Testimonies in All Ages, Title page – To the reader
A CATALOGVE OF SVCH TESTIMONIES IN ALL AGES AS PLAINLY EVIDENCE BISHOPS AND PRESBYTERS TO BE BOTH ONE, EQUALL AND THE SAME IN IURISDICTION, Office, Dignity, Order, and degree, by divine Law and institution, and their disparity to be a meere humane ordinance long after the Apostles times; And that the name of a Bishop is onelyonly a Title of Ministration, not Dominion, of Labour not of Honour, of Humility, not of Prelacy, of painfullnesse not of Lordlinesse, with a Briefe Answer to the Objections out of Antiquity, that seeme to the contrary.
Printed in the Yeere. 1641.
The EPISTLE to the READER.
Christian Reader,
THere is nothing more fr…quent in the mouthes of our Lording Prelates and their Flatterers, then to vaunt, That their Hierarchie and Episcopall S…periority over other Ministers is by divine Right and Institution; and that all Antiquity from Christs till Calvins dayes, and all learned men, except a despicable small number of Factious Puritans (as they term them) suffragate to this Conclusion. This was the more then thrasonicall b…ast of Dr. La…d, Arch-prelate of Canterbury, and some others, not onelyonly at the Censure of Dr. Layton in the Star-chamber, and Dr. Bastwicke in the High-Commission some few yeares past; but likewise at the late Censure of Dr. Bastwicke, Mr. Burton, and Mr. Prynne in the Star-chamber, Iune 14. 1637. where, in his learned Speech (since Printed by speciall command, through his own underhand procurement) he thus magisterially determines, pag. 6, 7. This I will say (he might have done well to have proved it first, but that his Ipse dixit only is now an O…acle) and abide by it, That the calling of Bishops (to wit Archbishops and D…ocaesans, superiour to, and distinct from Pres…yters, else his Speech is not onelyonly idle but impertinent) is Iure divino: though not all adjuncts to their callings: (he should have done well to have specifie… what adjuncts in particular… ) And I say further, that from the Apostles times in all ages, in all places the Church of Christ was governed by Bishops (to wit Diocaesan Bishops like to our Prelates now, which he will prove at Graecas Calendas.) And Lay-Elders never heard of, till Calvins new-fangled devise at Geneva. To disprove which fabulous assertion, I have not only particularly encountred it, in the Unbishoping of Timothy and Titus, to which no Answere yet hath been returned by this Over-confident Boaster, or his Champions, though specially challenged to Answer it) but likewise by way ef Supplement to that Trea…ise, drawn up this ensuing Catalogue (which I challenge his Arch-grace, with his brother Prelates, Doctors, Proctors, Parasites to encounter with as many contrary Authorities if they can;)… wherby both learned and illiterate may with ease discern, that both by divine Institution, the suffrages of Fathers, Councels, forraigne and domestick writers of all sorts aswell Papists as Protestants, and the resolution of the Church and State of England in Convocation and Parliament, Bishops and Presbyters are but one and the sam… in point of Office and Iurisdiction; and that the Superiority of Bishops over other Ministers is a meer humane Institution long after the Apostles dayes, introduced, partly by custome, partly by the Bishops owne insensible incroachme…ts upon their fellow brethren; but principally by the grants, connivances, or indowments of Christian Princes, destitute of any divine foundation to support it.
