Gerhard, On the Ministry 2, § 205 argues for keeping the grades of bishops, presbyters, and deacons and gives the benefits of doing so. Even the angels are ranked.
Ap. XIV.1: On this matter we have given frequent testimony in this assembly to our deep desire to maintain the church polity and various ranks in the church [gradus in ecclesia], even though they were created by human authority. We know that the Fathers had good and useful reasons for instituting ecclesiastical discipline in the manner described by the ancient canons.