you that the state of the question is mistaken by too many For it is not whether the word Bishop and the word Presbyter doe in Scriptures signifie one and the same Function not yet whether a Bishop and a Presbyter be of one and the same Order in Scripture But the question rightly stated is this Whether there be an Order in Scripture distinct from the Order of Presbyter and Superiour to that Order 20. To quarrell about names and words had not wont to be the custome of the Church of Christ for plaine it is that we speak not alwaies as the Scripture speakes The Scripture calls i Sacramentum hoc magnum eâ—â— So S. Hierom reads Eph. 5.32 Matrimony a Sacrament if we beleive S Hierom the Latine Fathers from whom we borrow the word Sacrament and yet we call it not so The Scripture never calls Baptisme or the Lords Supper a Sacrament and yet we call them both so and custome hath appropriated that name to them and yet no corrupt custome I hope The reason is because we define a Sacrament to be an outward and visible signe of an inward and spirituall grace given unto us ordained by Christ himselfe 〈◊〉 … ron in 〈…〉 7. as a meanes whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof Now Baptisme and the Lords Supper make good this definition which Matrimouy doth not 21. Neither doth the same word in Scripture signifie alwares the same Office and Order no not in the same place and verse If question be made whether there were but one High-Priest at one time in the Iewish Church we answer positively but one That is but one strictly and properly so called And yet we find many High-Priests at the same time S. Mar. 14.1 S. Luc. 22.2 S. Ioh. 11.47 But we say not that all these were High-Priests strictly and properly so called not Pontifices simpliciter but secundum quid in respect of their brethren who were under their charge And these are called the chiefe or principall Fathers of the Priests 1. Chron. 24.6 31. 22. Not in the same place and verse For S. Mat. 26.3 we find many High-Priests and one High-Priest Many High-Priests assemble together unto the Palace of Caiphas the High Priest k S. Mat. 26.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And yet but one of these was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly the High-Priest l Heb. 9.7 no other but he but that one might go into the Sancta Sanctorum the holyest of all m Num. 8. â— Lyra in Num. 8.5 None of them but he onely could Ordaine or Consecrate a Priest and n 1. Chron. 24.18 none of them but he had jurisdiction over all the Sonnes of Levi. 23. Thus we finde one Bishop and many Bishops in Asia and Creet Titus is the Bishop of Creet and yet in that Citty there were many Bishops For he that is called a Presbyter v. 5. is called a Bishop v. 7. Thus was it in Asia But the title of Bishop even in those times was appropriated to Timothy and Titus as is evident in the Postscripts to those Epistles wherein the former is called Bishop of the Asians and Titus Bishop of the Cretians These are they that were truly and properly named Bishops of those Churches In Scripture we find them termed so it cannot be denyed Beza is my witnesse who met with no Manuscript without these Postscripts And I hope Beza is no abettor of corruptions in Scripture 24. Timothy and Titus were ordained by St Paul and by him for ought any man can say they were called Bishops I am certaine they are called so by the Spirit of God or Beza hath abused us And these that are thus called so in those places were for their time the only Bishops of those Churches These had Iurisdiction spirituall over all Persons in those severall Churches not only over Lay-men and Deacons but over the Presbyter-Bishops also even to convent censure silence and to cast them out of the Church These Bishops also had the right and power of Ordination which the Presbyter Bishops never had 25. What were they in those times distinguished only by right and power and not by titles No such matter Those whom we now call Bishops were at the first named Apostles But those whom we now call Presbyters or Priests were then indifferently stiled Bishops or Presbyters If I prove not this I deserve blame but if I shall make this Assertion good I shall doe the truth and you service and I hope yee will doe the truth and your selves that honour as to lay the censure where the fault is even upon those that have misled you 26. My first witnesse shall be Theodoret who certifies us that o Theodorer in Philip. 1.1 while St Pauls Epistles were writing the same Persons were called both Presbyters and Bishops but those who are now named BISHOPS were then called APOSTLES But in processe of time the Title of APOSTLE was left to those who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 APOSTLES properly and truly so called And the name of BISHOP was appropriated to those who heretofore were called APOSTLES With Theodoret accords St Hierome who testifies that p Hieron in Gal. 1.19 The Apostles ordained Apostles Calvin saith as much upon 1. Cor. 4.9 So here are more Apostles then twelve or thirteene 27. Would you know who are the Apostles that these speake of The Scriptures tell us of q Gal. 1.19 St James of r Philip. 