a_o extraordinary_a zeal_n for_o religion_n and_o that_o oftentimes_o make_v they_o take_v alarm_n when_o it_o be_v not_o in_o any_o extreme_a danger_n and_o if_o their_o knowledge_n and_o discretion_n be_v not_o always_o proportionable_a to_o their_o zeal_n sure_o among_o christian_n it_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o the_o frailty_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o the_o sincerity_n of_o a_o good_a meaning_n if_o they_o differ_v sometime_o among_o themselves_o and_o be_v warm_a than_o be_v fit_a in_o their_o dispute_n consider_v that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v their_o misunderstanding_n and_o their_o contention_n sometime_o peter_n be_v to_o be_v blame_v and_o barnabas_n be_v carry_v away_o the_o church_n found_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v immediate_o divide_v about_o opinion_n which_o be_v present_o determine_v in_o council_n and_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o find_v that_o the_o controversy_n be_v at_o a_o end_n shall_v any_o one_o therefore_o so_o abridge_v the_o history_n of_o the_o 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the_o cure_n or_o ever_o be_v but_o sure_o this_o be_v not_o the_o way_n of_o cure_a church-division_n thus_o to_o exasperate_v these_o reproach_n can_v serve_v to_o heal_v but_o to_o fret_v and_o inflame_v the_o wound_n i_o have_v some_o hope_n that_o i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o show_v the_o reader_n so_o much_o of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n too_o as_o may_v let_v he_o see_v how_o much_o he_o have_v be_v impose_v on_o by_o this_o history_n and_o that_o all_o corruption_n and_o schism_n be_v very_o injurious_o and_o against_o all_o truth_n of_o history_n charge_v upon_o the_o bishop_n yet_o suppose_v the_o charge_n be_v true_a be_v it_o such_o a_o wonder_n that_o man_n of_o great_a talent_n and_o great_a authority_n do_v sometime_o abuse_v they_o and_o by_o that_o mean_v become_v the_o cause_n of_o church-corruption_n private_a man_n though_o neither_o better_a nor_o wise_a than_o the_o bishop_n have_v not_o the_o opportunity_n of_o do_v so_o much_o either_o good_a or_o hurt_n and_o their_o mistake_v or_o vice_n do_v not_o draw_v after_o they_o so_o great_a consequence_n this_o accusation_n though_o it_o may_v serve_v to_o render_v bishop_n odious_a be_v yet_o of_o use_n to_o prove_v their_o authority_n and_o their_o ancient_a possession_n of_o the_o right_n of_o govern_v the_o church_n like_o he_o who_o will_v prove_v that_o they_o have_v trouble_v the_o world_n ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n time_n if_o the_o abuse_n of_o this_o power_n be_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o take_v it_o away_o or_o to_o render_v it_o odious_a what_o will_v become_v of_o preach_v and_o write_v book_n what_o will_v become_v of_o scripture_n and_o conscience_n let_v he_o still_o exclaim_v the_o bishop_n have_v be_v the_o author_n of_o all_o corruption_n and_o schism_n be_v they_o not_o christian_n and_o man_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n and_o if_o a_o heathen_a or_o a_o jew_n shall_v not_o lay_v such_o a_o stress_n upon_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n but_o put_v that_o of_o a_o christian_a in_o its_o place_n and_o then_o make_v a_o great_a outery_n wicked_a christian_n turbulent_a christian_n will_v not_o this_o reason_a hold_n as_o well_o as_o mr._n b_n or_o if_o some_o of_o the_o grave_a beast_n shall_v recover_v the_o conversation_n they_o have_v in_o aesop_n day_n and_o talk_v judicial_o may_v not_o they_o bray_v aloud_o horrible_a man_n abominable_a man_n that_o will_v never_o agree_v or_o understand_v one_o another_o and_o then_o conclude_v with_o the_o ass_n in_o the_o satyr_n ma_fw-fr foy_fw-fr non_fw-fr plus_fw-fr que_fw-fr nous_fw-fr l'home_fw-fr n'est_fw-fr qu'une_fw-fr bête_fw-fr be_v the_o bishop_n who_o history_n mr._n b._n write_v as_o bad_a as_o he_o will_v have_v they_o how_o will_v this_o concern_v the_o rest_n of_o that_o order_n unless_o they_o will_v follow_v their_o example_n and_o own_o their_o corruption_n machiavelli_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o man_n be_v rogue_n and_o knave_n but_o what_o be_v that_o to_o you_o and_o i_o let_v every_o man_n bear_v his_o own_o burden_n but_o mr._n b._n be_v resolve_v to_o cut_v off_o this_o retreat_n and_o to_o level_v his_o charge_n not_o so_o much_o against_o the_o person_n as_o the_o office_n of_o bishop_n and_o to_o this_o effect_n he_o explain_v himself_o p._n 22._o there_o be_v a_o episcopacy_n who_o very_a constitution_n be_v a_o crime_n and_o there_o be_v another_o that_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o thing_n convenient_a lawful_a and_o indifferent_a and_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n which_o i_o can_v deny_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a right_n here_o we_o have_v three_o sort_n of_o bishop_n and_o this_o be_v pretty_a reasonable_a and_o compendious_a but_o in_o another_o book_n which_o he_o refer_v to_o in_o this_o he_o give_v no_o less_o than_o twelve_o 14._o disput_fw-la of_o ch._n government_n p._n 14._o divide_v be_v much_o in_o fashion_n at_o that_o time_n though_o common_o it_o be_v without_o a_o difference_n and_o as_o they_o can_v make_v a_o sort_n of_o seeker_n that_o neither_o seek_v nor_o find_v so_o he_o give_v several_a sort_n of_o bishop_n that_o be_v no_o more_o so_o than_o he_o or_o i_o nay_o in_o this_o abridgement_n of_o the_o great_a division_n i_o believe_v the_o member_n will_v be_v concident_fw-la and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a artificial_a illusion_n of_o mr._n b._n that_o make_v they_o appear_v several_a take_v away_o the_o little_a cornered_a glass_n and_o that_o great_a multitude_n of_o piece_n we_o see_v be_v in_o a_o moment_n reduce_v to_o one_o poor_a sixpence_n well_o let_v we_o see_v then_o what_o this_o criminal_a sort_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v and_o what_o mr._n b._n have_v to_o lay_v to_o its_o charge_n that_o episcopacy_n which_o i_o take_v in_o itself_o to_o be_v a_o crime_n be_v such_o as_o be_v aforementioned_a 22._o p._n 22._o which_o in_o its_o very_a constitution_n overthrow_v the_o office_n church_n and_o discipline_n which_o christ_n by_o himself_o and_o his_o spirit_n in_o his_o apostle_n institute_v this_o be_v criminal_a indeed_o and_o a_o thousand_o pity_v it_o shall_v stand_v one_o moment_n but_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v this_o abomination_n it_o be_v not_o far_o of_o if_o his_o judgement_n may_v be_v take_v for_o such_o say_v he_o i_o take_v to_o be_v that_o diocesan_n kind_n ibid._n ibid._n which_o have_v only_o one_o bishop_n over_o many_o score_n or_o hundred_o fix_v parochial_a assembly_n be_v this_o then_o their_o crime_n that_o they_o have_v many_o fix_v parochial_a assembly_n under_o their_o government_n have_v not_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o the_o evangelist_n so_o too_o and_o be_v that_o constitution_n criminal_a have_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o st._n jerom_n notion_n several_a fix_v assembly_n that_o father_n do_v indeed_o maintain_v that_o the_o poor_a bishop_n of_o eugubium_n be_v as_o much_o a_o bishop_n as_o he_o of_o rome_n but_o he_o little_a thought_n that_o he_o be_v more_o so_o or_o that_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o roman_a diocese_n have_v change_v the_o very_a species_n of_o its_o church_n government_n evagr._fw-la hieron_n ep._n ad_fw-la evagr._fw-la he_o think_v they_o be_v both_o of_o the_o same_o sort_n and_o that_o the_o single_a and_o small_a congregation_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o numerous_a assembly_n under_o the_o inspection_n of_o the_o other_o have_v make_v no_o difference_n at_o all_o in_o the_o nature_n or_o constitution_n of_o their_o episcopacy_n he_o communicate_v with_o and_o submit_v himself_o in_o question_n of_o the_o high_a moment_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n damas_n with_fw-mi hier._n ep._n add_v damas_n which_o consider_v the_o temper_n of_o the_o man_n and_o his_o contempt_n of_o the_o world_n he_o will_v hardly_o have_v do_v if_o he_o have_v judge_v he_o a_o usurper_n but_o will_v rather_o have_v join_v himself_o to_o the_o poor_a bishop_n of_o eugubium_n and_o do_v all_o possible_a
