a Bishop in anothers Dâ—ccess or a busie body in other mens matters so is that in our English rendred whereas the same work is in the hands of Bishops far otherwise who as they do it themselves so is it in them in way of Superintendency to see it done by others also So the chief Priests under the Law whom the Apostles and afther them Bishops represent they were Overseers to others that the work be done in manner and order as did become Thus are Bishops overseers to those other Overseers the care of many Churches being on them as was the cure of all Churches on the Apostles whereas the care of particular Churches this or that is onely on others 2. Although Presbyters have power to preach and do what belongs to their Function yet are they in acting that power limited and ordered by the Bishop Wherein we are to distinguish as in the Schools between Power of Order and of Jurisdiction Power of Order Presbyters receive in their Ordination to do what belongs to their function to which they are thereby qualified but the Power of Jurisdiction to act that their power of Order as â—astors that a Presbyter hath in his Institution from the Bishop being thereby appointed to a charge and place and licensed to discharge the duty of his calling to which he was before qualified and now enabled Tertullian saith That the chief Priest which is the Bishop hath the right of giving Baptism and then the Presbyters and Deacons but yet not without the Authority of the Bishops So also S. Hierome Without power from the Bishop neither Presbyter nor Deacon hath right to baptize Every Presbyter therefore hath power in common with a Bishop to preach and administer the Sacraments in fulness which an inferior Order a Deacon cannot do yet the exercise of that power is subjected to and regulated by the Bishops authority to be permitted directed restrained or suspended as should be necessary In which the Bishops priviledge of Jurisdiction over Elders is he from them eminently differenced It was said of Elders that they have a power of Jurisdiction understand it of a power of spiritual and inward Jurisdiction in foro conscienciae in the Court of Conscience so as Pastors of the flock is committed to them the seeding ruling teaching reproving binding sinners notoriously scandalous by denouncing Gods judgements in the Word and while unreformed excluding from the Sacrament and again loosing and releasing penitents by applying the gracious promises of the Gospel and readmiting them to the use of the Ordinances But that Jurisdiction which is in Bishops is more extended and that even over Elders themselves For as Presbyters are in their Ordination qualified and by their Institution authorized to their work so are they after to behave themselves in that as becometh It is in Bishops who are overseers of those Overseers to expect and exact that from them authoritatively and on failing in duty or manners as to life and conversation to reprove and punish also In this is Episcopal Jurisdiction given them Apostolically and over inferior Elders particalarlarly to which they are subjected Such was Timothies power in Ephesus Rebuke not an Elder and against an Elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses them that sin rebuke before all that others may fear Which words Rebuke not an Elder is not a restraining but an ordering that rebuke that it be not lightly or on slight grounds as in 1 Tim. 5. 19 20. by which appears a Jurisdiction in Bishops above Elders directive coercive and corective which is Epiphanius his interence on these words against a Presbyter c. Therefore saith he Presbyters are subject to the Bishop as to their Judge He is their Judge as to Doctrine that thou mayest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine saith the Apostle to Timothy 1 Tim. 1. 3. and to Titus Tit. 3. 10. A man that is an Heretick ofter the first and second admonition reject judge also as of their Doctrine what they teach so of their Conversation how they live as you have heard in that of 1 Tim. 1. 5 17 20 21. Therefore is the Angel of the Church of Ephesus Timothies Successor commended that he could not bear with them that are evil and had tryed them which say they are Apostles and are not and had found them lyars Rev. 2. 2. On the contrary the Angel of the Church of Thyratira is reproved for suffering such Rev. 2. 