Of prelatical episcopacy, and vvhither it may be deduc'd from the apostolical times by vertue of those testimonies which are alledg'd to that purpose in some late treatises one whereof goes under the name of Iames, Arch-bishop of Armagh.
         Milton, John, 1608-1674.
      
       
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             Of prelatical episcopacy, and vvhither it may be deduc'd from the apostolical times by vertue of those testimonies which are alledg'd to that purpose in some late treatises one whereof goes under the name of Iames, Arch-bishop of Armagh.
             Milton, John, 1608-1674.
          
           [10], 9-24 p.
           
             Printed by R.O. & G.D. for Thomas Underhill...,
             London :
             1641.
          
           
             Attributed to John Milton. Cf. BLC.
             The second of Milton's pamphlets written in support of the five protestant ministers in the Smectymnuus controversy.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Smectymnuus.
           Episcopacy -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A50915  R23425  (Wing M2133).  civilwar no Of prelatical episcopacy, and vvhether it may be deduc'd from the apostolical times by vertue of those testimonies which are alledg'd to tha Milton, John 1641    7795 4 25 0 0 0 0 37 D  The  rate of 37 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           OF
           PRELATICAL
           EPISCOPACY
           ,
           AND
           VVhither
           it
           may
           be
           deduc'd
           from
           the
           Apostolical
           times
           by
           vertue
           of
           those
           Testimonies
           which
           are
           alledg'd
           to
           that
           purpose
           in
           some
           late
           Treatises
           :
           One
           whereof
           goes
           under
           the
           Name
           of
           IAMES
           ARCH-BISHOP
           OF
           ARMAGH
           .
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             R.
             O.
          
           &
           
             G.
             D.
          
           for
           
             Thomas
             Underhill
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           the
           signe
           of
           the
           
             Bible
             ,
          
           in
           
             Wood-Street
             ,
          
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           OF
           PRELATICALL
           EPISCOPACY
           :
        
         
           EPYSCOPACY
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           taken
           for
           an
           Order
           in
           the
           
             Church
          
           above
           a
           
             Presbyter
             ,
          
           or
           as
           wee
           commonly
           name
           him
           ,
           the
           Minister
           of
           a
           Congregation
           ,
           is
           either
           of
           Divine
           constitution
           ,
           or
           of
           humane
           .
           If
           onely
           of
           humane
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           same
           humane
           priviledge
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           have
           ever
           had
           since
           
             Adam
             ,
          
           being
           borne
           free
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Mistresse
           Iland
           of
           all
           the
           
             British
             ,
          
           to
           retaine
           this
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           or
           to
           remove
           it
           ,
           consulting
           with
           our
           owne
           occasions
           ,
           and
           conveniences
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           our
           owne
           dangers
           ,
           and
           disquiets
           ,
           in
           what
           best
           manner
           we
           can
           devise
           ,
           without
           running
           at
           a
           losse
           ,
           as
           wee
           must
           needs
           in
           those
           stale
           ,
           and
           uselesse
           records
           of
           either
           uncertaine
           ,
           or
           unsound
           antiquity
           ,
           which
           if
           we
           hold
           fast
           to
           the
           
           grounds
           of
           the
           reformed
           
             Church
             ,
          
           can
           neither
           skill
           of
           us
           ,
           nor
           we
           of
           it
           ,
           (
           so
           oft
           as
           it
           would
           lead
           us
           to
           the
           broken
           reed
           of
           
             tradition
             .
          
           If
           it
           bee
           of
           
             Divine
          
           constitution
           ,
           to
           satisfie
           us
           fully
           in
           that
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           onely
           is
           able
           ,
           it
           being
           the
           onely
           Book
           left
           us
           of
           
             Divine
          
           authority
           ,
           not
           in
           any
           thing
           more
           Divine
           then
           in
           the
           all-sufficiency
           it
           hath
           to
           furnish
           us
           ,
           as
           with
           all
           other
           spirituall
           knowledge
           ,
           so
           with
           this
           in
           particular
           ,
           setting
           out
           to
           us
           a
           perfect
           man
           of
           
             God
          
           accomplish't
           to
           all
           the
           good
           workes
           of
           his
           charge
           .
           Through
           all
           which
           Booke
           can
           be
           no where
           ,
           either
           by
           plaine
           Text
           ,
           or
           solid
           reasoning
           found
           any
           difference
           betweene
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           and
           a
           Presbyter
           ,
           save
           that
           they
           be
           two
           names
           to
           signify
           the
           same
           order
           .
           Notwithstanding
           this
           clearnesse
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           all
           evidence
           of
           argument
           ,
           
             Timothy
             ,
          
           and
           
             Titus
          
           (
           whom
           our
           Prelates
           claim
           to
           imitate
           onely
           in
           the
           controuling
           part
           of
           their
           office
           )
           had
           rather
           the
           vice-gerency
           of
           an
           Apostleship
           committed
           to
           them
           ,
           then
           the
           ordinary
           charge
           of
           a
           Bishoprick
           ,
           as
           being
           
           men
           of
           an
           extraordinary
           calling
           ,
           yet
           to
           verify
           that
           which
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           foretold
           of
           succeeding
           times
           ,
           when
           men
           began
           to
           have
           itching
           eares
           ,
           then
           not
           contented
           with
           the
           plentifull
           and
           wholsom
           fountaines
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           they
           began
           after
           their
           owne
           lusts
           to
           heap
           to
           themselvs
           teachers
           ,
           and
           as
           if
           the
           divine
           Scripture
           wanted
           a
           supplement
           ,
           and
           were
           to
           be
           eek't
           out
           ,
           they
           cannot
           think
           any
           doubt
           resolv'd
           ,
           and
           any
           doctrine
           confirm'd
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           run
           to
           that
           indigested
           heap
           ,
           and
           frie
           of
           Authors
           ,
           which
           they
           call
           Antiquity
           .
           Whatsoever
           time
           ,
           or
           the
           heedlesse
           hand
           of
           blind
           chance
           ,
           hath
           drawne
           down
           from
           of
           old
           to
           this
           present
           ,
           in
           her
           huge
           dragnet
           ,
           whether
           Fish
           ,
           or
           Sea-weed
           ,
           Shells
           ,
           or
           Shrubbs
           ,
           
           unpickt
           ,
           unchosen
           ,
           those
           are
           the
           Fathers
           .
           Seeing
           therefore
           some
           men
           ,
           deeply
           conversant
           in
           Bookes
           ,
           have
           had
           so
           little
           care
           of
           late
           to
           give
           the
           world
           a
           better
           account
           of
           their
           reading
           ,
           then
           by
           divulging
           needlesse
           tractats
           stuff't
           with
           specious
           names
           of
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           and
           
             Polycarpus
             ,
          
           with
           fragments
           of
           old
           
             Martyrologies
             ,
          
           and
           
             legends
             ,
          
           to
           distract
           ,
           and
           stagger
           the
           multitude
           of
           credulous
           readers
           ,
           &
           mislead
           them
           from
           their
           strong
           guards
           ,
           and
           places
           of
           safety
           under
           the
           tuition
           of
           holy
           writ
           ,
           it
           came
           into
           my
           thoughts
           to
           perswade
           my selfe
           ,
           setting
           all
           distances
           ,
           and
           nice
           respects
           aside
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           do
           Religion
           ,
           and
           my
           Country
           no
           better
           service
           for
           the
           time
           then
           doing
           my
           utmost
           endeavour
           to
           recall
           the
           people
           of
           GOD
           from
           this
           vaine
           forraging
           after
           straw
           ,
           and
           to
           reduce
           them
           to
           their
           firme
           stations
           under
           the
           standard
           of
           the
           Gospell
           :
           by
           making
           appeare
           to
           them
           ,
           first
           the
           insufficiency
           ,
           next
           the
           inconvenience
           ,
           and
           lastly
           the
           impiety
           of
           these
           gay
           testimonies
           ,
           that
           their
           great
           Doctors
           would
           bring
           them
           to
           dote
           on
           .
           And
           in
           performing
           this
           I
           shall
           not
           strive
           to
           be
           more
           exact
           in
           Methode
           ,
           then
           as
           their
           citations
           lead
           mee
           .
        
         
           First
           therefore
           concerning
           
             Ignatius
          
           shall
           be
           treated
           
           fully
           ,
           when
           the
           Author
           shall
           come
           to
           insist
           upon
           some
           places
           in
           his
           Epistles
           .
           Next
           to
           prove
           a
           succession
           of
           27.
           
