Declaration of Ecclesiastical Discipline out of the Word of God, Tract (4 of 5)

Declaration of Ecclesiastical Discipline out of the Word of God · Tract (4 of 5)

p. 120Seeke not the thing that faire is to eye:

But rather that, the cyty may liue by.

But the church liueth not by this pompe and ſhewe / nor hathe no neede off it: but off godlines / lerninge / ſymplicitie and modeſty / by which thinges Chriſt would hauehave his kingdome enlarged.

And I pray yow how do this moue the mindes off men / to goe to the church with a great traine off men before him and after him: as the Biſhoppe that Euſebius ſpeaketh off in the ſeuenth boke off his eccleſiaſticall hiſtorie / to goe to the pulpit with officers afore him makinge Roume for my lorde / to preache in a Rochet and a faire ſquare cappe / leaninge opon a quiſhion off clothe off gold? Thes thinges may delight the eyes for a tyme and the outward ſenſes take pleaſure in this vaine ſhewe / but I ſee not how the mīd is more eaſilie taught / beaten downe / or raiſed vp againe by this meanes. For it p. 121muſt be a certen heauenly power ioyned with a pure / lerned and ſimple interpretation off the ſcriptures which muſt work thes thinges / which are Iewells more meet to ſhyne in a pulpit / than ſiluer or gold.

Plinie ſhewinge the cauſe off the fruitfulnes off the Roman feeldes in times paſt / more elegantly in deed then truly / Then (ſaithe he) when the fieldes wer tilled by Emperors / it is like that the earthe reioyſed to be plowed with a ſhare bearing a lawrell garlond vponupon it / and to be tilled off ſuch a plow man who had before triumphed. More pretilie I ſay then truly / for that it is better for tillīge off the earthe / that the ploughe ſhare be ſharpe / then that it be crowned with a laurel garlond and that the ploughe man be diligent rather then ſuche a one as had entred the citie in greate pompe and triumphe. Which alſo the ſame Author correctinge him ſelffe addeth after in the ſame place / ſayinge / Or ells this might hauehave beene the cauſe off the fruitfulnes off the feeldes thē / That thos worthie Captaines and Emperors handled ther ſeedes as carefully as ther battelles / and were as diligent ouer ther fieldes / as ouer ther tentes. Or ells this / That all thinges ſpeede more happilie which are done by them who are honeſt and vertuous / becauſe they be alſo done more painfully and with greater trauell / which ſurely me thincketh is the very cauſe off the fruitfulnes off the lordes field. And that then it yeldeth the beſt fruite / and as it were a golden harueſt / when it is diligently / carefully and painfully labored and tilled / when ther is a greate and a carefull heede taken off the ſeedes / when the churches are looked vntounto with as great diligence as the campe and armie is watched in the feeldes: And finally whē they are labored by honeſt men. For neither doeth the grownde reſpect the lawrell garlonde vpō the ploughe ſhare nor whither the plowe man weareth riche and coſtly embroidred garmentes / but would hauehave him painfull / laborſome / diligent and full off trauell: neither dothe the church looke for this outward pompe and ſhewe in her biſhopp / but for faithe / diligence / labor / good and precious ſeedes / honeſt / buſy / and painfull handes / p. 122and had a great deale rather hauehave hir huſband man godl / y lerned and diligent / then mitred and Rocheted. Whervpon it cometh to paſſe that when the feelde off Rome was plowed and tilled by Seranus / and Cincinnatus and ſuche like worthie men / and the church by Paul and Peter / and ſuche like / The encreaſe was very plentyfull: but now as farre as we are gone from there example and paines takinge / ſo much are our churches behinde and inferior to the feeldes off Epheſus and Antioche.

Therfore it is the deuty off all godlie biſhoppes who deſire to ſerue the churche / and to be well eſteemed in it rather for ther godlines and learninge / then for this pompe and ſhewe / ſeing they hauehave allready declared that the goſpell is dearer vntounto them then all the commodities off this life / that iff they will diſcharge ther dewty / they wold better fyniſhe and make perfect that which they hauehave allreadie well begonn / and euen willinglie for the reſt off the goſpell / which yet we want touching diſcipline / once againe leaue and forſake that pompous ſtate and dignitie and be more carefull for the glory off god / the ſaluacion off the churche / and keepinge a god conſcience vntounto them ſelues / then for keepinge or mainteininge this falſe ſhewe off honor and glory and the vaine names off titles and dignities / and retourne againe to the worcke off the miniſterie and not (as in a ſence ſomewhat diuerſe frō this the Apoſtle warnethe the Galathians) finiſhe in the fleſhe which they hauehave begonne in the ſpirit.Galat. 3.3.Gal 3:3

I knowe in deede how hard it is to perſwade them which hauehave once taſted off this ſweet inchaunting cuppe but ſeing bothe the commandement iff god / ther owne callinge and vocacion / and the proffit and commoditie off the churche doth require yt / It becommeth them for the godlines they are off / and for the life they hauehave ſpent in the profeſſinge off the Goſpell to leaue all for CHRIST and the Goſpelles cauſe / and to follow him wither he calleth and leadeth them: and as they in a maner firſt taught and preached vntounto vsus the doctrine off the Goſpell / So they would be the firſt p. 123Authors to bring in the Diſcipline off the Goſpell / and vſe ther eſtimacion / credite / and authoritie not to the ouerthrowing off the trewth off God but to the eſtabliſhing and preſeruing off the ſame. But yff there be any (for I cannot but hope well off many eſpecially off thos who hauehave ſeene other reformed churches) but I ſaie iff ther be any who either for couetouſnes / for ambicion / or becauſe they thinck this lordly ſtate tollerable in Biſhoppes / will by no meanes be perſwaded to reſt and quiet them ſelues in that meane eſtate which becommethe the men off God / they are to be compelled euen againſt ther willes and to be forced to retourne againe to the firſt and right inſtitution off Biſhoppes.

And ſurely iff we ſerche the fountaine and originall off thes great riches / we ſhall find that they neither in the beginning Gott this wealth by any right / nor yet keepe yt to this day: not only becauſe they do no duty off a Biſhopp or Myniſter / But alſo becauſe they wrongfully vſurpe that / which belongeth vntounto other. For a great part off ther Goodes is that which in the beginninge was geuen for the reliefe off the poore: which was committed as an almes vntounto the Biſhopp: which as yt apperethe by the old cannons he ſhould diſtribute by his adviſe / and the conſent off the company off the Elders. But after when they had aboliſhed the power and authoritie off the Elders / and ruled all thinges alone accordinge to ther owne conſcience / They made them ſelues thoſe pore men / and tooke almes to ther owne vſe / and ſo grew riche and welthie / by the want and neceſſitie off others.

An other part which they hauehave / belongeth to the myniſters off other churches / which was vnited to the Biſhopprickes by Impropriations: beſides proxies and other tolles and fees which they take off the miniſters: Therfore what right hauehave they to vſurpe that as there owne / which was geuen in tymes paſt for the maynteyninge off p. 124miniſters in other churches? Therfore when they hauehave reſtored to the pore and to other miniſters that which is ther owne / iff yet they hauehave more then is meete for a Biſhop / let them beſtow it off other ther pore fellowe miniſters: who in many other places want neceſſaries by reaſon off the pouerty off the churches which they ſerue: that at the laſt / being content which an honeſt and reaſonable liuinge / they may retourne againe to th…r originall and firſt beginninge.

Thes wordes off diminiſhinge the pompe and welthe off Biſhoppes / as it diſpleaſethe ſome who thinck that ſome credite and authoritie is gotten to the goſpell therby / So it pleaſeth verie well thos that think this will be profitable for them and do allreadie gape for this praie and hope for this grea inheritaunce. For thei thinking that we ſeeke only that the biſhoppes might be put downe / waite for the like praie by ther puttinge downe as they had ſometimes at the ouerthowe off …he abbais. For as for Religion they care nor what become off it / ſo they may waxe welthie by ſacriledge and robbery / And would not ſtick iff it were poſſible to crucifie Chriſt againe / that they might caſt lottes for his coate and deuide his garmētes amonges thē / For this our age hathe many ſuche ſouldiours / many ſuche as Denis the king or rather the tyranne off Syra cuſa was / who think that a golden growne is not fit for God / neither in ſommer neither in winter / and yet that it will ſerue them well at all tymes and ſeaſons. But iff they marck diligently what I ſaie / they ſhall well perceiue that I fauor not in any reſpect / there couetouſnes and greedie deſyre. For I ſpeake not heere off ſpoilinge the Biſhoppes / or robbing the goodes off the church and geuinge them away to moſt vnworthie men / but rather that the neede off a great nombre / may be relieued by the aboundance and exceſſe off a fewe: that hoſpitalles may be mainteined and prouided for: and (which is the chiefe) that the miniſtery may be eſtabliſhed ād mainteined thorowe ought the realme: ſo that by thes wordes / they hauehave no occaſion to hope or looke for any thing / but rather to feare they looſe not that which they hauehave / iff at any tyme they hauehave p. 125gotten wrongfully into ther handes the patrimony off the churche. For they muſt either reſtore it againe / that the churche may be prouided for off worthy teachers / or ells make them ſelues giltie off the loſſe and deſtruction off ſo many ſoules / as by there meanes are deſtitute off a miniſter / and ſhall periſhe in ther ignorance. But ſeing this place hath bene handled now fullie enoughe (as I ſuppoſe) let vsus conclude that which I purpoſed in the begin̄inge: namely that the churches ought the prouide for the miniſters / and that in ſuche meaſure that they be not hindred from doinge there dewties either by neede and pouerty / or by welthe and aboundance.