say_v to_o be_v send_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n as_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n send_v john_n and_o peter_n to_o samaria_n 8._o act._n 8._o in_o like_a matter_n the_o church_n send_v barnabas_n to_o antioch_n 11._o v._o 11._o but_o now_o it_o seem_v they_o come_v from_o james_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o church_n pass_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o bishop_n only_o although_o after_o this_o we_o find_v this_o style_n to_o vary_v again_o and_o sometime_o the_o church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n send_v to_o another_o without_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o bishop_n though_o the_o letter_n be_v pen_v by_o the_o bishop_n himself_o as_o the_o inscription_n of_o clemens_n his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n do_v inform_v we_o and_o jastly_a as_o the_o authority_n of_o james_n appear_v by_o send_v to_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n so_o it_o do_v likewise_o from_o his_o speech_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o seem_v to_o preside_v and_o 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exhortation_n but_o before_o the_o holy_a penman_n come_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o settlement_n of_o those_o new_a conquest_n he_o carry_v away_o the_o reader_n from_o thence_o to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n to_o some_o other_o place_n where_o they_o begin_v to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o another_o church_n thus_o we_o have_v no_o more_o notice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o samarid_a and_o of_o judea_n jerusalem_n except_v than_o that_o such_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o of_o their_o government_n and_o constitution_n we_o be_v not_o the_o least_o information_n and_o the_o prospect_n leave_v of_o antioch_n in_o scripture_n be_v very_o confuse_v as_o of_o a_o church_n in_o fieri_fw-la where_o a_o great_a number_n of_o eminent_a person_n labour_v together_o to_o the_o build_n of_o it_o up_o but_o after_o what_o form_n do_v not_o appear_v but_o only_o from_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n ignatio_n eusel_n l._n 3._o c._n 22._o chronnon_n chrysost_n orat._n de_fw-fr ignatio_n who_o report_n that_o this_o church_n when_o it_o be_v settle_v and_o digest_v be_v commit_v to_o the_o government_n of_o evodius_n and_o after_o he_o to_o ignetius_n and_o the_o succeed_a bishop_n nevertheless_o we_o be_v not_o leave_v destitute_a of_o all_o light_n in_o this_o particular_a even_o from_o the_o scripture_n the_o history_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o st._n â—â—ke_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o himself_o scatter_o in_o his_o own_o epistle_n inform_v we_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o the_o from_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n government_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n this_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n do_v common_o use_v this_o method_n inform_v those_o church_n he_o have_v convert_v as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o consult_v the_o citation_n in_o the_o margin_n when_o he_o come_v to_o any_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o be_v preach_v and_o he_o do_v not_o affect_v much_o to_o build_v upon_o another_o be_v foundation_n he_o preach_v first_o in_o the_o synagogue_n of_o the_o jew_n 13.46_o rom._n 15.20_o 1_o cor._n 3.10_o act_n 9.20_o 13_o &_o 14._o act_n 13.46_o and_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n he_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n assoon_o as_o he_o have_v convert_v a_o competent_a number_n he_o take_v care_n to_o improve_v they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 3.2_o 1_o cor._n 3.2_o and_o for_o that_o purpose_n teach_v they_o constant_o either_o at_o his_o own_o house_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o act_n 28.30.19.9.20.20_o or_o at_o some_o public_a school_n as_o that_o of_o tyrannus_n or_o any_o other_o convenient_a place_n where_o a_o good_a number_n may_v assemble_v together_o these_o convert_v as_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o same_o common_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n so_o they_o be_v to_o be_v perpetual_o unite_v by_o a_o communion_n in_o worship_n in_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n for_o it_o be_v not_o with_o the_o school_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o with_o those_o of_o this_o world_n 10.25_o acts._n 11.26_o heb._n 10.25_o which_o the_o disciple_n leave_v when_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o have_v learn_v what_o they_o come_v for_o but_o there_o be_v a_o obligation_n upon_o all_o these_o scholar_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o 2.12_o rom._n 12.5_o 1_o cor._n 12.13.12.22_o phil._n 2.12_o till_o they_o come_v to_o a_o perfect_a man_n which_o be_v not_o consummate_v till_o after_o this_o life_n nor_o be_v the_o relation_n between_o christian_n dissolve_v when_o the_o congregation_n be_v dissmiss_v fine_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origâ—câ—â—â—_n â—â—s_o 1.8_o in_o fine_a but_o they_o be_v unite_v far_o into_o one_o society_n or_o corporation_n into_o a_o holy_a city_n under_o the_o government_n of_o christ_n their_o king_n and_o under_o apostle_n and_o such_o other_o officer_n of_o he_o and_o their_o appointment_n and_o so_o far_o to_o act_v and_o determine_v all_o thing_n within_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o appear_v before_o any_o heathen_a magistrate_n upon_o any_o difference_n but_o to_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o brethren_n or_o to_o the_o apostle_n under_o who_o direction_n they_o be_v thus_o far_o we_o may_v consider_v a_o church_n without_o any_o other_o officer_n than_o the_o apostle_n who_o convert_v they_o but_o their_o number_n increase_v in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o of_o his_o time_n be_v take_v up_o in_o dispute_v with_o and_o preach_v to_o unbeliever_n and_o gainsayer_n or_o this_o apostle_n be_v call_v away_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n 9_o act_n 9.29.17.17.19.8_o 9_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o ordain_v such_o church_n officer_n as_o may_v take_v care_n of_o this_o church_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n of_o it_o 2.12.20.17_o 6.4_o act_n 14.23_o phil._n 2.12.20.17_o and_o other_o to_o take_v care_n of_o the_o poor_a lest_o that_o office_n take_v up_o much_o time_n may_v be_v a_o hindrance_n to_o those_o who_o be_v to_o guide_v the_o assembly_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n now_o this_o constitution_n do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o this_o church_n and_o the_o apostle_n that_o found_v it_o and_o these_o officer_n act_v in_o subordination_n to_o he_o whether_o present_a or_o absent_a and_o st._n paul_n therefore_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o the_o apostle_n or_o bishop_n of_o the_o corinihian_o though_o he_o can_v not_o hold_v personal_a communion_n with_o they_o 15.36_o 1_o cor._n 5.3_o act_n 15.36_o for_o sometime_o he_o go_v a_o circular_a visitation_n to_o examine_v the_o state_n of_o those_o church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v or_o if_o the_o distance_n and_o oceasion_n of_o that_o church_n where_o he_o reside_v or_o his_o imprisonment_n and_o other_o outward_a circumstance_n will_v not_o admit_v this_o personal_a visitation_n he_o send_v his_o letter_n and_o order_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v if_o any_o open_a scandal_n be_v permit_v he_o send_v his_o excommunication_n to_o be_v publish_v in_o that_o church_n whereof_o the_o offender_n be_v a_o member_n hieroâ—_n 1_o cor._n 5.3_o 4_o 5._o cum_fw-la meo_fw-la spiritu_fw-la quipro_fw-la i_o erat_fw-la praesens_fw-la sive_fw-la in_o mearum_fw-la literarum_fw-la authoritate_fw-la hieroâ—_n he_o judge_v as_o though_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v that_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v together_o in_o his_o spirit_n they_o will_v deliver_v the_o criminal_a to_o satan_n and_o because_o some_o of_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n begin_v to_o set_v up_o themselves_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o apostle_n take_v advantage_n of_o his_o absence_n 2.5.19_o 1_o cor._n 4.18_o 19.9.1_o 2.5.19_o and_o use_v all_o mean_n to_o lessen_v he_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o that_o people_n he_o be_v force_v to_o assert_v his_o authority_n and_o to_o justify_v his_o title_n to_o let_v they_o know_v that_o he_o be_v their_o father_n their_o apostle_n and_o that_o they_o
