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diff --git a/44787-0.txt b/44787-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..714c65d --- /dev/null +++ b/44787-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5595 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44787 *** + +Transcriber's Note + +The text includes a large number of marginal notes that are printed in +small font and are sometimes unclear. They have been converted into +footnotes or (if they comprise general descriptions of a passage) into +sidenotes. A footnote may refer to the following, rather than +preceding, word or phrase. If so the footnote anchor has been +positioned accordingly. + +Many of the paragraphs are numbered according to a complex scheme. +Only on one page are they indented. While the numbering has been +retained the indenting has been removed. + +Apparent typographical errors, and inconsistencies in hyphenation, +have been corrected. Superscripts and one word in spaced-out text have +been rendered in ordinary font. Small capitals have been converted to +ordinary capitals. Italics are indicated by _underscores_. + +Greek accents are often unclear and (apart from rough-breathing marks) +have been omitted. + +The error noted at the end of the text has been incorporated. + + + + +A VINDICATION OF THE + +Presbyteriall-Government, + +AND MINISTRY: + +TOGETHER, + +With an Exhortation, to all the Ministers, Elders, and People, within +the Bounds of the Province of LONDON, whether joyning with Us, or +separating from Us. + +_Published, By the Ministers, and Elders, met together in a +Provinciall Assembly_, Novemb. 2d. 1649. + +Wherein, amongst other things, these ensuing particulars are contained: + + 1. _That there is a Church-Government, by_ Divine Right. + 2. _That the_ Magistrate, _is not the_ Fountain _of_ + Church-Government. + 3. _That the_ Presbyterial-Government, _is by_ Divine Right. + 4. _The_ Inconveniencies _of the_ Congregationall-_way_. + 5. _That the_ Ruling-Elder _is by_ Divine Right. + 6. _That it is the will of_ Jesus Christ, _that all sorts of persons + should give an account of their_ Faith, _to the_ Minister, _and_ + Elders, _before admission to the_ Lords Supper; _together with_ + Answers, _to the usuall_ Objections _made against it_. + 7. Directions _to the_ Elders _for the right managing of their_ Office. + 8. Directions _to such as are admitted to the_ Lords Supper, _for the + right sanctifying of_ Gods Name, _in that_ Ordinance, & _for their + carriage one towards another_. + 9. Rules _to preserve_ People, _from the_ Errours _of these_ Times. + 10. _That_ Separation _from our_ Churches, _is justly charged with_ + Schisme. + 11. _That_ Ministers _formerly ordained by_ Bishops, _need no new_ + Ordination. + 12. _The Necessity and usefulness of_ Catechizing. + +Licensed, Entred, and Printed according to Order. + +_London_, Printed for _C. Meredith_, at the _Crane_ in _Pauls_ +Church-yard, 1650. + + + + +[Illustration] + + +_It hath been the chief stratagem of the adversaries of the Church, in +all Ages, to erect a_ throne _for themselves, in the hearts of people, +by casting reproaches and slanders upon the_ Doctrine, Government, +_and_ Godly Ministers _of_ Jesus Christ. _In the old Testament, when +the Jewes came first out of_ Babylon, _and began to build the second +Temple of_ Jerusalem, _their enemies most falsly, and maliciously, +suggested to King_ Artaxerxes, [1]That the City of Jerusalem, was a +rebellious City, and hurtful unto Kings and Provinces, and that they +had moved sedition within the same, of old time, _&c._ _And thereby +caused the work of the house of God, to cease for many years. And in +the New Testament, when the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven in a most +miraculous manner, for the_ solemn inauguration of Christian Religion; +_and when the Apostles were filled with the_ Holy Spirit, _even then, +they were charged to be_ full of new wine. _And in after-times, the +slanderous accusations of the_ Heathen _Idolaters against the_ +Christians, _are observed to have been one of the chiefest causes of +the_ ten bloudy Persecutions, _raised up against them by the_ Romane +Emperours. _And this was that which forced the Godly-learned of those +days, to write_ Apologies, _in defence of_ Christians, and Christian +Religion.[2] + +_To come neerer to our own times; when the Protestant Religion began +to be re-established (after the bloudy times of Queen_ Mary) _it was +loaded with so many infamous lyes, and malicious falsities, That_ +Reverend and learned Jewell, _was compelled to write an_ Apologie[3] +_for it; for which, he will be famous in the Churches, to all +Posterity. And even in our dayes, when it pleased God, out of his +infinite goodness, to lay a_ foundation _of a glorious_ Reformation in +Church-Discipline, _in this Kingdom, and to raise up the hearts of +many_ Godly Ministers, _and others, to contribute their utmost help +for the perfecting of it, Then did a Generation of men rise up, who +made it their great design to pour out flouds of reproaches, and +calumnies, upon both Government, and Ministers. First, they represent +the Government unto the people, as_ absolutely destructive _unto the_ +civill State, _to the_ liberties _both of their soules and bodies, and +as unsufferable in a_ free Kingdom. _And then the_ Ministers _that +assert it, as men that seek to ingross_ all power _into their own +hands, as the chief_ Incendiaries _of Church and State, and as the +causes of all the miseries, that have of late years come upon the +three Kingdoms._ + +_And therefore, We,_ Ministers and Elders _met together, by the +Authority of Parliament, in the Provincial Assembly of the Province +of_ London, _considering with our selves, what way we might be +serviceable in this great work of_ Reformation, _have thought it our +duties to wipe off those_ foul aspersions, _that are cast upon it, and +upon those who have been active for it; and to dispel the mists and +fogs, which have so long darkened the glorious Sun-shine of this +blessed Reformation._ + +_And because we also find, that there are many, who doubt, whether +there be any particular_ Church-government _prescribed in the Word; +and if so, whether it be the_ Presbyterial, _or_ Congregationall. _And +others that question the lawfulness of_ Ruling-Elders, _and of their +joynt power, with the_ Minister, _to examine those that are admitted +to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; Therefore, we have also thought +it most necessary for us to search into the Word, and to deliver our +judgments in all these particulars._ + +_And further, because we observe with grief of heart, that sin and +iniquity abounds, and many separate from our Congregations, and run +head-long into heretical, and soul-damning opinions; And those that do +joyn with us in the_ Presbyteriall Government, _both Ministers, +Elders, and People, meet with many discouragements, and may (possibly) +grow faint, and weary and neglective of their duties: Therefore, We +have also thought our selves obliged, to our_ Vindication, _to adde +an_ Exhortation, _unto all Ministers, Elders, and People, within the +bounds of our Province, whether joyning with us, or separating from +us_. + +_The work (we acknowledge) is very weighty, and difficult; and the +times wherein we live, are very perillous, in which men are made_ +Offenders for a word; _Provincial Assemblies (as now constituted) are +new, and strange with us, weak in power, and of no repute with many; +suspected by some, as likely to prove prejudiciall to the Kingdom; and +by others, to the liberty of Congregations. And the judgments and +consciences of most people, are so prepossessed with prejudices and +self-interest, as that we cannot but expect, that this_ our first +expression of our selves, _will meet with much opposition, and +contradiction. Some will not vouchsafe to read it; Others will read +it, and contemn it; Others will mock and scoff at it. But our comfort +is, the Testimony of our Consciences. That the grounds of this our +present undertaking, are neither_ pragmaticalness of spirit, _nor to_ +vent _our own_ spleen, _in aspersing others; nor_ affectation of +domination _over others; nor to blow the Trumpet to new troubles. But +our ends and ayms, herein, sincerely are_, That the truths of Christ +may be vindicated, the Government of the Lord Jesus advanced, the +power of Godliness exalted, the credit of the Godly Ministry repaired, +the unity of the Spirit gained, and kept in the bond of peace, That +our Congregations may be purged, purity of Ordinances promoted, +divisions healed, breaches made up, stumbling blocks removed; That +those who stand may be established, the weak & feeble strengthened, +the seduced may be converted from the errour of their wayes and +repent, to the acknowledgment of the truth; That languishing gifts and +graces, may be quickened and increased; That a through Reformation +(according to our solemn Covenant) may be really endeavoured; That no +means of edification, may by Us be neglected; That we may keep our +selves pure from the bloud of all men: That the Kingdome of our Lord +and Saviour may be inlarged, and God in all things glorified. + +_We confess, it is hardly possible, to wipe off the dirt cast upon us, +but some of it will necessarily light upon those that cast it; (and it +is fit, that they, that unjustly besmear others, should have their own +filthiness impartially discovered) yet notwithstanding, we have +purposely avoided, as much as may be, all personall reflections, and +have waved the answering of some objections made against us, lest in +answering to them, we should give occasion, to those that seek +occasion. And we doubt not (however others may be transported with +passion, or prejudice) but this endeavour of ours, which so much +concerns the preservation of Religion, Truth, Godliness, and Ministry +from ruine and destruction, will be acceptable, to all sober, and +unbyassed Christians._ + +_We shall begin with our_ Vindication, _and therein first assert +Church-Government, by Divine Right; and then clear up the_ +Presbyteriall Government, _and_ Ministry; _and represent them unto +you, in their native colours; and afterwards proceed to our_ +Exhortation. + + + + +The VINDICATION. + + +The externall Government and Discipline of _Christ_, (though it be not +necessary to the being, yet it) is absolutely necessary to the +well-being of a Church: So necessary, as that we cannot but be deeply +affected with grief and sorrow, when we consider how long the through +setling of it hath been delayed, (notwithstanding the Covenant we have +taken, with hands lifted up to heaven, to endeavor a reformation in +point of Discipline) and cannot but conceive it to be one chief reason +of all the miseries that are now upon us; because those that have been +in Authority amongst us, have laboured to build their own houses, and +have suffered the house of God to lye waste. If _Nehemiah_ sate down +and wept, and mourned certain days, because the _wall of Jerusalem was +broken down_, &c. Much more have we cause to mourn, that the _wall of +Zion is not yet reared up_; for as a _City without walls_, _a Sea +without banks_, _a vineyard without a hedge_, so is a Church without +Discipline, and he that shall consider the multitude of Heresies and +Blasphemies, the abundance of iniquities and abominations, that have +crowded into the Church, whilest this wall hath been unbuilt, and this +hedge unmade; cannot but take up the lamentation of _David_[4], though +with a little difference,----_Why hast thou suffered thy Vineyard to +be without a hedge, so that all they which do passe by pluck her. The +Boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild Beasts of the field +devour it. Return, we beseech thee, O Lord of Hosts; look down from +Heaven, and behold and visit this Vine, and the Vineyard which thy +right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for +thy self_, &c. And likewise to pray the prayer of the same Prophet in +another place[5], _Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion, and build +thou the walls of Jerusalem_. + +The differences, we confess, about this wall, are very many, and so +many, as that it would require a large Volume to treat of them; and it +cannot be denyed, but these differences have been the great apple of +strife for these many years: And although it be our design (as we have +said) to heal and make up the breaches of this wofully divided Church, +and not to widen and increase them; yet notwithstanding, we cannot +without prejudice to the truth, to our selves, and to our respective +Congregations, but give the world some short account of _two opinions_ +about Church-Government. + +There are some, that although they have taken a _Covenant_, to +endeavour the Reformation of the _Church_ in Discipline, according to +the _Word_, yet are not afraid to say; That there is _no particular +Church-Government_ set down in the _Word_; that the _Christian +Magistrate_ is the _Fountain_ of all _Church-power_, and that to +assert a _jus divinum_ of _Church-Government_, is _destructive_ to all +political Government. Now though this Opinion prevail much +with _State-Divines_, and with Christians that study _worldly-policy_, +more then _Scripture simplicity_; And though it be likely (if God +prevent not) to swallow up in a short time, all other Opinions about +_Church Government_: And though the asserting of a _jus divinum_ in +_Church-Discipline_, be with some men, _the only heresie not to be +tolerated_, and more hated, then the _abomination of desolation_, +standing in the holy place, was by the Jews; yet notwithstanding, we +hold it our duties, especially in these times, to make it known to +all our respective Congregations. + +1. _That Jesus Christ, as King and Head of his Church, hath appointed +a particular Government in his Church._ + +2. _That the Christian Magistrate, is not the originall of Church +Government._ Which two particulars, we shall endeavour with great +brevity and perspicuity, to make out unto all unprejudiced Christians. +And first. + +1. _That there is a particular Church-Government by divine right_: not +that we think, that every _circumstance_ in _Church Government_ is set +down precisely in the _Word_, or is of _divine right_ in a strict +sence: But this we say, That the _substantials and essentials_, are +recorded particularly in the Word by Christ, the King of his Church, +and are unalterable by any State whatsoever; And that the +_circumstantials_ are set down under generall rules, sufficient for +the ordering of them; and that therefore, even they also in a large +sence may be said to be of a _divine right_. Now this we shall +endeavour to prove by these ensuing Arguments. + +1. _From the fulness, and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures._ The +_Apostle Paul_ saith, that his first Epistle to _Timothy_[6], was +written, _To teach him how to behave himself in the house of God, +which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of +truth_. And in his second Epistle[7] he tels us; _That the holy +Scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect, throughly +furnished unto all good works_. Now to know how to govern the Church, +is one of the great works that belong to the Minister: And therefore, +to say, that this is not recorded in Scripture, is to make the holy +Scripture a rule _defective, and ineffectuall for the end for which it +was written_, and to cast a very great _reproach and dishonour upon +it_. And surely, if some substantiall parts of Church-Government, are +exprest in the Word (as few will deny) then (as we conceive) all of +them of necessity must be expressed, or else the Word should not be +able to attain its end; which to affirm, is no small errour: And for +our parts, we cannot conceive any reason to induce us to believe, that +the _Holy Ghost_ should set down in the Word, some of the +_substantials of Church-Goverment_, as binding and unalterable unto +the end of the World, and leave other things as _substantiall_ as +they, _arbitrary and alterable_, according to the will and pleasure of +the _Christian Magistrate_. + +2. _From the excellency of the Kingly Office of Jesus Christ_; For +_Christ Jesus_ is the only _King_ of his Church, governing it not only +inwardly, and invisibly, by the working of his Spirit; but outwardly +also, and visibly, as it is a visible, politicall, and ministeriall +body, in which he hath appointed his own proper [8]_Ambassadors_, +[9]_Assemblies_, [10]_Lawes_, [11]_Ordinances_, and [12]_Censures_, to +be administred in his name, and according to his own way. As a King of +this politicall and ministeriall Church, he _breathed on his +Disciples, and said, Receive the Holy Ghost, whose sins ye remit, they +are remitted unto them; and whose sins ye retain, they are retained_. +As a King of this visible Church, he said unto his Apostles, _All +power is given to me in Heaven, and in Earth; Go ye therefore, and +teach all Nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of +the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things +whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you alway, even unto +the end of the world_. As a King of the same Church, he gave gifts to +men, when he ascended up to heaven, [13]_some to be Apostles, some +Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers_. As a +King, he now sits at Gods right hand, and is made Head over all things +to his Church; which Church is called the house of God; and who should +appoint Orders for the Government of the House, but the _Lord of the +house_? And to say, that he hath not ordained how his house should be +governed, is [14]to make the Master less faithfull in his own house, +then his Servant _Moses_ was; which Church is _Christs Vineyard_, +_Christs Garden_, and can we think Christ so negligent, as not to +appoint a hedge to fence his Vineyard, and a wall to preserve his +Garden? which Church is a spirituall _Republique_. And shall we deny +that to _Christ_ in the Government of his Kingdome, which we grant +unto all Earthly _Monarchs_? Shall we say, That Christ hath ordained +no Laws, by which his Kingdome shall be governed; no Censures, by +which his rebellious subjects shall be punished; no Officers to +dispence those censures? This is a high defamation to Jesus Christ, +and his _Kingly Office_. + +3. _From the immediate, and proper end of Church Government_, which is +not only matter of order and decency, but spiritual and supernatural, +being appointed for the [15]_Edification of the body of Christ in +grace unto glory_; and more particularly, for the _gaining of an +offending brother unto repentance, and for the saving of his soul in +the day of the Lord Jesus_. Now this is a certain rule, _whatsoever +hath a spiritual efficacy, must of necessity have a divine originall_; +_humane institutions_ can but produce humane effects: And therefore, +seeing Church Government is designed for divine and supernaturall +ends, it must of necessity, plead its originall from God himself. + +4. We argue from an enumeration of the substantials of +Church-Government. The Word of God declares unto us, That there are +_Church-officers_, and who they are, _viz._, [16]_Pastors and +Teachers_, [17]_Ruling-Elders, and_ [18]_Deacons_; And how they are to +be [19]_qualified_ for, and [20]_externally called_ unto their +respective Offices, together with all the Ministerial duties in those +Offices, by them to be performed respectively; as [21]_publike +prayer_, the _Ministry of the Word_, [22]_by reading and_ +[23]_preaching_, the [24]blessing of the people in the name of the +Lord, [25]_Administration of the Sacraments_, [26]_Censures_ and +[27]distribution of Alms. The Scripture also tells us of a [28]Church, +consisting of no more then can conveniently meet in one place to +partake in all the Ordinances of publike Worship: and of [29]a Church +consisting of divers congregations. The Scripture also speaks of +[30]Synods, with Ecclesiasticall Authority, together with the +[31]subordination of the lesser, to the greater, and appeals +thereunto. Now all these are the substantials of Church Government, +and are sufficiently set down in the Word, as may partly appear by the +quotations in the Margent, and shall further appear by what we shall +say afterwards. And more then these, and such as are necessarily +included in these, are not (as we humbly conceive) substantials in the +outward Government of the Church. The rest are circumstantialls, for +which Christ hath given general rules sufficient to direct the Church +in the ordering of them, and from which therefore she may not depart. +These rules are set down, 1 Cor. 14.26, 40. _Let all things be done +unto edifying, decently and in order_, 1 Cor. 10.31, 32. _Do all to +the glory of God_, &c. Rom. 14.19. _Let us therefore follow after the +things that make for peace_, &c. + +The second thing, which with the like brevity and perspicuity, we +shall endeavour to evidence unto you, is, _That the Christian +Magistrate, is not the Fountain and Origin of Church-Government_. The +former assertion, gave unto _God_, the things which were _Gods_; and +this doth not at all take away from _Cæsar_, the things that are +_Cæsars_: For we freely acknowledg, that _Magistracy_ is an +_Ordinance of God_, appointed for the great good of mankind; so that, +whoever are enemies to _Magistracy_, are enemies to _mankind_, and +[32]to the _revealed Will of God_. We desire to hold up the honour and +greatness, the power and authority of lawful Magistracy, against +Papists, Anabaptists, and all others, that despise dominion, and speak +evil of dignities. We say, that the Magistrate is, in a civil notion, +the supream Governor in all causes Ecclesiastical; the [33]keeper of +both tables; [34]the nursing father of the Church: [35]that it belongs +to him, by his Political power, to reform the Church, when corrupted; +to preserve it, when reformed; to suppresse blasphemy, idolatry, +heresie, schisme, and prophanenesse, and whatsoever is contrary to +godlinesse and sound doctrine; that the people under him, may lead a +quiet life, in all godlinesse and honesty. [36]That he is sent of God +for the punishment of evil doers (amongst which, are heretiques, as +well as others, and therefore called evil workers; and heresies, evil +deeds, _Phil._ 3.2. 2 ep. _Joh._ ver. 11.) and for the praise of them +that do well. That he is the [37]_Bishop of those things that are +without the Church; as_ Constantine _stiled himself_. That to him +belongs to punish Church-Officers, with civil punishments, when they +abuse their power; and to give protection to the publique exercise of +Church-Government, within his dominions. + +But yet, notwithstanding all this, we affirm, That though the +Magistrate be a _nursing father_ of the _Church_, yet he is not the +_begetting father_; That the _Magistrate_, as a _Magistrate_, is no +_Church-Officer_, neither are the keyes of the Kingdom of heaven +committed unto him. Neither did Christ ever say to the _Kings of the +Earth; whose sins you remit, shall be remitted; and whose sins you +retain, shall be retained; and whatsoever you shall binde on earth, +shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, +shall be loosed in heaven._ Neither is the offended brother directed +to tell the civil Magistrate, but to tell the Church. Neither doth it +belong to him to preach the Word, or to administer the Sacraments. +Neither is he, as a Magistrate, seated by Christ in his Church, but is +to be subject to the Church in all spiritual things, as a member +thereof. Neither is it in his power to appoint what Government he +please in the Church; no more then what Religion he please. And this +we prove: + +1. Because _Jesus Christ_ (as hath been already shewed) hath appointed +a _particular Church-Government in his Word_, to be observed by all +Kingdoms and States immutably, and unalterably, for the substantials +of it. + +2. Because the _Church of Christ had a Government within it self for +300 years before it had a Christian Magistrate_. The Scripture tells +us, that the Church, in the Apostles dayes, had power to meet for +ordering Church-affairs, for excommunicating scandalous offenders, and +obstinate heretiques. And this power was not derived to them, from the +_Magistrate_, being then Heathen; nor were they Traytors and Rebels +against the State, in challenging this power. And when the +_Magistrate_, afterwards, became Christian, the Church did not lose +that power which it had before, when he was heathen. For the truth is, +when a _heathen Magistrate becomes a Christian, he doth not acquire +more Authority over the Church of Christ, then he had before, no more +then a heathen husband converted, doth over his wife, which he +married, when unconverted_. A Magistrate, by becoming Christian, is +better inabled to do service to Christ, and his right is sanctified to +him; but his _Authority_ is no greater then it was before. + +3. Because the power of the Magistrate, in reference to the power of +the Church, is not _privative_ of the Churches power, but _cumulative_ +and _additional_. For if it were otherwise, then the condition of the +Church should be worse under a _Constantine_, then under a _Nero_; +under a _Christian Magistrate_, then under a _Heathen_; which is +contrary to all those Scriptures, which tell us [38]what glorious +advantages the Church should have, by the Magistrates becoming +Christian; and that the Magistrate shall bring honour and glory to the +new _Jerusalem_, and not take away that power that properly belongs to +the new _Jerusalem_. + +4. Because that this assertion, denyeth an _intrinsecall power_ to the +Church, to preserve it self in unity, to purge out spiritual +defilements, and to take care for its own preservation against +_Church-destroying enemies, and iniquities_; which makes the +happinesse of the Church wholly to depend upon the civil Magistrate; +and is contrary, not only to the nature of the Church[39], but of all +other _societies_, which have a _power_ within themselves, of +_self-preservation_; and is contrary to the experience of former ages, +which tell us, _That the Church of Christ did flourish more in truth +and holinesse_, (though not in wealth and honours,) _whilest it was +under Heathen persecuting Emperours, then afterwards_. From the +Apostles, even unto the dregs of our time, the Church of Christ, both +in its infancy and fuller growth, increased by persecutions, and was +crowned by Martyrdoms: But after it had Christian Princes, indeed it +was greater in power and riches, but lesse in piety, saith +_Jerome_[40]. + +5. Because that this opinion, _That the Magistrate is the Fountain of +all Church-power, derives upon the Christian Magistrate most of that +power, which the Pope did formerly most unjustly and tyrannically +usurp over the Churches of Jesus Christ_; and thereby makes the +Christian Magistrate to become a _Political Pope_, and sets up a +_civil Antichrist_ instead of a spiritual, for one great part of +_Antichristianisme_ consisteth in the Popes making himself to be the +_Original of all spiritual jurisdiction_. + +And thus we have given you a short account of the first opinion; and +we do beseech you, in the Name of our _Lord Jesus Christ_, that you +would weigh what we have said, in the ballance of the Sanctuary; & +that you would look upon Church-Government, as an Ordinance of God, +flowing unto you in the bloud of Christ, and as part of his _Kingly +Office_; That you would allow of no _Church-officers_, or _Offices_, +that have not a _divine stamp_ upon them, accounting them guilty of a +_spiritual Præmunire_, that will undertake an office in the Church, if +there cannot be shewed a _Scripture-warrant_ for it; and that you +would submit unto it for conscience sake. + +The second opinion, is of those, that will confesse a _particular +Church-Government by divine right_; but say, that this is not the +_Presbyteriall_, but the Government commonly called _Independent_, or +_Congregationall_: the truth is, There are four kinds of +Church-Government which lay claim to a _jus divinum_; The _Papal_, +_Prelatical_, _Independent_, and _Presbyterial_. The first of them was +banished out of this Kingdom, by King Hen. the 8. The second of them, +as it was used and practised in this land, is abjured by our Covenant. +The great debate of these late years, hath been about the +_Presbyterial_, and _Independent Government_. And though we do not +intend at this time, to enter into a large dispute; yet we earnestly +desire our Brethren, that differ from us only in point of +Church-Government, to consider the wofull mischiefs, that have come +upon the Churches of Christ in _England_, by their dividing, and +separating from us: And that whilest we have been _disputing_ what is +that _Government_ which Christ hath appointed in his _Word_, there are +a prevailing party risen up, that will have no _Government_ at all to +be found in the _Word_: whilest we have been so long _debating_ about +the _hedge_, the wild Beasts have got in, and made spoyl of the +_Vineyard it self_: Whilest we have been building the wall, others +have been _plucking down the house_: Whilest we have been consulting +about the _Garment of Christ_, others have taken advantage to deny the +_Divinity of Christ_: Whilest we have been so tediously contending +about _Reforming of Churches_, _Ordination of Ministers_; and _purity +of Ordinances_, there are men risen up, that deny all _Ministry, +Ordinances, and Churches_. And indeed, there is scarce any fundamental +Doctrine in Christian Religion, but is now, not only called in +question, but openly denyed by some, or other. And therefore, we do +exhort our _Brethren_, in the name of our _Lord Jesus Christ_, that +they would sadly lay to heart the unexpressible calamities, which are +brought upon our Churches, by their dividing from us; and that they +would study, for the time to come, all wayes of _Union and +Accommodation_: And for our parts, we do here profess to all the +World, that we are, have alwayes been, and through the grace of God, +shall ever be willing to study to find out any _Scripture way_, +wherein we may _unite_ together with them, for the preservation of the +_Truths of Jesus Christ_, the prevention of a _toleration of Heresies +and Blasphemies_, and for the healing of the great _scandal_ that is +given to _weak Christians, and wicked men_, by our unhappy +_differences and divisions_. + +As for the _Presbyterial Government_ it self, we may justly say of +it, as the Jews did upon another occasion, [41]_we know that every +where it is spoken against_; and that men deal with it, and Us that +profess it, as the _old persecutors_ dealt with the _Christians_; when +they put them into _Bear-skins_, and then baited them with dogs; and +as the _Papists_ dealt with _John Hus_[42], when they _pinned a paper, +with the picture of red Devils, upon his head, and then exposed him to +the laughter of the people_. Some say, That it is a _lordly, +Domineering government_; and that if we had our wills, we would _lord_ +it over the people of Christ, more then ever the _Prelates_ did; and +instead of one Bishop in a Diocess, we should have many hundreds. +Others say, that it is a Tyrannical and cruel government, and if it +were once established, it would fine and imprison all that would not +yeeld to it. Others, that we require an Arbitrary power, and challenge +an illimited jurisdiction. Others, that we have a design to free our +selves from being under the power of the civil Magistrate. Others, +that this government doth rob the Congregational Churches of their +power and liberty, no lesse then Prelacy did, so that the Church in +removing of Prelacy, changed not _Dominium_, but _Dominum_. Others, +that we seek for _unity_, but neglect _purity_. Others accuse us, that +we contend too earnestly for _purity_, because we will not admit men +to the Sacrament, before they give an account to the Minister and +Elders of their fitness thereunto. Others accuse us, for stamping a +_jus divinum_ upon our government; and others on the contrary, declaim +against us, because we do not assert a _jus divinum_, but depend upon +a _jus humanum_; depend more upon an _Ordinance of Parliament_ for our +establishment, then an _Ordinance of God_. Others exclaim against us, +that we are now become the only _troublers of Israel_, and the only +_hinderers_ of a _blessed and glorious Reformation_; That we are +_pestilent fellowes_, _movers of sedition among the people_, causers +of the first war between _King and Parliament_, and of all the murders +and blood-shedings, that have been in the Nation for these many years; +That we were the Authors and abettors of that violence that was +offered to the Parliament, _July 6. 