That they be not deſpiſed thorowghe neede and neceſſitie / nor waxe wanton by exceſſiue riches.

As for that point by what meanes this ought eſpecially to be done / we muſt vnderſtand that (which was cōmanded in the lawe / touchinge the geuinge the tēthes to the prieſtes and Leuites / bindeth not vsus preciſely to the payinge of tēthes. For this was a politique lawe off the Iewes which bindeth vsus only generallie / that we alſo prouide for them / which labor in the Lordes work. But as we are not neceſſarylie bounde to vſe that way off prouiſion for them / So iff it be commodious for any country / either becauſe the people are allreadie accuſtomed vntounto it / or for ſome orher ciuill and politique reſpect / yt may be vſed ſo that we remember / that which hath bene ſhewed before / That the miniſters muſt honeſtly and liberally be prouided for / with oute ther takinge off any ſuche paines as may hindre the doinge off ther dewtie. And ſeing the Lord would not ſuffer the Leuites and Prieſtes to the with drawinge off them from doinge ther dewtie / to goe about the feeldes and ſee that eueryevery man pay ther tithes / and to ſee it brought home / how muche leſſe ought the worck off the miniſterie to be hindered by doing this buſynes? But alſo beſides this diſcommoditie / It is a baſe and a vile thing for them to vewe eueryevery mans feelde leſt they be deceyued / and to knowe the nombre and encreaſe off eueryevery mans flocke or cattell and off other thinges wheroff by the cuſtome off our realme the p. 126tenthes are paide: eſpecially ſeinge he ſhalbe forced ſometymes to ſtriue with peuiſhe and couetous men for his right which in ſuche a man / (eſpecially in ſuche a caſe) were a ſhamefull and vnworthie thinge.

Therfore iff we thinck good to keepe ſtill the tenthes and to pay the Miniſters off them / the magiſtrate muſt prouide for this by his authoritie / that they may be free from all thes troubles / that they may wholie beſtowe them ſelues / in readinge / meditating / and expoundinge off the Scriptures / and at one word in doing off there dewtie. And to ſee that ſo doing they may be honeſtly and liberally prouided for / For thus we reade that the godlie and noble kinge Ezechias did:2. Chro. 31.4.5.6.7.82 Chr 31:42 Chr 31:52 Chr 31:62 Chr 31:72 Chr 31:8 who brought to paſſe by his authoritie / firſt that the Prieſtes were prouided for as yt was commanded in the lawe / Then alſo he tooke ſuche order / That ther tithes growinge to a great quantitie and ſtore) ſhould be ſo laide vpp and reſerued as might be moſt commodious for the prieſtes.2. Chro. 31.9.11.2 Chr 31:92 Chr 31:11 And howe meete wer it for Chriſtian princes and for the perpetuall praiſe off ther godlines in the churche / to followe the example off Ezechias in this behalffe: who not only brought to paſſe by his authoritie that as I ſaid before the prieſtes and Leuites ſhould be prouided for / as it was commanded by the lawe / but alſo had a eſpeciall care / that That which was liberallie giuen might be deuided to thoſe / to whom yt apperteined / Therfore he built barnes and granaries for the better commoditie off the prieſtes / and finally appointed certen men by whoſe meanes the Leuites who were ſcattered throwgh owt the kingdome were prouided for.

Suche Auncetors and ſo worthy patterns and examples off godlines and all kind off vertue let Good Princes ſet before them to followe: and not only not ſpoile the Miniſtery them ſelves or ſuffer it to be robbed off others / but liberallie accordinge to the commandement off our Sauior Chriſt / ſee it mainteined and prouided for thorowghe owt ther kingdome nor ſuffer that That which was once geuen to this ende be prodigallie ſpent and waſted in courtly Pompe / exceſſe / p. 127and wantones / nor beſtowed vppon noble mens ſeruantes nor other innumerable ſortes off vngodlie and intollerable abuſes by ſacriledge and the churche robbery / but that yt be faithfully ordered and beſtowed vppon Religion / the ſeruice off god / and publiſhinge off the word off god thorowghe out the kingdome and the maintenance off the ſacred miniſterie. Thus they ſhall proue them ſelues to be ſuche kinges and Queenes as Eſay propheſied off / who ſhould noriſhe / cheriſhe and defeund the churche like foſter Fathers and nurces.Eſai. 49.23.Isa 49:23

Thus therfore hauinge ended this pointe off the Liuinge off Biſhoppes or Myniſters / Let vsus go forward to the next which is touching ther garmentes and appparell / which apparell being off ij. ſortes: that is to ſaye either belonging to deuine ſeruice / or which ſeruethe in the common and dailie vſe off life / I finde nothing written or commanded in in the goſpell off either off them / but only that which is generallie commannded touchinge modeſtie / ſobernes and honeſt conuerſacion with all men / which as yt may be referred to the diet / and houſhold ſtuffe and to all other partes off ther life / So alſo to ther garmentes and apparell. But a certen kinde / forme and faſhion off apparell either in dailie vſe off liffe / or ells in deuine ſeruice is no where commannded in the Goſpell. Neither yet vnderunder the lawe was any thing preſcribed to the Leuites and Prieſtes for ther daylie wearinge / in what apparell or garmentes they ſhould daylie goe.

In deede in the diuine ſeruice which they did in the tabernacle off the Temple / ſuch thinges are diligentlie and exactly preſcribed and ſet forthe accordinge to the diſpenſacion off the old Teſtament. But in thes our tymes wherin by the grace off God we hauehave the trewth yt ſelffe and the bodie in Chriſt our Sauior / we hauehave no lenger neede off figures and ſhadowes. Thes thinges were but for a certen tyme / which ſo long as God would hauehave kept / he left the forme and p. 128faſhion off ther apparell plainly ſet forthe in his law:Exod. 18.…3.Exod 18:3 adioining therunto the puniſhement off deathe iff any man ſhould trangreſſe the lawe therin. But this difference off apparell / in diuine ſeruice doeth no more belōg vntounto vsus / thē the offring vp off ſacrifice and the kepinge off other ceremonies off the lawe. Neither vnderunder the lawe perteined it to any but only to ſuche / as miniſtred in the tabernacle and temple: and not to the reſt off the Leuites who were ſcattered throwgh out Iury / and preached the word off god in the Sinagoges. How much leſſe ought the Interpreters off the goſpell vſe thoſe veiles and ſhadowes in thes daies / wherin as the Apoſtle ſaithe / we behold which open and vncouered face the glory off god.2. Cor. 3.102 Cor 3:10 And iff it had bene needefull to hauehave bene vſed / ther is no doubt but that Chriſt would hauehave warned his Apoſtles off yt / eſpecially ſeing that theſe thinges were before ſo at large ſet out vnderunder the lawe. For it is not to be thought that Chriſt was leſſe diligent in ſhewinge how god would be worſhipped vnderunder the Goſpell / then Moſes in ſhewing the ſame vnderunder the lawe. Or that Moſes being a ſeruant was more faithfull in the adminiſtracion off the Lordes houſe / then Chriſt the Sonne and heire in his owne fathers howſe. Therfore to binde the Myniſters to any certen faſhion or forme off apparell hath no grownde off any precept off the goſpell / or commādement out off the word off god.

They are therfore the inuencions off men: and off what men / but euen off ſuche which hauehave ſoughte to paint and adorne with theſe colors the ſhame off ther wheriſhe idolatrie ād ſuperſtition. For as iff they had bene aſhamed off the ſimplicitie off the goſpell / which they ought rather to hauehave had in reuerence and in honor / They thought good to follow what ſo euer had any ſhewe or oſtentacion in any Religion / and thought it to be vſed to the ſetting forthe off the goſpell. Thus they take out off the lawe allmoſt all ther maſſing apparell by a foliſhe and ridiculous imitation: that hauing an alter and a prieſt they might not want apparell for the ſtage. As for the ſurplice it is notable which is written off hope Siricius who p. 129fetcheth the cauſe and originall off yt from Chriſt: and prouethe that we ought to vſe a lin̄en garmēt at deuine ſeruice be cauſe Chriſt was buried in a winding ſheete. A notable reaſon ſurely why we ſhould vſe the ſurplice in our churches / but peraduēture they are ignorant off ther owne antiquities / and the ſurplice is to be thought rather to hauehave bene borowed by them off certen Egyptian monckes / who vponupon the ſkinnes which they vſed to weare for there apparell did weare lynnen garmentes: from whence alſo the name off Surplice ſeemeth to come.

Such like reaſons are to be founde in there wrightinges: but to let paſſe theſe trifles / it is to be lamented that euen amonges vsus who profeſſe the Goſpell / there were ſome / that when the whole papacie was to be conſecrated / and this Rome to hauehave been vowed to deſtruction / accordinge to the vowe and curſe off the citie off Hiericho / who being deceiued with the faire and glitteringe ſhewe off the Babyloniſhe garmentes / brought them as Acan did into the tentes off Iſraell. For why do they commande a cope and ſurplice to be vſed in diuine ſeruice? or a Tippet and a Square Cappe to be worne dailie but becauſe they thīk it is of ſome authority with the people / and bringeth ſome eſtimacion to ther office and to ther perſons / ād is thought to be of great force / to make a mā ſeeme to be graue ād off authoritie. For thes be the beſt reaſōs which they are wont to bring: wherby they would ſignifie both that thes ij. ſortes off apparell are not commanded for Religions ſake / and that the abuſing off them heretofore / cannot nor ought not to take away the right vſe off them / which belongeth to comlynes and order / to which ende contrary to the Apoſtles mind they wreſt that place off S. Paule / That all things are to be done orderly in the church. 1. Cor. 14.40.1 Cor 14:40But iff they perteine only to a decency and comlynes / what needeth any commandement to be giuen to a miniſter to vſe dailie the tippet and the ſquare cappe / and a Prieſtes gowne / and at devine ſeruice the cope and the ſurplice / ſeing a miniſter who is ſett ouer the gouernment off the churche / and by p. 130the Apoſtles rule ought to be ſuche a one / as not only is able to vſe him ſelffe honeſtlie in eueryevery thing / but alſo ſuche as keepeth his familie in order / and ought to be an example off all modeſty and honeſt comlines to his flock: who ſuerly iff he be meet for ſuche an office and worthie to handle the word off god / will take heede that he doe not diſhoneſt his worthy office / by vile and vnhoneſt apparell.

