(55) z. Not to treat ofTapalfuccellion; the limiting ofthis fuc- ceffive Ordination, as theonlytway and means ofCommunica- tingChurch Power, and fo ofthe Prefervationof the Church- State , unto Diocefan Prelates or Bithops , is built on fo ma- ny inevident Prefumptions and falfe Principles , as will leave it altogether uncertain whether there be any Church- State in the World or no. As (i) That fuch Bifhops were ordained by the Apollles , which can never be proved. (z) That they received Power from the Apoftles to ordain others and Communicate their whole Power unto them by an Authority, inherent in themfelves alone; yet í1i11 refer- ving their whole Tower unto themfelves alto, givingall, and retaining all at the fame time ; which bath no more of Truth than the former, and maybeeafily difproved. (3) That they never did , nor could any of them forfeit this Power, by any crime or error , fo as to render their Ordination invalid, and interrupt the fucceflîon pretended. (d.) That they all ordained others in fuch manner and way , as to ren- der their Ordination valid ; whereas multitudes were never agreed, what is required thereunto. (5) That whatever Herefy, Idolatry, Flagitioufnefs of life, Perfécution of the true Churches of Chrift, thefe `Prelatical Ordainers might fall into , by whatever Arts, Simoniacal Pratices, or falfe Pretences unto what was not, they came themfelves into their Offices, yet nothing could deprive them of their Right of Communicating all Church Tower unto others by Ordina- tion. (6) That Perfons fo ordained, whether they have a- ny call from the Church or no; whether they have any of the Q2alifications alificati required by theLaw of Chrift in the Scrip- ture to make them capable of any Office in the Church, or have received any Spiritual Gifts from Chrifl for the Exer- cife of their Office and Difcharge of their Duty; whether they have any Deign or no , to perfue the ends of that Of- fice which they take upon them ; yet all is one, being any way
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