[Sidenote:  Papists]

The last which have received strength and encouragement from the Reformers are Papists; against whom, although they are most bitter enemies, yet unwittingly they have given them great advantage.  For what can any enemy rather desire than the breach and dissension of those which are confederates against him?  Wherein they are to remember that if our communion with Papists in some few ceremonies do so much strengthen them, as is pretended, how much more doth this division and rent among ourselves, especially seeing it is maintained to be, not in light matters only, but even in matters of faith and salvation?  Which over-reaching speech of theirs, because it is so open an advantage for the Barrowist and the Papist, we are to wish and hope for, that they will acknowledge it to have been spoken rather in heat of affection, than with soundness of judgment; and that through their exceeding love to that creature of discipline which themselves have bred, nourished, and maintained, their mouth in commendation of her did so often overflow.

[Sidenote:  Points of controversy]

From hence you may proceed—­but the means of connexion I leave to yourself—­to another discourse, which I think very meet to be handled either here or elsewhere at large; the parts whereof may be these:  1.  That in this cause between them and us, men are to sever the proper and essential points and controversy from those which are accidental.  The most essential and proper are these two:  overthrow of the Episcopal, and erection of Presbyterial authority.  But in these two points whosoever joineth with them, is accounted of their number; whosoever in all other points agreeth with them, yet thinketh the authority of Bishops not unlawful, and of Elders not necessary, may justly be severed from their retinue.  Those things, therefore, which either in the persons, or in the laws and orders themselves are faulty, may be complained on, acknowledged, and amended, yet they no whit the nearer their main purpose:  for what if all errors by them supposed in our Liturgy were amended, even according to their own heart’s desire; if non-residence, pluralities, and the like were utterly taken away; are their lay-elders therefore presently authorized? or their sovereign ecclesiastical jurisdiction established?

[Sidenote:  Faults of the complainants]

But even in their complaining against the outward and accidental matters in Church-Government, they are many ways faulty. 1.  In their end, which they propose to themselves.  For in declaiming against abuses, their meaning is not to have them redressed, but, by disgracing the present state, to make way for their own discipline.  As therefore in Venice, if any Senator should discourse against the power of their Senate, as being either too sovereign, or too weak in government, with purpose to draw their authority to a moderation, it might well be suffered; but not so, if it should appear he spake with purpose