o add_v that_o there_o can_v not_o be_v diocesan_n church_n and_o bishop_n former_o so_o call_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o little_a aequivocation_n in_o the_o word_n diocesan_n it_o be_v most_o certain_a they_o have_v no_o reason_n on_o which_o to_o found_v their_o confidence_n for_o that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n in_o each_o city_n and_o its_o territory_n howsoever_o govern_v by_o one_o or_o more_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o equal_o affirm_v by_o they_o and_o we_o and_o equal_o their_o interest_n and_o we_o that_o it_o be_v affirm_v as_o for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o have_v oft_o vary_v and_o have_v sometime_o be_v of_o a_o large_a sometime_o of_o a_o narrow_a signification_n and_o so_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o original_n of_o our_o parish_n also_o but_o i_o hope_v our_o contention_n must_v not_o be_v always_o about_o word_n when_o the_o matter_n be_v sufficient_o agree_v on_o among_o we_o and_o the_o word_n sufficient_o explain_v to_o express_v that_o matter_n 11._o and_o therefore_o when_o they_o add_v these_o angel_n be_v congregationall_a not_o diocesan_n the_o reply_n be_v obvious_a they_o be_v every_o of_o they_o angel_n of_o a_o church_n in_o a_o city_n have_v authority_n over_o
20._o 31._o in_o this_o lydian_a or_o proconsular_a asia_n ver_fw-la 18._o in_o this_o time_n he_o have_v pursue_v his_o work_n very_o diligent_o and_o zealous_o not_o cease_v to_o warn_v every_o one_o night_n and_o day_n with_o tear_n and_o herein_o his_o harvest_n be_v proportionable_a to_o his_o labour_n after_o two_o year_n space_n and_o upward_o spend_v at_o ephesus_n it_o be_v say_v ver_fw-la 19_o that_o by_o the_o continuance_n of_o his_o preach_n and_o gather_v disciple_n all_o they_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n both_o jew_n and_o greek_n and_o though_o many_o be_v harden_v and_o believe_v not_o and_o speak_v evil_a of_o that_o way_n ver_fw-la 9_o yet_o ver_n 17._o by_o some_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o he_o which_o be_v make_v know_v to_o all_o the_o jew_n and_o greek_n dwell_v at_o ephesus_n fear_v fell_a on_o they_o all_o and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v magnify_v a_o conversion_n in_o a_o manner_n general_a and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v and_o many_o that_o believe_v ver_fw-la 18._o and_o so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v ver_fw-la 20._o whereupon_o saint_n paul_n himself_o speak_v of_o these_o success_n call_v it_o a_o great_a door_n and_o a_o effectual_a 1_o cor._n 16._o 9_o which_o at_o ephesus_n v_o 8._o be_v open_v unto_o he_o 12._o from_o hence_o we_o conclude_v and_o sure_o safe_o may_v 1._o that_o in_o asia_n general_o and_o especial_o in_o ephesus_n there_o be_v a_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n before_o this_o time_n of_o christ_n epistle_n which_o be_v not_o a_o conclude_a it_o bare_o from_o the_o greatness_n of_o that_o or_o any_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n second_o from_o hence_o together_o with_o ephesus_n be_v in_o the_o secular_a account_n the_o notitiae_fw-la imperiales_fw-la a_o metropolis_n where_o the_o assize_n be_v keep_v we_o conclude_v that_o ephesus_n be_v in_o the_o christian_a account_n also_o a_o metropolis_n and_o the_o chief_a of_o all_o asia_n and_o this_o i_o hope_n be_v not_o so_o improbable_a infirm_a a_o way_n of_o conclude_v as_o the_o other_o impose_v on_o we_o seem_v to_o be_v 13._o three_o from_o hence_o and_o from_o other_o exemplification_n of_o it_o as_o that_o trallis_n and_o magnesia_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n be_v by_o ignatius_n write_v to_o as_o all_o episcopal_a see_v in_o our_o present_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n we_o conclude_v that_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n beside_o these_o seven_o have_v receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o be_v certain_o take_v care_n for_o by_o paul_n which_o have_v plant_v it_o among_o they_o and_o agreeable_o have_v ruler_n settle_v in_o they_o i._n e._n bishop_n subordinate_a to_o the_o metropolitan_o and_o all_o these_o inference_n i_o doubt_v not_o will_v appear_v regular_a enough_o and_o i_o shall_v far_o enlarge_v on_o they_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o answer_n which_o can_v render_v it_o needful_a or_o seasonable_a 14._o as_o for_o the_o paucity_n of_o christian_n in_o those_o time_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n that_o can_v be_v pertinent_o oppose_v to_o our_o pretension_n because_o still_o the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o a_o great_a city_n may_v bear_v the_o same_o proportion_n to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o small_a city_n that_o the_o people_n in_o the_o one_o do_v to_o the_o people_n in_o the_o other_o one_o thousand_o bear_v the_o same_o proportion_n to_o one_o hundred_o that_o a_o hundred_o thousand_o do_v to_o ten_o thousand_o 15._o and_o it_o be_v the_o affirmation_n of_o clemens_n that_o the_o apostle_n in_o each_o city_n where_o they_o receive_v any_o proselyte_n though_o never_o so_o few_o before_o their_o part_n constitute_v a_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n who_o be_v to_o be_v governor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o those_o that_o shall_v after_o believe_v it_o follow_v unquestionable_o from_o thence_o that_o in_o the_o city_n which_o have_v but_o few_o christian_n bishop_n may_v be_v and_o be_v constitute_v and_o those_o very_o regular_o depend_v on_o the_o great_a their_o metropolitical_a city_n from_o whence_o the_o faith_n be_v derive_v to_o they_o as_o from_o ephesus_n where_o paul_n chief_o reside_v to_o the_o city_n about_o it_o and_o all_o this_o without_o any_o need_n of_o balance_v the_o party_n or_o consider_v what_o comparison_n the_o number_n of_o the_o christian_n in_o one_o or_o the_o other_o bear_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o unbeliever_n in_o either_o city_n and_o let_v this_o serve_v by_o way_n of_o reply_n to_o the_o first_o branch_n of_o the_o second_o answer_n section_n xvi_o of_o model_a church_n according_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n of_o exemplar_n of_o metropolitan_o among_o the_o jew_n testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n institute_v metropolitan_n their_o second_o answer_n be_v we_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o ever_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v model_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n this_o be_v the_o after_o policy_n of_o christian_a emperor_n and_o bishop_n but_o no_o part_n of_o apostolical_a policy_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o there_o be_v divers_a city_n under_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o those_o 7._o city_n that_o therefore_o there_o shall_v be_v divers_a church_n subordinate_a to_o the_o 7._o asian_a church_n 2._o that_o the_o apostle_n which_o design_v to_o plant_v a_o church_n in_o the_o heathen_a world_n shall_v do_v it_o in_o that_o manner_n as_o will_v be_v most_o advantageous_a to_o their_o end_n will_v not_o i_o hope_v be_v account_v strange_a this_o general_o be_v by_o betake_v themselves_o to_o the_o city_n rather_o than_o the_o village_n and_o first_o to_o the_o great_a city_n unto_o which_o be_v the_o most_o frequent_a resort_n that_o by_o that_o mean_v the_o faith_n may_v be_v most_o compendious_o and_o successful_o propagate_v if_o a_o great_a city_n resist_v their_o preach_n or_o few_o saint_n be_v gather_v there_o i_o do_v not_o then_o pretend_v to_o prove_v or_o to_o believe_v that_o that_o be_v constitute_v a_o metropolitan_a church_n with_o superiority_n over_o other_o of_o great_a antiquity_n or_o large_a growth_n in_o the_o faith_n whatsoever_o the_o dignity_n of_o it_o be_v in_o the_o secular_a account_n but_o when_o a_o whole_a nation_n be_v convert_v and_o the_o great_a and_o most_o populous_a city_n first_o and_o from_o thence_o the_o sound_n go_v out_o into_o all_o the_o region_n and_o lesser_a city_n in_o it_o that_o then_o the_o apostle_n which_o certain_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o every_o believe_a city_n and_o therefore_o what_o be_v report_v to_o have_v be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o every_o church_n act_v 14._o 23._o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o every_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5_o shall_v set_v up_o the_o principal_n see_v in_o those_o most_o christian_a city_n which_o have_v former_o the_o priority_n in_o the_o roman_a state_n as_o it_o be_v the_o wise_a method_n and_o fit_a for_o the_o wise_a planter_n to_o take_v so_o we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v do_v particular_o in_o the_o lydian_a or_o proconsular_a asia_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o more_o christian_a city_n than_o those_o seven_o to_o who_o christ_n epistle_n be_v address_v those_o be_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v account_v the_o chief_a of_o that_o region_n and_o those_o which_o be_v not_o name_v less_o principal_a than_o they_o which_o concur_v with_o what_o we_o find_v record_v in_o pliny_n and_o ptolemy_n of_o the_o account_n of_o they_o in_o the_o imperial_a noticiae_fw-la if_o it_o demonstrate_v not_o be_v yet_o matter_n of_o exceed_v great_a probability_n and_o may_v persuade_v with_o any_o reasonable_a man_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o any_o degree_n such_o which_o be_v offer_v to_o be_v confront_v against_o it_o 3._o if_o that_o which_o scandalize_v the_o assembler_n for_o we_o be_v leave_v to_o divine_a what_o it_o be_v be_v the_o unfitnesse_n that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v model_n the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o roman_a state_n i_o shall_v first_o demand_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o imagine_v a_o plantation_n of_o a_o church_n in_o any_o whether_o jewish_n or_o heathen_a state_n without_o do_v somewhat_o equivalent_a to_o this_o for_o suppose_v joseph_n of_o arimathea_n to_o have_v as_o brit._n gildas_n say_v convert_v the_o britannic_a church_n in_o tiberius_n time_n be_v it_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o he_o shall_v meddle_v with_o the_o civil_a power_n of_o this_o nation_n as_o it_o stand_v in_o respect_n of_o its_o separation_n from_o other_o nation_n toto_fw-la divisa_fw-la
that_o the_o seven_o star_n be_v find_v fix_v in_o seven_o not_o one_o over_o divers_a church_n this_o i_o conceive_v not_o to_o be_v of_o any_o force_n for_o it_o be_v by_o we_o grant_v and_o presume_v that_o each_o of_o the_o seven_o asian_a angel_n be_v bishop_n of_o his_o particular_a church_n one_o of_o ephesus_n another_o of_o smyrna_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v perfect_o reconcileable_a herewith_o that_o in_o case_n these_o seven_o be_v not_o the_o only_a city_n and_o church_n in_o asia_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o be_v not_o all_o asia_n consist_v of_o many_o more_o city_n be_v before_o this_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n all_o the_o other_o may_v have_v dependence_n on_o these_o seven_o 4._o for_o this_o we_o know_v that_o two_o bishop_n in_o england_n that_o be_v each_o of_o they_o first_o in_o one_o city_n for_o example_n in_o canterbury_n or_o york_n have_v yet_o each_o of_o they_o a_o superiority_n or_o metropolitical_a power_n over_o divers_a other_o city_n and_o when_o any_o record_n style_v one_o of_o they_o bishop_n of_o canterbury_n as_o the_o scripture_n do_v angel_n of_o ephesus_n we_o shall_v sure_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o very_a infirm_a inference_n from_o the_o word_n of_o that_o record_n to_o conclude_v that_o be_v bishop_n of_o canterbury_n he_o can_v not_o be_v metropolitan_a of_o london_n rochester_n etc._n etc._n 5._o and_o this_o be_v the_o very_a parallel_n to_o the_o present_a instance_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o invalid_a enough_o by_o be_v a_o bare_a negative_a argument_n they_o be_v not_o say_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v one_o star_n over_o divers_a church_n all_o thing_n that_o be_v be_v not_o say_v in_o scripture_n those_o angel_n have_v not_o therefore_o no_o name_n because_o they_o be_v not_o there_o record_v this_o parallel_a instance_n which_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a to_o their_o pretension_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o invalidate_v it_o section_n xviii_o of_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n for_o archbishop_n in_o tertullian_n of_o angel_n in_o christ_n epistle_n a_o four_o answer_n or_o rather_o confutation_n be_v add_v that_o if_o this_o opinion_n be_v true_a than_o tertullian_n do_v not_o do_v well_o in_o say_v that_o st._n john_n make_v polycarpe_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n but_o he_o shall_v rather_o have_v say_v that_o he_o make_v he_o archbishop_n and_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v not_o give_v to_o these_o seven_o angel_n their_o due_a title_n for_o he_o must_v have_v write_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n together_o with_o all_o those_o church_n in_o the_o city_n subordinate_a to_o ephesus_n and_o so_o likewise_o of_o the_o other_o six_o 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v that_o the_o affirm_v the_o seven_o angel_n to_o have_v be_v metropolitan_n no_o way_n oblige_v we_o to_o find_v fault_n either_o with_o tertullia_n or_o our_o saviour_n style_n not_o with_o tertullian_n for_o 1._o a_o archbishop_n be_v a_o bishop_n though_o dignify_v above_o some_o other_o of_o that_o order_n second_o suppose_v smyrna_n to_o be_v a_o metropolis_n as_o no_o doubt_n if_o it_o be_v tertullian_n know_v and_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v than_o his_o style_v polycarp_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n be_v equivalent_a to_o his_o call_v he_o a_o metropolitan_a or_o archbishop_n as_o acknowledge_v canterbury_n to_o be_v a_o metropolitical_a see_v in_o england_n the_o affirm_v william_n laud_n to_o be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o affirm_v he_o archbishop_n 3._o thus_o when_o 1._o chrysostome_n say_v of_o titus_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o entire_a island_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o so_o many_o bishop_n be_v commit_v to_o he_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o affirm_v titus_n archbishop_n of_o crete_n and_o yet_o 4._o eusebius_n who_o believe_v this_o and_o advert_v to_o it_o as_o much_o as_o chrysostome_n use_v this_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o crect_n call_v he_o bishop_n distinct_o though_o by_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o plural_a it_o be_v evident_a he_o mean_v the_o same_o that_o we_o do_v by_o archbishop_n 4._o so_o again_o 23._o eusebius_n of_o irenaeus_n that_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v bishop_n of_o the_o province_n of_o france_n which_o must_v needs_o signify_v archbishop_n of_o lion_n for_o so_o he_o be_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d archbishop_n of_o those_o which_o be_v no_o otherwise_o qualify_v for_o that_o title_n as_o when_o saint_n cyprian_n the_o bishop_n of_o carthage_n under_o which_o the_o whole_a province_n of_o africa_n be_v comprehend_v be_v by_o the_o 2._o council_n of_o constantinople_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d archbishop_n of_o the_o region_n of_o africa_n 5._o the_o same_o answer_n will_v competent_o suffice_v for_o the_o reconcile_a christ_n style_n and_o we_o for_o suppose_v ephesus_n to_o have_v be_v a_o metropolis_n the_o writing_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n imply_v write_v to_o those_o other_o church_n in_o the_o city_n subordinate_a to_o ephesus_n and_o need_v not_o be_v more_o full_o express_v as_o when_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o to_o all_o the_o saint_n and_o so_o all_o the_o church_n in_o all_o achaia_n 2_o cor._n 1._o 1._o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o former_a epistle_n be_v write_v to_o those_o very_o same_o church_n viz._n all_o under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o corinth_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v inscribe_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 1._o without_o mention_v of_o achaia_n save_v only_o in_o a_o general_a indefinite_a phrase_n with_o all_o that_o in_o every_o place_n call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n 6._o second_o the_o word_n in_o christ_n epistle_n be_v not_o bishop_n but_o angel_n be_v not_o at_o all_o liable_a to_o this_o exception_n for_o why_o may_v not_o a_o archbishop_n be_v as_o fit_o call_v a_o angel_n as_o a_o bishop_n will_v be_v nay_o if_o it_o be_v remember_v what_o be_v former_o cite_v out_o of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n strom._n 6._o that_o there_o be_v seven_o angel_n which_o have_v the_o great_a power_n by_o he_o style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o firstborn_a ruler_n of_o the_o angel_n parallel_n to_o the_o phrase_n in_o dan._n 7._o 10._o 13._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o head_n lord_n or_o chief_a prince_n or_o as_o we_o ordinary_o style_v they_o the_o archangel_n of_o which_o number_n michael_n be_v there_o name_v to_o be_v one_o there_o will_v then_o be_v more_o than_o a_o tolerable_a propriety_n of_o speech_n in_o christ_n style_n a_o most_o exact_a critical_a notation_n of_o their_o be_v arch-bishop_n and_o withal_o a_o far_a account_n of_o tertullian_n call_v polycarp_n a_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n though_o he_o be_v archbishop_n just_a as_o the_o archangel_n in_o daniel_n be_v more_o than_o once_o call_v angel_n in_o the_o revelation_n 7._o for_o a_o close_a of_o this_o mater_fw-la they_o be_v please_v to_o add_v their_o character_n not_o over-benigne_a of_o those_o by_o who_o this_o device_n as_o they_o style_v it_o be_v find_v out_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o archpiscopacy_n that_o they_o do_v aspire_v unto_o that_o dignity_n 8._o if_o hereby_o be_v mean_v the_o lord_n primate_n of_o ireland_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o the_o original_a of_o bishop_n this_o character_n can_v have_v no_o propriety_n in_o it_o he_o have_v quiet_o enjoy_v that_o dignity_n many_o year_n before_o the_o write_n hereof_o if_o it_o be_v design_v for_o a_o reproach_n to_o i_o i_o shall_v elude_v the_o blow_n by_o not_o think_v it_o such_o for_o as_o at_o a_o time_n when_o episcopacy_n itself_o be_v by_o the_o parliament_n abolish_v and_o that_o act_n of_o severity_n actual_o put_v in_o execution_n it_o have_v be_v a_o great_a folly_n in_o any_o to_o hope_n that_o he_o shall_v ever_o attain_v to_o that_o office_n of_o dignity_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o ever_o other_o folly_n i_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o true_o that_o be_v none_o of_o they_o so_o i_o think_v there_o can_v not_o a_o point_n of_o time_n more_o commodious_o have_v be_v choose_v in_o the_o space_n of_o above_o 1600_o â—_z wherein_o a_o man_n may_v have_v better_o secure_v a_o discourse_n for_o bishop_n and_o metropolitan_n from_o the_o censure_n of_o aspire_v to_o either_o of_o those_o dignity_n that_o be_v that_o wherein_o that_o book_n be_v publish_v 9_o to_o this_o if_o i_o add_v by_o way_n of_o retortion_n that_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o which_o write_v this_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la ministerii_fw-la evangeliei_fw-la do_v aspire_v every_o one_o of_o they_o to_o their_o
