〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 255. and the place where these Foxes b His Cant. 2. 15. Take us the little foxes is saies Diodati in Loc a command given to represse and to put out Hereticks which grow up together with the truth of the Gospel It may be said of some Dum vis esse prado fies prâ—di as he will call them will be kennel'd is rendred perfectly empty of truth and reason though not of venime and calumnie But what Cato the Elder said to one Lentulus spitting in his mouth viz. Hereafter saies he I shall have somewhat to answer them who denie thee to have oâ— may I say concerning this broad and black mouth of the Author Neverthelesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To his Sixth Argument whereof the quintessence is this Because the Order c. of Diocesan Bishops hath many unscriptural Offices depending which are branches thereof Therefore 't is unlawful His Proof having said something partly falsely partly impertinently for the Major his proof I say of the Minor is by reckoning-up Deans c. Answ 1. Those inferiour Officers though they depend upon the Bishop yet are no branches of his Office much lesse of his Order 2. Why not some Officers added since the Scripture-times as well as antiquated and laid aside since as for example Widows c 2 Tim 5. 9. Why not as lawfully some Officers taken-in by the Church as by his friends the Smectymnuans an Order which was in the Church before single Presbyters put out 4. Why not Deans c. yea Chancellours as well as Presbyterie's Ruling-Elders an Office not above an hundred years old and of which in Scripture or in the antient Church there appears nec vola nec vestigium d See Mr Mede's Diatribe on 1 Tim 5. 17. p. 296. 5. Why not as well as a new different Function made of the same Office by the same New-fanglers Elders-Preachers being divided by them into Pastors and Doctors whom they sever in function limiting the one to See S. Chrysostome in Eph. 4. 11. S. Jerom in both his Commentaries on that Epist Omnis enim Pastor Doctor est Pastores a Doctores quos maximè ut discerneremus voluisti eosdem puto esse sicut tibi visum est ut non alios Pastores alios Doctores intelligeremus Hos nâ— sicut unum aliquod duobuâ— nominibus complexus est S. Aug. Epist 109. ad Paulinum his Exhortation onely the other to point of Doctrine onely 6. Why not as well as a new sort of Deacons men of occupation and trade See more Authorities in Bishop Andr. Form of Ch Government before after Christ p. 124. to deale with the Church-stock and care of the poor onely added against the sense of all Antiquitie ever reckoning of that Calling as a Step or Degree to the Ministerie out of 1 Tim. 3. 13 See Justin Apolog 2. ad Antoninum Tertullian de Baptismo S. Cyprian Serm. 4. de lapsis a See Bishop Andrews's Serm Of Worshiping Imaginations p. 34. c. 7. Himself do's account Bishops and much more Arch-Bishops or Metropolitans un-Scriptural Officers and yet we have proved that they must and ought to be in the Church upon Scripture-authoritie and because some men are sai'd to give more deference to him than to it upon Mr Calvin's authoritie too who counsilled the K. of Poland not onely to constitute Bishops in every Province but Arch-bishops also above them â— There were in the antient Church Sub-Deacons b There is no question but these minor orders or degrees were very antient For Cyprian maketh mention of one Mettius a Sub-Deacon and Nicepharus an Acoluthe Cy p. l 2. Epist 10. See him also l. 2. Ep. 5 l. 4. Ep. 5. 55. 13. 14. Acoluthes Exoreists Lectors Ostiaries c. which were lawfully then deemed to be had though not mentioned in the Scripture neither commanded nor exemplified 9. We have retained oney the three Scriptu e-Orders c You shall do well to shew the prohâ—bition of our Saviour against addition of more Officers in the Church than he named and yet in one sense I do not conceive that the Ch. of England haâ—h added any for an Arch-Bishop is onely a distinction for order of Government not a new Officer and so of the rest and of this kind I believe there are diverse now in Scotland which you will not condemn as the Moderators of Assemblies and others His Majesties thiâ—â— Paper to Henderson miâ—t p. 340 and for the several Officers under or appertaining to the first of them though not Original and Apostolick were introduced upon good and necessaries grounds as hath appeared above 10. There is no reason that the Garment of the Spouse the Church should now be as straight as at first and therefore though no more Degrees of Ecclesiastical Order may be admitted than Bishops Presbyters and Deacons yet Services Officers which must by all means be distinguished from the three Degrees in the Power of Ecclesiastical Order may reasonably be admitted and such are Deans arch-Arch-Deacons c. Titles namely of Office as the state of the Church doth need now that the World is entred into it Degrees of Order still continuing the same as they were from the first beginâ—ing d Hooker l. 5. § 78. p. 423. 423. See Cornelius P. R. in his Epist ap Euseb Hist Eccl l. 6. c. 42. Epiphan in Epitome Doctr. Catholicae See Dr Field of the Church l. 5. c. 25. p. 488 489 Bishop Andrews's Stricturae p. 12. His Argument we thus Retore They that reject an Order and Office which in it self is jure Divino and go's attended with many useful Helps Services or Offices needful in this state of the Church do that which is unlawful But the Presbyterians and our Author c. do so Therefore they do what is unlawful The Major which alone needs Proof is already abundantly proved For his scurrile language 't is a thing we are so acquainted with e're this that without being esmoved at it we may dismisse it But what he saies about Paul's scoffing Ananiâ—u Acts 23. 3. from whose supposed irregularitie in the Office of High-Priest he fetches S. Paul's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I wist not I touch and say 1 S. Paul spake not Ironically but seriously to this effect I considered not sufficiently my duty to one in authority though unduly obtained which do's not allow me to revile him made unlawful Exod 22. 28. 2 For his arguing from Ananias who was not â—n High-Priest of God's appointment no nor yet the High-Priest put in by the Roman Procurator a See Doctor Hammond on â— Luk 3. 6. at this time to our Bishops viz. that because the one was irregular in the Office the others also are so too when as ha's been proved these have their potestatem or function from God and 't is evident they have the exercitium of it by the allowance
in the Mother-City d Called also Arch-Presbyter These names are as antient as S. Hierom. Dean chief over the several Deaneries whereinto the Diocese for better Government-sake was divided who imparted Orders from the Bishop inquired into doctrine taught the People and redressed lighter matters Rural Bishops a These in England were sâ—ffâ—agan Bishops some of them continâ—ing in the first year of Q Elâ—z having power of Ordination performing the Episcopal Office in places remote from the Metropolis or Mother-City where and at what times the Bishop could not be present personally For the easier and quicker dispatch in Causes Testimentarie or of Wills Matrimonial Decimal or about Tythes refer'd by Kings c. becomne Christian for honouring the Bishops to their hearing and judgment though otherwise Civil Causes by the Bishops are employed in the exercise of Jurisdiction under the names of Chancellours c. learned Civilians at fitting Helps in Government See Dr Field of the Church l. 5 p 150 c. undoubtedly as Presbyterian Aldermen or Lay-Elders though at first entertained as Assessours to suggest what was Law in doubtful Cases and Judges in such Causes as have been by the grace of Emperours permitted to the sentence of the Church b See Episcopacy Presbyterie considered So that the Bishop making use of so many Assistants and Messengers and as the Jews known Rule is c Apostolus cujusque est ut quisque every one's Apostle being as himself to which our Lord seems to refer S. Matth. 10. 40. the Bishop may be said to do all that they do and so know the flock watch over them c. as above while the life of the Bishop is spent in his own immediate and personal doing his proportion of the severals besides supervising watching and labouring that all the rest be rightly done A Part d Onus Angelicis humeris formidandum S. Chrysostome sufficiently burdenous God give the Heart equally zealous But we Retors his Argument thus That Office or part which makes a man utterly uncapable of performing the Duties belonging to his Office is unlawful But the rejecting Bishoply Power makes a Minister so to call him utterly uncapable c. and Therefore the rejection of Episcopal Power is unlawfull For where no Ordination no Priesthood or Ministerie where ordination upon casting out and off Bishops by Presbyters the Orders are nullities and what then by consequence unavoidable are their Acts of Priesthood Hear to this purpose Panormitan e L. 1. Decretal de Consuctudin c. 4. a Writer which Smec have cited for them Thou see'st here that such Ordination hinders the impression of the Character for if Presbyters do de facto confer it they collate or impart nothing Remember the case a Socrates â— 1. Eccl. Hist c. 10. See Bishop Hall's Episcopacy by Divine Right Part 2. § 15. for this Storie of Ischyras where also others of like nature are set down Quo pacto igitur Presbyter Ischyras aut quo tandem authore constitutus c. A thanas Apol. 2. See Bishop Bilson's Perpet Government c. 13. See the censure of Colluthus's fact in Socrat. l. 1. c. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Ischyras made Presbyter by Colluthus Presbyter and how that mock-Orders was nulled by the Church To his Fourth This in brief Diocesan Bishops do necessarily introduce the Pope's Power over the Churches c. Therefore unlawful His Proof Because they have Ordination from him because they have it from the Arch-Bishop who hath his from the Pope or else he is no Minister and so cannot ordain others Bishops c. Answ 1. The Papists say we have no lawful Priesthood because it is not derived from their chief Bishop the Pope and the scattered Bands of Sectaries say the same thing upon a ground not the same but contradictorie thereto namely because our Orders derive from Rome Which dealing is a very good and auspicious symptome of truth in our Ordâ—nation and Consecration because Nature in the mouth of her great Secretarie hath pronounc'd which is applicable also to our divine Liturgie that the middle virtue is most infallibly and certainly hereby known that it is accused by either Extreme as guilty of its opposite or enemie the other Extreme Some resemblance whereto carries that usual Saying of a great Officer b once of this State when coming from the Chancerie to sit a Thomas Lord Coventry down at Dinner he would say Surely to day I have dealt equally for I have displeased both sides 2. What if our Bishops in the first Consecration in K. Henry the 8's as in K. Edw the 6's daies had their consecration in part from the Greek Church by those Bishops of Sidon c See Mr Mason de Minâ—sterio Anglicano that then assisted 3. Distinguishing 'twixt ab and per from and through the Fountain and the Canale we say our Bishops received their Ordination from the Bishops the Apostles though running through Popish times of which yet it ressents no more since our Reformation than the three youths of the Captivitie coming out of the Fornace smelt of the fire 4. While our Bishops were in subjection to the Bishop of Rome they had from him onely a mandatorie Nomination like that of or from Kings now being consecrated by Bishops within themselves here who alone imposing hands alone gave the Ordination 5. What of Christ's Institution Inter doctrinae corrupteloâ— mansit semper vocationis ordâ—nationis legitima disciplina quoad suâ—stâ—ntiam saâ—â—m c. Bishop Prid-Fas Câ—ntr p. 248. was remanent among the Papists our Bishops might receive without contracting the polluted adherences of the corrupted part properly their oâ—n a According to that of H. Jerem â—5 19. They retaining the Fundamentals of Religion which thing they did and do the Orders derived from them are vaâ—id some part of the Bark un-cut may transmit the Sap. 6. Baptisme by them administâ—ed was not is not renewed no nor Popish-Priestly Orders A mutilated maimed Father begets an entire perfect man as the circumcised Father a child with a Prepuce Essentials b My dâ—fence for your Ministerie is that the Form Receive the H. Ghost whos 's sins c. doth sufficiently comprehend the authoritie c. Bishop Bedel's Letter to Mr Wadesworth a transfuga to Rome p. 157. apud Doctor Bernard's certain Discâ—urses c. p. 227. observed Superstructures and Corruptions in the Transmittents do not cassate or void it 7. The Succession by Imposition of hands in the Jewish Church where the Sons of Aaron were oft worse than the worser sort of the Romish Clergy can be by Idolatrie c See and argue from Ezek 16. 20. to this matter my children c. was not questioned after a Reformation though derived from filthie hands 8. The Succession in our Lord's time was no whit better and yet He was circumcised by them they offered for him in the Temple and he sends his Cured to the
