A09952:43
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 judgement of a most reverend and learned man from beyond the seas concerning a threefold order of bishops, with a declaration of certain other weighty points, concerning the discipline and government of the Church.The iudgement of a most reuerend and learned man from beyond the seas concerning a threefold order of bishops, with a declaration of certaine other waightie points, concerning the discipline and gouernement of the Church.
London: printed by Robert Waldegrave, 1585
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It is necessary that the Councils of the provinces be divided for many causes, & except there be other urgent causes, they would be appointed rather every half year then quarterly, least in discoursing of matters, they spend the time in vain. And it will be best for the avoiding of ambition, that the Council be not always assembled in the same place of every province: but as soon as one half years Synod is discussed, it may be determined by common consent, where shall be the place of the next following. It will be very well that two of every seigniory of the province, chosen by common voices, and sent with some commission, be present at these councils: one a pastor, and the other an Elder or a Deacon. Neither would we have any strife about sitting, who should sit first or last, but every one to sit, as it shall fall out without any contention, and the judgement to be given as any one shall sit.
It is necessary that the Councels of the prouinces be deuided for many causes, & except there be other vrgent causes, they would be appoynted rather euery halfe yeere then quarterly, least in discoursing of matters, they spende the tyme in vayne. And it will bee best for the auoyding of ambition, that the Councell be not alwayes assembled in the same place of euery prouince: but as soone as one halfe yeeres Synode is discussed, it may be determined by cō mon consent, where shal be the place of the next followyng. It will be very well that two of euery seignorie of the prouince, chosen by common voyces, and sent with some commission, be present at these councels: one a pastor, and the other an Elder or a Deacon. Neyther would we haue any strife about sitting, who should sitte first or last, but euery one to sit, as it shall fall out without any contention, and the iudgement to bee giuen as any one shall sit.
Now, he that shall govern the whole action, who was chosen for this one thing by common consent of voice, the ⟨image 17⟩chief pastor of the place, being in the beginning President, which office shall end, when the Council shall be ended. There are no matters in question to be propounded to these Councils to take knowledge of, but such as are more spiritual & belong to that province, where they are to be decided without appeal by the word of God, & the rules there set down, without any brabbling or disturbance of the company. Yet if any great private controversy shall fall out in the provincial Synod, where some may think that he hath cause to complain of injury done unto him, he may put up his complaint to be decided in a general council, when it shall be thought good to assemble it.