say_v to_o bear_v or_o carry_v in_o his_o right-hand_a apoc._n 1._o 16._o 20._o &_o 1_o 2._o a_o argument_n of_o competent_a validity_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o thence_o that_o this_o dignity_n and_o power_n of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n be_v if_o not_o immediate_o institute_v yet_o approve_v and_o confirm_v by_o christ_n especial_o when_o in_o these_o so_o many_o part_n of_o this_o epistle_n christ_n himself_o have_v write_v to_o every_o of_o they_o under_o this_o title_n of_o honour_n and_o dignity_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o so_o much_o light_n that_o some_o man_n shall_v still_o continue_v blind_a be_v to_o be_v number_v among_o the_o prodigy_n of_o this_o worst_a and_o most_o unhappy_a age_n for_o as_o to_o that_o which_o from_o the_o one_o word_n yoâ—_n in_o the_o plural_a c._n 4._o 24._o i_o find_v object_v by_o some_o against_o so_o many_o single_a mention_n of_o the_o angel_n one_o in_o every_o church_n that_o will_v immediate_o vanish_v etc._n etc._n 5._o these_o word_n thus_o entire_o set_v down_o have_v a_o face_n very_o distant_a from_o that_o so_o much_o confidence_n and_o censoriousnesse_n that_o i_o be_o here_o charge_v with_o by_o the_o provincial_n synod_n for_o 1._o for_o the_o conclusion_n deduce_v from_o the_o mention_n of_o these_o angel_n it_o be_v not_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o prelacy_n which_o phrase_n may_v yet_o have_v be_v reconcile_v with_o rule_n of_o sobriety_n and_o modesty_n as_o well_o as_o the_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la of_o presbytery_n but_o christ_n approbation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o this_o dignity_n and_o power_n of_o bishop_n which_o conclusion_n have_v evident_a ground_n in_o those_o text_n which_o mention_v christ_n hold_v they_o in_o his_o hand_n and_o his_o address_v a_o epistle_n to_o they_o suppose_v only_o what_o be_v undertake_v to_o be_v evidence_v by_o other_o medium_n that_o these_o angel_n be_v single_a person_n in_o each_o church_n 6._o second_o that_o which_o be_v by_o i_o so_o confident_o affirm_v be_v not_o as_o this_o learned_a assembly_n be_v please_v to_o suggest_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v metropolitan_n or_o archbisop_n that_o they_o be_v such_o be_v afterward_o as_o a_o distinct_a matter_n in_o the_o next_o chapter_n propose_v in_o a_o much_o more_o moderate_a style_n statim_fw-la credibile_fw-la fiet_fw-la it_o will_v straitwayes_o become_v credible_a and_o with_o no_o more_o show_n of_o confidence_n than_o the_o premise_n which_o be_v there_o at_o large_a set_v down_o will_v authorize_v 7._o these_o be_v two_o competent_a essay_n to_o begin_v with_o by_o which_o we_o may_v proportion_v our_o expectation_n but_o there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o which_o have_v somewhat_o more_o of_o injustice_n in_o it_o to_o mention_v my_o so_o much_o confidence_n in_o assert_v but_o never_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o ground_n produce_v whereon_o this_o confidence_n as_o far_o as_o it_o extend_v be_v build_v the_o want_n of_o which_o be_v so_o constant_o the_o one_o thing_n which_o render_v confidence_n unseasonable_a or_o unblamable_a that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o man_n to_o have_v apprehend_v ground_n as_o proper_a to_o induce_v a_o conclusion_n and_o to_o suspend_v the_o belief_n and_o confidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o conclusion_n which_o be_v so_o infer_v the_o injustice_n i_o say_v be_v there_o not_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o medium_n whereon_o the_o confidence_n be_v found_v very_o competent_a to_o infer_v a_o conclusion_n in_o that_o stile_n wherein_o it_o be_v there_o infer_v if_o they_o have_v be_v please_v to_o advertise_v their_o reader_n of_o it_o 8._o the_o inference_n lie_v thus_o the_o angel_n of_o each_o church_n of_o asia_n be_v a_o single_a person_n therefore_o not_o a_o college_n or_o consistory_n of_o presbyter_n and_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o person_n be_v there_o suppose_a to_o be_v evidence_v sufficient_o by_o that_o which_o be_v so_o many_o time_n repeat_v in_o the_o text_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o the_o like_a by_o the_o testimony_n of_o andreas_n caesariensis_n the_o principal_a annotator_n or_o interpreter_n of_o the_o revelation_n transcribe_v by_o aretas_n in_o express_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o number_n of_o the_o bishop_n equal_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o the_o answer_n render_v to_o that_o one_o objection_n which_o be_v bring_v by_o the_o presbyterian_o against_o the_o singularity_n of_o the_o person_n of_o each_o angel_n 9_o second_o this_o singular_a person_n be_v a_o bishop_n in_o that_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n which_o signify_v a_o precedence_n of_o power_n and_o dignity_n over_o all_o other_o in_o that_o church_n this_o again_o be_v make_v evident_a both_o by_o the_o forementioned_a singularity_n of_o his_o power_n and_o person_n in_o each_o church_n and_o far_o by_o the_o propriety_n of_o the_o title_n bestow_v on_o he_o a_o angel_n such_o as_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o chief_a priest_n be_v style_v malac._n 2._o to_o which_o matter_n i_o shall_v now_o superadde_v one_o testimony_n which_o photius_n have_v out_o of_o diodorus_n siculus_n concern_v the_o jew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o they_o call_v the_o high_a priest_n and_o deem_v he_o to_o be_v to_o they_o a_o angel_n or_o messenger_n of_o the_o command_n of_o god_n a_o commissioner_n of_o heaven_n impower_v from_o thence_o for_o the_o execution_n of_o his_o office_n among_o they_o 10._o this_o by_o the_o way_n give_v we_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o denomination_n because_o as_o angel_n do_v not_o only_o carry_v up_o our_o prayer_n to_o god_n but_o also_o bring_v down_o god_n command_v to_o we_o so_o do_v the_o high_a priest_n under_o the_o law_n this_o dialect_n be_v also_o say_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o hebrew_n to_o the_o egyptian_n who_o call_v their_o chief_a priest_n angel_n also_o and_o then_o how_o fit_o the_o parallel_n run_v betwixt_o the_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o bishop_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n take_v in_o the_o prelatists_n notion_n of_o he_o be_v a_o theme_n which_o seem_v not_o to_o need_v any_o length_n of_o harangue_n to_o perform_v or_o illustrate_v it_o and_o yet_o after_o a_o section_n spend_v to_o clear_v that_o one_o difficulty_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o in_o the_o plural_a c._n 2._o 24._o there_o be_v two_o section_n add_v more_o for_o the_o far_o fortify_v of_o this_o evidence_n 1._o from_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n act._n 2._o which_o 〈◊〉_d from_o timothy_n till_o the_o time_n of_o their_o session_n number_n 27._o bishop_n in_o one_o of_o these_o see_v that_o of_o ephesus_n all_o ordain_v there_o and_o timothy_n we_o know_v be_v ordain_v by_o the_o lay_n on_o of_o st._n paul_n hand_n 2_o tim._n 1._o 6._o will_v divolve_v it_o to_o that_o orginall_a apostoliacll_n institution_n and_o 2._o from_o polycrates_n timoth._n who_o be_v bear_v soon_o after_o st._n johns_n day_n and_o be_v a_o witness_n of_o a_o competent_a antiquity_n and_o affirm_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o 25._o eight_o bishop_n of_o that_o see_v from_o both_o which_o testimony_n of_o the_o catalogue_n and_o number_n of_o bishop_n ascend_v to_o st._n timothy_n as_o the_o first_o of_o that_o rank_n who_o certain_o be_v constitute_v there_o before_o the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n the_o conclusion_n be_v obvious_a and_o irrefragable_a that_o either_o timothy_n or_o some_o successor_n of_o his_o be_v personal_o the_o angel_n to_o which_o the_o epistle_n be_v address_v and_o i_o profess_v not_o to_o wish_v for_o a_o great_a evidence_n to_o justify_v a_o prelatist_n in_o his_o desire_n to_o live_v in_o obedience_n to_o that_o order_n so_o signal_o confirm_v by_o christ_n 11._o the_o like_a be_v in_o the_o next_o section_n produce_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n l._n 3._o c._n 3._o concern_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n irenaeus_n live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o polycarp_n that_o ancient_a primitive_a martyr_n and_o be_v a_o youth_n have_v the_o honour_n to_o see_v that_o venerable_a old_a man_n and_o of_o he_o he_o affirm_v that_o he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d not_o only_o a_o disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o converse_v with_o many_o that_o see_v christ_n but_o that_o also_o he_o be_v send_v to_o asia_n and_o constitute_v bishop_n in_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n and_o if_o there_o need_v any_o more_o light_a after_o so_o clear_a and_o authentic_a a_o testimony_n which_o again_o conclude_v either_o polycarpe_n or_o some_o successor_n of_o he_o to_o be_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n to_o who_o christ_n address_v his_o epistle_n there_o be_v another_o add_v out_o of_o tertullian_n a_o writer_n of_o great_a antiquity_n and_o reputation_n for_o knowledge_n in_o the_o