Latine or Greek as in English 2. These Latines are Englished and so are as lawful to be said as Abba Father and so also even the ignorant may pray them with understanding of the sense and so again not contrarie to his Text b 1 Cor. â—4 3. There 's nothing like Papistry in the whole Prayer and therefore 't is horrible uncharitablenesse for using two or three very Evangelical words of an innocent common Language to infer that the user died with the Faith of Papists in his heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c S. Jude v. 10. 4. When upon the Title of the Prayer A Prayer to be said c. he ha's this Observe mark not prayed the man sure is owner of the Poet 's d Pindar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make such a very silly Exception which lies equally against Scripture it self When ye pray say e S. Luk. 〈◊〉 See S. Mat. 26. 39 42 44 S. Mar. 4. 39. Luk. 22. 42. To his last That that piece of the Litanie which was in K. Edw IV s Liturgies f 1st 2d in the Litur so K. H. â—'s time See A. B. Lâ—ud's Speech in Star-Chamber p. 35. viz. From the Tyrannie of the Bishop of Rome and all his deâ—estable enormities good Lord deliver us is left-out in ours Answ 1. It was so in Q. Elizabeths time also and so no Innovation or Popery chargable on the Renowned William Laud L. A. B. C. or the so by-named Ganterburians as was the cry of Mr Burton and his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. It was left out upon conceit or belief that it was as sure it was a very great scandal and offence to all those in England affected to the Church of Rome who are as apt to take offence now as then and as much consideration is to be had of them now as then scandal being ever to be avoided 〈◊〉 much as may be and the matter being of no greater moment than this reallie is of Therefore 3. as it was done then of a good intent so no man at that time was found to quarel the doing of it as our Author after Mr Burton a See Dr Heylin's Answer to Mr Burton c. 7. p. 158. now do's 4. The Queen or King and Her or His Metropolitan have power to make such alterations as these as is I suppose proved above 5. And so his malicious Question is satisfied Whether it was liking to fear of or compliance with the Pope Neither so nor so nor so 6. For his impertinent Sarcasme I say as S. Cyprian did b L 3â— Ep. 3â— upon some such occasion Non oportet me paria cum illo facere And thus I have done with his former Undertaking and clearly shewed how weak and worthlesse it is We now remove our Pen to the next THE DEFENCE OF EPISCOPACY WHat remains of his Pamphlet is about Bishops against whom his First Argument in summe is this Because it is absolutely forbidden by Christ and S. Peter that any Minister extraordinarie or ordinarie should exercise Lordship His Proofs are out of Matth 20. 25. Luke 22. 25. 1 Pet 5. 1 3. Answ 1. I denie his Consequence that is I denie that because S. Peter forbids the Clergie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore there must be no Bishops or no Bishops honoured with the Title of Lords * As he said well Because they themselves are usually styled Masters are they therefore the Masters of their Church Bishop Hall's Episcopacy by Divine Right Part second p. 175 For 2. that Greek word concerns not either of these matters importing onely the Practice of the Heathen rulers Kings or Emperours Procuratours or other secular Governours over them who used their power in order to their own profit and greatnesse as in H. Neh. 5. 15. where the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used of those Governours there mentioned acted as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 masters of their People and that not onely by dominion over their persons but over their estates too so far as to maintain all their state splendor and greatnesse belonging to them out of the People's Purses by way of tributes and taxes and the like all the pomp and expenses of their Families and Courts being fetched out of their Subjects Purses and persons which Samuel told the Israelites would be the maner of their King if they Primatus in quis daâ—naâ—ur verbo Dei Mat 16 Lu. 22. Jo. p. Imò non primatus sed ambito tyrannis D. Paraeus Epist 1614. to Hungaria Churches would have one 1 Sam. 8. 11. Now when Ecclesiastical Rulers make use and advantage of Ecclesiastical power forcibly to squeeze gain out of men over and above the portion which is allotted by the Church to their maintenance they fall under this charge of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not otherwise Surely Bishops and Lord-Bishops may be and be very guiltlesse of this practice as actually many God be thanked of ours were 3. Some answer not much differentlie from what I have but now That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies tyrannical a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non est simpliciter habere potestateÌ„ sed potestate uti tyrannicè adversus subditos sicuti explicat Theophylactus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Casau in S Luk. 10. 42 p. 423. governing or dominion the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being commonly taken in the worst sense as in Catachrésis Catabaptistae Cataphyryges accordingly though to rule tyrannically abusing power b If any shall come in with that ignorant mistake that this is to Lord it over God's heritage they must know that it is not the bearing the Title or the having answerable Revenue that is guilty of such usurpation but the arrogating a power over men's conscience which the Papal Consistorie do ' s. Episcopacy and Presbyterie confidered c. by Dr H. Fern p. 10. Whereby is sâ—tisfied what Sr Ed Deâ—ing ha's Speech p. 24 c. be here forbidden a paternal moderate lawful power such as of good Bishops is not under interdict here 4. The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the place by him cited of S. Luke being in the Geneva-Translation MDLXIX turned gracious Lords though it signifies benefactours c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aristot Pol. l. 3. Inter multâ— quae fidei noeene hoe non minimum est quod versionem quisque attempeâ—at ad suas sententias c. Sua cuique Deus fir diracupido Hoc v. annon eâ—t idola collere imò semet collocare in templâ— Dei si libeat iâ—â—um lacum suâ—ere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Grotii Animadâ— in Animadv A. Râ—v p. 12. and the words should run Their Princes called benefactors exercise authoritie over them was wont to be made â—n Argument against the Title of Lord-Bishops together with the style his or your Grace but now it 's fairly laid asleep and so should 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as urged against the due power or function of Bishops For 5. besides what ha's been already said to strip this Reason of all armour of proof 't will equally militate against the Lords Temporal as against the Bishops the Lords Spiritual for neither should those be like the Lords of the Gentiles in the fore-mentioned regards But we shall Retort his Argument from the very next verses in the two Evangelists to those cited He that is greatest among you let him be your minister or as the yonger as that signifies Officer thus If there must be one greatest among the many Ministers one that should be a continung Minister or servant to them or for them one that serves relieves provides-for 'em the Office directly of a Governour then there is to be an Imparitie among them which is contrarie to the Presbyterian or Sectarian Equalitie But so and such there ought to be Therefore there must be a standing Inequality or Superioritie in authoritie power and jurisdiction and not onely in dignitie Again If our B. Lord had mean't to forbid all Priestly Jurisdiction Another Argument may be fetch 't from S. Mat. 28. v. S. Luk. 27. v. by the comparison there As you have me for an example whom though you justly and truly call Lord and Master for sol am yet I am among you as he that serveth Albeit that all the LXX had the power immediately from Christ yet it is as evident that our Saviour made a clear difference between the XII Apostles and the rest of the Disciples which is set down by three of the Evangelists whereof S. Mark calls it an Ordination c. 3. 15. and S. Luke saies of them he chose 12. c. 6. 13. c His Majesties third Paper to the Ministers at Newport p. 343. Consider the mention of 12. thrones not 70. Mat. 19. 28. Consider the style by an Article of eminence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the twelve as Patriarchs of the Church Consider that Joseph Justus chosen Bishop Acts 1. 23. was one of the seventy Dorotheus in Synopsâ— of this nature he would have said where 't was natural and needful to say so I will have no Powers Degrees and Ranks among you one above and over another or others as now between the High Priest inferiour Priests and Levites But He forbids no such matter c. onely interdicts such inslaving dominion and domineering rule as the Lords of the Gentiles c. Therefore c. And so his places of H. Text are far enough from affording an Argument like David's stone as he saies and hoasts to knock the Goliah of Episcopacy on the fore-head if it be such it will rebound and mortally wound him and his lewd cause and lay it a-bleeding yea dead for ever To his Second Argument summarily this Because to put one Bishop over diverse particular Churches is directly contrarie to what the Spirit of God hath appointed and therefore must needs be unlawful His Proof Because the H. Ghost hath appointed several Bishops in one particular Church which he confirms from Acts 20. 28. Phil. 1. 1. Answ 1. We denie the Minor if this lie as a Categorical Syllogisme and say that there is no validitie in his Proofs The Elders of Ephesus mentioned Acts 20. 28. were Bishops in the restrained Ecclesiastical sense as distinct from and above Presbyters in the modern notion of it Bishops either of the Asian Church of that whole Region or at least of the Ephesian Province A most credible person a S. Irenaeus l. 3. c. 14 Ab Epbeso reliquis civiâ—atibus convoâ—atos esse living neer those times being an Auditour of S. Polycarp the first Bishop of Smyrna not contradicted by any contemporarie yeelds a very competent authoritie to prove this when 't is his testimonie of these Ephesine Elders that they were the Bishops of all Asia * called together from Ephesus * and the rest of the neerest Cities adjoyning ** Note Ephesus was the chief Metropolis of all Asia it And 't is a Maxime of the Greek Scholiast on 1. S. Peter 1. 