Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 8.

Obj. IT is manifest, that the Apostles did ordaine Presbiters, and Deacons, and gave rules concerning christian Discipline, and had power of exercising censures, over Presbiters and o∣thers, which these places of Scripture, as Act. 14. 13. Act. 6. 6. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 1 Cor. 14. 1 Cor. 5. 3. 3 Epist. Joh. 9. 10. doe prove.

Ans. It is acknowledged, but I have told you, and now tell* 1.1 you againe, that there ever went a joynt interest, and concur∣rence of the Church, in all their proceedings, which those Scrip∣tures, viz. by comparing the 15. and 23. verses of Acts 1. as also by comparing Act. 6. 3. 5. 6. Act. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4. with Act. 14. 26, 27, 28. and so in the consequences of the Discourse, in the insuing Chapter, as ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30. 33. as also the whole of all Pauls Epistles, doe prove (as I have formerly declared) in that they were written to the reall Body of every Church, to whom they were sent, and therefore each thing concerned in them, was also to be performed by the whole Church, and not of any other particular part thereof, as a

representative of the whole, without elected by the whole, as hereafter I shall prove at large.

Obj. It is manifest, that Timothy, and Titus (who were medi∣ately called) had power also of exercising censures over Presbiters, and others, which these places of Scripture, 1 Tim. 5. 22. Tit. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 19. Tit. 3. 10. doe witnesse.

Ans. This is also granted, but you are so sottish to thinke, that the priviledge which the Apostles permitted the reall Body of the Church in such affaires, was taken from them; had they interest in all the Apostles affaires, concerning the Church, and must they be debarred it by Timothy, and Titus? Might they be be permitted (as I said before) to ••ay the foundation, and not to build; to elect an Apostle, and not a Presbiter; to have voyce in the counsels and decrees of the Apostles, who were im∣mediatly called, and be debar••ed the like priviledge by Timothy, and Titus? doubtlesse it was the grosse, or rather wilful mistake of some proud Lucrean Priest (such as the Sinod consisted of) who first assumed that christian priviledge unto themselves, from them Scriptures.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The reall Bo∣dy of the Church had an interest & concurrence in all things appertaining to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.