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THE third particle of the resem∣blance, M. Abbot hath cou∣ched in these words. That as from Cartenna the Donatists did send Bishops to other countries, even to Rome it self: so from Rome by the papists order Bishops be authorised to all other countries. This is of small moment, if it were true. But I
read not in S. Austin that the Rogatists sent a∣ny Bishops from Cartenna into other coasts, but rather required men of all other places, to come to their quarters if they would ob∣teyne Saluation: That then may passe for ano∣ther ouersight. Neither bee all Catholike Bis∣hops consecrated at Rome, and thence sent into other countries: but they be ordinarily made in every Catholike countrie, though to preserve vnity and good order, their election bee approued by the Bishop of Rome Christs vicar generall on earth, and supreme pastor of his church.
PVT Africa in steed of Cartenna, and then M. Bishop can say nothing against the resem∣blance.* 1.1 I not weighing the matter so strictly did put Africa for the third part of the world, and in that signification Cartenna is within Africa. well, let Cartenna be put out, bicause Libia and Mau∣ritania refused to be called by the name of Africa (as Austin noteth,) and let it run thus. The Do∣natists sent Bishops out of Africa to dwell at Rome, or some Bishops out of Africa to create some other bishops of their faction at Rome. So doth the church of Rome send Bishops into all other countries of their religion, or if they do not send such bishops abroad; yet in that Bishops made in other countries must haue the Bishop of Rome his confirmation, it is all one as if hee had sent them from thence.
well seing the poore man acknowledgeth his error, let him be pardoned. Let Cartenna and the Rogatists (who only raigned there) bee changed into the Donatists of Africa. That silly excuse that Africa contaynes the third part of the world, might be to purpose, if A∣frica had been sett for Cartenna; Continens pro contento: but Cartenna was set for Africa, w∣hich being so obscure a part of Africa, could not decently be put for the whole. wherfore M. Abbot hath reason to wish Cartenna to be blotted out, and so might hee haue done by all these resemblances, had not his fingers itched to blase abroad his owne folly. As for his reformation of it, though he saw the dis∣proportion, yet could he not let it alone. For he was not ignorant that most Catholike Bis∣hops neither went to Rome to be there con∣secrated, nor were consecrated by any Bishops that came from thence: As all the Donatists were either consecrated in Africa, or els by Bishops who were sent out of Africa to con∣secrate them. what salve then hath hee for this sore? Mary that it is all one to haue the popes confirmation, and to be consecrated by Bishops sent from Rome.
Some what like hee might haue said, but not all one. for to approue the election of a Bishop, and to elect a bishope, or to consecra∣te him, bee farr different things, as every man
that is acquainted with these matters can rea∣dily tell. I admit Donatists would gladly haue had Bishops of their owne sect in every coun∣trie, that they might haue had no need to send Bishops out of Africa to consecrate them in other places: And thervpon I do inferr, that euen therby they were convinced not to bee Catholikes. bicause their pastors & preachers were not vniversally spred ouer all countries. contrarywise the Roman church is proued to be Catholike, because it had in everie coun∣try Bishops of their owne faith and commu∣nion. So that M. Abbot winding and turning on both sides to get out of the briars, doth still more and more intangle and fasten himself in the same.
August. epist. 48.