2.25 Epaphroditus an Å¿ 1. Cor. 49. Apollo who in their severall places are expresly galled Apostles Witnesse the Greeke Text the originall Lancuage of those Epistles And St Hierome justifies that t Hieron Câ—tal c. 4. this St James was Bishop of Hierusalem but none of the Twelve as too many ignorantly conceive but u Hieron in Es 17. decimus tertius Apostolorum the thirteenth Apostle None of those that were immediatly ordained by Christ himselfe he was * Hieron in Catal. c. 4. ab ipsis Apostolis ordainatus ordained by the Apostles suddenly after our Saviours Passion x Theodoret. in Phil 2 25. Epaphroditus likewise was Bishop of Philippi and y Hieron in Tit. 3. â—3 Apollo Bishop of Corinth Apostles in Scripture Language but Bishops in the Church Language None of these were ordained by our Saviour but by his Apostles yet z Walo Messal p. 43.44.244 these were of the same Order and Power with their Ordainers and clearly of a different Order from Presbyters You shall heare what your deare friend Wale Messalinus speakes a Apostolorum tempore Apostolos ipsos veros juisse Ecclesiarum Episcopos Episcopos autem qui tunc fic nominabaÌ„tur in Presbyterorum ordine stetisse quales nunc Episcopis subditi sunt Walo Messal p. 355. In the time of the Apostles the APOSTLES themselves were the TRUE BISHOPS of those Churches But they who in those times were called BISHOPS were of the same Order with
ſ Act. 14.23 by S. Paul and S. Barnabas t 1. Tim. 5.22 by Timothy and u Tit. 1.5 Titus The * Hieron Catal c. 16. two former are known to be Apostles the two latter are acknowledged by all antiquity to be Bishops strictly so called which are the very same with Apostles Though you will not believe me I presume ye will not mistrust Walo Messalinus his fidelity to your cause His very words are these x Walo Messal p. 44. Titus Timotheus Apostoli tunc nominabantur REVERA ERANT EPISCOPI JVRE EODEM ET ORDINE quo hodiè habertur qui Ecclesiam regunt Presbyteris praesunt Titus and Tymothy were named APOSTLES and IN VERY TRVTH WERE BISHOPS BY THE SAME RIGHT AND OF THE SAME ORDER that these are at this day who govern the Church and have command over Presbyters So your own dearest friend 37. But there can be no surer Commentary of our Saviours words then the Apostles daily practice And meet it is for us in these things to doe as they did And ought not Bishops to preserve as much as in them lyes that power which God in his word hath committed to them y 1. Tim. 6.20 Depositum custodi is a full command and of a large extent that charge which S. Paul hath committed to Timothie's and every z Vincent Lyrin c. 27. Bishop's trust is not to be waved on any hand carefully preserved it must be For doth not S. Paul charge Timothy to a 2. Tim. 3.14 continue in those things which he hath both learned and been assured of and to b Ib. c. 4. v. 5. fulfill his Ministry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his owne Ministry c Ib. c. 1. v. 6. which was given unto him by the imposition of S. Pauls hands Surely we ought to doe so and I hope God will so enable our Bishops that they shall discharge their duties though it be with hazard of their lives And a main part of their duty it is to Ordaine Presbyters and Deacons For to them and to them only this power belongs as shall be proved § 51.52 The third Proposition That Ordination performed by him by the Bishop being a Presbyter joyned with other Presbyters is in your judgement for substance valid and not to be disclaimed by any that have received it 38. THe Bishops are so much beholding to you as to ackowledge them to be Presbyters and their Ordinations valid notwithstanding their assumings and encroachings Yee take order therefore that d Ord. p. 13. a Presbyter so ordained shall be admitted to a charge WITHOUT ANY NEW ORDINATION 39. Notwithstanding this your Magisteriall definition I must tell you that this your Proposition is partly true partly false True in that an Ordination performed by a Bishop is valid But false that it is performed by him as a Presbyter He ordaines not as a presbyter but as a Bishop or if you will is an Apostle Bishop Not by vertue of the Order of Presbyter but by vertue of his Episcopall or Apostolicall Order e Epiphan haer 75. Presbyterorum enim Ordo non est potens generare patres for this Order the Order of Presbyters is not able to beget Fathers or Presbyters but Children for the Church And so no validitie in their Ordaining as shall be more fully manifested in the Confutation of your next Proposition 40. False like wise it is That the Ordination is only so farre forth valid as it is performed by a Bishop soyned with Presbyters Bishops you pull downe as low as yee can no