ita ponitur, vt velsuffragijs populi delectos esse, vel manuum impositione inauguratos in∣telligere possimus. But the woorde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is so placed that wee may vnderstande either that they were chosen by the voyces of the people, or ordeyned by the laying on of handes.
M. Caluine vpon the same place hath these woordes, Verbum Graecum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sig∣nificat aliquid manibus sublatis discernere, qualiter in commitijs populi fieri solet. Scriptores ta∣men ecclesiastici nomen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 alio sensu vsurpant: nempè pro solenni ordinationis ritu, qui in Scripturis vocatur, manuum impositio. The greeke woorde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifieth to deter∣mine some thing by holding vp of handes, according as it was vsuall in the assemblies and elections of the people: notwithstanding the Ecclesiasticall wryters vse this woorde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in an other sense. For the solemne manner of ordering, which in the scrip∣tures is called the laying on of handes. And this saying of M. Caluine hathe Marlorat also written in his collections, as allowyng the same. The same M. Caluine Instit: cap. 8. Sect. 65. Sequitur iam vt tractemus. &c. It foloweth nowe that we shoulde intreate of the maner wherby the ministers of the primitiue Churche were placed in theyr office. This the Latinistes call ordering or consecration, the Grecians 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and someti∣mes also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: although 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is properly called that kynde of election, wher∣in the voyces are signifyed by lifting vp of handes.
Lykewise Gualter vpon the fourtéenth of the Actes. Deinde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mentionem facit Lucas. &c. Furthermore Luke maketh mention of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the which not onely the gathering of voyces, but also the laying on of handes, whiche was a signe of consecration, maye be signifyed: And surely the latter seemeth moste conueniente. For it is not lykely that the Apostles woulde departe from that order, whiche wee see to haue bene obserued in the election of Matthias, and permitte any thing to the iudgemente of man (whiche in voyces oftentymes commeth to passe) seeyng that they stirred vp the whole Churche to prayer and fasting.
Thus then you sée that the matter is nothing so straunge as you make it: for all these learned wryters affirme as muche touching the acceptation of this woorde, as I haue done: and if you will giue mée leaue to alleadge the Canons attributed to the Apostles, as you do, I wil fynde it there taken in thesame signification also: for in the first Canō it is thus written, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Let a bishop be ordeyned of two or three Bishops. And in the second Can. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Lette a minister be ordeyned of one Bishop. You can not denie, but that the olde translations and commentaries also make only mention of electing and ordeyning, and not of electing or ordeyning by voyces.
Oecumenius in his commentaries vpon this place dothe affirme, that Paule and Barnabas did create and ordeyne them: so doe other lykewise: and howesoeuer the worde in Chrysostome is translated, yet Chrysostome giueth no signification in hys commentaries that his meaning was so. But Hom. 14 in Act. he wryteth thus, Vide quomodò scriptor. &c. Marke howe the writer is not superfluous, for he dothe not declare how, but he simply declareth, that they were ordeyned by prayers: for this i' 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. ordinatio, that is to say, ordeyning, the handes are layde vpon the man, but God worketh the whole, and it is his hande that toucheth the head of him that is ordeyned, if he be or∣deynedas as he ought to be. Hierome also writing vppon the. 58. of Esaie sayeth, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is vsuallye taken for the ordeining of Clerkes, by Prayer and laying on of handes.
I denie not but that many doe translate it, as you saye, yet is it doubtefull in diuers of them whether they ment the voyces of the whole Churche, or of the mi∣nisters, or of Paule and Barnabas onely. M. Bullinger sayeth that hee is elected by the common suffrages of the people, qui optimorum testimonio probatus est: whiche is appro∣ued by the testimonie of the best. And the lawe sayth, in publico negotio qui se non appo∣nit cum possit, consentire intelligitur, he is thought to consent in a publike businesse, whiche doth not withstande when he may.
I thinke your complaint for lack of bookes is without cause, & verie vnlykely it is