5. The Book of the Acts used to call the Bishops Elders b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But because these Authorities will be of no value with my Author 2. We 'l see what Proof of our Assertion Scripture yeelds and first of this kind occurs S. Paul's Addresse to them in this style v. 18. Ye know from the first day I came into Asia after what manner I have been with you at all seasons which is an addresse to the Elders of Asia indefinitely Again secondly we produce those words v. 25. And now behold I know that ye all among whom I have gone preaching c. which evidently addresses the speech not onely to the Inhabitants or the pretendable Elders of one City but to all those as many as were then present among whom he had gone preaching the faith of Christ c See Oeenmenius on S. John 2. going through all the Region and preaching the Gospel and not onely to those of Ephesus For Proof of this last see Acts 19. 21. And v. 2. expresse places Thirdly there 's no reason to imagine that S. Paul taking his solemn last leave of them v. 38. should not so much consider them as to call for or desire to see any of the rest of his Sons the Governours of the inferiour Churches to whom he had committed that numerous flock now so universllie in danger of Wolves d See Doctor Hammond on Acts 11. 30. 3. To his other place Phil. 1. 1. mentioning onely Bishops and Deacons and consequently as they interpret Presbyters in the Modern Notion and Deacons and no Bishop we say 1 some take the words as belonging to the persons saluting and not to the persons saluted to this sense Paul and Timotheus with the Bishops and Deacons to the Saints at Philippi c. 2 Some and that with great probabilitie affirm Epaphroditus was then actually Bishop of Philippi but not to be mentioned in the Inscription of the Epistle because he was not then at Philippi but with S. Paul at Rome when that Epistle was written 3 Others say that though it be as is pretended Bishops being interpreted of Presbyters and so excluding Bishops as that signifies persons having a majoritie prelacy or superioritie over many inferiour Presbyters within a certain Precinct yet it is not thereby evicted that there is no other standing Office in the Church besides there appearing say those a See His Majesties â—d Paper delivered to the Ministers attending at Newport p. 270. p. especially 408. that thus answer another manifest Reason why that of Bishops might not be so proper to be mentioned in that place viz. because in the Church which the Apostles themselves planted they placed Presbyters under them for the Office of Teaching and took upon themselves the care and reserved in their own hands the
power of Governing these Churches for a longer or shorter time as they saw it expedient for the propagating of the Gospel before they set Bishops over them and so say they it may be probable that there was as yet no Bishops set-over the Church of Philippi when S. Paul writ his Epistle to them 4 Others again lastly say b See Doctor Hammond's Dissertations Diss 4. c. 7. to the end of that Dissert that the Bishops here signifies as distinct from Presbyters as Bishops they say constantly and alwaies do and if not Elders also constantly so yet rarely otherwise * Philippi being a Metropolis c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a prime City of one part of Macedonia Acts 16. 12. and Epaphroditus being their Bishop in S. Paul's time as Theodoret d In 1 Tim. 3. 1. and others resolve from his being called their Apostle Phil. 2. 25. who had under him many Bishops and these they in the place contested all of them subordinate to him as their Metropolitane So many answers have we for the enerving all force of this so seemingly-strong and so strongly insisted-on testimonie from Phil 1. 1. and for the salving our Hypothesis against it and it 's like And thus we Retort the Argument That which is directly contrarie to what the Spirit of God hath appointed must needs be unlawful But to denie the putting one Bishop over diverse Churches and consequentlie the asserting the Presbyterians c. their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 paritie or equalitie is the former And Therefore it is the latter that is unlawful See above To his Third Argument which is this in effect Diocesan Bishops is contrarie to that order which the Apostles appointed in the Churches of the Gentiles and therefore unlawful His Proofs Acts 4. 23. Tit 1. 5 7. Answ 1. We have answered this already sufficiently in our Solution of his last That certainly which is proved not to be contrarie but according to the Spirit 's appointment was not contrarie but consonant to the Apostles who followed the conduct of the B. Spirit in their Establishments their order appointment or setting up 2. His two Proofs make not at all for him nay make against him as we shall straight shew being of this import that Paul and Barnabas in the former consecrated Bishops for the believers Church by Church or one in every City at Lystra one at Iconium another c. and in the latter that Titus was by S. Paul constituted Bishop of Crete to ordain Bishops in each City of that Iland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in one place and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the other being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 words of equal import and best rendred respectively Church by Church and City by City in every Church and so in every City one Elder or Bishop and accordingly to ordain c. in every Church in the Acts and to constitute Elders in every City Tit. 1. are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same sense every City having a Bishop in it and so being called a Church to which the believers in all the parts about it belonged and that â—ishop having power to make as many inferiour Officers in that Church as he thought good Now thus we Retort his Argument That order which is contrarie to the order which the Apostles set up in the Churches c. is unlawful But the rejecting of Diocesan a The word Diocese signified a larger extent of Jurisdiction than now it do's See Doctor Hammnod's Treatise of Schism p. 56 57 102 158. Bishops whether Lords or not Lords of which Title we have and shall give farther account is contrarie to that order of the Apostles Therefore it 's unlawful Again If Paul and Barnabas Apostles in Lycaonia and Metrapolitane Titus in Crete constituted or ordained in each Church i. e. in each City a Dicesan Bishop then Diocesan Bishops are not contrarie to the Apostles order c. but the contrarie to this lies under that charge But the former is true as appears and Therefore the latter And now let him judge who they are that are in danger of that dreadful place by him cited Levit 26. 24 41. b Let him all consider 1 Cor 11. 1. Eph. 5. 1. 2 Thes 3. 9. To his Fourth Argument in extract this Because Diocesan power is an Office that makes a man uncapable of performing the Duties belonging properly to his Function and therefore it is unlawful He Proves the Proposition by proposal to consideration of the Duties belonging to the Function of Bishops viz. to know his Flock watch over them feed and comfort them resolve their doubts visit them administer the Lord's-supper oft to them c. Answ 1. This Reason if it be caried home will batter Kingly Government as well as Episcopacie for Kings and Princes cannot do the parts of their Dutie in such wise as is here exacted of the Bishops that is in their proper persons To feed the flock strengthen the diseased heal the sick bind up the broken reducing that which was driven away the seeking the lost is saies the H. Prophet a C. 34. v. 2 4 See H. Grot. in Loc. Excisd jam urbe causas Propheta excidii commemorat Principum crimina qui Postores dicuntur Jer. 2. 18. 3. 15. 10. 11. Platoni de Repub. 4. B. And. on Commandements p. 377. Ezekiel their dutie but these things they cannot do but by procuration or deputation as they command supervise inspect and see-to the doing of them And so what the Bishop can't personally do he can do deputatively b See Doctor Allestry's lare excellent Sermon on Acts 13. 2. p. 25. 2. It fights against the appointment of the H. Ghost and the order of the Apostles who placed sometimes one person over larger extents of Regions otherwhiles in equal Dioceses with those of our Bishops These 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for repelling all force of this Objection But then 3. the Bishop can perform some part of his great and formidable task or province and what is beyond the sphere of his personal immediate inspection and agencie is by him committed to others to see-into and perform Presbyters being assumed in partem operis or oneris or â—fficii and therefore to be termed Presbyteri partiarii or secundarii Besides the Deans and Prebends in Cathedral Churches answering to the City-Presbyters assumed for counsil and assistance c 1 Cor. 12. 28 helps in governments See also 1 Cor. 11. ult to the bishop in those firster times Arch-Deacons derived from and something analogizing to the Bishop's-Deacon dubbed with the Additional Arch to distinguish them from those other Deacons that attended on Presbyters in their Charge Those being sent by the Bishops upon all occasions into every part of his Diocese to observe how all things went and at length they were entrusted by the Bishop to judge and redresse smaller abuses the Rural to distinguish him from the Cathedral chief of the Presbyters
Priests with a Go shew your-selves to the Priests and offer c. frequently 9. In the IV. Centuries after the Orthodox were hatched under the Wings of the Arian Priests as say the Fathers S. S. Basil and Hilarie and there ensued no rejection of the succeeding Priests made such by persons as bad as the Romish Priests generally speaking 'T was Wisdome in that sober Age to account a Jewel no whit the worse or of lesse virtue by being delivered by a dirtie hand This may vindicate our Ordination which we account absolutely necessarie to an authoritative Priest-hood or Ministerie the causa sine quâ non as he speaks See Jerem. 23. 21. Rom. 10. 14. Hebr 5. 