1647_. That the Ministers of +_London_ are Pulpit-Incendiaries, and have separated their consecrated +lungs, for Bellows, to blow up the fire of a second War the last year; +that they were the bringers in of that numerous Army out of +_Scotland_, to invade the _Parliament_ and _Army_ of _England_: Others +say, that we are Apostatized from our principles, and are turned +_Malignants_, that we that were once the great _Parliament Assertors_, +are now become the only _Parliament-Opposers_. Lastly, that the +_Presbyterian Ministers_ seek their own private ease and interest, and +not the things of Jesus Christ; That they are notorious hypocrites, +_Baals_ Priests, limbs of Antichrist. And that the only reason why +they dislike, and expresse an unsatisfiednesse with these times, and +the alterations therein made, is, because they fear, that their great +_Diana of tythes will be pulled down, and that their gains will be +lesse, and their pains greater; and that they cannot lord it over +their people, as they hoped to have done_. + +These are the _Bear-skins_ in which we are put from day to day; these +are the _red Devils_ that are pinned upon us, to render our persons, +_Ministry_, and _Government_ odious unto the people. But our comfort +is, that these accusations are meer calumnies and slanders, and that +there is not the least shadow of reality or truth in them. And it is +an evident token to us, that _God hath some great work for us to do, +because he suffers the red dragon to pour out such floods of +reproaches upon us_; and that our _government is of Divine Original, +because it is so much opposed_, and that by all sorts of men, and that +in contrary ways: some opposing it, because it seeks so much after +_purity of ordinances_; others, because it seeks it not enough: some, +because it layeth claim so much to a _jus divinum_; Others, _because +not enough_. + +We well remember, and are therein much comforted, what _Tertullian_ +saith; _That that religion must needs be good which Nero persecuted_; +and what _Spanhemius that late learned Professor of Leyden_, in his +history of the original, and progress of the Anabaptists of _Germany_, +tells us, [43]_That when God raised up Luther, Melancthon, Zuinglius, +and divers other Worthies, to be the Reformers of his Church; At the +same time, the enemy of mankind raised up the Anabaptists, to be the +disturbers of his Church. That Thomas Muntzer their great +Antesignanus, when he could not get Luther to joyn with him, but on +the contrary was rebuked by him, and earnestly admonished not to +disturb the publique peace, &c. He began to rise up, and thunder +against Luther himself, crying out, that Luther was as much in fault, +as the Pope of Rome; that it was true, the work of reformation was +somewhat furthered by him, but left still infected with much leaven; +yea that Luther was worse then the Pope, for that he had published +only a carnall Gospel._ And afterwards, When _Luther_, _Melancthon_, +_Zuinglius_, _Bullinger_, _Menius_, _Regius_, and others, began, by +writing, to defend both their own, and the cause of the Church of God, +and to wipe off the blot that was cast as well upon themselves as upon +the Gospel, by these Anabaptists; _Muntzer_ and his confederates were +the more enraged against them, crying out, _That Luther, and those of +his party, favoured nothing but the flesh, vaunting indeed, that they +had cut off some of the leaves of Antichrist, but the tree, and the +roots remained still untouched, which must also be cut down, and which +cut down they would. And because they could finde nothing in the +written Word, to defend their errours, and the tumults which they +raised, they fly to revelations, and inspirations &c. Hereupon every +Fish-monger begins to boast of the spirit, feign revelations after the +example of Storch and Muntzer; The Pulpit is open to every Cobler or +Tinker. They scoffed at the publique Sermons of the reformed, +inveighed against the Lutherane Faith, as being void of good works, +&c. Muntzer, the chiefe trumpet of these uproars, proclaims openly, +that he was raised up by the command of God, for the punishment of +wicked Princes, and altering of Politick government. His usual +subscription to his letters was_, Thomas Muntzer, _the servant of God +against the ungodly_. What was the fatal end of this _Muntzer_, and of +_Iohn Becold_ the Taylor of _Leyden_, and of the rest of that crew; +what prodigious opinions they held, he that will, may read them in the +forementioned Author. There are two reasons have moved us to cite this +story: First, to shew, _That it is not unusual with God, when he +raiseth up men faithful in their generation to reform his Church_, to +give way to the enemy of mankind, for the trial of his people, to +raise up some men even amongst the Reformers themselves, that by +spreading of errours and Heresies, and State-disturbing opinions, +should endeavour to obstruct the Reformation so happily begun. +Secondly, that in _times of Reformation_, it hath alwayes been the +practice of the Ring-leaders of Errours and Heresies, to inveigh more +bitterly, and write more railingly against the Reformers of the +Church, and the Reformation by them indeavoured, then against the +common adversary, both of themselves, of the Reformers, and of the +Reformation. And this is our lot and portion at this day. + +But yet, notwithstanding all this, we hope, that if this +_Presbyteriall Government_, so much opposed both by _Malignants, and +Sectaries of all sorts_, were once presented unto our congregations in +its true and native colours, it would be embraced by all that fear +God amongst us; and that we might say of it, as once it was said of +_Socrates_, _That all that knew him, loved him; and the reason why any +did not love him, was only because they did not know him_. And we +likewise hope, that if we shall fully answer the accusations that are +brought against us, in the bitter and lying pamphlets of this +licentious age, that then our persons also shall stand right in the +hearts and consciences of all that truly fear God within this +Kingdome. Give us leave, therefore to undertake these two things. + +First, _To represent the Presbyteriall-Government before you, in its +true beauty and excellency_. + +Secondly, _To vindicate our persons from the slanders and cruell +reproaches that are cast upon them_. + +1. For the _Vindication of our Government_, and therein the +undeceiving of our people, who look upon it; as it is misrepresented +unto them, by those that are enemies unto Us, Them, and the +Government, we shall offer briefly these ensuing particulars. + +1. That the _Presbyteriall-Government_ is a Government that hath been +the fruit of the prayers of many thousands of godly people in +_England_, in Queen _Elizabeth's_, and King _Iames_ his dayes: There +were many knowing Christians, and faithfull Ministers, that made it +their frequent prayer, that God would reform _England_ in Discipline, +as he had done in Doctrine; and the Discipline then they prayed for, +and many suffered for, was the _Presbyterian_; as appears by the books +written in those days[44]. _And shall we now despise that mercy that +comes swimming to us in the prayers of so many thousand Saints?_ + +2. Though the Presbyterian-Government (for the practice of it) be new +and strange to us in _England_, yet it is not new. + +First, To the Churches of Christ in other Countries: For most of those +places that did thrust out the Popish Religion, and Government, did +receive in the Protestant Religion, and Presbyterial-Government. It is +not new to the Protestant Reformed Churches in _France_, _Scotland_, +_Netherlands_, and _Geneva_, and divers other places, who have had +comfortable experience of this Government, and have enjoyed a great +deal of liberty, verity, piety, unity, and prosperity under it: And +(which we desire all our respective Congregations seriously to +consider) therefore it is (as we humbly conceive) that the framers of +our _National Covenant_ did put in these words, _And the example of +the best Reformed Churches_, into the first Article of the Covenant, +that thereby they might hint unto us, what that Government was, which +is neerest the Word, even that which is now practised in the best +Reformed Churches. + +2. _To the Word of God_; but is there to be found in all the +_substantials_ of it, as we have briefly shewed already, and some of +our own _Brethren Ministers_ of this City, have made to appear at +large, in a Book, entituled, _The divine Right of the Presbyterial +Government_. We shall speak a little more to three of the +forementioned _Substantials of Church-Government_: And shall prove, + +1. _That the Scripture holds forth a Church, consisting of divers +Congregations._ + +2. _Synods with Ecclesiastical Authority._ + +3. _Subordination of Congregations unto Synods, together with Appeals +thereunto._ + +1. _That the Scripture holds forth a Church consisting of divers +Congregations._ Such a Church was + +The _Church of Jerusalem_; as appears, + +1. By the _Multitude of Believers_, both before, and after the +dispersion (mentioned, _Act._ 8.1.) _Act._ 2.41, 46, 47. _Act._ 4.4. +_Act._ 5.14. _Act._ 6.1, 7. _Act._ 9.31._ Act._ 12.24. _Act._ 21.20. + +2. By the many _Apostles_, and other _Preachers_ in the _Church_ of +_Jerusalem_: If there were but one Congregation there, each Apostle +preached but seldom, which will not consist with _Act._ 6.2. + +3. The _diversity of Languages_ amongst the Believers, mentioned both +in the second and sixt Chapters of the _Acts_, doth argue more +Congregations then one in that Church. + +All which, are fully and largely handled by the _Reverend Assembly of +Divines_ in a book of theirs, printed by Authority of Parliament. + +2. _That the Scripture speaks of Synods with Ecclesiastical +Authority_, this is evident from _Act._ 15. in which Chapter, two +things are to be observed: + +1. _That the Apostles in that Meeting, did not act as Apostles with +infallible authority, but as Elders, in such a way as makes that +Meeting, a pattern for ordinary Synods._ + +For the proof of this, we offer these reasons. + +1. Because _Paul_ and _Barnabas_ did willingly submit to be sent from +_Antioch_ to _Jerusalem_, which they needed not have done (one of them +at least being an Apostle) nor could have done, had they acted as +Apostles, and not as Members, for that time, of the _Presbytery of +Antioch_, _Act._ 15.2. + +2. Because _Paul_ and _Barnabas_ were sent not only to the Apostles at +_Jerusalem_, but to the Apostles and Elders, which at that time were +not a few (the Believers in _Jerusalem_ being many thousands) which +proves, that they sent not unto the _Apostles as extraordinary and +infallible_ (for then what need the advice of the Elders?) but as +wise and holy Guides of the Church, who might not only relieve them by +some wise counsel, but also _set a president_ unto succeeding Ages, +how _Errours and Dissentions_ in the Church might be removed and +healed; as Mr. _Cotton_ observes, in his book of the _Keyes_, &c. pag. +23. + +[Sidenote: Mr. _Cotton_ of the _Keyes_.] + +3. Because in the Synod, the Apostles did not determine the thing in +question, by _Apostolical Authority_, from immediate revelation, but +assembled together with the Elders to consider of the matter, _Act._ +15.6. and a Multitude of the Brethren together with them, _Act._ +15.12, 22, 23. And there the question was stated, and debated from +Scripture in an ordinary way. _Peter_ proves it by the _witnesse of +the Spirit to his Ministry, in_ Cornelius _his Family, Paul_ and +_Barnabas_ by the like effect of their Ministry amongst the Gentiles. +_James_ confirmed the same by the testimony of the Prophets; with +which, the whole Synod being satisfied, they determine of a judicial +sentence, and of a way to publish it by letters and messages. + +4. Because the Decrees of the Synod are put forth in the name, _not +only of the Apostles, but of the Apostles and Elders_, _Act._ 15.22, 23. +_Act._ 16.4. _Act._ 21.25. + +The second thing to be observed in that Chapter, is, + +_That the Apostles and Elders did put forth Acts of Ecclesiasticall +Authority in that Synod._ This appears plainly from _Act._ 15.28. _to +lay no other burden_. To bind burdens, is an _act of the binding power +of the Keyes_. And it appears likewise from _Act._ 16.4. where mention +is made of _Decrees ordained by the Apostles & Elders_. And it is +observeable, that wheresoever δογμα, is used in the _New Testament_, +it is put either for _Decrees_ or _Laws_, and so frequently by the +_Septuagint in the old Testament_, as is abundantly proved by the +Reverend _Assembly of Divines_, in their answer to the Reasons of the +Dissenting-Brethren, against the instance of the Church of +_Jerusalem_, pag. 66. + +3. That the Scripture holds forth a subordination of Congregations +unto Synods, together with Appeals thereunto. To prove this, we will +bring two places: The first is _Deut._ 17.8. to 12. together with +2 _Chron._ 19.8, 10, 11. Out of which two places, compared together, +we gather these two conclusions: + +1. _That the Jews had two supream Judicatories in Jerusalem_; the one +_Ecclesiasticall_, for the _matters of the Lord_; the other _civill_, +for the _matters of the King_. This appears by _Deut._ 17. ver. 8. +where we have a distinction of causes; some _forensicall_ between +_blood_ and _blood_, belonging to the civil _Judicatory_; some +ceremonial, between stroak, and stroak; that is, (as not only +_Hierome_, but the Chaldy and Septuagint read the words, and as +appears by the frequent use of the word in that sense, _Levit._ 13. +and elsewhere,) between leprosie, and leprosie, belonging to the +cognizance of the Ecclesiastical Judicatory. And in the 12 verse, +these two Judicatories are distinguished, by the disjunctive _Or_; _And +the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the +Priest_, (that standeth to minister before the Lord thy God,) _or unto +the Judge_, &c. This further appears, by 2 _Chr._ 19.8, 10, 11. In +which we have clear mention; first of two sorts of Judges, the +_Levites and Priests, and chief of the Fathers_, vers. 8. secondly, of +two sorts of causes, some _spirituall and Ecclesiasticall_, called the +_judgment of the Lord_, ver. 8. and the _matters of the Lord_, ver. +11. others civill, as _between blood and blood_, ver. 10. And thirdly, +of two _Presidents_; _Amariah_ the chief _Priest_, in all _matters of +the Lord_; and _Zebadiah_ the Ruler of the house of _Judah_, in all +the _matters of the King_. And this distinction between the civil and +Ecclesiastical Judicatory, is the opinion of many Orthodox & learned +Authors, which are cited by Mr. _Gelaspy_, _Aarons_ rod blossom, cap. +3. pag. 8. where this conclusion is largely and learnedly debated & +asserted. + +2. _That there was a subordination in the Jewish Church, of the +Synagogues, in all hard and difficult controversies, and in all the +matters of the Lord, unto the Ecclesiastical Judicatory at Jerusalem, +and appeals thereunto_; this appears evidently, _Deut._ 17.8, 9. +2 Chron. 19.8, 10. + +Now that this _Subordination_, together with _appeals_, did not belong +to the _Jewish Church_, as _Jewish_ only, but as it was an +_Ecclesiastical Republique_, is evident. For though the _high Priest_, +amongst the Jews, was a _type of Christ_, yet these _gradual +Judicatories_, wherein the _aggrieved party did appeal, from the +lesser to the greater; (that against the very light of nature, the +adverse party might not be the sole Judge and party too, in his own +cause) were not in any kind ceremonial or typicall_. + +_Appeals_, (saith Dr. _Whitaker_,) _they are of divine and natural +light, and certainly very necessary in every necessity, because of the +iniquity and ignorance of Judges_, Whit. Contr. 4. de Romano Pontific. +lib. 4. cap. 2. And generally, all _Protestant Writers_ against +appeals to the Pope, acknowledge yet, their necessary usefulness to a +_Synod_. So did that renowned Martyr _Cranmer_, the form of whose +appeal to a Council, three several times urged by him, with much +instance, we have recorded by Mr. _Foxe_ at large, Acts and Monuments. + +And indeed, if the _benefit of appeals, and consociation of Churches_, +should not be as free to us, as to the _Jews_, how much _more +defective & improvident_ were the _Gospel_, then the _Law_, contrary +to all _ancient Prophesies of Gospel-Communion_? How were _our Saviour +King of Peace and Righteousnesse_, should he have ordained now under +the _Gospel_ such a _government_, as by making _Parties sole Judges_, +were neither _righteous, nor peaceable_? what _Judaicall type or +ceremony_, can there be in this communion and mutual assistance in +government, which God (as by his Word, so) by the very light of +nature, teacheth all societies whatsoever, whether Common-Wealth, +Armies, Universities, or Navies? &c. as learnedly Mr. _Herle_, in his +Independency, &c. + +The second place is Matth. 18.15, 16, 17, 18. which text, by a _parity +of reason_, proves a _subordination of Congregations unto Synods_. For +there is the same relation between _Church and Church_, as between_ +brother and brother_; and if a _brother_ offending is _subordinate_ +unto a _particular Congregation_; then by a _like reason_, an +_offending Congregation_ is _subordinate_ unto _greater Assemblies_. +And the reason of it is, because the _grounds_, _reasons_, and _ends_ +of _subordination_, are the same in both. _That God might be +glorified, the offendor shamed, humbled, reduced, and sin not suffered +to rest upon him. That others may be preserved from contagion, and +made to fear. That scandal and pollution of the Ordinances, may be +prevented, or removed._ All which argue as strongly and fully for +_subordination of an offending Congregation to superiour and greater +Assemblies, as of an offending brother to a particular Congregation_: +And the truth is, whosoever denyes the subordination of a Congregation +unto a Synod, together with appeals thereunto, doth in plain tearms +affirm these three things, + +1. _That the Government of Christ in his Church under the New +Testament, is a Government directly contrary to the very light of +nature making the same men parties, and finall Judges in their own +cause._ + +2. _That the Government of the Church in the Old Testament, was more +equal and just, then under the New._ + +3. _That Jesus Christ hath in his Government appointed no effectual +remedy to heal the scandals of an offending Congregation, or at least, +a more effectual remedy to redresse an offending Brother, then an +offending Congregation._ All which are great _derogations_, and +_disparagements_ to the _Kingly Office and Government of Jesus +Christ_. And thus we have shewed that the Presbyterial Government is +not new to the Word of God, as some falsly object. We proceed to +justifie it in other particulars. + +3. The Presbyterial Government _challengeth no power over mens bodies +or estates_. It medleth not in civil affairs, or with inflicting civil +mulcts, or corporal punishments. It is a government _purely +spirituall_, dispensing the Keyes of the _Kingdom of heaven_, not of +earth; and how then can it be cruel and tyrannical, in fineing and +imprisoning mens persons, as was objected? + +4. It is not a _Government_ that hath _Lordships_ and great _Revenues_ +annexed to it, as the Prelatical had. It is not _gainful_ and +_profitable_, but _burdensome_ and _troublesome_: What do the ruling +Elders gain by their office, but reproach and contempt? And is not the +condition of the teaching Elder worse, in regard of maintenance, since +he ingaged in this discipline, then ever it was? This is a government +that hath no outward advantages to induce men to accept of it. _It is +conscience_, and (as we hope) _pure conscience_, that ingageth any in +it, and _therefore it is, that it hath so few friends, because there +are so few that are truly conscientious_. + +5. It is not a _Domineering Hierarchicall magisteriall Government, +that lords it over peoples consciences, requiring subjection to the +decrees of it, with blind and slavish obedience_. But it is a +_Stewardship_, a _Ministry_, a painful and laborious service. We say, +That all the determinations, even of Nationall Synods, are to be +obeyed no further, then they agree with the Word of God. And that a +Synod is _Judex judicandus_. That Congregations are to examine with +the judgment of discretion, what is sent to them from Synods. There is +_no more obedience required to the Decrees of a Nationall Synod, then +the Independents claim to the decrees of a particular Congregation_. + +6. It is not an _Arbitrary illimited Government, but bounded and +limited_: 1. _By the Word of God_; for in this Government, everything +is to be administred according to the pattern in the Mount. We desire +none to follow, but where the Word goeth before. 2. _By the civill +Magistrate_, in regard of the exercise of it. For we acknowledg our +selves (as we have said) accountable to the civill Magistrate, to +punish us with civil mulcts, if we abuse our power. + +7. It is not a _Government, that doth rob and spoyl particular +Congregations of their just power and priviledges, but helps and +strengthens them_. For it is not (as the Prelatical was) +_extrinsecall_ to the severall Congregations; (which had no vote in +the government, nor consent to it, but were sufferers only of it, and +under it:) Neither doth it assume to it self the _sole power of +Ordination and jurisdiction_: (as the Prelatical likewise did, and in +this, was lordly and tyrannical over all particular Congregations in +each Diocess:) But it is _intrinsecall to the Congregation_, +consisting of the Pastors and Elders of every Congregation, governing +one another by their own Officers: For we hold (which few of our +Adversaries will understand or consider) _That all Congregations are +equal_. No one Congregation over another. _That all Ministers are +equall_, No one Minister, by divine right, over another. + +[Sidenote: That which concerns all, must be managed by all.] + +We hold no _Mother-Church_, on which all other Churches should depend. +But our Government, so far as it is distinct from the Congregational, +consisteth of _divers Sister-Churches, combined by mutuall +concernment, and governing one another in matters of mutuall +concernment, by the common agreement of Pastors and Elders_, according +to that Golden Rule, _Quod omnes tangit, ab omnibus tractari debet_. +In the Presbyterial Government every Congregation hath a voyce, by +the Pastors and Elders thereof, and so is governed by a _power +intrinsecall to it self, which cannot in its own nature be +tyrannicall_. Though there is no power in the world so just, but by +abuse may prove tyrannicall. + +To illustrate this by a simile. _The Presbyterial Government is like +the Government of the_ City _by the_ Common-councell, _wherein there +are_ Common-Councell-men _sent from every_ Ward, _to judg and +determine of matters, that concern the good of the whole_ City; _which +certainly in its own nature, cannot be prejudicall to the severall_ +Wards, _but every helpfull and commodious; whereas the_ +Prelatical-Government, _was just as if the City should be governed +by a_ High-Commission _chosen of_ Forreiners; _and the_ +Independent-Government _is just as if every_ Ward _should undertake to +govern it self, divided from one another, and not at all to be under +the power and authority of the_ Common-councell. + +Adde besides this, the _Presbyteriall-Government_ doth give unto +people of particular Congregations all that is by Christ left them. +For, + +1. We allow unto every Congregation a particular Eldership, where it +may be had. + +2. We impose upon no Congregation a Minister against whom they can +give a rationall dissent. + +3. We allow the Congregationall Eldership to judg in all matters which +concern that particular Church; and to keep from the Sacrament of the +Lords Supper, all those whom they finde to be ignorant or scandalous. + +4. In the _great Censure of Excommunication_, we say, That it ought +not to be _executed against the consent of that particular +Congregation, to which the party to be excommunicated belongs_. And in +all other matters of importance, the Presbyterian-Government hath +great respect to that Congregation which is particularly concerned +therein. And therefore, it is so far from _robbing_, that it is a +great _Pillar to uphold and support Congregational Government_; as for +example: + +1. When a particular Congregation is destitute of a Minister, then the +Neighbour-Ministers of the Classis help what in them lies to make up +that defect, by sending supply in the mean time, and afterwards by +joyning in the ordination of another. + +2. When there is an insufficient Eldership, then the Classical +Presbytery contributes light and strength. + +3. When an Eldership proves Heretical, then the Classical Presbytery +helps to convince them of their Heresies, which the people are not +able ordinarily to do, and thereby to preserve the Congregation from +spiritual contagion. + +4. When any member is wronged by the Eldership, the Classis, or Synod, +contributes ayd and relief, as will appear further in the next +particular. + +8. The Presbyterial-Government _is so far from being tyrannical, as +that it is the greatest remedy against Church-tyranny, because it is +as a city of refuge for all those that are oppressed in +their particular Congregations, to fly unto_. For under the +Congregational-Government, when a brother is (as he conceives) wronged +by the major part of the Church of which he is a member, he is for +ever lock't up, and hath no authoritative way to relieve himself. +(Indeed, he hath moral wayes, by advice and counsel, which are +altogether insufficient;) But the Presbyterian-Government is a _Zoar_, +and an _Ark_ for the wronged party to fly unto, from the Particular +Congregation, to a Classical, Provinciall, or National Assembly. Give +us leave to shew you the difference by this example: Suppose in the +civil Government every Corporation should plead a _power independent_ +from a _Parliament_, and challenge to be unaccountable, would not +this make as many _Parliaments_, as _Corporations_? And if any member +should be wronged by the major part of the Corporation to which he +belongs, were he not left without remedy? And if these Corporations +should cry down the _Parliaments_ power over them as tyrannical, would +it not be said, that this is therefore only done, that they themselves +might become petty Tyrants? So is it here; + +The _Congregationall Government_ is a _Spiritual Corporation_ +independent from all other _Ecclesiasticall Assemblies_ in point +of _Church-power_. As the _Pope_ claims a power over all +_Church-Assemblies_, so this claims an exemption from the power of all +_Church-Assemblies_, and cryeth down all _Classical_, _Provinciall_, +or _Nationall-Assemblies_ with power, as tyrannical; but is not this, +that in the mean time it may become absolute, and as it were a petty +Tyranny? + +There are in the Congregational Government these six great defects, +besides many others which we could name. + +1. There is (as hath been said) no _authoritative way to relieve a +Brother oppressed by the major part of his Congregation_, which +granted, would make the Government of Christ in the _New Testament_, +to be inferiour to the _Jewish Government_, in which they had the +liberty of Appeals. And also to be against the _light of right +reason_, in making the same men to be parties and judges in their own +cause, (as hath been formerly shewed.) + +2. There is no _authoritative way_ to heal the major part of a +Congregation, when it falls into fundamental errours, which is a great +disparagement to the Government of Jesus Christ, and reflects deeply +upon the wisdome and care of the great King of his Church. _For it +makes Christ to provide a more efficatious remedy to cure an erring +member, (to wit, by the great Ordinance of excommunication,) then an +erring Church._ + +3. There is no _Authoritative way_ to keep out pluralities of +Religions. For if the whole _power_ of Church-Government be in the +_Congregation-Independently_, then let a Congregation set up what +Religion they think fit, there is no _Authoritative Church-remedy_ +left to hinder them. + +4. There is no _Authoritative way for unity and uniformity in +Church-administrations_, which doth inevitably lay stumbling blocks +before weak Christians, and holds them in suspence, not knowing to +what Congregation to joyn, because they see such different wayes of +administration of Ordinances. + +5. There is no _relief when a Congregation is destitute of a Minister, +in point of Ordination_, but the succeeding Minister is left to be +examined and ordained by the people of the Congregation that chose +him. And so also when a Congregation becomes hereticall, and in other +such cases. + +6. _If any of their Ministers preach out of their own Congregation, he +preacheth only as a gifted brother_; neither can he, (as we conceive) +according to their own Principles, administer the Sacraments out of +his own Congregation, or perform any other act of office. Although we +believe some of them do so, contrary to their own principles herein. + +9. _That the Presbyteriall Government is a Government that tends not +at all to the destruction of any, but for the good and edification of +all._ There are three chief ends of this Government. + +1. _To keep the Churches of Christ in unity amongst themselves._ + +2. _To keep them in purity and holinesse; it is_ Christs _Fan, to +purge his floor; and his Beesom to sweep out of his house every thing +that offends_. + +3. _To keep them in verity, it is_ Christs Weeding-hook _to weed out +heresies_; and therefore King _James_ (though no great friend to this +Government) would often say, that it was _Malleus hæreticorum_, a +Hammer to beat down Heresies: And we find, that wheresoever it is set +up in strength, there the Churches are kept in unity, verity, and +purity; and that (which is very observeable) where this Government +hath once got possession, it hath for ever after kept out Popery and +all Popish Innovations. The Prelatical Government with all its +Lordships and Revenues annexed, as it was managed of late years in +_England_, was an in-let to Popery, and it had _tantùmnon_ brought it +in. But _wheresoever the_ Presbyterian-Government _is setled, there +Popery, root and branch, is plucked up and destroyed, and that without +any hope of recovery_. + +[Sidenote: _Object._] + +But it will be objected, that notwithstanding all that hath been said +to render the Presbyterial Government amiable and acceptable; yet +there are two great Mountains which do lye in the way which do hinder, +and (as some say) will for ever hinder people from submitting unto it: +The one is, + +1. _Because it sets up a new officer in the_ Church, _which is a meer +humane_ Creature, having no authority from the Word of God, nor was +ever heard of in the Church of Christ, till _Calvin_'s time, & that is +the LAY-ELDER. + +2. _Because it requireth all, of all sorts, to come to the_ Minister +_and these_ Lay-Elders _to be examined, before they can be admitted to +the_ Sacrament _of the_ Lords Supper. + +[Sidenote: _Answer._] + +We cannot deny, but that these two objections are great _Remora_'s to +the Government, and do hinder the general receiving of it, and +therefore we shall be a little the larger in answering of them. + +For the first of them, we do here freely confesse, that if we were of +opinion, as some are, that the Ruling-Elder hath no foundation in the +Word of God, but is a meer humane Ordinance brought into the Church +only in a prudential way; we should heartily desire the utter +abolition of him: For we are not ignorant, that the Ruling Prelate was +brought into the Church upon the same account, for the avoiding of +Schism and Division, and afterwards proved the great Author and +Fomenter of Schism and Division. And if we should decline the Ruling +Prelate, and take in the Ruling Elder upon the same prudential +grounds, it were just with God to make him as mischievous to the +Church, as ever the Ruling Prelate was: And therefore let us consider +what may be said out of the Word of God, for the justification of this +so much _decryed Officer_: Yet first we cannot but take notice that +the name of _Lay-Elder_ was affixed to this Officer by way of reproach +and scorn, by the adversaries of him, and that it ought not to be +continued. For though it be evident by Scripture[45], that there is a +great difference betwixt the Ministry usually called the Clergy, and +the people commonly called the Laity: yet its also as manifest, that +the Scripture[46] distinguisheth them not by the names of Clergy and +Laity; forasmuch as all Gods people are therein stiled the Lords +Clergy, or Inheritance, and the Lord is called their Inheritance. And +when persons are duly chosen from amongst the people to be Governours +in the Church, as such, they are no longer Lay-men, but Ecclesiastical +persons. And therefore we profess a dislike of the name Lay-Elder, +and conceive they ought to be called either governours in the Church, +1 _Cor._ 12.23. or Ruling-Elders, as 1 Tim. 5.17. not because their +Office is to rule alone (for the Teaching-Elder is a Ruler also, +_Heb._ 13.17. 