           
             Bishops
          
           from
           
             Timothy
             ,
          
           he
           cites
           one
           
             Leontius
             Bishop
          
           of
           
             Magnesia
             ,
          
           out
           of
           the
           11.
           act
           of
           the
           
             Chalcedonian
          
           Councell
           :
           this
           is
           but
           an
           obscure
           ,
           and
           single
           witnesse
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           faithfull
           dealing
           who
           shall
           commend
           him
           to
           us
           ,
           with
           this
           his
           Catalogue
           of
           
             Bishops
             ?
          
           what
           know
           wee
           further
           of
           him
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           might
           be
           as
           factious
           ,
           and
           false
           a
           
             Bishop
             ,
          
           as
           
             Leontius
          
           of
           
             Antioch
          
           that
           was
           a
           hunderd
           yeares
           his
           
           predecessor
           ?
           for
           neither
           the
           praise
           of
           his
           wisedome
           ,
           or
           his
           vertue
           hath
           left
           him
           memorable
           to
           posterity
           ,
           but
           onely
           this
           doubtfull
           relation
           ,
           which
           wee
           must
           take
           at
           his
           word
           ;
           and
           how
           shall
           this
           testimony
           receive
           credit
           from
           his
           word
           ,
           whose
           very
           name
           had
           scarse
           been
           thought
           on
           ,
           but
           for
           this
           bare
           Testimony
           ?
           But
           they
           will
           say
           hee
           was
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Councell
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           deserve
           to
           gaine
           him
           credit
           with
           us
           .
           I
           will
           not
           stand
           to
           argue
           ,
           as
           yet
           with
           faire
           allowance
           I
           might
           ,
           that
           wee
           may
           as
           justly
           suspect
           ,
           there
           were
           some
           bad
           and
           slippery
           men
           in
           that
           councell
           ,
           as
           we
           know
           there
           are
           wont
           to
           be
           in
           our
           Convocations
           .
           Nor
           shall
           I
           neede
           to
           plead
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           that
           nothing
           hath
           been
           more
           attempted
           ,
           nor
           with
           more
           subtilty
           brought
           about
           ,
           both
           anciently
           by
           other
           
             Heretiks
             ,
          
           and
           modernly
           by
           Papists
           ,
           then
           to
           falsifie
           the
           Editions
           of
           the
           Councels
           ,
           of
           which
           wee
           have
           none
           but
           from
           our
           Adversaries
           hands
           ,
           whence
           Canons
           ,
           Acts
           ,
           and
           whole
           spurious
           Councels
           are
           thrust
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           hard
           it
           would
           be
           to
           prove
           in
           all
           ,
           which
           are
           legitimat
           against
           the
           lawfull
           rejection
           of
           an
           urgent
           ,
           and
           free
           disputer
           ,
           but
           this
           I
           purpose
           not
           to
           take
           advantage
           of
           ,
           for
           what
           availes
           it
           to
           wrangle
           about
           the
           corrupt
           editions
           of
           Councells
           ,
           when
           as
           we
           know
           that
           many
           yeares
           ere
           this
           time
           which
           was
           almost
           500.
           years
           after
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           the
           Councels
           themselves
           were
           fouly
           corrupted
           with
           ungodly
           Prelatisme
           ,
           and
           so
           farre
           plung'd
           into
           worldly
           ambition
           ,
           as
           that
           it
           stood
           them
           upon
           long
           ere
           this
           to
           uphold
           their
           now
           well-tasted
           Hierarchy
           by
           what
           faire
           pretext
           soever
           they
           could
           ,
           in
           like
           manner
           as
           they
           had
           now
           learnt
           to
           defend
           many
           other
           grosse
           corruptions
           by
           as
           ancient
           ,
           and
           suppos'd
           authentick
           tradition
           as
           Episcopacie
           .
           And
           what
           
           hope
           can
           we
           have
           of
           this
           whole
           Councell
           to
           warrant
           us
           a
           matter
           400.
           years
           at
           least
           above
           their
           time
           concerning
           the
           distinction
           of
           
             Bishop
          
           and
           
             Presbyter
             ,
          
           whenas
           we
           find
           them
           such
           blind
           Judges
           of
           things
           before
           their
           eyes
           in
           their
           decrees
           of
           precedencie
           between
           
             Bishop
             ,
          
           and
           
             Bishop
             ,
          
           acknowledging
           
             Rome
          
           for
           the
           Apostolick
           throne
           ,
           and
           
             Peter
          
           in
           that
           See
           for
           the
           rock
           ,
           the
           basis
           ,
           and
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           and
           Faith
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           interpretation
           of
           more
           ancient
           Fathers
           ;
           and
           therfore
           from
           a
           mistaken
           text
           did
           they
           give
           to
           
             Leo
          
           as
           
             Peters
          
           successor
           a
           kind
           of
           preheminence
           above
           the
           whole
           Councel
           ,
           as
           
             Euagrius
          
           expresses
           (
           for
           now
           the
           Pope
           was
           come
           to
           that
           height
           ,
           as
           to
           arrogate
           to
           himselfe
           by
           his
           Vicars
           incompetible
           honours
           )
           and
           yet
           having
           thus
           yeilded
           to
           
             Rome
          
           the
           universall
           Primacie
           for
           spirituall
           reasons
           ,
           as
           they
           thought
           ,
           they
           conclude
           their
           sitting
           with
           a
           carnall
           ,
           and
           ambitious
           decree
           to
           give
           the
           second
           place
           of
           dignity
           to
           
             Constantinople
          
           from
           reason
           of
           State
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           new
           
             ROME
             ,
          
           and
           by
           like
           consequence
           doublesse
           of
           earthly
           priviledges
           annext
           to
           each
           other
           City
           ,
           was
           the
           BISHOP
           therof
           to
           take
           his
           place
           .
        
         
           I
           may
           say
           againe
           therfore
           ,
           what
           hope
           can
           we
           have
           of
           such
           a
           Councell
           ,
           as
           beginning
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           ended
           thus
           in
           the
           flesh
           .
           Much
           rather
           should
           we
           attend
           to
           what
           
             Eusebius
          
           the
           ancientest
           writer
           extant
           of
           Church-history
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           helps
           he
           had
           above
           these
           ,
           confesses
           in
           the
           4.
           chap.
           of
           his
           3.
           
           Book
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           no
           easie
           matter
           to
           tell
           who
           were
           those
           that
           were
           left
           Bishops
           of
           the
           Churches
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           more
           then
           by
           what
           a
           man
           might
           gather
           from
           the
           
             Acts
          
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           the
           Epistles
           
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           in
           which
           number
           he
           reckons
           
             Timothy
          
           for
           Bishop
           of
           
             Ephesus
             .
          
           So
           as
           may
           plainly
           appeare
           ,
           that
           this
           tradition
           of
           Bishoping
           
             Timothy
          
           over
           
             Ephesus
          
           was
           but
           taken
           for
           granted
           out
           of
           that
           place
           in
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           which
           was
           only
           an
           intreating
           him
           to
           tarry
           at
           
             Ephesus
             ,
          
           to
           do
           somthing
           left
           him
           in
           charge
           .
           
           Now
           if
           
             Eusebius
          
           a
           famous
           writer
           thought
           it
           so
           difficult
           to
           tell
           who
           were
           appointed
           Bishops
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           much
           more
           may
           we
           think
           it
           difficult
           to
           
             Leontius
          
           an
           obscure
           Bishop
           speaking
           beyond
           his
           own
           Diocesse
           :
           and
           certainly
           much
           more
           hard
           was
           it
           for
           either
           of
           them
           to
           determine
           what
           kind
           of
           Bishops
           those
           were
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           so
           little
           means
           to
           know
           who
           they
           were
           ;
           and
           much
           lesse
           reason
           have
           we
           to
           stand
           to
           their
           definitive
           sentence
           ,
           seeing
           they
           have
           bin
           so
           rash
           to
           raise
           up
           such
           lofty
           Bishops
           and
           Bishopricks
           out
           of
           places
           in
           Scripture
           meerly
           misunderstood
           .
           Thus
           while
           we
           leave
           the
           Bible
           to
           gadde
           after
           these
           traditions
           of
           the
           ancients
           ,
           we
           heare
           the
           ancients
           themselvs
           confessing
           ,
           that
           what
           knowledge
           they
           had
           in
           this
           point
           was
           such
           as
           they
           had
           gather'd
           from
           the
           Bible
           .
        
         
           Since
           therfore
           Antiquity
           it selfe
           hath
           turn'd
           over
           the
           controversie
           to
           that
           sovran
           Book
           which
           we
           had
           fondly
           straggl'd
           from
           ,
           we
           shall
           doe
           better
           not
           to
           detain
           this
           venerable
           apparition
           of
           
             Leontius
          
           any
           longer
           ,
           but
           dismisse
           him
           with
           his
           List
           of
           seven
           and
           twenty
           ,
           to
           sleep
           unmolested
           in
           his
           former
           obscurity
           .
        
