Answer to the Animadversions on the Dissertations, Treatise · Chapter 7

Answer to the Animadversions on the Dissertations · Treatise · Chapter 7

p. 174CHAP. VII.

Of Metropoles and Metropolitans.

Sect. 1.

Some account of the probations produced for Epiſcopacie, foreign. The power of Metropolitans. Their relations to more Churches than one. An enumeration of Prymates, and Metropolitans.

Num. 1. HAving made this ſolemne promiſe, that I ſhould be ſo highly rewarded in caſe I produced any intimation to prove, that there was any other but ſingle particular Congregations, It was now timely remembred that I had done ſomewhat like this already, in proving the ſeven Angels of the ſeven Churches in the Revelation to be Metropolitans, and to the conſideration of that he now next proceeds, and that brings in an examination of what I have ſaid of Metropoles and Metropolitans: And it begins thus,

2. But it may be ſaid, what need we any more writing, what need we any truer proof, or teſtimony? The learned Doctor in his Diſsertations, Diſſert. 4. cap. 5. hath abundantly diſcharged this worke, and proved …he ſeven Biſhops of the ſeven Churches mentioned, Rev…l. 2. 3. to have been Metropolitans or Arch-Biſhops; ſo that no juſt cauſe remaines, why we ſhould farther contend.

Let then the Reader pardon this my utmoſt excurſion, in this digreſſion, to whoſe compaſſe I had not the leaſt thoughts of going forth at the entrance thereof, and I ſhall returne thither whence I have turned aſide.

Diſſert. 4. cap. 5. The Doctor tells us, that Septem Eccleſiarum Angeli non ta…tum Epiſcopi, ſed & Metropolitae, i e. Archi-Epiſcopi ſtatuendi ſunt, i. e principelium urbium, foreign, ad quos provinciae integrae, & in i… multarum inferiorum …bium Eccleſiae, earumque Ep…ſcopi tanquam ad Archi…p…ſcopum aut Metropolitanum pertinebant.

The Doctor in this Chapter commences per ſaltum, and taking it for granted, that he hath proved Di…ceſan Biſhops ſufficiently before, though he hath ſcarce ſpoken any one word to that purpoſe in his whole book (for to prove one ſuperintending in a Church, by the name of a Biſhop, others acting in ſome kinde of ſubordination to him, by the name of Elders, and Presbyters, upon the account of what hath been offered concerning the ſtate of the Churches in thoſe dayes, will no way reach to the maintenance p. 175of this preſumption) he ſacrifices his paines to the Metropoliticall Archi…piſcopall dignity, which as we muſt ſuppoſe is ſo clearly founded in Scripture and Antiquity, that they are as blind as Bars and Moles, who cannot ſee the ground and foundation of it.

But firſt, be it taken for granted, that the Angels of the ſeven Churches are taken for the Governors of thoſe Churches, then that each Angell be an Individuall Biſhop of the Church to which he did belong: 2 be it alſo g…anted, that they were Biſhops of the moſt eminent Church or Churches, in that province, or Roman politicall diſtribution of thoſe Countreys, in the management of the government of them, I ſay, Biſhops of ſuch Churches, not u…bium foreign (as the Doctor termes them) what a…ce is ma…e by all this to the Aſſertation of a Metropoliticall Archiep…pacy, I cannot as yet …iſ…v…r. That they were ordinary officers of Chriſts inſtitution, rel…ing in their office and ordinary diſcharge of it, not one…y to the particular Churches wherein they were placed, but to many Churches alſo no leſſe committed to their charge, than theſe wherein they did reſide, the Officers, Rulers, Go …ors, of which Churches depended on them, not onelyonly as to their advice and counſell; but as to their power and jurisdiction▪ holding their place and employment from them, is ſome part of that, which in this undertaking is incumbent on our Doctor to make good, if he will not be ſuppoſed to prevaricate in the cauſe in hand.

3. Being here called out anew to the maintaining of what I had ſaid in the Diſſert: concerning Metropoliticall Churches, and Biſhops, and having ſo lately been ingaged in the ſame taske by the exceptions of the London-Miniſters, and many objections, which here in the proceſſe of this diſcourſe are lightly propoſed, being by them formerly made, and accordingly anſwer accommodated to them, and yet farther, the maine thing which is here done, being to ſet downe many Latine paſſages, out of the Diſſert: and to deem them confuted by the bare recitall of them, upon theſe grounds I doe not foreſee that there will be any neceſſit… of making any large returnes to this laſt, but not conciſeſt part of his digreſſ…on. What had been returned to the London-Miniſters, the Reader will finde in that Vindication, Cap. 1. Sect. 16 (of which number, by the fault of the …rinter, …e will meet with two Section) and ſo on for the three ſubſequent Sections, and to the Diſſertation… themſelves, and that vi…ication of them, I ſhall willingly referre this matter▪ Yet ſhall I not o…t to gather up whatſoever I ſhall here finde …ggested, which was p. 176not there punctually ſpoken to, and of that nature here are foure things in this Paragraph.

4. Firſt that in the 5. Ch. of Diſſ: 4. I commence per ſaltum, taking it for granted, that I had proved Dioceſan Biſhops before, though ſaith he, I had ſcarce spoken one word to that purpoſe in my whole Booke. To this I anſwer, that as in the firſt Diſſertation▪ had anſwered one ſort of objections againſt Epiſcopacy, and in the whole ſecond Diſſ. aſſerted it out of Ignatius and Saint Hierome himſelfe, ſo in the third, I had deduced it from Chriſt and the Apoſtles, and I ſuppoſe laid thoſe grounds, and by all antiquity confirmed, and by anſwer of Blondel's objections vindicated them, ſo that they were competently fitted to beare that ſtructure of Epiſcopacie, which I had laid upon them; and then having in the fourth Diſſ: added to this the viſible practice of this in the hands of ſingle Governors, whether the Apoſtles in their ſevera…l foreign, or their ſucceſſors the firſt Biſhops, called ſecundarie Apoſtles, mentioned in the Scripture, and yet more particularly in the Angels of the ſeven Churches, (which being acknowledged to be the Governors of thoſe Churches, were proved to be ſingle Governors of them, which was the onelyonly thing in queſtion betwixt Blondel and me) I had ſome reaſon to hope that I might be allowed to have spoken ſome one word to that purpoſe in that Booke, before I came to prove thoſe Angels to have been Metropolitans, which he knowes was not attempted, t…ll all this of Epiſcopacie had been premiſed by me.

5. The reaſon, which he add…s in a parentheſis, why he affirmes thus expreſly, that I had ſcarce spoken one word to prove a Dioceſan Biſhop in that Booke, is the ſecond thing I am to reply to; For, ſaith he, to prove one ſuperintending in a Church by the name of Biſhop, others acting in ſome kinde of ſubordination to him under the name of Elders and Presbyters, will no way reach to the maintenance of this preſum…tion.

6. To which I anſwer, that the queſtion lying, as there it did betwixt Blondel and me, there can be no doubt, but, if I have evinced the power in every Church, to have been in the hands of a ſingle Biſhop, and either no college of Presbyters in that Church, or elſe thoſe Presbyters ſubordinate to p. 177the Biſhop (meaning by ſubordinate, ſubject to his power and authority over them) I have alſo evinced the cauſe againſt Blondel; And this I may have leave to hope is there done, till the contrary be made appeare, and here being no offer of that, but onelyonly a mention of the account of what hath been offered by the Prefacer, concerning the ſtate of the Churches in thoſe dayes, 1. that account hath already been ſhewn to have no force in it, 2. if it had, it belongs not to the controverſie, as it lay betwixt me and Blondel, but is as contrary to Blondel… pretenſions as to mine, and ſo ſtill I cannot ſee how I fell under his Animadverſion in this matter, or how I commenced per ſaltum, in doing what there I did as regularly as I could imagine.

7. The third thing is, that I call the Biſhops of the moſt eminent Churches, urbium foreign, whom he will have called Biſhops onelyonly. But of this there can be no Controverſie, the fitneſſe and propriety of words being to be judged from the uſe of them, and the caſe being cleare, that a Metropolitan, eſpecially a Primate, was called foreign in the antient Councels and **foreign Cod….Church-writings, and from them, and not from Scripture, which uſeth no higher ſtyle for them, than of Biſhops and Angels, it is, that I borrowed that appellation.

8. The laſt thing, that I muſt, if I will not be ſuppoſed to prevaricate, make good, is, that the Angels of the Churches related in their office not onelyonly to the particular Churches wherein they were placed, but to many Churches alſo, no leſſe committed to their charge, than theſe wherein they did reſide, and that to power and juriſdiction, &c.

9. That they related to other Churches beſides their owne, even to all that belonged to their Province, I ſuppoſe my ſelfe obliged to make good, and the 34. Apoſtolick Canon is alone able to doe it in generall, as ſhall anon appeare. Then more particularly, that they had power of ordeining Biſhops, and of judging them alſo, is Saint Chryſoſtome's affirmation of Titus, whom I ſuppoſe to be ſuch a Metropolitan in Crete, That if any were made Biſhop foreign, without the judgement and liking of the Metropolitan, foreign p. 178foreign, He ought not to be a Biſhop, is the ſixth Canon of the firſt Councel of Nice; And what is there defined of the Metropolitan's rights, beſides that 'tis done by 318. Biſhops, the moſt ſelect of the whole Chriſtian world, and in an age very competent to paſſe a …udgement of an Apoſtolical cuſtome, it is alſo vouched by them expreſly as one of the foreign the antient immemorial: cuſtomes of the Church. And much more to the ſame purpoſe is evident by the antient Canons of the uni…erſall Church, as hath in ſome meaſure been ſet downe (and as farre as I can be concerned to make good, either againſt the Preſbyterian, or Congregational, or P…piſt way) in a tract of Schiſme, Chap. 3. Sect. 11 &c.

10. To this the story of thoſe firſt tunes exactly accords, telling us that Irenaeus by being Metropolitan of Lyons, foreign Euſeb▪ Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 5. c. foreign.foreign, was Biſhop (that ſure muſt be interpreted Metropolitan or Primate) of the Dioceſſe ſand ſo Biſhops) that pertaine to France, and **Ibid, c. foreign.againe foreign he had the Government of the Brethren▪ i. e. the Chriſtians that belong to France. And this … the Scholar of Polycarpe, auditor of the Apoſtles, the…, Demetrius foreign undertooke the adminiſtration of the Dioceſes belonging to Alexandria, Ibid, c. foreign.and both theſe at the ſame time in Commod… 's reigne. And that whole Chapur in Euſebius is but the enumeration of ſeverall ſuch Metropolitans by name, who were all at the ſame time, of the Church of the Antiochians, S…rap…n, the eighth from the Apoſtles, of the Church of Rome, El… us's ſucceſſor, Victor; of … foreign, or as he phraſeth it in the next Chapter, foreign, Theophilus; of the Church in Jeruſalem, Nar…ſſas; of the Church of Corinth; foreign, Banchyllus; and of Epheſus, or, as he phraſeth it, foreign, Polycrates, …. ….of whom he after ſaith that foreign, he was chiefe as Prime or Ruler of the Biſhops of Aſia. In the ſame manner as afterward, Saint Cyprian Biſhop of Carthage in the Councel of Conſtantinople in Tru… ſtyled foreign p. 179Ca…. 2.Archbiſhop of the Region, or Province of Africk, which is, as to the matter of it, own'd by himſelfe, Epiſt. 40. and 45. where he mentions his Province, and the extent of it.

Sect. 2.

Of Churches in the p…ral, and a Church in the ſingular in the Scripture.

…. 1. IN purſuit of this matter of Metropolitanes, he proceeds next to take notice of one obſervation of mine in theſe words.

2. To this end he inform… ſect. 2. that in the New Teſtament there is in ſ…ndry places mention ma…e of Church … …umber, a… Gal. 1. 21. 1 Theſ. 2. 14. Acts 9 35 Act … Gal. …. Rev. 1. 11. ſometimes of Church onelyonly …, as Acts 8. 1, 15. 4. 22. Acts 1. …. Heb. 16. 1. 1 …or …. 2 …or. …1. 1. Theſ. 1. 1. Rev. …. …, 8, 1…, 18 Now this is … beholding to the Doctor for i…, no mo…e I ſupp… … …und to be to it, when the reaſon of it ſhall be a li…e w…d …ed. The ſumme is, that the name Church, in the ſing…r …, but where i… relates to the ſingle congregation, in, or o… …e C…y or Town: Th… of Churches reſpecting …he ſeveral Church… Congregations that were gathered in any Country or Province: Manifeſt then it is from hence, that there is in the New Teſtament, no Church of one denomination beyond … ſingle Congregation: And where there are more, they are alway…s called Churches: How evidently this is deſtructive to any Dioce… Metropolitical Officer, who hath no Church left him thereby of Chriſt's inſtitution to be related to, another opportunity will manifeſt.