20. So as although there be a Community of names in some cases between Bishops and Elders Bishops are called Elders and Elders Bishops and notwithstanding that the worke also be in a kind common yet is that community so differenced in both that all pretences of Elders in that for casting of Bishops as to their Office or divesting them of Jurisdiction and Dignity is apparently inconsequent and evil For although the names of Bishops and Presbyters were confounded and the work in a sort common to both yet were not the Offices of Bishops and Presbyters ever confounded until now 1. And now to sum up alâ— you see the Church under the New Testamen ordered as before in way of Superiority and Subordination and that Apostolically appointed So Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete and others elsewhere in like manner they ordering persons and things appertaining to that sacred work within their respective Jurisdictions 2. See those Apostolically ordered to that care and charge in the Church above others to be by the Apostles dignified with their own name that standing name of Bishops they standing also in their place and stead and acting in their work Ordaining Overseeing Ordering and Correcting as is necessary 3. What hath been by the Apostles so ordered in the Church whose words Christ would have to be observed as his own If they have kept my saying they will keep yours also John 15. 20. that in this particularly hath been by Christ himself the High Priest approved For as the High Priest did Christ appeare habited being cloathed with a garment down to the feet and girt vbout the paps with a golden girdle and also visiting his Church Ecclesiatim each of the seven Churches particularly being by him inspected In that reproving what was amiss in any and allowing what was right particularly See that Government which was ordered in each of those eminent Churches in Ephesus and the other six under their respective Angels or Chiefs or Bishops see that order I say in the Church approved of Christ for the Seven Stars the seven Angels Angels of those Churches their Bishops were in Christs right hand Rev. 1. 16. 20. that is under his care and protection And to those Angels of the Churches doth our Lord direct himself principally in behalf of all under their charge expecting from them an accompt of the Churches within their respective Jurisdictions each of them being responsible for all that was there well or otherwise 4. Lastly What
Episcopal government had not had an indubitable Institution from the authority of Christ and his Apostles or if any other forme of Church government could have pretended to such Instruction it had been the most impossible thing in the world when their neither was any outward certain power to enforce it nor could be any general Council to stablish it to have introduced such a forme of government so suddenly and quietly into all Christian Churches and not the spirit of one Presbyter for 〈◊〉 that appeareth for above 300. years to 〈◊〉 been provoke either through zeal ambition or other motive to stand up in the just defence of their own and the Churches libertie against such usurpation These are his Majesties words Thus doth Episcopacy derive from the first times and shews it self generally received and continued by a Succession of after ages in the Christian Church Which that by Elders without Bishops cannot shew By this Tertullian concludes for the Catholick Church against Heretiques Let them saith he shew the beginning of their Churches let them run over the Succession of their Bishops so as the first of them may have one of the Apostles or Apostolique men to be a founder or predecessor So Apostolique Churches derive themselves So doth the Church of Smyrna shew Policarpus placed there by John and Rome Clements ordained by Peter so have other Churches those who were by the Apostles appointed Bishops by whom the Apostolique seed or race is derived or continued so Tertullian de Praescript advers Haeretic c. 33. thus was it of old and from th beginning unto these later times when the change of that ancient forme of Church Government began that being occasionally brought in it troubles to say it with the Reformation Then I say was that occasioned rather than designed or approved by the first Reformers For the truth and puritie of the Gospel being then opposed and persecuted by Popish Bishops thereby were those Reformers enforced to act in that work of Reformation without those Bishops whom they could not gain and who were to them so contrary Yet did not those Reformers in that cast off Episcopacy with aversness to the Order but onely in respect of those individual persons of the Popish Bishops oppressing they the Reformers in the mean time professing for Episcopacy and greatly desiring it if it might be It is 〈◊〉 by us endeaâ—oured say they that Bishops be deprived of Government or Power but it is desired that they suffer the Gospel to be purely preached and we have oft protested That we do greatly approve the Ecclesiastial Politie and degrees in the Church and as much as in us lieth we desire to preserve them We do not dislike the authority of Bishops so that they would not compel us to do against Gods commandments and yet again We do here protest and we would have it to be recorded that we would willingly have the Ecclesiastical and Canonical Politie if the the Bishops cease to tyrannize over our Churches This our desire shall excuse us with all posterity both before God and all Nations All which we have in that famous Augustan confession