But ſeing they make no worthie miniſters / but readers and ſeruice ſaiers / yt was needfull / they ſhould appoint them what cappe they ſhould weare: and howe the ſleeues and collers off ther gownes ſhould be made and ſuche like. Althoughe they atteine not this decency and comlines which they pretend / for often times ther is nothing more filthye and vnhoneſt then this kinde off apparell. And iff any can vſe a comely ſquare cappe he can vſe alſo a rounde cap which is as comely / and ſo muche more / as it is fitter for his heade thē the ſquare.

Therfore ther is no cauſe to preſcribe this apparell to be dailie worne for decencie and order. But they ſay the Miniſters muſt be diſtinguiſhed from other men: and that they may be knowne off ther pariſhiners and church. This is euen as great a reaſon as the other. For iff they did ſet ſuche a ſhepheard ouer the ſheepfolde off god / who were able as well with his voice / as the ſheppherd with his hooke and ſtaffe / to rule his ſheepe / who were able alſo to heale the ſicke and diſeaſed / and to bringe home againe ſuche as wander and ſtraie out off the waie / finallie iff they ſet a right ſheppherd ouer the flocke / the ſheepe would knowe him by his voice / and would not need to hauehave any marke by his apparell to knowe him. Therfore allthoughe this reaſon might be off ſome force for hirelinges / yet it cannot be of any force for meete and worthie miniſters.

And wheras they alledge alſo Order and decencye for there ſurplice / I would knowe whie yt ſhould ſeeme more comelie and decent for a Miniſter / that be ſhould preache or praie in a ſurpl ce / then in a gowne.. In white raiment then in black apparell? For as for the coloure / me thinketh black p. 131to be more comely for him: and for the faſhion me thinketh a long garment reaching downe to the foote ſholde be more honeſt and ſeemelie. Further more do they not ſee that Simplicitie liked our ſauior Chriſt / that the Goſpell is in a maner ſhadowed and couered by theſe vayles and figures / that by this meanes / the waie is made open to bringe in many other moo ceremonies for as good reſpectes as theſe be? do they not alſo think that we perceiue that nothing ells is ſought by this which they call comelines and order but only a conformitie with Papiſtes and a ſuperſtitious decency? as alſo in vſing the ſigne off the croſſe in baptiſme / the rounde cake in the Lordes ſupper / and many other ſuche ceremonies / and not that ſeemely order which the Apoſtle commandeth?1. Cor. 14,40.1 Cor 14:40 For iff the ſimplicitie and nakednes off the goſpell / miſliked them / why did they eſpecially clothe it with popiſhe apparell / ſeing we ought to be ſo muche the furder off and to abhorre ther doinges / by how muche we are in greater daunger off them / then off other heretiques becauſe they liue amonges vsus? For which cauſe alſo the Lord commanded that greater ſeueritie ſhould be vſed againſt them off the land off Canaan / then againſt Idolaters off other nacions and cuntries.

But they ſaie further / that men ſhould be admoniſhed that they are nowe vſed to an other ende / then they were by the Papiſtes / and that the abuſe cannot take awaye the right vſe off thē: and althoughe the popiſhe prieſthoode be a moſt greuous leproſie / yet the apparell which they vſed / iff yt be waſhed againe may be applied againe to our vſe, but I ſay / that off all the leprous garmentes / they hauehave choſen the filthieſt and moſt polluted: and ſuche as cannot be waſhed nor made cleane againe by anie art or conning off the fuller. For ſeing it is manifeſt that Popiſhe Prieſtes receiued ther orders / by the puttinge on off a ſurplice and ſquare cappe / and that they vſed the coope euen to the ſinginge off maſſe / who is he that hathe lerned by the lawe off god to diſtinguiſhe and diſcerne betwene ſore and ſore / betwene holie and vncleane / and vnderſtandethe not / and euen ſeethe with his eies / that the p. 123leproſie was ſpredde vponupon thes garmentes / and that they are polluted and vncleane / not only by the contagion off the leprous man / but euen by ther owne diſeaſe:Levi. 13.52. And therfore by the lawe not to be waſhed / but to be burned / nor to be purged with water but to be conſumed with fier. Seinge then it is ſo / and that this lawe off preſcripte apparell off miniſters / hath no grownde not only off no ſcripture / but alſo off no ſownde Iudgment and reaſon / a merueile it is to ſee howe earneſtly and with great contencion / yt hath bene defended and mainteined. And it makethe me afraide to remember the bitternes of thos daies / the churches bereaued of there miniſters / and moſt faithfull Paſtors and Doctors driuen from there places / the troble that came in the vniuerſities for this cauſe / and the moſt toward youth both for godlines and lerninge driuen out off ther colledges / finally the commandementes off god tranſgreſſed that the preceptes off men might be eſtabliſhed.

But they hauehave made me to longe in a matter off ſmall waight / who do ſo earneſtly vrge theſe trifles / as iff they were matter off great waight and were grounded off the commandement off God: But ſeinge yt appereth manifeſtly (as I ſuppoſe) by that which I hauehave ſaid that yt is farre otherwiſe / Let vsus conclud / that noe certeine kinde / forme / or faſhion off apparell is to be preſcribed to miniſters neither to be dailie worne / nor yet in ſeruice tyme: and that they are only to be admoniſhed that they ſhewe them ſelues ſober / modeſt / and honeſt both in ther apparell ād in all the reſt off there life and conuerſation: which iff ſome ſhall neglect to doe / and beinge admoniſhed by there breethren doe not amend yt / let thē be corrected by the magiſtrate. And thus muche generallie off Biſhopps: that is to ſay off miniſters.

Now it followeth to declare the diuers ſortes and kindes of them: and to ſhew what eueryevery one hath proper and peculier to hī ſelffe. There be therfore two kindes and ſortes off Biſhopes / the one off Doctors / the other off Paſtors. For theſe are not to be confounded / as iff one and the ſelfe ſame office were p. 133ſignified by two names / as ſome hauehave ſuppoſed. For ſeinge the Apoſtle in the iiij. to the Epheſians doth ſeuerally reherſe all the miniſters off the church which Chriſt hathe geuen and appointed to the edifyinge theroff / and diſtinguiſheth Apoſtles from Prophets / and Prophetes from Euangeliſtes / I do not ſee why we ſhold not think alſo / that Paſtors and Doctors as they are diſtinguiſhed and ſeuered by name / to be ſo alſo in office and duty which alſo appereth more manifeſtly in the xij. to the Romans / wher they are diſtinguiſhed not only by names / but alſo by giftes proper to ſeuerall offices. Therfore theſe are diuers and ſundry offices / how neere ſo euer they ſeeme to be togither.Rom. 12.….7.Rom 12

Now to proue that only Doctors and Paſtors be Biſhopps / and that no man ells (as it hathe bene ſaide here to fore) may or ought to miniſter the word off god in the church / needeth a longer proofe. But ſeing it cannot be doubted / that the Apoſtle rehearſeth in the iiij. to the Epheſians all the offices and functiōs which hauehave any thinge to doo with the worck off the miniſtery / and by which Chriſt would hauehave his church builded vp / and ſeing that thoſe offices off Apoſtles / Euangeliſtes / ād Prophetes / are ceaſed / (as alſo they were geuē only to to ſerue for a tyme / and not for the perpetuall gouerment off the churche) It is manifeſt that ther remaine no other Biſhoppes or miniſters off the word off god but only Paſtors and Doctors. But that it may the more clerely be ſhewed / that thoſe other offices ſerued but for a time let vsus more at large conſider the nature and condition off eueryevery one off them: And firſt for the Apoſtles office / what it was / it apperethe by the word off our Sauior / wherby he ordeineth them to the Apoſtleſhipp: namely / This / that they ſhould go preache the Goſpell in all the world and baptize thoſe which beleue.Mat. 27.19 Mark. 16.15.Matt 27:19Mark 16:15 So that an Apoſtle was not bound to preache the goſpell to any one and certeine prouince / naciō / or country / but to the whole world. So lickwiſe Chriſt before his departure commended not to peter and by him to the reſt off the Apoſtles any certen ſheepe off ſome certē grownd or paſture but all his flock.Iohn 21.15.16.17.John 21:15John 21:16John 21:17 For p. 134as our Sauior Chriſt had geuen thē merueilous giftes off the Spirit / So he would hauehave them beare greater offices. He aſſigned them not a fewe acres / to plowe and till / or a litle feelde not ſome ſmall porcion off his vyneiard and inheritaunce to dreſſe / but euen all his feeld / his whole vyneiard and inheri…aunce. Suche off all the diſciples off Chriſt ther were only xij. to whome afterwardes were added Paule and as ſome think Barnabas / who as certeyne chiefe capitaines ſhould bring the world vnderunder ſubiection to the kingdome and Empire off Chriſt: And as Maiſter builders who ſhould drawe out and deſcribe the patterne and platforme off all the churches / and lay the fyrſt foundacions and groundes: Which ſo great a charge beinge laid vponupon them / excellent giftes were alſo geuen them wherby they might be able to beare and vphold ſo great a burthen. For they were endewed with a merueilous knowledge off heauenly thinges / and diuers ſtraung tongues and languages / as is yt reherſed off the xij. Apoſtles in the Actes / and as Paule teſtifiethe off him ſelffe to the Corinthes.Act. 2.4. 1. Cor. 14.18.Acts 2:41 Cor 14:18

