Episcopis atque Calcatis Pax à Presbyteris verbis fallacibus Prodicetur ibid. Antichristi jam propinquantis adventum Imitantur Ep. LXXX Successo Rescripsisse valerianum ad Senatum ut Episcopi Presbyteri Diacones in continenti animadvertantur Firmillanus Cypriano Ep. LXXV p. 225. Potestas ergo Peccatorum remittendorum Apostolis data est Episcopis qui eis Ordinatione vicaria successerunt Ep. XVI p. 36. Cyprianus Presbyteris Diaconibus Quod enim periculum metuere non debemus de offensa Domini quando aliqui de Presbyteris nec Evangelu nec Deci sue memores sed ne que futurum Domini Judicium neque sibi praepositum Episcopum cogitantes quod nunquam omnino sub Antecessorthus factum est cum Contumelia Contemptu Praepositi totum sibi vendicent Contumeliam Episcopatus nostri dissimulare ferre possum sed dissimulandi nunc locus non est Optatus Milevitanus Bishop of Mileve or Mela in Numidia in Africa A. D. 365. A.D. 365 In his 2d Book against Parmenian The Church has her several Members Bishops Presbyters Deacons and the Company of the Faithful You found in the Church Deacons Presbyters Bishops you have made them Lay-men acknowledge that you have Subverted Souls St. Ambrose Bishop of Milan A. D. 370. upon Eph. iv 11. Speaking of the several Orders of the Church And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and Evangelists c. Says that by the Apostles there were meant the Bishops by Prophets the Expounders of the Scriptures and by the Evangelists the Deacons But says that they all met in the Bishop for that he was the Chief Priest that is says he the Prince of the Priests and both Prophet and Evangelist to supply all the Offices of the Church for the Ministry of the Faithful And upon 1 Cor. xii 28. says that Christ Constituted the Apostles Head in the Church and that these are the Bishops And upon v. 29. are all Apostles i.e. all are not Apostles This is true says he because in the Church ther is but one Bishop And because all things are from one God the Father therefore hath He appointed that one Bishop shou'd Preside over Each Church In his Book of the Dignity of the Priesthood c. 3. he says That ther is nothing in this World to be found more Excellent than the Priests nothing more Sublime than the Bishops And speaking of what was Incumbent upon the several Orders of the Church he does plainly distinguish them For says he in the same place God does require one thing from a Bishop another from a Presbyter another from a Deacon and another from a Lay-man Optatus Milevitanus Bishop of Mileve or Mela in Numidia in Africa A. D. 365. l. 2. Contra Parmenianum Certa Membra sua habet Ecclesia Episcopos Presbyteros Diaconos turbam Fidelium Invenistis Diaconos Presbyteros Episcopos fecisiis Laâ—cos agnoscite vos animas evertisse Quosdam dedit Apostolos A.D. 37â— quosdam Prophetas c. Apostoli Episcopi sunt Prophetae Explanatores sunt Scripturum sicut Agabus Evangelist Diaconi sunt sicut fuit Philippus Nam in Episcopo omnes ordines sunt quia Princeps Sacerdos est hoc est Princeps est Sacerdotum Propheta Evangelista Caetera adimplenda officâ—â— Ecclesiae in Ministerio Eidelium Caput in Ecclesia Apostolos posuit Ipsi sunt Episcopi Verum est quia in Ecclesia unus Episcopus est Quia ab uno Deo Patre sunt omnia singulos Episcopos singulis Ecclesiis Prae-esse Decrevit De Dignat Sacerdot c. 3. ut ostenderemus nihil esse in hoc seculo Excellentius Sacerdotibus nihil Sublimius Episcopis reperiri Aliud est enim quod ab Episcopo requirit Deus aliud quod à Presbytero aliud quod à Deacono aliud quod à Laico St. Jerom A. D. 380. A. D. 380. In his Comment upon the Ep. to Titus When it began to be said I am of Paul I of Apollos c. and every one thought that those whom he Baptized belong'd to himself and not to Christ it was Decreed thro' The whole Earth that one Chosen from among the Presbyters shou'd be set over the rest that the Seeds of Schism might be taken away In his Epist to Evagrius From Mark the Evangelist to Heraclas and Dionysius the Bishops the Presbyters of Egypt have always chosen out one from among themselves whom having plac'd in an higher Degree than the rest they called their Bishop He that is Advanc'd is Advanc'd from less to greater The Greatness of Riches or the Humility of Poverty does not make a Bishop greater or less seeing all of them are the Successors of the Apostles That we may know the Apostolical Oeconomy to be taken from the Pattern of the Old Testament the same that Aaron and his Sons and the Levites were in the Temple the Bishops Presbyters and Deacons are in the Church of Christ To Nepotianus Be subject to your Bishop or Chief-Priest and receive him as the Father of your Soul Against the Luciferians The safety of the Ch. depends upon the Dignity of the High-Priest to whom unless a sort of absolute and eminent Power be given above all ther will be as many Schisms in the Church as ther are Priests Thence it is that without the Command of the Bishop neither a Presbyter nor a Deacon have Power to Baptize And the Bishop is to impose his Hands upon those who are Baptized by Presbyters or Deacons for the Invocation of the Holy Spirit And Comforting Heliodorus a Bishop upon the Death of Nepotian his Presbyter and his Nephew he Commends Nepotian in that he Reverenc'd his Bishop He Honour'd Heliodorus in publick as his Bishop at home as his Father But among his Presbyters and Co-equals he was the first in his Vocation c. Upon the 60th of Isa He calls the future Bishops Princes of the Church Of the Ecclesiastical Writers Concerning James James after the Passion of our Lord was immediatly by the Apostles ordained Bishop of Jerusalem The like he tells of the first Bishops of other Places Epist 54. against Montanus With us the Bishops hold the Place of the Apostles St. Jerom A. D. 380. A. D. 380. In his Comment upon the Ep. to Titus Postquam unusquisque eos quos Baptizabat suos putabat esse non Christi IN TOTO ORBE Decretum est ut unus de Presbyteris Electus superponeretur Caeteris ut Schismatum semina tollerentur A Marco Evangelista ad Heraclum usqâ—ad Dionysium Episcopos Presbyrari Aegypti semper unum ex se Electum in Clesiori Gradu collocatum Episcopum Nominabant Qui provehitur à Minori ad Majus provehitur Potentia Divitiarum Paupertatis Humilitas sublimiorum vel inferiorem Episcopum non facit Ceterum Omnes Apostolorum Successores sunt Ut sciamus Traditiones Apostolicas sumptas de veteri Testamento Quod Aaron Filii ejus
