Episcopacie by divine right. Asserted, by Jos. Hall, B. of Exon

§. 3.

The execution of this Apostolicall power after our Saviours ascent into Heaven.

THe power is clear, will you see the Execu∣tion of it? Look upon St. Paul, the Post∣humous, and Supernumerary, but no lesse glo∣rious [ 10] Apostle: see with what Majesty he be∣comes his new erected Throne: one while deeply(a) charging and commanding, another while(b) controlling and censuring: One while(c) giving Laws and Ordinances, another while urging for their observance: One while(d) ordai∣ning Church-governours, another while adju∣ring them to do their duties: one while threat∣ning punishment, another while inflicting it: [ 20] And if these be not acts of Iurisdiction, what can be such? which since they were done by the Apostle, from the instinct of Gods Spirit, wherewith he was inspired, and out of the warrant of his high vocation, most manifest it is, that the Apostles of Christ had a superemi∣nent

power in Gods Church: And if any per∣son whosoever (though an Evangelist or Pro∣phet) should have dared to make himselfe e∣quall to an Apostle, he had been hissed out, yea rather thunder-struck by deep Censure, for an Arrogant and saucy usurper. Now if our bles∣sed Saviour thought it fit to found his Church in an evident imparity, what reason should we have to imagine he did not intend so to conti∣nue [ 10] it? It had been equally easie for him (had he so thought meet) to have made al his follow∣ers equally great; none better than a disciple, none meaner than an Apostle: But now since it hath pleased him to raise up some to the ho∣nour of Apostles, no lesse above the 70, than the seventy were above the multitude, only injoy∣ning them, that the highest in place, should be the lowest in minde, and humility of service, what doth he, but herein teach us, that he meant [ 20] to set this course for the insuing government of his Church. Neither is it possible for any man to be so absurd, as to think that the Apostles, who were by their heavenly Master, infeoffed in this known preeminence, should, after the Ascent of their Saviour, descend from their ac∣knowledged superiority, and make themselves

but equall to the Presbyters they ordained. No they still and ever (as knowing they were qua∣lified for that purpose, by the more speciall gra∣ces of the holie Ghost) kept their holie state, & maintained the honour of their places. What was the fault of Diotrephes, but that, being a Church-governour, he proudlie stood out a∣gainst St. John, not acknowledging the Trans∣cendant power of his Apostolicall Iurisdiction, whom the provok't Apostle threats to correct [ 10] accordinglie? so as those that lay Diotrephes in our dish, do little consider that they buffet none but themselves, who symbolize with him in opposing Episcopal, that is, as all antiquity was wont to construe it, Apostolicall government.

But you are ready to say, This was during their own time, they were persons extraordi∣nary, and their calling and superioritie died with them: Thus our Tileno-mastix in terms. The only question is, Whether of the ordinary [ 20] Presbyters, which were singlie set over severall Churches, they advanced one in degree above his brethren. We shall erre then if we distin∣guish not. These great Ambassadors of Christ sustained more persons than one; they compre∣hended in themselves the whole Hierarcy: they

were Christians, Presbyters, Bishops, Apostles. So it was, they were Apostles immediatlie cal∣led, miraculouslie gifted; infalliblie guided, uni∣versallie charged. Thus, they had not, they could not have, any successors; they were (withall) Church governours appointed by Christ to or∣der and settle the affairs of his Spirituall King∣dome; And therein (besides the preaching of the Gospel, and baptizing, common to them, [ 10] with other Ministers) to ordain a succession of the meet Administrators of his Church. Thus they were, would be, must be succeeded: Nei∣ther could the Church otherwise have subsi∣sted; No Christian can denie this, all binding upon a necessitie of Apostolicall succession, though differing in the qualitie, and degree of their successors.

Notes

• (a)

  2 Thess 36.
• (b)

  1 Cor. 5.4.5.6.7.
• (c)

  1 Cor. 11.2. 1 Cor. 16 1.
• (d)

  1 Tim. 1.6. 1 Tim. 2.9. 1 Tim. 6 13. 2 Cor. 13.2. 2 Cor. 4.21. 1 Tim. 1.20.
• Par••c•• ••l. 1. c. 4.