this_o be_v true_a in_o deed_n god_n have_v give_v we_o in_o his_o word_n this_o sufficiency_n for_o all_o ecclesiastical_a or_o religious_a matter_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o not_o for_o all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n what_o soever_o this_o be_v a_o frivolous_a exception_n and_o most_o false_a for_o first_o divers_a of_o our_o present_a matter_n controvert_v be_v necessaric_a enough_o they_o can_v not_o be_v thus_o reject_v as_o thing_n not_o necessary_a viz._n the_o only_a true_a form_n and_o constitution_n of_o christ_n visible_a church_n with_o their_o due_a ministery_n proportion_v to_o they_o according_a to_o god_n ordinary_a dispensation_n of_o grace_n by_o his_o word_n there_o be_v even_o necessity_n to_o enjoy_v these_o god_n own_v ordinance_n and_o to_o be_v free_a from_o all_o tradition_n of_o man_n especial_o such_o as_o be_v contrary_a to_o he_o touch_v other_o thing_n which_o seem_v sinall_a and_o of_o less_o importance_n as_o some_o esteem_v the_o rite_n &_o ceremony_n to_o be_v in_o god_n worship_n i_o answer_v our_o argument_n before_o lay_v down_o general_o include_v all_o mere_a ecclesiastical_a or_o religious_a thing_n i_o say_v all._n and_o where_o all_o be_v include_v nothing_o be_v except_v wherefore_o we_o still_o affirm_v and_o profess_v that_o all_o lawful_a ecclesiastical_a rite_n whatsoever_o be_v contain_v now_o in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o not_o only_a thing_n simple_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n beside_o that_o we_o must_v not_o forget_v how_o the_o wilful_a maintain_n of_o small_a thing_n amiss_o become_v a_o great_a and_o heinous_a sin_n whereunto_o be_v due_a a_o fearful_a punishment_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o he_o who_o 32._o who_o num._n 15.30_o and_o 32._o with_o a_o high_a hand_n do_v but_o gather_v a_o few_o stick_n on_o the_o sabbath_n day_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o yet_o it_o seem_v to_o many_o that_o these_o external_a thing_n ecclesiastical_a be_v not_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n nor_o of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v lawful_a though_o they_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n i_o answer_v they_o be_v all_o true_o &_o proper_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o religion_n appertain_v to_o the_o 1._o table_n &_o 2._o commandment_n in_o the_o decalogue_n &_o to_o many_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n as_o before_o have_v be_v show_v it_o be_v the_o error_n of_o man_n not_o know_v the_o holy_a scripture_n proper_a and_o full_a use_n or_o true_a extent_n when_o any_o do_v think_v such_o ecclesiastical_a thing_n as_o these_o here_o controvert_v be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n &_o yet_o that_o they_o may_v be_v lawful_a they_o be_v all_o simple_o unlawful_a if_o they_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n wherefore_o even_o all_o these_o thing_n both_o the_o lawful_a &_o unlawful_a contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n or_o not_o contain_v form_n of_o visible_a church_n use_v government_n ministery_n &_o rite_n be_v matter_n of_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n of_o religion_n viz._n true_a or_o false_a so_o that_o the_o one_o ought_v as_o our_o life_n to_o be_v embrace_v the_o other_o as_o the_o very_a way_n of_o death_n to_o be_v avoid_v especial_o when_o we_o discern_v and_o see_v they_o thus_o to_o be_v reason_n 2._o every_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n true_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v ought_v by_o god_n 17._o god_n mat._n 18_o 17._o express_a word_n to_o have_v and_o use_v the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n of_o itself_o bâ—â—â—very_n particular_a congregation_n of_o christian_n be_v a_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n true_o and_o proper_o false_a the_o true_a church_n and_o the_o false_a therefore_o every_o particular_a congregation_n of_o christian_n by_o god_n express_a word_n ought_v