Let the Presbyters and Deacons do nothing without the Consent of the Bishop for it is He to whom the People of the Lord are committed and from whom an account of their Souls will be Requir'd Can. 41. We Ordain the Bishop to have power of the Goods of the Church And to Administer to those who want by the hands of the Presbyters and Deacons Can. 55. If any Clergy man shall Reproach his Bishop let him be Depos'd For Thou shalt not speak Evil of the Ruler of the People 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 After the Canons of the Apostles I produce next a Great Council of 87 Bishops held at Carthage in the Year of Christ 256 under St. Cyprian Archbishop of that Place which is Published in St. Cyprian's Works before quoted p. 229. where he tells us That besides the Bishops ther met there both Presbyters and Deacons and great Numbers of the Laity Episcopi plurimi cum Presbyteris Diaconibus c. The Council of Eliberis in Spain about the Year of Christ 305. Cap. 18. and 19. Bishops Presbyters and Deacons are Nam'd distinct And c. 32. Presbyters and Deacons are forbid to give the Communion to those who had grievously offended without the Command of the Bishop c. 75. Of those who shall falsly accuse a Bishop Presbyter or Deacon c. 77. It is ordained that those who are Baptiz'd by a Deacon without the Rishop or Presbyter shall afterwards be Confirm'd by the Bishop The Council of Eliberis in Spain about the Year of Christ 305. Cap. 18. and 19. Episcopi Presbyteri Diaconi c. Non est Presbyterorum aut Diaconorum Communionem talibus praestare debere nisi eis jusserit Episcopus Si quis Episcopum Presbyterum vel Diaconum falsis Criminibus appetierit c. Si quis Diaconus sine Episcopo vel Presbytero aliquos Baptizaverit Episcopus eos per Benedictionem perficere debebit The Council of Arles in France about the Year of Christ 309. c. 18. It is ordain'd that the Deacons shou'd be subject to the Presbyters And c. 19. That the Presbyters shou'd be subject to their Bishop and do nothing without his consent The Council of Arles in France about the Year of Christ 309. c. 18. It is ordain'd that the Deacons shou'd be subject to the Presbyters And c. 19. Presbyteri sine Conscientia Episcopi nihil faciant The Council of Ancyra A. D 315. A. D. 315. c. 1. and 2. Having Prohibited those Presbyters and Deacons who had in times of Persecution Offer'd to Idols from the Execution of their Office says that notwithstanding the Bishop may Dispence with them if he sees their Repentance sincere for that this Power is lodg'd in the Bishop The Council of Ancyra A. D 315. A. D. 315. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Council of Laodicea A. D. 321. A. D. 321. Can. 41. That no Clergy-man ought to Travel without the consent of his Bishop Can. 56. That the Presbyters ought not to go into the Church and sit in their Stales till the Bishop come and to go in with the Bishop The Council of Laodicea A. D. 321. A. D. 321. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The First and Great Council of Nice A. D. 325. Can. 16. That if any Presbyters or Deacons leave their own Churches they ought not to be receiv'd into another Church And that if any shall ordain such in his Ch. as belong to another without the consent of his proper Bishop let such Ordination be void The First and Great Council of Nice A. D. 325. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Council of Gangra 326. A. D. 326. Can. 6. If any have private Meetings out of the Church without their Preshyter let 'em be Anathematiz'd by the Sentence of the Bishop Can. 7. If any will take or give of the Fruits offer'd to the Church out of the Church without leave of the Bishop let him be Anathema The Council of Gangra 326. A. D. 326. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Council of Antioch A. D. 341. A. D. 341. Can. 3. If any Presbyter or Deacon leaving his own Parish shall go to others and refuse to return when his own Bishop shall summon him let him be Depos'd Can. 4. If any Bishop being Depos'd by a Synod or a Presbyter or Deacon being Depos'd by his own proper Bishop shall presume to exercise his Function let no room be left them either for Restauration or Apology Can. 5. If any Presbyter or Deacon despising his own Bishop shall separate himself from the Church and gather a Congregation of his own and set up a different Altar and shall refuse to submit himself to his Bishop calling him the first and second time let him be absolutely Depos'd Can. 12. If any Presbyter or Deacon being Depos'd by his own proper Bishop or a Bishop by the Synod dare Appeal to the King seeing his Appeal lies to a greater Synod of more Bishops where he is to expect the Examination of his Cause and to teserr the Decision to them But if making light of these he trouble the King with it such an one is worthy of no Pardon nor ought to be admitted to make any sort of Apology or to have hopes of his being ever Restor'd any more Can. 22. That a Bishop ought not to Ordain Presbyters or Deacons in another Bishop's Diocess without his leave The Council of Antioch A. D. 341. A. D. 341. