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7.a(r?v,ry64/ya Go -
1
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I CHRIST
I ON HIS
I THRONE.
*^ ChriftsChurch-government brief-
ly laid downc ; and how it ought to
bee fet up in allChriftian Con-
gregations.
Refolvcd in fiindry Cafes of Confcicncc.
t
I E R. 6.16.
Thw fdith the Lard; Stttndje in the VAjet , Mirei^i
ofke ftrthetld p<iths,where u thef^ttdwty^andwdlkjhert-
m, Andjtjhallpnde refiftrjoHrfiulet,
LVKE 19.27.
But thtfi mne Entmiet , which wuld n*t tb»t I fhould
^ raigveevtr them,irM£ themhithtr Mdjlsythtm btferemi.
Printed in the yeare 1^40.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
Princeton Theological Seminary Library
http://archive.org/details/diocesanstryallwOObayn
THJE
I DIOCESANS TRY ALL, il
WHEREIN
The maine Controverfies about the
Forme or Governemcnt of the Churches ofChrift
are judicioufly ftatcd, and learnedly difculTed in the
opening and thorough debating of thefe three
Queftions following,
"l. whether Chrifi did inFiitute, or the Afo shies frame any
Diocefanfirme of Churches, or Whether P art Jhiortall only?
%, whether Chrifi ordained bj himfelfi or by his ^y^pofiles
any ordinary Pafionrs, having both precedencie of order
and majority of power over others?
^, whether Chrifi did Immediately commit ordinary power
EcclefiaFiicall, andtheexercifeofity to any one jingular
ferfon,or to an united multitude ofPrefiyters? iH
A worke feafbnableand ufefuU for thefe times, being very ||
helpefull to the deciding of the differences now in '^
queftion upon this fubjcdt.
Written long fince by that Famous and learned Divine,
M'PaulBayne.
And now Publifhed by Authority.
5*^
€[|
L O N D ON,
Printed for John BelUmie, and are to be fould at his Shop at the
Signe or the three CJolden-Lyons in Cornchill ncare the
Royall-Exchange, M. DC. XL IV.
_ V ttfrj'w?^ fmimwv^ IJ3«*^^' ^WMMa^r' G»SSOO ^Ms^' rmm ^
i)-.
Ki '^(nio
THE PREFACE;
MAny writingf, and fcrmons aUo have caufc to wilTi
that the men from whom tKcy come were lefl'e
knowcn then they are. For then (hould they be free from
much prc;udice,and find better acecptance with thoic that
tbcv come to.But I wifti nothing more unto this rreatife,
which is now coming into the world,then that the Author
ot it were throughly known un^o all thofe that flull meet
with it;for then his work would need no borrowed com-
oicndation,thc title it fclf carrying auihoriry with ir, even
to force rcfped from every h-nell Reader, if either the
ih irpncs ot wit. variery of reading,depth o^ j jdgmenr,apt-
nes to tcachjholy and pleafant language, heavenly convcr-
fation,wiK cariag<?,cr any fulnes of grace wilfo far prevail
with him. I coc notabufe good words, or load one with
tbhcm whom thf y do not belong to,3s many pointers of Sc-
pulchrs in ihcir funerall Orations ufc to do : but fpcak that
in fliort,which M. B?incs his pcrfon did largly preach unto
alifuchaicame rcer unto him:&:chat which hisincoinpa-
rkble writings wil fufliciently witncs tofuturgencraticns.
Neither is this all that the Authours quality may fuggelt
unto the cotjfidcrafc Rf^adtr : but he may arifc from this to
more impi rtar.t thou^hts;cfpccia:iy if the remembrance of
M.Baincshi-i worth d> occafion him fo think of msny o-
iher5 liU untohiir : uch as M.Decrirg.M.Mcrr M. Green*
ham, M.PcrkinF,M.Ro^crs,M.(:a.-wrfglu,M FeDncr, M,
Bnghtman, M.P.)ikcr,M. Philips, M.Hjcicn.ai:d M.Brad-
flvJW &c.tc)fpcaT< nothing of ihofc whicii yet live, nor of
1)»R. inoldst^.ft)^ .and DWhital<ci> wirh many others.
Foi nil hefe t^c ir^' .pprrl c jcd as n.c agreeing in ore fpirir,
& having l.aaif deed the fp-' ic o( glcryrcftingon thcm,as
thti^ works (^t rhew,rog' htrwifhthofclcittjis icfiimo-
fiial w' u h t> ' y Icfr wi icc n in tl c hcartj» of mar.y rLoL-fand
Cbriltuntui mull ii^cd. caule 1 1 the IcaU an inq-i;! y, what
A 2 the
The Prefdee,
thcfcaConflioald be whac fach famous men of God,coaI4
never like wcl of our Biflioply couries in EngUnd,nor ever
be favoured-of them.The cafe is plainc to all : and checaufe
is as evident to thofc that have eyes to (ee : but no where
more apparant then in theperfbnot M.Baines, and the
place where be , and othtrj like him were made (igncs of
this antipathic. Cambridge is or flioald be, as an eye to all
our land : fo that the alterations that fill oat there cannot
but be felt of all parti. It is the place of light; thefpiriruall
oppreffions which in other corners are covered with dark-
ncde ( as all the wo^ks of darknefle would be ) whtn pad
all fliamethey come to confront the Sunneitfelfe , how
can they then be hidden ?
When M.Pcrkins had there for many ycarcs held forth a
burning and /hining light,thciparks wherof did flicabroad
into all corneri of the land,and after he had icrvcd his time
was taken up into heaven , there was none foand fo meet
for to receive,as it vvcre,the torch out of his hand, and (uc-
cced him in that great office of bearing it before (uch a pco-
ple,asthis M.Bains,upon whom alfothe fpiritof that tlias,
was by experience found to be doubled, Inthiiflatfon ha
fodenaeancd himlclf for fome years,that impictieonly had
caufc to complaint sfor all that favoured the wares ot God,
n joyced and glon'ed in him and his Miniftery,asa fpiricisn
all trcafure. But at length the howcr of darknes came
from Lambeth, when Arch.Bancroftfenc M. Harfenet to^
Vifite as they call it^that is^if tcrmc5 may be interpreted by
common praflife) to pick tf-.e purlcs of pqote men, and to
fupprefic thofc that are not friends to the B,fhopj King-
domcTor though in that circuit tl ere wcreainuhicudeof
unable snd nororioufly fcandalous Miniftcrs, yet none
were foiid worthy ofccnfure^Hin only M. B3inc?,oF whom
the world was not worthy , and one other Preacher like
unto him. Now it is hard to lay , whcthjir thefilencingof
him was more odion5,or the manner of it rhameJes. There
jrufl be a Scrmon(yc know)at (uch Vifications/or faftiioa
iake, though the Vifiter himfclf can fcldoji find Icafurc to
p^rake ir.Tliis part was therfore appointed to M. Bains by
the
die Vlfitcrs.that he might cither be inlnared in his words ,-
if hedid not <pp1y hirofelf co their humours^ or elle grace
their ungratioas courfes^ if he did. But ic did not (uccced
handfomly cither way : For he delivered vvholelome doc-
trine appertaining to the prcicot audience » in fuch vvarie
manner, that no (pecious occafion could be taken thcrby of
qucftioning his liberty. Yet faircly or fouly the miichie-
vousintentionmuftnoc faiie. M. Baines having hear his
weak body by ftrainingto Ipeak unto a great audicrcc,rc-
drc4 himfelfe prefemly upon his coDnmingdowD irom the
Pulpit to provide for his health, whch other wife would
have bin indangered. They in the mca time going on w ith
their bufineffc, as they are wont in the mafterly forme of a
oattftersCalled for M. Baines amongft the re(l, and upon his
n«t anfweriiag , though he was not cited thither as co a
Court,butooIy imreated to prcach.as hedid,yctfor not ap.
pearingshe was immediately (ilenced. Afterward in d^tt6y
the Chancellor being informed of thit grofle nu!lity>ivhicb
was in the fentencc, urged him about fufafcription and ccn-
rormity;and fo to naake iurc work»(i!enccd hioi over a^ain i
In which bufincflc he was fo confcious unto himfclf )t un-
reafonable and ridiculous dealing, that when M B inrs
ftanding to receive the fentencc of a corrupt man, did lift
uphis heart and eies unto Cod with a heavenly fuii.ing
countenancc,a8 heufcd, he interpreted that gcflurc :o be a
skorne of his authority. This being don,M. Baines w^5 per-
fwaded by his friends to try the ArcnbiiLops co»jac!ii ,
unto whom,wben heprcfcnted himftlf.ar the very lirft (a-
luration ; the gravity and (cvtrity of B. Barcrolt kd hini
(harply to rebuke the good man foraiiale black- -a o kc ,
which was upon the edges of his ciiffc^ , asking him tow
he durft come bebre him with (uch cufls, tdiin^; iiiiu vcrs^
bifhoplike,thatit wcreagood turn ro lay him by ihr net Is
for fo doing. After this he would have no more roclo wiih
fachabriirclunreafonablemcn-.butp-caci^ediom.tiinc wher
hemight haveliberty, ashis wcakcntfle of body would
iaffer;and ipent the reA ot his time in reading, rr.ediraring,
praying and wtilbgi bviog that upon occafion heedid'
A 3 iaftruc^
The Prefdct.
inftruft or comFort thole which catnc to hi« fn private J
wherin hehad a heavenly gift. He was indetd all his life af-
rcr,b€fidc the weakens ot his body predcd with want.no
having(as he ottcn cooiplained tohii friends)! place to reft
his head in : which me thought w^as an upbraid ng of the
age and place where he h'ved with bale regardlcfnes of piety
& learningtyec he never lo much as confuked with hiiriclfc
ef denying his fincericicbypleaiingtheBifliops, o(whom
and their courfeshe was wonr to i^^yj'hey are a generation.
of the earth^earthlj.andfat/OHr not thiwaies ofGod^Nhich
laying of his, they, and (omc Doiflors of Cambridge have
fiiice made good , in that they could not indurc, that the
place frooi whence they thrufi; himjfhould be fupplicd by
other honeft men,though they were c6formable,but with
abfoluce authority at length forbad it, alledging that Puri-
tanes were made by that ]edure:wheras the truth is, thac
one lecture hath done more good to the Church of God in
England, then all the dcdors of Cambridge: though 1 doc
not dcny,but lome ot them have wrought a good work.
B/ this one inftance ( of which kind I would there were
not a 100 in our land) itmay eafilyappearctotheundcr-
ftandinc^ Reader, that here is as much agreement betwixt
our Billirps in their managing of Religion (except lome «
or 3 , which went out of their elements, when they vente-
red on thofe places) & tholelpowerful P/eachers who have
bin the chief means ot revealing Gods arme unto lalvarion,
as tb.ere is betwixt the light \Ahichcommeth down from
hcaven,& that thick mifl: which arileth from the lo weft pic.
But weencfdnot feek: for demonft rations of the Ipiric
which workcth in our Hierarchic from this oppofition,
look but at the fruits of it,whcr it hath all fulncs oFconlent,
as Cathedrall Pallacts, or Pariflics of Bilhopsand ^rchbi-
fhops re(id€nce,ruc 1 as Lambeth is, where ail their canons
are in force, a' d have their full fway without contradidi-
on : nay come neerer unco them, and take a view of their
families, even to them that wait in iheir chambers, and fee
Vi\\n godlineile there U to be found Have there not more
of God and bis Kingdoaic appeared in foxnc one Congre-
gado^
TheFrtfdCil
^cBifbopiyChanceliours, Archdeaconsj&c' bemgiU
icwcrc, their promotors, informers, and cxccucioncrf,
in ail matcers of jurildidion and government, for to
hring in mony into their purfes : {or performance alio of
which (erviccto them, the Church- wardens upon crery
occafion are enforced to take fucb corporall oathes as not
one of them doth cverkeep. What other ground of thif,
bcfiilc the fore- mentioned, that particular Congregati-
ons are no fpirituall incorporations , and thcrcbrc muft
have no officers for government within themiehres }
Now all thefeconfufioni with many othtrs ofthcfamc
kindihow they arc condemned inthcvcr/ foundations!
themjM.Bains here Qiewethinthe firA quedion.by main«
taining the divine ccnditution of a particular Church, ia
«ne Congregation. In which queQion he maiatainetha^
gainfl his adversaries a^ourfe not aniike to that which
Armachanu£, in the daicsof King Edward the third, con»
tended for againft the begging Fiicrs in his bocke called
Thtdefertee ofCttrausiVot when thofe Friers incroachf d
upontheprivilcdgesof Parccbiall Miniflers, he with-
flood them tJpon thcfc grounds: Efc/e/t4 PArochiMthJMX"
tA verb A Mofis Dent, ii.efi Ucm eleEim 4 ^eo^m^ma de^
kemui Accifere xunU^ ^nt, frtcipit Dom$f$M tx Sacru*
mentU. Furothm efi ordinsrim PAmhtdni: tfl ferfon^
^ A D€9fr€Cept4^ velmAfidato Dei ad illmdmtmfttrit4tn eX"
i flendumeleEiM: whichif they begrantedjouradverfaries
caulc may gos a begging with the forefaid Friera.
Another fort ot'corruprions there arc, which though
J they depend upon the fame ground with the former, yec
I immediately flow out of the Hierarchie. What is more
dilFonan: from the revealed willofCbrifl in the Gofpell,
( even alio from the (late of the Primitive Church^t ^en that
the Church and Kingdomt of Chrid HiQuld be managed
astheKingdotncsofthcworld , by a Lordly authority,
with exceruall pompc,commandiDg power, contentious
courts of ; udgc menr,f urni(hed with chancellors, ofiRciaIsp
commillaries,advocates, pro^ors, paritors, and luch like
humane devices? Yet all this doth ncccflarily folio wup-
B en
The fnfAQe.
en the 5dn)itapg of (tigh Bifli.^ps*? purs gf^ia Bo^latiiji
who nQSoaely are Lv)r4s ov^r fh^,fl ock,but rfac pro^rfp
lo muc'n in the high^d 4^grqe,wliei^ th»?y teil us plainly,
that their Lavvesor Canons Joe bin^e tncn^ confcicnccj.
Fvriierein vv.^ ?felike tfee people qt li'rael, who would
ijothav:; Godfor tb Jr icQa^tcJUre King,hiit w^^uldhave
luchK.ng§asochcr Niru>AJ>:{;Ye.p foc-^e Papifts, anJ wc
after theai, r^iuU to h^ve Chriftan iinqieidiate King in
thcicniBediatc gpver.-'.mentof theChufch^ but muft have
Lordty RuUt« with ftacc in Ecckfjafticjil affaires, (uch
as the wjorid hactJ iaciviil.
Whau milcra,ble pickle are the pioft of our Minifters
in, when they are urged to give an account of cheir cal-
ling? To a P^pift indeed they can give a fhifting anO^cr,
that they have orJinJtien from Bifliops , which Bifhop*
were ord:^incd by other Bilhps, and they, or their or-
dainers by Popi(h Bifliops : tnis ia part tnay ftop the
mouth ot a Papi'hbjt let a Proteftant which doubccth of
thefe matters move the q ie{lion,and what t|?en will they
fay/Ihhey flic to popifli Bi(}iops,is they arc popifli^thea
let them goe no longer nia;^kc^ under the name of Pro-
teftmts. It they alkdgc fucccflion by them from the A-
poftles, then (co (ay nothing oftbc appropriating of this
fuccelTion anro the Popes chaire,iii whofc name, and b)^
whole authority ojr Englifli Bifliops did all things ia
times paft) chen I fay they muft take a great time for the
iatisfy ing of a poore man concerning this qaeftion, and
for the juftirying of their ftation. For uncili that cue of
good records they can flif- w a pcrpetuall [ucceflion from
the Apoftles unto their Diocefan which ordained them,
and unti/l they can make the po.^rc man wHich doubtetb,
perceive the truth and certainty of thole records, ( wliich
I wiff:- they will doe at Icafurc) they can never make chat
fiicccflion appeare.If they flyc to the Kings authofiry,the
King himfefc will forfake them, and deny that he taketh
upon hisi to make or call Miniflers. It to the prefenr Bi-
fhops and Archbifliops, alas they are as farre to feeke 33
themftlvesjind much further. The proper caule of all this
mifery
Thi Prefdce.
mffcry li tlie lifting Up of a lordly F*/eUcy,upon tht fmii«
of the Churches liberties.
How intollcrable a bcndagc xi it, that a Minifler beiflo'
called to a charge. may not preach to his people except he
hath a licence from the Bffhop or Archbifli6p : Cannot
receive tNe beft of his Congregation to conamunion if'he
be cenfured in the fpirituall Courts, though it be but for
not paying of fix pence vVhich they reqaired of him in any
name, be the man othcrwife never fo innocent : nor keep
oncfrom the communion, that is nor prefrnted in thofe
Courts,or being prefented is for money abfblvJd, thcKij^
he be never fo Tcandalous : arid mufi often tirtiei (ifhee
will hold his place)againft his conkiencc pat backe thofe
from communi©n with Chrift, whom Chrift doth call
unto it (asgoodChriftiansif they Vvillnot knecle) and
receive ihofc that Chrift putteth batke, at the command
of amortallman.
What a burthen are poorc Minift<i"s pt'cflVd with, m
that masy hundreds of them depend upon one Bidiep and
bis Officers: they riiuft hurry up to the fpiritu all Court
upon every occafion, there to ftand wich capin kind,noC
bnely before a Bifliop, but before bis Cbancdlour, to bee
railed on many rimes at his pjeafure : to be ccnfured, fuf-
pended,dcprircd,for not obferving fome of rhofe canons
which were of purpofc framed for fnarcs, when far more
ancient ahd honeft canons aVc every day broken by thcfc
Judges themfelvcs For lucre lakc,as in the making of Vt o-
pian Miniflert, who have no people to mioifler unto ^ in
their holding ofcomaiendams,in their taking of money,
even to extortion,forordcrtand inftirucioiis : in their fy-
mony^as well by giving as by taking: and in all their idle,
covetous, andainifeitious pompe ? For all thtfe and foch
likcabufc?, We are beholding to the Lordlincffc of our
Hierarchy: wliich in the root of ir, is here overthrown by
M.Bay ncjiniheconclufionsofchcfecortd and: bird Que-
ftion. About which he hath the very fime controverlie,
that Marfiliirt Paravinus iii part undertookc long fiBce,
about the (kne of Edward the- kcond, againil the P^p^.
B 1 For
for he in his bookc called Beftnf$r facu, hycth the hm6
grounds that here are maintained* Some o( his wordea>
though they be large, I will here fetdownc for the Rca-
di, efiejfeftiMlid & inftpArahiiU Freshjterio in ^ttantHm
freibyter efi. In hac authoritAte^ Epi/eepw a SuctrAote hok
differtytefteBieronynioJim0verim Apoftoh^CHJm etUm efi
apertafententU, Iti^Htt enim Hieronymnifuper M^t, 1 6i
Hdhnt ^uidem eandemjHiicidrUm p^tel^Atem aUiApofl^^
iifiahet omnes Etcleftain ?rtsbyteris^ Epifcopi^: pr^p$»
nensinhvc PreskyteroSf ^MonUm antborittts hdtc debetur
Fresbjter§^in qHAntHmfrtsbyttr.primo^&fecundHm e^H9d
ipfHm,(^c. Many things are there dKcourfed to the iaai€
purpofCjdifl.a.c. ly. It were too long to recite alL Yet
one thing is worthy to beob/ecvedhow he intcrpreteth
a phrafe oF leromc fo much aliedged, and builc upon by
the Patronsof our Hierarchy. lerome faith ad Evagr.that
aBiiliopdoth nothing, excepting ordination, which a
Presbyter may not doe. Ofthistcftimony D.Downana-.
vouchetb, that nothing can be more pregnane then it, to-
prove that Bifliops wcrcluperiour to Presbyters in pow-
er of ordination. But hcare what this ancient Writer
6ith, Ordinatio nonfignifieM ibi p^te^Atim^onfereHdi^ etf^
toUationem (act or urn §rdinum: fed ceconomkampatiftam.
tern reguUndi veldirigendi Ecclefia ritHiiAtqHt psrfoftai^
qHAfitum ad exsrcitium divini cnltm in templo ; unde ab
Aniiqfiis legHmUtoribm voeantnr Oeconomi reverendi.
It would be over long to declar eall the ufe which may
be made of this Trcatife, which being it (elfc lo lhort,for=.
biddeth prolixity in the Preface. If the Aothor had lived
to have accomplifhcd his purppfein pcrfcding of this
worke> ho would (it may be j have added fuchconfide**
rations as thefe s or a t leali he would have left all io clear^
tb«t any attentive Reader might eafily have concluded
them from his premiffcs. For fopply ofthatdefeC^, thcfc
pradlicall obiervations are noteds which with the difpntc
itfelfc) I leave to be pondered by the conCcionabte Rea^
der, ^^t/imfs»
Tg€
THE FIRST
QVESTION IS.
WHETHER CHRIST DID INSTI-
TUTE OR THE APOSTLES
frame any Dioccfan forme of Churches^
or Parifhionall oncly.
O R dctcrmfning this Queftion, we will firft fetdown ihe
Arguments which affirmcir. Secondly, ihofc which dtnyj
Thirdly, lay down fomcrefponfivcconclufions, andafifwcr
the objcdiont made againit that pare w« take to be ih«
F
ermh,
Thofc who affirme the frarrc oF Dioccfan Churches , vowch
their Arguments ; partly from Scripture , partly from prefidencs,
ormftanccs facred aad Ecclefiafticall. Finally, from the congrui-
ty it haih with reafoo, that fo ihey thould be conftitute.
The firft objeftion is taken from coaaparing thofe two Scrips
tures, Titus i. f. Aft. 14. ^^ Ordiine Elderi CUybyCltf. Tbejurm
daiftei Eltkft Cbnrcb hyCbuftb, Hence it is thys argued. They
whoofdained-thataCity, with the Suburbi and regions about ir,
fhouid make but one Church , they ordained a Diocefan Cliurwh.
But ihe Apoftles, who ufc ihcfe phrafes ai acquipollcnc, To orchmt
PfUbjttrnn tvet} CitJ^ zndtotrdaint tbem in every Chmch , appoia-
ted, that a ciiy with the fuburbef and region about it, iliouU
make but one Church, Ergo, the Apoftics conftituted a Dioccfan
Church.
The rcafon of the propofiiion h , becaufe Chtiftians converted
sn a City, with the (uburbcf, villages, and cowniries about it, could
not be fofew,asto make but a PanlhioRall Church. The AlVump-
tion isclearC) for ihefe phrafes are ufcd, as(UJ<r^Mi(r, and being fo
wfcJ, needs it mud be ihat the Apoftlcs framed citie?, fubutbj, and
rc3ioi>$ into one church.
z. They argue from examples* Sacred and Ecclefuftictll. Sacred
.ire laktnour of -h« old and new Ttftamenr. Ecclcfiafticall, frorti
the Pffmiuve times, and from Patternes in our ownc times i yea,
even from futh clv.rchcs , as we held reformed, at ihoCc in Belgia
nnii Gencvi-
To beginnc wiih the chareh of the Jcwcs in the old Tcftament,
whence they reafon thus. That which many particular Synagogues
were ihen(becaufc they were all hut one Common-wealih,and had
ail but one proftffi n) that m^y many thriftian churches now bee
upon the 1 k^ grounds. But th^ y ihen, though many Synagogues,
yet becaufe thv-y were all but one Kmgcome , and had all bdt one
profefli on, were all one nationall church. Ergo, upon like grounds
many church s with aSjin a nation or city, may be one 0ationallo^
Diocefan churth.
Secondly, the chtrch of Jerufalem in the New Teftanlcht is ob-
jeSed. I T hat which the Apoftles intended (hould be a head churcb
to all Chnftians in J udea, that was a Diocelan church.But this they
did by the church of Jerufalem. Ergo : i. That which was more
number{ome,then could meet Parifliionally,wa8 no Pariihionalbuc
Dioccfan church. But that church wasfuch. Firft, by growing to
^ooo.then 5000. Ad. 1.41. & 4.4. then to have milhons in it, Adt.
21.10. Ergo, the churchof Jerufalem was no« a Pariftiionall, bma
Dioccfan church.
Thirdly, the church of Corinth is objeded to have bccne a Me-
tropolitan church. He who writing to the church ofCorimli, dbili
write to all the Saints in Achaia with it, doth imply that they were
all fubordinatc to that church. But this doth Paul, i Cor. i.i.ErgO*
Secondly He who faluteth jointly the Corinthians and Achaianj,
andcalkththe church of Corinth by the name of Achaia , and
names it with prcheminence before the reft of Achaia, doth imply
that the church of Cormth was the Metropolitan church to whick
all Achaia was fubjcd. Bui the Apoftlc doth this, 2 Cor.^.t.Sc 1 1.
11.8.^,10. Ergo.
Fourthly, iha'c which was the mother city of all Macedonia, the
church in that city muft be, if not a Metropolitan, yet a Diocefan
church. But Philippi was fo. Ergo.
The fifth is from the churches of Afia, which are thus prtved,
atleafttohavc becneDiocefan. i. Thofefeven churches which
containcdall other churches in Alia ftriftly taken , whether in city
orcountity ; ihofe feven were for their circuit, M«'tropolitan, 6c
Diccv fan churches. But thofe fcyen did containe all other in A»
fji. Ergo. a. He who writing to all churches in Afi a, writethby
nane, but to thtfe feven, he doth imply , that all the reft were
contained in ihefe. But Chrift writing to the feven, wtiteth to all
churches
(3)
churches in Afia , not to name that five of theiewcre Metropo-
litan cities,vi2. Philadelphia, and Pcrg >m\is, two Dio;cfan at icaft.
5. He who mak.th tht fin Juiar church he vvritethtOjto be a mul-
titude of churches , not ojic oacly (as the body is not one mem-
ber one ly^ hce doth Bi/ke that one church, to which he wriccth in
Cngttlar, to be a Dioccfan chuich. ButChr.tt ii\his Eptphancma-
cicall coiKlufion to evety'hurch, which he hiifpok'.n com finguhr,
doth fpeakc of the fame as of a multitaJe. Ltt btmibat hdlbaresy
bcBn what tbt Spiritjaif) to the Chunbei. Ergo.
Thus leaving fa:red examplcs,\ve come to Ecclefiafticall.
Ficft, in regard of thofe ancient churches, Rome, Ale«andria.
It IS impoflible they fhould bee a Panlhionali congregation 200.
yearcs after Ch.ift. For if the multitude of chriftians did inHicru-
ialem fo iecrcafe within a little time , t!i it rhey exceeded the pro-
portion of one congregation, how much more likely 1$ it chat chri-
fttansin Rome and Alexandria dii foincrcafe m ioo.ycares, thnt
th^y could not keep in one particular Afl'embly? But the firfi is true.
Ergo,alfo the latter. Which is yet further co..hrmed by chit wh.ch
Tertullian and Cornelius teltifie of their times.
To come from thefe to our moderne reformed churchf s , thefe
prove a Diocefan church. Thatrefpe^ which many con^rcgiti-
ons diftind may have now affembled in one place , that thty m;y
have fevered in many places. ¥or the unity of the plr.ce is bur
cxtrinfickc to the unity of the congregition. Butmary diftmd
congregations gathered in one ciiy , may make , w^e fay, one
church, as they doe in the Netherlands. Ergo, diftind congre-
gations , fevered in divers places may make one church* If macy
churches, which may fubjcft ihemrdvcs to the govcrnmcBt of
one Presbytery, may fo make one , they may fubjed ihemfelvcj
toabifliopand cathedrall confiilory , andfom^kc one. But the
24. chur«hcsofGe?Tft;<s, and the territories belonging to it, doe
fubjcd themfelvesto the govtrnmcnt of one Prcsbyreiy , and lo
make one. For fofarrc asiwo mcete laa third, they arc one in ir.
Ergo.
7 he third principall Argument is from rc^kfon. Ifcuy chur-
ches onely, and not ih/ churches cf Villagis , and couutry
Towncs , had bifliop? , Prcsbyrers, and Deacons placed in them,
then were thofe city church.s Diocefan churches. But city
chur hcs onely had th>fe. Ergo, city churches were DiOccfan,
dillingu>(hed from Parifliionall thiri-hes. The Aftumption is
proved firtl by Scriprure, Titus i. 5, Ad. 14. ij. Sicondly , this
isproved by EcclcGifticall Stojy. Thty who are given to hbour
the convcrlion of the Regions , ruber then icnJ ihcfc already
converted, ihty wercnoi ^ivcn ;o a PanikionaU church- But the
Pccilyia*
^4)
Pi-esbytcrs planted by ihc Apoftlcs were Co. Ergo. Tlicy wh(j
were fee in a church before Parifl\:s were , could not be given to
3 Parifliionall church. Butfuch were the Pccibyterf of the Apo-
i\Us inftuu:ion. Ergo. For i: isplainc in the pradicc of all agej,
Crom the firft'diviHon, that no church but the mother church
hidiPrcbyteryajadabiihop, but Presbyters oaely. Nay, it wis
fvcr by coanccU condemned , and by the judgement of the anci-
fnt forbidden , that in Townescr Villages, anybuc aPresbyter
fliould be planted, j.Thisisalfo proved by rcafon, for it was no
more pofTiblc to have bifhops and Presbyters in every Parifti, then
to have a Maior and Aldermen (fuch as we have in Loncori) in
every Towne, 2. If every PariHi had 1 Presbyter , then had ihcy
power of ordination, andfurnifliingthemfclves with a Mmifter,
when now they were dcftitutc. Butthcywerc alwaies in this cafe
dependant on the city. Ergo, there was then a Dioccfas church
having goyemmcni of ojthcrs. Presbyters could not ocdaine,
fcdtvaantty though they did at fitft, as in the church of Alexan-
dria. Let any fhcw for 400. yearcj ^Parifliionallchurch wiiha
Presbytery in It.
Now wcmuilmufter ihofc forces which oppofe iKcfeDiocefan
churches, allowing onely fuch churches to bee inftitutcd of Chrift,
wh^ch may meet in one congregation ordinaiily.
The word which without fomc modification fupcr-4idded, doth
iignme onely fuch a company as called forth , may affcmble Poli-
tically , that wordbeing alone, doth fignijfic fuch a church a$
may to holy purpofes ordisarily mectc in one. But the word
Cbtffch, which Chrift and his Apoftles didinftitute, 1$ ufed indefi-
nitely, and fjgnifietk no more. Ergo. vbiiexn§ftdi(lingMt,non c{l
4li(linguendum. 7,. The Scripture fpeakeih of the churches in a King-
^ome or Province,^alwaies in the plurall number, without any note
ofdifFcrcnce,ascquilloflc with the other. Ergo, it doth not knoar
ProvmcialljNacionalljOr Diocefan churches. Let areafonbcgiven,
why It {houia never fpeake m the CnguLar nuinber,had they becne a
Angular church.
Secondly , Ice us come to examples : the churchcf the Apoftlcs
planted were fuch as mi^ht and did congregate.
Tirft,th3tofHierufalcm,thongh there -were in it toward joo. Sy-
}ifigoiHeSy yet the chriftian church was but one, and fuch as did
tongrcgatc into one place ordinarily after the accefle of f 000. to
It. Ad 2.4^ & j.i2.&^.i. & 15.25. & ai.a2.& 25.22, Tor their
ordinary meeting,as it IS, Ad. 2.46. dni/J, could not be a Pancge-
ricallmcctmg. Againe, ifihey might mccte Synodi^ally, why
might they not roeete then in daily coorfe ; though the univerfall
mcciingofachurchiiflotfo fitly called Synodkali : And though
(5)
they arefaid to Be millions of beleevcn, yet that was by accident oi" a
circumftancc, happily th€ Pafleover. VVc muft not judge tbc greataelTc
of a water by that it is, when now it is up and fwelleih by accident of
fomc inundations. ThcyhaJ nota fcEled ftate there, by which they
did get the right of being fet members. Yea, it is Ukdy, they were
and continued but one congregation. For forty^yeeres after they were
not fo great a multitude, but that Tella^ like to ihi Zcksr of Lot, t
little Towne could receive thenu Sut more of this in tha^anfwcr to the
objedion.
Secondly, fo the Church of Antiochia, was but one Church, Adg
14. 17, they are faid to hive g:\thered ihe Charch togcihcr, Objed.
That IS, the Minifters,orrepre{cntative Church. Anf.i.ForMmifters
oncly, the Church 18 never afed. 2 By analogic, A^s 1 1. Ftttr gate
account before the whole Charch, even the Churc*h of the faithfully
Ergt, J. They made relation to thit Church, which had fentthem
forth with prayer and impefition of hands,and ihis Church ftood of aJ(
ihofe who affcmbled co the publiJse fervice and worfhip of God,
4. The people of the Church of Ar.tiochwere gathered together to
confider of degrees fcnt them by the Apoftles from Hierufalem.
Th.rdly, the Church of Corinth wai one congregation, which dii
for the fervice of God, or cxercife of DA'cipline meet togcTher,! Cor,
5.4. 1 Cor.I4.l^ verf.26. 1C0r.11.i7.verr.2j. ituno&iodtmlHi,
That whole Church which was guilty of a (inner uncaA forth, could
notbeaDiocefanChurch, nci'her can the word ojA'^x^^ amminf^
tggttbir, ever be fhewed to fignihe any thing elfe,belides one^articular
Alfembly,
Founhly, the Church of Ephefus was but one flcckc. Firft, it ii
likely that it was of no other forme then the other. Secondly, it
was but one flockc 5 that fljcke which Presbyters might jointly f.ed,
was bjt one. They had no DiOctfan B flnp. If Presbyters o.c]/,
then none but Parilhonall Churches in and about Ephefus. There
may. be many flocks, but God ordained none, but fach as may STholiy
meet with thofc, who have the care of feeding and governing of
them. Ptta indeed, i Pet. 5. a. calleih all thole he wiiteth to, one
fiocke ; but that is in regard cither of the myftkall clUtc of the
faithfull , or in refped of the common nature which is in all Chur-
c'lcs one and the fame : but properly , and in cxternall adunition,
one fiocke is but one congregation. Thirdly, Parillics according to
the advcrfe opinion, were not then divided. Neither dot'i ih.- lon^
and fruitfull labours of the Apoilles argue , that th^rc fliould be
PariOi Churches in Diocefanwife added j but a j;rcater number of
'iltcr Churches. Bu: whvn it is faid that all Aiia did heaie : the
C - meaning
Aitanlngls, ttiat from hand to hand it did runne through Afia, foil
Churches were planted every where, even where Paul came not, as at
Coloffe. There might be many churches in Afia, and naany conver-
ted by Teur and others fruiifull labour without fubordination of
churches. '^ ■ .
Examples Ecclefiaftic-^H. i. 7g»4///w exhcrtcih the church of the
Ephefims , though mimbetleire , to nieetc together often in one
place, Epift. to theEphcfians, and to the Philippians : where the Bl«
(hop is, let the people be gathered to him, as where Chiift is, thcie
is the whole hoft of heaven. He calltih his church of Anti©ch a
Synagogue of God, wh:ch cannot 3grec to a Dioct fan church : For
ihcfe were particular congregations, oppofed as to thit Nationall
church, fo to all Provinciall and D ocefin. Neither doth he cjU
himfelfe Bjfhop of Syrii, but as he was, BiOiop of the congregjti*
pn in Syria, as a Miniftcr ftileih himfelfe a Mmifler of the church of
England. ,
z Jufiine and lyeneui knew no kindc of chur h in the world
which did not Effem.ble on the Sabboth.. But a D.octfan church
cannot. -
5 KrfuUian Apol. cap, 59. doth (hew thit all chur«;hes in his
time did meet, and did worlhip God, in which pray(fr«f, readings,
exhortations, and all manner of cenfurei were performed. He^
knew no churches which had not power of cenfurcs within them-
ftJves.
4 Ch.irthes are f.»id at firil to hivebeene Parifhes^and Pariflies
v/ thin oities, in E'lftb. lib. j 44. lib, 4. cap, 21, lib.i.c3p.6. Iib.4.c3p.
