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I will adde only one place, which if it be more (*) 1.1 bitter than the rest, and cut the quicke more neare, you shall not be angrie with me, but first with those that were the Authors of it, and then
with him that wrote it.
Eusebius in the sixth booke speaking of Origen, which was admitted not of one Byshop, but of many Byshops to teach, sheweth how the Byshops were reprehended by the Byshop of A∣lexandria called Demetrius, bycause they had admitted him(a) 1.2 without the election of the Presby∣terie of the Church, which were the chiefe in the election in euery Church, and vnto the whiche the Churches did committe the gouernment of themselues in euery seuerall towne and citie, and saith that it hath not bin heard, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 should 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is, that the lay men should teach when the Byshops were present. Whereby it is euident, that he counted him (b) 1.3 a lay man which was only admitted by the Byshops, although they were many, not being first elected by the presbyterie of that Church, whereof he was the teacher.
The terrible preface that is here prefixed would make any man quake that is not acquainted with such vayne bragges. But soft man awhile, you do but dreame: for there is no such matter in that booke of Eusebius. Did you neuer heare tell of any that* 1.4 labouring to smite at another, haue deadly wounded themselues? I beléeue it will fall so out with you in this bitter and sharpe place, and then shall not I neede to be angry with you: you shall haue more cause to chafe with your selfe.
For answer to the place: I say it is altogither by you falsifyed, and most vntruly* 1.5 alleadged: the only thing that Demetrius found fault with, was bycause Origen being a lay man did teache in the Churche, Byshops being present: for he saithe: it was neuer heard that lay mē should teach in the churches, Byshops being present. But what is sayde to this, nescimus quomodò. &c. wherein he affirmeth (we know not how) that thing which is not* 1.6 true: seeing there may be found diuers, who when they were able to profyte the brethren, and that the holy Byshops had exhorted them to instruct the people, did after this sorte, teach in the Church. As Euelpis was required to do at Laranda by Neon: and Paulinus at I∣conium by Celsus: and at Synada Theodorus by Atticus, whiche were all blessed brethren: And it is very likely that this thing was done also in other places, whiche we know not of. Yea Demetrius himselfe suffered him to do the like in Alexandria as it is manifest in sundry places of that booke: and euen in the end of the same chapter He retourneth to Alexandria, and doth againe employ himselfe to his accustomed diligence in teaching. But bycause this place is so confidently auouched, and so vntruly, I will set it downe as it is in Eusebius lib. 6. cap. 20. where he speaking of Origen saith thus: In the meane time (by reason of a greate warre begonne in that citie) leuing Alexandria, and thinking that he could not safely abide in Aegypt, he went into Palestina, and remayned at Caesaria, where also he was requested of the Byshops of that countrie, that he would dispute, and expound the holy scriptures before the whole Church, when as yet he was not ordeyned minister. The whiche thing is hereby manifest, for that Alexander the Byshop of Hierusalem, and Theoctistus Byshop of Caesaria, writing to Demetrius of him, do after this sort render an accompt of that deed: Furthermore he addeth this also in his letters, that it was neuer heard of, neyther yet at any time seene, that lay men did teach in the Church, Byshops being pre∣sent: wherein (we know not how) he affirmeth that thing which is not true. &c. As it is set downe before. What one word is there here that sheweth how the Byshops were repre∣hended by the Byshop of Alexandria called Demetrius, bycause they had admitted Origen, with∣out the election of the presbyterie of the Churche, whiche were the chiefe in the election in euery Church, and vnto the which the Churches did committe the gouernment of themselues in euery seuerall towne and citie. &c. as you affirme? Nay is there any thing sounding that way? the only cause why Demetrius reproueth them (as I haue said) is, bycause they suffe∣red Origen in their presence to interpret the scriptures in the Churche, being as yet* 1.7 but a lay man. And yet you sée how Demetrius is reproued for that also, & how by sun∣dry examples it is there shewed, that it is no rare thing for a lay man, to interpret the scriptures in the Church, the Byshop being present, if he be there vnto called by the Byshop.
Is this your bitter place? is this that terrible cutter? Indéede, it maketh your doings vncyphered, and shrewdly woundeth you, if you can well consider it.
But to make the matter yet more plaine. Euseb. in the same booke and. 23. chapter sheweth how Origen afterwards accepit presbyterij gradum in Caesaria palestinae, ab eius loci* 1.8 Episcopis: was made minister in Caesaria Palestinae of the Byshops of that countrie. The which thing Demetrius misliked also, not for any iust cause, but only of malice: for al∣though Demetrius at the firste esteemed well of Origen, and bare good will vnto hym, yet afterwarde when he saw him maruellously to prosper, and to become very fa∣mous and well accompted of, he then sought meanes, not only to discredite him, but those also which had preferred him to the ministerie: laying to his charge that which he had done being a boy, (that is, gelding of himselfe) as Eusebius doth at large declare lib. 6. cap. 8. You sée therfore how vntruly you haue reported Eusebius, and that there is no suche cause by him expressed, why Demetrius reproued the Byshops, as you feyne to be.
But I partly smell your meaning, which I suppose to be this: that all we whiche are admitted into the ministerie by the Byshops, withoute your presbyterie, are but lay men: whereby you would insinuate, that all those which haue bin baptised by vs, are not baptised: bycause you say, that it is of the substance or being of baptisme, whether* 1.9 he be minister or no that ministreth that sacrament, Pag. 114. And this is that mysterie, which you and your fellowes will not as yet openly vtter, but craftily dissemble, vn∣till you sée better oportunitie. The truth is, your intent is rebaptization, and flat A∣nabaytisme. But I haue declared sufficiently the vanitie of your collection in thys place: and the weakenesse of your reasons touching this matter, where you haue gy∣uen me more especiall occasion to speake of it. Tract. 9.
Part〈1 line〉〈1 line〉riunt montes. &c.
An vntruth as will appeare.
Vntruth, for O〈1 line〉〈1 line〉gea was yet a lay man, and not admitted minister by any,
T. C. smiteth at others, but woundeth himselfe.
Eusebius fa〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 sityed by T. C.
Eu. li. 6. ca. 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
Origen was then indeede a lay man,
Euse. lib. 6. 23.
Pa. 114. Sect. 1.