One equal power or function, is given to all ministers of the Church. 1Doubtless in the beginning Bishops or Elders, ruled the church alike, one helping an other, none preferring him self before other, or usurping greater authority or dominion, over their fellow Bishops. For they were mindful of their master his words: He that will among you be chief, let him be your servant. They kept them selves in humility, and helped one an ⟨p. 63⟩2other in governing, and preserving the Church. Howbeit for order sake, 3some one appointed of the ministers, summoned their convocations, and in their assemblies, proposed things to be deliberated upon, gathered also other mens minds, and to be short, did what in him lay, to provide that matters, should not be handled confusedly, and without order. So we read that saint Peter did in the Acts of the Apostles, who notwithstanding, was not extolled above other, nor of greater authority then the residue. For right well Cyprian the martyr affirmeth, 4in his book of the simplicity of the Clergy: Such were the other Apostles, as Peter was, of like fellowship, of like honour and power: But the beginning between them, proceedeth of one unity; to the end that we may know, that there is but one Church. S. Jerome also writeth not much unlike 5words, in his commentary upon the Epistle of Paul to Titus, saying: Before that by the Devils enticement, there was strife in religion, Churches ⟨image 109⟩were governed by the common counsel of the elders: but after each manner thought those, whom he baptised to be his own, and not Christs, it was decreed, that one of the Elders should be chosen, and preferred above the other, to whom all the care of the Church, should appertain, and by whose wisdom, all occasions of schisms might be taken away. Yet Jerome boasteth not of this Decree, as though it were godly, for immediately he addeth: As Elders know, by the custom of the Church, that they are subject to him, who is their overseer, so let Bishops know that they, more by custom, than by the Lords ordinance, are in greater authority then the elders, and that the Church ought to be ruled in common by other, as well as by them. Thus much Jerome. Therefore no man by right may let us to return, to that old government of God his church, and to receive it before the custom of man.
One equall power or functiō, is geuen to all ministers of the Churche. 1Doubtles in the beginnyng Bisshops or Elders, ruled the churche alike, one helping an other, none preferring him self before other, or vsurpyng greater aucthoritie or dominion, ouer their felowe Bisshops. For thei were myndfull of their maister his woordes: He that will emong you be chief, let hym be your seruaunte. Thei kepte theim selues in humilitie, and helped one an ⟨p. 63⟩2other in gouernyng, and preseruyng the Churche. Howbeit for order sake, 3some one appoincted of the ministers, sommoned their conuocacions, and in their assemblies, proposed thynges to bee deliberated vpon, gathered also other mennes myndes, and to be short, did what in hym laye, to prouide that matters, should not be handled confusely, and without order. So wee reade that sainct Peter did in the Actes of the Apostles, who notwithstandyng, was not extolled aboue other, nor of greater aucthoritie then the residewe. For right well Cyprian the martyre affirmeth, 4in his booke of the simplicitie of the Clergie: Such wer the other Apostles, as Peter was, of like felowship, of like honour and power: But the beginnyng betwene theim, procedeth of one vnitie; to the ende that wee maie knowe, that there is but one Churche. S. Ierome also writeth not muche vnlike 5wordes, in his commentarie vpō the Epistle of Paule to Titus, saiyng: Before that by the Deuils intisemēt, there was strief in religion, Churches ⟨image 109⟩were gouerned by the common counsaile of thelders: but after eche maner thought those, whom he baptised to bée his owne, and not Christes, it was decréed, that one of the Elders should bée chosen, and preferred aboue the other, to whom all the care of the Churche, should appertain, and by whose wisedome, all occasions of schismes might bée taken awaie. Yet Ierome boasteth not of this Decree, as though it were godlie, for immediately he addeth: As Elders knowe, by the custome of the Churche, that thei are subiecte to hym, who is their ouerseer, so let Bisshops knowe that thei, more by custome, thā by the Lordes ordinaunce, are in greater auctoritie then the elders, and that the Churche ought to bee ruled in comen by other, as well as by thē. Thus muche Ierome. Therefore no man by right maie lette vs to retourne, to that olde gouernement of God his church, and to receiue it before the custome of manne.
- 1Equal power is given to the ministers.Equall power is gyuen to the ministers.
- 2Luke. xxii.
- 3Howe & when one minister is preferred before other▪Howe & whē one minister is preferred before other▪
- 4Cyprian.
- 5Jerome.Ierome.