Ordination good by a Bishop without assisting Presbyters but a Minister is highly in your favour he may if you Authorize Ordaine alone for doe not you say The Minister that ordaineth p. 13. But as you are out in affirming that one or many Presbyters may Ordaine so are you as wide from truth in resolving that a Bishop cannot Ordaine without presbyters joyned with him For this is certaine that the assisting Presbyters are not of the essence of Ordination for then were there no Ordination in the Greek Church since therein Presbyters lay on no hands at all in Ordination As f Pet. Arcud de Concord l. 6. c. 4. §. Igitur in Petrus Aroudius manifests Neither is there so much as mention made of Presbyters assisting or laying on their hands by or with or neare the Bishops hands at Ordination in all the Greeke Canons or the Euchologue but only of the Bishop ordaining a Presbyter They had an eye upon Scripture wherein they finde S. Paul alone and Titus alone and Timothy alone ordaining without assistants Yee are carefull to preserve the credit of some late reformed Churches beyond the Seas give us leave to be tender of those many and famous Churches in the East the first the learned churches of the world from whom we received the Scriptures and if the Learned be not mistaken the best expositions thereof even our Faith and Orders though not immediatly 41. I must confesse that in the Latine Churches g Concil Carthag IIII. Can. 3. Presbyters at the Ordination of a Priest and of a Priest only layed on their hands by the Bishops hand But these were for attestation not for Ordination The African Fathers therefore that enjoyne this very Act of the Presbyters ascribe Ordination wholy and only to the Bishop as is to be seen Co◠Afric Can. 31.55 80 c. A Bishop therefore may Ordaine without the assistance of Presbyters and the Ordination shall be good though not Legall with us because the Bishop may be justly questioned and censured for transgressing the Canons of our Church The fourth Proposition Presbyters so ordained being lawfully thereunto appointed and authorized may ordaine other Presbyters 42. IT seems hereby that Ordination is one thing and lawfull authorizing another That is if I mistake not your meaning when a Presbyter is ordained he receives no such power till he be afterwards lawfully authorized by you or such as you are And yet immediatly after ye make h Ord. p. 2. lawfull calling and Ordaining to be one and the same A Lawfulnesse then there is in Ordination without your concurrence or approbation Yea your own words are that i Ph. p. 15. Presbyters ORDAINED according to this Directory shall be for ever reputed and taken to ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES for LAWFULL and SUFFICIENTLY AUTHORIZED Ministers of the Church of England and capable of any Ministeriall imployment If that be not home enough observe I beseech you how you resolve that every Minister by imposition of hands i◠k Ib. p. 22. set a part to fulfill the worke of his Ministery IN ALL THINGS Having then so full a Commission given them in Ordination how comes it to passe that before they may Lawfully Ordaine they must first be appointed and authorized by you 43. Is it a Ministeriall Imployment to Ordaine If it be so then is every Minister by his Orders sufficiently authorized
Christ and his word Therefore Apostles onely or Bishops strictly so called have power to ordaine The Major is firme and agreed upon The Minor onely is doubted of I shall addresse my selfe therefore to justifie the Minor 52. That the power of Ordination is neither given to nor executed by any meere creature in the New Testament but onely to and by Apostles or Bishops strictly so called who are of the same Order with Apostles is evident by our Saviour's Commission immediatly issuing from himselfe and explained by Saint Paul 53. Our Saviour's Commission to his Apostles was this * S. Mat. 10.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A gift yee have received give this gift so the Greekes but we freely yee have received freely give what yee have received That is saith Gennadius Patriarch of Constantinople x Apud Balsam p. 1085. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of me you have received this dignity of Priesthood freely yee have received it freely give it Neither is this the sence of Gennadius alone but of 73 Bishops more that concurre with him in this Exposition If these be not enough I can tell you of y Ambros de dignit Sacerd. c. 5. Saint Ambrose z Hieron in Mat. 10.8 Saint Hierome and others that concurre with him in the same opinion 54. This Commission was given to the Apostles them onely he called v. 1. and those onely at that time he sent with that Commission v. 5. But given it was not to the Seventie and hence it is that not onely their number but their names also are precisely set downe v. 2 3 4. that so there might be no mistake at all in the Commission And as it was