The second and last part of Reasons for refusall of subscription to the Booke of common prayer vnder the hands of certaine ministers of Deuon. and Cornwall, as they were exhibited by them to the right Reuerend Father in God William Cotton Doctor of Diuinitie, and Lord Bishop of Exceter. As also an appendix, or compendious briefe of all other exceptions taken by others against the bookes of communion, homilies, and ordination, word for word, as it came to the hands of an honorable personage. VVith an ansvvere to both at seuerall times returned them in publike conference, and in diuerse sermons vpon occasion preached in the cathedrall church of Exceter by Thomas Hutton Bachiler of Diuinitie, and fellow of S. Iohns Colledge in Oxon.

Chap. 21. The booke hath three orders of ministers of the worde & sacraments against the worde, which hath but one.

WHat one sillable in Gods worde for this one order, or how can it bee an order if but one? When allegation shalbe forced to appeare in scriptures, more particular answer shal∣be then made. Plaine it is in the new testa∣ment whence the names wee vse are taken: euident also it is in the after histories: Ter∣tullian thus?* 1.1 when the principles themselues namely the Dea∣cons, Presbiters, and Bishops flye, how shall a lay man for∣beare flying? When the leaders runne away, which of the soul∣diers stand. Optatus writeth distinctlie of them by name (as our church doth) but of manie places wee will alledge this one. There are 4. sorts of persons in the church Bishops, Presbiters, Deacons, and the faithfull: Augustin more expreslie. How ma∣ny Bishops most excellent, and holie men haue I knowen, how manie Presbiters, how manie Deacons, and of this sort ministers, of the worde and diuine sacraments? So∣crates speaking of the times, wherein Paphnutius liued, and withall intreating of those, whome wee now mention Conse∣crated persons, I meane (saieth he) those that are Bishops, Presbiters, and Deacons. The apologie of our owne church (as it is set downe in the harmonie of Confession towardes the latter end by way of supply of such thinges, as thorough forget∣fulnes might seeme to bee omitted) mentioneth diuerse orders of ministers in the church. Some are Deacons, others Pastors, some are Bishoppes to whome the institution and care is com∣mitted. In the articles whereunto by act of Parliament euerie minister at his ordination doth subscribe hee doth ac∣cept of thee 32. and 35. Which in effect require as much.

Compare the obiection, and anie of the authorities now cited whither of the anncient fathers or of our Church, at these times, and what argument is there thinke you? They say diuerse, this admits but one. If diuerse, then not one onely, and if onely one, then not diuerse. But their ioynt consent one with another and the iudgement of our church must bee of more prize with vs then any straglers obstinate contradition.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Quum ipsi au∣thores idest ip∣sidiaconi, praes biters, et episco pi fugiunt, quo∣modo laicus etc? Tertull. in fuga Quatuor gene∣ra capitūsūt in ecclesia episcopo rum praesbytero rum, diaconorū fidelium. Optat lib. 2. Quam mul••os episcoposopti∣mos viros, san∣ctsssimosque cognoui, quam multos praesbyte¦ros, quam mul∣tos diaconos & huiusmodi mi∣nistros diuino∣rum sacramen∣torum. Aug. de moribus eccles. lib. 1. cap. 32.〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Socrat lib. 1. c. 2 Varios in ecclesia esse ordines ministrorum aliosesse diaconos, aliot praesbyteros a••ios episcopot quibus institutio populi Confes Anglic. artic. 5.