De politia judaica, tam civili quam ecclesiastica, jam inde a suis primordiis, hoc est ab orbe condito, repetita

CHAPTER II.

The Ecclesiastical Polity of the Fathers from the creation of the world.

A decorative drop cap letter I begins the text.

In the Ecclesiastical polity of the Fathers, one must treat first of persons, afterwards of place, then of time, fourthly of things, and fifthly of rites, both regarding persons and regarding things.

And as concerns persons, they must be considered generally at first, so that we may view the whole body of the Church; then specifically, so that we may distinguish the parts of that body.

Therefore, as regards the whole body of the Church, it is established from the very word of God that Adam and Eve, having been alienated from God and afterwards reconciled to Him, were chosen by God himself into the assembly of the Church. For thus, after the fall, they sensed from the rebuke of God that they had lost the first light and righteousness of nature, so that they understood again from the promise of God that they were received back by Him into His own, and that life was restored to them.

Gen. 3.14

There were two parts of this body: one of that person who presided over the assembly by governing and teaching, the other of that person who had to obey by being admonished and taught. For in that rebuke with which the Lord chided Adam and Eve, He gave Adam the charge of governing religion

Gen. 3.16

1. Cor. 14.
1. Tim. 2.11