given to the Apostles onely so was it executed by them and others of their ranke but not by the Seventie not by the Disciples or Presbyters This is evident by Scripture and Church-historie By Scripture St Paul and St Barnabas were Apostles and they Ordaine Presbyters in every Church Act. 14.23 And Saint Paul ordaines Timothy 2. Tim. 1.6 By Church-historie a Hieron Catal c. 4. The Apostles ordained S. James Bishop of Hierusalem b Theodoret Dial. 1. S. Peter ordained Ignatius Bishop of Antioch and c Euseb hist l. 3. c. 17. S. John ordained many Bishops in Asia I make bold with Church History because you allow thereof and ordaine d Ord. p 6. that they who are desirous of Orders shall have triall made of their skill in Ecclesiasticall History 55. Titus and Timothy were Apostles also if we give credit to e Ignat. ad Ephes p. 226. Ignatius and f Theodoret. in 1. Tim. 3.1 Theodoret to them the same power of Order is committed which was to those g 2. Cor. 11. ◠chiefe Apostles To Titus h Tit. 1.5 For this cause left I thee at Creet that THOU SHOULD'ST ORDAINE PRESBYTERS or Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I have appointed thee not as it shall please an Ordinance of Lay-men to appoint thee The same power is acknowledged to be in Timothy 1. Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man And in Epaphroditus by a good friend of yours who ingenuously confesseth that i Ad Philippenses Epaphreditū miserat ad Ecclesiam eorum consirmādam constituendos in eâ Presbyteros Episcopos Walo Messal p. 58. Saint Paul sent Epaphroditus to the Philippians to Ordaine Presbyters in that Church 56. Can you shew in Scripture or Ecclesiasticall Historie that the power of Ordination was given to or acknowledged to be in one or many Presbyters Can you prove that ever this power was exercised by one or many Presbyters and not censured for a nullity not disclaimed as never done 57. I question not but you will presently turne me to your old and often answered Argument 1. Tim. 4.14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecye with the LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY Therefore Timothy was ordained by Presbyters and if Timothy then may others also This is the Crambe the old burre with which you hope at length to choke us 58. First I cannot but acknowledge that Timothies Ordination was orderly and legall Secondly I yeeld readily that others may be ordained legally and commendably as he was But withall I must tell you that Timothy was ordained either by S. Paul alone or by S. Paul with other of the Presbytery That he was ordained by S. Paul alone is the opinion of your great Master Calvin and he hath Scripture to justifie it Calvin's resolution is plaine and full k Calvin Instat l. 4. 〈◊〉 §. 16. Paulus ipse SE NON ALIOS COMPLVRES Timotheo manus imposnisse commemorat Saint Paul himselfe acquaints us that HIMSELFE NOT ANY MORE or other with him layed hands upon Timothy Exclusively himselfe not any other marke that 59. The text which confirmes this is cited by Calvin in the same place and this it is l 2. Tim. ◠6 Stirre up the gift of God which is in thee by the PUTTING ON OF MY HANDS Evident it is that this was done by Saint Paul The truth is m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat ad Philadelph 〈◊〉 14. the Apostles in those dayes were called the Presbytery Witnesse Ignatius n Hieron Catal. ◠27 who lived in those times and your present friend Walo Messalinus in these words o Walo Messal p. 21. Apostoli Presbyterium Hierosolymitanae Ecclesiae constituunt the Apostles were in those times the Presbytery of the Church at Hierusalem And what the Apostles were then and there they were also in other Churches where they came no question to be made of that And what power was in all the Apostles together in respect of any Ministeriall duty was in every one of them in particular and by himselfe Otherwise how could every single Apostle when their Colledge was dissolved and they dispersed into severall Countries for the worke of the Gospell performe his Office validly and effectually 60. But suppose the most that can be supposed either you must give S. Paul the lye or else you must confesse that Saint Paul was one of those that ordained Timothy So then to keep close to this president an Apostle or one of the same Order with an Apostle must have a chiefe hand in Ordination This serves to justifie the course of our Church but it condemnes your new Ordinance which authorizeth Presbyters alone without a Bishop or Apostle to ordaine 61. Timothy was ordained by an Apostle though perchance not by an Apostle alone and as Timothy so were all other ordained by Apostles or by such as were of the same Order with the Apostles and succeeded them in their Office p Hieron cont Montani insan Ep. 54. Et apud nos Apostolorum locum tenent Episcopi in S. Hieromes time the Bishops held the Apostles roome and so they doe at this day In his time Bishops onely had the power of Ordination but not
