Where as Satan's bishop hath been the overthrow of the Church and all Christian kingdoms, whose head is ⟨image 12⟩the Romaine Antichrist, it is to be looked unto of all hands, especially of all godly princes, that they at once abolish it, if they mind the reformation of the Church, and their own safety. As for the bishop ordained by man, & brought into the Church by little and little, whereby Satan made him a way for greater things, it had been tolerable, so that with all the ancient good laws providing for the resisting of the governing by some few, had been in their former force again. But besides, that the state of the world being quite changed, experience of so many ages doeth teach us too well, that unless this root also be plucked up, it will come to pass, that the same fruit will sprout and bud forth again. Finally, seeing the Lord hath so often decided this controversy of superiority among his own disciples, that he shut it clean out, seeing the rule both for doctrine & good order of the Church, is to be sought for out of the very writings of the apostles: & it is manifested, the churches then prospered, when all this authority of one man over the rest, yet ⟨image 13⟩was not, but as that grew up, so all things fell to decay. Finally, seeing where the remnants of this government by a few, are not clean taken away, the work of the Lord, is openly hindered: Our judgement is, that after the chasing away of this devise of man, the churches shall be well provided for, if they may be repaired according to the writings of the Apostles. And the reformation as it seemeth to us, consisteth herein, that first the whole kingdom is to be divided into regions. Again, the regions into parishes, either of Cities or country towns: that in places most fit, and of greatest assembly, be placed pastors, being lawfully propounded by the company of their own elders, to the kings christian majesty, or the deputies thereof, and allowed of all. Lastly, being received of their own people, over whom they are to be set, they be placed, promulgation having gone before: and that in every parish the pastor may have with him fit men to assist him, who also may, being watchful, salve up the offences not so weighty, leaving the other of ⟨image 13⟩greater importance, to the whole eldership.
Where as Sathans bishop hath bene the ouerthrowe of the Church and all Christian kingdomes, whose head is ⟨image 12⟩the Romaine Antichrist, it is to be looked vnto of all handes, especially of all godly princes, that they at once abolish it, if they minde the reformation of the Church, and their owne safetie. As for the bishop ordained by mā, & brought into the Churche by little and little, whereby Sathan made him a waye for greater thinges, it had beene tolerable, so that with all the ancient good lawes prouidyng for the resisting of the gouernyng by some few, had bene in their former force agayne. But besides, that the state of the world being quite changed, experience of so many ages doeth teach vs too well, that vnlesse this roote also be plucked vp, it wil come to passe, that the same fruite will sprout and bud forth again. Finally, seing the Lord hath so oftē decided this cōtrouersie of superiority among his own disciples, that he shut it cleane out, seing the rule both for doctrine & good order of the Church, is to bee sought for out of the very writings of the apostles: & it is manifested, the churches thē prospered, whē all this authoritie of one man ouer the rest, yet ⟨image 13⟩was not, but as that grew vp, so al things fell to decay. Finally, seeyng where the remnants of this gouernment by a few, are not cleane taken away, the woorke of the Lord, is openly hindered: Our iudgement is, that after the chasing away of this deuise of man, the churches shall be wel prouided for, if they may be repaired according to the writynges of the Apostles. And the reformation as it semeth to vs, consisteth herein, that first the whole kingdome is to bee deuided into regions. Agayne, the regions into parishes, either of Cities or countrey townes: that in places most fit, and of greatest assembly, be placed pastors, beyng lawfully propounded by the company of their owne elders, to the kinges christiā maiestie, or the deputies therof, and allowed of all. Lastly, beyng receyued of their own people, ouer whō they are to be set, they be placed, promulgation hauing gone before: and that in euery parish the pastour may haue with hym fit men to assist him, who also may, beyng watchfull, salue vp the offences not so waighty, leauyng the other of ⟨image 13⟩greater importance, to the whole eldership.
