The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…

Having thus rescued the Testimony of Ambrose unto Ruling Elders from all Exceptions (of any colourable weight) made against it; Let us add only one observation out of Antiquity, which may give some further light to the cause in hand. It is well known to all such as are studious of Antiquity, that it was counted a rare and insolent matter for an Elder to preach in the presence of a Bishop, which was the cause why the good old Bishop Valerius was hardly spoken of, for suffering Augustine, a Presbyter (though a learned Presbyter) to preach before him; which is said never any African Bishop had allowed before him. Now whence should such an offence as was taken against Valerius arise, but from translating the silence of Ruling Elders from Preaching in the presence of Pastors and Teachers, unto those Presbyters also, who were called oft to preach the Word freely and diligently as well as the Bishops themselves? But when through corruption of times, Bishops claimed to themselves the principal pastoral cure of Souls, then it was taken for an offensive matter, that Teaching Elders should preach before them; as before it was unwonted for Ruling Elders to preach before the Teaching ordinarily.

Having thus rescued the Testimony of Ambrose unto Ruling Elders from all Exceptions (of any colourable weight) made against it; Let us adde onely one observation out of Antiquitie, which may give some further light to the cause in hand. It is well known to all such as are studious of Antiquitie, that it was counted a rare and insolent matter for an Elder to preach in the presence of a Bishop, which was the cause why the good old Bishop Valerius was hardly spoken of, for suffering Augustine, a Presbyter (though a learned Presbyter) to preach before him; which is said never any African Bishop had allowed before him. Now whence should such an offence as was taken against Valerius arise, but from translating the silence of Ruling Elders from Preaching in the presence of Pastors and Teachers, unto those Presbyters also, who were called oft to preach the Word freely and diligently as well as the Bishops themselves? But when through corruption of times, Bishops claimed to themselves the principall pastorall cure of Soules, then it was taken for an offensive matter, that Teaching Elders should preach before them; as before it was unwonted for Ruling Elders to preach before the Teaching ordinarily.