deberipraecipue EPISCOPORUM DOCTRINAE ET INDUSTRIAE I know saith he that the Reformation of the Church of England and the subversion of Popery next after God and the Soveraignes of this Kingdome are chiefly due to the LEARNING AND INDUSTRY OF THEIR BISHOPS 10. Let other men be of what opinion they please ye are resolved downe they shall p Ordin Iune 12. 1643. p. 1. For the setling therefore of a NEW GOVERNMENT and for the vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the Church of England from all false calumnies and aspersions it is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of Learned Godly and Judicious Divines to consult and advise with q Ib. p. 2. The first of these is Algernon Earle of Northumberland and with him nine Lords and twenty Knights and Burgesses After these come in the rest of the Learned Divines called Ministers 11. And that ye may be sure to have the whole worke goe forward according to your owne hearts desire you order very warily and discreetly that r Ib. p. 4. such other Person and Persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both Houses of Parliament shall meet and assemble for the purposes before mentioned And if you like them not you will aire them and Å¿ Ib. from time to time remove them from place to place And if that will not qualifie their heat and pull down their stubborne stomacks then t Ib. shall they be dissolved in such manner as by both Houses of Parliament shall be directed Complaine no longer that Trent was no free Councell declame not against their shifts and devices your selves have outstripped them for never men made surer worke 12. Well meet they shall and that they may answer the expectation of Men and Angells u Ib. the said Persons being at least of the number of Forty shall have power and authority To doe what even to conferre and Treat amongst themselves of such matters and things touching and concerning the Liturgie Discipline and Government of the Church of England A large Commission indeed 13. Observe I pray you Forty of these may conferre and Treat Forty whereof there are Ten Lords Twenty Members of the House of Commons and to these they may adde such other Persons for number and affection as it shall please both Houses to nominate and appoint So there may be Ten Divines or no Divines in the Assembly as it shall please the Houses And yet it shall be called an Assembly of Divines because ye have Voted them to be so But they must no further * Ib. p. 5. advise or deliver their opinions then shall be required by both or either of the Houses Neither may they meddle with these or any other things but x Ib. as they shall be proposed unto them by one or both Houses But how if the Houses will not propose Then must these be mute Neither may they y Ib. divulge by Printing Writing or otherwise their opinions and advices without the consent of both or either House of Parliament What are these then but Iourney-men to the Houses z Ib. If any difference in opinion arise among these Divines it is to be represented to one or both of the Houses and from thence they shall receive such directions as shall be requisite The Houses then are to moderate and determine the Assembly onely to Treat and Advise Thus I have briefly presented unto you the full Power and Authority of the Assembly 14. Well advised it seemes they have and an Ordinance for Ordination you have given us but you tell us not that this Ordinance is framed according to their advice but according to the Directory for Ordination and Rules for Examination therein expressed These words caused me heretofore to dream of a more full Directory But I see by your Directory for publicke Prayers that we are like to have no other a Ord. p. 15. till the Twelve Moneths be over for so long this Ordinance stands in force and no longer So say you and so say I by Gods grace Thus farre I have gone with your Title Page and now I shall make bold with the frame of your Ordinance and see upon what Foundation it is setled 15. The old Crambe is layed for the Corner stone But if this totter and faile farewell frame the Directory and Ordinance are at an end they will hardly hold out the Twelve Moneths they were provided for And they end October the second next ensuing You follow your grand Champion Mounseir Smectymnuns and by him you are misled He saies that b Smect Answ p. 21. 