I confesse, in the *Histo…y of the Councel of Trent: Edit, 3. p. 589, 590, 591. to …16.Councel of Trent, it was much debated among the Popish Prelates and Divines there present; Whether Bishops were by divine Ordination, Superiour to Priests? But the Councel being divided in opinion, left the Controversie undetermined. Those Bishops and Divines who held the affirmative, produced nothing out of Scripture, or solid Antiquity to justifie their opinions, worthy answere, but that Aerius was deemed an Heretick for affirming the contrary (which I have …ere disproved:) ye… *Idid. p. 59… See M…i… de Sacra. Horm. Origine et Cont. l. 1. c. 5.Michael of Medina who alleageth this of Aerius, was so ingenious to conf…sse, that Hierome, Austin, and some others of the Fathers (as Ambrose, Sedulius, Primasius, Chrysostomus, Theodoret, Oecumenius) did fall into Aërius heresie in this point, it being no wonder that they did so, because the matter was not cleare in all points. This his boldnesse, to say that Hierome and Austin did savour of Haeresie, gave great scandall: but h… insisted the more upon it: The Doctors saith the History) were equally divided into two opinions in this point. And when this *Ibid. p. 589.Article was propounded in this Romish Councel; That the Bishops are instituted by Christ, and are Superiour to Priests de Iure divino; The Legates with others answered, that the Lutherans and Heretiques having affirmed, that a Bishop and a Priest is the sam… thing (*Ib. 591.60….606. putting no difference between a Bishop & a Priest, but by humane constitution; and affirming, that the Superiority of Bishops was first by custom, and afterwards by Ecclesiasticall constitution, for which they ci…e the Augustane Confession made by the German Churches;) it was fit to declare, that a Bishop is Superiour, but that it was not necessary to say qu… jure, nor by whom a Bishop is instituted From whence it appeares clearly; That halfe or more of these Trent Fathers, with all the Lutherans and Protestant Churches at that time were cleare of opinion; That Prelates Episcopacy is not Iure divino: and those who peruse that History and *De Clericis. l. 1. c. 14.B…llarmine may at …irst discerne, that all our Prelates arguments and Authorities now produced to maintaine their Episcopall Iurisdiction to be divine, are taken verbatim from these Popish Fathers of Trent who maintain their assertion, and Bellarmine de Clericis the stoutest Champion for their cause. Alas! to what miserable Shifts are our Prelates driven, when they must thus fly to Trent, to Bellarmine for ayd to support their tottering Thrones! And yet these will stand them in no stead, all the Trent Prelates confessing with S. Hierom. *History of the Councel of Trent: p. 220.That in the first beginnings of Christianity, the Churches were governed by a kind of Aristocracy, by the common Councel of the Presbytery, and that the Monarchicall government and Superiority of Bishops and Archbishops crept in by custome, as the (a)Pag. 220.330. to 335. an excellent considerable place.History of the Councel of Trent relates at large; where you may read the originall of their Courts and Iurisdictions, with the steps and meanes of their exorbitant growth and encroachments upon the temporall Iurisdiction and Prerogative of Princes, well worthy the greatest Statesmens consideration. Besides, Dionysius Cathusianus, and Cardinal Contarenus in their Commentaries on Phil. 1.1. confesse, that in Pauls time, Bishops and Presbyters were both one, and that either Order was conferred on the Presbyter. That Presbyters are there meant by Bishops, whence it is usually said, That in the Primitive times Bishops were not distinguished from Priests. Azorisus the Iesuite Moral. part. 2. l. 3. c. 16. confesseth, that in the Apostles times, every where, those who were ordained Elders in Cities were Bishops: Cardinal Cusanus. De Concordia Cathol. l. 2. c. 13. writes the same in eff…ct: All Bishops; and perchance also Presbyters are of equall power, as to Jurisdiction, although not of execution; which executive exercise is restrained by certaine positive Laws (not Divine but Canonicall) whence the cause of these Laws ceasing,(b)Glossa, Decret. Distinct. 93 c. Legimu…. the Laws themselvs determine. And Johannes Semeca a Popish Canonist, avers; That in the first primitive Church the Office of Priests and Bishops was the same: but in the second primitive Church, (to wit, some space after the Apostles times) both their names and Offices began to be distinguished.
