Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 13. And we know that in several ages of the Church the ⟨p. 171⟩Prelates and Priests have been so vile, that in reason we could expect no better from men so vicious, then forgery and abuse, he that reads what Gildas and others say of the British, and what even Baronius, much more Espencaeus, Cornelius Mus. and others say of the Romanists; yea he that knows but what state the Bishops and Priests have been in and yet continue in, in our own days, will never think it an improbable thing that some of our predecessors should be guilty either of Simony or other vice that made them uncapable, or should be mere usurpers under the name of Bishops and Ministers of Christ.

Sect. 13. And we know that in several ages of the Church the ⟨p. 171⟩Prelates and Priests have been so vile, that in reason we could expect no better from men so vicious, then forgery and abuse, he that reads what Gildas and others say of the Brittish, and what even Baronius, much more Espencaeus, Cornelius Mus. and others say of the Romanists; yea he that knows but what state the Bishops and Priests have been in and yet continue in, in our own dayes, will never think it an improbable thing that some of our predecessors should be guilty either of Simony or other vice that made them uncapable, or should be meer usurpers under the name of Bishops and Ministers of Christ.

Sect. 14. Argument 2. If uninterrupted Regular Ordination of all our Predecessors be Necessary to the Being of the Ministry, then can no Bishop or Pastors whatsoever comfortably Ordain: For who dare lay his hand on the head of another, and pretend to deliver him authority, in the name of Christ, that hath no assurance (nor probability neither) that he hath any Commission from Christ to do it? But the Consequent will be disowned by those that dispute against us? therefore so should the Antecedent be also.