26. the word Presbyter and the word Bishop doe in the Scriptures signifie one and the same Function and c Ord. p. 1. you justifie it As if the difference were about a bare Title or Word and not about an Order or Function of the highest moment in spiritualls Which failing the two other Orders and both the Sacraments will suddenly sinke As shall with Gods blessing be fully manifested when it shall please him to afford us a Presse and Paper 16. In the meane space I could tell you of the Bishop of Norwich and some others that have often foiled your Champion and send you to review their Workes But I shall not boast of other mens strength nor relye upon their Weapons though they be keene enough for that purpose I shall joyne with you upon a shorter issue Briefly then thus 17. I yeeld it to be true setting by the Postscripts to Timothy and Titus that the word Presbyter and the word Bishop doe in Scripture intend and signifie one and the same Function And yet these your inferences are most false namely first that d Ib. the Title of Bishop hath been by corrupt custome appropriated to one 2. That e Ib. p. 2. this Title hath been by him assumed as in other things so in Ordination 3. That f Ib. this Ordination is performed by him the Bishop being a Presbyter 4. That g Ib. Presbyters so ordained may ordaine other Presbyters 5. That h Ib. Ordination by preaching Presbyters is an Ordinance of Christ These are your owne Propositions and with these by Gods grace I shall deale severally as they lye in your owne words The first Proposition The Title of Bishop hath been by corrupt custome appropriated to one 18. THis Proposition is false it was no corrupt custome but uncorrupt discretion that appropriated the Title of Bishop to one in every severall Diocesse It was done by those who detested corruption with a perfect hatred But this Title was not so appropriated to one as to his person that might be layed downe at the yeares end as the Title of Major in a Corporation but it was appropriated to his Office or Order and not given him till he were of a severall Order from Presbyter which Order and Title can never be layed aside or taken from him 19. Give me leave therefore to tell
PRESBYTERS such as now are SUBJECT TO BISHOPS This he confesseth to be the common opinion of the Greeke Fathers and surely they were as well skilled in Scriptures and Church History as any Elders in your divine Assembly 28. The reason why the Church of God so universally alter'd this Title of Apostle into Bishop is given by Theodoret and this it is b Theodoret. in 1. Tim. 3.1 That the name APOSTLE might be reserved to those who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 APOSTLES verily and indeed to those that were ordained by Christ himselfe Well the end of this appropriation was that the Church might settle and continue that necessary distinction betweene the Apostles ordained by Christ the Apostles ordained by man and Presbyters 29. If this distinction had not been setled in time how should we have been able to know an Apostle properly so called from an Apostle improperly so called What a strange confusion would have overspread the face of the Church if Epaphroditus Timothy and Titus had still been called Apostles c Ib. as Theodoret justifies they were in the Primitive times If all of that Order had reteined the same Title how should we have been able to distinguish Saint Peter from Peter the Apostle of Alexandria St Paul from Paul the Apostle of Antioch and St John from John of Hierusalem Thus we should have had not onely d 2. Cor. 11.13 false Apostles but Hereticall and Atheisticall Apostles which would have brought that Holy and Reverend name into contempt How should we have knowne by whom the Canonicall Epistles had been written For the Titles runne thus The Epistle of Paul the Apostle The Epistle of Peter the Apostle of John the Apostle c. So then if this distinction had not been provided corruption upon corruption must have followed for Epistles have been written by more Pauls then one and those Pauls Apostles too 30. The distinction then was necessary and though the Title were alterd the Order was not nor yet the Office The Fathers conceived not that they offer'd the least affront or derogation to St James in calling him Bishop whom the Scripture had honoured with the Title of Apostle If they had deemed so either they would not have given him that appellation or they would never have called his Episcopacy e Rusin histi l. 2. c. 1. Primatûs gloriam the glory of the Primacie and f Euseb hist l. 2. c. 1. an honour of no meane esteeme Neither had Timothy and Titus the lesse honour or power because they were called Bishops What the Apostles could doe which was of ordinary Jurisdiction and power and necessary for the preservation of the Church that could they Walo Messalinus shewes much ingenuity in this acknowledgement g Walo Messal p. 62. EPISCOPI SUMMUM in Ecclesiastico ordine GRADUM obtinent ut olim tennere qui APOSTOLI vocabantur BISHOPS hold the CHIEFE DEGREE in the Ecclesiasticall order as heretofore they did who were called APOSTLES But Apostles and Presbyters were never reckoned to be of the same Order The distinction is plaine Act. 15.6.23 Where it is said that h Act. 15.6 The Apostles and Presbyters came together to consider of this matter And i Ib. v. 23. The Apostles and Presbyters send greeting This is readily acknowledged by St Hierome and Walo Messalinus as is manifested § 71. 