Furthermore there were many other thinges proper and peculier to this office as / that they ſhould be witneſſes off the Lordes reſurrection:Act. 1.22. Galat. 1.1.Acts 1:22Gal 1:1 that they ſhould be immediatly called and appointed by CHRIST: and otherlike / Which ſeing they can be in no man now adayes / yt is playne and euident / that the Apoſtleſhipp is ceaſed / and that this worthy and excellent office ys no longer remaininge in the churche. wherupon the Apoſtles who did chooſe Matthias into Iudas place beinge voyd / yet when Iames was ſlaine / they did chooſe nome into his Roume or the Roume oft any other off the Apoſtles / when they died:Act. 1.Acts 1 Act. 12.2.Acts 12:2So that yt is plaine that this office is aboliſhed.

Which beinge playne off the Apoſtles muſt be likewiſe vnderſtood off the Euangeliſtes who ſerued and myniſtred vntounto them / and were after a ſort ther vicairs and deputies. For as it doth appere in the Actes This was the office of the Euangeliſtes to accōpany the Apoſtles whom they (when they had p. 135gathered any company off a churche together and muſt needes depart) left behind them beinge inſtructed by them in what ſort ād order to ſtabliſhe the churche / who hauinge ſet the churche in order and prouided paſtors and Elders to gouerne yt / left it ād followed the Apoſtles againe / So they as Emperors and Generalles / when they had ouercome any citie / left as it were ſome chiefe captaines behinde them / vntill thinges could be brought to a better ſtay / and that ancientes and elders / as certen perpetuall garriſons were ſet ouer them / for the Apoſtles were appointed to cōquere and to ouercome: The Euangeliſtes to eſtabliſhe and ſet in order. The elders to mainteine and preſerue the churche of god. Therfore this office off the Euangeliſt muſt needes ceaſe / ſeinge the Apoſtleſhippe is ceaſed allreadie.

As for the Prophetes office / althoughe it conſiſted in expoundinge the ſcriptures / yet ſeinge it was ioyned with extraordinary gyft off foretellinge thinges to come / neceſſary for the primitiue churche / but now no more in vſe / yt can not be doubted but that the office ys ceaſed as well as the gyft / wherupon we may conclude / That ſeinge as Saint Paule witneſſethe onelyonly Apoſtles / Euangeliſtes / Prophetes / Paſtors and Doctors / were geuen by Chriſt to the edifyinge off the churche and the work off the miniſtery / That the three firſt ceaſinge / there remaine only Paſtors and Doctors perpetuall and ordinary miniſters off the word.Eph. 4.1….12.Eph 4:1Eph 4:12

In deede ſometymes the lord extraordinarily / in a confuſed ſtate / where is no place off ordynary callinge / ſtirreth vp as be did in our tyme as yt were certen newe Apoſtles to lighten the world agayne with the light off the goſpell: And Euſebius maketh mencion off ſome / who ſaith he with a heauenly zeale off followinge the Apoſtles went preachinge the goſpell to the Indians.Euſebius in the 5. boke of his eccleſiastikall historye But I ſpeake off the Ordinary ſtate off the churche / ſuche as oures ought to be after ſo many yeeres. Therfore Sainct Paule in the xij. to the Romans ſpeakinge off this ſtate makethe no mencion off Apoſtles / Euangeliſtes / or Prophetes but only off Teachers and exhorters / callinge Paſtors / p. 136Exhorters as it ſhall appeere hereafter. Neither was i… needfull that they ſhould continewe any longer in the churche: no more then it is needfull after the platforme be drawen that the maſter builder tarie any longer / but that there be carpenters and workmen to builde and raiſe the worck as he hathe appointed.

And it ſeemethe that our Sauior Chriſt in the ſtabliſhinge off his kingdome followed a kind off order not diuers from that which is vſed by earthly kinges and princes / Who at the daie off ther coronacion / and for a certen time after make many officers for diuers and ſondry vſes / who ſerue not only for a ſolemnitie / pompe and ſhewe / but alſo to great vſe and ſeruice for that time / but when thinges are ſet in order and the kingdome ſtabliſhed are vſed no longer. So Chriſt our lord and king / when as beinge aſcended into heauen he was as it were inueſted into his kingdome / created Apoſtles and ſuche other officers / which ſhould ſet his kingdome in order and appoint and ordeine a certen ordinary ſtate for the gouernment and adminiſtracion off it: which being ſo eſtabliſhed and ſet in order / Thoſe offices ſhould ceaſe / and the kingdome ſhould be gouerned as they had appointed.

Therfore theris no cauſe why we ſhould think the louelove ād care off our Sauior towardes his churche to be diminiſhed for this cauſe / or that he dealethe not bountifully and liberallie with vsus: no more then ſubiectes for the like cauſe / hauehave occaſiō to ſuſpect ther kinges good will and fauor to be chaunged towardes them. For theſe thinges are but for a certeyne time and perteine to the beginninge off the kingdome / which time ſeemethe neceſſarilie to require ſome other kinde of order then all the reſt that followeth. Therfore to cōtinewe the ſame ſimiliritude / after he was crowned-kinge / he ſcattered in great aboundāce ſpirituall giftes off knowledge / propheſyinge / healinge / and other graces / as gold and ſiluer amonges his people: All the conduites ranne with ſweet and moſt pleaſant wyne: All the pipes and cockes ranne with roſe water and other ſweet and pleſant waters: But allthoughe he geueth vsus dailie p. 137all thinges liberally and plentifully / yet he geueth vsus not dailie a Largeſſe as at the tyme off his coronacion. Therfore we ought to be content with that liberalitie which the lord ſhewethe vntounto vsus / and not to looke to hauehave allwais alike.

The ſame reaſon is off the perpetuall myniſters off the word: with whom he would hauehave vsus to be contented and not to wiſhe for the firſt / and thoſe which were extraordinary and apointed to ſerue but for a tyme. For as ſome thinge was geuen more liberally and extraordinarilie to the extraordinary tymes off the churche / So we are ſufficiently prouided for / off all thinges which belonge to the continuall and neceſſarie vſe off the churche. Therfore beinge content with this meane eſtate and condicion / Let vsus vſe that which is giuen vntounto vsus / and ſeeke not for offices which ſerued but for a tyme / in the perpetuall gouernment off the churche / nor wil he extraordinary functions in an ordinary ſtate. Wherfore / we ought to hauehave Paſtors and Doctors appointed in our churche / and not to reteine ſtill the extraordinary office off preachers: which yet I reproue more ſparingly / for the reſpect I hauehave to many worthie men who hauehave labored with ſome fruite after this ſort: for I ſee that ſome (by the negligence off thoſe who ought to hauehave prouided meete Paſtors for the churches) for the louelove they had vntounto the goſpell / thought it lawfull for them in theſe tymes to take vponupon them this Apoſtolicall or Euangelicall kind off office and embaſſage: wheras rather they owght to hauehave vrged the full and perfit reformacion off our churche / and to hauehave ſtriuen by the word off god / that eueryevery church might hauehave bene prouided off a fit Paſtor. And that the Lordes heritage might be no more left barren and vntilled / left that at the laſt / the Lord be angry with vsus / and take it from vsus and let out his farme to other that will dreſſe it better.

But iff there be any which pleaſe them ſelues to muche in this gadding abroade thorough out the churches / and will contend they may do ſo by the example off the Apoſtles and Euangeliſtes / let them ſhew vsus the ſignes off ther Apoſtleſhip as Saint Paule did to the Corinthians:1. Cor. 9.2.3.1 Cor 9:21 Cor 9:3 Let them proue p. 138that they are indewed with thoſe Apoſtolicall gyftes off knowledge and vnderſtanding / tonges / healinges / doinge off myracles and ſuche like. Let them bring forthe the commiſſion off this theyr ſo large embaſſage to all churches: laſt off all let them proue that they are immediatly called therunto off god. For not only one Biſhopp but all the Biſhops in the world / are not able to ordeine and make and Apoſtle / ſeinge that (as it apperethe by the Argument I hauehave alleadged) ther office is allready ceaſed. They cannot be Euangeliſtes neither / ſeinge that they were as yt were the Legates off the Apoſtles / who in reſpect off them were as Proconſulles or Preſidentes. For Prophetes I think they will not ſay they be / ſeinge they cannot tell vsus off thinges to come. Beſides that we reade not that the Prophetes went thus abroade thoroughe out all churches / but it ſeemethe rather that they were wont to abyde in certen places. Wherfore takinge away extraordinary callinges and vocations out off the ordinarie ſtate off the churche / Let vsus follow that certeine rule which the Lord hathe preſcribed. Let Paſtors and Doctors be aſſigned vntounto churches who are only the ordinary and perpetual miniſters of the word off god apointed to the edificacion off the chu…che.