         
           Now
           for
           the
           word
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           it
           is
           more
           likely
           that
           
             Timothy
          
           never
           knew
           the
           word
           in
           that
           sense
           :
           it
           was
           the
           vanity
           of
           those
           next
           succeeding
           times
           not
           to
           content
           themselves
           with
           the
           simplicity
           of
           Scripture
           phrase
           ,
           but
           must
           make
           a
           new
           Lexicon
           to
           name
           
           themselves
           by
           ,
           one
           will
           be
           call'd
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           
             Antistes
             ,
          
           a
           word
           of
           precedence
           ,
           another
           would
           be
           term'd
           a
           Gnostick
           as
           
             Clemens
             ,
          
           a
           third
           Sacerdos
           ,
           or
           Priest
           ,
           and
           talks
           of
           Altars
           ;
           which
           was
           a
           plaine
           signe
           that
           their
           doctrine
           began
           to
           change
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           must
           change
           their
           expressions
           :
           But
           that
           place
           of
           
             Justin
             Martyr
          
           serves
           rather
           to
           convince
           the
           Author
           ,
           then
           to
           make
           for
           him
           ,
           where
           the
           name
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           the
           president
           ,
           or
           Pastor
           of
           the
           Brethren
           (
           for
           to
           what
           end
           is
           he
           their
           President
           but
           to
           teach
           them
           )
           cannot
           be
           limited
           to
           signifie
           a
           Prelaticall
           Bishop
           ,
           but
           rather
           communicates
           that
           Greek
           appellation
           to
           every
           ordinary
           
             Presbyter
             :
          
           for
           there
           he
           tells
           what
           the
           Christians
           had
           wont
           to
           doe
           in
           their
           severall
           Congregations
           ,
           to
           read
           ,
           and
           expound
           ,
           to
           pray
           and
           administer
           ,
           all
           which
           he
           saies
           the
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           or
           
             Antistes
          
           did
           .
           Are
           these
           the
           Offices
           only
           of
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           or
           shall
           we
           think
           that
           every
           Congregation
           where
           these
           things
           were
           done
           ,
           which
           he
           attributes
           to
           this
           
             Antistes
             ,
          
           had
           a
           
             Bishop
          
           present
           among
           them
           ?
           unlesse
           they
           had
           as
           many
           
             Antistites
          
           as
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           which
           this
           place
           rather
           seems
           to
           imply
           ,
           and
           so
           we
           may
           inferre
           even
           from
           their
           own
           alledg'd
           authority
           ,
           
             that
             Antistes
             was
             nothing
             else
             but
             Presbyter
             .
          
        
         
           As
           for
           that
           namelesse
           Treatise
           of
           
             Timothy's
          
           martyrdome
           ,
           only
           cited
           by
           
             Photius
          
           that
           liv'd
           almost
           
           900.
           yeares
           after
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           it
           hansomely
           follows
           in
           that
           author
           ,
           the
           Martyrdome
           of
           the
           seven
           Sleepers
           ,
           that
           slept
           (
           I
           tell
           you
           but
           what
           mine
           Author
           sayes
           )
           three
           hundred
           seaventy
           ,
           and
           two
           years
           ,
           for
           so
           long
           they
           had
           bin
           shut
           up
           in
           a
           Cave
           without
           meat
           ,
           and
           were
           found
           living
           .
           This
           Story
           of
           
             Timothy's
          
           Ephesian
           Bishopricke
           as
           it
           follows
           in
           order
           ,
           so
           may
           it
           for
           truth
           ,
           if
           it
           only
           subsist
           upon
           its
           own
           authority
           ,
           as
           it
           doth
           ,
           
           for
           
             Photius
          
           only
           saith
           he
           read
           it
           ;
           he
           does
           not
           averre
           it
           .
           That
           other
           legendarie
           piece
           found
           among
           the
           lives
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           and
           sent
           us
           from
           the
           shop
           of
           the
           
           Jesuites
           at
           
             Lovain
             ,
          
           does
           but
           bear
           the
           name
           of
           
             Polyerates
             ,
          
           how
           truly
           who
           can
           tell
           ?
           and
           shall
           have
           some
           more
           weight
           with
           us
           ,
           when
           
             Polycrates
          
           can
           perswade
           us
           of
           that
           which
           he
           affirms
           in
           the
           same
           place
           of
           
             Eusebius
          
           5.
           
           Book
           ,
           that
           St.
           
             John
          
           was
           a
           Priest
           ,
           and
           wore
           the
           golden
           brestplate
           :
           and
           why
           should
           he
           convince
           us
           more
           with
           his
           traditions
           of
           
             Timothy's
          
           Episcopacie
           ,
           then
           he
           could
           convince
           
             Victor
          
           Bishop
           of
           
             Rome
          
           with
           his
           traditions
           concerning
           the
           Feast
           of
           Easter
           ,
           who
           not
           regarding
           his
           irrefragable
           instances
           of
           examples
           taken
           from
           
             Philip
             ,
          
           and
           his
           daughters
           that
           were
           Prophetesses
           ;
           or
           from
           
             Polycarpus
             ,
          
           no
           nor
           from
           St.
           
             Iohn
          
           himselfe
           ,
           Excommunicated
           both
           him
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Asian
           Churches
           for
           celebrating
           their
           Easter
           judaically
           :
           he
           may
           therfore
           goe
           back
           to
           the
           seaven
           Bishops
           his
           kinsmen
           ,
           and
           make
           his
           moane
           to
           them
           that
           we
           esteem
           his
           traditionall
           ware
           ,
           as
           lightly
           as
           
             Victor
          
           did
           .
        
         
           Those
           of
           
             Theodoret
             ,
             Felix
             ,
          
           and
           
             Iohn
          
           of
           
             Antioch
          
           are
           autorities
           of
           later
           times
           ,
           and
           therfore
           not
           to
           be
           receiv'd
           for
           their
           Antiquities
           sake
           to
           give
           in
           evidence
           concerning
           an
           allegation
           ,
           wherin
           writers
           so
           much
           their
           Elders
           ,
           we
           see
           so
           easily
           miscarry
           .
           What
           if
           they
           had
           told
           us
           that
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           who
           as
           they
           say
           left
           
             Ignatius
          
           Bishop
           of
           
             Antioch
             ,
          
           went
           afterwards
           to
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           and
           was
           Bishop
           there
           ,
           as
           this
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           and
           
             Irenaeus
             ,
          
           and
           all
           Antiquity
           with
           one
           mouth
           deliver
           ,
           there
           be
           never
           the
           lesse
           a
           number
           of
           learned
           ,
           and
           wise
           Protestants
           who
           have
           written
           ,
           and
           will
           maintain
           ,
           that
           
             Peters
          
           being
           at
           
             Rome
          
           as
           Bishop
           cannot
           stand
           with
           concordance
           of
           Scripture
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           come
           the
           Epistles
           of
           
             Ignatius
          
           to
           shew
           us
           first
           ,
           that
           
             Onesimus
          
           was
           Bishop
           of
           
             Ephesus
             ;
          
           next
           to
           assert
           the
           difference
           of
           
             Bishop
          
           and
           
             Presbyter
             ,
          
           wherin
           I
           wonder
           that
           men
           teachers
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           make
           no
           more
           difficulty
           of
           imposing
           upon
           our
           belief
           a
           supposititious
           ofspring
           of
           some
           dozen
           Epistles
           ,
           whereof
           five
           are
           rejected
           as
           spurious
           ,
           containing
           in
           them
           Herefies
           and
           trifles
           ,
           which
           cannot
           agree
           in
           Chronologie
           with
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           entitling
           him
           Arch-Bishop
           of
           
             Antioch
             Theopolis
             ,
          
           which
           name
           of
           
             Theopolis
          
           that
           City
           had
           not
           till
           
             Iustinians
          
           time
           long
           after
           ,
           as
           
             Cedrenus
          
           mentions
           ,
           which
           argues
           both
           the
           barbarous
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           unskilfull
           fraud
           of
           him
           that
           foisted
           this
           Epistle
           upon
           
             Ignatius
             .
          
           In
           the
           Epistle
           to
           those
           of
           
             Tarsus
          
           he
           condemns
           them
           for
           Ministers
           of
           Satan
           ,
           that
           say
           
             Christ
             is
             God
             above
             all
             .
          
           To
           the
           
             Phillippians
          
           them
           that
           kept
           their
           Easter
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Asian
          
           Churches
           ,
           and
           
             Polycarpus
          
           did
           ,
           and
           them
           that
           fasted
           upon
           any
           Saturday
           ,
           or
           Sunday
           ,
           except
           one
           he
           counts
           as
           those
           that
           had
           slain
           the
           
             Lord
             .
          
           To
           those
           of
           
             Antioch
          
           he
           salutes
           the
           Sub-Deacons
           ,
           Chaunters
           ,
           Porters
           ,
           and
           Exorcists
           ,
           as
           if
           these
           had
           bin
           Orders
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           his
           time
           :
           those
           other
           Epistles
           lesse
           question'd
           are
           yet
           so
           interlarded
           with
           Corruptions
           ,
           as
           may
           justly
           indue
           us
           with
           a
           wholsome
           suspition
           of
           the
           rest
           .
           As
           to
           the
           
             Trallians
          
           he
           writes
           that
           
             a
             Bishop
             hath
             power
             over
             all
             beyond
             all
             government
             ,
             and
             autority
             whatsoever
             .
          