be_v transcribe_v out_o of_o mr._n baxter_n with_o little_a of_o improvement_n or_o addition_n one_o will_v think_v a_o diligent_a man_n may_v find_v good_a glean_v after_o mr._n b._n but_o dr._n oh_o book_n it_o seem_v be_v answer_v already_o by_o a_o unknown_a hand_n but_o there_o be_v a_o late_a book_n publish_v under_o the_o title_n of_o no_o evidence_n for_o diocesan_n church_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v allegation_n out_o of_o antiquity_n for_o such_o church_n etc._n etc._n but_o no_o reply_n be_v yet_o make_v that_o i_o know_v of_o to_o those_o exception_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o take_v off_o such_o of_o they_o as_o may_v concern_v i_o 1._o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n in_o cyprian_n time_n be_v diocesan_n and_o among_o other_o thing_n urge_v for_o it_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n that_o belong_v to_o that_o church_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o persecution_n when_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n be_v fall_v off_o the_o author_n abovementioned_a except_v against_o this_o where_o it_o be_v allege_v by_o the_o dean_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o offer_v two_o thing_n in_o answer_n 1._o a_o passage_n out_o of_o bishop_n downham_n that_o indeed_o at_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o city_n the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o people_n convert_v be_v sometime_o not_o much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n place_v among_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v but_o a_o small_a congregation_n but_o this_o allegation_n can_v be_v of_o little_a use_n because_o 1._o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o church_n of_o carthage_n it_o be_v not_o a_o new_a convert_v church_n but_o settle_v long_o before_o and_o in_o a_o flourish_a condition_n 2._o many_o more_o presbyter_n may_v be_v ordain_v in_o a_o city_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o a_o church_n with_o respect_n to_o future_a increase_n and_o for_o the_o service_n of_o such_o as_o afterward_o shall_v believe_v so_o that_o though_o there_o may_v be_v in_o a_o new_a gather_v church_n almost_o as_o many_o presbyter_n as_o there_o be_v people_n yet_o the_o design_n of_o that_o number_n of_o officer_n may_v be_v for_o several_a congregation_n when_o the_o believer_n of_o that_o place_n shall_v become_v so_o numerous_a as_o not_o to_o be_v contain_v in_o one_o 3._o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o one_o congregational_a church_n may_v be_v occasion_v by_o the_o uncertain_a abide_v of_o most_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o commissioner_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o only_a ordainer_n of_o presbyter_n mention_v in_o scripture_n therefore_o they_o may_v ordain_v more_o than_o be_v just_o necessary_a for_o the_o present_a occasion_n of_o a_o church_n because_o they_o can_v not_o be_v present_a to_o ordain_v as_o often_o as_o the_o increase_n of_o a_o church_n or_o vacancy_n or_o other_o necessity_n of_o it_o shall_v require_v but_o that_o any_o church_n fix_v and_o settle_v have_v its_o bishop_n always_o present_a shall_v multiply_v presbyter_n beyond_o necessity_n in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n before_o constantine_n be_v altogether_o incredible_a for_o the_o necessary_a expense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v very_o great_a the_o poor_a numerous_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n not_o of_o the_o rich_a and_o the_o estate_n they_o have_v be_v at_o the_o discretion_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o ruin_v with_o perpetual_a persecution_n be_v it_o credible_a that_o person_n in_o this_o condition_n will_v multiply_v officer_n without_o necessity_n who_o be_v to_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o the_o public_a stock_n as_o cyprian_n affirm_v the_o presbyter_n of_o carthage_n be_v and_o last_o if_o this_o opinion_n of_o bishop_n downham_n have_v any_o certain_a ground_n in_o antiquity_n we_o shall_v probable_o hear_v of_o it_o with_o both_o ear_n and_o we_o shall_v have_v it_o recommend_v upon_o ancient_a authority_n than_o his_o but_o the_o first_o which_o this_o author_n cite_v be_v nazianzen_n who_o complain_v of_o the_o multitude_n of_o presbyter_n in_o his_o time_n this_o have_v be_v already_o allege_v by_o mr._n baxter_n and_o have_v receive_v answer_n and_o he_o that_o can_v answer_v it_o to_o himself_o from_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o cyprian_a and_o in_o nazianzen_n time_n have_v a_o fondness_n for_o the_o argument_n beyond_o my_o skill_n to_o remove_v the_o next_o instance_n of_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o great_a church_n of_o c._n p._n st._n sophia_n the_o great_a perhaps_o in_o the_o world_n will_v do_v as_o little_a service_n as_o the_o complaint_n of_o nazianzen_n justinian_n say_v that_o gentleman_n observe_v that_o officer_n in_o church_n be_v multiply_v beyond_o reason_n and_o measure_n take_v order_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o in_o the_o great_a church_n at_o c._n p._n he_o will_v have_v the_o presbyter_n bring_v down_o to_o sixty_o and_o what_o follow_v from_o this_o that_o the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n be_v become_v extravagant_a in_o justinian_n time_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o their_o number_n in_o cyprian_n for_o this_o very_a edict_n of_o justinian_n show_v that_o this_o multiply_v of_o church-officer_n be_v a_o innovation_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v they_o reduce_v to_o the_o first_o establishment_n but_o that_o first_o establishment_n it_o seem_v admit_v great_a number_n for_o one_o church_n have_v sixty_o true_a but_o it_o must_v also_o be_v note_v first_o that_o these_o sixty_o be_v to_o serve_v more_o than_o one_o church_n for_o there_o be_v three_o more_o beside_o st._n sophia_n to_o be_v supply_v by_o those_o presbyter_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o constitution_n nou._n 3._o c._n 1._o viz._n st._n mary_n church_n and_o that_o of_o theodorus_n the_o martyr_n and_o that_o of_o helena_n as_o some_o but_o of_o irene_n as_o other_o read_v yet_o after_o all_o there_o be_v no_o argument_n to_o be_v draw_v from_o this_o number_n for_o these_o be_v canon_n of_o a_o particular_a foundation_n design_v for_o the_o service_n of_o a_o collegiate_n church_n and_o no_o measure_n to_o be_v take_v from_o hence_o concern_v the_o number_n of_o presbyter_n belong_v to_o the_o diocese_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o preface_n of_o the_o say_v novel_a whither_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n but_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o what_o this_o gentleman_n add_v concern_v the_o church_n of_o constantinople_n be_v something_o surprise_v no_o doubt_n say_v he_o they_o the_o presbyter_n be_v more_o numerous_a in_o c._n p._n in_o constantine_n time_n who_o endeavour_v to_o make_v that_o city_n in_o all_o thing_n equal_a to_o rome_n and_o build_v two_o church_n in_o it_o 2._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 2._o yet_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o reign_n after_o the_o death_n of_o arrius_n the_o christian_n there_o can_v all_o meet_v together_o for_o worship_n it_o be_v say_v express_o