Concerning the place alleged,1 S. Hierome in an Epistle to Evagrius speaking against that, a particular custom of the Church of Rome should Prejudicate the Authority of the whole world, in preferring Deacons before Priests, compareth Bishops of great Cities and little Townes together, and saith, that as touching the Honour, Dignity, and Power of Bishoply Order and Office. and of Priesthood, as good and as great a Bishop in that respect is the One, as the other: and that the Bishop of Eugubium, and Rhegium, two little Townes in Italy, and of Thebes an other little Town in Egypt, are Bishops and Priests, and have as great* Merit in regard of any their Virtues, and as great Power concerning the order of Priesthood, as the Bishops of Rome, of Constantinople, of Alexandria. Yet as touching Power and Authority of regiment, the Patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antiochia be above Bishops of other Dioceses, and the Bishop of Rome Peters Successor is* above all. For we being many are one Body in Christ, and every man among our selves one an others members. This knot requireth a mutual consent of the whole Bod•e, but chiefly the concord of Priests:4 among whom although dignity be not common to them all, yet order is general, as Leo writeth. For even among the most Blessed Apostles (saith he) in likeness of Honour there was odds of Power. And whereas the Election of them all was equal, yet to One was it given to be over the rest. Out of which plot rose the distinction also of Bishops, and with ⟨p. 109⟩great Providence it hath been disposed,5 that all should not take all upon them, but that in every province there should be one, who might first give his sentence among his brethren: and again that in the great Cities some should be ordained for taking upon them matters of greater care, through whom the charge of the universal Church should have course to the one see of Peter, and that nothing should ever dissent from the Head.
Concerninge the place alleged,1 S. Hierome in an Epistle to Euagrius speakinge against that, a particular custome of the Churche of Rome shoulde Preiudicate the Auctoritie of the whole worlde, in preferringe Deacons before Priestes, compareth Bishoppes of great Cities and litle Townes togeather, and saithe, that as touchinge the Honour, Dignitie, and Power of Bishoply Order and Office. and of Priesthood, as good and as greate a Bishop in that respect is the One, as the other: and that the Bishop of Eugubium, and Rhegium, two litle Townes in Italie, and of Thebes an other litle Towne in Egypte, are Bishoppes and Priestes, and haue as greate* Merite in regarde of any their Vertues, and as greate Power concerninge the order of Priesthood, as the Bishoppes of Rome, of Constantinople, of Alexandria. Yet as touchinge Power and Auctoritie of regiment, the Patriarkes of Constantinople, Alexandria, and Antiochia be aboue Bishoppes of other Dioceses, and the Bishop of Rome Peters Successour is* aboue al. For we beinge many are one Body in Christe, and euery man amonge our selues one an others members. This knotte requireth a mutual consent of the whole Bod•e, but chiefly the concorde of Priestes:4 amonge whome although dignitie be not common to them al, yet order is general, as Leo writeth. For euen among the moste Blessed Apostles (saithe he) in likenesse of Honour there was oddes of Power. And whereas the Election of them al was equal, yet to One was it geuen to be ouer the reste. Out of whiche platte rose the distinction also of Bishoppes, and with ⟨p. 109⟩greate Prouidence it hath benne disposed,5 that al shoulde not take al vpon them, but that in euery prouince there shoulde be one, who might firste geue his sentence amonge his brethren: and againe that in the greate Citties some shoulde be ordeined for takinge vpon them matters of greater care, through whome the charge of the vniuersal Churche shoulde haue course to the one see of Peter, and that nothinge shoulde euer dissent from the Head.
- 1Hieromes place discussed.
- *This was no part of the question.This vvas no parte of the questiō.
- *Untruth: For the B. of Rome is equal with the other four Patriarchs, as shall appear.Vntruth: For the B. of Rome is equal vvith the other foure Patriarkes, as shal appeare.
- 4Epist. 84. Among Bishops is difference of Power with likeness of Honour.Epist. 84. Amonge Bishoppes is difference of Povver vvith likenesse of Honour.
- 5Equality of Bishops.Equalitie of Bishoppes.