so_o the_o evangelist_n be_v a_o bishop_n 3._o whatsoever_o objection_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o this_o i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v will_v be_v easy_o answer_v but_o there_o be_v no_o offer_n of_o any_o here_o and_o therefore_o it_o will_v not_o be_v pertinent_a far_o to_o treat_v it_o in_o this_o place_n 4._o second_o it_o must_v again_o be_v remember_v that_o what_o be_v here_o say_v of_o timothy_n be_v proper_a to_o his_o person_n both_o from_o onesimus_n and_o polycarpe_n and_o all_o other_o angel_n whether_o succeed_a timothy_n in_o ephesus_n or_o praeside_v in_o the_o other_o 7._o asian_a church_n and_o therefore_o though_o timothy_n by_o be_v a_o evangelist_n be_v render_v uncapable_a which_o yet_o he_o be_v not_o of_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o our_o sense_n yet_o those_o other_o seven_o angel_n at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o write_v this_o epistle_n of_o which_o none_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v evangelist_n may_v still_o be_v bishop_n in_o our_o sense_n 5._o three_o i_o shall_v demand_v upon_o the_o assembler_n principle_n who_o allow_v a_o primus_fw-la presbyter_n a_o prolocutor_n in_o their_o consistory_n or_o council_n of_o presbyter_n may_v timothy_n be_v that_o first_o presbyter_n in_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n or_o do_v his_o be_v a_o evangelist_n hinder_v he_o from_o be_v so_o when_o he_o be_v by_o st._n paul_n exhort_v or_o appoint_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o abide_v in_o that_o city_n i_o can_v imagine_v they_o will_v say_v he_o can_v not_o who_o give_v both_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n john_n leave_v to_o call_v themselves_o presbyter_n but_o if_o he_o can_v in_o their_o opinion_n then_o why_o may_v he_o not_o be_v a_o bishop_n in_o our_o sense_n notwithstanding_o that_o he_o be_v a_o evangelist_n as_o well_o as_o a_o presbyter_n in_o they_o i_o foresee_v not_o what_o answer_n can_v be_v adapt_v to_o this_o dilemma_n section_n xiii_o of_o the_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n of_o the_o plural_a number_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o smyrna_n there_o remain_v a_o three_o branch_n of_o the_o answer_n that_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v because_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n in_o st._n john_n day_n that_o therefore_o he_o be_v the_o only_a person_n to_o who_o christ_n write_v his_o epistle_n for_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n beside_o the_o suppose_a onesimus_n and_o christ_n may_v very_o well_o write_v to_o he_o and_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o well_o as_o he_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v concern_v polycarpe_n for_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n rev._n 2._o 10._o and_o therefore_o he_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o write_v to_o all_o the_o other_o angel_n that_o be_v at_o smyrna_n as_o well_o as_o to_o one_o 2._o here_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o branch_n but_o what_o have_v be_v distinct_o forestall_v and_o speak_v to_o large_o already_o it_o will_v suffice_v that_o we_o repeat_v the_o head_n and_o leave_v the_o reader_n to_o view_v the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v more_o explicit_o handle_v and_o 1._o tho_o st._n paul_n shall_v tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v many_o bishop_n at_o ephesus_n as_o there_o may_v be_v from_o other_o city_n occasional_o meet_v there_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o one_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n or_o consequent_o that_o christ_n in_o a_o peculiar_a address_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o city_n can_v write_v to_o more_o bishop_n there_o 3._o but_o than_o second_o the_o whole_a truth_n be_v this_o that_o s._n luke_n and_o not_o st_n paul_n tell_v that_o upon_o st._n paul_n summons_n send_v to_o ephesus_n many_o bishop_n meet_v he_o at_o miletus_n ephesus_n be_v the_o chief_a metropolis_n be_v the_o fit_a mean_n to_o convey_v the_o summons_n to_o the_o city_n near_o it_o and_o from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o from_o they_o and_o not_o only_o from_o ephesus_n come_v the_o bishop_n to_o he_o as_o have_v be_v declare_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n 4._o three_o for_o our_o saviour_n speak_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n in_o the_o plural_a number_n that_o be_v not_o punctual_o true_a for_o though_o the_o letter_n be_v write_v and_o inscribe_v to_o the_o angel_n yet_o as_o have_v oft_o be_v say_v the_o whole_a church_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o content_n of_o it_o and_o so_o speak_v to_o the_o angel_n in_o the_o singular_a he_o may_v yet_o speak_v to_o the_o church_n or_o any_o member_n thereof_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n and_o so_o much_o again_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o ineffectualnesse_n of_o the_o first_o head_n of_o answer_n section_n fourteen_o of_o beza_n interpretation_n of_o the_o president_n the_o second_o follow_v upon_o a_o supposition_n but_o not_o grant_v that_o these_o angel_n be_v personae_fw-la singulares_fw-la and_o that_o the_o word_n angel_n be_v to_o be_v take_v individual_o yet_o they_o conceive_v this_o will_v not_o at_o all_o advantage_n the_o episcopal_a cause_n for_o 1._o mr._n beza_n no_o great_a friend_n to_o episcopacy_n acknowledge_v that_o by_o these_o word_n to_o the_o angel_n be_v mean_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o the_o president_n as_o who_o it_o behoove_v special_o to_o be_v admonish_v touch_v those_o matter_n and_o by_o he_o both_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o colleague_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n likewise_o but_o then_o he_o add_v but_o that_o episcopal_a degree_n which_o be_v afterward_o by_o humane_a invention_n bring_v into_o the_o church_n of_o god_n certain_o neither_o can_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v from_o hence_o conclude_v nay_o not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o office_n of_o a_o perpetual_a precedent_n shall_v be_v of_o necessity_n as_o the_o thence_o arise_v oligarchical_a tyranny_n who_o head_n be_v the_o antichristian_a beast_n now_o at_o length_n with_o the_o most_o certain_a ruin_n not_o of_o the_o church_n only_o but_o of_o the_o word_n also_o make_v manifest_a by_o which_o quotation_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o though_o beza_n hold_v the_o angel_n to_o be_v a_o singular_a person_n yet_o he_o hold_v he_o to_o be_v angelus_n praeses_fw-la not_o angelus_n princeps_fw-la and_o that_o he_o be_v praeses_fw-la pro_fw-la tempore_fw-la just_a as_o a_o moderator_n in_o a_o assembly_n or_o as_o a_o speaker_n in_o parliament_n 2._o to_o this_o i_o reply_v 1._o that_o mr._n beza_n interpretation_n as_o it_o be_v foreknow_v and_o former_o mention_v by_o we_o so_o be_v it_o not_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v of_o any_o force_n or_o authority_n with_o we_o if_o it_o be_v but_o upon_o the_o score_n intimate_v here_o that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o no_o great_a friend_n but_o a_o know_a profess_a enemy_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o so_o be_v oblige_v to_o