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the Council of Carthage A. D. 348. C. xi The Case is put where a Deacon being accus'd shall be Try'd by three Neighbouring Bishops a Presbyter by six and a Bishop by twelve In the Council of Carthage A. D. 348. A tribus vicinis Episcopis si Diaconus est arguatur si Presbyter à sex si Episcopus à duedecim Consacerdotibus audiatur The second Oecumenical Council of Constantineple A. D. 381. Can. 6. Ranks those with Hereticks who tho' they prosess the true Faith yet run into Schism and gather Congregations apart from and in opposition to our Canonied Bishops The second Oecumenical Council of Constantineple A. D. 381. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Council of Carthage A. D. 419. Can. 3. Mentions the three distinct Orders of Bishop Presbyter and Deacon and compares them to the High-Priest Priests and Levites In the same manner they are as distinctly mention'd Can. 4. Bishop Presbyter and Deacon and their Powers distinct For Can. 6. It is declar'd not to be lawful for Presbyters to Consecrate Churches or Reconcile Penitents but if any be in great Danger and desirous to be Reconcil'd in the absence of the
and to the Deacons Without the Bishop do nothing In his Epistle to the Smyrneans he says Flee Divisions as the beginning of Evils All of them follow their Bishops as Jesus Christ the Father and the Presbyters as the Apostles and Reverence the Deacons as the Institution of God Let no man do any thing of what appertains to the Church without the Bishop Let that Sacrament be judg'd Effectual and Firm which is Dispenced by the Bishop or him to whom the Bishop has Commited it Where-ever the Bishop is there let the People be as where Christ is there the Heavenly Host is gathered together It is not lawful without the Bishop either to Baptize or celebrate the Offices But what He approves of according to the good Pleasure of God that is firm and safe and so we do every thing securely I salute your most worthy Bishop your venerable Presbytery and the Deacons my Fellow Servants Anno Domini 70. St. Clement Bishop of Rome and Martyr of whom mention is made Phil. iv 3. in his 1st Epist to the Corinthians N. 42. p. 89. of the Edition at Oxford 1677. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In his Epistle to St. Policarp Bishop of Smyrna and Martyr who together with himself was Disciple to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist He gives these Directions If any can remain in Chastity to the glory of the Body of the Lord let him remain without Boasting if he Boast he Perishes and if he pretends to know more than the Bishop he is corrupted It is theduty both of Men and Women that Marry to be joyn'd together by the Approbation of the Bish that the Muriage may be in the Lord and not according to our own Lusts Let all things be done to the Glory of God Give heed to your Bishop that God may Harken unto you My Soul for theirs who subject themselves under the Obedience of their Bishop Presbyters and Deacons and let me take my Lot with them in the Lord. And he says to Bishop Policarp Let nothing be done without thy sentence and approbation In his Epistle to St. Policarp Bishop of Smyrna and Martyr who together with himself was Disciple to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist He gives these Directions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A.D. 180. St. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons in France who was Disciple of St. Polycarp he flourish'd about the year of Christ 180. We can reckon those Bishops who have been Constituted by the Apostles and their Successors all the way to our times And if the Apostles knew hidden Mysteries they wou'd certainly deliver them chiefly to those to whom they committed the Churches themselves and whom they left their own Successors and in the same Place of Government as themselves We have the Successions of the Bishops to whom the Apostolick Church in every place was committed All these Hereticks are much later than the Bishops to whom the Apostles did deliver the Churches The true Knowledge is the Doctrin of the Apostles and the Ancient State of the Church â—hrough the whole World and the Character of the Body of Christ according to the Succession of the Bishops to whom they committed the Church that is in every Place and which has Descended even unto us A.D. 180. St. Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons in France who was Disciple of St. Polycarp he flourish'd about the year of Christ 180. Advers Haereses l. 3. c. 3. Habemus muncrare qui ab Aposolis Instituti sunt Episcopi in Ecclesiis successores corum usque ad nos Et si Recondita mysteria Scissent Apostoli vel his maxime traderent ea quibus etiam ipsas Ecclesias committebant quos successores relinquebant suum ipsorum locum Magisterii tradentes lib. 4. c. 63. Habemus successiones Episcoporum quibus Apostolicam quae in unoquoque loco est Ecclesiam tradiderunt l. 5. c. 20. Omnes enim ii Haeretici valde Posteriores sunt quam Episcopi quibus Apostoli tradiderunt Ecclesias L. 4. c. 6. Agnitio vera est Apastolorum Doctrina Antiquus Ecclesia status in universo Mundo Character Corporis Christi secundam successiones Episcoporum quibús illi eam quae in unoquoque lico est Ecclesiam tradiderunt quae pervenit usque ad nos Tertullian A.D. 203. of the Prescription of Hereticks A.D. 203. c. 32. Let them produce the Original of their Churches let them shew the Order of their Bishops that by