The judgement of a most reverend and learned man from beyond the seas concerning…The iudgement of a most reuerend and learned man from beyond the seas concerning…

The first question.

Seeing that there are ordained in several Churches, several pastors and ministers, and the authority of all Christs ministers in the Church seem to be equal: Whether the office of the bishops be necessary in the church to procure meetings when occasion serveth, admission to the ministry, and removing from the place upon just causes: or whether all the ministers having equal authority, and not under the authority ⟨image 12⟩of any superior bishop, ought to choose fit men with the consent of the Patron who enjoyeth the benefice, and the people themselves, as also to correct & remove from the charge. And the manners of the people themselves, who can hardly or not at all be kept in obedience without the bridle of the bishops authority, which may run through in visiting of the Churches of the province, may put us in mind to retain such bishops. Again, so often as there shall be dealing in matters touching the safety of the common wealth in the solemn assemblies of the land, according to the laws which the kingdom hath of a long use and custom received, there can be nothing established without the bishops, who have the third room and place in the kingdom, which to take away, or wholly to put down, would be very dangerous to the Common wealth.

Seeyng that there are ordayned in seuerall Churches, seuerall pastors and ministers, and the authority of all Christes ministers in the Church seeme to be equall: Whether the office of the bishops be necessary in the church to procure meetings when occasion serueth, admission to the ministerie, and remoouyng from the place vpon iust causes: or whether all the ministers hauyng equall authoritie, and not vnder the authoritie ⟨image 12⟩of any superiour bishop, ought to chuse fit men with the consent of the Patron who enioyeth the benefice, and the people thēselues, as also to correct & remoue frō the charge. And the maners of the people thēselues, who can hardly or not at all be kept in obedience without the bridle of the bishops authority, which may runne through in visityng of the Churches of the prouince, may put vs in mynd to retaine such bishops. Againe, so often as there shalbe dealing in matters touchyng the safetie of the common wealth in the solemne assemblies of the land, accordyng to the laws which the kingdome hath of a long vse and custome receiued, there can be nothing established without the bishops, who haue the third roume and place in the kingdome, which to take away, or wholy to put downe, would bee very dangerous to the Common wealth.