3. Here is but one thing done by the Prefacer, a recital of my obſervation in the words, juſt as I ſet it, that there is in the New Teſtament mention ſometimes of Churches in the plural, ſometimes of a Church in the ſingular.

4. For this obſervation he ſaith, he is not beholding to me, and I ſhall imitate him thus far in replying, that neither is he the firſt that hath miſtaken it, the London Ministers had done p. 180before him juſt what now he thinks fit to doe. For having duly recited the obſervation, when he comes to give the ſumme of it, that ſumme is very different from the particulars (juſt as by the **Pag. 85.London. Miniſters it had been before) viz. that my obſervation is, that the word Church is never uſed in the ſingular, but when it relates to a ſingle congregation.

5. Here I muſt interpoſe (as to the London-Miniſters I did, and to the **Pag. 86, 87, 88.Vindication there I referre the Reader for it, and ſhall here recite it no farther than onelyonly thus) that I onelyonly ſay the word Church was ſo uſed in the ſingular for the Church of one City, meaning ſtill (as I there expreſſe, and I alwayes doe, when I ſpeak of a Citie-Church) with the territorie adjoyning, whether again that be a territorie of more Cities, when that which is ſpoken of is a Metropolis, as many of thoſe which I there mention, were, Corinth, Epheſus (& all certainly, except Cenchrea, being near unto, and an Haven-City of Corinth, foreign, ſaith Stephanus Byzantinus, foreign.) or whether the villages adjacent, when it is not a Metropolis. But that the word Church in the ſingular, is never uſed but when it thus relates to the ſingle congregation in, or of one City, Metropolis, or not Metropolis, that I never ſaid, nor thought, nor was it uſefull to me to obſerve o… ſuggeſt any ſuch thing.

6. And ſo being miſtaken in his ground, his inference muſt alſo ſuddenly vaniſh, which he affirm'd to be ſo manifeſt, and ſo likewiſe all the advantage, which when opportunity ſhould ſerve, he meant to have made of it.

p. 181Sect. 3.

The meaning of Provinces. Philippi a Metropolis. Dionyſius's Epiſtle to Gortyna. Philip Biſhop of all the Churches in Creet. foreign.

Nū. 1. FRom the mention of my obſervation, he goes on to examine the uſe which I made of it.

2. For the preſent (ſaith he) let us ſee what uſe our Doctor makes of this obſervation

Sect. 3: ſaies he, Ju…ae…, and the reſt of the places where Churches are mention'd, are the names of Provinces, foreign, quatenuus …ae foreign contradiſtinguuntur: But if the Doctor takes theſe words in an Eccleſiaſtical ſenſe, he begs that which will upon ſuch unworthy termes never be granted him: If no more be intended but that Jud…. Gala…a, and he like names of Coun…s were Provinces wherein were many Churches; Smyrna. Epheſus, of Towns and Cities wherein there was but owe, w… g…nt h…m▪

And how much that … is to his advantage hath been intimated: And this ſeems to be his … by his following words, Pro…rum inquam, in quibus …mae civ…tate… ſingu… ſingularum Eccleſiarum ſede…, …, …que Eccleſiae in plurali iſtius ſive iſtius Provinci…; well, what then? …um tamen unaquaeque civitas, cum territori… ſibi a ju…ct… (foreign!) ab Epiſcopo ſuo adminiſtrata, ſingularis Eccleſia dicenda ſit: Id…que quod foreign factum dicitur, Acts 14, 15. foreign … jubetur, Tit. 1. 5. tha… in every City there was a ſingular Church in thoſe Provinces, (I ſpeake of thoſe where any number were converted to the Faith) I g…n…, for the annexed terri…es le… the Doctor take care: The… bring one Church at Cor…h, and another at Cenchrea, So that ev…ry ſingle city had its owne ſingle Church with its Biſhop in it, as at …ppi. The paſſage mentioned by the Doctor, conc…rning the Epiſtle of Dionyſius to the Church of Go…yna in Crete, is very little to his purpoſe: Neither doth he call Ph…l…p the Biſhop of that Church, the Biſhop of all the other Churches in Crete, as the Doctor intimates; but the Biſhop of them to whom eſpecially and eminently he wrote.

3. It being here, as he ſaith, uncertaine to him, what I meane, when I ſay Judaea, Syria, and the like are Provinces, as they are contra-diſtinguiſhed from thoſe which were no more than Dioceſes in our mo…erne uſe of the word, though I thought I had ſpoken intelligibly enough before, yet I am moſt ready p. 182farther to explaine my ſelfe, That I meane Province in an Eccleſiaſtick ſenſe, the ſeverall Churches of ſeverall Cities (with their territories adjoyning to them) altogether making up one Provincial Church, ſo ſtyled, as meeting occaſionally, or at ſet times at the Metropolis in an Aſſembly ordinarily called Provincial, in which the Biſhop of the Metropolis praeſideth, as James at Jeruſalem with the Biſhops of all Jud…a joyning with him, as I conceive the modell ſet downe both Acts 15. and Rev. 4. 4. by way of viſional repreſentation.

4. Theſe ſeveral Churches conſidered by themſelves, are each the Church in, or of ſuch a City, and ſo each mentioned in the ſingular number, but being conſidered all together, though the d…, wherein they all agree, be in the ſingular alſo. Ju…, Syria, &c. (and accordingly we have in Ignatius the Church of Syria, both Church and Syria in the ſingular number) which, as comprehenſive of all the ſeverals in it, I call a Province (as men have generally done before me) yet the ſeverals ſo comprehended, are oft mentioned in the plural, the Churches of Judaea, &c. This is the obſervation, and being, as … thought, evidenced by the inſtances there made, I did not thinke it could want farther proofe, or be lyable to be cenſured as that fallacie of begging the queſtion on ſuch termes, as …e is pleaſed to thinke unworthy.

5. At the preſent, all that I had there to ſay in the * Diſſertations being onelyonly this, the rendring ſome reaſon of that differe… … Diſſert. …. ….of ſtyle in Scripture, ſometimes the Churches in the plur… ſometimes in the ſingular, and that reaſon being viſible, becauſe Judea had many Churches in it, as many Cities, and C…rea, &c. was but one Church of one City, and the territory (though perhaps many places of Eccleſiaſtick aſſemblies in that …uit) this cannot be a begging of more than is made evident. All that I am by him warned t… take farther care of, is, the territory, (what cauſe he had to cry foreign! at the mention of it, I ſhall not enquire) which I ſhall be mindefull to doe, when it is in any danger, or need of my care, which as yet it is not, being no way aſſaulted by him, and therefore …ere is at preſent no place of my farther ſollicitude.

p. 1836. What he is pleaſed to interpoſe of Philippi, its being a ſingle City with its Biſhop in it, he cannot but know, is, as to me, a meer begging of the queſtion, which juſt then he had accuſed in me, ſome paines being taken in that Diſſertation, cap. 10. to ſhew that thoſe plural Biſhops, were not the Biſhops of that one City of Philippi; To which having never offered the leaſt word of anſwer, the contrary ſhould not thus have been taken for granted by him.

7. One thing he addes in the cloſe, which was a little unexpected, that the paſſage, concerning the Epiſtle of Dionyſi…s to the Church at Gortyna in Crete, is very little to my purpoſe, and that neither doth he call the Biſhop of that Church, the Biſhop of all the other Churches in Cr…. What truth there is in this ſuggeſtion will ſoon be d…d.

8. And firſt, theſe are the words o… that E…, o… the … of it, in E… l. 4. c. foreign. Di…us Biſhop of Corinth, foreign (this he ſhould not have rendred, to the Church of Gortyna, but) to the Church adjacent or lying about Gorty…, foreign, together with the reſt of the foreign (the word common to Dioceſes and Provinces) in Crete. The controverſie, I perceive, here, is not concerning foreign, what that ſignifi… (but the foreign the reſt, how …arre that extends, whether to all, or to ſome to whom he especially and eminently wrote) and ſo I ſhall not need inſiſt on it, elſe it were eaſie to ſhew, that ſignifying originally, ad…acence of habitation, it belongs indifferently, whether to a greater or leſſe circuit, a Pariſh (which word comes from thence) or adjacence of houſes; a Dioceſs, or adjacence of Pariſhes to a City; a Province, or adjacence of Cities (with their territories) to a Metropolis or chief City. And which of theſe it ſignifies at any time, the Context muſt define.

9. So the Church foreign, muſt here be the whole Province, relating to Go…tyna the Metropolis of …rete, and then the foreign, can be no other but the reſt of the (Provinces if there were more than one, or elſe the) Dioceſes (as we now ſtyle them) which were in r…te▪ And then certainly the adding of foreign the reſt, to the mention p. 184of that which Gortyna was the Metropolis, muſt conclude him to comprehend all the other, beſide that, which were in Crete, and Philip, which is there ſaid to be Biſhop foreign of them, in the plural, not onelyonly foreign of that about Gortyna, muſt needs be concluded Biſhop of them all, which he could not be any other way, then as he was Biſhop of the Metropolis, to which thoſe other related. And then what could be more to my purpoſe than this, I confeſſe I know not. Againſt this there is no word of reaſon offered, onelyonly 'tis ſaid that it is not to my purpoſe—and ſo I have nothing to which I can make reply in this matter.

Sect. 4.

The Original of Metropolitical Churches. Accommodation of the Eccleſiastick to the Civil diſtributions. The Biſhop of Romes greatneſſe.

Num. 1. THe next thing he is pleaſed to examine, he calls (I ſhall not debate how fitly) my application of the forementioned obſervation, and from thence he expects ſome great advantage.

2. Sect. 4. ſaith he, Application is made of the forementioned obſervation: Sect. 2. and the Interpretation given of it, Sect. 3. in theſe words, His ſic poſitis, illud ſtatim ſeq…tur ut (in Imperii cognitione) in provinci… qual b…, cum plure, Urbes …int, una tamen primaria & principalis c…nſenda …rat, foreign ideo dicta, cui itidem inferiores reliquae civitates ſubjiciebantur, …t …vitat bus regiones, fic & inter Eccleſias, & Cathedras Epiſcopales unam ſemper primariam & Metropoliticam fuiſſe.

In this Section the Doctor hath moſt ingenuouſly and truly given us the …iſe and occaſion of his Dioceſan and Metropolitical Praelates, from the aimes of men, to accommodate Eccleſiaſtical or Church-affaires, to the ſtate and condition of the civill government, and diſtributions of Provinces, Metropolitan Cities, and chiefe Townes within the ſeverall dependencies (the neighbouring villages being caſt in as things of no great eſteem, to the lot of the next conſiderable Towne and ſeat of Judicature) did the Hierarchy, which he ſo ſedulouſly contendeth for, ariſe; what advantage were aff…rded to the worke, by the paucity of believers in the Villages and leſſe Townes (from which at length the whole body of Hea…heniſh Idolaters were denominated Pagans) the firſt planting of Churches p. 185in the greater Cities, the eminence of the Officers of the firſt Churches in thoſe Cities, the weakneſſe of many rurall Biſhops, the multiplying and growing in numbers and perſons, of gifts, abilities, and conſiderable fortunes and employments in this world, in the Metropolitan Cities, with their fame thereby, the tradition of the abode of ſome one or other of the Apoſtles in ſuch Cities and Churches, with the eminent Accommodation at the adminiſtration of civill Jurisdiction and other affaires, which appeared in that ſubordination and dependency, whereunto the Provinces, chiefe Cities, and territories in the Roman Empire were caſt, with which opportunities Satan got by theſe meanes, to introduce their wayes, ſtate, pompe, words, phraſes, termes of honour of the world into the Churches; inſenſibly getting ground upon them, and prevailing to their dec…enſion from the naked ſimplicity and purity wherein they were firſt planted, ſome other occaſion may give advantage for us to manifeſt; for the preſent it may ſuffice that it is granted, that the Magnifick Hierarchy of the Church aroſe from the accommodation of its ſtate and condition of the Roman Empire and Provinces. And this in the inſtances of alter…ages that might be p…oduced, will eaſily be made yet fa…ther evident; in thoſe ſhamefull, or indeed rather ſhameleſſe cont…s, which fell out among the Biſhops of the third Centu…ie, and downward, about precedency, titles of Honour, ex…nt of Juriſdiction, Eccleſiaſtical ſubjection to, or exemption from one another, the conſiderableneſſe of their Cities in the civill ſtate of the Roman Empire where they did reſide, was ſtill the m…ſt prevalent and cogent argument in their brawles: the moſt notable bruſh, that in all Antiquity we finde given to the great Leviathan of Rome, who ſported himſelfe in thoſe gatherings together of the w…ters of people, and multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues, or the generall Councels (as they are called) was from an a gument taken from theſeat of the Empire, being …ixt at Con…lantinople, making it become new Rome, ſo that the Biſhop of the Church there, was to injoy equall priviledge with him, whoſe lot was …allen in the old imperiall City.

