Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	bishop_n	timothy_n	titus_n	4,674	5	10.6389	5	true

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A13880	A defence of the ecclesiastical discipline ordayned of God to be vsed in his Church Against a replie of Maister Bridges, to a briefe and plain declaration of it, which was printed An[no]. 1584. Which replie he termeth, A defence of the gouernement established in the Church of Englande, for ecclesiasticall matters.	Travers, Walter, 1547 or 8-1635.	1588 (1588)	STC 24183; ESTC S118502	153,730	244

common wealth is more subiecte to censure excommunication and other punishment then the Pastours and Teachers yea they are more sharply in case they offende to be proceeded against then other men are for the great offence their euill example may giue to the wicked But this ouersight and power to censure them is not committed of God to any one man bearinge ecclesiasticall office For howe light a matter soeuer it be with Bishops Archbishops to suspende many Ministers from their preaching ministerie the worde of God teacheth another maner of proceedinge in a cause that concerneth the staying of the preaching of the gospell which in highest degree importeth the honour of god and saluation of his people It is vntrew also that he saith that the Bishop hath the ouersight of the people if he vnderstande as I doubt not but he doeth such an ouersight as by his owne power he may censure any of them For the keyes whereby is noted that power wherein the censures of the Church are contayned are not giuen to any one man Our Sauiour sayeth not if he that hath offended thee be obstinate hearken not to thee nor to the aduyse of one or two witnesses tell the Bishop of him Matt. 18.17 and whatsoeuer he shal doe I wil ratifie it in heauen but hee saieth tell the Church and if he heare not the Church and so forth plainlie committing this power not to any one but to many To which purpose it is sayd in the same place Where two or three are gathered togither in my name there am I amongst them and in the middest of them saith the Lorde Whereby it is playne Mat. 18.19 that they who haue power to binde or loose are a companie assembled togither by the ordinance of our Sauiour Christ for that purpose by meanes of their calling In like maner to the Corinthes the Apostle saith not of the incestuous tell the Bishop that hee may excommunicate him which no doubt he would if as the Replier sayth he created Bi hops for Cities and Diocesses and Archbishops for Prouinces a fancie without all manner of appearance or colour but you being gathered togither in the name of Christe c. appointing that by such order as our Sauiour Christ had ordained 1. Cor. 5.4 and with all their free consentes he that had committed that abhominable offence should be cast out of the midst of them And if no man haue or can haue lawfully this power ouer the people or the least of the Congregation how should he be ouerseer of the greatest in it which are in regarde of their calling the pastours of the flocke Nowe concerninge the being their ordinarie as he sayeth or ordainer it is a power not agreeing to any man liuing but in like manner belongeth to many Timothy whom the Replyer dreameth to haue bin a Bishop was ordayned to be an Euangelist by the layinge on of the handes of the Eldership that is 2. Tim. 4 5. the assemblie of the Elders yea notwithstanding the Apostle as it seemeth 1. Tim. 4 1â— was present And if the Apostle tooke not this power to him selfe alone what Bishop is he that notwithstanding hee bee bolde ynough to take it can with right and lawfully take such power to belong vnto him And again if the Apostle did not chalenge this to him selfe to ordaine Timothy alone sure he appointed neyther Bishoppe Timothy nor Archbishop Titus as it pleaseth the Replyer I thinke meerily according to his maner to call them to ordayne Ministers of the word by their owne power Which further appeareth in that he willeth Titus to deale with that busines as he had giuen him order before to deale in it Tit. 1.5 2. Tim. 3.10 To Timothy he writeth that hee had thorowly seene and obserued and knowne his maner of dealinge in the Church and his course of life which is commended in him to encourage him still so to followe his course and cariage as that he might in like maner both in the rest of his life and principally in the seruice of the Church gouerne him self as he had seene him to doe before him in like causes Nowe Timothy hauing seene this president and experience in his person of ordayning to the Ministerie of the Gospell not by anie one man no not by the Apostle but by the assemblie of Elders obserued it no doubt and was so taught by the commendation giuen him of the Apostle not to bee th' ordinarie of any as he speaketh or to ordayne anie Ministers of the worde alone though he were I say not a Bishoppe as the Replier imagineth but an Euangelist Which it were nothinge to say is to be greater then a Bishop or Archbishop who are no body in the church by the ordinance of God but creatures of earthly Princes but greater then Teachers Pastors or Prophetes and next to the Apostles the highest degree of ministerie in the Church And if Timothy an Euangelist could not doe it then Titus whom he maketh but an Archbishop whiche at most is yet farre vnder an Euangelist could not doe it And it is playne that he is willed to deale in that seruice according to the instructions and order whiche the Apostle had giuen him for it which can be no other then such as he exercised him selfe And thus much for the ordinarie and ouerseer both of the people and of the Pastours and Teachers with which point his two argumentes to proue Bishops and Archbishops to haue bin in the primitiue Church are answered Nowe followeth his conclusion which is as glorious triumphant as his premisses haue bin weake and slender And shall we nowe sayeth the Replyer dare to say that this office of Bishop and Archbishop did worke a waye to Antichristes pride and so forth with sundrie amplifications of the matter Whereof the first is that it is his iudgement and he sayeth he liketh his iudgement the better because Saint Paul was of the same minde these offices were the best way to haue stayed repressed Antichristes pride if sayeth hee referring to Princes their supreme gouuernement they had accordinge to Gods worde directed their Consistories Synodes and Councells in all matters which are commonly called ecclesiasticall This is his first amplification wherein he giueth the direction of all matters ecclesiasticall to Bishops and Archbishops Hee addeth in deede according to Gods worde placing it doubtfullie that it may be taken either that their offices are according to Gods worde or that they should in them carie them selues according to Gods worde But whether of both it be importeth not for according to Gods worde there is no such office in the Church as I haue shewed alreadie and being no suche office what interest can they haue whyle they continue such either to direct or to haue any place at all in such Synodes and Councells So farre of is it if the matter may bee ordered by Gods worde that they should cary all matters

which are shewed after to be fullie grounded vpon the worde of God In the meane time this I adde for his further satisfaction It being necessarie to be directed in these matters from God it must needes be that God hath left vs this direction in his worde otherwise he must confesse there are necessarie truthes not written in the worde but this popishe opinion of vnwritten verities is worthilie reiected of all professors of the gospell long agoe For we can not nowe say to anie as Dauid said to Abiathar take the Ephod 1. Sam. 23.9 and aske of the Lord we haue no other Ephod nor other Vrim Thummim left vs from the Lord whereby we may be certified of his good pleasure in anie thing but onely the bright glistering pure light of his H. Scriptures wherein as in the brest of our hye priest Iesus Christ we may see and reade the will of God for our direction Nowe that we neede in these matters to be directed by God appeareth by this that of our selues wee can not by any natural vnderstanding attayne to this knowledge For the naturall man comprehendeth not Act. 7.20.21 the spirituall things of God For which cause Moses a man otherwise of great giftes of nature and of studie as one in whose face the grace of God appeared and who had bin brought vp in all the learning and knowledge of the Egiptians and that by such excellent masters and meanes as were meete for him that was respected in his education as grauÌ„d-childe to the King of Egipt yet stoode he in neede to be instructed of God in as small matters concerning the outward guydance of his church as are any mencioned in the declaration and much smaller Further also the Apostle affirmeth that the thinges he wrote to Timothie hee wrote them that he might knowe 1 Ti. 3.14.15 how to behaue him self in the Church which is the house of the liuing God 2. Tim. 4.5 And if Timothy an Euangelist one of whose ministerie the Prophetes had spoken before 1. Tim. 1.18 one that had receyued the faith from his ancestors 2. Tim. 1.5 whoÌ„ the Apostle for the likenes he had of his Apostolical spirit calleth his naturall sonne stood notwithstanding in need to be informed by writing from the Apostle 1. Tim. 1.2 howe he should behaue him self in the church and that in so many particulars as he instructeth him in sure it must needes be coÌ„fessed to be necessarie for all other to be taught also by writing which is the most certayne way of instruction howe they ought to behaue themselues in the same If it were not needfull to be taught by the Apostles howe a man should behaue him selfe in guyding the house of God why did the Apostle write to Timothie to this ende to direct him in that he had to doe in the Church And if it were needefull for Timothie why is it not as necessarie for all others This reason mouing the Apostle to write of this matter to Timothie no doubt did cause him likewise for the same ende to write to Titus of the like matters And if so excellent personages vnderstoode not what to doe nor howe to behaue them selues in the Church for that which appertayned to them in the administration of it without certaine direction in writing concerning it from the Apostles I can not thinke but the like direction should be needfull for all those who haue anie charge in the church When Nadab and Abihu sonnes of Aaron the high Prieste Leui. 10.2 had bin consumed with fire from before the Lorde for misgouerning them selues in an outwarde thinge concerninge their Ministerie in a matter as it might seeme to fleshe and blood of small importance Moses tolde Aaron his brother that this was so come to passe according to that the Lorde had saide Leui. 10.3 I wil be sanctified in those that come neare vnto me glorified in the sight of all the people meaning thereby that God had forewarned the Priestes that if they misbehaued theÌ„ selues in their ministerie he would glorifie him selfe in their examplarie and grieuous punishment Which being so surelie the fault and punishement can not be small nor to be despised if anie of those who come neare to the Lorde to stande and minister before him in the time of the gospell shall misgouerne them selues in their charge Therefore necessarie it is and that moste necessarie that there bee direction for them in the worde of GOD. And thus much also to this point In the next section which the replier maketh of the declaration it is gathered of the former sentences that wee are to searche the Scriptures that we may finde that order whiche is left in them for the guydance of the Church The first thing the Replyer reproueth in this section is that it is saide The gates of hell shall not preuayle against the foundation before mencioned Who may easilie satisfie him self for this obiection because the meaning of the Declaration was not to alleadge those wordes as spoken of that it intreates of it being apparant to be meant of the Church buylded vpon the Prophetes and Apostles Christ Iesus being the foundation-stone thereof somewhat otherwise then he hath taken it who expoundeth it of Christ him selfe but by these wordes although vsed in that place to another ende it declareth the sure stedfastnes of that doctrine which was a litle before mencioned whiche being as the declaration intendeth and as it is in deede a part of the heauenlie trueth of the worde of God whiche can not fayle in any part of the same it was trulie spoken also of the matter it is applied vnto Of the word foundation he taketh occasion to set downe the 1. Corinth 3. ver 10.11.12.13.14.15 where mencion is made of the foundation Christ Iesus and of buylding vpon it straw or stubble which he sayth they doe that vrge anie outwarde order of ecclesiasticall gouernement as matter of saluation After where it is saide in the declaratioÌ„ vpon former proofes that we ought therefore diligentlie and reuerentlie to searche the holy Scriptures to finde what the order is whiche GOD hath appointed for his Church he answereth with scoffing reprochefull speaches without any iust matter of rebuke And in the ende of his replye to this section because it is said in the declaration we are to search in Gods worde that order by which God would haue his Church directed in all thinges appertayning to the saluation thereof He replyeth that this were to condemne all the Churches where this order hath not bin obserued which eyther if it be necessarie to saluation could not be the Churches of God without it or if it bee not necessarie it is saith he vnnecessarie to saluation then our Church may remayne gouuerned as it is without either being deformed maymed or no church as some affirme whoÌ„ he nameth as in reproch For answere to these thinges and to begin where he leaueth

