…we see no divine right in the hierarchical, episcopal, or patriarchal type of church government. We acknowledge loudly and clearly the episcopacy which is based upon the Holy Scriptures --- the episcopacy which is identical with the presbytery [parish pastors]—and we do not see how any congregation can be properly shepherded if it does not have this sort of episcopacy. But where is there a single syllable in the Holy Scriptures which can justly be used as proof for episcopal government, episcopal succession, or Roman primacy? A Romanizing interpretation of the laying on of hands—or even one that is antiquarian and phony—is in the last analysis all that one can extort but never prove because the Scriptures know nothing about this human invention. Although the episcopal etc., types of church government may be quite venerable and have established themselves in history according to human right, when it comes to divine right they deserve to be called nothing but had human inventions despite all the supporters they have.
Loehe, Three Books About the Church; pp.136,137
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