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…

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.