that one of those foure should toppe the rest to make him selfe lorde of all and vniuersall Bishop ouer the Church Which disorder increased after this Hierarchie for multitude of causes brought to them out of so large circuites began first to slacke their preachinge and to growe negligent and in the ende to giue it ouer and preache seldome as vpon hye and solemne dayes or not at all After also that Emperours Kings began to be Christians and they to growe in fauor with them and to receyue so great giftes and honours of them as to beare the port and state of worldlie Princes and to meddle with ciuill causes and mannage the state growing thereby not only to neglect but euen to despise the hye and most holy seruice of God the preaching of the Gospell after all this I say what remayned but that the most ambitious of the foure Patriarkes should by practise with some mightie Potentate set his foote vpon the heads of th' other Patriarkes and rayse him selfe into the seate chaire of Antichrist Which notwithstanding two of them who were seated in the two chiefe Cities of the East and West Empire Constantinople and Rome did striue togither for a whyle yet in the ende the Bishop of Rome preuayled being Bishoppe of that citie which had bin Lady of all the Earth for a loÌ„ger time and hauing fitter occasions seruing to it as first of th' absence the Emperours after by meanes of the decay of the Empire in the East and of his more ambitious diligence who had diuers ways attempted it before especially because it was prepared for him that was placed in the Citie that standeth vpon seauen hilles Which was brought to passe by practise with Zimri the murtherer of his Lorde and Maister that is with Phocas the murderer of Mauritius the Emperour by whose fauour the name and title of vniuersall Bishop was obteyned After whiche time the Bishops of that seate by wicked practises and cunning meanes setting th' Imperiall Crowne vppon whose head it seemed good to them increased them selues exceedinglie by the donation of Pepin and others in ritches lands temporalties and in worldlie Dominions and state Whereby enlarging their power in church matters and nourishing parasites for the purpose at the last not onely by temporal power but by yoke of conscience vnder pretence of Peeters primacie giuen to him by our Sauiour and of succession to Peeter this man of sinne seated him selfe in the middest of the temple of God that is of that people whiche sometimes had bin the temple of God and exalted him selfe aboue all that is worshipped or called God Loe the seate of all abhominations 2. Tes 2.4 and the stayres degrees and steppes from the lowest to the highest whereby Sathan made way in chauÌ„ging Gods ordinance as it is saide in the Declaration to Antichrists pride and after he had so done brought in all manner of false doctrine and confusion This way to Antichristes pride in chaunging the ordinances of GOD the Replier is careful shoulde not bee vnderstood in anie sorte of Bishops and Archbishops as if any ordinance of God had bin chaunged in creating such offices as are exercised by them or that Antichrist could haue any thing the readier way to his seate by them and would cast this vpon the publike charges instituted of God to bee in his Church His firste reason to proue this is that Bishops and Archbishops were in the primitiue Church Whereof notwithstanding this be not the fitte place to speake and that I haue alreadie refused for this cause to make him any answere till he come orderly where it is to bee debated yet because I see he dreameth still of Bishops and Archbishops and that both vnseasonablie and importunatlie he calleth vppon it it shall not peraduenture be amisse to giue some answere in the meane time till he bring forth the rest that he hath to speake in their behalfe It is to be remembred here first howe litle reckoninge hee hath made of the proofes alleadged for th' office of Elders the which yet are such as that the holy Scriptures make mention of such an office to haue bin in the Church in those times declare to what vse it serued and that there were such appointed in all the churches of the Apostles who to them and to the Ministers of the worde committed the standing and ordinarie care ouer the churches Which proofes being so smallie accounted of by the Replier as they are we are vndoubtedlie to haue from him sufficient and strong argumentes authenticall recordes and authorities playne and cleare euidences for anie matter he will vndertake to prooue But especiallie as his issue is greater so his euidences are to be clearer the higher th' offices are in dignitie and power aboue the office of Elders of so much more certaine and chiefe authoritie are his rolles to be and his pleas mightie and forcible seeinge there are great royalties and regalites belonging to those offices whose patentes he would iustifie The first entrance into his proofe is such in deede For he pleadeth the donation of god the writing and instrument of our Sauiour Christe signed with the great seale of Heauen and Earth the power whereof the Lorde declareth to be giuen vnto him Which if it be so surely then could these offices neither receyue any chauÌ„g nor consequentlie the chaunge of them bee any way to Antichristes pride But let vs heare what his reasons are A man would thinke breaking so often and so violentlie into this cause that from Moses throughout all the Prophetes he would shew vs this matter and after by the whole colledge of th'Apostles as by a cloudde of witnesses without all exception he woulde haue oppressed for euer all that dare say as he speaketh that these offices of Bishops and Archbishops Pag. 78. wrought any waye to Antichristes pride But for all witnesses he bringeth in the Apostle Paule A witnesse in deed without all exceptioÌ„ though he be alone notwithstanding euery matter was wont to bee confirmed by two or three witnesses for the highest authoritie of God whose secretarie he was in that he wrote Deut. 19.5 Mat. 18.16 so as all creatures both men and Angells are to rest in that which hee by the will of God hath deliuered let vs heare therefore what the Apostle speaketh in this cause In the primitiue Churche sayeth the Replier Titus was made an Archbishoppe and had many other Bishops vnder his gouernement If it be demaunded by whom hee was created this was sayeth hee Saint Paules acte whose acte no doubt was approued of God him selfe No doubt in deede but what that Apostle and the rest did concerninge a setled order to gouerne the Church by in all time to come but it was the acte of God him selfe But if Archbishops bee instituted of God in the Church I demaunde whether this institution be alterable or no and whether Princes or the Church aduising of some other

order which they shall thinke better may put downe the Archbishop and set vp an officer of another kinde for that purpose If they may then is the wisedome of God subiect to the will of man and they made wiser then hee who is onely wise who taketh wise men in their wyles confoundeth them by those whom they esteeme as simple 1. Tim. 1.17 when they would bee wisest doeth make them starke fooles If it may not 1. Cor. 1.19.20.27 Rom. 1.22 as I suppose the Replier will do god that honor not to make his ordinances subiect to the will of man nor to adore fleshe and bloude aboue God blessed for euer Amen then doeth he playnely confesse whiche in all his treatise he impugneth that there is an externall order and forme of gouernement ordayned of God for the guydance of the church If hee be perswaded of in conscience as hee would seeme to bee by going about to prooue their authoritie as by the scripture let him as francklie confesse it as they doe that mainteyne the supremacie of the Pope to be due to him iure diuino and which necessarilie followeth hereof lette him denie that Princes or any creature may lawfullie cause this office to cease to be exercised in the Church And then our question being ended of the generall whether there bee any certayne externall order for all ecclesiasticall matters established of God as confessed and agreed on both partes let vs then debate whiche onely remayneth Whether that whiche hee affirmeth to bee the order of GOD consistinge in Bishops and Archebishops bee that in deede whiche God hath appointed or the order sett downe in the Declaration of Ministers of the worde Elders and Deacons There are Bishoppes who notwithstanding peraduenture they can bee as well content to suffer him to perswade that their authoritie is from GOD as the Bishop of Rome is that some doe the like for him yet in them selues will scorne this simplicitie as knowing vndoubtedly whiche they haue also confessed that they holde onely of the donation of Princes and by ciuill statutes that power and authoritie whiche they exercise But to returne to his reproofe Howe maye it appeare that Paule whose acte no doubt as he sayeth was approoued by GOD him selfe did create Titus an Archebishop It is a maruell that hee beginneth with an Archbi hop whereas good order would haue required hee should first haue prooued the instituting of a Bishop ouer other Pastours ere hee had come to shewe an Archebishop ouer Bishoppes But to take it as it hath pleased him to deliuer it whereby maye it appeare that Titus was made an Archebishop and exercised as hee sayeth Arch-episcopall iurisdiction For proofe hee referreth him selfe to another place sayinge wee haue seene this partlie alreadie We are therefore to returne to the place where hee spake of this before and to looke what is to be seene there In that place which is as I take it in the pages 64. and 65. hee sayeth what ecclesiasticall office Titus had the verie subscription of Saint Paules epistle vnto him doeth declare being this to Titus the firste elected Bishop of the Church of the Cretenses This is the Recorde he bringeth out to prooue the office of an Archbishop Wherein yet it is apparant that here is no mention at all neyther of the office nor of the name of an Archbishop It is sayde in deede that Titus was first elected Bishop of the Church of Candie but of his Archiepiscopall iurisdictioÌ„ or name here is no worde If our profes for the offices we affirme to be necessarie and perpetuall in the Church were not more pregnaunt then this and if when we vndertake to prooue a Pastour we should bring out euidences for a Teacher the nexte officer in the Churche vnto him or if when we would prooue a Teacher we should shewe proofe for an Elder who is next him or pretendinge to prooue the function of Elders should alleadge testimonies that doe concerne Deacons as the Replyer heere goinge aboute to shewe and prooue an Archebishoppe bringeth a place that speaketh onely of a Bishop who in his Hierarchie is next in place and dignitie to the Archbishop such proofes were worthie all the scornes wherewith he hath vnworthily and without cause scorned the sounde and sufficient testimonies produced for euery publique charge and office in the Church But yet if he come so neare it as the office of a Bishop such as he pretendeth to mainteyne though hee finde not th'Archbishoprike he seeketh yet if he get a Bishoprike at Paules handes his labour in seeking is largely recompenced What force therefore this euidence may be of for a Bishop let vs examine In the ende of the Epistle vnto Titus where copies of greatest credite haue onely this clause the Epistle to Titus is finished some other haue this additioÌ„ whiche he produceth which yet neyther the Syrian nor the olde Latine interpreter doe reade Wherevppon Master Beza the best interpretour of the newe Testament sayeth That this is a playne forgerie For further proofe he addeth three reasons one from the mention of a Bishop in this subscription wheras sayeth he that tyrannie of the Episcopall degree had not yet forceably entred into the Church So as the difference of the time sheweth this could not bee Paules writing nor bee truely sayde of Titus in whose life time and longe after no such office was knowen in the Church Another is from the diuers office of Titus which was of an Euangelist the nature whereof is wholy repugnant to a Bishop that being not to staye in any place but to followe the Apostles and by their direction to order the Churches and the Bishops beinge to sitte still and to ouersee onely his owne circuit The thirde is a playne contradiction to the vndoubted writing of the Apostle subscribed in deede with his owne hande for so he signed all his letters to preuent all fraudulent and deceytfull practises of attributing to him that which was not his whiche contradiction appeareth thus Towarde the ende of this Epistle to Titus the Apostle sayeth Endeuour to come to me to Nicopolis for there I haue determined to winter In whice verse it is to be noted that the Apostle sayeth not for here I haue purposed to winter which he should haue done if hee had bin at Nicopolis when he wrote this But I haue purposed to winter there as being in another place at the writing of his letter and declaring his purpose to goe from the same vnto Nicopolis where he meant to tarie the winter 1. Cor. 16.21 Colos 4.18 2. Thes 3.17 This being playne to be thus vnderstoode in the wordes of th'Apostle this fayned subscription sayth Tit. 3.12 Written from Nicopolis of Macedonia as if the Apostle at the writing of this letter had bene at Nichopolis directlie contrarie to the wordes and sense of the Apostle Whereby it is playne that this subscriptioÌ„ was none of Paules but added to his letter by some

