Being about to prescribe the several Forms for ordaining Deacons , Priests and Bishops , we studiously avoid the odious charge of Innovation , and therefore appeal to Scripture and Antiquity as our Evidence , that these three Orders have been in the Church from the Apostles time : Whereby we make a distinction , between these three truly Sacred Orders , which were instituted by Christ and his Apostles , and alone are retained by our Reformers , as necessary for all Ages ; and those inferior Orders of Subdeacons , Acolyths , Exorcists , Readers , &c. invented by men in later times , and therefore laid aside in this Reformed Church . 'T is true , these were names of Offices used in some places very early ; but those who had these Titles had no solemn Ordination at first , and were looked on rather as Candidates for , than Persons in Holy Orders : And therefore Alphonsus a Castro (b) (b) Alf. a Castro adv. haeres . l. xi . tit. Ordo . with very many other eminent Doctors of the Roman Church , cited by the learned Chamier , allow not these lesser Orders to be Sacraments , nor truly Sacred , as not being instituted by Christ (c) (c) Cham. Panstrat . l. iv . c. 22. p. 212. . But as to these three greater Orders , our Preface modestly dates their use from the Apostles time , for it might have been carried much higher , since it is also evident , that in the Jewish Oeconomy ( the first Church setled by a written Divine Law ) above 3000 years ago , three Orders were appointed , the High-Priest , the Priests and the Levites , answering to our Bishops , Presbyters and Deacons , and being the very Pattern to the Apostles in the institution of these three Christian Orders , as divers of the Fathers have observed (d) (d) Et ut sciamus Traditiones Apostolicas sumptas de Veteri Testamento , Quod Aaron & filii ejus atque Levitae in Templo fuerunt , hoc sibi Episcopi , Presbyteri atque Diaconi vendicent in Ecclesia . Hieron . ad Euagr. Ep. 85. T. 2. p. 511. Vide item Clem. Epist. ad Corinth . pag. 92. . I may also add that our Saviour ( who loved not unnecessary alteration ) kept as nigh to this Form in his own time , as the circumstances would bear ; for he sustained the place of High-Priest and Bishop , ( by both which names he is called (e) (e) Heb. iv . 14. & 1 Pet. ii . 25. ) being the supream Ruler of his Church , and under him the Apostles were then only as Priests , having below them the LXX Disciples , like to the Levites and Deacons (f) (f) Luc. x. 1. — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Theoph. in loc. : Out of whom , after the Apostles succeeded their Master in the Government of the Church , many were chosen into higher Orders , and seven of them were fixed as Deacons in Jerusalem , the Mother of all Churches (g) (g) Vid. Chron. Alexand . Bibl. Patr. T. 12. p. 60. & Epiph. Panar . T. 1. haer. 20. . After our Lord's ascension also , Scripture mentions the like number of stated Orders ; First , The Apostles who then held the place of Bishops , though they could not be fixed to any one City : Secondly , The Evangelists who were sent to plant or to water newly converted Churches ; and these represented the Presbyters , to which we may add the Deacons , ordained not only in Judea , but also among the Gentile Proselytes (h) (h) Phil. i. 1. 1 Tim. iii. 8. as appears from the Title of some Epistles , and the Rules given to Timothy about them . The only Objection , as to the Scripture-Period , is about the seemingly promiscuous use of the words Bishop and Presbyter or Elder . For which Objection it suffices to note , 1st . That in those Churches where any of the Apostles lived or commonly resided , as Jerusalem and Corinth , there St. James and St. Paul for a while kept the Government in their own hands , and so long there was no occasion for any more than two Orders under the Apostles in those places , viz. Presbyters and Deacons . 2ly . That in those Cities where few were converted , there was no occasion for Presbyters at first , and it seems reasonable to think , there were no more fixed there than a Bishop and his Deacons , which some make to be the case at Philippi , that Epistle being directed only to the Bishops and Deacons , though others will have Bishops there to signify Presbyters ; and think Epaphroditus his Title left out in the direction , because he carried the Epistle (i) (i) — Cum Presbyteris & Diaconis , Syriac . vers . Ita Theoph. in loc. ; and they observe St. Polycarp only mentions two Orders at Philippi , Presbyters and Deacons (k) (k) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ep. ad Philip. p. 18. ; but for their argument from the plural number , ( Bishops . ) it is sufficiently answered by observing Philippi was a Metropolis , and had many Cities under it in that Province , and so had many Bishops : However we do not deny , that in some Churches , before a due settlement could be made , there might be but two Orders besides the Apostles , who , as