be_v by_o the_o course_n wherein_o he_o be_v engage_v at_o geneva_n all_o that_o his_o authority_n conclude_v be_v that_o to_o avoid_v a_o plain_a testimony_n which_o be_v not_o for_o his_o turn_n a_o man_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o affirm_v that_o confident_o for_o which_o he_o have_v no_o ground_n of_o proof_n nay_o wherein_o all_o way_n of_o evidence_n that_o thâ—_n matter_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v absolute_o against_o he_o 3._o thus_o it_o be_v certain_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o when_o beza_n have_v here_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o angel_n be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n who_o will_v be_v the_o most_o competent_a judge_n or_o witness_v to_o determine_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d president_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n what_o kind_n of_o praesidency_n he_o have_v whether_o only_o of_o place_n or_o order_n and_o that_o only_a for_o a_o time_n or_o of_o superiority_n of_o power_n and_o office_n and_o that_o perpetual_a in_o all_o reason_n this_o be_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o those_o first_o writer_n which_o speak_v of_o it_o and_o either_o use_v the_o very_a word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d precedent_n for_o such_o a_o bishop_n as_o we_o now_o assert_v a_o singular_a person_n in_o every_o church_n have_v a_o power_n for_o life_n over_o all_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o succeed_v some_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a person_n in_o that_o power_n or_o else_o in_o other_o word_n affirm_v the_o same_o thing_n 4._o of_o this_o store_n of_o evidence_n be_v 4._o elsewhere_o produce_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o several_a title_n by_o which_o this_o singular_a perfect_a be_v ancient_o know_v whether_o of_o apostle_n in_o a_o secondary_a use_n of_o that_o word_n of_o angel_n of_o bishop_n of_o elder_a of_o ruler_n of_o pastor_n of_o doctor_n of_o steward_n of_o precedent_n of_o priest_n against_o which_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o mr._n beza_n name_n who_o have_v fancy_v
enlarge_v to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o want_n it_o be_v justin_n martyr_n affirmation_n of_o the_o first_o time_n that_o all_o the_o offering_n be_v bring_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o precedent_n and_o that_o he_o be_v thereby_o make_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o curator_n of_o all_o that_o be_v in_o want_n and_o when_o what_o be_v send_v to_o the_o bishop_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v send_v to_o he_o as_o the_o oeconomus_fw-la or_o steward_n of_o the_o church_n not_o for_o the_o enrich_n himself_o but_o to_o provide_v for_o those_o that_o want_v i_o can_v imagine_v why_o this_o may_v not_o be_v as_o convenient_o suppose_v as_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v send_v to_o the_o presbyter_n only_o so_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d act._n 14._o 23._o be_v bishop_n again_o and_o such_o and_o only_o such_o as_o far_o as_o we_o have_v any_o footstep_n of_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n ordain_v in_o the_o church_n one_o in_o every_o city_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v receive_v with_o one_o or_o more_o deacon_n to_o attend_v he_o and_o to_o this_o as_o the_o word_n so_o often_o mention_v out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n preach_v through_o city_n and_o region_n constitute_v their_o first_o fruit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n so_o the_o context_n in_o this_o place_n of_o the_o act_n be_v very_o agreeable_a for_o here_o when_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n have_v preach_v and_o convert_v a_o competent_a number_n at_o derbe_n v_o 12._o and_o return_v to_o the_o city_n of_o lystra_n iconium_n and_o antioch_n v._n 22._o confirm_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o brethren_n i.e._n the_o faithful_a there_o it_o follow_v before_o their_o part_n that_o they_o ordain_v elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o every_o church_n that_o sure_o be_v in_o every_o of_o the_o church_n here_o name_v not_o many_o in_o each_o but_o elder_n in_o all_o one_o bishop_n in_o every_o church_n which_o again_o be_v no_o news_n for_o i_o or_o any_o praelatist_n to_o affirm_v when_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o titus_n st._n paul_n direction_n be_v conformable_a to_o his_o practice_n appoint_v he_o to_o ordain_v elder_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d city_n by_o city_n or_o in_o every_o city_n c._n 1._o 5._o and_o present_o call_v the_o elder_a so_o to_o be_v ordain_v bishop_n as_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n he_o be_v also_o call_v thus_o much_o pain_n i_o shall_v not_o grudge_v to_o have_v take_v if_o it_o be_v but_o to_o rescue_v a_o small_a book_n very_o innocent_o mean_v from_o the_o charge_n of_o two_o suâ—h_a paradox_n as_o they_o be_v call_v by_o those_o who_o have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o believe_v they_o and_o be_v as_o unwil_v that_o other_o shall_v and_o therefore_o conclude_v their_o discourse_n against_o they_o with_o tragical_a expression_n of_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o the_o scripture_n of_o be_v sufficient_a instead_o of_o uphold_v episcopacy_n to_o render_v it_o odious_a and_o contemptible_a etc._n etc._n and_o when_o they_o have_v say_v so_o much_o with_o so_o little_a weight_n of_o reason_n to_o justify_v it_o they_o will_v then_o part_v with_o all_o meekness_n and_o perfect_a temper_n yet_o we_o forbear_v i.e._n abstain_v to_o add_v more_o when_o they_o have_v say_v as_o much_o ill_a as_o can_v be_v i_o be_o sorry_a there_o be_v still_o any_o more_o bitterness_n within_o to_o be_v suppress_v when_o there_o be_v so_o much_o vent_v however_o it_o be_v we_o be_v now_o at_o end_n of_o a_o second_o post_n and_o to_o have_v time_n to_o breathe_v a_o while_n after_o some_o lassitude_n chap._n iii_o concern_v the_o opinion_n of_o antiquity_n in_o this_o question_n sect._n 1_o the_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n romanus_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n the_o only_a office_n at_o the_o first_o corinth_n metropolis_n of_o achaia_n what_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v the_o apostle_n care_v to_o prevent_v contention_n about_o episcopacy_n hegesippus_n testimony_n of_o the_o contention_n at_o corinth_n clement_n a_o bishop_n some_o thing_n there_o be_v yet_o behind_o in_o their_o appendix_n wherein_o i_o discern_v myself_o to_o be_v concern_v in_o some_o direct_o and_o immediate_o in_o other_o by_o remote_a obligation_n as_o when_o some_o of_o those_o testimony_n of_o antiquity_n which_o be_v in_o the_o dissertation_n manifest_v to_o be_v perfect_o reconcileable_a with_o our_o pretension_n and_o some_o of_o they_o evident_a confirmation_n of_o they_o be_v yet_o by_o these_o writer_n crude_o take_v up_o and_o make_v use_v of_o as_o testimony_n on_o their_o side_n without_o ever_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o which_o be_v say_v in_o the_o dissertation_n to_o clear_v the_o contrary_n of_o the_o former_a sort_n wherein_o i_o be_o more_o immediate_o point_v at_o there_o be_v four_o thing_n first_o concern_v one_o testimony_n of_o st._n hierome_n second_o concern_v ignatius_n his_o epistle_n in_o general_a and_o the_o appeal_n that_o i_o make_v to_o hâ—s_n authoriâ—â—_n which_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v to_o have_v force_n with_o they_o three_o concern_v one_o testimony_n cite_v by_o they_o out_o of_o st._n ambrose_n on_o ephes_n 4._o and_o answer_v by_o i_o but_o that_o answer_v dislike_v and_o reject_v by_o they_o four_o concern_v the_o chorepiscopi_fw-la of_o the_o second_o sort_n be_v the_o testimony_n out_o of_o clemens_n romanus_n polycarpe_n irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n especial_o the_o two_o former_a of_o they_o i_o shall_v therefore_o brief_o survey_v every_o one_o of_o these_o and_o i_o suppose_v i_o have_v pitch_v on_o the_o most_o convenient_a method_n and_o that_o which_o will_v give_v the_o reader_n the_o clear_a view_n both_o of_o the_o judgement_n of_o antiquity_n concern_v episcopacy_n