Five disputations of church-government and worship

Sect. 22. Object. But though in Scripture times there were no Bishops over many Churches and Presbyters, yet there were Archbishops that were over many. Answ. Because this objection contains their strength, I shall answer it the more fully. And 1. If there were no subject Presbyters in those times, then Archbishops could rule none. But there were none such, as is granted: therefore, &c. And what proof is there of Archbishops then?

Sect. 23. Their first proof is from the Apostles: But they will never prove that they were fixed Bishops or Archbishops. I have proved the contrary before. But such an itinerant Episcopacy as the Apostles had (laying by their extraordinaries) for my part I think should be continued to the world and to the Church (of which after.)

Another of their proofs is from Timothy and Titus • who, thy say, were Archbishops. But there is full evidence that Timothy and Titus were not fixed Bishops or Archbishops, but Itinerant Evangelists, that did as the Apostles did, even plant and settle Churches, and then go further, and do the like. See and consider but the proofs of this in Prins unbishoping of Timothy and Titus. Such Planters and Itinerants were pro tempore the Bishops of every Church where they came, (yet so as another might the next week be Bishop of the same Church, and another the next week after him, yea three or four or more at once, as they should come into the place) And therefore many Churches as well as Ephesus and Crete its like might have begun their Catalogue with Timothy and Titus: and many a one besides Rome might have begun their Catalogue with Peter and Paul.

Another of their proofs is from Timothy and Titus • who, thy say, were Archbishops. But there is full evidence that Timothy and Titus were not fixed Bishops or Archbishops, but Itinerant Evangelists, that did as the Apostles did, even plant and settle Churches, and then go further, and do the like. See and consider but the proofs of this in Prins unbishoping of Timothy and Titus. Such Planters and Itinerants were pro tempore the Bishops of every Church where they came, (yet so as another might the next week be Bishop of the same Church, and another the next week after him, yea three or four or more at once, as they should come into the place) And therefore many Churches as well as Ephesus and Creet its like might have begun their Catalogue with Timothy and Titus: and many a one besides Rome might have begun their Catalogue with Peter and Paul.