           Surely
           then
           no
           Pope
           can
           desire
           more
           then
           
             Ignatius
          
           attributes
           to
           every
           Bishop
           ,
           but
           what
           will
           become
           then
           of
           the
           Archbishops
           and
           Primates
           if
           every
           Bishop
           in
           
             Ignatius
          
           judgement
           be
           as
           supreme
           as
           a
           Pope
           ?
           To
           the
           
             Ephesians
             ,
          
           neare
           the
           very
           place
           from
           whence
           they
           fetch
           their
           proof
           for
           Episcopacy
           ,
           there
           stands
           a
           line
           that
           casts
           an
           ill
           hue
           upon
           all
           the
           
           Epistle
           ,
           
             Let
             no
             man
             erre
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           unlesse
           a
           man
           be
           within
           the
           rays
           ,
           or
           enclosure
           of
           the
           Altar
           ,
           he
           is
           depriv'd
           of
           the
           bread
           of
           life
           .
           I
           say
           not
           but
           this
           may
           be
           stretch'd
           to
           a
           figurative
           construction
           ,
           but
           yet
           it
           has
           an
           ill
           look
           ,
           especially
           being
           follow'd
           beneath
           with
           the
           mention
           of
           I
           know
           not
           what
           sacrifices
           .
           In
           the
           other
           Epistle
           to
           
             Smyrna
          
           wherein
           is
           written
           that
           they
           should
           follow
           their
           Bishop
           as
           
             Christ
          
           did
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Presbytery
          
           as
           the
           
             Apostles
             :
          
           not
           to
           speak
           of
           the
           insu●●e
           ,
           and
           ill-layd
           comparison
           ,
           this
           cited
           place
           lyes
           upon
           the
           very
           brimme
           of
           a
           noted
           corruption
           ,
           which
           had
           they
           ,
           that
           quote
           this
           passage
           ,
           ventur'd
           to
           let
           us
           read
           ,
           all
           men
           would
           have
           readily
           seen
           what
           grain
           the
           testimony
           had
           bin
           of
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           lawfull
           without
           a
           Bishop
           to
           baptize
           ,
           nor
           to
           offer
           ,
           nor
           to
           doe
           sacrifice
           .
           What
           can
           our
           Church
           make
           of
           these
           phrases
           but
           scandalous
           :
           and
           but
           a
           little
           further
           he
           plainly
           falls
           to
           contradict
           the
           Spirit
           of
           
             God
          
           in
           
             Salomon
             ,
          
           Judge
           by
           the
           words
           themselvs
           .
           My
           Son
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           honour
           
             God
          
           &
           the
           King
           ;
           but
           I
           say
           ,
           honour
           
             God
          
           and
           the
           Bishop
           as
           High-priest
           ,
           bearing
           the
           image
           of
           
             God
          
           according
           to
           his
           ruling
           ,
           and
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           according
           to
           his
           Priesting
           ,
           and
           after
           him
           honour
           the
           King
           .
           Excellent
           
             Ignatius
             !
          
           can
           ye
           blame
           the
           
             Prelates
          
           for
           making
           much
           of
           this
           Epistle
           ?
           Certainly
           if
           this
           Epistle
           can
           serve
           you
           to
           set
           a
           Bishop
           above
           a
           
             Presbyter
             ,
          
           it
           may
           serve
           you
           next
           to
           set
           him
           above
           a
           King
           .
           These
           ,
           and
           other
           like
           places
           in
           abundance
           through
           all
           those
           short
           Epistles
           must
           either
           be
           adulterat
           ,
           or
           else
           
             Ignatius
          
           was
           not
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           nor
           a
           Martyr
           ,
           but
           most
           adulterate
           ,
           and
           corrupt
           himselfe
           .
           In
           the
           midst
           therfore
           of
           so
           many
           forgeries
           where
           shall
           we
           fixe
           to
           dare
           say
           this
           is
           
             Ignatius
             ?
          
           as
           for
           his
           stile
           who
           knows
           it
           ?
           so
           disfigur'd
           
           and
           interrupted
           as
           it
           is
           ,
           except
           they
           think
           that
           where
           they
           meet
           with
           any
           thing
           found
           ,
           and
           orthodoxal
           ,
           there
           they
           find
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           and
           then
           they
           beleeve
           him
           not
           for
           his
           own
           authority
           ,
           but
           for
           a
           truths
           sake
           ,
           which
           they
           derive
           from
           els
           where
           :
           to
           what
           end
           then
           should
           they
           cite
           him
           as
           authentick
           for
           Episcopacie
           ,
           when
           they
           cannot
           know
           what
           is
           authentick
           in
           him
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           judgement
           which
           they
           brought
           with
           them
           ,
           &
           not
           by
           any
           
             judgement
          
           which
           they
           might
           safely
           learne
           from
           him
           .
           How
           can
           they
           bring
           satisfaction
           frō
           such
           an
           Author
           ,
           to
           whose
           very
           essence
           the
           Reader
           must
           be
           fain
           to
           contribute
           his
           own
           understanding
           .
           Had
           
             God
          
           ever
           intended
           that
           we
           should
           have
           sought
           any
           part
           of
           usefull
           instruction
           frōIgnatius
           
             ,
          
           doubtles
           he
           would
           not
           have
           so
           ill
           provided
           for
           our
           knowledge
           ,
           as
           to
           send
           him
           to
           our
           hands
           in
           this
           broken
           and
           disjoynted
           plight
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           intended
           no
           such
           thing
           ,
           we
           doe
           injuriously
           in
           thinking
           to
           tast
           better
           the
           pure
           Euangelick
           Manna
           by
           seasoning
           our
           mouths
           with
           the
           tainted
           scraps
           ,
           and
           fragments
           of
           an
           unknown
           table
           ;
           and
           searching
           among
           the
           verminous
           ,
           and
           polluted
           rags
           dropt
           overworn
           from
           the
           toyling
           shoulders
           of
           Time
           ,
           with
           these
           deformedly
           to
           quilt
           ,
           and
           interlace
           the
           intire
           ,
           the
           spotlesse
           ,
           and
           undecaying
           robe
           of
           Truth
           ,
           the
           daughter
           not
           of
           Time
           ,
           but
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           only
           bred
           up
           heer
           below
           in
           Christian
           hearts
           ,
           between
           two
           grave
           &
           holy
           nurses
           the
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Next
           follows
           
             Irenaeus
          
           Bishop
           of
           
             Lions
             ,
          
           who
           is
           cited
           
           to
           affirm
           
             that
             Polycarpus
             was
             made
             Bishop
             of
             Smyrna
             by
             the
             Apostles
             :
          
           and
           this
           it
           may
           seem
           ,
           none
           could
           better
           tell
           then
           he
           who
           had
           both
           seen
           and
           heard
           
             Polycarpus
             :
          
           but
           when
           did
           he
           heare
           him
           ?
           himselfe
           confesses
           to
           
             Florinus
             ,
          
           when
           he
           was
           a
           Boy
           .
           Whether
           
           that
           age
           in
           
             Irenaeus
          
           may
           not
           be
           liable
           to
           many
           mistakings
           ;
           and
           whether
           a
           Boy
           may
           be
           trusted
           to
           take
           an
           exact
           account
           of
           the
           manner
           of
           a
           Church
           constitution
           ,
           and
           upon
           what
           terms
           ,
           and
           within
           what
           limits
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           kind
           of
           Commission
           
             Polycarpus
          
           receiv'd
           his
           charge
           ,
           let
           a
           man
           consider
           ,
           ere
           he
           be
           〈◊〉
           .
           It
           will
           not
           be
           deny'd
           that
           he
           might
           have
           seen
           
             Polycarpus
          
           in
           his
           youth
           a
           man
           of
           great
           eminence
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           other
           
             Presbyters
          
           might
           give
           way
           for
           his
           
             vertue
             ,
             wisdome
             ,
          
           and
           the
           reverence
           of
           his
           age
           and
           so
           did
           
             Amcetus
          
           Bishop
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           even
           in
           his
           own
           City
           ,
           give
           him
           a
           kind
           of
           priority
           inadministring
           the
           Sacrament
           ;
           as
           may
           be
           read
           in
           
             Eusebius
             :
          
           but
           that
           we
           should
           hence
           conclude
           a
           distinct
           ,
           and
           superior
           order
           from
           the
           young
           observation
           of
           
             Irenaeus
             ,
          
           nothing
           yet
           alledg'd
           can
           warrant
           us
           ,
           unlesse
           we
           shall
           beleeve
           such
           as
           would
           face
           us
           down
           ,
           that
           
             Calvin
             ,
          
           and
           after
           him
           
             Beza
          
           were
           Bishops
           of
           
             Geneva
             ,
          
           because
           that
           in
           the
           unsetl'd
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           while
           things
           were
           not
           fully
           compos'd
           ,
           their
           worth
           ,
           and
           learning
           cast
           a
           greater
           share
           of
           businesse
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           directed
           mens
           eyes
           principally
           towards
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           these
           men
           were
           the
           dissolvers
           of
           Episcopacie
           .
           We
           see
           the
           same
           necessity
           in
           state
           affaires
           
             Brutns
          
           that
           expell'd
           the
           Kings
           out
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           was
           for
           the
           time
           forc't
           to
           be
           as
           it
           were
           a
           King
           himself
           ,
           till
           matters
           were
           set
           in
           order
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           free
           Common-wealth
           .
           He
           that
           had
           seen
           
             Pericles
          
           lead
           the
           Athenians
           which
           way
           he
           listed
           ,
           haply
           would
           have
           said
           he
           had
           bin
           their
           Prince
           ,
           and
           yet
           he
           was
           but
           a
           powerfull
           and
           eloquent
           man
           in
           a
           Democratie
           ,
           and
           had
           no
           more
           at
           any
           time
           then
           a
           Temporary
           ,
           and
           elective
           sway
           ,
           which
           was
           in
           the
           will
           of
           the
           people
           when
           to
           abrogate
           .
           