their Succession deduc'd from the beginning we may see whether their first Bishop had any of the Apostles or Apostolical Men who did likewise persevere with the Apostles for his Founder and Predecessor For thus the Apostolical Churches do derive their Succession As the Church of Smyrna from Polycarp whom John the Apostle placed there The Church of Rome from Clement who was in like manner ordain'd by Peter And so the other Churches can produce those Constituted in their Bishopricks by the Aposiles c. 36. Reckon over the Apostolical Churches where the very Chairs of the Apostles do yet Preside in their own Places At Corinth Philippi Ephesus Thessalonica c. Of Baptism c. 17. The High-Priest who is the Bishop has the Power of conferring Baptism and under him the Presbyters and Deacons but not without the Authority of the Bishop Origen Names the distinct Orders of Bishop Presbyter and Deacon Such a Bishop says he speaking of one who sought vain Glory c. doth not desire a good Work and the same is to be said of Presbyters and Deacons The Bishops and Presbyters who have the Chief Place among the People The Bishop is called Prince in the Churches And speaking of the Irreligious Clergy he directs it to them whether Bishops Presbyters or Deacons Tertullian A.D. 203. of the Prescription of Hereticks Edant ergo Origines Ecclesiarum suarum evolvant ordinem Episcoporum suâ—rum ita ut per successiones ab initio decurrentem ut primus ille Episcopus aliquem ex Apostolis vel Apostolicis viris qui tamen cum Apostolis perseveraverit habuerit Auctorem Antecessorem Hoc emm modo Ecclesiae Aposlolicae census suos deferunt sicut Smyrneorum Ecclesia Polycarpum ab Johanne conlocatum refert sicut Romanorum Clementem à Petro ordinatum itidem Perinde utique Ceterae exhibent quos ab Apostolis in Episcopatum Conslitutes Apostolici
seminis traduces habeant Percurre Ecclesias Apostolicas apud quas ipsae adhuc Cathedrae Apostolorum suis locis Prasident Corinthi Philippi Ephesiis Thessalonica c. Dandi Baptismum jus habet summus sacerdos qui est Episcopus dehinc Presbyteri Deaconi non tamen sine Episcopi Authoritate A. D. 220. Origenis Comment A.D. 220. in Matt. Rothomagi 1668. Gr. Lat. p. 255 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ibid. p. 443. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 420 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 442. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 St. Cyprian Archbishop of Carthage A. D. 240. A.D. 240. Our Lord whose Commands we ought to Reverence and Obey being about to Constitute the Episcopal Honour and the Frame of His Church said to Peter Thou art Peter c. From thence the Order of Bishops and Constitution of the Church does descend by the line of Succession thro' all Times and Ages that the Church shou'd be built upon the Bishops It is Establish'd by the Divine Law that every Act of the Church shou'd be Govern'd by the Bishop To Cornelius then Bishop of Rome We ought chiefly my Brother to Endeavour to keep that Unity which was Enjoyn'd by our Lord and His Apostles to us their Successors to be carefully observ'd by us The Deacons ought to remember that it was the Lord who chose the Apostles that is the Bishops Christ said to the Apostles and by that to all Bishops or Governors of His Church who succeed the Apostles by vicarious Ordination and are in their stead He that heareth you heareth me For from hence do Schisms and Heresies arise and have arisen while the Bishop who is One and Governour of the Church by a proud Presumption is Despis'd and that Man who is Honour'd as Worthy by God is accounted unworthy by Man Nor are Heresies sprung up or Schisms arisen from any other Fountain than from hence that Obedience is not paid to the Priest of God and that ther is not one Priest at a time in the Church and one Judge for the time in the Place of Christ To whom if the whole Fraternity did obey according to the Divine Oeconomy none wou'd dare to move any thing against the Sacerdotal Colledge It is necessary that the Bishops shou'd exert their Authority with full Vigor But if it is so that we are afraid of the Boldness of the most Profligat and that which these wicked Men cannot compass by the Methods of Truth and Equity if they can accomplish by their Rashness and Despair then is ther an end of the Episcopal Authority and of their Sublime and Divine Power in Governing of the Church Nor can we remain Christians any longer if it is come to this that we shou'd be afraid of the Threats and Snares of the Wicked The Adversary of Christ and Enemy of His Church for this end strikes at the Bishop or Ruler of the Church with all his Malice that the Governor being taken away he might Ravage the more Violently and Cruelly upon the Ship-wreck of the Church Is Honour then given to God when the Divine Majesty and Censure is so Despised that these Sacrilegious Persons say do not think of the Wrath of God be not afraid of His Judgment do not knock at the Door of the Church but without any Repentance or Confession of theâ—r Crime Despising the Authority of their Bishops and trampling it under their feet a False Peace is Preach'd to be had from the Presbyters Scilicet in their taking upon them to Admit those that were Fallen into Communion or the Peace of the Church without the Allowance of the Bishop They imitate the coming of Anti-Christ now approaching Valerian the Emperor wrote to the Senate that the Bishops and the Presbyters and the Deacons shou'd be prosecuted The Power of Remitting Sins was given to the Apostles and to the Bishops who have succeeded them by a vicarious Ordination What Danger ought we to fear from the Displeasure of God when some