A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's worship. Or a triplication unto. D.…A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's vvorship. Or a triplication unto. D.…

Ministers going to law for their places.

6. The question is, if this was known in the Primitive Church? It is rejoined 1. that Bishops were often in question at Synods, about their title to their places, which was as much. But 1. This was not in the Apostles time. 2. Questioning before Synods, about Ecclesiastical affairs, is of Ecclesiastical nature; going to law, not so. In Synods all things ought to be determined by Gods Word: at the Kings Bench, and Assizes, the Judges pronounce sentence by mans law. Yet the good ancient Bishops, were so far from seeking a title to their places, by Synodical judgement, that they withdrew themselves, as being afraid to have such a title put upon them, either by Churches or Synods: examples of which modesty, we have even in declining times, Basil, Gregory &c. A law we find also (Cod. de Epist. & Cler.) mentioning the same disposition:¹ The Prelate ought to be so far from ambition, that nothing but compulsion should draw him, though he be desired, let him give back, and when invited, let him shift, &c. For certainly he is unworthy the office of Priesthood, unless he be ordained unwillingly. Certainly, these men would never have sought those places by course of law, which they hardly accepted, being obtruded upon them. 2. The Rejoinder saith, Lawing about places ariseth upon the title of Patronage, a civill inheritance. Whereas the question is not from whence it ariseth, but if it appeared in the face of the Primitive Mother-Church? ⟨p. 416⟩This answer is as much as to say, our Church hath a special wound, or sore in her face, which the Primitive Church had not; and therefore must have a plaster upon it now, in those times unknown: that is, our face doth not lively represent that face, which is the question. Beside, if the lawing be necessary, about the Patrons civill title, what hath the Minister to do with it, except ambition or covetousness, doth cause him to take other mens business upon him, for his own advantage?