that_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o that_o church_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n sozomen_n do_v not_o say_v but_o that_o he_o build_v many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n there_o 48._o soz._n l._n 2._o c._n 3._o ed._n vales._n euseb_n de_fw-fr vit_fw-fr const_n l._n 3._o c._n 48._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d after_o the_o same_o manner_n eusebius_n say_v that_o he_o adorn_v the_o city_n that_o he_o call_v after_o his_o own_o name_n with_o many_o church_n and_o great_a temple_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o within_o the_o city_n and_o in_o the_o suburb_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o two_o church_n much_o less_o one_o can_v suffice_v all_o the_o christian_n in_o c.p._n when_o the_o city_n of_o heliopolis_n be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n require_v more_o and_o constantine_n build_v several_a for_o they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 18._o soc._n l._n 1._o c._n 18._o i._n e._n have_v build_v several_a church_n he_o order_v a_o bishop_n but_o one_o for_o all_o those_o church_n and_o clergy_n to_o be_v ordain_v there_o socrates_n indeed_o say_v that_o constantine_n build_v two_o church_n in_o c._n p._n and_o name_v they_o but_o do_v not_o say_v either_o that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o there_o in_o his_o time_n or_o that_o he_o build_v no_o more_o but_o these_o be_v remarkable_a for_o the_o magnificence_n of_o the_o structure_n be_v perhaps_o upon_o that_o account_n only_o mention_v by_o this_o author_n but_o we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o other_o writer_n of_o as_o good_a or_o better_a credit_n that_o this_o emperor_n build_v there_o very_a many_o and_o very_o great_a church_n nor_o be_v these_o only_a for_o state_n and_o
upon_o the_o multitude_n say_v to_o be_v convert_v the_o number_n of_o apostle_n and_o extraordinary_a labourer_n common_o reside_v in_o this_o city_n the_o conjunction_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n under_o the_o common_a title_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n be_v too_o great_a for_o one_o congregation_n especial_o before_o the_o place_n of_o assembly_n can_v be_v imagine_v very_o capacious_a and_o i_o believe_v mr._n b._n do_v not_o imagine_v such_o vast_a cathedral_n as_o paul_n to_o be_v very_o primitive_a ign._n orat_fw-la de_fw-la s._n ign._n but_o what_o ever_o number_n of_o christian_n there_o may_v be_v at_o that_o time_n ignatius_n his_o bishopric_a be_v never_o the_o less_o diocesan_n in_o its_o constitution_n and_o design_n or_o else_o chrysostom_n mistake_v one_o topick_n of_o his_o commendation_n he_o reckon_v five_o thing_n that_o be_v much_o to_o his_o honour_n whereof_o two_o bring_v he_o under_o suspicion_n of_o diocesan_n prelacy_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o his_o authority_n or_o government_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n whereof_o he_o be_v bishop_n the_o first_o i_o suppose_v refer_v to_o his_o metropolitan_a power_n the_o second_o to_o his_o peculiar_a diocese_n but_o if_o this_o bishop_n be_v to_o have_v but_o one_o congregation_n what_o will_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n signify_v how_o many_o more_o will_v have_v the_o same_o honour_n with_o he_o or_o what_o so_o great_a difference_n be_v there_o between_o a_o full_a congregation_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o city_n and_o another_o as_o full_a in_o chelsey_n at_o leastwise_o what_o honour_n do_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o city_n do_v the_o minister_n of_o that_o single_a congregation_n and_o now_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n where_o st._n paul_n preach_v for_o a_o year_n and_o six_o month_n upon_o a_o divine_a assurance_n of_o extraordinary_a success_n and_o that_o god_n have_v much_o people_n in_o that_o place_n 11._o act_n 18.8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o and_o where_o many_o effectual_o believe_v and_o be_v baptise_a where_o peter_n and_o apollo_n preach_v with_o that_o effect_n as_o to_o leave_v many_o disciple_n 3._o 1_o cor._n 3._o who_o call_v themselves_o by_o their_o name_n and_o to_o say_v nothing_o of_o ephesus_n where_o a_o numerous_a church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v gather_v by_o st._n paul_n who_o preach_v there_o for_o two_o year_n and_o not_o only_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o ephesus_n but_o all_o that_o dwell_v in_o asia_n 19.10_o act_n 19.10_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o considerable_a that_o the_o shrine-maker_n apprehend_v the_o ruin_n of_o their_o trade_n when_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v that_o paul_n not_o only_o at_o ephesus_n but_o throughout_o all_o asia_n have_v persuade_v and_o turn_v away_o much_o people_n 26._o v._o 26._o to_o pass_v by_o these_o and_o several_a other_o eminent_a church_n let_v we_o consider_v the_o diocese_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v very_o uncertain_a who_o lay_v the_o first_o foundation_n of_o this_o church_n though_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o before_o paul_n come_n there_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o only_o receive_v seq_fw-la rom._n 1.13_o 15_o 17._o &_o seq_fw-la but_o their_o church_n be_v very_o considerable_a for_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n write_v long_o before_o his_o come_n there_o as_o he_o himself_o witness_v say_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v speak_v of_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o salutation_n in_o the_o end_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o make_v appear_v the_o number_n of_o christian_n in_o that_o city_n salute_v priscilla_n and_o aquila_n beza_n rom._n 16._o ostendit_fw-la congregationem_fw-la fidelium_fw-la ecclesiam_fw-la nominari_fw-la hieron_n in_o lo_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d coetum_fw-la fidelium_fw-la nec_fw-la mirum_fw-la est_fw-la in_o tam_fw-la be_fw-mi plâ_fw-la civitate_fw-la distinctos_fw-la fuisse_fw-la fidelium_fw-la coetus_fw-la beza_n with_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o house_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o congregation_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v occasionly_a mention_v and_o it_o be_v not_o improbable_a that_o several_a that_o be_v mention_v with_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v the_o officer_n of_o several_a congregation_n for_o it_o appear_v that_o most_o of_o these_o be_v of_o the_o ministry_n and_o such_o by_o who_o mean_n the_o roman_n believe_v and_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v thither_o from_o other_o part_n where_o paul_n have_v know_v they_o hieron_n congregationem_fw-la vert_fw-fr eras_n istos_fw-la amat_n quos_fw-la satutat_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la ex_fw-la nominiâ—us_fw-la suiffe_fw-mi peregrinos_fw-la per_fw-la quorum_fw-la exemylum_fw-la atque_fw-la doctrinam_fw-la non_fw-la absurd_a existimamus_fw-la credidisse_fw-la roman_n hieron_n for_o as_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o see_v rome_n and_o this_o number_n be_v afterward_o increase_v considerable_o by_o the_o come_n of_o paul_n who_o convert_v some_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o afterward_o receive_v all_o that_o come_v whether_o jew_n or_o gentile_n and_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o space_n of_o two_o whole_a year_n no_o man_n forbid_v he_o and_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o this_o city_n may_v be_v far_o observe_v from_o the_o persecution_n of_o nero_n who_o be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v a_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o to_o death_n 15._o ingens_fw-la multitude_n hand_n perinde_v in_o crimint_n ineendii_fw-la quam_fw-la odio_fw-la bumani_fw-la generis_fw-la convicti_fw-la sunt_fw-la tac._n h._n l._n 15._o upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o have_v fire_v rome_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n say_v that_o they_o who_o confess_v