of the Reformers who from the word protest so frequent there had then and thence the name of Protestants they being there first called Protestants as first Christians at Antioch This Augustan Confession or Profession or Protestation was signed by the more eminently Learned in that age and work of Reformation Among whom even Calvin was a Subscriber Yet did others of the chief Reformers adhere to their professions made concerning the right of Episcopacy both as to Order and Jurisdiction concluding that in Justice it ought not to be violated By what right or Law saith Melanâ—thon to Camerarius may we dissolve the Ecclesiastical Politie if the Bishops will grant us what in reason they ought to grant and though it were lawful yet surely it were not expedient And he writing to Luther You will not believe how they of Noricum and others hate me Propter restitutam Episcopis Jurisdictionem for restoring the Jurisdiction of Bishops And Camerarius in the life of Melancthon saith thus of him h Melancthon non modo adstipulatore sed etiam authore ipso Luthero c. Melancthon not onely by the consent but even by advice also of Luther perswaded that if Bishops would grant free use of the true doctrine the ordinary power and administration of their several Diocesses should be restored to them and even Beza who succeeded Calvin in Geneva for the space of ten years in like authority duering which time he was strict in his Judgment as to his discipline Yet after Danaeu's his comeing thither whereby that course of continueing long in that place was altered and Beza laid by Then could he find those inconveniences in that course which he could not now remedie onely wishing it were otherwise So speaking of the 34th Canon of those called the Apostles Canons concerning the power of Metropolitans over Bishops Quid aliud saith Beza hic statuitur quam ordo ille quem in omnibus Ecclesâ—is restitutum cupimus what is in this appointed but that order which we wish maybe restored in all the Ghurches I shall but add that of Zanchius one of the most learned of that side He in a confession or profession of Faith by him composed speaking of Church Orders and saying that Arch bishops and Patriarchs may be defended And sending that his confession to others for their approbation and consent in it he found exceptions taken at that said by him concerning those Church Orders his words are A certain eminent person did write to me thus what you write of your confession hath been by me and by N. and others received with great delight it being learnedly written and in an accurate method with which I was greatly pleased if you except what in the end you add of Archbishops and that Hierarchy On which Zanchius maketh for himself this Apologie when saith he I wrote this confession of Faith I did write all things out of a good conscience and as I believed so did I freely speak Now my faith is grounded chiefly and simply on the word of God something also in the next place on the common consent of the whole Ancient Catholique Church if that be not repugnant to the Scriptures I do also beleive that what things were defined in Councils and received by the godly Fathers gathered together in the name of the Lord by common consent of all without any gainsaying of the holy Scriptures that those things also though they be not of the same authority with the holy Scriptures proceeded from the holy Ghost Hence it is that those things that â—e of this kind I neither will nor dare with a good conscience dislike But what is more certain out of History Councils and writings of all the Fathers then that those Orders of Ministers whereof I speake were established and received by the
each in their place order and degree And as in that is beautie so also securitie securitie is implied where it is said to be terrible that is to enemies to errors and heresies enemies to truth and to schisme and faction which are contrary to order and vnitie These dare not appear while the Church is under its government and in order each under his banners in their order and place being thereby ready to oppose what shall be contrary It is otherwise where order is not in the Church but our banners cast down and our chief leaders taken off what can be then 〈◊〉 deformitie for beautie and for order 〈◊〉 on what then but terror terror to our selves so is an army in confusion to it self terrible and thereby have enemies their advantages about and within therefore saith S. Ierome the safety of the Church dependeth on the dignity of the chief Priest meaning the Bishop to whom if power be not given there must be as many schismes in the Church â—s there are Priests So S. Cyprian Heresies or Schismes have no other beginning but this that Gods Priest meaning Bishop is not obeyed Again These be the beginnings of heretiques these the risings and endeavours of ill minded Schismaticks that they please themselves and contemn their Bishops with swelling pride So do men