St. Clement says , Preaching in Countries and Cities , ordained the First-fruits of them ( proving them by the Spirit ) Bishops and Deacons of such as should believe (l) (l) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ep. ad Corinth . p. 96. . But Epiphanius against Aerius ( the heretical Founder of the Presbyterian party ) gives a convincing reason for this , viz. because while the Preaching was new — all things could not be setled by the Apostles at once — and where none were found worthy to be Priests , they were content only with a Bishop , who could not be without his Deacons for ministrations : but the Church was not yet compleated in its Offices , since nothing is perfect at first , but in process of time , all that it s needs required was fixed (m) (m) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 — & paulo post , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Epiph. Panar . contr. Aer . lib. 3. T. 1. haer. 75. . Whence we may infer , that in perfect Churches there were then three Orders ; and I hope our Adversaries will not offer imperfect ones for our imitation ; especially since it is clear , even in the Apostles days , that they ( then being in the place of Bishops ) had power over Deacons , and gave a mission to Presbyters (n) (n) Act. vi . 6. and xv . 22. . That Evangelists could not confirm the converted Samaritans without the Apostles (o) (o) Act. viii . 14 , 15 , 16 , 17. : That the Bishops constituted by them , were to charge the Pastors not to preach any strange Doctrine (p) (p) 1 Tim. i. 3. , and to see laborious Preachers well rewarded (q) (q) 1 Tim. v. 17. , to censure offending Elders (r) (r) 1 Tim. v. 1. , yea to examine and approve of Deacons (s) (s) 1 Tim. iii. 8. , and to admit both these by Imposition of Hands (t) (t) Chap. v. 22. ; which place the Fathers generally explain of Ordination (u) (u) Vid. Theoph. in loc. & Bern. de consid . lib. 4. c. 4. p. 887. : And the like superiority Titus had in Creet (w) (w) Tit. i. 5. and Chap. iii. 10. . From all which it appears there was an Order of Bishops above the Presbyters , who must have jurisdiction over them , or else they could not reprove and censure them ( as Epiphanius notes ) (x) (x) Epiphan. ut supra , haer. 75. contr. Aer . ; who also had then the only Power of Ordaining both the Presbyters and the Deacons , and of confirming baptized Converts ; and 't is plain they had two Orders under their Inspection and Rule , both the Preaching Presbyters , and ministring Deacons in regular Churches , especially a little before the end of the Apostles time . But our Preface dates the certain and general use of these Orders from the Apostles time . So that we need not prove much more , than what is granted by D. Blondell , the great Champion for two Orders , who confesses that Bishops were distinguished from , and superior to Presbyters so early , that the usage had prevailed about the year of Christ 140 (y) (y) Blondel . citat . a Dr. Hammond . in Epist. praefix. Dissert. de Episc. §. 23. . Now it is agreed that St. John lived till An. Christ. 98. and if this usage had prevailed within 42 years after , it must either have begun in the time of the Apostles , and then must be made with their consent , or else we must suppose so great a Change could be begun and perfected in distant places in a very short time ; which is incredible , especially if we look on the temper and state of those poor , pious and persecuted Pastors , who succeeded the Apostles : for no man can imagine they were busie in procuring a Dominion over their Brethren , which neither Christ nor his Apostles had allowed them : Yet we can go higher than Mr. Blondell yields , and as early as St. Clemens Romanus , who writ an Epistle to the Corinthians before St. John's death , or about that time ; and though in one place of it where he speaks of the time when the Apostles first planted Churches , he mention only two Orders , yet afterwards , he takes notice , that before the late unhapy Schism , They walked in Gods Laws , being subject to their Governors , and giving due Honour to the Presbyters among them (z) (z) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Ep. ad Corinth . p. 4. . Now since we cannot reasonably suppose the Christians at Corinth , then had any secular Governors of their own : These 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( who are set before and distinct from the Presbyters must be Bishops . Spiritual Governors , who in Scripture are called by that very name (a) (a) Act. xv . 22. and Hebr. xiii . 7. : And we may from this place further note ; Obedience is due to them , and only Reverence to the Presbyters . So that these two Orders were distinct from the very time of the Apostles : And he mentions the third of Deacons also ; so that it is no wonder , if he liken the Christian Hierarchy to the three Orders among the Jews ; nor can it be doubted but these Three Orders were distinct in his time .