Theſe thinges thus ſet downe / let vsus now ſee what the particuler charges and dewties off theſe two be. And firſt let vsus ſpeake off Doctors: whoſe office is more ſymple. Doctors therfore I call Biſhoppes who are occupied in the ſymple teachinge and expoundinge off the holie doctrine and trew Religion. For it ſemethe that this was the office off Doctors ſymply to teache oute of god his word / what was to be thought off god and off his worſhipp and ſeruice: what off Chriſt / what the law is: what the Goſpell: what ys the rule off our life: what the hope and expectation off the life to come: fynallye what to think off eueryevery point off Religion without thoſe vehement ſpeeches wherby the mindes off men are either raiſed vp and comforted / or beaten downe and made ſadd. For ſeing that Sainct Paule dothe lymite and bound the office off a Doctor by Doctrine / Rom. 12.7.Rom 12:7and attributethe to an other p. 139office To exhort / he ſeemethe to ſhewe that a Doctor is as yt were the ſchole maiſter and teacher off the principles off Religion off withe office how great ād manifold vſe there is in the churche off god / we ſhall eaſely vnderſtand iff we conſider / how many there be emonges vsus that be rude and know not the firſt principles and growndes off religion. Which beinge vnworthy and vnſeemely for a Chriſtian churche and for our profeſſion off the goſpell / Let Teachers and Doctors be prouided (ſuche as we hauehave but a fewe right and lawfull in theſe our dais) to teache the churches and eſpecially the rude and ignorant. For allthoughe we inuent a thouſand waies / we ſhall neuer promote the edification off the churche / but only by thoſe meanes and inſtrumentes which the Lord hath appointed for his work. For with theſe the bleſſinge of god is ioyned which is not only wantinge to thoſe who are made by vsus how goodly a ſhewe ſo euer they hauehave / but cōtrariwiſe they hauehave Curſinge for Bleſſinge. Now to retorne to Doctors againe.

In the primitiue churche / They were ſet to inſtruct in the Doctrine off faithe and Religion ſuche as were rude and ignorant:In the 6. boke of his eccleſiaſticall hiſtory. For ſo Euſebius telleth that when in the churche off Alexandria many had fled away for feare of perſecutiō / ſo that no man had the charge of Cathechizinge / Origē beinge a yonge man and But xviij. yeres off age / at the requeſt off certen worthy men toke the charge vponupon hym. Wherwith all thoughe in the beginninge he ioyned alſo teachinge off grammar ād other artes / yet he afterwards vnderſtoode / that yt belōged not vntounto his office ſo to doe / and therfore gaue him ſelfe wholie to the expoundinge off the ſcriptures / and inſtructinge off ſuche as were ignorant in religion. The whom after one Hercules ſucceded in the ſame office / whom before he had taken to him to helpe hym to teache: who afterward was choſen from beinge Doctor / to be Paſtor and Biſhopp off the ſame churche / wheroff it may be gathered that in the primitiue churche / this was an ordynarie office: and that before Paſtors / and Biſhops / there were other alſo appoynted to be Doctors / whoſe office did conſiſt in expounding p. 140the ſcriptures / and cathechizinge off the ignorant.

But as for our Doctorſhippe ſuche as it was in tyme off popery and as cōtynueth yet ſtill / I knowe neither from whence it came / nor to what vſe yt ſeruethe. For they expounde not the ſcriptures in any certeine churche appointed vntounto thē / declaringe the naturall and true ſence and meaninge off the word off god / they do not teache the youthe nor cathechize the ignorant / but lyue idly in the vniuertſities. For it is no name off any lawfull office or function in the churche no not as yt is vſed in the vniuerſities but only a name and title off honor / and a commendacion off a mans knowledge in diuinitie ſo that it rather ſeemeth to ſerue to ambicion and vainglory / thē to any vſe and proffit.

They ſay there was ſometimes an image maker named Paſſo who did ſo engraue the image off mercurye in marble-ſtone that a man could not iudge or diſcerne / whither mercury were within / or without the ſame. Suche Mercuries / and Images do our vniuerſities make vsus / whoſe knowledge we cannot tell whither it be within them or without them / for they proue not them ſelues to be right Mercuries by any ſpeache / eloquence / or vtterance / I knowe not what a ſhadowe and Image off vain contemplacion this is / for true and Chriſtian Religion beſtowethe the gyftes that are receiued of god / to the common vſe and proffit off all the bodie Therfore theſe Mercuries are to be apointed to churches and to be ſet vp in highe and lightſome places / that their ſpeache and talke and other properties may proue them to be right Mercuryes in deed.

For ſuerly it is not tollerable that they ſhould bury the lordes treaſure in the earthe ād hid his light vnderunder a Buſhell / and as it is ſaide off one Aſpendius a harper / that they ſhould playe on ther ſweete harpes as they ſelues may onlie heare it. Therfore let theſe goodly lights be put on cādleſtickes / that as Chriſt commandeth they may ſhine and geue light not only to them ſelues / but to all that are in the houſe.Ma…. 15. Math. 25.….Matt 25 Let this riche treaſure be laid out to the banck / that when the Lord commethe p. 141he may receiue his owne with aduantage: that is to ſay / let theſe lerned Doctors be aſſigned and appointed to churches … expound the Scriptures / to Cathechize the rude and ignorant and by the example off Dauid a better and more excellent harper / Let them awake in the morning to ſinge:Pſa. 108.2. Eſa. 49.27Ps 108:2Isa 49:27 and awake ther harpes togither with them / and call bothe riche and pore and all degrees and orders to heare them / and ſing and play not to them ſelues only but to the churche / and ſet out there heauenly ſonges and dities with moſt pleſant tune and melody in the hearinge alſo off many off other. Let this knowledg be brought to action and to the vſe our life. Let the Doctor hauehave a chaire ſet for him. Let him hauehave ſchollers appointed him whom he many teache and inſtructe in the feare of god and know edge off heauenly miſteries: I meane a chaire wherin he may ſytte to teache and to cathechize / not wherin taking his eaſe he may be idle and fall a ſleepe

And ſuerly it is a merueile to ſee that when they ſhould eſpecially labor / then they do geue thō ſelues moſt off all vntounto eaſe. And that they thē cheriſhe and make moſt of them ſelues / as yff they were allredy come from the Seas into the hauen / when they ſhould rather leave the hauen and take the Seas. For when they are once made Doctors / either for their vnderſtandinge and knowledge / or for their time and continuance / then they obteine I know not what priuiledges from takinge off paines any more / Prerogatiues off honors and eſtimacion / priuiledges off heapinge off benefices together / ſo that they ſeeme to be like old ſouldiours who be exempted from doinge any more ſeruice / or to be arriued at this Doctorſhipp / as it were at a hauen wher they ſhould be at an ende off all their labor and trauell.

This is therfore to be corrected by vsus accordinge to the Ordinaunce off God / Teachinge and Cathechizinge is to be required off a Doctor. Touchinge ther examinaciō / how to try them who are to be choſen to this office I think it not needfull to ſpeake any more / bothe becauſe I hauehave ſpoken heroff generally and at large before / and alſo for that there is no great p. 142fault in the lawes and ſtatutes / but rather in negligence and want off execution off the ſame lawes and good Statutes. I omitt alſo to ſpeake off thee election and the maner off choſinge off them. Which being done by an vniuerſitie and by the conſent off ſo many lerned and worthy men I wold not diſalowe. As for ſo many fooliſhe trifles as are vſed in the creatinge and ordeininge off them / they are ſufficiently confuted allready by that which hathe beene ſpoken by the ordeininge off Biſhoppes.

And thus muche off Doctors. In which place alſo ſome are wont to ſpeake off ſchooles colledges and vniuerſities / becauſe they ſeeme to cary a certen lykenes and ſimilitude off Doctors and Diſciples / teachers / and Schollers / Prophetes / and ſonnes off the Prophetes. Which ſure is a worthy poynt and very needfull to be handled conſidering the diuerſe abuſes off ſchooles / colledges / and vniuerſities: but yet it conteinethe more matter then may be well handled at this time: For it had need off a ſeuerall treatiſe / which I truſt / as allready touching ſchooles hathe bene worthely and lernedly handled by maiſter Aſkham in his Schole maſter / So touching the reſt / ſome off that lerned company wheroff there ariſe daily many noble and moſt excellent wittes will performe. And ſurely it were worthy the labor off ſome notable excellent man / to teache the vſe of vniuerſities / and to call them back againe to the right ende wherunto they were ordeined and appointed: which is this / that they ſhould be meanes to preſerue and make perfit all other noble artes and ſciences and eſpecially diuinitie which knowlege iff it be not diligently kept by the Doctors in the aulters off the Vniuerſities / as in tymes paſt the fire that came downe from heauen was by the Leuites: Surely it will ſhortly come to paſſe / as we hauehave allready ſeene yt and that with in theſe fewe yeres / that the church ſhall vſe ſtraunge fyre / to the doinge off all thinges.Sam…el. 1.19.19.20. King. 2.2.3.5. King. 2.22.….4.

Suche Vniuerſities the holie hiſtory reherſethe thoſe off Naioth Bethel, Hiericho, and Hieruſalem to hauehave bene which (when all men thought ſurely that this fyre off gods word p. 143and knowledge off the ſcriptures had bene clea…e gone out (as yt came to paſſe alſo in theſe our daies) noriſhed certeine ſparkes in the aſhes / off which afterwardes by good blowing off them / they kindled Religion againe. And ſuche vniuerſities ſhould we alſo hauehave now a daies / which might bothe kindle Religion being put out / and alſo enflame and encreaſe yt being kindled / yff the ſonnes off the Prophetes did painfullie beſtowe them ſelues in readinge meditatinge and expoundinge off the ſcriptures as we reade thoſe off Samuells colledge did.Sam. 1.19.20. But now in ſteade off labor / ydlenes is come into the vniuerſities: for peace and honeſt quietnes: contention and diſcord / the greateſt poiſon to good ſtudies that can be: for godlines and the feare off the lord / neglect and allmoſt contempt off all Religion / with diſſolute kinde off licence and libertie wherby they geue them ſelues to all ryot and wantonnes.