3. The briefe ſumme of what he there quotes in Latine, is this, that as in the civil account, the chiefe City where there are many in a Province, is the Metro…olis, to which the inferiour Cities are ſubjected (and relate to it, as the adjacent region to the City) ſo the chiefe Church in a Province was by the Apoſtles deſigned (which I hope is farre enough from Satans introducing it) to be a Metropolitical Church, on which the inferior Churches and their Biſhops depended, and obſerved concord and unitie with it. This the Prefacer looks on, as a ſpeciall diſcovery, and having threatned what ſome other occaſion may give advantage to manifeſt, he is not pleaſed to make any the leaſt objection againſt it at this time, p. 186or to indeavour to prove that it was not thus, but is very well ſatisfied that it is granted, that the Magnifick (as he will ſtyle it) Hierarchie of the Church aroſe from this accommodation of the Eccleſiaſtick to the civil formes of diſtributions.

4. This indeed, as far as concernes every nationall Church, which by this meanes is beſt diſpoſed for order and unity within it ſelfe, is by me willingly and profeſtly granted, and if the reaſonableneſſe, that it ſhould doe ſo, doe not competently vindicate it, yet ſuppoſing (as the diſcourſe there doth) that the Apoſtles themſelves did generally ſo deſigne it in every region, I hope there will lye no charge againſt it; And if farther then ſo, the obſerving of it proved uſefull, as he ſaith it did, to the reducing the Biſhop of Rome to ſome moderate termes, equalling another Biſhop to him, when the Empire was removed to another ſeate, I know not ſtill, why this ſhould be ſuch a diſobligation to the Prefacer, who will hardly be able to give any more moderate or leſſe Popiſh account of the immenſe greatneſſe which that Biſhop by preſcription of ſome number of years did challenge, than this of the Imperial ſeat having been fixt at Rome, and theſe privileges accruing to him by that meanes, & not by any inveſtiture from Chriſt, by ſucceſſion to Saint Peter, as they plead, nor by appointment of the Apoſtles in their firſt plantations, which now we ſpeak of.

5. I have elſewhere ſpoken on this ſubject in the tract of Schiſme, in the latter part of Chap. 3. and to the London Miniſters, cap. 1. ſect. 16. and there briefly ſhewed the reaſonableneſſe of it. And here being yet nothing but promiſes of objections againſt it, it may ſuffice that I deferre the anſwering them, till they be produced.

p. 187Sect. 5.

The Grounds of the Apoſtles inſtituting Metropoles. The frame of Heathen Governments, and the patterns among the Jewes, civil, and ſacred.

N…. 1. NExt he proceeds to that which I adde, as an image of this model in the Church, taken from Gods direction to Moſes for the government of the Jewes, thus,

2. B…u Doctor addes, Sect▪ 5. Illud …x Jud…rum exemplari tranſcripſiſſe Apoſtol… vid…mur, cum Mo a… a id lege caut…m eſſ…t, ut Judi…es & miniſtri… qual…b…t civ…ta…e ordina…ur, Deut. 16. 18. ill… v…ebus dabi…s ad Ju… …cem (M…fis ſu…ſſ…m) …nedrio Hi…roſolym tano cinctum recurre…e …ntur, Cap. 17. 9 an… in S…ct. 6. …e p…ov…s Jeruſalem to have been the M…s of th… N…ion, Eg …gia… v…o laudem! But

1. The D… preſume knowes bef…e this▪ that thoſe with whom he hath to … give him he thing in queſtion upon his begging, or requeſt … conſideration and inquirie is, whether the Ap… any ſuch modell of Church order and Government▪ as is by the Doctor contended for; to this he tells you, that the Apoſtles ſeeme to have done it, from the patterne of Moſaical inſtitutions in the Church of the Jewes; But, Doctor, the queſtion is not, with what reſpect they did it, but whether they did it at all or no? This the Doctor thought good to let alone till another time, if we would not grant him upon his petition, that ſo they did.

2. This then is the Doctors ſecond argument for his Dioceſan and Metropolitan Prelates. His firſt was, from the example of the Heathers, in their civill adminiſtrations and rule, this ſecond from the example of the Jewes Not to divert into the handling of the Church and Political ſtate of the Jewes, as appointed by God, no… that diſſonancie that is between the inſtitution of civil Magiſtrates, and Evangelicall adminiſtrations, this is the ſumme of the Doctors reaſoning, in his 5, 6, 7, and 8. Sections God in the Church and among the people of the Jewes, choſe out one City to place his name there, making it the place where all the types and ceremonies which he had appointed for the diſcovery and ſhadowing forth of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, were viſibly and gloriouſly to be managed, acted, and … forth (…undry of them being ſuch, as whoſe Typicalneſſe would have been deſtroyed by their muliplication) and principally on this accoun…ing that place or City (which was firſt S…) the ſeat of the Kingdome, or habitation of the chiefe ruler, for the adminiſtration of Juſtice, who appointed Iudges in all the Land, for the good and peace of the people, therefore the Churches of Ieſus Chriſt, diſpoſed over the face of the whole world, freed from obligations to Cities of Mountaines, walling before God, in, and with a pure and ſpirituall worſhip, having no p. 188one reaſon of that former inſtitution, in common with the Church of the Jewes, muſt be caſt into the ſame mould and figure; I hope without offence I may take leave to deny the conſequence, and what more I have to ſay to this argument I ſhall yet deferre▪

3. One great fallacy I am here charged to be guilty of, (but having been oft accuſed of this very crime, I yet never had the ill luck to be convict by him) that I begge the queſtion againe, which, ſaith he, is onelyonly this, Whether the Apoſtles inſtitutea any ſuch order, or no?

4. But can this be a begging the queſtion, when Sect. 9. of that Chapter, I expreſly undertake to prove that the Apoſtles did inſtitute ſuch model, and when he himſelfe in the very next paragraph, expreſly confeſſes that I proceed to prove it.

5. Can that be ſaid to be begged, which is undertaken to be proved, and the proofes as yet not ſo much as conſidered by him, and ſo certainly not invalidated? Or can a man be bound to prove his aſſertion, before he hath explained what he meanes by it, or upon what grounds of credibility he affirmes it?

6. That which I doe in that Chapter may analytically be divided into two parts, 1. the grounds upon which … conceive the Apoſtles thus modell'd the Church, and ſecondly; the proofes or testimonies by which I manifeſt that they did ſo. The queſtion in hand being a matter of fact, whether or no the Apoſtles inſtituted Metropolitical Churches, &c. that was to be proved or disproved onelyonly by testimonies, and if that be not attempted to be done, but taken for granted, that were indeed a begging of the queſtion, but a due place being reſerved for that in the latter part of the Chapter, I conceive it no breach of the Lawes of diſcourſe, owned and exemplified by artiſts, firſt to render the aſſertion credible, by propoſing the grounds upon which I conceive they did it.

7. And thoſe grounds were of two ſorts, 1 The known frame of the Heathen Governments, where they came to plant the Gospel, and by attending to which they ſhould plant it more advantagiouſly, and then what Nazianzen ſaith of Julian, that it was in him a wiſe but a wicked policy, for the reducing p. 189Heatheniſme among Chriſtians to appoint the heathen Prieſts to make uſe of the Chriſtian obſervances, may be very credible, as an act of Divine policy in the Apostles, to make their advantage for the propagating and preſerving the Faith, by obſerving and not going contrary to the civill diſtributions, which they ſhould meet with among the Heathens.

8. Secondly, The patternes of this among the Jewes, and thoſe we know, the more conſiderable in this, becauſe they were there inſtituted by God himſelfe, and becauſe many other obſervances in Chriſtianity are by Chriſt and the Apoſtles viſibly accommodated from the Jewes. And againe there are two of thoſe patterns, one in their civil managerie, Judges and Officers in every City, Deut. 16. 18. and Moſes in matters of higher concernment and difficultie with … San…d…im at Jeruſalem; and the other in their Eceleſiaſtical, the three families of the Levites, ſeparated for the ſacred offices, a foreign or chiefe over them, Num. 3. 24. and over them Eleazer the Sonne of Aaron the foreign, the chiefe of the chiefes of the Levites. And the advantages of order, and unitie, and due adminiſtration of Juſtice, which recommended thoſe formes among the Jewes, were all fit to be taken care of, and conſequently were ſo many motives to induce the Apostles to copy them out under the New Teſtament, and to obſerve the like uniformity in all their Plantations.

9. And theſe grounds being thus laid as a foundation, to ſupport and fit the building, which in the remainder of the Chapter was regularly, i. e. by teſtimony of the Scripture and the Antient Church, ſuperſtructed on it, I cannot gueſſe, what I could otherwiſe have done in reſpect of the Method, than what was there deſigned by me And truly if I did, let the proofe of the fact alone, as he ſaith, till another time, as long as that other time was ſo neer at hand, in the ſame Chapter, in the very next Section after the ſetting down … exemplar… among the Jewes, I cannot yet diſcerne how I have …nd… in it. No man can doe two things at once, and I was free to chooſe my owne Method, as long as … neither omitted nor put off (as the Prefacer hath often done, and ſo now againe in p. 190the laſt words of this Paragraph he doth) to ſome other occaſion, that which was ſo neceſſary to be proved there.

10. As for his ſummarie account of my diſcourſe againe, it is very much varied from that, which thoſe foure Sections yeild, which is no more than this, that as by Gods appointment to Moſes, there were many inferiour and one ſuperiour …ourt; many in the ſeveral Cities of Judea, and one at Ieruſalem, to which the inferiour related, as the Mother and prime; and as in the Temple about the Levites there were heads of the Levites, and heads of thoſe heads, ſo it would be …ctly parallel in the Apoſtles to inſtitute Biſhops in every City Church, and Metropolitanes in the chiefe Cities, which as it is no argument at all to prove the matter of tact, that indeed it was ſo, nor by me deſigned for ſuch, propoſed onelyonly as an exemplar or parallel, not as a proofe, and accordingly induced with [ad hanc imaginem, after this image] Sect. 9. an [as] and [ſo] not a [therefore] (and ſo there was no conſequence in it capable of being denyed ſo againe ſuch as it was it very much differed from that which is here ſet downe in Italick letters, as if it were the Engliſh of my Sections (which, againe, were never ſet downe in Engliſh, till now that this advantage might be gain'd by it.)

11. This manner of dealing, what it imports I ſhall not judge, but leave the Prefacer to paſſe his owne animadverſions on it.

p. 191Sect. 6.

Of Antioch the Metropolis of Syria, Acts 15. What the dependance of Inferiour Churches to their Metropolis. The reference to Jeruſalem made by the Church of Antioch. The decrees delivered to other Churches. Ieruſalem the grand Metropolis. Philos Teſtimony. Ignatius Paſtor, Biſhop of Syria. The Epiſtle to the Antiochians. A Teſtimony thence.

Nū. 1. NOw then he proceeds to the examination of my proofs, (If it might have been foreſeen that there were any ſuch, the laſt Paragraph might certainly have beene spared.)

2. But, ſaith he, the Doctor proceeds to prove, that indeed the Apoſtles did diſpoſe of the Churches in this frame and o…de, according to the patterne of the civill government of the Roman Empire, and that inſtituted of God among the Jewes. The ninth ſection, wherein he attempts the proof of this aſſertion, is as followeth.

Ad hanc imaginem, Apoſtolo… Eccleſias ubique disponendas curaſse, & in omnbus plantationibus ſu…, minorum ab …m…ioribus civitatibus dependentiam & ſubordinationem conſtituiſse exemplis quidem plurimi… monſtrari poſſit, illud in Syriâ & Cilicia patet Act. 6. 4 cù… …nim foreign illud c. 15. 2. Hieroſolymas referr…tur ab Eccleſià foreign Antiochi…, Cap. 14 26 & 15. 3. & de… etum ab Apoſtolis d…ò ad eos mitteretur v. 22. in Epistolâ quâ decretum illud co…tin…batu…, …imul cum Antiochenſibus, foreign comprehenſos videmus v. 23. De… Epistolâ … Antioch… Eccle…i… redditâ v. 30. Paul…s tandem & Sylas Syriam & Cili…iam peragr…tes v. 41. c. 16. 4. foreign ſingulis civitatibus obſervanda tradiderunt, ut quae ad hanc Antiochiae Metropolin, ut …tidem ſubordina… Eccleſiae pertinerent, ut & ipſa Antiochia ad Hieroſ…ly…as, primariam tam latae (ut ex Ph…lone p aediximus) Provinciae Metropolin pertinebat, & ad …am, ad …imen…am litem iſtam, ſe conferebat.

