As to Bishops, they seem to agree, that some knowledge of the Scripture is requisite in them, and some venture to say a full and perfect knowledge of the old new Testament signified by their Mitres; the two Horns whereof mystically demonstrate, that they understand the two Testaments both alike. And indeed since their Prelates Secular and Regular, have honour, power and plenty by the Papal contrivement, and hopes of more and greater than other professions can offer: their interest ties them so fast to it, that they may trust them (if any) with the sight of the word of God securely; and not fear that any discovery of Popish corruptions, through such a Medium, will make any impressions on them to their prejudice; or move them to believe, or act any thing against that which is so much themselves; there is no such danger in admitting these to some acquaintance with Scripture as others, who have no expectations from Religion, but for their Souls and Eternity. Nevertheless their Rules which seem to make this knowledge necessary for Bishops; are rather Counsels, than precepts, they are cautious, and will not press this too much: (for conscience enlightened sometimes proves too hard for secular interest.) And their Prelates may be easily dispensed with, if they be ignorant of Scripture, or have little notice of it. It's one of Sylvesters and Angelus questions (r)whether an ignorant Bishop sin mortally, if in his Ordination being asked whether he understand the whole Bible, he should affirm he does? this he so resolves after Richardus a Sancto victore. If the Bishop be so ignorant, that he knows not in general the Commands of God, the Articles of faith, what are virtues & ⟨p. 82⟩vices, and which the Sacraments; then he so sins, he lies perniciously. Leaving us to judge that he doth not thus lye; when he solemnly affirms, that he hath as much knowledge of the old and new Testament, as the Church of Rome requires in a Bishop: if he do but know the Creed, the Ten Commandments; which are virtues and vices, and which are Sacraments, and have but some general perception of these. They will not have the Bishops burdened with too much Scripture-learning, since every Child they confirm, should have no less than this.
As to Bishops, they seem to agree, that some knowledge of the Scripture is requisite in them, and some venture to say a full and perfect knowledge of the old new Testament signified by their Mitres; the two Horns whereof mystically demonstrate, that they understand the two Testaments both alike. And indeed since their Praelates Secular and Regular, have honour, power and plenty by the Papal contrivement, and hopes of more and greater than other professions can offer: their interest tyes them so fast to it, that they may trust them (if any) with the sight of the word of God securely; and not fear that any discovery of Popish corruptions, through such a Medium, will make any impressions on them to their prejudice; or move them to believe, or act any thing against that which is so much themselves; there is no such danger in admitting these to some acquaintance with Scripture as others, who have no expectations from Religion, but for their Souls and Eternity. Nevertheless their Rules which seem to make this knowledge necessary for Bishops; are rather Counsels, than precepts, they are cautious, and will not press this too much: (for conscience enlightned sometimes proves too hard for secular interest.) And their Praelates may be easily dispensed with, if they be ignorant of Scripture, or have little notice of it. It's one of Sylvesters and Angelus questions (r)whether an ignorant Bishop sin mortally, if in his Ordination being asked whether he understand the whole Bible, he should affirm he does? this he so resolves after Richardus a Sancto victore. If the Bishop be so ignorant, that he knowes not in general the Commands of God, the Articles of faith, what are vertues & ⟨p. 82⟩vices, and which the Sacraments; then he so sins, he lyes pernitiously. Leaving us to judge that he doth not thus lye; when he solemnly affirms, that he hath as much knowledge of the old and new Testament, as the Church of Rome requires in a Bishop: if he do but know the Creed, the Ten Commandements; which are vertues and vices, and which are Sacraments, and have but some general perception of these. They will not have the Bishops burthened with too much Scripture-learning, since every Child they confirm, should have no less than this.
- (r)Utrum peccet mortaliter Episcopus ignorans respon lendo in ordinatione sua cum interrogatur utrum sciat novum & vetus Testamentum: quod scit. Resp. secundum Rich. quod sic. si est ita ignarus quod nesciat in generali. mandata Dei, articulos fid•i, virtutes & vitia, e•iam sacramenta, quoniam tunc mentitur perniciose. Angel. sum. v. episc. n. 26. Sylv. ibid. n. 5.