to_o have_v and_o use_v the_o ecclesiastical_a government_n of_o itself_o viz._n according_a to_o the_o order_n set_v down_o for_o a_o visible_a church_n in_o god_n word_n and_o so_o in_o england_n consequent_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v direct_o contrary_a thereunto_o diocesan_n and_o provincial_n church_n use_v government_n with_o their_o minister_n etc._n etc._n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o therefore_o ought_v of_o necessity_n to_o be_v reform_v here_o first_o let_v it_o be_v note_v church_n a_o visible_a church_n that_o we_o understande_v a_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v a_o society_n of_o christian_n which_o any_o member_n may_v and_o must_v on_o occasion_n have_v a_o visible_a or_o sensible_a use_n of_o entire_o and_o whole_o together_o the_o same_o have_v the_o power_n of_o eccle_n siasticall_a government_n in_o and_o for_o itself_o immediate_o from_o christ._n i_o say_v the_o church_n entire_o and_o whole_o together_o may_v and_o must_v be_v use_v on_o occasion_n consider_v that_o against_o this_o there_o be_v no_o text_n of_o scripture_n in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n nor_o any_o force_n of_o reason_n appear_v then_o let_v we_o also_o observe_v and_o mark_v these_o 3._o point_n note_n note_n for_o proof_n of_o our_o assumption_n last_v before_o 1._o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o number_n etc._n number_n 1_o cor._n 11.16_o &_o 4_o 17._o etc._n etc._n many_o &_o divers_a and_o not_o only_o one_o by_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n he_o self_n so_o that_o it_o be_v false_a which_o be_v 132._o be_v hooker_n lib_n 3_o sect._n 1._o pa._n 132._o hold_v that_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a visible_a church_n like_o the_o sea_n which_o be_v but_o one_o proper_o be_v distinguish_v and_o call_v by_o divers_a name_n according_a to_o the_o country_n and_o place_n by_o which_o it_o come_v nay_o the_o visible_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v by_o the_o apostle_n ordination_n many_o in_o number_n &_o actuallie_o divide_v body_n or_o society_n the_o sea_n proper_o and_o always_o be_v but_o one_o continue_a body_n be_v and_o be_v distinguish_v meerelie_o by_o divers_a name_n the_o universal_a invisible_a church_n be_v and_o be_v in_o deed_n one_o in_o number_n but_o i_o have_v show_v there_o be_v many_o in_o number_n of_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a visible_a church_n again_o the_o jewish_a visible_a church_n according_a to_o the_o law_n be_v in_o number_n only_o one_o proper_o under_o one_o high_a priest_n and_o have_v one_o temple_n only_o at_o jerusalem_n but_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n change_v that_o form_n and_o do_v institute_v and_o leave_v the_o christian_a church_n proper_o in_o number_n many_o and_o divers_a as_o i_o say_v second_o they_o institute_v and_o leave_v particular_a ordinary_a or_o constant_a congregation_n true_a and_o proper_a visible_a church_n or_o they_o leave_v not_o any_o one_o visible_a church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n constitute_v and_o compact_v of_o divers_a ordinary_a and_o constant_a congregation_n both_o these_o point_n be_v most_o manifest_a and_o undeniable_a in_o these_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n follow_v first_o that_o flourish_a and_o plentiful_a church_n of_o corinth_n be_v 14.23_o be_v 1._o cor._n 14.23_o but_o one_o particular_a congregation_n whereof_o the_o apostle_n say_v thus_o when_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v come_v together_o 〈◊〉_d together_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d into_o one_o place_n which_o also_o we_o may_v likewise_o affirm_v of_o the_o church_n of_o 14.27_o of_o act._n 14.27_o antioch_n and_o of_o 2_o of_o justi_fw-la martyr_n apo._n 2_o rome_n and_o of_o 25._o of_o act._n 15.22_o 25._o jerusalem_n and_o of_o 20.28_o of_o act._n 20.28_o ephesus_n etc._n etc._n in_o those_o day_n for_o though_o these_o city_n be_v great_a and_o populous_a yet_o be_v unbelieved_a &_o