the_o region_n adjacent_a and_o pertain_v to_o that_o city_n and_o so_o as_o church_n and_o congregation_n be_v all_o one_o as_o in_o ordinary_a use_n in_o all_o language_n they_o be_v they_o be_v congregationall_a and_o diocesan_n also_o 12._o what_o follow_v of_o the_o paucity_n of_o believer_n in_o the_o great_a city_n and_o their_o meeting_n in_o one_o place_n as_o also_o of_o a_o church_n and_o city_n be_v all_o one_o be_v willing_o grant_v by_o we_o and_o have_v not_o the_o least_o appearance_n of_o be_v useful_a to_o their_o pretension_n or_o hurtful_a to_o we_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o make_v any_o the_o lest_o reply_v to_o it_o 13._o that_o which_o next_o follow_v though_o it_o concern_v we_o not_o to_o examine_v it_o our_o interest_n be_v equal_o secure_v be_v it_o true_a or_o false_a yet_o i_o can_v but_o take_v some_o notice_n of_o it_o in_o pass_v because_o it_o be_v a_o little_a extraordinary_a 14._o afterward_o say_v they_o we_o conceive_v that_o believer_n become_v so_o numerous_a in_o these_o great_a city_n as_o that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n act._n 2._o 41._o and_o 4._o 4._o and_o 5._o 14._o and_o thus_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v in_o most_o of_o these_o asian_a church_n in_o st._n john_n time_n 15._o here_o certain_o the_o word_n afterward_o be_v relative_a and_o refer_v to_o the_o antecedent_n in_o the_o former_a paragraph_n and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n hereupon_o i_o demand_v what_o time_n be_v that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n be_v it_o that_o wherein_o christ_n continue_v on_o the_o earth_n if_o so_o they_o will_v easy_o believe_v we_o that_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o diocesan_n bishop_n be_v place_v in_o the_o church_n within_o that_o period_n if_o it_o be_v the_o time_n immediate_o follow_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n when_o the_o apostle_n begin_v to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o faith_n then_o how_o come_v they_o to_o divide_v that_o time_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o act._n 2._o 41._o from_o that_o time_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n by_o this_o word_n afterwards_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a what_o be_v there_o story_a of_o the_o 3000._o convert_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o first_o sermon_n preach_v by_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n immediate_o upon_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o and_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n the_o wonderment_n whereof_o bring_v those_o so_o many_o auditor_n together_o 16._o so_o second_o when_o they_o say_v of_o this_o point_n of_o time_n act._n 2._o 41._o the_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meâ—t_v in_o one_o place_n this_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o text_n which_o say_v express_o five_o 44._o that_o all_o the_o believer_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n they_o interpret_v meet_v in_o â—ne_n and_o the_o same_o place_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o place_n act_n 4._o â—4_n and_o 5_o 14._o for_o certain_o as_o yet_o though_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n increase_v yet_o they_o be_v not_o distribute_v into_o several_a congregation_n but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n be_v assure_v that_o this_o disquisition_n be_v perfect_o extrinsecall_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o because_o as_o at_o jerusalem_n the_o ancient_n be_v clear_a in_o affirm_v that_o soon_o after_o christ_n ascension_n 〈◊〉_d peter_n and_o james_n and_o john_n choose_v james_n the_o just_a the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o constitute_v he_o bishop_n or_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o need_v pretend_v to_o from_o the_o story_n of_o that_o church_n so_o it_o matter_n not_o much_o at_o what_o point_n of_o time_n that_o be_v do_v whether_o at_o the_o very_a beginning_n or_o afterward_o much_o less_o how_o soon_o it_o be_v that_o that_o church_n be_v distribute_v into_o several_a divide_a assembly_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o bishop_n not_o at_o all_o depend_v on_o that_o as_o have_v former_o be_v show_v 17._o hence_o will_v it_o appear_v to_o how_o very_o little_a purpose_n be_v those_o caution_n add_v and_o observation_n make_v in_o the_o remain_a part_n of_o this_o six_o chapter_n 18._o thus_o say_v they_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v i.e._n the_o believer_n be_v so_o numerous_a in_o great_a city_n that_o they_o can_v not_o convenient_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n in_o most_o of_o these_o asian_a church_n in_o st._n john_n time_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o there_o be_v three_o thing_n diligent_o to_o be_v observe_v first_o that_o these_o meet_v place_n be_v frequent_v promiscuous_o and_o indistinct_o and_o that_o believer_n be_v not_o divide_v into_o set_n and_o fix_v church_n or_o congregation_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n 19_o but_o first_o i_o demand_v be_v there_o any_o truth_n in_o this_o observation_n be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n a_o set_v and_o fix_a church_n so_o as_o to_o be_v perfect_o sever_v from_o the_o church_n of_o alexandria_n and_o ephesus_n be_v not_o james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o the_o one_o and_o not_o of_o the_o other_o 20._o second_o why_o be_v this_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o be_v so_o diligent_o observe_v if_o one_o of_o these_o church_n be_v not_o thus_o divide_v and_o sever_v from_o other_o how_o can_v it_o be_v govern_v by_o a_o presbytery_n as_o they_o pretend_v it_o be_v must_v it_o not_o be_v a_o determinate_a fix_a body_n that_o be_v govern_v by_o any_o whether_o bishop_n or_o presbyter_n i_o profess_v not_o to_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v by_o my_o most_o diligent_a observation_n why_o this_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o be_v so_o diligent_o observe_v 21._o second_o say_v they_o it_o must_v be_v as_o diligent_o observe_v that_o notwithstanding_o these_o different_a meeting_n place_n yet_o the_o believer_n of_o one_o city_n make_v but_o one_o church_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v call_v a_o church_n not_o church_n act._n 8._o 1._o &_o 15._o 6._o &_o 22._o 16._o and_o so_o likewise_o it_o be_v call_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o church_n of_o thyatira_n etc._n etc._n not_o church_n etc._n etc._n 22._o this_o observation_n i_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v perfect_a truth_n in_o it_o and_o not_o to_o be_v confutable_a in_o any_o part_n save_o only_a that_o the_o two_o latter_a text_n be_v certain_o misquote_v and_o not_o rectify_v in_o the_o errata_fw-la and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o reject_v i_o shall_v embrace_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o incongruity_n in_o assign_v of_o one_o bishop_n to_o one_o church_n and_o so_o one_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n because_o it_o be_v a_o church_n not_o church_n be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o where_o there_o be_v more_o church_n there_o be_v more_o bishop_n and_o so_o likewise_o one_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n and_o of_o thyatira_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o suppose_v be_v not_o the_o thing_n they_o mean_v to_o infer_v from_o hence_o nor_o indeed_o do_v i_o conceive_v it_o necessary_o infer_v from_o only_a very_a agreeable_a to_o the_o oneness_n of_o each_o church_n without_o other_o argument_n to_o join_v with_o it_o but_o i_o be_o still_o to_o seek_v and_o emand_v what_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o their_o cause_n or_o disadvantage_n to_o we_o by_o this_o observation_n 23._o but_o than_o three_o they_o add_v that_o this_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n 24._o this_o indeed_o be_v worth_a their_o diligent_a observe_v if_o it_o can_v be_v descry_v and_o will_v abundant_o recompense_v they_o for_o the_o no-profit_n their_o two_o former_a observation_n bring_v they_o in_o if_o it_o can_v be_v obtain_v by_o all_o their_o diligence_n but_o this_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o only_a thing_n in_o question_n betwixt_o we_o whether_o the_o church_n in_o each_o city_n be_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n or_o by_o one_o single_a bishop_n call_v sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n as_o that_o signify_v simple_o a_o governor_n not_o with_o restriction_n a_o member_n of_o a_o college_n of_o governor_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o only_a question_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o it_o must_v not_o be_v any_o far_o yield_v to_o they_o than_o their_o proof_n and_o evidence_n will_v enforce_v it_o and_o these_o of_o what_o virtue_n they_o be_v must_v now_o appear_v
by_o the_o view_n of_o they_o and_o the_o first_o they_o produce_v be_v this_o 25._o the_o apostle_n go_v about_o ordain_v presbyter_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 14._o 23._o 26._o but_o sure_o this_o be_v a_o infirm_a argument_n every_o church_n signify_v without_o question_n more_o church_n than_o one_o viz._n derbe_n lystra_n iconium_n antioch_n v_o 20._o 21._o and_o if_o in_o each_o of_o those_o one_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v suppose_v to_o be_v ordain_v that_o certain_o will_v satisfy_v the_o importunity_n of_o that_o text_n and_o the_o mention_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o the_o plural_a viz._n four_o elder_n in_o those_o so_o many_o church_n and_o if_o because_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v in_o the_o singular_a number_n they_o therefore_o think_v that_o those_o plural_a elder_n must_v be_v ordain_v in_o each_o of_o those_o church_n this_o be_v too_o gross_a a_o mistake_n for_o scholar_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o that_o be_v not_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d any_o more_o than_o of_o the_o english_a church_n by_o church_n or_o in_o every_o church_n i.e._n more_o elder_n in_o more_o church_n one_o in_o every_o one_o 27._o their_o next_o proof_n be_v from_o act._n 20._o 17._o paul_n call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n one_o of_o these_o seven_o church_n and_o call_v they_o bishop_n and_o commit_v the_o whole_a government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o they_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o six_o church_n 28._o what_o may_v be_v say_v of_o ephesus_n i_o grant_v may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o six_o church_n but_o the_o text_n no_o where_o affirm_v it_o of_o ephesus_n and_o so_o the_o analogy_n will_v no_o way_n prove_v it_o of_o the_o rest_n all_o that_o the_o text_n say_v be_v this_o and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n this_o be_v not_o to_o say_v the_o elder_n as_o that_o signify_v presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o the_o one_o city_n and_o so_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o the_o elder_n i.e._n bishop_n either_o of_o the_o asian_a church_n of_o that_o whole_a region_n or_o at_o least_o of_o the_o ephesine_n province_n the_o neighbour_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n or_o city_n that_o be_v under_o that_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n who_o by_o st._n paul_n send_v his_o summons_n to_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a city_n of_o the_o one_o and_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o the_o other_o which_o consequent_o have_v daily_a mean_n of_o communicate_v intelligence_n to_o those_o other_o city_n may_v thus_o most_o commodious_o be_v advertise_v of_o st._n paul_n come_v and_o provide_v to_o meet_v he_o at_o miletus_n 29._o that_o this_o be_v no_o strain_a interpretation_n or_o answer_n be_v elsewhere_o evidence_v and_o may_v summary_o appear_v by_o these_o two_o testimony_n one_o of_o irenaeus_n here_o former_o mention_v l._n 3._o c._n 14._o ab_fw-la epheso_fw-la &_o reliquis_fw-la proximis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la convocatos_fw-la esse_fw-la that_o they_o be_v call_v from_o ephesus_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o near_a city_n adjoin_v to_o it_o this_o be_v a_o express_a evidence_n which_o be_v allow_v put_v the_o whole_a matter_n out_o of_o question_n and_o although_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n a_o testimony_n of_o so_o credible_a a_o person_n that_o live_v so_o near_o the_o time_n be_v a_o auditor_n of_o polycarpe_n the_o first_o bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o any_o contemporary_a be_v of_o a_o competent_a authority_n and_o need_v not_o any_o other_o topicke_n to_o assist_v it_o yet_o for_o the_o remove_n all_o possible_a prejudices_fw-la from_o it_o and_o render_v it_o yet_o more_o indubitable_a i_o shall_v a_o little_a far_o enlarge_v for_o the_o confirm_v of_o it_o 30._o and_o 1._o the_o apostle_n at_o his_o meeting_n with_o they_o v_o 18._o begin_v in_o this_o style_n you_o know_v from_o the_o first_o day_n that_o i_o come_v into_o asia_n after_o what_o manner_n i_o have_v be_v with_o you_o at_o all_o season_n a_o address_n to_o they_o either_o as_o to_o the_o elder_n of_o asia_n indefinite_o as_o many_o as_o can_v convenient_o come_v to_o miletus_n at_o that_o time_n or_o at_o least_o as_o to_o more_o than_o to_o the_o elder_n or_o elder_n if_o that_o can_v be_v true_o pretend_v of_o one_o city_n of_o asia_n peculiarly_a or_o exclusive_o to_o all_o other_o 31._o so_o again_o v._n 25._o and_o now_o behold_v i_o know_v that_o you_o all_o among_o who_o i_o have_v go_v preach_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n shall_v see_v my_o face_n no_o more_o this_o evident_o address_v the_o speech_n not_o only_o to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o one_o city_n but_o to_o all_o those_o as_o many_o as_o be_v then_o present_a among_o who_o he_o have_v go_v preach_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o we_o know_v be_v do_v by_o he_o to_o the_o other_o city_n and_o not_o only_o to_o that_o of_o ephesus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o passage_n though_o not_o so_o solemn_o as_o at_o ephesus_n go_v through_o all_o the_o region_n and_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o all_o say_v oecumenius_n on_o 2_o joh._n and_o so_o it_o be_v express_o say_v act._n 19_o 21._o that_o after_o the_o two_o year_n and_o three_o month_n spend_v at_o ephesus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o stay_v and_o spend_v some_o time_n in_o asia_n and_o according_o v_o 26._o demetrius_n true_o say_v that_o not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n but_o almost_o throughout_o all_o asia_n paul_n have_v persuade_v and_o turn_v away_o the_o people_n 32._o second_o than_o the_o faith_n be_v before_o this_o time_n successful_o propagate_v through_o all_o asia_n and_o not_o only_o in_o this_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n there_o be_v without_o question_n church_n according_o gather_v and_o compact_v in_o many_o other_o city_n as_o well_o as_o in_o ephesus_n before_o this_o time_n of_o paul_n part_n never_o to_o see_v they_o again_o and_o not_o only_o in_o the_o other_o metropolis_n six_o more_o of_o which_o be_v own_v by_o the_o objector_n smyrna_n and_o the_o rest_n rev._n 1_o but_o also_o in_o the_o lesser_a city_n which_o be_v not_o metropolitical_a and_o yet_o more_o especial_o in_o those_o city_n which_o be_v near_a ephesus_n and_o which_o as_o belong_v to_o that_o metropolis_n have_v frequent_a resort_n thither_o to_o the_o assize_n which_o be_v there_o keep_v act._n 19_o 38._o and_o so_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v receive_v special_a influence_n from_o the_o apostle_n reside_v there_o for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o year_n and_o three_o month_n act._n 19_o 8._o 10._o 33._o to_o which_o purpose_n it_o must_v again_o be_v remember_v that_o as_o timâ—thy_n be_v by_o eusebius_n style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n of_o the_o province_n that_o belong_v to_o ephesus_n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o which_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o make_v that_o a_o metropolis_n over_o other_o city_n and_o according_o in_o the_o order_n of_o metropolitical_a see_v at_o the_o end_n of_o codinus_n the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d primate_n of_o all_o asia_n so_o ignatius_n in_o traâ—an's_n time_n be_v by_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o ancients_n affirm_v to_o have_v write_v epistle_n to_o two_o church_n magnesia_n and_o trallis_n which_o be_v know_v to_o be_v city_n under_o this_o metropolis_n of_o ephesus_n and_o to_o have_v name_v the_o bishop_n of_o each_o damas_n of_o the_o one_o and_o polybius_n of_o the_o other_o 34._o and_o as_o there_o be_v no_o question_n among_o any_o but_o that_o ignatius_n write_v such_o epistle_n to_o those_o church_n salmasius_n cite_v that_o to_o the_o 222._o trallian_n express_o as_o the_o epistle_n of_o ignatius_n which_o certain_o he_o will_v never_o have_v do_v if_o he_o have_v doubt_v whether_o ever_o ignatius_n write_v to_o they_o and_o indeed_o all_o that_o be_v question_v by_o he_o and_o d._n blondell_n be_v but_o this_o whether_o the_o epistle_n now_o extant_a under_o his_o name_n be_v genuine_a or_o no_o not_o whether_o ignatius_n as_o all_o writer_n accord_n write_v seven_o epistle_n of_o which_o these_o which_o we_o now_o speak_v of_o are_z two_o so_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o imagine_v that_o they_o be_v of_o a_o late_a plantation_n than_o that_o which_o be_v here_o record_v to_o be_v wrought_v by_o st._n paul_n act._n 19_o all_o asia_n have_v then_o hear_v the_o faith_n v_o 10._o and_o receive_v it_o in_o a_o remarkable_a manner_n v._n 20._o and_o a_o great_a door_n say_v st._n paul_n be_v open_v to_o he_o at_o ephesus_n peculiar_o which_o must_v needs_o have_v influence_n on_o the_o city_n next_o adjoin_v to_o it_o in_o
