A Golden Chain

The duty of ministers when they are dying is, as much as they can, to cast & provide for the continuance of the good estate of the Church over which they are placed. Consider the example of Peter:¹ I will (saith he) endeavour always, that ye also may be able to have remembrance of these things after my departure. If this had been well observed, there could not have bin such abundance of schisms, errors, and heresies as hath been, and the Church of God could not have suffered so great havoc. But because men have had more care to maintain personal succession, then the right succession, which stands in the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles; therefore wolves have come into the rooms of faithful teachers,² and the Apostasy of which Paul speaks, hath overspread the face of the Church.

The dutie of ministers whē they are dying is, as much as they can, to cast & prouide for the continuance of the good estate of the Church ouer which they are placed. Consider the example of Peter:¹ I will (saith hee) indeauour alwaies, that ye also may be able to haue remembrance of these things after my departure. If this had beene well obserued, there could not haue bin such aboundance of schismes, errors, and heresies as hath beene, and the Church of God could not haue suffered so great hauocke. But because men haue had more care to maintaine personall succession, then the right succession, which stands in the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles; therfore wolues haue come into the roomes of faithfull teachers,² and the Apostasie of which Paul speakes, hath ouerspread the face of the Church.

1. 12. Pet. 1. 15.
2. 2Act. 20. 28. 2. Th. 2.2