1 _Thess._ 5.12.) but because their Office is only to +rule.[47] Now concerning these Ruling-Elders, we confess, that they +are Officers somewhat new and strange to the Church of _England_; yet +not new nor strange to the Word of God, nor to the Primitive times, +nor (as all know) to the _Reformed Churches_. + +First, they are _not new nor strange to the Word of God, neither in +the Old Testament, nor in the New_. The Jews in the _Old Testament_, +had two sorts of _Elders_; _Elders of the Priests_, and _Elders of the +people_, suitable to our _teaching and Ruling-Elders_; as appears, +_Jer._ 19.1. And these _Elders_ of the people did sit and vote with +the Priests and Levites in all their Ecclesiasticall Consistories, and +that by divine appointment. That they were _constituent_ members of +the great _Sanhedrim_, appears, 2 _Chron._ 19.8. where we reade, _That +some of the chief of the Fathers were joyned with the Priests, to +judge in the matters if the Lord_. And howsoever, many things among +the Jews after the captivity, did decline to disorder and confusion; +yet we finde even in the dayes of Christ, and his Apostles, That the +Elders of the people still sate and voyced in the Councell with the +Priests, according to the ancient form, as is clear from _Matth._ +26.57, 59. _Matth._ 27.1, 12. _Matth._ 16.21. _Matth._ 21.23. _Mar._ +14.43. _Luk._ 22.66. and _Saravia_ himself,[48] who disputeth so much +against _Ruling Elders_, acknowledgeth thus much: _I finde indeed_, +(saith he) _Elders in the Assembly of the Priests of the old +Synagogue, which were not Priests; and their suffrages and authority +in all Judgments, were equal with the suffrages of the Priests_. But +he adds; That these Elders of the people were civill Magistrates; +which is a poor shift, directly against many Scriptures, which +contradistinguish these _Elders_ from the civil _Magistrate_; as +appears; _Act._ 4.5. _Judg._ 8.14. _Deut._ 5.23. _Josh._ 8.33. +2 _King._ 10.15. _Ezra_ 10.14. And though it were possible, that some +of them might be civill Magistrates, as some _Elders_ amongst Us, are +Justices of the Peace: Yet they did not sit under that capacity, in +the Ecclesiastical _Sanhedrim_, but as Ecclesiastical Elders. + +And that the Jews also had _Elders of the people_, sitting and voting +in their inferiour Consistories, appears (as we humbly conceive) from +_Act._ 13.15. _Act._ 18.8, 17. _Mar._ 5.22. In which places, we read +of the Rulers of the Synagogue, who were neither Priests nor Levites, +and yet were Rulers in Church-matters, and had power, together with +the Priests, of casting men out of the Synagogue, and of ordering +Synagogue-worship, _Joh._ 12.42. _Act._ 13.15. + +Now this _Association_ of the _Elders of the people, with the Priest, +in the Jewish Church-Government, was by divine appointment_; for Moses +first instituted it, and afterwards _Jehosaphat_ restored it, +according as they were directed by God, Num. 11.16. 2 Chron. 19.8. And +it did belong to the _Jewish Church_, not as it was Jewish, but as it +was a Church, and therefore belongeth to the Christian Church, as well +as Jewish. _For whatsoever agreeth to a Church, as a Church; agreeth +to every Church._ There was nothing Judaical or typical in this +institution, but it was founded upon the light of nature, and right +reason, which is alike in all ages. + +But leaving the Old Testament, let us consider what may be said for +the divine right of the _Ruling-Elder_, out of the New Testament. For +this purpose, we have already produced three places, which we shall +now briefly open; and shew how the Ruling Elder is proved out of them. +The places are, 1 _Cor._ 12.28. _Rom._ 12.7, 8. 1 _Tim._ 5.17. + +The first place is, 1 _Cor._ 12.28. _And God hath set some in the +Church, first, Apostles; secondarily, Prophets; thirdly, Teachers; +After that, Miracles; then gifts of healing, helps, governments, +diversities of tongues_; Where we have an enumeration of sundry +Officers of the Church; and amongst others, there are _Helps_, +_Governments_. By _Helps_, are meant _Deacons_; (as not only our +_Reformed_ Divines, but _Chrysostome_, and _Estius_, and others +observe,[49]) and by _Governments_, are meant the _Ruling-Elder_, +which that it may the better appear, we will propound, and prove these +six things. + +1. That by _Governments_, are meant _men exercising Government_, the +_Abstract_ put for the _Concrete_. The intent of the _Apostle_, is not +to speak of _offices_ distinct from _persons_, but of _persons +exercising offices_. This appears first, by the beginning of the +verse, _God hath set some in his Church_; this relates to persons, not +unto offices. Secondly, by the 29. and 30. verses, where the Apostle +speaks _concretively_, of those things which he had spoken before +_abstractively_. _Are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of +healing? do all speak with tongues_, &c? and so by consequence, _Are +all helpers, are all Governours?_ And therefore it is, that the +Syriack instead of _helps, Governments_, reads it _helpers, +Governours_.[50] + +2. That the _Governour_ here meant, must needs be a +_Church-Governour_; for it is expresly said, that he is seated in the +Church, and therefore the civil Magistrate cannot be meant by this +Governour, as some would have it; partly, because this is quite +besides the whole intent and scope of the Chapter, treating meerly +upon _spirituall Church-matters_, not at all of secular civil matters; +and partly, because the Magistrate, as such, is not placed by God in +the _Church_, but in the _Common-Wealth_: and partly, because the +Apostle writes of such Governours, that had at that time actual +existence in the Church; and neither then, nor divers hundred years +after, were there any _Christian Magistrates_. + +3. That this _Church-Governour_ is seated by God in his Church; It is +a _plant of Gods own planting_, and therefore shall stand firme, +maugre all opposition. For it is expresly said, _God hath set some in +his Church, first Apostles_, &c. _then helps, then Governments_. + +4. That this Church-Governour thus seated by God in his Churches, not +only a _Church-member_, but a _Church-Officer_. For though it be a +question amongst the learned, whether some of the persons here named, +as the _workers of miracles_, and those that had the _gift of healing, +and of tongues_, were seated by God, as officers in the Church, and +not rather, only as eminent members indued with these eminent gifts; +yet it is most certain, that whosoever is seated by God in his Church, +as a _Church Governour_, must needs be a _Church officer_; for the +nature of the gift, doth necessarily imply an office. The Greek +word[51] for Governments, is a metaphor from _Pilots_, or +_Ship-masters_, governing their ships; (hence the Master of a ship is +called Κυβερνητης, a Governour, _Jam._ 3.4.) and it notes such +officers, as sit at the stern of the vessel of the Church, to govern +and guide it in spirituals, according to the will and mind of Christ, +which is the direct office of our _Ruling-Elder_. + +5. This Church-Governour thus seated by God in his Church as a +Church-officer, is an _ordinary and perpetuall officer in his Church_. +Indeed, here is mention made of Officers extraordinary, as Apostles, +Prophets; and of gifts extraordinary, as the gift of miracles, +healing, and of tongues; but here is also mention made of ordinary +Officers, perpetually to abide, as _Teachers_, _Helpers_, and the +_Church-Governour, or Ruling-Elder_. And that this Officer is ordinary +and perpetual, appears from the perpetual necessity of him in the +Church; for a Church without government, is as a ship without a Pilot, +as a Kingdom without a Magistrate, and a world without a Sun. + +6. That this Church-Governour thus seated by God in his Church, as a +perpetual Officer, is an officer _contradistinguished in the Text from +the_ Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, _and all other_ Officers _in the_ +Church. This appears; 1. By the Apostles manner of expressing these +officers in an _enumerative_ form; _First, Apostles; Secondarily, +Prophets; Thirdly, Teachers; After that, miracles, then gifts of +healing_, &c. 2. By the recapitulation, vers. 29, 30. _Are all +Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all workers of +miracles?_ &c. 3. By the scope of the whole Chapter, which is to set +down different gifts and offices in different subjects; It is said, +ver. 8, 9. _To one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to +another the word of knowledg by the same Spirit; to another, faith_, +&c. And for this purpose, the Apostle draweth a simile from the +members of mans body: As there are different members in mans body, and +every member hath its different office, and every member stands in +need one of another; the Eye cannot say to the Hand, I have no need of +thee; nor again, the head to the foot, I have no need of thee, &c. So +it is in the Church ministerial, which is the body of Christ. God hath +set different Officers in his Church; some ordinary and perpetual; +some extraordinary and temporary: And these different Officers have +different Offices, some to teach, others to distribute to the poor +Saints, others to govern. Are all Teachers? are all Deacons? are all +Church-Governours? and these have all need one of another. The Teacher +cannot say to the Deacon, I have no need of thee; nor to the Church +Governour, I have no need of thee: But if all these Offices were in +the Pastor alone, and only, then might he truly say to the Deacon and +Ruling-Elder, I have no need of thee. But now God hath so set the +members in his body which is his Church, that every member stands in +need one of anothers help and support. + +[Sidenote: _Object._] + +If it be objected, that the Apostles had all these offices and gifts +here mentioned, eminently seated in them, for they were Prophets, +Teachers, Workers of Miracles; and therefore why may not all these be +understood of one and the same person? + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +Though it be true, that the Apostles had eminently all these; yet it +is as true, that there are many here named, which had but one of these +gifts formally seated in them: And it is also apparent, that some of +the persons here named were distinct Officers in the Church, as the +Prophet, and the Teacher. Though the Apostles were Prophets and +Teachers, yet the Prophet & the Teacher were Officers distinct from +the Apostles; and by a parity of Reason, so were the Governors from +the Apostle, Prophet, and Teacher; the scope of the Apostle being (as +hath been said) to set out distinct Offices in distinct Officers: are +all Apostles? are all Prophets? are all Teachers? The sum of what we +have said from this Scripture, then, is this, _That God hath seated +some men in his Church which have a gift and office to govern, which +are neither Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, nor Pastors; and therefore +they are Ruling-Elders_, which is the Officer which we are enquiring +after. + +Now this Interpretation which we have given, is not only the +interpretation of Reformed Divines, both _Lutherane_ and _Calvinists_, +but of the ancient Fathers, and even the Papists themselves, as +appears by the quotations in the Margent.[52] + +The second text is, _Rom._ 12.6, 7, 8. _Having then gifts differing +according to the grace given, whether Prophesie, let us prophesie +according to the proportion of Faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our +Ministring; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on +exhortation. He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity. He that +ruleth, with diligence. He that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness._ In +which words, we have a perfect enumeration of all the ordinary Offices +of the Church. These offices are reduced, first, to two general heads, +_Prophesie_ and _Ministry_, and are therefore set down in the +_Abstract_. By _Prophesie_ is meant the faculty of right +understanding, interpreting, and expounding the Scriptures. Ministry +comprehends all other employments in the Church. Then these generals +are subdivided into the special offices contained under them, and are +therefore put down in the concrete. Under _Prophesie_ are contained, +1. _He that teacheth_, that is, the Doctor or Teacher. 2. _He that +exhorteth, i. e._ the Pastor. Under _Ministry_ are comprized, 1. _He +that giveth_, that is, the Deacon. 2. _He that ruleth_, that is, the +Ruling Elder. 3. _He that sheweth mercy_, which [53]Office pertained +unto them, who in those days had care of the sick: So that in these +words, we have the _Ruling-Elder_ plainly set down, and +_contra_-distinguished from the _teaching_ and _exhorting Elder_ (as +appears by the distributive particles, ειτε ὁ διδασκων, ειτε ὁ +παρακαλων, _Whether he that teacheth_; _Whether he that exhorteth_; +_Whether he that ruleth_, &c.) And here likewise we have the divine +institution of the Ruling-Elder, for so the words hold forth. _Having +then gifts differing according to the grace that is given unto us_; +and thus also in the third verse, _according as God hath dealt to +every man_, &c. This officer is the gift of Gods free grace to the +Church, for the good of it. + +Against this Exposition of the Text, it is objected by those that +oppose the divine right of the Ruling-Elder, that the Apostle speaks, +in these words, not of several offices in several persons, but of +severall Gifts in one and the same person; for he saith, _having then +Gifts differing according_, &c. But we answer: + +1. That the word _Gift_ is often in Scripture taken for _Office_; as +_Eph._ 4.8, 11. _When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, +and gave gifts unto men_; and v. 11. _He sheweth what these gifts +were, some to be Apostles, some Evangelists_, &c. + +2. That the Apostle in the _Protasis_ speaks not of severall Gifts, +but of severall Offices, and these not in the same, but in several +members, _v._ 4. _As we have many members in one body, and all members +have not the same office._ And therefore the _apodosis_ must also be +understood not only of _severall gifts_, but of _severall Offices_, +and these in _several subjects_. And this further appears by the very +similitude which the Apostle here useth, which is the same he used, +1 _Cor._ 12. from the body natural, wherein there are many distinct +members, and every member hath its distinct Office; and so it is in +the Church of Christ. + +3. These gifts here mentioned, and the waiting upon them, do +necessarily imply an Office in whomsoever they are; and therefore they +are set down emphatically with an Article, ειτε ὁ διδασκων ὁ +προισταμενος. He that hath the gift of teaching, and exhorting, and +ruling, and waiteth upon this gift, what is he but a Teacher, Pastor, +and Ruling-Elder? And this must either be granted, or else we must +open a door for all members of the Church, even women, not only to +preach and teach, but to rule also, and to wait upon preaching and +ruling: This truth is so clear, as that the Papists themselves being +convinced of it, do say[54] upon this text, that the Apostle here +first speaks of gifts in general; and secondly, applyeth these gifts +to Ecclesiastical Officers, v. 6. and afterwards directs his +exhortation to all Christians in general. + +The third text for the divine right of the _Ruling-Elder_, is, +1 _Tim._ 5.17. _Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of +double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine._ +For the understanding of which words, we will lay down this rule, That +every text of Scripture is to be interpreted according to the literall +and grammatical construction; unless it be contrary to the analogie of +Faith, or the rule of Life, or the circumstances of the Text: +otherwise, we shall make a nose of wax of the Scriptures, and draw +_quidlibet ex quolibet_. Now according to the _Grammatical +construction_, here are plainly held forth _two sorts of Elders_; the +one, _onely ruling_; and the other, _also labouring in Word and +Doctrine_. Give us leave to give you the true analysis of the words. + +1. Here is a _Genus_, a general, and that is _Elders_. + +2. Two distinct species, or kinds of Elders, _Those that rule well_, +and _those that labour in word and doctrine_; as Pastor and Doctor. + +3. Here we have two participles, expressing these two kinds of Elders, +_Ruling_, _Labouring_, the first do only rule, the second do also +labour in Word and Doctrine. + +4. Here are two distinct Articles, distinctly annexed to these two +participles, ὁι προεστωτες, ὁι κοπιωντες. They that rule, They that +labour. + +5. Here is an _eminent discretive particle_, set betwixt these two +kinds of Elders; these two participles, these two Articles evidently +distinguishing one from the other, _viz._ μαλιστα _especially they +that labour_, &c. And wheresoever this word μαλιστα is used in the +New Testament, it is used, to distinguish thing from thing, or person +from person; as _Gal._ 6.10. _Phil._ 4.22. 1 _Tim._ 5.8. 1 _Tim._ +4.10. _Tit._ 1.10. 2 _Tim._ 4.13. 2 _Pet._ 2.20. _Act._ 20.38. In all +which places, the word [_especially_] is used as a discretive particle, +to distinguish one thing from another, or one person from another; and +therefore being applyed here to persons, must necessarily distinguish +person from person, officer from officer. It is absurd to say, (saith +Dr. _Whitaker_,[55]) that this text is to be understood of one and the +same Elder. If a man should say, _All the Students in the University +are worthy of double honour, especially, They that are Professors of +Divinity; He must necessarily understand it of two sorts of Students_. +Or if a man should say, _All Gentlemen that do service for the Kingdom +in their Counties, are worthy of double honour, especially they that +do service in the Parliament; this must needs be understood of +different persons_. We are not ignorant, that Archbishop _Whitgift_, +Bishop _King_, Bishop _Bilson_, Bishop _Downame_, & others, labour to +fasten divers other interpretations upon these words, which would be +over-tedious here to rehearse. Only thus much we crave leave to say, +which we desire may be seriously weighed; That all other senses that +are given of these words, are either such as are disagreeing from the +literall and Grammatical construction, or such as fall into one of +these two absurdities, either to maintain a _non-preaching Ministry_, +or a _lazy-preaching Ministry_ to deserve double honour. Archbishop +[56]_Whitgift_ by the Elder that rules well, understands a Reader that +is not a Preacher. [57]Dr. _King_, a Bishop ruling, and not preaching; +which is to say, that a non-preaching Minister deserves double honour. +Dr. _Bilson_ [58]saith, that the words are to be understood of two +sorts of Elders, and that the meaning is, That the Elder that rules +well, and preacheth, is worthy of double honour, especially they that +labour, that is, _that preach abundantly_, that do κοπιαν, labour as +a Waterman at his Oar; which is as much as if he had said, that a +_lazy Minister_, or a _seldome-preaching Minister, deserves double +honour_. For all Preachers are in Scripture required κοπιαν, _to +labour abundantly, 1 Thess._ 5.11. _1 Cor._ 3.8. where the same word +is used that is here expressed. If the Apostle had meant to have +distinguished them by their extraordinary labour, he would rather have +said, μοχθουντες, then κοπιωντες, for other-where he useth μοχθος, as +a degree of painful labour, above κοπος, which is put for common +labour, _Rom._ 16.12.[59] Dr. _Downame_ and others, interpret the +words of one and the same Elder, thus, The Elders that rule well, are +worthy of double honour, especially they that labour; that is, (say +they) _especially they labouring, or especially because they labour_. +And so they make their labouring, to be the chief cause of their +double honour. But this interpretation is against the literal meaning, +for the Greek is not ει κοπιωσιν, _if they labour_, but μαλιστα ὁι +κοπιωντες, _especially they that labour_. Here is a participle with an +Article, and a _discretive particle_, which can never be rightly and +literally translated _causatively_. And therefore we conclude, +together with our Reformed Divines[60], that this text according to +the proper and Grammatical construction of it, doth hold forth unto +all unprejudiced Christians, a Ruling Elder, distinct from a teaching +Elder, which is the thing we undertook to prove. + +Besides these three Scriptures thus expounded, we shall briefly offer +one more; and that is, Matth. 18.17. where the offended Brother is bid +_to tell the Church_, &c. In which words, the whole power of +excommunication is placed by Christ in the _Church_. The great +question is, what is meant by Church? Here we take for granted: 1. +That by Church, is not meant the civil Magistrate, as _Erastus_ fondly +imagineth; for this is utterly contrary to the purpose of Christ, and +the aym of that discipline here recommended to be used, which is the +_gaining of our brother unto repentance_; whereas the aym of the civil +Magistrate, is not the spiritual good properly and formally of the +offender, but the publique good of the Common-Wealth. And besides, it +is a language unknown in Scripture, to call the Magistrate the Church; +and it is an exposition purposely invented, to overthrow all +Ecclesiastical government. + +2. That by Church, is meant _primarily and especially_ the particular +Congregation; we do not say _onely_, but firstly and especially. Hence +we argue; If the power of Excommunication be placed in the particular +Church, then either in the Minister alone, or in the Minister and +whole Congregation, or in the Minister and Elders chosen by the +congregation. + +But not in the Minister alone, who being but one man, can no more be +called a Church, then one man can be called many, or a member called a +body. For one person cannot be called a Church, (saith _Bellarmine_ +himself[61],) seeing the Church is the people and Kingdome of God. It +is certain, that the Church here spoken of, is a certain number met +together; for it is said, _Where two or three are gathered together_, +&c. + +Nor in the Minister and whole Congregation; for God who is the God of +order, not of confusion, hath never committed the exercise of +Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, to a promiscuous multitude; the +Scripture[62] divides a Congregation into Rulers and Saints, into +Governours, and governed; and if all be Governours, who will be left +to be governed? And besides, if the collective body of a Church be the +Governours, then women and servants must govern as well as others. + +And therefore we conclude, that by Church, must needs be meant, the +Minister and Ruling-Elders, which are the Officers we are enquiring +after. + +And this is no new interpretation, but agreed unto by ancient and +modern Writers. _Chrysostome_ saith[63], by Church, is meant the +προεστωτες, _the Rulers of the Church_, Camer.[64] _the Colledg of +Presbyters_; others, the _Ecclesiacall Senate_. These are called a +Church, for four Reasons: + +1. Because it is usual in the Old Testament, (to which our Saviour +here alludeth, as appears by the words Publican and Heathen,) to call +the Assembly of Princes and Elders a Church, Numb. 35.12, 24, 25. with +Deut. 1.16. 1 Chron. 13.2, 3. with 28.1, 2. & 29.1, 6. Deut. 31.28, 30. +1 King. 8.1, 2, 55. Num. 5.2. compared with Levit. 13.15. + +2. Because they manage Church affaires in the name of Christ, and of +the Church, and are servants of the Church, as well as of Christ. + +3. Because they are, as it were, the eyes and ears of the Church; and +therefore as the body is said to see or hear, when as the eyes and +eares alone do see and hear; so the Church is said to see, hear, and +act, that which this _Senate Ecclesiasticall_ doth see, hear, and act. + +4. Because they represent the Church; and it is a common form of +speech, to give the name of that which is represented, to that which +represents it; as we say, that to be done by the whole Kingdome, which +is done by a full and free Parliament. Hence we might further argue: + +_If the Colledge of Presbyters represent the Church, then it must be +made up of Ruling-Elders, as well as Ministers._ For Ministers alone +cannot represent the Church; the Church consisting not of Ministers +alone, but of Ministers and people, who are part of the Church as well +as Ministers, and are so called, _Act._ 15.3, 4. + +This is all we shall say, for the Scriptural part. + +[Sidenote: Episcopacy by Divine right.] + +As for the _Primitive times of the Church_, we should have wholly +waved the mention of any thing about them, were it not for the base +calumnies & reproaches which the Prelatical party cast upon the +Ruling-Elder, in saying, That it is _the new fangled device of Calvin +at Geneva_; and never known in the Church of Christ before his dayes. +There is a Bishop that _makes offer to forfeit his life to justice, +and his reputation to shame, if any man living can shew, that ever +there was a Ruling-Elder in the Christian world, till_ Farell _and_ +Viret _first created them_. But he hath been abundantly answered by +_Smectymnuus_, insomuch, that whereas in his Episcopacy by Divine +Right, he boldly averreth, that the name of the Elders of the Church, +comprehendeth none but preachers, [65]and that therefore none but they +may be called _Seniores Ecclesiæ, Elders of the Church_; though some +others haply may have the title of _Seniores populi, Elders of the +people_, because of their _civill Authority_. Yet notwithstanding +afterward, the same Bishop in his [66]reply to _Smectymnuus_ +acknowledgeth, that besides _Pastors and Doctors_, and besides +_Magistrates and Elders of the City_, there are to be found in +Antiquity, _Seniores Ecclesiastici, Ecclesiastical Elders_ also; only +he alledgeth, they were but as our Church-Wardens, or rather, as our +vestry-men; whereas in truth, _They were Judges in Ecclesiasticall +controversies_, and did assist the Pastor in ruling and governing the +Church; witnesse that famous place in [67]_Ambrose_, which testifies, +_that both in the Jewish and in the Christian Church, there were +these Ecclesiasticall Rulers_. This is also the judgment of +[68]_Tertullian_, [69]_Origen_, [70]_Basil_, [71]_Optatus_, +[72]_Hierome_, [73]_Augustine_, [74]_Gregory_ the great, and divers +others cited by _Justellus_ in his Annotations in _Can. Eccl. +Affricanæ_, and by _Voetius_, and by _Smectymnuus_, and by the Author +of the _Assertion of the Scotch Discipline_, some of which are +rehearsed in the Margent. We will conclude this Discourse, with the +confession of Archbishop _Whitgift_, a great Writer against the +Presbyterial-Government; _I know (saith he) that in the Primitive +Church, they had in every Church Seniors, to whom the Government of +the Church was committed, but that was before there was any Christian +Prince or Magistrate_. + +And therefore, let not our respective Congregations suffer themselves +to be abused any longer with a false belief, that the _Ruling-Elder_ +is a new device, and an _Officer_ never known in the _Church of God_, +nor _Word of God_. For we have sufficiently (as we conceive) proved it +to be warranted by the Word, and to have been of use in the purer +times of the Church. + +Three things we shall desire to adde, as a conclusion of this +discourse. + +1. _That there are prints of the Ruling-Elder remaining amongst us +even at this day_; for as the _Overseers_ of every Parish, have a +_resemblance of the Deacon_; so the _Church-warden_ hath some +_foot-steps_ of our _Ruling-Elder_; though we must needs confess, that +this _Office hath been much abused_; and we could desire it might be +laid aside, and the true _Scripture-Ruling-Elder_ set up in his place. + +2. That the Prelatical Divines, [75]which are such great adversaries +to the _Ruling-Elder_, do yet notwithstanding, hold and prove, that +men of abilities which are not Ministers, are to be admitted into +_Generall Councels_; because that in the Synod of _Jerusalem_, not +only the _Apostles_, but _Elders_ and _Brethren_ did sit and vote, +because this was practised in the _Old Testament_; and because that +this was practised in the Councels held afterwards in the Church of +Christ, as appears out of _Eusebius_, _Sozomen_ and _Theodoret_, and +by the subscriptions of those Councels done by men, not Ministers, as +well as others. + +Hence we might argue; + +_If other men, besides Ministers, are by Gods word, even in the +judgment of the Prelaticall Divines, to be admitted into the greatest +Assemblies, and Councels of the Church, much more are they by the same +right to be admitted into particular Congregations, to sit and vote +with the Minister in the Government of the Church._ + +3. Adde thirdly, that even in the Bishops days, for these many hundred +years, there have been _Ruling-Elders_ in the Church; for the +_Chancellours_, _Commissaries_, _Officials_, and such others, were all +of them _Governours of the Church_, and had the _power of suspension +and excommunication_; and yet were few of them, if any, _Ministers of +the Word_: And it seems to us, to be a great _curse of God_, that +lyeth upon mens spirits, that could willingly submit to _Chancellours_ +& _Commissaries_, who did nothing else but _pick their purses, and +tyrannize over their bodies and