a_o special_a manner_n 35._o to_o this_o i_o shall_v add_v three_o that_o as_o concord_n aristides_n say_v of_o ephesus_n that_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o common_a magazine_n or_o store-house_n of_o asia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o refuge_n for_o all_o want_n so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o fit_a way_n of_o convey_v intelligence_n speedy_o to_o all_o the_o city_n of_o asia_n especial_o the_o proximae_fw-la civitates_fw-la as_o irenaeus_n say_v the_o city_n next_o adjoin_v and_o so_o most_o commodious_a to_o assemble_v those_o other_o bishop_n to_o paul_n at_o miletus_n and_o not_o only_o he_o or_o those_o that_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v reside_v at_o ephesus_n 36._o and_o according_o we_o find_v in_o eusebius_n 23._o that_o the_o epistle_n of_o antonius_n â—ius_n concern_v the_o christian_n which_o be_v to_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o asia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v proclaim_v or_o divulge_v at_o ephesus_n in_o the_o common_a meeting_n of_o asia_n as_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o make_v it_o universal_o know_v 37._o all_o which_o be_v premise_v and_o withal_o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o st._n paul_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o fimall_n part_v take_v his_o solemn_a last_o leave_n of_o they_o v_o 38._o shall_v not_o so_o much_o consider_v as_o to_o call_v for_o or_o desire_v to_o see_v any_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o son_n the_o governor_n of_o the_o inferior_a church_n to_o who_o he_o have_v commit_v that_o numerous_a flock_n which_o be_v now_o so_o universal_o in_o such_o danger_n of_o wolf_n save_v only_o those_o of_o the_o one_o church_n of_o that_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n suppose_v there_o have_v be_v more_o than_o one_o there_o this_o will_v be_v a_o very_a competent_a confirmation_n of_o irenaeus_n his_o testimony_n that_o indeed_o thus_o it_o be_v as_o he_o have_v deliver_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n near_o adjoin_v to_o ephesus_n as_o many_o as_o by_o summons_n from_o thence_o can_v speedy_o be_v call_v together_o in_o all_o reason_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n which_o be_v under_o that_o metropolis_n be_v send_v to_o meet_v the_o apostle_n at_o miletus_n and_o according_o meet_v he_o there_o 38._o the_o second_o testimony_n be_v that_o maxim_n of_o the_o greek_a scholiast_n on_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 5._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o book_n of_o the_o act_n call_v the_o bishop_n elder_n which_o be_v avow_v by_o i_o in_o the_o dissertation_n and_o clear_v through_o all_o the_o place_n in_o the_o act_n they_o ought_v by_o all_o law_n of_o dispute_v either_o to_o have_v endeavour_v the_o refute_v of_o what_o be_v there_o say_v or_o the_o prove_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n must_v needs_o there_o signify_v presbyter_n in_o the_o modern_a notion_n which_o have_v not_o here_o attempt_v to_o do_v there_o be_v no_o kind_n of_o force_n in_o what_o be_v here_o dictate_v nothing_o say_v but_o what_o have_v be_v long_o since_o large_o and_o clear_o answer_v 39_o yet_o because_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n where_o this_o place_n of_o the_o act_n be_v view_v again_o one_o argument_n i_o see_v produce_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o pretension_n which_o they_o find_v in_o a_o observation_n of_o i_o i_o shall_v think_v myself_o concern_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o 40._o it_o be_v this_o pag._n 85._o if_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n have_v mean_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o all_o asia_n he_o will_v have_v say_v not_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v a_o observation_n make_v use_v of_o by_o one_o of_o those_o that_o make_v use_v of_o this_o answer_n we_o be_v now_o confute_v that_o when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o church_n in_o city_n it_o always_o use_v the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o church_n of_o corinth_n etc._n etc._n but_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o province_n where_o there_o be_v many_o city_n than_o it_o use_v the_o plural_a number_n as_o the_o church_n of_o judaea_n and_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n rev._n 1._o 11._o according_a to_o this_o observation_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v mean_v of_o the_o bishop_n of_o all_o asia_n he_o will_v have_v say_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n whereas_o he_o call_v they_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n v_o 17._o and_o so_o must_v mean_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o so_o mere_a presbyter_n not_o bishop_n 41._o but_o herein_o be_v a_o manifest_a mistake_n for_o the_o observation_n be_v not_o make_v as_o be_v here_o suggest_v of_o church_n in_o city_n and_o province_n that_o the_o former_a of_o they_o be_v constant_o to_o be_v understand_v where_o there_o be_v mention_n of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n without_o any_o name_n of_o particular_a city_n add_v to_o it_o and_o that_o when_o a_o province_n be_v mention_v it_o be_v always_o do_v by_o church_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n on_o which_o their_o argument_n be_v found_v but_o if_o the_o reader_n consult_v the_o dissertation_n p._n 190._o he_o shall_v find_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v mention_v make_v of_o church_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n the_o church_n of_o judaea_n of_o samaria_n of_o galilee_n of_o syria_n of_o cilicia_n of_o galatia_n of_o asia_n of_o macedonia_n whereas_o in_o other_o place_n there_o be_v as_o frequent_v mention_n of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a the_o church_n in_o jerusalem_n in_o antioch_n in_o cenchrea_n in_o corinth_n of_o the_o thessalonian_n of_o ephesus_n of_o smyrna_n of_o pergamus_n of_o thyatira_n of_o sardis_n of_o laodicaean_a 42._o the_o cause_n of_o that_o difference_n be_v there_o say_v to_o be_v this_o that_o judaea_n &c_n &c_n be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o province_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o city_n there_o be_v consequent_o many_o church_n and_o bishop_n in_o they_o whereas_o one_o city_n with_o the_o territory_n adjoin_v to_o it_o be_v rule_v by_o one_o single_a bishop_n be_v to_o be_v call_v a_o singular_a church_n and_o therefore_o that_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v in_o every_o church_n act_v 14._o 13._o be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v in_o every_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5._o the_o sum_n of_o which_o observation_n be_v only_o this_o that_o one_o city_n with_o the_o territory_n adjoin_v to_o it_o never_o make_v above_o one_o church_n in_o the_o scripture_n style_n whereas_o a_o province_n or_o country_n or_o nation_n consist_v of_o many_o city_n and_o so_o of_o many_o episcopal_a see_v or_o church_n 43._o this_o be_v all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o that_o place_n or_o that_o be_v useful_a to_o be_v say_v in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n to_o show_v the_o original_a of_o metropolitan_n there_o and_o what_o a_o wrest_n of_o a_o plain_a obvious_a observation_n be_v it_o to_o conclude_v it_o from_o hence_o to_o be_v my_o assertion_n that_o when_o that_o must_v be_v whensoever_o or_o else_o the_o conclusion_n can_v be_v deducible_a from_o it_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o a_o province_n it_o be_v in_o the_o plural_a number_n it_o do_v sometime_o do_v so_o and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v useful_a to_o i_o if_o it_o have_v do_v so_o but_o once_o though_o twenty_o time_n it_o have_v do_v the_o contrary_a it_o have_v be_v sufficient_a for_o some_o reasonable_a account_n there_o must_v be_v for_o the_o do_v it_o once_o and_o what_o can_v that_o be_v but_o the_o number_n of_o the_o city_n and_o so_o of_o church_n in_o each_o province_n or_o nation_n much_o more_o when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o example_n of_o it_o 44._o but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o affirm_v that_o it_o always_o do_v so_o especial_o when_o be_v leave_v at_o large_a without_o any_o restraint_n not_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n or_o the_o like_a but_o indofiniâ—ely_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o capable_a of_o another_o interpretation_n for_o sure_a when_o i_o write_v that_o i_o have_v not_o forget_v my_o creed_n or_o in_o it_o the_o name_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n which_o by_o the_o adjunct_n of_o catholic_a must_v needs_o be_v more_o than_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n and_o have_v read_v mat._n 16._o where_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v call_v my_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a a_o like_a phrase_n to_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o the_o bishop_n here_o be_v command_v to_o feed_v and_o in_o the_o one_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesiaâ—s_n have_v six_o example_n of_o the_o word_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a each_o signify_v evident_o the_o universal_a church_n i_o may_v very_o well_o be_v allow_v
to_o discern_v the_o word_n church_n in_o the_o singular_a without_o any_o addition_n of_o ephesus_n or_o the_o like_a which_o restrain_v it_o in_o all_o the_o example_n there_o produce_v to_o be_v appliable_a to_o a_o far_o large_a body_n than_o the_o church_n of_o one_o city_n and_o consequent_o be_v quit_v from_o all_o obligation_n of_o make_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n act._n 20._o 17._o the_o elder_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n 45._o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n i_o suppose_v but_o the_o church_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n consist_v of_o many_o church_n as_o the_o part_n thereof_o may_v be_v and_o be_v in_o scripture_n call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a and_o so_o certain_o may_v the_o church_n of_o a_o nation_n or_o a_o province_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v unite_v together_o under_o one_o primate_n or_o metropolitan_a as_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o church_n and_o city_n near_o ephesus_n nay_o over_o all_o asia_n be_v according_a to_o the_o plain_a word_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n who_o when_o 254._o other_o affirm_v of_o timothy_n that_o he_o be_v by_o paul_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o metropolis_n of_o epheâ—us_n express_v the_o same_o thing_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v manifest_a that_o timothy_n have_v a_o church_n commit_v to_o he_o or_o indeed_o a_o entire_a nation_n that_o of_o asia_n the_o like_a be_v ordinary_o observable_a of_o crete_n a_o whole_a island_n with_o a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o in_o each_o of_o which_o titus_n be_v appoint_v to_o ordain_v a_o bishop_n or_o elder_n which_o yet_o be_v style_v in_o the_o subscription_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o crete_n and_o the_o subscription_n never_o question_v upon_o that_o score_n by_o any_o that_o it_o speak_v improper_o herein_o 46._o and_o consequent_o there_o can_v be_v no_o harshness_n in_o this_o interpretation_n paul_n send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o he_o to_o miletus_n and_o in_o his_o oration_n address_v to_o they_o call_v they_o bishop_n of_o the_o flock_n and_o of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n mean_v they_o singular_a praefect_n of_o several_a city_n of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n especial_o of_o those_o which_o be_v near_a ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n 47._o and_o so_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n as_o they_o call_v they_o 48._o another_o proof_n of_o the_o same_o be_v there_o add_v pag._n 85._o thus_o the_o syriack_n translation_n read_v it_o he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n so_o hierome_n presbyteros_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la ephesinae_n so_o concilium_fw-la aquisgranense_n 49._o what_o authority_n st_n hierome_n testimony_n be_v to_o carry_v with_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v elsewhere_o large_o show_v and_o we_o may_v hereafter_o have_v far_a occasion_n to_o declare_v it_o and_o our_o reason_n of_o it_o at_o the_o present_a it_o be_v willing_o confess_v that_o st._n hierome_n on_o tit._n 1._o do_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o in_o scripture_n bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o and_o from_o he_o isidore_n hispalensis_n de_fw-fr officiis_fw-la eccl._n l._n 2._o have_v the_o same_o and_o both_o have_v according_a to_o that_o prolepsis_n change_v the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n in_o the_o act_n and_o instead_o of_o what_o there_o we_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n they_o read_v send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o same_o church_n express_v themselves_o to_o mean_v of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n and_o the_o council_n of_o aken_n aquisgranense_n have_v transcribe_v nine_o chapter_n from_o isidore_n verbatim_o consequent_o do_v the_o like_a so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o isidore_n and_o that_o council_n be_v as_o great_a as_o st._n hierome_n can_v make_v it_o from_o who_o evident_o it_o proceed_v may_v yet_o be_v allow_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o far_o great_a authority_n of_o polycarp'_v auditor_n irenaeus_n who_o have_v sufficient_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o contrary_n 50._o as_o for_o the_o syriack_n tanslation_n it_o be_v not_o here_o recite_v exact_o according_o to_o the_o truth_n for_o in_o that_o thus_o the_o word_n lie_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o from_o miletus_n he_o send_v and_o call_v for_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n where_o be_v but_o one_o mention_n of_o ephesus_n not_o two_o as_o be_v here_o suggest_v from_o the_o translation_n that_o it_o read_v he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o call_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o short_a of_o it_o be_v ephesus_z being_z but_o once_o name_v in_o that_o verse_n the_o greek_a place_v it_o in_o the_o begin_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o miletus_n he_o send_v to_o ephesus_n and_o this_o be_v the_o original_a must_v certain_o over-rule_v all_o translation_n and_o according_o all_o translation_n but_o one_o to_o read_v it_o only_o the_o syriack_n have_v misplaced_n the_o word_n ephesus_n put_v it_o in_o the_o late_a part_n of_o the_o period_n quite_o against_o all_o syntaxis_fw-la and_o for_o do_v so_o be_v here_o cite_v and_o their_o testimony_n make_v use_v of_o to_o assist_v presbytery_n when_o the_o manifest_a truth_n in_o the_o original_a and_o by_o all_o other_o translation_n acknowledge_v will_v not_o allow_v they_o any_o the_o least_o advantage_n 51._o after_o they_o have_v produce_v these_o two_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v in_o the_o apostle_n day_n by_o a_o common-council_n of_o presbyter_n the_o reader_n will_v hardly_o expect_v that_o which_o now_o next_z follow_v in_o these_o word_n from_o all_o this_o we_o gather_v that_o the_o asian_a angel_n be_v not_o diocesan_n bishop_n but_o congregationall_a presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o in_o one_o church_n not_o any_o of_o they_o in_o more_o than_o one_o 52._o this_o conclusion_n as_o the_o word_n lie_v consist_v of_o two_o part_n 1._o that_o each_o of_o these_o asian_a angel_n under_o the_o title_n of_o congregationall_a presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o one_o church_n this_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v as_o the_o word_n sound_v be_v the_o grant_n to_o we_o all_o that_o we_o contend_v and_o will_v hardly_o be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o three_o observation_n that_o the_o church_n in_o the_o city_n be_v govern_v by_o the_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n for_o sure_o each_o of_o those_o presbyter_n be_v not_o a_o common_a council_n but_o i_o rather_o believe_v they_o have_v not_o so_o soon_o disclaim_v their_o praemiss_n and_o therefore_o that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a to_o interpret_v their_o word_n by_o their_o principle_n than_o their_o meaning_n by_o their_o word_n and_o so_o that_o by_o congregationall_a presbyter_n they_o mean_v so_o many_o college_n of_o such_o presbyter_n seat_v each_o of_o they_o i._n e._n each_o of_o those_o college_n in_o one_o church_n and_o if_o that_o be_v their_o conclusion_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o to_o accord_v perfect_o with_o their_o praemiss_n which_o be_v already_o answer_v there_o remain_v no_o force_n in_o the_o conclusion_n 53._o and_o for_o the_o second_o part_n that_o not_o any_o of_o they_o be_v seat_v in_o more_o than_o one_o understand_v it_o again_o as_o the_o word_n sound_v it_o be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o our_o pretension_n for_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n be_v seat_v in_o smyrna_n or_o in_o any_o church_n but_o that_o of_o ephesios_n and_o the_o territory_n thereof_o and_o although_o as_o that_o be_v a_o metropolis_n other_o city_n be_v under_o it_o and_o so_o other_o bishop_n subordinate_a to_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n yet_o be_v not_o any_o other_o city_n the_o seat_n of_o that_o metropolitan_a but_o only_o ephesus_n whereof_o he_o take_v his_o denomination_n as_o although_o rochester_n be_v under_o the_o metropolis_n of_o canterbury_n yet_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v not_o seat_v at_o rochester_n but_o some_o other_o bishop_n affix_v to_o that_o city_n and_o diocese_n as_o for_o any_o other_o meaning_n of_o it_o proportionable_a to_o that_o which_o we_o be_v fain_o to_o affix_v to_o the_o former_a i_o confess_v myself_o ignorant_a what_o it_o can_v tend_v to_o for_o it_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v not_o any_o council_n of_o presbyter_n be_v seat_v in_o more_o church_n than_o one_o which_o be_v as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v no_o one_o body_n be_v in_o several_a place_n and_o i_o know_v no_o prelatist_n that_o either_o direct_o or_o by_o consequence_n have_v affirm_v it_o be_v 54._o what_o remain_v in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n of_o this_o chapter_n
be_v communicate_v to_o the_o colossian_n and_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n do_v belong_v and_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n act._n 16._o 4._o and_o then_o all_o that_o the_o immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o the_o deacon_n in_o that_o place_n will_v conclude_v be_v only_o this_o which_o be_v far_o from_o yield_v the_o presbyterian_o any_o profit_n that_o as_o aër_fw-la epiphanius_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n be_v but_o new_o plant_v there_o be_v not_o presbyter_n as_o yet_o constitute_v among_o they_o only_o a_o bishop_n with_o one_o deacon_n or_o more_o in_o each_o city_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o it_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n act._n 6._o where_o after_o james_n assumption_n to_o the_o bishopric_n which_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o seven_o deacon_n be_v soon_o institute_v no_o presbyter_n be_v create_v in_o the_o middle_n betwixt_o the_o bishop_n and_o they_o that_o either_o scripture_n or_o ancient_a record_n inform_v we_o of_o and_o corinth_n clemens_n st._n paul_n fellow_n labourer_n mention_n it_o as_o the_o general_a practice_n that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v through_o region_n and_o city_n constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v come_v in_o to_o the_o faith_n thus_o far_o be_v this_o from_o be_v a_o force_a interpretation_n be_v perfect_o regular_a and_o conformable_a to_o what_o we_o read_v of_o those_o time_n out_o of_o the_o best_a and_o ancient_a record_n of_o they_o and_o if_o in_o any_o circumstance_n we_o shall_v be_v liable_a to_o mistake_v yet_o for_o the_o main_a the_o reader_n will_v hardly_o think_v it_o possible_a when_o he_o remember_v this_o very_a church_n of_o the_o philippian_n to_o be_v one_o of_o those_o express_o name_v by_o tertullian_n among_o who_o in_o his_o time_n apostolorum_fw-la cathedrae_fw-la suis_fw-la adhuc_fw-la locis_fw-la praesidebantur_fw-la the_o chair_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v yet_o extant_a praeside_v in_o their_o due_a place_n which_o conclude_v some_o bishop_n or_o singular_a praefect_n to_o have_v succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o this_o church_n as_o in_o those_o other_o thessalonica_n etc._n etc._n and_o by_o theodoret_n who_o authority_n be_v most_o use_v against_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v presbyter_n here_o epaphroditus_n be_v express_o affirm_v to_o be_v that_o bishop_n the_o next_o place_n be_v that_o of_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o 2._o if_o any_o man_n desire_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n he_o covet_v a_o good_a work_n a_o bishop_n therefore_o must_v be_v blameless_a where_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n of_o doubt_v but_o the_o bishop_n be_v the_o singular_a praefect_n or_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o only_a appearance_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v again_o as_o in_o that_o to_o the_o philippian_n the_o immediate_a subjoyn_v of_o deacon_n and_o their_o