Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 24. Obj. 3. But (say others) the Apostles were not at last such unfixed Ministers as you imagine, but fixed Diocesan Bishops. Peter was Bishop of Antioch first, and of Rome after: Paul was Bishop of Rome: James of Jerusalem, &c. — Ans. That any Apostle was a fixed Bishop, taking on him durante vita the special Pastoral charge of one particular Church or Diocese, as his peculiar, is 1. Barely affirmed, and therefore not to be believed. 2. And is contrary both to the tenor of their Commission, and the History of their Ministrations. And 3. Is also contrary to Charity it self, and therefore is not worthy of any credit. The Apostles were not so lazy or uncharitable, as to affix themselves to Parishes or Dioceses, and leave the Nations of the world in their unbelief; and to cease the work that they were first sent out upon, before the necessity of it ceased. Peter and Paul were Bishops of Rome, as they were of other Churches which they planted and watered, and no more: even as Paul was Bishop of Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth, &c. And James was either no Bishop of Jerusalem, or no Apostle (but as many think, another James.) Indeed pro tempore not only an Apostle, but other Itinerant Ministers were Bishops of the places where they came; that is, were Officers of Christ, that might exercise any act of their Office (Teaching, Governing, administering Sacraments, &c.) to any people that gave them a Call, or so far as opportunity and need required. And so I doubt not but every Minister now may do in any Church on earth. If he be invited to stay a day, or week, or month among them, and do the work of a Minister, yea or if he be invited but to preach a Sermon to them, he may do it, not as a private man, but as a Minister in general, and as their Teacher or Pastor pro tempore, & ad hoc, that give him the invitation. For though the first Call to the Ministry, separating us to the Gospel of God, do give us our Authority in general to perform any Ministerial act; yet I have before showed that a further Call is needful for the particular exercise of this power: and this is usually by the people: who may sometime call a man to be their stated Pastor, and sometime but to exercise some one Pastoral act, or else to exercise all but pro tempore, as there is need.

§. 24. Obj. 3. But (say others) the Apostles were not at last such unfixed Ministers as you imagine, but fixed Diocesan Bishops. Peter was Bishop of Antioch first, and of Rome after: Paul was Bishop of Rome: James of Jerusalem, &c. — Ans. That any Apostle was a fixed Bishop, taking on him durante vita the special Pastoral charge of one particular Church or Diocess, as his peculiar, is 1. Barely affirmed, and therefore not to be believed. 2. And is contrary both to the tenor of their Commission, and the History of their Ministrations. And 3. Is also contrary to Charity it self, and therefore is not worthy of any credit. The Apostles were not so lazy or uncharitable, as to affix themselves to Parishes or Diocesses, and leave the Nations of the world in their unbelief; and to cease the work that they were first sent out upon, before the necessity of it ceased. Peter and Paul were Bishops of Rome, as they were of other Churches which they planted and watered, and no more: even as Paul was Bishop of Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth, &c. And Iames was either no Bishop of Ierusalem, or no Apostle (but as many think, another Iames.) Indeed pro tempore not only an Apostle, but other Itinerant Ministers were Bishops of the places where they came; that is, were Officers of Christ, that might exercise any act of their Office (Teaching, Governing, administring Sacraments, &c.) to any people that gave them a Call, or so far as opportunity and need required. And so I doubt not but every Minister now may do in any Church on earth. If he be invited to stay a day, or week, or month among them, and do the work of a Minister, yea or if he be invited but to preach a Sermon to them, he may do it, not as a private man, but as a Minister in general, and as their Teacher or Pastor pro tempore, & ad hoc, that give him the invitation. For though the first Call to the Ministry, separating us to the Gospel of God, do give us our Authority in general to perform any Ministerial act; yet I have before shewed that a further Call is neeedfull for the particular exercise of this power: and this is usually by the people: who may sometime call a man to be their stated Pastor, and sometime but to exercise some one Pastoral act, or else to exercise all but pro tempore, as there is need.