Chap. 3. the. 45. Diuision.
For it were an absurd hearing that many should at once attempt to speake. Neyther coulde it* 1.1 be done without great reproch, that many men beginning to speake, some should be bidden to holde their peace, which would come to passe, if there should be no order kept, nor none to appoint when euery one should speake, or not, to put them to silence, when they attempted confusedly to speake, and out of order. Moreouer when many ministers meete togyther, and in so great diuersitie of gifts as the Lord hath giuen to his Church, there be found that excell in memorie, facilitie of tongue, and expedition or quicknesse to dispatch matters more than the rest: and therefore it is fitte, that the bre∣thren, that haue that dexteritie, should especially be preferred vnto this office, that the action may be the better, and more speedily made an end of.
Surely and your deuise of saluing it, is as absurd: for there would be as great con∣tention at such elections, as there is confusion in the former equalitie: and the rather bycause there is none to direct them therein. For who shall call them togyther before this election be made? where shall they meete? who shall declare vnto them the cause of their meeting? or what remedie if they cannot agrée of some one that hathe thys dexteritie, but are drawen into diuers parts, some thinking one most meete, and some another, other some the third. &c? how if there be sects and schismes among them, as there is at this time? an hundreth inconueniences are there in this deuise of yours: and to tell you the truth, it may be vsed in places where there is no gouernment, no lawes, no forme of a common wealth, no order: But in a kingdome, in a Church vn∣d〈1 line〉〈1 line〉r ciuill gouernment, in a place of order. &c. it is the very high way to subuersion and confusion.