The same Doctrine, together with the Identity and Parity of Bishops and Presbyters is professedly averred, not only by those hereafter cited in the Catalogue; but also by *In Iohn Crespin. L'estate de Leglise f. 254.Huldrick Bishop of Ausburg, about the year of Christ 860. in his Epistle to Pope Nicholas, in defence of Priests Marriage: by John Crespin. L'estate de L'eglise: printed 15…2. fol. 14.97. by Phippe de Mornax, Tablea… des Differens. par. 2. c. 6. p. 67, 68, 69. &c. and by Mornay Lord Plessie in his Mystery of Iniquity in the French Edition, p. 7.9, 10.72.80. to 87, 9….92.95. to 123.125.128.152. to 155.159.160.172.179.197.210. to 218.234.2…4 266, 267.281.293.304.307.319, 320.366… 389.395.397.404.410.412… 418.424. to 427.452… 464.467, 468.469.503.518.519.520.524. to 528 533.535.545, 546, 547.567.568, 569.603. Yea, *Both cite… …y Bishop VsUs…er, d… B…ittanicarum Eccles. primo… diis, p. 800.Iohn Ma…jor de Gestis Scotorum: l. 2. c. 3. w…ites, that in ancient times the Scots were instructed in the Christian faith, by Priests and Monks, and were then without Bishops. And Iohn Fordon Scotichronicon. l. 3. c. 8. before him, records, That before the coming of Palladius, the Scots had only Presbyters or Monks to instruct them in the Faith and administer the Sacraments, following the custome of the primitive Church. And *Henric… … man, … Tom. 1 p. 31…from Palladius dayes till the reigne of Malcolm the 3d; the Bishops of Scotland had no Diocesse at all (and so were no Diocesan Prelates) but every Bishop whom holinesse had made reverend in that age, exercised his Episcopall function without distinction in every place he came. If then Bishops and Presbyters were all one and the same in the first Primitive Church, which Chur…h, …ogether with that of Scotland, was anciently governed only by Presbyters, not by any Lordly Prela…es, or Diocesan Bishops (which Dr. William Fulke in his Answer of a true Christian, &c. p. 20.50. professeth …o be Antichristian, Pa…all and no divine institution,) why the Churches of Scotland, and England may not now be governed by Presbyters only without Bishops, aswell as at first, I canno… conceive… their regiment of late having been so tyrannicall, unchristian, antichristian and exorbitant, that they have almost wholly ruined our Religion, Church, State, and lef… them in a most perplexed, if not desperate condition; which proves their Hierarchy to be rather Antichristian and Diabolicall, then Divine.
And how can it be otherwise, if we rightly consider the Persons or Condition of our Hierarchy… and their Antichristian Attendants? I remember a merry S…ory in *Itinear, l. 2. c 13.Giraldus Cambrensis, and out of him related by Mr. Camden in his Britannia: p. 604. It hapned that a certaine Iew travelling towards Shrewsbury with the Archdeacon of Malpas (in Ches-shire) whose surname was Peche, that is, Sinne, and a Deane named Devill; when he heard by chance the Archdeacon telling, that his Archdeaconry began at a place called Ill-street, and reached as farre as to Malpas towards Chester; he considering a…d understanding withall aswell the Arch-deacons Surname as the Deans, came out with this merry and pleasant conceit; Would it not be a wonder (quoth he) and my fortune very good, if ever I get safe againe out of this Countrey, where Sinne is the Arch-deacon, and the Devill is the Dean; where the entry into the Archdeaconry is Illstreet, and the going forth of it Malpas? It was *Fratres sic facit Iesus h…di…, multos si…i elige… Dia…olos Episc…po…. In Gone…. Rhemensi S…imo.St. Bernards complaint in his age, that Iesus Christ elected many Devils to be Bishops, as he chose Iudas to be an Apostle. Since then there be so many Archbishops, Deanes, and Bishops, Devills, so many Archdeacons Sinners, if not Sinne; and the entrance into these Offices (by reason of Symony, Ambition, and th… like) a meer Illstreet, and their going forth of them (by reason of their wicked lives, and exorbitant actions occ…sioned by their very Office) Malpas, it is almost a wonder, and very good fortune, if any …onest godly Minister or Professor ever get safe againe out of their Courts and Diocesse, or escape drowning in their Seas.