hateful_a enemy_n to_o the_o gospel_n each_o of_o they_o have_v then_o of_o faithful_a christian_n but_o one_o particular_a constant_a congregation_n only_o like_a as_o the_o protestant_n be_v in_o the_o city_n at_o this_o day_n under_o the_o spanish_a king_n or_o as_o they_o be_v in_o divers_a city_n of_o france_n before_o the_o peace_n be_v make_v &_o as_o we_o be_v here_o in_o london_n in_o queen_n mary_n time_n where_o yet_o we_o deny_v not_o that_o then_o some_o particular_a congregation_n be_v as_o that_o of_o jerusalem_n be_v 4.4_o be_v act._n 4.4_o before_o great_a then_o other_o some_o do_v by_o reason_n of_o persecution_n meet_v occasionallie_o and_o uncertainlie_o in_o divers_a 1â—_n divers_a act._n 12_o 1â—_n small_a number_n but_o these_o small_a number_n be_v not_o so_o many_o church_n proper_o because_o they_o be_v uncertain_a and_o occasional_a a_o true_a and_o proper_a church_n be_v always_o necessary_o a_o ordinary_a set_v company_n and_o a_o constant_a society_n those_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o make_v but_o one_o 6.2_o one_o act._n 6.2_o particular_a &_o complete_a congregation_n or_o proper_a church_n which_o in_o time_n of_o peace_n chief_o they_o grow_v yet_o more_o populous_a be_v to_o be_v distribute_v and_o divide_v into_o sundry_a proper_a and_o
a_o man_n next_o unto_o god_n and_o inferior_a to_o god_n only_o 3._o we_o glad_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o king_n be_v &_o aught_o to_o be_v supreme_a governor_n even_o in_o all_o cause_n and_o over_o all_o person_n ecclesiastical_a howbeit_o always_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d non_fw-fr 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d civil_o not_o spiritual_o or_o ecclesiastical_o 4._o the_o king_n be_v custos_fw-la &_o vindex_n the_o keeper_n and_o maintainer_n by_o compulsive_a power_n of_o the_o whole_a state_n of_o religion_n but_o he_o be_v not_o author_n or_o minister_n of_o any_o ecclesiastical_a thing_n or_o constitution_n whatsoever_o will_v our_o adversary_n yield_v more_o or_o be_v not_o this_o sufficient_a i_o hope_v this_o shall_v suffice_v to_o cease_v hereafter_o their_o slander_n against_o we_o in_o this_o cause_n and_o thus_o much_o touch_v our_o first_o assertion_n the_o 2._o assertion_n for_o the_o space_n of_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n the_o visible_a church_n use_v government_n be_v not_o diocesan_n church_n but_o particular_a ordinary_a congregation_n only_o and_o the_o bishop_n as_o they_o be_v particular_o call_v after_o the_o apostle_n be_v only_o parishional_a not_o diocesan_a bishop_n and_o differ_v from_o other_o pastor_n in_o priority_n of_o order_n not_o in_o maioritie_n of_o rule_n in_o this_o assertion_n we_o observe_v 3._o distinct_a part_n 1._o a_o church_n be_v then_o but_o one_o ordinary_a congregation_n and_o general_o in_o each_o city_n then_o there_o be_v but_o one_o such_o congregation_n only_o 2._o the_o particular_a ordinary_a congregation_n have_v in_o themselves_o their_o own_o government_n ecclesiastical_a 3._o there_o be_v no_o maioritie_n of_o rule_n but_o priority_n of_o order_n only_o in_o a_o bishop_n then_o compare_v with_o other_o pastor_n the_o first_o be_v prove_v by_o these_o testimony_n follow_v first_o let_v we_o consider_v that_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o ordain_v of_o elder_n 1.5_o elder_n city_n by_o city_n tir._n 1.5_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o 14.23_o &_o church_n by_o church_n act._n 14.23_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v all_o one_o thing_n namely_o because_o in_o each_o city_n in_o those_o time_n there_o be_v not_o many_o church_n in_o number_n but_o one_o only_a proper_a church_n or_o congregation_n of_o christian_n which_o also_o 19.20_o also_o pag._n 19.20_o above_o we_o further_o declare_v then_o for_o the_o next_o age_n after_o 100_o after_o anno_fw-la 100_o ignatius_n plain_o show_v the_o common_a state_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n in_o this_o time_n also_o to_o be_v such_o where_o he_o thus_o write_v trall_n write_v