estates_, and yet will not submit unto +the _Ruling-Elder_ now established, who _seeks no other interest, but +the interest of Christ, and medleth not with mens bodies or estates, +and desireth nothing but to be helpfull to the Ministers of Christ, to +keep their Congregations in unity, piety, and verity_. This is all we +shall say, in answer to the first Objection. + +The second grand Objection against the _Presbyteriall-Government_, is, +that it requires all, of all sorts, to come to the _Minister_ and +_Elders_ to be examined, before they can be admitted to the Sacrament +of the Lords Supper, which is (as some ignorantly say) to bring in +auricular confession again into the Church, to bring the people of God +into a spirituall slavery and bondage unto the Eldership, and which is +an usurpation more then prelaticall, and a tyrannicall domineering +over mens consciences, and hath no footing in the Word; for the +Scripture saith, _Let a man examine himself, and so let him eate_, &c. +It is not said, _Let him first be examined by the Ministers and +Elders_: the Scripture addes, _He that eats and drinks unworthily, +eats and drinks damnation to himself_, not to the Eldership. And why +then must a man submit himself unto the examination of the Eldership? +and how come the Eldership to be guilty of another mans unworthy +receiving? It is further added by some, that for their parts, they +will willingly come before the Minister, and submit to his +examination, but they will rather for ever be without the Sacrament, +then submit to come before the _Lay-Elder_, for whom, they see no +warrant in the Word of God: Others say, that they will freely yield +that the _younger sort_, that never have received the Sacrament, +should present themselves to the _Eldership_ to be catechized, and +instructed, and fitted for the Sacrament; but they will never yield, +that old men and women, that heretofore have divers times received, +should now in their old age be required to come, to be examined not +only by their Minister, but by the Elders also, who oftentimes are +very unfit for that Office: Others adde, that though some Ministers +rigidly keep all from the Sacrament, that will not come before the +Elderships; yet there are others, that are _Presbyterians, and have +Elders chosen, that act without them_, and will receive us to the +Sacrament without comming before them. These, and such like +Objections, are brought against this way of Examination, that is so +happily begun amongst us. Now that we might satisfie these Objections, +and make good our practice out of the Word of God, we shall briefly do +these four things. + +1. _We will declare what our practice is in this particular._ + +2. _We will prove, that he that will come to the Sacrament, ought +first to submit to examination._ + +3. _That the power to examine, belongs not to the Minister alone, nor +to the Minister with the whole Church, but to the Minister and +Elders._ + +4. _We will answer the Objections, that are brought against this way +of examination by the Minister and Elders._ + +For the first of these, we say; + +First, That the _Presbyterial-Government_, doth not precisely & +peremptorily require of those that come to the Sacrament, that they +should first be examined by questions and answers, but if any man or +woman shall make a good profession of their Faith in a continued +discourse, without being _asked any questions_, it will be as well +accepted, as if they were examined by particular questions. + +Secondly, that this _examination_ or _profession_ is not required +every time men come to _the Sacrament_, but only _at their first +admission_. + +3. That he that is duly admitted into compleat _Church-fellowship in +the Presbyterian-way_, is not only by vertue of his first admission, +freed from all _after-examination_ (unless it be when he falls into +any scandalous transgression) in the Congregation, to which he +belongs; but he is inabled by a certificate from his Eldership, to +receive the Sacrament in any Church of the Christian world of the same +constitution, without any new examination. + +Fourthly, that the reason why ancient men and women, and others, that +have formerly under the _Prelatical Government_ been admitted to the +Sacrament, are now required to submit to examination, before they can +be again admitted, doth not _proceed from the nature of the +Presbyterian Government, but chiefly from the neglect of the +Prelaticall_: For it is so evident, that it cannot be denyed, that +under the former Government, men and women of all sorts, though never +so ignorant or scandalous, were in most places admitted promiscuously +to the Sacrament without any examination. Now this grievous disorder, +and great iniquity in the Prelatical Government, is the principal +cause of all the trouble we meet withal in ours; and we desire +earnestly our people to distinguish with us, between a Church +deformed, and reformed. If the Churches of God in _England_ were once +so reformed, that there were an orderly admission, by examination or +profession, unto the Lords Table by the Eldership; then we should +require none to come to examination, but such only as never yet +communicated, whom we would endeavour to train up in knowledge, by +catechizing, and by Gods blessing, make fit in time, to be partakers +of such heavenly mysteries. But now because our Churches, through want +of Discipline, are deformed, & all sorts have been sinfully admitted +without tryal: Hence it is, that we are forced, even out of tender +regard to the souls of old people, and to free our selves from the +guilt of their sins, and out of desire to keep the Sacrament from +prophanation, to examine even aged people (many of whom we find very +ignorant) and all sorts as have been formerly admitted (many of whom +we find to be very unworthy) that so we may bring our Congregations +into Gospel-order. This we say, _we are absolutely necessitated to do +upon conscientious grounds, which we cannot recede from, though we +find it very prejudiciall to our selves, and to our Government_. But +in the mean time, we desire our respective Congregations to consider, +that this is a necessity, that the iniquity of former times hath +brought upon us; and that it doth not flow from the principles of our +Government, but only from the negligence and sinfulness of Prelatical +Governours. + +The second thing propounded, is to prove, that he that will come to +the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, ought first to submit to +examination, and tryal, as it hath been formerly explained: For this +purpose, we will lay down these three Propositions. + +1. _It is the Will of Jesus Christ, that no grosly ignorant, or +scandalous person should come to the Sacrament._ + +2. _That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that those who are grosly +ignorant, or scandalous, should be kept from the Sacrament (if they +offer to come) by the Officers of the Church._ + +3. _That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that Church-Governours have +some sufficient way to find out who are such ignorant and scandalous +persons, that they may be kept away._ + +[Sidenote: 1. Proposition.] + +_That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that no grosly ignorant, or +scandalous person, should come to the Sacrament._ + +1. No _grosly ignorant person_, because the Scripture saith, _that a +man must first examine himself, and so eat of that bread, and drink of +that cup_; and it likewise saith, that he that will come to the +Sacrament must be one that _discerneth the Lords body_; otherwise he +_eats and drinks damnation to himself_; and it adds, that we are to do +this _in remembrance of Christ_, and thereby to _shew forth the Lords +death till he come_. And therefore a man that is grosly ignorant, and +is not able to examine himself, nor to discern the Lords body, nor to +remember Christ; nor understands what it is to shew forth the Lords +death, ought not to come to the Sacrament, no more then a baptized +Infant, who is therefore not to partake of this Ordinance, because of +his want of knowledge. + +2. No _scandalous person_: This is evidenced from the words of the +Apostle, _Let a man examine himself, & so let him eat_, &c. from which +words we gather two things: + +1. That he that would come to the Sacrament, _must examine himself_; +which examination ought to be according to the nature of the Ordinance +of the Lords Supper, _viz._ + +1. In general; whether he be worthy to come, or no; (not with a +_worthinesse of merit_, but of _Evangelical suitablenesse_.) + +2. In particular: + +1. Whether he have _true Faith in Christ_, without which, he cannot +worthily eat this bread, and drink this cup. + +2. Whether he _truly repent for sin, and from sin_. For he that comes +in any sin unrepented of, comes unclean, and so pollutes the +ordinance. + +3. Whether he be [76]_truly united by love to Jesus Christ, and his +members_; without which, he cannot enjoy communion with them in that +ordinance. + +2. That he who upon due examination, can find none of these +qualifications, should not presume to come, which appears: + +1. By the Apostolical command, _But let a man examine himself, and so +let him eat; so_, and _not otherwise_. + +2. By the sin which he commits, in _being guilty of the body and blood +of Christ_, vers. 27. + +3. By the _Danger_ he incurres to himself, in _eating and drinking his +own damnation_, vers. 29. + +2. From the nature of the Sacrament. + +1. It is the _table of the Lord, and the Lords Supper_; and +consequently the friends, and not the enemies of Christ, are thereto +invited. + +2. It is an ordinance, wherein we publiquely profess communion with +Christ and his mystical body, & if he that comes, be by sin disjoyned +from Christ, he is guilty of a _sacrilegious lye against him and his +Church_, whilest he professeth himself to be a _friend_, and is +_really an enemy_. + +3. It is (according to the nature of all Sacraments,) [77]a sealing +Ordinance, as is intimated in those remarkable sacramental phrases, +_This is my body, this is my blood_, denoting not only a bare +sacramental signification, but also a spiritual obsignation and +exhibition of Christs body and blood, to a worthy receiver. Now a seal +supposeth a writing to which it is annext, or else it is a meer +nullity; and certainly Christ never intended to have his Seal put to +a blank or counterfeit writing. + +4. It is an ordinance appointed for the nourishment of those who are +spiritually alive, Christs body & blood being therein conveyed under +the Elements of bread & wine; which they only can eat and drink, +[78]who are alive by Faith, and not they that are dead in trespasses & +sins. + +5. It is the _New Testament in the blood of Christ_, that is, _a +confirmation of the New Testament_, and of all the promises and +priviledges thereof in the blood of Christ, which belong not at all to +wicked men, [79]_Godlinesse having the promises of this life, and that +which is to come_. + +By all which it appears, that it is the Will of Christ, that no +scandalous person should come to the Lords table. + +[Sidenote: 2. Proposition.] + +_That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that those who are grosly +ignorant, or scandalously wicked, should be kept from the Sacrament, +(if they offer to come,) by Church-Officers._ + +And this is evident: + +1. _From the power given to Church-Officers for that purpose._ + +2. _From the evill consequents that will otherwise ensue._ + +1. That such a power is given to Church-Officers, appears, + +Not onely + +From the proportionable practice of Church-Officers under the Old +Testament, who kept the charge of the holy things of God, and were +appointed [80]to see that none who were unclean in any thing, or +uncircumcised in flesh, or in heart, should enter into the Temple, to +partake of the holy things of God, and [81]had a power to put +difference between holy and unholy, which power was not meerly +_doctrinall_ or _declarative_, _but decisive, binding_, and +_juridicall_, so far, as that according to their sentence, men were to +be admitted, or excluded. That there was a power in the Old Testament +to keep men from the Sacrament of the Passeover, for morall +wickednesse, _vide Aarons_ rod blossoming, lib. 1. cap. 9, 10, &c. + +But also, + +From that power of Government, and _key of Discipline_, committed by +Jesus Christ, to Church-Officers, under the New Testament. For Christ +hath given to them the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, which imply not +only a key of doctrine, but of discipline, and that both to _keep out +such as Christ would not have received in, and to shut out such as +Christ would not have to continue in_; The use of a key being for both +these purposes. For shutting out those that should not be continued +in, as is granted on all hands from divers Scriptures[82]. And +consequently, for _keeping out those that should not be received in_, +there being the same reason of both. _For to what purpose should such +be received in, as are by Christs command immediately to be cast out +again._ + +2. That divers ill consequences will otherwise ensue, if grosly +ignorant, and scandalous persons be not kept away, is plain. + +1. _Church-Governours should be very unfaithfull Stewards of the +Mysteries of Christ, and perverters of his Ordinance._ If a Steward to +whom his Lord hath committed his goods to be carefully distributed, to +such as are honest, faithfull, and diligent in his field or Vineyard, +shall not only admit of _Loyterers_, and such as by their evill +example discourage others, but also shall give to such the bread and +wages which belongs to them who are faithfull and industrious, should +he not be accounted a very unjust and unfaithfull Steward, and an +abuser of his trust? + +2. _They should be guilty of polluting and prophaning the_ Sacrament. +If a Minister should give this Sacrament to an Infant, or to a +Mad-man, or to a meer fool; or to a Swine, or a Dog, would not all men +say this were a horrible prophanation thereof? _Shall it then seem a +small prophanation to give it unto one who is as ignorant as an +Infant, and walloweth as a Swine in the mire of sin and uncleanness?_ + +3. _They should express a great deal of cruelty and inhumanity to the +soul of him to whom they give the Sacrament_; because they give it to +one who will eat and drink his own damnation. + +4. _They will hereby make themselves accessary to his sin of unworthy +receiving_; For it is a certain Rule in Divinity; [83]_He that suffers +a man to commit sin, when it is in his power to hinder him, is +accessory to the sin that that man commits_; as appears by the +[84]example of _Eli_: And therefore, if the Officers of the Church +that are deputed by Christ to keep grosly ignorant, or scandalous, +from the Sacrament, shall yet notwithstanding suffer them to come, and +can hinder them, but will not, they themselves become guilty of his +sin. + +5. _They do hereby grieve the Godly, that are members of the same +Congregation, and as much as in them lies, they pollute & defile the +whole Congregation: For know you not_, saith the Apostle, _that a +little Leaven leaveneth the whole lump?_ + +6. Adde lastly, that hereby they bring down the _judgments of God upon +the Congregation_; according to that text, 1 Cor. 11.30. _For this +cause many are sick._ + +From all this, we argue thus; If Church-Officers under the Old +Testament had an authoritative power to separate between the holy and +prophane; and if under the New Testament they have a power to keep out +from the Sacrament, such as are grosly ignorant, or scandalously +wicked; and if it be the Will of Christ, that the Officers of the +Church should be faithful Stewards of the Mysteries of Christ, that +they should not pervert, nor pollute his Ordinance; that they should +not be cruel to the souls of their Brethren, or be partakers of other +mens sins, that they should not grieve the Godly, nor bring guilt and +judgment upon the Congregation of which they are Officers: Then it is +the Will of Christ, that they should not give the Sacrament to such, +who are grosly ignorant, and scandalously wicked. + +[Sidenote: 3. Proposition.] + +_That it is the Will_ of Christ, _that_ Church-Governours _have some +sufficient way to discover who are such ignorant and scandalous +persons, that they may be kept away_. + +This followeth clearly from the two former Proportions. For if it be +the Will of Christ, that no grosly ignorant, or scandalous person +should come to the Sacrament; and if they offer to come, should be +kept back by Church-Officers; then it follows, That they must have +sufficient way to detect who are ignorant and scandalous. _For Christ +never wills any end, but he wills also all necessary and sufficient +mean, conducing to that end._ + +Now what sufficient means can be propounded or imagined, for detection +of ignorant or scandalous persons, but by examination before these +Church-Officers; examination, we say, of the persons themselves in +case of ignorance, and of witnesses also in the case of scandal. For +though in some particular cases for private satisfaction, private +conference with the Minister alone may sufficiently discover the +knowledge or ignorance of persons, yet in this common case, for +publique satisfaction touching the fitness of persons for the Lords +Supper, no lesse then a publike and judicial examination before the +Eldership can be sufficient; inasmuch as an authoritative act of +admitting, or refusing the persons so examined, depends thereupon. + +To illustrate this; + +If a man by his last Will and Testament, should leave unto the Master +and Fellows of a Colledge in trust a sum of money; to be distributed +to hopeful poor schollars, such as were well verst in the learned Arts +and Tongues: Would it not hence follow? + +1. That those _Trustees_ have a power granted them by the Will, to +examine those that come to desire that Legacie. + +2. That if any refuse to be examined, or upon examination be found +insufficiently qualified, they have authority to refuse them. + +3. That the most sufficient, proper, and satisfactory way, is not to +trust to Reports or Testimonials, but to examine the persons +themselves that sue for such a Legacie: So in the present case, Jesus +Christ hath left as a Legacie, the _Sacrament of his Body and Bloud_, +and hath left the Church-Officers in trust with it, and hath said in +his Will, That no grosly ignorant, or scandalous person ought to come +to partake thereof; and if any come, that he be debarred from it by +those Church-Officers. Hence it followeth inevitably. + +1. _That those in trust have power to examine such as desire to +partake of this_ Legacie, _whether they be of sufficient knowledg, and +of good conversation, or no_. 2. _That they have power to refuse all +such as either refuse to be examined, or upon examination, are found +insufficient._ 3. _That if the Church Officers would give up their +account with joy at the great day of judgment, they ought not to rest +satisfied with private Reports or Informations of others; but to +examine the persons themselves, that thereby they may faithfully +discharge their trust in a matter of so great concernment_; And that +they that will have the Sacrament, according to the will of Christ, +ought first to submit themselves to such examination. + +Besides this that hath been said, to prove that those that would come +to the Sacrament ought first to submit to examination; We shall +further offer these following Arguments. + +1. We argue from that general exhortation of the Apostle, 1 _Pet._ +3.15. _But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready alwayes +to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope +that is in you, with meekness and fear._ + +Now if Christians are bound to give an account of their Faith and hope +to every one that asketh them, _yea even to heathen Persecutors_: how +much more ought they to do it to the Officers of the Church? +especially at such a time, when they desire to be admitted to an +_Ordinance_ that is not common to all sorts of Christians, but +peculiar to such as are indued with knowledg, and of an unblameable +life and conversation. + +2. _From that power that Jesus Christ hath seated in his Church, of +examining such as are by the Will of Christ to be excommunicated from +the Sacrament._ That there is a power of examining, in order to +excommunication, appears from Matth. 18.16, 17. and from Revel. 2.2. +where Christ commends [85]the Angel of the Church of _Ephesus_, _because +he could not bear them which were evill, and had tryed them who said, +they were Apostles, and were not, and had found them lyars_. This +trying was not only _charitative_, and _fraternall_, but +_authoritative_ and _judiciall_. For it was an act of the Angel of the +Church; which Angel is not to be understood individually, [86]but +collectively, for all the Angels in _Ephesus_. And that there were +more Angels then one in _Ephesus_, appears from _Act._ 20.17. (The +like may be said of the Angel of the Church of _Smyrna_, _Pergamus_, +_Thyatira_, &c. for Christ speaks unto each Angel in the plural +number, Rev. 2.10, 13, 14.) + +From hence we argue, _If Iesus Christ hath given power +Authoritatively, to examine such as are to be cast out from the +Sacrament, then he hath also given power to examine such as are to be +received in_. For there is the same reason of both. And as the power +of excommunication would be wholly useless and frustraneous, if there +were not a power of examination precedent thereunto; so would the +power of keeping such as are grosly ignorant or scandalous, from the +Sacrament, be utterly in vain, and of no benefit to the Church of +Christ, if the power of examination should be denyed unto it. And +certainly, whosoever is an enemy to this power, must be forced to +grant, that it is the _Will of Iesus Christ_, that all sorts of +people, though never so wicked, though actually drunk, though fooles, +though Turks, Iews, or Heathen, are to be admitted to the Sacrament, +if they come unto it. + +_For if there be no divine right of Examination, or of rejection, how +dare any Church or State assume a power of making rules for keeping +any persons from the Sacrament?_ should they make rules for keeping +ignorant and scandalous persons from the hearing of the Word, would it +not be accounted a sin of an high nature? And is it not as great a sin +to keep any from the Sacrament, if Christ hath left no power for the +doing of it? is not this to be wise above what is written? And +therefore let us either admit all sorts to the Sacrament, without any +distinction of persons, and thereby become guilty of the body and +blood of Christ, and accessary to the sins of those that come +unworthily; (as hath been said, and formerly proved,) or else let us +diligently and conscientiously examine all of all sorts, that desire +to be made partakers of this distinguishing ordinance. + +3. From the titles that are given to the Officers of the Church, and +from the duty that God requires at their hands. The Officers of the +Church are called _Rulers_ and _Governours_, & such as are _over their +people in the Lord_. And it is their duty _to watch over the souls of +their people, as such as must give an account for them into God_. Now +it is all the reason in the world, that they that must _give an +account to God for their people, should take an account of their +people_; and that they that _watch over their souls, should know the +state of their souls_. And that they that are _Governours, Rulers, +and Overseers, should teach, instruct, try and examine those over whom +they rule and govern_.[87] + +[Sidenote: Quest.] + +But you will say, who are these _Rulers and Governours_, by whom we +are to be examined? + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +The Answer to this, will lead us to the third thing propounded; and +that is to prove, + +[Sidenote: The 3. Particular.] + +_That the power of examining those that desire to be admitted to the +Lords Supper, belongs not to the Minister alone, nor to the Minister +with the whole Church, but to the Minister & Ruling Elders._ + +1. _Not to the Minister alone._ Indeed there is an examination, which +belongs only to the teaching-Elder, and that is [88]a catechizing of +his people in publique, by questions and answers; and this is part of +the key of doctrine. + +[Sidenote: _Non uni, sed unitati._] + +But the _examination_ that we are now treating of, belongs to +_Discipline and Government_; for it is not only a naked examination, +but an _authoritative determining whether the party examined shall be +detained from the_ Sacrament, _or admitted_; which is formally an act +of Church-Government, and therefore belongs not to the Minister alone, +but to all those whom Christ hath made Church-Governours, also: of +which sort are the Ruling-Elders, as hath been sufficiently proved. +The power of Discipline is given by Christ, not to one Elder, but to +the united company of Elders: and for one Minister alone to assume +this power unto himself, it is to make himself the Church; it is to +make himself a Congregational Pope; it is a bringing in of a Power +into the Church, that would have some resemblance (as was objected) to +auricular confession. + +Now there are two things we are very confident of; + +1. That when the Parliament gave their allowance to the Presbyterial +Government, if they had put the whole juridical power of the Church +into the hands of the Minister alone, they that now seem so willing to +come to be examined by the Minister without his Elders, would have +more bitterly declaimed against that way, then now they do against +this: For this indeed were to make every Minister a Prelate in his +Congregation; and (as we now said) to bring in that which hath some +resemblance to _auricular confession_. + +2. That it is as warrantable by the Word of God, for one Minister to +assume the whole power unto himself alone, of suspending persons from +the Sacrament, who have been duly admitted thereunto (which is a +graduall excommunication) as it is to assume the whole power of +admitting unto the Sacrament; for _contrariorum eadem est ratio_. And +oh that our Brethren in the Ministry, that take this power unto +themselves, would seriously consider what is here said. + +Secondly, the power cannot be placed in the whole Church collectively +taken; for then it should be also in children and servants. The +Scripture makes an exact distinction between Rulers, and Ruled; and we +are very well assured, that if this power were seated in the Minister +and whole Congregation, that they that are now so unwilling to come +before the Minister and Elders, would be much more unwilling to come +before the Minister, and whole Congregation. And therefore we +conclude, That this power of examining, and receiving unto the +Sacrament such are fit, and detaining such as are found to be grosly +ignorant, and visibly wicked must needs belong to the Minister, +assisted with the Elders, chosen out from amongst the rest of the +Congregation: For if the Elders are Rulers, and Governours, seated by +God in his Church, (as hath been abundantly proved) then it will +undeniably follow, _That whatsoever is properly an act of Government, +must belong to them as well as the Minister_. And who can deny, but +that the power of admitting unto, or detaining from the Sacrament, is +an act of Government? and therefore it doth by divine right belong to +the Elders, as well as to the Minister. But yet here we must carefully +distinguish between the _act of examination_, and the judgment given +upon the person examined. The managing of the Examination, is the +proper act of the teaching Elder; It is he that is to pray for a +blessing; It is he, that is for order sake to ask the questions. But +as for the _determining_, whether the party examined be fit or no to +receive, this is an act of power and government, and belongs not to +the Minister alone, but to the Eldership. And it is a very great +wonder unto us, that people should profess so much dis-satisfaction +and dislike, in coming before the Ruling-Elders whereas they cannot +but take notice, + +1. _That the Elders are such, as they themselves have, or might have +chosen._ + +2. _They are chosen for the relief and benefit of the Congregation._ +That so the Minister might not be _sole judge_ of those that are to +come to the Sacrament, but might have others joyned with him, to see +that he doth nothing out of envy, malice, pride, or partiality, but +that all things be managed for the good and edification of them, for +whose sake they are chosen: which two particulars, if our people did +seriously consider, they would quickly be perswaded to a hearty and an +unanimous submission unto this ordinance of Jesus Christ. + +There remains the fourth thing yet behind, which is an answering of +the objections that are brought against this way of examination by +Minister and Elders. But this, and divers other considerable things, +which we shall propound, to perswade people unto a cheerful obedience +to this part of Church-Reformation, so comfortably begun in many +Congregations in this Kingdome; We shall leave, till we come to that +part of this discourse, which we call, The EXHORTATION; to which we +refer the Candid Reader, that desires further satisfaction. + +And thus we have given you a short survey of the nature of the +Presbyterial Government; together with an answer to the most material +objections against it: which we have done only for this end, that so +(as we have said) we might undeceive those, who look upon it as lordly +and tyrannical; and by these bug-bears, are scared from submitting to +it. And we beseech our several Congregations, to judge of it, as it is +here represented, and to be willing to come under the yoke of it, +which is light and easie, (being the yoke of Christ) and which will in +a short time make our Congregations (if received into them) glorious +for their unity, verity, and piety. + +We are not ignorant, that it hath many Adversaries. The obstinately +ignorant hates it, because it will not suffer him to go blindfold to +hell. The prophane person hates it, because it will not suffer him to +eat and drink his own damnation, by unworthy coming to the Sacrament. +The Heretique hates it, because after two or three admonitions, it +rejects him. The Jesuite hates it, because it is an invincible bulwark +to keep out Popery. The Schismatique, because the main design of it, +is to make all the Saints to be of one lip, one heart, and one way. +And above all, the Devil hates it, because if rightly managed, it will +in a short time blow up his kingdome. + +But notwithstanding all these great and potent enemies, our comfort +is, That this Government is the Government of Jesus Christ, who is the +King of his Church, and hath given unto us the keyes of his Kingdom, +hath promised to be with us, to protect and defend us to the end of +the world; upon whose shoulders the government is laid; & though we be +utterly unable, yet he that was able to bear the wrath of God upon his +shoulders, is able to bear up this Government against the wrath of +man. For this end and purpose, all power in heaven and earth is given +unto him; and he is now sitting at the right hand of God, for the more +effectual exercising thereof: and will there remain, till he hath made +all his enemies his foot-stool. Whose priviledge it is, to rule in the +midst of his enemies: And will one day say, Those mine enemies, which +would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them +before me. _Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings, be instructed ye Judges +of the Earth; serve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling. +Kisse the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his +wrath is kindled but a little; blessed are all they that put their +trust in him._ + + * * * * * + +There remains the second particular yet behind; and that is the +_Vindication of our persons_, (especially of such amongst us, who are +teaching Elders,) from the slanders and cruel reproaches that are cast +upon us; which we shall undertake, not so much for our own, as for our +peoples sake, lest hereby our Ministry should be rendred useless and +ineffectual; for (as [89]_Austine_ saith) _though a Ministers good +conscience is sufficient for himself, yet his good name is necessary +for his people_: who ordinarily dis-esteem the Doctrine of him, whose +person they dis-esteem. We thank God, we can say with the Apostle, +with us, _It is a very small thing that we should be judged of mans +judgment: He that judgeth us is the Lord._ We remember what the +Apostle tells us in that little Book of Martyrs, of divers Saints, +whose _shoe-latchets we are not worthy to untye; who endured cruell +mockings, yea moreover bonds and imprisonments, they were stoned, they +were sawn assunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword_, &c. _of +whom the world was not worthy_, and yet even they were not _thought +worthy to live in the world_. And therefore we can with the more +willingness, suffer our selves to be the _But_ of every mans malice, +and the subject of every dayes Pamphlet. We read, that even _Elias_ +himself was called the _troubler of Israel_, by him who was the chief +_troubler thereof_. And that Saint _Paul_, who was wrapt up into the +third heaven, was accused by _Tertullus_, to be _a Pestilent fellow, +and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world_. And +that the Primitive Confessors and Martyrs, famous for the holiness of +their lives, were charged before the Heathen Emperors, to be the +vildest of men; to be first murderers, and then eaters of their own +children; to be guilty of incestuous marriages, and in their private +meetings to commit uncleanness. And their Religion also was +represented, as the cause of all the Earthquakes, famines, plagues, +and other miseries of those times.