Presbyters neither mindful of the Gospel nor of their own Station in the Church neither regarding the future Judgment of God nor the Bishop who is set over them which was never done under our Predecessors with the Contempt and Neglect of their Bishop do arrogate all unto themselves I cou'd bear with the Contempt of our Episcopal Authority but ther is now no room left for Dissembling c. St. Cyprian Archbishop of Carthage A. D. 240. Edit Oxon. Epist XXXIII Lapsis Dominus noster cujus Praecepta metuere observare debemus Episcopi honorem Ecclesiae suae Ratio nem disponens in Evangelio loquitur dicit Petro Ego dico tibi quia tues Petrus c. Inde per temporum successionum vices Episcoprum Ordinatio Ecclaesiae Ratio decurrit ut Ecclaesia super Episcopos Constituatur Divina Lege fundatum est ut omnis actus Ecclaesiae per Episcopum Gubernetur Ep. XLV Cornelio Hoc enim vel maxime Frater laboramus laborare debemus ut Unitatem à Domino per Apostolos nobis Successoribiâ— traditam quantum possumus obtinere curemus Ep. III. Rogatiano Meminisse autem Diaconi debent quoniam Apostolos id est Episcopos Dominus Elegit Ep. LXVI Florentio Dixit Christus ad Apostolos ac per hoc ad omnes Praepositos qui Apostolis vicaria ordinatione succedunt Qui vos audit me audit Ibid. Inde enim Schismata Haereses ortae oriuntur dum Episcopus qui units est Ecclesiae Prae-est superba Praesumptione contemnitur homo dignatione Dei honoratus Indignus hominibus judicatur Ep. LIX Cornelio Neque enim aliunde Haereses obortae sunt aut nata sunt schismata quam inde quod Sacerdoti Dei non obtemperatur nec unus in Ecclesia ad tempus Sacerdos ad tempus Judex vice Christi cogitatur Cui si secundum Magisteria Divina obtemperaret Fraternitas universa nemo adversus sacerdotum Collegium quicquam moveret vigore pleno Episcopos agere oportet quod si ita res est ut Nequissimorum timeatur Audacia quod Maelt vere atque aequitate non possunt Temeritate Desperatione perficiant actum est de Episcopatus vigore de Ecclesie gubernandae sublimi ac Divina Potestate Nec Christiani ultra aut durare aut esse jam possumus si ad hoc ventum est ut Perditorum Minas atque Infidias pertimescamus Christi Adversarius Ecclesiae ejus Inimicus ad hoc Ecclesiae Praepositum sua Infestatione persequitur ut Gubernatore sublato atrocius atque violentius circa Ecclesiae Naufragia grassetur Honor ergo datur Deo quando sic Dei Majestas Censura Contemnitur ut proponatur à Sacrilegis atque dicatur ne Ita cogitetur Dei ne timeatur Judicium Domini ne pulsetur ad Ecclesiam Christi sed sublata Poenitentia nec ulla Exomologesi Criminis facta Despectis
atque Levitae in Templo fuerunt hoc sibi Episcopi Presbyteri Deaconi vendicent in Ecclesia Ad Nepotianum Esto sujectus Pontisici tuo quasi animi Parentem suscipe Advers Luciferianos Ecclaesiae salus in summi Sacerdotis Dignitate pendet cui nisi exors quaedam ab emnibus Eminens detur Potestas tot in Ecclaesia efficientur Schismata quot Sacerdotes Inde venit ut sine Episcopi jussione neque Presbyter neque Diaconus jus haebeant Baptizandi Ad eos qui per Presbyteros Diaconos Baptizati sunt Episcopus ad Invocationem sancti Spiritus manum Impositurus excurrat Epitaphium Nepotiani à Heliodorum Episcopum venerebatur In publico Episcopum domi Patrem noverat Inter Presbyteros Co-aequales primus in opere c. Principes futuros Ecclesiae Episcopos Nominavit In script Ecclesiast De Jacobo Jacobus post Passionem Domini statim ab Apostolis Hierosolimorum Episcopus est ordinatus Ep. 54 contra Montanum Apud nos Apostolorum locum Episcopi tenent St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo in Africa A. D. 420. Epistle 42. A. D. 420. The Root of the Christian Society is diffus'd throughout the World in a sure Propagation by the Seats of the Apostles and the Succession of the Bishops Quest veter novi Test N. 97. Ther is none but knows that our Saviour did Constitute Bishops in the Churches for before He Ascended into Heaven He laid His Hands upon the Apostles and Ordained them Bishops l. 7. c. 43. The Sentence of our Lord Jesus Christ is clear who sent His Apostles and gave to Them alone that Power which He had Received from His Father to whom we have Succeeded Governing the Church of God by the same Power Ep. 162. speaking of the Bishops being call'd Angels Rev. 2. he says By the voice of God the Governor of the Church is Praised under the Name of an Angel Of the words of our Lord Serm. 24. If He said to the Apostles alone he that despiseth you despiseth me then despise us But if those words of His come down even unto us and that He has Called us and Constituted us in their Place see that you do not despise us Against Faustus We embrace the Holy Scripture which from the Times of the Presence of Christ himself by the Disposition of the Apostles and the Successions of other Bishops from their Seats even to these Times has come down to us safely kept commended and honour'd through the whole Earth Against Petilian What has the Chair of the Church of Rome done to thee in which Peter sat and in which at this day Anastasius sits or of the Church of Jerusalem in which James did sit and in which John does now sit Against Julian Irenaeus Cyprian Reticius Olympius Hilary Gregory Basil John Ambrose these were Bishops Grave Learned c. Questions upon the Old Testament Quest 35. The King bears the Image of God as the Bishop of Christ Therefore while he is in that Station he is to be Honour'd if not for himself yet for his Order St. Augustine Bishop of Hippo in Africa A. D. 420. Epistle 42. Radix Christianae Societatis per sedes Apostolorum Successiones Episcoporum certa per orbem Propagatione diffunditur Nemo ignorat Salvatorem Episcopos Ecclesiis