           And
           it
           is
           most
           likely
           that
           in
           the
           Church
           they
           which
           came
           after
           these
           Apostolick
           men
           being
           lesse
           in
           merit
           ,
           but
           bigger
           in
           ambition
           ,
           strove
           to
           invade
           those
           priviledges
           by
           intrusion
           and
           plea
           of
           right
           ,
           which
           
             Polycarpus
             ,
          
           and
           others
           like
           him
           possest
           from
           the
           voluntary
           surrender
           of
           men
           subdu'd
           by
           the
           excellencie
           of
           their
           heavenly
           gifts
           ,
           which
           because
           their
           Successors
           had
           not
           ,
           and
           so
           could
           neither
           have
           that
           autority
           ,
           it
           was
           their
           policy
           to
           divulge
           that
           the
           eminence
           which
           
             Polycarpus
          
           and
           his
           equalls
           enjoy'd
           ,
           was
           by
           right
           of
           constitution
           ,
           not
           by
           free
           wil
           of
           condiscending
           .
           And
           yet
           thus
           farre
           
             Irenaeus
          
           makes
           against
           them
           as
           in
           that
           very
           place
           to
           call
           
             Polycarpus
          
           an
           Apostolicall
           
             Presbyter
             .
          
           But
           what
           fidelity
           his
           relations
           had
           in
           generall
           ,
           we
           cannot
           sooner
           learn
           then
           by
           
             Eusebius
             ,
          
           who
           neer
           the
           end
           of
           his
           third
           Book
           ,
           speaking
           of
           
             Papias
          
           a
           very
           ancient
           writer
           ,
           one
           that
           had
           heard
           St.
           
             Iohn
             ,
          
           and
           was
           known
           to
           many
           that
           had
           seen
           ,
           and
           bin
           acquainted
           with
           others
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           but
           being
           of
           a
           shallow
           wit
           ,
           and
           not
           understanding
           those
           traditions
           which
           he
           receiv'd
           ,
           fill'd
           his
           writings
           with
           many
           new
           doctrines
           ,
           and
           fabulous
           conceits
           ,
           he
           tells
           us
           there
           ,
           that
           divers
           Ecclesiasticall
           men
           ,
           and
           
             Irenaeus
          
           among
           the
           rest
           ,
           while
           they
           lookt
           at
           his
           antiquity
           ,
           became
           infected
           with
           his
           errors
           .
           Now
           if
           
             Irenaeus
          
           were
           so
           rash
           as
           to
           take
           unexamin'd
           opinions
           from
           an
           Author
           of
           so
           small
           capacity
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           a
           man
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           more
           rash
           our selves
           to
           rely
           upon
           those
           observations
           which
           he
           made
           when
           he
           was
           a
           Boy
           .
           And
           this
           may
           be
           a
           sufficient
           reason
           to
           us
           why
           we
           need
           no
           longer
           muse
           at
           the
           spreading
           of
           many
           idle
           traditions
           so
           soon
           after
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           whilst
           such
           as
           this
           
             Papias
          
           had
           the
           throwing
           them
           about
           ,
           and
           the
           inconsiderate
           zeal
           of
           the
           
           next
           age
           ,
           that
           heeded
           more
           the
           person
           ,
           then
           the
           Doctrine
           ,
           had
           the
           gathering
           them
           up
           .
           Where
           ever
           a
           man
           ,
           who
           had
           bin
           any
           away
           conversant
           with
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           was
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           thether
           slew
           all
           the
           inquisitive
           eares
           ,
           the
           exercise
           of
           right
           instructing
           was
           chang'd
           into
           the
           curiosity
           of
           impertinent
           fabling
           :
           where
           the
           mind
           was
           to
           be
           edified
           with
           solid
           
             Doctrine
             ,
          
           there
           the
           fancy
           was
           sooth'd
           with
           solemne
           stories
           :
           with
           lesse
           fervency
           was
           studied
           what
           Saint
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           or
           Saint
           
             Iohn
          
           had
           written
           then
           was
           listen'd
           to
           one
           that
           could
           say
           here
           hee
           taught
           ,
           here
           he
           stood
           ,
           this
           was
           his
           stature
           ,
           and
           thus
           he
           went
           habited
           ,
           and
           O
           happy
           this
           house
           that
           harbour'd
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           cold
           stone
           whereon
           he
           rested
           ,
           this
           Village
           wherein
           he
           wrought
           such
           a
           miracle
           ,
           and
           that
           pavement
           bedew'd
           with
           the
           warme
           effusion
           of
           his
           last
           blood
           ,
           that
           sprouted
           up
           into
           eternall
           Roses
           to
           crowne
           his
           Martyrdome
           .
           Thus
           while
           all
           their
           thoughts
           were
           powr'd
           out
           upon
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           the
           gazing
           after
           such
           men
           as
           had
           sate
           at
           table
           with
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           (
           many
           of
           which
           
             Christ
          
           hath
           profest
           ,
           yea
           thoughthey
           had
           cast
           out
           Divells
           in
           his
           name
           ,
           he
           will
           not
           know
           at
           the
           last
           day
           )
           by
           this
           meanes
           they
           lost
           their
           time
           ,
           and
           truanted
           in
           the
           fundamentall
           grounds
           of
           saving
           knowledge
           ,
           as
           was
           seene
           shortly
           by
           their
           writings
           .
           Lastly
           for
           
             Ireneus
             ,
          
           wee
           have
           cause
           to
           thinke
           him
           lesse
           judicious
           in
           his
           reports
           from
           hand
           to
           hand
           of
           what
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           did
           ,
           when
           we
           find
           him
           so
           negligent
           in
           keeping
           the
           
             faith
          
           which
           they
           writ
           ,
           as
           to
           say
           in
           his
           third
           Booke
           against
           Heresies
           ,
           that
           the
           obedience
           of
           
             Mary
          
           was
           the
           cause
           of
           salvation
           to
           her selfe
           ,
           and
           all
           mankind
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           fift
           Booke
           ,
           that
           as
           
             Eve
          
           was
           seduc't
           to
           fly
           
             God
             ,
          
           so
           the
           Virgin
           
             Mary
          
           was
           perswaded
           to
           obey
           
             God
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Virgin
           
           
             Mary
          
           might
           be
           made
           the
           Advocate
           of
           the
           Virgin
           
             Eve
             .
          
           Thus
           if
           
             Irenaeus
          
           for
           his
           neerenesse
           to
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           must
           be
           the
           Patron
           of
           
             Episcopacy
          
           to
           us
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           marvell
           though
           he
           be
           the
           Patron
           of
           Idolatry
           to
           the
           Papist
           ,
           for
           the
           same
           cause
           .
           To
           the
           Epistle
           of
           those
           brethren
           of
           
             Smyrna
             ,
          
           that
           write
           the
           Martyrdome
           of
           
             Polycarpus
             ,
          
           and
           stile
           him
           an
           Apostolicall
           ,
           and
           propheticall
           Doctor
           ,
           and
           Bishop
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           
             Smirna
             ,
          
           I
           could
           be
           content
           to
           give
           some
           credit
           for
           the
           great
           honour
           ,
           and
           affection
           which
           I
           see
           those
           brethren
           beare
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           undeservedly
           if
           it
           be
           true
           which
           they
           there
           say
           that
           he
           was
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           voyce
           from
           Heaven
           to
           comfort
           him
           at
           his
           death
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           heare
           ,
           but
           the
           rest
           could
           not
           for
           the
           noise
           ,
           and
           tumult
           that
           was
           in
           the
           place
           ,
           and
           besides
           if
           his
           body
           were
           so
           pretious
           to
           the
           Christians
           ,
           that
           hee
           was
           never
           wont
           to
           pull
           off
           his
           shooes
           for
           one
           or
           other
           that
           still
           strove
           to
           have
           the
           office
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           come
           to
           touch
           his
           feet
           ,
           yet
           a
           light
           scruple
           or
           two
           I
           would
           gladly
           be
           resolv'd
           in
           ;
           if
           
             Polycarpus
          
           (
           who
           ,
           as
           they
           say
           ,
           was
           a
           