[90] + +We have formerly made mention of the reproaches which the +_Anabaptists_ of _Germany_ cast upon _Luther_; and we might adde the +horrible and prodigious lies & slanders raised by the _Arians_ against +_Athanasius_, that great Champion of Jesus Christ, and the hideous and +strange reports, and bitter invectives of _Michael Servetus_ and +_Bolseck_, against _Calvin_. But that which doth quiet our spirits, +more then all this, is, the consideration of Christ Jesus himself, who +when he was here upon Earth, was accused to be an _Enemy to_ Cæsar, _a +friend to_ Publicans _and_ Sinners, _a Glutton and a Wine-bibber_, +&c. _It is enough for the_ Disciple _that he be as his_ Master, _and +the_ Servant _as his_ Lord; _if they have called the Master of the +house_ Belzebub; _how much more shall they call them of his Houshold?_ + +As for the particular accusations that are charged upon us, they are, +we confess, very many, and very great; and if to be accused, were +sufficient to make us guilty, we were of all men most miserable. But +we hope it may be said of us, as it was once of _Cato_, _That as he +was 32. times accused, so he was 32. times cleared and absolved_. And +we trust, that the Lord will in due time, dispell all these thick +mists and fogs which our adversaries have raised up against us, and +bring forth at last our _Righteousnesse as the light, and our judgment +as the noon day_. And we do here profess before the great God, that in +all the great changes that have bin lately made amongst us, it hath +been our great endeavour to keep our selves unchanged, making the +_unchangeable Word_ our _Rule_, and the _unchangeable God_ our _Rock_. +And we are confident, that no man will account us _Apostatized from +our principles_, but such as are in a great measure _Apostatized from +their own professions_. There are some men that _Proteus_-like, can +transform them into all shapes, for their own advantage, according to +the times wherein they live; and _Camelion-like_, can change +themselves into any colour but white, can turn any thing, but what +they should be. And because we cannot change our consciences with the +times, as some do; therefore, and therefore only, are we counted +_Changlings_. It is just with such men, as with men in a ship at Sea, +that will not be perswaded, but that the shore they pass by moves, and +not the ship wherein they are. As for Us, we are, and hope (through +Gods grace) ever shall be fixt and immoveable in our first +principles. We were not the causers of the first War, between King and +Parliament; but were called by the Parliament to their assistance: and +the ground of our ingaging with them was, _The Propositions and Orders +of the Lords, and Commons in Parl. Jun. 10. 1642._ for bringing in of +mony and plate, &c. wherein they assured us, that whatever should be +brought in thereupon, should not at all be employed upon any other +occasion, _Then to maintain the Protestant Religion, the Kings +authority and his person, in his Royall Dignity; the free course of +justice; the Laws of the Land, the peace of the Kingdom; and the +Priviledges of Parliament, against any force which shall oppose them._ +And in this we were daily confirmed & incouraged more and more, by +their many subsequent Declarations and Protestations, which we held +our selves bound to believe, knowing many of them godly and +conscientious men, of publique Spirits, zealously promoting the good +both of Church and State. The War we ingaged in by Authority of +Parliament, was only defensive, (which not only [91]Bishop _Bilson_, +and [92]Bishop _Bedell_, but divers others of the Prelatical way hold +to be just and warrantable.) We never opposed the King further, then +He opposed His own Laws: Our aym in all that great Undertaking (as the +great Heart-searcher knows) was to _secure Religion, to preserve the +Government of the Kingdom, and to remove the Wicked from before the +King, that his Throne might be established in Righteousness_. + +And this Act of ours, was not at all contrary to the _Oath_ of +_Allegeance_ which we have taken; because the intent of that Oath can +be no other, then to oblige to obey the King, according to the Laws of +the Kingdome; and to our knowledg, we never disobeyed the King in his +legall and political capacity; though we confess we did, and by the +Law were allowed to deny obedience unto him in his personall capacity, +when it did cross his legall. And therefore they that charge us so +deeply, and reiterate their charge by their multiplyed Pamphlets, +_That we Ministers are the cause of all the Murders and Blood +sheddings of these late years, and other horrid practices which we +forbear to mention, have the greater sin_. + +But our comfort is, the witness of our Consciences, and the integrity +of our Carriages; and we doubt not but we can truly appeal, as +_David_, did when he was accused for seeking the life of _Saul_. _The +Lord judg between them and us, and plead our cause, and deliver us out +of the hands of these cruell and unreasonable accusers._ This is all +we shall return in answer to the first War; As for the second War, we +profess, we stand amazed at the impudency of that man[93], who is not +afraid, even against his own conscience (we fear) to say of the +Presbyterian Ministers, _That they did separate their consecrated +Lungs, for Bellows to blow up the Coals amongst the People this last +Summer; That they were the Ghostly Fathers of all or the greatest part +of those Anti-Parliamentary Barabasses, who so lately commenced +Masters of Mis-rule in_ Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex, Wales, &c. _That +in stead of lifting up their voyces like Trumpets, to cause the People +to know their abominations, they lift them up like Trumpets, to +prepare them to commit abominations, &c._ That Tumults, Insurrections, +and Rebellions of the People against Authority, _in order to the +advancement of High Presbytery, seem lawfull, yea, and commendable +practices unto many of them_. To all which, and Multitudes of such +like cruel invectives, we return the answer of the Archangel, _Jude_ 9. +_The Lord rebuke thee._ It is well known to all that are not wilfully +and maliciously blind, what help the Presbyterian Ministers and People +did contribute towards the quenching of those flames; and that in all +probability, the Army had been utterly destroyed, had not the +Presbyterian Forces in _Lancashire_, _Suffolk_, _Essex_, and in divers +other places (incouraged by the Ministers) come in timously, and +vigorously to their assistance. And the time was, when this was +ingenuously acknowledged by one of the chiefest of the Army, though +the forementioned Pamphleter, possessed with prejudice against us, +will not remember any such thing; and though some of us be like to be +dealt withall by way of recompence, just as _M. Tullius Cicero_ was, +who had his head cut off by _Popilius Lænas_, whose head he had saved +from cutting off; or as _Constans_, the Son of _Constantine_ the great +was served, who was kil'd by one _Magnentius_, whose life he had +formerly preserved.[94] And what the Ministers of _London_ in +particular did in this kind, is well known to all unprejudiced +Citizens. We did not abet (as we are falsly accused) but abhor and +detest, that _horrid violence offered to the Parliament, upon that +fatall Munday_, July 6. 1647. We have always been, and still are +friends to the _Priviledges of Parliament, according to our Covenant_. +And for this very cause it is, even because we will not break the +priviledges of Parliament, that we suffer so deeply from these kind of +men at this day. Although we could (if recriminations were good +answers) put them in mind of Pamphlets, not a few, written by them, +and those of their way, _in justification of as horrid acts of +violence offered to the Parliament_. When the Scottish Army came last +into _England_, (though we are shamefully traduced, as if we had +encouraged and invited them to come in,) yet our consciences do +witness with us, and our _Auditors_ can testifie for us, that we did +unanimously oppose them, as men that pretended the _Covenant_, but +acted quite contrary unto it. We profess, that in conscience we are +bound, and in practice we shall endeavour to obey _lawfull Authority +in all lawfull things_; and when we cannot actively obey, we shall be +ready _passively to submit_. If our hearts deceive us not, we have no +design but the _glory of God_, _no interest like that of Religion_. We +desire more to _sow spiritualls_, then _reap temporalls_. And that +Christ and his Gospel, may be exalted, though upon our ruines. Pardon +us, that we become fools in glorifying, for ye have compelled us. We +hunt not after tythes, and great Livings, but seek the salvation of +our peoples souls; and had our enemies a window into our hearts, they +would finde these our professions to be true and unfeigned. And yet we +must crave leave to tell these men, _That the design of taking away +Tythes from the Ministry, was first invented by that cursed Apostate_ +Julian, _who (as Mr._ Stock _that Reverend, pious, and painfull +Preacher hath observed[95],) by this means is noted, more to have +overthrown the Church, then all the Persecuting Emperours before him. +Because they took away Presbyters, and their Martyrs blood was the +seed of the Church, but he took away Presbyterium, the Ministry it +self, in withdrawing the maintenance from the Church, and so overthrew +the Worship of God._ As for our way of preaching, though we are far +from justifying any _indiscreet and passionate expressions_, yet we +conceive it to be very hard measure, to have our integrity arraigned +and condemned for humane infirmities. And we hope we may, without +boasting, say thus much; That the _setled Ministry of England_ was +never more _censured, molested, impoverished and yet never more pious, +peaceable, and painfull_. And that our condition in this juncture of +affaires, is just like that of the _Romane, That had a suit commenced +against him, because he did not receive the sword of his enemy far +enough into his bowels_. And that therefore it is that some men +rail against us, because we will not break our _Oaths and Covenants_, +and will not _serve the times_, but _serve the Lord_. It is a great +refreshing to us, to consider the wise dispensation of God, in +ordering the affaires of this Kingdome, so, as he hath thereby +discovered the hidden hypocrisie and cousenage of many men, unto those +who otherwise would not have believed it. And we earnestly intreat +these men to consider, as in the sight of God, before whose dreadfull +judgment Seat, both we and they must shortly give an account of all +things done in these our mortall bodies; Whether in that dreadful day +it will appear a _righteous thing_, If those who have cryed down +_Persecution so much_, should now themselves become the _greatest +Persecutors_. And if they who have formerly abhorred others, as men +transported with an _Antichristian spirit_, but for a bare suspition, +that if they got power into their hands, they would prove _cruell and +tyrannicall to poor tender consciences_, should now actually attempt +to do that themselves, the which upon bare suspition, they did condemn +in others: And if any who have accused others for seeking great +Offices, and places of gain and preferment, should now manifest +themselves to be none of the least self-seekers. Alas! who knows, or +can discern the deceitfulness of our hearts? and that if we give way +upon meer outward occurrences, to change our principles, but that upon +further changes, the Righteous Lord may leave us to Satans stronger +delusions, to transport us further, then at present can come in our +hearts to imagine; that so after all the glorious beginnings in the +Spirit, we should fearfully Apostatize, and end in the flesh. For our +parts, we tremble to think of those formidable Judgments of our +Righteous God. And our prayer to God is, that he would keep us sincere +in all changes, and that he would plead our cause for us. And our +_rejoycing, is the testimony of our consciences, that in simplicity +and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdome, but by the grace of +God, we have had our conversation in the world_. It is the integrity +of our consciences, that carries us above all the reproaches and +slanders that are cast upon us: and that makes us go on in doing our +duties, maugre all opposition; and to commit the maintaining of his +own cause, and the cleering of our callings and persons unto the Lord, +who judgeth righteously. + +[1] Ezra 4.15, 24. + +[2] _Justini Martyris Apologia. Tertul. Apol._ + +[3] _Juell. Apolog._ + +[4] Psal. 80.12, 13, 14, 15. + +[5] Psal. 51.18. + +[6] 1 Tim. 3.15. + +[7] 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. Psal. 19.7. + +[8] 2 Cor. 5.20. Eph. 4.11. + +[9] Matth. 18.20. + +[10] Iam. 4.12. Isa. 33.22. + +[11] Matth. 28.19. 1 Cor. 11.23. &c. + +[12] 1 Cor. 5. Ioh. 20.21, 22, 23. Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. + +[13] Eph. 4.11. Eph. 1.22. 1 Tim. 3.15. + +[14] Heb. 3.2, 3. Ha. 5.1, 7. Cant. 4.16, 6.2. Eph. 2.12. + +[15] Eph. 4.12. Matth. 18.15. 1 Cor. 5.5. + +[16] Eph. 4.11. + +[17] 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Cor. 12.28. and Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. + +[18] Act. 6.5, 6. Phil. 1.1. and 1 Tim. 3.8. + +[19] 1 Tim. 3.2. to 13. &c. Act. 6.3. + +[20] Act. 6.5, 6. 1 Tim. 3.10. Act. 13.1, 2, 3. and 14.23. +1 Tim. 5.22. and 4.14. + +[21] Act. 6.4. + +[22] Act. 15.21. Act. 13.15. + +[23] Matth. 16.19. 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. + +[24] Numb. 6.23. Luk. 24.50. 2 Cor. 13.14. + +[25] Matth. 28.19, 20. Mat. 26.26. to 31. 1 Cor. 11.23. + +[26] Tit. 3.10. 2 Thess. 3.14, 15. Mat. 18.15. to 21. 1 Cor. 5.3. and +2 Cor. 2.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. + +[27] Act. 4.35 and 6.1, 2, 3. Act. 11.29, 30. Rom. 12.8. + +[28] 1 Cor. 14.34. Rom. 16.1. + +[29] Act. 2.41, 47. Act. 5.4. Act. 6.1. Act. 21.20. + +[30] Act. 15. + +[31] Deut. 17. to the 12. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17, 18. + +[32] 2 Pet. 2.10. + +[33] Deut. 17.18, 19. & cap. 31.9. Josh. 1.7, 8.1. 2 King. 11.12. + +[34] Isa. 49.23. + +[35] Ezr. 7.26, 27. 1 Pet. 2.14. compared with Gal. 5.19, 20. & Phil. +3.2. & 2 ep. Joh. 10. 2 Chron. 15. & 2 Chron. 17.6. 2 Chron. 19.3. +2 Chron. 29. 2 Chron. 33.15, 16. 2 Chron. 34.31, 32, 33. Nehem. 13.15 +_ad finem_. Dan. 3.29. 1 Tim. 2.2. Rev. 17.16, 17. + +[36] 1 Pet. 2.14. Rom. 13.3, 4. + +[37] Επισκοπος των εξο της εκκλησιας, _Euseb. vit. Constant._ cap. 24. + +[38] Isa. 49.22. Psal. 72.10, 11. Isa. 60.10. Rev. 21.24. + +[39] 1 Cor. 5.12. + +[40] _Ab Apostolis usque ad nostri temporis fecem, Ecclesia Christi +nata & Adulta persecutionibus crevit, Martyriis coronata est; et +postquam ad Christianos Principes venit, potentiâ quidem & divitiis +major, sed virtutibus minor facta est._ Hieron. tom. 1. in vitâ +Malchi. + +[41] Act. 28.22. + +[42] Act. & Mon. + +[43] _Spanhemius_ in a Book, called _Englands warning, by Germanies +woe_; or, An Historicall Narration of the Anabaptists in _Germany_, +&c. + +[44] By Mr. _Carthwright_, against Archb. _Whitgift_. Mr. _Vdal_. Mr. +_Hildersham_. Mr. _Traverse_, &c. + +[45] Heb. 13.17, 24. + +[46] 1 Pet. 5.3. Ier. 10.16. + +[47] _Non quia soli, sed quia solùm præsunt._ + +[48] _De divers. grad. Minist. Evang._ cap. 11, p. 108. + +[49] _Calvin. in locum. Chrysostom._ upon 1 Cor. 12.28. _Estius_ upon +1 Cor 12.28. + +[50] [Syriac: two words] ומעדרנא ומדברנא. + +[51] Κυβερνησειζ. + +[52] _Gerhardus de Ministerio Ecclesiastico_, Calvin. _in locum_, P. +Martyr, _in locum_. Beza _in locum_. Piscator _in locum_. Ambros. _in +locum_. Chrys. _in locum_. Salmer. _in locum, Septimo loco ponit +gubernatores, id est, eos qui præsunt aliis, & gubernant, plebemque in +officio continent. Et Ecclesia Christi habet suam politiam, & cum +Pastor per se omnia præstare non posset, adjungebantur ille duo +Presbyteri, de quibus dixit_, Qui bene præsunt Presbyteri, duplici +honore digni habeantur, maxime qui laborant in verbo & doctrina; _Qui +una cum Pastore deliberabant de Ecclesiæ cura, & instauratione: qui +etiam fidei atque honestæ vitæ consortes erant_. + +[53] Estius _in_ Rom. 12. _Aliis placet etiam hac parte speciale +quoddam charisma sive officium significari, & misereri dicatur is qui +ab Ecclesia curandis miseris, potissimum ægrotis, præfectus est, +iisque præbet obsequia; velut etiam hodie fit in nosocomiis; qui +sensus haudquaquam improbabilis est._ + +[54] _Cornelius à Lapide_, in Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. + +[55] _Whitak. in prælectionibus suis, ut refert in refutatione Dounami +Sheervodius_, cited by the Author of Altare Damascen. cap. 12. pag. +925, 926. + +[56] Whitgift against Carthwright. + +[57] In a Sermon of his in print. + +[58] _De perpetua Eccl. gubernat._ + +[59] 2 Cor. 11.27. 1 Thess. 2.9. + +[60] Beza in 1 Tim. 5.17. Piscator in locum. Calvin. in loc. + +[61] _Non enim una persona potest dici Ecclesia cum Ecclesia sit +populus & Regnum Dei._ + +[62] Heb. 13.17, 24. + +[63] _Chrys._ upon Matth. 18. + +[64] _Camer. de Ecclesia_, upon Matth. 18. + +[65] pag. 208, 209, 221. + +[66] pag. 146. + +[67] _unde & Synagoga, & postea Ecclesia Seniores habuit, quorum sine +consilio nihil agebatur in Ecclesia; quod qua negligentiâ obsoleverit +nescio, nisi forte Doctorum desidiâ, aut magis superbiâ, dum soli +volunt aliquid videri_, Ambros. in 1 Tim. 5. + +[68] _Præsident probati quique Seniores honorem istum non pretio sed +testimonio adepti._ Tertull. Apolog. cap. 39. + +[69] _Nonnulli præpositi sunt qui in vitam & mores eorum qui +admittuntur inquirant, ut qui turpia committant iis communi cœtu +interdicant, qui vero ab istis abhorrent, ex animo complexi meliores +quotidie reddant_, Orig. lib. 3. _Contra Celsum_. + +[70] Basil in Psalm 33. _Ubi quatuor gradus Ministrorum constituit, +quod scilicet alii sint in Ecclesia instar oculorum, ut Seniores; alii +instar linguæ, ut Pastores; alii tanquam manus, ut Diaconi_, &c. + +[71] Optatus lib. 1. _advers. Parmen._ mentioning a persecution, that +did for a while scatter the Church, saith, _Erant Ecclesiæ ex auro & +argento quam plurima ornamenta, nec defodere terræ, nec secum portare +poterat, quare fidelibus Ecclesiæ Senioribus commendavit_. +_Albaspinæus_ that learned Antiquary upon that place acknowledged, +That besides the Clergy, there were certain of the Elders of the +people, men of approved life, that did tend the affaires of the +Church, of whom this place is to be understood. + +[72] _Et nos habemus in Ecclesia Senatum nostrum, cœtum Presbyterorum; +cum ergo inter cœtera etiam senes Judea perdiderit quomodo poterit +habere concilium, quod proprie Seniorum est?_ Hier. _in_ Is. 3.2. + +[73] Aug. writing in his 137. Epistle to those of his own Church, +directs his Epistle, _Dilectissimis Patribus, Clero, senioribus, & +universæ plebi Ecclesiæ Hipponensis_. + +So again. Aug. lib. 3. _contra Cresconium_, cap. 56. _Peregrinus +Presbyter, & Seniores Ecclesiæ Musticanæ regionis._ + +Again, Sermo. 19. _de verbis Domini. Cum ob errorem aliquem a +Senioribus arguuntur & imputantur alicui de illis, cur ebrius fuerit?_ +&c. + +Again, _Epistola Synodalis Concilii Carbarsussitani apud eundem_, Aug. +_enar. in_ Psalm 36. _Necesse nos fuerit Primiani causam quem plebs +sancta Carthaginensis Ecclesiæ Episcopum fuerat in oculis Dei sortita, +Seniorum literis ejusdem Ecclesiæ postulantibus audire atque +discutere._ + +[74] Gregor. Magnus. _lib._ 11. _ep._ 19. _Si quid de quocunque +Clerico ad aures tuas pervenerit, quod te juste possit offendere, +facile non credas, sed præsentibus Ecclesiæ tuæ Senioribus diligenter +est perscrutanda veritas, & tunc si qualitas rei poposcet, Canonica +districtio culpam feriat delinquentis._ We should have added before, +that _in actis purgationis Cæciliani & Fælicis_; We read _Episcopi, +Presbyteri, Diaconi, Seniores_. Again, _Clerici & Seniores Cirthensium_. +Sundry Letters were produced and read in the conference: one directed, +_Clero & Senioribus_: another, _Clericis & Senioribus_. The Letter of +_Purpurius_ to _Sylvanus_, speaketh thus, _Adhibete conclericos, & +Seniores plebis Ecclesiasticos viros, & inquirant diligenter quæ sint +istæ dissensiones_. + +[75] Sutlivius _de Concil. ab_ 1. _cap._ 8 saith, that among the Jews +_Seniores tribuum_, the Elders of the Tribes did sit with the Priests +in judging controversies of the Law of God. Hence he argues against +_Bellarmine_, that so it ought to be in the christian Church also, +because the priviledge of christians is no less then the priviledg of +the Jewes. + +[76] 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. + +[77] Rom. 4.11. + +[78] Joh. 6.63. + +[79] 1 Tim. 4.8. + +[80] 2 Chr. 23.19. Ezek. 44.7, 8. + +[81] Levit. 10.10. Ezek. 22.26. + +[82] 1 Cor. 5.13. Rev. 2.14, 15, 20. Tit. 3.10. + +[83] Levit. 19.17. + +[84] 1 Sam. 2. + +[85] _Zelum singularem laudat in tuenda disciplina Ecclesiæ, quod +vitiis in cœtu grassantibus se fortiter opposuerit, scandalosos +censuris debitis correxerit, vel Ecclesiæ communione ejecerit. Ita +enim præcepit Christus & Apostolus, & viguerunt censuræ in primitiva +Ecclesia magno bono_, Pareus in locum. + +[86] That the Church of _Ephesus_, is not Individually, but +collectively to be taken, _vide Smectymnuum_. + +[87] 1 Cor. 12.28. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thess. 5.12. Heb. 13.17. + +[88] Gal. 6.6. where the word κατηχουμενος properly signifieth a +teaching by questions and answers. + +[89] _Mihi quidem sufficit conscientia mea, vobis autem necessaria est +fama mea._ Aug. ad fratr. in Eremo. + +[90] Tertullian. Apologet. + +[91] In his Book of Christian subjection, _&c._ + +[92] In his letters to _Wadesworth_. + +[93] _J.G._ + +[94] Pezelii mellificium historicum, pars 2. pag. 268. + +[95] _M. Stock_ upon Malachy, cap. 3. + + + + +The EXHORTATION. + + +Having thus in few words, vindicated both our Government and our +Persons, we conceive it necessary to subjoyn an Exhortation unto all +the Ministers, and Elders, and people, that are within the Province; +which we shall branch into these ensuing particulars: + +1. We shall direct our speech _unto the Ministers and Ruling Elders, +that have accepted of, and do act according to the Rules of the +Presbyterian Government, as they are conjoyned in one and the same +Presbytery_. + +2. _Unto those of our respective Congregations, that submit unto the +Government, and are admitted unto the Sacrament of the body and blood +of Christ, in the Presbyterian way._ + +3. _Unto those that live within the bounds of the Province, and have +not yet submitted to the Government, nor are admitted to the +Sacrament, in the Presbyteriall way._ + +1. We shall direct our speech unto the Ministers and Ruling-Elders, +that have accepted of, and do act according to the Rules of the +Presbyterian Government, as they are conjoyned in one and the same +Presbytery. + +That which we have to say unto them, is, + +To perswade them to be _faithfull in the discharge of the great trust +committed unto them_. To be a _Ruler in Gods house_, as it is a place +of _great honour_, so also of _great trust_; and he that hath this +trust committed unto him, ought to be one of a thousand. It is a good +saying of an Heathen, _Magistratus virum indicat_, Magistracy will try +a man what he is, so will this office you. Such are the mountains of +opposition you are like to meet withall; such is the courage you must +put on; such is the wisdome and piety you must be cloathed withall, +that we may truly say with the Apostle, _Who is sufficient for these +things?_ As _Tacitus_ saith of _Galba_, that he was _Capax imperii, +nisi imperasset_, thought very fit to have been an _Emperour_, had he +not been an _Emperour_; so there are many that have been thought fit +to be _Elders_, till they were made _Elders_. Many that seemed very +good, when private Christians; when advanced into places of trust, +have proved very wicked. To have the _body and blood of Christ +Sacramentall in your custody_; To be made _Keepers of Christs +Vineyard_, and _watchmen over his flock_; To have the _keyes of the +Kingdom of Heaven_ committed unto you: This is not only a great +honour, but a great burden. And therefore it must be your exceeding +great care, so to behave your selves in the Church of God, which is +his house, that you may give up your account with joy at that great +day. For this purpose we Exhort you; + +1. That you would labour to discharge your Office with care and +diligence, according to the advice of the Apostle, [96]_Let him that +Ruleth, Rule with diligence_. The Apostle foresaw how negligent Elders +would be, in the trust committed unto them; and therefore he chose to +lay this speciall injunction upon them. You must not suffer the key of +discipline to rust for want of using, but must remember, that the life +of discipline is in the execution; and that the _unprofitable servant +was cast into Hell, not for abusing; but for not improving of his +Talent_. + +2. That you would study to Rule with all humility and Self-denyal, +[97]not as lording it over Gods heritage, but as being examples to the +flock, remembring the saying of our blessed Saviour, [98]_The Kings of +the Gentiles exercise Lordship; And they that exercise authority upon +them, are called Benefactors: But ye shall not be so. But he that is +greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief_, +(or, as it is in the Greek[99], he that Ruleth,) _as he that serveth_. +You must not be as _Diotrephes_ who loved to have the _Preheminence_; +not as the _Pharisees, [100]who loved the uppermost roomes at feasts, +and the chief seats in the Synagogue_. + +3. That you would labour to Rule the Church of God with all +_peaceablenesse_, and _quietness_; doing nothing out of contention, +envy, or malice; but all out of pure love, with the spirit of meekness +and patience. That the people may read love and gentleness written +upon all your admonitions and censures. [101]_For the servant of the +Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, +patient, in all meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if +God peradventure will give them repentance, to the acknowledgment of +the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of +the Devill, who are taken captive by him at his will._ Famous is +the saying of our Saviour, _Have salt in your selves, and peace one +with another_. By _salt_, is meant (as _Chemnitius_ and others +observe,) _sincere doctrine and discipline_ whereby the people of God +are seasoned, and kept from the putrefaction of sin and errour; this +_salt_ is so to be sprinkled, as that if it be possible, it may have +peace joyned with it. _Have salt in your selves, and peace one with +another._ There are that think, that sincere discipline and peace +cannot stand together, but they are confuted by Christs own words. The +readiest way to have true peace one with another, is to have salt +within our selves. There are indeed, some Congregations, that have +this salt, without this peace; which is a misery to be exceedingly +bewailed. There are others which have _peace_ without this _salt_, but +this _peace_ is a wicked _peace_; a peace with sin and errour, which +will end in damnation. But blessed and happy are those Congregations, +that have _salt in themselves, and true Christian peace one with +another_. A Church-Officer must not be a _bramble_, rending and +tearing the people committed to his charge, but as a _fig tree_, +_vine_, and _olive tree_, refreshing them with his _fatnesse, +swetnesse, and fruitfulnesse_. + +4. That you would labour to make your Congregations pure, as well as +peaceable; following after piety, as much as verity and unity. That +all your people under your charge, may be visible Saints at least. It +is the great complaint that some take up against the _Presbyteriall +Government_, that it studieth unity and truth, but neglecteth holiness +and purity. And therefore we beseech you Brethren, by our Lord Jesus +Christ, who is called _the holy One_, that you would labour to free +the Government from this scandal. If there be any under your +inspection grosly ignorant, or of scandalous life and conversation, +you ought not to admit him to the Sacrament; for if you do, you are +accessary to his sin of unworthy receiving; you are instrumentall to +the damnation of his soul, you pollute the ordinance; you offend the +godly amongst you; you render the Government obnoxious to just +exception; and you bring down the heavy judgments of God upon the +Congregation. If there be any that after admission prove scandalous, +you are to admonish him; and if he continue obstinate, you are _to put +away from among your selves that wicked person_, to purge out the _old +leaven_, that you may be a _new lump_. And this you are to do: + +1. _For the Churches sake_; that the Church in which you are Rulers, +may not be infected; _for know you not, that a little leaven leaveneth +the whole lump?