(Y82) tagm.p. i o¢g. de excom,p. I I 14. de Ecclef,p. r 13 5. ele Minift. Should I cite all that is faidby thofe that never were called Presbyterians, about the' degeneration of Epifcopacy, the largenefs of their charge, the ruine of difciplineby their tyranny,ambition and grafping wealth,and titles, when they neither will nor cart perform the work, I mean by Luther, Melanaon Illyricus, Chytneu.r, Tzegedine;Bucer, Zuingliús, Oecolampadius,Gryneus, Bretius, Gualthir, Pet. Martyr, Pares, Chenmitiùs, Pelargus, &c. I fhould but over weary the Readers patience. I only add that if theChurches of France, Belgia, Geneva and the-reff of the Presbyterians,and the Churchesof gran- 'rlvania, Hungary, and formerly, Poland (that were Orthodox) and Bohe- mia, Brandenburgb,Saxony, the Palatinate; &c. that let up another fort of Epifcopacy, had found, that the old or Englifh f'pecies would havedone the Miniflerial works it is not credible that they would all have re- jeéfed it. -III. The third part of that experience which I alledge is the Bishops own. a. This is fignified by theirconfeflîons before named, Ar.Bifhop Vfhers reafóns for theancient uke of Epifcopacy with their Presbyters who(hall be acknowledged true Church Governours over their flocks, is fetcht from the need of fo'many to the work. And Mr.Stanley Gower late of Dorcheffer was wont to protefs (being long intimate with, him) that he profeffed to him that he rook a Bi(hop to be but primus Pref.- byterorum, ofthe fame order, and every Presbytera Governour of the flock: And when he asked him,why then he would bea Primate as hewas., he told him that hetook it not for'atiy part of hisoffice as inflituted byChrift but for a CollateralDignitywhich theKingwas pleated to beftaw on him, for the more advantageousdi(charge of his Sp ritual Office. What Bifbop Jewels opinion was to the likepurpo'e is plain enough in his works, Bi(hopKeignolds (that now is) profeffed tome his opinion to be the fame, when he took the Bifhoprick,andwhen he lawDr. Stillingfiicetsbook, that no form of Church Government is prefcribed in Scripture, profeffed that it was always hisopinion; And joyned with us in our propofals tor BiflropVfhers Model. Dr Stilling/Let in his Ireniconbath Paid fomuch againft theJusDivinuns of our Prelacy, as can never be anfwered. I have talked with manyof the Bishops and Epifcopal Conformifis my felf of thofe matters. and I do nòt remember that ever I fpake toone ac- counted a Learned man, that did not confefs when driven to it, that the Greatnefs of the Dioccffes, and the Chancellors Government by the Church Keyes, were caufes of Iogreat a-lapfe of difcipline, as .is, to be . groaned under: And can thew us no probabtility, it poflibility of refloring it, while it fo fonds. And yet they wouldhave us' fublcríbe and (wear never to endeavour any alterationof the ChurchGovernment :not excepting in our place and
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