2>-. zndSum lo'm lib 5 c.ip.a^. fmhro the Bifliop, redde juvtncffi
qucm Libi ega & Chi'i^m tefii EccUfia tua tMiiiiwu^, lint church m
whofo prefence John might commie his dtp ^tiim, or truft, was tut
one congicgacionj !ib.4. cip.if. Uygnm r^^dTlui a/e faid to have
undert.vk.n tlie M niftcry of the chinch of Rome : which church
was fuch therefore, as ihey might minsfter urato, lib 7. 7, Dk7nft'
Us Alex, writcth to A'»^r<j, and the church which hs governed. A
Dioccfan church cmnnot receive letters. Before Juliin and Veme-
trimh srime, there is na mention of churches in a Bifhops patifh.
'The church of Alexandria was within the citie, lib.7. cap.i. Cormli-
?<4 is f lid, tjjzcium Epl[cm ifMpUviff^e in dvUate Romte ex CjpJ'A 1. <-
p'lil. 5 . Cornelius Falici£$niiin ex EciU^% pepulit qui cum ta.mtn de pro^
'Liviu psUc^rt vo^potu!t. y'tiit Ruffinuniy lib. i. CAp.6.fulurbkaramrum Ec-
dtfumr/itarJkfn(HYam%'[jit. Cyprian was Vidot Tar oecite in CarihAgiHe,
ofth^ ParifliinC.mhDge,ff«/ii?;lib.7. csp.j, exverbu Cypriam, lib. i*
■cpirt,4.
<; It is the rale of Scripture, that a Bifliop (hould be chofen ia
fight of his people. Biftiaps were chofen long after by the people.
As
(7)
As of Rome, and others by the people comTiittcH to them. Cyp?:
Jib.4. cpift. I. Neighbour Bifhops (hould come to the people over
whomaBifliopvrastobefet, andchofethe Bifliopin prcrencc of the
people. Schifmcs werefaidto be from thence, ^aod Epifcrpj unkier-
jfafrAttrmuunon cbiemperMtjCjff.epifl. $^. tola frgternltas i.unmccn-
ptgAt'unii tetamultitudo, txquaccmpofwur Eaft^a pirt'uuiarit. Sibins
dtuvivirfitfrnternitatisfifragio Epl/cspatut fult delatta- Cy pr. lib. i.
cpift.47. 58^68. Sccieftte iiitur c'muUui noM fuit mtiar, qu^ ut Epifcopta
totam plelfiinfuam in negot'us hujujmodi ccnvQcart fo^utnt. Soc. lib. 7.
cip.j.de Agipeto. Convocivh omnem clerum& p^puium (j«i trat liitr€
atmjurifdUtionem.
6 The Chorepifcopi were Bifliops in Villages ; there is no like-
lihood of the other notation. Their adveifanes "in oppofing tkcm
never obje^l that theywere as Ddegitcj , or Suftragin Bifhops to
them.
7 Bifbops were wont to goe forth to confirme all the baptised
through the DiocelTe.
i They were neighbours,ind m'ght meet a dozen, fixjthree,in the
caufcof a Bifliep.
9 They were united, fometimcs in Provinciall Councels,iB whick
many Bifliops met twice yearly, Ruffi'i.lib, i,c3p.6. f^/^jr vticefifti re-
porteiW in a time when they were feweft in Africa in perfecation Van-
dalica, 660. fiedtofavc themfelves. ^K/Jiafiith there were innume-
rable orthodox Eiflnps in Africa : and the Provinciall Councels doc
confirme the fame.
No4v by reafon itisdearc that churches were not Metropolitan or
Diocefan,
I That church whofe caufes arc wanting, that church is wanting.
But in a Dioccfan church caufes are not to be found. Ergn.
Firft, the cfiRcientcaufc, God ordcyning. For none can take on
him to be a minifter Diocefan: no place to be a place, where the Af-
fembly Dioccfan fliould be held 5 nop:ople can worflvp God in re-
pairing to this place and miniftery, without warrant of his word,
Eigo. In the Nationall church of the Jewes, ^uron and his fonncs
tooke not that honour, it was given them : The place of the Natio-
nall meeting, God chofe Hicrufalcm. The people he precilcly bound
to pradife fomc ordinances of worOiip no where but there , and to
appearc there before him. Secondly, the matter of a Dioccfan
church is people within fuch a circuit, obliged to meet at leaft on
folcmne dayes, whercfocver the Dioccfan Mmillers and Ordinanceg
of worfhip arc excrcifed j Paftors who ha?e callings to tend tiiem
and minifter to them in this Diocefan meeting now afl'emblcd. Fi-
nally, the aftuall meetings of them to fuch end, as fuch more fo-
lcmne and pablikc meetings arc ordained to, arc no where com-
C 1 minded.
inanded,nor in any fafhion were ever by any warrantof the Word pra«
aiCed.
H any fay, ihefe are not the caufes of a Diocefan Church, but an or-*
dinance of God binding pcrfons within fuch a circuit to fubjcd-them-
felvej to fuch a Chacch and ihc mmiftery thereof, that ihcy may be go-
verned by them.
I anfvrer. Firli, there is no ordinance of God for this, that can be
{hewed, that Churches within fuch a circuit fhould be tycd to a cer*
tame head Church for government. N3y,it is falfc. For every Church
by Chrtfts inftitution hath power of government j and the Syna-
gogue had inordinary matters, the government that the Church of
Jerufalem had ; ( being all over) except onely in fome referved caufcj.
Secondly, Ifay, that this will not make a Diocefan Church formal-
ly fo called. Asa Nationall Church could not formally be with*
out binding the whole Nation to exercife ordinances d worihip
in rhe. head Church of it : So*by proportion. Yea, government is a
thing which doth now tcc'idere to a Church conflituted , and doth
not effentially concurre as matter or forme to conftitute a Church
of this or that kinde. Againe, were this true, that the Diocefan Pa*
fiors and Minifters have onely government committed to them ^
then it will follow j that they onely have the governing of par-
ticular Churches^ vrhsjire not any way Paftors of them, rainiftring
Word and Sacramentsto them. But this is moft abfurd, that their .
proper and ordinary Paftors, who difpence. Word and Sacraments to
»h:m, (houldnothavc p9re(lHem piM, nothing to doe in governing
thofc flockes which depend on them. If any fay, they vtctcnotk^u,
but they were virtute potiftt'ne i I fay, it is alfo ro make the Apoftles
Churches imperfed : and how cm this be knowne but by a prefumed
intention, which hath nothing to ihcw it, but that after event of
things.
From the cfte^ I argue.
2 Thofe Charches which Clarift did ordaine , and the Apoftlet
plmt, might ordinarily afl'cmble to the ordinances of worihip.
But a Diocefan Church cannot ordinarily affembie. Er^a, For
X7hen Godwin have mercy and not facrifice , and the Sabboih is
for man, he will not for ever ordaine a thing fo unequal and im-
pcflible, as is the or.iinary afl'enr.b^ing r f a Diocclan multitude. If
anydiftinguiili'heaflumptioi), and confiJera D.Occfan as fhe is in
her parts, or is (hcis mot um^ ftanding of her parts now colledtd to-
gether , and fay fhc may, and doih meet and communicate, and
cdifieher fclfe in the Erft refpe^.-- I anfwcr. This is nothingj and
doth prove her to be nothing, as fheis a Diocefan Church : q:4ia quid
^liid eft, agufecundum qntdtft, l£ therefore a Diocefan Church were
a reall Churchy iht muli have the cffeft of fuch a Churchy to wit,
aflfembling
(?)
iaflcmbling^asfiieisDiocefan, The Synagogues through Ifrael met
Sabbotb by Sabboth, but were no Nationall Church in this regard ;
that is to fay, as it is a Nationall Church, it had her National! reall
meetings.
I reafon thirHly, from the fubjefl.
3 That Church which doth per /e,tflVntiall^i require Iccill bounds
of placcjihat muft have locall limits fet ftrth ot Go J, Bu: a Diocefjn
Church doth fo. Ergo. Whence I thusmfcrre. He who inftitutcs a
Diocelan Chu'.ch^ muft needs fet out the locall bounds of this Church.
But God hath not fct out any locall bounds of the Church in the New
Teftament ; Erg9. He hath nor iiiftituted any Diocefan Church. The
p.'opofition is certaine: for this doth enter inthe dcfinit.on of a Dio-
cefan Church, as alfo of a Nationall. And therefore God infticuting
ihc Nationall Chur«h of the Jewes, did as in a mapfetforth the li-
mits of that Nation. So alfo if he had inftituted D;ocefan and Pro-
VinciaJJ Churches, he would have appointed locall bounds, if not par-
ticularly defcribed, yetknownftandcertaine. But God hath not done
this. For the Church of ihe New Teftament is not thus tied to pla-
ces ; it beingfo with the power of teaching, and the EcdefiafticjU j i-
rifdidion, that it doih reffktrefubdhos ondy per fe, not term'mtt locateu
Cifill junfdiftiondothr#^ic<ri/o/MaB primarily, ihe fubjeds on it in
the fecond place, Asfor thatcommandcment o{ appdinting Pmbyreri
Chit by Citii, it is too weakc a fpirre for this building. Againe, iliat
Church which may be Taid to be in a Citic, is not Diocefan. But liis
Churches which the Apoftlcs planted, nre faidtobe in Cities. Etgj,
If one fay to the propofition, thty mr^y •, bccaufc the head Church is
intheCitie. Avfmer* The Churches theApoftlci planted are taken
for the multitude ©f Saints united into fuch a body EccUn^icall.
But the multitude of Saints through a Dioceffc cannot be faid to be
in a Citie. £>gtf. The foule may be faid to be in the head, though
it be inotherpirtsj and God in heaven. Go(^, becaufc of his moil
infinite and indivilible nature ; Andfo ihefoule, becaufc it is indi-
vifiblc, and is as all of it ineveiy parr, not as n thing placed in a pbcc
containingit, but as a forme in that which IS informed by it. Bu: iw
things which have c}aantny,and are part out of 3nothcr,thtre is not the
like reafon.
4 From the adjunfts.That Church which hith no time (ct, whrre-
in to aflemble, is no Church. I f.ippofe the ground above, ihac no-
thing but union of a Dioccfic in woilliip,can m.ikc a Diocefan
Church. But this Church hath no ti.nc. Ordinary it cannot have : ex*
traordinary folcmnicics God huh not commanded. E^go^ there is no
fuch Church. For if it be a reall DiOcclan Church, it muft have a re-
all aftion according to that nature of which it is. The aftion forinall
of a Church indcfanuc is to meet and comnauiiK.ue in woiihip. Of
Cj aNati^.
(10)
a Nattonall Cburch, is to meet nafionalljandcommuhlcllc in or**^'
(hip. If thcnitmuft meet, it maft have fomc time fet downe rch^*'
nary or extraordinary, Buc God hath done neither. The Chu
which the Apoilles planted, were in their times moft pcrfca and
tiiurifliing. But Diocefan Churches were not •, for in thofe times
they were but in fetfiiftAli infolded, not explicated, as the adverfariei
confeflc.
4 That which maketh Gods difpenfation incongruous to his
mmifters, is abfurd. But a Diocefin frame of Church doth fo
£r_go. That which msketh God give his extraordinary gif.s to mi'
nifters of churches m the Apoftles times, when now they hid but
one congregation, and give ordinal ygfcsoncly when now they h.icl
800, churches under them, is abfurd. But this doth the Diocefan
frame. Ergo,
J The churches throughout which a Presbyter might doe the
othce of a teaching Presbyter, and a Deacon the office of a Deacon
were not Diocefan. But every Presbyter might minifter in the Word
and Sacraments throughout the Church to which he wis called • fo
might a Deacon tend to the poore of the whole church , whe*reof
he was a p.acon. ergo, thefc were not Diocefan. The reafon of
the propohrion is j No Pcsbyter can through many congreaitions
performe ordinary miniftery. In which regard the Canon la^w for-
bjddeth Chat Presbyters (hould h^ve many Churches, cap. lo.qjsft 2
Vm plms Ecclefta vni mqioqum commmnntuf Petbyters ; qu'u fiit^
per Ecdefioi nee officium vjltt pcrfolvm, nee nbta earum mQ'Sarim mm
impf'tidere. •
6 \i God had plamed D.ocefan churches, that is, ordeined thic
all withmcitie,fuburbs, and regions, fhould make but one D ocefarj
Church, then may not two Diccefl>s be united into one Church of
another Church and BifliDp be fn within the circuit of a D ocefan
Church But neither of th:fe arefo. The judgement of the African
fathers fhc w the one, and the Canon law doth fhew the other, paa 2
cap. 1 6_ 41. Ergo: » V o-"-'
7 If God .appointed the frame of the church Diocefan ftandia^
ofonechiefe church, others united in fubjedion: thtn can there no^'t
be the perfeftionofa church in one congregation : But where there
may oc a fufficicnt multitude deferving a proper Paftor or Bifliop, rc-
guinnga number of Presbyters and D.-acons to minifter unto them
there may be the perfedion of a church But in fome one congregation
maybe luch a muhitude. €^0 : ^ ^
^r?^ j^^^a''"*'^" which maylawfuIlyhaveBifliops,arefuch churches
ss God mftituted : But churches in Townes, populous Vrila^e* hiv*
had,andmayhiveiheirB.(hops. Ergo. Thisisprovcd by xcfTriWr
every populous Towne,fuqh as our market toivmrs, and others 5 yaa by
(II)
»
zjjnicdtcbtiy'\lU2,ti ; for there they taught as well as in Cities. There
were Syoagogues in Villages, as well as in Cities. They excepted a-
gainft ihcm afterward in unconformity to Law. The tcftiroony of Zi-
^men flieweth what kinde of congregations were ihcy of which Epi-
p/?<i;;-iw tcftificih. And the fathersof Africadidnotrcquirc,that aD o.
cd'an muhitude, bur ad iHcient muln ude, not'rhrough cvti y part, for
then thty fliould h ive hag co doc ij. Ciiie ch rches, but inth.u put of
the Ditccflc where a,Piesby:cr ontl) had fcrted the tume, Ihould hive
their B. (hop.
If Diocefan churches, and Provinciall churthrsbe Gods frame,
then wehadnoChunhesin Britainc of Gods frame, 6t fore ihic W«-
/;^i» wasfem byG>'5«r;eihe great. But here were thurchcs from be-
foic ItrtulUnn^ AftenhefiamcGodccquircth, atlcaftimhar juc^gc-
mcDts. E'go,
Now.to come to open the tctmes, and lay downe conclufions :
.whctlier Diocefan or Parilluonall ChurJus were at the firll con-
iliftttce.
r Eirft, the word Ci^^rcfc.we undcrftindbere, not fignratlvtly i t-ken
Mctonpniial') for the plac.e,Syntcd.fnr Minifttrs adminiftring ordinan- *
ces : bur^ «,(»/;, for a,boJy poht-cJc, ftindiygof people to be taught
•andgovermdjMid of te.Tch.r$and governours.
Secondly, it may be asked, What is meant by a Diocefan church ?
/iri[r9. Siith a frame in which many Churches are united wiih one
had Church, as pariakii g in holy things, or at leaft in that power
of government whic'i is in the chicfe Church, for all the other with-
in fucii, or fuch a circuit, Th-.fe phrafes of a T)iect[[ey a Ditftf/*?;
B [hop, or C^mchy are all (Jnce the time of CovftAntiTie , yea the two
lall much later. A Diortfle fcemcih from the common-weahh to
have beenctak:n up m ihj Church , from what time B ihcps h.id
Territories, ample dcm-imes, ad fome degree of civiU junfdidion
annexed to ihim. FornD:octfle by the Lawyers^is a circuit of Pro-
vinces, fuch as the Romans Pixfidents had : or i^/we, an admini-
flration ot thofc Provinces wnhjurifc^idion. L. unka. c. ut cmnts
judittt. And in ih^ Canon luv, fomctime? Prcvificia and DuiX^is are
iifed piomifcuouily, D:il.5o. cap. 7. But the annentcft ufe of this
word was to note the Territory, or Coimtrcy circuit, oppofed to the
Citie. Thus the Countiey churches are called VUc^ejaHU Bu'tfid, conr
tur.c'p.B.
Thus Bipt'ifffia'ei Eul'li/t were contra c'iftij.guiflied to Pariflu'o-
nall. Thtfc had everyone a •'ioccif^, and ihc inhabitants wtre cal-
led DiocmfM'rii : thcfe Churches had a moity of hoiifcs dwelling m
neighbourhood thn belonged to them ; b ir at length by a Synec-
doche, the whole Church was called a Dioccfic; thou«^,h ihe Cano.
nifts difputc whether it may ke fo called, Aeing the DiOCtH.' »
ili:
the meaner pirt by much, in comparlfon of the CiticjantliliouWnoc
g'vcihe denomination CO the whole. So ac length the Biftiop was cal-
led Dioidjjifju^ and the Church which had beene called EcdejU CiviU-
tii,mttnx, nutrix, CttbtdraliSy grew to be called Ditce[a9. But here wc
take a Diocefan Church for fuch a head Chuwh, with which all Chur-
ches in fuch a circ u t hith reall union, and comnmnion in fome facrci
things. Now a Diocefan Church may be put p6ji5ii/^, that is, for a
Chir.hin which are minillcrsand miniftery for^hc good of the wliolc
Dicceflc, though they fliould never aflemble, as the worfhip in the
Church of Jcrufalem was for all Judea, and profitedjihough abfcnt,
Oi it may be pat formally for a body politicke, a coftgregation of bc-
Jeevers th-oiigh a Diocefl'e, with the miniftcrs of the fame, having
fome reall union and communion m facred things. Wc deny any fuch
Church.
AParifhionall Church may be con G^eredW4f«ria/(y or Tarmd'j;
MrCiially, ai itii a^Church wiihinfu:h locall bounds, the members
whereof dwell contiguoufly one bordering upon the other. This
God mftituted not, for it is accidenrall to the Church, may dbeffe and
adiffe, a Church remaining one. If a Parifhionall Church in Lon^
don (hould dwell, as the Du;ch doe, one farre enough from the ochcr,
while the fame bcleevers were united with the fame govcrnours, the
Church were not changed, tliough the place were altered. Second-
ly, It IS pui formally, for a multitude which doe in mannerof a Pa-
tiih ordinarily congregate ; fuch Churches,and fuch oncly -wc (ay Goi
crcded.
Now for fome Xondufions, what wc agree Jn, then what fe-
vers us.
ComiIhC. I. Churches of Cities, Provinces ,Kingdomcs, miy be
called DiOccCan, Provincinll, Naiionall Churches ; as the Churches of
the world are called Occumenicall, yea haply not without warrant
of Scripture : As i Pet.i.i. writing to all thofe difperfcd Churches,
fpeak-ng of ihem finguhrly, as of one flockc, x Pct.^.i. The reafon
is , things may be cAkd not onely as they are really in themfelves, but
a:cording tolomercfpeft of reafon, under which we may apprehend
t'lem.
Condnf.z, That I here may be a rcall Diocefan, Natfonall, orhead
Church, wherewiih others fliould be bound to communicate more fo-
lemnly in Word and Sacraments, and in fome more referved cafes con-
Cwrnin« their government. This was done in the Church of Judea. Our
men arc too fhie, that feare to come to this propofic:on, de p^t. I aro
furc our adveifaries wil' grant us , that our Parifliionall frame might
have bcene fo conftituced.
Con-itf ^. That there cannot be fuch a frame of Church, but by
Gods inllituiion. No Miniftcrs can take this honoufj but ihcy mull
(as
(13)
(jiiA0iM)^C2Mtdtoit. WKen nothing la namre cia htvefurthM
degree of pcrfcdion, ihcn the author of nature pucteth into it j how
much more muft the degree of perfedion and eminence in things £c-
clcfiafticall, depend or) God ? We may reafon from the Church of
Judea, as d pMfi, to prove^ That there cannot he fucb a Church, boc
that all fubordinatcs mufi communicate "with the chicfeft head Churdi
in fomcfacred things^ which may make them one Church. Thus there
would not have bcene a Church Nationall of the Jewes, but that aH
the Nation had union and communion together even in the worship
and ordinances of worfliip. The men onely went up , (o the male
onely werecircumcifcd : but the female reprcfentatively went up in
thera.
Ob'}^, It is enough if the comnunion be in government, which dU
our oppofites grant nccf (Tary.
^Iw. This maketh then rather one ifj tertk quodam feparablli^thcn
one Church : government being a thing that commeth co a Churck
now conftitutcd, and may be abfcnt, the Church remaining a Church.
Thefirft Churches of Bifhops , when now they wcw: drvidcd, did
^koep all other,who were thcBifhops presbyters ftridlyfo'caUed,and the
^^f ople alfj in fooae communion with the head Church j for in
greater folemnities one and other went up thither. Sec dscrtt. dilt*%,
Corjcluf.^, We agree in thi$,rhit Churches were in iheir fr.ft plant-
ing, either not adually Dioccfan,bcin| one congregation without any
other fubordinate, orifthcyhadany, yet were thty impcr fed, want-
ing many parts or members of partiailar Churches^ which be4onged t«
ihem.
That wherein we contradid one another, is, we affirmc tliat no
fijfhhead Church was ordained cither virtually or aftually, but that
all Churches were finguhr congregations, equall, mdcpendent each
of other, in regard of fubjeft ion. Secondly, we fay, were there a D:o-
cefan granted, yet will it not follow, that Paridi churches (hould be
without tlveir government within thcrafelves , but onely fubjeft in
fome more common and tranfcendcnt ctCei. As it was with the Syna-
gogues and that Nationall Church of the ]ewes, and as it is bctw>¥t
Provincial! and Dioccfan Churches. If any fay there is not the fame
reafon of a Dioccfan Church and Panfliionall ; for that haih in it
all the perfedion of a Church. I anrwcr,not ; taken in comparifon
to a Provinciall Church, it is but a part and member, and hath nut
perfedion, no more then a parochiall Church hath, compared with a
Dioccfan.
Now followcih to anfwer the Argumcnts'firft prcpofed.
To the firft, I anfwer to the propofitioo by diftindion. Thofe
who ordained that the C^vi^Jiand ^rbi people taken m rc^^rdofthc
D " whole
(14)
livhole multitude of the one, and locall bounds ef the othrrj
ihould make but one Church, they did inlHtutc a Diocefan thurch*
But ihofc who fo inftituted a Church in Ci.y , Suburbs, Coun-
trcy that their number migkt bee compared fitly to one
congregation , they did not therefore ordaine a Diocefan Church,
vAgaine to the aifumption. But thofe who ufc Ciiy by City ^ and
Chutcb by Church as equivalent (which the Apoftles doe) they or-
dained that Cny, Suburbs , and Countiy (hould make but one
Church. lanfwer by the like-diftinftion. They who ufc Citybf
Cityy people being taken fer the whole multitude within the extent
cfthcfe locall bounds, as equivalent with CburchbyCbuHb y they
may be faid to have ordained that city , fuburbs and territories',
^liould make but one Church. But thus the Apoftles doe not ufe
them , as of equall fignification. For the City had a reafon of an
ample continent, the Church of a thing contaiaed. Thcfc
phrsfes are, the one proper, the other metonymicall, and are
therefore to bee expounded the one by the other. Hcc placed
Presbyters jcccTri TjBAfK, Uft wc {hould underftand it of the
multitude and locall bounds, it is faJd in the Aftsof the ApoVx
flics that they placed them ^g^r' IjtH^wo-ti/^ daunh by Church :^
becaufe Presbyters were not given but to Djfciples and
Chriftians now converted cut of the multitude and locall li-
mite; wherewith cities were bounded. Secondly, there is an gd"
€qHite acception of thefc phrafes per Mccidem i not becaufe the cirie
and church was to make but one church , but becaufe the Chrifti-
ans by occafion of their number , net being then too great , wete
framed into one church \ or becaufe by occafion there was yet btic
one church, not becaufe there was to be but one. Nowhec who
thus ufcththem promifcuoufly , doth imply that one church was as
yet conftituted, not that there was to be but one through the cir-
cuit of city , fuburbs , andcoantrey. Thus Iikcwifc it is eafi'y'an-
fwercd totheproofe of the propofition ; For thus the multitude of
citizens converted and unconverred , could not be a church of one
congregationyet the number of ihofe who in city, (uburbs, and terri-
tories, were adually converted , was no more then might be ordered
into oo€ church^nd the :Apoftles framing thefc into one on the prcfenc
occafion, did not exclude the after conftituting of any other wirhin the
fame locall bounds.
To the fecond Argument : and fir ft , the objedion from the'
Nationall church of the Jewes. lanfwer, denying the afltimp-
tion. That the Synagogues being many , made one church j be-
caufe they were all one Kingdome, one pofl&fiion. For thus there
was one Oecumcnicall church , when the world wai under one
Empcrour
(IS)
Stiiperour, and o^ one profeflion. It is accidcntili to-ihe uiir^
of a Church whether the kiogdome be one or no. IfHrael , wiicn
God had divided the kingdomc into two, had gone uptoHic-
rtifalem, and kept there <ommunion in the worship of thac
Church, they had 'ftill been one Church, though two King-
domes. If here were as many Kings and Kingdorafs a&hiTC
beenc in England, fomanyas fliould belong to one Provmciall
Church , fliould bee one - Church , though many Kingdorocs.
The truth is^ they were one Church , becaufe they had union md
Nationall communion in the ordinances ofwotfliips, which were
in that one Church to which they all belonged. The high Priefl:
was their pr«pcr Prieft, hee made interceflion for them, blefl'ed
them, they were not to ofter any where, but there. If any
ihinke this cannot bee thccaufc, why there were one Church, ua-
der the governement of one high Prieft, for then /hould /^jrwfhave
bccne as well as MeUblftdak i ■ type of Chrifts Kingly office, I an-
fwerihcre is Pri</?/jf Prelacy and gorernement, as well as Trincilpi
They were \ii\dzi: Aaron in the formerxegard , in wk ch he was a fhi,
dowofChrift.
To the fecond inftancc of Hierufalem ; we deny the pro-
podtion. It might be intended for a head and mother ChurcU
in regard of order, and yet not bee a Nationall Church ha-
ving power over others : If it fliould have bcene a head , having
power accordingly , as it was a mother Church, it (hould have
beene head to all the world. Secondly , wee deny the Affiimp.
tion. That the ^Apoftles ever intended , that it (liould be a head to
Chriftian Churches through JuJea : as it had bcene before unde^
the, High Prieft. That conftiiution was lypicall, and may bet-
ter plead for an univerfall Chriftian Church , then for a Natio-
nall. Secondly, there is notthcleaft intimation of Scripture this
way. Thirdly, had this Divinity beenc knowne, the Fathers
would not have fu^Tered, that it fhou Id have bcene mide aDiocefas
church , and fobjedcd to Cxfarea. To the Profillogifme. The
Church which was fo numberfome , that it could not meete or-
dinarily, could not bee a PariftiionaU Church. This was fo.
Ergo, 8cc. To the propofition I anfwcr. That which was by
inhabitants , who had fixum doMuU'mm , fo numberfome that it
could not meete, I grant it. But fo this was not ; by acci-
dent often many others were there in ttanftu. Secondly, nay
wee read ihu they did meete ordinarily, as is above faid , and in
that deliberation abo«t which the Church of Antioth did fend
CO them I irtmm afiirmcth, /. i. ^ 1 1, Vnivtrf^m torn ^onvtnife,
D X " iHkt
Ii;<|[C affirmcth the Tame. As for that ofmillionsof belcerers, it it
certaine , they were not fixed members of this Church. For would
Luks, who ccckoneih the growth of them to five tho«f and, havt con*
ccalcd Co notable acceflions, where by they fay, thcjr grew rp to I know
not how many thouTands y there is no likelihood. Whether therefore
they were fuchbelcevers as are mentioned, Itfftji 2. or whether by rea-
fon of the Pafleover , or Perrtceoft, or fuch like teaft,they were m tran-
(?ra , onely there for the prefcnt. However it is, there is p.a liWf-
koed that they were conftant members of that Church, Neverthe-
leflVjCs-y, ihey were more then could fitly meet, yftraighc they be
tolieratcdasinone Congregation; The Apoftlcs feeing fuch times
tb enfttc, wherein many of [hem fliould tranflatc themfclns, and
be difperfed hither and thither. Gdd lettingit grow a while more
ranke and aboondant then ordinaty Churches arc to be , becaufe
it was Eeclefia furcultria j many of whofe branches were to be
tranfplanted in tlicir time. "Yea, had there bcene five thoufand fet-
led members, we read of fome ordinary Avrdi^ories , fpcki;n to
by ordinary Paftors, as great; 2S Cbryfofigmt onAitttb.i^. doth ITg-
nifie, tohiseftecme iheymigjit bcfivc thonfand that then heard hi$
voycc,
ToiKhing the third inftance, Astotheiirft reafon. The propofi-
tionis denycd : fornaming the reft of Achiia with them, doth no
more figaifie the fubjcdion of all Achaians, then in the i Ctrwb,
1.2, naming all Saints in everyplace, doth fignifie their fubjedi-
on- The fecond rcafon, hith the fequell of the propoficibn denied :
for the contrary is rather true. He who without any note of di/Fc-
rence calleth the church of Corinth by the name of Achaia, he
doth imply thit it is but one particular church cquali with the
other churches in Achaia. To the third, the propofition is againe
denied. That he that fpeakeili of all the churche* as one, cforh
imply a metropolitan church. For by the firft concluHon we miy
fpcakeof things not onely as they are really, but according to any
refped of reafon, under which they arc apprehended. Agame, the
affuniptionis falfe : Hefpeakcthnotof them as one church, hot
as- divers churches in one Province. But it is named and fet be-
fore o hers. Ergo. &c. Thefeqacll is againe denied. For it may be
named before other, becaufe it it the mo8 illoftrious and confpicuous
ichurch ; but not becanfe it hath any power over other. Finally, it is
too groffe to thinke, that all in Achaia came to Corimh to be in-
ftruded and make their cc^ntributions, every church ufing the firft day
ofthe wccke when they afi*emblc4t© make their collc&ions withtii
tjiCBifclycfa
The
(17)
• Thcfaurrh inilancc is Cntei where the many churchei in that
llaod, Co fuH of cicrcj, are faid to be one church of Crete , whereof
?i*fwa$ Bfihop, Thofs manifold ihurchcs which made but nnc^
whereof Tnui was Bifh'jp, thofc were all one Nitionall church.
But ihe churches of Crete, as f nth the fubfcription, were fo. Ergo.
AnCw, The propcfi:ion might be qurftioncd on ih? ground aboyc i
but ihe aff.imption i$ falfc : prrved by a fDbfcription,\vh;(h is Ik. Ii.t
proofe, which was brought out of the bookc after the R'evelatjon.
Forfcft ihtyarcnot inthc Syriack: teftamtnt. Secondly, th y arc
Bor thought cf Antiquity ancientcr :hcn Theodorct. Thirdly, the
rubfcriprian h filfr, and moft unlikely : For had Paul written from
NieopoHs, he wonld have wifhed Titus to come to him to Nicop )lis,
where he was for the prcfent, and meant to winter, rather then hive
fpokcn of It as a place from wh ch he was abfent,ind wheiher he meant
to repaire.
Thcfifihinflancc. Phi 11 fp. 3. Thit churih, which was inthc
chrcfcciti^of Macedonia, mull needs be at leaft aD.ocefan. But
the church of Phitippi was fo. Ergo. This will pro"^e an argument,
when churches muft needs be confomied to the civiU regency of •
the Emperour : his foure chiefe Govcrnours called prxfe6li pnetori't,
his prefidems of Provinces under thrni', and inferiour Judgrs, and
Magtftratcs, under theft in one citie, and the regions of it^ But this
is an errour giving gtoimd to a Patriarch all and Occumenjcall
churchj as well as aPtovinciall and Dioccfan. This rule of planting
churches varieth at mans pleafure : For the Romanc Provinces af-
ter thepeoplrof Rotnc^ave up their right to the Emperour, were
brought all into one > under one head and Monarch, and Piovinces
have becnc diverfly divided from time to time. From this Monarcliic
arofe the Popes plea againft the Grecke churches for his Oecumcni-
callfoveraignty. Whit forme of churches muft we have amongft them
who never received any fuch government, nay any conftanc govern-
ment at all. If I were a conformitant I ftiould ohjjft otherwifc
for a Provincial! church in Philippi : viT thus. Thit ch itch which
fiid many B fhops in it could not be Panihionall nor Diocefan,
but Provmciali. For the PrGVinciall chunh huh ihc MctrcpoU-
tan and Suftragm B flicps in it, and no orh'.r. But Philippi hid To.
Ergo. Bur the Propofition is true cne!y when it is underflood of Di-
ocefan Bifliops , not of Panfhionall B fhops. Paul writeih not to
the Biiliops io the church, but in the citie : Now mary Bifliops
arc not in the Provincial! citie, though many arc in a Provmeiaii. •
tharch.
Now to come tt) the churches of Afia. I anfwcr to the propofi-
tion of the firft Syllog. by diftinftion. One chinch msy contcinc
•thmi as an example 'doik conteine in it a thing exemplified ; or
Pi aia
« aKead Church dath Churches united in fubjcdion to it. Thofc
Churches which coatcinc all other in the Utter fence, it is true, they
were at lead Diocefan : but in this fcnfe the a0umption isdenyed.
The fame anfwer fitteth the Profyllog. He that writing. to thcfe,
writeth to all other by vertue ei their fubjcftionall fubordinaticn ,
he doth imply that all others are conteined m thcfe as member
Churches under one head. But he who writing to ihefe, writeth to
all other as exemplified onely in them , he doth not imply any fuch
things Now this is manifell , becaufc he writeth to feven Churches :
whereas this were fupcrfluous, if Chrift did intend his Utter one-
ly to head Churches conteyning other. For then five Churches fkould
havcbeene written to onely , feeing in them all others were con-
teyned, as they fay. For by law o? this virtuall contincncy, PhiU-
delphia and Thiatira were included in two of ^he other, vi2. Sardis>
and Pergamus, which were their mo:her cities. What needed he hive
named Philadelphia and Thyatira, which by Ifiw of this virtuall con-
linency did intend to dited his letter oncIy to h?ad l^hurches ? A-
gaine,the aflumption isfalfct/For he doth write principally to the
feven, and to all other Churches in Ada no further then he writetji
to all the Churches in the w-rld. There were other Ch'jrchcs in /^.
fia,fuch as were Colofle, Hierapolis, Troas, the Church at Milc-
tum, and Aflos, which the Centuries mention, which depended not
on thofe feven. If Colofle and Hierapolis were not, as Laodicaca,
reedified when John did write the Revelation, yet thefe other Chur-
ches were not extant. Not to name Magnefii and Trallcs, the in-
dependancy whereof is fuUy cleared whatfoevcr Dof^. Downatn ob-
jedtth.
To the third reafon J fromChrifts manner of concluding his E-
piftles, it is anfwered by denying the aflumption. For Chrift
ck)th not ufe the plurall number in refped of that one Church
preceding, but in refped of the feven colledivefy taken, it be*
inghis will that the members of each fingular Gburch fhould laytio
heart both feveral.Iy and joyntly, what ever was fpoken to them and
toothers.
Now to cpmc to the Ecdefiaflicajl examples , as of Rome,
and Alexandria, two hundred yearcs after Chrift. And firft
to anfwer the reafon brought for their increafe , fuch as could
not keepe fiill in a Parifliionall meeting. The proportion is not
©f ncceffary confcquencej for there were very extraordinary rea-
fons of that which was efFeded in the Church of J^rufalcm ;
From Chrift himfelfe, from the refidence of all the Apoftlesj
"com the ft ate of the people there affcmbled 5 from the ftate of
»at Church 5 from the time in which ihefc were done. Chrift
had
(19)
iad prayed for them particuJarly , to which fome attribute the
firft miraculous converfion by Peters preaching. Agame, it was fir,
that beirg now afcended into his gloiy , he fliould there more a-
botindamly difplay his power, and more confpicuobfly fwallow up
the fcandall of his croflV. Againe, this Church had ihc labour
of all the Apoftlcs for a time in it : v^hofe care and induftry we may
gucfle by their ordination of Deacons, that tiicy miglit not be
^fiftndcd. Thirdly, the confluence and concourle to Hierufilcm
was of much people, wk) though cxplicately they did not bc-
lecve in Chrift ; yet had in ihem the faiih of the Meflhih , and
therefore were ncerer to the kirgdomeof God then the common
Heathen, The ftate of this Church was fuch, thitit was to fend
out light to all other, a common nurfery to the world. Finally,
the time being now, the beginnings of planting that heavenly
Kingdome , leeing beginnings of tilings are difficult , no won-
der if the Lord did rcveale his arme more €xiraordin2rily. It doth
not therefore follow from this part-cuLir, to the fo great encrea-
fing of ihefe churches in trad of time. Nay, if thefc other Churches
had enjoyed like increafe in their beginnings, it would not follow,
as thus. Tbolt Cbunbes which wtbin a fiw jcara bsd tbtu piany m
them, btvf aumber fome w.rt tbiy man} )*cres after? Becaufe the grow-
ing of things hath a Period fee, after wh'ch, even thofc things
which a great while cncreafcd, doc decrcafe and goe down war cf,
as it was in Jernfalem. Not to memion , that we deny the af-
fumption.
