Pag. 3o8. 309. Corruptionsbrokein uponChurchOfficers, efpecially after the 4th. Centurie, that the Empire became C Chriftian : Which as it brought much riches andfplendor on `Church employments, fo it let in great Swarmes of corrupt men on the Chriftian Affembiies : And then the Elea.ion to Churchoffaes,which was formerly in the hands of thepeople, `-was taken from them, by reafon ofthe tumults, and diforders that were inthefe Eleecions, which Tome time ended inblood, and occafioned much FaEtionand Schifm: And Anbitnt be came now fuch anuniverfalfin among Churchmen,that &c. `Pag. 3 io. I do not alledge aBifhop to be a di(tin& office froma Presbyter, but a different degree inthe fame office, &c. `Pag. 3 20.Asfor the tole power ofordination and Jurifdi&i- ' on, none among us claime it, but willingly allow the Pres- byters a concurence inboth there. `Pag. 322. Thatwhole frame of Metropolitans. and Patri- ' arkswas taken from thedivifonofthe RomanEmpire, which F madebut one great National Church. ` Pag, 33 t. I acknowledged BifbopandPresbytertobeone C and the fameoffice,and foplead for no new office bearer in the `Church . --TheSrft branchof their power is theirauthority to publifh the Gofpell, tomanage the wor`hip anddifpence the `Sacraments : :. And this is all that is ofDivine right in theMini- ' flry inwhichBifhopsand Presbyters are equal fharers, --- but betides this the Church claimeth a power of Jurifdi&ion, of making rules for.difcipline; and applying and executingthe fame ; All which is indeed fuitable to thecommon laws offo- cieties, and thegeneralrules ofScripture; but hath nopoftive warrant fromany Scriptureprecept,:, -Andall thefeConftituti- ' ons ofChurches intoSynods, < ndthe Canonsof difcipline, tak- ing their rife from the diviuons of the world into the feveral provinces,and beginning in the 2d. and beginningofthe, 3d. Century, do clearly thew they can.bederived fromno Divine original,and fo were a, to their particular forme butofhumane conftitution. Thereforeas to the managmentofthis Jurifdi ti- on, it is in the Churchespower to caft it into what mould the will ---But we oughttobe muchmore determined by the Laws :` of the land ---In things neceflàry to be doneby Divine pre - cept, fence no power on earth canCouncil the authority of a Divine Law, the Churches reftraints arenot to be confidered. Pag.
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