_ + +2. _For the sinners sake_; you must deliver such a one _unto Satan_, +for the _destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the +day of the Lord Jesus_. + +3. _For Christs sake_, that his name may not be dishonoured, and that +he may not be forced to depart from your Assemblies. + +4. _For the Ordinances sake_, that they may not be polluted. + +5. _For your own sakes_, that you may not be damned for other mens +sins. + +Oh that our words might take impression upon all your hearts, that are +Ministers and Elders within the Province! what a glorious thing were +it, if it might be said of all our Congregations, that they are not +only _true_, but _pure Churches, and Churches united in love, and in +the truth_? How would this tend to the honour of Jesus Christ, the +King of his Church? How would this make him delight to dwell in the +midst of you? How would this stop the mouthes of Anabaptists, +Brownists, and Independents? How would the blood of Jesus Christ be +preserved from prophanation, and the wicked in time gained to +repentance, and the blessing of God be upon us, together with peace +and plenty in all our dwellings? + +We beseech you once more, by the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed +for your souls, that you would not prostitute it to open sinners, but +use all possible means to make your Congregations more and more pure. +For this purpose, consider, what the Directory for Church-Government, +advisedly and religiously requireth of you, namely, _That where there +are many Ruling-Officers in a particular Congregation, some of them do +more especially attend the inspection of one part, some of another, as +may be most convenient. And some of them are, at fit times, to visit +the several families for their spiritual good._ And for the better +inabling you to do these things, we exhort you further: + +5. That you would labour to abound more and more in all _knowledge_, +and _soundnesse of judgement_, _and in all manner of godly +conversation_; for he that would be fit to _purge_ Gods house of +ignorance and scandal, must first _purge_ himself of ignorance and +scandal. _Church-purification_ and reformation, must begin in +_self-purification_ and reformation. He that will reprove sin in +others, must be free from that sin himself; otherwise it will be said, +_Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and +then thou shalt see clearly, to cast out the moat out of thy brothers +eye_. And he must be free from all other scandalous sins also; +otherwise men will be ready to say, This man reproveth me for +drunkenness, but he himself is covetous; he reproveth me for swearing, +but he himself will lie. And therefore our prayer to God for you is, +[102]_That you may be filled with the fruits of Righteousness, which +are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God, that your +love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment; +that ye may approve the things that are excellent: That ye may be +sincere, and without offence, till the day of Christ_. For you are +appointed by Christ to convince gain-sayers, and therefore you had +need to let the Word of God dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, +especially in these dayes, wherein there are many unruly and vain +talkers, and deceivers, whose mouthes must be stopped; who subvert +whole houses, teaching things they ought not, for filthy lucres sake. +You are appointed by Christ, to be examples to the flock. And that +which is but a little sin in others, will be a great one in you. Your +sins are not sins, but monsters: You are like _Looking-glasses_, +according to which, others dresse themselves; you are like pictures in +a glass-window, every little blemish will be quickly seen in you: Your +lives are looked upon as _Presidents_, your examples, as _Rules_: And +therefore you ought to be _exemplarily holy_, or else you shall +receive the _greater condemnation_. + +6. That you would labour to be _good in all your relations_, good +_Parents_, good _Masters_, good _Husbands_, dwelling with your wives +according to knowledge, as being heires together of the grace of life, +that your prayers be not hindered: _For if a man know not how to rule +his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?_ How shall +he be a good Ruling Elder, that doth not rule well his own house, +_having his children in subjection with all gravity_? How can he +perswade others to set up the worship of God in their families, that +hath none in his own? And therefore, that you may rule the better in +Gods Church, you must make your _houses_ as it were _little Churches_. + +7. That you would labour to be men of _publique spirits_, seeking the +things of Christ before, and more then your own; mourning more for the +miseries of the Church, then your own; and rejoycing more in the +prosperity of _Sion_, then your own. + +A Church-Officer must be like old _Eli_, who was more troubled at the +losse of the _Ark_, then the death of his two sons. And like the +Psalmist, that bewailed more the _burning of Gods house_, then his +own; and the desolation of _Gods Church_, then of the _Kingdome_.[103] + +8. That you would labour to be of a _liberall and free spirit, feeding +the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not +by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready +mind_. A Covetous _Judas_ will betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces +of silver, and sell a good conscience for a messe of pottage; and be +prodigal of the blood of Christ, rather then lose his trading. + +9. That you would labour to be of a _courageous and resolute spirit, +valiant for the truth and cause of God_; as _Luther_ was, who alone +opposed a world of Enemies; and as _Athanasius_, who was both as an +_Adamant_, and a _Loadstone_, in his private converse[104]; he was +very courteous and affable, drawing all men to him, even as a +Loadstone doth iron; but in the cause of God, and of his truth, he was +_unmoveable_, and _unconquerable_ as an Adamant. There is nothing will +cause you sooner to apostatize from your Principles, and from your +practices, then base fear of men. This made even _Peter deny Christ_; +and _David_, run to the _Philistines_, & _Abraham_, to dissemble. The +Wise man saith, _The fear of man bringeth a snare, but who so putteth +his trust in the Lord, shall be safe._ Our prayer to God for you, is, +That the [105]_Lord would speak unto you with a strong hand; and +instruct you, that you may not walk in the way of this people, saying +a Confederacy unto those unto whom this people shall say a +Confederacy; nor fear their fear: but sanctifie the Lord of hosts in +your hearts, and make him your fear and your dread_. And you have a +most blessed promise added, That _Jesus Christ will be unto you for a +Sanctuary_, to protect and defend you in the day of your greatest +fears and dangers. + +10. That you would labour to be of a _tender spirit_, tender of the +honour of God, of the blood of Christ Sacramental, of the souls of the +people committed to your charge, of the truths and Government of +Christ. A Church-Officer must not be a _Gallio_, not caring what +becomes of Religion, and the interest of Christ. Nor a luke-warm +_Laodicean_, neither hot nor cold, lest he be spewed out of the mouth +of Christ. But he must be a _Josiah_, whose commendation was this, +that his _heart was tender_, a _David_, _whose eyes ran down with +rivers of tears, because men kept not the law_: a _Jeremiah_, who +wished, that _his head were waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears, +that he might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of his +people_. + +11. That you would _persevere_ and _continue_ in the great trust +committed unto you, not deserting, nor neglecting the duty thereof, +for any present discouragements whatsoever; remembring what out +Saviour saith, _He that hath put his hand to the plough, and looketh +back, is not fit for the Kingdome of Heaven_. + +We cannot deny, but there are many things to dishearten you, and make +you grow faint and weary, _viz._ your own insufficiency to so great a +work; the untractablenesse, and unperswadeablenesse of many among the +people to submit unto the Government; The small beginnings of +reformation in Church-Government unto which we have yet attained, and +especially the little countenance that it finds with many, from whom +it might most justly be expected. Yet notwithstanding, we hope, that +that God which hath stirred you up to help to lay the first stone in +this building, will not suffer you to leave the work, till the _head +stone_ be brought forth with shoutings, crying, _grace, grace unto +it_. For this purpose, we desire you earnestly to consider with us; + +1. That the Authority by which you act, is divine. For the office not +only of a teaching, but also of a Ruling Elder, is founded upon the +Word of God, as hath been already shewed. + +2. That the Government which you have entred upon, is not a Government +of mans framing, but the Government of Jesus Christ; who as King and +Head of his Church, hath appointed you your work, and hath promised, +[106]_That where two or three of you are gathered together in his +name, there to be in the midst of you_, to protect, direct, sanctifie, +support, and comfort you. This Christ is [107]_that stone cut out of +the mountain without hands, that will destroy all the Kingdomes that +oppose him and his Government, and will himself become a great +mountain, filling the whole earth_. The time is shortly coming, when +the _Kingdomes of this world shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord, +and of his Christ_; when the [108]_mountain of the house of the Lord +shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be +axalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it: And many +Nations shall say, Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, +and to the house of the God of_ Jacob, _and he will teach us his +wayes, and we will walk in his pathes. And that Nation and Kingdome, +that will not serve the Lord Christ, shall perish yea those Nations +shall be utterly wasted._ + +3. The reward you shall have for the faithfull continuance in your +office, [109]is not from men, (though you deserve, and ought to have +even from men double honour, and are to be had in high esteem from +your work sake,) but from God, who hath promised to give you a +[110]_crown of glory, that fadeth not away, when the chiefe Shepherd +shall appear_; which promise is applicable, not only to the teaching, +but Ruling Elder; the Apostle speaking there of Elders indefinitely, +without restriction or limitation. + +4. The strength by which you act, is the strength of Christ; and +though in your selves you be insufficient for so great a work, (_for +who is sufficient for these things_) yet _by Christ that strengthens +you, you are able to do all things_. God never calls a man to any +employment, but he giveth a competent ability thereunto; and is angry +with those that pretend insufficiency for that Office to which he +calls them, as appears by the example of _Moses_, _Exod._ 3.10, 11, +13, 14. + +5. Consider what great things God hath brought to pass with weak +instruments. _Moses_ a shepherd was the deliverer of the Israelites +out of _Egypt_; and a great part of the World was converted by a few +Fisher-men. God delights to convey grace by contemptible Elements; as +Water, Bread, and Wine, and to manifest his great power in mans great +weakness, that so all the glory may redound to him alone. + +6. That the greatest undertakings in the Church, have met with +greatest difficulties and oppositions. [111]_Jerusalem_ was built +again even in troublous times. _Tobia_ and _Sanballat_, and all their +Adherents set themselves against it, both with scorns, false +informations, and acts of violence, yet the work went on and +prospered: and though it had very many years interruption, yet at last +God raised up the spirit of _Haggai_, _Zecheriah_, and of +_Zerubbabel_ and _Joshua_, and the work was suddainly finished. _Who +art thou O great Mountain before_ Zerubbabel_? thou shalt become a +plain_, &c. Oppositions should rather quicken, then cool activity. + +7. That the greatest affairs and achievements are wont at first to +have but small beginnings, like the Prophet _Elias_ cloud. The repair +of the Temple and of the City of _Jerusalem_ was so small at first, as +that the enemies mockt, and said[112]; _Even that which they build, if +a Fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall._ And _Iudah_ her +self said[113], _The strength of the bearers of the burden is decayed, +and there is much rubbish, so as we are not able to build the wall._ +And yet notwithstanding God saith[114], _Who hath despised the day of +small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the +hand of_ Zerubbabel. _The hand of_ Zerubbabel _laid the foundation of +this house, his hand shalt also finish it, not by might, nor by power, +but by my Spirit, saith the Lord[115]._ + +8. Consider, _who_, and of what _carriage_ the most of those are that +oppose this Government, and upon what grounds they are against it, and +it will adde a singular testimony to the goodness of it, and incourage +you the rather to stand for it, seeing so many erroneous, +superstitious, hereticall, leud and licentious persons of all sorts, +are so violent against it. + +9. If God countenance the Government, it is the less matter if it want +the countenance of man. Let not the faultinesse of others, discourage +Gods faithfull Ones from their trust and duty: The fewer stand for it, +the more reason there is that we should. _The Lord of Hosts is with +us, the God of Jacob is our refuge_: And therefore let us not fear +what man can do unto us, for there are more with us, then against us. + +10. God hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and he can in an +instant raise up a _Cyrus_ to appear for his People, and his Cause; +he can raise up _Zerubbabels_, _Nehemiah's_, and _Ezrah's_; he can, +and he will raise up Kings to be the nursing Fathers, and Queens the +nursing Mothers of his Church; he can turn the hearts of people, and +make them willing to submit their necks to the yoak of the Lord; and +he hath promised, _that in the day of his power, the people shall be +willing_. + +11. Lastly, consider _what great things God hath done already for us_; +and if he had meant to have destroyed us, he would not have done all +this for us: He hath broken the iron yoak of Prelacy, removed +superstitious Ceremonies, and Service-book, established a more pure +way of Ordination of Ministers, and of worshipping of God, and there +are hopefull beginnings of this Government in many of our +Congregations; and we doubt not, but that God, who hath been the +Author, will be the Finisher of this mighty Work. + +Let the consideration of these particulars exceedingly affect you, and +stir you up to persevere, & hold out in that great office you have +undertaken, in nothing being terrified or discouraged, but trusting in +the great God, who never faileth those that put their trust in him. + + * * * * * + +Our second Exhortation is unto _those of our respective Congregations, +that submit unto the Government, and are admitted unto the Sacrament +of the body and bloud of Christ, in the_ Presbyterian way; That we are +to exhort you unto, is, + +1. That as you are Saints outwardly, and such who live (as we hope) +unblameably in the eyes of the world; so you would labour to be Saints +inwardly, approving not only your wayes unto men, but your hearts and +consciences unto the heart-searching God. And for this purpose, we +perswade you, [116]_to wash not only your hands, but your hearts, from +all iniquity, and not to suffer vain thoughts to lodge within you; To +put away the evill of your doings from before Gods eyes; [117]To be +Jews inwardly circumcised with the circumcision of the heart, in the_ +Spirit, _not in the_ Letter, _whose praise is not of Man, but of God_; +To labour more to be _good_, then to seem to be _good_; to be more +ashamed to be _evill_, then to be known to be _evill_; to strive more +to get your sins _cured_, then _covered_; and to be not _gilded_, but +_golden Christians_. Alas! what will it avail you, to be esteemed by +your Minister and Elders reall Saints, when the Lord who is your +Judge, knows you to be but painted Sepulchres: What will it profit you +to have our _Euge_ and approbation, when you have the _Apage_ and +disallowance of God, and all his holy Angels? And therefore our prayer +to God for you is, that he would make you not only nominall, but reall +Christians; not only Saints by profession, but by conversation; not +only morally and formally, but Spiritually and Theologically good, +having your persons, principles, and aims holy, as well as your +actions. _He and he only is a right Christian, whose person is united +to Christ by a lively Faith; and whose nature is elevated by the_ +Spirit of Regeneration, _and whose principles, practices, and aims, +are divine and supernatural._ + +Secondly, as it is your great honour and priviledg to be admitted to +the Sacrament, when others by reason of ignorance or scandal are +refused; so it must be your great care, to come _worthily_; and so to +demean your selves, that you may be made partakers of the graces & +consolations of this heavenly banquet; And for this end, we think it +our dutie to propound certain necessary directions to you, for the +right ordering of your Sacramental approaches; and to perswade you by +the mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the diligent and +conscientious practice of these following particulars. + +1. Not to rest contented with the examination of your Minister and +Elders, but chiefly and especially to examine your selves, and so to +eat of that bread, and drink of that cup: To examine your selves, +whether you be in Christ or no, whether You do truly repent; whether +You do hunger and thirst after Christ in the Sacrament; whether You +have an unfeigned love to God, and Your Neighbour, manifested by an +impartial respect unto all the Commandements and Ordinances of Christ: +For though we may and ought to admit you upon the profession of these +graces; yet Christ will not bid You welcome, unless You have them in +truth and sinceritie. And though we cannot discern who are hypocrites, +and who are sincere amongst You; yet he that can distinguish between +star and star, can and will distinguish between a true Saint, and a +formal Hypocrite: and therefore labour to be such, indeed and in +truth, as You seem to Us, to be in _word and profession._ + +Secondly, As not to come without preparation and examination; so also +_not to trust to your preparation and examination_. Sacraments do not +work as Physick, whether men sleep or wake, _ex opere operato_, by +vertue inherent in them; but _ex opere operantis, according to the +disposition and qualification of the party that partakes of them_. If +the party be not qualified according to the tenour of the Covenant of +grace, he eats and drinks damnation to himself, and not salvation; and +when he hath done all he can by grace received, to prepare himself; +yet he must not relie upon his preparation, for this were to make an +Idol of it, and set up dutie in the room of Christ. Excellent is that +saying of _Austine_[118], _He that stands upon his own strength, shall +never stand_; and of _Bernard_[119], _That man labours in vain, that +doth not labour resting upon Christ and his merits_; and therefore we +exhort You, after all your care of preparation, to renounce it as to +the point of confidence, and _to come to Christ in the strength and +confidence of Christ alone_. + +3. Not be satisfied in the bare bringing of the forementioned graces +with you to the Sacrament, but to labour according to the advice of +the Apostle[120], _to stir up the gift of God that is in you_. The +Greek is, _to blow up_, and cause the grace of God within us to +kindle. Fire, as long as it lyeth raked up in the Embers, will give no +heat; a man may die with cold, for all such a fire. Grace, as long as +it lyeth dead in the habite, will not avail a man at the Sacrament. +And therefore, that you may be worthy receivers, you must take pains +to blow up the grace of God that is in you. You must arise and trim +your _spirituall lamps_, (as the _wise Virgins_ did,) that so you may +be fit to meet with your _Bridegroom_. You must _brighten_ your +_spirituall armour_, & gird up the loins of your mind; You must not +only have, but put on your _wedding garment_, and come to this +heavenly feast apparrelled in all your spiritual ornaments. For it is +a certain truth, that not only a wicked man, that wants grace, but a +childe of God that hath true grace, may receive the Sacrament +unworthily; though he cannot come unworthily as the wicked do, out of +a total want of grace, yet he may come unworthily out of grosse +negligence, and sinful carelesness, in not exciting and stirring up, +and improving the grace of God that is in him.[121] For not to _use +grace_, and not to _have grace_, in this case, do little differ in +Gods account. And therefore, if you would be worthy guests at this +Supper, you must not only have a _true_ Faith, but a _fit_ Faith; not +only a true repentance, but a _fit_ repentance; you must not only have +grace, but act grace; you must set your _Faith_ on work, to feed upon +that blessed Sacramentall promise, _Take, eat, this is my body which +is broken for you; This is my blood which is shed for you_. And you +must labour to make strong and particular applications of Christ to +your souls, and to believe, that as verily as you eat the Bread, and +drink the Wine, so verily you are made partakers of Christs body and +blood, to your everlasting happiness. And so likewise you must act +repentance, love, thankfullness, and obedience, according to the +direction of the Word of God. + +4. _To do all that you do at the Sacrament, in remembrance of Christ._ +For this is the main design of Christ, in appointing this Ordinance, +that it might be a _Love-token_ from Christ alwaies by us, and an +effectual means to keep his death in perpetual remembrance, that it +might be a lively picture of Christ crucified; and he that will +receive aright, must be eying this Picture while he is at the +Sacrament; and the more he minds it, the more he will admire it: The +Angels[122] [123]_stoop down_ to _look_ upon Christ incarnate, and it +is the happiness of heaven to have Christ alwaies before them; and it +is our happiness on earth, that we have such a blessed commemoration +of Christ crucified: As Christ is all in all, in all Creatures, in all +Relations, in all Conditions, and in all Ordinances; so more +especially in this: For the Elements of Bread and Wine are not +appointed for natural ends and purposes, but Christ is all in all in +them: They are Representations, Commemorations, Obsignations, and +Exhibitions of Jesus Christ. You must labour with the Eye of Faith to +see Christs name written upon the Bread and Wine, and you must read +Christ in every Sacramental action: when You behold the Bread and Wine +consecrated; You must remember how Jesus Christ was set apart by his +Father, from all Eternity, to be the Redeemer of his People: And when +the Minister breaks the bread, You must remember the great sufferings +that Jesus Christ endured for Your sins; and when You take the Bread, +and drink the Wine, you must do this in remembrance of Christ; You +must believe, that now Christ giveth himself to be Your nourishment, +and your Comforter unto eternal life; and you must labour by a lively +Faith, to take him as your Lord and Saviour, and to cry out with +_Thomas_ in the highest degree (if it be possible) of rejoycing, _My +God, and my Lord_: [124]And when you eat the Bread, and drink the +Wine, you must remember, that Christ _is the living Bread that came +down from Heaven, and that whosoever eats of this Bread, shall live +for ever: and that whosoever eateth the flesh of Christ, and drinketh +his blood, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him_. And you must +endeavour to receive Soul-nourishment from Christ, as your bodies do +by the bread you eat; and as the bread is turned into your substance, +so to be made more and more one with Christ by faith: that having a +reall, though spirituall union with him, You may have a happy interest +and communion in all his purchases. This is the life of the _Holy +Sacrament_, without which, all is but a dead and empty Ceremonie. But +we adde further, That this remembrance of Christ must not be barely +_notionall_, _doctrinall_, and _historicall_, but it must be also +_practicall_, _experimentall_, and _applicative_; it must produce +these and such like blessed effects and operations in your hearts. + +1. You must so remember Christ, as to find power coming out of Christ +Sacramental, to break your hearts for all the sins you have committed +against him. Christ is presented in the Sacrament as a broken Christ; +his body broken, and his bloud poured out: and the very breaking of +the bread understandingly looked upon, is a forcible argument to break +your hearts. Was Jesus Christ rent and torn in pieces for you, and +shall it not break you hearts, that you should sin against him? Was he +crucified for you, and will you crucifie him by your sins? And +besides, the breaking of the bread is not only ordained to be a +motive unto brokenness of heart for sin, but also in the right use to +effect that which it doth move unto. + +2. You must so remember Christ Sacramentall, as to find power coming +out of Christ, to subdue all your sins and iniquities; as the diseased +woman felt vertue coming out of Christ, to cure her bloody Issue; so +there is power in an _applicative and fiduciall remembrance_ of Christ +at the Sacrament, to heal all the sinfull issues of our souls. There +is no sin so strong, but it is conquerable by a power derived from +Christ crucified. + +3. This is to remember Christ aright at the Sacrament, when you never +cease remembring him, till your hearts be brought into a thankfull +frame to God, for Christ and for his ineffable blessings and mercies +exhibited in the Sacrament to a worthy receiver. And therefore it is +called an _Eucharist_, or a feast of thanksgiving. It is as _Justin +Martyr_ saith, [125]_food made up all of thanksgiving_. It is a +custome in Colledges and houses founded by the bounty of great men, to +have a _feastivall commemoration_ of the bounties of their +Benefactors. The Sacrament is a _commemoration day_ of your great +Benefactor Iesus Christ, wherein you are to remember all those things +which he suffered for you; and the proper duty of the day is +_thanksgiving_. + +4. You must not leave off remembring Christ Sacramental, till your +hearts be inflamed with an ardent love to Jesus Christ; for he is set +forth in this Sacrament, in all the endearing expressions, as a +crucified Christ, as pouring out his blood for us. Now it is an +excellent expression of _Bernard_: [126]_The more vile Christ made +himself for us, the more dear he ought to be unto us._ You must never +leave meditating of his love, [127]_till he be as fast fixed in your +hearts, as he was upon the Cross_. + +5. You must so remember Christ, as to be willing to do and suffer any +thing for that Christ, that hath done and suffered so much for you; +till you can say with _David_, _What shall I render for all his +blessings towards me?_ till you can say with _Thomas_, _Come, let us go +dye with him_; and we add, _for him_: till with the Apostle, you can +rejoyce to be _counted worthy to be whipt for his names sake_. And can +with _Ignatius_ that blessed Martyr, [128]call your iron chains, not +_bonds_, but _Ornaments_, and _Spirituall Pearls_; till you can say, +as _Judg._ 8.22. _Rule thou over us_, &c. _for thou hast delivered us +from the hand of Midian_. There is nothing hard to that Christian, +that doth rightly remember Christ Sacramental. + +6. You must continue in remembring Christ in the Sacrament, till your +hearts be wrought up to a _through contempt of the world, and all +worldly things_. Christ instituted the Sacrament when he was going out +of the world; and when he was crucifying, the whole world was in +darkness and obscurity: and he is propounded in the Sacrament, as a +_persecuted, broken, crucified Christ, despising, & being despised of +the world_. And if you do practically remember the Sacrament of his +death, you will finde vertue coming out thereof, to make you dead to +the world, and all worldly things. The Sacrament is called by the +Ancients, [129]_a feast for Eagles, not for Dawes_; and therefore it +was a phrase ordinarily used in the administration of this Sacrament, +_Lift up your hearts to heaven where Christ is_. + +7. Cease not remembring Christ, till you be made partakers of the rare +grace of _humility_. Of all the graces that Christ picks out, in which +he would have Christians to imitate him in, _humility_ is one of the +chiefest, _Matth._ 11.29. _Learn of me, for I am humble_, &c. And +Christ in the Sacrament is presented, as _humbling himself_ to the +death of the Cross, for our sakes. And what a shame is it, to remember +an humble Christ, with a proud heart? The practicall remembrance of +the humility of _Christ Sacramental_, when sanctified, is mighty in +operation, to tame the pride of our hearts. + +8. You must not fail to remember Christ in the Sacrament, till by +faith you have _applyed Christ, as your Christ_: Till you can say with +_Paul_, _Gal._ 2.20. _Who loved me, and gave himself for me._ +Propriety in Christ, is that which sweetens all. For what are you the +better _for Christ_, if he be not your _Christ_? The Divels and damned +in Hell may remember Christ, but not with comfort, because they cannot +remember him, but as their enemy. But you must so remember Christ, as +to make him yours, by an _appropriating Faith_. + +[Sidenote: Quest.] + +But how shall we be inabled thus to apply Christ? + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +This is done, by studying the free tender that is made of Christ in +the Covenant of grace, which is expressed, _Isai._ 55.1. _Revel._ +22.17. Jesus Christ is that brazen Serpent lifted up upon the Cross, +on purpose, that whosoever looks up to him, shall be healed; and +whosoever receives him as his Lord and Saviour, _should not perish, +but have everlasting life_. You must study the _freeness_, _fulness_, +and _particularity_ of the offer of Christ; and pray unto that Christ, +who bids you believe, to give you to believe. And truly there cannot +be a greater discourtesie to Jesus Christ, then to doubt of his love +towards you, while ye are receiving the pledges of his love. For +herein hath [130]_God commended his love toward us, in that while we +were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us_. What can Christ do more to +manifest his love, or to perswade us of his love he bears to us? Much +more might be said to this purpose, but we leave these things to be +amplified by the Ministry of your faithful Pastors. And we proceed to +give you further directions, for the right managing of your +Sacramental addresses. + +5. In the fifth place, we exhort you to consider the Sacrament, under +a four-fold Notion: + +1. As it is a _spirituall medicine_ to cure the remainders of your +corruption. + +2. As it is _spirituall food_ to strengthen your weak graces. + +3. As it is a _spiritual Cordial_ to comfort your distressed +consciences. + +4. As it is a _strong obligation_ and forcible engagement to all acts +of thankfulness and obedience unto Jesus Christ. + +Now if you would get the benefit and comfort of the Sacrament, you +must when you come to it, carry these four considerations in your +mind; and labour to draw out good from the Sacrament, according to +each of them. + +1. You must consider what sin it is, that is most unsubdued, and +unmortified in you; you must use the Sacrament as a _medicine_ made of +Christs body and blood, to heal that sin. + +2. You must consider, what _grace_ is most weak in you; and you must +come to the Sacrament, as to food appointed on purpose to strengthen +weak grace. + +3. You must consider what _doubt_ it is, that doth most obstruct your +full assurance of salvation; and you must come to the Sacrament, as to +a cheering Cordial, made for this very end, to revive your fainting +spirit. It is also a _sealing Ordinance_ to seal up the love of God in +Christ, and to be as a _golden clasp_ to fasten you to Christ, and +Christ to you: And in which Christ doth often go from man to man, with +his _privy seals_, and his _hidden manna_ of heavenly consolation. + +4. You must consider how apt you are to start from God, and his just +Commands, and therefore you must at the Sacrament _renew your +Covenant_ with GOD, and binde your selves afresh unto GOD, in the +strength of Christ, to be his more faithful servants afterwards, then +ever you were before. + +And hereby likewise you may know when you come from the Sacrament, +whether you have received worthily, or no: For if you finde these +Effects from the Sacrament, that it hath been _Medicinall, +corroborative, comforting, and obliging_: If you find your sins more +mortified, your graces more strengthened, your souls more comforted, +and your hearts more engaged unto God in obedience; You may certainly +conclude, that you are worthy Receivers. Nay we adde, for the comfort +of _weak Christians_, if you find any one of these Effects. For +sometimes Christ lets out himself in the Sacrament in a way of +_Comfort_; sometimes he hides, as it were, his face, and sends us home +more _inlarged_ in our _desires_ after him; sometimes he _kisses his +children with the kisses of his lips_, and gives them to eat of his +_hidden Manna_; sometimes he sends them home inlarged with _godly +sorrow_, for want of his imbraces. His dispensations are various. But +if you finde his presence in any one of these waies, You are worthy +Communicants. + +6. To endeavour, that your [131]_eyes may affect your hearts_, when +you are at the Sacrament. For as Christ in the Ministery of his Word, +preacheth to the ear; and by the ear conveyeth himself into the heart: +so in the Sacrament he preacheth to the eye; and by the eye, conveyeth +himself into the heart. And therefore it is well called a _visible +Sermon_. Take heed, lest the Devil steal away the benefit & comfort of +it out of your hearts, by a wanton or wandring eye. And when you find +your hearts deaded, and your meditations begin to flag and grow dry, +fasten your eyes upon the Sacramental Elements, and Sacramental +actions. Consider the bread broken, and the wine poured forth, and +_let your eye affect your heart_; and never leave looking upon them, +till Christ be pleased to look upon you, as he did upon _Peter_, and +then your hearts will be affected indeed, as his was. + +7. To take heed of passing _rash censures_ upon those that are +admitted to the Sacrament, together with your selves; say not such a +man is unworthy, but say rather with the Centurion, [132]_Lord I am +not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, wherefore neither +thought I myself worthy to come unto thee_; say as _John Baptist_ +of Christ, _I am not worthy to untye thy shooe-latchet_, much lesse to +sit with thee at thy table; say not that such a one is a Dog, and not +fit to eat childrens bread, but say rather of thy self, as +_Mephibosheth_ doth, [133]_What am I? that thou shouldest look upon +such a dead dog_, &c. The nature of man is very apt (as one saith) +[134]_to use spectacles, rather then looking-glasses_; spectacles, to +behold other mens faults, rather then looking-glasses to behold our +own. But we hope better things of you. Remember, that when the +Disciples were at the Passeover with Christ, and Christ told them, +that one of them should betray him; They did not passe harsh sentences +one upon another, but every one suspected himself, rather then his +fellow-Apostle, and said, _Master, Is it I?