THE claim of Episcopacy, as consisting in a rank of persons distinct from the Office of Presbyters, is managed with great variety. It is not agreed whether they are distinct in Order above them, or only as unto a certain degree among them of the same Order. It is not determined, what doth constitute that pretended distinct Order, nor wherein that degree of preeminence in the same Order, doth consist, nor what Basis it stands upon. It is not agreed whether this Order of Bishops, hath any Church-Power appropriated unto it, so as to be acted singly by themselves alone, without the concurrence of the Presbyters; or how far that concurrence is necessary in all Acts of Church-Order or Power. There are no Bounds or Limits of the Dioceses which they claim the Rule in and over, as Churches whereunto they are peculiarly related, derived either from Divine Institution, or Tradition, or general Rules of Reason respecting both or either of them; or from the consideration of Gifts and Abilities, or any thing else wherein Church-Order or Edification is concerned. Those who plead for Diocesan Episcopacy, will not proceed any farther, but only that there is and ought to be a superiority in Bishops over Presbyters in Order or Degree. But whether this must be over Presbyters in one Church only, or in many distinct Churches; whether it must be such, as not only hinders them utterly from the discharge of any of the Duties of the Pastoral Office, towards the most of them whom they esteem their Flocks, and necessitates them unto a Rule by unscriptural Church-Officers, Laws and Power, they suppose doth not belong unto their Cause; whereas indeed the weight and moment of it, doth lie in and depend on these things. Innumerable other uncertainties, differences and variances there are about this singular Episcopacy, which we are not at present concerned to enquire into, nor shall I insist on any of those which have been already mentioned.
THE claim of Episcopacy, as consisting in a rank of persons distinct from the Office of Presbyters, is managed with great variety. It is not agreed whether they are distinct in Order above them, or only as unto a certain degree among them of the same Order. It is not determined, what doth constitute that pretended distinct Order, nor wherein that degree of preheminence in the same Order, doth consist, nor what Basis it stands upon. It is not agreed whether this Order of Bishops, hath any Church-Power appropriated unto it, so as to be acted singly by themselves alone, without the concurrence of the Presbyters; or how far that concurrence is necessary in all Acts of Church-Order or Power. There are no Bounds or Limits of the Diocesses which they claim the Rule in and over, as Churches whereunto they are peculiarly related, derived either from Divine Institution, or Tradition, or general Rules of Reason respecting both or either of them; or from the consideration of Gifts and Abilities, or any thing else wherein Church-Order or Edification is concerned. Those who plead for Diocesan Episcopacy, will not proceed any farther, but only that there is and ought to be a superiority in Bishops over Presbyters in Order or Degree. But whether this must be over Presbyters in one Church only, or in many distinct Churches; whether it must be such, as not only hinders them utterly from the discharge of any of the Duties of the Pastoral Office, towards the most of them whom they esteem their Flocks, and necessitates them unto a Rule by unscriptural Church-Officers, Laws and Power, they suppose doth not belong unto their Cause; whereas indeed the weight and moment of it, doth lie in and depend on these things. Innumerable other uncertainties, differences and variances there are about this singular Episcopacy, which we are not at present concern'd to enquire into, nor shall I insist on any of those which have been already mentioned.
