1There rest yet Bishops so called of them, to wit, which are set in every diocese above ministers (for the other inferior orders, these pleaders of succession, nothing esteem,) whose only succession nevertheless, hath some show of Apostolical succession. But it may plainly appear, out of the first Epistle to the Corinth: not only that there was no such degree of Bishops ordained by the Apostles, as immediately afterward was brought into the Church, after the times of the apostles: neither that there was any such allowed of the Apostle, to wit, that there should be one degree of a bishop, and an other of a minister, or that some man should be called a Bishop, not in respect of a flock, but in respect of his fellow elders. For who doubteth, but that ⟨image 21⟩the Apostle, would have given this counsel unto the Corinthians, or himself would have performed it, or have attributed it to Caephas or Apollo, if (which thing Hierome hath written to Evagrius, and in his commentaries upon the first Epistle to Titus) he had judged this remedy profitable, much more necessary, for the bridling of Schisms? But whether it were lawful, to ordain this degree in the Church, or not (for of this I like not now to dispute) that thing is not only apparent out of Hierom, upon the epistle to Titus, ye Bishops are greater than ministers, rather by custom, than by the truth of the Lords appointment: But also by witnesses which these men (as greater than all exception), are accustomed to allege, as Lucius the Pope, Clement the second, Anacletus (unless their Epistles be rather counterfeit, which yet these men cite for authentical.) Lombard in his fourth book of sentences the 24. distinct: Gratian, and to be short Cardinal Cusan, in his book of the universal unity, & Platina, in the life of Pope Bonifacius the third: all which plainly ⟨image 22⟩witness, that all this Hierarchical or priestlike government above ministers was devised by men, after the example of the Roman empire, that is to say, that it is the true Image of the beast, described in the revelation of John. 2For whose cause some, in the beginning also did travail which meant not to perform that which afterward ensued. The thing it self in fine, taught us, that it was a matter of great importance to decline, even but a nails breadth from the word of God.
1There rest yet Bishoppes so called of them, to wit, which are set in euerie diocesse aboue ministers (for the other inferiour orders, these pleaders of succession, nothing esteeme,) whose onely succession neuerthelesse, hath some shew of Apostolicall succession. But it maye plainely apeare, out of the firste Epistle to the Corinth: not onely that there was no suche degree of Bishops ordeyned by the Apostles, as immediatly afterward was brought into the Church, after the times of ye apostles: neither yt ther was any such allowed of the Apostle, to wit, yt ther should be one degree of a bishop, and an other of a minister, or that some man should be called a Bishoppe, not in respect of a flock, but in respect of his fellow elders. For who doubteth, but that ⟨image 21⟩the Apostle, woulde haue gyuen this counsel vnto the Corinthians, or himselfe woulde haue perfourmed it, or haue attributed it to Caephas or Apollo, if (which thing Hierome hath written to Euagrius, and in his commentaries vpon the first Epistle to Titus) he had iudged this remedie profitable, much more necessarie, for the brydling of Schismes? But whether it were lawfull, to ordayne this degree in the Church, or not (for of this I like not nowe to dispute) that thing is not only apparant out of Hierom, vpon ye epistle to Titus, ye Bishops are greater than ministers, rather by custome, than by the truth of the Lords appoyntment: But also by witnesses which these men (as greater than all exception), are accustomed to alleadge, as Lucius ye Pope, Clement the second, Anacletus (vnlesse their Epistles be rather counterfaite, which yet these men cite for authenticall.) Lombard in his fourth booke of sentences the 24. distinct: Gratian, and to be short Cardinall Cusan, in his booke of the vniuersall vnitie, & Platina, in the life of Pope Bonifacius ye third: al which plainly ⟨image 22⟩witnesse, that all this Hierarchicall or priestlike gouernment aboue ministers was deuised by men, after the example of the Roman empyre, that is to say, that it is the true Imag• of the beast, described in the reuelalion of Iohn. 2For whose cause some, in the beginning also did trauaile which ment not to performe that which afterward insued. The thing it selfe in fine, taught vs, that it was a matter of great importance to decline, euen but a nailes bredth from the word of God.
- 1The degree of Bishops wherein they are exalted above the rest of the Ministers or Pastors, was unknown to the Apostles and therefore that there is no Apostolical succession thereof.The degree of Bishopps wherin they are exalted aboue the rest of the Ministers or Pastors, was vnknowen to the Apostles and therfore that there is no Apostolicall succession therof.
- 2Revel. 13.1. Revel, 14.9.Reuel. 13.1. Reuel, 14.9.
