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Chap. 1. the. 8. Diuision.
This I am compelled to write, not so muche to pro〈1 line〉〈1 line〉e that there were Seniors in euery Churche (which is a thing confessed) as to redeeme those places from M. Doctors false and cor∣rupt interpretations, for as for the proofe of Elders in euery congregation, 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉esides his confession, I neede haue no more but his owne reason. For he sayth that the office of these Elders in euery Church▪ was in that tun〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 wherin there were no christian Magistrates, and when there was per∣fecution, but in the Apostles times there was bothe persecution, and no christiā Magistrates, ther∣fore in their time the office of these Elders was in euery congregation.
If this be a good argument, S. Paule ad Rom. 12. sayth, he that 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉uleth, must doe it di∣ligently: Ergo, euery particular congregation muste of necessitie be gouerned by Se∣niors: Or this, the Apostle. 1. Cor. 12. sayth, that God hath placed in his Churche go∣uernours, Ergo, euery parish must haue a Seigniorie: Or this, Paule and Barnabas in euery Churche ordeyned pastors, therefore in euery Church there must be a com∣pany of Seniors, to whome the whole gouernment of the parish is to be cōmitted: If (I say) these be good & sure argumēts, then haue I corruptly interpreted those places. But if these arguments be not sounde, if they haue no sequele in them, if they be a∣gaynst the practise of the Church euer since it had christian Magistrates, and long be∣fore, especially for suche Elders as you meane, if this kinde of gouernment in many reformed Churches be not thought conuenient, if it spoyle the Christian Magistrate of the authoritie giuen vnto him by the worde of God, and finally, if it bring in con∣fusion, then haue I truely interpreted those places, and according to my duetie and calling deliuered them from your corruptions. But the truthe of this matter shall more euidently appeare in that whiche followeth.
That whiche I haue sayde of the béeing of Seniors in euery Churche, I saye still: neyther is that the questiō, for I aske y• question of your Seniors, not of Ministers, (whome I call Seniors) neyther dyd I meane that in euery particular parish, there was suche a Seigniorie, but in euery chiefe Citie, nor that it was at all tymes in persecution, and where there was no Christian Magistrate, but 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ometimes: ney∣ther that this kinde of gouernment muste be in suche times, but that it may be. And therefore you had done well, if you had not béene so sparing of your proofes, for all my graunte.