Bac though the Argument Is but Topicall, and can but breed an
opinion onely, yet tne tcftimonics feemc irrefragable, Tertulliail
teftifying that hilfe the Citizens*in Rome was Chriftians. And Cor-
nelius, that there was befidcs himfclfe, and 4j. Presbytcri, a numbcr-
fomc Clergie.
I anfwer, That Teftaltians fpccch fccmeih to be fome what
Hyperbolical! : for who canbeleete that more then halfe the Cii
tic, and world, after a forr, were Chriftians ? But he fpcakcth this,
and truely in fome regard, becaufe ihey were fo potent through
the world, that ifthiy would have madehcad they might have
troubled happily their perfccutori. Orclfe he might f.y they were
halfc of thcnn Chriftians, not becaufe there were fo many mem-
bers of the Church : 6ut becaufe there wert fo many who did
beare fome favour to their caufe , and were it as fafe as otherwife.
would notfiicketo turnetothem. ButTertulUan knew no Chur-
ches which did not meet , having prayers , exhortations , and mini-
ftcring all kindes of ccnliucs : If therefore there were more
Churches in Rome inhis cmie, ic will make little for Dioccfan
Churches,
Touching
(^o)
' Touching Ctrneliui t wc anfwcr.It is not unlike but atiditof ies were
4i^i<ied and tended by Presbyccries. Curneliui keeping the Cathcdrall
Churthj and being folc Biftiop of them : but we deny that thefe made
Diocefan Church. For firft,thc Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches
were all within the Citie, inv;hich regard he isfaid, Offisium Epifcopi
impUviUtiactviUte R$m£, Neither was his Church at ample ai the
Province, which that of FcelicifHrnus fufficiemly tcacheth. Secondly,
we fay that thefe Parochiall charchc$» were to the mother chtirch, as
cliappdsof eafe arc to thefe churches in Wffrfo«ww,thcy k«d communi-
on with the moiher church,going to the fame for Sacraments and hea-
ripg the VVord, and the Bifhop did goe out to them and preach amongft
them. Porfomeof them were not fuchas had liberty of Baptiiing,^
and therefore could noc be fevered frbm con^munion with the head
Church,
Now to anfwcr further, it is beyond 200. yeares for which our de-
fence is takca. For there is rcafon why people which had beeneheld
together for zoo. ycarei as a Congregat.on, might now fifty yeares af-
ter be exceedingly encrcafcd. The Ecclefiafticall ftory nereth a moft
remarkeable increafe of the faith, now in the time of JhUam before
(ormlma* Neither muft wethinke that an Emperour, zz Phillppm^
favouring the faith , did not bring on multitudes to ihc like profcf-
iion. Secondly, we fay, there is nothing in this of Cflrjie/«i which
may not well ft. ind, that the Church of Rome, though now much
increjfed,did not kccpe together as one Chaich. For the whole peo-
ple arc faid to have pr:wed and commankrated with therepcntanc
Bidiop, who had ordeyned TifvatUi : and we fee how ConitUft^
doth ampli fie Tidvattu his pertinacie : From hence, that none of
the numtrous Clergie , nor yet of the people, very great and innu-
merable, could turne him, or recall him, which argueth that the
Church wjsnotlo aboundant, but that all the members of it had
union and communion, for the mutuall edifying and reftoringonc
of another. And I would faine know, whether the feven Deacoas,
feven Subdeacons,two and forty Acolottthes, whether thofe cxorciftes,
ILc^ors, Porters about two and'fifty are fo man]^ as might not be ta-
ken up in a Congregation of fifteene or twenty thoufand? Surely the
time might well require ihcm, vvhen many were to be fent forth to doc
feme part of miniflery more privately. Not to name the errour of
the Church in fuperfluous multiplications of their Presbyters , to
vilifying of them, as they were fuperfluous in the point of their
Deacons. There were fix:y in the church of Sophia for the helpe of
the Liturgie, True it is, the Congregation could not but be excee-
ding great, and might well be called in a manner innumcrable,though
it were bat of a twenty thoufand people. But becaufe of that which
h reported touching divx^on by Eytrifius^ Hjgimti DMIiut^ and
M^rcellinus, though there is no authcntkke authour for it; neitlier li
u likeJy in Hofpimanus judgement. Let it be yeelded that thtre were
i.omc Parochiall divihons, they were not many, and within the Ci
tic, and wcrebutasChappds of eafe to the cathedrall or mother
Church.
Concerning the o&jeaion from the Churches of Belgia , or the
low Countries, we deny the propofition : for we cannot reafonthus-
Ifmny M»fitrs , md diflina fdmes ofScbiUcn^ in •ne free Sihoolt
bt but one Scboeie : tbiu many Maflers tnd company of StboUtti, ftve^
rti m mony Scbooks, ere but one Scbegle. Secondly, they have com-
munion m the community of their Teachers , though not in the
Mme individuall word tended by them. But it is ore thing;, when
fhcepe kcd together in one common Pafture , though they bite not
onthefaraemdividuall graOe : Another thing when now they are
tended in diverle fiieepe gates. Not to urge, that in the Sacra-
ments and Dilciphne , they may comm.unicate as one Conere-
gation. . ^
Touching the objedion from Geneva : lanfwertothc propofiti-
on by diftmttion. Thofervbd fiibjeatbemfelvft to n Presbyterte , as not
swing povper cf governing tbemftlvti )»'nbmtbemftlvis^ as btitig un^r it
by fubordhimon, thefe may m effea, as weU be fub]ea to a Conjifigrie : Bat
thui the twenty fom Cbtncbei of Gemv£ doe not. They or have power of
governmg themfelves, but for greater edification, volunrarily confede-
rate, not to ufe nor cxercifc their power,but with mntuall communica-
tion, one aiking the counfell andconfcnt of the other in tliat common
Presbytery. Secondly, it is one thing, for Churches to fubjedthem-
lehes to a B.fliop and Confiftory, wherein tht y Qiall have no power of
luttrage : Another thing to communicate with fuch a Prcsby:ery,wher-
in themfelves arc members and Judges with others. Thirdly ,fay, they
hadwo power, nor were no members in that Presbytery, yet it is one
thing tofubmit themfelves to the government of Anftocralic, another
to the Bifliops Monarchical! government. Por while his Presbyters
nre but as Connfellours to a King, though he confulieth with them,he
a.one governeth. Geneva made this confocintion, not as if the P.imc
Churches were imperfeft, and to make one Church by this union :
but becaufe tho^ugh they were intire Churches, and had the power of
Churches, yet they needed this fupport in excrcifing of it, and that
by this meancs the Minifters and Seniors of it might have communi-
on. But what are all the foure and twenty Churches of Geneva to one
of our Dioccfan Churches?
Now to anfwer the reafons. The firft of them hath no part true :
the projK)fition is denyed. Fot thefe Churches which had fuch Presby-
ters and Deacons as the Apoftlcs inftituted were PariHiionall, that
is, foconjoyncdthat they might and did meet in one Congregation.
E The
(2a)
The Doftor did ctnfiicr the flcndernelTc of fome of our Parl-
ihes, and the numberfome Clergy of fome Cathedrall Char-
ches, but did not confider there may be Presbyteries much
leflefi and CoHgregations ampler and fuller, and yet nonefo
bigge as {hould require that multitude he imagineth , nor made fe
little as might not have Presbyters and Deacons. Whit though (dch
Maior and Aldermen as are in London cannot be hid in every
Towne, yet fuch a Towne as Cambridge miy have a Maior
and Aldermen as Cambridge affoords ^ and the meaneil markec
Towne may have , though not in degree , yet in kinde like Gover-
xiours. So is it in Presbyters and other OiHccrs ; the multitude of
Presbyters falling forth^^r actidttts , not that a BiHiop is ever to have
alike numberfome Presbyterie, but bccaufe the Church is fo num-
berfome that adi^ns liturgicall require more copious afliiilance,3nwi Co
wealthy that it can well maintaine them. And befide, becaufeof
that Collegiate reafon wkuh was in them caihet then Ecclefiailicall,
which the fathers had in their Presbyteries 5 for the nurfing o|
plants, which might be tranfplanted for fupply of vacant Churches,
which was a point that the Apoftles in planting Churches no whit in-
tended.
To come to the afliimption : But ettf Churcba onely htd € Etjhop
with Tmbytert and DeMdns, Anfwer, Firft, not to ftand upon this,
that Saint pauKct no /Tifhops with Presbyters, but Presbyters onely,
and they fay Bifliops were given , when the Presbyters had broughc
the Church to bee more numbertome , the aflumption is falfc , that
CitieChwcbesoudyhii tbtm. For the Scripture faith , they plaated
them Church by Churchy that is, through every Church, Then eve-
ry Church had her Governours within her felfe, wee muft ufe as am-
ple interpretations as may be. Contrarily , the fenfe which arroga-
teth this to one fr»m the reft wee cannot without evidence receive
it , in ambithps u^n^i inttrpretttto adhibenda tfi. Eultfia doth
notfignifie any Church without difference , Parifhionall , Dlocefan,
er Provincial! i but onely a company orderly alTembling , not
A:)p^i {>ut iK)c\tijicL po/Mfjt^ j^ aeAO-^ikvin* Such a conpany therefore
as congregate decently to facred purpofes is a Church by tranflation.
icfides the iadcfinite is equivalent cotheumverfalljas, x,a]:t TfoA/ris
»ct9' 6^'?uv mhfrfo icAT iTotKit^ittif is jt a9' iKd^f ^xx.\»i(rica'. Now
ihcir interpretation bcggeth everything without any ground. For
when Presbyters may De taken but three waics : divifm^t9n]unRm,
zaddhififfif and con jim^im: diviMonc Presbyter in one , another in
another, c^njun^im, diverfe Presbyters in every Church , neither of
ihcfe will ferve their turne, the latter onely being trues for Scripture
Making two kinds of Presbyters, without v hich the Church cannot be
gevernedjic is fuieit did give of both kinds to evcy Church they pi'ai-
teds
ted. Now tlicy feeing feme Churchci In ourtiiTjes to ha?e «any, inl
fome one coolier it both waics Coi/<flwe,many Pre$byters,& S'mptiMttj^
one here, and one there, and becaufe many Presbyters cannot be ikm
placed in our frame of Churches , imagine the Church tocontaine
Parovhiall and Diocefan Churches.
But they will not feeme tofpeake without rcafon { the Scripture
fay they placed City by City Presbyters, and therefcrc in fuch
Churches as occupied Citic , Suburbes , and <lountrey, which Pa-
rifhionall ones dee not. But may not a Church of one Congrega-
tion be in a Citie, without occupying limits of Citie, Suburbes, and
Countrey ? and if Presbyters be placed in fuch a Church , maythty
not becfaid to be placed in Cities? Indeed if the Presbyters placed
in Cities were giten to all the people within fuch bounds 5 the cafe
tvere other ; but the citic is not literally thusto beunderftood , but
mctonytnically for the Church in the Citie. Neither was the Church
in the city, all within fuch bounds ; for the Samis of a place ind
Church of a pi ace, arc lUone in the Apolijcs phrafeoffpccch. Ai
for that which is •bjeded from Ecclefiaftkall hiftory , it is true, that
inproceffc of time, theBifhop onely had a company of Presbyters^
Before , Churches kept in one Congregation and had all tkeir Pref-
byters. Churches ihould fo hate afterward bcene divided , that all
Riouldhave becne alike for kinde,though incircumftantiall excellca-
cy fome were before other. What a groffc thing ts it to imagine, tbac
the firft frame the Apoftles did creft was sot for pofterity to imitate ?
A fitter example then to take out of the cuilome oiMetrtfUs^ ifh«
fendir.g out there ^Smtycioft or Coioniis^ doc ufc to referve fomcca(<s
in civiH jurifdiiftioii over them, which the (lace of later Churches did
fxprcflc.
El THE
(h)
THE SECOND
QVESTI ON, WHE^
THER (;H(^/Sr ORDAINED
by himfelfe, orby his Apoftlcs,any
ordinary Paftdr^as our BilhopSjhaving both
precedency of order, and majority
of power above others.
•^ "7^ ^^ *▼* ^ ^ ^^'^ follow the fame mtihod : Firft/etting
% / % / (iowneths arguments for it, with anfwers to
^l/ ^^ them : SecondIy,the arguments ag\inft it.Thlrd-
V ^ ▼ ly, lay dovvne concliifions. The arguments for
it arc: Firft, taken from Scripture ; fecondly,
from priftife of the Churches: thirdly, from reafon evincing the ne-
ctflityofit.
The f^ Argument.
Thofc whom the holy Ghoft inftituted, they are of Chrifts ordai-
ning. But the holy Gholt is faid to have placed Bifhops,Aas zo. Er-
go, IB (hops are of Chrifts ordaining.
Anfiver, We deny the aflumption: viz. That thofe Presbyters of
Ephcfuswere Diocefan Bjfhops. It is moft plainc they were fuch
Tvhodid CepimHWCOafilie tend the feeding and government of the
Church; fuchBifhops whereof there might be more then one in
one congregation. The common glofie referreth to this place that
of Jtromi that at firft Presbyters did by common councell governc
the Churches. VcajDod.DcWMwdoth count Ephefxis as yet to have
had no Bifhop, who was fcnt unto them after Pauls being at Rome,
as he thinketh. And others defendifig the Hicrarchie, who thinke
kim to have fpoken to Bifhnps, doc judge that thcfe words belong not
to the Presbyters of Ephefas, but are fpoken in regard of others toge-
ther then prefent with ihem^to wir,of Ttmotby^SofipiterfTycbUia, who.
(i5)
fay thcy;wcre three Blfhopj indeed ; but that he fpeaketh of ihefc who
i ndeed were in company, is quite be fides the text,
TbtfecondArgHmevt^
Such Pjftors asthefcven Argsisj Chrift ordained, Biufuch were
Dtocefan B:{h?p>. Ergo. The anumpiion proved. Thofe who w^re of
finguhr prehemmcncy aniongft other Paftcrs,andhad corredive pow-
er over all others in iheir Churches, tht v were Diccefan b fhops. But
the Angcis were fin? ular perfcns in cvei y Chtirch^hivmg EccI*. fi ifticall
prthtmineRce and luperionty of power. Ergo, they were Dicccfan bi-
(hopf. T he affbipption is proved. Thole who were ili?.dowed by feven
liiigular Starres, were fcven finguhr perCcrs. But the Angels were fo.
Ergo. AgainejThofe to whom, onely Ghrifl did writejWho oncly b^ire
the praife,€lifpraife, threatnmg, in regard of what was in ch: Church
amili'cjOrothcrwife : thcyhzd Majority of power aboveoihets. But
thefe Angels are written to onely , they arc onely praifed , difpraifed,
threatned. Ergo. &c.
Aajw. 1, Inthctwonrft fyllogifmcsthe affumption is denyed. Se-
condly, in the firft Profyllcgifme the confcquence of the prcpcfi.ion
is denied, That they muft needs be fevcn fingular perfons. For fc-
ven«fingular ftarres may fignifie fevcn Vnites, whether fingular or .^g •
gregative i feven pluralities of peifonswho arc fo united as if they
were one. And it is frequent in Scripture to note by a unity, -a uni-
ted multitude. Thirdly, the confeqaencc of the propofition of the laft
profyllogifme is denyed. For though we (hould (uppofe fingular per-
fons written to, yet a prtheminency in order and greater authority,
without majority of power, is rcalon enoagh why thty (hould be writ-
ten to Angularly, and blamed, or praifed above other. Thus the Ma-
tter of a Colledge, though he have no negative voyce, might be writ-
ten to, and blamed for the mifdemcanours of his Colledge, not that
he hith a power oicr-ruling all : but becaufe fuch is his dignity, thjt
did he doc hil endeavour in dealing with, and pcrfwading others,
there is no diforder which he might not fee redrcflcd. Fourthly, a-
gaine the affumption maybe denyed ; That they are onely written
to. F©r though they are onely named, yet the whole Churches arc
written to in them; the fupercminentmcn bcrof the Church by a Sy-
necdoche put for the whole Church. Poritwasthc cuilomeinihc A-
poftlcs times, and long aher, that not any fingular petfons, but the
whole Churchci were written unto, as in Fault Epillles is manifcft,
and in many examples Ecclefiafticall.And that this w3s done by Chrirt
here, the Epiphonemaes tcftific. UttvvjoticbctH wbtt tbt [piritjpei{~
ttb to tbi Cburibes*
The third Argument,
Thofe whonn the Apoftlcsordainfcd, were of ApoftolicalJ lnflit(i"-
E 3 tion.
(26)
on. Bmihfy ordained Bifliops. Ergo. The alTumption is fHTOted by
indadion.
Firft, thfy ordained /<w^5 Bifliop of Jerufalcm prefcnily after
Chrilh afcenuon. Ergo, they ordained Biihopf. Thisis teftificd
by Eu[tkii0/ib.i.Hip.9.cap,i. cm of ClmtvttindHegeftppm : yea, that
ihc Church he fate in was teferved to his time, iib.j'Cfp. i^.&^U
This our owne author lerom U^ifieth^ CatAlog, Script. Ep\ph» ad bter,
66,cbrjfo{i. w Ad, s- ^ U- -^w^^^A mGaUth^ i. ^,Dombiium
$}mpfti. jiup contra Cfef. lib. z, cap, ^7. the gcnerall Councello£
Conll. in Trull, cap. ga. For though hee could not rccciye power
of order , yet they nili^ht give him power of juiifdiftion, and af-
Cgne him his Church. So ih it though he were an Apoftlc , yet ha-
Vi ! g a fingular aflignation, and ftaying here till death, he might juft-
ly DC called the Biflinp, as indeed he was. If he were not the Paftor,
whom had ihey for their Paftcr ?
Secondly , thofe ordinary Paftors vrho were called Apoftles of
Churches in comparifon of other Bifliops and Presbyters ; thcj?
were in order and majority of power before other. But EpMpbr$*
dkm was the Apoftle of the Phihppiam, though they had oihcc
called Bifliops. Chap. i.,4 Ergo. The afifumption-, that he is focal-
led as their eminent Paftor, is manifeft by aathorities./ttow, 'in?bil.i,
Jiefd, andCbryfefi, on the fame place. Neither is itl^c this facred
appropriate name (hould bee given to any in regard of meere fending
hither or thither. Yea this, tbet bewMjent» did argue him there Bi-
fliop : for when the Churches had to fend any where they did ufualljf
intreate their3ifhops,
Thirdly,^rcib//^«ithey inflituted atColoflfe. Erg«.
Fourthly , Tmtttjf and Ttius were iftftituted Pifhops , the one of
Ephefus, the other of Crete. Ergo. The Antecedent is pioved
thus. That which is prcfuppofed in their Epiftles, is true. Bur
it is prefuppofed that ihcy were Bifhops in thcfc Churches. E»-
go. The afliimption proved. Thofc whom the Epi {lies prefup-
pofe to have had Epifcopall authority given them to bee cxercifcd
in thofe Churches , th-y are prefuppofed to have beene ordained
bifhops there. Bet the Epiftles prefappofe them to have had £-
pifcopall authority given them to be exercifed in thofe Churches.
Ergo. The affimption proved. 1. If the Epiftles written to Ti-
msthy^indTittUy bee paiternes of the Epifcopall fundion, infor-
ming them , and in them all biftiops, then ihty were bifliops.
But they are fo. Ergo, i Againe, whofoever prefcribingto Ti-
marhji and Thm their duties as governours in thcfe Churches , doth
ptcfcribe the very dotie of bifhops , hee doth prefuppofc them bi-
(hops. BotTdui doth fo ; For what is the office of a bilhop fee-
Sdc ceadhing, but to ord^ineand governe : andgoverne with fin-
gularitic
(37)
l^laricy of preheminence , and majority of power In comparifoaof
other. Now thefc are the things whjch they h.ive in charge. Tit, i. j.
irim.^,iz^ I riw. I. g. II. zTiw. 2.16. Ergo. j. riicfe things
which were writcen to informc net oiiely Timothy and Titui , but m
ihemall their fucceflburs who were Diocefan Bilhopj, ihofevvere
written to Dioccfan bifhops. Bat thcfe were fo. Ergo, loDio-
cefan bifhops. Now that Diocefm bifhops were their fucccflbury,
isprovcd. i. Either they, or Presbyters, or Congregations. Not 1 he
latter, z. Againe, Tkofe whodidfacceed them vrere their fucceffours.
But Dioccfan biihops did. Ergo. The affam3tion is mmifeft by an-
thoriticf. In Ephefus from Tmtthy to Sttpbanm in the Counfell of
Chalceden. And in Crete, thwugh no one is read to have fucceeded,
yet there were bi (hops Diocefan. And we tcid of Pb';Sip bifhopof
Gortinathe Men:opoh$.4. Thofe who were ordinarily refi Jcnt , and
lived and died at thele Churches, w«e there bifhops. But Timoiby was
bid abide here, TUiu to flay to correft all things, and ihey lived and
died here. For Ttmtihy it is teftificd by HcgifippM , and C(emer.t^ni
£«/efci«aoBtofchem, whom fo refufe to believe , deferve ibemfcUes
nobeliefe. Ergo, they were there biiliops. Againe, Jerom. in Car.
Ifidorus de vita 9c morte Sanft. Antonius par. I, Tit. 6. cap. 28.
Nicepht lib^yo. Cip.ii. ihefe doe depofe , that they lived and died
there. FurtWr, to prove ihem biflioDs. y. Their fnndjon was Evan-
gelicallandextraordmary, or ordin^^ ; not the firft, ihuwasto
end. For iheir funftion as afligncd to thefe Church:s , and corfifting
efpecially in ordaining and jurifdiftion , was not to end. Ergo. A(-
fun^cion proved. That fundriou which was necefl'ary to the being of
the Church,wa$no: to cnd.Bucfhefanft orh y h^d ai being affijaed
tocercaineCh irches, is ncccffary to the bemg of ilie ChuKh, £rgD,
&c. 6. Finally, that Antiq-uty tclbfieth , agreeing; with Scripture, is
true. Butthcytcft fie that they were bifiiops , which the fubfcnprions
oftheEpiftlesalfoaffirme. Erg«. Eufcbiuj Lib. j. C^p. 4.Dyo-
nif. Areopag. Doroth; in Synopfi. Ambrofc p oe.-n. in i. Tim. t.
Jerom.r. Tim. 1.14, 2. Tim. 4. m Catalo. Chiyfoftom. in Philip.
i.EpipIi. in Hjcr. j Primaf. prcfat. m i. Tim, i. i.Theod. prarfat.
inTit.Oeeum. Sedulius* i.Timoth. i. as it is faid in the bookcof
hlftories. Greg. L.b. 2. Cap. 1 1. Theoph. in Ephef. 4. Niceph. lib.s*
Cip.34.
Anfvftr.
We deny thi alfumption of the firft Syllogifmc , with all ihe in-
fiances brought to prove it.
Firft, for/jwer, we deny he was ordained bifhop, or that it can be
proved from antiquity, ihathe was more then other ApolUfS. That
which ffc/ir^iiw reporteib, istroundedon CUmtnt ^ wKomwecknowr
to b« a fosged ipagtiBcr of Rooiiiu orders , and in ihis llory he doili
fcemc
ftcme to imply, thatChrift fliould lu/cordeyned Pefef t John and
^«««the gteacer Bifhops. Seeing4ie makeclithcfe to have ordcy-
iied Jamts after ihey had got of Chrift the fuprcme degree of dig-
nity, which ihvfe forged deceitfull Epiflles of Anacletus doe plaiac-
ly affirme. Secondly, as the ground is fufpcded ; fo the phrafc of
the Fathers, Calling him tbi Bijhup 9f tb<tt Cbmh, doth not imply
that he was a Bi(hop properly fo called. The Fathers ufe the words
ot Ap^^oli and £/?i/copi amply, not in iheir ftrift and formall propri-
ety, hum onthchrfttothe Galathians, andin his Epittle to Da-
j»i»yiw,affirmeth, that the Trophits 2nd hbn tHfe Bifhop might be cal<
led ApolHes. So many Fathers call P/;///;p an Apoftle, C/«w, 5. Cfji/i.
tap. 7' EufebMb.^.cap.ulr, TertuLtie Bapt. f#p.8. and others. In like'
manner they call the Apoilles Bifhops ; not in propriety of fpecch,
butbecaufcthfy did iuch things as Bifhops doe, and inremamine
here or there m^de rcfcmblance of them. Thus Veter^ Paul, lob^,
Burvtkas, and all the reft, are by he Ancients called Bifhops.
Objea. This is granted true, touching others, but not in this in-
itanccof tojjr'becaufe it is fohkely and agreeable to Scripture, as
well as all other Story ; that when all the rell of the Apoftles departed
outof Jerufalem, /o^^theBaptift didftill abide with them even to
death Aafwer. Though this be bat very conjeaurall , yet it no-
thing betccrcth the caufe here. It followeth not, He did abide with
this Church. Ergo, he was ,thc proper Bifhqp of this Church. For
not abiding in one Church ifoth make a B.fhop : but he muft fo
abide in it, that he muft from%he power of his office, onely be bound
to teach that Chuich: fecondly, to teach it as an ordinary Paflor of
It •. th.rdly,togoverneitwithapowerofjurifdiftion, limited one-
ly to thac Church. But lam:t VfSis bound to the refi of the Circum.
cilion by his office, as they Qiould from all the world rcfort thither.
Secondly, he did not teach but as an EmbafTadour extraordinari-
ly lent fromChnit, and infallibly led by his Spirit into all truth.
Ergo, not as an ordina.y Bifliop, Thirdly, as the reft in what Pro-
vmccsfoevertheyreaed, had not their jurifdiftion diminifhed . but
had power cccafionalfy, as well where they were not, as v>hercthey
>^'ere j fo jt was with Itrrnt. This might happily make the phrafe
to be more founded out of lames, that he did in this circumttance
of re/iding, more neercly exprelTe an ordinary Paflor then any
other. It IS p aine. Antiquity did hold them all Bifhops, and ga-
ther them fo to be, a Pnori & Tdfimori : the Author de quafi. tet
tuHZ'l'n "^-^J- i^'""' '^""''^^ ^^'f'^P'' fdvatorem Ecdefiu ia-
(tuui^e pmjquam afcendtm : mpmm nunm Ap^Uu , ord'mvit eot
- E^tjcoju^ Neither did they thinke them Bifhops becaufe they
received a limited junfd.dion of any Churqh ; but becaufe they
were enabled to doe all thofe ihings which none but Bifhops could
regularly
(IP)
regularly doc Ctium,cap,zi,'t»A&. Ici«robcen«tci,fiiith hcc, tKat
74«/ and Btrnabas had rhe dignity of Bifhops : for they did not
maiceBtfliopi oncly , but Presbyters alfo. Now ^cc muft conllcr
the ancient, as taking tfcemonely eminently and virtually to have
been Biihops,or elfe wee muft judge them to hare been of this minde^
That^ihe Apoftlcs had both as extraordinaric Lcgats , moft ample
power of teaching and governing futing thereto , as ilfo the ordinary
office of Bifliopsand Paftors, with power of teaching and govern-
ing, fuehasdoe effentially andminift:rully agree to iliem: which
indeed DoAor T)6iv?inn hinfelfe ccnfuteih , as Popiih, and not
without reafon , though while bee doth flrive to have lemti both an
Apofilc and a B>ihop properly , hiBiTclfe doth confirme iz not a
liitle.
Wherefore it will not be unprafitabk to (Kew fome reafooi whjr
the Apoftles neiiher were nor might be in both thefe callings.
Firft, That wiiich might make us doubt of all their teaching, afi4
writiAg, is to bee hiffed forth as amo(l dangerous aCTertion. £ut to
make lam<i, *pA Co any of them , have both thcfc offices in proprietie,
might* make us doubt. Ergo. The alTumption proved thus. That which
dotiifetthem ino(liceof teacking liable toerrbur^ when they teacti
fromone office, as well as infallibly dire^ed with a rule of infalli-
ble difcerning, when they teach from the other , that doth make os
fubje^ to doabting in all they teach and write. But this opmien
doih (o. Ergo. The propofition is , for ought I fee , of neccflaric
trwh, cheaflii ptionnoleffetruc. For if there bee any rule to di-
re^ Jamn inftill^bly, aslieewis formally the ordinary b;{hop of Je-
rufaicm, let us heare it ; if there vVcre none,m2y not I quelhou,whc-
ther all his teaching and writmg were not fubjeft to errour > For if
hec taught them as an ordmarie biHiop , and did write bis Ep.ftle fo,
then certainly it might crre. If he did not teach them fo, then did
hfe not that hee was ordained to , neither was hec properly aa ordi-
nary Paftor, fe:c taught as an extraeidinjtrie Erabaffadour from
Chrift.
Secondly , Thofe offices which cmnet bee exercifcd by one , but
the one muft expell the other , were ntvcr ky God conjoyned in one
pcrfon. But thcfc doe fo. Ergo. The alTumption is maiiifeft.
^ecMife it is pi tine, none can be called r© teach as a Lcgat extraord:-
naric , with infallible affirtance,and anlimited jurifdiftion, but he it
made uhcapable cf being boofni to one Church , teaching as an or-
dinary pcrfon, w th jurifdiAim limited to that one Church. A-
ga»ne,one can no fooncr bee c^Urd to doe this , but at leaft the exer-
tifeof theoiher isfufpeaded. Thirdly, that which is to no end, is
ifcottobee thought to bee orJaiticd of God. But to give one aaor- ^
dinaric auihority .whereby to d^ this or tkat ma Ctuirch , who
V ' had
hid aWghcrand more excellent power of office, whereby to doe
lUafe fame things in. the fame Church, is to no end. Ergo,
Objt^. But KV/ill be denied that any odier power of order , or to
teach and adminitter factaments was ^iven , then ihit he had as an
V^poftle : hutonely .jurifdidion ox right to this Church as his
Church, ii;
ArifwiY- To this I reply, firft, that if hee had no new power
of order, hecoald not be an ordinaiy Bifliop properly and for-
mally fo called. Secondly , I fay power of governing ordinary wa?
not needfuU for him who hid power as an Apoflle in any Church
where heelhoulci come. 0-je^, But it was not in vaine , thitby
afiGgnation.hee {Iiould-have^ight to rciidc in .this Church as his
Church. 'AnfwiT. If by the mutuall agreement in which thty
were guided by the fpiru , it was Chought raeete , that ]amti fhould
ab;de in Jcrufalem, there tending boh the Church of the Jewes,
and ihe whole circwmcifion, asihey byoccafion reforted thither,
then by.vertue ofhis ApoUlcflup hee had no Icffe nght to tcrd
thofeofihe circumcifioii by refiditig^here , then the other had right
to doe the fame in the Provinces through which they walked.
But they did ihinke it meetc that hee {hould there tend that Church,
and with that Church all the Circumcifion, as they occaConally
reforted thereto. Ergo. For though hee was afligned to refide
there, yet his Apoftolicke Paftorall care was as Jthtil and ?«-
ttfi^ towards the vyholc multitude ofthc difperfed Jejves., Galath.
z. Nowifit were aflignedto him for h's abode, as hee was an
^poftolKkc Paftor, whatdid hee need aflignatioti under anyo-
ther title. N sy he could not h ave it oiherw ife afllgned , unlcfle wee
make hJmto fuftaine another perfon, vii. of an ordinary Paftor,
which hee could not bee who did receiveno fucli power of order as
cirdinary Paftorshive. :
Fourthly, that calling which hee could not exercife wiihotit
being much abafed, that hee never was ordained unto, as a
point of honour for him. But he could not excrcifc the calling
of an ordinary Blhtp, but hee wiuft bee abafed. Hee muft
bee bound by office to meddle with authority and jurifdidi-
on but in one Church, hee muft teach as an ordinary man lia-
ble toerrour. Ergo, hee was never ordained to bee a Biftiop
properly. If it bee facriledge to reduce a Bifhop to the degree
of a Presbyter, what is itiohring an Apoftlc to the degree of a
Bifhop ? True it is , hee might have beene afTignedto refidecon*
ftantly in that Church without travelling , and be no whit aba-
fed ! but then he muft kcepe there a Paftor of it with Apoftolicall
authority, caring not for that Church, but the whole num^
&cr ofihe Jcwesj which hee might doc without travelling. Bf-
1 caufe
taufc whofo kecped- in that Church,' Hce M ' nctdcto pdt'
fonh as the reft ; for the Jewcs from all parts ccmc to
him» Bnthe could not make his abide in it as anordinary teacher
andgovernour, without becomming many degrees lower ihen hec
Tva*. For to live wiihout goirg fonh , in ihe mother Church of all
the world, as an ordinary Paftcr, was much leffe honour then ro rra-
vaile as p£tcr one while inro An'yria , another while through Pon-
tus, Galatia, Bithinia, as an Apoftlc. Even as to fit at home in wor-
fhipfull private place is leiTe honourable then to goe abroad ai Lord
Embjfladour Wither or thither. Honour and cafe arefeldome bed-
fellowcs. Neither was ^#/wj his honourinihis circumflancetrf the
reft, but in having (isch. an horrourable place wherein to cxercife his
Apoftolicke calling. As forrliat quelhon , who was -.heir ordinary^
Paftor,it IS eafily anfwtrcd. Their Pfcsbytm, fuch as tinui, or CU"-
mem in Rome , loch as Ephefus and ether Churches had. umet wai '
their Pallor alfo , but with cxtr.iordinary authority, \^hat needed'
they an ordinary Bifhop, which grew needfull(^as ihe favourers of the'
Hierarchy fay) tofupply the abfente of Apoftles,when now they were*
to deceafe ? What needed then here an ordinary flifliop where the A-'
poftles were joyntly to kee pc twelve yeares together, and one to rcdde *
during his life, according to the current of the ftory > Thus much a-
bout the firftinftance.
To the fecond inftanceof Efaph^ed'ituiy and the argument" dra- '
wen from it. Firft,we deny the popofition. Forbad fome ordina-
ry Paftors bcrncfoftilexl, it might- imply: but a prchemincncic of'
dignity in th^m abcrve other: wherefore unleffc this be latcrfer-'
udy itisunfound , \'iz:-lbofeordiMatjPt[iors ^ rvbi art called A po-
Pies in iomf*rif9H of others , bectufe the Ap(iUs did give to them fa-
n^r oferdiwtion , ]unfdiSlion , and peereU^'c p7themir.enc) , tvnich tbty
did net gme toot berfy tb'.y are above others. Secondly, the Aflump-
tion isfalfc altogether : Firft, thn Epaphroiitm was an ordinary
Piftor; Secondly, rhithec Wascalled an Apoftleincompanfon of
inferiour Paftors of that Church. Ohi. But the judgement oiUrom^
Tbiod§ret, C hryfoflomet is thn he vf2s. W«/w. The common judgement
is^ that he was an egregious teacher of theirs , but further then this,'
many oftheteftimonicsdoenot depofe. Novv fo he might be : for
he was an Evangelift , and one vho had vifited and labosred among
them, and ihcreforeynight be called their readier , yea an egregious-
teacher, or Doftor of thtfm. Nay, Saint /^fry6r#/« doth plainely insinu-
ate , that he was an Evangelift : for he faith he was made their A-
poftle by the Apoftle, while he fcni him to exhort tliem, and becaufc
he was a good man, he was dcfired of the people. Where !iecmak:th
himfem, not for pcrpeiuall refidcncc amongft them, butforihcf
trifffint exhorting of them , and makeih him fo ileCred of the
i » Philippiaus
(30
P4^ilippians, bccjiuCchce was a good man, notbcc^uTc h«^ W3is ihcir
ordinuy Piftor. Uromt teftimony on thispUcedoch notcviricej^'
For the n^me of Apoillcs and Dodors is largely caken , and $s ^p.-'
pliable to one, who as an EvangcLft did inftruft them, as to any o-
thcr. Thiod, doib plainly take him to have been as their ©rdinanc
bifliop, but no oiherwifc then T'mot^ff and Tituit and other Evange-
lijls are faid to hare been b lliopi : which how tf ue ic ij, in Uae next
argucneiitlhiUbcedilcuiTed. Vot cy znTbeoibrct doib tai^c him to
have bccnc juch an- Apoftolicke pcrfon as Timoi^Jf ?nd Titui were.
