Chap. 2. the. 28. Diuision.
And so also is answered the thirde question, that for so muche as they were Churche officers and ouer the people in matters perteyning to God, and such as watched ouer the soules of men that therfore although they were not Pastors to preache the word, yet were they no lay men (as they terme them) but ecclesiasticall persons.
M. Beza in an Epistle, that is prefixed before the confession of the Churches in Hel〈1 line〉〈1 line〉tia, speaking of the Seigniorie, sayth, that there must be a great consideration had, that Princes and noble men, and suche as haue authoritie and preheminence in the Churche, be chosen to be of the Seigniorie: and will you make noble men and Prin∣ces ecclesiasticall persons, and suche as must watche ouer the soules of men? in déede those that be called Presbyteri, in the Scriptures be Ecclesiasticall persons, for they be ministers of the worde and Sacraments. And M. Caluine Institut. cap. 8. sect. 52. sayth, that all the Seniors were ministers of the worde. His words be these: Habe∣bant ergo singulae Ciuitates Presbyterorū collegium, qui pastores erant & Doctores: nam & apud populū munus docendi, exhortandi & corrigendi, quod Paulus Episcopis iniungit, OMNES obi∣bant: for euery Citie had a Colledge of Seniors, which were Pastors and teachers: for they dyd all exercise among the people, the offyce of teaching, exhorting, and correcting, which Paule dothe inioyne to Bishops. But howe can you make your Seniors ecclesiasticall, séeing your Seigniorie must consist of noble men, gentlemen, marchauntmen, hus∣bandmen, handycraftesmen, as Taylors, Shomakers, Carpenters. &c. euen suche as the most part of the Parish will choose?