A57258:29
Dr. Reignolds his letter to that worthy councillor, Sir Francis Knolls concerning some passages…Dr. Reignolds his letter to that worthy councellor, Sir Francis Knolles concerning some passages…
Dr. Reignolds his letter to that worthy councillor, Sir Francis Knolls concerning some passages in Dr. Bancrofts sermon at Pauls Cross, Feb. 9. 1588. in the Parliament time. As also A question resolved by a learned doctor, whether the angels of the seven churches, Revel. 2, & 3. make for Episcopal præ-eminence Jure Divino.Dr. Reignolds his letter to that worthy councellor, Sir Francis Knolles concerning some passages in Dr. Bancrofts sermon at Pavles Crosse, Feb. 9. 1588. in the Parliament time. As also A qvestion resolved by a learned doctor, whether the angels of the seaven churches, Revel. 2, & 3. make for Episcopall præ-eminence Jure Divino.
London: printed by W.I. dwelling, 1641London: printed by W.I. dweling, 1641
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fourthly, This is further confirmed by Epiphanius, who writing of the Heresy of the Milesians, saith, that in ancient times, this was peculiar to Alexandria that it had but one Bishop, whereas other cities had two. And he being Bishop of Cyprus, might well be acquainted, with the condition of the Churches of Asia, which were so nigh unto him.
Fourthly, This is further confirmed by Epiphanius, who writing of the Heresy of the Milesians, saith, that in ancient times, this was peculiar to Alexandria that it had but one Bishop, whereas other cityes had two. And he being Bishop of Cyprus, might well be acquanted, with the condition of the Churches of Asia, which were so nigh vnto him.
5 yet is there a more pregnant argument than these, out of the very text, & it is taken out of the epistle to Thyatira, where a distinction is made between the members of that Church thus [Greek or Hebrew], vobis & reliquis: Now who are signified by vobis, but those to whom he spake under the name of the Angel? And by Reliquis, who are signified but the rest of the people? The people governed, and you governing, and that in the plurall number, vobis: what can be more evident to prove, that by the Angel is meant all the presbyters which have a joint preeminence over the people, not ⟨image 9⟩one in preeminence over the presbyters? Yet what is this preeminence of presbyters over the people, not a preeminence of Dominion, but a preeminence of service, and therefore ought to be called not [Greek or Hebrew] an Hierarchy, or sacred government, as commonly it is, but [Greek or Hebrew] rather, a servile Government: as the Author of the History of the Council of Trent well observes, & all the authority of the Church in the exercise of ecclesiastical censures, even of the sorest Excommunication it self, is but the fruit of love, and for their good on whom it is exercised, mourning for them, who through hardness of heart could not mourn for themselves, and therefore to excommunicate is in Scripture phrase to mourn