in_o general_n to_o which_o their_o appendix_n profess_v whole_o to_o be_v design_v and_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o two_o proposition_n which_o have_v be_v accuse_v as_o paradox_n in_o i_o but_o will_v now_o appear_v not_o to_o be_v such_o by_o take_v these_o testimony_n as_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o order_n of_o time_n wherein_o the_o author_n live_v and_o then_o that_o of_o st._n hierome_n which_o happen_v to_o be_v first_o mention_v by_o they_o p._n 102._o will_v fall_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o last_o to_o which_o we_o shall_v make_v reply_n first_o then_o for_o clemens_n 104._o they_o thus_o begin_v sure_o we_o be_v that_o clemens_n who_o live_v in_o the_o first_o century_n in_o his_o famous_a epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n a_o undoubted_a piece_n of_o antiquity_n make_v but_o two_o order_n of_o ministry_n bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o have_v set_v down_o the_o place_n which_o testify_v this_o 54_o *_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o render_v it_o thus_o christ_n jesus_n send_v his_o apostle_n through_o country_n and_o city_n in_o which_o they_o preach_v and_o constitute_v the_o first_o fruit_n approve_v they_o by_o the_o spirit_n for_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n to_o those_o who_o shall_v afterward_o believe_v from_o hence_o they_o observe_v p._n 105._o that_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n be_v the_o only_a order_n of_o ministry_n in_o the_o first_o primitive_a church_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v but_o two_o officer_n that_o be_v bishop_n and_o deacon_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o believe_v because_o when_o he_o have_v reckon_v up_o three_o order_n appoint_v by_o god_n among_o the_o jew_n highpriest_n priest_n and_o levite_n come_v to_o recite_v order_n appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n under_o the_o gospel_n â—e_n do_v mention_v only_a bishop_n and_o deacon_n and_o here_o one_o will_v think_v be_v little_a for_o the_o presbyterian_o advantage_n even_o no_o more_o than_o one_o of_o my_o paradox_n will_v have_v afford_v they_o which_o from_o this_o very_a testimony_n and_o some_o other_o conclude_v that_o which_o be_v then_o so_o strange_a for_o they_o to_o hear_v yet_o now_o can_v be_v confess_v by_o they_o that_o the_o apostle_n at_o their_o first_o plantation_n content_v themselves_o with_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n one_o of_o each_o or_o perhaps_o more_o of_o the_o latter_a in_o every_o city_n but_o when_o these_o man_n thus_o grant_v the_o conclusion_n from_o this_o place_n which_o i_o infer_v i_o have_v yet_o no_o reason_n to_o boast_v of_o their_o liberality_n because_o i_o suppose_v it_o their_o meaning_n that_o by_o bishop_n clemenâ—â—_n mean_v presbyter_n though_o this_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o say_v in_o twice_o repeat_v of_o their_o conclusion_n and_o yet_o certain_o it_o need_v more_o than_o say_v prove_v by_o some_o evidence_n or_o argument_n that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bishop_n in_o that_o place_n signify_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o bishop_n all_o that_o they_o offer_v towards_o a_o reason_n
record_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o word_n 32._o as_o the_o church_n of_o smyrna_n relate_v polycarpe_n to_o have_v be_v constitute_v there_o by_o john_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n affirm_v clement_n to_o have_v be_v ordain_v by_o peter_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o church_n exhibit_v the_o record_n of_o those_o who_o they_o have_v have_v their_o bishop_n constitute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o conveyor_n of_o the_o apostolical_a seed_n to_o they_o and_o more_o particular_o of_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n the_o subject_n of_o our_o present_a discourse_n 5._o we_o have_v the_o church_n feed_v by_o john_n and_o the_o course_n of_o bishop_n be_v drive_v to_o the_o original_a acknowledge_v john_n the_o apostle_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o here_o certain_o be_v light_n enough_o to_o make_v some_o confidence_n excusable_a in_o a_o prelatist_n and_o to_o make_v his_o wonder_n seasonable_a that_o any_o that_o have_v eye_n shall_v in_o so_o clear_a a_o sunshine_n want_v the_o use_n of_o they_o and_o to_o think_v it_o no_o very_o auspicious_a omen_n that_o they_o do_v yet_o because_o i_o have_v much_o rather_o assist_v then_o upbraid_v other_o man_n infirmity_n i_o have_v here_o give_v they_o a_o instance_n how_o easy_a it_o have_v be_v for_o they_o to_o have_v inform_v themselves_o and_o their_o respective_a charge_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o prelatists_n confidence_n that_o the_o epistle_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o seven_o asian_a church_n be_v a_o evidence_n of_o his_o approbation_n of_o the_o order_n of_o bishop_n in_o our_o modern_a notion_n of_o that_o word_n for_o a_o single_a overseer_n in_o every_o church_n 12._o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o obscurity_n still_o remain_v in_o the_o premise_n because_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n and_o polycrates_n make_v timothy_n who_o be_v ordain_v by_o paul_n the_o first_o bishop_n or_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n but_o tertullian_n divolve_v the_o original_a of_o the_o course_n or_o catalogue_n to_o st_n john_n the_o answer_n be_v easy_a that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o christian_n in_o ephesus_n and_o throughout_o all_o asia_n the_o first_o of_o gentile_a convert_n bring_v into_o the_o faith_n by_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o over_o they_o it_o be_v that_o timothy_n be_v by_o he_o place_v in_o ephesuâ—_n their_o bishop_n the_o second_o of_o jewish_a proselyte_n convert_v by_o st._n john_n by_o compact_n design_v to_o go_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o his_o province_n gal._n 2._o 9_o and_o those_o peculiarly_a the_o asian_a jew_n as_o appear_v every_o where_o in_o 23._o eusebius_n story_n and_o by_o the_o relation_n of_o his_o death_n in_o that_o place_n give_v we_o by_o 31._o polycrates_n a_o early_a bishop_n there_o and_o the_o author_n of_o the_o constivation_n out_o of_o a_o ancient_a tradition_n tell_v we_o that_o another_o of_o the_o same_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v by_o that_o apostle_n ordain_v bishop_n of_o the_o jewish_a christian_n there_o as_o timothy_n by_o s._n paul_n of_o the_o other_o congregation_n of_o gentile_a christian_n a_o observation_n which_o be_v large_o educe_v and_o exemplify_v in_o the_o etc._n dissertation_n and_o of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o small_a use_n for_o the_o dilucidating_a of_o obscurity_n in_o ancient_a story_n and_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o presbyterian_o but_o i_o must_v not_o here_o take_v liberty_n to_o enlarge_v on_o it_o unnecessary_o have_v be_v thus_o far_o force_v to_o expatiate_v somewhat_o above_o proportion_n to_o the_o length_n of_o their_o own_o period_n wherein_o my_o confidence_n and_o censoriousnesse_n be_v short_o accuse_v how_o deserve_o i_o hope_v have_v now_o be_v make_v manifest_a section_n ii_o of_o timothy_n of_o onesimus_n of_o polycarpe_n the_o next_o period_n in_o their_o charge_n against_o i_o run_v thus_o 1._o it_o be_v far_a add_v that_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n mention_n the_o very_a man_n that_o be_v the_o angel_n of_o those_o church_n some_o say_v timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o john_n write_v his_o epistle_n to_o it_o other_o say_v onesimus_n other_o say_v that_o policarpe_n be_v bishop_n of_o smyrna_n and_o from_o hence_o they_o conclude_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plansibility_n that_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n be_v seven_o individual_a bishop_n 2._o here_o be_v as_o yet_o no_o great_a charge_n offer_v but_o a_o confession_n rather_o that_o i_o have_v some_o temptation_n for_o the_o confidence_n of_o which_o i_o be_v former_o accuse_v my_o conclusion_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o adversary_n to_o be_v infer_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o