Now thcfc were as truly called bifhops as ihs- Apojllcs thenafclves.
Neither is the rule of Tbeofhni to bee admitted : for it i^ nnlike thac
thcnamcof Apoftle fhould bee co;r,mumcaied then with ordinaric
Paftor^, where now there was danger of confounding ^hofc eminent
Miniftcrsof CUrift, with others , and when now the ApoJ^lf* wecf
dcceafed , that then it {hould ceafc to bee afcribea to them, Agame, ,
how iiiaU wee know ihit a bifhop is to bee placed in a Citic, that hec
muft beeapcrfon thus and thus (according to Patth Canons) c^uali-,
fied : all is voided, aad made not to belong to a bifliop. For thoCe wba
arc called bifhops, were Presbyters and no bifhops, bifhops being"
then to be underflood onely under the name of Apoftles and Angel^,
Thirdly, antiquity doth teftific, that this was an honour to bifhapf, .
when this name was Ecdefiaftically appropriated to them. But if
thryever had becntcarmedby thenameof Apoftles before, this had
bccnadcbafingof them. Neiiher.is there rcafon why they fhould
bee called ApolUcs. In junfdiftion Apollolicall the Apofiles were
not fu^ceeded. Jufifdidion Epifcopall they never rter<;ifcdr nor ha^^ ,
and thercfcre cpuld not bee fuccceded jn it. The Appillcs give ta
Pies^cerstha^t which Chnft gave them out of his powers even the
ppwer pf ordinary government. They are bid TTitjuauvHV ^ z^d
/Soo-KMf, to feed as well by government aj dodrinc. They arc bid net
to pUy the Lords over the flock. What feare of tyranny where there
is no power of government? f ut by authDriries afiie, coofider the
thing fiomthe lext it fclfc. Pirfl, T*ui fecmcth but ocpafitnally
to ftad him, hce having parpofed to have fent Twadifc;, wh« asyct
could not bee imployed. I tboHghtU nutSMt} a fend ep:^pbrQdttm
f» you, Se<:ondly, hcc doth imply, that Epdpbrod'uui had no:
retwned to them, but that hec fent him j and that therefore hec wa«
not the ordinary bifhop of It. Itislike, bee was b»t fent till T«»fl-i
thf might bee difpajched to them. Neither is it any thing probable
h« fhoiild bee called an Apofil? , a« their ordinary and eminent Pa^
^or. In the Scriptures, none are faid to be Apoftles further then they -:
arc in habitude to fomc fending ihcm. Now this is undoubted, the
Philippiaw had fcm him to P4ul. It i* ib.ei> i^9& probable when he is
called
(33)
railed their Apolllc , it is inrfgard he was Tent by them , which the
Apoftlc poimeth at in the next words, ^hoh^ta miniflHif m{ ibt
ilfiwgt tUiafnU wkkhyou jtntbyhm. Objca. Butitis urJiktIy liiu
this word appropriited to the Twelve , (hould be ufcd of ihofc feiic
civihc. Noc fo, for while the pcrfoiis fending nre figmfitd, th?y
are fufficientU contraqiiUfiguifhtd ; it being the PfivJedgc of the
Apofllcf, thstihty wjtrerh; Apoftlcs of Chnli J -fas, notfimpy
ihitthey were Apofllfs. Secondly, Lhn i^. It is made common
to ail that arc ftnr. For though Chriftmeanc it of himfelfe, yet he
implirt it by a difcoutfe, ageyert»dry:c:em. Thirdly, we fee the like
pJirafe, i Cor. 8. The A^Uioftht Oyurcbfs. VorChfyhft f« there un-
derftandcih thc^ whoiB the Churches liaJ fcnt for thac prcfent. That
doth not hinder , ihty were by p/ui/ to ih? Churches, theref re the
c^iufches ©ighc not fend ihtm with their contributions. Neither is
thif an argument that he w:$ their biiliop , bejaufe thtir church fen:
hiw : for they Cent Afsftles thcmfelvcs and Evangelifts alfo more or-
dinarily, it being their office to goe from church to church , tcr the
edification of ihem.
Fof theinftancc of.^^«bijp^wT finde it not brgcd.
Nqw to come to the lai^ inftaiKcs od'imtkeut and TititL
Firft, wc deny the Antecedent , that tkcy were inflitiKed bishops
hy PiU$*, And in the fuft prcfillcgifme wec«nythe Aflumption :
that the Epillitiebcprtfuppo/ifcmtub. And to the profiUogifme , ten-
^ng to prove this a flVit on denyed, wc anfwer r firi^, tothepropo-
ficion, by diftingutfliiog the Epifcopall avuhoiity, which is confi-
dered both in regard ©f that which is mntcrisH, and in regard of the
formall reafon which doth agree to it. The Propofition istrue, ui-
derftaoding it of authority in both thcfe regards j ihofe wlioare prc-
fu ppofed to h .vc hadaurhority Epifcopall given thtm , bothfocthe
fubOance of it, ind the fortnall reafon whi.h doth agree to it In an
ordinary bifiiop, thty JrepreGippofed bifliops : bdtthii is dcnyed.
For thfyare prefuppofed to hive andexcicife power Epifc pill for
ihc matetiall ofit, as ApoftUs hidaifo*, Uot nor to have and •rxer-
cife ir» that maaaer and formallity wiiich doth agree to a B Ihop,
but which doth agree to an Evangclift , and therefore they arc bid-
dentodocthe wotkc ofan Evangelift , to excrcifc allthn power
they didcicrcifc ai Evangel«fts. There is iioihiiig that *?/!«/ writeih
to Timothy to cfoc in Ephcfiu , or to Tilui Cute, which himfelfe prc-
fent inperfon m'ghtnot arul v/ouM not have done. If wee fl;oulJ
reafon then thus : Hce whodidcxercifc Fpifcopal\ power in tlufc
iburchcs, he isprcfuppofci tohave beenc bifliopinihem. This pro-
pofition is not t roc, but with limitation : Hce who cicr«.ifcd Epif-
copall power aficr that formall raafincr , whi.hdojh agree lo the
officcofaBi&op, hce wa» Bilh'^p ; but no: htewKo cxcrcifcth vhe
E 3 power ■
pQwtrftcundum alkm ntlonem & nudum : viz . afcer fuch a manner as
uDth agree to an Apoftle.
To the fccond mame proofe , wee deny the propofition. If
pattern es for Biftlops, then written to Biftiopj. The reafon is, Apo-
ftlcs , Evangelifts, ordinaiy Paftors , have many things cofnmon in
their admini^ration. Hence is it, thit the example of the one m:«y-
be a patiernc to another, though they are not identically and fornnal-
ly of onecalling. CounceUs hive cnjoyned all Presbyters to be well
fecne inihefc Epi(Ues,as being pitternesfor tht m^ridt A ug,Dedi^f hi*
Cbrifi.cap, i6.ltb.^.
To the third reafon. ^J^bo Jo prtfmbiffg them thtlr dfttiet doth pre*
fofe thivery duties of Bijhops , beedoth t*\ttbtm tohave bune Bijhofs.
The Propofition is not true without a double limitation. If the A'
poitlc fhould propofe fuch duties of Bifhops as they in later times-
iifurped, he ioih not therefore prefuppofe them bifhops, bccaufc
ihJe are duties of Evangelifts, agreeing tobiflnps onely by ufur-
pation. Againe , {houldhe propofe thofe duties which, fay they,
the w ord doth afcribe and appropriate to bifhops , yet if he doc not
prefcribe them as well in regard of matter as forme exercifedby
them 3 it will not follow that he doth take them for bifhops : nor
thit Taul dothpurpofe the very duties of bifhops, bothin fubftance
and manner of performance. Secondly, we deny him to purpofc
for IV. bftance the duties of bifliops. For hec doth not bid him or-
daine^ as having a further facramentall power then other Mmifters,
nor governe with power dircftiveand corredive over others. This
exceedeth the bounds of all miniileriall power. Thirdly, Timothy
is not bid to lay on hands op doc any other aft , when now churches
wereconftituted, but with concurrence of thoCe churches ; idvouni''
pfcmfqui EccUfiaiurey iheApoftles did not otherwife^ For though
!*««/ wrote t® him alone , that was becaufehe was occupied not one-
ly in churches'perfeftly framed, butalfoin the erefting and framing-
of othirs, Sccon^jly , bccaufc they were in degree and dignity above
all other ordinar governours of the Church , which their Conful-
like prehcminencye was fufficfient, ,-why iKey fhould be written :a
alone.
To the fourth reafon : Thdfe things yvbicb yfi^ire mitten to informe;
ntt onely Timothy Mnd Tit tiSi but aQ their fttcct If ottrsy wbonfBfs Vioceftn
tilhips^ thjff^eremmeiito DioBefoft Bijhops. But the fe were fo, Ergoi
The Propofuion is not true , becaufeit pr€fuppofeth\hat nothing
written to any perfons, caninforme Diocefan bifhops, unleflethe
perfons to whom it is written be formally in thatfelfe fame order.
For if one Apoftle fhould write to another touching the duty Apo-
iiolique, it might inforrae any Doft or or Paftor whnfoever. Second-
ly, wcc dcay Diocefan bifkops arc^f iurt) fucccflburs. As for the
c^uivocall
(3?)
cquivocill Catalogue which maketU all who are reaci bifiiops to have
bcene DioccCan, we fhillfpeake of them hereafter. The biftiops bc-
twctncTimotbj ind Stfphanui in the time of theCM«rf*»Xounccl],
were not all of one cut : and there are no churches read in Grefe whicK
were not Congregations. Theriisno moic to prove Pibi/!/i;j ofG^r-
tina a Metropolitan , then to prove /^>7</j«i Metropolitan of Syria;
For what doth ftory relate, but thsit Phillip was amongfl other a
bi&op of thofe Churches which were in Crete. There arc many
Churches in England,aMmifter ofwh:ch Churches is fuchan one,
that is one Minifter amongft others of thofe Churches. To that of
their refiding there and ^ying in thefe Churches. Firftjthe propoHti-
on is not neceflary. For as Iiwri might rtfide exerclfing an Apoito-
licall infpedion in a particular Church, fo might thcfe cxerc fe aa
EvangcUcall furt^ion how long foever they re fided. Secondly, the
affcimption will not bee found true for ordinary conftant rciidencc
neiiher in Scripture nor fathers. YorTimtb)^ though he be exhor-
ted to ftay at Ephefus, yet this doth not argwe it, ihathe was enjoy-
ncd ordinatyrcfidcnce.For firlUt was aCgnc he was-not bifliop, bc-
caufe P<i«^did exhort him, forhe would wcUhavc knowne^ he might
nor, being their ordinary Pajftor leave them, further then the more
important good of the Church fliould eccafion. z. He js bid to ftay
there, not finally, buttill the Apoftlc /houldcome tohioi, which
th©ugh he might be delayed , it is plaine he then intended. So Titta
is placed in Cftte , not to ftay there , and let downehis reft , but
i-nftof^aavuy further to fet, as it were, and exedific the fa-
fencke, which /'<!«/ hid begun. God gnvc Ceremonies jLts;;^^2jta/f9i/
J^io^Buifftaf Atof^aa-if f is not ever a correfting of any thing amille,
but a feihng every thing right^by ereding the fubftance forefhidowcd.
But fay it were correding, it were but fuch a correfiion as one might
performe in tranptUy with a little longer ftay,though not ordinary rei:-
dcDcc.By Scripture the contrary is manifcft'.
For firft , it is not like that riw^/Z/fwaS: placed bifliop after Pauls
being at Rome , for when pj«/ faith he prayed him,when now hce was
goine to Macedonia, to ftay at Ephefus, he doth intimate that when
hec left him they were there both together. Secondly, when
hewifiiedhim to abide there, hce had a meaning to come unto Ti-
wwibjpththcr where he left him, foai at leaft tocall on him, and
fee the Chtnh. Bur piul nficr his parting from the Prc>byter«
knew he ftiould never fee the Ephcfians more. Aft. 20. ]f wee
fay he doth foretell it for likely, fo we may fay, thu of wolves
aifingwas, and call all into qncftion. Neither 1$ it likely, but that
ceires would have broke his heart, and made h m ycdd in the
percraptories ofhisfpccth, had not hisfoulc becnc divinely per-
lTvaded,Thirdly,hc had no meaning when he left them locouftituic
limtlj
Tlmtby tobe dicic Bifhop : for he would rtot Ikive omitled foe h an
argument ok confohtionto hearcsfo heavy. Nor he doth iioi men-
tion any (uchpurpofe when he did write to them hii Epiftle, Hec
tcllcth Churches uCmlly when himfclfchath meaning to fee them,
or to Tend oxdeis. Fourthly , Timothy was with Paul while hce was
inbondsat Rome, as witnefle thofc nifcriptionscf the Epiftlestothe
CoUffimi i^6 pbilippiaTts j yea ri«w/fc)' was fo v/ith him , aatabee
ifnplcyed by kim, Tent forth, and returnc to him, which is maoifcftc
l^hilip.r. If he were after this placed in E/>l;ff/«*, yet he was not ph-
ccd to le refident , foe in the end of the Epiftle , he doth bid TiWA-
li?;comc tohim, and bring ^/tf^f, that ;hcy might miniftcr to him.
Againe when hce dtd write ihe 2. Eptftle, Timothy wzi not Epbtfi0^
for he doth bid him falutc ^qwU and FrifclllA and Onc^fiwm, Objcd".
But is like ihefe were at Epbtfm, forihere r«<^lcft AquUg and Pri*
fiiid. They came occpfional!y, they did not fixe there , ^WdiCbrf*
/oflome alfo judgeth. And the hou^cof Omfipborus y ^mwrd takcth
it, wasatlconium inLycaonia, foihatic is Idee he was in his ni'
tifecoumrey at this time, evenlconium, Liftra, Dei be, which hap«
pily s thecaulc why ihi Scholafticall ftory doth make himBifliop
of Ly ftra, becaufe hither he was lad Tent. He was fo here, as ihat the
Apoftle didbutfcnd him 10 fee them, forhee biddeth him come
btfcre winter. Btfides, there aremany probalitieshe was not ac
Mpb^jUii for he fpeakeih of it through the fpiftie, as a place now re-
mote from him. Ibouliaiivift what Qvefjpbffrm didfsr mtettt Epbtm
/fi», not where r,oi» tbou Mtt, I havt fent Tycbius t$ Bpbefm, nH
td tbH , to C»pp\y ihy place while thou (li.ilt bee abfent.
finally^ after P*«/ci death hee did not rcturne toBphefus, but by
common confcnt went to lohnxhi Apoflle, andvety little before
his de »;h tame to Ephefusjif evcr.As for th: Fathers therefore in this
pfint, if ihcy teftifie ordmary refidencc, which they doe not, wee
have iibu'iy to renounce them J butthty tef^.fie cnely that he re-
mained in that Church, becaufe his flay was longer there then
Evangclifts did ufe to mske, and,he is thought to have fuffcrcd mar-
lyrdome there. So for Tirw, when Paul feat him to Crete to doc
that worke isuncertaine j 6utthis iscertainc , it was before his wri-
ting to the Corinths the fecond time, and going to Rome. This
like Wife: that r<:;y/ wss then in travelling, and as it is like being in the
parts of Macedonia did mean to winter at 2itC9poUt, When he did
write ihcEpifllche doth (hew it was not hismeaniag thatT«l«
ihould ftiy there , for hec doth bid him to mcetc him at Nicopolis^
where he meant to be as it is likely, but Ti/«Jcomming did not mcetc
_him there, but at length found him in Macedonia , whence Ptitd di4
fend him to the Corinthians , thin l(kg God for huptBmptntffttvintt
hk mm mord u U imflayed amcng^ tinm, i Cor, 9, 16, which doch
(37)
Hiew hc^hid not becnc mude an otdinary bifliop any whcrc.Wc Gn^
mat he d.d accompany P,ul at Rome, z Tm. 410: anci ^h,np^^
writ Imfecond Epiftle ioTm.thf , he was in D.I.ntn. wtncc
Aqumasdoth thinke him to have becnc b.fliop of that pbce WW
fore wee.hi.ke him that will bee carried from fuch pt.fumpnonr
(yea manifeft arguments^ by Hcg.fipp^^Clemm, and hiftory Lounl
ded on them to be too much afFefted to fo wcakc authors, and wi(h
not credit with him, who counts him unworthy credit, that will nor
fweare what fuch men depofe. ^ ' ^ °'
i;,Jw^«'"7/^',P'''°^' '^'' followeth, That either furM'io^wji
fig'-^ediothofeChunhiwas mtextraordmary. We der.y this PiTumrt.
on with chcproefeof ,t. Tb^t the funSlion tbatthtfe exmifedasaU
J%eZT^'u^"''^c' ('^'f'''^'^>^r'^ r,^mu(l'anto tbebdg
t>nbeCKurch. Thcrcafonis,becaure they were nffigncd to Joe thofe
thtngs which are to be done for ever m the church afcer a more tranf-
cendcntm inner j v.z.asEvangeliftijind affignation of ihem to doe
thole things in certaine Chwrches after this manner , was not ne-
cefl2ry to perpetuate the being of the Church. Affignation to chur-
chestodoethcworkcofordin.iyPaftorsis indeed necefTary : not
allignation to dot the worke of hvangrhfts.
To that fiaall reafon , what aatiquity doth teftifie nprecina with
Scriptures is true, and Co to be taken. What they fpeake fo aorwin.,
mact isvrtuallycontcincdinthem, andmaynghrly bededtice'd
tromthem istobce bcleived andreceivcd by adivine faiih. But
What they |pe;,ke not plainely comradided, but yet no wny included.
maybeadmtced//4^fe«w<i>;d, if the firft relatt^rs be well qu.hlicd
witnenes. But whu they fpeakcfrom fuch as Ciemm a^Hcg^p^
;*«, It IS If .neflea of light credulity. A corrupt confcence bent 10
decline is g.ad ofcvciy colour whi.h it mr.y pretenj to jufiifie it Iclfe
HI declining.
To the aflump-i6 we anfwer.What do not fomc ancient enoueh cal
Timothy? Ambitfe (aith he was a Dcrcon one while, a Presbyter ano-
ther Mrh,lc,& m like fenfc others a Primate & a BilLcp. Lyra provcth
h.m horn mar y authorities to have been an Arch-b.-lliop, and Tittti
a 1 rieft. Btd» callcth him an Apoftle. But to oather on ihcfe, th u he
was in prrpricty of fpeech all ihefc, were al fiird. Obj. d. I,but tht'y
call hinj biihop on other grounds, btcaufe afTigncc: to this Church.
Arlw. Thtycall h^m b.-fh-'p bccnifc he w.i$:fligned to this Church,
not ondy to teach, butalfo tocrd.iinc Deacons, Presbyters, For
wheresoever they found this doae,and by whomfocver, iluyuidcali
them b.fliops,ni { noted bcf.te fiom O'uumn. The fathers thcrforc
maybe well confttucd calling ihcfc biniop$,bccaufc thty made lon-
ger ftay in ihefc Churches ihen JEvangehfti did nfwally, «c did preach
G and
(38)
and orJamc , and doc in ihtfc Churches all fuch things which Bl-
fn^pes in thtir ti.iic ufed co doc. But that he was not an Ev^ngclift,
and n^ore then an ordinary bifhop ihcy do not deny. Salmeron him-
fclfe in his fir ft Difputation on i i tm.pag.j^o^, f^idtiut if go quodfuerit
ftitfqutm EpifcopWietimfi ad tem^iu in ea cwunte ut pofttrfrtiicavtrit
&liitroi mdiniipft>niwmt,undc quidem vacant eum epifcopum> Finall}?,:
lliculd they in rigour and formallproprieiy make him an ordinary
Pallor from the firft time Vaitl did write to him ordinarily refidenc
to his end ; they ft»ould tcftific a thing , as I hope 1 have (hewed,
contrary to Scripture, yiaconiraiy to thst text which maketh him to
have done the woikcofan Evangclift. Asbr the (hew from ihc
Subfcriptions we have fpcken fuSiciemly,
Now to (View that ihcy were not properly b fKops. Firft^wchavc
fticwcd that they were butfubrogated to doc ihofe Cuppcfed Epifco-
pali duties a while, but were not there fixed, to make their ordinary
abode. Therefore not billiops properly. Secondly, th.y who did the
worke of an Evangelift iivall that thty did,did not perform formally-
the woike of a bilhop. But ihefe did fo. As is vouched of TiCTj/fcy,
'Dot thttvorlii of An ivanidift, hroo. The Propofition is proved. If
an Evangelift and b fliop cannot be formally of one office, ihen tkc
aft ofnn Evangelift, and the aft of an ordinary Paftor or bifhop
cannot be formally one. For when every thing doth agire (tiuadutn
quod aiih e(i , thole things which arc not the fame formally , their
worke andeft'cft cannot be formally the fame. But the Evangilift •
and the ordinal y Paftor or bifliops, are not fornaally the fame. Er-
go. The airumpticn the Apv>ftle proveth, by that diftinft enumerati-
on cfihofe whomChrift gwc noA\ afccnding.bythe the worke of
Miniftcry to gather and build his Church, For as an Apoftleis
diftingujflied from a Prophet, a Prophet from an Evangelift, fo an
Evangelift from an ordinary Teacher.
Objc^. But it may be faid, they were not diftinft , butihatihe
fupcnour contained the infcriourjand Apoftlcs might be Evangelifts
properly, as Matibiw^ndlih)! were.
Arfw. That former point is tobeunderftood with a grainecf
flit. The fupeiiour contained the inferiour virtually and eminently,
in as much as they could doe Mori ttmn ttLiUne^ what the inferi'
our did. This fenfc is tollerable. Butthat formally tke power of all
otf er offices fuices which the Apoftles is falfc. My Lordchieft Ju-
fti c of England i$ not formally a Conftable. As for the latter, true,
anApoftle might be alfo a penmen of the Gofpcll, but this auketh
not an Evangelift mere then an Apoflle , but doth ptr escidens,
come to them both. And even, as a Preacher or Paftor, writing
CoFrin-.cntaries, and publifliing other Treat ifes, this commeth f e/*
9Uidt»s to his calling, it doth not make kitn a Paftor , but more iU.
Iqflrious
icftrioMf and truJtfull in that regard ihen another. So M^i^i and
Lul^ was not therefore Evangclilts becaufe they dd write the Gof-
pcls, for then none Hiouid hive beene Evangelifts that had not writ-
ten , but in this regard ihcy were more renowned then other. Cu»
dome hath fo prevailed, Taiih UaldottiLtt in h:s Pr(f :ce on Mtttbiw,
that wee call ihem Evangchfts, (t;*^. the Writers of the Gofpells)
whom the Saiptuies cever call Evargelifts. Thefe Evangeljfts paid
fpeakeihof were given at Chrifts ^fcenfion , bo: the firit writer ot
the Gofpelj, heing an Apoftle , was at leaft eight yeares jfrer. Se-
condly, they were a diftmd order of workc;men from the Apoflles,
but two of the penmen of the Gofpels were Apoflics. Thirdly,
they were fuch as by labour of minifteiy (common for the oener:ill
of It to ail other) did gather Saints, and build Chrifts Bor'y. New
writing the Gofpell was not a labo^ir of Minifteiyccmmon to Apo-
ftles>Prophct5,EvangeIifts,Paftors,but the publishing cf it.
Thofc degrees which Chrift did diftindly give to otherfome, and
o herfome, thofe he did not give conjoyned'y to one and the fame
perfons. But thefcr callings he give to fome one, to others another.
Elk he muft have faidjhe gave the fame men to be ApoIiUs and E-
/angelifis, the fame to be Evangclifts and Paftcrf . Ei go.
1 hatcalling whc h is not compatible with ihc calling of an E-
vangelift, thatT^w/never annexed to an Evangel; ft. But the callyng
ofa bifhopisfuch. Forabifhopif tyed toapirticular Church. The
calling of an EvangeUft is a calling wherebyone iscalled tothe
worke ohhc Miniltcty, to gather Saints, and cd:fie Chriflsbody,
without any limitation to ai^y particular Church, Ergo, Pri*i never
annexed the c.^llmgof a billiopto an Evangelift.
The calliHg of an Evangclilt is not to wnte the G jfpell , nor to
preach it (imply r for then every Min;fter of the Wordlhould be an
E'/angelif}. Bat this doth diffore nee t'p.cni , top-eichit without li-
mitation or .liiignariontoany particular ihurch. Thus P/bi///p thus all
thofe who were :he Apoftlej helpers, working the workcf ih: Lord
as thty did were Evang of which fort fome continued to the time of
Ctmmtiiti the Emperour, asff*/(t^iwreporteth, fia/t^. bifi. It ^.itf.^.
Now a calling whereby I am thus called to puhliih the Gofpel,with-
out fixing "my leli'c in any ceitaine pbcejand a calling which bindeih
during life to fettle my rife in one Ci.urch, are incompatible.
Laftjy, ih It which would have d.bafedri/wtf/o; and T»:«4, that
Tanldid net puiup^nihem. Buito have bronth: iliem from tiic
honour of ftrringthe Gofpell , os CnUgurgU comp'.moni of ihe A-
poftles to be ordinaf y Pal^or$,hjd abafcd them. Brgo,thi$ to be or-
dinary Paftors Pgiildid not put upon them. OojtU. T he affj mption
isdenytd, itw.if noabafcment. For before ih«.y were but Prcf-
b>ters, and afterward by impoG. ion of hinds wcic made biftiops.
G 1 Why
(40)
why (houldiii?y teceivs impofi tion of hands, and a new ordini-
lion, if they did not receive an ordin^tjy calling ? wc mcane if ihey
were not admitted into ordinal y funftions by impofition ofhinds.
I anfwcrjThis deny all with vill whercos it is builded i; grofle : For
tabling ihem from aSuperiour order to anlnfenour, is to abafe
them. But the EvangehQs office vvasiuperioar to Paiiors. E'go.
The allufnptfon proved. Firft , Every otfice is fo much the greater,
by how much the power of it is of ampler extent and iefie'reftrai'
ned. Btr. the Evangelifts power of teaching and governing wasil-
liniiied. Ergo. The alVumptioR proved. Where ever an Apoftle
did that part of Gods wo^e whieh belonged to an Apoftle 5 there
an Evarigelift mighj^doe that v/hich belonged to him. But that
part of Gods worke which belonged to an Apoftle he might doc any
where without limitation. Ergo. Secondly, every Mmiftcr by^
h'Jvv much he doh more approximate to the higheft , by fo much
he is h'gher.]iut the companions, & coadjutors of the Apoftles,werc
re:r€r ihcnordinary Pftftors. Ergo. Who are next the King, in
his Kingdoihe , butthofe who are Rigii Comites. The Evangelifts
were Comim of ihcfe Eccltfijfticall Cheiftaincs. ChryfdfioMC doth
cxpreflyfayon Bpher.4. That the Evangelifts in an ambulatory
courfc fpreading iheGofpell, were above any bifhop or Paftor
which refteih in a certaine Church. Wherefore to make them Pr ef-
byters i« a weake conccite. Vca every Prsbytcr (properly fo
called) was conftituted in a certaine Church to doe the worke of the
Lord in a certaine Church. But Evangelifts were not, but to doe
the worke of the Lord in any Church as theyftiould be occafio-
red. Ergo, they were no Prcsbyccrs properly fo called. Now for
their ordmation ; Ti/»;w£;y received none as the D. dor conceiveihj
but What bee had from the hand of the Apoftle and Presby-
ters, when now he was taken of Paul to be his companion, Forno
doubt but the Church which gave him a good teftimony, did by
her Presbyters concurre with Paulin his promoting to that office.
Obj. What, could they liy on hands with the Apoftlts,which/»fo;//ip
cQuidno^j and could they enter one into an extraordinary ofticc >
Anfw, They didlay onhandj with the Apoftles, as it is exprcfly
read, both of the Apoftles and them. It is one thing to ufe preca-
tory impofition , another to ufe miraculous impofition, fuch as the
Apoftlcsdd, whereby the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghcft
were conferred. In the firft. Presbycers have power. Neither is
It certaine, that iP/?i//<p could not haveimpofed hands, and given
the Holy Ghoft. For though h? co'aU,he might choofcin wifedome
for their greater confirmation and edification to let that be done
by perfons more eminent. FinaUy, impofition of hinds may be ufed
in promoting and {"^tting one forth to an extraordinary office.
For
(40
yor every ^xtMordinary office is not attended with immediate fo-
catioft from God. As chc calling of Evangclifts, tkorghcxtracrdi-
njry, was in ;h:S u;il.ke ihc cailingofApoflUs and Prophets. Se-
ccndlyjOien called immediately m^t bt promoted to the more fruit-
full cxcicife of their immediare and extraordin.iiy callir gs by
jmpofition of hinds from their luftriours , as /*««/ and Bafnab.u
were. Howfoever, it is plamc, th ^tTunitby by inijl: fuion of hands,
wnsordaiiied to no calling, but the calling of an Evangelif^. For
that calhi-g he was ordained ro, which he js called on by Pau^ to ex-
crcife, and fully execute. But he is called on by him to doe the \> Oik
of an Rvangelift. Ergo, that calling he was ordained to.
That worke winch exceedcththe calling of an ordinary bifhop,
was notput upon an ordinary billiop. But yi^^ahis workcdidlo:
for it w?s to plant Presbyters Towne by Tor/iie through a Nation,
Ergo. For the ordinary pi intation and ereding of Churvhes to their
due frame, exceedeth the calling of an ordinary bilhop. But this
was TitUA h:s wotke. Ergo. Bifiiops arc given to particular
Churches when now they are framed, thnttheymsy keepc them
winde and wether tight, they are not to by foundations, or to cxc-
difiefomc imperfed beginnings. But fay ri.'W had bee nc a bifliop :
He is no warrant for ordinary bidiops, but forPfimites whofcau-
thoriiy did rc3«h through wl^.ole Il.inds. Nay, ifihe Dcdorsrulc
out oiTbeedtnt were good , it would ftrvc for a J^ifriop of the plu-
rality cur. Por it it faid he placed Presbyters city by city, or Townc
by Towne, who are in namconcly bifliops, but not that he placed
Angc/s or ApolUcs in any part of it. He iherefore was the folc bi-
•Ijopof them , the reft were but Presbyters , fuch as had the name,
not ihe office and government of Bsflicps.
Finally, were it granted thitthey were ordinary bKhops , and
written to doe the things that bifiiops due , yet would i: not be a
groundforihcir majority of power in matter facramcniall and junf-
diftioH,asis above excepted.
The ffth A'luwent,
The Minifters which the Church Ind generally and perpetwal'v
ihc fiift 300. yearcs after Chrift and his Apoftlcs, and was not or-
dained byany geneva'l Ccuncell, wcreiindoubted'y of Apofiolic-ll
inftitat!on. But the Church ever b.ad Dioccfaii bilLops in firigu-
Jarity of prcheminence during life , and in majority of power of
ordination and jurifjifition above others, arid ihcfc nctinftitutcd by
gcnerall Connctlls. Ergo, Thepropofition isplaine both by^«-
l^indt iapt.toutrtDonAt. lib,^. & Ep (i 118 snd by TiruK CcMflar,
id tb Ap-iHtiii t/t'iitumiaod fip:iiE:At(i.ii .-iptftoldnim fui> fiitofAn-
Cium. For whocm ihiiikc thic -ill the Churikcs gcncial'v, woaM
confpirc to abolifli th : order of Ci.rid planted I y\hc Apollles, and
G I kr
fet up other Minifters then Chrift had orcJained. The affumption it
phme : for if the Church had Metropolitans anciently, and from
the beginning, as the Counccll of Nice teft.lieth, much morcbi-
Ihops. For Dioccf in bjfliopsmuft bee before them , they rifing of
combinition of Cities and Dioces^. Aadthe councell of Ephefaj
tcrt>fiefh, the government of tUofe bifhops of. Cyprus, to have been
cvsi from ihc b^^inning, according to the cultonve of old received.
Yen, thit the attempt of the bifli jpof Antinch,\vas againft the Ci-
nons of the Apultlcs. Agame, Cyprian doth tcftjfie^hat long before
his t;me,b fh ;ps Wvre phced in all Provinces and Cities, belidcs the
r.icC' (Tion of biihaps fiom the Apoflles timesrFor ihcy prove iheic
orig nail to have^ene in th^ Apoftles times. Neither were they in"
ihtuted by any gencrall councell. For long before the firft gencrall
councelijWe read Metropolitans to have becnc ordained in the Chur-
ches. Yea, 7^rcw hitnfelfe is of opinion , th u no councell of aftec"
times, butthe Apoftlesthemfclvcs did ordaine biihops 5 forcven
fince thofe contcntion^wherein fome faid, 1 am TjhIs, otben^ Itm
Apalldi, they were fet up by generall deace : which could not bee
made, but by the Apoflles therafelvcs. And in Pfai,^^ hee maketh
Darvid to prophecy of bifliops , who ihauid be fct up as the Apoftlcs
Succtffors.
I^irftjwe.deny the propofition. For firft,this doih prefuppofe fuch
an afliHance of Gods Spirit with the Cfiuich, that fa^ cannot gene-
rally take up any cuftome , or opinion, but what kach Apofiolicall
warrant, whereas the cor trary may befhewedin many inftanccs.
Keepingofholy dayes was a generall pradifc through the Qiur-
ches, before any councell enatted it, yet was no Apoftolicall tradi-
tion. SocfarJib.^.cap.i 1. Evawgelium nen impojuitMc^tirclieyfefti okfer-
vsntufy fed hemiaei ipfijm quiqite UcU ex more qusdtm htroduxtrunt.
Taking the Euchariilfafting,the fafts on Wcdnefday, and Saturday,
falling in fomc f^fhion before Eafter j ceremonies in baptifing, the
government of Metropolitans were generally received before any
coancellcftablilhed.
z. It doth prefuppofe, that the Church cannot generally iwnfpire
in taking up ary cuftome, if (lie be not led into i^ by fome generall
proponent , as a generall rcpreftntarive counccll , or the Apoftlcf,
who were Occumenicall Dodors, but I fee no reafon for fucha prc-
fumpticn,
?. TIrs doth prefuppofe, that fomething maybe which is of A-
polliicall auih^rity, which neither diredly nor confequcmly is
included in th-j woidwiicten. For when there are fome cuftomfS
which have bcene gencr.iil , whuh yet canotbe grounded in the
word written, it is iicctlTary by this propofition, that fomc things
may
(45)
asay be in the Ch uch having aathoriiy Apoftolicati, as being cfeli-
vercd by word unwritten. For they cannot have wrtrrant frcnn the
Apofilcf but by word written or unwritten. To he rroofe
we anfwer : 1 hit n(TefrulIi*M mjketh not to the purpi Gr, for hcc
rpcakcth ofthat which was in Churches Apoftolicall . as ihcy were
now planted by them , which the fcntencc at Urge let dov/ne w i!
makedeare. Sicoyfl^tidb^bumqnodpiiM, & idpfi»sq:iodijlM'' ivi-
tio , tb initio qiM<ib ^fofioiu^ pantcr uiiq^ (o*>ftiibi! id (ffi Mb /1}>o^i4U
traduuf»qu»dipudEccle(tM ^pfjithrttm fitttitfacro'anSum. Touch-
ing /i«/?>w$ruie we would aike what is the meaning ofiheftr words,
Tionnifi ApofiUk* (Mtboritate traditum nCiighni criduur. Ifih y fay
his meaning is, that fuch a thing cannot but m iheir writings b z de-
livered , th?y doe pervert his meaning, as is apparent If thir,^wr.