qualification_n v_o 8._o that_o present_o vanish_v if_o again_o we_o remember_v the_o observation_n of_o epiphanius_n which_o he_o have_v out_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a record_n and_o be_v find_v exact_o conformable_a to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n the_o contemporary_a of_o the_o apostle_n that_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d before_o the_o government_n be_v complete_a in_o all_o the_o office_n the_o apostle_n and_o apostolical_a person_n place_v in_o the_o church_n by_o they_o such_o as_o timothy_n to_o who_o here_o he_o give_v the_o direction_n create_v no_o more_o but_o a_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o or_o more_o in_o each_o church_n the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n neither_o require_v nor_o be_v well_o capable_a of_o any_o more_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o paucity_n of_o the_o christian_n to_o be_v govern_v or_o instruct_v and_o of_o those_o which_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v make_v presbyter_n and_o although_o theodoret_n again_o with_o some_o few_o other_o interpret_v the_o place_n of_o presbyter_n yet_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a he_o do_v it_o not_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o bishop_n add_v in_o the_o same_o place_n that_o the_o bishop_n especial_o shall_v observe_v these_o law_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o those_o which_o have_v attein_v to_o a_o great_a honour_n meanwhile_o s._n chrysostome_n interpret_v it_o distinct_o of_o 〈◊〉_d bishop_n as_o i_o have_v do_v and_o in_o that_o notion_n of_o bishop_n which_o sever_v they_o from_o presbyter_n such_o as_o govern_v in_o each_o city_n and_o add_v the_o qualification_n to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v speak_v of_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d do_v agree_v to_o presbyter_n also_o and_o according_o theophylact_v interpret_v it_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o precedent_n and_o ruler_n without_o any_o mention_n of_o presbyter_n there_o remain_v but_o one_o place_n and_o that_o of_o the_o very_a same_o nature_n with_o this_o last_o and_o must_v certain_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o tit._n 1._o 7._o for_o a_o bishop_n must_v be_v blameless_a as_o the_o steward_n of_o god_n answerable_a to_o that_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o ruler_n set_v over_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n 2_o kin._n 11._o 18._o i_o e._n the_o steward_n to_o who_o the_o key_n of_o the_o house_n be_v commit_v isa_n 22._o 22._o that_o this_o be_v the_o singular_a bishop_n in_o every_o city_n signify_v before_o v_o 5._o by_o the_o elder_n which_o titus_n be_v leave_v in_o crete_n to_o constitute_v be_v the_o joint_a affirmation_n of_o st._n chrysostome_n theophylact_v and_o oecumenius_n on_o those_o word_n of_o v_o 5._o elder_n in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n by_o elder_n he_o there_o mean_v bishop_n as_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n appoint_v they_o to_o be_v constitute_v in_o every_o â—ity_n for_o he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o whole_a island_n administer_v by_o one_o but_o that_o every_o â—ity_n shall_v have_v its_o proper_a pastor_n or_o bishop_n that_o so_o the_o labour_n may_v be_v the_o light_a and_o the_o care_n more_o exact_a in_o crete_n there_o be_v certain_o many_o city_n eusebius_n mention_n a_o hundred_o of_o all_o which_o 4._o say_v he_o titus_n be_v make_v bishop_n by_o st._n paul_n that_o under_o he_o say_v 1._o theodoret_n he_o may_v ordain_v bishop_n to_o which_o ep._n chrysostome_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o he_o may_v have_v power_n to_o judge_v or_o censure_v those_o bishop_n as_o a_o metropolitan_a and_o primaâ—e_a over_o they_o there_o be_v now_o no_o other_o place_n wherein_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v and_o by_o this_o brief_a view_n of_o these_o i_o hope_v the_o first_o proposition_n be_v competent_o rescue_v from_o merit_v the_o censure_n of_o paradox_n whether_o that_o signify_v novel_a or_o strange_a this_o be_v so_o conformable_a both_o to_o the_o nature_n and_o use_n of_o the_o word_n to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o the_o importance_n of_o each_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v use_v that_o bishop_n shall_v signify_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o singular_a pastor_n or_o governor_n in_o each_o city_n or_o church_n section_n iii_o of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n now_o to_o the_o second_o proposition_n which_o pretend_v not_o to_o so_o much_o positivenesse_n but_o be_v set_v down_o in_o a_o great_a latitude_n of_o define_v that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d either_o constant_o signify_v a_o bishop_n also_o or_o else_o common_o a_o bishop_n though_o sometime_o but_o most_o rare_o a_o presbyter_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v now_o need_v to_o praemise_v but_o these_o few_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d common_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v denote_v most_o proper_o and_o signify_v most_o constant_o as_o in_o all_o language_n the_o word_n be_v find_v vulgar_o to_o do_v a_o ruler_n or_o governor_n this_o be_v so_o large_o deduce_v and_o demonstrate_v in_o the_o annotation_n on_o act._n 11._o 30._o that_o i_o shall_v not_o endeavour_v far_o to_o manifest_v it_o second_o that_o as_o in_o some_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o word_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o bishop_n so_o in_o every_o other_o place_n it_o be_v very_o fit_o capable_a of_o that_o interpretation_n this_o be_v again_o so_o particular_o evidence_v to_o the_o latin_a reader_n diss_n 4._o c._n 19_o 20_o 21_o 22._o and_o to_o the_o english_a reader_n annot._n on_o act._n 11._o b._n and_o 14._o a._n that_o i_o can_v deem_v it_o reasonable_a to_o tire_v myself_o far_a with_o
the_o practice_n which_o in_o this_o particular_a he_o recommend_v to_o the_o church_n and_o i_o must_v needs_o tell_v the_o objector_n that_o as_o mean_v a_o opinion_n as_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v of_o this_o work_n of_o visit_v the_o sick_a i_o can_v but_o affirm_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o if_o it_o be_v due_o and_o advantageous_o manage_v it_o be_v extreme_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a to_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n and_o as_o proper_a for_o a_o bishop_n personal_o to_o perform_v when_o his_o other_o public_a necessary_a task_n wherein_o many_o more_o be_v concern_v and_o wherein_o he_o have_v no_o proxy_n to_o supply_v his_o place_n permit_v as_o any_o one_o part_n of_o his_o divine_a office_n differ_v from_o the_o rest_n only_o in_o this_o and_o in_o that_o respect_n yield_v the_o precedence_n to_o they_o that_o other_o part_n of_o his_o office_n be_v or_o may_v be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n extensive_a to_o many_o whilst_o each_o act_n of_o this_o be_v terminate_v in_o some_o one_o who_o soul_n yet_o aught_o to_o be_v more_o precious_a in_o his_o eye_n than_o all_o other_o acquisition_n in_o the_o world_n according_o it_o be_v in_o the_o 22._o dissertation_n evidence_v out_o of_o polycarp'_v epistle_n who_o be_v somewhat_o after_o the_o time_n of_o james_n the_o author_n of_o this_o epistle_n that_o part_n of_o the_o bishop_n office_n it_o be_v then_o esteem_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o visit_v all_o the_o sick_a in_o like_a manner_n as_o in_o justin_n martyr_n he_o be_v make_v the_o curator_n of_o all_o that_o be_v in_o want_n the_o grand_a distributer_n of_o all_o the_o liberality_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o the_o only_a objection_n that_o be_v here_o tender_v against_o this_o interpretation_n of_o the_o place_n from_o the_o singalar_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o church_n not_o of_o the_o church_n the_o answer_n be_v obvious_a that_o this_o epistle_n of_o james_n be_v write_v to_o all_o the_o jew_n in_o dispersion_n jam._n 1._o 1._o these_o can_v not_o make_v up_o any_o one_o particular_a church_n of_o any_o single_a denomination_n but_o yet_o all_o conjoin_v very_o fit_o in_o that_o one_o universal_a style_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o this_o respect_n we_o know_v it_o be_v call_v the_o catholic_n epistle_n of_o james_n because_o write_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o the_o jew_n all_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o nation_n wheresoever_o disperse_v out_o of_o their_o country_n now_o these_o inhabit_v in_o divers_a city_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a there_o be_v divers_a bishop_n in_o this_o circuit_n and_o so_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o commodious_o set_v to_o express_v these_o several_a bishop_n belong_v to_o this_o complexe_n body_n the_o church_n of_o the_o dispersion_n not_o that_o there_o be_v more_o of_o these_o in_o one_o city_n for_o that_o consideration_n will_v never_o have_v cause_v the_o plural_a expression_n because_o be_v there_o never_o so_o many_o the_o sick_a person_n need_v not_o have_v call_v more_o at_o once_o and_o upon_o that_o score_n 〈◊〉_d shall_v demand_v of_o they_o that_o argue_v from_o the_o number_n be_v every_o sick_a man_n in_o their_o opinion_n to_o call_v for_o the_o whole_a presbytery_n â—or_a again_o because_o there_o be_v not_o as_o many_o church_n as_o elder_n but_o only_o because_o these_o many_o particular_a church_n of_o which_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a number_n of_o elder_n be_v very_o fit_o comprehend_v under_o the_o one_o general_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n sect._n xi_o a_o last_o objection_n from_o act._n 21._o 18._o and_o 14._o 3._o and_o 11._o 30._o answer_v elder_n for_o ruler_n or_o bishop_n there_o yet_o remain_v one_o sort_n of_o objection_n more_o against_o these_o paradox_n in_o these_o word_n beside_o when_o it_o to_o say_v act_n 21._o 18._o paul_n go_v in_o with_o we_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a it_o be_v suppose_v by_o our_o episcopal_a man_n that_o james_n be_v at_o this_o time_n bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o we_o demand_v who_o be_v these_o elder_n be_v these_o also_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n will_v this_o answer_n consist_v with_o our_o brethren_n judgement_n so_o likewise_o when_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 15_o 4._o and_o when_o they_o be_v comâ—_n to_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n we_o demand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o church_n be_v it_o not_o mean_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o which_o place_n they_o be_v say_v to_o come_v and_o if_o so_o than_o we_o askâ—_n far_o what_o be_v meanâ—_n by_o the_o elder_n must_v it_o not_o be_v answer_v that_o by_o elder_n be_v mean_v the_o elder_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o then_o let_v any_o man_n 〈◊〉_d we_o how_o these_o elder_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v bishop_n in_o a_o prelatical_a sense_n especial_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o brethren_n who_o make_v james_n to_o be_v at_o this_o time_n the_o only_a bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n add_v far_o it_o be_v say_v act._n 14._o 3._o whâ—n_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n in_o every_o church_n act._n 11._o 30._o they_o send_v relief_n to_o the_o elder_n etc._n etc._n can_v any_o imagine_v that_o this_o relief_n be_v send_v only_o to_o bishop_n and_o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n ordain_v no_o presbyter_n in_o any_o church_n but_o only_a bishop_n be_v not_o this_o to_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o instead_o of_o uphold_v of_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o this_o sufficient_a to_o render_v it_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a to_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n but_o we_o forbear_v it_o seem_v we_o have_v still_o remain_v another_o heap_n of_o inconvenient_a confession_n that_o we_o labour_v under_o and_o upon_o they_o more_o socratico_n they_o make_v their_o demand_n and_o although_o i_o may_v just_o wonder_v why_o they_o which_o have_v read_v the_o dissertation_n and_o know_v what_o answer_n i_o give_v to_o every_o of_o their_o demand_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o trouble_n to_o ask_v they_o again_o yet_o because_o i_o be_o resolve_v not_o to_o be_v weary_a of_o attend_v they_o i_o shall_v answer_v they_o as_o punctual_o as_o they_o can_v wish_v and_o patient_o support_v all_o the_o odium_fw-la that_o will_v result_v from_o thence_o among_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n here_o only_o i_o desire_v two_o thing_n may_v be_v remember_v which_o have_v already_o be_v evidence_v 1._o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elderâ—_n in_o the_o style_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n in_o the_o continue_a use_n of_o all_o language_n be_v a_o expression_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n be_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n upon_o all_o reasonable_a account_n as_o proper_o applicable_a to_o the_o ruler_n and_o governor_n ecclesiastical_a as_o the_o word_n apostles_n or_o bishop_n or_o precedent_n or_o ruler_n or_o any_o the_o like_a will_v be_v think_v to_o be_v and_o withal_o very_o fit_a to_o express_v single_a ruler_n in_o each_o particular_a church_n in_o case_n any_o such_o may_v otherwise_o appear_v to_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n there_o be_v no_o propriety_n in_o the_o word_n or_o peculiarity_n in_o the_o usage_n of_o it_o to_o incline_v it_o to_o joint_a power_n of_o colleague_n rule_v in_o common_a according_o evidence_n have_v be_v produce_v in_o the_o dissertation_n to_o show_v the_o continuance_n of_o this_o usage_n among_o author_n after_o the_o scripture-time_n that_o it_o long_o remain_v in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o ancient_n policarpe_a papias_n irenaeus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o tertullian_n many_o of_o which_o be_v know_v and_o by_o the_o adversary_n acknowledge_v to_o assert_v episcopacy_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o yet_o use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n to_o denote_v sometime_o the_o apostle_n sometime_o the_o singular_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o affirm_v this_o one_o thing_n so_o attest_v and_o confirm_v viz._n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v very_o convenient_o be_v interpret_v bishop_n as_o oft_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o text_n will_v bear_v it_o will_v not_o i_o hope_v still_o be_v so_o unfortunate_a as_o to_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o paradox_n and_o odious_a be_v indeed_o a_o plain_a obvious_a observation_n which_o have_v nothing_o of_o difficulty_n or_o harshness_n in_o it_o have_v praemise_v this_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o all_o praelatist_n i_o hope_v convince_o affirm_v and_o prove_v to_o have_v ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n of_o convert_v and_o
proselyte_n to_o the_o faith_n and_o there_o be_v many_o such_o city_n in_o judaea_n beside_o jerusalem_n and_o consequent_o many_o bishop_n in_o those_o city_n one_o in_o each_o it_o can_v be_v no_o new_a thing_n to_o conclude_v that_o when_o we_o read_v of_o bishop_n in_o the_o plural_a within_o that_o pale_a of_o judaea_n these_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o judaea_n and_o so_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o we_o find_v the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n mention_v separately_z and_o then_o those_o other_o with_o he_o express_v by_o any_o title_n which_o signify_v bishop_n be_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o matter_n not_o and_o with_o all_o these_o never_o express_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o either_o elder_n simple_o or_o else_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o or_o at_o jerusalem_n denote_v only_o the_o place_n where_o at_o that_o time_n they_o be_v present_a it_o will_v be_v as_o little_a harsh_a to_o infer_v that_o at_o such_o time_n there_o be_v assemble_v or_o meet_v together_o at_o jerusalem_n james_n the_o bishop_n of_o that_o metropolis_n and_o the_o other_o bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a region_n the_o bishop_n of_o judaea_n with_o he_o from_o hence_o there_o will_v now_o be_v no_o difficulty_n to_o make_v a_o brief_a answer_n to_o each_o of_o their_o demand_n 1._o that_o act._n 21._o 18._o the_o elder_n which_o be_v present_a with_o james_n the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o bishop_n of_o judaea_n which_o be_v then_o upon_o the_o emergent_a affair_n of_o the_o church_n present_a at_o jerusalem_n whether_o all_o of_o they_o assemble_v in_o council_n to_o receive_v a_o account_n of_o saint_n paul_n transaction_n and_o success_n among_o the_o gentile_n v._n 19_o or_o many_o of_o they_o on_o any_o other_o ecclisiasticall_a concernment_n but_o that_o which_o put_v it_o out_o of_o question_n that_o it_o be_v all_o of_o they_o in_o council_n be_v what_o follow_v v_o 25._o where_o they_o refer_v to_o the_o decree_n which_o have_v be_v conciliar_o deliver_v v._n 15._o by_o they_o who_o be_v now_o there_o present_a we_o have_v write_v and_o conclude_v and_o what_o paradox_n can_v there_o be_v in_o this_o that_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o judaea_n shall_v be_v in_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o st_n peter_n and_o st._n john_n with_o they_o and_o that_o st._n paul_n shall_v come_v and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o travail_n and_o action_n in_o their_o presence_n the_o same_o answer_n certain_o belong_v to_o the_o place_n next_o mention_v c._n 15._o 4._o where_o after_o mention_n of_o their_o reception_n by_o the_o church_n follow_v and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n by_o the_o church_n be_v mean_v the_o believer_n that_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n whether_o inhabit_v there_o continual_o or_o now_o occasional_o present_a there_o by_o the_o apostle_n james_n the_o brother_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o then_z bishop_z of_o the_o metropolis_n together_o with_o peter_n and_o john_n the_o know_a apostle_n of_o christ_n this_o james_n by_o they_o set_v over_o that_o church_n say_v 6._o clemens_n and_o 〈◊〉_d hegesippus_n and_o by_o s._n paul_n himself_o reckon_v among_o the_o apostle_n gal._n 1._o 19_o and_o so_o in_o the_o title_n of_o his_o epistle_n and_o name_v before_o peter_n and_o john_n the_o two_o prime_a apostle_n as_o be_v in_o this_o his_o see_n gal._n 2._o 9_o and_o express_v to_o pronounce_v the_o decree_n in_o the_o council_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o judge_v act._n 15._o 19_o and_o this_o confirm_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o ancient_n that_o the_o presbyterian_o make_v the_o most_o frequent_a use_n of_o theodoret_n and_o isa_n st._n hierome_n the_o former_a express_o affirm_v of_o those_o time_n that_o they_o which_o be_v after_o style_v bishop_n be_v then_o call_v apostle_n and_o the_o latter_a style_v this_o james_n particular_o apostolum_n decimum_fw-la tertium_fw-la the_o thirteen_o apostle_n and_o then_o what_o can_v be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o context_n to_o make_v the_o council_n complete_a a_o council_n for_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n &c_n &c_n to_o appeal_v to_o then_o to_o render_v the_o elder_n the_o bishop_n of_o all_o judaea_n which_o be_v certain_o fit_a for_o the_o turn_n to_o join_v in_o the_o council_n and_o give_v law_n to_o other_o