of later yeares and of meane vnderstanding that could not discerne so palpable a repugnancie betwene the epistle it selfe and such a subscriptioÌ„ This then being all the profe that the replyer for this present notwithstanding his importunate and vnseasonable beating vpon this cause is able to make to prooue the office of an Archbishop the Reader may perceyue what authoritie it ought to haue in the conscience of any Christian man the best euidence witnes that can be produced for the maintenance of it being a razed rolle and a suborned witnes and as they speake in Westminster hall A knight of the Post euen suche another as the Bishop of Roomes proctours would haue proued his vsurpation and vniust authoritie by if the Fathers of that time in Africke had not discouered his fraude and follie Thus we see what cause he hath to breake so often into this matter for any thing he can prooue by this euidence But if this fayle him to proue Bishops and Archbishops to haue bin in the primitiue Church he hath another sure argument that can not disappoint him There were Pastours and Teachers in the primitiue church the Declaration sayeth Elders also and Deacons but sayeth the Replier the office of a Bishop or Archbishop is in substance the office of a Pastour or Teacher so as Bishoppes or Archbishops in the substance of their office are Pastours or Teachers in the Church and as hee addeth in the next page before such as haue bin Deacons too For answere herevnto I denie that they are either Pastors or Teachers for the reasons folowing Such offices as may not be executed by vertue of the forme of ordination of Pastors and Teachers but require another forme of ordination diuerse from it doe themselues differ in substance from the offices of Pastours and Teachers For thus the Apostle to the Hebrewes Heb. 7.16.17.21 proueth the priesthoode of our Sauiour Christ to be diuers froÌ„ the Leuiticall priesthood because the forme of ordination differed the one being without an othe and for a time the other with an othe and for euer But the offices of Bishops and Archbishops are such as by vertue of that calling of Pastours and Teachers can not be exercised but require a further particular forme of ordination diuers from the other as appeareth by the booke of their consecration Therefore the offices of Bishops and Archbishops are in substance diuerse from the offices of Pastours and Teachers Agayne All Pastours and Teachers are by bonde of their office and calling to preache the worde with all faithfull diligence Luke 12. 2. Tim 2.3 Act. 6. But Bishops and Archbishops stande not bounde by bond of their calling to preache it for which cause either they leaue it altogither or preache seldome and vpon high and solemne dayes and then onely at their pleasure when they preach and not by any bond of their calling Therefore Bishops and Archbishops are not in their offices Pastours and Teachers Further all offices that are the same in substance are of like and equall power Therefore if the offices of Bishops Archbishops be the same in substance with Pastours and Teachers then is their power one and equall with theirs at the least in Ministerie of spirituall grace as also in worde they pretende them to be That they are not equall appeareth in that no Pastour nor Teacher may doe sundrie thinges which are esteemed by them selues to be and some of them in deede are in their due administratioÌ„ ministeries of spirituall grace For CoÌ„firmation is saide to be a meanes of increase of spirituall grace and strength Absolution is a ministerie of spirituall grace as testifying and assuring the absolued in the worde of the great King of Kings that his sinnes are forgiuen him Ordination to the Ministerie is also a ministerie of spirituall grace not onely in regarde of the office but also of the encrease of grace bestowed vpon such as are duelie ordayned to it the Lorde him selfe authour of the calling giuing according to his promise to such as in faith thereof and in obedience to his good pleasure yeelde vnto it such increase of grace as the newe charge by the will of God layde vpon him and vndertaken in hope of Gods assistance doeth require In all which ministeries Pastours and Teachers whom yet GOD putteth in trust with the worde and message of reconciliation and life and with his holy Sacramentes the seales of God to giue further assurance of the same may not deale by vertue of such their calling but onely Bishops and Archbishops Therefore their power and ministerie being so diuers th' offices them selues must needes also differ Moreouer all Pastours and Teachers are to be ordained to the attendance vpon a certen particular Church and congregation or Parishe as we vse most to call it For so the Apostles Paule and Barnabas did and the rest T it 1. So Paule gaue charge to Titus to ordeine them and so were all they ordained of whom we reade in the holy Scriptures Which also the verie ende vse nature and relation they haue to the Church where they are to serue doeth declare Therefore it is saide to all the Elders of Ephesus Actes 20.28 that they should looke to that Churche whereof the holy Ghost had made them Bishops or Ouerseeers so to all the Elders of the Churches of the Iewes dispersed 1. Pet. 5.2 that they should feede the flocke of God whiche depended vpon them Which point also some of the auncient CouÌ„cels esteemed so materiall as they decreed the ordination which was not to the certaine charge of some particular congregation should be voyde and of none effect But this being so necessarie in all Pastours and Teachers is cleane contrarie in Bishops and Archbishops For their ordination is not to anie particular Church but to a whole Dioces or Prouince And if before such ordination they had charge of any particular Church or were beneficed as the most common speach is such benefices are then voyde and they discharged by law so as they are to be giuen to another So incompatible the true duetie and office of a faithfull Minister of the worde is in lawe esteemed to bee with the office of a Bishop or Archbishop I might adde also that Pastours and Teachers as all other functions Ecclesiasticall deale onely with ecclesiasticall matters such as agree to their seuerall kindes and places For our Sauiour testifieth his kingdome not to be of this worlde Iohn 18.36 And from the beginning to the time of our Sauiour since the Priesthoode bestowed vpon Aaron the two powers haue bin in the ordinarie gouernement of Gods people by the Lords owne ordinance sundred not onely in persons houses and kinreds but in their tribes so as none of the tribe of Juda might exercise the Priesthoode but onely they that were of the tribe of Leui and the tribe of Leui was to coÌ„tent themselues with the seruice of the Tabernacle and were neyther to

solemne and publique meetinges of the faythfull for the seruice of God may be caried with a holy and reuerend grauitie offences censured and fitt men appointed for the publike charges of it Last of all Deacons were ordayned because wee are to haue the poore alwayes with vs and because that God naming him selfe the Father and the protector of the poore and enioyning his people to haue care of them This ought principallie to appeare in the publique assemblies of Gods people gathered togither in his name Of all which poyntes and of the rest of the Discipline of the Church what one is there that wee for the same reason haue not neede of as well as they and therefore stande bounde to conforme our selues to their example Which being constantlie and vniuersally practised and vsed in all the primitiue Churches by order from the Apostles for reasons which concerne vs as much as they did them is sufficient to proue that such examples of the primitiue Churche doe binde all later churches although wee had no worde of commaundement otherwyse to constrayne vs. But because he resteth vpon this poynt to see commaundements for these thinges let him consider that which followeth The generall doctrines of the Apostles whiche they taught the Churches to obserue doe so commaunde the churches as in duetie and obedience of God they are to obey them according as it is sayde He that heareth you heareth mee and hee that despiseth you or your doctrine despiseth me But the Discipline of the Church is a part of the doctrine of the Apostles whiche in generall appeareth by the 12. to the Romanes the Epistles to Timothy and Titus and in particular in the seuerall members and braunches of it shall god willing hereafter appeare Therefore it is playne to be necessarie by the Law and commaundement of Christ that the churches keepe that discipline which was deliuered them by the instruction and doctrine of the Apostles Further it is a playne commaundement of our Sauiour Christ Mat. 18.17 Tell the Church Agayne our Sauiour is sayde with charge and commaundement that they should be obserued Actes 1.2.3 to haue deliuered to his Disciples such things as for the space of fourtie dayes he declared to them concerning his kingdome A part whereof it hath bin alreadie shewed must needes be vnderstoode to haue bin of the gouernement of his Church which necessarilie dependeth on his kingdom The Apostle likewise calleth the instructions which hee gaue to Timothy for guyding of the Church commaundements 1 Tim. 6.13 and chargeth him with most earnest charge and obtestation as he will answere it to God who giueth lyfe to all things and consequentlie withdraweth it at his pleasure and to his sonne Iesus Christe by whom he will iudge the worlde and who bare witnes to the trueth euen vnto the death that they should be kept without any default to that glorious coÌ„minge againe of our Lord Iesus Christ Further of sundrie particulars the Apostle sayeth This sayeth the Lorde 1. Cor. 7.10 1. Co. 11.23 1. Co. 14.37 This I haue receyued of the Lorde and these are the commaundements of the Lorde with such like speaches Which being not alwayes spoken of the most weightie and principall pointes of the Discipline sufficientlie shewe that which is spoken of them to belong to other which are greater then they or like vnto them And thus much to his demurre vpon the poynt of the lawe Nowe proceedeth he to the effectes and fruites of this Discipline mentioned by the DeclaratioÌ„ to be seene in the churches where it is established and not to be seene where it is not receyued Concerning the first poynt he maketh instance of the troubles of the reformed Churches and supposeth they would say Amen to him wishing therein as he speaketh good lucke and that their case were no better then ours on condition it were no worse which speach is smallie to the purpose For the fruites of the Discipline noted by the Declaration are these the encrease of the kingdome and glorie of Christ and suppression of the tyrannie of Sathan which is not disprooued by this reason that they are persecuted for the Gospell in troubles but rather confirmed For when was euer the kingdome of Christ more encreased in greater glorie then in time of persecution This glorie is in deede spirituall and not worldlie but yet so truely glorious in the sight of God his Angells as all the glorie of this life is not to be compared to it 1. Pet. 1.7 The triall of faith sayeth the Apostle Peter is much more precious then of golde that perisheth Agayne it is sayde That golde and siluer and precious stones yea all maner of ritches are not to be compared with wisedome and the true knowledge of God Psal 19.11 Psal 119.14 Pro. 1.9 Pro. 4.9 Pro. 3.10.11 1. Pet 3.4 Matt. 13.44 The same Salomon in his wisedome sayth That the feare of God doeth more grace those that are adorned with it then brooches or chaynes carcants or bracelettes or any other ornamentes The like the Apostle Peter affirmeth of a meeke and quiet spirite The kingdome of heauen sayeth our Sauiour is like the fielde which had a hidden treasure in it a veyne and a myne of golde for purchasing whereof a man solde all that he had that he might make that fielde his owne And agayne It is like a pearle orient Matt. 13 45. and so fayre that it stayned all other and so rauished the marchaunt Ieweller with the loue thereof that hauinge many iewelles of great price he solde them all to buye that one that so farre passed and exceeded all other In respect of which incomparable but yet spirituall glorie of this kingdome in the Prophete Esaie and in the Reuelation the Citie of God is thus described Esa 54.11.12 Beholde I will lay thy stones with carbuncle and thy foundation with Saphires And I will make thy windowes with Emeraudes and thy gates shining stones and all thy borders of pleasaunt stones Esay 54. ver 11.12 In the Reuelation thus Hee shewed me the great Citie holy Jerusalem descending out of heauen from God Apoc. 21. ver 10.11.12 ver 18.19.20.21 hauing the glorie of God and her shining was like vnto a stone most precious as a Jasper stone cleare as Christall And had a great Wall and highe and had twelue gates and at the gates twelue Angells and the names writ ten which are the twelue Tribes of the children of Israel c. And the buylding of the wall of it was of Jasper and the Citie was pure golde like vnto cleare glasse And the foundations of the wall of the Citie were garnished with all maner of precious stones the first foundation was Jasper the seconde of Saphire the thirde of a Chalcedonie the fourth of an Eneraude the fift of a Sardonix the sixt of a Sardius the seuenth of a Chrysolite the eight of a Beryll the ninth of a Topaze the tenth

be said of the church which is the Lords kingdome temple and house this being a matter agreeing to euery societie especiallie hauing a wyse gouernour and the societie being such as may haue nothing done confusedlie disorderly and offensiuelie in it but all with peace order and to edification and whiche is to abide coÌ„tinue for euer But such a societie the Church is For some short time it maybe some small societie may continue in tollerable maner without certaine prescripte lawes to gouerne it yet hardlie can it long so continue without sundrie suche disorders as in the ende must needes ouerthrowe it But a common wealth and a kingdome and that such a one as is spreade ouer all the worlde and to continue to the ende of the same to be like an Inne of Court without written lawes and orders for the gouernement of it for euer can not stande with the wisedome of God with the offices of our Sauiour Christ with the nature of the Church nor with the edificatioÌ„ peace order and perpetuitie of the same Further the whole externall forme of th'administration of the Church consisteth in the kindes and charges of offices vpon whose care and direction the church in such matters is to depende in the things which concerne their lawfull vocation to such places due execution of that belongeth vnto them but all these pointes are particularly set downe in the worde of God in the seueral charges of Ministers of the worde of Elders of Deacons and of the ioint care of Eldershippes and Synodes as is to appeare in the proofe of euery seuerall part hereafter therefore it is to be acknowledged that such an externall forme of Discipline and direction of the Church is appointed of God Besides all this the things which coÌ„cerne the kingdome of Christ wherof such an external forme is not the least the Euangelist Luke writeth that full fortie dayes the Disciples were instructed by our Sauiour after his resurrection 1. Cor. 11.23 1. Cor. 14.37 Mat. 28.20 Actes 1.2 1. Tim. 6.14 Matt. 18.15.16.17 Actes 11.30 euen as Moses had bene taught of God in the mountaine concerninge the like For which respect in diuers places of the newe Testament sundrie principall partes of the Discipline and externall order of the Church are saide to haue bin deliuered of the Lorde and are called preceptes and commaundements yea and sometimes commaundements of the Lorde Finallie the same externall order of the Church in offices for doctrine conuersation and for the poore was setled by the Apostle in all churches where he came and in some before he had conferred with any of the other Apostles and had the Gospell only by reuelation of the Sonne of God It is deliuered also by him for a generall doctrine to all Churches in the 12. chapter to the Romanes and the 1. to Tim. with most earnest charge to haue it kept without fault till the glorious comming of Christ It was likewise established by the rest of the Apostles in all places where they came as appeareth by the speciall and expresse mention of Ministers of the worde Elders Deacons for these offices in the due execution whereof the whole Discipline consisteth were established in the Churches of a 15.4.16.4.6.6 Ierusalem of b Act. 13.1.14.23 Antioche of c Phil. 1.1 Licaonia and d Philippi e Act. 20.17 1. Tim. 3. Ephesus f Rom. 12.6 7.8 Rome g 1. Cor. 5.16.1.2 Corinth h Col. 1.7.2.5 Colossi i Thes 1.5.12.10 ch 2.3.14 Thessalonica k 1. Tim. 1.5 Candie and all the Churches of the dispersed strauÌ„gers in l 1. Tit. 5.1.2.3 Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bythinia and generallie in all the churches of the m He. 13.17 Iac. 1.1.5.14 1 Co. 16.1.2 Hebrewes Whiche consent of the Apostles in ordering the churches which they gathered togither by one vniforme externall order of Administration in Ministers of the Worde Elders and Deacons declareth that they receyued the same from the Lord and by his appointement deliuered it to the Churches Thus at the first the churches were setled n Colos 2 5 Mat. 16.19.18.17.18.19.20 a goodly thing to behold all after one and the same order by the Apostles accordinge to that our Sauiour had taught them concerning this matter the commission they were charged with at his going vp from them into heauen which was to make disciples and to teach them to keepe all things that he had commaunded them In the time next succeding the Apostles the same order in a great part continued as may appeare by many notable testimonies in Jgnatius not onely mentioning and saluting in all his Epistles often times the Ministers of the worde by the name of Bishops Elders and Deacons but also earnestly exhorting to the continuance and respect of them as a most necessarie order appointed for the preseruation of Gods Church Be subiect sayeth he to the Bishop meaning the Pastour as appeareth by the particular respect he is said to haue to that church as to the Lorde for he watcheth for your soules as one that is to giue his account thereof to God c. Be subiect also sayeth he to th'Eldership as the Apostles of Jesus Christ and please the Deacons A litle after he sayth The Bishop resembleth God vnto theÌ„ and the Elders the assistance of God and colledge or bande of the Apostles of Christ a comparison in sundrie other places vsed by him without these an elect Church a holy assemblie a Sinagogue of Saints is not c. In the same Epi. He that is within the Church is cleane therefore obeyeth he the Bishop and the Elders but he that is without doeth any thing without Bishoppe without Elders and Deacons such an one is vncleane for what is the Bishop but the follower of Christ what is the Presbiterie or Eldership but a holy assemblie Councellours and assistantes of the Bishops what are the Deacons but followers of the Aungelles c. He therefore that disobeyeth these is surelie an Atheist and vngodlie despising Christ and setting at nought his ordinance In his Epistle to the saintes at Tharsus vsing the same exhortation I loue them saieth he as mine owne soule that obserue this good order and the Lord be with them for euer To the Ephesians he saieth The Presbyterie is to the Bishop as the string is to the Harpe as no doubt their holy concorde is acceptable to God like the song of the golden harpes mentioned in the Reuelation Apoc. 5. Justinus maketh mention of such an order of lethargie vsed by the Christians in their holy ecclesiasticall assemblies as may seeme to haue bin as there was good cause it should the paterne of the best reformed Churches of this age for th' order of publique prayer vsed amongst them Tertullianus testimonie in his excellent Apologie of Christians is worthie to be written with a pen of gold in pretious marble which is that certaine approued Elders were set