S. Ignatius follows him , who was Martyred ten years after St. John's death An. 108. and his Epistles mention Bishops , Priests and Deacons ( as then fixed in all the Churches he Writ to ) so very often , that we cannot cite all the places in this brief account , but refer the Reader to Dr. Hammond's Dissertations (b) (b) D. Hammond . Dissert. 2. de Episc. cap. 25. de Testim . D. Ignatij . where they are all collected , and the places are so clear , that such as would maintain only two Primitive Orders , are forced to question the Authority of the Holy Martyr 's Epistles : But a learned Writer hath so fully vindicated them for genuine (c) (c) Vid. Vindic. Epistolar. D. Ignatij per Pearson . Edit. Cantab. 1672. , and so plainly proved , that all other Writers of the second Century did distinguish these Orders (d) (d) Ibid. cap. 13. p. 155. , that my pains are superseded in that matter ; and Ignatius remains an undoubted Evidence for these three Orders .

So are those two genuine Epistles of Pius Bishop of Rome Anno 164. Wherein he names two of his Subordinate Clergy , Soter and Eleutherius ( both afterwards his Successors , ) most worthy Presbyters : And in the fourth Epistle written to a Bishop , he saith , That the Presbyters and Deacons should honour him , not for his Superiority , but for his being Christ's Servant (d) . (e) (e) Epist. 3. Pij prim . cap. Bin. Tom. 1. p. 70. & Epist. 4 : ibid. p. 71. In the same Century Anno 192 lived Clemens of Alexandria , who speaks of some precepts in Scripture given to Presbyters , others to Bishops , and others to Deacons (f) (f) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Al. paedag . l. 3. cap. 12. . And expresly affirms , that there were then in the Church the Degrees of Bishops , Presbyters and Deacons (g) (g) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Id. Strom. lib. 6. p. 667. , than which nothing can be clearer : Next to him may be placed Tertullian his contemporary , who names all these Orders , and affirms the right of Baptizing is in the Supreme Priest ; that is , the Bishop , and then in Priests and Deacons , but not without his Licence for the Honour of the Church (h) (h) Dandi quidem jus habet summus sacerdos qui est Episcopus , dehinc Presbyteri & Diaconi , &c. Tert. de Bapt. cap. 17. . And he blames the Hereticks for blundering these Sacred Orders , and confounding them with the Laity . So that one was a Bishop to day , and another to morrow ; one a Deacon or Presbyter to day , to morrow a Reader or a Lay-man (i) (i) Idem de praescript . haeret . cap. 41. p. 217. . Yea , he there tells us , that Bishops were set over the Church by the Apostles , and that the Succession was continued to his time (k) (k) Idem ibid. cap. 32. p. 213. ; which is what our Preface affirms concerning Bishops , that they had been over the Church from the Apostles time : To him in the beginning of the next Century may be added Origen Anno 220 ; who saith , that Bishops , Priests and Deacons are names of distinct Administrations (l) (l) Origen in 19. Matth. p. 363. . And he names these Orders again (m) (m) Idem in 21. Matth. ver. 12. p. 442. , and when he had reckoned up the Laity , the Deacons and himself among the Presbyters , he adds ; The Bishop is he that had delivered to him , the Ecclesiastical Rule over all of us (n) (n) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Id. in Jerem. hom. 2. . Before the middle of this Century flourished , St. Cyprian An. 248. who every where names these three Orders so expresly , that none can deny they were fixed in the African Church long before his time ; wherefore waving innumerable testimonies concerning the distinction of the Orders , I will only cite two or three about their Subordination . First he saith , — Bishops succeeded the Apostles , and are ordained in their stead — and that Schisms and Heresies spring from contemning this one Bishop * * Praepositos qui Apostolis vicariâ ordinatione succedunt — inde enim Schismata & Haereses obortae sunt — dum Episcopus contemnitur . Cypr. Ep. 69. . And as to the Presbyters acting presumptuously against their Bishop , he represents it as an offence against God , a forgetting the Gospel , their own place , and the future Judgment , when without regard to their Superiour , without any precedent in former Ages , they challenge his whole Power with rudeness (o) (o) Cypr. Ep. 10. p. 29. . And he hath writ one Epistle , only to shew the horrid Crime of a Deacon contemning his Bishop , and appointing the Person who did so , to be excommunicated and deposed unless he repented (p) (p) Idem Ep. 65. p. 192. . So that in his time , Deacons and Presbyters were not only distinct from , but subject to their Bishop : About this time also Novatus , the Heretick , is censured for not considering there could be but one Bishop in one Church , that was orthodox , ( as Rome then was ) though at the same time there were forty six Presbyters and seven Deacons under him in that City (q) (q) Epist. Cornelii ap. Euseb. l. 6. c. 35. . To this Age we must also