plausibility_n but_o i_o have_v not_o so_o much_o reason_n to_o depend_v on_o their_o civility_n as_o to_o omit_v the_o insert_v here_o what_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o prevent_v mistake_n and_o shall_v therefore_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o set_v down_o entire_o what_o it_o be_v which_o i_o have_v affirm_v in_o this_o matter_n 3._o and_o 1._o i_o have_v yet_o no_o where_o say_v that_o timothy_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o john_n write_v this_o epistle_n to_o that_o church_n my_o word_n be_v express_o otherwise_o exit_fw-la quibus_fw-la patet_fw-la vel_fw-la timotheum_n ipsum_fw-la vel_fw-la aliquem_fw-la ei_fw-la succedaneum_fw-la hunc_fw-la ipsum_fw-la angelum_fw-la fuisse_fw-la quem_fw-la c._n 2._o 1._o christus_fw-la alloquitur_fw-la by_o which_o it_o appear_v have_v former_o set_v down_o my_o ground_n to_o induce_v this_o conclusion_n that_o either_o timothy_n himself_o or_o some_o body_n that_o succeed_v he_o be_v that_o very_a angel_n to_o who_o christ_n address_v his_o speech_n c._n 2._o 1._o but_o that_o be_v not_o to_o affirm_v it_o of_o timothy_n but_o purposely_o to_o abstain_v from_o affirm_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v deny_v or_o doubt_v and_o only_o to_o affirm_v it_o either_o to_o timothy_n or_o some_o successor_n of_o he_o which_o evident_o and_o infallible_o it_o must_v be_v if_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o the_o premise_v from_o which_o it_o be_v infer_v the_o word_n of_o the_o council_n and_o the_o father_n that_o after_o timothy_n the_o first_o succeed_v of_o continual_a series_n of_o bishop_n there_o 4._o what_o my_o opinion_n be_v in_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v now_o free_o tell_v they_o though_o before_o i_o have_v not_o occasion_n to_o do_v it_o together_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v only_o my_o opinion_n and_o so_o still_o affirm_v nothing_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o some_o uncertainty_n or_o far_o than_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o my_o opinion_n be_v found_v shall_v appear_v able_a to_o support_v it_o my_o opinion_n brief_o be_v that_o timothy_n be_v then_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o time_n of_o address_v that_o epistle_n to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o church_n and_o the_o ground_n be_v these_o 1._o that_o st._n 〈◊〉_d john_n banishment_n and_o prophesy_a be_v by_o epiphanius_n twice_o express_o affirm_v to_o have_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o time_n of_o claudius_n caesar_n then_o second_o that_o as_o it_o be_v by_o chronologer_n set_v down_o to_o be_v in_o the_o 13._o of_o claudius_n that_o timothy_n be_v leave_v by_o paul_n at_o ephesus_n when_o he_o go_v into_o macedonia_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 3_o act._n 20._o so_o it_o be_v general_o resolve_v that_o timothy_n suffer_v at_o ephesus_n under_o nerva_n and_o that_o agreeable_a enough_o with_o his_o age_n who_o appear_v to_o be_v young_a when_o paul_n first_o place_v he_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n if_o these_o ground_n have_v truth_n in_o they_o than_o timothy_n can_v be_v doubt_v to_o be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n when_o st_n john_n vision_n be_v receive_v and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o ireneus_fw-la seem_v to_o assign_v another_o date_n of_o these_o vision_n at_o least_o of_o some_o of_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o the_o end_n of_o domitian_n reign_n which_o what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v deem_v to_o signify_v be_v 906._o elsewhere_o explain_v yet_o still_o that_o be_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o timothy_n life_n if_o he_o suffer_v not_o till_o nerva_n reign_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o of_o timothy_n 5._o second_o that_o onesimus_n be_v bishop_n of_o ephesus_n at_o the_o date_n of_o that_o epistle_n be_v no_o where_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v to_o be_v my_o opinion_n much_o less_o affirm_v by_o i_o and_o therefore_o i_o need_v reply_n no_o more_o to_o that_o yet_o because_o ignatius_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n mention_n onesimus_n their_o bishop_n and_o that_o testimony_n be_v produce_v by_o i_o dissert_n 2._o c._n 25._o sect._n 9_o i_o shall_v here_o free_o give_v they_o my_o opinion_n also_o of_o that_o matter_n 6._o first_o that_o there_o be_v little_a ground_n of_o question_n but_o
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
the_o gainsayer_n no_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o he_o by_o the_o law_n of_o these_o agones_fw-la to_o use_v those_o argument_n and_o no_o other_o nor_o otherwise_o improve_v which_o all_o other_o writer_n of_o that_o side_n have_v do_v before_o he_o for_o if_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o legail_a combat_n to_o what_o end_n shall_v any_o second_o writing_n on_o the_o same_o subject_n ever_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o which_o have_v be_v former_o say_v need_v not_o to_o be_v transcribe_v and_o say_v again_o but_o either_o the_o book_n may_v be_v reprint_v or_o translate_v into_o a_o language_n more_o intelligible_a as_o i_o have_v here_o be_v fame_n oft_o to_o do_v and_o though_o i_o may_v true_o say_v that_o for_o those_o more_o minute_n consideration_n or_o conjecture_n wherein_o this_o doctor_n differ_v from_o some_o other_o who_o have_v write_v before_o he_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n some_o few_o text_n he_o have_v the_o suffrage_n of_o many_o the_o learn_a man_n of_o this_o church_n at_o this_o day_n and_o as_o far_o as_o he_o know_v of_o all_o that_o embrace_v the_o same_o cause_n with_o he_o yet_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o prove_v my_o agreement_n with_o other_o of_o my_o brethren_n by_o this_o only_a medium_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o they_o who_o believe_v the_o same_o conclusion_n upon_o several_a medium_n or_o way_n of_o infer_v it_o be_v in_o that_o and_o may_v be_v in_o all_o other_o conclusion_n at_o perfect_a accord_n and_o unity_n among_o themselves_o all_o that_o i_o can_v conclude_v from_o this_o and_o the_o former_a consideration_n the_o double_a charge_n lay_v on_o i_o of_o contrariety_n to_o antiquity_n and_o other_o asserter_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v ill_o please_v that_o i_o use_v any_o other_o argument_n or_o answer_n but_o what_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o assign_v i_o otherwise_o if_o there_o have_v be_v less_o not_o more_o truth_n or_o evidence_n in_o my_o way_n of_o defend_v the_o cause_n they_o will_v have_v have_v the_o great_a advantage_n against_o i_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o have_v be_v in_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n at_o leisure_n to_o have_v observe_v it_o section_n v._n inconvenience_n object_v and_o answer_v of_o more_o bishop_n in_o one_o city_n no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o no_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n but_o they_o be_v in_o the_o three_o place_n please_v to_o object_v some_o inconvenience_n which_o the_o defend_n of_o these_o paradox_n must_v necessary_o bring_v upon_o i_o and_o to_o these_o i_o shall_v more_o diligent_o attend_v first_o say_v they_o he_o that_o will_v defend_v these_o paradox_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v more_o bishop_n than_o one_o in_o a_o city_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n which_o be_v to_o betray_v the_o cause_n of_o episcopacy_n and_o to_o bring_v down_o a_o bishop_n to_o the_o rank_n of_o a_o presbyter_n to_o this_o i_o reply_v by_o absolute_a deny_v of_o this_o consequence_n for_o suppose_v the_o scripture-bishop_n to_o be_v always_o a_o bishop_n and_o so_o the_o scripture_n elder_a also_o how_o can_v it_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v more_o such_o bishop_n in_o any_o one_o city_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o this_o be_v no_o way_n infer_v upon_o either_o or_o both_o of_o my_o assertion_n nor_o be_v here_o one_o word_n add_v to_o prove_v it_o be_v to_o which_o i_o may_v accommodate_v any_o answer_n it_o be_v on_o the_o contrary_n most_o manifest_a that_o whensoever_o i_o