ouer their Churches ecclesiasticall assemblies who had obtayned that honor not by mony but by good testimonie For no matter of God is obtayned with vs by money Many and notable witnesses are in Cyprian of the ministerie and their equall power and dignitie and of so great necessitie of executing the censures and discipline of the Church as that feare of death ought not to hinder it The presumption of man in deede began betimes by degrees to degenerate from this order of Discipline so as the Elders who were men chosen out from the rest of the people to assiste the Ministers of the word in the execution of the Discipline of the Church began to fayle whereof Ambrose complayned in his time Ambros in 2. Tim. 5. So it came to passe that some of the Ministers of the worde not by the ordinance of God whereby they were all equall but as Ierome noteth by custome and humane disposition began to be greater then other Ministers Iero. in epi. ad Tit. so as they onely were called Bishops which name is giuen to all the Elders of the church of Ephesus and tooke vpon them firste all the care of the Church then of other Ministers also and that by degrees Act. 20.28 of so large circuites as for their helpe and to serue for steppes to rayse them selues by other officers were appointed vnderneath them till at last it grewe to this perfect image of the beast spoken of in the Reuelation that is of the Romane Empire that of long time hath tyrannised the Church of God Reue. 13.14 euer to this age But in this age of the regeneratioÌ„ of the gospell the Churches haue openlie and plainlie discouered these abuses and declared both their iudgementes what they iudge and beleeue touching the kindes of the ministeries offices ordayned of God to be in the Church and their indeuour desire to returne to the same former order appointed by our Sauiour Christ and first deliuered to the Churches by his holie Apostles In the latter coÌ„fession of the churches of Heluetia wherunto besides the HeluetiaÌ„s that is the churches of Zurich Bearne Shaphonse Sangall Rhetia Millynse Bienna there subscribed also the Churches of Geneua and of Sauoye Polelande Hungarie and Scotlande after a declaration of the names of the Ministerie that are mentioned in the holy scriptures it is thus written But moreouer in the tymes which followed manie more names of Ministers of the Church were brought in for some were ordayned Patriarkes other Archbishops others Suffragans Metropolitanes also and Archepriestes or Arch-presbyters also Subdeacons Acolythes Exorcistes Singers porters and I knowe not who els as Cardinalles Prouostes Priors Fathers and orders greater and lesse But of all these we are nothinge carefull what they were in times past or nowe are the doctrine of the Apostles concerning Ministers suffiseth vs. And a little after in the same confession one and equall power or office was giuen to all the Ministers of the Church Surelie at the beginning the Bishops gouerned the Church by their common labour none preferred him selfe before other or vsurped to him selfe larger power or dominion ouer Bishops for they were mindefull of the Lords wordes Hee that will be first amongst you let him be your seruaunt and so forth with confirmation of this equalitie amongest the Ministers of the Church shewing this to haue bene so amongst the Apostles by Cyprian and Jeromes testimonie affirminge that the Bishoppes are greater then other Ministers more by custome then by the ordinance of God and that they ought to rule the Church togither they adde these wordes this writeth Ierome Therefore say they no man can lawfullie forbid vs to returne backe agayne to the auncient ordinance of the Church of God Artic. 29. and to receyue that rather then a humane custome The Churches of France write yet more directlie to this purpose in their coÌ„fession saying We beleeue the true Church ought to be gouerned by that pollicie and discipline which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath ordayned namely so that there be in that Pastours Elders and Deacons that the purenes of doctrine may be retayned vices may be suppressed the poore and other in miserie may be prouided for and that holie assemblies may be helde for the edification both of small and great In like maner write the Churches of the lowe CouÌ„tries Artic. 30. We beleeue say they that this true Church ought to be ruled and gouerned by that spirituall pollicie which god him selfe hath taught vs by his worde so as there be in it Pastours and Ministers who may purely preache and administer the Sacramentes Also that there be Elders and Deacons who may make the Seniorie of that Church that by these as meanes true Religion may be preserued true doctrine may be retayned euery-where and spead abroade c. as followeth in the same place of the vse of this order Wherein it is verie worthie the obseruation that these Churches wherein there are an infinite number of godly learned men and many for their iust desertes famous reuerend and honourable in all the Church of Christ and the same being in persecution and therefore seeking more carefullie to please God in such a coÌ„fession as they declare their faith in haue thought it a necessarie Article to set downe this point of the pollicie or discipline of the Church and that in declaring of it they saye not what they suppose but what they beleeue vsing the same worde which they doe vse in the articles of fayth doctrine Further also it is to be marked that they professe they beleue the Church ought to be gouerned by that policie and Discipline which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath ordayned and God him selfe hath taught vs by his worde plainlie affirming that there is a certayne forme of policie to gouerne the church by and that the same is ordeyned of our Sauiour Christ and further that it is declared in the worde of God And last of all that they declare that policie or discipline which GOD hath taught vs in his worde to be this in effect That there bee Ministers of the worde Elders and Deacons by whom as by the meanes which God hath ordeyned holy doctrine and honest life may be preserued in the Church and the poore relieued The same is likewise affirmed by the Church of Scotlande as appeareth in their treatise of the Discipline of the Church Vpon all which proofes and testimonies I conclude with the declaration That God hath giuen to the church which is the house of the liuing God a certayne order for the direction of it in all outward matters that belong to the good gouuernement of the same Whereof if they shall yet doubt whome it most importeth the Chureh to be persuaded of it it is to bee sued for by continuall supplications and prayers to God and them that they would heare what we haue to say further on Gods behalfe in these causes and to

one Lorde and one Spirite to the honour of the same one Lorde that gaue them and their owne mutuall helpe and comforte namelie the giftes and offices whiche had bene bestowed vppon them Wherein we finding Gouuernours named shewe it for good euidence that this was an office and gifte amongest the reste whiche was graunted to the Church and therefore praye that wee may haue it restored agayne Nowe to Replye to this that here is not declared what these Gouernours are in this place mentioned is no sufficient replye to vs the euidence beinge full and stronge for this that sometimes the Churche by the gifte of our Sauiour Christ had gouernours But whereas it is demaunded what gouernours these were and what office is noted by this name wee aunswere that the office of Elders is noted by it For proofe whereof we shewe the monumentes and writinges of that time Whereby it appeareth that this name was peculiarlie giuen to those who are in other places called Elders to whome belonged the power of gouuernement whereby in this place they are noted This appeareth in the 12. Chapter to the Romanes where they are called proistamenoi that is suche as were set ouer the Church for the guydinge and directing of it and in the fifte of the former Epistle vnto Timothie they are likewise named Presbyteroi that is Elders To the whiche Elders togyther with the Ministers of the worde makinge the whole assemblie of the Eldershippe is giuen that power that is chiefest and most principall in the Church is committed to them as of imposing and laying on of handes vpon such as are ordeyned for the ministerie of the worde to binde and to loose the sinner to locke him vppe in the Lordes prison or to let him out and restore him into the libertie of the sonnes of God as he may be repentaunt or vnrepentant Thus this place serueth to prooue that fitlie which he denieth that is the office of Elders or gouernours in the Church and besides which the Replier hath taken no heede to the office of Deacons also who are noted by the name of helpers as Master Beza plainlie expoundeth it saying by helpers he noteth th' office of Deacons and as may be shewed by like proofe as hath bin made of the office of Elders Thus haue we the whole Discipline proued by these places the first shewing the offices of the Ministerie of the worde Pastours and Teachers the other the rest of the publique charges that is Elders and Deacons In the due vocation to which offices execution of the same the whole pollicie order and gouernement of the Church consisteth Which if anie man can not or will not see wee are to leaue him to him that openeth the eyes of the blinde and shutteth vp theirs who seeinge will not see and so proceede to that which followeth After the firste point of the Discipline or pollicie of the Church which is that there are appointed of our Sauiour Christ some to haue care of others and to beare publike office and charge in the Church the Declaration addeth this agreeing alike to all the guydes and seruauntes of the church that they are to be ordayned to th' attendance and seruice of some particular Church wherein they are to exercise and execute that office which they are to be appointed vnto as couÌ„tries cities or Townes may bee best diuided for the purpose Which is proued by these two places of Scripture Act. 14.23 and Titus 1.5 which the Replyer maketh the next section A part of his Replie to it is spent in seeking out the meaning of the Declaration Whereof yet in the ende by the sute of the matter and coherence of the wordes as he sayeth hee resolueth as he might haue done if it had pleased him at the first what the Declaration intendeth and iudgeth rightlie of the meaning of it in parte but in some other goeth as farre from it as if he were disposed to goe out of his way when hee might see it lye straight before him For hee gathereth that some of those who are to haue charge in the Church should be set ouer whole Countries some other ouer Cities some ouer Townes Wherein it is not harde to guesse what ledde him in this place as it doeth in manie other out of the waye but hardlie is he like to finde such a Bishoprike or Archbishoprike as he would haue let him seeke it as long as he will in the Declaration The wordes whereof are very playne to the contrarie For it is sayd that they all that haue any charge or Ministerie in the Church should be distributed and limited for execution thereof to certen places or particular churches It is added there in deede that they should be so distributed according to the diuision of Regions Cities Townes but meaning nothing les then as the Replyer would gather that some should be set ouer whole countries as Diocesses and Prouinces Which appeareth in that it affirmeth directlie the contrarie that is that they are to serue particular Churches or Parishes As for that there is added according to the diuision of Regions Cities Townes it hath this sence that the particular Churches or Parishes are to be diuided according to the diuisions of Countries Cities and Townes that is that according as there may be more or fewer particular Churches in one towne citie or countrey by a conuenient distribution of them so fitte men should bee ordayned to those callings or Ministeries more or fewer as the vse seruice of the particular Churches in them should require til all might be sufficientlie furnished And this is it that the Declaration sayth order and necessitie requireth So as the Replier hath wholy mistaken his marke and the matter in this place yet laboureth he to persuade him self that he hath fouÌ„d the right sense by the places quoted for proofe of this doctrine Wherein it appeareth howe hardlie a man shall finde way againe that hath once lost it For the 14. of the Actes he sayeth confirmeth directlie his sense but sheweth no reason howe any man but him selfe can so gather of it whereas it most plainlie teacheth the contrarie it being there saide that the Elders were ordayned in euerie particular Church church by Church Therefore not finding any reason to proue his sense he turneth him selfe to another matter of election and ordination in whose power they should be Whiche because it belongeth to an other place where he promiseth to alledge this proofe againe I referre the answere to the same The other example he sayeth doeth most apparantlie confirme the same his construction taking holde of that it is sayde Paule left Titus in Creta to ordayne Elders for whiche belike hee thought it to be alleadged which is not so but for the other wordes following of Elders to be appointed in euery Citie citie by citie As for the Bishoprike of Creta or rather Archbishopricke as he liketh better to terme it after that he would gather out of

