aft them for one that was fo before: And we that dwell among thm, do take thofe that diflike their courfe and wales, to be the Gen- irality ofthe moft Religious and Faber people of the land (alwaies excepting the King and Parliament and thole that mutt be ftiliex- cepted). CHAP. XIV. The true Original of the warrantable Epifcopacy in particular Churches, was the notorious difparityof abilities in the Pa /cars: And the original ofthat tyrannical Prelacy into which it did de- generate, was the worldly Spirit in the Pat4ors and people, which withthe world cante by profperity into the Church. &ere, K71. ether thelpingceaf not, wherethe reafon'of it cea'eth? {N Nd dothnot carryon his work upon mens Souls; by names and t.T empty titles ; but by Euch real demonfirating evidences ofhis Pow- er, Wejdoene and Gcodnefr, as are apt to work on the Reafonofman. And therefore he that would make his Apofiles the Foundations or chief Pillars and lnfirumentsin and ofhis Churches, would accordingly en- dow themwith proportionable abilities, that in the Miracu'oar demon- strations of Power, and the convincingdemonftrations of Trifdoene, and the amiable holy demonfirations ofgoodnefr, theymight as far excelo- thers as they did in authority. And nature it Pelf teacethus to difference men in our efteem and of- fettion, ,as they really differ in worth and lovelinefs. And this Law of Nature is the Primary Lawof God. Andthe holy Scriptures plain- ly fecond it, tellingus oft ofthe diverfityof Godsgifts in his Servants, whichall make for concord, but not for equality of elleem; and that there aregreater and lefferin the Kingdom ofGod, and that Gods gifts in all men mull be honoured, Mole. ia. Cor. ta. Eph.4. Hb.5.no. a r.12.&6.1.2.á.4. And God that would have his various gifts varioufly efteemed , did in all ages hirpfelf diverfifie his Servants gifts. All were not Apofiles, nor all Prophets, nor all Evangelifts : And after their áaies all the Miniflersor Eldersof the Churches were not men of Learning, nor of fo full acquaintancewith the (acted Doarine, nor fo grave, prudent, ftaied, holy; charitable, or peaceable as Come were Lifually when mi. raculous gifts did ceaf_: , and very few P.hilolophers or menof learn- ing turnedChriltians. Any man may know that had not been told it by Church-Hiltory, that their Elders or Paflors were fuck as the better fort ofour unlearned Chriltians are ; who can pray well, and wor(hip' Cod
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