This being all that the Doctor hath to produce from the Scripture to his purpoſe in hand, I have tranſcribed it at large; for this being removed, all that follows, will fall of its own accord

1. Then, the dependance on, and ſubordination of leſſer cities to the greater, is aſſerted …s an Apoſtolical inſtitution; Now becauſe I ſuppoſe the Doctor will not aſſert, nor doth intend a civil dependance, and ſubordination of Cities, as ſuch, among themſelves, nor will a dependance p. 192as to counſell, advice, aſſiſtance, and the like ſupplies, which in their mutual communion, the leſſer Churches might receive from the greater and more eminent, ſerve his turne: but an Eccleſiaſtical dependance and ſubordination, ſuch as whereby many particular Churches, with Inferiour Officers reſiding in them, and with them, depended on, and were in ſubj…ction to ſome one perſon of a ſuperiour order, commonly reſiding in ſome eminent City, and many of theſe Governours of a ſuperiour order in the greater Cities were in ſubordination unto ſome one of high degree, termed a Metropoli…a…. and all this by Apoſtolicall inſtitution is that which he aymeth a…, which being a moſt gallant adventu …, … a waking generation, we ſhall doubtleſs find him quitting himſelfe …ke a man in his undertaking.

2. Then he tells you that the queſtion ab…ut Moſaicall Rites, and neceſſity of their obſervation, was reffered to Jeruſalem by the ſingle Church of Antioch. But how does the Doctour make good this firſt ſtep, which y… if he could, would doe him no good a…all? It is true, that Paul was now come to Antioch, Ch. 14. 26. and a… that he was brought on his way by the Chu…ch Chap. 15. 3. Bu… ye… that he breth … who were t…ug…t the Doctrine conteſted about, v. …. were only of the Church of Antioch (when it is moſt certaine from the Ep…s of Paul to the Galatians, Colo… …ians, Romanes, and others, that great diſturbance was raiſed fa… and wide, in all the Churches of the Gentiles about this con…ve…ſy) no …ing is offered. It ſeems indeed that their diſputes grew to the greateſt heights at Antioch, whither brethren from other parts and Churches did alſo c…me, whileſt Barnabas and Paul abode the…e, but that tha… ſingle Church …e…erred the determining of that controverſie, to them at Ieruſalem, excluſively to others, the Doctor proves not. And it is moſt evident, from the returne of the anſwers ſent by the Apoſtles from Jeruſalem, ver. 23. that the reference was from all the Churches of the Gentiles, yea and all the ſcattered brethren, perhaps as yet not brought into the Church order not onelyonly at Antioch, but alſo throughout Sy…a and Cilicia. It is then granted what he next obſerves, viz. that in the anſwer returned from Jeruſalem, with them at Antioch, thoſe in Syria and Cilicia are joyned, the reaſon of it being manifeſt, namely their trouble about the ſame controverſie, being no leſſe than theirs at Antioch. It is alſo granted, that as Paul paſſed through the Cities, that he delivered them the decrees to keep, that were ordeined by the Apoſtles and Elders, cap. 16. 4. and that not onelyonly to the Churches of Syria, and Cilicia, which he left cap. 15. 41. but alſo to thoſe throughout Phrygia, and the regio…s of Gal…tia, ver 6. What now follows out of all this? What? but that Antioch by Apoſtolical inſtitution was the Metropolitan See of all the Churches of Syria and Cilicia. Good Doctor doe not be angry▪ but tell us how this may be proved. Why doubtleſſe it was ſo; as Antioch belonged to the Metropolitan Church at Jeruſalem, as he …old us out of Philo (who was excellently acquainted with Apoſtolical inſtitutions) what Jeruſalem was to the whole Church and Nation of the Jewes, while the name of God was fixed there, we know▪ p. 193But what was the primitive eſtate of the Churches of Ieſus Chriſt, made of Iewes and Gentiles, tied neither to City, or Mountaine, I muſt be pardoned if I cannot finde the Doctor making any tender of manifeſting or declaring. The reaſons of referring this controverſie unto a determination at Jeruſalem, the Holy Ghoſt acquaints us with Act. 15. 2. That we have no need of this Metropolitical …igment, to informe us in it. And now if we will not, not onelyonly ſubmit to Dioceſan Biſhops, but alſo reverence the grave Metropolitans, ſtanding upon ſuch clear Apoſtolicall inſtitution, It is fit that all the world ſhould count us the arranteſt Schiſmaticks that ever lived ſince Pope Boniface his time. The ſumme then of this doubty argument for the Apoſtolical inſtitution of Metropolitans (that none might ever more dare to call Dioceſans into queſtion hereafter) is this; Paul who was converted about the third or fourth yeare of Caligula, five or ſixe yeares after the aſcenſion of Chriſt, having with great ſucceſſe for three years preached the Goſpell, went up to Jeruſalem with Barnabas, upon the perſecution raiſed againſt him at Dam…ſcus, Act. 9. 22. whence returning to the worke, he went firſt to Tarſus, Act. 9. 30. thence to Antioch, where he abode one whole yeare, Act. 11. 25. 26. and was then ſent to Jeruſalem with the collections for the Saints, about the fourth yeare of Claudius, ver. 30. thence returning againe to Antioch, he was ſent out by the command of the Holy Ghoſt more eminently, and peculiarly than formerly for the converſion of the G…tile…, Act. 13. 1, 2, 3▪ in this undertaking in the ſpace of a yeare or two, he preached and gathered Churches (whereof expreſſe mention is made) at Salamis, Act. 13. 5. in the Iſle of Paphos, ver. 6. at Perga in Pamphylia ver. 13. at Antioch in Piſidia, ver. 14. a… Ico…ium, cap. 14. 1. at Ly…tra and Derbe, ver. 6. and at Perga 26. in all theſe places gathering ſome believers to Chriſt, whom before they returned to Antioch, he viſited all over the ſecond time, and ſetled Elders in the ſeverall congregations, Chap. 14 21, 22, 23. in this journey and travel for the propagation of the Goſpell, he ſeems in all places to have been followed almoſt at the heels, by the proſeſſing Phariſees, who impoſed the neceſſity of the obſervation of Moſaical Ceremonies upon his new Converts; for inſtantly upon his return to Antioch, where during his abſence, probably they had much prevailed, he falls into diſpute with them, Chap. 15. 1. and that he was not concer'd in this controverſie, onelyonly upon the account of the Church of Antioch, himſelfe informes us, Gal. 2. 4. affirming that the falſe brethren, which cauſed thoſe diſputes and diſſenſions, crept in to ſpye out his liberty, in his preaching the Goſpell among the Gentiles, ver. 2. that is in the places before mentioned, throughout a great part of Aſia. For the appeaſing of this difference, and the eſtabliſhing of the Soules of the Diſciples, which were grievouſly perplexed with the impoſition of the Moſaical yoke, It is determined that the caſe ſhould be reſolved by the Apoſtles, Act. 15. 2. partly becauſe of their authority in all the Churches, wherein thoſe, who contended with Paul, would be compelled to acquieſce, and partly becauſe thoſe Judai…ing teachers pretended the commiſſion of the Apoſtles for the Doctrine they preached, as is evident p. 194from the diſclaimu…e made by them, of any ſuch commiſſion or command, ver. 24. Upon Pauls returne from the aſſembly at Jeruſalem, wherein the great controverſie about Iewiſh Ceremonies was ſtated and determined, after he had in the firſt place delivered the decree and Apoſtolical ſalutation by Epiſtle to the Church at Antioch, he goes with them alſo to the Churches in Syria and Cilicia, …xpreſſed in the letter by name, as alſo to thoſe in Pamphilia, Piſi…ia, Derb…; Lyſtra, Iconium, &c. Ch…p. 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. and all the Churches which he had gathered and planted in his …ravels through Aſia, whereunto he was commanded by the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 13. 1, 2. Things being thus ſtated, it neceſſarily followes, that the Apoſtles had inſtituted Dioceſan and Metropolitan Biſhops. For though the Churches were ſo ſmall, and thin, and few in number, that ſeaven years after this, may we believe our Doctor, the Apoſtles had not inſtituted or appointed any Elders or Presbyters in them, viz. When Paul wrote his Epiſtle to the Philippians, which was when he was Priſoner at Rome, as appeares, cap. 1. 7, 13, 14. cap. 4. 22. about the third yeare of N…ro, yet that he had fully built and ſetled the Hierarchicall fabrick contended for, who once dares queſtion?

Audacia—

Creditur à multis …iducia.

But if this will not doe, yet Ignatius hits the nayle on the head, and is ready at hand to make good whatſoever the Doctor will have him ſay, and his teſtimony takes up the ſenſe of the two n…xt following Sections, whereof th… fi…ſt is as follows.

Hinc dicti Ig…atiani ratio conſtat in Epiſtolâ ad Romanos, ubi ille Antiochia Ep…ſcopus ſe foreign, past…em Eccl…ſiae quae …ſt in Syria app…lle… …um ad Antiochiam, ſ…il. ut ad Me…opolin ſu…m tota Syria pertineret. Sic & Author Epiſtolae ad Antio…he…os foreign cam i…ſcrib…s, totam …yriam …jus foreign eſſe conclud…t.

But yet I feare the Doctor will finde he hath need of other weapons, and other manner of Aſſiſtance to make good the cauſe he hath undertaken. The words of Ignatius in that Epi…e to the R…mans … foreign: Becauſe he recommen…s to them that particular Church in Syria, wch by his impriſonment was deprived of its Paſtor therefore without doubt he was a Metropolitical Arch-biſhop. Tity…e tu p… &c.

But the Doctor is reſolved to car…y his cauſ…, & therefore being forſaken of all faire and honeſt meanes, from whence he might hope for aſſiſtance or ſucceſſ…, he tryes (as Saul the wi…ch at En…) the counterfeit, ſ…ious title, of a counterfeit Epiſtle to the Antiochians, to ſee if tha… will ſpeake any comfor…able words, for his relief or no. And to make ſure worke, he cauſes this Gentleman ſo to ſpeake, as if he intended to make us believe that Syria was in Antioch, not Anti…ch in Syria, as in ſome remote p…rts of …he world, they ſay they inquire whether London be in England, or England p. 195in London, What other ſence can be made of the words as by the Doctor tranſcribed? foreign, To the Church of God dwelling in Syria which is in A…tioch: now if thi… be ſo, I ſhall confeſſe it is poſſible we may b… in more errors than one, and that we much w…nt the learned Doctors aſſiſtance for o…r information; the words themſelves, as they are uſed by the worſhip…ull writer of that Epiſtle, will ſca…ce furniſh us with this learned and ra…e notion, they are at length, foreign (fo… ſo he …i…ſt opens his mouth with a lye) foreign, W…at is here more expreſſed, than that th… l…tter paſſage is …eſt…ct…ve of what went be…ore, was ſpoken of its …eſidence i… Sy…i…, wi… reference to the name of Chriſtian, fi…ſt given to the D…ſciples in th… place, I know not; and therefore it is moſt certaine that the Apoſtles in ſt…uted Metr…politan Archbiſhops, foreign.

3. The large tranſcripts of the Latine ſections being the foundation of his whole inſuing diſcourſes, it is a litle neceſſary they ſhould be made intelligible to all, to whom the confutation of them is addreſt: This I ſhall be content to doe fo… him; and the plaine Engliſh is this.