be_v first_o lay_v hold_v on_o than_o a_o vast_a company_n be_v convict_v by_o their_o indication_n where_o by_o the_o by_o beside_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o sufferer_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o the_o word_n seem_v to_o be_v mistake_v general_o as_o if_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o have_v confess_v the_o fact_n and_o accuse_v the_o rest_n lipsius_n thus_o understand_v the_o passage_n give_v tacitus_n the_o lie_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v they_o confess_v the_o fact_n but_o they_o confess_v without_o express_v the_o particular_n but_o what_o do_v they_o confess_v then_o if_o it_o be_v this_o crime_n that_o theâ—_n own_a themselves_o and_o charge_v other_o with_o how_o come_v he_o to_o add_v that_o they_o be_v not_o convict_v so_o much_o of_o this_o crime_n by_o this_o indication_n as_o by_o the_o hatred_n of_o all_o mankind_n therefore_o this_o confession_n be_v no_o more_o than_o own_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o the_o hatred_n they_o be_v in_o make_v this_o sufficient_a conviction_n to_o these_o instance_n of_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n in_o some_o more_o considerable_a city_n 〈◊〉_d eccles_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 3._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v add_v only_o the_o general_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o the_o success_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n immediate_o after_o the_o first_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o present_o in_o all_o city_n and_o village_n church_n abound_v with_o innumerable_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v and_o the_o granary_n of_o christ_n be_v fill_v up_o to_o the_o top_n with_o the_o wheat_n that_o be_v gather_v in_o hitherto_o i_o have_v observe_v chief_o the_o growth_n of_o christianity_n under_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o there_o be_v in_o some_o city_n such_o a_o number_n of_o christian_n as_o can_v not_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o assembly_n for_o personal_a communion_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o must_v show_v in_o order_n to_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n must_v be_v that_o such_o number_n of_o believer_n make_v but_o one_o church_n govern_v by_o one_o bishop_n as_o to_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n we_o have_v show_v already_o from_o the_o most_o ancient_a ecclesiastical_a writing_n that_o james_n the_o just_o be_v bishop_n of_o that_o church_n i._n e._n of_o all_o the_o believer_n in_o jerusalem_n nor_o be_v that_o tradition_n without_o ground_n in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o for_o st._n paul_n reckon_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n among_o the_o apostle_n of_o that_o church_n 1.19_o sal._n 1.19_o though_o he_o be_v none_o of_o the_o twelve_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o mention_n he_o as_o a_o person_n in_o eminent_a place_n and_o authority_n there_o one_o that_o have_v send_v several_a brethren_n to_o antioch_n before_o that_o certain_a brethren_n come_v from_o james_n 12_o â—_o 12_o here_o we_o find_v the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o alter_v in_o favour_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o hitherto_o the_o messenger_n who_o be_v send_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o be_v
owe_v he_o still_o the_o duty_n of_o child_n notwithstanding_o his_o absence_n and_o last_o that_o he_o will_v come_v to_o they_o short_o by_o way_n of_o apostolical_a visitation_n and_o examine_v the_o power_n of_o those_o that_o enter_v into_o competition_n with_o he_o for_o as_o far_o as_o his_o line_n or_o diocese_n or_o province_n do_v extend_v so_o far_o he_o pretend_v a_o peculiar_a authority_n to_o govern_v salmeron_n rom_n 15.19_o 2_o cor._n 10.13_o to_o 16._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dioecesis_fw-la sive_fw-la certus_fw-la pastorum_fw-la &_o ecâ—lesiarum_fw-la numerus_fw-la unit._fw-la frat._n bohem._n sect._n de_fw-fr anti_v regulam_fw-la vocat_fw-la ditionem_fw-la &_o praescriptum_fw-la praedicationis_fw-la terminum_fw-la salmeron_n and_o exercise_v diocesan_n jurisdiction_n upon_o all_o within_o his_o rule_n but_o when_o this_o line_n be_v so_o far_o extend_v that_o he_o neither_o be_v able_a to_o visit_v every_o part_n himself_o and_o his_o communication_n by_o letter_n will_v not_o answer_v all_o the_o occasion_n of_o those_o church_n he_o have_v plant_v 2.15_o 1._o tim._n 1.3_o 18._o c._n 2.14_o 15._o c._n 4.12_o 14._o c._n 5.21.22_o tit._n 1.5_o c._n 2.15_o he_o provide_v for_o they_o not_o by_o leave_v every_o congregation_n independent_a and_o resign_v all_o authority_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o every_o particular_a presbytery_n but_o by_o send_v person_n endue_v not_o only_o with_o extraordinary_a gift_n but_o with_o apostolical_a power_n to_o ordain_v elder_n to_o end_n dispute_v to_o censure_v the_o unruly_a and_o irregular_a whether_o of_o the_o clergy_n or_o people_n to_o confute_v heretic_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o in_o short_a by_o all_o mean_n to_o provide_v for_o thou_o welfare_n of_o those_o church_n commit_v to_o they_o and_o now_o as_o the_o apostle_n have_v before_o ordain_v assistant_n elder_n in_o the_o several_a church_n which_o he_o have_v plant_v for_o the_o ordinary_a attendance_n of_o the_o congregation_n so_o now_o he_o take_v to_o himself_o assistant_n of_o another_o sort_n suffragans_fw-la for_o the_o service_n of_o his_o province_n which_o he_o distribute_v as_o he_o find_v most_o expedient_a timoth._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d euseb_n l._n 1._o c._n 12._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d theod_n in_o 1_o tim._n 3._o phil._n 3.25_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d acceperat_fw-la in_o illis_fw-la apostolatus_fw-la officium_fw-la hieron_n in_o locum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d anonym_n 〈◊〉_d phot._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrysost_n in_o timoth._n and_o these_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v sometime_o call_v apostle_n or_o evangelist_n bishop_n presbyter_n fellow_n labourer_n helper_n deacon_n etc._n etc._n but_o their_o successor_n leave_v great_a and_o more_o invidious_a title_n content_v themselves_o with_o the_o name_n of_o bishop_n which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o ordinary_a presbyter_n at_o first_o though_o the_o office_n be_v always_o distinct_a of_o this_o kind_n we_o have_v several_a mention_v in_o scripture_n of_o st._n paul_n province_n as_o barnabas_n timothy_n titus_n crescens_n epaphraditus_fw-la sosthenes_n and_o some_o other_o that_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o he_o as_o james_z the_o just_a mark_n linus_n clemens_n etc._n etc._n these_o exercise_v episcopal_a jurisdiction_n in_o that_o district_n where_o they_o be_v appoint_v ordain_v presbyter_n receive_v accusation_n against_o they_o reprove_v and_o censure_v they_o as_o there_o be_v cause_n and_o in_o short_a govern_v those_o church_n over_o which_o they_o be_v appoint_v by_o full_a apostolical_a power_n which_o be_v transmit_v to_o their_o successor_n but_o the_o extraordinary_a ability_n of_o some_o of_o these_o man_n and_o the_o occasion_n of_o several_a other_o church_n make_v their_o residence_n less_o constant_a in_o the_o diocese_n where_o they_o be_v place_v 4.9_o 2_o tim._n 4.9_o than_o otherwise_o may_v have_v be_v expect_v 2._o phil._n 2._o and_o therefore_o timothy_n the_o bishop_n and_o apostle_n of_o ephesus_n be_v call_v to_o rome_n by_o st._n paul_n to_o be_v employ_v as_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v require_v titus_n be_v send_v to_o dalmatia_n though_o crete_n be_v his_o first_o province_n but_o this_o conclude_v no_o more_o against_o their_o be_v diocesan_n than_o the_o voyage_n of_o germanus_n and_o lupus_n into_o britain_n to_o oppose_v the_o pelagian_a heresy_n will_v conclude_v against_o their_o be_v bishop_n now_o what_o care_n be_v take_v for_o those_o church_n which_o these_o