§. 3. That the ancient English Bishops that hold to the doctrine of the Church of England, and are peaceable men, are easily ⟨p. 340⟩agreed with us, I first prove from the example of Reverend Bishop Hall. In his Peace-maker he hath these words, [Pag. 46, 47, 48, 49. The Divisions of the Church are either General betwixt our Church and the other Reformed; or special with those within the bosom of our own Church; both which require several considerations. For the former, blessed be God, there is no difference in any essential matter betwixt the Church of England and her Sisters of the Reformation: We accord in every point of Christian Doctrine without least the variation. (N B.) Their public Confessions and ours, are sufficient convictions to the world, of our full and absolute agreement; the only difference is in the form of outward administration: Wherein also we are so far agreed, as that we all profess this form not to be essential to the being of a Church (N. B.) though much importing the well or better being of it, according to our several apprehensions thereof; and that we do all retain a reverent and loving opinion of each other in our own several ways: not seeing any reason why so poor a diversity should work any alienation of affection in us, one towards another: But withal, nothing hinders but that we may come yet closer to one another, if both may resolve to meet in that Primitive Government (whereby it is meet we should both be regulated) universally agreed on by all antiquity; wherein all things were ordered and transacted by the Consent of the Presbytery, moderated by one constant President thereof: the Primacy and perpetual practice whereof no man can doubt of that hath but seen the writings of Clemens and Ignatius,1 and hath gone along with the History of those primitive times — We may well rest in the judgement of Mr. John Camero, the Learnedst Divine, be it spoke without envy, that the Church of Scotland hath afforded in this last age: [Nullus est dubitandi, locus, &c. There is no doubt at all saith he, but that Timothy was chosen by the College of the Presbyters, to be the President of them, and that not without some authority over the rest, but yet such as have the due bounds and limits] And that this was a leading case, and common to other Churches, was never denied by any author. Words may not break square, where the things are agreed.
§. 3. That the ancient English Bishops that hold to the doctrine of the Church of England, and are peaceable men, are easily ⟨p. 340⟩agreed with us, I first prove from the example of Reverend Bishop Hall. In his Peace-maker he hath these words, [Pag. 46, 47, 48, 49. The Divisions of the Church are either General betwixt our Church and the other Reformed; or special with those within the bosome of our own Church; both which require several considerations. For the former, blessed be God, there is no difference in any essential matter betwixt the Church of England and her Sisters of the Reformation: We accord in every point of Christian Doctrine without least the variation. (N B.) Their publike Confessions and ours, are sufficient convictions to the world, of our full and absolute agreement; the only difference is in the form of outward administration: Wherein also we are so far agreed, as that we all profess this form not to be essential to the being of a Church (N. B.) though much importing the well or better being of it, according to our several apprehensions thereof; and that we do all retain a reverent and loving opinion of each other in our own several wayes: not seeing any reason why so poor a diversity should work any alienation of affection in us, one towards another: But withall, nothing hinders but that we may come yet closer to one another, if both may resolve to meet in that Primitive Government (whereby it is meet we should both be regulated) universally agreed on by all antiquity; wherein all things were ordered and transacted by the Consent of the Presbyterie, moderated by one constant President thereof: the Primacy and perpetual practice whereof no man can doubt of that hath but seen the writings of Clemens and Ignatius,1 and hath gone along with the History of those primitive times — We may well rest in the judgement of Mr. John Camero, the Learnedst Divine, be it spoke without envy, that the Church of Scotland hath afforded in this last age: [Nullus est dubitandi, locus, &c. There is no doubt at all saith he, but that Timothy was chosen by the Colledge of the Presbyters, to be the President of them, and that not without some authority over the rest, but yet such as have the due bounds and limits] And that this was a leading case, and common to other Churches, was never denyed by any author. Words may not break square, where the things are agreed.
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