to teach the Disciples to obserue all things that he had commaunded Which tenor and course of speache sheweth that he spake to them of the Discipline For besides the ministerie of the worde and of the Sacramentes what other thinges are there belonging to the kingdome of Christ but the Discipline This being then thus sufficientlie proued that the Discipline of the Church is a part at the least of those things which our Sauiour Christ in this place is saide to haue commaunded his Apostles to teache their Disciples to obserue I proceede further to shewe the perpetuitie of these foresaide publique charges of the Church which is the thing I haue in hande The Euangelist sayeth that our Sauiour added to his former charge and commaundement a most comfortable promise saying Beholde I am with you alwayes to the finishinge of the worlde Which wordes can not be vnderstood of the Apostles onely because they as it is saide of Dauid after they had serued their tyme they died Whereby it is of necessitie to be vnderstoode that our Sauiour promiseth to bee with them for their time after also with such as by their doctrine should be his Disciples to the ende of the worlde Nowe to bee with them is a promise of prospering and blessing to his Church the ministerie of such holy thinges as hee had commaunded them to teache the Disciples to obserue Which may appeare by the Euangelist Marke who declaring the performance of this promise to the Apostles sayeth That they went and preached the Lord working with them and confirming the worde by signes that followed The meaning therefore of the promise is that the Lord would blesse the Ministerie of the worde th'administration of the Sacramentes and the obseruation of the Discipline which hee had deliuered them to the good of his church in their handes for their time in such sort as the qualitie of their Apostolicall calling did require in extraordinarie giftes and assistance and after in the handes of such as should be apointed for the ordinarie seruice of his people according as their ordinarie functions should neede euen to the ende of the world Which can not be if the offices he appointed were but temporarie and not perpetuall Therefore I conclude that the ministerie of the worde by Pastours and Teachers the ouersight of the church by Elders th' attendance of the poore by Deacons being the necessarie and ordinarie functions and offices which our Sauiour hath instituted and ordained in his Church and hauing promise of blessing from the Lorde in their due administration to the ende of the worlde they are also perpetuall and to continue for euer which may bee further also confirmed in that our Sauior in the 18. of Matthewe declareth the effect of this promise to belong particularlie to the executioÌ„ of the Discipline For there our Sauiour appointing a proceeding for the remedie of offences sayeth And if he refuse to heare them tell it vnto the Church and if he refuse to heare the Church also let him be vnto thee as an heathen man and as a publicane Verilie I say vnto you Whatsoeuer ye binde on earth shal be bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer yee loose on earth shal be loosed in heauen Agayne Verilie I saye vnto you that if two of you shall agree in earth vppon anie thing whatsoeuer they shall desire it shal be giuen them of my Father which is in heauen For where two or three are gathered togither in my Name there am I in the middes of them Whereby as it is manifest that the execution Discipline is of the things which our Sauiour hath commaunded who saieth expreslie tell the Church so is it plaine to be within this promise of his presence assistance directlie promising that when they shall meete togither in his name that is by his authoritie for such purpose and call vpon him he wil be in the middest of them authorize their due proceedings binding and loosing in heauen that which vpon earth they shall so do according to his appointment Moreouer for further proofe of the perpetuitie of these foresaide publike functions in the Church it is playne that the Apostle writing to Timothy to teache him howe to behaue him selfe in the Church which is the house of the liuing God instructeth him of all these offices that is of the Ministers of the worde both Pastours Teachers and of the Elders and Deacons For the Ministers of the worde it is cleare in that he requireth in euery one to bee called to that ministerie an abilitie to teache which is as hee expoundeth it to Titus to deliuer sound that is holy true doctrine That both kindes of Ministers are heere to be vnderstood may appeare by this that the Apostles rules there are generall of all the Ministers of the worde as his indifinite speach in a generall matter declareth But Pastours and Teachers also are the ordinarie officers appointed for the ministerie of the worde to the Church as appeareth by the 12. to the Roman Therefore both Pastours Teachers are coÌ„prehended there by the Apostle Further it will not bee denied but that this speach in the 1. to Tit. is of the same ministers which he speaketh of here but there he noteth both kindes as it may apeare by mention of exhortation the special propertie of the Pastor of conuictioÌ„ a peculiar part of th' office of the Teacher therfore in the place mentioned to Tim. both kindes of Ministers of the word Pastors Teachers are coÌ„prehended That in the other name of DeacoÌ„s they are included whose special name this is in the church I think it is not doubted Now that elders are there also coÌ„preheÌ„ded by that name thus I proue The Elders office is an ordinary office in the Church as appeareth in the 12. to the Rom in the 5. of this epist where it is playnlie noted that there are Elders which name particularly is neuer giuen to such as by their proper name are called Deacons for direction of the Church who deale not with the Ministerie of the word as if the Apostle had said but only with the ouersight of coÌ„uersation If it be so then in an instruction whiche th'Apostle would giue to Timothy how to behaue him selfe in all matters of charge in the church they can not be pretermitted But they can not be here coÌ„teined vnder the name of Bishops because teaching is required of them which belongeth not to the Elders as is declared in the 5. chap. following Therefore it must needes be they are to be vnderstood vnder the name of Deacons Moreouer in so generall an instruction for ordering the house of God it is to be confessed that in these two names of Bishops Deacons the Apostle coÌ„prehendeth al the offices of the church as in the 1. to the Phil. ver 1. Paul and Timothy the seruants of Iesus Christ to all the Saints in Christ Jesus whiche are at Philippi with the Bishops Deacons

the Pope resembling Augustus Caesar the Emperour and such as succeeded him the Cardinals are the image of those by whose helpe he had oppressed the former state of the Romanes and continued his tyrannie ouer it parting the spoyle with them Archbi hops and Bishops other Magistrates of Prouinces and Countries Which as it began in like maner with oppressing the onely lawfull pollicie and administratioÌ„ of the church so the end of it hath bin the most proude and ambitious tyrannie that euer was in the worlde From this the Replier passeth to that which is inferred vppon the conclusion that is that because these only are appointed of God it is not lawfull for men to ordayne any other besides these In his replye to this after he hath played a little as he is often wont to doe with the lawlesse needles pointes and demaunded againe warrant for these foure publike charges of the Church that wee may haue our quietus est of him and such like pleasantnes of speache he repeateth againe a reason before alleadged Why these foresaid functions are not therefore to be esteemed perpetuall because they were ordayned of God His reason is that the Priesthoode of the Law the hie charges of Apostles Euangelistes and Prophetes were also of God and yet not perpetuall But he should remember the conclusion riseth not of this only that these offices of Pastours Teachers Elders and Deacons were sometime appointed of God but that they were appointed for the certaine standing and ordinarie offices of the Church to abide for euer Shewe this sayeth he and forthwith we yeelde It hath bene alreadie shewed and yet he yeeldeth not for it hath bin proued that whereas these are of the giftes bestowed by our Sauiour on the Church all the rest were extraordinarie but for a time as appeareth by their vse and the giftes agreing to such offices But both the vse and the gift agreeing to these foure is for all times and giuen of GOD by ordinarie meanes and therefore these and these onely are perpetuall The vse of the Teacher is to teache true religion and doctrine of the Pastor to applie the doctrine by exhortation reprehension consolation and such other meanes as may serue most fitte for th'edification and as the occasions of the Church require Elders are to looke to th' obedience and practise of the same in the life of the people and they altogither to guyde the publique assemblies in a reuerend order and to carie the care of the state of the Church to call and dismisse to and froÌ„ publique charge in it by due order to censure offendours according as their offence is to be censured Finallie the Deacons are to relieue the poore and in miserie These being I say the vses of these charges it is playne they are no extraordinarie things for whiche they are appointed but necessarie and perpetuall therefore the offices which God hath ordayned for such vses must needes be esteemed alike perpetuall and necessarie The same is to be saide of their giftes which are all such as God giueth vnto men by ordinarie meanes But such are none of the other offices neither for their vse nor for their giftes and therefore these and onely these are necessarie and to coÌ„tinue for euer Further also the Apostles setting by them selues and by the Euangelistes these functions amongest the Churches doe plainly declare they did it in this regarde that whereas neither they nor the Euangelistes for the dueties of their callings could tarie still with any one particular church these should be their guides to continue and remaine with them for euer Vpon these and such like reasons declared afore the conclusion groweth and not barelie vpon this that they were sometimes ordayned of God Thus passeth he forwarde yet so as he looketh backe againe to an amplification of the conclusion wherein the declaration gathereth togither certaine principall reasons confirming these offices as of the Authour preseruers of them with the good fruite that followeth where they are established and the contrarie where they are not The firste reason hee denieth but standeth not much vpon it The seconde of the Churches exercising this Discipline is of two partes whereof the firste is of the primitiue pure Church enlarged by note of the time it continued it it which is till the misterie of iniquitie working a way for Antichristes pride and presumption changed Gods ordinance and so brought in all kinde of false doctrine and confusion To these wordes he taketh manie exceptions and first scorneth at it that the primitiue churche which he him selfe calleth that time while the Apostles liued is named the pure Church and replyeth to it that it was not very pure soone after the Apostles Which is a replie of no value For it suffiseth for the matter in hande that it was exercised by the Apostolicall Churches which are called pure not in regarde of obedience in life but of that order for the guyding of the Church which by the Apostles was deliuered vnto them We acknowledge that no assembly of men yea that no particular man is or can be or euer was the Lorde him selfe onely excepted free from all charge of sinne in the sight of God according as it is saide There is not one that doeth good no not one And agayne Psal 14.3 Rom. 3.10 Psal 53.3 Psal 130.3 Psal 143.2 Ephe. 2.1.3 Jf thou Lorde shouldest looke narrowlie what is done amisse no flesh should be iustified in thy sight Yea further We acknowledge all to be borne in sinne and by nature children of wrath and not ceasing continuallie to transgresse from the mothers wombe and beleue to be saued â€¡ Rom. 3.24 freely by grace and onely by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus This I say we acknowledge notwithstanding that thorough the same grace according to the measure of the gift thereof in the dutie of thankefulnes which we owe as the Lords redeemed we endeuour to walke in a good conscience without offence and to approoue our vnfayened desyre of obedience and well-doing in all things both to God and Man This I haue thought good to professe because the Replyer by a scornfull obseruation of pure Church would cast vppon all such as desire a further reformation of our Church an infamous spot of puritanisme A name which some popish or Samaritane priest well content that poperie and the Gospell be ioyned togither as they were sometime 2. King 17.32.33.34 to mingle Iudaisme and Paganisme haue deuised to reuile them with that seeke any further reformation and nowe commonly taken vp by Atheistes to disgrace and discountenance all that desire to liue godlie Which if it proceede as of some time it hath done it is not vnlike but ere it be many yeares pietie and the feare of God wil be as odious as any heresie This may suffice to let the Replier vnderstande that the primitiue Church is not called pure in the Declaration in regarde of their life

