The like answere do I make to that place also that I made to ye former. M. Caluine* 1.1 sayth, that these words of the Apostle, Qui pr〈1 line〉〈1 line〉est in diligentia: he that ruleth with dili∣gence, may generally be extended ad praefecturas omne genus: to all kind of rule or gouern∣ment. And M. Martyr vpon the same words, sayth, that he doubteth not, multas fuisse in* 1.2 ecclesia praefecturas: that there were many gouernments in the Church. M. Beza likewyse although he sayth that the Apostle in this worde vnderstandeth presbyteros, yet he ad∣deth, qui & ipsi interdū doctrinae verbo praeerant: which also sometime dyd preach the word. M. Bucer sayth playnely, Est praeterea qui praeest, qui pascendi & regendi ecclesiā mun〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 accepit:* 1.3 Furthermore he doth rule, whiche hathe receyued the office of feeding and gouerning the Church. Wherby he must néedes vnderstand the Pastor, & not any vnpreaching Se∣nior. But what kinde of argument call you this? he that ruleth, must do it with dili∣gence, Ergo, there must be Seniors in euery parish. You should rather conclude thus, therefore those to whome God hath committed any office of gouernment, muste doe the same diligently and carefully.
So that although these learned mē do vnderstād this place of Seniors, yet do they* 1.4 think, yt it may also be vnderstāded of other magistrates & gouernours: & therfore vpō their interpretatiōs you can not conclude any certentie of your Seniors. And M. Beza séemeth by ye name of Seniors, to vnderstād the ministers of the word, that is, Bishops & pastors: and there is no doubt, but that ye Apostle in this place doth admonish al to be diligēt in their office, that haue any kind of gouernmēt cōmitted vnto thē. Wherfore you may not restraine this to any one particular kind of gouernmēt, which y• Apostle hath generally spoken of al: for that were in déede to dally with the scriptures, & to abuse them as the Papists do, yea to make thē a nose of waxe, as I haue sayd before.