find_v mention_n of_o bishop_n or_o elder_n in_o the_o plural_a as_o act._n 20._o phil._n 1._o etc._n etc._n i_o interpret_v they_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o macedonia_n bishop_n of_o judaea_n etc._n etc._n and_o render_v my_o reason_n of_o do_v so_o and_o consequent_o affirm_v they_o to_o be_v the_o bishop_n of_o divers_a sure_a that_o be_v not_o of_o one_o city_n the_o second_o inconvenience_n be_v that_o i_o must_v be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n there_o can_v be_v no_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n here_o be_v a_o evident_a mistake_n for_o i_o no_o where_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o only_o that_o in_o the_o apostle_n write_n the_o word_n bishop_n always_o signify_v bishop_n and_o the_o word_n elder_n either_o never_a or_o but_o rare_o presbyter_n now_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o those_o to_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_v which_o yet_o for_o want_n of_o occasion_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o those_o write_n and_o i_o that_o love_v not_o negative_a argument_n à _fw-la testimonio_fw-la shall_v never_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n within_o the_o time_n wherein_o the_o several_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v write_v upon_o that_o one_o argument_n because_o i_o can_v not_o find_v they_o mention_v there_o beside_o this_o i_o say_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v somewhat_o a_o large_a period_n than_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_n and_o therefore_o that_o what_o be_v speak_v only_o of_o the_o late_a be_v not_o mean_v to_o be_v extend_v to_o the_o former_a for_o 1._o the_o apostle_n continue_v alive_a some_o time_n after_o write_v their_o epistle_n and_o second_o some_o of_o the_o apostle_n survive_v other_o john_n of_o who_o christ_n will_n be_v intimate_v that_o he_o shall_v tarry_v and_o not_o die_v till_o after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o kingdom_n of_o he_o commence_v in_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v according_o live_v till_o trajanes_n time_n and_o by_o that_o time_n i_o think_v it_o probable_a that_o the_o number_n of_o believer_n daily_o increase_v there_o be_v as_o the_o want_n of_o the_o church_n require_v presbyter_n ordain_v in_o many_o church_n and_o according_o in_o the_o dissert_n p._n 229._o when_o i_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o express_o except_o s._n john_n and_o p._n 211._o i_o make_v use_n of_o a_o testimony_n of_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n on_o purpose_n to_o conclude_v that_o this_o apostle_n ordain_v presbyter_n in_o asia_n after_o his_o return_n from_o the_o island_n to_o which_o he_o be_v banish_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n and_o to_o the_o same_o matter_n i_o 5._o elsewhere_o apply_v that_o of_o ephiphanius_n out_o of_o the_o profound_a i.e._n ancient_a record_n that_o as_o moses_n and_o aaron_n take_v to_o they_o first_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o people_n and_o at_o length_n the_o sanhedrim_n of_o the_o seventy_o elder_n so_o the_o apostle_n first_o constitute_v bishop_n and_o in_o process_n of_o time_n presbyter_n also_o when_o occasion_n require_v as_o the_o bishop_n assistant_n and_o council_n and_o that_o upon_o account_n of_o this_o analogy_n with_o the_o sanhedrim_n they_o be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d elder_n and_o ignatius_n make_v mention_n of_o presbyter_n as_o of_o a_o middle_a degree_n in_o the_o church_n betwixt_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n in_o he_o i._n e._n in_o trajan_n time_n and_o that_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o several_a of_o those_o asian_a church_n smyrna_n ephesus_n magnesia_n philadelphia_n trallis_n i_o think_v the_o argument_n of_o great_a validity_n to_o conclude_v that_o in_o that_o province_n that_o apostle_n have_v in_o his_o life_n time_n institute_v this_o middle_a order_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o have_v so_o careful_o prevent_v be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v with_o this_o crime_n of_o affirm_v there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n or_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n which_o certain_o there_o be_v if_o there_o be_v presbyter_n under_o they_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o three_o inconvenience_n they_o add_v that_o by_o consequence_n i_o must_v affirm_v that_o ordo_fw-la presbyteratus_n be_v not_o jure_fw-la divino_fw-la but_o that_o be_v no_o more_o consequent_a to_o my_o assertion_n than_o it_o be_v my_o assertion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o presbyter_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o therefore_o i_o that_o be_o guiltless_a of_o the_o assertion_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o the_o consequent_n of_o it_o john_n i_o know_v be_v a_o apostle_n and_o john_n i_o believe_v ordain_v presbyter_n and_o thence_o i_o doubt_v not_o to_o conclude_v the_o apostolical_a institution_n i.e._n in_o effect_n the_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o order_n of_o presbyter_n though_o not_o of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o presbytery_n and_o so_o i_o be_o still_o clear_a from_o the_o guilt_n of_o that_o crime_n which_o the_o worst_a of_o papist_n will_v abominate_a which_o they_o
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
the_o same_o as_o have_v be_v cite_v from_o ignatius_n that_o all_o the_o world_n over_o the_o bishop_n be_v ordain_v by_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o the_o mind_n of_o christ_n in_o his_o dial._n adv_o luciferian_n ecclesiae_fw-la salus_fw-la in_o summi_fw-la sacerdotis_fw-la dignitate_fw-la pendit_fw-la cui_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la exhort_v quaedam_fw-la &_o ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la eminens_fw-la detur_fw-la potestas_fw-la tot_fw-la in_o ecclesiis_fw-la efficientur_fw-la schismata_fw-la quot_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la and_o si_fw-mi quaeris_fw-la quare_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la baptizatus_fw-la nisi_fw-la per_fw-la manus_fw-la episcopi_fw-la non_fw-la accipiat_fw-la spiritum_fw-la sanctum_fw-la disce_fw-la hanc_fw-la observationem_fw-la ex_fw-la â—a_n authoritate_fw-la descendere_fw-la quod_fw-la spiritus_fw-la sanctus_fw-la ad_fw-la apostolos_fw-la descendit_fw-la the_o safety_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v on_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o chief_a priest_n or_o bishop_n to_o who_o if_o a_o peculiar_a power_n be_v not_o give_v above_o all_o that_o other_o have_v there_o will_v be_v as_o many_o schism_n as_o priest_n in_o the_o church_n if_o you_o demand_v why_o he_o that_o have_v be_v baptize_v in_o the_o church_n may_v not_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o bishop_n learn_v that_o this_o observance_n descend_v from_o that_o authority_n in_o that_o the_o holy_a spâ—it_n descend_v on_o thâ—_n apostles_n 〈◊〉_d testimony_n as_o it_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o singular_a bishop_n to_o avoid_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n and_o so_o must_v affix_v the_o institution_n of_o they_o on_o the_o apostle_n who_o make_v provision_n against_o that_o danger_n and_o that_o i_o suppose_v be_v his_o meaning_n in_o tit._n that_o place_n which_o the_o presbyterian_o make_v most_o use_n of_o so_o it_o direct_o derive_v the_o authority_n by_o which_o bishop_n stand_v in_o the_o church_n distinct_a from_o presbyter_n and_o above_o they_o from_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n on_o the_o apostle_n last_o adv_o jovinian_a 〈◊〉_d episcopâ—_n &_o presbyter_n &_o diaconus_fw-la non_fw-la sunt_fw-la meritorum_fw-la nomina_fw-la sed_fw-la offiâ—iorâ—m_fw-la nec_fw-la dicitur_fw-la si_fw-la quis_fw-la episcopatum_fw-la desilerat_fw-la the_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n be_v name_n of_o office_n neither_o be_v it_o say_v if_o any_o man_n dâ—siâ—e_v a_o bishopric_n applying_z those_o text_n of_o saint_n paul_n concern_v the_o qualification_n of_o bishop_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o in_o his_o time_n he_o stand_v distinct_a from_o presbyter_n all_o