Diotrephes Catechized 2, Title page
Diotrephes Catechised: OR Sixteen IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Touching the ECCLESIASTICAL Iurisdiction 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 D…ssenting Parties, for the further Discovery of Truth; the pres…rvation of the Civill Christian Magistrates Interest, and speedier comprimising of our present unhappie Controversies touching CHURCH-Government. On which many so over-dote, as to place the whole Kingdome of Christ and substance of Religion therein; to repute all our former Reformation, a meer nothing, the Church of Christ undone, and the exercise of their Ministry, not only fruitlesse but unlawfull, so as they cannot with good Conscience continue, but threaten to relinquish it, in case they cannot obtaine their demands of such an Exorbitant power, by Divine Jnstitution, which Christ and his Apostles never claimed, exercised, nor themselves, nor Predecessors, ever formerly enjoyed, petitioned for, or pretended to in any age, but this.
Proposed, published by W. Pryn, a Well-wisher to Verity and Unitie. The third Edition with some Enlargments.
LUKE 22.24, 25, 26. MAT. 20.25, 26, 27.
And there was a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the Greatest. But Jesus called them unto him and said; ye know, that the Princes of the Gentiles Exerc…se Lordship (or Dominion) over them, and they that are great exercise Authority upon them; But it shall be so among you; But whosoever will not bee Great among you, let him be your Se…vant; 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 flocke: Yea all of you, be yee subject one to another, and be cloathed with humility; for God resisteth the Proud, and giveth Grace to the humble.
London, Printed for Michael Sparke. Anno Dom. 1646.