THE

PERPETUAL GOVERNMENT OF

CHRIST'S CHURCH:

BY

THOMAS BILSON, D.D.

BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.

A NEW EDITION,

WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE,

BY

THE REV. ROBERT EDEN, M.A.

LATE FELLOW OF CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, oxford.

OXFORD:

AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

M.DCCC.XLII.

Char: Press.

a.24.

NOTICE OF THE WORK AND AUTHOR.

THE

HE work which is now reprinted, is a Defence of Episcopacy. Like some other apologies for the same cause, it was occasioned by the controversy of the times in which its author lived.

Nonconformity, in the days of Elizabeth, displayed itself in three several and progressive stages. Its earliest manifestation was among those men who having witnessed the abominations, and smarted under the cruelties of popery, felt impatient at every remnant of a system so odious in their eyes; and clamoured for the removal of every vestment, as well as vestment, as well as form, which had been in use among the Romanists; "hating even the garment that was spotted," in their eyes, by its association with popery. Much forbearance was due and was shewn, to men otherwise exemplary, and to whom the cause of truth owed so large a debt; because their scruples were connected with points certainly not essential to the maintenance of the constitution of the church.

The next degree of nonconformity was that which passed the border which separated things dispensable from such as were essential; and both invaded the order, and interrupted the practice of the church. Its advocates would demolish episcopacy, only because the Romish church had acknowledged it; desiring to erect in its stead a scheme of discipline, which not