Instituisse Ipse enim priusquam Coelos Ascenderet Imponens Manus Apostolis ordinavit eos Episcopos Quod dixit Clarus à Muscula in Concilio Carthag Repetit August de Baptismo contra Donatist Manifesta est sententia Domini nostri Jesu Christi Apostolos suos mittentis ipsis solis Potestatem à Patre sibi traditam permittentis quibus nos nos Successimus eadem Potestate Ecclesiam Domini Gubernantes Divina voce sub nomine Angeli Laudatur Praepositus Ecclesiae De verbis Domini Serm. 24. Si solis Apostolis dixit Qui vos spernit me spernit spernite nos Si autem Sermo Ejus pervenit ad nos vocavit nos in eorum loco Constituit nos videte ne spernatis nos Contra Faust Lib. 33. cap. ult Scripturam amplectimur quae ab Ipsius Presentiae Christi temporibus per Dispensationes Apostolorum caeteras ab eorum sedibus Successiones Episcoporum usque ad haec tempora toto Orbe terrarum custodita commendata clarificata pervenit Lib. 2. contra Literas Petiliani C. 51. Cathedra quid tibi fecit Ecclesiae Romanae in qua Petrus sedit in qua hodie Anastasius sedet aut Ecclesiae Hierosolimitanae in qua Jacobus sedit in qua hodie Joannes sedet Vid. contra Crescon l. 2. c. 37. Contra Julianum l. 2 cap. ult Irenaeus Cyprianus Reticius Olympius Hilarius Gregorius Basilius Joannes Ambrosius isti erant Episcopi Docti Graves c. in Ecclesiae Regimine Clari. Quest. ex vet Test qu. 35. Dei enim Imaginem habet Rex sicut Episcopus Christi Quamdiu ergo in ea traditione est Honorandus est si non propter se vel propter Ordinem Let this suffice as to the Testimonies of particular Fathers of the Church tho' many more may be produc'd in that compass of time to which I have confin'd our present Inquiry And now that no Conviction might be wanting I will set down some of the Canons of the Councils in those times to the same purpose whereby it will appear that Episcopacy as distinct from and superior to Presbytery was not only the Judgment of the first Glorious Saints and Martyrs of Christ but the current Doctrin and Government of the Church both Greek and Latin in those early Ages of Christianity In the Canons of the Apostles the distinction of Bishop Presbyter and Deacon is so frequent that it is almost in vain to give Citations The 1st and 2d Can. shew the difference to be observ'd in the Ordaining of them Let a Bishop be Consecrated by two or three Bishops Let a Presbyter and Deacon be Ordained by one Bishop See the same Distinction of these Orders Can. 3.4 5 6 7 8. 17 18 25. 27 28 29. 32 33. 36. 42. 44 45. 51 52 53. 63. 68 69 70 83. Can. 15. shews the Jurisdiction of the Bishops over the Presbyters and Deacons If any Presbyter or Deacon or any of the Clerical Order shall leave his own Parish and go to another without the Bishop's leave he shall officiate no longer especially if he obey not the Bishop when he exhorts him to Return persisting in his Insolence and disorderly Behaviour but he shall be reduc'd there to Communicate only as a Lay-man And Can. 31. If any Presbyter despising his own Bishop shall gather Congregations apart and erect another Altar his Bishop not being Convict of Wickedness or Irreligion let him be Depos'd as an Ambitious Person for he is a Tyrant And likewise such other Clergy or Laity who shall joyn themselves to him shall be Excommunicated But let this be after the first second and third Admonition of the Bishop Can. 39.
Christian Faith Clemens Romanus in his First Epist to the Corinthians Paragr 5. Says that St. Paul went Preaching the Gospel to the farthest bounds of the West 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which Term Britain was then Understood And Theodoret expresly Names the Britains among the Nations Converted by the Apostles To. 4. serm 9. p. 610. And Eusebius in his Evangelical Demonstration l. 3. c. 7. p. 113. Names likewise the Britains as then Converted But whether St. Paul or as some Conjecture Joseph of Arimathea or any other Apostolical Person was the first who Preached Christ in England it matters not as to our Present Purpose who Enquire only concerning Episcopacy And it is Certain by all our Histories that as far up as they give us any Account of Christianity in this Island they tell us likewise of Bishops and the Succession of this Church of England has been Deduc'd in the Succession of Bishops and not of Presbyters And particularly in the Diocess of London which was the first Archi-Episcopal See before Augustin the Monk came hither after which it was Establish'd in Canterbury And the Saxon Writers have Transmitted the Succession of their Bishops in Canterbury Rochester London c. And in Countries so Remote and Barbarous as Island it self we find the same care taken Ara or Aras an Islandish Priest Surnam'd Hinfrode the Leurned who flourish'd in the Eleventh Century and was 25 Years Old when Christianity was brought thither in his Book of that Country written in Islandish has Transmitted to Posterity not only the Succession but the Genealogies of the Bishops of Skalholt and Hola the two Episcopal Sees of Island as they Succeeded one another in his Time I mention this of Island to show that Episcopacy has Extended it self Equally with Christianity which was carry'd by it into the Remotest Corners of the Earth upon which account the Bishops of Skalholt and Hola and their Succession are as Remarkable Proofs of Episcopacy tho' not so Famous as the Bishops of Canterbury and London IV. If the Presbyterians will say because they have nothing left to say that all London for Example was but one Parish and that the Presbyter of every other Parish was as much a Bishop as the Bishop of London because the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishop and Presbyter