31. Agreed upon it is that Apostles and Presbyters are not the same if then Bishops properly and strictly so called be of the same Order with the Apostles it followes necessarily that our Bishops and Presbyters are not of one and the same Order or Function Neither hath corrupt custome but Scripture it selfe made this distinction The second Proposition That the Title of Bishop hath been by him by this one assumed as in other things so in the matter of Ordination 32. FIrst appropriated and ascribed and then assumed Not first assumed and then appropriated If then any fault be fall it must upon the times wherein that custome prevailed or upon the Persons that ascribed this Title to that one not upon the Bishops for they assumed it not it was first appropriated to them by your owne confession But it was appropriated and ascribed unto them in corrupt times truly no lesse then 1600 yeares since and assumed or rather retained to this day And lawfull it is for me to assume as you please to speak that what ever it be which hath k See §. 23 24. c. upon so just grounds been appropriated to me as this Title was to the Order Apostolike For it was done either by the Apostles themselves or by their Orthodox Schollers How can yee say then that l Ordin p. 2. it was not meet 33. But before I passe further I cannot but take notice that you who have so highly cryed out upon Et Caetera have slipt into the same error for In other things is neither better nor worse but a plaine c. which ought to have been avoided by such wise men as have condemned it with so much detestation Secondly you say in the matter of Ordination Herein had you consulted with your Assembly men certainly you would have strook out matter for the Greeke and our Reformed Churches use no matter or element in Ordination We use a Forme of words and Imposition of hands onely such Learned men cannot but know this Matter was either ignorantly or superfluously put in 34. But why hath the Title of Bishop been assumed in Ordination Does the Title Ordaine Is that sufficiem a Phrase not easily construed it needs a Commentary from some of your Divines In the mean time I shall guesse at your meaning which I conceive to be this He to whom custome hath appropriated the title of Bishop hath assumed Ordination to himselfe This being your meaning I shall make bold to say that this assertion is not true 35. The Bishops assumed not they took not this power of Ordination to themselves it was conferr'd upon them with their Orders It is so innate so inherent to that Order which we now call Episcopacy that no other Order may Ordaine Not Deacons so you say not Presbyters so m Epiphan haer 75. Epiphanius and n Hieron ad Evagr. Ep. 85. S. Hierom and with them all Antiquitie In the New Testament this power is only given to the Apostles or Bishops strictly so called and executed by them only It was given to the Apostles in o S. Mat. 10.8 Gratis accepistis gratis date freely ye have received freely give so p Ambros de dignit Sacerdot cap. 5. S. Ambrose so q Hieron in loc S. Hierome so r Apud Balsam p. 1085. Gennadius Patriarke of Constantinople with the whole Synod of his Patriarchate to Bishop Titus Tit. 1.5 to Bishop Timothy 1. Tim. 5.22 and to Bishop Epaphroditus by Walo Messalinus confession p. 58. 36. Practised it was only by Apostles or Bishops properly so called in Scripture
Presbyters and so is it with us at this present q Bishops have power to ordaine Presbyters in every City Hieron in Tit. 1.5 EPISCOPI HABENT constituendi Presbyteros per urbes singulas POTESTATEM But Presbyters have no such power r Hieron ad Evag. Ep. 85. Quid facit EXCEPT A ORDINATIONE Episcopus quod Presbyter non facit SET BY ORDINATION and what doth a Bishop that a Presbyter doth not Saint Hierome distinguisheth plainly between the power of a Bishop and the power of a Presbyter Which extorted this confession from Walo Messalinus that Å¿ Walo Messal p. 288. in St Hieromes time a Bishop was distinguished from a Presbyter jure ordinandâ—rum Clericorum by the right of Ordination In S. Hieromes dayes a Presbyter might not Ordaine no nor yet in the dayes of Athanasius as is evident by that of Coluthus and Ischyras t Athan. Apol 2. Coluthus a Presbyter took upon him to be a Bishop as some of the Assembly doe now and presumed to Ordaine one Ischyras a Presbyter But for this presumption he was censured by Athanasius and all the Bishops of that Patriarchate and u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ib. this Imposition of hands sentenced to be no Ordination And this censure was shortly after justified by foure Councells more of no small note As is to be seen in the same Apologie 62. If you say that this was adjudged a nullity because one and not many Presbyters did it Epiphanius tells you that * Epiphan haer 75. Presbyterorum Ordo the whole Order of Presbyters is not able to ordaine a Presbyter How then can x Ord p. 3. seven Presbyters be lawfully appointed and authorized to Ordaine Can you authorize a Woman to Preach or Baptize Or a Deacon to Consecrate the Supper of Christ when you prove this I shall incline to the other But if Presbyters may ordaine why did St Paul I pray you send Epaphroditus an Apostle to Philippi to ordaine Presbyters where many Presbyters already were That there were at Philippi divers Presbyters is too plaine to be denied for S. Paul writes y Philip. 