The societie and fellowship of the churches is not simple, but compo∣sed of three partes, that is, Monarchia, Aristocratia, and Democratia, but great heede is to be taken, that that kind which is called Oligarchia be vtterly remoued from the church, which consisteth in tirannye, and the corrupt manners of the people.
Monarchia is the rule and gouernment, pertaining onely to one man, as to a King, a Queene, or a Prince of a realme.
Aristocratia, is when the Nobles, the Senatours, the Counsellours gouerne and rule a common wealth.
Democratia, is when the people and cōmons thēselues, beare the rule.
Now if you haue a respect in the church onely vnto Christ, then it is called Monarchia, for he is our king, which hath purchased the church vnto himselfe, with his own blood. Now he is gone into heauen, but yet he gouerneth this his kingdome, not with his visible presence, but with his spirite, and the word of the holy scriptures.
In this church be also his Ambassadours and Legates, as Bishoppes, Priestes, Elders, Doctors, Pastors, & other, by whose office the church may be called Aristocratia. These offices are commited, not for riches sake, not for nobility and bloods sake, not for fauour and worldly estima∣tion, but for doctrine, knowledge, and purity of life.
Againe, bicause weighty causes, and matters of some importaunce are in the church referred to the people (as we reade in the actes of the Apo∣stles) the church is called also Democratia. The great matters & causes of weight, are excommunication, absolution, the election of Bishops, & other Ministers, and by this may it be concluded, that no man ought to be excommunicate, without the consent of the people.
The publike weale of the Romanes kept thēselfe in the same state, for in times of misery & affliction, they chose and made an officer, whō they called, Dictatorē, which was as a monarche, & chief ruler among them.
They had also their Senate house, and their Seniours, who wer pru∣dent, wise, and graue men, and that, might be named Aristocratia.
But in graue and weighty matters, in lawes to be confirmed, and sta∣tutes to be made, they referred vnto Quirites, that is, to the whole cōmi∣nalty, & this might properly be called Democratia. Saint Ciprian doth write vnto Cornelius the bishop, that he tooke great paine, and labored much to ye people, that peace & pardō might be graūted vnto thē, which offended, which pardon if he could haue geuen by his owne authority, he should not haue needed so much to perswade and entreate the people.