Hence is it, that the devoutest men in all ages since Prelates became Lords paramount to Ministers, have either utterly refused to accept of Bish…pricks, or resigned them after acceptance; as I have *In the Epistl… Dedica…o…y befo…e the Vnbishoping of Timothy and Titus.elswhere manifested by sundry examples, and shall here fur…her exemplifie by …ther evidences. (a)Les Fl…wrs de… vies des So…cts: part 1. Parisiis: 1637. p. 500.Ribadenerra a Iesuite, records it to the great praise of Bernardine of Sennes, canonized at Rome for a Saint; that out of his humility he refused the 3. Bishopricks of Sennes, Ferrara, and Vrban, which severall Popes offred to him: and though one Pope put a Bishops Mi…er on his head with his own hands, yet he put it off againe, humbly beseeching him not to impose the charge of any Bishoprick upon him, and to change that estate of Poverty to which God had called him; because he should bring more advantage to the Church by preaching the Word of God, and ayding the Soules of many Bishopricks, then by being a Bishop in one Church: The Pope hearing his reasons confessed them true, and left him to his own liberty. (b)Ribadenerra Ibid. p. 3…8.Vincent Ferrier another Popish Saint, is highly magnified, for that' being urged by the Pope to accept the Bishopricke of Leride, the Archbishopricke of Valence, and a Cardinalship; it was impossible to move him to accept of any of these charges; deeming it a greater advantage to free one Soule from the chaines of Sinne, then to gain all the great preferments of the world. For he perceived that these honourable dignities seemed like so many golden chaines, whereby he should be detained at the Court, and deprived of liberty to goe and preach the Gospell with poverty, as God had commanded him. So Thomas of *Idem Ibidem, p. 313.Aquin, canonised for a Saint, is highly applauded for refusing the Archbishopricke of Naples, with other great dignities offered unto him by the Pope. In like sort *Idem Ibidem, p. 303… 304.Raimond of Roche…ort, another Roman Saint, is extolled, for refusing to accept the Archbishopricke of Arragon, which the Pope himselfe conferred upon him, and commanded him to accept within few dayes; at which news he was very sad, and most humbly and instantly intreated his Holinesse, not to lay such a burthen upon him, which he knew not how to beare: and seeing that the Pope was resolved to enforce him to accept it, he fell sicke with indignation, a …ieuere continuing upon him till he died of regret, and so discharged him of this care. *Idem Ibidem, p 358.Antoninus another …ate Romish Saint, being elected Archbishop o… Florence by Pope Eugenius the 4th, refused to accept thereof, because being retired out of the tempests of the world, he should therby return into …hem to the great perill of his Salvation. The Pope hereupon commanded him by his Bull to accept it, threatning else to excommunicate him: whereupon by the advise of his Covent and the Magistrates of Florence, who informed him, that he ought to obey the Pope herein, he unwillingly accepted it; and kneeling down before them, he lift up his eyes and hands to heaven, saying; O my Lord thou knowest full well that it is much against my will to accept this charge; which I have undertaken for feare to resist thine and thy Vicars will: and since thou knowest it, I beseech thee direct me to doe what I ought. Then entring into his See, he had only 8. persons in his house; He had no Cupboord, Tapistry or hangings of Say in his Chamber; no vessels of Silver; no Horses nor Coaches, riding upo… a Mule that was given him; saying, that the goods of the poore ought not to be spent in nourishing beasts, and providing Superfluities. He had the Scripture alwayes read at his Table: and ever said, they should doe him a speciall favour to thrust him from his Archbishopricke, wherein he continued with as great regret as he received it. Adde to these, that *Iohn Crespin Lestate de …eglig…, f, 29, with Platina, Anas…a…ius, and Balz… i… h…s life.Linus the first Bishop of Rome, after Paul and Peter resigned up his Bishoprick te Anacle…us; that Pope Cyriacus (as Fasciculus Temporum, Henry of Erford, Nauclerus, Crispin… and others write) quitted his Bishopricke in a short space against the will of the Clergy; whence some have excluded him out of the number of the Roman Ponti…s; that (a)Iohn Crespin …. p. 59. Brit. Eccles. A…tiqu… p. 620, 621, 625, 633.Pope Stephen t…e 6. renounced his Episcopacy, and became a Monke, repenting of the cruelty shewed