Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…

§. 4. But if the New English Churches may have any Deficiencies, they will not be Easily or Presently convinced, that one of them is their want ⟨p. 197⟩of a Diocesan Episcopacy. The Domination of One Clergyman, as one in a Superior Order, above those who should be the Pastors of particular Congregations, (but now become his Curates,) Exercising an Authority over a Number of such Curates, & their Congregations, who are thereby deprived of the Power to manage within themselves the Discipline with which the House of GOD is to be regulated; This is an Invention which the Churches of New-England will probably continue Strangers to. Since they find a Stillingfleet ventures to say, I believe on the strictest Enquiry, Medina's Judgment with be found True; That Jerome, Austin, Ambrose, Sedulius, Primasius, Chrysostom, Theodoret, were all of Aerius's Judgment, as to the Identity of both Name & Order, of Bishops & Presbyters, in the Primitive Churches: They think, they have Company which they need not be ashamed of. And they hope, that the Validity of their Ministry will not be contested, for the want of what they call, Episcopal Ordination. And that much less the Profane & Senseless Whimsey of an Uninterrupted Line of Succession will be urged on their Ministry. And that this will be least of all urged by them who pretend a Succession from Austin the Monk, of whom it has been proved that what Ordination he had, was null & void by the Canons of all the First General Councils. But, We cannot more agreeably express their Sentiments, than in the Words of One who was well acquainted with them.

§. 4. But if the New English Churches may have any Deficiencies, they will not be Easily or Presently convinced, that one of them is their want ⟨p. 197⟩of a Diocesan Episcopacy. The Domination of One Clergyman, as one in a Superiour Order, above those who should be the Pastors of particular Congregations, (but now become his Curates,) Exercising an Authority over a Number of such Curates, & their Congregations, who are thereby deprived of the Power to manage within themselves the Discipline with which the House of GOD is to be regulated; This is an Invention which the Churches of New-England will probably continue Strangers to. Since they find a Stillingfleet ventures to say, I believe on the strictest Enquiry, Medina's Judgment with be found True; That Jerom, Austin, Ambrose, Sedulius, Primasius, Chrysostom, Theodoret, were all of Aerius's Judgment, as to the Identity of both Name & Order, of Bishops & Presbyters, in the Primitive Churches: They think, they have Company which they need not be ashamed of. And they hope, that the Validity of their Ministry will not be contested, for the want of what they call, Episcopal Ordination. And that much less the Profane & Senseless Whimsey of an Uninterrupted Line of Succession will be urged on their Ministry. And that this will be least of all urged by them who pretend a Succession from Austin the Monk, of whom it has been proved that what Ordination he had, was null & void by the Canons of all the First General Councils. But, We cannot more agreeably express their Sentiments, than in the Words of One who was well acquainted with them.