             Prophet
          
           that
           never
           faild
           in
           what
           he
           foretold
           )
           had
           declar'd
           to
           his
           friends
           ,
           that
           he
           knew
           by
           vision
           ,
           hee
           should
           die
           no
           other
           death
           then
           burning
           ,
           how
           it
           came
           to
           passe
           that
           the
           fire
           when
           it
           came
           to
           proofe
           ,
           would
           not
           doe
           his
           worke
           ,
           but
           starting
           off
           like
           a
           full
           saile
           from
           the
           mast
           ,
           did
           but
           reflect
           a
           golden
           light
           upon
           his
           unviolated
           limbes
           exhaling
           such
           a
           sweet
           odour
           ,
           as
           if
           all
           the
           incense
           of
           
             Arabia
          
           had
           bin
           burning
           ,
           in
           so
           much
           that
           when
           the
           bill-men
           saw
           that
           the
           fire
           was
           overaw'd
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           doe
           the
           deed
           ,
           one
           of
           them
           steps
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           stabs
           him
           with
           a
           sword
           ,
           at
           which
           wound
           such
           abundance
           of
           bloud
           gusht
           forth
           as
           quencht
           the
           fire
           .
           By
           all
           this
           relation
           
           it
           appeares
           not
           ,
           how
           the
           fire
           was
           guilty
           of
           his
           death
           ,
           and
           then
           how
           can
           his
           prophesie
           bee
           fulfill'd
           ?
           Next
           how
           the
           standers
           by
           could
           be
           so
           soone
           weary
           of
           such
           a
           glorious
           sight
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           fragrant
           smell
           ,
           as
           to
           hasten
           the
           executioner
           to
           put
           out
           the
           fire
           with
           the
           Martyrs
           blood
           ,
           unlesse
           perhaps
           they
           thought
           ,
           as
           in
           all
           perfumes
           ,
           that
           the
           Smoake
           would
           bee
           more
           odorous
           then
           the
           flame
           ?
           Yet
           these
           good
           brethren
           say
           he
           was
           Bishop
           of
           
             Smyrna
             .
          
           No
           man
           questions
           it
           ,
           if
           Bishop
           ,
           and
           
             Presbyter
          
           were
           anciently
           all
           one
           ,
           and
           how
           does
           it
           appeare
           by
           any
           thing
           in
           this
           testimony
           that
           they
           were
           not
           ?
           If
           among
           his
           other
           high
           titles
           of
           propheticall
           ,
           Apostolicall
           ,
           and
           most
           admired
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           he
           bee
           also
           stil'd
           Bishop
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Smirna
          
           in
           a
           kind
           of
           speech
           ,
           which
           the
           Rhetoricians
           call
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           for
           his
           excellence
           sake
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           most
           famous
           of
           all
           the
           
             Smyrnian
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           it
           cannot
           bee
           prov'd
           neither
           from
           this
           nor
           that
           other
           place
           of
           
             Irenaeus
             ,
          
           that
           hee
           was
           therefore
           in
           distinct
           ,
           and
           monarchicall
           order
           above
           the
           other
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           it
           is
           more
           probable
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           whole
           
             Presbytery
          
           had
           beene
           as
           renowned
           as
           he
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           term'd
           every
           one
           of
           them
           severally
           Bishop
           of
           
             Smyrna
             .
          
           Hence
           it
           is
           that
           wee
           read
           sometimes
           of
           two
           Bishops
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           and
           had
           all
           the
           
             Presbyters
          
           there
           beene
           of
           like
           worth
           ,
           we
           might
           perhaps
           have
           read
           of
           twenty
           .
        
         
           
             Tertullian
          
           accosts
           us
           next
           (
           for
           
             Polycrates
          
           hath
           had
           his
           answer
           )
           whose
           testimony
           ,
           state
           but
           the
           question
           right
           ,
           is
           of
           no
           more
           force
           to
           deduce
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           then
           the
           two
           former
           .
           He
           saies
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Smirna
          
           had
           
             Polycarpus
          
           plac't
           there
           by
           
             Iohn
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             Clement
          
           ordain'd
           by
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           and
           so
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Churches
           did
           shew
           ,
           what
           Bishops
           they
           had
           
           receiv'd
           by
           the
           appointmēt
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
             .
          
           None
           of
           this
           will
           be
           contradicted
           ,
           for
           we
           have
           it
           out
           of
           the
           Scripture
           that
           Bishops
           or
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           which
           were
           the
           same
           ,
           were
           left
           by
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           in
           every
           Church
           ,
           and
           they
           might
           perhaps
           give
           some
           speciall
           charge
           to
           
             Clement
             ,
          
           or
           
             Polycarpus
             ,
          
           or
           
             Linus
             ,
          
           and
           put
           some
           speciall
           trust
           in
           them
           for
           the
           experience
           they
           had
           of
           their
           faith
           ,
           and
           constancy
           ;
           it
           remaines
           yet
           to
           be
           evinc't
           out
           of
           this
           and
           the
           like
           places
           ,
           which
           will
           never
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           word
           Bishop
           is
           otherwise
           taken
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           language
           of
           Saint
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Acts
             ,
          
           for
           an
           order
           above
           
             Presbyters
             .
          
           We
           grant
           them
           Bishops
           ,
           we
           grant
           them
           worthy
           men
           ,
           we
           grant
           them
           plac't
           in
           severall
           Churches
           by
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           we
           grant
           that
           
             Irenaeus
             ,
          
           and
           
             Tertul
             :
          
           affirme
           this
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           were
           plac't
           in
           a
           superiour
           Order
           above
           the
           
             Presbytery
             ,
          
           shew
           from
           all
           these
           words
           why
           we
           should
           grant
           .
           'T
           is
           not
           enough
           to
           say
           the
           
             Ap
             :
          
           left
           this
           man
           Bishop
           in
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           &
           that
           other
           in
           
             Ephesus
             ,
          
           but
           to
           shew
           when
           they
           alterd
           their
           owne
           decree
           set
           downe
           by
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           and
           made
           all
           the
           
             Presbyters
          
           underlings
           to
           one
           Bishop
           .
           But
           suppose
           
             Tertullian
          
           had
           made
           an
           imparity
           where
           none
           was
           originally
           ,
           should
           hee
           move
           us
           ,
           that
           goes
           about
           to
           prove
           an
           imparity
           betweene
           
             God
          
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           
             God
          
           the
           Sonne
           ,
           as
           these
           words
           import
           in
           his
           Booke
           against
           
             Praxeas
             .
          
           The
           Father
           is
           the
           whole
           substance
           ,
           but
           the
           Son
           a
           derivation
           ,
           and
           portion
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           as
           he
           himselfe
           professes
           because
           the
           Father
           is
           greater
           then
           me
           .
           Beleeve
           him
           now
           for
           a
           faithfull
           relater
           of
           tradition
           ,
           whom
           you
           see
           such
           an
           unfaithfull
           expounder
           of
           the
           Scripture
           .
           besides
           in
           his
           time
           all
           allowable
           tradition
           was
           now
           lost
           .
           For
           this
           same
           Author
           whom
           you
           bring
           to
           testifie
           the
           ordination
           of
           
             Clement
          
           to
           the
           Bishoprick
           
           of
           
             Rome
          
           by
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           testifies
           also
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           his
           treatise
           concerning
           Chastity
           ,
           that
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           did
           then
           use
           to
           send
           forth
           his
           edicts
           by
           the
           name
           of
           
             Pontifex
             Maximus
             ,
          
           and
           
             Episcopus
             Episcoporum
          
           chief
           Priest
           ,
           and
           Bishop
           of
           Bishops
           .
           For
           shame
           then
           doe
           not
           urge
           that
           authority
           to
           keepe
           up
           a
           Bishop
           ,
           that
           will
           necessarily
           ingage
           you
           to
           set
           up
           a
           
             Pope
             .
          
           As
           little
           can
           your
           advantage
           bee
           from
           
             Hegesippus
          
           an
           Historian
           of
           the
           same
           time
           not
           extant
           ,
           but
           cited
           by
           
             Eusebius
             ,
          
           his
           words
           are
           ,
           that
           in
           every
           City
           all
           things
           so
           stood
           in
           his
           time
           as
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Prophets
             ,
          
           and
           our
           Lord
           did
           preach
           .
           If
           they
           stood
           so
           ,
           then
           stood
           not
           Bishops
           above
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           for
           what
           our
           Lord
           ,
           and
           his
           Disciples
           taught
           ,
           
             God
          
           be
           thanked
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           need
           to
           goe
           learne
           of
           him
           :
           and
           you
           may
           as
           well
           hope
           to
           perswade
           us
           out
           of
           the
           same
           Author
           ,
           that
           
             James
          
           the
           brother
           of
           our
           Lord
           was
           a
           
             Nazarite
             ,
          
           and
           that
           to
           him
           only
           it
           was
           lawfull
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           holy
           of
           Holies
           ,
           that
           his
           food
           was
           not
           upon
           any
           thing
           that
           had
           life
           ,
           fish
           ,
           or
           flesh
           ,
           that
           he
           us'd
           no
           wollen
           garments
           ,
           but
           onely
           linnen
           ,
           and
           so
           as
           he
           trifles
           on
           .
        