ignat._n ad_fw-la trall_n without_o a_o bishop_n without_o a_o senate_n of_o elder_n without_o deacon_n etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o these_o there_o be_v no_o church_n no_o company_n of_o of_o saint_n no_o holy_a congregation_n which_o prove_v that_o then_o each_o city_n have_v but_o only_o one_o ordinary_a congregation_n of_o christian_n sith_o doubtless_o each_o city_n than_o have_v but_o one_o such_o senate_n of_o elder_n and_o but_o one_o bishop_n in_o ignatius_n understanding_n further_o also_o he_o persuade_v the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n to_o unity_n and_o concord_n say_v philadelph_n say_v ad_fw-la philadelph_n i_o exhort_v you_o use_v one_o faith_n one_o preach_v one_o supper_n of_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n for_o there_o be_v but_o one_o communion_n table_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o whole_a church_n here_o in_o this_o city_n and_o one_o bishop_n with_o a_o company_n of_o elder_n and_o deacon_n therefore_o in_o this_o city_n there_o be_v then_o but_o one_o ordinary_a congregation_n of_o christian_n neither_o speak_v he_o of_o this_o church_n in_o philadelphia_n as_o be_v of_o a_o other_o form_n or_o constitution_n then_o other_o church_n than_o be_v but_o indeed_o as_o be_v conformable_a and_o like_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o rest_n if_o we_o translate_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o some_o like_a better_o to_o every_o church_n distributive_o than_o our_o assertion_n be_v more_o clear_o avouch_v again_o touch_v the_o church_n of_o philadelphia_n he_o say_v ibid._n say_v ibid._n the_o bishop_n be_v god_n ambassador_n to_o a_o people_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v together_o in_o one_o place_n last_o write_v elsewhere_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n he_o say_v so_o much_o touch_v a_o other_o visible_a church_n namely_o in_o the_o city_n magnesia_n magnes_fw-la magnesia_n ad_fw-la magnes_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n all_o of_o you_o come_v together_o into_o the_o fame_n place_n to_o prayer_n let_v there_o be_v but_o one_o common_a prayer_n one_o mind_n one_o hope_n etc._n etc._n justin_n martyr_n show_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o church_n worship_v of_o god_n in_o the_o city_n where_o they_o than_o be_v observe_v the_o very_a same_o say_v he_o 142._o he_o just_a mart._n apolog._n 2._o anno_fw-la 142._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d on_o the_o sunday_n as_o it_o be_v call_v all_o the_o christian_n dwell_v in_o the_o city_n or_o abroad_o in_o the_o country_n do_v come_v together_o into_o the_o same_o place_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v very_o like_a that_o this_o be_v special_o speak_v of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n then_o see_v there_o justin_n write_v and_o offer_v up_o his_o apology_n to_o antoninus_n the_o emperor_n though_o with_o all_o he_o signify_v that_o he_o mean_v other_o church_n in_o other_o 〈◊〉_d other_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d city_n and_o in_o country-place_n likewise_o indifferent_o therefore_o then_o all_z the_o christian_n in_o each_o city_n yea_o those_o in_o rome_n make_v not_o divers_a but_o one_o constant_a and_o ordinary_a congregation_n only_o irenaeus_n in_o his_o time_n observe_v no_o material_a difference_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n minister_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a argument_n that_o bishop_n than_o be_v not_o diocesan_n bishop_n oversee_n many_o constant_o distinct_a congregation_n but_o be_v pastor_n of_o one_o particular_a ordinary_a congregation_n only_o thus_o he_o say_v apostolâ—s_n say_v irenae_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 3._o traditio_fw-la viâ—_n scripta_fw-la vel_fw-la necessario_fw-la consequens_fw-la ab_fw-la 〈◊〉_d quod_fw-la est_fw-la scriptum_fw-la per_fw-la apostolâ—s_n traditio_fw-la quae_fw-la est_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n per_fw-la