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Fol. Ibid. Bishops and Presbyters in Scripture-Phrase being of equivalent import, and denoting the self same persons without the least distinction.] Observator. When our Author playes the Histo∣rian in relating of such things as are built upon good intelligence, he doth it very well, few better; but when he comes to shew his opinion in matters of controversie, he doth it very ill, none worse. For first, I do not believe our Author can easily prove Bishops and Presbyters to be of equivalent import.

Answer. Out upon this Observator who is so grosly out in both; for really there are many better Historians then my self, and some worse disputants; the Observator for one; but a very much worse Observator, I am certain; for had he not been an ill-looking-fellow, he might with half an eye have discerned, that I do not at all deliver mine own opinion in this particular, but what many did then assert; those are the very words; and that many did so assert, is without all dispute: but since the Observator will needs have it to be mine own judgement, it shall be so for once, and he have his saying. And what I pray doth he oppose against it? but [first, want of Logick, to inferre an identity or samenesse in the thing, from a Community of names, and proves it by St. Peter, who calls our Saviour Christ 1 Pet. 2. 25. the Bishop of our souls, and himself 1 Pet. verse 1. a Presbyter or Preist (as most unhand∣somely our English reads it) an Elder, concluding from thence, that it were sorry Logick to make Christ, & every or∣dinary Bishop, and the Prince of the Apostles, and a simple Pres∣byter all one. I shall first take leave to observe his Parenthesis, before I passe further. Herein he hath a fling at our Transla∣tors, for rendring the word Presbyter, Elder; where's the un∣handsomenesse of it? All Latine Expositors, and Greek Lexicons, translate 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 senior; and I believe it will puzzle the Observator, to find any one who ever interpre∣ted senior by Priest; and why, I would gladly know, is it more unhandsome in our Translators, then it was in Dr. Heilen (from whom the Observator differs vastly in this par∣ticular) who tells us,* that the ancient Fathers called the Mi∣nister Page  36 of the Sacrament of the Altar sometimes Presbyter, Elder, and sometimes Sacerdos, Priest: a thing so universally received amongst us, as you shall very rarely finde the word Presbyter turned into Priest, and never Sacerdos into Elder; now it being so rare to finde Presbyter otherwise rendred then by Elder, a vulgar translation should be accommodated to vulgar appre∣hensions; for a modern Poet, and a wit every inch of him, gives us this golden Rule,

But now ad rem, and to the mans arguments, which is no∣thing ad rem, and clear besides the cushion, a meer shift and no more; for doth any man doubt that the thesis is limited to Gospel-persons initiated into sacred orders, beneath the Apostles, and above Deacons? Let him or any men else, tell me where such persons in Holy Text are really distinguished, that is, where Presbyters import not Bishops, and Bishops Presbyters, and then he shall be confest to speak to purpose, to much better purpose then the Observator, who produceth the order of the late Church of England in the ordaining of Bishops, when we talk of those whom Holy Text calls Bi∣shops, not what they were in succeeding times, or are in our Church. And thus I have knockt down Episcopacy, saith the Observator, with a painted club: Dead as a door nail no doubt, yet really not so much as touched I dare say for it; I am sure Episcopacy, I mean Episcopacy by Divine Right, may live many a fair day after it, notwithstanding that assertion, the other 1300. years, as it hath done already (for so long it is since St. Hieromes time, whose opinion all men know it was in terminis) and yet for all that, by the leave of Smectymnuus, he as great a friend to Episcopacy as any other Father; and not more then my self. That there was in the Apostolique Church, a Prelacy, a Superiority instituted, of some one (no matter how denominated) over other Presbyters, within some cer∣tain walks and precincts; that this Superiority was appoin∣ted by the very Apostles, to be exemplary, and to give law to succeeding times, I do as little doubt, and think it as demon∣strable out of Scripture as any thing whatsoever not funda∣mental. That the persons selected for so high a function, should be men of the most eminent quality for piety and learning, there is all the reason in the world; and if such a choyce be once made, as de facto in some it now is, judge o∣thers what they please, I shall account them meriting the greatest Reverence and honour (taken in the most Advan∣tagious Page  37 sense, either for dignity or maintenance, that any subjects are capable of. Soules of the most noble size must have elbow-room, they cannot exercise their activity in an angust and narrow Sphere. The internal Grandour of the mind, may perhaps exist; visible, conspicuous it cannot be, without external Grandour of Estate. Againe, the entries and advenues to advancement, are free and open to Professi∣ons under-graduates to the Sacred; why then shall this be excluded? If Merit be all-sufficient to entitle it possessor to Preferment; what Merit greater then what is resident in persons of Holy Orders? To defraud others of their due Rewards, can at worst be but injustice; to rob these differ∣eth nothing from Sacriledge. This is my sense of Episcopacy; enough, I hope, to satisfie spirits of the most modest and sober temper; and for others, they are beneath my consideration. This done, I shall jog on to attend the Observators next motion.