depart from the Church c. And hence do men rush into heresies and schismes when they speak evil of Priests and envy their Bishops All which we have found sadly in our late miserable Church distractions 2. And by those evils in the Church did follow on our state also confusion and destruction If the Church be borne down let not the State think to stand And we have seen evils designed to the State carried on by attempting first on the Church Corahs opposition pretended principally against Aron rests not there for others with Corah had their designes in that against Moses also and in that against Aron came in Moses immediately they gathered themselves against Moses and Aron And say they to Moses even in a breach wilt thou make thy self altogether a Prince over us Therefore are both joyned by the Apostle S. Jude with the gainsaying of Core is a speaking evill also of dignities In both have we seen and felt the dismall effects of this Church Schisme But blessed be God by whom these breaches are now all made up and repaired both in Church and State by the happy Restauration of his Sacred Majesty to his Royall throne and government 1. hereby is Settlement to the Kingdoms Our Judges being restored as at the first and our Councellors as at the beginning 2. And thereby is our Church also setled so as at this day even this very day we have and our eyes do behold among us here such in the Church who sit and rule in chief setting in order the things that are wanting and ordaining Elders Bishops Successively as hath been Apostolically appointed In that see we our Church Settlement In Church order and Government is Church Settlement which was that in the words first propounded with which I have now done As to what remains of the Text the qualifications of those persons to be called forth to this high and Sacred calling and work of which you have much here v. 6. 7 8 9. of that I may not now speak time will not admit it nor needs it at present where in the person now before us and to be admitted into this Sacred function these qualification are already nor were it for me for me I say to shew it so I shall therefore conclude with the Apostles Clerum Acts 20. wherein we have to our purpose both exhortation and valediction First exhortation you have heard your place and honour asserted see now your office and work and in that your care and charge Take heed unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers or Bishops to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood In that you have your charge see you now to the discharge Next and last follows an Apostolical valediction benediction and prayer which shall be mine also and with that I now conclude And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all which are Sanctified FINIS Errata Epistle P. 3. margin ep p. 2. dele p. 10. line 6. first dele p. 13. line 19. and dele p. 14. line 3. for the read this Preface P. 9. marg z for contra marcione 5. r. contra marcion c. 5. p. 10. l. 2. for Bishops r. being Bishops p. 11. l. 20. for theire r. there p. 12. l. 20. for Policarpus r. Polycarpus l. 22. for Clemets r. Clemens p. 15. marg g for 406. r. 306. ibid. marg r. h Camorar in vita phil molaneth Sermon P. 2. l. 7. for Licaonica r. Lycaonia ibid. marg for Act. 3. 12. r. Tit. 3. 12. p. 7. marg x for Zech. 37. r. Zech. 3. 7. p. 9. marg d for Nunb 16. 3. r. Numb 16. 3. ibid. marg g for Rev 1. 6. 15. 10. r. Rev 1. 6 p 11. l. 28. legal dele p. 12. marg r for Acts. 1. 6. r. Acts. 6. 1. p. 14. marg a for phile 9. r. philem v. 9. p. 15. l. 26. for II. r. I. p. 16. l. 1. sor For r. So l. 2. for Apostles r. Apostle l. 29. for is is r. is p. 17. l. 2. for in r. on p. 21. l. 29 for as r. 〈◊〉 p. 22. marg f for Synod r. 6 Synod p. 23. l. 4. for conveening r. convening p. 25. l. 28. for conc Eard 〈◊〉 conc Sard. l. 30. for be to r. to be p. 26. l. 13. for nominated r. denominated p. 32. l. 18. for ofter r. after a Ric. Hookers Eccles. Pol. Pref. Ep. p. 2â— Beza de grad Min. c. 11. b 2 Kin. 16. 10 11. Neh. 13. 14. a Hos. 3. 12. b Acts 12. 2. c Gal. 1. 19. d Acts 12. 17. e Acts 15. 13 c. f 〈…〉 g 〈…〉 h Annot. on Acts 21. 18. i Annot. on Acts 12. â—7 k Hiero. Catal. Scrip. in Sim. l Niceph. l. 14. 〈…〉 Euseb. l. 2. c. 24. Doroth. in Synop. Hie. proëm in Math. in catalog 〈◊〉 Marco ad Evagr. m Cent. 1. l. 2. c. 10. in Joh. Evang. n Beza in 1 Tim. 5. 19 o Euseb. l. 3. c. 4. p Hier. catal sc. q Oecum in 1 Tim. 1. r Oecum in Tit. 1. s Conc. Chalce act 11. t Theod. Balfamo u Euseb. l. 3. c. 22. Ignat. ad Anti ch w Euseb. l. 5. c. 6. l. 3. c. 4. c. 13. c. 22. Iren. l. 3. c. 3. Hie. cata in Clement x Iren. l. 3. c. 3. Euseb. l. 3. c. 35. Hier. in catal sc. y Euseb. l. 3. c. 23. z Tertul. de praescrip c. 32. l. 4. contra Marcione