D9nM.'^*^7'C9nfMtuduitmtx /Ipofldiortm tud.mAi vtn^imew, fnnt
wulta?ioiihvemu?ftt0UCrterut(frum, & nmev quid cuftodlu^'m? per u-
nivtrfivt EccUfidtn , vbti nifi Mb ipfis rndtyi & cmme^isTA en-
dnvtur. And we with ihcm to lliew from Scripture what >hcy f:y ts
contained in it. If th'y yeeld, he doth mcaiie as he doth of u* writ-
ten tradition, we hope ihcy will not jiifiifie hin) in this;,wc will take
that liberty in him , whichhimfelfe doth m all others , and giveth
us good leave to ufc in his ownc writings. Now count him in:h i
to favour Traditions, as fome of the Papifts do not caufch i\y raaktf
this rule the mcafuring cord , which doth take in the luitudc of ail
traditions : y:t wee appeale to Aufiinti jucigement otherwhere,
who thoug?^ by this rule hcc makcth a uiivi^rTall pradife not
bcgunne by Councells, an argument of Divine and Apoftolicall au.
thority, yet dealing ag^inft Donatifts, Lib. i. Don. cap. 7. hec
faith, he will no: ufe this argument , becaufc it was but humane
and MfxctTiMncytii videar btminis MriumtmU iUudpr9bMre,ex Evt;tidi$
fTffen ctrta duumtnta.
Wee anfwer to the alTumption two things: Firft, it canotbce
proved, thit umvcrfally there were fuch Diocefan bilhips as
ours. For in the Apaftles times ic cannot be proved , that Chur-
ches which they planted were divided into a mother Church, and
fome Parochiall Churches. Now while they goyerncd together in
common with Presbyters, and ihit butone congrrgatron , ihcy
could notbchke our Dioceian b flumps. And ihoMuh ihcre bcc
coubtfull relations, that Rome was cJivided under €vAn(iu$, yet this
was not common through the Church. For Tr/^/ir* ltorytcft.fi-
eth, that till the time o( Soytmih^ they did in fome puts continue
together. Trip. hiU.lib. i.cap. 1 9. Secondly, thofe Bfli ps which
hid no more but one Deacon to heipe them in their miniltery to-
ward their Churchrs,ihiycouId not be D.occfan B fljop?. Burfuih
iQ many parts the Apoltlcs pUuued,'\s /-f if fciiiMJ doth writifio. Hr«4©.
('44;
Thitdly , fuch Countries aj did uCe to have bifnops in villages and
little townes, could not have Diocefau b iliops. But fucli there were
after the Apoftles times in Cyprus and Arabia, as$#;;p«i. in his 7.
booke, cap. 10 tcftifietb. Ergo, Dioccfan bifhops were never fo u-
ni^erfai'y received. Secondly, bjfli ops came to be common by a
Counccl I, f.Mfh Amb/cfii PrgjpicUnte Comllio, Amb. m 4. ad Sph. or
by a Daiee p. fiing through the woiid .* tato orbe decrttum f/?, faith
/erow ad Bviig, w h.:ch is to bee conflclered not of one Oecumeniall
Couiicell, butdiiicibutively, in thit (ingular Churches did in their
Presbyteries decree, and that fojthatone for the moft part followed
another in it. This ini€rpr<ttativ0j,i\iou^h not fgrmttuttt »s a generall
decree. Buttothinl^e this wasa .decree oi Pauls j is too too ablurd.
I^orbcfi.les that the Scripture .would noit haveomitteda decree of
fuch importance , as tended to the alteration of and coniutnmation
ohhe framc.of Churches began through all the world. Hew could
Wem (if this decree were th<; ApolHes) conclude that bifliops were
above Pmbyters viaf^i confuefiui'me EaUJia y thin Dominic^e dtlpi>fi'
tionli vc/ttAte. If ihe Djd, do except, th.u cuftoroc is here put fpr.<4'
f9JliliCA(i hftiLutkn i let him put in one for the other, and fee how
well it will become the fen fe. Ut Bijhipi tfncw tbty are greater then
prii (is rathif by the Decree dj the Apo^le , then by the ttuth of Chrifti dU
fp'/ition. Is it not nnc, that ths Apoftles fhould be brought in as op-
pofireSjfacingChrift their Lord ? And this conclufion oUerotndoth
make me th.nke that detretum e/2 imported no more, thenthcat it was
tooke up in time ivn cullome through the world. Which is elegant-
ly faid to be a decree , bccaufe cuftomc groweth in time to obcaine
v'm ^tgWjthe force of a decree. But Amb ofe his place isp]ain,Pye^i«-
€^te 6V'»a/io,he meancth not a counccll held by ApoUles. For he ma-
keih ih:s provifion by counceli to have come in when now in Egypt
& Alexandria, Presbyters according to the cuftome of that Church,
were not found fit to fnccccd each other, but they chofe out of-their
presbyteries men of beft defa-t. Now to Her^ilas and D4nyfim, there
were afucccflion of Prvshycers in the Church of Alexandria, as £«-
febim and leromhoih nffirmc. Wherefore briefly, feeing no fuch u-
niverfall cuftome can be pr ved , all the godly tathers never confpi-
red to abohlli Chr.fts inilitution. Secondly, could a cuftome have
previiled with all of .hemj whom we have to Cow/2<i»7<w«time, yet
i^t might enter and lie^ile uponthena through humane frailry , as
thvfc erroursin doftrine did upon many othcrwife godly and faith-
fuli Martyrs : the rather bccaufe the alteration wa^ fo little at the
fiift and Ariftocratirall government was ftiU continued. Thirdly,
fay, they had wittingly and wittingly done it through the world,
they had not confpiredjbecaufe they might have deemed fiu:h power
m the Church, ana ihemfclyes to doe nothing but what ihey might
with
(45)
with Chriffs goodlaking for the edification of if. How many of
the chicfe Patrons ofihiscaufe, arcatrbis dayofthis judgcmenr,
that if it were but an Apoftolicall inftitution,as Apoftolicall is con-
tradiftinguifiied to divine, they might change it. But if the Apofllcs
didenaft this order,as Legats and Embaffadours of Chrift, then is it
not theirs^ut Chnftsowne inftitutJpn.What an EmbafTidour fpea-
kcih as an Embafladour, it is principally from him that fcnt him :
but if they who were Legate, dd not, bearing rhe perfon of Legats,
but of ordinary Ecdefiaiiicali governours,decree this j then it is cer-
taine^Church governcuirs may alter it withouc treafonable confpi-
ringagainft Chrift.
As for thole proofes, ihatBifliops have beene throughoat all
Churches from the beginning they are weake. For^rft, the Coua-
cell of Nice ufeih ar, rtf;)^^, not fimpliclttr^butft(un(liimqiai,in or *
der h-'pply to thit time wherein the cuftome began, which was bet-
ter knownc to them then to us : the phrafe is fo ufed, Aft, 15.8. m
refped of fomc things which had no: continacd many ycares. They
cannot meane the Apoftles times, for then Metropolitans
ftould have aftually beenc from the Apoftles time. Second-
ly, the phrafe of the Councell of Ephefus, islikewife xqiivo-
call 5 for ihey have reference to the fathers of Nice, or at leail
the decrees of the fathers , who went before th^ouncell of Nice.
For thofe words being added, defrntltnts ?(keHiepdei, feeme to er-
plaine the former, Canovti Afofldorutn. It 1$ plainc the de-
cree of the Councell doth afcube this thing onely to an-
cient cuftome, no lefle then that of Nice, Conl^antinople
and Chalcedon 5 t.r\^ therefore cannot rife to the auihoriiy of
facrcd Scriptures. Let him flic w in all antiquity where Cacrcd Scrip-
lurei arc called Canons of the Apoftles. FiRally,if this phrafe note
rules given by the Apoftles , then the Apoftles thcmfelves did fee
out the bounds ofCyprui and Antioch. As for the authority of
0^rM»,hedoth teftific what v»a$CtfWiw«»ifer im his time, Biftiops
odaincd in cities ; Yiot UMiverfaiUer, as if there were no city but had
fome. Secondly, hee fpcakcthof Bifti^ps who had their Churches
included in Cities, not more then might meet together in one, to a-
ny common deliberations. Thfy had no Diocefan Churches, nor
were bifliops who had majority of rule over their Presbyters , nor
folc power of ordination. As for the Catalogue of fuccefGon, it is
pfimP^ 'ptior quam pugtut j Rome tan recite their fucccflbrs. But bc-
caufe It bath hidbiftiops. Ergo, Oecumenicall b.ll\ops is noconfe-
quaice. All who arc named bilhopj in the Catalogue, were not of
one cut,and in that fcnfe we controvert.
Touching that which doth improve lUeir being conftiiBied b) a-
sy Councell, it is very wcakc. For though wcc read of no gcmrrall
H Councell,
(46)
Counccll , yet there might be , and the report not come to u?. Sc-
cond'y, wc hive flie wed, that the Councell of Nice doth not prove
this that bifhops were every where from the beginning ; the phr.ifc
of from the beginning, beii.g there refpcaivcly, not abfoluiely u-
Xcd. Neither doihjerem ever contrary this : for hcc doth not ufc
thofe wcrds in propriety, but by way ot allufion i oiherwlfe if hcc
did think the Apoltlc hid pubhfhcd this decree, when the firft to the
Corinths was written , how can he cite teftimoniei long afcer writ-
ten, to prove thit Bifliops were not inftitmed in the Apoftles time,
but that they were ordained by the Church jV« E«/g/?«^*C!> , when
the time fcrvcd for ic
ThtfxtAmmm.
Such as even at this day are-in the reformed Churches, fuch Mf^
nlftcrs are of Chrifts inftitution. But Minifters hiving fingulari-
cie of preheminence and power above others, arc amongtt them, as
the Superintendents in Germa»y. Ergo. Aniw. The alTumption
is utterly denied. For Superintendents in Germany arc nothing like
our B I (hops : they are of the fame degree with other Minifters, they
areonely Prcfiients while the Synod lafteth j when it jsdiff.ltcd,
their prerogative ceafeih ; they hive no prerogative over their fel-
low Minifters ; tQ^ are fubjeft to the Presbyteries, Zepp. lib.i cap^
lo.pag.j 24. The Synodended, they rcturnc to the care of their par-
ticular Church es,
Thefeveitth Argumefft,
If it were nccclTiJry that while the Apoftles livcd,there fliould bee
fuch Minifters as had preheminence and majority empower above
oikers, much more after their departure. But they thought it ne-
ccflTjry, and th<^rcfore appointed riw»ffc> and Ti^w, and other A-
poftolicke men furniihed with fuch power. Ergo, much more after
their departure. ^»/>p; The aflumption isdcnyed, and formerly
difprovcd : for they appointed no fuch Apoftolickc men with Epif-
copall power,in which they ftiould be fucceeded.
ThttiihthArgumnP.
Such Minifters as were in the Apoftles times not contradified by
them, were lawfull. For they would not hate held their peace , had
theyknowne unlawfull Minifters to have crept into the Churches.
But there were before J9hm death in many Churches a fucccffion
ef Diocefan Bifti6ps, as inRame» LmuA^ CltmeMy at Jerafalcm Uwttt
Simean^M Aitioch, EvoinUi at Alexandria, S.M<a''i|[,^«i«i«ij/4i>ifi»l;
ErgOjDiocefan Bilhaps be lawfull.
^^(rvsr* The afiumption 1$ denyed : for thefcBiftiopj were but
' Pcef-
, ('47)
Presbyters, Paflors ofonc congregation ordinarily meeting, gover-
ning with common conUnt of their Presbyteries. It they were af-
feding om biiliops majority, they were in Digtrofbtt fufficiinily gon-
Tbtmtb Argument
Thofc who have bcenccvcr held ofa higher order then Prejby.
tcrv , the y arc before Presbyters in prehemincncc , and majority of
rule. But bifliops have becnc held in a higher order by all antqui-
ty. Ergo. The affumption ismanifcft : In the Counccllof Nice,
Ancyra, Sardica, Antioch, Miniflers are diftinguiflied into ihrc c or-
ders. Jgnttm y CUmens in his Epiftle to JimeSf DionjJ. Are§p^g. 4t
Ca'efi. hiitrom, cap j. TtrtnU, cUfug§ 'w pirftctaiine , &deBtptif-
mo. /^Mr/Ki doth often tefti fie it. No wonder, when the Scripture
it felfe doth call one of ihefe a ftcp toanoiher , i Timoth. 3. i ».
Cyprian. Lib. 4. Ep. 2. Counc. Ephcf. Cap. x, a. 6. Yea the
Councell of Chalccdon counteth it facriledge, to reduce s
Bifhop to the degree of a Presbyter. This Hieromt himfclfc
confirmcth , faying : That from Matki to HeraUas and Dj-
§H)lii0 3 the Presbyters did fee a bifliop over them in higher de-
gree.
Jnfmr, ♦
The Propofition is not true in regard of majority ofrule. For
no Apoftle had fuch power over the meaneft Deacon in any of the
Churches. But to the Aflumption we anfwer by diftindion.
An order is reputed higlier, cither becaufc intrinfccally I'c
hath a higher vertuc , or bccaufe it hath a higher degree of dig-
nity and honour. Now wee deny that ever antiquity did take
the bifliop above his Presbyters to be in a higher order tiien
a Presbyter, further then a higher order doth figaifie an order of
higher dignity and honor , to^i; or jSa'Bp.^ ia-}4<r»^ Tiu^f^
as the Councell ofSardicafpcakcih. Which is tur:hcr proved t bc-
caufe the fathers did notliold abifhop todiffcr from 3 Presbyter,
as Presbyter from a D.*acon, For ihcfc dificr gentre proxi/fio j So-
virint DiacQniftad minifierium n$n ad [actii^tutn vacatL But a bi-
ftiopdiffcreih from a Presbycer, as from one whj haihthe power
of Pricf^hood no leffe then himfclfc , and therefore the d'ftcicncc
bctwiti thifc, muft be circumftaKtially, not fo cirentuU as bctwixc
the other. Thus bifliops and Archbifliops are divers ordirs of bi-
fliops, not that one cxceedeth the othcr,as a power of higher vertuc,
but of higher dignity then then the other. Morcphinclvj There
may he a fourefold difference in grgdiL i. inpotefttte gnUui, i.'m
Excrcito. I. in Digiitttc, ^, in amp'itHdiU luri(dwiioms. Ihe
firfl dift'crcnce is not bctwcenc a bifliop and a PfC^byter, ac-
H i cording
fording to tlic common tenent of antiquity, or the ScHoole, but on-
ly is maintained by fuch as hold the Charaftcr of aPcielt and Bi-
(liop inwartily , cliverfe one from the oLher. Far as a bifiiopdiftcr-
eth not in power and degree from an Archbifliop , becaufc nothmg.
an Archbiihop can doe, as confirming, confecrating Bilhops, &c.
but a bifliop candotalfo. So Reiiher doth a Presbyter from a bi-
fliop. Oi;jV^. But the Prieft cannot ordaine a Presbyctr , and con-
firme as the b. (hop doth, and therefore d\{^€rct\\ TotefturegrtdHS,
To this lanfwer, that theic auihours meane not this diftcrcnce in
power (^de fundament All & nm t» po f e fiat e, fed ampliAtt,imm€diatai&
jama^hhorumfffi^kumproduiiivt) as if Presbyters had not arc-
mote and f indamentall power to doe thofc things : but that they
have not, before they bt ordained bifliops, their power fo ealarged^
as to produce thefe cfrVds adailly. As a boy hath a generative
faculty w hie he is a child, which he hith when he is a map, but yet
it is not in a child free from all impediment, that it can aftually
begctthelike. i?ut this is too much to grant. For the power facra-
mentall in the Priefl , isanaduall power which hcc is able to
performe and execute, nothing defeftiv&m regard of them, further
then they be wiih-held from the exercife of it. For that caufe which
ftandech in complcat aftuality to greater & more noble effeds^huh
an inferior & hircw)f the fame kind under it alfo, unlefle the appli-
cation of the matter be intercepted^ Thus a Presbyter he hath a fa-
cramentall power (landing in full aQuality to higher facramentall a-
ftion$,& therfore cannot but have thefe inferior of confirmation and
orders in h's^ power, further then they are excepted & kept from be-
ing applied to him. And therefore power (acramentall cannot be in a
Piesbyter, as the generative fjculiy is in a child, for this is inchoate
onely, and imperfed, fiich as cannot produce that effcd. The po-
wer of the Prieii iscompleat. Secondly, I fay, thefe are no facra-
mentall adions. Thirdly, were they, yet as much may be faid to
prove an Archbifhop a dhftind order from a bifliop , as to prove a
Presbyter and bilhop differing in order* Font is proper to him
out of power to generate a bi(hop, other bidiops laying on hands^
no otherwife then Presbyters are faid to doe, where ihcy joine with
their bifhops. If that rule (land not major ad minori , nor yet tejuaia
tb equ^iy I marvel how bifnops can beget bi(hops cqaall, yea fuperi-
or to them,as in confecrating the Lord Archbi(hop,& yet a Presbyter
may not ordaine a Presbyter. It doth not ftanil with their Epifcopall
majority, that the rule (iverj one ttmy gwe tbgt wb'ub hebatb) {hould
hold here in the exercife of their power. Thofe who are in one ordec
m^y differ jure div'mo or bumtno, Aaron differed from the Pricfts
not in power facramentall , for they might all offer incenfe , and
make inteccefiion. But the folemne ucerce&on in the holy of holies
"^ ' \'" God
(4?)
God did except 5nd appropriate to the high Prieft the type o£
Chrift. Priclis would have reached to ihts power of intcrccflfoa
in the holy place , or any 2<floflike kinde ; bui thai GoddidnoL
permit that ih.i fiiculd come uivicr ihcm , or they :nt.'rinedcllc in ir.
Thus by humane law the bifhop is greater in excrcit'e then the
Pricft. For though God- hath not excepted anything from the one
/recto thr 01 her , yctcommon'yconfirmationj ordination, abfula-
tion by impr fi g handv in receiving Penitents , confecrating Chur-
ches and Virgmts , have beene referred to ihe b;fhopfor the honoc
of Pfieflhood, rather then aiiy neceffiiy of law, as jiram fpii^Utc.h.
Finally, inc^ign'tyjthofemay differ many waies, who in degree are
equal), which is granted by our adverfaries in this caufe. Yea, they
fay in amplitude of junfciidicn, as in which it is apparant an Arch-
bifliop cxccedethar.othcr. But were it manifeft that Or d did give
bifhopsPaftorallpswerthrouJi their Diocefle, and an Arehbilhop
Wwough his Province, though but when hcc v;fiieth, this would
make one differ in order from the other ; as in this regard Evan-
geliftf deffcred from ordinary Paftors.But that jurjfdn^i»n is in one
more then another , js not eilabliihed , nor haih apparency in any
Scripture,
To the proofes th'rrcof I anfwer brieSy : the one moy be a ftep
10 the other, while they differ in degrees of dignities, though effen-
tially they are but one andthc fame order. In this regard it m^jy
be facnledge to reduce one,from the greater to the leffer, if he have
notdefcrvedit. As for that of /t^owitismoft plaine,hecdidmcane
no further order, but onely in refpeftof fomc dignities wherewith
they invcfted their billiop , or hrft Prebyrer , as ihat they did
mount him op in a higher feat , the reft fitting lower about him ,
and gave him ihis prehcminence to fit firft as a Cnnfull in the Se-
nate , and moderate the carriage of things amongll them : this Ce/-
Qnfifrgdu^ being nothing but his honourable a ^i/eit, not im-
porting lole authority. For by a Canon of Councell of Laodi-
cea, wee findc that the billiop hidih;s privile<fge tofit firft , though
Presbyters did together with him enter, and (ic as Judges of ei^uall
commiflion. F«r though Deacons flood, Presbyters did alwaies He
dntifmtuEfifcofi.
10. A*iuv,ent,
Ifbiflaops be that which >tf<sroy, and the Apoftles were, and Pres-
byters, be ihat whieh the Pricfts, and ihc 7 z. Difciples were , then
the one arc above the other in prchcixiincricc and power. B at they arc
To. See J&nm to T^ef^tian. Ergo.
AnfwtYt
If biOaops, &c. and Pie^bytcts, be tint whiji the fonncs o.f ^O*
tm and ihc 71. were , then there are diffcrcfit orders, &c. To ihefc
H 5 may
tr\ ly be aJded a t!iir«l. That which Mofet and thc'70. Seniors werc^
that are ihe biihops and Pcesbytcrs, Firft, for the propofition it is
rot true, for ferft oi A^rgn and his fonnes, ihcy were not orders dif-
ferent cflcna\ly in their power, butoncly in degree of <iignity,
wherein the high Prieft was above others. For every Ptiefts power
would have reached to thit aft whicU wi$ referved to the high Prieft
cnely. Bclidcs, when the high Prieft was deceafed or removed,thc
other Priefts did confecratc ihe fucceffour, as SiLdoci(, Finally, the
one had for fubftance the fame confecration that ihe other, neither
had the high Prieft any majority of direftivc or corrcftive power
over others. So the Apoflles, and 72. will not be found diftcrent
in order •, and therefore thofe who refemble thefe cannot be conclu-
ded to be of divers orders. For the Apoftles and 7 1 . dift'er no more
then ordinary meflengers who arc impolyed in a fetcourfe, and ex-
traordinary fent by occafion oncly •. They were both meflengers,thc
Apoftles huhitu and abidingly, the other in aft onely , and after a
tranfitory manner.
Againe,had ^«ro» and his fonnes bcenc divers order*, differing
cflentially in the inward power of them, yet is not the propoficion
true, but with addition in this wife. Thofc who are indcntically
and formally that which Aaron and the Apoftles were, and that
which his fonnes,and the 7 2. were, they differ in degree effentially,
not thofe who were this analogically by reafon of fomc imperfeft
rcfcmblance. For things may be faid t© be thofe things wherewith
thty have but impcrfeft fimiiitude. In this fcnfe oncly the propofi-
tioji is true.
Now to come to the affnmption. Firft, touching iljrin, wee
deny any biftiop is as ^arw by divmc inftitution, or by perfeft fi-
miiitude anfwering to him. But becaufe Amon was the firft and
high Prieft, others inferiour : fo it hath pleafcd the Church to imi-
tate this pollicy, and make the biftiop , as it were Primum Preibjte*
fumot ^ni'tftttemin ptimoordiney Presbyters i« /"«««/«. Whence
B ftiops may be faid to be that which Aarcu was through the Chur-
ches ordination , which ftie framed, looking to this pattcrneof go-
vernment which God himielfc had fet out in the old Teftament.
The fathers call them y4<ro» and his fonnes onely for fome con-
mon analogy, which through the ordinance of the Church irofe
betwixt the biftiops and Presbyters, and them ; and conceive them
to be fo by humane accommodation, not by d;vine inftitution. But
that they were fo properly fuccecding them as orders of Minifteiy
typified by them by Gods o wne appointment , this the fathers ne-
ver tboiight, Chriftsprieflhood, no mans, was properly typified
in.4irOTtJ
Sq
(51)
So touching the other pitt of ihe afTampn'on, Thjt BiiL pi
and Presbyccrs arc what Apoftles, and the 72 were. Thctathtrf
many of them infift in this proportion, ihacas the ApolUcs and
7 1 were teachers, the one in a higher, the other in an infcriour or-
der, fobifhops and Presbyters , were by the Churches ordinance.
This is the fathers phrjfe, to call them Apoille»,who in ary manner
refemblethe Apoflles to call them,as.4wf;rtf/f.Prophet$,Evangc!ifls,
PaftorSjDcdors, who refcmbJc thcfe , and come in fotne common
analogic necreft them , Mofei and the 70 Seniors, who in any fort
refembled them. Now the afliwnption granted in this fcnle ma-
kcth not agiinft US. For tby might belaid thefc, if there were but
diverfc degrees of dignity amongft them, though for po^er of
order by Gods inftitution thty were all one. But fomc -tirainc
it further, and take it, that Chrili inftituting rhofe two orders, di J
in fo doing, inftuute B.iliops and Presbyters, the one whereof fuc-
ceeded the Apoftles , the other th^ 72. and that thus the P.ubrrs
take it. To which I anfwer, Firft, in general!, this anaU^y of A-
poftlcs and7z:isnot generally affcfted by them all. Igncitiuitd
S/f^rntnTtidtcit Aptflol'u Preih}rerotfuccfJp]'e, DiAConoi 7 i. difupults,
Clem. Hb. z. Conft, cap, go. laiih , That Bifliops anfwer to God the
FatherjPrcsbyters to Chrift, Deacons to the Apoflles. Icrtmdoih
manifcftly make Presbyters (whomhec ^Ifocalleih by name of
Biihops in that BpiAIe, where hc« maimaincih the Presbyters
dignity) fuacftburs to the Apoftles. The like Kith Cyp^iau^
>ytp$lloltu id tfi Epijapos & pit^oftrosy that is, erd'tnu ratUnt prtpofites
miitaruM Excltfurum, as ulufilfi fpeakcth , clfeit fliould bee all
one with the former ; when hce makcth the Presbyter as well as
the Biflinpto bee ordained in the Apoftles. Finally, ihefc Fa-
thers whotakc ihc7i. 10 have becne Apoftles, as wtU as the o-
ther j cotild not imagine this pcrportion of diverfc or-
ders let up in them. Secondly, if Cluift in thcfe inftitutcd ihofc
other, it muft bee one of thefe waics. Firft , hee did make
thefcnot onely Apoftles , butBiftiops, and fo the 71, not one-
ly his mcflengers for the time, but Presbyters alfo. Or, fccondfy,
elfeheedid ordaine thcfe as he didrame Manna , noting and pre-
figuring as by a type, a further thing which hee would workc : vir«
that he would inltitutc Bfliops and Presbyters for Teachers oidi-
naryinhis Church ; liutbotn thcfe are j»rjri« fpckcR without ir.y
foundation or reafon. For the £ift , wee h ive fiiewed that the A-
poftles fOuWnot bee BiAops ordinarily j nor yet the callioj^of
thefe feventy two (which was topoc throw^h all Cities Evjugc-
liiing) ftand with Presbyters, Presbyters being given to Chuuhtt
xcsT ir<4(,Kma¥^ and there ^cd. >^ciiher can ibe laitcr be true- for
then
J
then Chrift ftiould have given a Sacrament , when he ordai■el^his
Apoftles , and fern forth his 72. Secondly, the type or the (hidow
h lefle then the thing typified, the fubftance of it. But the giving
Apoftles WIS a greater thing then giving ordinary Paftors.. Ergo^
Thirdly , I fay, that Chrilt did never ordainc that any ftiould fuc-
ceed the Apoftles,or the 7 a. in regard of their order. There is & doa-
ble (occciTion/ing^adnmyOV in Caput, as the JLirifts diftingaifh. /«
graium eundzm , as when one brother dying , another brother doth
hicceed him in the inheritance. In CapHt^ as when one not of the
fame degree and line doth come after another , as when a brother
dying another doth inherit after him, not a brother, but a cofia to
hi m. Thus the ApoGles have no fuccefl'ors fucceeding them in gU"
fium J hut fuch onely as follow them, being of other degrees ^and in
another line, as it were , in which fortevcry Paftor doth fucceed
them. But then they are fiid to fucceed them , bccaufe they follow
them , and after a fort refemble them , not becaafc they hold the
phces which the Apoftles did properly, Apa^oioin q^^tntam efi d"
poiliHu non fmiiiitur , legat§ quiteTJiu i[l Ug*tm non fitcceditur.
Fourthly , thit the Presbyters doe as perfons of a diverfeorder fuc-
ceed the Apoftles no leffe fully then any other, ^irft , they muft
needs fucceed them who arc fpoken to in them , whofc duties arc
laid downe in that which the Apoftlts received i n commandement*
But the Presbyters were fpoken to both in the Kcyes , in the Sup-
per, in the commandcment of teaching and baptiimg. Ergo, Pref-
bytersjmuft needs fucceed the Apoftles. Secondly, thofe whom the
Apoftles did inftitute in the Chuxhes , which they had planted for
their further building them wp, they were their next fucceflorj. But
the Apoftles did commend the Churches to the care of Presbyters
who might build them up, whom tkey had now converted. Ergo,
thefe were their fuccefl'ors moft proper and immediate. Thirdly,
thefe towhornuow taking their farewells they rcfigned the Chur-
ches , thefe were their fucccflbtirs. But this they did to Presbyters,
Paul now never to fecEphefus more, AQ.zo, peter neere death,
1 PeJ. f . z. Ergo. Fourthly , if one Paftor or Minlftcr doe more
properly refemble an Apoflle then another , it is becatsfe hee hath
ibme power Apoftoliqae more fully conveyed to him then to ano-
ther. But this was not done. Ergo. The affumption israanifeft :
forfirft, their power of teaching and miniftring the Sacraments
doth as fully and properly belong to the Presbyter as to any,UBleflc
we count P. caching not neccflarily connexed to a Presbyters olRcc,
but a bi(hops;or at leaft that a more rudimentall preaching belongs
to a Prcs by rer, the more full and cxaft leaching being appropriate
to the Bi (hop, which are both too abfurd. SecoiulLy, forgoverne-
ment, the Apoftles did no more give the power of govcrnement to
one
(53)
<ine rf^cn to another. Ohjt&. This is dcnyccJjfor the Apoftlej arc Ciid
to have kepc the power of ordinatioB,and ihc coercive power in their
owne haiiijf, and to havecomraiuei ihcfc in the end onely to Apo-
ftolikemtn,3s Timothy^ Ti//<i,who were iheir fHccelFowrs, (uccccdinw
them in it. /Infw. A notjblcfidion :foritis moltphine by Scrip-
tBre ; thar ordmation,po vct ©f deciding controverGes, cxcommuni -
cJt'ion, were given to Presbyters, and not kept up from them j they
fliouldodicrwifc have provided ill for :hc Churches which they left
to their care. Secondly, if the Apoftles did commit fome ordinary
powerofgovcrnment tofome men above others, m which rcgird
they fhould be their fucccffburs, then the ApoUlcs did not oae'y en-
joy as Iiggffi power over the Churchfs^ but 3s ordinary Mmslkrs.
For whit power they enj- yjdas Legfteti this ihcy could not ttiu Le-
gafi. Poweras ordinary P.iftors in any Nations or Churches .'^.uy
never rcfervcd,and ihsrefore did never fubftitucc others totheKifelvcs
in that v^lnch they never exercifed nor enjoyed. Aad it is robe no-
•ced, thit thjsopimonof Epifcopall fucc^flion from ttVc Apoftle»i#
grounded on this, that the Apoftlt^s were not onely ApolMcj,but Bi-
fliops in Provinces and particular Churches. For the Papifts ihem-
felvc* urged with this, that the Apoftlcshive none fuccecdmgthem,
they doe confider a double refpcdin ihc Apofllc$,the one o( Lcgatetf
foPer«r, nor anyothercould have a fucctffour. The other of bi-
^lo^sfiicumenkall in fntr, of Bifhops Nationall orDiocefan,as in
fomc other. Thus onely confidcrcd, they grant them to h.ivc other
Bifhopsfucceeding them ; For the Apoftolicic power precifely confi-
dercdjwai Tr'nuUgium ^trlmuU fimd mm ftrfow extMim. Now wc
have proved that tiis ground is falfe, and therefore that fucceedmg
the Apoftlei, irore appropriate to Bifhops then other Mmiftets
grounded upon it, is fallc alfo.
Lift [y,thc Presbyters cannot be faid fucceflbtsof the feventy twob
For firftjin all that is fpoken to the feventy two,the full duty and of-
fice of a Presbyter is not laid downe. Secondly, it doth not appeare
ihit they had any ordinary power of prcachirv^ or baptixing and mi-
niftcring the othei Sacrament, For ihty are fent to Evangelize, to
preach the Gofpell : but whether from power of ordinary office, oc
from commifTion and delegation onely for this prefent occafion it is
doubifull. Thirdly,it ii not read that they ever bapt.ied, or had the
power ofadminiitrngiheSupper given to ihcm : Yea, that they had
neither mmiftery of Word or Sacraments « o§lcio ordmdiU^ feemcih
hence plainc j That the Apnfllei did choofe them to the Deacons
care, whidi W3$ fo cumberfome that themfelvcs could not tend the
miniftery of the Word with it,mtjch Icflc then could thc(e not having
fuch extraordinary gifts as the Apotiles had. Fourthly, if (hey were
fctMiniftcrs»thco were they Evangel ifts in deltination. For the ^d
1 cnjoyncd
enjoyned them, is from City to City^ wiihout limitation to Ei^an-
gel z. ; and after we read ot feme, as Pb'Uip , that he was an Evan-
oehU J the' fame is in ccclefiifticall ftory teftified of feme others.
Thusvvc Presbyters fhould fucceed E-»angclifts thofe Apoftolque
men, whom, the Apoiiks conftituted Biftiops, and byconfequence
be the rrtie fu.ceiVours of the Apoftlcs. Thefe Evangclilts fuccceded
them by all grant, wc lucceed thefe. Finally, Armachtnm doth take
tl cfc 7 1. to have been ordinary difciples, in his 7. Book Armemarkm
II ArgumeTft,
Thofe who receive a new ordination are in a higher degree in a
new admiaiftration, and a new order. But Bifliops doc fo. Ergo.
^vfwer*
The propofition is denyed : for it is fufiicient to a new ordinati-
on that they are called to exercifc the Paftorall fundion in a new
Church, where before they had nothing to doe. Secondly, I anfwer
bydiftmdion, a new order, by rcafon of new degrees of dignity,
this may he granted : but that therefore it is anew order, that is,
having further minifteri:iU power in regard of the Sacraments and
jurifdiftion given it of God, is not true. Hath not an Archbifhop a
diftind ordinition or confecration from a Bifliop ? yet is he nor of
any order efl'entially diffcring.Thc truth is,ordinacion,if it be look-
ed into, is but a canomcall folemnity which doth not collate that
power Epifcopall lo the now chofen, but oncly more folemnly and
orderly promotes him to the excrcife of ic.
iz Argumznu
Thofe Minifters whereof there m.iy be but one onely daring
• life in a Church, they are in fmgulanty of prcheminence above o-
thers. But there may be but one Bifhop, though there may be ma-
ny other Presbyters, one Timothy, one Tittti^ one ArcbippM, one
Etufbrad'UM. Ergo. Forproofe of theaflumption. See Cgrntim,is
nuftb'm relateth his fentence, l\h.6. cap. 43. Com. Tiict.up 8. Cmc,
Calced. ctpA» Tofiion'm in viu Auguflm. Urom. PhU. i . ver.i. Chry-
fofi. Amb. Tbcii Oecumen. And fuch was B;fhop$ preheminence,
that Presbyters, Deacons, and oth^r Clerkes, are faid to be the Bi-
(hops Clerks.
Anfatt^.
I anfw:r tothe Afl'amption. Thit there may be faid to be but
one Bifliop in order to other Coadjutors and Affjciates within the
fame Chutch. It may be faid, there mui^ be but one Bilhop in or-
ier to all the other Ch'jrches of the Cities. Secondly, this may be
affirmed as (landing by C non, or isdiv:n: inllitucion. Now i\\z
aff.imption is true, onely by Law Ecclefiifticall. For the Scnptute is
faid to hive placed Presbyters who did S^i>rrw?f»rf^«, A£li 20. and
that
that there were Bifli ops at Phidppi, True it ii, the Saipture doth
not diftinguifli how maay of the one fort, nor how mary ot the o-
ihcr, becaiifc no doabt for the number of the Goi;grcgat;ons, a fir\-
gle Presbyter labouring in the Word,orcwo,the one eoadjutor to the
other might be placed. Sccondlr, it is tcflified by Epiphanimi that
ordinar ly all Cities but AUxandr'u had two. Thirdly, lertm on
1 Tim. J. doth fey, that now indeed there m:.y be but one Bifliop,
meaning Canonically, making a difference twixt the prefent time
and time Apoftojique. Fourthly, Aufm did not know it was un-
lawfuU: Ye3,hedidoneIy in regarj of the decree of Nice^ account
it fo,£^. 1 10. neither did Church or people ever except againll the
contrary,but as a point againft Canon,which m ghc in fome cafes be
difpenfcd with, as the ftory cfT^arci^us^ and Altxtndir^ aijd Liberies,
and Fa'ix did more then manifcft. For though the people of Rome
cried out, one God,one Chrift,onc B:lhop,yct ihcy yecldcd at their
Emperours fuite, whereas had it becne a thing they had all thcwjghc
to have Ween agiinft Chnftsinftitution, thty would not havcd6ne.