city_n than_o the_o bare_a presbyter_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n can_v have_v be_v esteem_v if_o any_o such_o there_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n so_o early_o for_o though_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v a_o universal_a jurisdiction_n and_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o that_o be_v the_o prime_a metropolis_n not_o only_o of_o judaea_n but_o syria_n also_o with_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a province_n in_o council_n with_o he_o some_o reasonable_a account_n may_v be_v give_v why_o they_o shall_v be_v consult_v by_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n and_o give_v bind_v decree_n in_o that_o matter_n to_o all_o that_o be_v subject_a to_o that_o metropolis_n yet_o suppose_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o presbyter_n and_o that_o as_o these_o say_v the_o elder_n mention_v in_o the_o council_n be_v none_o but_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o particular_a church_n there_o can_v no_o reasonable_a account_n be_v give_v why_o they_o shall_v join_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o work_n wherein_o not_o jerusalem_n of_o which_o alone_o they_o be_v presbyter_n but_o antioch_n and_o other_o city_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n be_v immediate_o concern_v and_o conclude_v by_o the_o sentence_n of_o james_n that_o must_v be_v according_a to_o their_o opinion_n of_o one_o of_o the_o presbyter_n of_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o next_o place_n what_o be_v say_v of_o act._n 14._o 23._o and_o act._n 11._o 30._o be_v somewhat_o unhappy_o put_v together_o and_o yet_o not_o rectify_v in_o the_o errata_fw-la for_o 1._o the_o ordain_v elder_n in_o every_o church_n to_o which_o act._n 11._o 30._o be_v affix_v be_v not_o mention_v there_o but_o act._n 14._o 23._o and_o the_o send_v relief_n which_o in_o the_o syntax_n must_v be_v affix_v to_o act._n 14._o 23._o be_v not_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o there_o but_o â—â—ct_n 11._o 30._o but_o this_o be_v imputable_a to_o some_o haste_n either_o of_o scribe_n or_o compositor_n be_v there_o not_o a_o second_o incongruity_n interweave_v in_o it_o viz._n that_o when_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n have_v ordain_v they_o elder_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v not_o do_v till_o act._n 14._o 23._o they_o send_v relief_n to_o the_o elder_n which_o be_v do_v act._n 11._o 30._o which_o be_v a_o evident_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o i_o can_v discern_v how_o it_o be_v useful_a for_o they_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o as_o for_o their_o quaeres_fw-la raise_v on_o these_o two_o text_n the_o answer_n be_v obvious_a and_o here_o to_o be_v translate_v out_o of_o the_o dissertation_n as_o former_o that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n act_n 11._o 30._o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a city_n of_o judaea_n not_o the_o presbyter_n of_o that_o one_o city_n jerusalem_n for_o 1_o the_o famine_n that_o occasion_v this_o charity_n of_o the_o antiochian_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o upon_o jerusalem_n alone_o but_o all_o the_o world_n i.e._n in_o the_o scripture-stile_n lu._n 21._o 26._o rom._n 10._o 18._o over_o the_o whole_a land_n of_o judea_n according_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o septuagint_n who_o oft_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o earth_n or_o the_o land_n when_o it_o signify_v the_o land_n of_o judaea_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n as_o isa_n 10._o 23._o and_o 13._o 5._o 9_o and_o 24._o 1._o and_o according_o josephus_n say_v of_o this_o time_n of_o claudius_n reign_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a famine_n over_o judaea_n second_o the_o charity_n be_v distinct_o say_v to_o be_v design_v by_o the_o donor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o brethren_n that_o dwell_v in_o judaea_n in_o no_o wise_a confine_v to_o jerusalem_n nor_o consequent_o can_v the_o elder_n to_o who_o it_o be_v send_v and_o in_o who_o hand_n it_o be_v put_v be_v any_o other_o than_o the_o elder_n i.e._n say_v we_o bishop_n of_o all_o judaea_n three_o it_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n as_o we_o find_v the_o practice_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n to_o be_v the_o receiver_n and_o steward_n and_o dispenser_n of_o the_o wealth_n of_o any_o sect_n which_o be_v bring_v in_o to_o the_o church_n whether_o by_o the_o offertory_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o the_o sacrament_n or_o by_o the_o liberality_n of_o other_o church_n
for_o this_o must_v be_v contain_v in_o these_o word_n of_o they_o that_o follow_v in_o the_o former_a place_n the_o occasion_n of_o that_o epistle_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o new_a sedition_n raise_v by_o the_o corinthian_n against_o their_o presbyter_n p._n 57_o 58._o clemens_n to_o remove_v their_o present_a sedition_n tell_v they_o how_o god_n have_v always_o appoint_v several_a order_n in_o his_o church_n which_o must_v not_o be_v confound_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n he_o appoint_v highpriest_n priest_n and_o levite_n and_o then_o tell_v they_o for_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o christ_n jesus_n send_v his_o apostle_n as_o before_o cite_v the_o word_n of_o clement_n already_o set_v down_o but_o certain_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v bishop_n in_o that_o epistle_n to_o be_v no_o more_o than_o presbyter_n but_o may_v as_o fit_o be_v argumentative_a for_o i_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o that_o epistle_n signify_v bishop_n the_o only_a imaginable_a medium_n of_o proof_n which_o can_v be_v useful_a for_o their_o turn_n i_o shall_v suppose_v to_o be_v this_o that_o corinth_n be_v but_o one_o city_n and_o therefore_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n at_o and_o of_o corinth_n must_v needs_o be_v presbyter_n because_o according_a to_o our_o opinion_n there_o be_v not_o more_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o what_o clemens_n say_v in_o the_o testimony_n now_o produce_v he_o speak_v not_o of_o corinth_n peculiar_o but_o of_o the_o city_n and_o region_n in_o general_a which_o the_o apostle_n convert_v and_o of_o they_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d through_o region_n and_o city_n and_o then_o in_o those_o many_o city_n there_o may_v well_o be_v many_o bishop_n and_o yet_o certain_o no_o more_o than_o one_o in_o one_o city_n second_o that_o this_o epistle_n of_o clemens_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v not_o to_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o one_o city_n but_o to_o the_o whole_a province_n of_o achaia_n of_o which_o corinth_n be_v the_o metropolis_n and_o wherein_o the_o proconsul_n of_o achaia_n reside_v and_o keep_v his_o court_n act._n 18._o 12._o 15._o so_o the_o title_n of_o the_o epistle_n incline_v be_v inscribe_v to_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o denote_v the_o whole_a province_n then_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o when_o in_o polycarp_n epistle_n the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o only_o that_o of_o the_o city_n philippi_n but_o of_o the_o province_n belong_v to_o it_o and_o in_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o title_n of_o this_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n of_o god_n dwell_v about_o rome_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o that_o metropolis_n call_v by_o ignatius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o place_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o roman_n i._n e._n the_o city_n and_o the_o whole_a region_n about_o it_o 23._o and_o so_o when_o eusebius_n mention_n dionysius_n the_o famous_a bishop_n of_o corinth_n he_o call_v he_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o province_n of_o or_o about_o corinth_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o no_o conjecture_n of_o i_o may_v appear_v by_o one_o character_n in_o the_o epistle_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o have_v former_o receive_v epistle_n from_o st._n paul_n this_o direct_v to_o resolve_v that_o these_o to_o who_o this_o epistle_n be_v address_v be_v the_o same_o to_o who_o st._n pawles_n be_v former_o send_v and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o those_o be_v the_o saint_n or_o christian_n in_o all_o achaia_n 2_o cor._n 1._o 1._o and_o the_o same_o be_v doubtless_o imply_v by_o the_o phrase_n in_o every_o place_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o not_o in_o every_o place_n simple_o of_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v no_o catholic_n epistle_n but_o a_o particular_a admonition_n for_o particular_a fault_n incest_n etc._n etc._n but_o in_o that_o whole_a porvince_n or_o region_n of_o achaia_n so_o that_o which_o apollos_n be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v among_o they_o apollos_n have_v water_v 1_o cor._n 3._o 6._o appear_v by_o the_o story_n act._n 18._o 27._o to_o have_v belong_v to_o all_o achaia_n and_o so_o what_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o they_o of_o send_v their_o offertory_n to_o judaea_n 1_o cor._n 6._o 1._o 2_o cor._n 8._o and_o 9_o do_v appear_v by_o rom._n 15._o 26._o to_o appertain_v to_o all_o achaia_n macedonia_n say_v he_o and_o achaia_n have_v please_v to_o make_v a_o contribution_n and_o 2_o cor._n 9_o 2._o i_o know_v your_o forwardness_n that_o achaia_n have_v be_v ready_a above_o a_o year_n ago_o where_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o and_o achaia_n must_n need_v be_v of_o the_o same_o latitude_n and_o so_o again_o it_o be_v c._n 11._o 9_o compare_v with_o v._n 18._o and_o so_o those_o of_o st._n paul_n and_o consequent_o this_o of_o clement_n be_v not_o to_o the_o city_n of_o corinth_n alone_o but_o to_o all_o the_o church_n of_o achaia_n and_o if_o among_o they_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o there_o will_v certain_o be_v no_o news_n in_o that_o and_o if_o those_o bishop_n according_a both_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o use_n of_o it_o in_o those_o day_n before_o and_o after_o clement_n be_v style_v sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sometime_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d also_o than_o all_o be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o all_o that_o we_o contend_v for_o that_o there_o be_v one_o bishop_n not_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o clement_n day_n in_o every_o city_n and_o this_o be_v direct_o the_o importance_n of_o clement_n word_n as_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o epistle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d christ_n be_v send_v out_o from_o god_n and_o the_o apostle_n from_o christ_n as_o my_o father_n send_v i_o so_o send_v i_o you_o and_o then_o to_o show_v that_o the_o bishop_n be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n send_v i._n e._n commissionated_a by_o they_o he_o add_v that_o they_o i._n e._n the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d go_v out_o preach_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n therefore_o preach_v through_o region_n and_o city_n they_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n for_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n city_n and_o region_n in_o the_o plural_a and_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n proportionable_a thereto_o and_o when_o he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v thus_o make_v of_o their_o first_o fruit_n i._n e._n of_o those_o that_o be_v first_o convert_v by_o they_o and_o to_o this_o end_n that_o they_o may_v be_v officer_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v after_o believe_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v not_o many_o now_o that_o do_v so_o this_o be_v direct_o a_o description_n of_o those_o time_n of_o which_o epiphanius_n speak_v say_v that_o when_o the_o gospel_n begin_v to_o be_v preach_v there_o be_v yet_o no_o need_n of_o presbyter_n but_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n serve_v the_o turn_n and_o according_o deacon_n in_o those_o day_n be_v immediate_o make_v bishop_n as_o be_v sufficient_o know_v of_o clement_n the_o writer_n of_o this_o epistle_n who_o be_v st._n peter_n deacon_n and_o bishop_n after_o he_o as_o be_v clear_v in_o dissert_n 5._o c._n 1._o sect._n 11._o and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o first_o testimony_n one_o thing_n only_o more_o from_o hence_o they_o be_v desirous_a to_o conclude_v that_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n the_o custom_n be_v to_o choose_v bishop_n in_o village_n as_o well_o as_o in_o great_a city_n ground_v upon_o this_o that_o here_o the_o apostle_n be_v say_v to_o have_v appoint_v bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n of_o this_o conclusion_n in_o this_o testimony_n for_o 1._o here_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o village_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o greek_a for_o they_o but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o it_o be_v the_o former_a not_o the_o latter_a which_o here_o we_o find_v it_o be_v evident_a what_o be_v mean_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o it_o be_v join_v with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d city_n viz._n province_n which_o have_v each_o of_o they_o many_o city_n in_o they_o and_o when_o it_o be_v join_v with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d village_n it_o sit_o denote_v region_n in_o which_o there_o be_v many_o village_n so_o say_v 13._o strabo_n of_o asia_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o roman_n make_v that_o region_n a_o province_n and_o so_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a write_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o province_n make_v up_o
of_o many_o city_n each_o of_o which_o have_v a_o bishop_n over_o they_o as_o when_o in_o the_o 2._o council_n in_o trullo_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cyprian_n be_v say_v to_o be_v archbishop_n of_o the_o region_n of_o the_o africane_n region_n there_o signify_v the_o whole_a province_n under_o that_o metropolitan_a and_o so_o 52._o cyprian_n himself_o make_v it_o his_o observation_n jampridem_fw-la per_fw-la omnes_fw-la provincias_fw-la &_o singulas_fw-la urbes_fw-la instituti_fw-la sunt_fw-la episcopi_fw-la ancient_o through_o all_o the_o province_n and_o each_o of_o the_o city_n bishop_n be_v institute_v where_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o several_a province_n as_o those_o differ_v from_o the_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n be_v undoubted_o archbishop_n and_o if_o that_o place_n so_o very_o agreeable_a to_o this_o of_o clemens_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o give_v we_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o we_o see_v what_o it_o will_v be_v and_o how_o distant_a from_o these_o man_n conclusion_n that_o the_o apostle_n institute_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n and_o in_o each_o region_n or_o province_n and_o in_o the_o metropolis_n or_o chief_a city_n of_o it_o a_o metropolitan_a or_o archbishop_n but_o then_o 2._o if_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v signify_v as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o a_o company_n of_o village_n or_o little_a town_n lie_v near_o together_o so_o as_o to_o be_v here_o use_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o city_n yet_o can_v it_o not_o be_v from_o hence_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n constitute_v bishop_n in_o those_o village_n the_o word_n be_v they_o preach_v through_o region_n and_o city_n and_o constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n early_a convert_n into_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o will_v be_v perfect_o true_a though_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n constitute_v by_o they_o have_v their_o fix_a seat_n of_o residence_n in_o the_o city_n for_o that_o they_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o the_o region_n be_v not_o here_o affirm_v much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n to_o show_v that_o the_o utmost_a concession_n that_o the_o adversary_n can_v demand_v from_o hence_o will_v no_o way_n hinder_v or_o disadvantage_n our_o pretension_n but_o only_o give_v the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la a_o great_a antiquity_n in_o the_o church_n than_o either_o they_o or_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v they_o have_v of_o which_o whole_a matter_n the_o reader_n may_v see_v a_o full_a discourse_n dissert_n 3._o c._n 8._o sect._n 25._o etc._n etc._n and_o of_o it_o somewhat_o we_o shall_v anon_o have_v occasion_n to_o repete_fw-la from_o thence_o the_o second_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n be_v set_v down_o by_o they_o in_o these_o word_n that_o the_o apostle_n know_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 57_o that_o there_o will_v a_o contention_n arise_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d about_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n &_o be_v endue_v with_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n they_o appoint_v the_o aforesaid_a that_o be_v the_o aforesaid_a order_n of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n here_o they_o require_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v note_v 1._o that_o by_o name_n be_v not_o mean_v the_o bare_a name_n of_o bishop_n but_o the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n as_o it_o be_v take_v phil._n 2._o 9_o ephes_n 1._o 21._o heb._n 1._o 4._o rev._n 11._o so_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o controversy_n among_o the_o corinthian_n be_v not_o about_o the_o name_n but_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o it_o be_v about_o the_o deposition_n of_o their_o godly_a presbyter_n pag._n 57_o 58._o 2._o that_o the_o only_a remedy_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o cure_n of_o all_o contention_n arise_v about_o episcopacy_n be_v by_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o the_o church_n to_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n afterward_o the_o church_n find_v out_o another_o way_n by_o set_v up_o one_o bishop_n over_o another_o but_o clemens_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o apostle_n endue_v with_o perfect_a foreknowledge_n of_o thing_n ordain_v only_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n for_o a_o remedy_n of_o schism_n to_o this_o they_o add_v to_o supersede_n far_a citation_n our_o of_o this_o epistle_n it_o will_v be_v too_o long_o to_o recite_v all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o this_o epistle_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o our_o proposition_n let_v the_o reader_n peruse_v pag._n 57_o 62._o 69._o 72._o and_o take_v notice_n that_o those_o which_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o one_o place_n be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o another_o and_o that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d throughout_o the_o whole_a epistle_n what_o this_o whole_a epistle_n will_v yield_v towards_o the_o proof_n of_o their_o proposition_n which_o be_v that_o after_o christ_n ascension_n the_o church_n of_o god_n for_o a_o certain_a space_n of_o time_n be_v govern_v by_o a_o common_a council_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n i_o think_v it_o reasonable_a for_o any_o that_o have_v not_o read_v it_o to_o conjecture_v by_o these_o two_o testimony_n which_o these_o who_o assert_v the_o proposition_n and_o here_o undertake_v to_o prove_v it_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o cull_v out_o of_o it_o have_v withal_o nothing_o more_o to_o collect_v for_o