whatsoever and therefore to be that to which other Churches should conform and Geneva as to Church and Government to be esteemed of all and above all best reformed unto which in that cursed National Covenant in England was respect had particularly Wherein is to be observed the prodigious growth of this last nights mushrom that this but just now standing on its good behaviour and beholding to others votes and approbation and that begged for introducing it and needing an Oath slily imposed and inconsiderately taken for holding the people to it it self also looking on it self jealously whether to be or not yet should it now from a politick Government start up in a moment and be transformed to what is Divine And therefore no longer begging but commanding nor to be now confined to Geneva where first imposed but Geneva in that giving Laws to the world and expecting from other Churches conformity to that as the principal By all which notwithstanding although other Reformed Churches had been in all this time little influenced yet surely by some fatality hath it been with us in these Kingdoms otherwise For this Geneva form well pleasing our English fled to Geneva in Q. Mary's Persecution was by them brought thence in their return by whom it having been for a time hatched in private Conventicles at length was it brought forth and after by strong hand imposed on our Churches for imitation as was that Idol-altar at Damascus patterned for Jerusalem This began in Scotland where Episcopacie was cast off by the Reformers Geneva Principled and that as in Geneva in a way popular and tumultuary so imbibing Reformation with Schism And although in thâ— other Kingdoms Episcopacy still held and many years flourished after the Reformation to the glory of our Church above all others reformed yet was that sacred Hierarchy in that time by that Party oft pushed at and at length they getting head and power in our late dismal times our very foundations of Government Civil and Ecclesiastical Regal and Episcopal as by a general earthquake were at once and together overturned and in their ruins buried under which universal desolations lay these Kingdoms miserably when as by miracle all were again raised and restored to their former beauty and lustre by His Sacred Majesties glorious and happy Restauration And next and unto His Majesty doth Ireland own Your GRACE in its Settlement both as to Church and State our general settlement of the Kingdom by your great Hand speaking Your glory to generations And whereas all these mentioned evils and miseries had been occasioned by schism and by that particularly concerning Church-government and that this present generation hath been in a great measure bred and educated in an Age where that truth hath been silenced and nothing heard but what hath been loudly against it and the contrary magnified as what only is according to Scripture and considering that this we must now say controversie being cleared mens minds or some of them might be satisfied in the truth and thereby setled in obedience therefore occasion being for it did I take up this subject in which Episcopacy is asserted as Apostolical and the contrary examined so far as the short time then allowed me would admit which being by Your GRACE commanded from me it is thus in due obedience presented yet in some particulars here and there enlarged above what was in publick delivery what is so added being what was intended to have been then spoken had I not been enforced by the time and work of the Day to contract All which is now laid at Your Excellencies feet and under Your great and piercing Judgment there leaving it humbly and ever praying for Your Lordships happiness every way and that the Lord would remember You according to the good by You done for the House of our God and for the Offices thereof Your GRACES In Duty and Service Henry Midensis Dublin 16. Aug. 1667. My LORD I Have more than once read your Lordships very excellent Sermon and do think it not only so convincing in what it aims at but so prudent and seasonable that with your good leave I wish it may be printed and to that end have left the Copy you sent me in my Lord Chancellors Hands What you are pleased to say of me in your Epistle to me is the only questionable part of the Work and if I have not been what you say you teach me what I should be and I receive the Instruction as I ought and remain Your Lordships most Affectionate humble Servant ORMONDE For the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Meath These THE PREFACE TO THE READER WHat is here withall now published was at first intended to have been no farther publique then as spoken But it being since then otherwise ordered and concieving that so necessary a Truth now dark and controversal might require more for its Explication and Proof then was or could circumstances considered be at that time in speaking allowed Therefore is this intended in way of Supplement at present which may be hereafter farther enlarged as opportunity shall be for it if not perhaps thereunto provoked by Gain-sayers whom I expect and provide for The asserting the Episcopal Office and Calling and in that the Government