Chap. 2. the. 5. Diuision.
Afterwardes he sayeth, that for so much as this place hath bene vsed to proue a Pastor or Bi∣〈1 line〉〈1 line〉hop in euery churche: therefore it cannot be vsed to proue these Elders, so that (sayeth he) there must needes be eyther a contradiction, or else a falsification. The place is rightly alleaged for both, 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉he one and the other, and yet neyther contradiction to themselues, nor falsification of the place: but onely a miste before M. Doctors eyes, which will not let him see a playne and euident truth, which is, the worde (Elder) is generall and comprehendeth both those Elders which teach and gouerne, and those which gouerne onely, as hath bene shewed out of S. Paule.
If it had these two significations, (as I haue proued that it hath not) yet that it is so taken in the. 14. of the Actes, I cannot reade in any writer, and I haue shewed M. Caluines and M. Brentius iudgements to the contrary, whiche in any wise mans opi∣nion are able to counteruayle your credite and bare deniall. And surely in that place it cannot be taken but in one and the selfe same signification, except you will say that the spirit of God speaketh ambiguously, and vseth aequiuocations. Which were to de∣rogate much from the simplicitie and plainenesse of the Scriptures. Wherefore the Authors of the Admonition in alleaging that text in some place to proue the election of Pastors, and in some other place to proue the office of Seniors, speake they know not what, and dally with the Scriptures, euen as you do in like manner, when you take vpon you the defense of so manifest a contradiction.