The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. THE Apostle describing what ought to be the Qualifications of Presbyters or Elders, gives this Reason of it, because a Bishop must be so, Tit. 1.5, 6, 7. Ordain Elders in every City, if any be blameless, &c. for a Bishop must be blameless. He that would prove of what sort a Presbyter that is to be Ordained so, ought to be, gives this Reason for it, That such a Bishop ought to be, intends the same Person and Office by Presbyter and Bishop, or there is no congruity of Speech, or consequence of Reason in what he asserts. To suppose that the Apostle doth not intend the same Persons, and the same Office by Presbyters and Bishops in the same place, is to destroy his Argument, and render the context of his discourse unintelligible. He that will say, that if you make a Justice of Peace or a Constable, he must be magnanimous, liberal, full of clemency and courage, for so a King ought to be, will not be thought to argue very wisely. Yet such is the Argument here, if by Elders and Bishops, distinct Orders and Offices are intended.

2. THERE were many Bishops in one City in one particular Church, Phil. 1.1. To all the Saints that are at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons. That the Church then at Philippi was one particular Church or Congregation was proved before. But to have many Bishops in the same Church, whereas the nature of the Episcopacy pleaded for, consists in the Superiority of one over the Presbyters of many Churches, is absolutely inconsistent. Such Bishops, whereof there may be many in the same Church, of the same Order, equal in Power and Dignity with respect unto Office, will easily be granted; but then they are Presbyters as well as Bishops. There will, I fear, be no end of this contest, because of the prejudices and interests of some; but that the identity of Bishops and Presbyters should be more plainly expressed, can neither be expected nor desired.