Ecclesiastical of the Christian Church is that now before us concerning which that may be found true which God speaks of some other his Truths in corrupt times I have saith he written to them the great things of my Law but they were counted as a strange thing And what is now so strange as to hear of Episcopacy that it is the true ancient and Apostolical Government of the Church And on the contrary That the Government without Elders Lay or others is but feigned and novel Yet is this a great Truth Episcopacy having been received both in profession and practice in all Ages of the Church from the first of Christianity unto 〈◊〉 last Age whereas now we find this Truth not so much antiquated or forgotten as utterly denied But comparing Scripture and authentick Records of ancient times 〈…〉 evident That Episcopacy is so far Apostolically Divine 1. That Bishops were in the 〈◊〉 times of the Apostles 2. And they by the Apostles themselves ordained and appointed 3. And that in those very times of the Apostles in the Apostolical Churches such as were by the Apostles themselves planted and setled there had been an approved succession of Bishops 4. And that in all the following Pâ—â—â—â—tive Ages of the Church the 〈◊〉 by Bishops so Apostolically ordered had been accordingly received and continued no one Church contradicting in word or practice 5. Lastly nothing heard in all that time of a Government by Elders Lay oâ— other For manifesting which briefly in particulars it appears 〈…〉 Taking that unto the death of 〈◊〉 John an 〈◊〉 1. That St. James not the Son of 〈◊〉 who was killed by Herod but 〈…〉 killed the 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 brother
Ministration may be observed to be modelled to that of the Old Testament yet with allowance of necessary variations according to the change of times and things This appears in both Testaments both as to Service and Government I. As to Service See ours under the New Testament answering that of old although not the same 1. For as there was then a Priesthood so now also So was it prophesied of the Gentile Christian Church I will take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord the admitting Gentiles into the Priesthood was new to what was formerly that is here promised And see that expressed in an Old Testament stile by Priests and Levites shewing a conformisy in both Testaments in that to each other 2. As then were Priests so an Altar at which those Priests officiated so now also have we our Altar Let not this offend any it should not they being the Apostles words We have saith he an Altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle The words We and They distinguish persons and times and service yet both agreeing in an Altar for each But not now as then for otherwise the right of those Priests would be to this Altar as to that but in that the former Priesthood is here excluded 3. And as to the Sacrifices on that Altar Bullocks c. were then offered so have we ours also but the Calves of our lips prayer and praise the fruit of our lips that is our Sacrifice to God giving thanks to his name 4. Maintenance also for those serving at the Altar is new from what was formerly Do ye not know saith the Apostle that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple so then even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 5. And even our very Sacraments also are in matter from the Old Testament although not now as then 1. Our Baptism is borrowed from their Legal Washings 2. And our bread and Wine in the Lords Supper from the Passeover rites but as to nature use and efficacy vastly differing So have you seen the New Tâ—stament Service as to so much and so far ordered and conformed to that before under the Old Testament The time will not allow me to instance further in it II. See it so as to Church-Government also ours and theirs Ours being now in substance modelled to the form of the Old Testament 1. For as then there was an High Priest over the House of God Supreme and ruling all there so is it now and such to us is Jesus Christ our great High Priest of him and of his Priesthood and work were those High Priests in their Person Office and Work types and shadows therefore they and all that to cease and give way Christ the true High Priest being manifested and his work finished 2. Under that High Priest were Levites as you heard and they lowest in that service and more at distance and short in ministring To these answer our Deacons an Office Apostolically appointed and a name from Ministring these are with us lowest in Office and restrained in work not admitted to all sacred duties for a time as it was with the Levites of old 3. As out of those Levites Priests were called these being in degree higher and neerer the Altar in their ministrings So among us are also Priests called so as formerly or if called Elders a name by some rather delighted in yet is even that an Old Testament name also thence