by him to his predecessor Formosu…: that Pope Celestine the 5th (as Platina, Luitprandius, Anasta…ius, and all (b)Crespin …b. p. 266.o…hers in his life accord) voluntarily renounced the Papacy, as a charge exceeding his forces, and hindering his Devotion: and th…s (c)Crespin p. 405, 40…Anno 1448. (d)C…espin p. … 404.Pope Felix the 5th, renounced and deser…ed the Papacy, which he formerly swa…ed. Lo here five C…e…pin. p. 587.Popes re…ouncing and resigning their Bishopricks. Herman a Weda Archbishop of Colen, who deceased An. 1552. desired often to dye a simple Christian without any charge or dignity, rather then to die a Priest or a Bishop: To come nearer hom…, Gal…u… Monumetensis. l 9. c. 15. …rald… Cambr. li 2. c. 4. Ia…bus Vsse… de Ecclesiarum Britt…a. Primordin, p. 81.532.538.Dubritius B…shop of Landaffe voluntarily re…ounced his Archbishopricke; so Sampson, Paulus, Leonorius and Amon made Bishops volens nolens, voluntarily gave over their Episcopacies. Idem. p. 876.1012.1140.St. Patrick the first Archbishop or primate of all Ireland, and Benignus his third Successor in that See, willingly resigned their Prelacies, retiring themselves to Glastenbury Abby: And Anno 1366. (d)The Annals of I…eland i… Camdens Bri…nia, p. 169.Richard Havering, Archbishop of Dublin, voluntarily renounced his Archbishopricke upon this occasion… One night he dreamed that a certaine Monster heavier then the whole world stood eminently aloft upon his brest, from the weight whereof he chose rather to be delivered, then alone to have all the goods of the world. When he wakened, he thought thus with himselfe, that this was nothing …ls but the Church of Dublin, the fruits whereof he received, but took no paines for the same: (the case of most Prelates now:) as soon as he could therfore he came to the Pope, of whom he was much beloved, and there renounced and gave over the Archbishopricke; for he had fatter and better livings then the Archbishopricke came unto. Why should not our Archbishops and Bishops now follow these many vertuous examples, in resigning and abandoning all their Bishopricks, for the setting of a sweet peace and blessed Harmony in our distracted Church and State, which their ambition, pride, tyranny, Exorbitances and Innovations have almost brought to ruine? Had they but their humility and piety, they would speedily renounce their most pernicious Hierarchy, to imbrace a fraternall unity and parity with their fellow-brethren, whom Christ hath made their equals, as these and other Prelats have done; and as our present *Relation of … Con…erenc…, p. 169 in the margin.Archbishop of Canterbury confesseth that famous Nazianzen, rather th…n the peace should be broken, freely resigneth the great Patriarchate Constantinople, and retired: whose steps he should doe well to follow.
But if he or they refuse to do it for our Churches peace, and Kingdomes safety, let them know that it is no new thing to abolish Bishopricks by Act of Parliam… by which *31. H. 8. c 9.33 H. …. c. 31.34. H. 8.….most Bishopricks were first created, and so not Jure Divino. How many Bishopricks have been supprest in Ireland and Wales in Later ages, *In his Britania p. 160.161. and Ireland, p. 73, 74.Mr. Camden can at large informe us, almost halfe the Ancient Bishopricks there, being not now extant. The Bishopricke of Westminster was no sooner erected almost, but instantly suppressed; And 7. Ed. 6. The *Rastall Du… ham: f. 149. Camdens Brit. pag. 736, and Godwins Catalogu… of Bishops, p. 533.Bishopricke of Durham by Act of Parliament was dissolved, and the Lands and hereditaments thereof given to the King: but 1. Mariae Pa…l. 2. c. 3. Popery …lowing in againe, that Bishopricke was revived and reerected; yet not so fi…mly, but that it and all others are still subject, both to a temporall and finall dissolu…ion, when eve… his Majesty, or the state in Parliament shall thinke meet; (as all the Prelates and the whole Convocation expre…ly acknowledge in their *Chapter of the Sacrament of O…de…s.Institution of a Christian man dedicated to King Henry the 8. and ratified by Parliament) as the Abbies, Priories and such like Nests of Anti…hristianisme in this Real…, though se…led by La…s and long Prescription, were all suppressed by p…blick *27. H. 8. c … 3…. H, 8, c. 1….… …, …. …. 14.Acts of Parliament in a moment.
If any de…m the continuance of our Lorly Prelates necessary in regard of their presence in Parliaments, which some conceive cannot be held without the presence of these …ord… Spirituall.