apostolic_a diocesan_n leave_v whether_o they_o return_v again_o to_o their_o province_n be_v not_o mention_v in_o scripture_n but_o ecclesiastical_a record_n show_v a_o uninterrupted_a succession_n from_o the_o bishop_n in_o several_a church_n nor_o do_v we_o find_v that_o they_o be_v all_o so_o unfixed_a as_o they_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o adversary_n of_o episcopacy_n for_o mark_n who_o be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o alexandria_n remain_v in_o that_o province_n auth._n euseb_n hist_o l._n 2._o c._n 16._o niceph._n l._n 2._o c._n 43._o gelas_n in_o conc._n rom._n in_o decr_n de_fw-fr lib._n auth._n plant_v church_n in_o the_o country_n round_o about_o and_o govern_v they_o by_o apostolical_a authority_n which_o after_o his_o martyrdom_n there_o be_v derive_v to_o his_o successuor_n in_o the_o same_o charge_n now_o this_o order_n be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n and_o necessity_n in_o the_o church_n to_o ordain_v presbyter_n and_o deacon_n to_o exercise_v discipline_n to_o preserve_v unity_n they_o be_v multiply_v according_a as_o the_o apostle_n find_v most_o expedient_a for_o the_o church_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n become_v the_o residence_n of_o these_o first_o bishop_n not_o because_o god_n take_v great_a care_n of_o city_n than_o he_o do_v of_o lesser_a town_n and_o village_n but_o because_o the_o apostle_n think_v it_o the_o most_o natural_a way_n to_o follow_v the_o distribution_n that_o be_v then_o in_o the_o more_o civilzed_a part_n of_o the_o world_n st._n john_n a_o little_a while_n before_o his_o death_n mention_n seven_o in_o the_o lydian_a asia_n under_o the_o name_n of_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v any_o more_o in_o that_o province_n the_o seven_o church_n be_v the_o same_o with_o all_o the_o church_n mention_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n paraus_n rev._n 1.20.2.23_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d andr._n caesar_n ego_fw-la puto_fw-la simul_fw-la inveniri_fw-la posse_fw-la angelum_fw-la &_o hominem_fw-la bonos_fw-es ecclesia_fw-la episcopos_fw-la origen_n in_o lucam_n hom._n 13._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ut_fw-la collegas_fw-la moneat_fw-la beza_n ad_fw-la episcopum_fw-la loci_fw-la dirigitur_fw-la paraus_n and_o carolus_n à _fw-it sancto_fw-it paulo_n conclude_v the_o same_o thing_n out_o of_o st._n john_n cu_z in_o asia_n septem_fw-la tantum_fw-la hisce_fw-la temporibus_fw-la essent_fw-la episcopi_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o apocalypsi_fw-la legere_fw-la est_fw-la nec_fw-la majorem_fw-la corum_fw-la numerum_fw-la in_o ponto_n tunc_fw-la fuisse_fw-la probalile_fw-la est_fw-la 162._o geogr._n sacra_fw-la p._n 289._o dissert_n 4._o c._n 5._o quod_fw-la si_fw-la de_fw-fr angelis_n superiorum_fw-la coelorum_fw-la &_o non_fw-fr de_fw-fr praepositis_fw-la ecclesie_n intelligi_fw-la vellet_fw-la none_o consequenter_fw-la diceret_fw-la laudatur_fw-la sub_fw-la angeli_fw-la nomine_fw-la praepositas_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la aug._n ep._n 162._o but_o dr._n hammond_n make_v all_o these_o angel_n to_o be_v metropolitan_o have_v several_a bishop_n under_o they_o for_o the_o reason_n i_o must_v refer_v the_o reader_n to_o his_o dissertation_n thus_o far_o the_o scripture_n discover_v the_o rise_n and_o progress_n of_o diocesan_n episcopacy_n which_o be_v the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n under_o the_o apostle_n who_o have_v large_a province_n to_o supervise_v and_o their_o suffragans_fw-la such_o as_o be_v common_o call_v evangelist_n have_v several_a congregation_n to_o govern_v and_o this_o be_v undeniable_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o next_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o inquire_v be_v whether_o the_o office_n expire_v with_o those_o person_n or_o be_v design_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a use_n in_o the_o church_n the_o adversary_n of_o episcopacy_n be_v not_o all_o agree_v as_o to_o this_o point_n the_o presbyterian_o general_o look_v upon_o the_o office_n of_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n extraordinary_a as_o the_o person_n be_v mr._n b._n be_v something_o more_o scrupulous_a because_o he_o do_v not_o find_v any_o where_o that_o christ_n design_v to_o have_v this_o alter_v and_o yet_o he_o condemn_v diocesan_n episcopacy_n as_o be_v altogether_o different_a from_o it_o i_o have_v say_v something_o to_o this_o already_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v answer_v here_o more_o brief_o 1._o that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v from_o scripture_n that_o the_o office_n of_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n which_o concern_v the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v extraordinary_a and_o for_o a_o time_n only_o
and_o the_o extraordinariness_n of_o their_o gift_n can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o their_o continuance_n for_o notwithstanding_o they_o do_v many_o miraculous_a thing_n yet_o they_o never_o can_v contrive_v to_o be_v in_o two_o place_n a_o the_o same_o time_n and_o as_o to_o their_o govern_n of_o several_a congregation_n they_o be_v under_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n with_o their_o successor_n they_o visit_v from_o place_n to_o place_n they_o call_v the_o presbyter_n of_o some_o church_n to_o they_o to_o give_v they_o direction_n they_o proceed_v by_o information_n and_o legal_a evidence_n and_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o they_o to_o do_v in_o these_o case_n be_v not_o become_v impossible_a to_o those_o that_o succeed_v they_o 2._o all_o other_o office_n have_v extraordinary_a man_n in_o those_o day_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n will_v hold_v against_o presbyter_n and_o deacon_n as_o against_o bishop_n for_o the_o first_o deacon_n that_o be_v elect_v be_v man_n full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 3._o the_o unfixedness_n of_o these_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o continuance_n and_o all_o that_o will_v follow_v from_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o if_o it_o be_v essential_a to_o their_o office_n to_o be_v unfixed_a they_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o still_o and_o not_o to_o cease_v to_o be_v at_o all_o 4._o all_o of_o they_o be_v not_o unfixed_a and_o if_o they_o have_v be_v so_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n require_v it_o it_o may_v be_v no_o more_o than_o accidental_a 5._o that_o they_o govern_v several_a church_n and_o be_v arch-bishop_n as_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n or_o church_n it_o be_v not_o very_o material_a whether_o we_o say_v bishop_n of_o one_o or_o of_o many_o church_n for_o many_o worship_a church_n may_v make_v but_o one_o govern_v church_n and_o worship_v church_n may_v have_v their_o officer_n too_o as_o our_o parish_n but_o still_o in_o subordination_n to_o the_o bishop_n as_o the_o several_a church_n under_o these_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n be_v subordinate_v to_o they_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o ordination_n but_o because_o many_o depend_v upon_o the_o title_n which_o these_o secondary_a apostle_n have_v in_o scripture_n as_o timothy_n be_v command_v to_o do_v the_o werk_n of_o a_o evangelist_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o their_o work_n to_o preach_v and_o propagate_v the_o gospel_n but_o to_o settle_v church_n to_o govern_v they_o to_o ordain_v officer_n to_o censure_v offender_n these_o be_v the_o thing_n particular_o give_v in_o charge_n that_o of_o evangelist_n be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o divers_a other_o but_o ordination_n be_v make_v their_o peculiar_a right_n for_o why_o do_v paul_n leave_v timothy_n and_o titus_n one_o in_o ephesus_z the_o other_o in_o crete_n to_o ordain_v elder_n be_v there_o not_o presbyter_n in_o ephesus_n already_o may_v not_o they_o ordain_v may_v not_o they_o receive_v accusation_n and_o excommunicate_v why_o then_o be_v there_o one_o single_a person_n leave_v to_o do_v all_o this_o and_o in_o