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Chap. 4. the. 17. Diuision.
There remayneth therfore the Archebishoppe, whyche if he came in place of the Prophetes and Apostles (as the Bishoppe sayth) how commeth it to passe, that the bishop sayth by and by out of the authoritie of Erasmus that Titus was an archebishoppe: for at that tyme there was bothe Apostles, Prophetes, and Euangelistes. If it bee so therefore, that the Archbyshoppe muste supplye the wante of Apostles. &c. howe commeth it to passe, hee wayteth not his tyme whylest they were dead, but commeth in lyke vnto one which is borne out of tyme, and lyke the vntymely and hastye fruite, whyche is seldome or neuer holesom. And for one to come into the Apostles or Prophetes place, requirerh the authoritie of hym whych ordeyned the Apostles. &c. whyche is the Lorde, and his institution in his worde, whiche is that whiche we desire to be she∣wed. But hereof I haue spoken before at large.
It is not vnknowne to suche as be willing to learne, that where the Apostles coulde not be presente themselues, there they appoynted some other to gouerne the Churches for them: as the Apostle Paule did Titus at Creta. Therefore this reason of yours is sóone answered. And in that that the Apostles dyd appoynt By∣shoppes in Churches whyche they had planted, and gaue vnto them suche autho∣ritie, it is euident that therin they made them theyr successours, which they did not withoute sufficient testimonie and warrant of the spirite of God: and therfore you do but talke, you proue nothing.