had been so ordered by the Apostles see it by the Church received and after continued throughout all ages from the beginning whereby what might seem doubtful in the first Institution may be cleared by observing what was of that understood and after practised by the Church accordingly The Church is the pillar and ground of truth and what grounding on the Scripture the Church in all ages hath held from the beginning that we may rely upon for truth And how did the Church understand the Apostles appointing Bishops and Elders in the Church for its Government Did they not understand it of Bishops distinct from Elders and Superior to them Did they ever understand it of Elders without Bishops or of Elders ruling in chief much less of Lay-Elders of which is nothing to be found any where in Scripture or Antiquity Let the constant practise of the Church throushhout all ages be Judge in that how the Apostles were therein understood In which I shall use the words of Judicious Mr. Hooker Very strange it is saith he that such a Discipline as ye Elders speak of should be taught by Christ and his Apostles in the word of God and no Church have found it out nor received it till this present time contrariwise the Government against which ye bend your selves be observed every where throughout all generations and ages of the Christian world no Church ever perceiving the word of God to be against it adding We require you to finde out but one Church upon the face of the whole earth that hath been ordered by your discipline or hath not been ordered by ours that is to say by Episcopal Regiment Sithence the time that the blessed Apostles were 〈◊〉 conversant This was Mr. Hookers challenge to that side in this case and that many years since which hath never been to this day answered onely by the sword and so was it indeed put home to us perilously Antiquity is not to be despised but that to be advised with and submitted to in such cases Enquire of the former Age and prepare thy self to the search of their fathers for we are but of yesterday and know nothing shall not they teach thee and tell thee and utter words out of their hearts said Bildad to Job 8. 8. 9. 10. So the Lord directs by the Prophet thus saith the Lord stand ye in the way and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your Soules but they said we will not walke therein which is even what these say in this refusing any such tryall in this dispute well knowing themselves cast in it But in matters of antiquitie to denye the credit of Antiquitie in what is not contradicted by Scripture discovers One addicted to Noveltie and singularity rather then to truth Let therefore our Church Levellers se to this who in such their Schisme teare and rend the seamless garments of the Church and as a generation of Vipers eat out and through the bowels of their Mother disturbing Church unity and peace drawing into factions and filling all with confusions Herein let them see themselves in their forefathers for such there were of old under both Testaments Se some under the old Testament setting themselves even against what God himself had expresly ordered concerning the high Priest-hood in Aron There Corah of the tribe of Levy raised a partie and faction of 250 Princes of the Assembly against Moses and Aron having the confidence thus to tell them yee take too much upon you seing all the congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is among them wherefore then lift you your selves above the congregation of the Lord but Moses returns it to them again yee take too much upon you yee Sons of Levy seemeth it but a small thing unto you that the Lord God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel to bring you near unto himself to do the service of the Tabernacle of the Lord to stand before the congregation to Minister unto them And he hath brought thee neer unto him and all thy brethren the Sons of Levi with thee and seek ye the Priest-hood also so was it then 2. And such Corahs we find under the new Testament also of whom the Apostle S. Jude speaks with a woe woe to them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam and perished in the gainsaying of Core Where se them ranked with three notoriously wicked Cain and Balaam and Corab with Cain for blood with Balaam for Covetousness and with Corah for faction Cain the accursed murderer of his brother righteous Abel so was he the first persecuter of the Church Balaam called on to curss the people of God and Corah a factious schismatique to Corahs schisme are they moved by Balaams Covetousnesss and ambition and to that going on in the way of Cain in blood and cruelty And for that see woe and destruction begining with woe Judgment denounced and ending with destruction Judgment executed perishing in the gainsaying of Core Core or Corah of all that faction is alone mentioned others being but his followers in that wicked cause his destruction being also more remarkable whether as to those with him in that rebellion or as to those other two notoriously wicked Balaam and Cain whose ends were not as of others Corah and his followers perishing not by an ordinary Judgment like other men the earth opening its mouth and swallowing up them and theirs alive in sight of all the people By the dreadfulness of the Judgment let the hainousness of the sin be estimated 3. And such have been our Corah◠also authors of our late confusions and evills in Church and State By whom hath been in the Church and Inlet and overflowing of blasphemies and of monstrous and pernicious doctrines horrible to be mentioned and not in very confutations to be remembred as if hell it self had broken loose The title of a book in which many of those abhominations are Collected And no wonder it should be so Church order and Government having been as it was cast off and trampled on While that stood all was well withus the face of our Church was comely and truth and peace secured and the enemies to both error and schisme not daring to shew themselves among us The Church is here Militant So is it described terrible as an army with banners with banner i. e. in order So it is by the LXX rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An army under its banners is in order and in that order is both beauty and terror and in that security Church security and Church beauty is in order thou art beautifull O my love as Tirza comely as Ierusalem terrible as an army with banners Cant. 6. 4. how pleasant is an army ranged under its banners so the Church under its colours leaders and officers
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
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