their_o turn_n from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o epistle_n particular_o from_o the_o compare_v those_o four_o page_n 57_o 62._o 72._o but_o only_a this_o that_o they_o which_o be_v call_v bishop_n in_o one_o place_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n in_o another_o now_o this_o last_o they_o know_v be_v the_o very_a thing_n that_o i_o contend_v as_o from_o the_o scripture_n so_o from_o this_o and_o other_o ancient_a write_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o elder_a be_v word_n of_o the_o same_o importance_n all_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o at_o the_o first_o both_o import_v bishop_n or_o both_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o circumstance_n so_o much_o as_o offer_v by_o they_o to_o consideration_n which_o may_v incline_v it_o their_o way_n be_v evident_a by_o their_o own_o word_n neither_o of_o their_o two_o note_n pretend_v to_o it_o only_o their_o conclusion_n affirm_v that_o they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d word_n of_o the_o same_o importance_n the_o whole_a matter_n therefore_o will_v still_o divolve_v to_o this_o one_o quaere_fw-la whether_o when_o clement_n say_v of_o the_o apostle_n that_o they_o constitute_v none_o but_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n by_o bishop_n a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n in_o every_o city_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v or_o rather_o one_o bishop_n with_o his_o deacon_n or_o deacon_n in_o every_o city_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o one_o difficulty_n for_o this_o be_v evince_v all_o that_o their_o two_o note_n affirm_v be_v direct_o on_o our_o side_n against_o they_o i_o shall_v here_o entire_o set_v down_o the_o whole_a place_n last_o produce_v of_o which_o they_o have_v leave_v out_o one_o half_a it_o be_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d our_o apostle_n know_v by_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n that_o must_v be_v by_o revelation_n from_o he_o that_o there_o will_v contention_n arise_v upon_o the_o name_n or_o dignity_n of_o episcopacy_n i._n e._n about_o the_o authority_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o church_n some_o oppose_v it_o and_o cast_v they_o out_o of_o their_o office_n as_o here_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o corinthian_n and_o through_o all_o achaia_n be_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o this_o time_n and_o occasion_v this_o epistle_n to_o they_o for_o which_o cause_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v perfect_a foreknwoledge_n that_o there_o will_v be_v such_o contention_n on_o this_o occasion_n do_v for_o the_o prevent_n of_o they_o constitute_v the_o forementioned_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n of_o those_o which_o shall_v come_v in_o to_o the_o faith_n in_o their_o new_a plantation_n and_o after_o they_o so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v in_o barnabas_n epistle_n sect._n 10._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o people_n that_o shall_v be_v after_o and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act._n 13._o 42._o that_o which_o shall_v follow_v the_o next_o after_n give_v a_o series_n or_o catalogue_n or_o manner_n of_o succession_n i._n e._n set_v down_o a_o note_n of_o they_o which_o in_o each_o church_n shall_v succeed_v the_o present_a incumbent_n that_o when_o they_o die_v other_o approve_a man_n may_v succeed_v to_o their_o office_n or_o ministry_n what_o can_v be_v more_o manifest_a than_o that_o the_o dignity_n which_o the_o apostle_n confer_v on_o the_o bishop_n in_o each_o city_n and_o province_n which_o in_o the_o former_a testimony_n have_v be_v clear_v to_o belong_v to_o single_a bishop_n not_o to_o any_o college_n of_o presbyter_n be_v by_o they_o foresee_v that_o it_o will_v be_v matter_n of_o contention_n occasion_n of_o sedition_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o
and_o these_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o be_v all_o of_o they_o star_n of_o the_o same_o magnitude_n and_o angel_n of_o the_o same_o order_n without_o a_o difference_n or_o distinction_n 2._o but_o this_o be_v a_o way_n of_o prove_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v deny_v by_o another_o which_o they_o know_v be_v equal_o deny_v by_o he_o against_o who_o they_o dispute_v and_o therefore_o that_o argument_n can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n with_o we_o 3._o it_o be_v most_o true_a indeed_o what_o they_o begin_v with_o that_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v a_o collective_a body_n for_o so_o it_o be_v certain_a every_o church_n be_v whether_o govern_v by_o one_o or_o more_o ruler_n but_o the_o church_n be_v not_o the_o angel_n any_o more_o than_o the_o candlestick_n be_v the_o star_n but_o punctual_o distinguish_v from_o they_o rev._n 1._o 20._o but_o this_o i_o suppose_v be_v a_o mistake_n hasty_o fall_v from_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v not_o pursue_v it_o any_o far_o 4._o their_o argument_n i_o conceive_v depend_v upon_o the_o plurality_n of_o elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v at_o ephesus_n act._n 20._o when_o paul_n take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o and_o call_v they_o bishop_n but_o to_o this_o they_o know_v i_o have_v answer_v clear_o that_o as_o in_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n so_o in_o that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n be_v all_o one_o with_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n denote_v not_o the_o many_o presbyter_n of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n but_o the_o many_o bishop_n of_o that_o and_o other_o city_n of_o asia_n which_o at_o that_o time_n by_o s._n paul_n summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o asia_n be_v call_v and_o meet_v together_o at_o miletus_n 5._o to_o this_o purpose_n 14._o irenaeus_n be_v a_o witness_n beyond_o exception_n who_o speak_v of_o these_o elder_n or_o bishop_n add_v ab_fw-la epheso_fw-la &_o proximis_fw-la civitatibus_fw-la convocatos_fw-la esse_fw-la that_o they_o be_v assemble_v from_o ephesus_n and_o the_o next_o city_n in_o which_o as_o the_o faith_n be_v plant_v as_o well_o as_o in_o ephesus_n even_o in_o all_o asia_n so_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o there_o be_v bishop_n in_o they_o as_o well_o as_o in_o ephesus_n seven_a such_o church_n we_o know_v be_v here_o mention_v in_o the_o revelation_n and_o that_o paul_n be_v as_o careful_a to_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o as_o many_o as_o can_v convenient_o come_v to_o miletus_n in_o his_o hasty_a progress_n as_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n he_o be_v just_o deem_v to_o have_v be_v 6._o other_o argument_n and_o authority_n i_o need_v not_o here_o accumulate_v for_o this_o notion_n of_o elder_n act._n 20._o because_o here_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o reason_n offer_v to_o prove_v their_o or_o impugn_v our_o assertion_n this_o perhaps_o will_v be_v afterward_o attempt_v and_o then_o i_o shall_v as_o occasion_n require_v far_o enlarge_v in_o the_o mean_v it_o suffice_v that_o it_o yet_o no_o way_n appear_v that_o ephesus_n be_v govern_v by_o many_o presbyter_n and_o not_o by_o one_o bishop_n and_o therefore_o this_o second_o offer_n of_o reason_n be_v as_o deficient_a as_o the_o first_o to_o prove_v the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n to_o have_v be_v a_o collective_a body_n section_n x._o of_o express_v a_o number_n by_o singular_n a_o church_n by_o a_o candlestick_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n rev._n 8._o their_o three_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o only_o in_o other_o book_n of_o scripture_n but_o in_o this_o very_a book_n of_o the_o revelation_n in_o mysterious_a and_o prophetic_a write_n and_o visionall_a representation_n such_o as_o this_o of_o the_o star_n and_o golden_a â—candlestick_n be_v to_o express_v a_o number_n of_o thing_n or_o person_n in_o singular_n and_o this_o in_o vision_n be_v the_o usual_a way_n of_o representation_n of_o thing_n a_o thousand_o person_n make_v up_o one_o church_n be_v represent_v by_o one_o candlestick_n many_o minister_n make_v up_o one_o presbytery_n by_o one_o angel_n thus_o rev._n 8._o 2._o it_o be_v say_v that_o john_n see_v seven_o angel_n which_o stand_v before_o god_n by_o these_o seven_o candlestick_n i_o suppose_v it_o shall_v be_v seven_o angel_n dr._n reynolds_n do_v not_o understand_v seven_o individual_a angel_n but_o all_o the_o angel_n for_o there_o be_v no_o seven_o individual_a angel_n but_o all_o the_o angel_n for_o there_o be_v no_o seven_o individual_a angel_n that_o stand_v before_o god_n but_o all_o do_v dan_o 7._o there_o be_v many_o more_o instance_n bring_v in_o the_o book_n foremention_v 2._o to_o this_o three_o reason_n i_o have_v no_o obligation_n or_o notice_n to_o give_v credit_n any_o far_a than_o the_o evidence_n persuade_v for_o many_o of_o which_o though_o we_o be_v refer_v to_o smectymnuus_n etc._n etc._n yet_o have_v receive_v promise_n from_o these_o that_o they_o will_v borrow_v a_o few_o thing_n from_o those_o other_o i_o shall_v with_o reason_n hope_v that_o what_o they_o have_v upon_o choice_n borrow_v leave_v as_o they_o say_v much_o more_o behind_o be_v the_o most_o satisfactory_a and_o solid_a of_o any_o thing_n by_o they_o produce_v and_o consequent_o if_o there_o be_v no_o force_n in_o these_o instance_n to_o oppugn_v our_o conclusion_n we_o shall_v not_o expect_v to_o find_v more_o convince_a one_o by_o travail_v far_o and_o gather_v up_o out_o of_o those_o dispersion_n what_o they_o have_v refuse_v to_o take_v up_o and_o offer_v to_o we_o 3._o the_o thing_n they_o will_v prove_v be_v that_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o this_o as_o in_o other_o mysterious_a prophetic_a book_n to_o express_v a_o number_n of_o thing_n or_o person_n by_o singular_n their_o proof_n be_v but_o three_o and_o the_o first_o be_v of_o no_o force_n because_o the_o word_n church_n denote_v a_o singular_a thing_n as_o well_o as_o candlestick_n that_o represent_v it_o for_o though_o a_o thousand_o man_n make_v up_o one_o church_n yet_o one_o church_n be_v but_o one_o thing_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n and_o proportionable_o as_o one_o candlestick_n in_o the_o singular_a be_v set_v to_o denote_v each_o church_n so_o there_o be_v seven_o candlestick_n to_o represent_v the_o seven_o church_n 4._o as_o for_o the_o second_o that_o of_o the_o angel_n that_o that_o signify_v many_o minister_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v as_o a_o proof_n be_v itself_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o question_n and_o indeed_o though_o church_n be_v a_o collective_a body_n and_o so_o one_o church_n be_v know_v to_o consist_v of_o many_o man_n yet_o angel_n be_v not_o of_o that_o nature_n one_o angel_n neither_o signify_v many_o man_n nor_o many_o angel_n 5._o and_o whereas_o the_o parallel_n be_v set_v betwixt_o the_o word_n candlestick_n and_o the_o word_n angel_n that_o they_o each_o be_v singular_a word_n by_o which_o multitude_n be_v represent_v that_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o the_o parallel_n lie_v betwixt_o church_n and_o angel_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n betwixt_o candlestick_n and_o star_n as_o appear_v rev._n 1._o 20._o and_o both_o these_o be_v individual_a thing_n the_o church_n a_o individual_a church_n and_o there_o be_v seven_o such_o individual_a church_n and_o the_o angel_n a_o individual_a angel_n and_o there_o be_v seven_o such_o individual_a angel_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o pretence_n that_o one_o angel_n shall_v signify_v many_o minister_n than_o that_o one_o church_n shall_v signify_v many_o congregation_n 6._o last_o for_o the_o three_o proof_n that_o of_o seven_o angel_n rev._n 8._o 2._o if_o that_o be_v grant_v to_o doctor_n reynold_n authority_n that_o the_o seven_a angel_n there_o signify_v all_o the_o angel_n yet_o will_v it_o not_o at_o all_o contribute_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n which_o be_v that_o many_o shall_v be_v signify_v by_o a_o singular_a for_o we_o know_v that_o seven_o be_v not_o a_o singular_a but_o the_o custom_n indeed_o be_v ordinary_a to_o use_v a_o certain_a definite_a number_n for_o a_o uncertain_a or_o indefinite_a and_o the_o septenary_a be_v a_o perfect_a number_n and_o so_o fit_a for_o the_o turn_n it_o be_v more_o tolerable_a that_o the_o number_n of_o seven_o may_v represent_v some_o great_a number_n one_o plural_a a_o large_a plural_a than_o that_o a_o singular_a one_o shall_v do_v so_o 7._o and_o yet_o second_o there_o be_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o that_o the_o seven_o angel_n be_v indeed_o very_o seven_o angel_n and_o no_o more_o this_o i_o collect_v 1._o from_o the_o seven_o trumpet_n that_o be_v give_v they_o ver_fw-la 2._o and_o the_o specify_v they_o by_o that_o character_n the_o seven_o angel_n which_o have_v the_o seven_o trumpet_n ver_fw-la
may_v be_v in_o they_o 4._o master_n brightman_n i_o know_v and_o some_o other_o it_o be_v possible_a may_v have_v interpret_v the_o angel_n to_o signify_v the_o whole_a college_n of_o pastor_n and_o true_o i_o shall_v much_o soon_o take_v up_o a_o interpretation_n upon_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o these_o assembler_n than_o i_o will_v upon_o no_o better_a evidence_n from_o m._n brightman_n he_o be_v one_o learned_a man_n long_o know_v to_o be_v unkind_a to_o our_o pralate_n and_o here_o be_v many_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v as_o learned_a though_o under_o the_o same_o praejudices_fw-la 5._o some_o other_o here_o cite_v i_o can_v believe_v be_v bring_v to_o testify_v this_o but_o only_o that_o what_o be_v say_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o each_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v say_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o not_o only_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o if_o that_o be_v all_o they_o say_v it_o be_v that_o which_o we_o can_v doubt_v to_o affirm_v with_o they_o and_o have_v oft_o confess_v to_o understand_v christ_n epistle_n so_o without_o any_o incommodity_n to_o our_o praetension_n 6._o if_o i_o mistake_v in_o these_o conjecture_n i_o desire_v pardon_n and_o shall_v hope_v to_o give_v a_o better_a account_n when_o i_o read_v the_o testimony_n in_o the_o author_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v cite_v for_o in_o these_o derivation_n of_o testimony_n the_o assembler_n cite_v they_o from_o smectymnuus_n smectymnuus_n from_o master_n fox_n master_n fox_n from_o primasius_n etc._n etc._n there_o be_v great_a possibility_n of_o mistake_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v follow_v the_o example_n before_o i_o forbear_v add_v any_o more_o of_o this_o matter_n 7._o in_o the_o next_o place_n they_o be_v please_v to_o take_v notice_n as_o of_o a_o objection_n against_o their_o interpretation_n that_o some_o author_n say_v timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o our_o saviour_n write_v this_o epistle_n other_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n other_o that_o polycarp_n be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n at_o that_o time_n and_o therefore_o these_o angel_n must_v needs_o be_v take_v individual_o for_o so_o many_o single_a person_n 8._o of_o this_o objection_n which_o they_o have_v thus_o form_v for_o we_o there_o be_v only_o thus_o much_o of_o truth_n that_o out_o of_o authentic_a record_n we_o bring_v undeniable_a evidence_n for_o timothy_n be_v constitute_v by_o st._n paul_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n for_o onesimus_n be_v place_v in_o that_o see_v at_o the_o time_n of_o ignatius_n writing_n to_o the_o ephesian_n that_o polycarpe_n be_v constitute_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n by_o s._n john_n of_o all_o which_o we_o have_v speak_v enough_o already_o 9_o but_o of_o all_o or_o any_o of_o these_o be_v bishop_n in_o those_o city_n at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o christ_n address_v this_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o each_o this_o have_v no_o where_o be_v our_o affirmation_n nor_o will_v it_o have_v be_v useful_a to_o we_o in_o any_o considerable_a degree_n if_o we_o have_v ground_n positive_o to_o affirm_v it_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o we_o be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o ancient_a record_n which_o evidence_n they_o to_o have_v be_v so_o early_a bishop_n in_o two_o of_o those_o church_n to_o which_o christ_n epistle_n be_v send_v and_o bishop_n in_o the_o notion_n wherein_o we_o now_o use_v the_o word_n we_o be_v secure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o ouâ—_n collection_n when_o from_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n of_o the_o 7._o church_n we_o assert_v the_o ecclesiastical_a power_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o single_a bishop_n in_o each_o church_n to_o be_v own_v and_o confirm_v by_o christ_n and_o suppose_v some_o other_o person_n and_o none_o of_o these_o three_o to_o have_v be_v those_o very_a numericall_a angel_n to_o who_o those_o epistle_n be_v write_v this_o conclusion_n of_o we_o stand_v yet_o as_o firm_a as_o if_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v it_o of_o those_o very_a numericall_a person_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o government_n continue_v all_o the_o scripture_n time_n and_o to_o timothy_n successor_n and_o onesimus_n predecessor_n be_v as_o certain_o bishop_n as_o either_o onesimus_n or_o timothy_n himself_o when_o withal_o we_o have_v already_o produce_v mention_n from_o the_o ancient_n of_o the_o catalogue_n of_o those_o bishop_n which_o succe_fw-la deed_n timothy_n in_o that_o see_n 10._o have_v thus_o set_v right_o the_o objection_n for_o they_o so_o as_o it_o be_v own_v by_o we_o to_o be_v a_o objection_n against_o they_o it_o will_v now_o soon_o appear_v what_o force_n there_o be_v in_o their_o answer_n to_o it_o and_o those_o be_v three_o 11._o first_o that_o they_o that_o say_v that_o timothy_n be_v then_o bishop_n offer_v no_o little_a injury_n to_o he_o for_o they_o thereby_o charge_v he_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o apostasy_n and_o of_o lose_v his_o first_o love_n and_o so_o out_o of_o a_o blind_a zeal_n to_o episcopacy_n they_o make_v that_o glorious_a saint_n to_o stand_v charge_v as_o a_o apostate_n the_o like_a injury_n be_v offer_v by_o objection_n to_o onesimâ—s_n 12._o but_o first_o you_o see_v whatever_o our_o opinion_n be_v express_v to_o be_v we_o have_v not_o affirm_v either_o of_o these_o as_o to_o the_o person_n either_o of_o timothy_n or_o onesimus_n but_o leave_v it_o uncertain_a who_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v whether_o either_o or_o neither_o of_o these_o but_o some_o successor_n of_o the_o one_o and_o predecessor_n of_o the_o other_o and_o so_o what_o charge_v soever_o fall_v on_o that_o angel_n it_o fall_v not_o necessary_o on_o either_o of_o these_o 13._o second_o it_o be_v already_o agree_v betwixt_o the_o party_n affirm_v by_o they_o and_o acknowledge_v by_o i_o that_o the_o epistle_n be_v address_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o ephesus_n the_o church_n or_o diffusive_a body_n the_o christian_n in_o it_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o content_n of_o it_o and_o than_o whatsoever_o charge_n be_v find_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o how_o heavy_a a_o nature_n soever_o even_o of_o apostasy_n itself_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n the_o angel_n or_o bishop_n shall_v be_v personal_o guilty_a of_o it_o and_o so_o whosoever_o the_o bishop_n be_v though_o timothy_n himself_o our_o zeal_n to_o episcopacy_n have_v not_o be_v so_o blind_a or_o transport_v as_o to_o put_v we_o on_o any_o uncharitable_a censure_n to_o affix_v any_o unhandsome_a character_n upon_o so_o glorious_a a_o saint_n 14._o last_o to_o remove_v this_o answer_n yet_o one_o degree_n far_o from_o be_v satisfactory_a it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o apostasy_n be_v in_o that_o epistle_n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n whether_o of_o the_o church_n or_o angel_n the_o first_o part_n be_v all_o in_o commendation_n of_o their_o former_a zeal_n and_o the_o late_a wherein_o their_o charge_n consist_v v_o 4._o be_v only_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v not_o as_o be_v suggest_v lose_v their_o first_o love_n but_o remit_v it_o their_o love_n to_o christ_n have_v former_o be_v strong_a as_o death_n pure_a and_o vehement_a such_o as_o have_v cast_v out_o all_o fear_n of_o danger_n and_o evidence_v itself_o in_o courageous_a confession_n but_o now_o though_o it_o be_v not_o quite_o lose_v yet_o it_o be_v remit_v lessen_v in_o the_o degree_n not_o so_o intense_a as_o formerly_z and_o therefore_o when_o they_o be_v bid_v remember_v from_o whence_o they_o be_v fall_v that_o fall_n do_v not_o necessary_o signify_v apostasy_n or_o renounce_v of_o christianity_n for_o than_o it_o have_v be_v a_o impertinent_a threaten_a to_o remove_v their_o chandlestick_n v._n 5._o but_o a_o fall_n from_o the_o former_a degree_n a_o cool_a of_o the_o intense_a heat_n which_o have_v be_v so_o laudable_a in_o they_o and_o so_o still_o there_o be_v more_o invalidity_n in_o this_o first_o answer_n section_n xii_o of_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n that_o it_o hinder_v not_o his_o be_v a_o bishop_n the_o second_o be_v that_o they_o have_v already_o prove_v that_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n in_o a_o proper_a sense_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v call_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o their_o sense_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o that_o timothy_n be_v a_o evangelist_n no_o way_n prejudge_v his_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o our_o â—ense_n a_o evangelist_n be_v one_o commissionated_a by_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n '_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o any_o city_n or_o people_n and_o a_o bishop_n be_v one_o commissionated_a by_o the_o like_a apostle_n to_o praeside_fw-la in_fw-la and_o govern_v a_o church_n already_o plant_v and_o what_o hinder_v but_o that_o he_o that_o have_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o former_a capacity_n to_o plant_v may_v elsewhere_o or_o in_o the_o same_o place_n be_v appoint_v to_o govern_v and_o