I Answer, first, that Abbots and Priors before the dissolution of Mona…teries were Spirituall Lords in Parliament aswell as Bishops: since then Parliaments both may, have been, and are now held without Lord Abbots a…d …riors, they may by the same reason be held without Lo…d Bishops. Second…, B…shops sit n…t in Parliament of right as they are B…shops (for as Bishops, they are not *Cromptous Iurisdiction, …, 12, b, Stamford Plee. d…l Corone l, 3, c, 1, …, 153, …, 3, …, 3, p, 161, 33, 1…. …. Br, Trial, 142,prope…ly Peers, and shalbe tryed in case of Treason by a common Iury, as Scr…ope, Fisher, and Cranmer were) bu… as they hold of the King per (a) Baro…iam, in right of their Churches, which few of them at this day doe: Therfore their si…ting in Parliament is not of right, but of meere grace of the King, who may Sommon or not Sommon …hem at …is pleasure: sinc… they are no Lords, nor yet so stiled by the King, in any of their Paten…s; though they so in…itle themselves in some of their (b)Cromptons Iurisdiction of Courts, f, 12, b,late Prin…ed Books. Thirdly, In (c)Bishop White Bishop Morton, Arcshbishop Laud, and Bishop Hall, in the T… tles of …heir late Books,matters of Treason, Felony, blood and Capitall Crimes debated in Parliament, the Bishops both by Common and Canon Law o…ght not to give their votes, nor yet to be present in the house, but to depart, which no other Peeres doe …ut they:*io, E, 4, f, 6, Br, Crown 153, Stamford Plee…, l. … Pet…us …l… sonsis de Institat. Episc…pi …bl, Part, Tom, 12, p, 941, 943. If then the Parliament in these cases of highest na…ure may passe a compleat Iudgement without them, their presence is not necessary in it, nor they any needfull members of it. Four…hly, Bishops in former ages e…en under Popish Kings, when they had most sway, have been excluded Parliaments, much more then may they be so now: (c)Fox Acts and Monument… in the old Edition, p. 748. 901 905, 9…7 b 1706, b, i, 17, b,Gardner and Bonner in King Edwards dayes; and all Bishops that were married (as most then were) in the first Parliament in Queen Maries reigne were excluded the Parliament; and in King Edward the 1. his time at the Parliament held at S. Edmonds Bury, Anno 1296. all the Bishops were put out of the Parliament and Kings protection, and that Parliament held good and made Laws without them. And Anno 1273. in the 20. yeare of Henry the 3. the Statute of Merton cap. 9. to…ching Bastardy, was made by the Lords temporall and Commons without and against the consent of the Bishops. …h…se two Presiden…s are cited by Bishop Iewell in his Apology against *So Cr…mt…n quotes it. But it …s in his defence of hi. Apology, at pa…t 6 c. 2 p. 5, i 522Harding; f. 620. who there affirmes, that a Parliament may be held without any Bishops; to wh…ch *Crompto…s Iuri…diction of Cou…s f …9 b.Mr. Crompton, and Bishop Bilson likewise assent: therfore I shall no l…nger debate it, as being pas… all doubt; concluding this point in Bishop Bilsons words (a great Champion for Episcopa…y) which are full and notable. *Of the true dif…e…ence between Chri…ian …ubjection… and Antichristian …ebellion, pa…t 3, p, 541, 542, 543,Claime you (Bishops) that interest and prerogative, that without you nothing shalbe done in matters of Religion, by the Laws of God, or by the liberties of this Realm. By the Laws of the Land, have no such priviledge. Parliaments have been kept by the King and his Barons, THE CLERGIE WHOLLY EXCLVDED. And when the Bishops were present, their voyces from the Conquest to this day were never negative. …y Gods …aw you have nothing to doe with making Laws for Kingdome…, & Common-wealths: o… may teach, you may not command: P…rswasion is your part, compulsion is the Princes. I… Princes imbrace the Truth, you must obey them; If they pursue Truth, you must abide them. By what Authority then claime you this dominion over Princes; that their Laws for Religion shalbe voyd, unlesse you consent? After which he proves at larg…, that the Kings of Iudah and Israel of old, with many godly Christian Kings and Emperours since, have made not only Civil, but …cclesiasticall Laws without a Council, or any suffrage of Bishops: Much more then may they hold a Parliament without their presence; as Bishop Jewel proves at lange. It was a no…able Speech