VidiStT^,lib.^.ctp,i^. Fjft]y,ffrflWipcerelcfle power, is nothing but
Corful-like prefidcncc above othersjfor this he plea^d for, writing
againfti»vi«itf>i,/ifr.i. amongft the Apoftles themfe^Bjihatrchifmc
might be avoided. Wherefore we yccld the condufion in this fenfe,
that the Bi(hop;«refc»»f«»fl,hath a (ingulaniy of prcheminence be-
fore others, as by Eccltfialiicall law there might be but one onely
Archbjflaop.
15 Ariiimtftt.
Tkofe who had peercleffe power above othert in ordination ani
jurifdiftion, thty were fuch as hid preheminencc and majority of
rule over others. But the former is due to Biihops. U dcfle thisfin-
gularity of power were yeeldcd, there would be 3$ many fchifmes
asPfiefts. Erg*. The aflfumption proved, riw/fwbo fc^i/f a^ow/w
p$wtrif§/dtMMiit>i»boweihert, thty are in fnhtwuntnce Mnd fowtrlH'
fore§ibefS. But Bifhopibive^ £r^^, iheyarein, &c. The aflumptjon
proved. That which was not in the Presbyters of Eft* /w and Crete
before limothj and Tifw were fent, but in the Apoftles, and af-
ter in riwoli*; and Tif«i and their fuccelfoms, that is a peculiar of
Bifliops. But ordination was not in the Presbyters, &c. Ergo. The
aflumption proved. That which ihcfc were fcni 10 dec, Presbyters
had not power to doe. It was therefore in them, and fuih as fuc-
cstded th<.m, the Bifliops of EphcfHS and C:cre. Agiinc, the
Scripture*;, Councels, F-ithers , fpcake c f the ordtynor as one.
Ergo, It was ilie peculiar r^ghc of the B:lliop , and tht Bi-
fliop onely. He onely by Canon was panilhiisle for irregula-
rity in ordination. Atul Epipbgniui mikcth this the proptr
power of a Biflio)^ to beget fjihcrf by grJinatioB , as ihe^
I i Prcf-
(56)
Presbyters Joth fonncs by baptifme. And Jerem doth except ordt-
watjon as ihe bithops peculiar , whcrem he is mod unegu-ll to
khem.
Anfwtr.
I anfwerthepropofitionof the fiift fyllog-fone by diftinftion,
Thofc who h iMz pcerekflc power in regard of the fimple right to
oraeme: vix. in regard of txcrcifing the aft, and fole performing
ihc rite of It , thole who have a right to thcfe things ©riginally
from Cknft and his Apoftles, which no others hive, th^y arc .ibovc'
others in degree. Againc,pecrelc{l'c power m a biih ip ever Pref-
byters m'y be faid in comparifon to them diftributively or collc-
ftivcly coniidcred. He th .i hath pcercleflc power given him ,
which no one of the ether hath , is not prcfauly of a greater
degree , nor hath not majority of rule amongft others , as a
Conful in the Scaate t but if be have a pecrcLffc power, fucb
ss they all colledivcly confidered, can»oc controulc , then
the Piopolittonis true J but the Ail'umption will then be found to
halt.
To the pr^)fife of the afl'umption. The Propeficion is trie of
power in ord^io the thing 11 fclfc, not to miniftring the rite, and
executing thea^, which m^y berefervcd for honour fake to one,
by chofe who otherwUe have eqaall power with him. That b (hops
have this power in order, the thing itlelfe agreeing to them,^/^i»-
prlhffii'ti, not by commiffion from others, we deny. The a^'umpti-
on is wholly denyeA, As for the proofe of it. Firft^ we that deny
that EvangelilU hid not power toordcme, as well :ii Apoftics. Se-
condly^ that Presbyters had not this povxerin a Ch.ircL planted as
w<:llasihey. Every one as fellow fcrvanrs might coufpire inihe
fame ordiBation, The Ev^ngt lifts power did Hot derogate from the
Appftles, the Presbyters from neither of them. But power of im-
pofing hands folitarily, whereas y t Churches were not coniiftu-
ted , this may happily be appropri ued to the Apoflles and E? ar>-
gelifts, whofc office it wis to labour in creAing the frame of
Churches, Secondly, the afiumption is falfe ; in denying thit it
was in the power of Presbyters to lay on hands, contrary to that in
Jmnby ; Tht gran g: vin rhee b) Ujing 9n of tlx hands of tkt Prnbjiery.
Thirdly, tt is falfe, in p-cfuppofing others then Presbyters to have
beene Tiimtkj and Titu& their fucccflburs. To the proofe of this af-
fumprion. Th: propolition is not true ; For it might be convenient
that the fame th ng (hould be done by Evangelifts, and by ordinary
Paftors, each concurring in iheir fcverall orders to the fame fcr-
vice of Chrift the Lord. Secondly, I anfwer to the aflumpcion.
Thu Presbyters were to be placed in Charches framed where
rhcre were Presbyters, or where there were ai yes none. In the
firft
(J7)
firft Churches , they arc bid orJainc, if any need ftirthei, but /ulv«
ji4rtEai€^€f not Without the concurrence of others. In thclactcr
Churches which were to be conftituted, they may be conceiveci as
tvangelifts, with fole power otfcttmg Prcibycers fxth by ihisnit
of impoficion of hands. We hold Apoftles inigh: doe it, Evange-
lifts might, aiid the Presbycciiesalfo. Y<;a, Prcstyrcrs m Aicxu\~
dria when now their firft Presbyter W3S dtccaftd, did ordair-e the
following : For the Canon of ihrec bifliops, ar.d Metr^pohtans,
added b;r the Niccnc C«unccU,wasnot knownc y^t. Ntverthcltfle
it grew timely to be retrained to biih-^ps, the pcrtcrmitvg I mejnc
oi the outward rite and ligne j but oncly by Canon, a> Coifi^nation
wasalfo, for which there if .is ancient tuLtimomes as th's,thitic was
appropriate to the Bifh, VVe grant therefore that antiqjity doth
fomecimc (jpfake of the ordainer as one. In the Churches of Atfrica
one did not lay on hands, yet mfome other Churches the rite was by
oneadminiflrcd.Andit isio be noted byihe w.^y,thaiHf iTrlTKoT^^
in feme Canone i« not oppcfeJ to the Coordammg of Prrsbyters,
but to the number of Ttri#, or many biliiops re<juired in the ordi-
nation of a b»ihop.Theymii.ht therefore by their Ctnons bcpuniih-
ablejbecaufc regularly and canomcally the executing nf it w.i$ com-
oaitted (o thcai. This is all that Spifbmtm or ItromtixctpTa ordmatione
can prove. ButtheCccwoconclutions we would fee proved •ut of
Scripturei and Fathers. Firft, that ordination is an adion of power,
of order,a power faaamentalljwhich a Presbyter hath not. Seco id-
ly, that by vertue of thii power, the bifhop doth wdauie, and not
by Ecclefiaflicail right or commiffion from the Church. Certainly,
iht ad of promoting a minifter of iht Church, is rather an 3(fl r;f
jurUHi^ion then order. As it belongcth to policy and govcrnmf nr,
to call newMagiftratcs, where they arc wanting. O^iiil. But a new
fpirituall officer may be inllituted by i facramet.t. /fa/nr. M G ni
would fo have collated the grace of fpintuall calling* ; but he hath
appointed no fuch thing. The Apcftles and 7a. were not iHftitti-
Ud by a facrameat nr impofition of Chnfts hands. Now ihc grea-
ter the grace was whidi was given, the more need of a fcrament
\%hcrtb^ It ihoulcl be 2ive«. OkjcS. They were extraordinary.
/it/ttf. Theymigh'. have had feme auibuiatoiy facr^mcnt for the
lime. Againc, impofition of hands was ufed m g ving ciirJoriii>
rary graces, A As 8. 5econdly,were it a facramentjit fho.ild conferee
the grace of cfEce, as well as grare fandifyir^gthe peifon to ufe it
hol.Iy. But we fee that this it couW not do As tor p£ul%nd Bmmbas
the Church did fcpirate them at the command of God, and by
hands on them, and pray for them, but they were alrtaJy before
shrt,rmmeiiiately cbofcnby God to iho grace cf their ofBce. It could
be Rothiug then bu a gcfturc Kcompamcd wub prayer, ferkmg
grace in their behalfe. For the facramentall colhting of grace fan-
difying all calling?, we have in thcfe two facramcnts of Chrifis in-
ftuution. Thirdly, there are many kindes of impofition of hands
in the old and new Teftament, yet cannot it be provedjthat it is ariy
where a proper facrament. It is then a rite, a gefture, a ceremony,
{ignifyn gathingorpcrfonfeparate, prefemedto God, prayed for
to God. Thus Antiquity did thinke of it, as a gcfture of one, by
pr3)'^r to God, kekii g abltflingon every one chofen to this or that
place of niiniilery. So Ecclefiiltically it was ufed in baptifing, in
confccrating, in reconciling penitentSvas well as ordaining ; but ne-
ver granted a* a facrament in thole other cafes by grant of all. It is
thenarite orgeftareofone, praying Tirtui, de b»pt. flieweth this
f?ying, MA71HS impomtur per benediCthtumtdvHins & invtUm ^'iri-
turn (a'fjdum. lerom alfo c$ntra Lucifcranos, lipn almusy bine efft Ecclt-
(ig Cbtifuetudirem at Spifctpui mannm imp»fifurui excurrtt ad invi*
catmitm JpirUM fan^i. Ambr, d<dg ttt.facerdot. Sactrdos mprntfup-
pium dear am. ^u%u&. ^idtliua efimmut impofitio quam eratie^
drc. The Gietke Churches have ever given Orders by a forme of
piayer conceived with impofuion of hands. Hence it is, that
t\uy impofcd hands even on Deaconefles, where it coold not
be otherwife confidered then a deprecative gefture. Neither
IS it like the African Fathers ever thought it a (acramcnt, which
no other had vertue and power to minitter, but the Biihop. For
then thiy would never have admitted Presbyters to ufc the
fame nte with them. For fo they had fuffered them to pro-
phane a facrament, wherein they had no power to intermed-
dle. Oi.]c^, If cae fay they did lay on hands with them, buc
the B>lhops impalition was properly Cenletrtuive and facramen-
tall, xhiisDtp utttive onc[y. AnfvHr. Befidcs that thif^is fpo-
ken Without foundation, how abfurd is it, that the very fclfc-
f-ime facramentall rite flieuld be a facrament in one miniftcrs
hmd, and Bofacrame/it performed by another ; Yea, when the
Bifhop doth it to a Presbyter, or Deacon, then a faaamentj
vvhtn to a Subdeacon, and other inferiourofficas, then oone^
let any judge. Aufiin did account no other of impofition of
hands, ihena prayer over a man, accompanied with that gefture.
Secondly, they doe not thinke that the B fliop ordaineth by divine
right, it being excepted to him as a miniflcr of higher facramentall
power : but that he onely doth ordaine quoad fi^num & fUum extrin-
fccum, by the Churches commiffion, though the right of ordaining
be in all the Piesbytery alfo. As m a Colledge the focicty^avc
right to choofe a fellow, and to ordaine him alfo, though the maimer
doth alone lay on ha [ids, and give admiflion. Thviilertm fpeakcth
of confirmation, that it was referred to the Bifhop for honour fake,
rather
(59)
rather then any ncccflity of Gods law. Wlience by analogic and
proportion, it followeth they thmke not ordination, or iholc other
FpjicopiJI royalties to hive beene rtfcrved to him by divine righ:.
Befidc^ there are more ancient proofcs for Cmonicili appropruciag
f oi.firmation, then f^r this imp jfitioa of hands. CornUuA fpeakeih
thus of2^ci>ifla, he wnnicdth)fc things whicU he fh ^uU have h^d
after Baptifnae , according to the Canon, ihc fealing of our Lord
from a Bifhop, Eufib. Lib 6. cap.i). So Cypmn to !ul. Ncver-
ihelefie, lertm judgeih this alio to h.ivc becne yeelded ihem for ho-
nourfake. And we know that in iht Bdhops abfence , Presbyrcrs
through the Eaft didCo^^fignifCi through Grecia, ilirough Arme-
nia. Neither would Gjfgo^ the grcac h.we allowed Presbyters m
the Greeke Churches to hjvecofihrmed, had he judgr-d u oilur-
wife then Canonically to belong co the bi{li)p$. Ihit therefore
which is not properly a fjcnmcntall adion , and that which is not
appropriate to a bjfhop further then Presbyters hive comnitted Jt
to him, that cannot make him in higher degree of minillcry the/i
Presbyters are.
Thirdly, in reconciling penitents-, the Presbyters did it in cife ot
the bi{hops abfence : as is to be gathered from the third Councell
of Carthage, j i. And who thmkes bleflino fo appropriate to a bi-
fliop, that Presbyters may not folemnly bleffe in the name of the
Lotd« though antiquity rcferved (his to hin, Thefe therefore
were kept to him, not as afts exceeding the Presbyters power of
order,but for the fuppofed honour of him and the Church, For as.-^w-
krofe faitk, Vt tmnes Cidem ptffunt vrv4aionAU^& vulgar U nsvUi/q^ vide-
fiticr. It pleafeih arftiquity therefore to fee up one who flioulu qitond
txtrcmum doc many things alone, not becaufe that Presbyters could
nor,but it focmcd in ihcir eyes more to the honor of the Cnucch,iu u
fbme one (heuld be intercfl'ed in them.
VomrhXy yAmalMifm\n a certaine booke offacred order$,doth-co!j-
futc the dodrine of an uncertain author,who taught th u oiic bilhop
oncly was to lay hands on a Deacon r bccaufc he was confeintcd
not to Priefthoodjbutto miniOery and (txiict.7{unc{mdfCi\^tiriibeUi
d0CU9r& fMM^litr^pofiitii quifoluirunr glutei mmuA (u^rDnconQi /jfMv-
io icn/icrtbiyitur^&propttie* foliu EpifcoftumarM ftMi [u^irDinoH-4m^
atfifUuipoffiCpyecMrivirtutemgrttmumqittmp'urti ^{r (idli p'tia'tj^n
tur» Op imufiefl b'ttot ducti feqah 7«i itruvtrunt ufq, id pkmm vuImi-
am. Whence it is plaine,he did know no further thing m iropofitiou
then piayer,which the more impofed.is the more forcible.
The Jour teintb .^rz,umait .
Thofe who had jurifdiftion over Presbyters jflifting them, and
Presbyters affixed to Cures, they had afupcriority of power cvcrp-
ibci: miniilers. But bifl)op$ had lo. Ergo, ?cc
The
(60)
Tkc Affumption is manifeft. JgMtm defcribeth thc^lilhop from
this, that he Ihould be ihe gcv:rnour of the Pfcsbycery and whole
Church op.(?A>4tv af 5*^^. And uyom and Aujlin on the 44. Pfalnlc,
call them ihe Princes of ihe Church, by whom (he ^is goTcrned.
The affumpcton is proved pitticularly. Thofc who had dircftive
power above others, and corredivc, thty had mjjoriry of rule. But
B {hops had. Ergo. The aflumption proved. Firft, for diredivc
po*ver, the Presbyters were to doe nathing without them. lgn%, li
Mig. ad. Smy, They might not minifter ine Cicrament of the fup-
pcr but under ihe B (hop, C^fm. Sptfl. i.ad Jtcch.ttrt.Ub. At haptXtn,
Apofi. 3 8, Con, Ca^mg. 4.58. Con. iur, 2. Can. 9. Co». ^tn, 1 6, Cone,
Secondly, thnt they had cerredive power,it is provcd,^^W.2 & j.
The Angel oi Bpbefus did not fufter falte Apoftlci, and is commen-
ded for it, the Angelof Tfcidfiriiis reproved for fufter ing the like*
Therefore they had povcr over other minifters.Cypr.lib. j.Epift.^.
t«;IiethKf^«ha»hc had power to hare cenfured his Deacon. Itrom,
Mdvetfud f^igUantiitm, marvelleththat thcBilliop where f^tptavtm .
was, did not breake the uaprofitable vcflTcU. Ep'pbemm faith Bi-
ihop> governed the Presbyters themfelveg, they rt\e people. The
Presbyters affixed to places and Churches, were fubie^ tothejBi-
ihop-., fcr when they were vacant, the biftiop did fupply them. A-
gaiac, the Presbyters hid their power from him,aiid therefore vvctc
isnder him, and they i*erc fubjeftto the ccnfarc of the biihop.
Thofe of his Cletgie were under him j for he might promote them,
they might not goe from one Dioccffc to another witfcont him, nor
travell to the citie, but by his leave. The bifhop was theic judge,
aad might excommnnicaie them,Cypr.li,x.Epift j.Concil. Carth.4«
(;ap.59.Conc.Chal.C2p.9.conc.Nicc.cap.4,conc.Ant.cap.4.ibid. cap.
^. cap.i 2. Cart.2.c3p.7, cone Afric.cap.ip.concEpheV.cap.j. cone.
Chaf.cap.2j. The examples o^Aiex^mdir and Cbrrfificme prove this.
All Presbyters were counted «<p/!w//,headleire, that lived not in fub-
jedinn to a bifhop. The Paftors of pariflies were cither fubjed to
b)fhops,or they had afl'ociates in Parithes joyncd with them, or thcf
ruled alone. But they had not afibciate$,neither did they rule alone.
Ergo, they wcr« fubjeft to the authority and jurifdiftion of the
biffjop.
AnfiMY,
The propofition of the iirft Syllogifmc it maft be thus fri-
med, Thofc who bad power of jurifdidion in themfclves , with-
out the concurreace of other Pre$byters,a« fellow judges, they were
greater in majority of rule. Thusbilhops had not jurifdidion.
True it is, they were called govcrnours and Princes of their Chur-
ches, becaufe they were more cninent minifterSj though tkey hai
(Si)
not Monlfcljiall powfr in Churckcs , but OonfulUlrkc authority:
and therefore when iftey affcded this Monarchy, whacfaid/e-
rfim , Tioverint ft ficert(tt4t ifjc ntn dtmrnot , fftvfrmt (t m*7i tLi
Trvicipatumvocitos,MdftrvUiumtotiiu EccUjia. Sk On gen in Efa,
hom.7.
To the proofc of the AlTumption. Wet deny chat they had thit
diredivc poiver ovtr all Presbyrers. Secondly, thatih^y hid it
over any ty humane conftitution infiilible. Presbyters were in
great diftcrcrce. Thofe who are called prefnri/ Cact)doieSy Ri6lr(s,
Stniorti^ Aiiatirkm Eccltfitruw pr^p§jhi , the B ihop had not , nor
challenged not that diredive power over them, which hee did crer
thofe who were numbrcd amongft his Cleric kes , who were helpcs
to him in the Liturgy, in Chapells and pirifhrs w^jidi did depend
on him as their proper teacher, though thiy could not fo ord nan ly
goc out to him. T he firfi had power with:n their Churches , to
teach, aJminiftcr, excommunicate , were counted brethren to th«
b (liops , and called Sp'ifcopi, or CBtpfcopi , even of the Anccr.t':
Bucihe Prcsbyccrs which were part of their Clergy , ihfy hadihis
direftivc piiwtr over them , the Canons EccleCallicall allowing
the fame. But 1 1 skc theCe latter t3havebeene but a corruption
of governing Prtsbyrers , who came to bee made a humane mini-
liery. i. by having finonl»r ads permitted. 2. by being confecratc
to this, and fo doing «x*jjk'0, what they were imploysd in by the
biiliop. But furc chefe are but helpcs to liturgy, according to the
Canons. Preaching did not agree to them further then it could bee
delegated or permitted. Finally, wee read, that by law it was per-
mitted them : that it was taken aw>iy from them againc by the
bifhops : that it was ftinted and limited fometimcs as to the cpe-
ning of the Lords Praicr , the Creed and ten CommanJemcnts :
as it isplaine to him ih it is any thing converfant in the ancieHt, Se-
condly, let us account item as Mmiilcrs of .he word given by God
to h s Church:then I fay,they could not have any dJr*:Ction,but fuch
as the Apoflles had amoi;glt Evangclift^ : and this p- wer is g ven to
the b;fhops oncly I y canon fwerving from the firll ordinance of
Chnft : for it makeih a Minifter of the woi d becrme as a cy^^hcr,
without powerof lr$con(ecration,as /erowfpcakethjbcingfointtr-
prcted by fii^w himfclfe. Theledcciees wtie nsjullifijble iS th .t
which forbiddcih any to baptilc, who hath not 'gotten chrifme from
the bifliop^*». Ctfr/h.4.Ctf^.;{6. unlcflethe phrafesdoe notcontly a
precedence of order in the b ihop above Presbyters , requiring pre-
tence and .Tircnr,a£ of a fellow and chiefe mcmber,not oihcrwifc.
To ihe proof of thr; fcconi'. p-irc ot ihc formtr aflumpiionji.wc de-
ny ihis majority cf corrcA.vc power to hive bcenc in the Apoftles
thcrr-fclves'.ihtyhad onljra miniftry executive jnflidii eihjt ivhich
- - ^ K ^ Chr.rts
Chtift^ correlative pow<r inapofcd.Secondly,vve deny that this mintJ
fteriall powec of ccnfuring was fingularly cxercifed by any Apoftlc
or Evangeliftjwhcrc Churchc$~w<re conftituted. Neither is the wri*
ting to one above others,an argument that he had the power to doe
all alone wiihout concutrencc of others. To that of Cjpr'uin againft
RggAthn^wt deny tkit Cj^Un mcancth he would have done it alone,
or that he and his Presbytery could have done it without the con-
fentof Biihops neighbouring : but that he might in regular manner
have beene bold to have done it, becaufc he might be fure,^ao</«^
t9'ieg<e tut imnesid r&tum bakremua. CyprUn was of judgement, that
he hmfclfe might doe nothing without theconfcnt ot his Presby-
ters, unleffe he (hould violate his duty, by running a courfc which
flood not with ih« honour of his brethren. It was not modcfly in
him 5 but due obfervancyjfuch as he did owe unto his brethrcn.Nei-
thcr did Cyprian ever ordinarily any thing alone. He received fome,
the people and the brethren conn:adiding,/i&.i.rp;^.3. but not till he
had perfwaded them, and brought them to be willing. Ihm {ttft
(Cnhht) i»haipii>ies I have to pirfwadet^n bmbrtn to pxtUmc^So
againe, / bwdty pufi^idt tbe psoplejea even »mg it from tbem,tbat fuch
fmld he received. Neither did he take upon him toord.iine Presby.ers
alone ; but propouqdedjraidercqueft for them, confcffing, thit fur-
ther then God did extraordinarily prevent both hiro and them, they^
had the right of fuffrage, nolcfle then himltlf^r, as by thefe epiftles
m.Ty .ippeare,/ii.i.r/ji/^.20. llb.z»ep'ifl.$'iib./^Apift,io. Urem (though
grandilcqucftc fometimesj did never thinke a Biihop could lawfully
without nis Presbyteries concurrence, excommunicate. If he were
as Mftiy yet he would have- thefe as the feventy. Againe, Itrom
Joth write cxprcfly of all in gencrall, Et net femtum hnbtmm ,
(wum Preibfterethmy fins quorum confilio nihil Mgi k qurqusm ti-
uti (tut Ro'mni babucrunt ftnatam cujin conftlio ciih^m genbintur,
SftpbAnm faith. Bifliops governed Presbyters : but it doth not fol-
low, that therefore they did it alone without concurrence of their
com Presbyters.. As for the fixed Presbyters, the proofes are more
ui.r.iBrient. The Bifhopfupplyed them, therefore they were under
him. For Colleges fupply Churches, yet have they no jurifd dion
over them. Secondly, the canons did provide m pUbi invito Pmby'
ter nbrruitrttur, Th5rdly,we ci-linguilh majority of rule from fome
}urifdidion . We grant the B:ihop had fuch a jurifdidion as conccr-
iiina the Church, fo farre as it was in fociety withothers, fuch as an
Arch-bifliophaih over a Province: but this did Hand with the Re -
dors power of jurifdiftion within his owneChurch. Fourth lyjthough"'
they hid power by his minifteriall interpofition , yet this doth not
prove them dependant on him. For bifhops hive their power from
Qihers ordaining them, to whom notwiihftanding they arc not fui>w
(»0
Jfft in tlieir CKufchcii Infafcof dclinqiiency tKey were fubjed f3
the bifhop with the Presbytery, yetfo ihit they could not be pro-
cccHed againft till confcntof many other bjlhops did ratific the
tentencc. Thus inCjprians judgement ; bifTiops themfelvci delin-
quentjtamifig-woIyfiSj^as StmofattfrttiiUbermyScc. are fybjed to their
churches and Presbyteriej, to be depofed and rclinquiOicd by ihem.
As for thofe that were pare of his clerks, it is true, th^ y were m grea-
ter meafurefubjeft to him,abfolutcly m a manner for their diied-
on: but for his corredive power he could no: without confent of hij
Presb)'ters and fellow bifhops.do any thing. The bifiiop indeed rs
oncly named many times : but it is a common Synecdoche, familiar
to the Fathers, who put the primary member of the chunh for the
»f prelentative church, as Aufiini faith, PUrura prt^pter Apsfio'atui
fimptkitMtem figtfam Eulfpt g'jjiije. See concil. Sardicen. cap. 17.
conc.Carth 4.cap.2.^.Tol.4 cap.4.Socr.lib, i.g.Soz.lib.i.cap 14, As
for fuch examples as Alex^ndtrSy it is ftrange that any will brin^ ir,
when he did it not without a Synod of many bifhops, yea Without
his Clergie, as fitting in judgement with him. Cbryjffiofucs iid is
not to be juftified : for it was altogether irregular, favouring of the
impetuous nature to which he was inclined, though in regatd of his
end, and unworihincffe of his Presbyters, it may be cxcufed, yet it
is not to be imitated. As for thofe headiefle Clerkes,it m ke h no-
thingforthc Biftiops majority of rule over all Churches and Pref-
byters in them. Forfirft, it feemeth to be fpokenof thofe thac lived
under the conduft of the BilTnp, a ccllegiat lif<; together, £ode i
reft^orlo & dormitcri utcbanmr, c> Ctnoyiue v'lvctiui ab Ep'ifopo in-
fifHtbn,tur. Now when all fuch Clerkcs did live then as numbers of
a Collcdgc under a mafter, it is no wonder if th:y be called head-
iefle, who did belong to no Bifliop. Secondly, fay it were alrke of
all Presbyters, which will never be proved (for ill Presby crs in the
Dioceflc were not belonging to the Bifliops Q\. rkcsj fay it were, yet
will it not followj'hat thofe who were under fome, were fubject to
his authority of rule. For there is a head in regard of prehviency of
ordf r, as well as of power. Biihops were to finJc out by Canon the
chiefe b'ftiop of their Province, and to affociatc thrmfclvjs with
him. So bifliops doc now live ranf,ed under their Archbiiliopjas
heads. Priefts therefore ns well as Clcrkes, di ' live under fome )u-
rifdiftion of the bifliops ; but fuch ?s did permit them coercive
power in their o.vne Churches, fuch as made the bifliop a head in
rt^ard of dignity, andfiotof any power, whereby he might fw y
.til at hisplcafure. Thirdly, if the bifliops degenerate to challenge
Monarchy or tyranny, it ij better to be without fuch heads thenUo
have them : as we arc more happy in being withJrawen trom the
headflvpof ihe bifliop of Rome, then if he ftill were head over us,
K z To
C^4)
To the laft irfinuation profingihit bifhops had the govcrmmenrof
ihofe Chui'chcs which I'rcsbyccrs hadjbccawfc neiiheir Presbyters a-
lonc had it, nor with sflillencs.I anfwerjthey had as well the powet
of govcrnmcnt,a« of teachiag ; and though ihty had not fuch afli-
ftams as are the presbyters of a cathedral church,yct they might have
fome,:\s a deacon,or other peifonfufficicnt in fuch fmall Churches.
When the Apoftles planted a bifliop and D2acon onely , how did
this bifhop excommunicate ? When the faihersof Africa did give a
biftiop untothofc now multiplied, vrhohidenjoysd bucaPrcsby-
ter,what afliftanis did they give him ? what afliltants had the Cbort*
pifcopt,vfh.o yet had government of their Churches?
The fifietftth Argurmnt, *
That which the orthodoxe churches ever condemned as herefie^
the contrary of that is truth. But in Avrltu they have condemned the
denial! of fuperiority in one Minifter above oihsrsJErgo^he contra-
ry is truth. Anfvfier,
To the propoGtion, we deny that it muft needs be prcfent'y t^oe,
the contray whereof is generally cotidemncd for herefie. As the re-
prefentativecatholicke Church may propound an error, foflie m-jy
condemne a particular truth, and yet rcmaine a catholicke church.
To the alTumption wee deny that the Church condemned in Amm
every denyall of fuperiority, but thatoaely which Amm ruane intOo
Now his opinion I t^kc to have been this. i. He did with lerom de-
ny fuperiority of any kindcas due by Chrifts ordinance : for thiso-
pinion was never counted herefie, It was/^r#2«fplainely. z.Hcc did
not deny the faft,th:it bifViops were fuperiour in their adiuall admi-
flration; he could not be fo mnd. If he had all that a bifhop had ac-
tually , how could h<j have nftcded to be a bifhop, as a further ho-
nour > Dcniall of fuperiority Juclr as ccnfifteth in a further power of
order then a Presbyter hith, and in a kingly monarch icall majjnty
of rule, this denyall is not here condemned : for all the fathers may
be brou£^hc as witneffes agiinfl this fuperiorty of the Church. VVh it
then was condemned in him ? A dcniall of all fuperiority in one mr-
nifler before another, though it were hut of honor and dignity : sdJ
fccondly, the der ying cf this in fchifmaticall manner, fo as to for-
Dke (OTimunion with the Church wherein it is. For in thefe words,
uviiv\ivou S)di(^(j^aTi^:-v k-siiTKOTicv 7V TTfio-BvTifn, it ftemcth '
unfiv fliould bee read fx/j/nj', that there ought to be none.How-
(oever hsc is to bee conceived as appofing praftically the difference
of honour & dignity which was in the Church by Ecclefiafticall in-
iiitution. What is this to us ? Dcniall of fuperiority in regard of ho-
nor & dig:iuy, joyned with fchifme, was condemned ! Ergo, denial!
offuperiority inpower of order andkingly majority of rule, kee-
nin« the^ bond of love was condemned,
' " The
The aflVimption therefore if it aflume not of th»$ laft denian,thcn
can it not conclude againft us.Ergo,it is a truth thit feme Mmiftcrs
may be above oiherfome,inorder,honor,and dignity. But -M.y un-
derftand not by order fuch an order onelyasis d'itindl, bccnufe
fome degree of dignity is appropriate to it , which is not to othrr.
Though this argument therefore touch us not, yet to fpcake a Iitrle
further about It, this opinion of ^fri»j is not to be handled too fe-
vertly : neither our authors, D. Whitdl^inis , D. Rc^nvtd^y^ Dintttis^
to be blamed, who doe in fome fort excufc him. For bifliops were
growne fuch that many good perfons were oficnded at them, as the
AudUni. Yea, ic was fo ordinary, that Jet»m difhnguifheth
fchifme from hcrefie , becaufcihe oncconteined affcrtions agairdt
the fiirh , the other ferved from the Church by rcafon of dil-
fenting from Bifhops. See him on Tir.g.io. Neither is it plain that
htvi^i2t\AvudiX\. Epipbamm reportethit, but no other, thougli
writing of this fubjcd and ftory of thefe times. Sure n is, Eufit-
thm was a ftrong Arian, yi\\om A mm didoppofe. Nciiher is it
ftrange tobifhopsto faftenonthofe which diflenc from them in
this point of their freeholdjany ihing whereof there is but ungroun-
ded fufpicion. Are not we traduced as Donatifts, Ar.abaptiils, Pu-
ritanes? As for this opinion. th ythoughtitratherfchifmaticall^ihca
beretic3ll:& thcrfore bippily called it hercfiejbecaufe it included cr-
rour in their undeiftanding, which wiihfchifmaticall pertmacy wjs
made hercfie. Neither is it like that Epiphawui doihcthrrwife
count it hcrcfic, nor /?«/?/» following him. For thou.h Au\iint was
aged, yahe was fo humble, that hce faith , Augu^wm ftntx h pucra
mndumanmculopantusfumtdocerl Neither was ic prejudice to hs
worth for to follow inen more ancient then himfelfc, who in like-
lihood fhould know this m :ttcr plfo better. As for his caliiroit
lierefie, it is c«rtainc he would not have this ia rigour (hciDcd. F. r
he doth proteft (m his preface uato that bookc of hercfie) i!iat
nunc to his thought, can in a regular definition comprehend whu
that it which mnkcth this or that to be hercfie. Though :h reforc
be doubted not of this, thrt /fcfWi wasin errcur, fuch as Citho-
lickes {liouid decline : yet it doth not argue that hee thought t!iis
errour in rigour and former propriety, tohave beeneherefie. Thus
much for ihvs laft Argument^
On ihccontr.iiy fide 1 propound thcfe Argument: followir g to
be fenotfly confidcred.
Argument, i.
Thofc whom the Apoftlcs placed as ch-iefe, in their firrt confl i-
tuting of Churches, and left as their fuccc flours in their hft farc-
wcls which rhcy give tothe Churchrs , they hid none fipciiour to
ibem in the Ch Jrchcs, Biu they firU placed Pres' y^e s , fiedm?»
K 3 w:/h
(66)
with the Word ind g^verniwg : and to thofc in theif laft dcpartrftgs
they commendtd ihe Churches. Ergo. The aflumption is denied ::
they did not place ihem , as the chicfe ordinary Paftors in ihofc
churches , but placed them to teach and govcrne, in fore inttrm ;
with a reference of fubordination to a more eminent Paftor, which
when now they were growen to a juft multitude fliould be given
to them. The Apoftkshadall power of order and jurifdittion :
they %\yc to Presbyters power of order, power to teach, rainifter fa-
cramc.us, and fo gadier together a great number of thofe who were
yet to be converted 5 but kep: ihe coercive power m their owne
hands, meaning, when now by the Presbyters labour, the churcheg
vvere growne to a greater muhitude , meaning (* I fay) then to fee
over them fome more eminent Paftors, Apoftolicall raen,to whom
ihey would conimit the power of government, that fo they might
rule over both the Presbyters and their Churches ; and to thefe with
their fucccllours, not to the Presbyters, were the churches recom*
mcndeJ. All which is an audacious fidion, without any w.irrant
of Scripture, orfhew of^ood reafon. For it isconfefled thatPrcf-
byters were placed at the tirft conftitution, as the Paftors and tea^
chersof the Churches, Now if the Apoftles had done this with
reference to a further andmore eminent Paftor and Govcrnour,thcy
would have intimated fome where this their intention: but this they
doe not ; yea, the contrary purpofc is by them declared. For Peier
fo biddeth his Presbyters feed their flocks, as that he doth infinuatc
ihcm fubjeft to no other but Chrift , the Arch (hepheard of them
all. Agame, the Apoftles could not make the Presbyters Paftors
without power of government. There may be gcyernoyrs without
paftorall power 5 but nor a Paftor without power of governing. Foe
t'lepowerof the Pf«/«OTjOr fhepheards ftaffe, doth intrinfecaliy fol-
lov/ the Paftoralloftice. What likelihood is there, that thofe who
were fetas parents to beget children , ftiould n«t betrufted with
power of the rod wherewith children now begotten are to be nur-
tired and kepti Kiwebeftemirg them ^ Ifitbefaid, everyone fie
for the office of a Teacher, was net fit for a Govcrnour : I anfwer,
be that is fit to be a Pjflor teaching and governing in foro iaterncis
much more fit to be a Governour externally : he who is fie for the
greater, is fit for the Icfll-r. It was a greater and more Apoftolicall
worke to labour converfion, and brmg the churches a handful!
in tl e plantir.g (3s (ome thinke) to become numberfome in people,
then it is to governc thera being converted. And iris abfurd to thinke
thatthefe who were fit to gather a church, and bring it to fulnefle
from fmall beginnings, ftiould not be fit to governe it, butftandin
need to have ft m: one fent, who inight rule them and the chur-
ches they had coUefted. Sccond'y, thefe Presbyters were (as them-
fclves
(^7)
(tlver coDfcfle) qualified with the extraordinary gift? cf rhe ho-
\y Ghoft, and chofen by fpeciall defignation : fo that to impure in-
fi.fficiency unto ihem, is har(h, and injurious to Gcd, as well as to
man. Finaily,by the twenty of ihe Aftt,and the firft Epiftlc of Parr,
cha.j.it isplame,thtydoein theirlait farewcU, commit ths Chur-
ches unto the Presbytcrs,notfuggefting any tiling of a further Pi-
ftor to be fenf,wh© would fupply their roomcsjwhich yet they wouM
not have fcrgotten,being a thing of fo ^rca: confolation, had it been
intended by ihem.