successionem_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la custoditur_fw-la the_o tradition_n which_o be_v take_v from_o the_o apostle_n be_v keep_v by_o succession_n of_o presbyter_n in_o the_o same_o place_n also_o episcopi_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n instituti_fw-la in_o ecclesijs_fw-la &_o successores_fw-la eorum_fw-la usque_fw-la ad_fw-la nos_fw-la bishop_n ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o church_n and_o their_o successor_n until_o our_o time_n where_o also_o the_o roman_a bishop_n anicetus_n pius_n hyginus_n he_o name_v presbyter_n by_o all_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o name_n bishop_n &_o presbyter_n be_v not_o yet_o exact_o distinguish_v as_o after_o it_o be_v but_o remain_v yet_o as_o it_o be_v common_a and_o indifferent_a to_o all_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n even_o so_o as_o it_o be_v use_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o writing_n also_o it_o appear_v hereby_o that_o there_o be_v not_o then_o any_o kind_n of_o diocesan_n bishop_n for_o the_o name_n then_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v very_o distinct_a and_o peculiar_a to_o he_o as_o afterward_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v much_o less_o have_v any_o bishop_n a_o power_n to_o rule_v over_o a_o whole_a diocese_n otherwise_o ireneus_fw-la shall_v not_o have_v use_v these_o name_n and_o term_n then_o so_o indifferent_o tertullians_n testimony_n also_o seem_v very_o agreeable_a in_o this_o point_n where_o speak_v of_o christian_n ordinary_a congregation_n in_o city_n in_o his_o time_n he_o say_v corpus_fw-la sumus_fw-la etc._n etc._n â—â—9_n pertulian_n apolog._n â—â—9_n we_o be_v all_o one_o body_n etc._n etc._n and_o again_o coimus_fw-la in_o cetum_fw-la &_o aggregationem_fw-la etc._n etc._n we_o all_o come_v together_o into_o a_o company_n and_o congregation_n he_o say_v not_o plural_o in_o cetus_fw-la &_o aggregationes_fw-la into_o divers_a company_n &_o congregation_n as_o sure_o it_o seem_v he_o shall_v and_o will_v have_v say_v if_o there_o have_v be_v then_o in_o one_o city_n many_o ordinary_a constant_a congregation_n special_o see_v he_o say_v also_o of_o the_o same_o singular_a congregation_n ibidem_fw-la est_fw-la censura_fw-la divina_fw-la iudicatur_fw-la magno_fw-la cum_fw-la pondere_fw-la etc._n etc._n there_o be_v divine_a censure_n exercise_v the_o judgement_n be_v give_v with_o great_a weight_n etc._n etc._n which_o sure_o be_v do_v in_o every_o such_o constant_a congregation_n as_o before_o he_o speak_v of_o and_o yet_o but_o in_o one_o singular_a congregation_n &_o not_o in_o many_o nor_o in_o one_o over_o many_o constant_o appoint_v in_o one_o city_n at_o that_o time_n eusebius_n history_n show_v that_o the_o church_n of_o the_o most_o famous_a city_n
be_v each_o of_o they_o primitive_o no_o more_o but_o a_o parish_n only_o that_o be_v but_o one_o ordinary_a constant_a congregation_n only_o as_o wehre_fw-ge he_o name_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n 3.11_o jerusalem_n euse_n lib._n 3.11_o the_o parish_n of_o jerusalem_n of_o ephesus_n the_o parish_n of_o 3.28_o of_o lib._n 3.28_o ephesus_n and_o so_o of_o 4.1.4.5.19_o of_o lib._n 3.13.18_o lib._n 4.1.4.5.19_o alexandria_n of_o 3.32_o of_o lib._n 3.32_o hierapolis_n of_o 4.22_o of_o lib._n 4.22_o corinth_n of_o 4.25_o of_o lib_fw-la 4.25_o sardis_n of_o 5.5_o of_o lib._n 5.5_o lion_n &_o divers_a church_n the_o 6._o the_o lib._n 4.22_o 6._o parish_n of_o crete_n he_o no_o where_o mention_v many_o church_n nor_o parish_n under_o one_o bishop_n in_o any_o city_n till_o julianus_n time_n in_o alexandria_n as_o before_o we_o observe_v by_o epiphanius_n testimony_n also_o our_o assertion_n be_v maintain_v who_o say_v primitive_o 73._o primitive_o epiph_n contr_n haâ—â—â—â—_n 73._o in_o a_o small_a congregation_n a_o bishop_n be_v ordain_v alone_o without_o other_o presbyter_n assist_v he_o and_o in_o some_o place_n only_a presbyter_n and_o deacon_n without_o a_o bishop_n in_o other_o place_n that_o be_v in_o great_a &_o populous_a congregation_n where_o they_o have_v meet_a