4. d S. Cyprian speaking of the Heresies and Impostors of his time de Vnitate Eccl. p. 23. chooses to give this as a principal part of their character Hi sunt c. These are they that of their own accord without God's appointment set themselves up among the temerarious assemblers who constitute themselves Rulers without any Law of Ordination who assume the name of Bishops when no man gives them the power and so sit in â—he chair of pestilence See Doctor Hammond's most excellent Trearise of Ordination Quaere Vth where the Soâ—inians Arguments of which our Author relisher are accurately answered p. 271 c. 13. That our Episcopacy upon that stock of Orders will bring in the Pope is a groudnlesse malicious Surmize 1 that the greatest Enemies and Opposers of the Pope our Reverend Bishops and learned Writers that lived in obedience to them whom to reckon is no easie task as Jewel Downham Abbot Andrews Whites Vsher Mountague Chillingworth Jackson Hammond Taylor Cosens c. who have written so fully so learnedly and so admirably against them and have applied through an errour it may be that in 2 Thess 2. about the man of sin and that of Babylon Rev. 17. some of the fore-named to him 2 that they who suffer'd Martyrdome in opposition to the Popish Religion Bishop Cranmer Ridley c. and have since undergone a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fierie Tryal from the Presbyterians and other Schismaticks of from this Church for their unshaken adherence to its Tendries or Deliveries Laws and Usages that these I say should necessarily introduce the Pope's Power over the Churches is a thing that can never enter into any man's head unlesse his brains are adle and his wits not to say his charitie or honesty are utterly fled Especially when it shall be known what Bishop Sanderson a Pref to 14. Sermons § 18 will tell us is verie well known to many What rejoycing that Vote of the long Parliament for pulling down Episcopacie brought to the Romish Party and how even in Rome it self they sang their Jo Paeans upon the tidings thereof and said triumphantly Now the day is ours Now is the fatal blow given to the Protestant Religion in England But we Retort the Argument thus That which doth necessarily introduce the Pope's Power over the Churches c. is unlawful But to denie due and right that is Episcopal Ordination which is corsequent to denying Diocesan Bishops will necessarily introduce the Pope's Power c. Ergó to denie Episcopal Ordination by Diocesan Bishops is unlawful For who will not rather be of a Church where there is true Mission and Succession as-to substance than in one where as some will not doubt to say all Sacraments c. are Nullities See the last Retortion And hear after what we hear'd from the Bishop of Lincoln then Dr Sanderson what that excellent Arch-Bishop Whitgift tells T. C. I know that those sects and heresies gave strength unto Anti-christ and at the length were one special means of placing him in his Throne even as also I am persuaded that he worketh as effectually at this day by your stirs and contentions whereby he hath and will more prevaile against the Church of England than by any other means whatsoever * What mischief the Puritans did in Q. E. time Camden in Annal tells Pontifiâ—iis plaudentibus multasque in suas partâ—s pertrahentibus quasi nulla esset in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ— uni as To his two Objections that he produces as for us and then Answers I need say nothing having sufficiently superseded all usefulnesse thereof by my Return to his last Argument Yet this I adde which will state and clear the matter of Arch-Bishops and the Consecration by them performed which is the concern of those said Objections and Answers That the Government of the Church Christian by Bishops Priests and Deacons do's perfectly answer that in the Jewish Church by the Chief Priest Priests and Levites those chief Priests being called Praelates Antistites Praesules of the See Bishop Andrews's Form of Ch Government bâ—fore and after Christ p. 1. 6 117. Priest and Levites who were to take care that those inferiour Orders should perform their Imployments or Functions committed to them Moâ—v as among these as appears Num 3. 24 30 35. Eleazar the Son of Aaron was the Prelate of the Prelates a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such were S. S. Timothie Tuus James Bâ—shop of Jerusalem John Ignatius Pâ—lycarp c. so the Arch-bishop rules or presides over the Bishops as a clear Transcript or Copie of what was instituted by God in the Church of the Jews and may therefore own its derivation from thence and not from the Heathens Models of Government This of Arch-bishops is not a distinct order from Bishops but onely a Dignitie b A distinction for order of Government not a new Officer Kâ— Ch. â— below with authoritie proportionable in the Church above them instituted for the preserving of unitie and many other good uses So when a Bishop is to be consecrated the Arch-bishop or Metropolitane authorizes it and in person or by his Deputie c See the Book of Making and Conseâ—â—ing c. in Consâ—â—r of â—n Arch Bishop â— Bish assists in it and the fore-mention'd Bishop ha's according to the antient Canons hands imposed upon him by three or four â—ishops Here in England when Card Pool Arch-Bishop of C. died Q. E. assigned Matthew Parker to be his Successour in the vacancie of that See who that he was regularly consecrated whatever that pellucid or rather thick-skin'd lie of the Nag's-head in Chep fide London which the Oxford-Greek-Professour John Neal told Thomas Bluet the Priest pretends to the contrarie appears most luculeâ—tly out of the Publick Records and Registers and is vindicated by Mr Arch-Deacon Mason in his Book de Minist Anglic to the indubitable satisfaction of all men that will but open their eyes and F. Oldcorn though living and dying in the Roman Communion did say because there 's no defence against a flaile no resisting evident demoâ—stration That these our Registers were authenticall By what hath beed said his idle talk of the â—nglish Bishops-their Grandfather a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. â—liad 4. 〈◊〉
and approbation of the lawful secular Magistrate 't is a grosse Non-sequitur or Paralogisme To his Seventh Argument not now fettered in the Laws of Syllogisme Because there 's no diffâ—rence made in the Scripture between Bishops and other Gospel-Ministers called Elders Citing Acts 20. 17. 28. Answ 1. Some of the Episcopal judgment yeeld that the names of Bishop and Presbyter are confounded or used promiscuâ—nsâ—y who yet from that indistirction of the name are far enough removed from granting a Samenesse in the Offices if Presbyter be taken in the modern sense 2. I have said and proved that Bishops and it 's uncertain whether â—resbyters also do not constantly signifie Bishops in the notion of these daies and we then proved them so to signifie in two of his places instanced for the contrarie Phil 1. 1. Tit 1. 5 6 7. 3. Though the words Disciple and Minister be used of Bishops and Arch-Bishops yet those being general words and comprehending all that give-up their names to Christ and such as indefinitely are authorized to publish Christ's Gospel respectively they hinder not but that there may be distinct Orders and Dignities passing thereunder As the Captains Field-Officers yea General himself may be and are called Souldiers 4. When he wills his Reader to Note that where the Church-Officers are mentioned in Scripture the Bishops are never named as a distinct Order from the Elders but onely from the Deacons a we say 1 What if the former Text spake nothing â—â—om 12. 6 â—â— Eph. 4. 〈…〉 Bishop 〈…〉 of â—orshiping â—â—â—giâ—â—tions 〈…〉 c. at all of Church-Governours Origen Chrysostome Theodoret Ambrose Hierom Occumenius having created of that Epistle not one of them b applies this place to Church-Government nor findeth the distributer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 8. v. not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 7. v. to signifie the Deacon as the Disciplinarians would have it not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui miseretur signifies their Widow 2 In the latter Text there 's no mention of Deacons at all no nor Presbyters in the importance of our times the Pastours and Teachers there being Bishops resident and governing particular Churches and instructing them also But 3 we say that when these Epâ—stles were written there were no single Presbyters in the World there being then no more holy Orders than the Bishop and the Deacon Which thing hath been irrefragably made good in the Dissertations of Episcopacie against David Blondel and others by the most eminent Dr Hammond out of SS Epiphanius c l. 1. c. 1. Coâ—â— Aërium who fetches it from the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the profoundest Histories and Clemens Romanus d Epist ad Corinâ—h p. 54 See the Vindic of the Dissertations fâ—om â—he London-Ministers p. 6 〈◊〉 an Apostolical person who saith The Apostles constituted their first-fruits of Converts into Bishops and Deacons of those which should after believe He next proposes an Obâ—ection designing some kindnesse to the Prelatists thus Yea there is mention made of Helps and Governments 1 Cor 12. 28. To which he Answers If any can spie out Episcopacie here I am sure nor here nor elsewhere can they find their Lord Bishops Answ 1. We can spy Bishops here teachers in the third place signifying Bishops herein onely different from Prophets immediately precedent that they taught out of the instructions which they had themselves received without any special revelation 2. What if we cannot find lord-Lord-Bishop in name we can find Diocesan Bishops in power yea and having greater power than our Lord-Bishops have for the miracles gifts of healing i. e. powers inflicting diseases and death it self upon the disobedient and gifts of healing them that received the faith c. were then as endowments of these Teachers that is Bishops in the restrained Ecclesiastical sense and no Officers as he thinks them weening they might be sâ—pposeable to be Bishops but far off removed from Apostles c. 3. For the Title of Lord that is onely an Additament or Ornament which the Piety of Christian Kings hath bestowed on deserving Church-men and doth not can not make the Bishop really and substantially to differ from what he was in the Primitive times any more than the Additions of Arms or Ornaments can make a body really and substantially to differ from it self naked or divested of the same as K. Charles told the Ministers in the Isle of Wight a In his Majesties 2d Papet which was also confessed and assented to by them then b In the Ministers their 2d Paper See also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mihi p. 143. Meditar 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellow-labourers the word signifies v. 3. so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. 9. 4. We do not think that though Priscilla being a Woman and yet a Helper c of S. Paul as also Aquila Rom 16. 3. were no Bishops yet such may be styled Helpers confident we are fellow-souldier Archippus d Philem. 1 2. See Dr Hammond in Col. 4. 17. is the same with Archippus Bishop of Colosse who were Bishops viz Helpers in Christ Jesus promoting the Gospel of Christ doing their best to bring many to the Faith 5. To his wish that the Bishops were Helpers of good Ministers as Timothie so as to carie a poor painful persecuted Preacher's Cloak Books c. We Return that he would have you by these words well know that he is one of those poor painful persecuted preachers which titles we shall anon see how he deserves and would also insinuate that our Bishops were never any Helpers of such when yet 't is well-known they have been an Asylum or Refuge to tommy persecuted Forrairers and also have been these latter years on the persecuted hand by ungrateful refractarie and cruel Ministers their Sons and Subjects as they ought to have continued 6. If he with those of his wiâ—g would give their voices for such Bishops as being Chief are servants we can truly tell them we shall have their suffrage for a many of our Bishops 7. If they 'l allow them the chief care over so many as they have converted their power will be what er'e they say very great Of the Primitive Bishops some having converted whose Countries respectively and for our Protestant English Bishops who were they that made as câ—ief Instruments England Protestant were they not Bishops Cranmer Ridley Latimer Ferrar Hooper c Nay the Conversion of this Land to Christianitie was under the free and great grace of God by the ministerie of Bishops Who translated the H. Bible out of the Originals into English their Mother-tongue for their reading but Bishops and Episcopal men Who expounded them so elaborately for their understanding of them but Bishops c Who baptized and insâ—ructed them and their Forefathers Bishops â— Is this your kindnesse to your friends Do you thus requite them O foolish people â— Sam. 16. â—â— Deut 32 6. and unwise To his â—ighth Arg Because they are created by
