But 2. Comparing it as here worded, and understood by him,
with his first Corollarie, wherein we have the knack of his Project,
and improvement thereof, we must a little further animadvert, and
observe here; That,
First it exceeds the limits of this Citation of Calvin, in that clause
of [approbation from Heaven by revelation] which in the foremen∣tioned
Corollarie, he understands of an express, and formal delineati∣on,
in the Epistles to the 7. Churches of Asia, upon his supposition, or
rather distortion of Bezas meaning, anent the Office and Authority of
the Angel written unto; for either he must understand it, (as it's evident
he doth in that Corollarie) of an approbation, Thus specifially distinct
from both the preceeding Clauses, and so the assertion is none of Cal∣vins
in this place, or else if it be the same, with what is said of
Christs Institution and continuation by his Apostles, and the Primitive
Churches Retention, this Clause is pitifully redoundant, and a meer
Battollogy, which this Pretender to such exact concisness should be
ashamed to be guilty of.
2. We said already, that Calvin holds, that the Primitive Church,
did in several things degenerat, from Apostolick purity, and Insti∣tutions,
in point of Government; so that in his Sense, the Primitive
Churches practice, simply considered, will not make a compleat and
just Square for Government. If we compare what he sayes, chap. 3.
and 4. initio, This will be evident, for he tells us in the place last men∣tioned,
that hitherto he has spoken, of Church-Government, and Of∣ficers,
as purely institute by God in his Word; insinuating, that the
ancient Church, had quickly her additions, so that Calvin makes not
the Ancient Churches Retention, any part of the Rule simply, but
makes it Regulable by the Divine Warrand and Institution. I may
add, that as Calvins citation makes no mention, of the end of this Insti∣tution,
whatever may be gathered from it, so it is certain, that in all
reason, and in Calvins Principles, the Church-Government,
which has an entire Divine Right, must be commensurat, not to any
only, but to all the ends, wherein the well being of Christians is con∣cerned.
Fi••ally, when Calvin (as is above hinted) in stating the distincti∣on
betwixt the Ecclesiastick Officers, which have a Divine Right, (I