man_n to_o be_v choose_v there_o they_o choose_v in_o each_o of_o they_o a_o bishop_n with_o other_o assistant_n presbyter_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v consequent_o that_o everywhere_o a_o bishop_n then_o be_v but_o of_o one_o particular_a congregation_n only_o whether_o great_a or_o simall_a the_o second_o part_n be_v prove_v philad_n the_o particular_a congregation_n have_v their_o own_o government_n ecclesiastical_a ignat._n ad_fw-la philad_n neither_o let_v any_o imagine_v that_o these_o particular_a congregation_n than_o want_v their_o own_o ecclesiastical_a government_n among_o themselves_o only_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o they_o have_v it_o &_o exercise_v it_o only_o within_o themselves_o ordinary_o which_o be_v plain_a by_o that_o of_o ignatius_n write_v to_o one_o of_o they_o thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v meet_v for_o you_o as_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o choose_v by_o common_a consent_n your_o bishop_n and_o to_o a_o other_o particular_a church_n thus_o smyrna_n thus_o ad_fw-la smyrna_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o church_n which_o be_v with_o you_o at_o smyrna_n there_o be_v not_o any_o thing_n above_o the_o bishop_n he_o mean_v the_o bishop_n or_o pastor_n of_o the_o particular_a congregation_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n and_o above_o any_o other_o there_o whosoever_o so_o that_o they_o in_o that_o congregation_n have_v all_o government_n simple_o and_o sole_o among_o themselves_o he_o speak_v here_o of_o govern_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d spiritual_o not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d civil_o for_o thus_o the_o magistrate_n be_v supreme_a both_o in_o and_o over_o each_o church_n and_o whatsoever_o church_n matter_n as_o mai._n beza_n religious_o and_o dutiful_o presbyt_n dutiful_o theod._n bez._n de_fw-fr excom_n &_o presbyt_n speak_v &_o we_o 57_o we_o pag._n 57_o before_o observe_v yea_o very_o thus_o the_o magistrate_n be_v supreme_a whether_o he_o care_v for_o the_o church_n or_o care_v not_o hence_o therefore_o we_o conclude_v that_o these_o particular_a church_n have_v the_o ordinary_a ecclesiastical_a government_n of_o themselves_o among_o themselves_o tertullian_n also_o in_o the_o place_n before_o cite_v show_v so_o much_o speak_v of_o each_o particular_a ordinary_a congregation_n in_o his_o day_n ibidem_fw-la est_fw-la censura_fw-la divina_fw-la judicatur_fw-la magno_fw-la cum_fw-la pondere_fw-la ut_fw-la apud_fw-la certos_fw-la de_fw-la dei_fw-la conspectu_fw-la 39_o apol._n â—_o 39_o precedent_n probati_fw-la quique_fw-la seniores_fw-la there_o be_v divine_a censure_n they_o judge_v with_o great_a weight_n and_o advisednes_n as_o be_v sure_a that_o god_n see_v they_o the_o approve_a elder_n be_v the_o chief_a or_o do_v govern_v these_o censure_n therefore_o all_o particular_a ordinary_a congregation_n enjoy_v their_o own_o spiritual_a government_n then_o in_o those_o time_n there_o be_v no_o suspicion_n of_o any_o restraint_n or_o abridge_n of_o they_o therein_o till_o dionysius_n the_o 13._o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n 260._o anno_fw-la 260._o at_o the_o soon_a the_o three_o part_n be_v prove_v bishop_n no_o maioritie_n of_o rule_n but_o only_a priority_n of_o order_n in_o a_o primitive_a bishop_n beside_o the_o testimony_n before_o allege_v ambrose_n in_o plain_a word_n tell_v we_o this_o that_o primitive_o 3._o primitive_o ambro_n in_o eph._n 4._o &_o 1_o tim._n 3._o a_o bishop_n be_v no_o more_o but_o primus_fw-la presbyter_n the_o foremost_a in_o order_n among_o the_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o the_o synod_n or_o where_o there_o be_v other_o in_o the_o same_o congregation_n with_o he_o therefore_o the_o bishop_n then_o differ_v not_o in_o maioritie_n of_o rule_n from_o any_o other_o pastor_n and_o therefore_o then_o there_o be_v no_o diocesan_n church_n use_v government_n nor_o diocesan_n bishop_n rule_v other_o pastor_n and_o church_n much_o less_o be_v there_o any_o diocesan_n lord_n