men viz. Kings or Princes in whose Dominions they are Answ 1. The King designs not ordains the Bishop no nor do's he immediately †And yet if it be so see what Hocker sâ—ies for the â—â—etness and reasonâ—â—â—nesse of that course in that segment of his Politie which Dr Bonard ha's communicated to the world in hit Clavi â—rabales choose but by the Dean and Chapter to whom he commends the person to be consecrated Himself neither imposing him upon them nor consecrating him The King's Mandate gives not power of Ordaining which Bishops consecratours have intrinsecally annexed to their Office 't is onely a Warrant to accommodate or applie this potesias or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the person named in the Royal Mandamus 2. His rude Simile about the Bull and the Ox here halts for the man makes the Bull an Ox yet the King do's not as 't is visible by what is said make the man a Bishop the power of doing that being of Apostolical derivation and consequently of Divine Origination Therefore here is appliable that of old Ennius Qui sibi semitam non sapiunt aliis monstrant viam And 3. we believe though I have not commoditie to examine it now that the L. Chief Justice Cook b De Jure Regiâ— Ecclesiastico he saith â— Instit. 2. § 648. That all the Bishopricks of this â—ealm are of the Kings foundation that they were originally donative and not elective and that the full right of in restiture was in the King who signified his pleasure therein by delivery of a Ring and a Croâ—icistaff to the person by him elected and nominated for that Office has nothing that clashes with what I have said in this matter however he was a Common-Lawyer only and so capable of mistaking in matters of this nature To his Ninth Because they depend upon man which sâ—ies he the true Ministers of Christ never did and because Episcopacie can't stand without being supported by the hand of the chief Magistrate Answ 1. And can Presbyterie or any Church-Government peaceably stand without the countenance and support of Soverain Princes 2. What was the reason that Mr Calvin in his new Device gave the People such share in the Church-Government but for the gaining thereby â—n admission and support of and for it 3. Who in the late daies of Vsurpation more courted and fawned upon the Tyrants for favour and supportation for their several Mushroom-Models than Hath not God promised to the Christian Church that a Isai 49. 33. Kings should â—e their Nursing-Fathers c And do's not their being so import supportance to the Clergie the Chiefs of the Church Our Bishops were as unlikelie unworthilie-to-depend on man as any Clergy in the World as having through the favour of Princes been honoured with the envied Tities of Lords and their Sees by the piety of former times endowed with fair and large Revenues whereof the reason is assigned in the Statute b 24 H. 8â—â— c. 12. For the due administring of what belongs to their places and to keep them from corrupt and sinister affections c. It was King James's Maxime derived from a profound experience none of the Bishops-theirs as he affixes it No Bishop no King which that most pious Martyrly Prince his Son verified by his own most-tragical example 7. If as he saies the Proverb be truer No King no Bishop it seems thereby that Bishops are deemed useful to them to Kings who think it needful for them as Kings to have Bishops in their Kingdoms And therefore 8. that Kings cannot very well nay not at all subsist without them Wherein saies c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Meditat. 17. p. 138. 8 vo the late-mentioned B. Prince so far indeed Reason of State doth induce me to approve that Government of Bishops above any other as I find it impossible for a Prince to preserve the State in quiet unlesse he hath such an influence on Church-men and they such a dependance on Him as may best restrain the seditious exorbitancies of Ministers tongues who with the keys of Heaven have so far the keys of the People's hearts as they prevail much by their Oratorie to let in or shut out both peace and loyaltie c. And saies Bishop â—ramhal d Answ to Militiere p. 115. where he refers to Instances in the Pope's Nuncio in Ireland and the Presbyterian Faction in Scotland Certainly they who were the contrivers and principal actors in this businesse did more maligne Episcopacy for Monarchies sake than Monarchies for Episcopacies So that Kingly and Episcopal Government may be compared to the sweet and advantageous combination of the Vine and Elme Alterius sic altera poscit opem Et conjurant amice To his Tenth Arg Because they do imitate the Priests of the Law so much in respect of their different Degrees and Orders as Arch-bishops answering the High-Priest c. Answ 1. But if Christ and his holy Apostles did accommodate the Jewish Institutions and Vsages to the requisites of the Christian Church in this matter as in others very many then though this be an imitation of the Jews it is however perfectly Christian and we have proved above that it was so done in this very matter 2. It is most sure that a Rite formerly commanded the Jews not See Dr Field of the Chur. Book 5. p. as significative of the future Messias but as decent in the worship of God without 1 any depending on it for Justification without 2 any opinion that the Jewish Law obliges us and without 3 any fear of being persecuted by the Jews or consequent 4 compliance with them the onely not-observing of which Cautions in the matter of Circumsition and some of their other Ceremonies caused S. Paul so to inveigh against Judaizing Gal * 5. 2. 5. 2 4 13. * 6. 12 13 14. * 5. 11. may now be prescribed by the Christian Church meerly as an humane institution judging that decent or useful now which was so then and in this case if nothing else can be objected against it save onely that God thought fit to prescribe it to his own people there will be little fear of danger in or fault to be found with any such usage saies most excellently the divinest Author of the View of the New Directorie § 13. p. 41. 3. That which S. Paul taxes Gal 3 3. is the doctrine of the Ebionites touching the observation of the Jewish Law that they were altogether bound to retain the Legal Service or Judaical Religion and that the Faith in Christ and living according to it would not prove sufficient to save them observing the bodily Legal Religion and thereupon rejecting Euseb Eccl. Hist. l. 3. c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Epistles of S. Paul calling him an Apostle from the Law and using the Gospel which is called the Gospel according to the Hebrews and no other Observing the Sabbath and all their other Observances Circumcision c. Now
what affinicie hath this to our imitating a Jewish Practice qualified as above onely as decent or advantageous not as any waies necessarie nor as importing our obligation to that Law now by Christ abrogated But how saies the Obâ— by himself propounded can they Choristers Organs Altars Sacrifices Oblations Purification of Women Garments c. be Jewish and yet Popish To which he Answers very well for the Bapists are in a manner perfect imitators of the Jews c. Answ 1. For imitation of Jews how far it may be lawful to imitate them in their Usages we saw but now 2. For imtation of Papists as our Vsages are here and elsewhere branded for Popish to be Popish is no more than to partake of the maners customs oâ— ordinances of the Popes which when in plain terms it is not forbidden in Scripture how should it come to passe that to partake of them must needs be unlawful For the Popes were the Bishops of Rome of which the foremost or leading ones having both for Doctrine and Conversation been glorious Members of the Church of Christ the Church of Rome grew so renowned as that for judgment in Religious matters they bare away the bell of Reputation and were to these Western Churches the makers of many wholsome Ordinances in Religion and the eminent supporters thereof Now Corruptions after growing among them though their depravations ought by all means to be disâ—arded yet are not their Ordinances therefore corrupt or rejectable because they were the Acts of Popes but as things by them enacted or acted contrarie to the Word of God So that they are no farther unlawful then as they are demonstrable to to be repugnant to that Cynosure or Rule And if this cannot be shewn we may no more for Respect of Persons though Popes a Isai v. 20. call good evil or evil good than for personal regards we may violate God's Commands Nor is it more to be abhorred as a Popish Corruption to use the Ordinances of Popes or practise the Vsages brought-in by them provided they be not evil in themselves than the Blessing of God's People in the words Balaam blessed them withal is to be detested as a Balaamitish Corruption The condemnatorie Names of Popish Jewish Heathenish c. intend onely that the thing condemned communicates in the nature of those things wherein they were especially corrupt respectively and not of their Indifferent actings and much lesse of the nature of their Excellents Whence 't is clearly conclusble to be Popish as neither to be Jewish c. simply is no argument of necessarie faultinesse It must be proved therefore before any charge of evil is affixable on these things or usages wherein we inter-commune with the Papists that they are Popish in appropriate maligne sense which will not can not ever be done as hath partly appeared already and when farther instances shall be musiered will be made apparent in them also 2. I have spoke to that prejudicate misprision as learned and very worthy Mede b Diatribe on Matth 6. 9. Luk. 9. 2. p. 75. 76. See also the same learned man among his Posthame Pieces in a Letter of his to Mr Herthb p. 663. where he gives instances of this In things for which we find no new ruâ—e given in the N. Test there we are referred to the analogie of the Old Id Diati part 3d of the Holiness of the Church p. 53. calls it of many That the measure of truth and falshood best and worst is the greater or lesser distance from Popery when as Poperie also contâ—ineth much of Chrâ—stianitie or that which is most destructive of the man of man of sin is alwaies most warrantable and safe to be imbraced If it were there be some in the World whose Religion we would be loth to admit of that would be found more Orthodox and better reformed Christians than any of us all 3. It 's Calumnie in exaltation to say it was the aime of some of the late Bishops or that they intended to unite England to Rome as is visible to all whose eyes are not bleared or seeled with envie or malice by the writings and carriages of several Bishops and Doctors that were most under that imputation from the Plebs and Plebeian tribuntian-spirited Priests I might instance the R. F. in God John Bramhal a Answer to De la Militiere Tract of Schism Replication to the Bishop of Chalcedon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Primate now of Ireland the R. Bishop of Durham Dr Cosens b His worthy work on the selves Apocrypha of whom Mons Daillè the famous French Minister said c Bestiae sunt quidem fanatici c. Dr Heylyn's Examen Historicum p. 294. They are beasts and indeed Phanaticks who suspect him of Popery from which you will scarce find any more estranged together with others many whose recital would be needlesse or uselesse So that 4. there 's no fear of the present Bishops even when their wings are grow'n as he insinuates with little charitie that they would endeavour to bring England to Rome if they be like their Predecessours or but constant to themselves To his Eleventh Argument Because Diocesan Power is more than the Apostles exercised either joyntly or a-part they not imposing their Canons but onely recommending them Act 15. 