that Scripture mentioneth no afiiliant Presbyters with the Bifhop : and would that pleafeyou, that think a fin- gle Congregation fhould have a Presbyterie You fhould rather as he teacheth you,c.2 r.p.237. be thank- ful to Ignatius , and acknowledge the dignity ofyour Office, ab eo primario defenfore aflrui & propugnari.j Anfw. As we make nodoubtfrom plain Scripture toprove, (andhave proved it) that fingle Churches had then many Presbyters (fomeofthem at lea/I : ) So having thegreatl part ofFathers andEpifeopal Divines ofour mindherein, (even Epiphanius himfelf) we neednot be very /olicitotu about thepaint of Teflimonyor Authority. 2. Wehad rather ofthe two havebut one Pallor to it Congregation, then one to a hundred or two hundredCongregations, havinga Pres- byter under him in each , authorized only to a part of the work. 3. Either thedrflintt office of the Presbyters is of Divine Inlíitution, to be continuedin the church, or not. If not, Bithops or fame body itfeems mayput down the office. If it be, then it feems all ,Gods Vniverfal (landingLaws (even far the fpeciesof Church officers) are not contained inScripture. And ifnot in Scripture,where then ? Ifin the Fathers, I. How /hall we know whichare they,andworthyof that nameand honor ? 2. Andwhat/hall we do to reconcile their contradillians ? 3. Andwhat number ofthemmuflgo. tube the true witnefJés ofaDivine Law ? 4. Andbywhat notemay we knowwhat points fo toreceivefrom them, and what not ? But ifit be fromCouncils that we muff have the refl of the .Laws ofGod (not contained in theScripture.) 1. Is it from all orforce only ? Iffromall, what a cafeare we in, as obligedto receive Contradiffions andHerefes ? I f from lame only, which are they, andhowknown,andwhy they ra- sher then the refi ? Why not the fecundofEphefus as well eus thefill fl at CorIftant inople. But this I(ball not now further profectste,,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=