An account of all the proceedings of the commissioners of both persuasions appointedAn accompt of all the proceedings of the commissioners of both persvvasions appointed

But yet, 1. The humblest, surest Subjects may stumble upon the scruple, whether Bishops differ not from Presbyters only in degree, and not in order or office, (it being a Controversy, and no resolved point of Faith even among the Papists, whose Faith is too extensive, and favour too Ecclesiastical, ambition too great) and consequently they may doubt whether men in the same order, do by Divine appointment owe obedience unto those that gradually go before them. 2. And they may scruple whether such making themselves the Governors of their Brethren, make not themselves indeed of a different order of office, and so encroach not on the authority of Christ, who only maketh Officers purely Ecclesiastical; and whether it be no disloyalty to Christ to own such Officers. 3. And among those Divines that are for a threefold Episcopacy, (besides that of Presbyters, who are Episcopi Gre•is) viz. general unfixed Bishops, like the Evangelists or Apostles, (in their measure) and the fixed Bishops of Parochial Churches, that have Presbyters to assist them, to whom they do preside, and also the Presidents of larger Synods; yet is it a matter of very great doubt, whether a fixed Diocesan being the Pastor of many hundred ⟨p. 11⟩Churches, having none under him, that hath the power of Jurisdiction or Ordination, be indeed a Governor of Christs appointment or approbation; and whether Christ will give us any more thanks for owning them as such, then the King will give us for owning a• Usurper. Humility alone will not seem to subject these men to such a Government. 4. And though their coercive Magistratical power be easily submitted to, as from the King, (how unfit Subjects soever Church-men are of such a power) yet he that knoweth his superiors best, doth honour God more, and supposeth God more infallible then man, and will feel himself most indispensably bound by Gods commands, and bound not to obey man against the Lord. And whereas there is much said against the peoples taking on them to judge of the lawfulness of things commanded them by superiors, we add, 5. That humble men may believe that their superiors are fallible; that it is no impossibility to command things that God forbids; that in such cases, if we have sufficient means to discern the sinfulness of such commands, we must make use of them, and must obey God rather then men;

But yet, 1. The humblest, surest Subjects may stumble upon the scruple, whether Bishops differ not from Presbyters onely in degree, and not in order or office, (it being a Controversie, and no resolved point of Faith even among the Papists, whose Faith is too extensive, and favor too Ecclesiastical, ambition too great) and consequently they may doubt whether men in the same order, do by Divine appointment owe obedience unto those that gradually go before them. 2. And they may scruple whether such making themselves the Governours of their Brethren, make not themselves ineed of a different order of office, and so encroach not on the authority of Christ, who onely maketh Officers purely Ecclesiastical; and whether it be no disloyalty to Christ to own such Officers. 3. And among those Divines that are for a threefold Episcopacy, (besides that of Presbyters, who are Episcopi Greis) viz. general unfixed Bishops, like the Evangelists or Apostles, (in their measure) and the fixed Bishops of Parochial Churches, that have Presbyters to assist them, to whom they do preside, and also the Presidents of larger Synods; yet is it a matter of very great doubt, whether a fixed Diocesan being the Pastor of many hundred