The Unlawfulness and Danger of Limited Prelacy, Title page – To the reader
THE VNLAWFVLNES AND DANGER OF LIMITED PRELACIE, OR PERPETVALL PRECIDENCIE IN THE CHVRCH, Briefly diſcovered.
3 Iohn 9.
Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence receiveth us not.
Ambitio non patitur quemquam in ea menſura honorum conquieſcere, quae quondam fuit ejus impudens votum. Seneca de beneficiis. Lib. 2.
Ambition ſuffereth no man to reſt in that meaſure of honours, which ſometimes was his impudent wiſh.
Printed in the yeare 1641.
To the READER.
THE cauſes which to this day have hindred the determination of this unhappy controverſie about Church government in the Reformed Churches, are no other: But firſt, The Iudgement of God puniſhing the unthankfulneſſe of this Age, for the incomparable benefit of the Goſpell; and in great wiſdome and loving kindneſſe, trying and exerciſeing his Church, that they who are approved may be made manifeſt. And ſecondly, The corruption of the heart of man, loving preeminence, and preferring himſelfe to his Brethren, which maketh him, although but a Bramble in compariſon of the Olive-tree, the Figge-tree and the Vine, to ſay and to make others to ſpeake in the eares of men, Whether is better for you, either that all the Sons of Jerubbaal (which are threeſcore and ten perſons) reigne over you, or that one reigne over you? and upon this followeth the blindneſſe and error of the minde, in depending more upon the prejudice of cuſtome and conſtitutions of men then upon the judgement of Scripture to be beleeved for it ſelfe. Yet hath the Lord his owne appointed time for ending of Controverſies; and if the period of this debate be now approaching (as it appeareth to him who looketh with obſervation to the working of God, the inſolencie of the Prelates, and the Prayers and deſires of the people) a few of the many conſiderations preſſed in former times will, by the bleſsing of God, prove ſufficient and effectuall for determination. They who are acquainted with the Reformation here, and in other Nations, will not much mervell, when the Winter is paſt, and the ſpring time commeth; That with the ſweet breathings of Zephyrus, at ſometimes there be whirlewinds and contrary blaſts; and when the Flowers appeare upon the earth, that the weeds alſo ſet up their heads. But the diligent hand of the faithfull Labourers, will purge the Vine-yard of theſe noyſome Herbs, which have taken rooting in the time of Prelacy. That this Prelacy may be removed root and branch, and the Miniſtery of Chriſt be eſtabliſhed in purity and power, is the purpoſe of this paper; and the Prayer of the writer for the welfare of Sion.