this_o i_o suppose_v may_v suffice_v to_o give_v authority_n to_o my_o collection_n and_o conclusion_n from_o plain_a word_n of_o saint_n hierome_n that_o his_o meaning_n be_v as_o plain_a and_o undubitable_a that_o episcopacy_n be_v deliver_v down_o and_o institute_v in_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o i_o can_v conceive_v what_o can_v be_v invent_v to_o avoid_v the_o evidence_n of_o these_o testimony_n yet_o because_o i_o promise_v it_o i_o shall_v now_o add_v that_o one_o argument_n ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o much_o more_o than_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o same_o purpose_n viz._n to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v hierome_n meaning_n which_o i_o pretend_v it_o to_o be_v and_o that_o such_o as_o by_o these_o objector_n can_v with_o justice_n be_v deny_v to_o have_v a_o full_a irrefragable_a force_n in_o it_o have_v themselves_o make_v use_v of_o it_o against_o we_o which_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v do_v if_o by_o themselves_o it_o shall_v now_o be_v deny_v when_o it_o be_v produce_v by_o we_o in_o the_o close_a of_o their_o appendix_n they_o have_v set_v down_o several_a proposition_n declare_v the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n about_o ordination_n of_o minister_n and_o their_o first_o proposition_n be_v this_o that_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n there_o be_v ordination_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n their_o proof_n be_v this_o for_o these_o bishop_n come_v in_o postea_fw-la and_o pâ—ulâ—tim_fw-la afterward_o and_o by_o little_a and_o little_a as_o i_o say_v and_o panormitan_n lib._n 1._o decretal_a de_fw-fr consuetud_fw-la cap._n 4._o say_v olympia_n presbyteri_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la regebant_fw-la ecclesianâ—_n &_o 〈◊〉_d sacerdotes_fw-la &_o pariter_fw-la conferebant_fw-la omne_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la of_o old_a the_o elder_n rule_v the_o church_n in_o common_a and_o ordain_v priest_n and_o joint_o confer_v all_o the_o sacrament_n these_o two_o testimony_n of_o hierome_n and_o panormitan_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o proposition_n concern_v ordination_n by_o presbyter_n and_o the_o time_n of_o bishop_n come_v in_o to_o the_o church_n it_o must_v sure_o be_v reasonable_a to_o resolve_v that_o what_o panormitan_n have_v define_v in_o this_o matter_n that_o be_v saint_n hieromes_n sense_n also_o now_o what_o that_o be_v will_v be_v discern_v by_o set_v down_o panormitane_n word_n at_o large_a as_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o place_n cite_v by_o they_o the_o business_n he_o have_v there_o in_o hand_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o custom_n be_v not_o of_o force_n so_o far_o as_o to_o prescribe_v that_o a_o ordinary_a clerk_n as_o presbyter_n shall_v perform_v a_o episcopal_a act_n ea_fw-la quae_fw-la sum_fw-la ordinis_fw-la episcopalis_fw-la non_fw-la possunt_fw-la acquiri_fw-la per_fw-la ordinem_fw-la inferiorem_fw-la ex_fw-la consuitudine_fw-la quantamcunque_fw-la veâ—ustissimâ_fw-la those_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o episcopal_a order_n can_v be_v any_o custom_n how_o ancient_a soever_o be_v acquire_v by_o any_o inferior_a order_n the_o reason_n be_v quia_fw-la consuetudo_fw-la non_fw-la facit_fw-la quem_fw-la capacem_fw-la because_o custom_n do_v make_v no_o man_n capable_a then_o he_o make_v this_o observation_n that_o ritus_fw-la apostol_n orum_fw-la circa_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la habent_fw-la impedire_fw-la characterus_a impressionem_fw-la the_o rite_n or_o practice_n or_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n about_o the_o sacrament_n have_v power_n to_o hâ—nd_n â—the_v impression_n of_o the_o character_n na_o immediate_a post_fw-la mortem_fw-la christiâ—omâ—es_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la in_o communi_fw-la regebant_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la non_fw-la fuerant_fw-la inter_fw-la ipsos_fw-la epiâ—scopi_n sed_fw-la idem_fw-la presbyter_n quod_fw-la epiâ—copus_fw-la &_o pariter_fw-la conferebant_fw-la omne_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la sed_fw-la postinodum_fw-la ad_fw-la schismata_fw-la sedâ—nda_fw-la fecerunt_fw-la seu_fw-la ordinaverunt_fw-la apostoli_fw-la ut_fw-la crearentur_fw-la episcopâ—_n &_o certa_fw-la sacramenta_fw-la iis_fw-la reservarunt_fw-la illa_fw-la interdicendo_fw-la simplicibus_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la for_o immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n all_o thâ—_n elder_n in_o common_a rule_v the_o church_n and_o so_o there_o be_v no_o bishop_n among_o they_o but_o a_o presbyter_n be_v the_o same_o that_o a_o bishop_n and_o they_o joint_o confer_v all_o the_o sacrament_n but_o after_o a_o while_n for_o the_o appease_n of_o schism_n the_o apostle_n cause_v or_o ordain_v that_o bishop_n shall_v be_v create_v and_o reserve_v to_o they_o some_o sacrament_n or_o holy_a rite_n forbid_v single_a presbyter_n to_o meddle_v with_o they_o and_o he_o conclude_v et_fw-la vides_fw-la hic_fw-la quod_fw-la talis_fw-la ordinatio_fw-la habet_fw-la impedire_fw-la etiam_fw-la impressionem_fw-la characteris_fw-la quia_fw-la si_fw-la presbyteri_fw-la illa_fw-la de_fw-la facto_fw-la conferunt_fw-la nihil_fw-la conferunt_fw-la and_o here_o you_o see_v that_o such_o a_o ordination_n be_v able_a to_o hinder_v the_o impression_n of_o the_o character_n because_o if_o presbyter_n do_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la confer_v they_o they_o confer_v nothing_o where_o as_o panormitan_n cite_v by_o they_o to_o prove_v ordination_n without_o bishop_n and_o specious_a word_n pick_v out_o of_o he_o to_o that_o purpose_n do_v yet_o distinct_o affirm_v that_o presbyter_n which_o confer_v order_n without_o a_o bishop_n confer_v nothing_o all_o their_o ordination_n be_v mere_a nullity_n and_o what_o can_v have_v be_v say_v more_o severe_o against_o their_o practice_n and_o their_o design_n in_o cite_v he_o than_o this_o so_o he_o plain_o interpret_v st._n jeromes_n assertion_n of_o the_o occasion_n and_o time_n of_o bishop_n be_v set_v over_o the_o presbyter_n that_o it_o be_v do_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o so_o that_o consuetudo_fw-la custom_n in_o jerome_n oppose_v to_o christ_n disposal_n be_v no_o more_o than_o postmodum_fw-la ordinaverunt_fw-la apostoli_fw-la after_o a_o while_n the_o apostle_n ordain_v oppose_v to_o immediatè_fw-la post_fw-la mortem_fw-la christi_fw-la immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o by_o the_o way_n as_o the_o reader_n may_v hence_o discern_v what_o force_n there_o be_v in_o this_o testimony_n of_o panormitan_n to_o support_v their_o first_o proposition_n concern_v the_o ordination_n of_o presbyter_n without_o bishop_n over_o presbyter_n for_o which_o beside_o st._n jeromes_n postea_fw-la and_o paulatim_fw-la and_o part_n of_o this_o testimony_n of_o panormitan_n they_o produce_v no_o other_o and_o as_o by_o what_o be_v former_o say_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o cyprian_a and_o firmilian_a their_o chief_a support_n for_o their_o 129_o second_o proposition_n