crete_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v conceive_v but_o that_o since_o st._n paul_n have_v convert_v several_a to_o the_o faith_n in_o that_o island_n he_o also_o have_v ordain_v some_o church_n officer_n in_o those_o place_n of_o the_o island_n where_o he_o most_o reside_v or_o what_o need_n have_v he_o to_o leave_v a_o bishop_n behind_o he_o to_o ordain_v when_o he_o may_v by_o the_o ordination_n of_o a_o few_o presbyter_n in_o one_o city_n provide_v sufficient_o for_o ordination_n in_o the_o rest_n or_o last_o since_o this_o ordination_n be_v make_v so_o insignificant_a by_o mr._n b._n why_o may_v not_o these_o believer_n have_v appoint_v their_o own_o teacher_n without_o any_o further_a circumstance_n and_o by_o a_o instance_n of_o their_o power_n have_v free_v posterity_n from_o the_o superstition_n of_o think_v apostolical_a ordination_n and_o succession_n so_o requisite_a to_o authorize_v pastor_n but_o since_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v all_o ecclesiastical_a officer_n by_o themselves_o or_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d their_o assistant_n their_o suffragan_a bishop_n and_o leave_v some_o of_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o do_v this_o work_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o conceive_v some_o kind_n of_o necessity_n for_o it_o and_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o the_o power_n so_o common_a or_o insignificant_a as_o late_a projector_n of_o church_n settlement_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v now_o as_o the_o scripture_n discover_v no_o other_o sort_n of_o episcopacy_n than_o such_o as_o we_o have_v describe_v so_o the_o ancient_a bishop_n know_v of_o no_o other_o original_a of_o their_o office_n for_o they_o conceive_v themselves_o to_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n not_o as_o ordinary_a presbyter_n or_o deacon_n but_o to_o succeed_v they_o in_o such_o a_o pre-eminence_n of_o dignity_n and_o power_n as_o their_o first_o assistant_n be_v endue_v with_o and_o eusebius_n who_o diligence_n nothing_o can_v escape_v and_o who_o judgement_n be_v not_o easy_o impose_v on_o aâ—ter_v all_o his_o search_n can_v find_v no_o other_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n and_o derive_v the_o bishop_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a city_n of_o the_o empire_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o assistant_n who_o they_o appoint_v as_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n 〈◊〉_d hist_o eccl._n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d how_o many_o say_v he_o and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o follow_v the_o example_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o be_v think_v worthy_a to_o govern_v those_o church_n which_o they_o found_v be_v not_o easy_a to_o say_v beside_o these_o which_o st._n paul_n mention_n in_o his_o epistle_n he_o indeed_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o assistant_n and_o as_o he_o call_v they_o fellow_n soldier_n who_o name_n be_v preserve_v in_o his_o epistle_n and_o luke_n in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n make_v mention_v of_o some_o of_o they_o among_o these_o timothy_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v first_o bishop_n of_o ephesus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d titus_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o crete_n crescens_n be_v send_v to_o gallatia_n as_o the_o present_a read_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v but_o as_o eusebius_n read_v it_o to_o gallia_n linus_n who_o he_o mention_n in_o his_o second_o to_o timothy_n be_v make_v bishop_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n next_o to_o peter_n and_o clemens_n who_o succeed_v linus_n be_v own_v by_o paul_n as_o his_o fellow_n labourer_n and_o last_o dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n who_o st._n paul_n mention_n as_o the_o first_o convert_n of_o athens_n be_v report_v to_o have_v be_v the_o first_o bishop_n of_o that_o church_n by_o another_o dionysius_n a_o very_a ancient_a writer_n and_o bishop_n of_o corinth_n this_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o episcopacy_n according_a to_o eusebius_n and_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o he_o take_v care_n to_o show_v by_o set_v down_o the_o successor_n of_o these_o and_o other_o bishop_n to_o his_o own_o time_n magn._n ep._n ad_fw-la smyrn_n ad_fw-la ephes_n ad_fw-la magn._n ignatius_n derive_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n a_o little_a high_o yet_o from_o christ_n himself_o the_o universal_a bishop_n and_o compare_v the_o bishop_n with_o his_o bench_n of_o presbyter_n to_o christ_n sit_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o be_v the_o most_o express_a and_o vehement_a of_o all_o the_o ancient_n in_o set_v out_o the_o dignity_n and_o pre-eminence_n of_o the_o bishop_n irenaus_n deduce_v the_o episcopal_a authority_n from_o the_o same_o original_a and_o make_v the_o succession_n of_o bishop_n from_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v his_o principal_a argument_n against_o the_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n of_o his_o time_n and_o because_o it_o be_v endless_a to_o make_v a_o perfect_a enumeration_n of_o those_o who_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o world_n 3_o valde_fw-la longum_fw-la esset_fw-la in_o tali_fw-la volumine_fw-la enumerare_fw-la successiones_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 3_o he_o instance_n in_o that_o of_o rome_n where_o linus_n be_v first_o ordain_v bishop_n ibid._n lino_n episcopatum_fw-la administrandae_fw-la ecelesiae_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la apofloli_fw-la ibid._n polycarpus_n ab_fw-la apostolis_n in_fw-la eâ_fw-la qua_fw-la est_fw-la smyrnis_fw-la constitutus_fw-la episcopus_fw-la qui_fw-la usque_fw-la adbue_fw-la successerunt_fw-la polycarpe_n ibid._n than_o clemens_n and_o so_o on_o to_o his_o own_o time_n and_o in_o another_o place_n propose_v it_o as_o the_o only_a remedy_n against_o heresy_n to_o obey_v those_o that_o have_v a_o due_a succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n who_o though_o they_o be_v there_o call_v presbyteri_fw-la yet_o it_o be_v plain_a who_o he_o mean_v by_o they_o when_o he_o add_v that_o they_o be_v the_o same_o which_o he_o show_v before_o to_o have_v succeed_v the_o
apostle_n which_o be_v those_o bishop_n he_o have_v give_v a_o catalogue_n of_o before_o and_o last_o speak_v of_o the_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n commit_v the_o government_n of_o those_o church_n they_o have_v plant_v he_o make_v they_o much_o ancient_a than_o those_o heretic_n that_o disturb_v the_o church_n and_o draw_v a_o argument_n from_o their_o apostolic_a institution_n and_o their_o constant_a succession_n in_o that_o office_n against_o those_o that_o bring_v in_o new_a doctrine_n tertullian_n make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o argument_n 42._o quapropter_fw-la eye_n qui_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la sant_z presbyteris_fw-la obandire_fw-la oportet_fw-la his_fw-la qui_fw-la successionem_fw-la habent_fw-la ab_fw-la apostolis_n sicut_fw-la oftendimus_fw-la qui_fw-la cum_fw-la episcopatus_fw-la successione_n charisma_n veritatis_fw-la certum_fw-la acceperunt_fw-la l._n 7._o c._n 42._o and_o require_v of_o the_o heretic_n a_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o origen_n speak_v of_o bishop_n make_v they_o likewise_o to_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n in_o their_o office_n tradiderunt_fw-la omnes_fw-la enim_fw-la two_o valde_fw-la posterieres_fw-la quam_fw-la episcopi_fw-la quibus_fw-la episcope_n ecclesias_fw-la tradiderunt_fw-la in_o short_a it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_n and_o aerius_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o epiphanius_n if_o not_o as_o a_o heretic_n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d origen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d c._n 1._o yet_o at_o least_o as_o a_o innovator_n for_o maintain_v a_o equality_n between_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n