first sought how by his pioners ordinaÌ„ce to cast down some of the principall strengthes one after another before he could enter it seate him self in the middst of the temple of God And as where a citie is well policied gouerned hauing good and wholsome lawes statutes for the ruling of it and worthy Magistrates that gouerne wisely and iustly according to the same If any man would oppresse such a state and make him selfe maister of it in vaine should he attempt to doe it whyle those lawes and Magistrates doe continue And therefore would corrupte firste some of the Magistrates by degrees and then afterwarde worke such alteratioÌ„ in the lawes as might be lest sensible that by such meanes he might in the ende by his subtle and cunninge practises attayne to that tyrannous rule which if he should make shew of in the beginning he could not doe by any force euen so hath Sathan by his secrete and sutle meanes and practises seeking to tyrannise the citie of God first corrupted such as were of speciall trust in it and had greatest charges committed to them and after by their meanes altered by litle and litle the orders and lawes of the Citie in such sorte as at the last he set vp the kingdome of Antichrist and brought in all kinde of false doctrine and confusion When Iulius Caesar purposed to oppresse the state of Rome he vsed many preparations and meanes vnto it whiche were not easie to be discerned yea such as might seeme to be great stayes to the preseruation of it His greatnes rising by alliances and employmentes abroade the encreasing of his forces the dispensing with home lawes in his respect the continuance of his Dictatorship and such like were in apparance the meanes to vpholde and mainteyne the state of Rome and some of them might haue bin so in deede if they had bin bestowed vpon a subiect faithfull and loyall But in an ambitious mind they so increased his greatnes and his strength as the state it selfe became to weake for him Such a tree as Daniel had shewed vnto him in a visioÌ„ to represent the kingdome of Nebuchadnezzar Dan. 4.8.9 Eze. 31.6 and as Ezekiell mentioneth to like purpose in his prophecie whose bowes and brauÌ„ches are like great trees and the armes of it as the Cedars of Libanus so as all the foules of the heauens make their nestes in them all the beastes of the fielde lye in the shadowe of the same such a tree I say groweth not vp in a night like the gourde of Ionas but in many yeeres Iona. 4.10 receiuing froÌ„ day to day some increases though not sensible to the eye in any one instant or in a day or in a weeke yet in time it appeareth that it did encrease and at last groweth to huge bignes Nowe to demaunde what daye or what yeare it grewe in were a question that should haue small reason in it such a tree being many yeares a growing so as it can not be saide that it grewe in such a yeare but onely that it was growing so many yeares till at the last it came to excessiue greatnes Euen thus hath it come to passe in the kingdome of Antichrist the Nebuchadnezzar that hath burnt the Citie of God and the king of Babilon the citie of all confusion in the West To demande therefore as the Replyer doeth as Papists do some certaintie of the time when this kingdome grewe and of euery thing it consumed as he saith here of th' office of Elders whereby it grewe and increased is an impertinent question and can not proue that therefore Sathan did not by chaunge of Gods ordinance in this behalfe increase and strengthen him selfe It suffiseth vs to shewe that in so many yeares this tree was a growing in whose bowes at the last euery foule and hatefull birde nowe doeth nestle and that a meanes of the immeasurable greatnes of it hath bin the chaunging of th'ordinances of God Whiche appeareth manifestlie in this that these offices for the Declaration speaketh of the ordinance of God chauÌ„ged in them all are clearlie declared to haue bin vsed in the Churches in the time of the Apostles as ordinarie offices and that the same being now of manie yeares not in vse eyther in part or altogither afore this last restoring of the Gospell agayne in this age they are all founde to be transferred to others who by them selues or their officers disposed of all that the other were wont to doe Which chaunge for the name of Bishop was common to all the Ministers of the worde as it is euident in the 20. of the Actes and other places Phil. 1.1 1. Tim. 3.1 The arrogating of this name by any one of that calling as a peculiar title to him selfe was some chauÌ„g of gods ordinaÌ„ce preparatioÌ„ to that which folowed The same name in the Scriptures is neuer giuen vnto any in respect of the Ministers of the worde as to note one set ouer them to see them doe their dueties as the high Priest sometime in the lawe of Moses but alwayes in regarde of the people and the flocke the charge ouerfight and guydance of whom onely was committed to them When this ordinance of God was so farre chaunged that by this worde was noted one set ouer both the flockes and the shepheardes endewed with a power and authoritie to direct correct both as might seeme good vnto him so much more as was diminished of the ordinaÌ„ce of god was added to the aduancement of the misterie which Sathan cunningly by such degrees sought to aduance But when these Bishops contented not them selues to take the name to them as peculiar and an authoritie not onelie of the Church they stoode charged with and the Ministers of the worde with them in the same but taking all occasions which might further their ambition as of hauing moderated the Synodes of certaine circuites of the fewnes of sufficient Preachers of the voluntarie respect whiche was borne them for their pietie and giftes of resort from sundrie partes neare vnto them for their counsell of the preheminence wealth and state of the Cities wherein they were seated and such like challenged to them selues the like authoritie ouer the churches and Ministers of a large circuite this steppe was not farre from the seate whereon the man of sinne was to sitte him downe Another degree aboue this was it when as Bishoppes had dealt with their fellowes the Pastours of the Churches so likewise other dealt with them and became Archbishops chalenging and exercising authoritie ouer all the Churches Pastours and Bishops of a whole Prouince But when as Archbishops of Prouinces were in like sort subiected to other as they had made the Bishops subiect to them and that foure Patriarkes diuided all Christian churches in the worlde amongest them selues ranging Archbishops vnder them doing vnto them as they had done to the Bishops and the Bishopps to the Pastours it remained only

enioye the kingdome nor to beare ciuill offices but the causes of God and the causes of the King had their seuerall triall officers and Iudges But this a Bishop or Archbishop euen by his ordination is not onely not bounde vnto but of the contrarie being ordayned to exercise the office of a Bishoppe according to the worde of God and the ordinances of this Realme is to meddle with ciuill iustice For the worde of God not speaking any one worde of such an office and the ordinances of the Realme laying vpon them offices charges in ciuill affaires they intermedle with all causes by reason of their office I might note many other repugnances in-their offices with the lawfull charges of Pastours and Teachers as their immoderate power in dealing with all ecclesiasticall causes of gouernement alone in ordayning Ministers giuing and calling in licences censuring suspending excoÌ„municating absoluing such like But these reasons may suffice to shew that otherwise then the Replyer mainteyneth Bishoppes and Archbishops such as he speaketh of are not nor can not in any iust and true account be reckoned Pastours Teachers Such in deede they may haue bin and were firste ordayned to be and therefore ought to haue continued in that calling But accepting of th' offices of Bishops and Archbishops wherin there are so many things as haue bin shewed repugnant to the functions of Pastours and Teachers they can not in any sorte be esteemed trew Pastours and Teachers of the church such as our Sauiour appointed for the worke of the Ministerie but are a thing degenerate and growen out of kinde a humane creature and an institution and ordinance of Kings and Princes Thus much may suffice to shewe that Bishops and Archbi hops are not Pastours and Teachers Whereby it is playne to be no consequence whiche the Replier maketh for them in this place that is because there were Pastors and Teachers in the primitiue Church that therefore there were Bishops and Archbishops also in that time Hee addeth they are such as haue bene Deacons too which being admitted it followeth not because they haue bin Deacons and nowe are Bishops or Archbishops that therefore Bishops and Archbishops were in the primitiue Church But I denie that euer they were right and lawfull Deacons For a Deacon is an ecclesiasticall officer attending the poore of the Church whose Deacon he is The trueth of this is most euident by the Deacons of Ierusalem of whose institution we reade in the sixt of the Actes where the Apostles discharging them selues of this care and seruice determined and bouÌ„ded their office of Apostleship for euer after within the boundes of preachinge and prayers and the Deacons office in that which they discharge them selues of that is in the attendance of the poore Which appeareth also by the 12. to the Romanes where their office is limited in like maner Nowe the Deaconshippe hee speaketh of which they haue had is no such matter but a meere humane institution a degree to priesthoode a power to baptise and reade the publique Litargie without power to minister the Lordes Supper or to preach by vertue of that calling and is nothing like the ordinance of GOD for the reliefe of the poore Therefore euen that also is not trew whiche the Replier saieth that they haue bin Deacons too In deede they haue come by the Deacons bagge and got into their hands that which by th'ordinance of God and the auncient commons of the Church should be distributed by the Deacons to the comfort of the poore Which the Christian Magistrate is in all duetie to God to require at their handes to restore to the former right vse againe as he is other partes of their liuings and namelie that which ought to be the liuing of the Pastors Teachers which attende vpon the seruice of the people in teaching and instructing them in true religion whose liutngs being taken away and cast into those seas would be restored againe that the people giuing their goods to be taught in the knowledge of God not able to giue any more do not perishe for wante of teaching but may receyue the fruite of this their liberalitie But this because I haue not further occasioÌ„ in this place I forbeare to debate at large onely by occasion of their Deaconshippe I haue in a word noted their iust dealing as with the poore and the Deacons so also with the Pastors and Teachers with all the people of God Whereby appeareth that howsoeuer they are transformed now are neither Pastours Teachers Elders nor Deacons yet sauing the worke and labour of these callings in preaching vnto the people and watching ouer them with the Lordes watche and seruing the necessities of the poore they haue wholy deuoured them all All the power authoritie and liuing both of Pastours Teachers and Deacons yea and the treasure of the poore also being possessed and enioyed by them Thus haue I answered his two reasons alleadged to proue Bishops and Archbishops to haue bin in the primitiue Church In this place affirming them to be in their office and kinde of ministerie Pastours and Teachers yet saith he sith he is the ordainer or ordinarie of them and ouerseer both of them the people he is in dignitie of another office and kinde of ministerie different from them For answere wherevnto he is to vnderstande that the worde of God giueth not this authoritie to a Bishop to be ouerseer of the people and also of their Pastours and Teachers nor to any one man bearing ecclesiasticall office to be the ordainer or the ordinarie as he speaketh of the Ministers of the worde As touching the firste of ouersight the worde Ouerseer or as we call it Bishop Actes 20. is vsed diuers times in the Scriptures but alwayes in regard of the people Phil. 1.1 and of the Church and at no time of other Ministers of the worde If it be otherwise let him shewe where a Bishop or Ouerseer is named in respect of other Pastours and Teachers True it is that Pastours Teachers may offende through the corruption of nature that is in all men therfore are not exempted and freed by the worde of God neither froÌ„ ouersight nor punishment but are liable to all maner of censures of the church as any other of the congregatioÌ„ to the ciuil punishments of the lawes But their ouerseers in such cases are the ciuil Magistrat who is to see that they doe their duties or to enforce them to it by ciuill punishments their cause being firste duely heard tried and iudged Further the Eldership of that church whervpon they attende and all the greater CoÌ„ferences and Synodes wherevnto by good order agreed in the churhc they are made subiect haue the ouersight of them power to admonish censure with ecclesiasticall censures of deposition from their ministerie or of suspension and excommunication as their offence may deserue So as no man in the Churche nor in the