reckon the Canons called Apostolical , made in divers Synods under Heathen Emperors , and collected by Clemens Alexandrinus , ( as 't is believed ) but certainly a genuine remain of this Century , as is abundantly proved by a very learned Author (r) (r) Codex Can. Eccles. Prim. vindicat . per. G. Beveridge , 1678. . Now these Canons every where make out the distinction of these Orders , and the subjection of the two latter , to the first , viz. the Bishop : For they decree three Bishops must ordain a Bishop , but one is sufficient for a Priest or Deacon (s) (s) Apostol. Can. i , ii . Bern. Tom. 1. p. 1. . And very many of these Canons name these Orders distinctly , as being then setled and well known in the Christian Church in that early Age (t) (t) Ibid. Can. iv , v , vi , vii , viii , & xvii , xviii , & xxv , xxvii , xxviii , xxix , & xxxiii , xxxvi , & xlii , xliv , xlv , & li , lii , liii , & lxiii , lxviii , lxix , lxx , & lxxxiii . . And for the Subordination , No Presbyter or Deacon may remove without his Bishop's leave (u) (u) Ib. Can. xv . p. 10. . No Presbyter can separate from him (w) (w) Ib. Can. xxxi . p. 19. . The Bishop may excommunicate or absolve Presbyters and Deacons (x) (x) Ib. Can. xxxii . p. 21. , and neither of them are to do any thing without their Bishop's consent (y) (y) Ib. Can. xxxix . p. 27. ; yea Presbyters and Deacons are declared to be Officers under the Bishop (z) (z) Ib. Can. xli . p. 28. . And now we have viewed the original of these Orders , whose Foundations were laid by God in the Old Testament , agreed to by our Saviour , and instituted by his Apostles in the New ; and the next three Centuries continued the usage in times of Persecution , when the Bishops were all Saints or Martyrs , and could have no reason to alter an Apostolical Institution , nor any ends of Ambition or Covetousness to tempt them to set up any Innovation . So that we conclude , thus far there were three Sacred Orders in the Church . Our Adversaries confession of this , makes all further proof of the number and distinction unnecessary , and we may be assured , that what was done in those Pure and Primitive Ages was right ; so that we will only add a few Observations about the Bishops superiority over Priests and Deacons , and so end this Section . In the Council of Alexandria , An. 339. it appeared that one Colluthus , who was but a Presbyter , had ordained Ischyras and others to the same Degree , but that Council degraded him and the rest , and reduced them to the degree of Laicks , for want of Episcopal Ordination (a) (a) Epist. Synod . ab Alexand . Binius , T. 1. p. 405. ; which probably gave occasion to the Council of Antioch , An. 341. to forbid any but a Bishop to ordain a Presbyter or Deacon (b) (b) Conc. Antioch . can . 10. Bin. Tom. 1. p. 411. . For it had been always taken for granted , that the Bishop was of the first Order , and so to admit the other two : Hence Optatus Milevitanus , who flourished An. 368. says of the times before his own , that even then the Church had Deacons fixed in the third , and Presbyters in the second Degree , besides Bishops , who were the top and Princes of the rest (c) (c) Optat. Milev . lib. 1. p. 39. . So Sidonius stiles Euphronius a Priest of the second Order : before he was made a Bishop (d) (d) Sidon . Apol. l. 4. ep. 25. p. 106. ; yea before him St. Hierom reckons Presbyters the second Order (e) (e) Hieron . in 1 ep. Tim. cap. iii. . And the Gallican Ritual calls them — an Order next following the Bishops — of the second Dignity ; affirming that the Apostles filled the world with this second sort of Preachers — and they there pray at the Ordaining a Presbyter , that he may obtain the gift of a second merit (f) (f) Ordin . Pres . in Litur . Gallic . vet. ap. Mabil . l. 3. p. 306. . More of which testimonies may be seen in a late learned Author of our own (g) (g) Vid. Dod. Dissert. Cypr. 6. §. 12. . To conclude , it was so well known that a Bishop was a superior order to a Presbyter , that it was deemed Sacrilege by the Fourth General Council to thrust a Bishop down from the first to the second Degree (h) (h) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Concil. Chalc. Act. 4. Bin. p. 427. . So that however persecution and dire necessity may perhaps exeuse some late Churches , for being forced to mix the two first Orders , and to have only Priests and Deacons : Yet we , who have a prescription of above 1600 years for us , even from the Apostles time , have the right of our side , and must never depart therefrom . I have no time to enlarge upon this Subject , which hath been so fully and learnedly discussed by divers excellent Writers , that I hope the Controversie is at an end ; wherefore I shall refer the Reader for his further satisfaction ( if it be desired ) to the Authors here cited (i) (i) Bilson of Church Govern . c. 2. And. Opusc . resp . ad Ep. Molin . — Ham. mond . Dissert. de jure Div. Episcop. — Bish. Tay. Div. Instit. of Episc. — Spalat. de R. P. Eccles. l. 2. c. 3. , which are abundantly sufficient .