The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

3ly, That whereas in the Scripture, we find clearly but of two sorts of Church-Officers mentioned, as also in this Epistle of Clement; the third that was afterward introduced, be it what it will, or fall on whom it will, that we oppose. This (saith the Doctor) is that of Presbytery, give us the Churches instituted according to the word of Christ, give us in every Church, Bishops, and Deacons, (rather then we will quarrel give us a Bishop, and Deacons) let those Bishops attend the particular flock, over which they are appointed, preaching the word and administering the holy ordinances of the Gospel, in and to their own flock: And I dare undertake for all the Contenders for Presbytery in this nation, and much more for the independents, that there shall be an end of this quarrel; that they will not strive with the Doctor, no• any living, for the introduction of any third sort, of persons (though they should be called Presbyters) into Church Office and government. Only this I must add, that the Scripture more frequently terms this second sort of men Elders, and Presbyters, then it doth Bishops, and that word having been appropriated to a third sort peculiarly, we desire leave of the Doctor and his associates, if we also most frequently call them so, no ways declining the other Appellation of Bishops, so that it be applied to signify the second, and not third rank of men: But of this whole business, with the nature, constitution, and frame of the first Churches; and the sad mistakes, that men have by their own prejudices been engaged into, in this delineation of them, a fuller opportunity (if God will) may ear long, be afforded.

3ly, That whereas in the Scripture, we find clearly but of two sorts of Church-Officers mentioned, as also in this Epistle of Clement; the third that was afterward introduced, be it what it will, or fall on whom it will, that we oppose. This (saith the Doctour) is that of Presbytery, give us the Churches instituted according to the word of Christ, give us in every Church, Bishops, and Deacons, (rather then we will quarrel give us a Bishop, and Deacons) let those Bishops attend the particular flock, over which they are appointed, preaching the word and administring the holy ordinances of the Gospel, in and to their own flock: And I dare undertake for all the Contenders for Presbytery in this nation, and much more for the independents, that there shall be an end of this quarrel; that they will not strive with the Doctour, no• any living, for the introduction of any third sort, of persons (though they should be called Presbyters) into Church Office and goverment. Only this I must adde, that the Scripture more frequently termes this second sort of men Elders, and Presbyters, then it doth Bishops, and that word having been appropriated to a third sort peculiarly, we desire leave of the Doctour and his associates, if we also most frequently call them so, no waies declining the other Appellation of Bishops, so that it be applyed to signify the second, and not third ranke of men: But of this whole business, with the nature, constitution, and frame of the first Churches; and the sad mistakes, that men have by their own prejudices been ingaged into, in this delineation of them, a fuller opportunity (if God will) may eare long, be afforded.