(82) XXXI. But my greateft evidence which I truft to above all the reft is, The greatnefs of the Eithops work, which no mortal man can truly and faithfully difcharge and do for a Diocefe in the oppofed fence, not for more than one of our greater Parifhes. I have recited fome of the particulars before, and I (hall again have occafion to do it more at large : I now only name thereparts. r. To be the ordinary Baptizer, or hill prefect with all that are Baptized, (to anoint their noftrils,&c. as aforefaid. ) z. To be the Confirmer of all the baptized in all the Diocefe. 3. To be the ordinary preacher to his flock, and to expound the Scriptures to them. 4. To be the only publick reconciler or abfolver ofall penitents. 5. To be the publick Prieft, to be the Guide of the people in publick worfhip, and to adminitler the Lords Supper. 6. To take particular account and care of all the peoples fouls, and admonifh, teach, and exhort them as there is fpeciat need. 7. To be the Excommunicator of the impenitent ( or ever one and the chief. ) 8. To Ordain all Minifters and Subminiflers. 9. To overfee and rule the Clergy. ro. To receive all Oblations, Tithes, Gifts, and Glebes,and be the diftributer of them. r r. To vifit the Lick in all his flock. 12. To take a particular care ofall the poor, the Lick, the Gran- gers, the imprifoned, &c. as their Curator. 13. To keep almoft daily, but conftantlyweekly Affemblies for all the publick offices. r 4. To keep Synods among his Colleagues,Bithops,and Presbyters. 15. To try and hear Caufes with the Bithops, and Synods, and withhis Presbyters at home,about all fcandals, &c. that come before him, ( ofwhichone Town may find him work enough, the convincing and gentle reproofand exhortation will take up fo much time. ) 16.The looking after and convincingor confuting Hereticks. r7.The reconci- ling difagreeing neighbours.r8. The confeeting of oyi and holy bread, &c. to furnifh all his Presbyters with. 19. The Benedidtion of Marriages, and So- lemnizing ofFunerals; with a multitude ofother Ceremonies. 2o. And be- fides all this, the right government ofhis own booth f And if he had Chil- dren, the education of them) 21. The overfight of all the Schools and edu- cating young men for the Minittery (therebeing then no Univerfities to do it.) ( That the Schools were under his care, you may fee proved in Filefacur ) 22. The Confecratingofdevoted Virgins (to fay nothingof Altars and other utentils ) 23. The overfight ofthe Monafieries. 24. The writing ofCano- nical Epiftles (as they called them ) to Great men, to other Churches, 6-e. 25. The granting of Communicatory Letters< I have named all that come fuddenly to my memory, but it's like not all. And how manyParithes, how many hundred thoufand fouls can one man doall this for, think you ? I will not tire you with citing out of Ifidore, Gregory, Arnbeofe, Chryfif. &c. the (trier Charges terribly laid on Bbhcps, but only now recite the Preachers words whofe Oration Enfebins giveth us, at the dedication of a new Church, Héffor. Eccl. 1. 10. c. 4. It is Paulbuss Biihop of Tyre. In which he iclls them that it is the work of Bilhops [ Intime animarum vejhar°urn thecein ridere rl7` introfpicere, ubi experiencia 6- temperie prolixitateunasmr emque veffrrem milk in- quéfviP, fiudioque & eura eun/los vos honeate & dodrina The fecandumpietatem elf,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=