borrowed and derived and continued to us These our Priests or Elders are as those before chosen out of our Levite-Deacons so from their conformity may I call them And these our Priests as the other are in order above Deacons and more enlarged in work and duty 4. And as there among those Priests there were some above others who although of the same Order both being Priests yet were they in degrees differing one being to the other Superiour therefore termed Overseers and Chief Priests These were as to place next to the High Priest and above all others And such with us were the Apostles of our Lord they being in the Rule and Government of the Church next unto Christ the High Priest and above all others Hence first Apostles is the place given them they are first and among all other Officers in the Church the principal In which Apostolick order and work were some things Extraordinary and some things Ordinary 1. Extraordinary for among the Extraordinary Offices in the Church are Apostles reckoned That I say in this their Office Extraordinary was their measure of gifts infallibility of their doctrine and the extent of their charge their universal care of all the Churches throughout the whole world for although some of them were for the Circumcision or for the Jews principally and others for the Vncircumcision or Gentiles more especially yet was not the extent of the Apostolick power of either in that limited neither their universal care of all the Churches the care of all the Churches was on S. Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles These things in the Apostolick office extraordinary were fix'd to their persons and with themselves expired and determined In that had they no Successors therefore Romes pretence to an universal Bishoprick and Supremacy of care and rule over all the Churches in the world and that as S. Peters Successor is but Vsurpation as the pretence to Infallibility is also evidenced to be otherwise 2. But in the Apostolick Office and Work was something also Ordinary Such was their Overseeing Ordering Ordaining Preaching and Baptizing This part of the work is lasting this is now and ever holding in the Church to all generations which is intended in their Commission given them by our Lord Go ye and teach all Nations baptizing them c. and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway saith Christ to the end of the world But how that to the end of the world of the Prophets it is said that they are dead and that is true of the Apostles also S. Paul the aged had his time at hand in which he was to be offered up so was S. Peters tabernacle to be put off shortly how then to the end of the world Both are true for that which failed with their Persons lasts in their Office and in their Work and Successors So had the Apostles Successors And accordingly do we finde them providing for Succession both as to persons and work For that were Timothy and Titus drawn in and ordained by the Apostle S. Paul to be then his Assistants and to be after his Successors for supplying his place care and work in their Churches respectively he appointing them also to ordain others with and under them and others after to succeed these so to generations unto the
place of Presbyters But this Text also Pit 1. 5. 7. is pressed in favour of Elders against Bishops for Elders so named v. 5. are v. 7. termed Bishops adding that there being Elders in every City therefore is that intended of Elders properly and not of Bishops who are not for every City thus they 1. It is true that in every City are to be Elders wheresoever is a meeting of people to be provided for so are Elders properly to be understood and the word City to be in that case strictly taken 2. But as referring to Bishops Seats the word City is to be understood more enlargedly not for every city but such onely as are fit for it as places of note and such as are extended in jurisdiction We use to say traditionally that a Bishops Seat should be a city i. e. a place of note so doth Leo expound this very Text writing to the Bishops of Africa To appoint Bishops in every City or Town is saith he in the greater citres to place Bishops in the less to place Priests He in that speaking according to the Council of Sardis It is not allowed saith that Council that a Bishop be appointed in every village or smaller city where one Presbyter may suffice for there a Bishop needs not be that the name and authority of a Bishop be not vilified Con. Eard c. 6. In every city therefore are to be Elders and in every city fitting for it aâ—e be to Bishops So hath this been understood in the practice of the Church accordingly And well might Crete be capable of many Bishops being an Island of great extent and populous And Titus his enlarged Jurisdiction there over many Bishops ordaining and appointing them where necessary sheweth his power to have been Archiepiscopal a though he be stiled onely Bishop of Crete as Timothy Bishop of Ephesus