Argument i.
Thcfc who have the name and office of Bflnpscommon to them,
thty have no fupcriour Palters over them: but the Presbyters Pa-
ftorallhave that name and office attribute J to them. For firft they
arcfaidto govcrnein general). Secondlyjtherc is nothing found be-
longing to the power of ihckcycs in faro extmio, but the Scripture
doth afcnbe it to them, power of fulFrage in counccll. ABi i j. pow-
er of excommunication, which is manifeft to have beene in the
churches of Corinth when it had no bifliop j power of ordination,
X riw. 4. Ifanyfsy, that this their power was but bycommiffion
inthem, and that they were fubordinate CO the Apoftles in exercile
oi It, being to reteine it onely untill fuch time as more eminent Pi-
ftors Ihould be given : I anfwer, all this is Cptkcn fratii, withcuc
any foundation,and therefore no more eafily vouched then rejeded:
The Presbyters fo had this power, that they did commie it to the
bifhops,as welhallfhcw after: and therefore it muft have beene in
them, not by extraordinary comnnflion, but by ordinary office. Se-
condly, ihcy were fubjeft in exercife to none buc Chrili and the ho-
ly Ghoft* who onely had out of authority trulkd them with it. If
theApoftles and they didconcurre m doing one and the fj'?je thing,
ihey did it as infcnour to the Apolllcs, and fervants of a lower or-
der, not with any fubjedioi co them, as heads of derivation, fcr-
vingChrift their onely Lord, no Itfle immediately then the Apo-
ftles ikemfclvss.
That which is found in all other orders ©f MiniHers inftituted by
Chrift, maybe prcfumedLkcwifc in the order of Paftors and De-
hors : but ;n all other orJcr?, there were none that had (Angulari-
ty of prchemincncc and majority of power above other : NoA-
poftle. Prophet, Evangelift had this rule one over another. If
the propofitioii be denied, upon fuppofill of a diflerent rea-
fon , becaufc that though patJty in a few excraorduiary Mt-
niftcrs might be admitted wuhaut d:forifer, yet in a multi-
tude of crJinary Mmiftcis, it could not but breed f».hifmc and
(OfifuGon^and therefore as the ucdri of Pnciihood was dwidcd into
a high
(69)
« high Pilcft, and other fecondary ones, fo U it fit that the Presby-
ters of the new Tcftament fhould be devidcd , fomc being in tha
firft , and foinc in ihe fecond ranke. To this I anfwcr, the parity
is the more dangerous > by how much the places are fupereminenr.
Secondly, though Paflors fhould be equal), yet ihis would not bring
parity into the Miniflns of the Church, fome wheieof fliouldbee
in degree inferioar to other , the governing Elders to the Paftorj,
and the Deacons to them. Thirdly, if every Church being an Ec-
clefiafticall body, (hould have governours every way cquall , there
were no fcareof confufion , feeing Ariftocracy , efpecially where
God ordainethit, is a foimeof gouernment fufficienttoprefcrvc
order, -fiut every Church might then doe whit ever it would with-
in it felfe. Not fo neither 5 for it is fubjed to the cenfure of other
Churches O/nodically aflVmblcd, and to the civill MJgilirate, who
in cafe of delinquency, hath dir^tlive and correi^ive power over it.
Parity doth not fo much indanger the Church by fchifme, as impa-
rity doih by tyranny fubjed it. As for the diftindion of Prieft$,wec
-g^rant it i biit as man could not have made that diftidion , had noc
God ordained it in time of the old Teftamenr, no more can vvc un-
der the new. Howbeit, tbstdifiindionof Priefts did bringinno
fuch diftercnce in order and majority cf rule , as our Bifliops now
- challenge.
Argument 4,
If fome be infcriour unto oiherfome in degree of power , it muft
be in regard of their power to teach, or their power to govern, or in
the application of this power to their perfons, or in regard of the
pccpie whom they teach and governe , or finally in regard the cx-
crcife of their power is at the diredion of another. But uo Pafioc
or Teacher dependeth on an other but Chnilfor anyof thefc.
Ergo. The propofition ftandeth on a fufficient enumeration : the
alTumption may be proved in the fevcrall parts of it. The former
branch is thus cleared. Firft,the power we have, is the fame efl'en-
■ tiallywiih theirs i yea, cveiywzy the fame. Secondly, weehave
It asimediately froinChvift asthcy. I fhew them boih thus : The
p«'.wcrof order is the power which inableth us to preach and deli-
verthe whole counfell of God , and to minifter all Sacraments
fealing Gods covenant. Now unlefle we will with the Papifts^fay
that preaching is no neceflaiy <i;jne>t«»i to the Presbyters office , or
tjhathis power is arudimentall limited power, as to open the creed,
Lords puoitr, r^nd commandemcnts oreiy , or that be hath not the
full power facra nentall , there being cthcrfacraments of ordina-
tion and conhrm uion which wee may not mmifter , all which arc
gro'ie , wee muO yc eld their powcrof order to be the fame. Yea,
were ihcfe faaaments properly, they arc both grounded in the
power
(69)
power >ft'e$tytct h^J^V* ^-^p^^io^ in Jos tbit in remmbrDjee^f
mez cpnhrm«jon in powei* to'bjprize. The p.«wtr being the Ume
it is Hop^.ily ib, oiie imrricdiately, and id ihe other by derivation
frOm!iim. >^othing lefe. All grant iha: thrift doth wiaiediateiy
;g/v^ir,cyen as.the ^m..r(l|^rjicetf every Sacumciucomnaeth jpnn-
ci^^Tly from'lijm'. Trve ,Chprcti,. did ft'..gvc ihisfowcr, mighc
inslcp the C^cfarafe.nt'injprf aching, v/hich oik; do.U^uordtri no fi-
(rramcnt^ no pieiching. |hc^t pe doiH aot (i£ wetolluw thccom-
trtpri tcnci.t) chailcngeCojiiHch asio.^ive ths power of order to airv
b;llicp or pnell wha.roever. If you Ay, the Picsliycer ts ordjiu^
ttiilit'it froirf rijfi: groands. t^i it wiftbeXii^thre Pf^b>K«Hd<(*-'
IVtiSiirin jiririfdj^iOii, and caoliave none but vyhat is detivcj tD
liuii ^rbm ihcbrihop, wKoha^li t^c fulncfle of it, within his Dt6-
ccfan Church. But ihii is falfe^ antl grounded or^ many f*ir< ^d-
fempt'onslr. As ffrfi, i\\:^t Minifie'r^ of t^e. Vypr^ are not pre^I^
•itcKal'y t^Tfibrs -for to n ake a fcflor^nd g;v4 trjf^ Vio b^lpi^a^oit
thAV6!fei is ^o |iu:n i^Jiimfoitfi I roper ffiSji^ S£coiidly,-K(K«ft^
{)0feiti'i1ieipowec of jiVr'irdl(^ioi^ to be given ongrnally ^nd ]^<ii»|J^
to oneferfon otthe Cijivrch^jiiw (p to others, wh<,«rca6 Chtji^v^jfii
commirted nofi§jin»Uur ind cxirc'ttAlivt to th^reprcCcnraciV4Cli«Pi4:^
that they nji^fi( AriftocraticallyadmiRifter it, T|>irdiy,tlij»^)^fcA^
poflith ^heplenfCud'eofregiBici^to be mchcjb^/liip^ aM/jii^Vf) ^ui
tolftcdcnyct^/tboiKetV wf>icI\maJ^«th hirn,a hiad.of vix^tt^ior
flhehcc^that ^nliis Chui;cli,>vhicH the Pope doth cijallcngc in regard
of all biftiops. "For his ticadfliip and fpirituall foveraig ityftariikth
^tcoriin^ lo SeDarwme intUii, ihatthegovcrnnacntof all in ftr§
tnt^na^ ii committed to him, l^Jot to mention,, hoiv bi{hopi,while
they w^re bin)pps,glpried of their i}:iMf^ and tei^^Mng,as the flow-
er of thcfr gar ^d, preferring it: farrc before gc-^ff?in<nt>;butu'hen
they were fallcnTrom their fpiniuall felicity, and infe^d wKhfo-
cularfmoke, then they recommended the labonrof teaching to the
Presbyters, then ihtirjutifdiAion and confillory did cariyall the
credite, every office in the Church being counted 4 ^igmiy, as it
had more or IcfTe jurifdjdion anncf cd j as thofe ai'e most or Icflib
Fioriourabfc jn the Common- wealtk ,wtHivh hive :cw\\\ amhoriry
in Icffe or greater, mcaCure conjoyncd. The nuth 15, ictannot be
lhewc(i that God- ever made Paltor wiihoucthis jurifdiAjon ; for
whether it do agree to men as they are P«ftors,or asthey itcPrclatt
in the Church,it c;innot be avoided but chat <h« PaftarOrinU have
It, becaufetlVou^H cvciy /Yi«/'^ or 'pr#U<iMihe UotuPafto^yotfvc-
rv Paft&r is Tr^S/prijfn order t(rtf\at fhurch where he :s the pf opcr
L and
(7°)
and ordiniiy Paflor. Yci, when ccnfure is the mofl flurpfpsn'tuall
mctd!cine,it were ill with evti) Church,if he who is refidtiu alw^.f
among them as ihcir iyrriuall Phifitionjihould not hive powir m
adminilHintf' :t. Th-rdly,! Dy^no Mmiftcrbath majorr.yo^ power
in apply. F g 'he power cf order or j rifdid on to this or ihac peifon.
In tht appdcnion th^rcis a miniUerj of the Church i.-.terpofed^
biK fo hjc Chnft onsly :sthe caufc wi:h power, not oneiy vfh\f
Prcsbjr'erj are in the Church , but why Ikmos or lobn is chofen to
andbtft wed on this or that place. A Mfttr onely^och out of
power tjke every Tcrvant into his houfe : fo God in hts. God did
choofe ^^0;?$ Tonnes wi;h the Levites, and Chrift the 70. nor medi-
ately leavmg it to ihearbitremenc of any to Ittout thofe that fliouid
lland before him. God ck»th ever oncIy in regard of authority, ap-
ply all power Ecdefiafticali to cvciy particubr perfon, his fole au-
tkoricy doth it, though fometime as in ordinary callings, the mini-
-ftcry of eihers doth concurre. The Church is in felting our, or or-
daining this or that man, at the Colledgc is in choofing, wl\enfhe
takcth the man whom the ftatuteof her founder doth moft mani-
fcftly dcfcribe, or where the Kings mandate doth ftridly injeyne,
it would othtrwife bring an itHpcriall power into the Churdi, For
tbough mlny Kings cannot hinder but that there ihall be fuch and
fuch #ffi^ers, and places of government as are in their Kingdome,
yet while they arc free at iheirpleafui^ to depute this or that man to
the places vacant^they hire a Kingly jurifdidioa in them. BrivSy,
God doth cter ^ply ihc power Efclrfuflicall unto the pcrfan :
fometime alone by hitafelfe, as i^ the Apoflies, and ihenhe doin i:
/AM imwdmintjlffffiuquitnytrtutit •■ fometiiTie the' minifteryof
man concurring «xtraor<imariIy, as when God extraordinarily dire-
fteth a perfon to goe and call one to thii or thatpUce', as hedid 5<t-
mutho anoint 5iiiii(. Gr elfe ordmaril/, when Gdd doth by his Wrig
and Spiritjguidemento take any to this or that plactf.inhiiChuj-cb',
whichhedoihpartly by hi? written lhWtrs,ari£f partly by his Sprrrt;
and thus he doth make the * srpplicarioh onej[y ImneiiMtioKe vtrtuU\
not (upftfui.
Obit^. But yet Biflipps have the Churches, and th« care of them
wholly committed to them^ though thercfqrt Mmiflers have equal!
power to them, yet rhcy cannot w:thoat their leave have anyplace
wiihin their Churihes, «nd therefore are infenour,in asmuch asihe
people with whom they ctercife their power of order and jarifdidi-
on, areailigncd toth^m by the Biflup the proper Paftor of ihera.
This is aoeiror likcwifc- ForGoddothm^ke no Minifterto wh&tn
he doth not afligne a flotke which he mnyatrend- God callcthMi-
niftersj not to a faculty of hooflor, which doth aualifie them with,
povrer to n^iniftcrial adlons,if anjrgirc tjitm perfons among whom
(7^)
tlicy miy cxcrcife ihejrjjower received, as the Emperours did maJcc*^
CbAUuUntm judicttj who had a power co jadgc caulcs if any would
Iub),c<ft himfclfc co them. Or as the Count Palatine hath ordinary
Judges, who are b*b\tuunium judUts^ hivmg none under them,
amongrt whom they may exercise jur«fdidion. Or as the Univcrfuy
giveih the degree of aDodor in Phyfickc , without any patients
among whom he maypradife. But Gods Himftery isthc caHing
of a man to an aduall admi.niflr uion, Goe teacb : and the power of.
order is nothing by the way, but a relative rcfpcft, founded in this,
that! atn called to fuch an adualladminiftration. Now there can-
nocbc an ad comminded,wi:hout the iubjed about which it is oc-
cupied: othcrwifCjGod ih©uld giye them a faeulty of feeding, and
leave them depending on others for ihrep to feed; 3od ftiouU make
them but remote potentiall MiBilters, and the Bifliop aduall..
Thirdly,tht Holy Ghoft is faid to have fet the Presbyters over their
flocke. A man taK\Hg. a ftcward, or other fervanc into his houfe,
doth give him a power of doing fomething to his family ) and ne-
ver ihinketh of taking ftrvants, further then the necefli y of hie
boufiiold doth req^iire : fo is it with God in his Church,wht(.h is his
houfe : fore the cxegency of his people fo require, he doth not call ,
iRytoihcfunftionofMiniftery. Agame, this is enough to ground
the authority which Antichrifl affurk<eth .' For fome make his fove-
raignty toftandonely in^Ji $, net that he giveth order or power of
jurifdiftion, butjjut he givcth to all Pallors and Bifliops the moity .
of flieepe, on wliom this their power itcxercifed, Ghrift having-
given him the care of all hil ftieepe,/eeW iw^jfcff^e: fo Fafque^^. Thus
|f a Bifhop challenge all the iheepe in a Diocefan flocke to be his^
and that he hath power to afligne thcfeverall flockcs under him,hc
doth ufurpc an Antichriftian authority. Finally, if the Churches be
the Bifhops through the Dioceffe, hlmiilcrs then are under them
in their Churches, but as a Curate is, whom a Pjrfon givcth leave
to hcipcwrth^A^ts Church. Yea, thty (hoold loofe their light in
their Churches, when the Biftiop dieih, as a Cunte doth when lUc
Parfon uf this or that Church, whom he aflifted, is once departed.
To conclude, they are not dependant ( one Miniftcr 1 meane on
another) in the c^frcife and ufe of their calling. A frrvant th.ic
h iih any place, doth know from hib M-ftcr what bclongeth to ir.
The Pnefisand Levitcs had fct downe whit belonged to ihcf
places, as well asthc high Pricft what bciorgt-d to his. Againc,
God hath dcfcribcd the Presbyters office, as amply as any other. A
Legate depcndcth on nope for ii)flruAion«,but on him ih.n (endeih
him; now every Miniftcr is an Embaff^dour of Chrill. Hy their
reafona Minifler rtv uld be accountant to pan for wh\t he did in
his Miniftciy, if his t xcrciling of it did depend t-n man. T h^n ^Ifo.
L 2, Jhould
fliouU mmiftws mediately oaelyfcrvtGcyd,^!! armuch as tijey li^v^-
done this 0(- that, to Nvhith; tiae bvfhqp ii^diftd ihem^ MoreoVtr-
fhould the biihap bid him not preach at aljptiea^'h rarely jCcnch oacly
fuch andfttch ihiri^SjOr coMC :ktui live front lii« diarg^jhe fh'^uldnot
finnc in ob'-ying hitn. £uc man /cannot litmit that power of miniftc-
ry vvhichhe cannotgive,li^siiot ^ith Godsfervitfiw iB'his CJiurch^
as vfi^lvciViH^erva^tsMiiiiaOorarfion-weal^ : '^oJ^'htV^lrc^me fct-
vants are above others mv horn, they command asth«J)^\yill'fbch is arc
called ftrvi9rdi7fA(iiot^t»fefiih^omt are under ofthcrs to do this or
tKatcomnunded by them,eotiimonly called fewi 'oiCAui: but in the
Church ail fervants fcrvc ihcic Matter Chnft, iieither ha^irirg any
that rhey can commaad,nDi? being under any but: Ghcf ft to iiiKfbc
commanded by them. Bacit maybe obj?dlec|,thfltG«df'hitfi or,
dainedfomecobc h;lpe$and aflittims tobth^rfom*: It is^a^itf that
God hath ordamed power»,help8, governouw,t Cor. i i.i^.and were
not the Evangelifts .TfUftams to the Aj>oftles,^doing that to which
they direfted them ? To thiti anf\v€r,i hit the helps God hath put
-in his Church Jtfped ihe caUmg of Peacdns, an^ fu^h is miniftne^
to the rtuficmponMS v As for Bfjngehfts,ihdy' wer^ comp^ioiisan^
affi ftaftcs tio xkz Apoftles^ bat iq was <»n ord^r to-ihe w^k -of God in
ikeir hinds, which they were: loferve, not iri order to thefr perfons,
asiftkey had beenfubjeftifd to ehem in any rervileinfferioriiy. Ob-.
fcrve how ZMw^fpeiketh of them, r^or.S.sj. T*f;Mwishis ^cdmpa*
nion and- heifer tow-a*djthemj'Pfej/.i.i5. g^^pkrod^iti vi^ai Iti^^yi-d^
thv^r and Jjelpej» m hi(i W(?rke,atoifclJov9^rotM';er; * 7*^(f: jrE** IV»w-
thy was hiscoJiajutot m the Gofpeli of Clwift, 2 rm.i.i^tys^ifl^
W3S helpefuU in iie M.niflcry , The truth ^ks fhrVwas foi/Hia ^nM
ftrfomihftdreaHs^ th4 Evangilifts didferve the woi^is the A^^ftici
Hid inh.vnd,with^utbcina fervanw to their perfons.- When hrick-
layers vvorke, fome mrxe tinei and m.vkt mort^r/ome btartf 'tip rrld
and rtiortar, ronnie (It on the houfe a^cJ ffe.Ye lay'thUt Avhich f$
b OB^ht them . Thefe are a)l felilow (Irvrfntg, yet the orte )^oth Fcrvc
to fet forvvird the W(>rke ©£the other, 6ut were thf^ not left^o rh^
diredion of rhe Apoftles^whoUy in exercife of their calling? I an-
fwcr,3$ Cfi ili givcfomc to be Evang^iftsj fo he made them know
from himfelfc what belonged t® their office,and whit was the admi-
nifiration to which he called the m. He did ncrt thetefcyrc wh:^!!^
have them to the diredionof any. Th^re is a doubtc d?riftion,one
pHfiativa^ wSich is made from majority of rule 6: Av^i'^jua^
die other (r.iilUy fuch as one fervant , having fit kiowledgc of
his mifters will, and ripe (experience, may give to another. The
latter kmde of direftion it was, not the former,by which the Evm-
gclifts were direfted. Which though comaionlypii*^ uTcd, yet no:
fo univerfally hut that thejweij fometime of their OkYne accords
hither
.4»ftfi«raiidthrthcf, J'fm:>ybcg4iheX€4-, ttirik.'W/ffyiU 2^-7.
• • That whick the ApQfUes ha\i no'c' pilcr' fni^'t^,' Evangclrffj,
"Prtsbytcrsjiwr Deacons rhemfclves that p:iWet\^hych r'ha Lliuidi
hath not over any membtr, the bflion hath' noi \)vtrdDth r m'^-
niders. Bi^t i}iey.had nor over afiy irtftnor i,lfficervary. 911^014^ of
^ireftivc dV corrcihvc oawer : n?j»K<;r lKa;fi yv{e^CF^u?/A.'jt'felfe^ any
fnch power, ^^roo. 1 ne airumption is pcovcd : 'for hiajorUy'ot
ditcdive andcoKrcA;vepowcr IS aLord-l^e and; Re^:^!! JJdvJcr':
now there iis no'dich power in the Church, or in the A^rtlts, or in
•aiiy butpntW^H that one Lord : alloJier p^ot^er ban^'b-u a ^dU-
irtrtivr aiittd^f'tciiiive mimflerx W %i^fi^^fnd'txeXut« 'yv'lilt jt^^
'e^ V^4^oj"if}i of pQW^r'woVjW^^^^ 'ifignift(3 'i'nd jJu'r'^A^ ^ie-
'cbt^if.,'', 'r*'- ■'' . '" ■'■• _'^ ' ' •'
". Tiiit wSicji^mbree3an Anticl>fiftian ururpatioh^ never was
<rf* <^hrii&^inftitu[con. Jji^, b,iffidps^^?J9rity oj^poWcr in re ^u<l
'<5f6frfeta^d liiri^fdiftroni ^otfijo ; "lE'r^o. Th^ac wUjchmaketh :)^c
IraKotf afhcad'a's doth'i?^j;<iA'i derive the po\vct^ot*eittrhaII goV^fn-
tti^nt jfo btUcr his* alTmantsT that doth.brccd an 'Antf(;hr'i fifiah'tlfur-
bari\)a. feuttoclaimethe ivhole power of jdrifdijftion through ia
femccranChurchj dothTo : for he x^xA nteds fubftiuitc helpers to
i^im, becaufeit is mote then by himrelfc he can performe. " ]^ur this
"' ' ' '' * ' ' *" " ' '" ' ■' '' ' ■ htm to, be head
werofex^crniji
lop doth no Ic^c ii^ hi? Uiocefan Our^ Fij
that vvhjch he ufurpcth differing in degree onely and txrenfio'),.noc
in kind from'that which the Pope arrogateih. If it he faid that h.Jf5
from th^irfulncffe .' it wis not pnrice-I ke m.ijoriiy orp>jwcr, bu*
fte^afdlike and min»fteriallone!y.If ©ne dog QAvrpe a kirg.'y ps)w-
«'in Kent onely, he v/c:e ao Anti kipj to our Sovtraigne. no IcfTc
a Synod : forihebeft ofthc PipWUh Uf,in,(^ it is the nioll ^pinmon
tenent, thAihcis fubjcft to an Qpcumenc:!! Ct urxtll. Sccof»(i.'y,
thoiiph he befubjcd, yet that I'pih not hmvUr b^.th: mry u^'oip. a
kini;^ tinveromcnt : lox a. Kins? may hi(vc ^kcpjy p^wcr. .niic ycc
^nfc^c hiimulifc accountable 10 all hii people coM^ciivtly confiJc-
L 3 «d;
(74)
icd; neither doihthiJ m^ke the Biihcps lawful! in ont Clmrcfc,
becau(e one iniy manage Ir/an^ the Pop£:s unlawfuti, bf canfe Jnoic
is fufficicnt lofvray fuch a pwcr through the whole Churcli : for
then ale ihc power the Pope doth challenge, is not ft¥ f^, bqt ftf
aciiitvi^ ttnliwfull, by reafon of mans ut^rLiificicn^y^ w^o caiyiat
v^ildfo great^ matter; ■. . ^ , '^ .. ; ^ ^^r^^:
JTbofcMinifteKs yvho^te made by one patent in the (j^rne.worjf,
hive cquall authority : ,but aU*Miiuficr8 of the Word arc made by
the fame patent, in the fame words, Rtceive the bol) Ohefl^ wbq/e fhu
J€. forgive, &c. Ergo. The propofition is denied ; bccauCe the fcnfc
of the words is to be underftood according ai the petfontgive leave
to \ji*f^om tht-y areipoKeh. Tbefe words Ippkcn to Ap^ftlcs, they
gave them larger power then to a Bifhop : and To fpojc^n to a Prcf-
byttr they give him teflc power then to a'Bifliop,w/f»/w.If the Scrip-
ture had dillingui{hed of Presbyters Paftoral feeding with iheWerd,
and made ihem diveri degrees, as it hath made Apoftles and Evan-
gelifts, then we^wvuld g^antthc exception : but the Scrjitarc doth
notrkr^ow this diyifion of Paflors and'. Doftors into chie/c and Sif^-
fic(^f : liMtTpe.aknh of d^^^ of \Apoftle« and £vafigcl|l]$, wHq
\v€i c^anK ng tljc.nil'eivcs equal) ii\ deoycc|, ^'l^creiforc as fip Apoftlc
received by ihetc words greater power then another : fo no Pafter
orTc3(her,.bii,t muff tc^eivciheQme power, as who are among
th mfrlvcs of the fame decrf c.Sccondly,werc they difFcrcnt degrees,
yet jt fliould give the Pfespytcffor. kind, though not of fo ample ex-
tenc as.thc Bifhop ha»hj as it gjvcth the B'^op the Umc power for
kif dc, which the Apofljcs Jiad, though hot ^Ib Mniycrfair, but con-
traftc d to p3it;cufar Churches.
Now to come unto fome conclufions or afleriions which may
lend light unto tlic deciding of this queftion.
CtftclHl I. Let this be the firft. NoM>nift«" of the "Word hatb
any power hut minifteiiari in the Church. Power is natunalJor mo*
rail Moral! is Civill orEcdefiafticall. CiviU is either Lord- like
and ruling^o mnifleriall and fervile. So ^ccle(iafticall,taken large-
ly for all power fubjeftivcly in, or obje^ive)y about the ChHrch, is
either Lord-like andRcgill, fuch as is in Chrift,or it isminifieriall
and ftrvile, fuch as is in the Church .md the principall members of
it. The power therefore ofthe ApoftIe$themfc!vcsandEvanfi;cliftj,
1$ c. lied JictKo/icCy Ad. 10. iTim.4 yea fuch a fcrrice,ai doth make
the rainlftcr^ hiving ic,fofervari(s,ihac they are noway Lords. JW^i-
B) miniltefii 6m Lorg ; we pnacb Chrifi, cur fclvet yoHrfetVMnti far It-
Jtuf*l^£. S,r»4«/maketh hig power Oc ward Tike, not regal 1. Now as
that is rcgall power which doth anything from the authority one
licKh iii himfelfcpr from onesplca^ifre : fo.ihit is min>ftfriall power
which
(750:;
which doth nothing but tying, thewrll anJi power of jj-m that Is
principal! : a power which H^nth^^tli or exccuceth this or ih .t txpi9'
MMlieruuobfiqiiit,
CenciH,!, i hisminineriaU power is no fupcrnaturall v«r{u« or
quality inherent in the foulc : bucarcIativerefpeiS founded on this,
tbarl am called by God to thisorthat aaualladinuiiflration in his
^ijrch.Foritisnocapowcr lirap»y,whcreby a man is raidcatlcto
cloc fome fupernatural aft, which he could not before in any manner
pctfornne;but it isrifpc^ively (aid a power,in as mu^h as ic doth in-
able faim to doe thofc ads in the Chjaich of CoA lawfully, and ex
9pci0ywiih which before he mighc not mtcrmcddle. The power of a
Deacon, Paftor,Evangelj 11, Apoftle, belong to opk: predicament in
regard of that which is ^he genus or common nature of them : the
power of the Church cannot be other. Naturalland civill -power
doth with tertue and effica y reach thofc cfftdh and ends to whuh
they arc dcfigned : becaufc thty are proportioned to thcra, and ex-
ceed not their adJvity; but Ecdefiafticall power cannot thus concur
tpthc end and tffiffts for which it is ordained : becaufe thty are
fuch aijhc omnipoicmy of Gpd onely can.produce,asthe convey tsni^
or creating grace in the heart of ^ finner, to which no fup( rnacucorU
vertue m man can by any reali, though wltrumentary efficacy, con-
duce ariy thing.
Ctatiuf* J. God hath not give* minifteriall power to any, which
(vimlclfe is no^ j)erronally to difcharge, nor in fut:ther plenitude
r^en that!)/ himieifc it may be pciformcd. The rcafon is, beceufc
Cod canhot givc^nc the charge of doing more then x mans proper
indufhy can atcfi^eve, buthemuft withall put ipa a mans power
to take others, a^d toimpart with them power of teaching and go-
verning, fo fajrrc as may Cupply chat defed which is in his flrtn^th
toperformeit alone. Hethitwill have the end, will have that
withou^ which the end cannot be attained* If God would ha/ve
any oncanuaiV'rfallpaftor to all the Churches pf>thc woild» he
ipullrvJjeds allow h m power to fubftitute Paflors here and there,
deriving unto them power both to teach and govcrne, fo far »s may
fdpply his abfcnce in the Pallorall cure. If I will have one kecpc my.
flocket which goe in twenty (Jiccpe- gates, if I commit them to o u,
Itnuftnecds togf'thcrgivehimUavc to aUu^ne unto himfclffuclv
as may be under,, Hie pbeardi to him. Thus if Gotl give a Biflnp
the plenitude of PiHorali care aiid government over all the Pin-
fliionall Churches through a Dioceffe,*he muft needs togcihtr al-
low him this powtr^ cf being aheadofiiiicrhalli" fliicncc, even a
head Virtually communicating w.ih other* pjrtof pjltorall powtr,
whether teachfng or government. Thuvihouldnotic bui Biihops
be tx officio fcrY4nts in paftoiall cure «c Qod . all others ihould be .
luiaic-
temoce fcnfe the fcrvaius of God : as in the former tdtrip^tffJm^br'
on€ feiivujc'f eeeifing fconi'h is iiwfter the car-e of al4 the fl'.n:kts>ttt is
n¥5a,a)»<i<»r(2 ^rvantS'^oliamMf rt'fafiifaiiJ, that G-od •8dtt^^ri6t"rtjU»
m .k« \hi &«i3i >p Paftor,'h^t lii.it he wil hkewift'tfiat thcrt bfpirifh^
Piite:f u,-\cibrh:n3^Ancl helpiftf gdv€rntrtemi Tothtttitiftvei:, if'
Gojd vyjil h,ive dht«>,th«nioiiherafieirhis owne ckfi^iie^etVc,bt'elfej
ieavji.o iPEo ih€-brfho|x:3ii)itTbmem ; if he l^a?c4»tO'W.6i^o6$j;
arbsirti^eijti, tiieo tiirobjeftion befete iS m forde^ 'tj'od v?iff lofejfc"
f^r jhejC(lJi<vftohj hi'm onely'jh<s iliil take^Scccfr<lln^ tb-his')ua|!^^'jiV,^i
ruch.fi^'niay heipe him^if God WiH hnve\therfi dfter^ir^ owne Si^fi^rt^'
ra«rit;ythfn.hefi^ivethxhc bi fhop no -mote Paftorallpotvtr, then hec^ft
difvUaig? bimfelfCjGihcrshavitvg their right in all tlrc brfhop cannot^
eisf:xiwei!3s wcifcas the'bi{hof,>anid as tH^|TrticJi^ly-fr<rinOirift.SoqifcV
vycitfjvas if the J^poftleshad t^% f^enit«dfc df all' Paftoh^l'ptjwit^
tiati£r<&a* tii€m)rt ought be dwived'tcPthif Chorch',' it fecifig' feeiife
thro^sgl? n Jtiiiie, that mferiout tbiii^s receive tftflucttce f ^ojn i^t'ti^'
periour. Butihcy mifconccive the matter j they. hadjwitfy, a ^oiljrer'
toftfve ihc'Giiurch wjithth^iperfhrt'anXetvkfcpf theit A^oftltHitp,.
Tfafi Pailorall power of £ ^^g^l tft i?, 'driof tw^rt^V Paflpiit^^ ^ztid
teaci^6',iheyrievcictvaa. .V0r-^Cm^pt¥t\ilrs\a^6t^: foifife:
cwQ oi^ier^-aifovforihe^athMfiHtt' k i^^&iittW, Jii\^ ^Mnf'it\^W
ihthoeYcoiQhc\ikti2n<Jli^Hfk'i<!pn}Wi^^ to
do th's orthnlcinthe Chui<(;hfytkhtr'Aen^hfHiftlffe'~'migIic'jjtrfdrme
in p^rfon, Thcii^eward *n*a hotife h.nh full poWetof a ftfeu ftrdjbut
imi the poivei:! of aII oibit offie^p3;'ils'Ghtk^f the jcitchrii^ BUtlir,
Ch.ambti'bfnd,5i<j. ^ofa'thefe'diV^tVs ord^jry'QffShVants irt'Gods
tertjle/iiBChdrchi ''I^iivt A^oAfes'ifidh^rftKt fhineflVt)frif^^^^^
cttfcythey flit!)ul(ilth<h.i\av4 cirifajnfed'otV^tt fivan|cril^S,and¥aIlbrji
not ojjely by'tninifteriail mediation bf ihcif pttfonjcalHna them,
biicalfoby medratiotjof veitue.- '" • - ......
, Cflw:////-4. Oneniinifteriail power maybe in degree of dignity,
above another. Forthc p©wer of one'itiay be airout motttioblt i6ti
ihcathe power of aAoth^r, or in'^c fiime'kiVidei'thc pbWer of one
may fie more extcndcdj and the power of another jftorc cootraded.
Thus the Deacons had for the objedt^f their poivtr asrd (Tare, not,
f9 excellent a things* that of PaftorSyEvangcUfts, and Ajsoftlcs.
T^hns the powet of Ordinary Paftors was not Co univernall as the A-
pcftles, cv?na« m the orders of ferVahtj dbmefticall, foci'e arc im-t
plied aboiit lefia-j'fome aibwJt greater and mote*hot)0rablr ftibjedf .
' i Cm/.
(77)
Coml ^, Noorderof Miniftecs orferviriMcinhivcir.ajority o(
dircdivc audcoat^vc povycr o^ar iHofc who arem inEtnor cn^cr
of MinitJtry JndferviU, Tlu re^fon Is^ bccaufc ihi^ exc^edctb the
bounds oifminiittriaDipbwcr^n J is a parridp^tiotloijKit dtfpod-
call power which is appropriate to thd maftcr of the fajri'y.
Cwtt 6 . Servints in one <kgr€e may nave power to (ign-fic their
mafters diredioa , and to eXfcme mimftcrially what their maftct
-oat«nHS,cofredtvCrf)pwr€ir loBid^ih-^n iKc*«.fcU«^ Tefrviofs mo-
ther cwgrccs; Thus Pafttjh figfti^c Gbds will to goverril«g4^resby-
ters and Deacons, ^vhathc would h^ve them to doc in tkerr places.
Thus ihe Apotllcs might informe all orders und<;r them.
C««i/. 7. This power n^inifteriall tending to execute theplcafure
of Ctiiftscorrcdive powcr,was cpmxrittcdto Come in extraordina-
ry degrees, pcrfottally ^nd (jugular Iy,tnd mtghtbe fj iw fome cafes
exercifed ty them.' I mcanc fingularily wirkpiu concrurrence of a«y
others. This without doobt-wai in the Apoftles and Evangelifts :
andit wasnecdfull itflioiildbc fo : fitft, bccaufc it might bcbe-
hovefull there to excommunicate whereas yet Churches wercnoc
T/fen to their pcrfeft frame : fecondly, becaufe there might be iotaz
perfoni not fctlcd as fixed dwellers in any Church, whom yet to be
oafi forth wal very behoVefull; Againe, foroc Evangclifts might in-
currc ccnfure,as Vemas^m fuc{> lore as 00 ordinary Churches powcc
could reach to them.
