the Original of Episcopacy more largely confirmed out of
Antiquity, by James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh._ Ussher's Works, vii.
p. 75.

[537:1] Pearson has endeavoured to destroy the credit of this
chronology, and has urged against it the authority of the "Annals of
Eutychius!" "De Successione prim. Rom. Episc." He had before laboured to
prove that the testimony of these "Annals" is worthless. "Vindic.
Ignat." pars i. c. xi.

[537:2] The chronology of Eusebius, as arranged by Bower in his "Lives
of the Popes," stands thus:--

Evaristus, A.D. 100 to A.D. 109.
Alexander, A.D. 109 to A.D. 119.
Sixtus (or Xystus), A.D. 119 to A.D. 128.
Telesphorus, A.D. 128 to A.D. 139.
Hyginus, A.D. 139 to A.D. 142.
Pius, A.D. 142 to A.D. 157.
Anicetus, A.D. 157 to A.D. 168.
Soter, A.D. 168 to A.D. 176.
Eleutherius, A.D. 176 to A.D. 192.
Victor, A.D. 192 to A.D. 201.

[538:1] The following is the chronology of Pearson:--

Clement died A.D. 83.
Evaristus, A.D. 83 to A.D. 91.
Alexander, A.D. 91 to A.D. 101.
Xystus, A.D. 101 to A.D. 111.
Telesphorus, A.D. 111 to A.D. 122.
Hyginus, A.D. 122 to A.D. 126.
Pius, A.D. 127 to A.D. 142.
Anicetus, A.D. 142 to A.D. 161.
Soter, A.D. 161 to A.D. 170.
Eleutherius, A.D. 170 to A.D. 185.
Victor, A.D. 185 to A.D. 197.

--"Minor Works," ii. pp. 570; 571.

[539:1] I have endeavoured, from the records of the late Synod of
Ulster, to estimate the medium length of the incumbency of a moderator
for life, being the senior minister of a presbytery of from ten to
fifteen members, and have found that the average of thirty-six
successions amounted to between eight and nine years. In these
presbyteries young ministers generally constituted a considerable
portion of the members. Had they all been persons advanced in life, the
average must have been greatly reduced.

[539:2] During that part of the second century which terminated with the
death of Hyginus, the average duration of the life of a Roman bishop
very little exceeded eight years; whereas, during the remainder of the
century, it amounted to nearly twelve years. According to the chronology
of Pearson the disproportion is still greater, being as eight years and
a fraction to fourteen years. If we insert the episcopate of Anacletus