Churches were governed by common advise, but afterwards all was referred to one, hereupon exhorting Bishops to communicate the government of their Churches with their Presbyters, as Moses did his with the Sanedrin of Ifrael. And this further appeareth by that which followeth in the faid Commentaries, Quod quâ negligentiâ obsoleverit, nefcio, nifi fortè Doctorum quorundam defidiâ, vel potiùs fuperbia dum foli volunt aliquid videri, imputing the change to the negligence of Teachers, or to their pride: and therefore they are Teachers that were called Elders afore; and through their negligence, or the Bifhops taking all on themselves, all came into their hands: which perhaps may be referred to that which by and by fhall be faid, that the Bifhops afterwards in fome parts took the office of preaching in the Mother-Church, where they lived, in a fort fort to their peculiar, not fuffering the Presbyters to preach in their prefence. Which office of preaching nevertheleffe, as the matter is now, being become the neceffary charge of Bishop and Presbyters (temporary graces being ceafed, and Di. ocefes divided, Churches built, and means affigned) as it is without doubt and alwayes was accounted, in regard of perfonall performance, the most excellent work they are able to contribute to the service of God, fo is it for the ufe of edification, as much to be preferred before other their imployment, as Prophefying is by the Apoftle preferred before fpeaking with strange languages: Alwayes provided (fince we must not now prefume upon immediate infpirations but expect Gods ordinary bleffing upon humane indeavours) that men and abilities may be stored for the work be before the work be cut out for them, fo as the honour and reverence thereof may be preferved without offenfe. For as the Apoftle faith, that if unbelievers should come into the affemblies of Chriftians, and heare them nothing but fpeak languages which most understood not, they would fay they were mad: So if the enemies of our Profeffion fhould heare in our Churches a great deal of tongue, but the meaning of the Scripture not in it, needs must this bring an evil opinion upon it. CHAP. CHAP. X. Offices of Divine fervice, performed in chief by the Bishop: after him by the Presbyters. Order of Chriftian Affemblies appointed by Bishop and Presbyters. Maintenance of the Church and poore difpofed of like wife. V VE Ell then, this particular of labour in the Word and Do&trine is out of doubt common to Bifhop and Presbyters both. It is that which S. Peter most aimeth at, when he exhorteth those whom he calleth his fellow-Elders to the office of feeding the flock: It is that which S.Paul for the moft part expreffeth, when he exhorteth the Presbyters of Ephefus to take heed to the flock which they were to feed, Acts xx. 28. according to his example, that ceafed not to warn every one night and day with tears, verfe 31. teaching reaching them both in publick, and from house to houfe, as it is afore, v. 28. And we shall find this office of teaching and inftructing the Church to reft afterwards upon the Bishop in chief, and upon the Presbyters in confequence, whether in private upon particular occafions, whereof we find much argument of practice in S. Cyprians Epiftles, or in publick in the affemblies of Chriftians. For thus the matter went afterwards, the principall parts and offices of Divine fervice, that is, the Sermon and the celebration of the Eucharift, were wont to be reserved to the Bishop, in honour of his place and the eminence of it, unleffe he were abfent or it were difpofed of otherwise. Which I take to be the reason why Juftine Martyr, in the place alledged afore, related that the Sermon was wont to be made and the Eucharift celebrated by the esas, which name comprifeth Bi shop |