And ſuerly yt greeueth me to thinke how farr off they be from the Muſes and lerninge who dwell euen in the very houſes and pallaces off the Muſes. And that theſe places which are ſet furtheſt from any noyſe off the world that we might the more frely geue our ſelues to good and honeſt ſtudies / ringe with cries / noyſes / and alarmes / raiſed vp by trobleſome wittes / and ſounde againe with mutuall reproches / hatred / iniuries / and reuenges: and that euen the very temples off Religion the aulters off holines / and the chappelles off godlines and off the feare off the lord do waxe prophane vnholy and voyde off all trewe Religion. What do we think that thoſe noble worthies which at ther great coſtes ād charges founded colledges to this end that the ſeruice off god and holynes off life might ſpring from them / and from thoſe foūtaines flow to the reſt of the churche / what do we thīk I ſay / would they ſay if they were gathered to gether ād ſhould looke downe from heauē vponupon ther colledges? dowe not think they would cōplaine one to an other / that ther colledges were become like vntounto tentes off warre wherin nothing were exerciſed but hate ād enmitie / ād that euē in thoſe places which they had p. 144made to be hyues off a heauenly kind off hony / an innumerable ſort off oranes are riſen vp who not only gather no hony themſelues / but ſo miſlike alſo off the labor and diligence off other that take great paines to gather / that they neuer ceaſe to vexe and moleſt them vntill they hauehave driuen them out off ther h…s from amonges them.

What iff I ſhould raiſe out off ther graue / ſome / either off the holie Biſhoppes founders off the vniuerſitie off Oxeford / or off the famous kinges founders off the vniuerſitie off Cambridge / what iff that noble kink Henry the eight the laſt off that worthy cōpany (as Hercules was the laſt of the worthies) becauſe he is laſt to deale with the vniuerſities in behalffe off the reſt / what I ſay could they annſwer him iff he ſhould complaine / that That which was moſt liberallie and bountifullie geuen for the maintenannce off good lerning is abuſed to riott and idlenes? That the hiues for Bees / are become den̄s for droanes? that They are no more / colledges off ſtudentes / but monaſteries and cloiſters off idle and ſnoring monckes? That not only barren / and vnfrutefull trees / but alalſo off hurtfull and moſt noyſom ſhadowe to thoſe yong and frutefull plantes / that growe vp vnderunder them / are in thoſe places / which they meant ſhould hauehave bene Orchiardes off moſt precious fruite / and off the moſt noble and rare plantes that might be.

The vniuerſities ought to be the ſeede and the frye off the holie miniſterie thorowghe out the realme: but now there is ſcarce one ſent out in to the churche in many yeres that is fitte for ſuche an office. It ought in deede to be like the Aple treoff Perſia wheroff Theophraſtus maketh mencion: which doth budde / bloſſome and beare fruit at all times off the yere: and bringeth furth ſome fruit which is allready ripe and ſome other buddinge / and newe geowing out. So the vniuerſities ſhould hauehave ſome allwais fitte / and as it wer ripe allready to take the miniſtery / ād ſome other ripening and budding oute: but now neither ripe fruit fallethe from the tree / neither is the bloſſome ſuch as declareth any plenty or ſtore to come hereafter: p. 145iff furder he ſhould complaine that it is a heauy ſight for them to ſee the vniuerſities thoroughe contention (and that many times for ſmall occaſion) ſo inflamed and ſet on fire. And that as they are greued / who do behold ther feeldes and poſſeſſions waſted and burnt / So they with no leſſe ſorrowe behold / good / lerned and worthy men expulſed out off ther vniuerſities / godlie / and lerned younge men driuen from ther places / the ſcholes depriued off moſt famous profeſſors and Teachers / Colledges bereaued of youthe of merueilous hope and towardnes / off ſinguler vertue and learning / and the churche deceiued off that which ſhe looked for at there handes.

Therfore iff they loued god there chiefe founder and Author off all that had bene beſtowed vponupon them / or feared that he would be a puniſher and reuenger iff they continewe to abuſe the ſame / iff they bare any reſpect and reuerence to them ther Patrones and founders and wold be ruled by them / they ſhould leaue ther ſtriuinge and runninge one againſt and other with mutuall wronges and iniuries / they ſhould baniſhe out ydlenes and expulſing the droanes out off there hiues fall to laboure and take paines againe: they ſhould applie the ſtudie off the liberall artes and off the tongues / they ſhold meditate vponupon the Scriptures and exerciſe them ſelues therin as the Prophetes and the ſonnes off the Prophetes: They ſhould think with them ſelues / and remember that the church hangeth vponupon ther breſtes / deſyring to ſuck that ſweet milke off heauenlie doctrine (and as Peter calleth it the ſincere milke off the word:1. Pet. 2.2.1 Pet 2:2 that they ſhold make ready eueryevery yeere a great nōbre off fit interpreters and Teachers off Religiō for the vſe of the churche: that they would be the Authors and ſeekers of a more full and perfect reformacion: and when they had obteined it conſtantly to keepe / and preſerue the ſame. Thes thinges would be acceptable to god ther Arch founder and to them there founders / and be moſt ſeemely and becomminge the name off an vniuerſitie.

Iff I ſaie we harde him ſpeake theſe and ſuche like thinges vntounto vsus would we not be a ſhamed to be ſo ſharply reproued? p. 146Yet allthoughe we heare not either king Henry the eight / or any other off thoſe worthies ſpeake thus vntounto vsus / yet notwithſtāding we ought not to be leſſe moued with the thīg yt ſelffe / ſeing theſe thinges may trewly be obiected vntounto vsus and caſt in our teethe. Which neuertherles I ſpeake not off all ſuche as be in the vniuerſities / for I knowe there be many ſuche as we wold wyſhe that all ſhold be: and vndoubtedly ther would be many moe / iff Samuelles Eliahs and Eliſhas wer ſet ouer the ſonnes off the Prophetes / who (as they were wont to doe) might liue together with the Schollers / be preſent at there exerciſes / helpe an furder there indeuors / and by ther example frame them and ſtirr them vp to all godlines / knowledge / zeale / and finally to eueryevery thing that is praiſe worthie.…. Sam. 19.…0. 2. King. 6.3.2 Kgs 6:3…. King. 6.1Iff our vniuerſities had many ſuche Samuells, Eliahs, Doctors and Paſtors wold be prepared for the churches which are abrode / the nomber off ſtudentes (as yt did vnderunder) Elizeus would encreaſe and multiplie: and moſt pleaſant ſtreames as out of Eden, the garden off the Lord / wold flowe from them and water all the Land.

But ſeing that is farre otherwiſe / being cōtent with this moderate reproufe / and light ſhewing off the diſeaſe only / for helpe and remedy / firſt moſt humbly I be ſeeche the Lord god the chiefe chauncellor off our vniuerſities / ād then alſo the Magiſtrates that by his apointemēt and in his name are ſet to gouerne vsus / that they would earneſtly and carefully thinke off reforminge the vniuerſities / and reſtoring them to ther right vſe againe / that they may ſerue to the preſeruinge / poliſhing and perfiting off all other the liberall ſciences / and eſpecially off the ſtudie off diuinitie and maintenance off the ſacred myniſtery. And let it be ſufficient to hauehave ſpoken thus muche off Doctors and therwithall of ſcholes / Colledges and vniuerſities.

Now let vsus ſpeake off Paſtors: whoſe office and function allthoughe it be neere of kindred vntounto the doctors functiō / yet it conteinethe in it beſides / certen other thinges neither off leſſe waight nor leſſe neceſſary then theſe be. A Paſtor therfore p. 147I call a Biſhopp / who appliethe the Scriptures to the diuers occaſiōs and neceſſities off the church: and miniſtrethe the Sacramentes to thoſe which doe beleue. For Paſtors touchinge the office they bare in the churches / ſuccede the Apopoſtles: and after a ſort alſo the prieſtes off the lawe: wheras Doctors do rather reſemble and are more like vntounto the Prophetes and the Leuites. Therfore Paſtors adminiſtre not only the word / but alſo the Sacramentes. And ſeale vpp our ſaluacion with the Lordes ſignet / which they preache by worde. For this is the nature off the Sacramentes / to ſeale vp as it were the promiſes / that when we hauehave them vnderunder ſeale / we might keepe them more ſafely and poſſeſſe them more ſecurely. Wherfore the Paſtor to whom the promiſes are committed to be declared and vttered / and as yt were the writinges and indētures off our ſaluaciō to be made / hath alſo authoritie to ſette the ſeale therunto. For ſo the Lord commaunded his Apoſtles that they ſhould preache the Goſpell / and baptize thoſe which ſholde beleue. Wherfore the adminiſtracion off the Sacramentes perteinethe to the office off a Paſtor and that in ſuche ſort to a Paſtor / that no man ells may take yt vppon him / and arrogate that to him ſelffe which the Lord hath committed to an other to doe.

