Chap. 6. the. 15. Diuision.
Musculus also in his common places answering to this question,* 1.1 why that ministers of the word are not chosen now by the ministers and the people, as they were in the primitiue Church, but appoyn∣ted by the Magistrate, saith thus: talis tum ecclesiarum erat status, vt aliter nō essent eligendi ministri, quia Christiano magistratu destituebantur. Si reuocas temporum illorum mores, primùm conditiones & statum quoque illorum reuoca. Such vvas then the state of Chur∣ches, that they coulde choose their ministers no othervvise, bycause they had no Christian Magistrates. If thou vvouldest haue the manners and cu∣stomes of those times obserued, then must thou call backe their conditions and state.
The place is to commō which you assigne, you had I am sure the booke before you: you might haue tolde where the place was, and in what title. But that place of Musculus in the title of the magistrate, is answered by himsel〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e in the same booke, where he entreateth of the election of the mi∣nisters. For going about (as it seemeth) to satisfie some of their ministers, whiche were brought in do〈1 line〉〈1 line〉bt of their calling, bycause they were not chosen by their Churches, speaking of the vse of the Church in choosing their minister he sayth thus.
First it must be playnly confessed, that the ministers were in times past chosen by consente of the people, and or〈1 line〉〈1 line〉eyned and confirmed of the seignioures.
Secondarily that that forme of election was Apostolicall and lawfull.
Thirdly, that it was conformable to the libertie of the Church, and that thrusting the Pastor vpon the Churche, not being chosen of it, doth agree to a Church that is not free, but subiecte to bond〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ge.
Fourthly, that this forme of choise by the Churche maketh much both to that that the minister may gouern his slocke with a good conscience, as also that the people may yeld themselues to be ea∣slier ruled, than when one commeth against their willes vnto them.
And to conclude all these, he sayth that they are altogyther certeyne, and such as cannot be de∣nyed. After he sayth that the corrupt estate of the Church and religion driueth to alter this order, and to call the election to certayne learned men, which should after be confirmed of the Prince. And that it may yet more cleerely appeare that his iudgement is nothing lesse than to confirme this e∣lection, he setteth downe their election in Bernland, whiche he approueth and laboureth to make good as one which although it doth not fully agree with the election of the primitiue Churche, yet commeth very neare vnto it: As that not one mā, but al the ministers in the citie of Berue do choose a Pastor when there is any place void.
Afterward he is sent to the Senate, from the which, if he be doubted of, he is sent agayne to the ministers, to be examined, and then if they find him meete, he is confirmed of the Senate (whiche