for_o if_o the_o bishop_n be_v only_o the_o first_o presbyter_n and_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v at_o that_o time_n that_o there_o be_v no_o original_a difference_n between_o the_o order_n 75._o haeres_fw-la 75._o epiphanius_n can_v not_o have_v observe_v this_o as_o a_o singularity_n in_o aerius_n therefore_o the_o common_a opinion_n then_o be_v contrary_a to_o this_o notion_n they_o must_v apprehend_v episcopacy_n to_o be_v the_o apostolical_a order_n derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o a_o succession_n first_o to_o those_o assistant_n we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o and_o from_o they_o to_o the_o succeed_v bishop_n i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o the_o testimony_n of_o theodoret_n who_o judgement_n and_o knowledge_n of_o ecclesiastical_a antiquity_n be_v great_a than_o ordinary_a 4._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d so_o also_o clemens_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o apostle_n by_o clemens_n alexand._n strom._n l._n 4._o he_o make_v bishop_n at_o first_o to_o be_v call_v apostle_n and_o presbyter_n to_o be_v call_v bishop_n and_o from_o such_o apostle_n as_o epaphroditus_n who_o be_v bishop_n of_o philippi_n bishop_n be_v descend_v according_a to_o his_o opinion_n but_o that_o out_o of_o modesty_n the_o succeed_v bishop_n change_v the_o title_n of_o apostle_n for_o that_o of_o bishop_n and_o this_o for_o some_o time_n after_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o presbyter_n though_o the_o office_n than_o be_v manifest_o distinct_a all_o this_o consider_v i_o can_v but_o wonder_v that_o the_o conjecture_n of_o st._n jerom_n concern_v the_o original_a of_o episcopacy_n against_o all_o the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o particular_a church_n concern_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n gather_v by_o eusebius_n shall_v obtain_v not_o only_o among_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o that_o order_n but_o even_o among_o many_o that_o retain_v it_o therefore_o for_o a_o further_a confirmation_n of_o what_o we_o have_v say_v concern_v the_o original_a of_o bishop_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v that_o prejudice_n which_o the_o authority_n of_o jerom_n have_v do_v it_o who_o have_v advance_v a_o singular_a notion_n in_o this_o particular_a which_o i_o shall_v first_o set_v down_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v and_o afterward_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o st_o jerom_n observe_v the_o name_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n use_v in_o scripture_n promiscuous_o and_o without_o distinction_n conclude_v 1._o idem_fw-la est_fw-la ergo_fw-la presbyter_n qui_fw-la episcopus_fw-la &_o antequam_fw-la diaboli_fw-la instinctu_fw-la studia_fw-la in_o religione_fw-la fierent_fw-la communi_fw-la presbyterorum_fw-la concilio_n ecclesiae_fw-la gubernahantur_fw-la postquam_fw-la vero_fw-la unisquisque_fw-la eos_fw-la quos_fw-la baptizaverat_fw-la suos_fw-la put_v a_o bat_n esse_fw-la non_fw-la christi_fw-la in_fw-la toto_fw-la orb_n decretum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la unus_fw-la de_fw-la presbyteris_fw-la electus_fw-la caeteris_fw-la superponeretur_fw-la ad_fw-la quem_fw-la omnis_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la cura_fw-la pertineret_fw-la &_o schismatum_fw-la semina_fw-la tollerentur_fw-la hieron_n in_o titum_fw-la c._n 1._o that_o the_o office_n be_v not_o not_o then_o distinct_a but_o that_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n be_v but_o two_o name_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o order_n but_o when_o division_n be_v occasion_v in_o the_o church_n by_o this_o parity_n between_o the_o presbyter_n the_o church_n who_o be_v govern_v before_o by_o a_o college_n of_o presbyter_n for_o to_o remedy_v that_o evil_a consent_v that_o one_o shall_v be_v choose_v out_o of_o the_o rest_n who_o shall_v be_v set_v over_o they_o and_o be_v call_v more_o peculiarly_a their_o bishop_n to_o who_o the_o care_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n shall_v appertain_v that_o all_o the_o seed_n and_o occasion_n of_o schism_n may_v be_v take_v away_o but_o that_o st._n paul_n and_o the_o ancient_n make_v bishop_n and_o presbyter_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o thing_n this_o be_v in_o short_a the_o opinion_n of_o st._n jerom_n i_o will_v in_o the_o next_o place_n examine_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o evagr._fw-la apud_fw-la veteres_fw-la idem_fw-la episcopi_fw-la &_o presbyteri_fw-la erant_fw-la idem_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la ocean_n cum_fw-la apostolus_fw-la perspicue_n doctat_fw-la cosdem_fw-la esse_fw-la presbyteros_fw-la quos_fw-la &_o episcopos_fw-la id_fw-la ep._n ad_fw-la evagr._fw-la it_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o allegation_n of_o jerom_n in_o defence_n of_o his_o opinion_n that_o it_o be_v ground_v chief_o upon_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n where_o bishop_n be_v call_v presbyter_n or_o presbyter_n bishop_n and_o then_o from_o the_o synonomy_n of_o the_o name_n conclude_v to_o a_o identity_n of_o the_o office_n and_o then_o he_o add_v one_o may_v perhaps_o think_v this_o to_o be_v my_o sense_n and_o not_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n 1.1_o phil._n 1.1_o let_v he_o read_v the_o apostle_n word_n to_o the_o philippian_n his_o salutation_n of_o that_o church_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n which_o he_o confirm_v by_o act_n 20.27_o 28._o heb._n 13.17_o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o and_o now_o suppose_v all_o this_o be_v grant_v that_o presbyter_n be_v call_v bishop_n and_o they_o again_o presbyter_n yet_o i_o be_o afraid_a it_o will_v hardly_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v the_o same_o and_o some_o of_o those_o text_n cite_v by_o st._n jerom_n be_v sufficient_a proof_n to_o the_o contrary_a for_o that_o of_o peter_n the_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n among_o you_o who_o be_o myself_o a_o elder_n 1.5_o 1_o pet._n 1.5_o if_o the_o reason_n of_o st._n jerom_n hold_v will_v prove_v likewise_o that_o apostle_n be_v no_o more_o than_o ordinary_a presbyter_n and_o if_o peter_n be_v but_o a_o presbyter_n we_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o great_a loss_n to_o find_v any_o bishop_n in_o scripture_n that_o be_v superior_a to_o presbyter_n and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n jerom_n cite_v those_o text_n of_o st._n john_n the_o elder_a to_o the_o elect_a lady_n 1_o 2_o john_n 1._o 3_o john_n 1_o the_o elder_a to_o his_o belove_a gaius_n which_o plain_o overthrow_v his_o argument_n for_o if_o a_o apostle_n be_v of_o a_o office_n superior_a to_o a_o presbyter_n proper_o so_o call_v and_o yet_o be_v call_v presbyter_n in_o scripture_n than_o bishop_n may_v be_v of_o a_o superior_a degree_n to_o presbyter_n though_o they_o may_v some_o time_n be_v so_o call_v or_o if_o it_o be_v reply_v that_o these_o presbyter_n again_o be_v call_v bishop_n it_o do_v not_o alter_v the_o case_n at_o all_o for_o so_o some_o messenger_n of_o church_n be_v call_v apostle_n as_o andronicus_n and_o junia_n who_o be_v of_o note_n among_o the_o apostle_n 16._o rom._n 16._o beside_o there_o be_v several_a of_o the_o father_n that_o observe_v this_o synonomy_n of_o bishop_n and_o presbyter_n as_o well_o as_o jerom_n but_o can_v not_o observe_v the_o necessity_n of_o his_o inference_n that_o therefore_o there_o be_v then_o no_o bishop_n but_o presbyter_n 1._o chrysost_n in_o ep._n ad_fw-la phil._n c._n 1._o chrysostom_n confess_v the_o title_n be_v confound_v but_o he_o take_v notice_n likewise_o that_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a title_n be_v so_o as_o well_o as_o these_o that_o bishop_n be_v sometime_o call_v deacon_n and_o that_o timothy_n be_v a_o bishop_n be_v command_v to_o fulfil_v his_o ministry_n or_o his_o deaconship_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d nor_o do_v he_o wonder_v at_o this_o at_o all_o since_o in_o his_o own_o time_n the_o bishop_n when_o they_o write_v to_o presbyter_n or_o deacon_n