ecclesiasticall The Princes prerogatiue is notwithstanding heere reserued which dependeth not vppon his reseruation but hath other such certaine title to claime by as the Princes are not to bee beholding to their Prelates for reseruing them their supreme gouernement as of almes for them Another point is that not these offices but the encroching of th'Archbishop of Rome ouer all other Bishops and Archebishops was the breaking of Gods ordinance and the way to Antichristes pride Adoni-bezek as we reade in the first of the booke of Judges cut of the fingers and toes of 24. Kings and put them vnder his table at his feete to geather the crommes that fell from his table and the same iudgement after fell vppon him Euen so some Pastours cast downe all other Pastors officers of the church within a Citie or Dioces vnder them After amongest Bishops some dealt with his companions as they had done with theirs and became Archbishops and subdued all the Bishops in a Prouince CouÌ„trey or Region vnder them Nowe if amongst Archbishops there rose vp one to recompence them agayne the wrong they had done to their fellowe-Bishops if yet it may be called wrong where at the firste there was no right what great cause haue they to complayne When Bishops and Archbishops cut of as it were the handes and feete of their fellowes and cast them vnder them to geather the crommes that fell from them did not they teache other by their example to doe the like also to them Yea but sayeth he the Archbishop of Roome would be higher then all his fellowes and be Bishop ouer the whole Church to represent Christ This was in deede the highest steppe and euen the footestoole of the seate of Antichrist But howe mounted hee thus hye to come so neare such a seate of pride was not this way made by sundrie steppes before ere he came at the highest and was he not nearer and in greater possibilitie of it being a Bishop with many other then if there had bin none such but all Pastours like the elect Angells had kept their original For as it was not possible for a man to lift vp his foote from the ground to any hye seate farre aboue his reach but must goe to it by staires and degrees from one to another till hee come to the highest So did Sathan in his misterie of iniquitie make these staires for the mounting of Antichrist whereby at the last he setled him as amongst the starres But this he seemeth to note as vnlawfull And no doubt it is so But so were also the other according to their degrees which he would haue to be esteemed lawefull But if the case were such as Christian Princes did all receyue the Gospell and that a generall Councell were helde and to be continued or renewed as occasion should require and Christian Princes by consent should appoint a moderator for direction of the Aecumenicall Councells and name him Pope or giue him some other title noting his employment greater then of anie Bishop or Archbishop who are but by the Replyers owne rule to direct their Synodes and Councells of their Diocesses and Prouinces what exception could the Replier take vnto this why they might not so doe After they had made this first ouverture what can he alleadge why they might not in regarde of vsing him to such purpose free him from the seruice of any particular Congregation that he might wholly attende vppon the generall causes of the Church And because wealth honour and authoritie may giue him the more credit and for that Monarchie is the best kind of gouernement and most easie and readie for all men who best vnderstande in it their busines requiringe to whom to goe and where to seeke their remedie what reason can he bring why it should not bee lawfull for them all to doe herein by coÌ„mon consent in all Christendome that whiche is done in some by any one soueraign Prince in his kingdome Or if without all these circuÌ„stances the Princes nowe professing the gospel should agree that the Archbishop of Coleyn one of the Princes Electors or any other should haue vse exercise ouer all the Churches of the Gospel in what kingdome of the christian world soeuer the same supreame power authoritie in all causes ecclesiasticall that euer the Pope had or exercised and should proceede by the same course and order of the Cannon lawe as the Archbishop of Roome doeth with one onely promise of disanulling abolishing all such Cannons as are repugnant to the lawe of God what could the Replier alleadge why eyther the Archbishop of Colleyne or any other Archbishop or Bishop might not by such consent be made a Protestant Pope and an vniuersall Bishop ouer all the Churches of the Gospell as the Archbishop of Rome by like consent of the Kings supporters of the Keyes and armes of Antichrist is esteemed Pope and vniuersall Bishop ouer all Ecclesiastical causes within all their Dominions What reason can he make why Princes should not so consent or what aduyse would he giue if any Bishop or Archbishop of his acquaintance were the man vppon whom they should like to bestowe this honour from Episcopall or Archiepiscopall iurisdiction to aduaunce him to Papall Supremacie What a faithfull Pastour should doe in such a case is not harde to say For it is cleare that they should doe as our Sauior Christ did Luke 12.13 when things not agreeing with his calling were offered and brought vnto him Who refused to parte the inheritance betweene brethren Iohn 6.15 who withdrewe him selfe from the people as farre as he could going vp into an high mountayne when they would haue made him a King Mat. 4.8.9 and with detestation auoyded the speech of offer of all the kingdomes of the world and the glorie of the same Iudg. 8.23 They should aunswere with Gedeon when the kingdome with the alteration of the gouernement which God had set ouer his people was presented vnto him I will not raigne ouer you the Lord your God hee shall raigne ouer you and gouerne you according such order as he hath appointed They were to aunswere with Daniell Your giftes Ã´ Kings keepe to your selues and bestowe your regalities and honours vpon some other Dani. 5.17 but I will declare the scripture the interpretation of it vnto you As the honorable oliue tree the sweete fig-tree and the cheerefull Vine answere in the parable of Iotham that they would not leaue their precious fruit whereby they honoured Iud. 9. delyted and reioyced God and men to goe raigne ouer the trees of the forest So should a faithfull seruant of God and of his people answere I will not leaue the preaching of the Gospell the ministerie of the word the honouring and reioysing of God and man with my precious fruite to take an vnlawfull gouernement vpon me This I say ought to be the aunswere of a faithfull and true seruaunt of God keeping his first institution

as it was ordayned by our Sauiour Christ But what other aduyse the Replier could giue in such a case to his friende but to accept of the offer and the same whiche the Bryar made in Jothams parable whiche had nothing but a shodowe to boast of and Abimelech the vnnoble and base sonne of Gedeon represented by it which was whether is it better for you that three score and ten men rule you or that one man haue the dominion ouer you Come couer your selues with my shadowe and if not let fire come out of the brier Iud. 9.15 consume the very trees of Libanus This must needes be his aduyse in effect except he can alleadge some other sufficient reason of difference why there may not as well be a Protestant Pope as a Catholike Pope or why all the rest of the body of the Hierarchie that is in the Roomish Church being in the reformed Churches the head of it onely should be wanting For if it be lawfull to haue Ministers that by ruling all ecclesiasticall causes in a Diocesse or Prouince and the greatest parte of a noble kingdome as Princes that gouuerne ouer Counties and Duchies and Prelates that resemble the Lordes Earles and Dukes of the Empire in the circuite of their gouernement in their titles state pompes houses furniture trayne and liuing they which allowe of these things will hardlie finde any good reason why there may not bee a chiefe Prelate ouer them who may be the representation of the Emperour Peraduenture he will say for some signification of it he maketh in this place this were vnlawfull because this is a Royaltie that belongeth onely to our Sauiour Christ to be the heade of his Church but I doubt if they sett vp their rest in this cause wholy and onely vppon that reason howe it will serue to keepe the Pope out of his seate especiallie such a protestant Pope as I speake of who should vse or at least in generall termes notwithstanding he obeyed little be prescribed to vse no Cannons contrarie to the lawe of God and who woulde easilie confesse and acknowledge that his headship is not in any such respect as it peculiarlie belongeth to our Sauiour Christe that is by his owne right to gouerne and direct the whole body of the Church at all times and in all ages but onely to direct as his minister and seruaunt the Church of his age and time in such matters ecclesiasticall as by lawfull Cannons are referred from inferiour courtes by appeale or otherwise to him as the chiefe minister It is trewe in deede that the further a man goeth from the first institution the more hee offendeth and so the Pope by the fulnes of the power he chalengeth ouer all is further from the ordinance of our Sauiour Christ who hath appointed in the ordinarie guydance of the Church no office to bee exercised by any one ecclesiasticall person greater then is the office of the Pastours and whom hee hath made all equall in euery respecte of ministerie iurisdiction and of power But otherwise it wil be founde that Bishops Archbishops haue made such a way to the Popedome as it will be hearde when they are come so farre to keepe them backe with any great reason from the other And thus much of his seconde amplification The thirde hath no maner of reasonable coherence with anie thinge that goeth before and is so absurde in sence as sometime I doubted the Replyer coulde not bee so grosselie ouerseene as to haue written it in his originall so as by print it is deliuered vnto vs but thus it is printed For els that is except as he would fayne haue prooued a little before the breach of the office of Bi hops and Archbishoppes were the way to bring in Antichrist and not their office why might they not as well saye that Christes vniuersall Bishopricke or Archbishopricke did worke a way to Antichrists pride and presumption because he pretendeth vsurpeth and abuseth that kinde of ministerie which is due and proper only to Christ Christ is called a stone of offence if Christe then had not bin the stone none had stuÌ„bled at him Nay then if there were no Christ there could be no Antichrist if there had bin no Archbishop then the Archbishop of Rome had not bene Pope for so I thinke he would haue saide although his words be otherwise And if there were no vse there were no abuse of any thing Thus farre the Replyer wherein to passe by some speeches that can haue no good sense and the absurditie of this inference and that of all comparisons of thinges in heauen and in earth none could fitte him for this purpose but one taken from our Sauiour Christ I will onely answere the effect of his reason The Declaration intendeth not by saying that the chaunge of Gods ordinance made a way to the pride of Antichrist to say that for this reason the office of Bishops and Archbishops in whom I thinke he rightlie gathereth it was meant the ordinance of God was chaunged as it was in deede made way to Antichrist because if there had neuer bin any Bishoppe or Archbi hop then an Archbishop of Roome had neuer bin Pope This is not the reason whiche the Declaration intendeth but the reason is manifest in this that by such meanes there was made a chaunge of Gods ordinance namely by bringing in such offices into the Church And then in departing so farre from the originall institution of Pastoures as that one came to take vpon him the charge gouernement of thirtie thousande or fourtie thousande Churches or more these chaunges of Gods ordinance which were made in bringing in these offices of Bishops and Archbishoppes into the Church made way to Antichrist to come to his seate For as the lower steppes helpe a man to come from one to another till he come to the highest and the higher euery degree is the nearer it aduaunceth him to the top So euery staire that went from the Lords ordinance made way to other and the hye degrees of Bishop and Archbishop brought the man of sinne very neare his seate wherein he was to sitte downe and boast him selfe against God In euery lawfull trade of lyfe there are sundrie degrees of preferrement whereof euery one maketh way to other so is it in the vnlawfull and Antichristian Papacie The inferiour degrees which Sathan had procured in his misterie of iniquitie did all helpe to aduance that sinfull man to the throne of iniquitie Whereby appeareth that the very offices of Bishops Archbishops made way to that presumption and in what maner Yet doeth the Replyer enforce this proofe so farre as that he would haue these offices to haue bin and yet to be the greatest impedimentes to the Popes rysing in times past and to his present greatnes Whereof hee alleadgeth no other reason but that the Archbishop of Carthage detecting his forgeries kept him short in Affrike the Archbishop of Rauenna kept him long

tackling The first whereof is not true for neither was there at that time he noteth any such Archbishop as since haue bin nowe are in the church neyther was that he meaneth detected by any one but by the Fathers of the Councell As for Rauenna not he onely but many other Archbishops and Bishops the Abbots Priours Colledges namely the Colledge of Sorbone haue had contention with the Bishop of Rome some before he was growen to the Popedome and some in the middest of his pride So as if Contention with that sea be a iustification of their callings that haue contended with him schooles of errour and sinkes of impietie and most vnlawfull places and functions may bee iustified This is yet enforced further by comparison with the order set downe for the guyding of the Church in the Declaration as lesse able to holde out that pride then these his offices are In deede if a man should esteeme these thinges by fleshe and bloud the enuie and ielousie that Bishops Archbishops may haue of the rysing and greatnes one of another and their worldly meanes by fauour wealth authoritie and such like to impeach and hinder their growing might in that respect be a greater impediment But the continuance in the ordinance of God had bin without all comparison the stronger meane if we measure these thinges as they ought to bee measured The Lorde by the weake things whiche hee hath chosen 1. Cor. 1.27 28. 2. Cor. 10.4 5.6 confoundeth the great things of this worlde hath giuen his seruauntes furniture for spirituall warfare which is mightie from God to the subduing of euery imagination that exalteth vp it selfe against God And therefore to make way to this presumption it was needfull this ordinance of GOD should first be chaunged Yet is the Replyer bolde to say that the order set downe in the Declaration might sooner sett vp a thousande petite Antichristes then pull downe one For their pulling downe of one by it I haue spoken for the setting vp of any it is not possible this being as it is the institution of our Sauiour Christ And the institution being such as that no one caryeth any cause but all thinges are guyded by the consent of a number most fearing GOD and of best abilitie for that purpose which is most directlie contrarie to tyrannie this vsurpation could not reasonably bee feared If there be manie Antichristes as in some sence the Euangelist Iohn fayeth there are and if all they who directlie oppose to the doctrine and ordinaunces of Christ be Antichristes some great Antichristes and some petyte Antichristes as hee termeth them from the Pope the toppe of all that Romish Hierarchie to the reading priest the tayle thereof a man should cleare but a feawe I doubt from that foule name and crime Here is added an impertinent matter that Archbishops nor Bishops haue not brought in all kinde of false doctrine although some Archeheretikes haue bin Archbishops as Nestorius was For so sayeth he also were sundrie that were Presbiters Priestes or Elders and Doctors A needles point to touche as the rest which hee hath debated in this cause the Declaration not charging any at all by name in this place eyther Bishops or Archbishops nor by any iust collection but in as much as in their offices the ordinance of God was changed whereby way was made for Antichrist who brought in all kinde of false doctrine and confusion Not content thus to answere for them whoÌ„ no man impleaded he entreth againe into comparison betweene the offices of Bishop and Archebishop and the order set downe in the Declaration for the direction of the Church affirming this to be more meete as being of more learned men Wherein to graunt where more are learned there would be harder passage for false doctrine he vtterly mistaketh the matter to thinke that where that order he disliketh should or doeth take place that there the directours of Church matters are or would be vnlearned The nature of the order it selfe which admitteth no Minister but learned nor any decision of waight but by aduyse of many with appointed conferences and Synodes of learned men for such purposes besides the assurance of Gods fauourable blessing of his owne ordinance the experience of the Synodes of the reformed Churches the comparison of their iudgementes Cannons and other constitutions with the like of the other in any part beareth witnesse whether the wante of learning and pietie both must needes be greater in it then in the other Hitherto of the primitiue Churches preseruing and maintayning the order set downe in the Declaration Nowe followeth the like of the best reformed Churches of this age In the Replye wherevnto here is an occasion taken to enter into the whole cause a-newe by making question whether the order nowe restored in the Churches rightly reformed bee the same that was exercised in the primitiue Churche Against which poynt he bringeth litle other reason then he alleadged before But ere he come to the repetition of those arguments he findeth great faulte that the Declaration vseth this speach that this order is restored in al rightly reformed churches This title and name he chargeth with open slaunder of many true Christian godly reformed churches besides ours for these are his words Wherevpon after his maner he reasoneth thus sporting him self if not rightly reformed saith he then wroÌ„g fully so not reformed but deformed as hauing driuen out one Deuill by another and remooued one deformitie to establishe another Would a man haue looked for such a replye to this worde but to pacifie his offence taken against right he is to vnderstande that such Churches are here sayde to bee rightlie reformed which are so both in doctrine and in the order of the Church In which respect would to God all the Churches professing the Gospell were reformed But it is playne that notwithstanding they be all in most and the principallest poyntes of doctrine yet some there are not reformed in some poyntes of doctrine and more not in the Euangelicall pollicie and Discipline of the Church Because hee onely toucheth this poynt I am not willing neyther to stande longer vppon it But if hee consider well with him selfe the state of all the Churches of the Gospell I thinke as bolde as hee is to bolster vppe thinges that neede further reformation yet he will not take vpon him to mainteyne that in all thinges all such Churches are rightly reformed Before he cometh to his reasons to prooue the order of the primitiue Church not restored hee forestalleth the argument of the Declaration before he come at it taken from the benefite growing to the reformed Churches by this order and the contrarie losse to others without it But there is no cause to staye vpon his replie to it this matter being after fullie and at large debated by him where shall be aunswered what soeuer he hath materiall to this poynt and because there is little or