29. Answ 1. I have shewn that they did exercise more power than our Bishops 2. The words from which if ye keep your selves ye shall do well which he will have to be a recommendation as distinguished against â— Decree was a Decree so styled by himself and by the holy writer of the Acts c. 16. v. 4. delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained yea who durst have refused what he saies was but recommended without guilt of sin 3. The injoyning them those Abstinences is called a laying upon them a great burden of necessarie things d v. 28. 4. What they thus decreed or inordered whether consigned to Scripture which yet these were or not were equally binding as-to the conscience where the matters were of the same alloy and therefore he talks weakly to say they imposed not their Canons except the pure Scripture the true Rule c. 5. Seeing the Government of the Church is committed to the Bishops Hebr 13. 17. and there is no government without right â—â— ordain or constitute some certain things therefore Bishops with theâ— Presbyters in their own Church and in Council in many Churches may constitute some things though not according to Divine Right nor so as that their Constitutions should be equalled to Divine Lawe much lesse prefer'd before 'em but 1 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to that Precept 1 Cor 11. 16. 14. 33. 2 for averting scandals of the weak to which matter that Decree Act 15. 20. is usually refer'd 3 for the better gaining of minds to Godlinesse of which relation are the stated or set Fasts used through all the Churches in the World
is no more an Extraordinarie than the other 4. Our Bishops may be Evangelists by making known the Gospel to them that know it not calling them to the Faith which is the peculiar notion or importance of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Evangelize and to preach and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Mat. 28. 19. to gather Disciples as those words are opposed to teaching Acts 15. 35. and v. 45. and as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word differs from doctrine 1 S. Tim. 5. 17. a See Doctor Hammond in N. Testament mihi p. 659. 359. For where there are any within their line or lawful reach not called to the Faith they can and will no doubt either travel or journey themselves to make the Faith known unto them which is to be Evangelists or authoritatively imploy others to do it which is to be what they are called in the firster Writers Apostles And though as Timothie was Bishop and Evangelist too they also may thus be both yet they need not in this state of the Church be sent to other Churches when by some of their present so envied Officers they may in their absence have the effect of the matter done in very due and requisite manner * Now the rest of the Character will very perfectly fit our English Bishops * They were begotten again and converted by the Gospel * are true Disciples and servants of Jesus Christ * men of good report * inwardly and really affected to the People of God truly such as Fathers and brethren * well acquainted with the Scriptures c. and having a gift to prophesie i. e. to b See Mede's Diatr 1 Cor 11 5 p. 351 notifie the Will of God unto the People * ordained solemnly by fasting and prayer c See the Book of Ordination in imitation of the Apostles Acts 13. 3. observing IV. Ember-daies by Fasting and Prayer to prepare for the Ordination of Church-Officers immediately consequent to every such Week * either by the Apostles Presbyters or Elders which what they signifie viz. Bishops is shewed above of the same Church or Churches they were of * were and are diligent labourers in the work of Christ and his Gospel and may be called Paul's yea God's work-fellows d Fellow-labourers of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor 3. 9. * were and are naturallie e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sincerely careful of the things of Christ and of the well-fare of Christians * were and are much refreshed in and among the Saints and Churches of Christ * were persecuted imprisoned and in bondage for professing preaching and practising the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ witnesse our Queen-Marie-Martyr-Bishops and the imprisonment of twelve of them at once for about 18. Months sad diminutions and sufferings of all our Bishops in our late Marian daies * were and are such as ordained Bishops or Elders c. according to the appointment of the Apostles * lastly were and are doubtlesse blamelesse vigilant sober of good behaviour c. Next ensues his Negative Description of our Bishops Now for the unravelling of his List of Dissimilitudes I shall lay down these Rules as Praeliminaries thereto I. The abuses of Persons are by no means to be transfer'd on a Divine Institution Patet II. It 's a Rule of the Smectymnuans in Assemblie a Pref to Directorie To hold forth such things as are of Divine Institution in every Ordinance and that other things be set forth according to the Rules of Christian Prudence agreeable to the general Rules of God's Word III. Besides matters of Faith many things were institute for the Government Order and Peace of the Churches which it was not necessarie should be prescribed because it was sufficient that being by use it self brought into Churches by the Apostles that very use of them acquainted men's eyes and knowledges with them with sufficient conspicuousnesse b And yet nevertheless in the Apostolical Writings also there are some vestigia or traces thereof not that 't was the principal purpose of the Apostles to write of them but because sometimes occasions were given to glance at them See H. Grot passim in his Eristicks See above Patet IV. Though the substance of Religion is unalterable and no new parts of worship or Religion may be added yet Circumstances and Adjuncts or Accommodations may lawfully be allowed Or thus Inventions of men in Substantials of Divine Worship is unlawful but Circumstantials may lawfully be invented by men Oft manifested above V. There 's Authoritie sufficient by Christ given to the Church for the ordering of such matters which are not repugnant to Scripture See above oft VI. It was lawful to do some certain things among the Jew whereby the Precepts of the Law were helped more than hindered And Christ teaches S. Matth 23. 3. that they are to be observed even as now also those things are to be observed which the Rulers of the Church do command and inorder Acts 15. 28. VII It is not necessarie nor yet expedient that the Elections of the Bishops and some other Circumstantials touching their Persons or Office should be in all respects the same under Christian Princes as it was when Christians lived among Pagans and under Persecution c K. Charls I. His second Paper to the Ministers in the Isle of Wight p. 274. not denyed by them Patet VIII There are some things in this matter de jure Divino spiritual as the Order of Bishops or Episcopacie other de jure humano civil that is their civil Honour secular Power Temporalities Revenues as to be Barons in Parlâ—ament to judge in causes Temporal c. grounded on 1 Tim. 5. 17. Now therefore when he saith That Timothie and Titus were not as appears by Scripture 1. Chosen to their Office by Deans and Chapters It admits Answer from several of the Positions but now set down 2. Created by any earthlie Kings or Prinâ—es Answ Neither are ours as has been shewn above Where see in what sense 3. Consecrated and confirmed by any Arch-bishop Answ 'T is false as has been made apparent in Arch-bishop Timothie and Titus ordaining other Bishops so called in a distinct sense 4. Did not call themselves neither were they called a See 1 Sam. 1 26. Hannah calling Eli Lord and 1 King 18. 7. Obadiah calling Elias so Si Domini appellentur vel ex Principuâ—â— indultis vel ex subditorum reverentiâ non invidendus est illis talis titulorum usus sed usurpatio Dominus Magister servâ—ram lavat pedes S. Joh 13. 13 14. fastus superioribus objectus aliquoties conculcatur sub humilitaâ—ts pratextu ab inferâ—oribus sed majori fastu Bishop Prid Fasc Contr p. 211. See Bishop Hall's Episcopacie by Divine Right Part. 2d â— 17. about the Titles of our Bishops p. 174 175 See also Bishop Dâ—wnham on the same Argument l. 3. c. 6. It appears not to me but the
irrefragably if I did not studie haste 3 And that usual Objection a See Bishop Andrewes's Serm. of the lawfulnesse of swearing on Jer. 4. 2. p. 47. and on the Commandements p. 242. and his Posthuma Nemo tenetur scipsum prodere c. No man is bound to betray or accuse himself c. is Answered by Aquinas That the man do's not betray himself but he is accused by another inasmuch as a necessitie of answering is imposed on him by him whom he is bâ—und to obey b Non ipse seprodit sed ab alio proditur dum ei necessitas respondendi imponitur per eum eui obedire tenetur See Doctor Featley's Dippers c. a p 95. ad p. 101. Doctor Heylin's moderate Answ to Burtâ—â— c. 1. à p. 11. ad p. 16. Ambr Fisher's Def of Liturgies l. 1. c. 17. p. 178 179. But especially Dr Cosins in Q. Elizabeths time Dean of the Arches part 3. c. 15. 2. For the et-caetera Oath as they scoff it it is answered 1 that the c. was unhappily and improvidently left in it 2 that the integritie of the meaning of such as composed it hath found belief in the hearts of honest men as the very knowing Gentleman Hamon le Strange c Hist of K. Charles I. Mr Thom Fuller d Appeal of injur'd Innocence part 3. p. 40. See also Dr Heylin's Observations oâ— H. le Strange abovesaid his Hist Which latter in his Church-Storie vouches one whom he very highly praises that gives this very good account of that c. It was onely inserted to save the enumeration of many mean Officers in the Church whose mention was beneath the dignitie of an Oath and would but clog the same which may very well passe for our 3 Answer e Fuller's Ch Hist Book 9. p. 171. in this concern 4 If all this could no be pleaded enough to satisfie all imprejudicate candid minds it is perfectly free'd from all the accriminations of Smec and the Covenanting party unlesse they 'l condemn themselves for their interpretative c. incorporated into the body of the Covenant whereby People are bound to defend the Priviledges of Parliament though what they be is unknown to most that take the same 16. Did not impose Penance Fines c. Answer'd above and the Ruleâ— satisfied it 17. Did not wear Scarlet-Gowns Mitres Lawn-sleeves c. Answ 1. This is oft discharged above they were under Persecution and some of these things were imitated from the Jews which to do is proved perfectly lawful as above 3. They are significative Vests and therefore the better as Purple-Gowns betoken zeal c. 18 Did not sell Livings for money nor give them as Dowries c. with their Daughters c. Answ 1. from the first Rule 2. Why not if the men be otherwise deserving 19. Did not silence Ministers under the Notion of Puritans and factious persons but onely by sound Doctrine Answ 1. But was there no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 excision or cutting off Gal 5. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rejection Tit. 3. 10. delivering unto Satan 1 Tim. 1. 20. a 1 Col. 5. 5. and is not this silencing and worse 2. We have vindicated the demeanour of our Bishops towards such Refractaries already 3. Had the Directorie or any other new Model of Church-Service or Government been set-up here should the conscientious Episcaparian dissenting though unseditiously have fared better b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 than they did under our Legally-established and withal Primitive Church Government and Divine-Liturgie 4. Vitus is commanded c Titus 1. 