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234 V. THE REFORMATION (A.D. 15201592).
But, as to the general conclusion of Hooker and our
selves, that the institution of episcopacy
"
had either
divine appointment beforehand or divine approbation
afterwards, and is in that respect to be acknowledged the
ordinance of God" (Hooker: I.e.), Laurentius is entirely
of the same mind as the Church of England.
As regards his final position that the episcopate is an
institution proceeding from God the Holy Ghost, and was
of universal acceptance in the early Church, and must con
tinue to the end of time, we could not desire anything more
explicit. In what follows also Laurentius refers to the
cases of Titus and Timothy, as examples of such oversight
over priests, as he here ascribes to bishops or ordinarily
and in that way he recognizes the link between the
episcopate and the apostolate.
As regards election of bishops, he says :
"
In early times
it was the custom that the whole people should choose both
bishops and other Church ministers." Now dioceses are
too large, and there are many who do not know who would
best fill such an office. Therefore, they should be elected
by some suitable persons of the clergy, and others who are
experienced in such matters. A majority of votes should
prevail. If votes are equal a lot may be drawn. It is in
teresting, I
may note, to observe this survival of the old
custom of resort to lots. The elected bishop is to be con
firmed by the sovereign. The man so approved may be
openly ordained bishop with laying on of hands by some
other bishop, one or more. There is no rule, as among
ourselves and elsewhere, that there must be three bishops
to consecrate another, nor is there any rule as to
confirmation by the metropolitan and comprovincial
bishops. Dr. Holmquist tells me that consecration by a
single bishop was probably not unusual in pre-Reformation
times, where it was difficult to gather a number of prelates
together. The three home-bishops (as we may call them)
of Upsala, Vesteras and Strengnas could, of course, meet
with some ease.
The method of election here descriBed shows that the
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