4. According to the image of the civil government among the Jewes, and the like againe in their Temple (foremention'd) the Apoſtles appeare to have diſpoſed of Churches every where, and in all their plantations to have conſtituted a ſubordination and dependance of the Churches in the infer…r Cities, to thoſe in the Chief or Metropoles. An example of th… we have in the story of the Acts, concerning Syria and Ci… cia, and the ſeverall Cities thereof, in relation to A…tioch t… Metropolis, For when the queſtion Act. 15. 2. was referred and brought to Jeruſalem from the Church (peculiarly) of Antioch. …ap. 14. 26. and 15 3. and the decree of the Councel returned to them by whom the queſtion was propoſed, i. e. to the Church of Antioch, ver. 22. yet in the Epiſtle in which that decree was contained, we finde the brethren through Syria and Cil…cia, i. e. all the Chriſtians of that Province, to be expreſſ…d and joyned with thoſe of Antioch, ver. 23. And after, when that Decretal Epiſtle was delivered to the Church of Anti…ch, ver. 30. Paul and Sylas went over Syria and Cilicia, ver. 41, 42. and as they went, they delivered to every p. 196City the Decrees of the Councel, c. 16. 4. which is an evidence, that the Churches of thoſe Cities, related either immediately to Antioch, or, as Antioch it ſelf did to Jeruſalem, and were in ſubordination to it, as to the principal Metropolis, of ſo wide a Provinc…, according to that of Philo, that Ieruſalem was in his time the Metropolis not of Judea alone, but of many other regions, in reſpect of the Colonies, which is ſent out of the Jewes that dwelt in the…, naming Syria & Cilicia & divers others.

5. What is here ſaid, may be divided into two branches, one concerning the Cities of Syria as relating to Antioch, the other concerning Antioch it ſelfe and other Cities, relating to Jeruſalem: The latter is mentioned incidentally; the former is it, which was propoſed for the example to teſtifie the Apoſtles diſtributions, and the plaine ſtory of the Acts ſeemed to me to manifeſt it fully, that the Churches of the inferior Cities of Syria &c. related to Antioch as to the Metropolis; And the matter alſo being farther cleare by all Eccleſiaſtick writers, which make Antioch the Metropolis of Syria, I gave a taſt thereof out of Ignatius's Epiſtle to the Romanes, who being the known Biſhop of Antioch, ſetled there by the Apoſtles, calls himſelf Paſtor (as elſewhere Biſhop of the Church in Syria. And ſo the Antient writer of the Epiſtle to the Antiochians under Ignatius's name, (but none of thoſe which we receive from Polycarps collection) hath theſe words in his inſcription. foreign ▪ to the Church of God which is at Antioch, lying together in Syria, making Syria to be the foreign or Province, of which Antioch was the Metropolis.

6. The ſame is after manifeſted of other chief Cit…es, Rome, Alexandria, Gortyna in Crete, and the ſeven Churches of Aſia, and the plain words of the three Councels forementioned, which devolve the whole buſineſſe o… the rights of Metropoles to their firſt plantations. And of all theſe there is not one word replyed, ſave onelyonly what concernes Rome and Alexandria. To thoſe two, we ſhall come in the next Section, But in this I am to conſider what he hath to object to the ſevera… proofes concerning the Church of Antioch, being as I conceive it manifeſt, a Metropoliticall Church in the Apoſtles times.

p. 1977. And firſt it ſeems I muſt define, what I meane by this dependence and ſubordination of inferiour Churches to their Metropolis. And I ſhall doe it, in my owne words, not in his, for they are very obſcure, 1. I meane by inferiour Churches, the ſeverall Churches in the ſeverall leſſer Cities with the region adjoyning, adminiſtred and governed each of them by the Biſhop of each ſuch leſſer City-Church, and his officers under him. 2. By the Metropolis, I meane the Church of the chiefe City of that Region or Province, and ſuch, ſay I, was the Church of Antioch in reſpect of Syria. 3. By the ſubordination and dependence of the inferiour to the Metropolis, I meane not any inferiority of order and dignity, nor a dependence onelyonly as to counſel and advice and mutual Communion, but an inferiority of pow…r in many things, which the Apoſtles left not to the Biſhops of the inferiour Cities, but reſerved to the Metropolitanes. To this purpoſe the 34th. Apoſtolick Canon is cleare, foreign, the Biſhops of every Nation muſt know their Primate, (foreign, ſaith Zonaras) and account him as the head of them, and the powers that thus belong to him, are knowne in the antient Councels by the title of foreign privileges and praeeminencie…, which are proper to ſuch, and for which even immemorial and Apostolical tradition and cuſtome is vouched by them. Such as receiving accuſations againſt, and appeales from inferiour Biſhops, ordeining of them, as Titu… is appointed to doe through Crete, and as the ſixth Canon of Nice ſaith, that he that is made Biſhop without the Metropolitan, ſhall not be deemed a Biſhop; For this I againe referre the Reader to the Diſcourſe of Schiſm…, pag. 60. &c. and there to that ninth Canon of the Councel of An…ioch, the ſame in effect with the 34th. Apoſtolical …anon forementioned, where the Biſhops of inferiour Cities are interdicted doing, without the Metropolitan, any thing which is there ſtyled foreign, i. e. (as is there explain'd) where in more Churches than one are concerned equally; The Biſhops power extending to the adminiſtration of affaires in his owne Dioceſſe, foreign, whatſoever belongs to his Dioceſſe, ſay both thoſe Canons, but p. 198things of a more forraigne nature, which belong not to the particular Biſhop, ratione officii, foreign, which reſpect the common ſtate of the Church (as Zonoras interprets foreign) being reſerved and perteining to the care of the Metropolitan.

8. This, I ſuppoſe, ſufficiently expreſſes, what ſubordination I meane, the very ſame which the moſt Antient Canons of the Ʋniverſal Church expreſſe to be due from the Biſhop to the Metropolitan, and then I ſhall not trouble my ſelfe to inquire what he meanes by [ſome eminent Cities, and, Governors of a ſuperior order in greater Cities] which I ſhould have thought had been Metropoles and Metropolitans, had I not found them all placed by him in ſubordination to ſome one of high degree termed a Metropolitan.] And by that Character being aſſured, that by the former he muſt meane no more but Biſhops of inferior Cities, I muſt be content not to underſtand the mysterie, why they ſhould yet be ſtyled eminent and greater Cities, and ſo briefly paſſe to the next thing.

9. Secondly then, he will examine my plea from that paſſage in the Acts, cap. 15. and the thing he diſlikes is my mak…ng the queſtion ſent for reſolution to Jeruſalem, to be referred to them by the ſingle Church of Antioch. This, …aith he, … doe not prove, though if I could prove it, it would doe me no good at all. And yet, to ſee, in the proceſſe of the diſcourſe, he ſeverally grants all the reſt, And onelyonly deſires me not to be angry, but to prove that Antioch by Apoſtolical inſtitution was the Metropolitan See of all the Churches of Syria and Cilicia, which is in effect to deny, or bid me prove the concluſion, without offering to deny above one propoſition, which therefore, I muſt aſſume, will, if it be proved, inferre the concluſion, and ſo doe me all the good, which I pretend to expect from it.

10. Now truly, that this queſtion thus referred to Jeruſalem, was at this time, Act. 15. 1. referred to it, by the ſingle Church of Antioch (but that as Metropolis of all Syria) I thought ſufficiently proved by the text it ſelfe firſt cited, cap. 14. 26. and 15. 3. In the former of theſe places, the Apoſtles were come to Antioch, as that ſignifies Antioch the p. 199great (to difference it from another City of that name, v. 21. the ſame which is by Plinie placed in Piſidia, as here alſo it is, ver. 24.) that City peculiatly where the Scripture ſaith they were firſt called Chriſtians, and whereof Euodius and Ignatius were conſtituted Biſhops by Peter and Paul, one of the Jewiſh, the other of the Gentile Chriſtians. And being there they gathered the Church together, ver. 17. that I ſuppoſe to be the Church of the City of Antioch, (or if any more, thoſe certainly as ſome way relating and ſubordinate to Antioch, which againe inferres Antioch to be their Metropolis) Then of Antioch it followes that there they abod…, v. 28. And then cap 15. …. certaine men, which came downe from Iudea, infuſed the Iudaical ritual doctrine into the brethren, who are thoſe but the Christians of Antioch, where then they were? And upon the diſpute had with thoſe Iudai…rs, v. 2. they determined, that ſure muſt ſtill be the Church of Antioch peculiarly, that Paul and Barnabas ſhould goe to Jeruſalem about this queſtion, and then ver. …. they are brought on their way by the Church, What Church is this ſtill, but the Church cap. 14. 27. i. e. the Church of Antioch?

11. This was my way of proofe (deſigned to lay the foundation of that argument of Antioch's being the Metropolitical See) that this queſtion was referred to Ieruſalem from the Church peculiarly of Antioch. And I muſt hereby thinke it competently proved, unleſſe ſome weake part be diſcovered in it, or ſome abſurdity or repugnancy be objected to it; None of which, I ſee, is here done.

12. For 1. as to that which is offered at, by his ſaying that I have not proved that the brethren that taught the doctrine conteſted about, ver. 1. were onelyonly of the Church of Antioch, ſure that is of no force. For as I doubt not but the ſame doctrine might be, and was infuſed into many others in Galatia, Coloſſe, yea, and Rome it ſelfe, as he truly …aith, and never conceived that the poyſon was confined to, or incloſed within Antioch, ſo all that is needfull to my …ur…e, is this, that at this point of time noted Acts 15. 1. the Iudaizers pretenſions were ſollicited at Antioth, and that on that particular occaſion of the diſpute betweene Paul and them, the queſtion was by them p. 200peculiarly referred to Ieruſalem. And that ſure might be done by them alone, though others farre diſtant as well as they, either at that or ſome other time were diſturb'd with the like ſcruples.

13. That which the Prefacer here confeſſes, that the disputes grew to the greateſt height in Antioch, is a very ſufficient account in this matter, why Antioch peculiarly ſhould ſend up to Ieruſalem about this queſtion, when others, who were not ſo much concern'd in it, did not doe ſo; And moreover the convenience of ſuch Meſſengers, Paul & Barnabas, who could ſay ſo much, from the ſucceſſe they had had among the Gentiles toward the deciding of the queſtion, might both qualifie and incite them to doe it, rather than any others at this time; And ſo ſtill there is more reaſon why I ſhould conceive the queſtion referred to Ieruſalem, peculiarly or alone by Antioch (and not ſo by Coloſſe, or Rome, or Galatia) and no appearance of any thing yet produced to the contrary.

14. Secondly, He addes, then to Antioch brethren from other parts and Churches alſo came, whilſt Paul and Barnabas abode g…ere. To what purpoſe this is urged by him I know not, but this I know, that there is no mention in that ſtory of any ſuch, but onelyonly of thoſe which ver. 1. came from Iudea, and taught the neceſſity of Iudaizing. And of them 'tis not probable that they joyned with the Antiochians to referre the queſtion to Ieruſalem, or if they did, I am ſure the Decretal Epiſtle from the Councel was not addreſt to them, but to the Gentile Chriſtians ver. 19. 23. and takes no other notice of them, than as of ſeducers ver. 24. And ſo ſtill it appeares not of any, that they thus referred the queſtion, but onelyonly of the Antiochians.

15. Thirdly, Whereas he concludes it moſt evident from the Councel's anſwer, ver. 23. that the reference is made from all the Churches of the Gentiles, if he meane it of all other Gentile Churches, beſide Syria, and Cilicia, as Phrygia, Galatia &c. Which he after mentions, and Rome, and Coloſſe, which before he had mentioned, there is no appearance of truth in it, the text ſaying expreſſely, that it was ſent to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia; But if he p. 201means it of all not abſolutely, but all of Syria and Cilicia, and not onelyonly of Antioch, then as that is the very thing obſerved by me, to prove that Antioch was the Metropolis of Syria and Cilicia, ſo certainly it is far from evidencing the contrary. I grant, nay, I make it matter of obſervation, that when the Queſtion was ſent to Jeruſalem by Antioch peculiarly, the Decretal Anſwer of the Council is addreſt, not onelyonly to Antioch, but alſo to all the Christains of Syria and Cilicia, and what reaſon can there be for that, when the Queſtion was not, as farre as appeares, propoſed by them, but onelyonly this, that thoſe Regions depended on, and related to that Church, from which the Queſtion was ſent, i. e. to Antioch; which if it be but poſſible (much more, if by other evidence, that out of Ignatius, it be proved to be more than poſſible, even perfectly true) it muſt thence follow, that the argument drawne from the Council's anſwer being addreſt to Syria and Cilicia, as well as to Antioch, will no way conclude that the Queſtion was referr'd by all thoſe, when the Text, which is the onelyonly ground of affirming ought in this matter, mentions none but the Church of Antioch in the referring of the queſtion, and this other reaſon is ſo ready at hand, for the mention of more, in their giving anſwer to it.