C9mi.9. Tkat ordinarily thispower is not given to any one fingu-
lafly by himfclfc toexercife the fame,but witU the company of others
coniftitutiag areprtfentati^ Church:wbich4s tVie point next to bcc
(Htwed. Yea where Churchci were coD{lituted,tl)e Apo{llcs did noc
offer te elcrcitc their pewfcr , without the minftfriall concurrence
of dbc Chutchcs^as in the fiory of ikc Corimhians u tnanifelt
M THE
mm
THE
THIRD QVESTION
Whether Ghrift did immediady commie or-
dinary power Ecclcfiafticall, and the cxcrcifc of
it, to any Angular perfpn , or to united
multitude of Presbyters*
T Hough thisqueftipo isfo coincideatwith the f ormer,that
the grounds hatji in a foit been ciif^uiTed.yet.fpr fome new
,conSderatioBS wbieh may be fupcr-jadciedy jye w.iU briefly
iiandle it in ihc-JVleihpd pccmifed* . , . . .u .r.-: r j
Fir ft, it 1$ argued for the affirjijaiijVCci , • ,7 f,; -r,
. jtr^m. I. Thai which is cpajmitted %6 ihe Qw^h ACOB(»nittcd
ito the principal )memj?<jr .0^ ihe, CK^f<h/B«texgcci/p of^iCd\6tiqn
was comnameditoth^ChilKch^at, i$,A7..^rg9*&ith«r to th« whole
Church , or to a Church • ia;t]l?;Ch^5Ch « pt to ■Tqme one f^tn.it^c
membcj- in the Chwchw 9 «fe Atiwas pot €Ofi>mwd to be frxerfiifed
by the whole Church , QX^p ;^fty, Charch in the Chjurch. ; E^o, to
one who is in efFcd as the churchjhaying all the authority of it. S€-
condly,if one perfon may be reprefentatively a Church,whcn jurifdi-
6ion is promifedsthen one perfon may be reprefentatively a Church
whenjurifdiftion andpower of eitercJingis committed. Butonc
lingular perfon, pttn fignified the Church, when the pr©mifc of ju-
rifdiftion is madc.Ergo. Cjpmnto fubam faiih,thatihe bifiiop is in
theChurchJ, and the Church foin thebi{hop,»that thcycannotbe
-feyesed. Finally, as the kingdpmc of England may be put for the
kiing in whom is all the power of the Kingdomc : So the Church
for the chiefc governour in whom is the power of it.
The ficottd Argument,
That which the Churches had not given tfiem when they were
conftituted, that was not promifed to them as their immediat right;
But they had not coercive: power given them when they were con-
Siiuted, Ergo, Chrift did npt commit it to the Churches er Pres-
byters
(79)
hjtert. For theft tlic Apoftlct would not hate withhtU it front
ihcfc.But they did. For ihc Apoftlci kcpc it with ihemfelves. Af
intheinccftuousCorimbianis^manifcft, whom r<?«< by his judge-
ment wai fainc to cxcowmunicatc. And th* Thcffjloniini arc bid
c« note the inordinate, and figti fie them,a8 not haying power with-
in tkemfclvcs to cenfurc them. And (• pmti alone etcomniunica*
ted Hjmewtiu and AlexMnder.
Thtthwi Argument,
That which F<i»/ committed to fomc prime men fnChurchejjtnd
tWcir fucccfTours, that was not co nmittcd to Prc$bytcne$,but fmgu-
larpcrfons. But inpowerof ordination and jurifdidion, he did fo.
Tor to Timnhj in Ephcfui, and to Tim in €rete,he cammcnded the
power and «ercife of it.Erjo.
Thefiurtb Arfftmtnt, ^
That order which was moft fit for cxcrcifing power of jurifdi AI-
•n, that Chrift did ordainc. But the order of one chiefe go?emo«ic
is fitter for execution, then the order of a united multitude. Ergo.
The fifth Arymtnt.
f 'If all authority and power of excrcife be in the Church origiail-
ly,thcnthc Paftors derive their power from the Ch rch. But this
is not true. Ergo,it was not committed to the Church. That au-
thority which the Church never had, (hee cannot convey. But the
?aftorall authority of word and Sacraments never was in the
Church cffentially taken. Ergo.it cannot be derived from her, A-
giine PaOours (hould difchargc their ofiice in the naaac of the
Church, did ihcy receive their power from the Church.
Tbt fixth ArgfimtfJt,
If the power of jurifdidion and execution be comm ttcd from
Chrift to the Church, then hath the Church fupreamc power. Then
may a particular Church dcpofc her bifhop , the (hcepe cenfurc the
flitpheard,childrcn their fathers, wh ch is abfurd.
On the other fide it is argued,
Arlum,i. That which Chnft doth prefuppofc as being in many,
and tobeextrcifcd bymmy , that ncy:r wis committed by Chnft
tO'one, and the execution of a y xie. But Mac. 1 8, ChrilidutK
manifeftly fuop fe the power of lurifJidion to be in mjnv ai«j that
tXtTciur)vi, lo as by them being many^ it is to be exercilcd. Hi go.
Now this IS pliinc in the place Where firft mirk , hat ChnO doth
prefuppofc thcauthoriiy ofcviiy pat'icuhr Church i k n in »^if-
tinftly. Font isfuth a Church as any brother tft*ndcdm-y prc-
fentlycomplainc to. Ih rcforc no uiiivcrfill , orpruvinciall , or
Diocelan Church guh' red n a Counceli. Sccoiid'y , it it n t my
pirticular Ch irch thjthc doJi fend all Chnfti ris to , for h » a[\
ChrifliMismibc world (hould wO-^e toonepiiuculmChurch^wcre
Ml if
(8o)
it pofliblc. He doth tkcrefocc prcfuppofe irrdiftinftly tbe Very par-i
ticular Church where the brother ofFcnding and oScndcd arc memr;
bcrs. And if ihey be not berth of one <horch,ihe phintife muft makct
his denutitfcicion to ihc Church where the defendant is, qmftruiat
fiqultur reum. Thirdly, as Chrift doth fpcake it of any ordinary par-
ticular Church indiftmdly, fo he doih by the name of Church noc
undcrftarid effentially all ihe congregation. For then Chrtft ihauU
oive not fome , but all the members of the Church to be governors
of It, Fourthly, Cbtift fpe.akcih it of fu(h:a Ghutfh^o whonj wee
msy ordinanlyand orderly complaine ; now t^isVye cannot to fhfi':
whole multitude. Fiftjy, thisChurchhefpeakefhof, hedothpre-
fappnfe it as the ordinary executioner of all difcipline.and cenfure.
But the multituJe hav^ not this execution ordinary, as all but M9'
reiiutj^nd fach Democritall fpirits doc aifirmc. And the reafon ra-
tifying the fentencc of the Church j doth fhe w that , pfc-en the, npm*
ber of itiJ but Gnalh/^r whin trtki or tin it are gathered togethtr inmj^ {
7ime, Whereas the Church or cpngregations eflenti ally taken for :
teachers and people, are incomparably great. Neither doth Chnft
meane by Church ^bechiefe Pallor, who is virtually ; as the whole
Church. For fitll, the word Church do:h e?cr fignific acompmy,
a lid never is foundt^ noteout^oiie-psrfpn, 3econdly , the Biihop
maybe the p;rCoaofi:'^'ndingor o&iidej, and the>Church to which
he'rn'uft bring th: ma cter,m'4il beoiha* then.himfelfe. Thirdly^the
gradation doth (htw it. F irft,by thy kiiz^Thin flitw a w'tnes 9r twi.
Then to thi CbH%h^ asthefmne inrrcafcth , tlie number oftV5oreby
whom it is to be rebuked and ccnCured, increafeih alfo* If one fay,
though the Cnurrh figtiifie o:\egoveinour, yet the gradation hoi-
deth 4 for 10 ..tell. .It .to the gi^vernDur ia open. Court., is more
then to telVji: .tQ.i;svintyi Wee grant that this is true , and were th^
W3rd Church tafenh^re to note fome eminent governour, it mighc
be brought in as a funlier degree, though one onely were enforced,
B^Ji how can Pittr Be compjamajntjif Per/r the Pr^fulnncly be the
ju^getLo whom lh^th5ngtn,vft^^|^eno'unce^c^.^f^u^thly,■lKe chare
in'the Corifvthiahs whi^h'^/^i^(;fI^rrc^Vu)5^to. c^n{i^re-ihc inccfluourr-
pv'rfoti, , was ipot^ny onejb^ut'rpary. T-hUr r^oulsf ^^p:^n w^ich it js :
like he repented, w^sja're^bakeofn^my, z Cqrl t.^, Jiftly, if the
churcti.h'id been one^^He vvovild noi have (i:ih'iofi\cdiforwhityeJhiU
hifidonisiflbjbilihe bMiiitnhsn>cnSiTit[yi\l the church did notnotCx:
an afiemblyihovv coul^t aflTurethein Irom hence. f^if Gidr»Qu'.dt^i
'3»hitthty i^mi ov^^''bec^cp:^^ uypl^bjbf^fl a^emlOes^ gHbff€diii[~;
hiinim. U ilcff: the Church, me a nt^ wVk ai> afleni&ly;, th;s argu- ■}_
ment eo-il^hot be (o cdrrcfpondent. jWherc two or twoor three are ;
^fl):mShd in <3ois narne', p>p>i is Tn t!>e midftofthem to4oe thac
d)cy agree on. B JC whsre 'the Church i> bin^io^'or I6efi;\g , th^rc
(8i)
Ibiifome affcmblcd inthe »ame of Chrift. Ergo. Lafi[y,iiK (hwjV
in the old Tcftamcnt never noiethihe high Prieft virtually, ^utaa
alTembly of Priefls fi.ting togciher, as Judges in the caufcs ofGo J,
Wkcrcfore as ChriiJ doih iniiilhndly preluppofe evciy put/c ul at'
Church: So he doih here onely prefuppofe the joint auih :)rity, aoci '.
'joint execution of a rep. clentativc Church , a Prcibyttry of Bidets
who were Paftors and Govcrnours. ..V ' ' ,
Argum, ^. Wee argue from the practice of the Giurchcsj Thic
power which ii not in ope, nojtobee exercifcd byohe, ^b.u.Ki
many, andto/becxerafcd by mainy in ti^ Church of the Corif^tki-,
ans, that power with the cxercite of it,^ was commi'tted by Chrift'tp .
many, liot to one. But ih: power of EccUfiafticall cenfure was iq.
many, and to be performed by many aflembled. Ergo. The propo-*
(itionisplaine. ¥or Paul would nothavi; called for, nor hjvtflik.d ^
any conltitution or exercife cf power Ecclefufticall , other ih.n,.
Clirifl had ordained. The ^flijrfion is denyed by feme : but it if a r,
plaine truth by many invincible arguments. For firft,><irt/dotH rt-. '
Duke them that they had not fct themfelvcs to c:\(i them forth. Now
(as ^mbrofe faith on the place. Si aa'em quit pjtcfitttm not /? ,6r/, "
qiamfcitreum abjicen , auiff^bn'tnenvAU^ immutti^tp, Seconvliy,.
Piul doth viifhthem artemblcd rogethcr, wuhhimfclfe in the name -
aid vertuc of Chrift, ihii they inighc deliver him up to Sathan. For
hcedoih not call on them to reliraine him as already cxcommn.
jncated, but lo purge him out as aninfcduous leaven yet amongd
them. Thirdly, Pakldozh tellth:mih\t they had piwer to ju«^^e
thofe within, ihofe who were called brethren, and lived orhuwifc.
Fourthly, Pgul doth tell them that thcy^Jid a rtbuke or m>ldt;f f
many, writing to them ihit th*y v/ould not proceed, a Cor, a 6.L\{\»
iy, PahI doih attnbrte power to them to forgive him, and to rcec ve...
him to the peace of thechurch.Which would not hjVw* been i'Mlum,'
had they not had the p<,wer to excommunicate. Such as hivcj.o
power to binde, h:iYeno power to loofc. Son migh' be picv.d by ,
iht Church of the TbtfTilpnianSjzTbrJ". i.\/^.]f atjmanwi'nind^' y
diodtly^ittublmytbaiotbtnmtj nf'aiue Hm Noiing.beirgnot a (Tgni. ,
ficatjon by IcttctjwhichdothwrcU the word againil all cop:tj, and
the current of all Creek intciprcters:bur judicially to note h:n3^'hic .'
all may avoid himjtlnt is,excommunicate him.F*n3lly,»ljc churJves ).'
cf Afiajasit is plaine, had power»f government wi'.hin thcmrelvej,'
^Argum. 5. That power whicW the ApoiUes did not exercife' '
in the churches, rior Eyangelifls, but with concurrence of ihc
churches and Presbyierics , ihit power is much Idle to be tx
crcifcd by any ordinary P.iftour, but by many. Kut ihcy did net
ordamc, nor by on hands alone, they did not determine ^ucftions
^y ike power of the key:$ alone, but with concurrence of tht Pi-eT^
bytcrs of the church, firgo, much Icil'c may ?ny ordinary
' ^ ^" M 5 , ■ Mir-iIUi. .
MinHlefdoeitilonc. Timtbf rccflvcd 'grace by tkc %e#}flf«o-<4
©fthe Pttsbytery. For that pcrfons mull be under ft ood here if
apparant by the like place 5 when it is faid, by the laying on of my
hands, (4»notcth apcrfon, andfo here a Presbytery. Secondly,
t^ take 7rj8^iSw76e/or to fignifie the order of Priefthobd, is agaiift
til Lexicons, and the nature of the Greeke terminatioit. Thirdly,
Timotb} nt^ti received that order of a Presbyter, at before.we hate
proved. Fourthly, it cannot fignifie as Greeke Expofiters take it, i
company of bifhops. For neither was that Canon of j^ bifiiops ani
the Metropolitan , or all the biihops in a Province, in the A^ofllc^
lime, neither were thefe who are now called biihops , then called
P^e$byters,as they ray,but Apoftles, men that had received Apofto-
lick grace, Angels,&c.Finally,it is very abfurd to thiak of companies
of other Presbyters in Churches then Paul planted -, buthe placed
Presbyteries offuch Presbyters as are now diftinguiihcd frdm-bi-
(hops, which is the. grant of our adverfaries. Not to mentfoti how
Artnacbtnu* doth cenfure the other as afi interpretation from ontt
privat fence,befidcs teftimonie of Scripture.
Thus the Apoftle$ did not ©ffer alone to determine the queftion
Aft. ij. buthad thejoyrtt fuftrages of the Presbytery wuhthem,
Kot becaufe they could notalorte have infallibly anfwcred, but bc-
caufe it was a thing to be determined by manyjall who had received
power of the keycs,doing itejf oj^w,and others from difcretion and
duty of confeffion the truth. Yea the bifliopi called Priml T^resbyte-
ri, hadnoordmation atthe firft which the Prcby.:ery did not gnrc
them. Whence have bifliops of other Churches power to minifter
the facrament to the b. (hop of this Church ^ But Tiwo/fcy and ri-
tus are faid to have ordained Minifters. As Confuls and D dators
are faid 10 have ere ated Confuls, becaufe they called Senates, pro-
pounded and together with others did it. No otherwife doe Jtfuits
themfelvc« underftand it. Salmeron on the firR o(TUMj &e» And
it is manifcft by Ecdefiafticall writings of all forts,th it Presbyters
hid right offujrage, notonely in their owne Presbyteries, but in
Piovinciali Synoci?,and therefore in O^cumenicall Synods, whicfc
doih arife from a combination of the other, to which their mindcs
went in the inftrufti n of bifliops received from their Chirches,
And A binafwi yet a Deacon, is read to have btenc at ih. Counfcll
of Nkc, aed to hive had right of fufFrage in it, FinalJy,ihe Presby-
teries tiid a long time execute jointly ill adions of Church govcrn-
mt nr, as is b fo-^e declared. Other arguments wt fli ill touch I'n an-
fw'T ' f theie wh fh hive beenc objected. Now to come lo'the con-
clu'io ^,let this be firft,
Cm^miy f . ExcraQidinary power was committed co feme Hngu-
lar
lir pctfonJ > f* that in fomc cafe they might llngularly excrcifc ft
wiinout concurrence of other. This 1 fpeake in rtgard of Apoftks
and Evangelifts, whofc power in many things could not have con-
currance of patcicular Churches , which in the former 4ueUioiiis
fufficiently declared,
Conciuf. 1. That ordinary power, and the eiecution iherof was
net committed to any Angular governors, whereof there was to be
one onely in each Church. This is againft the Jefuits, who make
account (the moft of them) that as all civill power ofgoycrnmcnc
is given toKlngstobee executed by them within their common-
wealch, (o Ecclcfiafticall power (fay they) is given to the Pope and
to biftiops in their particular Churches to be executed by them,and
derived from thcni to the whole Church*
Cotuluf.i. Ordinary power with the execution thereof , was not
jiven to the community of the church , or to the whole multitude
of the faithfulljfo that they were the immediate and firft receptacle,
receiving it from Chrift, and Virtually deriving it to other'. ThisI
fetdowne agunft thel>ivine$ of Conlhnce;our prime Divines, as
Luthennd HtlMnCihon yind the Sorbonif^s, v\ ho doe mamtaine tt at
this day. Ye3,thisfeemeth to have beetteTrr/tt//i«;jJcrroiir j form
his booke : depudkiiU, he maketh Chrirt to have left all Chriftians
with likepower, but th^ church for her honor, did difpofe it as we
fee.The propofitionof a poilitick body,andnaturall deceived them,
while ihiy will apply all that is in thcfe to Chriiis myfticall body,
not remembring that gwUogon is not i» ^mnifimlle^ for then fhould
it bee the fame with the tn^ogttum. True it is , all civill power
ii inihe body politicke , the colledions of fubjeds, then in a King
Iromthcm: And all the power of hearing, feeing, iheyareinthc
whole man, which doth produce them effedually, though formal-
ly and inArumentally ihty arc in the earc and eye. But the reafon
ef this is, becaufc thcfe powers are naturall, and what ever is natu-
-.rall, doih iirft agree to the community or fo/M0, and afterward to a
.particular perfon and part, but all that is in this body, canpnot hold
in Chrifts myfticall body. In a politick body power is fufi in &
community, to the King from them, but all Ecclcfiafticail po*'
firft in our King before any in the church from him, ^»*
ibould he firfl commit this power, but to his Quec
fideringibis power is not any Lordly power, bu*
fcrvicc to the church for Chiift his fake. Thcrcf
be committed to fome perfons , and not to th
which are the Qucene of Chtift. For it is not 6'
nit power to his Quecne to fervc herfelfe
f|erfons wko in regard of bis relation ^
sram hfic; Sccqndly, in naiMitll bot*
imm?JUtety in the man , from the mm in thecye and farticulat
hiembct'j': Imtie mylticall body , the faith of a beleever isnot firft
jfnme'ctrn^if in alF; then inihe beleever, biicfirft ofiali and inime-di-
'btfy^iri^e pCfro^Ml%'eltt>fer •,■ 'for whofc gt^od iirfet^feth^o^e pro-
perly then fcr ih;: whole, eveiy man being to litcByhis dwnc faith.
The power of Priefthood was not&rCt in the Churchof Ifrael , - fo
dcrnredto tht Pneft r but immediatly from ChriS feated in Aaron
andhisTonRCs. -O^jf^?. Yea they were given the chtifc h ;'»/«?/'« «-
jufdemk-dTfqumfif'is & toim. A"Jw. I but this'is r<oc ehoiigti, th<rt
p5wer maybe faid to be immediarly received by the^chunh'as the
firft receptacle of ir, and from it derived to others, as the power of
fet i- g is not onely given i8f«if« kominU as the end of it, and the tO'
turn to whonv it agrceth , but is in bom'ns as the firft (ubjcd from
\vh'jm itcommethto the^e. But thepower even of ordinary Mi-
-nrtTcry I'inot in theihurcb. For as all are faid not tohavfe beenc
'ApftGles,fo not to h ive beenc D odors. But if the power of ordina-
ly rcachi g had been given to every beleever, all fnould have beenc
made Dodors , though not to continue fo in exercifing the power.
Secondly , were the power in the charch , the church fhould not
ottely eall them , but make them out of vertiic and power received
imo her ftlfe : then {h'>uld the church have a true Lordlilce power
in regard of her Mmifteis. Bcfides, there are many in the oommtt-
nity of Chnftians uncapable of this power regularly, as women and
ch'.ldren.Th'sconclufion in my jtidgemen t^/^ii,.S^/a& others de-
ny with greater ftrcngch of reafon tlicn the contrary is maintained.
'■CQttduj: 4. Fourthly, ordinary power of minifteriail government
is committed with the executionof it , tothe Senator Presbycery
^fihe church. If any fjile in any office, the church hathnot powec
Gf.'upplyirgthu, but a miniftery of calling one Whom Chrift hath
^defcribed, that from Chrift he may have power ofoffice given him
in the pl,ice vacanr.
I ' C§mli/f, ^. Laftly, thoHgh the community have not power given
JJ^7, yet fuch ellate by Ch rift her husband is put on her, that all po-
**: Hi Vo bee executed infuch manner, as ftandeth with re^eft
'**^' '/.Hence it is,that the gorernours are in many chmgf
'^"> » "•? to take the confent of the people with the m.Not
3 ;. power of the kcycs with them, but becaufe they
•■ f rhe fpoufe of Chrift, and therefore caonot bee
'u wwhout open difhonour in fuch things, which
»r{|^o>,e whole congregation, . ,"
'3 5ci vTients firft propounded,/
3*t: >. vllogifme if dcnycd. Tbitmbit wgi
"^ r;ai:/ . rj i^dfct^prinapMBmtmiir, Ani
t^o i ■ r^ Uogifow, pcftingtfiispafi
dcnycfil.
itnytH. for the fmfr htitxmthn wm cmmittedto a Chgrcb in i
Cburcb. Which is fo farrc from abfur4ity,that he is abfurd who ioth
nocfecitinCifillandSacrad. Doc wc not fee inParliamcnca rc-
prcfcntatifc Common-wealth within our Common- wcaltb, hiving
the greateft authority ? Not to mention that a Church within a
Church fliauld not be ftrangc to them who itcigine many Parifluo-
nail churches within one Diocefan charch. To'the proofcs, which
prevent as it were an objeaion,{hewing that the church,Mjr.l8,i/.
may be put for one chicfc Governour.
The propoficioa is dcnycd. Ifthtt Tettr oni Gtvernew, may be in
typt gijd figure the Church ta wbM the jmfdiSlm u pnmifed^ then tb:
CburcbrecetvmgaudixetiiciMgitmayb£one» A moil falfe Propofiti-
on whofc contrary is true. The reafon is, bccaufe the church typi-
fied by P«rir is properly and really a church, not figuratively and
improperly : for then ptter ftiould have becne a figure or type, of a
type or figurative church.The figure therefore and type bejng of the
church which is properly taken, and the church properly and really
taken, being a company affembled, hence it is that {^attb,i 8.1 7.}
the church cannot fignifie one J for one is but figuratively and im-
properly a ch.irch. There is no^ the fame reafon of the figure and
the thing that is figured. Nay hence an Argument may be retor-
ted, proving that by that church whereof peter was a figure, is not
meant one chiefe Governour, Peter as one man or Governour was
properly and really a virttiall church and chiefe Governour. But
Teter as one man and Governour was in figure onely the church,
Mmb.iS. Ergo, that church ^ttth.iS, is not a virtuall church,
noting forth one chiefe Governour oncly. As for CjprUnt fpeech,
it doth nothing butfhew the conjindionof Paflour and people by
mutualllovc,which is fo flreight that the one cannot be fchifmati-
cally left out, but the other is forfaken alfo. Othcrwife I ihinkc ic
cannot be (hewed to the time oi immerU the third, that rheBifliop
was counted the church ; or this dreane of a vircuall church once
Imagined. The Clctkes of the church of PUcentk did in their oath of
canonicall obedience fweare thus : Tbgt tbty rvould obey the Cbureh of
fldfeutUy and ibe Lord their Bijhop, Where the Chapiter doth carry
the name of the church from the Bifhop. Yea, even in thofe times
prepofed, or fct before him, when the Pope was lifted up above ge-
nerall couocels, then icis hke was the firfl nativity of thefe virtuall
churches. As for a Kingdome I doubt not, but it may be put for a
King figurauvely : but the church typified by Ttter^ mufl needs be a
church properly. And it will never be proved that any one Gover-
nour was let up in a church proportionable to a King in a Com-
mon- wealch,in whom i| all civillpowct nhetcbythc whole King*
dome i< adnCiniilrcii*
N Tf
(8tf)"
Tothefecond Argdmentfrom the Apoftlei h&m the Church
tion 17 '"'^'''j"""y ^^Y'"'i '■"teneedhiseTcom.^unTa-
O.U „V '/"""*';."' "■ ""e'l,. living nothing to the Church but
out of the.r obed.encc to dedmc htmr*. in the z. Epift." he huh
r«r tbu it„r, i have miuen tcyw, tbit I mti .«.« «Ip,4» !.
place kft for the Churches judgement dfo Thd-r«e uL?J ^"
« not free , i,'. n,.^h"a, tetn^n'o I 'vtlbbu^dt^hlf '."''if
Jyeth on her 5 when new it is efpecially fhewcd her anH I, "''"*
p^ftee.s p,ovoked. Yea . where L Sd fee/ufl cf ufe n?"-
communicat.ng {he is not ^though none call on heVi fr/. °^ "'
communicate. Neverthe cffe fh^ioTl X , "°''° «-
lawfuliynotexcomSe yJtSfi r'u"'''?''*'"''
=hfoIute!y and fimply, S n" feould no? 5^'*""^ °f ft«dome
hre ihould remaine not excomm^^^^M T ""'"""'"'"te him ,
chiefejud^ement/y^r^rrnr felt^rb^^^^^^^^^^^
vour of a particu ar Church Ac r=.v c. / r ' I " "nifter fa-
and the pe%I« favour h"di,ef„Vu^:^'iLXThd'te""' ^5
cuDdemn^Jtion . butexpnni^n k,j u ' 'onaiuan hid beenc under
i^e-dfirong =flefi,o"n :S"h ^ "^ f XTwhlt ''T^'"
thtyd,dncrjud,c.ailyexcommunicate 2r Zrh°°^>''<''''«'
notexercfe powerofgorernment bymannt ^f ob-df """.'^
exhortation of a fuper^or TouchinoTh, „l, ."''l'''^"" 'o the
««...hoTe,hatread,'^«iJ?3i''''i'''''" '^' Tjefaloni.
fent of all Greeke InurpretTrs Anfrt' g°'/«,«nfl the con-
i'f judtciary noting oT^'f^'ch «caufdTr',«°£^'^'^' '''='' ''
othu. , and tended°to bre'edftame "him As 2't T^"^ ^^
mun.cat,ngH^^^„„d^4,„,^^^J^; Asfor;.,«h^
*c .holeprocccding Beno.n^e^aru^^^SSt"^^^^^^^
tbtm
r87)
Ibem. So he faith, grace was given Timtby by impofition of hi«
handi, iTim.i.6, when yet me Presbytery joyned, i rim.4.14
Tkirdly, it may be they were no fixed members in any conftituied
Church.
The third argument of Timotbf and Tiim hath bccne fufficicntly
difcuffcd.
To the fourth, That ene is fiiur far executb:* tb'>i mtny. To which
we may ad<ie,that ihcu^h ihc Bifliops be . uc as Crfofuls m a Senar,
or Vice-chuKellors in a Univtriity , having v«hcnihtyfic wth
others, no more power then ihe rel>. Yec :h fe have execution of
mjny ihingiconr.muted lothcm. The afleition. v.z.Thi: mi^:) ari
iefe fit for txtcutUn, we deny. Tnar order is frtcrt which God la-
ftituced. But he doth commit the kiycs to the Church, toraai.y,
that they ro>j;hc exercife the authority of them ; when that mean is
tnoitfir, whch God will moft blcfl'c, and his blc (Ting doth follow
hisowiie order , this is the Htteft. Secondly, in the ApolUes times,
and in the times after, almoit fourc hundred yceres expired, Presby-
ters d:d continue with B finps in govern ng and executing what
ever was decreed. Thirdly, this deprivation from the firft order,
ont to execute for a Dioztfan, one tor a Piovinciallj th' decrees of
aDiocefinand PfOvmciall,drc'.v on are:- fli:yuf one to execute the
decrees of the Oecumenicail Church or Pope. Foutihly, Let them
(hew where God divided the power of making lawes for govern-
ment of any Church from the power to execute them. Re:^ul.irfy
they who have the greater committed, hive the kfier alfo. Fif:ly,
we fee even in civjTI governments many pacts by joync Counccll
and adion are as happily governed as others are by a fingubr go-
YCrnour. Trucly/h it th^ Aftrican Fathers write to Cdefilne is ciue :
It is unlikelf tbu Gadrvill it prefenc with ouf , 'in£>.ritg him with bit (pi-
ritiind not l epreftnt With maw) who are In ha yume^and wuh hu wmt-
unt ^tmhUd. As for thofe companfons they hold not in all : ihey
hcUin ih^t wh'ch the Confuildoth in calling the aflembly, pro-
pounding t'.iingt,&c, Y^t the Confuls never louk the power to cen-
fure their fellowes without the concurrence of their fellow Sena-
tor!, nor to withdraw themfelvcs from being fubjcAtothccen!^urc
of the reft of ihc Senate.
To the fift argument, to the propofition by diftinftion .* if they
have all power both of mmtftcnill applicmon, and mlhtutmc/
others out of vertue and amhonty, then Paftours derive. But this
is drnyrd. She hath no power but of Miniflcry, anii no plenitude
but fofarrc as they in their ownc pcrC»ni can difcharge. Itprcfup-
pofcth therefore we affirmc in lur t]Ucftion what we doe iK)i. Bu<
to let the propo.'iiioo pjflc, bccaufe ofome derivation, it is true.
If (he hare but all power of MiBifteriall application, then Biihops
N % derive
(88)
derive from htt. But they doc nor. We fsy i>j«y<Joe. And where-
as it is objededjthat which the Church ncttcr had fee cannot con-
vey it. I anfwcr,that which the Church ncyer had, fhe cannot vir-
tually convey it . butihc mayasminiftcringto him who hath the
power and venue of deriving it. Nothing can give that which it
hath not, either formally or virtually, unlcffe it give it as an inftru*
xncnt to one who haih it. A man not having a p^nny of his owBe,
may give an hundred pounds if the King make him his Almoner. A
Stewud may giv« all offices in his mailers houfe, as minifterially
executing his mafiers pleafure. Thus the Church deriveibi as ta-
king the perfon whom Chrift defcribcth, and out of power will
have placed in this or that office in his Church. This anfwcreth to
the h& fuggefiion. For if the Church did virtually^and out of pow-
er make an officer, it is true, as we fee with thofe whom the King
maketh in the common- wealth. But if fhe doe it in Stcward-likc
manner, miniflring to the fole Lord and maftcr of hishoufe, then
is not he fo takerwin to doe in his name, but in his maflers name.
As a Butler taken in by a ferviinr, doth execute his office not in ma-
iler Stewards name, but in bis mafters,who onely out of power did
confer it on hiro.
The lafl objeftion I anfwcr. That the particalar Church may
depofe their Bif!iop. What member foevcr in the Church is the of^
fending perfon,may be complained of to the Church. The Church
of Philjppijif It had powetto fee that Archifpui doe his dmiCjthen ie»
had power to reprove and cenfure him not doing it. If the Churth
have power by ele^ion to choofe one their Bjfhop,aDd fo poww of
inftituting him, then of deftituting alfo. Infiituere & dt^itatn
e]ufd(m f^ p$l{^aut> But he is given the onely judge m Chrifis
roome, and though they eled him, yet as you have faid, aad truely,
they have not the power of th t authority in them to which he is
clcded. No more then the Eledors of the Emperour have in them
power of the Impcriall dignity. Anfwsr, We fay therefore, th^t as
rhe Church hath onely mmifleriall power of application, that is,as
they cannot out of power caU a Paflour, but onely call one whom
Chrift pointcth out, and to whom Chnfloutof power glvcththc
place of Paflour. So fhe cannot cenfure or dcpofe, but onely mioi-
fietially exec*iting the cenfure of Ghrifl, who will have fuch a one
turned out, or otherwife cenfared. ButthcBifhop never wasfolc
judge, thoHgh>wtrj«5&;;^i^r he may be faidfo. Chrifl inflituced a
Presbytery, in which all had equall power of judgement. ^j>fw»
Ep, 6i. in the cafe of Bifiides and MntiaUSy doth ihew that the
Church had power ag of choofing worthy, fo of refufing unworthy.
He fpeakeihofan ordinary power, asbychoofing is mai\ifefl, not
<sxiraordinary and in cafe of nece&iiet And Mr. fkli maiauincth^
thas
that tibi/lui was lawfully dcpofcd by ihe Churc!i of 'komc. Surff^
I marvel! men of learning will deny it,when no rcafon evincerh rhe
Pope though a gencrall Pallor fubjed to the cenfure of a Church
Occunnenicall, but the fame proverb a Dioc« fan Bifliop fubjtftto
the ccnfurc of the particular Churchy Unkflc ihcy will fay with
fome Schoolmen, SotOySVL, That the Pope is but tkc yicar of Chrift
in the generall Church : but the Bilhop is both the vicar of Chrift,
andalforeprefentethihe generallCh rch in his Dioccffe, whence
he cannot be proceeded agamft by the Church that is a particular. As
if to be a vicar of Chrift were a lefl'er matter then to reprefent the
general 1 Church,with whom in his calling the Church Occumeni-
call hath nothing to doe.
To that which is objeftid touching PatherSjPaflors j ihe lim.li-
ludes hold not in all ihings.Naturall parents are no wayes children,
nor in'ftateof fubjedlon to their children : but fpirituail fathers are
fo fathers, that in fome refpeft they are children to the whole
Church. So (hepherds are no way ftiecpe, but minifiers arc in
regard of the whole Church. Secondly, Parents and Shepherds
arc abfolitcly parents and (hepherds, be they good or evil I : but
fpirituail Parents and Paftors arc no longer fo then they doe accor-
dingly behave themfclves. Befidcs,are not civill Kings Parents and
Paitors of their people ? yet if they be not abfolutc Monarches, it
was never efteemcd as abfurd, to fay that their people had power in
fome cafes to depofe them. If their owne Churches have no
power over them, it w ill be hard to (hew wherein others
have fuch power of )urifdidionover perfoos who
belong not to their owne churches. But Lord
Bjfhopsmuft take Itatc on them, and
not fubjed themfclvcs unto any tri-
^ll^but by their Peeres pnely,
which is by a Councell
of Bilhopi.
pfKP'
D5»l
we will hear thee again of this matter. Howieit certain wen
clave unto him^ andhelteved^ c^c. Wc dQubt not but
there ai'c many within the Province 3 whofe hearts /^tr
Lord mil open^to attend to what is here [aid. Our defirc is
to do good unto all, even unto ihofe that are our grea-
teft ad vcrfarics^and not to be overcome ofeviljbut to over^
come tvil with good. If they mock at us ( as they did at
3.49.4' p4»/)yet furely, our J-udgment is with the Lord ^ andoir
work with our God-^He that is filthy^ let him be pithy Hill -
and he that is unjuftjet him be unjuJlfiiU : But we hope
^ better things of you, that have fubmitted to the Pref-
byterian-Government. For whom we pray, That the
Godofpeace^that brought again from the dead our Lord Jc-
fusChriftj that great Shepherd ofhisfheef^ through the
.r^-i^jio* bloud of the everlafling Covenant^ would make jou perfect
in every good work 9 t^ do his Will -, working in jou^ that
whtch is well'pleaftngin hisjlght^ through Jefus Chriitj
to whom beglorj/or ever and ever^kmtn.
Subfcribed in the Narae^^and by the Appointment of
the Aflembly,
George Walki'i^i Moderator. Roger 1)rakfiScT\h2,
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' EdmmdCaUmy, ^AfTeiTors.
FINIS.
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