are sometimes us'd in the same â—eâ—… They may as well prove that Christ was but a Deacon because He is so call'd Rom. xv 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we rightly â—raâ—â— are a Minister And Bishop signifies an Overseer and Presbyter an Ancient Man or Elder Man whence our Term of Aldermâ—n And this is as good a Foundation to Prove that the Apostles were Aldermen in the City acceptation of the Word or that our Aldermen are all Bishops and Apostles as to Prove that Presbyters and Bishops are all one from the Childish Gingle of the Words It wou'd be the same thing if one shou'd undertake to Confront all Antiquity and Prove against all the Histories that the Emperors of Rome were no more than Generals of Armies and that every Roman General was Emperor of Rome because he cou'd find the word Imperator sometimes apply'd to the General of an Army Or as if a Common-wealth-man shou'd get up and say that our former Kings were no more than our Dukes are now because the Stile of Grace which is now given to Dukes was then given to Kings And suppose that any one were put under the Pennance of Answering to such Ridiculous Arguments what Method wou'd he take but to shew that the Emperors of Rome and former Kings of England had Generals of Armies and Dukes under them and Exercis'd Authority over them Therefore when we find it given in Charge to Timothy the first Bishop of Ephesus how he was to Proceed against his Presbyters when they Transgressed to Sit in Judgment upon them Examine Witnesses against them and pass Censures upon them it is a most Impertinent Logoâ—…chy to argue from the Etymology of the Words that notwithstanding of all this a Bishop and a Presbyter are the same thing Therefore that one Text 1 Tim. v. 19. is sufficient to silence this Pitiful Clamour of the Presbyterians our English reads it against an Elder which is the Literal Translation of the word Presbyter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against a Presbyter receive not an Accusation but before two or three Witnesses and them that sin Rebuke before all that others also may fear Now upon the Presbyterian Hypothesis we must say that Timothy had no Authority or Jurisdiction over that Presbyter against whom he had Power to Receive Accusations Examine Witnesses and pass Censures upon him And that such a Presbyter had the same Authority over Timothy which is so Extravagant and against Common Sense that I will not stay longer to Confute it and think this enough to have said concerning the Presbyterian Argument from the Etymology of the words Bishop and Presbyter And this likewise Confutes their other Pretence which I have mention'd that the Ancient Bishopricks were only Single and Independent Congregations or Parishes This is a Topick they have taken up but of late being Beaten from all their other Holds and Launched by Mr. David Clarkson in a Book which he Entitules Primitive Episcopacy which has given occasion to an Excellent Answer by Dr. Hen. Maurice call'd A Defence of Diocesan Episcopacy Printed 1691. which I suppose has ended that Controversie and hindred the World from being more troubl'd upon that Head And their other little Shift and as Groundless that the Primitive Bishops were no other than their Moderators advanced more lately by Gilb. Rule late Moderator of the General Assembly in Scotland has been as Learnedly and with great Clearness of Reason Confuted by the Worthy J. S. in his Principles of the Cyprianick Age Printed 1695. But as I said that Text 1 Tim. v. 19. has made all these Pretences wholly useless to the Presbyterians For supposing their most Notorious false supposition as if the Bishopricks of Jerusalem Rome Alexandria or London consisted but of one single Congregation and that such Bishops had no Presbyters under them but that all Presbyters were Equally Bishops I say supposing this then it must follow from what we Read of Timothy that one Bishop or Presbyter had Jurisdicton over other Bishops or Presbyters which will Destroy the Presbyterian Claim of Parity as much as their Confession to the Truth and plain Matter of Fact that Bishops had Presbyters under their Jurisdiction and that they were Distinct Orders Notwithstanding that a Bishop may be call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Deacon or Minister of Christ and likewise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Elder or Grave Man which is a Term of Magistracy and Dignity and not ty'd to Age. And a Presbyter may likewise in a sound Sense be call'd a Bishop that is an Overseer or Shepherd which he truly is over his Particular Flock without denying at all
to the People And apply to this what I have before shewn in the words of St. Clement whose Name is written in the Book of Life That the Evangelical Priesthood is as surely fixed in the Bishops of the Church and its Succession continu'd in those Ordain'd by them as the Levitical Priesthood was confirm'd by the Budding of Aaron's Rod and to be continu'd in that Tribe III. And here let our Korahites of several sizes take a view of the Heinousness of their Schism and let them not think their Crime to be nothing because they have been taught with their Nurses Milk to have the utmost abhorrence to the very Name of a Bishop tho' they cou'd not tell why Let them rather consider seriously the misfortune of their Education which shou'd make them Strangers to all the rest of the Christian World but themselves in a Corner and to all the former Ages of Christianity They have been told that Episcopacy is Popery because the Papists have Bishops So have they Presbyters too that is Parish Priests They have the Creed likewise and the Holy Scriptures