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?* 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. Page  127Compare 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.