1.1 to the Bishops and Deacons in that Citie And those Bishops were but Presbyters as is agreed on all hands And yet that S. Paul sent Epaphroditus thither to ordaine Presbyters is acknowledged by Walo Messal p. 58. Thus at Ephesus were many Presbyters Act. 20.17 and yet S. Paul manifests that the power of Ordination as also of conventing and censuring Presbyters within that Diocesse was in Timothy and in Timothy only 63. No man or Ordinance of man can authorize me to doe any Ministeriall act which God hath not given me power to performe that is while I am in this condition no more then you can authorize me to flie in the aire No man can give Authority to a Deacon while a Deacon to consecrate the Lords Supper or to absolve a Penitent Neither can any authority give a Presbyter while a Presbyter only the power of Ordination The reason is because the God of all Power and Order hath assigned and appropriated this power to an higher Order as hath been already demonstrated 64. And yet mauger Gods Ordinance z Ord. p. 3. yee appoint and authorize Doctor Cornelius Burges Doctor William Gouge and one and twenty more or any seven of them to Ordaine Presbyters But I beseech you by what authority doe you make this Ordinance For matters meerly spirituall the old appeale had wont to be a Act. 24.14 to the Law and the Prophets Shew me in the Old or New Testament that ever this power was in Lay-men or given by Lay-men The New Testament is so full so plaine against you that Calvines assertion is that b Calvin Instit l. 4. c. 3. §. 16. not the People but the PASTORS ONLY did lay hands upon their Ministers And your resolution accords with his viz. that it is an Ordinance of Christ that Persons be set apart for the Office of the Ministry by PREACHING PRESBYTERS 65. But in your language I perceive it is one thing to ordaine another thing to authorize others to ordaine Whereas to speak truth c Nemo potest plus juris conferre in aâ—iuÌ„ quam ipse habet no man can conferre that spirituall power upon another which he hath not in himselfe You assume not indeed to your selves the power to Ordaine but how much doe you abate of it when yee authorize others to ordaine Make the best of it it will returne to this issue That either these Presbyters before your Ordinance was Voted had power to ordaine or else it was not in your power to authorize them to ordaine 66. True it is that a Prince or State may give leave or not leave to a Bishop to ordaine and to a Presbyter to exercise his Priestly Office within their severall Dominions But this is only the power of Licence it gives them liberty but not authority to ordaine or Preach Suppose a Bishop assisted with Presbyters should ordain without your Licence in the associated Counties were there a nullity in the Ordination I beleeve your blessed Assembly will not say so If they doe they gainsay your third Proposition and the Scripture gainsayes them For though the Governours of Hierusalem had charged the Apostles that d Act. 4.18 they should not Preach in the Name of Jesus yet they professe that e Ib. v. 20. they cannot but speak the things which they have seen and heard and that f Act. 5.29 they ought to obey God rather then man God that had given them the power and charge rather then man that had discharged them 67. If you think the case is otherwise in Preaching then Ordaining you shall see that g Act. 13.50 cap. 14.5 19. when S. Paul and S. Barnabas had been persecuted at Antioch and Iconium and Lystra though the Rulers had used them despightfully and h Act. 13.50 the chiefe men had expelled them out of their Coasts yet for all this i Act. 14.21 from Derbe they returned againe to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch and k Ib. v. 23. ordained them Presbyters in every Church And those Ordinations I hope were valid though they were against the sence of the State 68. If to authorize be to give freedome then may the Turke authorize as well as you and your authorizing is no more then his And yet I think no Christian will deny but that those Bishops and Priests within the Turkes Territories ought to performe the duties of their severall Orders though the Grand Senior himselfe inhibite them But this must be done not in contempt but in obedience to authority for l Rom. 13.1 we must be subject to the higher powers But God is higher then all earthly powers we must therefore obey God Thus farre then we yeeld obedience to God and his word 69. But St Peter commands us to m 1. S. Per. 2.13 submit to every Ordinance