Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

II. Note also that every Bishop had many Presbyters; whose work was not to strive for superiority, nor trouble the world in Councils (where usually they came not) and so had not a quarter of the temptations that the Bishops had: And though we find mention sometimes of the Presbyters also that were naught, yet the number so reproved and proved bad, is not proportionable to the number of Prelates compared among themselves, that miscarried in Councils. The Presbyters that staid at home and followed their work in private with the Flock, and came not on the Stage in public affairs, kept up the substance and practice of Religion.

II. Note also that every Bishop had many Presbyters; whose work was not to strive for superiority, nor trouble the world in Councils (where usually they came not) and so had not a quarter of the temptations that the Bishops had: And though we find mention sometimes of the Presbyters also that were naught, yet the number so reproved and proved bad, is not proportionable to the number of Prelates compared among themselves, that miscarried in Councils. The Presbyters that staid at home and followed their work in private with the Flock, and came not on the Stage in publick affairs, kept up the substance and practice of Religion.

III. And the private Christians had yet less temptation, and were not so overwhelmed with worldly things, nor carried away by pride and ambition and covetousness, as the ruling party were.

III. And the private Christians had yet less temptation, and were not so overwhelmed with worldly things, nor carryed away by pride and ambition and covetousness, as the ruling party were.

IV. And the Monks, and other retired Christians, that saw the Prelates sin and s•ares, (though many of them had their failings too, yet) no doubt kept up much serious piety, and a holy life.