and true of Ludovicus Cardinall Arelatensis in the Councel of Basill;(q)For Acts & Monu…ent… Lond. 1…10… p… 624… 625… where he maintained the parity of Bishops and Presbyters: That rich and Lordly Bishops feare the power of the Prince, and to be spoyled of their temporalities, neither have they free liberty to speak as is required in Councels. Albeit if they were true Bishops and true Pastors of Soules, they would not doubt to put their lives in venture for their Sheep, nor be afraid to sh…d their blood for their Mother the Church. But at this present (the more is the pitty) it is too rare to find a Prelate in this world, which doth not prefer his temporalities before his Spiritualities, with the love whereof they are so withdrawn, that they study rather to please Princes then God; and confesse God in corners, but Princes they will openly confesse. Concluding …hat the poor are more apt to give judgement then the rich, because their riches bringeth feare, and their poverty causeth liberty. For the poore feare not tyranny as rich men do, who being given over to all kind of vanities, idlenesse and sloth, will rather deny Christ then lacke their accustomed pleasures; Such are they whom not their flock but their revenues make Bishops. Have ye not heard how they said, they would consent to the Kings will and pleasure? But the Inferiors are they which have had truth, righteousnesse and God himselfe before their eyes, and they are greatly to be commended for shewing themselves such men unto the Church of God. If …hen any desire the continuance of Lord Bishops in Church or Parliament, yet it wilbe necessary to strip them of their Temporalities and Lordships, and to confine them to one living with Cure, where they may reside and preach like other Ministers, because their Temporalities will make them Temporizers, and to vote amisse ag…nst God and the Republike both in Parliament and Convocation, as this Cardinall truly informs us from experience.
To close up all in a few words. I shall desire … …ordly Prelates and others to observe; that Rev. 4.4.10.11. c. 5, 6.11, 12.14. c. 7.11, 12, 13, 14… 15. c. 11.15, 19, 17, 18. c. 19.4, 5, 6. The 24 Elders are placed next in rank to the very throne of Christ, as being next to him in Authority and Iurisdiction, no Archb…shops or Bishops … ing there named, much lesse interposed between them. That the Angels (whom our Prelates will needs interpret …o be Diocesan Bishops in the 2d and 3d of the Revelation, though the Contents of our last …ranslated Bibles expresly define them, to be the Ministers, not Bishops, of the 7 Churches) stand round about the Elders, and are remoters from Christs throne then they… therfore not so honourable. That Christ standeth in the midst of the Elders; to signi…ie, that …hey are subject to no Diocesan Bishop, but Christ alone, and …hat no Lord Bishops, but Elders only belong to the Kingdome and Government of Christ, who is never said to be in the midst of Archbishop… and Bishops (none of his institution) but of the 24. Elder… only: That these Elders alone worship and prostrate themselves, give thanks, and resolve doubts upo… all occasions… not Bishops: And that when the Kingdomes of this world, become the Kingdome of o… Lord and his Christ, and when the Lord God omnipotent is said to raigne, the Elders are still said to be about Christs throne, and to adore and praise him, there being no mention at all of Bishops. Therfore our Prelates must needs confesse themselves to be but Elders only & properly; or else acknowldge, that Elders by divine …nstitution are Superiour to them in dignity… and that Archbishops and Bishops have no place at all appointed them by Christ about his throne, or with…n his Church and Kingdome, and therfore must needs be Antichristian and in…o…erable in our reformed Church; out of which I doubt not …re long to see them quite ejected, and Ma…. ….13.Luk. 14.35.cast unto the Dunghill as most unsavoury Salt; toward which d…sired good worke I presume this little Catalogue may con…ribute some assistance; especially if thou correct these ensuing Errors of the Printer, ere thou begin to read it, occasioned by the Authors absence, and the Printers unacquaintednesse with the Authors names the…ein recited: which slips of course find easie pardon.