In all thes places which the Ans. hath brought out off 1Cyprian / Eusebius / Socrates / it is manifest that one bishop, is opposed unto heretic bishops. Whereby may appear how like it is which I have alleged / that by one bishop / is understanded not the unity off number / but off truth in religion. And that there be no doubt hereof / let Cyprian's words be considered. That 2there should be an other altar appointed, and a new priesthood besides one altar, and one priesthood, it can not be. Whatsoever he be which gathereth inn an other place, scattereth: it is adulterous, it is wicked, it is sacrilege, whatsoever the rage off men doth institute, whereby the ordinance off God is broken. Now except the Ans. will say it is wicked / against the word of God / adulterous / to have two bishops in one city: it must follow that Cyprian's words do not bar many bishops to be in one city. And what if it be showed / that not only in Cyprian's time / but in Cyprian's church there were divers bishops? Augustine speaking of the Donatists / which separated them selves from the church / for that they saw certain faults unpunished therein / saith: How did then Cyprian, and other the Lords corn in that church (meaning Carthage) of unity eat the Lords bread, 3and drink his cup, not with the people only, or common sort off the Clergy: but with the bishops themselves, which were covetous catchers, and which shall not possess the kingdom off heaven? I would gladly understand what Bishops ⟨p. DLIIII⟩they were like to be / with whom Cyprian did celebrate the supper off the Lord. were they not Bishops off the church off Carthage? If they were: it appeareth I have not so vainly expounded Cyprian / as the Ans. would bear his reader in hand. And although the D. be not able to prove / that there was but one only bishop in a city in Chrysostom's time: yet I grant that was observed in the most places.
In all thes places which the Ans. hath browght owt off 1Cyprian / Eusebius / Socrates / it is manifest that one bishop, is opposed vnto heretick bishops. Whereby may appeare how like it is which I haue alledged / that by one bishop / is vnderstanded not the vnitie off nombre / but off truth in religion. And that there be no doubt hereof / let Cyprians wordes be considered. That 2there should be an other altar appointed, and a nevv priesthood besides one altar, and one priesthood, it can not be. VVhatsoeuer he be vvhich gathereth īn an other place, scattereth: yt is adulterous, yt is vvicked, yt is sacriledge, vvhatsoeuer the rage off men doth institute, vvherby the ordinance off God is broken. Now except the Ans. will say it is wicked / against the word of God / adulterous / to haue two bishops in one citie: yt must follow that Cyprians wordes doo not bar many bishops to be in one citie. And what if it be shewed / that not onely in Cyprians time / but in Cyprians church there were diuers bishops? Augustine speaking of the Donatistes / which seperated them selues from the church / for that they saw certein faultes vnpunished therin / saith: Hovv did then Cyprian, and other the Lordes corne in that church (meaning Carthage) of vnitie eate the Lordes breade, 3and drink his cup, not vvith the people onely, or commen sort off the Clergie: but vvith the bishops themselues, vvhich vvere couetous ketchers, and vvhich shall not possesse the kingdome off heauen? I woulde gladly vnderstand what Bishops ⟨p. DLIIII⟩they were like to be / with vvhom Cyprian did celebrate the supper off the Lord. were they not Bishops off the churche off Carthage? If they were: it appeareth I haue not so vainly expounded Cyprian / as the Ans. would beare his reader in hand. And althowgh the D. be not able to proue / that ther was but one onely bishop in a citie in Chysostomes time: yet I graunt that was obserued in the moste places.
- 1Divis. 13. pag. 365.Diuis. 13. pag. 365.
- 2Cypri. Epist. 8. li. 1.
- 3August. 3. li ad Parm. 2. ca.