second_o that_o though_o the_o one_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o person_n to_o who_o each_o part_n of_o the_o epistle_n be_v address_v yet_o in_o it_o be_v set_v down_o the_o sin_n and_o fate_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n i._n e._n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o it_o thus_o when_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n or_o judah_n be_v fall_v into_o foul_a sin_n and_o provocation_n against_o god_n it_o be_v ordinary_a for_o god_n to_o send_v a_o prophet_n to_o the_o king_n of_o either_o of_o they_o and_o admonish_v he_o what_o reformation_n be_v to_o be_v wrought_v and_o what_o judgement_n be_v a_o come_n in_o case_n of_o neglect_n in_o which_o kind_n of_o message_n of_o the_o prophet_n deliver_v to_o the_o king_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o whole_a people_n be_v concern_v and_o so_o without_o question_n be_v it_o here_o rev._n 2._o 10._o the_o devil_n shall_v cast_v some_o of_o you_o i._n e._n some_o member_n of_o that_o church_n into_o prison_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o ver_fw-la 13._o among_o you_o i._n e._n among_o you_o of_o that_o church_n or_o city_n 10._o and_o indeed_o if_o each_o of_o those_o church_n have_v be_v govern_v by_o a_o consistory_n of_o coequal_a presbyter_n and_o those_o as_o be_v pretend_v by_o our_o adversary_n signify_v by_o the_o angel_n yet_o there_o will_v be_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n as_o well_o as_o the_o clergy_n be_v here_o reprehend_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o judgement_n threaten_v to_o one_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o other_o and_o to_o this_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o infer_v the_o angel_n to_o be_v no_o singular_a person_n the_o church_n rule_v by_o one_o make_v up_o a_o multitude_n as_o well_o as_o if_o it_o be_v rule_v by_o a_o presbytery_n 11._o as_o for_o the_o place_n cap._n 2._o 24._o concern_v thyatira_n that_o have_v a_o different_a appearance_n for_o the_o greek_a copy_n ordinary_o read_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o in_o the_o plural_a and_o to_o the_o rest_n which_o be_v in_o thyatira_n the_o you_v in_o the_o plural_a be_v by_o the_o objector_n think_v necessary_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o angel_n of_o that_o city_n as_o the_o rest_n to_o the_o community_n of_o the_o people_n to_o this_o place_n therefore_o we_o have_v former_o answer_v that_o the_o read_n in_o the_o ancient_a manuscript_n particular_o in_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o king_n library_n at_o saint_n james_n leave_v out_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o and_o read_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o to_o you_o i_o say_v the_o rest_n which_o be_v in_o thyatira_n and_o this_o take_v away_o all_o force_n from_o the_o objection_n for_o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o epistle_n belong_v to_o the_o angel_n who_o permit_v jezabel_n and_o to_o they_o that_o commit_v fornication_n with_o she_o the_o but_o in_o the_o front_n separate_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o the_o rest_n from_o the_o angel_n and_o those_o other_o former_o speak_v to_o and_o therefore_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o can_v possible_o be_v the_o angel_n wherein_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o objection_n consist_v 12._o but_o this_o answer_n though_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v dislike_v for_o say_v they_o he_o that_o shall_v view_v the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_a and_o consider_v that_o ver_fw-la 23._o it_o be_v say_v i_o will_v give_v to_o every_o one_o of_o you_o etc._n etc._n and_o then_o follow_v but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o and_o then_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o verse_n i_o will_v put_v upon_o you_o no_o other_o burden_n will_v confess_v that_o the_o old_a copy_n be_v better_a than_o that_o which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v tecla_n manuscript_n 13._o and_o here_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o bear_v i_o company_n in_o obey_v their_o direction_n and_o observe_v what_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_n can_v afford_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o that_o ancient_a copy_n it_o be_v most_o true_a that_o v_o 23._o we_o read_v i_o will_v give_v to_o every_o one_o of_o you_o and_o that_o then_o it_o follow_v v_o 24._o but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o and_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o verse_n i_o will_v put_v upon_o you_o but_o i_o demand_v what_o will_v they_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o by_o the_o word_n you_v in_o all_o these_o place_n the_o same_o person_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o that_o those_o person_n be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o angel_n v._n 18_o these_o two_o thing_n they_o must_v conclude_v or_o else_o they_o will_v fail_v in_o their_o design_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o by_o the_o word_n angel_n the_o collective_a body_n of_o ruler_n be_v mean_v but_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v evident_o false_a whatsoever_o read_v be_v retain_v for_o beside_o that_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o do_v clear_o separate_v the_o second_o you_v from_o the_o first_o and_o make_v they_o distinct_a person_n the_o very_a matter_n of_o the_o speech_n will_v convince_v it_o for_o in_o the_o 23._o v_o the_o you_v be_v those_o that_o be_v corrupt_v by_o jezabel_n v._n 20._o 22._o who_o be_v now_o to_o be_v exemplary_o punish_v and_o destroy_v i_o will_v kill_v she_o i._n e._n jezebel_n child_n with_o death_n as_o also_o those_o that_o have_v commit_v fornication_n with_o her_o v_o 22._o and_o all_o the_o church_n shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o searcher_n of_o heart_n and_o i_o will_v give_v to_o every_o of_o you_o according_a to_o your_o work_n but_o the_o second_o you_v and_o so_o also_o the_o three_o be_v the_o quite_o contrary_a to_o these_o as_o many_o as_o have_v not_o this_o doctrine_n and_o who_o have_v not_o know_v these_o depth_n of_o satan_n and_o consequent_o who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v punish_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o admonish_v but_o only_o confirm_v in_o their_o present_a practice_n to_o hold_v fast_o what_o they_o have_v already_o 14._o so_o contrary_a be_v it_o to_o all_o appearance_n of_o truth_n that_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_a shall_v favour_v their_o pretention_n 15._o this_o matter_n be_v so_o evident_a the_o contrary_a condition_n and_o fate_n of_o the_o you_v in_o v_o 23_o and_o the_o you_v in_o v_o 14._o that_o if_o the_o ordinary_a read_n be_v to_o be_v retain_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o that_o render_v to_o you_o and_o the_o rest_n in_o thyatâ—ra_n so_o as_o to_o difference_n you_v and_o the_o rest_n another_o antecedent_n to_o the_o relative_n you_v must_v necessary_o be_v seek_v out_o and_o then_o that_o can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o church_n incidental_o mention_v v._n 23._o who_o have_v not_o be_v charge_v for_o this_o crime_n for_o as_o for_o the_o angel_n v._n 18._o if_o he_o be_v not_o so_o remote_a 6._o verse_n off_o and_o if_o the_o singular_a number_n can_v be_v the_o antecedent_n to_o the_o plural_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o as_o it_o can_v yet_o still_o he_o be_v charge_v for_o suffer_v the_o woman_n jezabel_n and_o so_o be_v number_v among_o the_o gulity_n person_n that_o be_v to_o repent_v or_o be_v punish_v and_o not_o to_o have_v no_o other_o burden_n lay_v on_o they_o save_v only_o to_o hold_v fast_o what_o they_o have_v as_o be_v say_v of_o the_o second_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o v._n 24._o 16._o but_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o of_o make_v the_o church_n the_o relative_n be_v so_o inconvenient_a and_o yet_o no_o other_o way_n imaginable_a to_o reconcile_v the_o ordinary_a read_n and_o the_o whole_a sense_n be_v so_o much_o more_o clear_a and_o current_a in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o king_n m_n s._n but_o to_o you_o the_o rest_n in_o thyatira_n those_o that_o have_v not_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o misbehaviour_n censure_v and_o threaten_v in_o the_o former_a verse_n that_o i_o profess_v i_o can_v discern_v any_o appearance_n of_o reason_n to_o quesion_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o much_o less_o to_o conceive_v that_o the_o ordinary_a copy_n be_v better_a which_o yet_o however_o they_o read_v it_o must_v oppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d you_o to_o those_o before_o mention_v and_o so_o can_v apply_v it_o with_o any_o appearance_n of_o probability_n to_o the_o angel_n or_o consequent_o pre-judge_n we_o or_o confirm_v their_o pretension_n section_n ix_o of_o the_o elder_n at_o ephesus_n act._n 20._o a_o second_o reason_n to_o prove_v the_o angel_n to_o be_v a_o collective_a body_n be_v this_o because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v a_o collective_a body_n and_o that_o there_o be_v many_o presbyter_n to_o who_o st._n paul_n at_o his_o final_a departure_n from_o they_o commit_v the_o charge_n of_o that_o church_n
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