holy ministeries which our Sauiour ordayned but other humane deuyses and creatures of Popes Archbishops and Bishops Which yet if it doe not content him I may saye further that this office of Elder continued in suche sorte as he affirmeth the other to haue done For what were the Ciuilians Doctours and Proctours Chauncelors Commissaries Officialls and the rest of that traffique Officers and Retaylers to the great Marchaunts of soules Archbishopps and Bishods who notwithstanding they were lay men did administer the censures of the Church without any due and ordinarie ecclesiasticall calling in deede at the appointment onely of their Lordes and Maisters the Bishops to a foule profanation of the holy censure of the Church whether it bee done in Babylon or in Syon For this iniquitie also is to be founde euen in the Church of God Yet in their administration the office of the Elder is as much and a great deale more to bee seene then true and lawfull Pastours Teachers and Deacons appeare to haue continued in such tagge and ragge as were in the popishe church But the trueth is that all Euangelicall charges and the Gospell it selfe was deteyned in vnrighteousnes and the free right and originall nature vse and benefite of these offices ceased and was interrupted for a time as the like hath come to passe in other such wastes and desolations of the Church as in the time of some of the Iudges in the raigne of Manasses and in the captiuitie the ordinarie offices and dueties were interrupted and God extraordinarily preserued his people All these things were for a time Luke 20.9 as the inheritance in the parable of the Gospell in the handes and possession of vniust and rebellious seruauntes But nowe the Lorde sendeth out his seruauntes and demaundeth of his seruauntes that fruite seruice and honour whiche is due vnto him with a part whereof he will not be satisfied but will haue all his rightes and regalities prerogatiues and offices restored vnto him or els will punishe them as rebells and vniust with-holders This is the answere I make to this poynt whiche the Replyer bolteth out in ceasing by de facto not de iure and when he hath done replyeth to it with an idle questioÌ„ if they were once where they haue bin hidden or banished all this whyle or if they were dead and buried c. not worth anie answere Another reason why the order vsed in the primitiue Church should not be restored nowe in the reformed Churches is because they haue no Bishops nor Archbishops whom he affirmeth to haue bin in that time yea and ordayned by the Apostles to haue authoritie ouer them in the Regions and Cities limited to them Whiche superiour and olde standardes to displace sayeth hee to bring in yonge and inferiour Seignours as they who hauing seene the olde temple did also see the laying of the foundation of the newe So would it make a mans harte throbbe and bleede to see howe the beautie of the Church is vaded hir ornamentes spoyled her body haled vnder pretence of reforming This argument needeth no long aunswere to it hauing bin sufficientlie shewed before that it is a vanitie to thinke that such offices as Archbishops and Bishops nowe beare ouer the Churches and the Ministers of the same to haue bin in that time Here it may suffice as it is but affirmed with a word of his without any maner of profe so to denie it with another vpon the reasons before alledged As for his weeping to see the old standards pulled downe and the Church spoyled of her ornamentes if hee meane hereby the manours and royalties that are in other mens handes whoÌ„ can he blame for it more then such as care not howe the successours doe so they may aspire to the dignitie they couetouslie and ambitiouslie seeke and labour for If hee meane not those braunches but the trees them selues from whence they growe let him consider the bitter fruite they haue borne and the vnwholesome shadowe they haue cast from the first roote they tooke and especiallie of late he shall haue no cause to weepe to see the axe making readie to be layde to their rootes His harte should rather bleede to see in the garden of God anie trees wherein vncleane birdes make their nestes and vncleane beastes take their reast and from whence the cleane are driuen for feare of annoyance and which suffer no fruite or heauenly plante to growe vnder them or neare vnto them Then would he praye with the watchmen of whome Daniell writeth Dan. 4.11 Cut downe Ã´ Lorde these great and noysome trees whiche are strong to euill and not to good Many a fayre tree hath the Lorde plucked vp and in time it is to bee hoped that he will doe the like to these For our Sauiour hath saide Euerie plante that my heauenly Father hath not planted shal be rooted vp Mat. 15.13 His harte bleedeth to see the goodly leases that are drawen from Church-liuings the great Lordshippes that are gone from the Cleargie and Cathedrall Churches and peraduenture some other giftes to see the dispensations whiche seeme to threaten the carying away of an I le and an Earldome from some who would fayne enioye them still But whose harte is mooued with compassion of the people of God whiche is in deede his trewe church to see the worde of God daily taken from them and they left as a flocke of sheepe vpon the mouÌ„taynes without their shephearde to see the Preachers forbidden to preach the Gospell to see the church kept as in captiuitie vnder a reading and lordlie ministerie that neyther teache the people them selues nor suffer other that would to teache them to see goodlie assemblies which haue made heauen and earth to ringe and resounde agayne with the prayses of God scattred and distolued to see the places like Eden the garden of God before the storme layde wast and desolate as the desert places to see the zealous people of God running as in a drought to finde a spring of sweete waters where they may quenche their thirste and faynting in their soules for want of it so many fountaynes being stopped and sealed vppe they that haue the bowells of Christ in them are to be moued with these things As for matters of griefe here mentioned the matter is not so great so that things be done by due order and with consideration of sufficient maintenance of those which God hath appoynted for the worke of the ministerie of all the ordinances of God and the edification and comfort of his people Hitherto in this section the Replyer hath discoursed of the former sorte of reasons of this section which is of the causes confirming the order set downe in the Declaration Nowe he proceedeth to the other argument remayning which is of the great fruite and benefite of this order in the Churches which haue receyued it and the want of the same in suche as haue not yet restored it agayne Wherein first scanning

shal be thy nurses and great peace large reuenewes for maintenance of learning the benefite of Scholes Colledges houses of noble fouÌ„dations for students two so famous Vniuersities of long time for men of excellent abilitie in all good knowledge all these helpes now almost 30 yeares togither without intermission or interruption besides the former time of king Edward of noble memorie and yet notwithstanding all these is so vnfurnished of sufficient and able godly learned men as that by farre the greater part of it should be in the hands of an insufficient vnlerned ministerie without any maner of coÌ„petent abilitie to expouÌ„d the word of god without diuinitie without scieÌ„ce without art other then such as they were prentises at in a great part without both pietie religion Doeth the word of God allow that men called to the ministerie may take ciuill callings to deale by offices in causes of state iustice or to forsake the charge of particular coÌ„gregations in seruing them in the greatest highest seruice of preaching the gospell to them to rule ouer the churches ministers of a whole Diocesse Is it good order allowable by Gods word to make a nuÌ„ber of ministers at once whereof no one is called or desired to any particular Congregation but must seke sue for places after where to bestow them selues Dispensations faculties for non residents pluralitie of benefices a court of faculties for sundrie like purposes can it be iustified to be good order by the worde of God Doeth the worde of God giue power to any one man vnder heauen to make Ministers alone at his pleasure to graunt licence to preache and to call it in agayne at his owne pleasure to suspende to release to excommunicate to absolue and all as seemeth good to him selfe The same worde alloweth not for good order that Sacramentes should be administred priuatelie by anie much les that it be so by priuate men and least of all by women Nor that they be publiquely ministred without preaching of the word It approueth not such cases of necessitie as enforce these things nor the doctrine of conference of grace by them for the worke wrought To make that inequalitie of the Sacramentes that one should haue power to minister Baptisme that should not haue power to administer the Lordes Supper another power to administer both yet not to preache and another to doe all three being the sacred and hye ordinances of God and yet not to confirme children can not be shewed to be the orders or ordinances of God In like maner can it not be shewed by the worde of God that Chauncelours Commissaries and such Officers of Bishops and Archdeacons should deale with the censures of the Church hauing no maner of lawfull ecclesiasticall callinqe vnto it nor that excommunication is to be for pecuniarie causes and payementes of registres fees or such like But what doe I reckon particulars whereas if the Cannon law be the rule for church-gouernement the abuses must needes be infinite If these disorders bee in the reformed Churches notwithstanding their wante of all outwarde meanes and the heauie displeasure of their Princes and the whote and fierie persecutions wherewith they are pursued whiche yet were a time of tolleration and bearing with thinges amisse if there were any their state were to be helde disordered and to neede reformation for feare of the most iust wrath and indignation of God to fall vpon them But if all these and such like matters be well ordered in them and the same farre otherwyse in our Church notwithstandinge all the meanes and helpes to haue procured the good ordering of them much more conuenientlie then with them is the Declaration to be blamed for exhorting to leaue such a disorder and to receyue that order which is according to God Nowe as the glorie and kingdome of Christ is highly aduaunced and increased where this obedience is giuen to him to order his house accordinge to his will whose it is so on the other parte there must needes be so much wanting of the glorie increase thereof where that obedience is not yeelded to him Which would to God it were otherwise and that the enormities of all sortes did not shewe the want of that glorie of Christes kingdome that would bee if his orders were obeyed nor the exceeding great apostasie falling awaye from God to Atheisme Epicurisme and profanenes and namelie the multitudes of recusantes of late yeres so greatlie increased did not shewe how smallie the glorie of the kingdome of Christ doeth increase amongest vs. As for our peace and other blessinges whereof the Replier speaketh it is in deede to be acknowledged to the high honour of Almightie God that neyther at this present is any Nation vnder heauen so blessed in all respectes nor hath this Lande bin so at any time heretofore The Lorde make vs thankfull for all his ritche mercies bestowed vpon vs and continew with great increases all the prosperitie and happie estate of our Lande people But that he sayeth we are so blessed aboue all other churches euen in this estate of ecclesiasticall gouuernement established soundeth as if he would haue one ecclesiasticall estate to be taken to be the cause of all these blessings Some attribute the cause hereof to the troubles of our neighbours and some to the gratious gouernement of hir excellent Maiestie and the great wisedome of the right Honourable of hir Counsell Diuines as it best agreeth with their profession yet with due honour of all the noble instrumentes of this grace as euerie one hath deserued to the prouident and watchfull care of Almightie God ouer vs in giuing all the good meanes of this our estate which we enioye and many times by extraordinarie fauours discouering the secrete practises of our enimies and working in deede as the Replyer sayeth wonderfully and graciouslie for vs. But no man yet that euer I heard of before this attributed this honour to Archdeacons and Archbishops to Chauncelours and Bishops to Commissaries and Officialls or the rest of that trayne This is a garlande would not become those heades in anie sorte let them weare it to their great honour that haue deserued it Is it for that that they are the Officers which God hath set in his Churche and therefore doeth powre his blessing vppon his owne ordinance It hath bin alreadie shewed what agrement they haue with the worde and from what originall they proceeded If it be sayde notwithstanding they be of mans creation and appointement yet they may bee employed in such affaires as might procure this blessing to the state let it bee considered wherein they haue bin occupied since her Maiesties raigne it will easilie appeare howe farre it is of that they should haue any parte of this honour If there were a commission graunted to examine what hath bin done by these officers and their Courtes for these nine and twentie yeares what good they haue

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