         
           If
           therefore
           the
           tradition
           of
           the
           Church
           were
           now
           grown
           so
           ridiculous
           ,
           &
           disconsenting
           from
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           even
           in
           those
           points
           which
           were
           of
           lest
           moment
           to
           mens
           particular
           ends
           ,
           how
           well
           may
           we
           be
           assur'd
           it
           was
           much
           more
           degenerated
           in
           point
           of
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           and
           precedency
           ,
           things
           which
           could
           affor'd
           such
           plausible
           pretenses
           ,
           such
           commodious
           traverses
           for
           ambition
           ,
           and
           Avarice
           to
           lvrke
           behind
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           those
           
             Brittaine
          
           Bishops
           which
           you
           cite
           ,
           
           take
           heed
           what
           you
           doe
           ,
           for
           our
           
             Brittaine
          
           Bishops
           lesse
           ancient
           then
           these
           ,
           were
           remarkable
           for
           nothing
           
           more
           then
           their
           poverty
           ,
           as
           
             Sulp
             Severus
             ,
          
           and
           
             Beda
          
           can
           remember
           you
           of
           examples
           good
           store
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           (
           for
           the
           fabulous
           
             Metaphrastes
          
           is
           not
           
           worth
           an
           answer
           )
           that
           authority
           of
           
             Clemens
             Alexandrinus
          
           is
           not
           to
           be
           found
           in
           all
           his
           workes
           ,
           and
           wherever
           it
           be
           extant
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           controversie
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           
             Clements
          
           or
           no
           ;
           or
           if
           it
           were
           it
           sayes
           onely
           that
           Saint
           
             Iohn
          
           in
           some
           places
           constituted
           Bishops
           :
           questionlesse
           he
           did
           ,
           but
           where
           does
           
             Clement
          
           say
           he
           set
           them
           above
           
             Presbyters
             ?
          
           no
           man
           will
           gaine-say
           the
           constitution
           of
           
             Bishops
             ,
          
           but
           the
           raising
           them
           to
           a
           superiour
           ,
           and
           distinct
           order
           above
           
             Presbyters
             ,
          
           seeing
           the
           Gospell
           makes
           them
           one
           and
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           a
           thousand
           such
           allegations
           as
           these
           will
           not
           give
           Prelaticall
           
             Episcopacy
             ,
          
           one
           Chapell
           of
           ease
           above
           a
           Parish
           Church
           .
           And
           thus
           much
           for
           this
           cloud
           I
           cannot
           say
           rather
           then
           petty-fog
           of
           witnesses
           ,
           with
           which
           Episcopall
           men
           would
           cast
           a
           mist
           before
           us
           ,
           to
           deduce
           their
           exalted
           
             Episcopacy
          
           from
           Apostolick
           times
           .
           Now
           although
           ,
           as
           all
           men
           well
           know
           ,
           it
           be
           the
           wonted
           shift
           of
           errour
           ,
           and
           fond
           Opinion
           ,
           when
           they
           find
           themselves
           outlaw'd
           by
           the
           Bible
           ,
           and
           forsaken
           of
           sound
           reason
           ,
           to
           betake
           them
           with
           all
           speed
           to
           their
           old
           starting
           hole
           of
           tradition
           ,
           and
           that
           wild
           ,
           and
           overgrowne
           Covert
           of
           antiquity
           thinking
           to
           farme
           there
           at
           large
           roome
           ,
           and
           find
           good
           stabling
           ,
           yet
           thus
           much
           their
           owne
           dêify'de
           antiquity
           betrayes
           them
           ,
           to
           informe
           us
           that
           Tradition
           hath
           had
           very
           seldome
           or
           never
           the
           gift
           of
           perswasion
           ;
           as
           that
           which
           Church
           Histories
           report
           of
           those
           
             East
             ,
          
           and
           
             Western
             Paschalists
          
           formerly
           spoken
           of
           will
           declare
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           thought
           that
           
             Polycarpus
          
           on
           the
           one
           side
           could
           have
           err'd
           in
           what
           he
           saw
           Saint
           
             Iohn
          
           doe
           ,
           
           or
           
             Anicetus
          
           Bishop
           of
           
             Rome
          
           on
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           in
           what
           he
           or
           some
           of
           his
           friends
           might
           pretend
           to
           have
           seene
           Saint
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           or
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           doe
           ,
           and
           yet
           neither
           of
           these
           could
           perswade
           either
           when
           to
           keep
           E●ster
           ;
           The
           like
           frivolous
           contention
           troubled
           the
           Primitive
           English
           Churches
           ,
           while
           
             Colmanus
             〈◊〉
             Wilfride
          
           on
           either
           side
           deducing
           their
           opinion
           〈◊〉
           the
           one
           from
           the
           undeniable
           example
           of
           Saint
           
             Iohn
             ,
          
           and
           the
           learned
           Bishop
           
             Anatolius
             ,
          
           and
           la●●●
           the
           miraculous
           
             Columba
          
           the
           other
           from
           Saint
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Nicene
          
           Councell
           could
           gaine
           no
           ground
           each
           of
           other
           till
           King
           
             Oswy
          
           perceiving
           no
           likelihood
           of
           ending
           the
           Controversie
           that
           way
           ,
           was
           faine
           to
           decide
           it
           himselfe
           good
           King
           ,
           with
           that
           small
           knowledge
           ,
           wherewith
           those
           times
           had
           furnisht
           him
           .
           So
           when
           those
           pious
           Greek
           
             Emperours
          
           began
           ,
           as
           
             Cedrenus
          
           relates
           ,
           to
           put
           downe
           Monks
           ,
           and
           abolish
           Images
           ,
           the
           old
           Idolaters
           finding
           themselves
           blasted
           ,
           and
           driven
           back
           by
           the
           prevailing
           light
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           sent
           out
           their
           sturdy
           
             Monks
          
           call'd
           the
           
             Abramites
             ,
          
           to
           alledge
           for
           images
           the
           ancient
           Fathers
           
             Dionysius
             ,
          
           and
           this
           our
           objected
           
             Irenaus
             ,
          
           nay
           they
           were
           so
           high
           flowne
           in
           their
           antiquity
           ,
           that
           they
           undertooke
           to
           bring
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           and
           
             Luke
          
           the
           
             Evangelist
             ,
          
           yea
           
             Christ
          
           himselfe
           ,
           from
           certaine
           records
           that
           were
           then
           current
           ,
           to
           patronize
           their
           Idolatry
           ,
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           the
           worthy
           Emperour
           
             Theophilus
             ,
          
           even
           in
           those
           darke
           times
           chose
           rather
           to
           nourish
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           his
           people
           with
           the
           sincere
           milke
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           then
           to
           drinke
           from
           the
           mixt
           confluence
           of
           so
           many
           corrupt
           ,
           and
           poysonous
           waters
           ,
           as
           tradition
           would
           have
           perswaded
           him
           to
           by
           most
           ancient
           seeming
           authorities
           :
           In
           like
           manner
           all
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           abroad
           
           unthroning
           
             Episcopacy
          
           doubtlesse
           were
           not
           ignorant
           of
           these
           testimonies
           alledg'd
           to
           draw
           it
           in
           a
           line
           from
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           dayes
           ,
           for
           surely
           the
           Author
           will
           not
           thinke
           he
           hath
           brought
           us
           now
           any
           new
           authorities
           ,
           or
           considerations
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           which
           the
           Reformers
           in
           other
           places
           were
           not
           advis'd
           of
           ,
           and
           yet
           we
           see
           ,
           the
           intercession
           of
           all
           these
           Apostolick
           Fathers
           could
           not
           prevaile
           with
           them
           to
           alter
           their
           resolved
           decree
           of
           reducing
           into
           Order
           their
           usurping
           ,
           and
           over
           provender'd
           
             Episcopants
             :
          
           and
           
             God
          
           hath
           blest
           their
           worke
           this
           hunder'd
           yeares
           ,
           with
           a
           prosperous
           and
           stedfast
           ,
           and
           still
           happy
           successe
           .
           And
           this
           may
           serve
           to
           prove
           the
           insufficiency
           of
           these
           present
           
             Episcopall
          
           Testimonies
           not
           only
           in
           themselves
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           account
           of
           those
           ever
           that
           have
           beene
           the
           followers
           of
           truth
           .
           It
           will
           next
           behoove
           us
           to
           consider
           the
           inconvenience
           we
           fall
           into
           ,
           by
           using
           our selves
           to
           bee
           guided
           by
           these
           kind
           of
           Testimonies
           .
           He
           that
           thinks
           it
           the
           part
           of
           a
           well
           learned
           man
           ,
           to
           have
           read
           diligently
           the
           ancient
           stories
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           no
           stranger
           in
           the
           volumes
           of
           the
           Fathers
           shall
           have
           all
           judicious
           men
           consenting
           with
           him
           ;
           not
           hereby
           to
           controule
           ,
           and
           new
           fangle
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           
             God
          
           forbid
           ,
           but
           to
           marke
           how
           corruption
           ,
           and
           