be_v only_o to_o state_n the_o question_n betwixt_o we_o which_o be_v all_o the_o while_n no_o more_o but_o this_o whether_o tertullian_n and_o irenaeus_n that_o call_v polycarpe_n and_o onesymus_n bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o ephesus_n mean_v bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o a_o peculiar_a sense_n or_o in_o a_o general_a phrase_n as_o all_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o this_o i_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o only_a question_n between_o we_o and_o if_o bishop_n do_v signify_v bishop_n i_o can_v doubt_v but_o the_o cause_n be_v by_o they_o adjudge_v on_o our_o side_n and_o why_o it_o shall_v not_o they_o have_v to_o conclude_v only_o this_o offer_n of_o argument_n that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n have_v all_o one_o name_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o long_o after_o in_o irenaeus_n time_n 55._o i_o be_o true_o weary_a of_o the_o length_n of_o this_o chapter_n and_o can_v but_o by_o consent_n have_v some_o compassion_n on_o the_o reader_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v bring_v the_o matter_n to_o this_o short_a issue_n this_o reason_n of_o they_o be_v no_o reason_n unless_o the_o word_n bishop_n both_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o long_a after_o irenaeus_n time_n signify_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n for_o if_o both_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n and_o elder_n signify_v bishop_n in_o our_o notion_n this_o again_o give_v the_o cause_n to_o we_o from_o they_o and_o upon_o these_o term_n i_o be_o content_a to_o leave_v it_o if_o ever_o they_o find_v in_o irenaeus_n that_o episcopus_fw-la signify_v a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n i_o will_v confess_v they_o conqueror_n but_o this_o they_o have_v not_o offer_v here_o to_o do_v and_o i_o have_v some_o moderate_a assurance_n they_o never_o will_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o chapter_n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n section_n i._n four_o sort_n of_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n propose_v the_o next_o place_n where_o i_o find_v myself_o call_v forth_o be_v about_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o seven_o chapter_n towards_o the_o bottom_n of_o pag._n 92._o only_o for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n etc._n etc._n for_o although_o in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o that_o chapter_n they_o undertake_v to_o vindicate_v their_o chief_a proof_n of_o scripture_n act._n 20._o 17_o 28._o phil._n 1._o 1._o 1_o tim._n 3._o 1_o pet._n 5._o and_o to_o make_v reply_n to_o the_o answer_v give_v to_o they_o and_o although_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o in_o the_o dissertation_n every_o of_o those_o place_n be_v answer_v and_o show_v to_o be_v full_o reconcileable_a with_o our_o praetension_n for_o praelacy_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o please_v to_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o what_o be_v there_o say_v which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v i_o may_v without_o insolence_n undertake_v to_o show_v that_o it_o have_v prevent_v all_o appearance_n of_o force_n in_o any_o of_o their_o reply_v and_o therefore_o be_v by_o this_o mean_n perfect_o free_v from_o all_o obligation_n to_o view_v any_o paragraph_n of_o that_o former_a part_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o have_v already_o say_v somewhat_o to_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o place_n act._n 20._o and_o foreseeing_a a_o fit_a opportunity_n for_o the_o rest_n i_o shall_v for_o my_o own_o and_o the_o reader_n ease_v punctual_o expect_v and_o obey_v the_o summons_n appear_v when_o i_o be_o call_v before_o they_o but_o no_o soon_o avert_v their_o charge_n and_o not_o multiply_v debate_n above_o what_o be_v necessary_a thus_o than_o they_o begin_v that_o there_o be_v a_o doctor_n a_o high_a praelatist_n etc._n etc._n that_o in_o a_o late_a book_n of_o he_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v out_o these_o two_o great_a paradox_n 1._o that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n bishop_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o a_o praelaticall_a sense_n 2._o that_o wheresoever_o the_o word_n presbyter_n be_v use_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o of_o a_o mere_a presbyter_n but_o of_o a_o bishop_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o whereas_o we_o say_v that_o the_o scripture-bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o presbyter_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n distinct_a from_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n this_o author_n on_o the_o contrary_n say_v that_o the_o scripture-presbyter_n be_v a_o true_a bishop_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o single_a and_o mere_a presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o our_o part_n we_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o take_v a_o particular_a survey_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v in_o justification_n of_o these_o paradox_n only_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o the_o dissertation_n set_v down_o in_o these_o word_n that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o believe_v that_o i_o be_o the_o author_n here_o charge_v for_o these_o two_o paradox_n that_o they_o be_v so_o style_v by_o those_o who_o be_v contrary_a mind_v and_o who_o have_v assume_v a_o power_n which_o if_o either_o of_o these_o proposition_n be_v true_a they_o must_v be_v oblige_v to_o part_v with_o i_o can_v think_v strange_a and_o if_o i_o shall_v style_v their_o assertion_n as_o perfect_o paradox_n i.e._n as_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o ancients_n sense_n or_o doctrine_n in_o this_o matter_n when_o they_o say_v that_o the_o scripture-bishop_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o presbyter_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v certain_o a_o introduction_n fit_a to_o be_v confront_v to_o they_o as_o be_v equal_o argumentative_a but_o because_o this_o verbal_a eloquence_n have_v little_a of_o efficacy_n in_o it_o and_o will_v never_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o pretension_n by_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a to_o be_v error_n or_o paradox_n and_o because_o what_o be_v affix_v to_o i_o be_v not_o entire_o my_o sense_n though_o it_o recite_v it_o in_o some_o part_n and_o approach_v near_o to_o it_o i_o shall_v here_o begin_v with_o a_o brief_a relation_n of_o what_o be_v affirm_v by_o the_o dissertation_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o then_o inquire_v what_o be_v here_o produce_v to_o invalidate_v it_o dissert_n 4._o c._n 6._o the_o method_n lead_v to_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o word_n bishop_n and_o elder_a in_o the_o scripture_n the_o first_o thing_n take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o many_o to_o which_o purpose_n theodoret_n chrysostome_n oecumenius_n and_o st_n hierome_n be_v cite_v as_o favourer_n of_o this_o opinion_n but_o this_o with_o some_o difference_n of_o the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o and_o for_o the_o distinct_a state_v of_o the_o question_n four_o sense_n be_v set_v down_o wherein_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o this_o equivalence_n of_o the_o word_n may_v be_v understand_v 1._o that_o both_o bishop_n and_o elder_n shall_v signify_v one_o and_o the_o same_o viz._n a_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n 2._o that_o both_o shall_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n viz._n a_o presbyter_n 3._o that_o both_o of_o they_o shall_v signify_v promiscuous_o sometime_o a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n i._n e._n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d shall_v sometime_o signify_v a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v sometime_o a_o bishop_n sometime_o a_o presbyter_n 4._o that_o the_o word_n bishop_n shall_v always_o signify_v a_o singular_a bishop_n and_o the_o word_n elder_a sometime_o a_o bishop_n and_o sometime_o a_o presbyter_n of_o these_o four_o sense_n of_o the_o equivalence_n of_o these_o word_n it_o be_v sure_o no_o error_n to_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o they_o true_a each_o be_v exclusive_a of_o the_o other_o three_o and_o although_o some_o of_o the_o ancients_n may_v be_v bring_v in_o favour_n to_o one_o more_o than_o to_o the_o other_o yet_o this_o be_v eminent_o observable_a that_o those_o that_o favour_v that_o species_n which_o be_v most_o for_o the_o presbyterian_o interest_n to_o be_v accept_v do_v yet_o assert_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o prelatist_n as_o confident_o as_o any_o so_o theodoret_n who_o seem_v most_o to_o assert_v the_o second_o species_n do_v yet_o propugne_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o superior_a dignity_n of_o bishop_n above_o presbyter_n and_o affirm_v 1._o those_o who_o be_v in_o his_o time_n call_v bishop_n the_o singular_a praefect_n of_o city_n to_o have_v be_v style_v apostle_n in_o the_o scripture-time_n and_o that_o epaphroditus_n be_v call_v so_o by_o st._n paul_n as_o be_v bishop_n of_o the_o philippian_n and_o so_o say_v he_o
be_v resolve_v i_o must_v have_v lie_v under_o if_o i_o have_v question_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o presbyter_n though_o they_o can_v more_o than_o question_v the_o divine_a right_n of_o bishop_n and_o never_o have_v remorse_n or_o compunction_n or_o dread_v any_o charge_n or_o â—entence_n for_o it_o sect._n vi._n a_o first_o confession_n object_v and_o vindicate_v of_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n be_v all_o the_o praelate_n of_o asia_n elder_n aldermanni_n after_o these_o inconvenience_n brief_o touch_v and_o almost_o as_o brief_o by_o i_o avert_v they_o proceed_v to_o take_v notice_n in_o the_o four_o place_n of_o some_o confession_n of_o i_o which_o the_o justification_n of_o my_o opinion_n have_v force_v from_o i_o by_o this_o method_n think_v as_o at_o length_n they_o say_v to_o render_v episcopacy_n that_o be_v thus_o maintain_v or_o else_o my_o way_n of_o maintain_v it_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a to_o all_o sober_a and_o godly_a and_o moderate_a christian_n i.e._n to_o all_o those_o who_o for_o the_o attain_n of_o those_o title_n good_a opinion_n and_o good_a word_n from_o they_o shall_v be_v invite_v to_o contemn_v or_o hate_v those_o who_o they_o be_v yet_o please_v to_o call_v their_o brethren_n and_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v the_o most_o compendious_a way_n of_o confute_v that_o which_o will_v not_o otherwise_o be_v confute_v what_o those_o confession_n of_o i_o be_v which_o be_v like_a to_o render_v my_o assertion_n so_o odious_a i_o must_v next_o take_v a_o view_n and_o consider_v with_o what_o justice_n this_o be_v say_v by_o they_o the_o first_o be_v that_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n who_o paul_n send_v for_o to_o miletus_n be_v all_o the_o praelate_n of_o asia_n to_o say_v that_o the_o ephesine_n presbyter_n in_o their_o sense_n of_o the_o phrase_n be_v praelate_n of_o asia_n be_v i_o confess_v a_o ridiculous_a and_o so_o if_o they_o please_v a_o contemptible_a confession_n but_o i_o have_v yet_o be_v under_o no_o such_o torture_n from_o their_o argument_n as_o shall_v constrain_v such_o confession_n from_o i_o what_o i_o say_v be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o be_v my_o free_a opinion_n and_o no_o force_a confession_n such_o as_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o desperate_a enterprise_n may_v extort_v from_o i_o that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n of_o the_o church_n who_o by_o summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n the_o chief_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o by_o that_o convenient_a way_n communicate_v to_o other_o city_n be_v assemble_v to_o paul_n at_o miletus_n act._n 20._o 17._o be_v as_o irenaeus_n assure_v i_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o other_o city_n in_o those_o part_n and_o not_o only_o of_o the_o one_o city_n of_o ephesus_n what_o harshness_n there_o can_v be_v in_o this_o assertion_n to_o be_v reject_v as_o odious_a at_o the_o first_o hear_n i_o confess_v i_o divine_v not_o that_o those_o city_n have_v bishop_n as_o well_o as_o ephesus_n can_v be_v strange_a or_o that_o paul_n desire_v to_o speak_v with_o they_o before_o his_o final_a part_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n may_v be_v call_v elder_n will_v be_v as_o little_a strange_a if_o it_o be_v but_o remember_v what_o be_v at_o large_a show_v in_o the_o dissertation_n that_o the_o word_n elder_n have_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n denote_v dignity_n and_o praefecture_n in_o single_a person_n as_o when_o abraham_n oeconomus_fw-la who_o be_v set_v over_o his_o servant_n be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a of_o his_o house_n and_o ruler_n of_o all_o that_o be_v his_o by_o elder_a and_o ruler_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o so_o the_o elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o moabite_n num._n 22._o 7._o be_v the_o prince_n of_o moab_n v_o 8._o and_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n be_v the_o head_n or_o praefect_n of_o the_o principal_a family_n of_o israel_n exod_n 6._o 14._o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o people_n c._n 16._o 22._o the_o elder_n of_o the_o tribe_n deut._n 31._o 28._o and_o all_o this_o and_o much_o more_o before_o they_o be_v call_v into_o a_o council_n or_o senate_n to_o assist_v moses_n as_o appear_v num_fw-la 11._o 16._o and_o proportionable_a to_o this_o have_v be_v the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n among_o all_o nation_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_a always_o have_v the_o rule_n and_o all_o obey_v he_o say_v 2._o diodorus_n siculus_n and_o so_o senior_n in_o all_o language_n be_v a_o title_n of_o honour_n and_o dignity_n and_o peculiar_o among_o we_o as_o when_o aethelstane_n the_o half_a king_n as_o he_o be_v call_v of_o the_o east_n angle_n be_v salute_v by_o the_o title_n of_o 29._o aldermannus_n i.e._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_a of_o all_o england_n and_o so_o aethelwod_n and_o aelwin_n so_o in_o king_n aelfred_n law_n c._n 34._o there_o be_v mention_n regis_n aldermanni_n and_o presbyteri_fw-la regis_fw-la and_o according_o mat._n 20._o 25._o those_o word_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o nation_n exercise_v dominion_n over_o they_o be_v by_o the_o saxon_n interpret_v ealdoâ—men_n wealdaqthat_o hisa_fw-la ðeodo_fw-la elder_n have_v dominion_n over_o their_o nation_n and_o luke_n 9_o 22._o the_o elder_n and_o chief_a of_o the_o priost_n be_v by_o they_o render_v ealdrum_n and_o ealdormaannum_n all_o take_v the_o word_n elder_a for_o a_o title_n of_o dignity_n and_o praefecture_n and_o from_o that_o notion_n of_o it_o the_o preâ—bytorians_n be_v not_o observe_v to_o decline_v and_o then_o final_o that_o the_o addition_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o church_n though_o in_o the_o singular_a can_v make_v it_o unfit_a for_o these_o elder_n to_o denote_v the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n or_o near_o ephesus_n under_o that_o metroplis_fw-la have_v be_v already_o account_v for_o at_o large_a and_o so_o still_o i_o hope_v they_o and_o all_o godly_a and_o moderate_a brethren_n need_v neither_o hate_n nor_o contemn_v episcopacy_n nor_o the_o defender_n of_o it_o upon_o pretence_n of_o this_o so_o far_o from_o incommodious_a or_o inconvenient_a confession_n section_n vii_o a_o second_o confession_n of_o the_o bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o whole_a province_n philippi_n a_o metropolis_n and_o a_o colony_n like_a unto_o this_o first_o be_v the_o second_o which_o they_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o the_o bishop_n of_o philippi_n who_o s._n paul_n salute_v ch._n 1._o be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n only_o but_o of_o the_o whole_a province_n whereas_o theophylact_v say_v that_o philippi_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o little_a city_n subject_a to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o thessalonica_n that_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n phil._n 1._o 1._o denote_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o city_n of_o macedonia_n which_o be_v under_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chief_a city_n or_o metropolis_n as_o s._n luke_n call_v it_o act_n 16._o 12._o be_v already_o evidence_v to_o be_v no_o strange_a or_o violent_a i_o hope_v as_o little_a odious_a confession_n i_o need_v not_o far_o repeat_v or_o enlarge_v on_o that_o but_o bear_v in_o good_a part_n whatsoever_o fate_n be_v decree_v by_o they_o to_o attend_v that_o confession_n as_o for_o the_o objection_n which_o be_v here_o subjoin_v and_o to_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v by_o dissert_n 4._o c._n 10._o sect._n 12._o they_o may_v if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o please_v have_v take_v the_o antidote_n with_o the_o poison_n observe_v and_o tender_v to_o the_o reader_n the_o answer_n which_o in_o the_o five_o follow_a section_n be_v solemn_o render_v to_o it_o and_o confute_v that_o answer_n if_o they_o have_v discern_v any_o infirm_a part_n in_o it_o first_o then_o the_o answer_n be_v that_o that_o description_n of_o philippi_n in_o the_o argument_n prefix_v to_o theophylact_n note_n on_o that_o epistle_n be_v take_v out_o of_o a_o ancient_a geographer_n and_o belong_v to_o that_o city_n as_o it_o be_v build_v by_o philip_n have_v be_v former_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o the_o late_a time_n under_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o new_a or_o strange_a thing_n that_o under_o the_o roman_n those_o city_n shall_v become_v metropoles_fw-la which_o former_o have_v not_o be_v such_o to_o which_o agree_v that_o of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n can._n 12._o which_o mention_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d city_n honour_v by_o the_o imperial_a letter_n with_o the_o name_n and_o dignity_n of_o metropoles_fw-la and_o indeed_o the_o say_n of_o 13._o strabo_n be_v of_o evident_a truth_n ordinary_o experiment_v that_o province_n be_v often_o confound_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o cause_n of_o the_o roman_n distribute_v they_o not_o according_a to_o the_o distribution_n of_o region_n or_o nation_n such_o as_o the_o geographer_n ancient_o have_v
