Chap. 3. the. 51. Diuision.
Nowe you see what authoritie wee allowe amongst the Ministers, bothe in theyr seue∣rall Churches, or in prouinciall Synodes, or nationall, or generall or what so euer other mee∣tings shall be aduised of, for the profitte and edifying of the Churche, and wythall you see, that a〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 we are farre from thys tyrannie, and excessiue power whyche nowe is in the Churche, so we are by the grace of God as farre from confusion and disorder, wherein you trauell so muche to make vs to seeme guiltie.
I sée you allowe muche more authoritie in wordes, that is in the examples you haue vsed, than you wyll willingly acknowledge: I sée also that this authoritie, whyche you call tyrannie and excessiue, is moderate and lawfull, and according bothe to the lawes of God and man. To conclude, I see that you are as farre from order, and a ryghte forme of gouernment, as you are from modestie and due obedience, and that the ende you shoote at, is nothyng else but a méere confusion, not onelye of the Churche, but of the common wealthe also: the gouernment whereof you would haue framed, according to your platforme of the Churche: that is, you would haue it brought from a Monarchie, to a popular or Aristocraticall kinde of gouernmente, euen as you would haue the Church.