so in the poscript to those Epistles and usual it is in the Councils and elsewhere to finde Archbishops and Patriarchs under the name of Bishops And that Creâ—e had its Archbishop and Suffragans we also find The Archbishop of Crete was nominated from Gortyna its Metropolis Dionysius of Corinih who lived in the next age to the Apostles writing to the Church of Gortyna together with the rest of the Churches of Crete commendeth Philip 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Bishop for his singular piety and virtues The City of Gnossus in Crete had Pintus its Bishop And saith Theodorus Balsamo I have perused the ancient code of Councils and defind by the subscriptions that Basiil Bishop of Gortyna was present at the Council of Truâ—lo On the whole therefore from the community of the names between Bishops and Elders is no ground for what is thence inferred That therefore Bishops and Elders are the same without dictinction of Persons Offices or Degrees for Bishops are Elders and some Elders are Bishops and both distinct in Degree and Dignity But the the strength of the Objection is it what concerns the work common to Bishops and Elders For if the same work be common to both so as what a Bishop doth that an Elder doth also then what needs a distinction of Persons and and Offices These are not to be multiplied without necessity And that the work is common and the same both to Bishops and Elders is by that side instanced in 1. Ordination 2. In Overseeing under this of Overseeing all the other paâ—ts of the work are comprehended as Preaching Baptizing c. Let these two be therefore distinctly considered and examined Whether in the work common to both Bishops and Eâ—ders there be not sufficient to differente each from other 1. As to Ordination To this Elders or Presbyters pretend grounding on that 1 Tim. 4. 14. where the Apostle exhorts Timothy Not to neglect the gift which was given him by prophesie with the laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie Here say they Presbyters Ordain 1. But â—et them take all together for doth not the same Apostle say also to Timothy I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands 2 Tim. 1. 6. here we finde another hand the Apostles beside those hands of Presbyters imposed on Timothy therefore not the hands of Presbyters alone where therefore their hand onely is in the work there is another yet wanting and the work short without it the case of necessity excepted 2. Ordination must be granted to have been in the Apostles primarily and principally and not in Elders or Presbyters principally they but acting with the Apostles and that but subordinately By my hand saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 1. 6. with the hands of the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4. 14. It is by the Apostles hand principally and but with the other in way of approbation Therefore is the charge of Oedination given principally to Timothy that he lay not hands suddenly on any so not to be partaker of other mens sins there Presbyters are not named not as not assisting but as onely assisting and not as principals It is be not thou partaker of other mens sins not be not ye speaking of Presbyters So you finde it here also as to Titus to him is that work committed principally and in chief I left thee Titus in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and that thou shouldest orvain Elders in every City as I have appointed thee So is it to be understood as to others in like place with Timothy and Titus Bishops ordain others joyning with them Bishops will not do it without others and others must not do it without Bishops concur Elders may but act in it alone they must not the contrary where necessity is not is an unwarranted usurpation Yet in giving but an hand in the work they will have All. Such notwithstanding are to know that there is another hand in that work as beside theirs so before theirs and above them theirs is onely with not without Bishops and Bishops in that principally So for Ordination in which work common both to Bishops and Elders is you see sufficient notwithstanding to difference both in Degree and Office II. See it also in the other part of the work in which Bishops and Elders act also in common as Preaching Baptizing and ordering the flock committed to them so are both Overseers This is granted in common to both Bishops and Elders yet so as that this is in both differently and so in Bishops as not in others 1. It is true that Preaching Baptizing Ordering and Overseeing the flock are incumbent on all but in inferior Elders more restrainly with respect to place and persons they acting within Precincts and Parishes among their own people and within their own districts onely To these and there are they Overseers and not otherwise so as for any such to take on him to Oversee and see what others without do or do not is to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