11 13. to stop such persons mouths by not permitting them to vent their deâ—eits â—nd by rebuking them sharply that is by inflicting the Ceâ—sures of the Church upon them See Doctor Hammond in Loc. 20. Did not cause any of the Believers to be presented fined d Compellite â—t introeant S. Luke 14. 23. Must be foris necessâ—tas ut sit intus voluntaâ— In S. Aâ—g time there were divers Donatists that by compulsion were converted and thanked the Emperour for compelling them See Bishop Andrews on â—he Commandements p. 380. See also here above Hither some refer S. Luke 14 23. and Revel 2. 20. imprisoned or banished under the notion of Sectaries c. Answ 1. How should they when themselves were not countenanced by the state secular 2. Giving to Satan for him to instict diseases and consequent thereon death which they oft did as appears was as bad as all this 3. S. Austin distinguishes improbus infidelis improbus fidelis and I doubt me the Believers our Author is concerned for are of the latter sort at least as hâ—'s sufficiently appeared by their dismal and desperate actings You have killed the people of the Lord was once the Cry for such as these Numb 16. 41. 21. Did not require the sole Power of Ordination and Jurisdicton like Demetrius Answ 1. Diotrephes a 3 Ep. S. Joh. v 9. he would say 2 It is fit and useful that the Presbyters there present should lay-on their hands by the hand of the Bishop and so joyn in the Prayer for a benediction but there 's nothing producible no not from the IVth Counc of Cath can 20 nor IId produced by the London-Presbyterians in their Jus Divinum b See Doctor Hammond's Answer to it p. 185 186. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Apost XL. the reason is there annex't 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saies the Coâ—nc of Laodicea Can. 56. See also the Counc of Arles Can. 19. apud Doctor Hammond's Vindic. against the London Ministers p. 158. See also Tertul. de Baptismo c. 17. de coroná Mil Just Martyr Apol. 8. that a Presbyter might not be ordained without the presence of Presbyters 3. The custome is still retained in our Church in all Ordinations of Presbyters and Deacons 4. Jurisdiction spiritual is in them alone save as they impart it 22. Did not neglect to preach the Gospel c. Answ 1. I plead not for any negligence in the great work belonging to the Episcopal Office 2. When S. Paul commissionates Titus For this cause left I thee in Creet c. Tit 1. 5. he mentions Jurisdicton and Ordination not Preaching 2. Ruling is a prime part of the Episcopal Office and a great work to do it well so that it may have reason to supersede much of Preaching For as one c Dr Allestry in his Consecration Sermon above-cited p. â—7 choicely observes notwithstanding all S. Paul's assistances of Spirit he do's reckon that care that came upon him daily from the Churches among his persecutions and it sums up his Catalogue of sufferings 2 Cor 9. 28. Such various necessities there are by which Government is distracted and knows not how to temper it self to them 4. Therefore some will answer that it is not fit a Bishop should preach so frequently in his own person as others of his Clergie considering
ib. l. 11. r. decisive Timothie and Titus were not as appears by Scripture 1 Counterfeiters of holy Orders and so Preachers without calling But so was he a p. 2. 12. 2 Preached no seditious Doctrine against lawful Covernours But so did he saies my Author b â— 3. 3 Did not cheat and seduce poor souls by spreading errours divers years But so did he c ib p. 4. 4 Did not preach all they could possibly for the rooting-out of Ministerie branding the Calling as Anti-Christian and rendring the persons by all scandalous aspersions as my Informer languages it to become odious to the people â—ut so did he d ib 5 Were not like Demetrius and his fellow-tradesmen the whole devotion of whose worship the Silver-shrines took up Yet such was he e ib 6 Had not beside a Parliament yearly Stipend of a hundred pounds vast emoluments out of sequestred benefices the while protesting and vowing before God and men usually in Sermons that they never received a pennie for their pains and preaching But so did he f ib p. 4 5. 7 Did not by Preaching advance as other errours so the Millenarian errour with an intent to destroy Magistracie But so did he g p. 5 10. 8 Were not proud Luciferian Enthusiasts But so by several Instances he appears to be h p. 5 6. 9 Did not horribly blaspheme and abuse Scripture and vilifie Baptisme But so did he as appears oft i ib. p. 6. 10 Did not approve and be Saint Blasphemers and Debauche s or Felo's de se But so did he k â—b p. 7. 11 Did not teaâ—h thâ—t it were a good deed to cut the throats of all orthodox Ministers But so did he under the name of all the old Ministers l p. 8. 12 Were not incompassionate and â—ruel But so was he as appears manifoldly m p. 9. c. 13 Preached not against what they practiced But so did he n ib. decrying Tythes an gathering them 14 Were not unspeakâ—ble oppressors faithlesse dealers But so was he o p. 10 11 1â— 15 Were not obscene nor used spureous speeches especially in Sermons But so was he as oft appears p p. 7 â— But I restrain my self from the farther pursuit of this matter and propose it to the Reader whether the condemnation of our Church-Government and Service by such a person be not a very vocal strong advocate for it according to that of Tertullian concerning Nero a Sed â—ali dedicatore damnationis nostrae etiam gloriamur Qui enim scit illum intelligere potest non nisi aliquid bonum grande à Nerone damnatum Apol. adv Gentes c. 5. mihi p. 670. Whom saith he who so knows may understand that it was some grand Good that was condemned by Nero. In the next place after a Cast of his Billings-gate or Horse-Rhetorick which we leave as fit for a person of such a character as you have heard he will propose some Objections against himself for Bishops which he will have not to be many and any of them easily answered These are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uttered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but we may say Quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu Let 's behold Enter therefore his first Objection Obj 1. Were there not Bishops in the daies of the Apostles Was not Timothie Bishop of Ephesus and Titus of Crete To this he Answers There is no Scripture that proves either of them to be Bishops at all much lesse of those places To this we Answer 1. That we have spoke to this matter afore 2. We now shew out of the Scriptures the Epistles to Timothie and Titus that they were indeed Bishops 1 Because they are commanded and directed to ordain Presbyters by a wary and suspense Imposition of hands b 1 Tim 5. 22. Tit 1. 5. which S. Hierome c Exceptâ— ordinatione Ep 85. ad Evagr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Châ—ysost Hom. in 1 Tom. acknowledges to belong onely to Bishops 2 to restrain d 1 Tim. 1. 3. heterodox Teachers 3 to direct and promote publick prayers e ib 2. 1. to honour above others the Elders that rule well especially them that labour in the word and doctrine f ib 5. 17 against such as are accused to determine nothing lightly save under two or three competent witnesses h ib v. 20. 3 John 9 10. if Diotrephes were a Presbyter 6 to rebuke i Tit. 1. 5. the obstinate publickly in all men's fights for the terrour of others which can't agree to one Presbyter over another by reason of confusion 7 to correct or authoritatively redresse such things as are at any time wanting or out of order k 8 to deliver or commit such things as â— ib. v. 10. they had received from S. Paul to faithful men able to teach others a 2 Tim. 2. â— 9 to give rules concerning Christian Discipline b Tit. 3. 10 Now these things being for the most part to be exercised on Presbyters in the strict sense are to be exercised by none but Bishops 2. Peter du Moulin the Son tells us that his learned Father in his Bible full of Marginal Notes written with his own hand expounds one of the above-cited Texts Tit 1. 5. For this cause left I thee c. thus It must needs be that some prelacie c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was given to Titus over the rest of his Symmistae and the Right of Ordination As also what is said to Timothie Receive not an accusation against an Elder 1 Tim. 5. 19. do's seem to give to Timothie a Tribunal over Ministers Adde also that of the Angel of Ephesus d Rev. 2. 1. where is but one Angel mentioned though there were many Priests in the City saies he Nor if Superioritie were an evil thing would authoritie have been given to the Apostles over the rest These saith the Son are his private and serious thoughts upon that point wherein he sought no mans satisfaction but his own e See a Letter of a French Protestant about the Covenant p. 19 20. This Answer I thus draw-up into Argument They who are commanded to censure rebuke f See Epiphanius Haer. 75. and correct with all authoritie not to permit themselves to be despised to stop the mouths of vain and unruly talkers to represse foolish questions and vain bablings to excommunicate the refractarie and obstinate to try and provâ— those who desire the Office of a Bishop and accordingly as they are found worthy oâ— otherwise to admit or refuse them c. have the Power of Jurisdiction Spiritual i. e. ate Bishops in appropriate sense But Timothie and Titus are commanded to do these severals 1 Tim 4. 11 12. 3. 10. 5. 17 19 20. 6. 17. Tit. 1. 11 13. 3. 10. Therefore Timothie c have Power of Jurisdiction spiritual and consequentlie are Bishops His second
Obj runs thus What Doth not Paul in â—is Subscriptions direct his Epistle to them as such 2 Tim 4. end Tit 3. end To which he Answers 1 that the Subscriptions at the end of all S. Paul's Epistles seem to be added by men since and were not written by Paul Answ 1. For those Epistolarie Post-scripts though we should lay no great weight on them yet they are to be held of great Antiquitie and therefore such as in question of Fact where there appears no strong evidence to weaken their belief as we shall see anon that there appears none ought not to be lighty rejected a See his Majesties second Paper to the Ministers Newport p. 288. 2. Though they should not convince as Canonical yet they shew the sense of the Church of former times as in way of Historie as do the four Titles of the Gospels which once dispunged who would be able to distinguish S. Matthew's from S. Mark 's or S. John's from S. Luke's Gospel 3. As the Greek Churche's retaining of SS James's Basil's Chrysostome's Liturgies though those Pieces are perhaps 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not purelie the same as those Authors truly those left them is yet an Argument of great authoritie to any prudent man that there were such things as Liturgies of their penning So in that there were such Subscriptions of antient times affix't to these Epistles wherein Timothie and Titus are declared Bishops 't is an indication that the Church of those times so reputed them i. e. Bishops 4. If those Post-fixes have no reverence payable to them but are to be slighted which yet by no means they are * How antient the subscriptions of the Apostolical Epistles are though it is not certain among the learned if they bear not the same date with the Epistles themselves the contrarie whereof neither is nor can be demonstrated yet they are undoubtedly very antient and of great authority Dr Featley's Sacra Nemests § 8. p. 50. we have evidences enough otherwise to prove the right of enstyling Timothie and Titus Bishops in Ecclesiastical sense See above A Second Argument in the guise of an Answer to prove these Subscriptions addititious is because saies he it is evident that some of them are contradictorie to the very Epistles whereto they are affixed But I Answer this must not be said onely but shewed otherwise we put it off justly with a voluntariè dictum But he 'l not onely say that these Post-scripts seem to be of after-addition but he 'l prove it 1. From Timothie and Titus being Evangelists and so not tyed to one Church but accompanying the Apostles from Country to Country this is the sum of his first Argument Answ 1. I need not say that they were not Evangelists the Scripture according to some b The Scripture doth not any where affirm of Titus nor clearly prove of Timothie that they were by peculiar Office Evangelists third Paper to the Ministers at Newport p. 347. no wher 's implying any such thing of Titus nor will some say do's that of Paul to Timothie 2 Ep. 4. 