The whole of this passage, the editor informs us, "is in the handwriting of Overall."—P. 272.
In the year 1844, a new edition of this document was issued to the subscribers to the Library of Anglo-Catholic Theology. Some care and labour appear to have been bestowed in editing it. The name of the editor is not given: the preface does not even bear his initials. Consequently, the Committee, whose names are before the public, and to whom, as the subscribers are informed in the Rules of the Society, "the whole management of the fund subscribed is entrusted,"[6] have taken on themselves the entire and sole responsibility of this edition, and are the only parties in any way answerable to the subscribers, for the manner in which it has been prepared for publication.
[6] The fifth rule is as follows:—
"5. That the whole management of the fund subscribed be entrusted to a Committee, consisting of not less than twelve nor more than twenty-four subscribers, who shall fill up all vacancies that may occur in their own body."
How that has been done the following observations may help to determine.
In the second part of the work this passage occurs (book ii. chap. vii.):—
"In these times it may well be granted that there was no need of any other bishops but the Apostles, and likewise that then their churches or particular congregations in every city were advised and directed touching points of religion in manner and form aforesaid by the common and joint advice of their priests or ministers. In which respect, the same persons, who then were named priests or ministers, were also in a general sense called bishops. Howbeit this course dured not long, either concerning their said common direction, or their names of bishops so attributed unto them; but was shortly after ordered far otherwise, by a common decree of the Apostles, to be observed in all such cities where particular churches were planted, or, as one speaketh, in toto orbe 'throughout the world.'"
This passage will be found at p. 136. of the edition in the Anglo-Catholic Library, and at the foot of the page is the reference given by the Convocation to the words "in toto orbe."
"Jerome in Ep. ad Tit. cap. i. [See note O.]"
The words within brackets direct us to one of the notes which the editor has added at the end of the volume; where, at p. 281., the following is found: