Chap. 2. the. 2. Diuision.
And to the ende that the vanitie of this distinction, which is, that there ought to be Seniors or Auncients in the times of persecution, & not of peace: vnder tyrants, & not vnder christian Magi∣strates may appeare: the cause why these Seniors or auncients were appoynted in the Church; is to be considered, which must needes be graunted to be, for that the Pastor not beeing able to ouersee al himself, & to haue his eyes in euery corner of the church, & places where ye Churches abode, might be helped of the Auncients. Wherin the wonderful loue of God towardes his churche doth mani∣festly appeare, that for the greater assurance of the saluation of his, did not content himselfe to ap∣poynt one onely ourseer of euery churche, but many ouer euery churche.
And therefore seeing that the Pastor is nowe in the tyme of peace, and vnder a christian Ma∣gistrate not able to ouersee al himselfe, nor his eyes can not be in euery place of the parish present to beholde the behauiour of the people, it followeth that as well nowe as in the tyme of persecution, as wel vnder a christian Prince, as vnder a tyrant, the office of an Auncient or Senior is required. Onlesse you will say that God hath lesse care of his church, in the time of peace, and vnder a godly magistrate, than he hath in the time of persecution, and vnder a tyrante.
I say there may be Seniors in the time of persecution, when there is no christian Magistrate, not that there ought of necessitie to be. God hath prouided the ciuill Magi∣strate, and other gonernours, to punishe and to correct vice and other disorders in the Church: who hath his officers and deputies in euery place for that purpose, neyther may the Pastor, or any other, to whome that charge is not committed by the ciuill magistrate, vsurpe that office vnto them selues. Wherefore that cause by you allea∣ged, is no cause at all why there should be any suche Seniors, where there are chri∣stian Magistrates, neyther is that kinde of gouernment any parte of the Pastors charge.
The Pastor if he be a méete man, is able to 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉o al that, that is required of a Pastor, else might it be sayd (which you before denied) that God appoynted offices & functiōs, and gaue not sufficient gifts to execute & do them. Neyther can it be sayd, that God hath 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉esse care of his Church, when he placeth ciuill and Christian Magistrates in the stead of Seniors, than when he placeth Seniors, and leaueth it destitute of Christian Ma∣strates. For one of the most 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉ingular benefites that God bestoweth on his Churche in this worlde is, that he giueth vnto it christian Kings & Princes, from whose office and authoritie, whosoeuer doth detract and withdrawe we any thing, iniurieth the ordi∣nance of God, and sheweth him selfe vnthankfull for so great a benefite.