But beſides the adminiſtracion off the Sacramentes this is alſo proper and peculier to the Paſtors / euen in the miniſterie off the word to applie the Scriptures to the diuers occaſions and neceſſities off the churches: And as tyme and occaſion ſeruethe / to correct / reproue / and reprehend / to raiſe vp thoſe that be caſt downe / to breake the ſtubburne / to vſe exhortacions / and dehortacions / to cmofort the godly with the hope off the promiſes / to terrifie the wiked with the thunder off the iudgement off god / whereat they may be caſt downe and as yff they had bene ſtricken with a thunder bolt from heauen and conſumed / yff they repent not / to lift vpp ſome as yt were to heauen / and to caſt downe other to the bottom off hell.Rom. 12.7.Rom 12:7 All which Sainct Paule doth ſignifie p. 148to the Romaine figuratiuelie by nanynge one kinde theroff (that is to ſay off Exhortation) for all the reſt. In his Epiſtle to Timothy he ſettethe out eueryevery thinge more at large:…. Timoth. 4.3. commandinge Timothy to preache the word / to correct / to reproue / to exhort.

Seing therfore the Paſtors office is ſo wayghty and ſo diuers: I will not ſhewe that they which be vnable to teache are not to be admitted vntounto it / for that I hauehave hādled this before / but how weake there defence herein is which they are wont to bring: that is to ſay / That the want off theſe vnable miniſters / is ſupplied by the diligence off others / whereas they reade and reherſe out off the booke vntounto the people / homelies / touching all the neceſſary pointes off Religion. I diſpute not heere againſt homelies / nor minde to ſhew what iniury is done vntounto god his worde when the wrightinges off men are redd and reherſed in the churche: or howe daungerous a thinge it is for geuinge occaſion off bringing in to the churche / the writinges and ſermons alſo off other godly men / the ſtories off martyres / and at the laſt alſo the Popiſhe Legend / For that it belongeth to an other place to ſpeake off thes thinges: this one thinge I will ſhewe / that the reading off Homelies is no ſufficient excuſe for an vnable and vnlearned Paſtor / ſeing that it belongethe to the dewtie off a Paſtor / to applie the doctrine off the Scriptures to the diuers tymes / neceſſities and occaſion off the churche.

For ſeing that the Homelies be domme / and ſpeake only that which hathe beene endited a long time a fore / how can they either knowe or vnderſtand / or cure and remedie the diſeaſes off the churche. Therfore let vsus not thinke that the Ordeininge of… vnable Paſtors can be excuſed by this pretence. nor that Homelies (as it is ſaide off a ſworde in olde time as Delphos which did ſerue for all vſes) can ſerue for all occaſions which do ariſe in the churche.

Here the Paſtor had neede off greate and profounde knowledge to knowe the chaunge off times / the diuerſitie off thinges / the variety off perſons / and to deale thus or otherwiſe p. 149/ according to that varietie and difference. For a Shephard hathe not only one way both to heale the ſike / and cure the broken and bruiſed: And the phiſicion cureth ſome men by diet and medicine / ſome by cutting ād ſurgerie / ſo likewiſe this only waie off readinge off Homelies can in no wiſe be ſufficient to cure and to remedy all the ſondry neceſſities off the churche / To be cōninge in the profeſſion off this kinde off phyſick / a man had neede be perfite in his ſimples / he had need to knowe many kindes off herbes / floures / rotes / an infynite ſort off other thinges: fynallie he muſt needes thouroughly knowe all Eden and the whole garden off God / that he may knowe what herbes are fit to raiſe vp thoſe who are caſt downe / and as it were to cōforte and reſtore againe ſuche as be in a conſumpcion / which alſo are meet to purge and clenſe thoſe that are full and ſtuffed / finallie what ſo euer is proper for the curinge off eueryevery diſeaſe / and in what ſorte and after what manner / and at what time yt ys to be miniſtred and applied.

Which moſt worthie and neceſſary office for the ſaluacion off mankind and chiefeſt off all which be vnderunder the Sonne Good Lord how infinite waies is it prophaned? So that now a daies to make a Paſtor is nothing ells but to make a ſeruice ſaier / or reader off praiers out off his booke. And this not only emonges the people but euen in the middeſt off the vniuerſities / in the ſcholes and Colledges them ſelues (from whence as frō certen ſacred and pure fountaines reformatiō ought to flowe) from thence I ſay euen from thence ſhamefull examples off this great diſorder and prophanacion do ſpringe and come furthe into all the realme. iff we ſeeke thoroughe both the vniuerſities what ſchole is there / what Colledge / ſociety and fellowſhipp off learned men that hathe a right and a lawfull Paſtor amonges them? But either one or moe chaplaines and conductes as they call them are hired to reade the ſeruice at the houres appointed / or ells the fellowes off Colledges them ſelues do read yt being bound by othe to enter into the miniſtery at a certen time appointed / after they become p. 150Fellowes. Wherupon it commeth to paſſe that a man may finde ſometimes / ten or a doſſen off theſe Paſtors in a litle Colledge / But one ſuche Paſtor as the word off God doth ſet out is hardly or not at all to be found amonges them.

Further alſo this fault is made in the apointinge off paſtors. That vnderunder pretence off makinge a more full and perfit triall off ſuche as are to be apointed / they ordeine not any man wholy / and at once to the office off a paſtor / but I knowe not by what degrees they leade him vp to this pulpit. They muſt firſt be Deacons as they call yt for a yere / that is to ſaye they muſt receyve authoritie to ſaie praiers and reade the Scriptures / But in no caſe to admyniſter the Sacramentes or to expounde / without furder lycenſe: Then at the laſt he is fullie admitted to he office off a Paſtor. Which as I perceiue well enoughe to hauehave bene tranſlated from the manner off Popiſhe ordres / So knowe I not what ground off Scripture yt hath or can hauehave / But rather cōtrarywiſe / yt ſemethe to be cleane againſt the expreſſe appointement off the Scriptures which make no more degrees to come to the office / But the godlines and integritie off his former life in what ſort ſo euer he hathe occupied him ſelffe vntounto that tyme / and the knowledge off the holie ſcriptures: So that it is needles for a man to come thoroughe all the offices off the churche before he can euer atteine to this.

Wherin alſo ther was to to curious a diligence in Silueſter Biſhopp off Rome and others / who appointed that before a man was ordeyned a Paſtor / he ſhould firſt come vp vntounto yt as yt were by certen ſtaires / ſteppes / and degres thoroughe out all thoſe offices off the churche which they had inuented.Counſel off Rome the ſecond. and the 1…. canon. And firſt he muſt be Accolythus twenty yeere. Deacon xxvj. and ſo furth. That at the laſt after fyfty or thre ſcore yeres triall thus had / he ſhould be admitted to the full prieſthood.

p. 151Leauing therfore theſe vaine inuentions off the braine off man / Let vsus keepe that certeine ordre which is taught vsus by the Apoſtles: which is That after dewe examination had of his life and doctrine / he be admitted to this miniſtery and office off a Biſhopp / Leſt by this drawing a ſonder and quarteringe off the right office off a Paſtor we be iuſtly thought to hauehave brought into the churche off god with out his word / off our owne authority ſo many newe offices and functions / as into how many partes and membres this one office is deuided.

Touchinge thoſe thinges which beſides this are faulty in the Election and Ordinacion off Paſtors / they hauehave bene ſpoken off in other places before / neither is it needfull to repeat the ſame againe: Therfore to conclude all this treatiſe off Biſhoppes / takinge away extraordinarie functions and offices and aboliſhing the pompe and tyranny off the Lord Biſhoppes / Let vsus eſteeme the office off a Biſhopp and miniſter as yt is declared vntounto vsus in the word off god: Let vsus remembre that this is a ſeruice and Miniſtery not off the affaires off this life / But off the holie word off god: Let this moſt neceeſſary office amonges all other offices that be in the earthe both for the ſeruice and Religion off God and for the ſaluacion off man be ordeined and eſtabliſhed thorowgh out this Realme: Let an Aſſay be made / that they which beinge vnmeete for the office / being put out / godlie / learned / and worthye men be choſen therunto: who diſcharging ther offices faithfully / may be ſufficiently prouided for / concerning the neceſſaries off this life / as the Lord hath commanded: Let vsus fetche the manner and faſhion off our examininge / chooſinge / and ordeininge out off the Scriptures: Let Doctors be appoynted to teache / and Cathechize the rude and ignorant: Let Paſtors be ordeyned to Myniſter the Sacramentes and to applye the generall Docrine to the particuler vſes and occaſions off the churche: That faultes beinge amended and reformed accordinge to to the right lyne off the word off God / p. 152a iuſt and lawfull miniſterie ſuche as the Lord hath appointed may be eſtabliſhed amonges vsus: That Chriſt powringe his bleſſing vponupon his owne Ordenance and apointment (as the Apoſtle noteth thes to be the endes off the miniſtery) the work off the miniſtery may be done / The bodie off Chriſt which is the churche may be edified and buylded vp / and the Saintes may be fitly / orderly / and proportionally ioined and knit together one with an other.Eph. 4.21.Eph 4:21

Thus now hauinge finiſhed one part off eccleſiaſticall functiōs and charges / namely that which conſiſteth in the dutie off a Biſhoppe and the Miniſterie off the worde / Let vsus come to that which remaineth and concerneth deacons: But to the ende we may hereī alſo orderly procede / firſt / I ſay that Sainct Paule in his firſt epiſtle to Timothy and thyrd chap. and in the other places before alledged off me to the ſame ende calleth all thoſe Deacons / which do exerciſe any office or or charge in the churche / not belonging to the Miniſtery off the word. For ther be alſo other offices beſides the miniſtery off the word / needfull for the preſeruacion off the churche. Which what they be we ſhall ſee hereafter.

