Diotrephes Catechized, Title page
Diotrephes Catechised: OR Sixteen IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Touching the ECCLESIASTICAL Jurisdiction and Censures (contradistinct to Civill) now eagerly pretended to and challenged by a DIVINE Right, by some Over-rigid Presbyterians, and Independents. Propounded to both these Dissenting Parties, for the further Discovery of Truth; the Preservation of the Civill Christian Magistrates Interest, and speedier comprimising of our present unhappy Controversies touching CHURCH-Government: On which many now so over-dote, as to place the Whole Kingdome of Christ and substance of Religion therein; to repute all our former Reformation, a meere Nothing; the Church of Christ undone, and the exercise of their Ministry, not onelyonly fruitlesse but unlawfull, so as they cannot with good Conscience continue, but threaten to relinquish it, in case they cannot obtain their demands of such an Exorbitant power, by Divine Institution, which Christ and his Apostles never claimed, exercised, nor themselves, nor Predecessors, ever formerly enioyed, petitioned for, or pretended to in any age, but this.
Proposed; published by W. Prynne a Well-wisher to Verity and Vnity. The Second Edition with some Enlargements.
Lu. 22 24. 25. 26. Math. 20. 25. 26. 27.
And there was a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the Greatest. But Iesus called them unto him and said; ye know, that the Princes of the Gentiles Exercise Lordship (or Dominion) over them, and they that are great exercise Authority upon them; But it shall not be so among you; But whosoever will be Great among you, let him be your Servant; Even as the Sonne of man came, not to be Ministred unto, but to Minister.
1 Pet. 5. 2, 3, 5.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight, (or care) thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy luchre, but of a ready mind, Neither as over-ruling, (or being Lords over) Gods Heritage, but being ensamples to the flock: Yea all of you, be ye subject one to another, and be cloathed with humility; for God resisteth the Proud, and giveth Grace to the humble.
LONDON Printed For Michael Sparkes. Anno Dom. 1646.