5. do the work of an Evangelist prove him to have been an Evangelist onely more than that which immediatelie follows fulfil thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we translate Ministerie proves him to be onely a Deacon 2. That Timothie and Titus acted as Evangelists is not onely denied but in some men's judgements clearlie refuted by Scultetus Gerhard and others yea even with scorn rejected by Gillespee and Rutherford c. rigid Presbyterians 3. That Timothie and Titus were Bishops is confirmed not onely by the consentient testimonie of all Antiquitie even Jerome himself having recorded it that they were Bishops and that of S. Paul's Ordination and acknowledged by very many late Divines and a Catalogue of 27. Bishops of Ephesus lineally descending from Timothie out of good Records is vouched by Dr Reynolds against Hart and by other Writers a King 's 3d Paper p 266 267. and His 3d Paper p. 345 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saies the Council of Chalced on at the time of their Session Act IId 4. Yet we say they might be Evangelists and Bishops too at the same time those that were sent out with Power of Preaching might have other superiour Powers also of ordaining Bishops c. when the Apostle that sent them thought fit to allow it as of Mark it is said that being sent into Egypt by S. Peter he constituted Annianus Bishop of Alexandria b See Doctor Hammond in N. Test mihi p. 659. 5. That they were removed from Ephesus and Crete to other places ha's but very weak Proofs Some that have exactly out of Scripture compared the times and orders of the several Journies and Stations of S. Paul and Timothie have demonstrated the contrarie concerning that particular 6. Neither doth their motion from Church to Church hinder but that they might afterwards be fix't at Ephesus and in Crete Neither again do's their being Bishops at Ephesus and Crete let but that they might afterwards for propagation of the Gospel be by the Apostles Appointment often employed elsewhere and therefore though it appear from 2 Tim. 4. 9. Tit 3. 12. that they were called away from these places yet that do's no more conclude that they wâ—re not Bishops thereof or that they might as well be called Bishops of other Churches than it might have been concluded from the attendance of the Divines of the Parliament's Westminster-Assemblie that they were not Parsons or Vicars of their several Parishes c See His Majesties 2d Paper p. 267. and 3d Paper p 347. 349 350. His second Argument extracted into this sum is drawn from Ephesus's being ONE CHURCH in ONE CITY wherein were diverse Bishops and if so how could Timothie be a single Bishop there and if those Bishops were chosen and ordained in Ephesus while Timothie was attending Paul how could he be the first Bishop there as the Subscription calls him Answ 1. There were many Bishops in not of Ephesus at the time mentioned d See above Act 20. 17. 2. Timothie might very well be a single Bishop there over many single Presbyters if any such there were belonging to the Church of that Citie and not rather Deacons as was shewed above 3. And so 't is obvious to conceive how the Post-script of the Epistle is verified viz Timothy was the first Bishop of Ephesus His third Arg. sum'd up is thus drawn from Titus being Archbishop of Crete if the Subscription be true in regard 1 it had a hundred Cities a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in it and 2 he in them ordained Bishops And why should Titus be Bishop of so many Cities and Timothie his equal at least but of one Citie or Church as Ephesus was Answ 1. Titus was certainlie Arch-bishop or Metropolitan of Crete 2. Crete had at some times more at other times fewer Cities but at the time of writing this Epistle it
had C. Cities 3. And yet no such disparitie in Power or Regencie 'twixt Timothie and Titus for Timothie also was Metropolitan They are S. Chrysostom's words b Hom XV. in 1 Tim 5. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 't is manifest that Timothie was intrusted with more Churches than one even with a whole Nation that of Asia and therefore S. Paul discourses to him of Elders or Bishops and by Eusebius he is styled c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eccl Hist l. 2. c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bâ—shop of the Province about Ephesus So that 4. a Synod of Bishops as he closes scoffinglie need not straine much to resolve this doughtie dout or knot A Third Object he brings is thus framed by him But in the Epistle directed to the Seven Churches of Asia there is mention onely of one Angel To this he returns 4. things First that in Ephesus one of the Seven there were divers Bishops Answ The very contrarie hath been clearly shewn He adds that d Rev. 2. 24. in the Church of Thyatira the H. Ghost writes to you and the rest c. which were more than one Answ The reading in the antient Manuscripts particularly the King 's Tecla's manuscript leave out the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and read thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but to you I say the rest which are in Thyatira And this takes away all force from the Objection for the former part of the Epistle belonging to the Angel who permitted Jezabel and to them that committed fornication with her the the But in the front seperates the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you the rest from the Angel and those other formerly spoken to and therefore the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you cannot possibly be the Angel wherein all the strenth of the Obj consists 2. The ordinarie reading ha's been irrefragably proved by the most eminent Dr Hammond e See his Vindication against the London Ministers Jus divinum § 8. throughout not to confirm the pretensions of the Anti-Episcoparians whose words for brevitye's sake I recite not But in stead of them take the late King 's But following saith His Majestie the ordinarie Copies the difference is not great such manner of Apostrophe's by changing the number or turning the speech to another person being very usual both in Prophetick Writings such as this book of Revelation is and in Epistles of this nature writ to one but with reference to many others therein concerned Beza expoundeth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to you that is the Angel as President and his Collegues the other Presbyters and to the rest that is to the whole Flock or People which manner of speaking might be illustrated by the like forms of speech to be used in a Letter written to a Corporation wherein the Major and Aldermen especially but the whole Town generally were concerned but directed to the Major alone c. Secondly he returns that one Angel is commonly taken for diverse sheâ—ing that all the Officers in the Congregation were entire and one Answ 1. This is perfectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a piteous begging of the Question which yet the London-Provincialists were guilty of before this our Retailer of their sleazy wares which must not See the same excellent Doctor ib. §. 10. p. 48. be had for the asking 2. Though Church be a collective body and so one Church is known to consist of many men yet Angel is not of that nature one Angel signifies neither many men nor many Angels Thirdly he returns that if there were but one in those Churches then the order in those and other Churches would not be the same as was shewed before Phil. 1. 1. Act 14. 23. Answ The very same Bishops there and Bishops here solitarie Governours Fourthly he returns that suppose there was but one c. and their power did not extend farther as saies he there 's no ground to believe it did then they were not Diocesans Answ They were they were for though but one Bishop of one Citie yet the Territorie adjoyning was under his inspection now the City and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adjacence the Territorie or Region lying thereto makes the Diocese as might be abundantly shewed but for retrenching of tediousnesse A Fourth and last Obj by him produced as against himself is The Government of Bishops is antient of fifteen hundred years standing therefore lawful To which he answers The Devil and Anti-christ may make that plea as well Answ This Antiquitie is a good presumption that this Government is lawful according to that of the learned Father Tertullian Illud verum quod primum adulterinum quod posterius 2. What is so antient as to be devolvable upon Apostolical Institution Is caryingly argued-for from the Antiquitie of it 3. This is not our onely of six hundred Arguments for Episcopacie That 't is antient but we assert it from S. Scripture undoubted By all that we have said to assert the rights of Presbyterie we do not intend to invalid the antient and Apostolical institution of Episcopal preeminence But we believe that wheresoever it is established conformably to the antient Canons it must be carefully preserved and wheresoever by some heat of contention or otherwise it hath been put down it ought reverently to be restored was Blondel's conclusion of his Apologia c. Catholick Tradition consentient Testimonie of the Antient Church Topicks from which we draw such Proofs and Arguments as that all the Smects and Sects in the World will never be able to bear up against with any even colour for their not coming-in and submitting to a truth so evident so attested 4. Do not even the Novellists themselves Presbyterians Independants c. plead antiquitie and primoevitie for their several new-fangle aerie Models 'T is not worth the while to speak to his ugly Instances of the Devil and Anti-christ which may as well be applied to Moses's Writings the ever-blessed Gospel c. when we praise them for Antiquitie 6. Old things hear well in Scriptures the Old paths the Antient of daies * Aetas per sevenerabilts Calvin Senectus est vestigium aeternitatis What remains of the Pamphlet is soon dispatched by these few following Strictures If we read Church-Historie we shall readily discern how no other Government of the Church had any footing in any place but Episcopacie till about an hundred years ago when Mundus senesâ—enâ— patitur phantasias We have sufficiently proved the no-difference 'twixt the Bishops of the three first Centenaries and Ours in Essentials in Accessionals or other Extrinsecals there may be some difference and also in the Manners of some We say also the Controversie is about the Power of Bishops which we have proved to belong to single persons in a standing Majoritie or Prelacie and the very Name of Bishop has been shewn though here some strive not to belong ever and onely to them We acknowledge the Word of God a perfect