But iff they were not neceſſary for the preſeruatiō off the whole body / Surely Ieſus Chriſt the moſt wiſe ruler and gouerner off his churche would neuer hauehave appointed them: yff then this other ordre off Deacons be ſo neceſſary / why do we want it wholie in our churche: deforminge the body no leſſe / yea a great deale more by ſo notable want off thoſe partes that are neceſſary / then by the ſuperfluitie off thoſe which are not off the body as hath bene allready before ſhewed. For let them not here ſpeake off there Chauncelors / whom I hauehave allready proued to hauehave no lawfull place in the church: nor off the churche wardens / off whom I ſhall ſpeake more hereafter. For I ſay we want and require Eccleſiaſticall Deacons / who accordinge to the ordinaunce off god are lawfully choſen / created and ordemed to there offices: not ciuill and politique men who by the authoritie off the Magiſtrate deale in ſome ſuche matter / but what theſe be we ſhall ſee hereafter more at large.

p. 153Here I cannot ſufficiently wonder at the boldnes off the braine off man who thus altereth and peruerteth wholie / the lordes gouerment in his owne houſe: appointinge ſome beſides thoſe which are appointed by him / to the rulinge off his houſe: and putting out thoſe (as iff the church off god had no neede off ther labour) whō the Lord him ſelffe had apointed / fynally licenſing them ſelues in the lords matters to ſet downe and take away / to adde and diminiſhe what they liſt / and to rule ād diſpoſe all thinge according to ther owne will and fantaſy: Thē the which ſeing ther cā be nothinge more againſt the honor off our Sauior / let vsus at the laſt learne to be modeſt and to be ruled by his word: let vsus ſuffer him to rule his owne houſe by his owne authoritie and reſtore againe to the churche thoſe offices and functions / which he hath thought meete and profitable for it.

But that thes thinges may be the better vnderſtood / and that we proceede the more orderly forewarde. As I ſhewed in the former parte / firſt what was ordeined off God / wherby it was eaſie to vnderſtād what was ſuperfluous or to muche / So I muſt likwiſe doe in this part / that yt may be the better vnderſtood / what we want / and what is to to be ſupplied in this behalffe.

There be therfore ij. ſortes off Deacons as they are deuided by Sainct Paule in the xij. to the Romans:Rom. 21 8. The one ſorte are called diſtributers (who alſo in the ſixte off the Actes are properly called Deacons) The other ouer ſeers / who alſo in other places are called Elders and Gouernors off the church. Thoſe therfore who are properly called Deacons / are officers off the churche / ſette ouer the beſtowing and diſtributing off the churche goodes and treaſurie.

How great cauſe there was off inſtitutinge this office in the churche / it appereath in the ſixth off the Actes / wher the the Apoſtles who in the beginninge adminiſtred the treaſury off the churche / when they perceiued that they were not able to ſerue bothe / that is to ſaye the preachinge off the word and the caringe for the pore / gaue ouer this office to be Treaſurers p. 154any more / and propounded yt to the churche / that ther might be a ſeuerall office appoynted for this charge / that might take vppon them the prouidinge for the poore: To whome ſhould be giuen / what ſo euer was beſtowed for the reliefe off the needy that they might after diſpoſe yt according as eueryevery one had neede. That the poore might not be diſpiſed in the church off God whom he declareth to be ſo deare vntounto hym / and that all complaintes being taken awaie / eueryevery thing might be orderly and honeſtly gouerned in the houſe off God. Therfore the Treaſury off the church whither yt be in daily offringes / or in rentes and reuenuews appoynted to that ende is to be cōmitted vntounto the Deacons. The hoſpitalles and houſes which are appointed for the reliefe off ſtraungers and off the poore are to be ruled by them: fynally / what other ſuche like thing ther is / belongeth to the office off Deacons.

In olde tyme in deede in the prymitiue churche / this Treaſure was committed to the Biſhoppes / becauſe all men truſtinge to ther conſcience / whom they thought to hauehave a ſpeciall care off yt / hoped that all thinges wold be more faithfully ordered for the benefit off the churche and maintenance off the poore: But they wheras they ought rather to hauehave followed the example off the Apoſtes / and to hauehave requeſted that they might geue them ſelues to preaching and praier / and that they would chooſe ſome other to take that charge vppon them / did not only ſuffer them ſelues to be entreated to take yt / But alſo did vnfaithfullie behaue them ſelues in diſpoſing the poore mens boxe / that at the laſt they ceaſed to be Almners any more or diſtributers vntounto others / and as yff they had bene the poore men gaue all vntounto them ſelues: concerning which matter the Deacons (iff we had any) ought to deale with the Biſhoppes in the behalffe off the poore / (whoſe charge is committed vntounto them by the churche) and enter an action againſt them for recouering this mony againe: to requyre againe ther ſiluer veſſelles p. 155and the golden plate wherwith they hauehave ſo gorgeouſly garniſhed and adorned ther cuphordes and pleade againſt them / that all that / belongeth to the poore: by whoſe pouertie / they hauehave waxen riche: by whoſe want and neede they are become full and welthy.

Therfore ſeinge the office off a Deacon is ſo neceſſary / yt may ſeme a merueile / how the churche could ſuffer that the poore and the ſtraungers / who for Chriſtes cauſe ought to be moſt deere vntounto vsus / ſhold want ther Gardyanes and Tutors. We hauehave brought in other Collectors / gatherers and church wardēs into ther roume / But yt were better that we had none ſuche at all / then that by them ſo neceſſarye an office ſhould be aboliſhed: For ſeinge the charge requirethe / both a ſinguler wiſdome / ſimplicitie and integrity / why ſhold ther not be choiſe made as in the other offices off the churche / triall had that the wiſeſt may be choſen by the churche and as the Apoſtle Sainct Peter ſpeakethe / ſuche / as be full off the holie ghoſt and off wiſdome. Why are not handes laid vppon them / that they may knowe that they deale in the Lordes buſines? Why are they not praid for / that they may hauehave grace to diſcharge there duty? Fynally why had they rather that they ſhould be cyuill then Eccleſiaſticall Officers? this therfore is the charge and office off Deacons: In whoſe Election and ordynacion / ſeing ther is nothing ells partyculerly to be conſidered beſydes that which hath bene Generallie ſpoken off all heretofore / Let vsus come to the Elders which are the ſecond kind and ſort off Deacons.

Elders therfore are Deacons / who are appoynted to take heede off the offences that ariſe in the churche: Therfore in well reformed churches / eueryevery one off them hauehave ther warde / and as yt were there watche to looke vntounto off that porcion off the churche in which they may moſt fytlye ſerue / Wherin iff any thinge be done otherwiſe then ought to be that ſhall deſerue iuſt reproufe / yff yt be priuatly committed / He Goeth vntounto the partie and admoniſheth him priuatly for p. 156his fault accordinge to the word off God / exhortinge him that he do ſo no more: but iff openly / he certifiethe the counſell or conſiſtory off the churche: leſt the faulte off one man be ſpred to the deſtruction off all the reſt.

For although after a ſort / yt is all mens duty to bringe him into his waye / which goeth aſtray / yet better and more diligent heed is takē that offences ariſe not in the churche / when eueryevery part off the churche ſhold hauehave ther watchmen aſſigned to them / to whoſe office eſpecially it ſhould belonge to marke / ouerſee and obſerue all mens manners. Wheras otherwiſe ther are many faultes which may eaſilie eſcape thoſe who hauehave not a carefull eye ouerthem. For which cauſe Saint Paule to the Theſſalonians attributeth admonitions and reprehenſions / ſpecially vntounto the Elders / which notwithſtanding afterwardes in an other ſorte he declareth to belonge vntounto all the faithfull.…. The. 5.12

1. Theſſa. 5 12.14.Therfore thoſe Elders be ſuch as thoſe officers off the Athenienſes were / who had charge to ſee the lawes kept / or as the Cenſors off Rome / who exacted and examined eueryevery citezens life accordinge to the lawes. So they marke and obſerue eueryevery mans manners / and they them ſelues doe admoniſhe men off the lighter faultes / and bring the greater to the Conſiſtory. Finally they take heede by all meanes / leſt God be offended with the churche by reaſon off ſome mans fault / and ſee that thinges be done honeſtly godly and comely in the churche off God.

Therfore yff ther come into there warde any ſtrangers / from other places to inhabit whoſe Religion is not yet knowne / They certifie the Miniſters that they may hauehave meanes to talke with thē before they come to the Lordes ſupper. So lykewiſe iff ther be any children to be baptized / they admoniſhe the miniſter of it / ād finallie off all ſuche thinges which do belonge to the good and ſemely gouerment off the churche / that the miniſter ſhold vnderſtand theroff.

Furder more alſo in the adminiſtration off the Lordes ſupper for the better commoditie off the churche / they helpe p. 157the paſtor and take heede that none come vntounto the lordes ſupper whoſe Religion and honeſtie is not knowen / and with whome the miniſters hauehave not delt withall before: and other ſuche like things which allthough they be not all expreſly mencioned in the Scriptures yet ſeing it belongethe not only vntounto Order and to comelines / But alſo to the profit and commoditie off the churche / that ſome ſhold be ſet ouer thes matters / ſuche as emonges the Iewes were thoſe who were called Cheeff off the Synagoge / and ſeing the Scripture mencionethe no other Elders to whome the charge off theſe thinges ſhould apperteine / I thincke it plaine enoughe that theſe thinges by the worde off god / ought to be referred to the office off Elders.