16. Fourthly: Whereas he addes, that the Apoſtles delivered theſe Decrees, not onelyonly to the Churches of Syria and Cilicia, which Paul left, c. 15. 41. but alſo to thoſe throughout Phrygia, and the Regions of Galatia, ver. 6. 1. 'tis no where ſaid, that they did ſo in Phrygia, and the regions of Galatia; for the mention of the delivering the Decrees being ver. 4. no way belongs to Phrygia and Galatia, which are not mention'd till ver. 6. nor can be farther extended than to D…rle and Lyſtra foremention'd ver. 1. which we know were Cities of Lycaonia, Act. 14 6. and neither of Phrygia nor Galatia. Nay, 2. it is not neceſſary, that the delivering of the Decrees mentioned chap. 16. 4. ſhould belong to all the Cities which had by that time been mention'd: S…. Lak… 's words will be true, that as they went through the Cities they delivered them the Decrees to keep] though it ſhould be affirmed, p. 202that they delivered them onelyonly to the Churches of Syria and Cilicia, which they are ſaid to confirme cap. 15. 41. as here to eſtabliſh in the Faith, cap. 16. 5. But theſe two things having been ſaid onelyonly foreign, to ſhew how farre the Prefacer is from ſpeaking demonſtratively, when he is cenſuring others for want of that. In the third place, I ſhall acknowledge it very poſſible, and moſt probable, that St. Paul did deliver theſe Decrees of Jeruſalem to other Churches beyond Syria and Cilicia, where he came, particularly to the Churches of Lycaonia, Derbe and Lystra, yea, and to the Churches of Phrygia and Galatia, which no way diſturbs my pretenſions, becauſe as Paul that planted thoſe Churches might reaſonably have care to uphold them in the truth, ſo in the latitude of Philo's ſpeech, all theſe, even Phrygia and Galatia alſo, in reſpect of the Jewiſh inhabitants diſperſed among them, might in the ſecular account refer to Jeruſalem as their grand Metropolis.

17. For ſo ſaith Philo, it was the Metropolis of moſt, whither it had ſent Colonies, naming Aegypt, Phoenice, Syria, and Coeloſyria, and foreign others farre diſtant, Pamphylia, Cilicia, and a great deal of Aſia as far as Bithynia and Pontus (and Lycaonia, &c. are ſure within this diſtance, nearer to Jeruſalem than ſome here named) and then by the contemperation we ſpeak of, of the Eccleſiaſtick to the Civil diſtributions, why ſhould not they all relate to the Metropolitical Church at Jeruſalem alſo?

18. And St. Paul's delivering them theſe foreign, decrees to keep, and doing it not upon his own authority, as his foreign, his private Apostolical judgement, but as foreign, judged, and conciliarly determined by the Council at Jeruſalem, this ſure is an evidence that St. Paul, that planted theſe Churches, ſet them in ſubordination to, and dependance on the grand Metropolis of thoſe parts, that at Jeruſalem: Which is the thing I was to prove, that theſe diſtributions were made by the Apoſtles, that planted Chriſtianity.

19. But then it muſt ſtill be remembred, that the Cities of Lycaonia and Phrygia, and Galatia were not named in the Councils p. 203Epiſtle, but onelyonly Syria and Cilicia, and accordingly this of c. 16. 4. is no proof, I acknowledge, that theſe Churches did belong, and were ſubordinate to Antioch: That was to be proved not by this paſſage c. 16. 4. (thus underſtood) but from the inſcription of the reſponſe of the Council to the brethren of Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, as it was before explained and cleared, and farther from Ignatius his ſtyling himſelf Paſtor of Syria, who, we know, was no otherwiſe ſo, than as he was Biſhop of Antioch, the Metropolis of Syria. And ſo ſtill I hope the concluſion now regularly follows out of theſe premiſſes, there ſhortly ſet down, but here more largely evidenced to inferre, that Antioch was by Apoſtolical inſtitution the Metropolitan See of all the Churches of Syria, and Cilicia. And ſo ſure I have no temptation to be angry, nor ever diſcovered any part of that paſſion to the Prefacer, and ſo needed not have been beſought, ſo affectionately, not to fall into it at this time, when there is no rub in my way, no difficulty to oppoſe, or provoke the leaſt degree of it, in the moſt ragefull.

20. What follows by way of ſcoffe at the citation from Philo, as if I took him for a perſon well acquainted with Apoſtolical Inſtitutions, might alſo, as now appeares, very well have been ſpared. I had brought in that Teſtimony ſeaſonably enough ſect. 6. when I was ſpeaking of the exemplar among the Jews, and by it ſhewed that Jeruſalem was the Metropolis to all thoſe regions in the Iewiſh account, and now all that I concluded in reference to that citation, was, that Antioch was in the number, and then the appeale which Antioch made to the Council at Ieruſalem (and not the Teſtimony of Philo) was the argument on which I inferr'd the Concluſion, that the Church of Antioch was now ſubordinate to the Church or Council at Ieruſalem (which if it were, muſt be by the Apoſtles inſtitution) as all Syria in Philo was to the S…nhedrim at Ieruſalem.

21. To which I ſhall now farther adde: If it were not ſo, why did the Church ſend up Paul and Barnabas thither? Why did not Paul, who planted Chriſtianity there, finally determine the controverſie? Why did the foreign or Elder…, whoſoever p. 204they were (the Biſhops of Iudaea, I ſuppoſe, but it will be much more ſtrange, if they were but the Preſbyters of Ieruſalem) joyne with the Apoſtles in making Decrees, whereby thoſe of Antioch, and all through Syria ſhould be bound, if all this while the Church of Ieruſalem were not their Metropolis, and ſo had no manner of power over them?

22. As to that which he ſaith, that the Holy Ghoſt, Acts 15. 2. acquaints us with the reaſons of referring this controverſie to a determination at Jeruſalem, ſo that he hath no need of this (as he will ſtyle it) Metropolitical figment, to informe him in it. I confeſſe I cannot reach him in it, for all that that verſe informes us, is, that upon occaſion of that dispute between Paul and Barnabas on the one ſide, and the Iudaizers that came from Iudaea, on the other ſide, the Church determined to ſend up to Ieruſalem about this Queſtion. This onelyonly informes us of the occaſion of referring the queſtion, whereon there was foreign, no ſmall dispute, ſuch, as it ſeems, they could not ſo convincingly decide within themſelves, but this renders no account, why they ſent and referr'd it to Ieruſalem peculiarly, and not to any other Church, unleſſe we here ſuppoſe, as I do, that Ieruſalem was lookt upon as their Mother Church.

23. What reaſon it is which the Prefacer findes in that ſecond verſe, or by what medium it comes to have the force of a reaſon, he is not here pleaſed to communicate, but onelyonly ſaith, the Holy Ghoſt hath there acquainted us with the reaſon. But in the next page he is more liberall, gives us the reaſons of their ſending to Ieruſalem, partly becauſe of the authority of the Apoſtles (which were there) in all the Churches, wherein thoſe, who contended with Paul, would be compell…d to acquieſce; partly becauſe thoſe Iudaizing Teachers pretended the commiſſion of the Apoſtles for their doctrine.

24. As for the firſt of theſe, I ſuppoſe that, taken alone, cannot be the reaſon, becauſe there being but two Apoſtles there at that time, Peter and Iohn, 1. there might be ſo many in ſome other City. 2. Paul and Barnabas being before this ſeparated by Gods command to the Apoſtolick Office, were p. 205in this reſpect of equal authority with them, and ſo in this ſence the words of St. Paul have truth, in relation to them, Gal. 2. 6. foreign, they added nothing to me. 3. The reference is made Act. 15. 2. not to the Apoſtles alone, but to the Apoſtles and Elders, i. e. the whole Council at Ieruſalem at this time. 4. The cauſe of the reference was not onelyonly the contention of thoſe who came out of Iudaea, but the Antiochian Chriſtians being taught, i. e. ſeduced by them, c. 15. 1. and accordingly the Decree reſpected them peculiarly. And ſo this firſt reaſon is of no force.

25. For the ſecond; 'tis true indeed, and 'tis affirm'd ver. 1. that certaine men, which came down from Jeruſalem, taught the brethren, and ſaid, except ye be circumciſed, ye cannot be ſaved, and that may ſeem to be ſet down as the reaſon of their making this reference to Ieruſalem, becauſe the men came from Iudaea, which made it fit to inquire whether the Apoſtles and Council there were of theſe mens opinions: But then even this will very little advance his, or prejudice our pretenſions: For this goes upon a ground which will be uſefull, not diſadvantageous to me, viz. that if theſe certain men, which came from Iudaea, had been truly ſent, or commiſſionated by the Church of Ieruſalem, then this would have been of ſome force at Antioch (which it could not be, if Antioch were perfectly Independent from Ieruſalem) and accordingly in the Epiſtle from the Council, ver. 24. we have theſe words; For as much as we have heard, that certain, which went out from us, have troubled you, &c. to whom we gave no ſuch commandment or commiſſion (ſo foreign literally ſignifies) It ſeemed good unto us, &c.

26. Where it is apparent that any ſuch former commiſſion being diſclaim'd, now they ſend their expreſſe decree, not their bare counſel, or advice, or aſſiſtance, which the Prefacer would allow, but, I ſay, a foreign, a conciliarie, dogmatical definition, by which, as it appears by the conſequents, all were deemed to be obliged, which were within the circuit, of which Ieruſalem in the Iewiſh account was the Metropolis. And ſo ſtill, this reaſon, if any ſuch be diſcernable, p. 206Act. 15. 2. confirmes my aſſertion inſtead of invalidating it.

27. That which next follows in the Prefacer, as the ſumme of my argument, is very farre from being what he ſaith it is, either my argument, or the ſumme of it: My argument it is not, being quite a diſtant thing, a recapitulation of the whole ſtory of St. Paul from his converſion to his coming this time to Jeruſalem from Antioch, whereas I collected nothing from any part of the whole story, but onelyonly from this particular, the reference from Antioch to Jeruſalem. And then what is ſo much larger than the particulars diffuſively taken, is ſure very unlikely to be the ſumme of them. And yet 'tis a little ſtrange, that that which is ſo over large a recitation, ſhould chooſe to omit the one thing, whereon the whole force of my argument lyes, i. e either the reference made to Jeruſalem from Antioch, to inferre the dependence and ſubordination of Antioch to Jeruſalem, or the ſtyle of the Epiſtle from the Council, taking in Syria and Cilicia, as well as Antioch, when the reference had been made, and the Meſſengers …ent from Antioch peculiarly.

28. And when he ſaith, that for the appeaſing of the difference it was determined, that the caſe ſhould be reſolved by the Apoſtles, that ſure is unduly ſuggeſted; for c. 15. 2. the reference is not made either to the Apoſtles indefinitely, whereſoever they were, or to the Apoſtles that were at Jeruſalem at that time, and to none but ſuch, but in expreſſe words, to Jeruſalem to the Apoſtles and Elders, comprehending under the word Apoſtles, James the Biſhop of Jeruſalem, which was none of the twelve, and yet pronounceth the decree, foreign, I judge, or, my ſentence is, v. 19. and by the word Elders, as I ſuppoſe, all the Biſhops of Iudaea, ſitting in Councel with him: And ſo ſtill this is to the Church of Ieruſalem, as the Metropolis of Iudaea, and in an eminent manner, of Syria alſo, and not onelyonly to the Apoſtles alone, or peculiarly to be reſolved by them.

29. The Prefacer here in his haſte ſaith, that Paul goes with the decrees to the Churches in Pamphylia, Piſidia, and by name Iconium, citing c. 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. and all the Churches which he p. 207had gathered through Aſia. Whereas 1. there is no mention of Piſidia, or Pamphylia in thoſe verſes (nor ſince, c. 14. 24. for what is ſaid of Mark's departing from them from Pamphylia, c. 15. 38. belongs to the former ſtory) nor of any City but of Derbe and Lyſtra, which are known to be in Lycaonia. Secondly; That there is no mention of their paſſing through Iconium, nor of the very name of the City, but once incidentally, that Timothy was well reported of by the brethren that were at Iconium, ver. 2. Thirdly; That for Aſia, the Text ſaith expreſly, ver. 6. that they were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Aſia, and that therefore when they had gone through Phrygia and Galatia, they came to Myſia, &c. So that he could not well have multiplyed more miſtakes in ſo few words, and all to make up his hypotheſis, that the Decree of Ieruſalem had no more reference to Antioch, and the regions, whereof that was the Metropolis, than to all thoſe other Churches, which yet if it be extended no farther than to Aſia it ſelfe, will by Philo's words be interpretable of the Province ſubordinate to Ieruſalem.

30. What remains to this head, is made up of contumelie and reproach of my audaciouſneſſe, with reflexion onelyonly upon a ſuppoſition of mine, that after this time the Churches were ſmall, and thinne, and few in number, and ſo that of Philippi was ſeven yeares after this, which is deſigned as a prejudice to my hypotheſis concerning Metropolitan Churches ſo early. But to the former of theſe, the reproaches, I have nothing to return but my thankes; to the latter I have anſwered formerly, that the ſmallneſſe of the number of Christians nothing hinders the dependence of one Church upon another. See Vindic. to Lond. Miniſt. chap. 1. ſect. 16. numb. 14. And ſo much for the evidence out of the Acts.