_ Be not offended at thy +brothers wickednesse, which thou art not sure on, but at thine own +unthankfulnesse, which thou art sure is very great. + +8. When you are gone from the Sacrament, you must labour to walk in +the _strength of that food_, (as _Elias_ did of his) _till you come to +the mount of God_. As you have been made partakers of an Ordinance, to +which others are not admitted, so you must endeavour to live more +self-denyingly, more heavenly mindedly, more holily and righteously, +then they do, that are not admitted. [135]_You must love your enemies; +blesse them that curse you; do good to them that hate you, and pray +for them that do despitefully use you, and persecute you. For if you +love them that love you, what reward have you? Do not even the +Publicanes the same? And if you salute your Brethren only, what do ye +more then others? Do not even the Publicanes so?_ You are admitted to +an Ordinance, that is not common to all, but peculiar to Saints, and +therefore your lives must have something peculiar in them, which no +wicked man can have. You must believe and repent after such a manner, +as no _Reprobate_ can do; You must pray in your families with more +life and zeal then others; you must be more just & faithful in your +dealings then others; and have more faith, and hope, and love to God. +In a word, You must so carry and demean your selves in all your words +and actions, as that you may be a credit and an ornament, and not a +scandal to the Congregation, of which you are members. [136]_Walking +worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being faithfull unto every good +work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all +might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and +long-suffering with joyfulnesse_. And this we pray[137], _That your +love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment: +That ye may approve the things that are excellent, that ye may be +sincere and without offence till the day of Christ: Being filled with +the fruits of Righteousnesse, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory +and praise of God_. + +We have been larger, then we thought, in these particulars about the +Sacrament, out of a holy jealousie which we have over you, (which we +doubt not but you will pardon in us) fearing lest after your first +admission to this Ordinance, you should grow remiss and careless, +satisfying your consciences with the naked approbation that your +Minister and Elders give of your knowledg and conversation; and in the +mean time, neglecting to get the benefit and comfort of this +Ordinance, and to thrive, and increase in knowledg and holiness +proportionably to the expectation of God, and your godly officers. + +We shall be briefer in what we have further to say unto you. + +3. In the third place we exhort you, to [138]_Obey those that rule +over you, and submit your selves, for they, watch for your soules, as +they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not +with grief; for that is unprofitable for you_. [139]_And we beseech +you, Brethren, know them which labour amongst you, and are over you in +the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in love for +their works sake, and be at peace amongst your selves._ And remember, +[140]_That the Elders that rule well, are worthy of double honour, +especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine_. For the +Scripture saith, _Thou shalt not muzzel the oxe that treadeth out the +corn_, and _the labourer is worthy of his reward_. And it likewise +saith, [141]_Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him +that teacheth in all good things_. And further, [142]_Do ye not know, +that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the +Temple; and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the +Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the +Gospell, should live of the Gospel.----If we have sowen unto you +spirituall things, is it a great matter, if we reap your carnal +things?_ This we write, not to shame you, but to intreat you to give +liberall and honourable maintenance to your godly Ministers, that they +may not only be [143]_lovers of hospitality_, but also inabled to +exercise it: lest God in anger to you, drive your Ministers into +corners, and take both your estates, and your Ministers from you; so +as you shall neither have Ministers to give maintenance to, nor +estates to maintain Ministers. + +4. To perform all those offices which are required of you, as you are +Members of a particular Congregation. For this purpose we exhort you +brethren, to [144]_comfort your selves together, and edifie one +another, even as you also do; to warn them that are unruly, comfort +the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men: And +see that none render evill for evill unto any man, but ever follow +that which is good, both among your selves, and towards all men, &c. +[145]Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdome, +teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymnes, and +spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. +[146]Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth; and +[147]let every one of you please his neighbour for his good, to +edification; for even Christ pleased not himself; but as it is +written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me. +[148]Let nothing be done through strife, or vain-glory; but in +lowliness of minde, let each esteem other better then themselves._ Now +though we are far from thinking, (as some do,) that you are bound to +perform these duties only to those to whom you are united in +Church-fellowship, (for if you ought to pluck your neighbours ox and +horse out of a ditch, and to relieve his body, when in want, though +not of the same Congregation with you, much more ought you to extend +acts of spirituall mercy (such as these are) to their souls; and this +you are bound unto by communion of natures, communion of Saints, +communion of Churches; and by that Royal law of love, which commands +us to love our neighbour as our selves,) yet notwithstanding we +conceive that you are more especially tyed by your Congregational +relation, to perform these duties to those that are of your own +Communion. + +And therefore we further perswade you, _to watch over one another, to +bear the burdens one of another, and so fulfill the Law of Christ. To +consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, not +forsaking the assembling of your selves together, as the manner of +some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see +the day approaching_. And we likewise desire you not to neglect +private meetings together for holy conference and prayer; that hereby +you may be better acquainted one with another, and be mutual helps one +to another in spirituall things. We think that speech of _Cain_ +unbefitting the mouth of any Christian; _Am I my brothers keeper?_ And +though we believe, that none ought to take the Office of a Minister, +but he that is elected and ordained thereunto, yet we believe also, +_that it is the duty of all private Christians, in a brotherly way, +out of the common bond of charity, to build up one another in their +most holy Faith_. And therefore let those [149]_that fear the Lord, +speak often one to another_, especially in these evil daies: _and +strive together for the Faith of the Gospel, standing fast in one +spirit with one mind_. For it seemeth to us to be very unchristian, +that they especially, that have chosen one and the same Minister, and +wait constantly upon his Ministry, and that break bread together, +should live together like Heathens and Publicanes: at as great a +strangeness one from another, as if they lived many miles asunder. And +that Drunkards and Adulterers should meet together to dishonor God, +and to encourage one another in wickednesse; and you should not +assemble your selves together, to honour God, to strengthen and edifie +one another, and to confirm one another in the truth. Only be careful +in your meetings, to take heed of [150]_doting about questions, and +strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evill +surmises, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute +of the truth_. And [151]_avoid all foolish and unlearned Questions, +for they are vain and unprofitable, and gender nothing but strife_; +But help one another in that _one thing necessary_, how to _grow up in +Christ_; how to _make your calling and election sure_; how to _thrive +under Ordinances_; to be _faithfull under Relations_, to adorn the +Gospel you profess; how to advance the power of godliness in your +several spheres; and to be more spiritually serviceable unto God in +your generations, and such like. + +And we further exhort you, that if any Brother in the Congregation +walk _disorderly_ and _scandalously_, that you would carefully +remember, It is your duty, first, _to tell him privately_; (and not to +tell it to Others, to his and the Churches disgrace, as the manner of +some is,) The text is plain, _Go and tell him his fault betwixt him +and thee alone_; and if he shall hear thee, thou _hast gained thy +Brother_. But if he will not hear thee, _then take with thee one or +two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may +be established_. And if he shall neglect to hear them, _tell it to the +Church_. And consider, we beseech you, that the most part of +Sacramental reformation, begins with your performing of this dutie. +For how can the Elders judicially take notice of any scandall, till it +be brought unto them, in the way of Christ, by you that are +Church-Members? There is great complaint amongst well-affected people, +of _Sacramental pollutions_; and many thereupon, though groundlesly, +separate from our Congregations. But if things were rightly +considered, it would appear, that the people themselves are the chief +causes of this pollution; for you are the _first wheel_ of this part +of reformation, and if you neglect your part, how can we discharge +ours? And therefore we intreat you, even for Christs sake, as ever you +desire to keep your selves pure from the sin of those that receive +unworthily, and from being Authors of the prophanation of the +Sacrament, faithfully to discharge this your dutie. And we shall (by +the help of God) be exactly careful of ours, that so the Lord may +delight to dwell in the midst of us. + +5. _To labour to keep your selves free from the Errours, Heresies, and +Blasphemies of these Times._ For it is evident to every impartial +Observer, that false teachers, evil men, and seducers are gone abroad +amongst us; subverting of Souls and overthrowing the Faith of some; +speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them; +subverting whole Housholds, teaching things they ought not for filthy +lucres sake; creeping into houses, and leading captive silly women, +laden with divers lusts; and by good words, and fair speeches, +deceiving the hearts of the simple; yea, by slight and cunning +craftiness, lying in wait to deceive (if it were possible) the very +Elect; and not only privily; but now openly and avowedly bringing in +damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. The _Divine +Authority_ of the Scriptures is oppugned, the _Deity of Christ +opposed_, and his _Holy Spirit_ blasphemed, the Doctrine of the +_Blessed Trinity_ questioned, the _Holy God_ made the _Author of sin_ +and sinfulnesse, _Universall Redemption_ preached, and the ends of +Christs death evacuated, _Free-will_ by nature to do _good_ +maintained, the _mortallity_ of the _Soul_ affirmed; the _Use of the +Morall Law of God_, the _Observation of the Christian Sabbath_, the +_very calling and Function of the Ministry_, the _very being of a +Church_ amongst Us, and all _the Ordinances of Christ_, are slighted +and rejected. These, and too many more such _monstrous Opinions_ in +the very spring-time of _Reformation_ do so multiply amongst vs, that +the _tares_ are like to _overgrow the Wheat_, if God prevent not. And +that which aggravates the evil of these things is, That _London_ +should be guilty of such _Apostacy_ from the truth. _London_! which +hast had able and faithful Ministers of the Word preaching to thee; +that hast been so miraculously preserved from the Sword, Famine, and +Pestilence these last Years, yet have Heresies been hatched and +nourished up under _thy wings_; and from thee have they been spread +all the Kingdom over. How many in this City have turned away their +ears from the truth, faithfully preached by their _Pastors_; and being +turned unto fables, have already followed the pernicious waies of +Seducers, whereby the way of truth is evil spoken on! How is _Religion +degenerated_ into vain janglings, and the _power of Godlinesse_ eaten +up by perverse disputings! And that which should fill Us with more +grief and astonishment is, That this inundation of Errours and +Heresies hath increased upon Us, after such _prayers_, _preachings_, +_disputes_, and _testimonies_ against them; after a _Covenant_ +solemnly sworn to _God_, with hands lifted up to heaven, for the +extirpation of them; and after a solemn Fast commanded by Authority, +and observed throughout the whole _Kingdom_, for our humiliation for +them. And yet (with grief of heart we mention it) those Errours which +in the Prelates time were but a few, are now many: Those that of late +crept into corners, now out-face the Sun: Those which the _Godly_ +abhor'd from their hearts, are now vented as _new and glorious +truths_: Nay, to such a degree of _Apostacie_ are some arrived, being +waxen worse and worse, that they are labouring for an _odious +tolleration_ of all those _abominable opinions_, as can shroud +themselves under the name of Christian Religion. + +Wherefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we warn you all to take heed +of these _Impostors_ and _Seducers_; and to keep close to those _good_ +and _old_ principles of Christianitie, which you have suck't in at +_your first conversion, out of the Word_, from your godly Ministers: +And seeing ye know these things before, _beware lest you also being +led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own +stedfastnesse; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and +Saviour_ Jesus Christ; _to him be glory, both now and for ever_, +Amen. Oh how happy were it, if it might be said of all You that submit +to the Presbyterian Government; as once of the _Godly_ in _Sardis_. +[152]_There are a few names even in_ London, _that have not defiled +their Garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are +worthy._ Which that you may the better be inabled to do, We beseech +You Brethren, in the words of the Apostle, [153]_To mark them which +cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have +learned, and avoid them, for they that are such, serve not our Lord_ +Jesus Christ, _but their own belly_. Observe here, that you are not +only required to avoid their _Doctrines_, but their _persons_. And so +likewise the same Apostle, [154]_If any man teach otherwise, and +consent not to wholsome words, even the words of our Lord_ Jesus +Christ, _and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, he is +proud, knowing nothing_, &c. _From such withdraw thyself._ It is your +dutie, not onely to keep your selves from the Heresies of these times; +but, that you may be preserved from the Heresies, you must keep your +selves, and all under your charge, from such as spread them, and from +their meeting-places. For he that without a just cause goeth into a +_Pesthouse_, may thank himself, if he get the plague. And he that runs +headily into temptation, _hath no promise from God to be delivered +out_. The Apostle _John_ refused to tarry in the same _Bath with +Cerinthus_; and he commands us in his second Epistle, _If there come +any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your +house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God-speed, +is partaker of his evil deeds._ + +Take heed how you touch pitch, lest you be defiled; And remember, we +have faithfully discharged our consciences to you, in this particular; +And that you may be farther instructed against the Errors and +Heresies of these times, We will propound a few _Antidotes_ and +_Preservatives_ unto you, under these general Rules following. + +1. Whatsoever Doctrine is _contrary to Godlinesse_, and opens a door +to Libertinism and Prophaneness, you must reject it as _Soul-poyson_. +Such are Doctrines against the _Sabbath_, _Family-duties_, and +_publique Ordinances_: Such is the Doctrine of an _Universall +tolleration_ of all Religions. The Doctrine of the Gospel, is a +Doctrine [155]_according to Godliness_; It is a _Mysterie of +Godliness_; _It teacheth to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, +and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world_. + +2. You must reject all such Doctrines, as hold forth a _strictnesse +above what is written_. Papists teach many strict Doctrines, of +self-whippings, and voluntary povertie, vows of continency, and many +such like; but the Apostle gives you an _Antidote_ against them, +_Col._ 2.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. And so also our blessed Saviour, +_Matth._ 15.1. to the 10. Devout people are much taken with Doctrines +that carry a shew of strictness, and of much purity; but you must not +be wise above what is written; You must be _Candidates_ of a +_Canonicall_, not an _Apocryphal_ strictness; And therefore when you +are taught, that whosoever will enter into _Church-fellowship_, must +first take a _Church-Covenant_; and that whosoever will be admitted +unto the _Lords Supper_, must not only be free from ignorance and +scandal, but he must have other, and more strict qualifications; you +must enquire what word they have for these assertions; and where _God +hath not a mouth to speak, you must not have an ear to hear, nor an +heart to believe_. + +3. Whatsoever Doctrine tendeth to the _lifting up of nature +corrupted_, to the _exalting of unsanctified Reason_, and giveth _free +will in supernaturall things to a man unconverted, is a Doctrine +contrary to the Gospell_. For this is one chief aym of _Pauls_ +Epistles, to shew, [156]_That by nature we are dead in sins and +trespasses, and that the naturall man receiveth not the things of the +spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse unto him; neither can he know +them, because they are spiritually discerned_, and that [157]_the +carnall mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law +of God, neither indeed can be_. This Rule will preserve you against +all _Arminian Tenets_. For this is the main difference between the +Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Arminians. The Gospel makes _free +grace_ put the distinction between the Elect and Reprobate; and the +Arminians _Free-will_. + +4. All Doctrines that set up our own Righteousness, whether of +_Morality_, or _Sanctification_, in the room of Christs Righteousness; +That place good works in the throne of Christ, are Doctrines of +Antichrist, and not of Christ. For the Gospel teacheth us, [158]that +all our best works are imperfect, and that we are justified, not by +our own inherent Righteousness, but by the Righteousness of Christ +only, made ours by Faith: this Rule will keep you from much of the +_poyson of Popery_. + +5. All Doctrines that do set up Christ and his Righteousness, as to +decry all works of Sanctification, and to deny them to be fruits and +evidences of our justification, are to be avoided and abhorred. For +[159]the Scripture makes sanctification an evidence of Justification, +and commandeth all Believers to maintain good works. This Rule will +preserve you against most of the Errors of the Antinomians. + +6. That Doctrine _that lesseneth the priviledges of Believers under +the New Testament, and maketh their Infants in a worse condition, then +they were in under the Old Testament, cannot be the Doctrine of the +Gospel_. For the Gospel tells you, [160]that Jesus Christ was made a +Surety of a better Testament, and that the new Covenant is a better +Covenant; established upon better promises. This Rule will preserve +you from the poyson of Anabaptism. For if the children of the Jews +were circumcised, and the children of Christians should not be +baptized, either it must be granted, that circumcision was of no +benefit to the Jewish children, which is contrary to _Rom._ 3.1, 2. or +it must be granted, that the children of the Jews had greater +priviledges then the children of Christians. + +7. That Doctrine that cryeth up _Purity to the ruine of Unity, is +contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel_. For the Gospel calleth for +unity, as well as purity, 1 _Cor._ 1.10. _Phil._ 2.1, 2. _Eph._ 4.3, +4, 5, 6. And Christ prayed for the unity of his Church, as well as the +Holiness, _Joh._ 17.21, 22. and it is prophesied of the times of the +Gospel, That in those daies, God will give his people, _one heart, and +one way, and to serve him with one consent_, _Jer._ 32.29. _Zeph._ +3.9. This Rule will teach you what to judg of the Congregational-way: +For certainly that Government that carrieth in the front of it _A +tolleration of different Religions_, and is not sufficient to keep the +body of Christ in unity and purity, is not the Government of Christ. + +8. Whatsoever Doctrine is contrary to the Rule of Faith, or to any +duty required in the ten Commandements, or to any Petition of the +Lords prayer, is not a Doctrine of Christ, and therefore to be +rejected. + +We might add many more Rules, but we forbear, lest we should be +over-tedious. Our prayer to God for you is, That you may be fix't, not +falling Stars, in the Firmament of his Church; _Not children tossed to +and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine_; Not Reeds +shaken with every wind, but firm Pillars in his house. Wherefore, +Beloved Brethren, _Stand fast and immoveable, alwayes abounding in the +Work of the Lord; Forasmuch as you know, that your labour is not in +vain in the Lord_. + +But now, because he that would keep himself from the Errour of the +times, must also keep himself from the sins of the times: (For it is +sin that makes God give us up to errour, 2 _Thess._ 2.10, 11. and it +is sin that makes a man like a _piece of wax_, ready to receive the +impression of any errour. The women in _Timothie_ were first laden +with divers lusts, before they were led away captive to divers +errours; and whosoever puts away a good confidence, will quickly +_concerning Faith make ship wrack_, as we are told, 1 _Tim._ 1.19.) +Therefore we are necessitated to inlarge our Exhortation to you in one +particular more; which though it be the last, yet it is not the least +of those things which we have to say unto you, and that is, + +6. To exhort you, or rather to require and charge you, _to keep your +selves unspotted_, not only from the errors and heresies, (as before) +but also _from the sins and iniquities of the times wherein you live_. +We say, _unspotted_, and so doth the Apostle, _Jam._ 1.27. It is not +enough for you to keep your selves from being _bemired and besmeared_, +but you must labour to keep your _Garments_ so white, as not to have +the least _spot of defilement_ from the persons or places where you +live. The Apostle tells us, That [161]_in the last daies perillous +times shall come_: _For men should be lovers of their own selves, +covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, +unthankfull, unholy, without naturall affection, truce-breakers, false +Accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, +Traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more then lovers of +God; having a form of Godlinesse, but denying the power thereof._ +Those words, _having a form of Godlinesse_, must be understood, απο +κοινου, and referred to all the other sins. And the meaning is, That +men would be _self-lovers_, having a form of godlinesse, +_truce-breakers_, having a form of godliness, _truce-breakers_, having +a form of godlinesse, _Traytors and false accusers_, having a form of +godlinesse, _&c_. They should cover all their ungodlinesse, under the +specious form of Godliness: Such are the times in which we live, of +which we may truly say, There were never fewer, and yet never more +Saints; never more nominal, never fewer real Saints; Never more +self-seekers, and yet never more that pretended to seek the interest +of Christ. We are an _hypocritall Nation_, _the people of Gods wrath_; +_We have broken the Covenant of our God, even that Covenant, which in +the day of our distress and fear, we made with hands lifted up to +heaven. We are apostatized from our Principles and practices; We +contemn the pretious ordinances, despise and abuse the Godly +Ministers; We break the Sabbaths, hate the very name of Reformation, +and scorn to submit to the sweet yoke of Christ and his Government; We +are proud, secure, lyars, swearers, and forswearers, Murderers, +drunkards, Adulterers, and oppressors: We have not learned +Righteousnesse, but unrighteousness, by all the Judgements of God; We +are worse and worse by all our deliverances; We have spilt the blood +of Christ in the Sacrament, by our unworthy receiving_, and therefore +it hath been just with God to spill our blood. It would be too long to +reckon up all the particular sins of Magistrates, Ministers, +Husbands, wives, Fathers, Children, Masters, and Servants; neither is +it the design of this Discourse. We may truly say with the Prophet, +[162]_Ah sinful Nation, a people laden with iniquity; a seed of evill +doers, children that are corrupters, that have forsaken the Lord, that +have provoked the holy One of Israel unto anger; that are gone away +backward: Why should we be smitten any longer? we will revolt more and +more, the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint; from the +sole of the foot, even unto the head, there if no soundness in us, but +wounds and bruises, and putrified sores_, &c. + +Wherefore dearly beloved, we do most earnestly beseech you, in the +bowels of Jesus Christ, that you would be deeply sensible of, and +humbled for these evills that do so much abound in the midst of us, +for which the Earth mourns, and the Heavens are black over us. _Oh let +your souls weep in secret, and your eyes weep sore, and run down with +tears, and sigh to the breaking of your loyns, yea to the breaking of +your hearts with godly sorrow, which may work in you repentance, never +to be repented of._ Mourn more for the sins that have brought these +miseries upon us, then for the miseries our sins have brought; more, +for burdening God with sin, then for being burdened with plagues; more +for your hard hearts, then these hard times. + +And we further intreat everie one of you, to put _away the iniquity +that is in his hand_; _to know every man the plague that is in his own +heart_; _to search and try his waies, and to turn unto the Lord his +God_; _to cease to do evill, and to learn to do well_: to be tender of +the oathes which he hath taken, or which may be offered unto him to +take; to keep close to his _Covenant_; to prize the Ordinances, +Reverence Godly Ministers, sanctifie the Sabbaths, to hate hypocrisie +and self seeking, to receive the love of the truth, lest God give him +over to believe lyes. Not to trust to his own understanding, lest God +blind his understanding. To practise the _truths_ he doth know, that +God may reveal unto him the _truths_ he doth not know; not to heap to +himself teachers, having _itching ears_, lest he _turn away his ears +from the truth, and be turned unto fables_; not to have the faith of +our Lord Jesus Christ, in respect of persons, imbracing the Doctrine +for the persons sake, and not the person for the Doctrines sake. To +seek after the truth, for the truths sake, with uprightness of heart, +and not for outward respects, lest God answer thee according to the +Idols thou hast in thy heart. To labour to be more and more grounded +in the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ; to study catechisme more +diligently, and so to be led on to perfection, that he may not alwayes +be a babe, unskilfull in the word of Righteousness, but by reason of +use, may have his senses exercised to discern both good and evil. + +In a word, we once more beseech you all that are admitted to our +Sacraments, that your _conversation may be as becometh the Gospell of +Christ_; and as you have given up your names unto Christ by +profession, so give up your hearts to him, by universall, sincere, and +constant obedience: _And let every one that nameth the name of Christ, +depart from iniquity._ + + * * * * * + +Our third and last Exhortation is unto all those _that live within the +bounds of the Province, and have not yet submitted to the Government, +nor are admitted to the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in +the_ Presbyterian way: These may be reduced into two ranks: + +1. Such as separate from our Churches. + +2. Such as continue still with us, but do not joyn in the Sacrament. + +The first of these admit of so many _divisions_, and _subdivisions_, +and are so contrary not only to us, but one to another, as that we are +hardly able to rank them into order; and yet for method sake, we will +divide them into two sorts: + +1. _Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government._ + +2. _Such as separate from us, for matter of doctrine also._ + +1. _Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government._ To these +we have spoken already in our Vindication; We now think fit to add one +thing more; + +And that is, To beseech and intreat you, as Brethren, to consider, +what a sin it is, to separate from Churches, which you your selves +acknowledg to be true Churches of Jesus Christ; and that, while they +are endeavouring more and more after a reformation according to the +Word; and to set up Churches of another constitution; Is not this to +set up Church against Church? and as the Ancients were wont to express +it, _Altar against Altar_? And whereas you should rather joyn with us, +and put to your helping hand to reform the Nation, and to bring our +Churches into the order of the Gospel; do you not rather weaken our +hands, by dividing from us, and dividing of us; and thereby +obstructing and hindering the glorious work of Reformation? For what +with the Prelatical on the one hand, that will not come up to a +Scripture-Reformation; and with you on the other, that will not joyn +with us whilest we are endeavouring after a Scripture-Reformation, The +building of Gods house ceaseth, in most parts of the Kingdome; and +instead of a Reformation, we see nothing but deformation and +desolation. If we be the _Church of Christ, and Christ holdeth +communion with us, Why do you separate from us? If we be of the body +of Christ, do not they that separate from the body, separate from +the head also?