and all these must be Popish if this be a good Argument But are they willing to be undeceived Then they must know that Episcopacy has none so great an Enemy as the Papacy which wou'd Engross the whole Episcopal Power into the single See of Rome by making all other Bishops absolutly dependent upon that which only they call the Apostolical Chair And no longer since than the Council of Trent the Pope endeavor'd with all his Interest to have Episcopacy except only that of the Bishop of Rome to be declar'd not to be Jure Divino By which no other Bishops cou'd claim any other Power but what they had from Him But that Council was not so quite Degenerated as to suffer this to pass And the Jesuits and Others who Disputed there on the Pope's part us'd those same Arguments against the Divine Right of Episcopacy which from them and the Popish Canonists and Schoolmen have been lick'd up by the Presbyterians and others of our Dissenters They are the same Arguments which are us'd by Pope and Presbyter against Episcopacy When the Pope cou'd not carry his Cause against Episcopacy in the Council of Trent he took another Method and that was to set up a vast Number of Presbyterian Priests that is the Regulars whom he Exempted from the Jurisdiction of their respective Bishops and fram'd them into a Method and Discipline of their own accountable only to Superiors of his and their own contriving which is exactly the Presbyterian Model These Usurpations upon the Episcopal Authority made the Famous Archbishop of Spalato quit his great Preferments in the Church of Rome and Travel into England in the Reign of King James I. to seek for a more Primitive and Independent Episcopacy Himself in his Consilium Profectionis gives these same Reasons for it And that this shameful Depression and Prostitution of Episcopacy in the Church of Rome was the cause of his leaving her He observ'd truly that the further we search upward in Antiquity there is still more to be found of the Episcopal and less of the Papal Eminency St. Ignatius is full in every line almost of the high Authority of the Bishop next and immediately under Christ as all the other Writers in those Primitive Times But there is a profound silence in them all of that Supremacy in the Bishop of Rome which is now claim'd over all the other Bishops of the Catholick Church Which cou'd not be if it had been then known in the World This had been a short and effectual Method whereby St. Paul or St. Clement might have quieted the great Schism of the Corinthians against which they both wrote in their Epistles to them to bid them refer their Differences to the Infallible Judge of Contreversy the Supreme Pastor at Rome But not a word like this Especially considering that St. Peter was one for whom some of these Corinthians strove 1 Cor. i. 12. against those who preferred others before Him The Usurp'd Supremacy of the later Bishops of Rome over their Fellow-Bishops has been as Fatal to Episcopacy as the Rebellion of our yet later Presbyters against their Respective Bishops And indeed whoever wou'd write the true History of Presbyterianism must begin at Rome and not at Geneva So very Groundless as well as Malicious is that popular Clamour of Episcopacy having any Relation to Popery They are so utterly Irreconcilable that it is impossible they can stand together For that moment that Episcopacy were Restor'd to its Primitive Independency the Papacy that is that Supremacy which does now distinguish it must ipso facto cease But enough of this for I must not digress into various Subjects I have shewn in Answer to the Objection of the Ages of Popery in this Kingdom that all those Errors even Idolatry it self does not Un-church nor break Succession And 2dly I have Exemplifi'd this from the Parallel of the Jewish Church under the Law Then applying of this to our Case I have vindicared Episcopacy from the Imputation of Popery I will now go on to further Reasons why the Succession of our present Bishops is not hurt by that Deluge of Popery which once cover'd the face of this Land IV. The end of all Government as well in the Church as State is to preserve Peace Unity and Order and this cannot be done if the Male-administration of the Officers in the Government did Vacat their Commission without its being Re-call'd by those who gave such Commission to them For then 1st Every Man must be Judge when such a Commission is Vacated and then no Man is bound to obey longer then he pleases 2dly One may say it is Vacated another not whence perpetual Contention must arise A Man may Forfeit his Commission that is do those things which give just Cause to his Superiors to take it from him But it is not actually Vacated till it be actually Recall'd by those who have lawful Power to take it from him Otherwise their cou'd be no Peace nor Certainty in the World either in Publick or in Private affairs No Family cou'd subsist No Man enjoy an Estate No Society whatever cou'd keep together And the Church being an Outward Society as shewn in the Discourse of Water Baptism must consequently subsist by those Laws which are indispensible to every Society Sect. iii. â— 1. And tho' Idolatry does justly Forfeit the Commission of any Church in this sense that God's Promises to Her being Conditional He may justly take her Commission from her and Remove her Candlestick Now tho' her Commission be thus Forfeitable yet it still Continues and is not actually Pacated till God shall please actually to Recall it or take it away For no Commission is Void till it be so Declar'd Thus tho' the Jews did often fall into Idolatry yet as before has been said God did bear long with them and did not Un-church them tho'