The world that now is; and the world that is to comeThe vvorld that now is; and the vvorld that is to come

I would not be misunderstood, therefore I will take liberty to tell the Reader, That this Priority, Presidence, and Pre-eminence of any one Bishop above other Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Presbyters, or Elders, and Ministers of Christ, is not any Lordly Prelacy, with coercive Power over the Conscience, or Dominion over the Faith of God's Clergy: For the holy Apostles did approve themselves to every Mans Conscience in the sight of God, 2 Cor. 4.1, 2. not having Dominion over their Faith, 2 Cor. 1.24. Neither as being Lords over God's Clergy, or Heritage, 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3. But I mean and intend any one of the Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Presbyters, or Elders, who are, or shall by the Consent, Approbation and Choice of the rest be appointed, ordained, and set over them as Chief Bishop or Presbyter of the Church in any City and Villages adjacent, who ⟨p. 69⟩for Order sake in Gospel-Government, hath Priority, Pre-eminence, and Authority above the rest of the Presbyters or Bishops of the same Church, not alone, nor without them, but when Convened with them, to Act, Rule, Guide, Order and Govern with their Consent, Suffrage and Assistance, according to the Laws of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Constitutions and Commandments, the Practice and Example of his holy Apostles, Act. 15.2, 6, 19, 22. Nor should the Ministers of Christ strive which of them should be greatest,