bishop_n then_o jerome_n do_v likewise_o where_o he_o say_v 1._o say_v jerom._n ad_fw-la evagr._fw-la &_o in_o tit._n 1._o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o elder_a or_o common_a pastor_n by_o divine_a institution_n and_o ordinance_n be_v all_o one_o and_o maioritie_n among_o they_o come_v in_o by_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n and_o humane_a disposition_n he_o mean_v maioritie_n of_o rule_v because_o he_o show_v here_o that_o former_o all_o do_v rule_v consiliâ—_n rule_v in_o communiâ—_fw-la or_o communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la consiliâ—_n in_o common_a wherefore_o by_o his_o judgement_n there_o be_v not_o at_o the_o first_o any_o maioritie_n of_o rule_n in_o a_o bishop_n over_o pastor_n much_o less_o be_v there_o any_o diocesan_n l._n bishop_n rule_v by_o their_o sole_a authority_n in_o those_o time_n some_o priority_n in_o order_n we_o doubt_v not_o be_v always_o first_o parishional_a and_o then_o diocesan_n some_o good_a while_n after_o as_o before_o be_v show_v yea_o the_o parishional_a priority_n of_o order_n be_v we_o deny_v not_o constant_a yea_o even_o among_o pastor_n who_o have_v otherwise_o all_o one_o office_n entire_o i_o say_v this_o be_v where_o there_o be_v divers_a minister_n of_o the_o word_n in_o one_o particular_a congregation_n as_o we_o doubt_v not_o there_o be_v in_o some_o place_n now_o for_o this_o matter_n viz._n bishop_n maioritie_n in_o government_n above_o presbyter_n and_o also_o concern_v jeromes_n opinion_n thereof_o it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o observe_v what_o d._n bilson_n also_o have_v teach_v and_o avouch_v in_o his_o 318._o his_o against_o the_o semina_fw-la part_n 2._o pag._n 318._o first_o book_n he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o by_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n nor_o his_o apostle_n but_o long_o after_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n the_o custom_n of_o the_o time_n and_o the_o will_n of_o prince_n where_o also_o he_o show_v that_o this_o be_v jeromes_n judgement_n likewise_o howsoever_o since_o i_o can_v not_o tell_v how_o nor_o why_o d._n bilson_n 236.237.238_o bilson_n perpeâ—_n gov_fw-mi pag._n 236.237.238_o change_v much_o his_o mind_n herein_o and_o yet_o with_o no_o more_o discrepance_n from_o himself_o then_o from_o the_o truth_n and_o from_o almost_o all_o learned_a man_n beside_o both_o ancient_a and_o late_a further_o this_o reason_n proove_v the_o present_a whole_a assertion_n if_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d use_v religious_o for_o a_o church_n visible_a with_o order_n and_o government_n do_v and_o aught_o to_o keep_v in_o all_o good_a author_n a_o just_a proportion_n answerable_a to_o the_o civil_a and_o original_a use_n thereof_o than_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o proper_a signification_n a_o particular_a congregation_n only_o for_o original_o and_o civil_o in_o all_o greek_a author_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v one_o particular_a assembly_n in_o one_o place_n only_o as_o a_o assembly_n of_o the_o people_n at_o athens_n in_o ephesus_n in_o corinth_n &c_n &c_n be_v come_v together_o in_o their_o public_a iudgement-place_n which_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o write_n of_o plato_n demosthenes_n isocrates_n xenophon_n etc._n etc._n yea_o in_o the_o 39.40_o the_o act_n 19_o â—2_n 39.40_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n we_o do_v find_v it_o likewise_o so_o use_v but_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n for_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n use_v this_o word_n for_o a_o visible_a church_n with_o order_n and_o government_n do_v speak_v proper_o and_o so_o ought_v to_o keep_v a_o just_a proportion_n in_o it_o answerable_a to_o the_o civil_a and_o original_a use_n thereof_o this_o sentence_n be_v undoubted_o true_a and_o undeniable_a if_o any_o think_v he_o can_v show_v to_o the_o coâ—â—â—rie_n let_v it_o be_v show_v therefore_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n for_o 200._o