4?� ODnS. [Boot II. From this we may justly infer, that a presbyter and a bishop ere of the same order of clergy: and therefore bisho!? are not eleve?l above presbyters to the lordly height to which the Eoman Catholic prelates have aspired. � This passage of Jerome is no small stumbling block in the way o� Roman prelacy. They are completely puzzled to answer, or even evade its force. Many and various are their opinions and expositions on this passage. The first opinion is that of. Medina, who supposes that not only Jerome, but also Ambrose, Augustine, $edulius, Primasius, Chry- sostom, Theodoret, Theophylact, and (Ecumenius, were hepatics for holding such opinions. The second is the opinion of. Durandus, Do- minicus Soto, Vasquesius, Becan, Maldouat, &c., who maintained that Jerome did not, in this matter, manifest his usual acumen. The third is the opinion of' Cellotius, that these parts of' Jerome's works were corrupted by the frauds of the heretics, and perhaps of. the Arians. The fourth is the opinion of' many theologians, who maintain that Jerome wrote in accordance with the doctrines of' the (?hurch of' Rome. Those of' this class make up the want of. evidence by lengthy interpretations and confident assertions, as it is too serious a loss to have Jerome, as well as the very ablest of' the ancient fathers, against them. As a speci- men of. this mode of' meeting the subject, see BailiF, tom. v, pp. 508-512. �II. The question between us and the (?hurch of Rome in this place, is not concerning the tides and dignities annexed to the ministry, such as bishops, archdeacons, deacons, and provosts, but of the several of the ministry; for bishops and other ministers do not differ in es-der, but in o?e. They hold that there are seve? orders, which have their several rites of consecration, and peculiar offices assigued them. The f.oliowing arguments are offered against the doctrine of. the (?hu?ch of. Rome on this point. 1. As for the names and offices of. sub-deacon, reader, exorcist, lyte, and porter, we have no warrant out of' Scripture to make them orders of. the church; and therefore, as such, we condemn them. Whatever difference of' grade or office is profitable for the church, is embraced in such distinctions as are expressed by the following passage: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evan- ?oelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of. the saints, r the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of. the body of' Christ," Eph. iv, l l, 2. These offices are ?o/?rou?, as they are now used among them. The deacons, sub-deacons, and acolytes were to attend on the priest at mass. 3. Some of. them were ridiculous, as to sweep the churcii, drive out dogs, hold a fly flop of. peacock's feathers to keep the flies from f, lling into the commuuion cup. 4. They are distinguished by ridiculous ornaments, which were proper to every one of. them.* cleero et Dionysium epiocopo8, presbyteri semper unum ex se electurn in exeels?ori gradu collocatum episcopum nominnbant, quo modo si exercitus imperatorera /aciat. nut diaconi eligent de se quem industriara novatint, et archdiaconum vocent. Qukl enim facit, exeepti ordinatioue, episcopus quod presbyter non/aciat.--Epbt. 101, t?. See hilly, tom. v, p. ?07. �See Witlet, pp. 266, 267, where he describes how time v&dous orntments of' die ?evend ordet? ?re t?ken off in ca?e of depoeition.
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