31. Next he comes to my proof out of Ignatius, who, ſay I, being Biſhop of Antioch doth yet in the Epiſtle to the Romans call himſelf Paſtor of the Church of Syria. The words wherein he ſo ſtyles himſelfe, he ſets down in the Greek, and inſtead of tranſlating them (as they ſhould be tranſlated) p. 208Remember in your prayers the Church of Syria, which in ſtead of me hath Chriſt for their Paſtor (viz. now that he was carryed from them to his Martyrdome) he takes advantage of the Readers unskilfulneſſe in that language, and formes my proof into a ridiculous argument, Becauſe he recommends to them that particular Church in Syria, which by his impriſonment was deprived of its Paſtor, therefore without doubt he was a Metropolitical Biſhop; and then is very pleaſant with his

Tityre t… pat…——.

32. But would not a little ſadneſſe and juſtice have done better, and then it had been moſt cleare that Ignatius his ſaying, that Chriſt was now their Paſtor inſtead of him, muſt neceſſarily imply that he was formerly their Paſtor, and whoſe Paſtor was hee? expreſly foreign, the Paſtor of the Church in Syria; where it is evident, that the whole Church in Syria, not that particular Church onelyonly of Antioch, is by him ſuppoſed to be under his Paſtorall care, the ſame thing being before in the ſame Epiſtle expreſt in words no way lyable to miſunderſtanding, foreign, God hath vouchſafed or dignified the Biſhop of Syria, calling himſelf Biſhop of Syria, and ſo not of Antioch onelyonly. This hath been formerly cleared againſt all Chap. 6. ſect. 1. …. 15.exception, and need not be here farther repeated.

33. There remains the teſtimony of the Author of the Epiſtle to the Antiochians, which I vouched not as the genuine writing of Ignatius, but onelyonly as an antient Writer according to the genuine in this matter. Hence I am cryed out on as forſaken of all faire and honeſt means, and like Saul trying the Witch of Endor, &c. But this is but ordinary ſtyle, a flouriſh of his Rhetorick, and need not ſtay us to conſider it; that which follows is more to the purpoſe, that I make this counterfeit speak as if Syria were in Antioch, not Antioch in Syria, and here askes, What other ſenſe can be made of the words as by me tranſcribed, foreign, to the Church of God dwelling in Syria, which is in Antioch, and then triumphs in this diſcovery.

34. But certainly the Witch was not ſo contrary to a wiſe woman, p. 209the counterfeit author ſo perfect a changeling, as here he is ſet out to be. Certainly the Greek, as tranſcribed by me, lyes thus in the conſtruction, foreign, to the Church of God which is at Antioch, with this farther denomination added to it, foreign, adjacent, or lying together in Syria, or allowing them the ſame poſition in Engliſh, which they have in Greek, To the Church of God lying together in Syria, the Church, or, that which is at Antioch; but taking all the words together (of which I there onelyonly gave the abſtract) to the Church pitied by God, choſen by Chriſt, lying together in Syria, which firſt received the ſirname of Chriſtian, the Church which is at Antioch—And ſo he may diſcerne it poſſible to make ſenſe of theſe words, a very little skill in that language being ſufficient to enable one to joyne foreign with foreign, the not very remote, as well as with foreign, the immediate Antecedent. And ſo this leaves it clear as the day, 1. That Antioch was believed by that Author to be in Syria (not Syria in Antioch) and 2. That Syria was the foreign, or Province belonging to Antioch the Metropolis, and that is a proof, as far as his authoritie will bear, that the Apoſtles inſtituted Metropolitans, and ſo of the very thing in earneſt, foreign which was to be demonſtrated.

35. And if this authority were not ſo great as the former of the true Ignatius had been, yet, firſt, he was an antient Writer, and ſo acknowledged; and, ſecondly, one that imitated antient ſtyle, and calls himſelf Ignatius, foreign, the known title of Ignatius, by which he was condemn'd by Trajane, and ſo, though he feign'd a perſon, yet did it decently, and ſo teſtifies his opinion that this was the ſtyle of Ignatius's dayes, or elſe would not have diſcovered himſelf by uſing it. Thirdly, his teſtimony added to Ignatius's, and in concord with it, will not (certainly) take off the for…e from Ignatius's. And fourthly, if this be finally reprobated, there be ſeveral more behind of Scripture and the Antients concerning Gortyna in Crete, and ſeven Metropolitical Churches in Aſia, and a reference to the Archbiſhop of Armagh's p. 210diſcourſe on that ſubject, and paſſages collected out of the Canons of the Antient Ʋniverſal Church, and no one word offer'd to be replyed to all this, which makes it very impertinent to goe about farther to confirme this aſſertion, which elſe I might doe, and for brevities ſake referre the Reader to Frigevillaeus Gautius, Par. 1. c. 4. the ſubject of which Chapter is, Primates eſſe jure Divino, That Primates are by Divine right.

Sect. 7.

foreign. Caſaubon's Cenſure of that phraſe.

Numb. 1. NExt he comes to examine Sect. 11. and that one ſmall teſtimony from the inſcription of Ignatius's Epiſtle to the Romans. Before I proceed to which, I ſhall confeſſe to the Prefacer, that he hath m…ſt an opportunitie of great rejoycing: For the truth is, in the end of ſect. 10. there lay a paſſage, wherein though I affirm'd not, but onelyonly paſt my conjecture (crediderim, &c.) yet I now, by a laſt reading over of Ignatius's Epiſtles, diſcern my ſelf to have miſtaken… For in the Epiſtle to the Magneſians, foreign the Epheſians from Smyrna, are not, as I conceived it poſſible, the Smyrnaeans called Epheſians, becauſe Epheſus was the prime Metropolis, but the Epheſians, which together with ſome of the Church of Smyrna, were ſent with him from Smyrna, ſuch as Burrhus mention'd in the Epiſtle to Pag. 9.the Smyrnaeans, who appeares to be a Deacon of the Church of Epheſus in the Epiſtle to them, and yet is ſaid to be Pag. 1….ſent with him by the Smyrnaeans, foreign, with other of the Epheſians alſo. This I deſire Pag. 9.the Reader now to correct in the Diſſertations, by blotting out that laſt part of **Diſſ. 4. …. 5.Sect. 10. which concerns that matter.

2. I come now to his view of the Teſtimony from the Epiſtle p. 211to the Romanes, and it is ſet downe in theſe words.

3. But to make all ſu…e, th… l…ctor will no… ſo give …ver, but Sect. 11. hee addes, that …he Epigraph of the Epiſtle to the Romans g…ants him the whole caſe, …hat is, foreign, ex qua (ſaith he) E…liſiae Romanae ejuſque Epiſcopo ſuo… E…iis omnibu… in ur…ri… regione, aut p…ovi…c…â Roma… a cont…nti…, p…aefe… comp…e vide …u….

Although I hav… ſpent ſome time in the conſideration of mens conjectures o… thoſe ſub… bicarian Churches, that (as is p…nded) … here pointed to, and the riſe of the Biſhop of Romes ju…ſdiction …ver thoſe Churches, in a correſpondencie to the civill Government of the Prefect o… the City, yet ſ… great a C…itick in the Greek …ongue as Caſa…o… Ex…c …6. ad Ann. 150. having profeſſed that expreſſion, foreign, to …e barbarous, and u…inte…g…, I ſhall not co… about it. For the preſidency me …ioned of the Church i…, or at Rome, that it was a preſidency of ju…iſdiction, and not onelyonly in eminence of F…h and Holyneſſe that is in ended, …he Doctor thinks it not incumbent on him to prove: Thoſe with whom he hath to …o are of another mind; alt…ough by this time ſome a tera… mign: be attempted; yea, …here was as el…where ſhall be ſhewed: And ſo much fo… Ignatius …is Archie…e.

4. This Teſtimony it ſeemes muſt be throwne off upon the one ſcore of Iſaac Caſaubon's Cenſure, that the expreſſion was barb…rous and unintelligible: I muſt therfore examine his words, which I find Exerc. 16. ſect. 150. though not ad Ann. 150. that whole book of Exercitations againſt Baronius extending no farther than the Life of Chriſt.

5. Caſa…bon's words are theſe (ſpeaking of Bellarmine's collection of the Roman domination from thence) Rogandi ſunt ut barbaram locutionem prius nobis explicent, quam ullum ex iis verbis argumentum ducant, quae ne ipſi quidem intelligant. They that endeavour to draw theſe words to this purpoſe, are to be intreated firſt to explain to u a barbarous expreſſion, before they draw any argument from thoſe words, which they themſelves d…e not indeed underſtand. Here it … true th…t Caſaub…n ſaith of foreign, that it is barbara locutio, but for the un…, which the Prefacer addes, and which ſeems to be expr…n theſe words alſo, it is poſſible it may be a miſtak…. Iſa…c Caſaubone conceived himſelf to have obſerved by p. 212many indications, that Cardinal Bellarmine underſtood no Greek, he calls him a little before, hominem Graecarum literarum prorſus foreign, a man utterly unskill'd in the Greek learning; adding, that all his works, especially that which hee laſt wrote, demonſtrate it. And why may not the [ne ipſi quidem intelligunt] be thus meant by him, that Bellarmine was very unſit to make collections out of a Gre…, which 'twas certain he did not underſtand. … I am ſure he had before ſaid of him expreſly, concerning the writings of Dionyſius Areopagita, Eſt quidem ridicula plane res—It is a very Pag. 542.ridiculous thing for one that hath n… Greek to …ffer to jud…e of a Greek Author. Which being granted of that Cardinal, I ſhould yet well have hoped, that the Prefacer, who hath ſo much Greek in this Preface, and very little of it tranſlated, might himſelfe have been able to underſtand ſuch plaine words (for, of the words it is that Caſaubone ſpeaks, not of the full importance of them) foreign, which preſides in the place of the Region of the Romans.

6. But then, ſecondly, there will be little reaſon to doubt what the full ſenſe alſo of theſe words is: For without diſputing what Caſaubone ſaith, that the word foreign is not proper o… vulgar ſtyle, but in ſome reſpect barbarous, I ſhall yet ſuppoſe it put by Ignatius (being joyned with foreign, preſidence) for the Latine ſedes, ſeat, or ſee, which [foreign, place] will, without any forcing, ſignifie, as when the Gallican Church in their Epiſtle to Eleutherius, ſaith of Iraeneus Archbiſhop of Lyons, foreign, If we Euſeb. lib. 5. c. 4.knew that place would purchaſe righteouſneſſe to any, the meaning is, if his being Biſhop of ſo eminent a City and Province would commend him—(and accordingly Peter Halleix would here have it read foreign, throne, or ſeat, but hath no Manuſcript …o favour his conjecture) Nay, if we ſhall obſerve the antient Latine forms, we ſhall have no reaſon farther to deem foreign barbarous, than as it directly anſwers to the Latine uſage of locus, place, and that ſure may be allow'd Ignatius in an Epiſtle to the Romans: For in the ſecond Epiſtle of Anacletus to p. 213the Biſhops of Italy, we have theſe words, In capite Provinciarum, ipſis quoque in civitatibus vel locis nostris Patriarchias vel Primates, &c. In the head of Provinces, and in our Cities or places, Patriarchs, or Primates were conſtituted. The authority of that Epiſtle may ſure be ſufficient to manifeſt the uſe of a word, and then our City, and our place is all one, and that properly of a chief City or Metropolis, ſuch as here Rome is conteſted to be. And then the ſenſe will be as plaine as the words intelligible, that the Church, to which that Epiſtle was addreſt, was the preſiding Church in the place, or ſeat of the region of the Romans, i. e in the chief place, or ſeat, or City of that Region, commonly called the ſuburbicarian Region. And thus hath Jacobu… G…tt…fred…, a learned Lawyer, and Critick expreſt himſelf to underſtand it, meaning by the ſuburbicarian region, all that in the civile not…tiae was under the adminiſtration of the Prefect of the City of Rome, anſwerable to which circuit was the Primitive Province of the Roman Biſhop. And here being nothing offer'd againſt it, I have no occaſion to give farther anſwer: For as to that of Juriſdiction, what degree of that belonged to the Primate in every Province, over and above that which belonged to a Biſhop of an ordinary Citie and territory, that hath oft been ſpoken to already, and need not be again repeated or inlarged on.

