The Diocesans Trial, Part 2 · Argument 2
The second Argument.
Such Pastors as the seven Angels, Christ ordained. But such were Diocesan Bishop…. Ergo. The assumption proved. Those who were of singular preheminency amongst other Pastors, and had corrective power over all others in their Churches, they were Diocesan bishops. But the Angels were singular persons in every Church, having Ecclesi…sticall preheminence and superiority of power. E…go, they were Diocesan bishops. The assumption is proved. Those who were shadowed by seven singular Starres, were seven singular persons. But the Angels were so. Ergo. Againe, Those to whom onelyonly Christ did write, who onelyonly bare the praise, dispraise, threatning, in regard of what was in th… Church amisse, or otherwise: they had Majority of power above others. But these Angels are written to onelyonly, they are onelyonly praised, dispraised, threatned. Ergo. &c.
Answ. 1. In the two first syllogismes the assumption is denyed. Secondly, in the first Prosyllogisme the consequence of the pr…position is denied, That they must needs be seven singular persons. For seven singular starres may signifie seven Vnites, whether singular or aggregative: seven pluralities of persons who are so united as if they were one. And it is frequent in Scripture to note by a unity, a united multitude. Thirdly, the consequence of the proposition of the last prosyllogisme is denyed. For though we should suppose singular persons written to, yet a preheminency in order and greater authority, without majority of power, is reason enough why they should be written to singularly, and blamed, or praised above other. Thus the Master of a Colledge, though he have no negative voyce, might be written to, and blamed for the misdemeanours of his Colledge, not that he hath a power over-ruling all: but because such is his dignity, that did he doe his endeavour in dealing with, and perswading others, there is no disorder which he might not see redressed. Fourthly, againe the assumption may be denyed: That they are onelyonly written to. For though they are onelyonly named, yet the whole Churches are written to in them; the supereminent member of the Church by a Synecdoche put for the whole Church. For it was the custome in the Apostles times, and long after, that not any singular persons, but the whole Churches were written unto, as in Pauls Epistles is manifest, and in many examples Ecclesiasticall. And that this was done by Christ here, the Epiphonemaes testifie. Let every one beare what the spirit speaketh to the Churches.