             Apostacy
          
           crept
           in
           by
           degrees
           ,
           and
           to
           gather
           up
           ,
           where
           ever
           wee
           find
           the
           remaining
           sparks
           of
           Originall
           truth
           ,
           wherewith
           to
           stop
           the
           mouthes
           of
           our
           adversaries
           ,
           and
           to
           bridle
           them
           with
           their
           own
           curb
           ,
           who
           willingly
           passe
           by
           that
           which
           is
           Orthodoxall
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           studiously
           cull
           out
           that
           which
           is
           commentitious
           ,
           and
           best
           for
           their
           turnes
           ,
           not
           weighing
           the
           Fathers
           in
           the
           ballance
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           but
           Scripture
           in
           the
           ballance
           of
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           if
           wee
           therefore
           
           making
           first
           the
           Gospell
           our
           rule
           ,
           and
           Oracle
           shall
           take
           the
           good
           which
           wee
           light
           on
           in
           the
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           set
           it
           to
           oppose
           the
           evill
           which
           other
           men
           seek
           from
           them
           ,
           in
           this
           way
           of
           Skirmish
           wee
           shall
           easily
           master
           all
           superstition
           ,
           and
           false
           doctrine
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           turne
           this
           our
           discreet
           ,
           and
           wary
           usage
           of
           them
           into
           a
           blind
           devotion
           towards
           them
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           we
           find
           written
           by
           them
           ,
           wee
           both
           forsake
           our
           owne
           grounds
           ,
           and
           reasons
           which
           led
           us
           at
           first
           to
           part
           from
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           hold
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           against
           all
           antiquity
           ;
           wee
           remove
           our
           cause
           into
           our
           adversaries
           owne
           Court
           ,
           and
           take
           up
           there
           those
           cast
           principles
           which
           will
           soone
           cause
           us
           to
           soder
           up
           with
           them
           againe
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           as
           beleeving
           antiquity
           for
           it self
           in
           any
           one
           point
           ,
           we
           bring
           an
           ingagement
           upon
           our selves
           of
           assenting
           to
           all
           that
           it
           charges
           upon
           us
           .
           For
           suppose
           we
           should
           now
           neglecting
           that
           which
           is
           cleare
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           a
           Bishop
           and
           
             Presbyter
          
           is
           all
           one
           both
           in
           name
           ,
           and
           office
           ,
           and
           that
           what
           was
           done
           by
           
             Timothy
             ,
          
           and
           
             Titus
          
           executing
           an
           extraordinary
           place
           ,
           as
           fellow
           labourers
           with
           the
           
             Apostles
             ,
          
           and
           of
           a
           universall
           charge
           in
           planting
           Christianity
           through
           divers
           regions
           ,
           cannot
           be
           drawne
           into
           particular
           ,
           and
           dayly
           example
           ,
           suppose
           that
           neglecting
           this
           cleerenesse
           of
           the
           text
           ,
           we
           should
           by
           the
           uncertaine
           ,
           and
           corrupted
           writings
           of
           succeeding
           times
           ,
           determine
           that
           Bishop
           and
           
             Presbyter
          
           are
           different
           ,
           because
           we
           dare
           not
           deny
           what
           
             Ignatius
          
           or
           rather
           the
           
             Perkin
             Warbeck
          
           of
           
             Ignatius
          
           sayes
           ,
           then
           must
           we
           bee
           constrain'd
           to
           take
           upon
           our selves
           a
           thousand
           superstitions
           ,
           and
           falsities
           which
           the
           Papist
           will
           prove
           us
           downe
           in
           from
           as
           good
           authorities
           ,
           and
           as
           ancient
           ,
           as
           these
           that
           set
           a
           Bishop
           above
           a
           
             Presbyter
             .
          
           And
           the
           
           plaine
           truth
           is
           that
           when
           any
           of
           our
           men
           of
           those
           that
           are
           wedded
           to
           antiquity
           come
           to
           dispute
           with
           a
           Papist
           ,
           and
           leaving
           the
           Scriptures
           put
           themselves
           without
           appeale
           to
           the
           sentence
           of
           
             Synods
             ,
          
           and
           Councells
           ,
           using
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           
             Sion
          
           the
           hir'd
           souldjary
           of
           revolted
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           where
           they
           give
           the
           
             Romanist
          
           one
           buff●
           ,
           they
           receive
           two
           counterbuffs
           .
           Were
           it
           therefore
           but
           in
           this
           regard
           ,
           every
           true
           Bishop
           should
           be
           afraid
           to
           conquer
           in
           his
           cause
           by
           such
           authorities
           as
           these
           ,
           which
           if
           we
           admit
           for
           the
           authorities
           sake
           ,
           we
           open
           a
           broad
           passage
           for
           a
           multitude
           of
           Doctrines
           that
           have
           no
           ground
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           to
           break
           in
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           I
           doe
           not
           know
           ,
           it
           being
           undeniable
           that
           there
           are
           but
           two
           Ecclesiasticall
           Orders
           ,
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           Deacons
           mention'd
           in
           the
           
             Gospell
             ,
          
           how
           it
           can
           be
           lesse
           then
           impiery
           to
           make
           a
           demurre
           at
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           there
           so
           perspicuous
           ,
           confronting
           ,
           and
           parallelling
           the
           sacred
           verity
           of
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           with
           the
           offalls
           ,
           and
           sweepings
           of
           antiquity
           that
           met
           as
           accidentally
           and
           absurdly
           ,
           as
           
             Epicurus
          
           his
           atoms
           to
           patch
           up
           a
           Leucippean
           
             Ignatius
             ,
          
           enclining
           rather
           to
           make
           this
           phantasme
           an
           expounder
           ,
           or
           indeed
           a
           depraver
           of
           Saint
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           then
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           an
           examiner
           ,
           and
           discoverer
           of
           this
           impostorship
           ,
           nor
           caring
           how
           slightly
           they
           put
           off
           the
           verdit
           of
           holy
           Text
           unsalv'd
           ,
           that
           sayes
           plainely
           there
           bee
           but
           two
           orders
           ,
           so
           they
           maintaine
           the
           reputation
           of
           their
           imaginary
           Doctor
           that
           proclaimes
           three
           :
           certainly
           if
           
             Christs
          
           Apostle
           have
           set
           downe
           but
           two
           ,
           then
           according
           to
           his
           owne
           words
           ,
           though
           hee
           himselfe
           should
           unsay
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           onely
           the
           Angell
           of
           
             Smyrna
             ,
          
           but
           an
           Angell
           from
           Heaven
           should
           beare
           us
           downe
           that
           there
           bee
           three
           ,
           Saint
           
             Paul
          
           has
           doom'd
           him
           
           twise
           ,
           let
           him
           be
           accur'st
           ,
           for
           
             Christ
          
           hath
           pronounc't
           that
           no
           tittle
           of
           his
           word
           shall
           fall
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           if
           one
           jot
           be
           alterable
           it
           is
           as
           possible
           that
           all
           should
           perish
           ;
           And
           this
           shall
           bee
           our
           
             righteousnes
             ,
          
           our
           ample
           warrant
           ,
           and
           strong
           assurance
           both
           now
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           last
           day
           never
           to
           be
           asham'd
           of
           ,
           against
           all
           the
           heaped
           names
           of
           Angells
           ,
           and
           Martyrs
           ,
           Councells
           ,
           and
           Fathers
           urg'd
           upon
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           have
           given
           our selves
           up
           to
           be
           taught
           by
           the
           pure
           ,
           and
           living
           precept
           of
           
             Gods
          
           word
           onely
           ,
           which
           without
           more
           additions
           ,
           nay
           with
           a
           forbidding
           of
           them
           hath
           within
           it selfe
           the
           promise
           of
           eternall
           life
           ,
           the
           end
           of
           all
           our
           wearisome
           labours
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           sustaining
           hopes
           .
           But
           if
           any
           shall
           strive
           to
           set
           up
           his
           
             Ephod
             ,
          
           and
           
             Teraphim
          
           of
           Antiquity
           against
           the
           brightnesse
           ,
           and
           perfection
           of
           the
           
             Gospell
             ,
          
           let
           him
           feare
           lest
           he
           and
           his
           
             Baal
          
           be
           turn'd
           into
           
             Bosheth
             .
          
           And
           thus
           much
           may
           suffice
           to
           shew
           that
           the
           pretended
           
             Episcopacy
          
           cannot
           be
           deduc't
           from
           the
           
             Apostolicall
          
           TIMES
           .
        
         
           The
           End
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A50915e-120
           
             2
             Tim.
             4.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Tim.
             1.
             3.
             
          
           
             Pag.
             5.
             
          
           
             
               p
            
             Euseb.
             l.
             6.
             〈◊〉
             
          
           
             page
             8
             ,
          
           
             p.
             13.
             
          
           
             p.
             16.