7. In the cloſe he is pleaſed to adde, that by this time (i. e. in Ignatius's time, who ſuffer'd in Trajan's time, and ſurvived St. Iohn very little) ſome alteration was attempted, and if that were ſo meant by him, as to belong to the juriſdiction of the Church of Rome over other Churches, which the diſcourſe is upon, this truly might paſſe for pr…ttie antient, being ſcarce diſtinguiſhable from Apoſtolical, and ſo if what was attempted, were attain'd alſo, 'twill be very like the yielding that, which I contended from that testimony▪

p. 214Sect. 8.

Alexandria a Patriarchate inſtituted by St. Mark. This proved and vindicated. The Eſſens in Alexandria, Chriſtians, Biſhops among them.

Num. 1. IN the next, and laſt place, he will paſſe his judgement on the evidence drawn from the storie of the Church of Alexandria, thus.

2. The ex…mp…e of Alexandria is urged in the next place in theſe words, id… de …, de qua Euſebius, Mar…um foreign, Eccleſias (in plurali) primum in Alexandriá inſtituiſſe. Ha… omnes ab eo ſub nomine foreign adminiſtrandas ſuſ…epiſſe Anianum, Neronis anno octavo idem Euſebius affi…t, quibus pat…t primariam Alexandriae & Patriarchalem Cathed…m fi…ſſe, ad quam reliquae Provinciae ill…us Eccleſiae à Marco plantatae, ut … Met op…tica…, ſuam pertinebant; doubtleſſe; for 1. There is no… any paſſage i… any a…ent Author more clearly diſcovering the uncertainty of many things in Antiquity than this pointed to by the D…cto… in Euſebius: F… …, the ſending of Mark the Evangeliſt into Aegypt, and his pretching the…e at Alexandria, what he had written in …h… Goſpel, is but a Rep…: Men ſaid ſo, but what ground they had for their ſaying ſo, h…elat…s no…. And yet we know what a foundation of many a…e…tions, by following W…s, his u…or o… report is made to be. 2. In the very next wo…, the Author affi…mes, and inſiſts l…ng upon it in the next Chap…er, that Ph…lo's b…ok foreign, was written concerning the C… conv…r…ed by Mark's preaching at Alexandria, when it is notoriouſly known, that it treateth of the Eſſens, a Sect among the Jew, amongſt whoſe obſervances many things were vain, ſuperſtirious, and fooliſh; u…worthy to be o…ce app…uded as the practice of any Chriſtian in thoſe day s; that … Ph…lo, …s far as can be g…thered, living, and dying in the Jewiſh Religion, having been employed by them with an Apology to Rome in the dayes of Calig…l…. But 3. ſup…ſe that Mark were at Alexandria, and preached the Goſpel there, which is not improbable, and …ed many Chu…ches in …at great and populous City of Jewes and Gentiles, and that as an Evangeliſt the care of thoſe Churches was upon him in a …eculiar manner; …ay, and adde farther, th… after his death, as Hierome …ſſu…s us, the Elders …nd Presbyters of thoſe Churches c…o…e ou…ne among themſelves to preſide in their Convocations and meetings. I, I ſay …l …his be ſuppoſed, what will enſue? w…y then it is manifeſt tha… the… was fixed at Alexandria a Pa…cha… Chai…, and a Metropolitical Church, according to the appointment of Jeſus Chriſt by p. 215his Apoſtles, Si ho… non ſit probationum ſatis, neſcio quid ſit ſatis. If ſome few Congregations live together in love and communion, and the fellowſhip of the Goſpel in a City, he is ſtark blind that ſe…s not that to be an Archbiſhops See. The reaſon is as clear as his in the Com…, for the freedom of his Wife; Sy Utinam Phrygiam …x…r…m m…am …à mecum videam l…beran. Dem. Opti…a… muliere… qui lem. …y. Et quidem nepoti tuo, hujus fili…, hodi… primam mammam ded. haec. Dem. Hercle, vero, ſ…ò, ſiquidem prio…am dedit, ba d…dubium qu… em…i Aequum ſ…t. M… Ob ea… rem? Dem. Ob …am. And there is amend of the conteſt. The Doctor indeed hath ſund…y other Sections added to …h…ſe foregoing, wh… as they concern times more remote from thoſe who firſt received the Apoſtolica… Inſtitutions, ſo I muſt ingeniouſly profeſſe that I cannot ſee any thing whereon to faſt…n a ſu…pi…ion of a proof, ſo …a re as to call it into examination, and therefore I ſhall abſolve the Reader from the pena…ty of this D…greſſion.

3. It is moſt true that I have deduced the Original of Metropolitans from the firſt plantation of the Faith in Alexandria, the prime City of Aegypt, and having **Diſſer. 3 c. 10before ſpoken many things of it, I begin here with a reference to what had there been ſaid. And for the clearing of it, it is not a…ſſe that I give the Reader a brief view of all.

4. They that write the Hiſtory of that Church, and are thought to write it leaſt favourably to Biſhops, doe yet a… of the Records of that Church, that St. Mark …ound… …, and left Ananias, or Anianus Patriarch there: Of this Euſ…b us thus ſpeaks, foreign, L…. 2. c ….that Mark firſt erected …hurches in Alexandri…, … Anianus received and ruled, under th… t…o foreign Cap. ….foreign the Province of Alexandria adding that … was ſuch a multitude of them, which upon St. Mark's foreign firſt onſet▪ received the Chriſtian Faith, … to it foreign, by … moſt Philoſophical, or pious excellent m…ner … living that Philo Jud…us, who lived at that time, … …it to write a Book to deſcribe their whole manner of ….

5. That the ſame St. Mark conſtituted … ſo in Pentapolis, is affirmed by the Author of his … … … accordingly the ſixth Canon of the firſt … N… appoints thoſe Churches, as alſo all … Lybia, to be ſubject to the Patriarch o… Alexand… … firming p. 216that ſo it was to be by the antient and primitive cuſtome.

6. Here it is evident, that by Mark himſelf Alexandria was conſtituted a Metropolitical Patriarchal See, in the hands and government of a Patriarch, who by being Biſhop of that, had the care of the whole Province, and many particular Churches in it, and accordingly ſuperintended in all of them. And this the ſecond Canon of the Council of Conſtantinople refers to, when it decrees foreign, that the Biſhop of Alexandria ſhall adminiſter onelyonly the affairs of Aegypt, and this in their care foreign, not to confound the Churches, diſturb the order antiently obſerved among them.

7. The onelyonly thing that I could foreſee poſſible to be objected to this was the authority of Eutychius the Annaliſt, affirming that till the time of Demetrius's Patriarchate, there was no other Biſhop in Aegypt but onelyonly at Alexandria. But to this authority it was ſufficient to oppoſe the farre greater of Euſebius, who ſpeaking of that Demetrius, ſaith, that after Julian he undertook, foreign, the government of the Dioceſes there, in the plural, which cannot be imagined to be without Biſhops over them. And the ſame is in a manner confeſt by Eutychius himſelf, who ſaith Ananias was made Patriarch by Mark, which he could not be, if he had no Biſhops under him.

8. And indeed Philo deſcribing the manner of theſe Holy men i… Aegypt, the Chriſtians of Mark's planting, ſets downe foreign, the manner of preſidencie, or rule of them who performed the Eccleſiaſtick Miniſteries, and ſaith it was made up of **foreign.Deacons and Biſhops, who were in the uppermoſt rank placed over all.

9. And ſo when ††Cou…r. … i… iuit.Tertullian tels us of Valentinus the heretick, that he had an ambition to be Biſhop, it is evident enough that this was in Aegypt, for he was of that Country; and 'tis no way probable that it was the Patriarchate of Alexandria, that he ſued for, being, as Epiphanius ſaith, foreign, Hae…. Valent. in in….of the Athribitick diviſion, which was far diſtant from p. 217Alexandria. To which again belongs what was premiſed of Mark's planting Churches in Pentapolis, and the Nicen… Council giving that Patriarch juriſdiction over them by the foreign, the antient, or original cuſtoms, which ſuppoſe… ſtill that there were ſuch Churches and Biſhops originally from St. Mark.

10. The matter lying thus, and being indeed in every branch thus laid in the Diſſertations (if the Prefacer had been at leiſure to attend it) I ſuppoſed the way clear to my concluſion. But he is pleaſed to make his Exceptions. Thoſe he ſeemes to promiſe ſhall be more than one, for he begins with [For 1.] but then having branch'd that again into three parts, and ſo again beginning [For firſt] by that time he hath gotten through thoſe branches, he hath forgotten what was promiſed to ſucceed his firſt gener…l in the diviſion.

11. As it is, we have enough remaining: For his general exception being the uncertainty of things in this ſtorie (from whence by the way, he makes haſte to conclude the clear diſcovery of the uncertainty of many things in Antiquity, ſo ready he is upon all occaſions to expreſſe his affections that way, that his concluſion is far wider than his promiſes) the firſt that he mentions is, the ſending Mark the Evangeliſt into Aegypt, and his preaching at Alexandria what he had written in the Goſpel: This, ſaith he, is but a report, Men ſaid ſo; but what ground they had for ſaying ſo, Euſebius relates not.

12. But 1. is there any thing more acknowledged, and uniformly atteſted in ſtory, than this of Mark's preaching the Faith (that ſure is what he had written in the Gospel) in Aegypt, and particularly at Alexandria? Is it doubted of by any Writer? or is there the leaſt ground of doubting?

13. Secondly: Euſebius being to ſet down a fact of former times, which he received by tradition, either from man to man, or in writing, what could he ſay more, than [Men ſaid ſo?] And who ever required other ground… of narrations of notorious facts, than the common unqueſtioned affirmations of men? and ſo, it ſeems, it was here: And certainly there is no cauſe imaginable, why any man ſhould queſtion this, or believe the contrary, and why following Writers ſhould not p. 218found aſſertions on ſuch matters of fact, with ſo uncontroll'd a conſent of all Hiſtorians (that ſpeak of that Churches plantation) brought down to us, or why we Prelatiſts ſhould not conclude from thence, what even St. Hierome himſelf, and Eutychius, the prime favour'd Authors of the Presbyterians have yeelded us premiſſes to conclude.

14. His next branch of Exceptions is againſt Euſebius's affirming Philo's book foreign to have been written concerning the Chriſtians converted by Mark's preaching, when, ſaith he, it is notoriouſly known, that that book treateth of the Eſſens, and Philo lived and dyed a Jew. But certainly this no way prejudiceth Euſebius's affirmation, Eſſens we know ſignifie holy pious men, and Chriſtians converted to the Faith by St. Mark, may doubtleſſe be ſuch, and being Iews by parentage, and by the example and doctrine of St. Mark brought to a ſtrict aſcetick life, why might not Philo deſcribe and commend them as ſuch, being, though a Jew, yet, that we can any way diſcern, not any profeſt enemy of Chriſtianitie, which alſo was but Judaiſme reformed and hightened.

15. And for any vanities or follies taken notice of in that Sect of the Jews, ordinarily called the Eſſens, there is no neceſſity that thoſe ſhould be found among the holy men in Aegypt, deſcribed by Philo, or if any reliques of them ſhould be diſcern'd among them, 'twould be no ſtranger, than that there ſhould be ſome of the Phariſaical leaven among other Primitive Chriſtians, as it is evident by Scripture that there was.

16. It will be very much more difficult for the Prefacer to avoyd the force of many paſſages in that book of Philo, which inclined Euſebius that way, and have had the ſame force on many others, I ſhall mention but one, which is already toucht on, and belongs to our buſineſſe in hand, their foreign, and the Biſhops and Deacons among them, which will not be found in any ſect of Jews that were not Chriſtian.

17. His third branch is made up of Conceſſions and liberalities (one more than is uſefull or neceſſary for me to have granted) and then as if he had repeated the full force of my argument, he laughs at it, and falls into a Scene of the Comoedian, p. 219and ſo concludes in great chearfulneſſe: And truly I am very glad to find him in ſo good humour, and although my argument might with eaſe have been truly and fully repeated [viz. that St. Mark planting many Churches in Egypt, ſubjected them all to the Patriarch of Alexandria, therefore here is an example in the Apoſtles times of a Metropolitical Church conſtituted] and although the argument lying thus, it be far from ridiculous, and if it were not concluſive enough, there are many more evidences of the ſame matter in that Section of the Diſſertations, and as there is no word offer'd to them, ſo what is objected againſt this, hath appeard to have no force, yet I ſhall moſt willingly have the Prefacer excus'd for all this, and give my plaudit to his exit, upon that one ſcore of the obligation laid upon me, much more than upon the Reader in abſolving me from the penalty of this digreſſion.