require_v and_o so_o not_o be_v so_o eminent_o worthy_a of_o the_o double_a honour_n as_o he_o that_o actual_o do_v both_o so_o certain_o he_o that_o rule_v well_o in_o any_o church_n and_o beside_o the_o care_n belong_v to_o rule_v undergo_v that_o other_o double_a hard_a travel_n so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v of_o preach_v the_o faith_n to_o infidel_n and_o confirm_v and_o instruct_v believer_n do_v very_o high_o deserve_v the_o double_a honour_n and_o alimonie_n and_o this_o as_o it_o be_v the_o exact_a meaning_n of_o that_o text_n so_o it_o utter_o supersede_v all_o force_n of_o this_o objection_n or_o exception_n against_o our_o understanding_n it_o of_o the_o precedent_n or_o bishop_n in_o the_o praelaticall_a sense_n four_o for_o the_o word_n presbytery_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 14._o by_o which_o they_o say_v i_o understand_v episcopacy_n i_o answer_v that_o i_o interpret_v it_o of_o some_o combination_n either_o of_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n and_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o theodoret_n phrase_n such_o as_o be_v vouchsafe_v the_o apostolical_a grace_n i._n e._n of_o paul_n assure_o 1_o tim._n 2._o 6._o and_o perhaps_o of_o barnabas_n perhaps_o of_o some_o other_o apostolical_a person_n with_o he_o in_o like_a manner_n as_o both_o peter_n and_o john_n style_v themselves_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o philad_n ignatius_n style_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o presbytery_n or_o eldership_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o of_o ignatius_n himself_o s._n chrysostome_n affirm_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o hand_n of_o more_o apostle_n than_o one_o be_v lay_v on_o he_o in_o his_o ordination_n to_o the_o bishopric_n of_o antioch_n to_o which_o matter_n the_o scholion_n of_o chrysostome_n be_v express_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o speak_v not_o here_o of_o presbyter_n but_o bishop_n add_v the_o reason_n because_o presbyter_n do_v not_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o so_o theophylact_v and_o oecumenius_n last_o for_o the_o other_o two_o place_n of_o not-rebuking_a and_o receive_v a_o accusation_n against_o a_o elder_a though_o in_o those_o place_n it_o be_v clear_o for_o my_o interest_n to_o interpret_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o presbyter_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n for_o then_o as_o 1._o epiphanius_n say_v there_o be_v a_o evidence_n of_o proof_n that_o the_o bishop_n have_v power_n over_o the_o presbyter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d timothy_n over_o the_o elder_a say_v he_o but_o never_o the_o elder_a over_o timothy_n yet_o i_o confess_v myself_o incline_v by_o other_o consideration_n to_o forego_v that_o advantageous_a sense_n of_o the_o place_n because_o timothy_n be_v place_v in_o the_o prime_a metropolis_n have_v power_n over_o the_o bishop_n of_o lesser_a city_n and_o that_o as_o have_v oft_o be_v show_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o well_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d power_n of_o â—udging_v as_o well_o as_o of_o ordain_v bishop_n which_o be_v 12._o elsewhere_o evidence_v to_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o s._n chrysostome_n in_o order_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o this_o place_n and_o so_o still_o the_o crime_n be_v not_o very_o great_a or_o reproachful_a which_o i_o be_o say_v to_o have_v confess_v it_o amount_v no_o high_a than_o the_o former_a confession_n have_v do_v that_o timothy_n be_v archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n and_o yet_o this_o you_o see_v without_o any_o necessity_n to_o extort_v it_o from_o thou_o save_v that_o of_o speak_v free_o what_o i_o conceive_v most_o probable_a for_o otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o main_a cause_n i_o defenâ—_n than_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n shall_v signify_v presbyter_n in_o these_o two_o place_n sect._n ix_o a_o four_o confession_n of_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n their_o four_o charge_n be_v that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o confess_v that_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v no_o commission_n from_o s._n paul_n to_o ordain_v single_a elder_n but_o only_o for_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n it_o seem_v say_v they_o this_o author_n slight_v the_o postscript_n where_o titus_n be_v call_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o crect_n and_o slight_v all_o those_o ancient_a father_n that_o be_v cite_v by_o his_o own_o party_n to_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v bishop_n of_o crect_n but_o he_o must_v be_v a_o archbishop_n and_o so_o must_v timothy_n also_o or_o else_o these_o assertion_n of_o he_o will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o bishop_n nor_o arch-bishop_n have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v as_o we_o conceive_v in_o the_o former_a discourse_n that_o titus_n be_v archbishop_n of_o crect_n i_o confess_v again_o that_o i_o can_v but_o believe_v till_o i_o be_o show_v how_o the_o contrary_a be_v possible_a i._n e._n how_o he_o that_o be_v fasten_v in_o and_o as_o 4._o eusebius_n say_v have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o episcopacy_n of_o a_o whole_a island_n which_o have_v a_o hundred_o city_n in_o it_o and_o be_v there_o place_v that_o he_o may_v ordain_v bishop_n under_o he_o in_o each_o of_o those_o city_n tit._n 1._o 5._o 7._o and_o as_o the_o ancients_n add_v exercise_v jurisdiction_n over_o they_o shall_v be_v other_o than_o a_o archbishop_n that_o this_o be_v his_o condition_n have_v be_v show_v already_o and_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o it_o be_v press_v with_o they_o will_v prove_v very_o supportable_a for_o i_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o be_v oblige_v thereby_o to_o slight_v either_o postscript_n or_o father_n but_o give_v the_o disputer_n example_n to_o pay_v they_o all_o reverence_n be_v very_o well_o able_a to_o discern_v the_o bishop_n through_o the_o archbishop_n &_o have_v never_o imagine_v that_o the_o style_v michael_n a_o archangel_n be_v deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o angel_n he_o certain_o be_v a_o angel_n and_o that_o of_o a_o high_a degree_n or_o else_o can_v never_o have_v be_v just_o call_v a_o archangel_n and_o it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o titus_n if_o i_o have_v not_o think_v he_o a_o bishop_n i_o can_v never_o have_v affirm_v he_o a_o archbishop_n and_o they_o that_o in_o common_a speech_n give_v he_o the_o title_n of_o bishop_n do_v no_o way_n intimate_v their_o thought_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o i_o for_o every_o archbishop_n be_v certain_o a_o bishop_n though_o every_o bishop_n be_v not_o a_o archbishop_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o danger_n of_o my_o assertion_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n be_v consequent_a to_o this_o of_o titus_n or_o timothy_n prove_v to_o be_v no_o archbishop_n i_o shall_v deem_v they_o competent_o safe_a for_o each_o of_o they_o be_v unavoidable_o such_o timothy_n archbishop_n of_o ephesus_n the_o prime_a metropolis_n of_o all_o asia_n and_o titus_n of_o the_o whole_a island_n of_o crect_n and_o according_o to_o those_o two_o peculiarly_a as_o such_o directions_z be_v give_v for_o the_o ordain_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o every_o city_n and_o the_o proof_n which_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o contrary_a have_v i_o suppose_v already_o be_v answer_v and_o be_v not_o here_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v recite_v the_o reply_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o impertinent_a as_o to_o appear_v without_o their_o antagonist_n only_o because_o it_o be_v here_o insert_v as_o part_v of_o my_o inconvenient_a confession_n that_o titus_n receive_v no_o commission_n from_o saint_n paul_n to_o ordain_v single_a elder_n which_o i_o believe_v i_o no_o where_o say_v any_o otherwise_o than_o that_o the_o commission_n cap._n 1._o 5._o be_v to_o create_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n i_o shall_v free_o tell_v they_o my_o opinion_n of_o that_o viz._n that_o a_o great_a power_n may_v very_o fit_o be_v say_v to_o comprehend_v under_o it_o the_o lesser_a of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o consequent_o that_o both_o timothy_n and_o he_o which_o have_v commission_n to_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o every_o city_n have_v also_o by_o the_o same_o commission_n power_n to_o ordain_v single_a presbyter_n where_o those_o be_v useful_a to_o be_v ordain_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o qualification_n of_o deacon_n and_o widow_n aftermentioned_a in_o one_o certain_o and_o as_o i_o conceive_v in_o both_o epistle_n for_o that_o suppose_v their_o commission_n to_o extend_v to_o the_o ordain_v of_o those_o who_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v name_v in_o they_o if_o we_o may_v guess_v by_o that_o of_o titus_n cap._n 1._o 5._o and_o so_o much_o also_o of_o that_o part_n of_o my_o confession_n which_o be_v as_o free_a and_o unforced_a as_o the_o former_a have_v be_v and_o i_o believe_v as_o fafe_v to_o the_o affirmer_n sect._n x._o a_o five_o charge_n of_o contrariety_n to_o scripture_n answer_v of_o visitation_n of_o the_o sick_a belong_v to_o elder_n james_n 5._o but_o the_o five_o and_o
justice_n will_v purchase_v a_o place_n to_o any_o we_o have_v commend_v he_o in_o a_o principal_a manner_n as_o elder_a of_o the_o church_n for_o so_o he_o be_v here_o nine_o year_n after_o he_o have_v be_v bishop_n and_o archbishop_n of_o lion_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 177._o he_o be_v style_v by_o those_o letter_n elder_a of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o in_o his_o time_n elder_a be_v the_o title_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n and_o consequent_o so_o it_o may_v fit_o signify_v in_o his_o own_o write_n and_o so_o must_v needs_o do_v there_o when_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v acknowlege_v bishop_n at_o that_o time_n when_o by_o the_o presbyterian_o acknowledgement_n episcopacy_n be_v come_v in_o in_o that_o notion_n wherein_o we_o now_o understand_v it_o a_o second_o proof_n of_o this_o be_v that_o what_o in_o one_o place_n out_o of_o papias_n he_o say_v of_o all_o the_o seniores_fw-la or_o elder_n which_o in_o asia_n converse_v with_o st._n john_n that_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n who_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n affirm_v of_o the_o bishop_n or_o elder_n of_o asia_n meaning_n by_o both_o of_o they_o the_o bishop_n in_o our_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n write_v his_o stromata_n about_o the_o year_n 192._o which_o be_v five_o year_n before_o irenaeus_n martyrdom_n in_o the_o 5._o of_o severus_n now_o of_o this_o clemens_n it_o be_v certain_a 1._o that_o he_o acknowlege_v the_o three_o order_n in_o the_o church_n which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o three_o degree_n or_o promotion_n in_o the_o church_n of_o bishop_n presbyter_n deacon_n and_o consequent_o must_v by_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d understand_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a sense_n second_o that_o when_o he_o make_v the_o relation_n of_o john_n meeting_n with_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n which_o be_v the_o same_o matter_n which_o irenaeus_n produce_v out_o of_o papias_n he_o call_v they_o in_o the_o same_o period_n both_o elder_n and_o bishop_n indifferent_o for_o speak_v of_o st._n john_n he_o have_v this_o passage_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d come_v to_o a_o city_n not_o far_o off_o and_o look_v on_o the_o bishop_n which_o be_v constitute_v over_o all_o see_v a_o young_a man_n he_o say_v this_o person_n i_o commit_v to_o thou_o and_o the_o elder_n take_v he_o home_o bring_v he_o up_o baptize_v and_o at_o last_o give_v he_o confirmation_n here_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o elder_n of_o asia_n one_o of_o those_o which_o in_o irenaeus_n converse_v with_o saint_n john_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o bishop_n constitute_v over_o all_o in_o that_o city_n and_o agreeable_o when_o saint_n john_n come_v back_o that_o way_n again_o he_o call_v to_o he_o by_o that_o title_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d o_o bishop_n render_v we_o the_o depositum_fw-la which_o both_o i_o and_o christ_n deliver_v to_o thou_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o church_n over_o which_o thou_o be_v set_v where_o again_o he_o that_o be_v call_v elder_a both_o by_o he_o and_o irenaeus_n be_v also_o by_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bishop_n set_v over_o the_o church_n and_o so_o that_o be_v a_o second_o evidence_n of_o it_o three_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n he_o speak_v of_o his_o predecessor_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o elder_n which_o be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n which_o thou_o rule_a anicetus_n pius_n hyginus_n and_o telesphorus_n and_o lib._n 3._o cap._n 3_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bless_a apostle_n have_v found_v and_o build_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n put_v the_o episcopal_a office_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o linus_n anacletus_fw-la succeed_v he_o clemens_n anacletus_fw-la evarestus_n clemens_n alexander_n evarestus_n than_o xystus_n the_o six_o from_o the_o apostle_n after_o he_o telesphorus_n than_o hyginus_n than_o pius_n after_o he_o anicetus_n after_o anicetus_n soter_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d now_o in_o the_o twelve_o place_n eleutherus_n possess_v the_o bishopric_n from_o the_o apostle_n here_o 1._o it_o be_v evident_a that_o every_o one_o first_o name_v as_o elder_n be_v yet_o single_a person_n one_o succeed_v another_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d set_v over_o or_o rule_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n second_o that_o for_o twelve_o succession_n together_o they_o be_v by_o irenaeus_n look_v upon_o all_o as_o of_o the_o same_o rank_n succeed_v one_o another_o and_o the_o first_o as_o well_o as_o the_o last_o called_z bishop_n which_o must_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o he_o in_o such_o a_o notion_n as_o be_v equal_o compatible_a to_o all_o and_o so_o must_v be_v in_o our_o modern_a notion_n if_o the_o great_a asserter_n of_o the_o presbyterian_a cause_n say_v true_a that_o about_o the_o year_n 140._o i_o e._n certain_o before_o elutherius_n be_v bishop_n of_o rome_n there_o be_v bishop_n over_o presbyter_n all_o the_o world_n over_o last_o 44._o irenaeus_n speak_v of_o some_o unworthy_a voluptuous_a elder_n express_v their_o fault_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o can_v fit_o belong_v to_o any_o but_o bishop_n principalis_fw-la concessionis_fw-la tumore_fw-la elati_fw-la sunt_fw-la they_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o the_o â—ride_n of_o the_o principal_a place_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o principal_a chair_n which_o as_o bishop_n belong_v to_o they_o â—or_a though_o it_o be_v as_o possible_a that_o presbyter_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o pride_n the_o tumour_n and_o elation_n as_o that_o bishop_n shall_v be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o yet_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o there_o mention_v the_o principalis_fw-la consessio_fw-la the_o chief_a place_n of_o dignity_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o one_o and_o not_o reconcileable_a with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o equality_n of_o the_o other_o these_o evidence_n have_v ready_o offer_v themselves_o to_o show_v what_o irenaeus_n mean_v by_o presbyteri_fw-la when_o he_o use_v that_o and_o bishop_n promiscuous_o viz._n by_o both_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v read_v over_o that_o author_n diligent_o and_o compare_v his_o dialect_n with_o polycarpe_n and_o papias_n with_o who_o he_o accord_v the_o former_a use_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o bishop_n as_o have_v large_o be_v insist_v on_o and_o the_o latter_a for_o apostle_n and_o bishop_n single_a governor_n of_o each_o church_n 39_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d andrew_n peter_n aristion_n john_n mark_v all_o elder_n will_v doubtless_o find_v many_o more_o proof_n that_o thus_o he_o use_v the_o word_n and_o i_o shall_v adventure_v to_o undertake_v meet_v with_o no_o one_o indication_n to_o the_o contrary_n sect._n v._n testimony_n of_o tertullian_n seniores_fw-la &_o majores_fw-la natu_fw-la for_o bishop_n so_o in_o firmilian_a as_o for_o tertullian_n i_o shall_v need_v say_v no_o more_o but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o confession_n of_o the_o great_a patron_n of_o presbyterian_o 38._o that_o he_o do_v aperte_fw-la tueri_fw-la communiusu_fw-la receptam_fw-la ordinis_fw-la in_o episcopos_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la &_o diaconos_fw-la distinctionem_fw-la open_o defend_v the_o receive_v common_a distinction_n of_o the_o ecclesiastic_a order_n into_o bishop_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n and_o he_o that_o can_v yet_o doubt_v of_o it_o let_v he_o examine_v his_o citation_n the_o prescript_n cap._n 41._o the_o baptism_n cap_n 17._o de_fw-fr monogam_fw-la cap._n 11._o de_fw-la fuga_fw-la c._n 11._o and_o that_o de_fw-la baptismo_fw-la as_o high_a &_o clear_a as_o that_o which_o be_v most_o quarrel_v with_o in_o ignatius_n dandi_fw-la baptismum_fw-la jus_o habit_n summus_fw-la sacerdos_fw-la qui_fw-la est_fw-la episcopus_fw-la dein_fw-ge presbyteri_fw-la &_o diaconi_fw-la non_fw-la tamen_fw-la sine_fw-la episcopi_fw-la authoritate_fw-la propter_fw-la honorem_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la quo_fw-la salvo_fw-la salva_fw-la pax_fw-la est_fw-la the_o bishop_n have_v the_o right_a of_o give_v baptism_n after_o he_o the_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n yet_o not_o without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bishop_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v preserve_v peace_n be_v preserve_v so_o that_o of_o he_o it_o be_v as_o clear_v as_o of_o irenaeus_n or_o clemens_n that_o he_o must_v understand_v bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a