_ We are loath to speak any thing, that may offend you; +yet we intreat you to consider, That if the Apostle calls those +divisions of the Church of _Corinth_, wherein Christians did not +separate into divers formed Congregations of several communion in the +Sacrament of the Lords Supper, _Schismes_, 1 _Cor._ 1.10. May not your +_secession_ from us, and _profession_ that you cannot joyn with Us as +members, and setting up Congregations of another communion be more +properly called _schisme_? The Greek word for _Schism_ signifies +_rending_; and sure it is, that you rend your selves from Us, and not, +_as from Churches the same rule_, but _as Churches differing in the +rule_, with a dislike of Us, and a protestation, that You cannot joyn +with Us as fixed members without sin; You hear Us preach, not as +persons in Office, but as gifted men only; and some of you refuse to +hear us preach at all: You renounce all _Church communion_ with us as +members; and not only so, but you invite our people from Us, by +telling them, _That they cannot continue with us without sin_: You +gather Churches out of our Churches, and You set up Churches in an +opposite way to our Churches; and all this you do voluntarily, (not +separated, but separating, _non fugati, sed fugitivi_) and +unwarrantably, not having any sufficient cause for it; and +notwithstanding all this, yet you acknowledge Us to be the true +Churches of Jesus Christ, and Churches with which Christ holds +communion. May we not therefore most justly charge you as guilty in +making a Schism in the Body of Christ? + +We are far from thinking, that every difference in Judgment, or every +separation from a Church, maketh a Schism; for it is not the +Separation, but the Cause, that makes the Schismatick. The +Godly-learned say, [163]_That every unjust, and rash separation from a +true Church_, (that is, when there is no just cause, or at least no +sufficient cause of the separation) is a schism. And that there is +[164]a negative and positive schism, the former is, when men do +peaceably and quietly draw from communion with a Church, not making a +head against that Church from which they are departed: the other is, +when persons so withdrawing, do consociate & draw themselves into a +distinct and opposite Bodie, seting up a Church against a Church (as +you do;) which _Camero_ cals _A schism by way of eminencie_, & further +tels us, that there are [165]four causes that make a separation from a +Church, lawful. + +1. When they that separate, are grievously and intollerably +persecuted. + +2. When the Church they separate from, is heretical. + +3. When it is Idolatrical. + +4. When it is the Seat of Antichrist. And where none of these four are +to be found, there the separation is insufficient and schismatical. +Now we are fully assured, that none of these four causes can be +justly charged upon our Congregations. And therefore you must not be +displeased with us, but with your selves, if we blame you as guilty of +a positive Schism. + +There are two things will be objected against what is here said. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 1.] + +That you are forced to separate from Us, because of those sinfull +mixtures that are tolerated amongst Us; That our Congregations are +miscellaneous companies of all gatherings, without any due separation +of the wheat from the chaff: that all sorts are admitted even to +Sacramental communion. And that therefore you ought to come out from +amongst Us, that you be not made partakers of our sins. + +We answer, + +[Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] + +1. That this charge, if understood of those Congregations, that are +reformed according to the rules of the Presbyterial Government, is +most untrue and unrighteous. It is sufficiently known what we suffer +in our estates, and in our outward peace and quiet, because we will +not allow of sinful mixtures in our Churches. The Lord that observes +our particular carriages knows, that we study purity of members, as +well as purity of Ordinances, and verity of doctrine. And though we +dare not make separation from a true Church, by departing from it, as +you do; yet we do make a separation in a true Church, by purging and +reforming it, which you do not do. The rule of the Assembly for the +Church-members, is very full: _That they must be visible Saints, such +as being of age, do professe Faith in Christ, and obedience unto +Christ, according to the rules of Faith and life, taught by Christ and +his Apostles._ Doth not the Scripture require more then this? why then +will ye separate from us for sinfull mixtures, when we are purging +out sinfull mixtures? when God is coming towards us, why will you run +away from us? When God is building us up, why are you so active in +pulling us down? Are we not coming out of the Wildernesse, and will +you now forsake us? It is not many years since the ship of this Church +was sinking into Popery, and then some of you separated from it into +other parts of the world. And when of late years, there was hope +through the mercy of God, of saving the ship, you returned back; and +instead of helping to save her, you presently began to separate from +her; and whilest we were pumping to preserve the ship, your practices +have occasioned & made many leaks in it. This is a sad thing, and if +rightly apprehended, must sit sadly upon the spirits of some. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._ 2.] + +Suppose there were some sinfull mixtures at our Sacraments, yet we +conceive, this is not a sufficient ground of a negative, much lesse of +a positive separation. [166]The learned Author forementioned tells us, +that _corruption in manners crept into a Church, is not sufficient +cause of separation from it_. This he proves from Matth. 23.2, 3. and +he also gives this reason for it; Because _in what Church soever, +there purity of Doctrine, there God hath his Church, though +overwhelmed with scandalls. And therefore whosoever separates from +such an Assembly, separates from that place where God hath his Church, +which is rash and unwarrantable._ + +The Church of _Corinth_ had such a profane mixture at their Sacrament, +as we believe few (if any) of our Congregations can be charged withal. +And yet the Apostle doth not perswade thy godly party to separate, +much less to gather a Church out of a Church. There were many godly +and learned Non-conformists of this last age, that were perswaded in +their consciences, that they could not hold communion with the Church +of _England_, in receiving the Sacrament kneeling, without sin, yet +did they not separate from her. Indeed, in that particular act they +withdrew, but yet so, as that they held communion with her in the +rest, being far from a negative, much more from a positive separation. +Nay some of them, even then when our Churches were full of sinfull +mixtures, with great zeal and learning, defended them so far, as to +[167]write against those that did separate from them. He that will +never communicate with any Church, till every thing that offendeth be +removed out of it, must tarry till the great day of judgment, when +(and not till then) [168]_Christ will send forth his Angels, to gather +out of his Kingdome every thing that offendeth, and them that do +iniquity._ _Musculus_ tells us of a [169]_Schwenkfeldian_ at +_Augusta_, whom he asked, when he had _received the Sacrament_; he +answered, _not these twelve years_: He asked him the reason; he +answered, _Because he could not finde a Church which was inwardly and +outwardly adorned fit for a spouse of Christ, and that he would defer +receiving the Sacrament, till he could finde such a one_. This man +never did receive: No more will any of his opinion. We speak not of +these things, to justifie the negligence and wickedness of +Church-Officers, in suffering these prophane mixtures; we have already +proved it to be their duty, to keep all visibly-wicked persons from +the Sacrament, and have given divers arguments to perswade them +thereunto. We have likewise shewed it to be the duty of private +members, to do what in them lyes, for the removing of scandalls out +of the Church. If a brother offend them, they are not to separate from +him, (for this is not the way of Christ, to _gain_, but to _destroy_ +his soul,) but they are to tell him of it privately, and in an orderly +way to bring it to the Church. And when they have done their duty, +they have freed their own souls, and may safely and comfortably +communicate in that Church, without sin. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 2.] + +Though we do separate from you, yet we cannot stand charged with +_Schisme_, because the nature of Schisme consisteth in an open breach +of Christian love; and is such a separation, which is joyned with a +condemnation of those Churches from which they separate, as false +Churches, which we are far from. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +We grant, that to make up the formality of a _Schismatick_, there must +be added uncharitableness; as to make up the formality of an +_Heretique_, there must be added _obstinacy_. But yet as he that +denyeth a fundamental Article of Faith, is guilty of heresie, though +he add not _obstinacy_ thereunto to make him an heretique; so he that +doth _unwarrantably_ separate from a true Church, is truly guilty of +_Schisme_, though he add not _uncharitableness_ thereunto, to +denominate him a compleat Schismatique. + +A Reverend Brother of your own, calleth [170]_Brownisme_, _a bitter root +of rigid separation_. And we beseech you, with the spirit of meekness, +to consider what bitter fruits have sprung from your more moderate +separation: what great and wofull breaches have been made upon the +blessed grace of charity: what harsh and rigid censures some of you +have passed upon our persons and government; calling us _Lordly, and +Prelaticall_; and it, _Tyrannical and prejudicial to civill States_, +on purpose, to make us, and it odious, and thereby to render your +persons and way the more amiable to the people. And that which is more +then this, Are there not some of you, that choose rather to joyn with +Anabaptists, and Episcopal men, then with us? And that will give +letters dimissory to your members, to depart from you to the Churches +of the Anabaptists? and at the same time, deny them to such as desire +them, for to joyn with Churches of our communion? Is not this to +separate with an open breach of Christian Charity? We charge not these +things upon all of you, but only upon some, whose names we forbear to +mention. And for our parts, we do here profess, That it is and shall +be our great care, to study _purity and charity_, as well as _verity +and unity_; and _purity of members_ according to the Word, as well as +of _Ordinances_. + +We abhor an over rigid urging of uniformity in circumstantiall things. +And are far from the cruelty of that Gyant, _who laid upon a bed all +he took; and those who were too long, he cut them even with his bed; +and such as were too short, he stretched out to the length of it_. God +hath not made all men of a length, nor height. Mens parts, gifts, +graces differ; and if there should be no forbearance in matters of +inferior alloy, all the world would be perpetually quarrelling. If you +would fully know our judgments herein, we will present them in these +two Propositions: + +1. That it is the duty of all Christians, to study to enjoy the +Ordinances of Christ in unity, and uniformity, as far as it is +possible; for the Scripture calls [171]to unity and uniformity, as +well as to purity and verity: and surely, it is not impossible to +obtain this so much desired unity and uniformity, because that God +hath promised, that his children shall serve him with [172]_one +heart, and with one way, and with one shoulder_. And that in the days +of the Gospel, _There shall be one Lord, and his name one._ And Christ +hath prayed, [173]_That we may be all one, as the Father is in him, +and he in the Father._ And he adds a most prevalent reasons, _that the +world may believe that thou hast sent me_. Nothing hinders the +propagation of the Gospel, so much as the divisions and separations of +Gospel-Professors. If then it be Gods promise, and Christs prayer, it +is certainly a thing possible to be obtained, and a duty incumbent +upon all true Christians, to labour after. + +2. That is their duty to hold communion together, as one Church, in +what they agree; and in this way of union mutually to tolerate and +bear with one another in lesser differences. And here that golden Rule +of the Apostle takes place, [174]_Let us therefore as many as be +perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, +God shall reveal even this unto you: Neverthelesse whereto we have +already attained, Let us walk by the same Rule, let us mind the same +thing._ This was the practice of the primitive Christians. + +All such who professed Christianity, held Communion together, as one +Church, notwithstanding the difference of Judgements in lesser things, +and much corruption in conversation. + +We beseech you therefore Brethren, that you would endeavour to keep +the _Unity of the spirit in the bond of peace; for there is one Body +and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling; one +Lord, one Faith, and one Baptisme; one God and Father of all, who is +above all, and through all, and in you all._ + +For our parts, we do here manifest our willingness, (as we have +already said) to accommodate with you according to the Word, in a way +of union; And (such of us as are Ministers,) to preach up, and to +practise a mutual forbearance and toleration in all things, _that may +consist with the fundamentalls of Religion, with the power of +Godlinesse, and with that peace which Christ hath established in his +Church_, but to make ruptures in the body of Christ, and to divide +Church from Church, and to set up Church against Church, and to gather +Churches out of true Churches: And because we differ in some things, +therefore to hold Church-communion in Nothing; this we think hath no +warrant out of the Word of God, and will introduce all manner of +confusion in Churches and Families; and not only disturb, but in a +little time destroy the power of Godlinesse, purity of Religion, peace +of Christians, and set open a wide gap to bring in Atheisme, Popery, +Heresie, and all manner of wickednesse: We will therefore conclude +with that description that Doctor _Ames_ gives of the sinfulnesse and +mischievousnesse of Schisme, lib. 5. cap. 12.[175] + +Schisme, properly so called, is a most grievous sin; + +1. Because it is _against charity towards our Neighbour_, &c. + +2. Because it is _against the Edification of him who makes the +separation, in that he deprives himself Communion in spirituall good_. + +3. _Because it is against the honour of Christ, in that, at much as in +it lyeth, it takes away the Unity of his mysticall body._ + +4. _It makes way unto Heresie, and separation from Christ._ And +therefore it is a sin by all good men to be abhorred. + +[Sidenote: Second sort of Separatists.] + +2. The second sort are such, as _separate from our Churches, as false +Churches_; And from our _Ministry, as Antichristian_: and differ from +us not only in Discipline, but in Doctrine also. We purpose not to +undertake a particular confutation of your Errours. + +Four things only we have to say: + +1. To beseech you to consider, whether you did not receive the _work +of Conversion from sin unto God, which ye presume to be wrought in you +first of all, in these publique assemblies, from which you now +separate?_ And if once you found Christ walking amongst us, How is it +that you do now leave us? Do you not therein leave Christ also? Are we +lesse, and not rather more reformed then we were? If the presence of +Christ, both of his power and grace, be with us, why will you deny us +your presence? Are ye holier and wiser then Christ? Is not this an +evident token that we are true Churches, and have a true Ministry, +because we have the seal of our Ministry, even the conversion of many +sons and daughters unto God? Doth not the Apostle from this very +ground, [176]argue the truth of his Apostleship? Is it not apparent, +that our Ministers are sent by God, Because their Embassage is made +successfull by God, for the good of souls? Did you ever read of true +conversion ordinarily in a false Church? Will the Lord concur with +those Ministers whom he sends not? Doth not the Prophet seem to say +the quite contrary, _Ier._ 23.33. And therefore either renounce your +conversion, or be converted from that great sin of separating from us. + +2. To consider, whether there was not a time, _when ye could have +plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to those Ministers, +whose eyes you would now pluck out, and whom now you hate, and think +you do God good service, in reviling and persecuting them._ How is +it, that you are thus altered and changed? _Are they become your +enemies, because they tell you the truth?_ You will Reply, It is +because they are _Ministers Ordained by Antichristian Bishops_; and +therefore before they have renounced their false Ministry, we cannot +with a safe conscience hear them, nor expect a blessing from their +Ministry. This Reply is, we confess, a great stumbling block to many +godly people, in this Kingdome; for satisfaction to it, we offer these +particulars: + +1. Many of you that make this Reply, hold, _That the Election of the +people is by Gods Word sufficient to make a man a true Minister +without Ordination._ + +Now it is certain, that many publique Ministers have been chosen by +the free and full consent of their Congregations; and most of them +have had an after consent, which was sufficient to make _Leah_ _Jacobs_ +wife[177], and why not (to use your own words) to marry a man to a +people; and therefore according to your own judgments, all such are +lawfull Ministers. For sinfull superadditions do not nullifie divine +Institutions. + +2. Some of you, that besides Election, require Ordination for the +making of a Minister, yet say, that this Ordination must be by the +people of the Congregation; and thus are your Ministers ordained. + +Now we finde neither precept nor president for this in all the +Scripture; we finde [178]_Ordination by the laying on of the hands of +the Presbytery_, but never of the laying on of the hands of the +people. We finde [179]the Apostles, _Timothy_ and _Titus_, _Ordaining_, +but never the people _Ordaining_; and for private persons to assume +the power of Ordination (that is, a power to send men to preach the +Gospel, and administer the Sacraments) is a sin like unto the sin of +_Uzzah_, and of _Corah_, and his company. Therefore we say to you, as +Christ doth, _Matth._ 6. _First pluck the beam out of thine own eye, and +then_, &c. First justifie the Ordination of your own Ministers by +private persons, and then you will see better, to find fault with the +Ordination of our Ministers. + +3. We distinguish between a defective Ministry, and a false Ministry, +as we do between a man that is lame or blind, and a man that is but +the picture of a man. We do not deny, but that the way of Ministers +entring into the Ministry by the Bishops, had many defects in it, for +which they ought to be humbled: But we add, that notwithstanding all +the accidental corruptions, yet it is not substantially and +essentially corrupted: As it is with Baptism in the Popish Church; all +Orthodox Divines account it valid, though mingled with much dross, +because the party baptized, is _baptized in the name of the Father, +Son, and Holy Ghost_. And therefore, when a Papist turns Protestant, +he is not baptized again, because the substance of Baptisme is +preserved in Popery under many defects. The like, and much more, may +be said for the _Ordination of our Ministers by Bishops_: It is lawful +and valid for the substance of it, though mingled with many +circumstantial defects. + +And this appears, + +1. Because when they were ordained, _they were designed to no other +Office, but to preach the Word, and administer the Sacraments; +according to the Will of Christ._ + +2. Because since their Ordination, _God hath sealed the truth of their +Ministry_ (as hath been said) _by his blessing upon it_. If they be +_Antichristian Ministers_, how is your _conversion Christian_? + +3. Because they were ordained by Bishops, not as Lord Bishops, or as +_a superiour Order by divine Right above a Presbyter_; but as they +were _Presbyters_. For the understanding of which, you must know, + +1. That by Scripture, a Bishop and Presbyter is all one, as appears by +_Act._ 10.27, 28. _Tit._ 1.5, 6, 7, 8. _Phil._ 1.1. 1 _Tim._ 3.1, 2, &c. +1 _Pet._ 5.1, 2. and by what is said by the Authors quoted in the +[180]Margent. + +2. _That the Lordly Dignities of Bishops were meer civill additaments +annexed to their Bishopricks by Kingly favour._ + +3. That this Opinion, that _Bishops are a [181]superiour Order of +Ministry, by Divine Right above a Presbyter, is a late upstart +Opinion, contrary to antiquity_, as appears by the Authors quoted in +the Margent. + +4. That the Laws of this Realm do account nothing _divine_ in a +Bishop, but his being a Presbyter; and therefore the Parliament in +their _Ordinance for Ordination_, tels us, _That they did ordain as +Presbyters, not as Bishops, much lesse as Lord Bishops_. + +As for their usurpation of the sole power of Jurisdiction, together +with their Lordly Titles & Dignities, and Dependances, we have +renounced them in our _Solemn League and Covenant_: But we never did, +nor never shall renounce them as _Presbyters_, which by the consent of +all sides, are by _Divine Right_. + +We shall add one thing more, + +4. That Ministers do not receive their Ministry from the People, or +Bishops, but immediatly from Jesus Christ: For they are Ministers and +Embassadors of Christ, not of the People: Indeed they are Embassadors +for the good of the People, but not Embassadors of the People: All +that the people or Bishop doth, is but to _choose_ and _ordain_ a man; +but it is Christ that gives him his _power and authority_; As when a +wife _chooseth a husband_, and a Town a Mayor; the Town doth not +give the Mayor, nor the wife the husband, the power they have; but the +_Laws of God_, the one and of _Man_, the other: So it is here, It is +Christ that gives the Office, and the Call to the Ministry; They are +his _Servants_, and in his _Name_ execute their function. It is he +that fits them with ability for their work; the people they consent, +and the _Bishop as a Presbyter, with other Presbyters, ordain him_; +which though it had many Corruptions mingled with it, when the +_Bishop_ was in all his pomp and Lordliness, yet for the substance of +it, it was lawful & warrantable, and _therefore cannot without sin be +renounced and abjured_. + +3. In the third place we exhort you to consider, _whether since you +have forsaken our Congregations, you have not fallen into such strange +opinions, and those of so high a nature, as that if any man should +have told you seven years ago, that you would have one time or another +fall into them, you would have said to him, as_ Hazael _did to the +Prophet; Am I a dog, that I should do this?_ Who would ever have +thought, that you that did once sigh, mourn, and bitterly complain, +_That a Chappell was permitted to the Queen to hear Masse in, should +now plead for a toleration of Popery, and all manner of Errours and +Heresies? That you that did once flock to our Churches as Doves to the +windows, should now not only forsake ours, but all Churches of +whatever constitution; That you that did once so much prize Christ, +and his holy Scriptures, should now (some of you at least) deny the +Divinity of Christ, and his holy Scriptures?_ But this is no great +wonder, for the Apostle hath foretold it, [182]_That evill men and +seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived_; and +that _they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will +eat as doth a Canker_, &c. _Errour_ is of an incroaching nature; as +the _little Theef_ openeth the _door_ oftentimes to the _great Theef_ +so a little _errour_ paves a cause-way to a greater: The _Popish +superstition_ at first grew secretly, the _tares_ were hidden under +the _corn_; but in a little while the _tares_ grew up, so as no _corn_ +could be seen: Images, at first were brought into the Church _only for +an historicall use_; afterwards, to stir up _devotion_, at last, they +came to be _worshipped_: Let the Serpent but winde in his head, & he +will quickly bring in his whole body: Your _first errour_ was in +_separating from our Churches_, from which _Christ doth not separate_. +Here the _Serpent got in his head_, & no wonder his whole body +_followed_; he that saith _yea_ to the Devil in a little, shall not +say _nay_ when he please: He that tumbleth down the _Hill of Error_, +will never leave tumbling, till he comes to the _bottome_. First you +deny our Ministers to be true Ministers, and our Ordinances to be true +Ordinances; and then God, as a just Judge, gives you over, in a little +time, to deny all _Ministers and Ordinances_, and then to be _above +all Ministers and Ordinances_; and at last, to be above Christ +himself, and not to stand in need of his _mediation to God the +Father_. First you deny _Baptisme of Infants_, and then after, +_Baptisme of water_: In a word, First you _run away from us_, and then +for the most part turn _Independents_, then _Antinomians_, then +_Anabaptists_ then _Arminians_, then some of you _Socinians_, +_Antiscripturists_, _Anti-Trinitarians_, still waxing worse and worse, +deceiving and being deceived, & in the conclusion, meer _Atheists_. + +Suffer us therefore to speak to you in the words of Christ, to the +Church of _Ephesus_. Rev. 2.5. _Remember from whence you are faln, and +repent, and do your first works_, &c. Repent of all your +Soul-destroying _Errours_, and return to the Churches from which ye +have most unjustly separated, for fear, lest _God as a just Judge_, +because you would not receive the love of the truth that you might be +saved, should still give you over to strong delusions, that ye should +believe a lye, _That all they might be damned, who believed not the +truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse_: And this makes way to +the fourth thing we have to say to you; and that is, + +4. To beseech you to consider, _Whether since you forsook our +Congregations, you are not much decayed in the power of Godliness_, +whether you have not lost your first love to Godly Ministers, +Gospel-Ordinances, Fastings, reading the Word, private & Family +prayers, and Communion of Saints; whether you are not grown more +censorious, self-conceited, headie, high-minded, treacherous, fierce, +despisers of those that are good, and lovers of pleasure more then +lovers of God; whether Duties to God and Man have not been more +neglected, Sabbaths more prophaned, Families worse governed; the +publique welfare of Church and State have not been less minded, +whether prophaneness, or prophane Ones, have not been more indulged; +and whether you be not sensibly and dangerously apostatized from that +close and humble walking with God, which formerly some of you did so +much labour after: For the truth is, _Corruption in the Judgment, will +quickly bring corruption in the conversation_. Our actions are guided +by our apprehensions; and if our apprehensions be _erroneous_, our +_actions_ will quickly be tainted with wickednesse; And therefore it +is very observeable, [183]_That in the old Law, when the Leprosie was +in the head, the Priest was not only to pronounce the man unclean, but +utterly unclean_: For Leprosie in the head, will quickly beget a +Leprosie in the whole man: As the Sun is to the World; so is the +Understanding to Man: If the Sun be dark, all the world is in +darknesse; and if the light that is in thee (saith Christ) be +darkness, _How great is that darkness?_ We wonder not at the +_looseness_ of your practices, when we consider the _looseness_ of +your principles: _For Doctrines contrary to Godliness, must needs +bring forth a conversation contrary to the Gospell._ And this is an +evident token to us, that the _New-Lights_ (as they are called) which +you hold forth to the world, proceed not from the _Father of Lights_, +but the _Prince of Darkness_, because they lead men into the _Works of +Darkness_. + +Therefore seeing that since your departure from us, you have wofully +back-slidden from God, and are visibly decaid in Holiness and +Righteousness, Our Exhortation to you is, that you would return to +your first Principles; for then it was better with you, then now; And +our prayer to God for you is, _That he would give you repentance to +the acknowledging of the truth; and that you may recover your selves +out of the snare of the Devill, who are taken captive by his will._ + +Having finished that we had to say to those that separate from our +Church, we now go on to speak a few words to those that _continue with +us still, and that wait upon the publique Ministry, but do not yet +joyn with us, in partaking of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper_. +These we shall divide into three ranks. + +1. Such as are _young people_, not yet sufficiently instructed in the +grounds of Religion. + +2. Such as are _grown in years_, and come to our Churches, but yet are +scandalous in life and conversation. + +3. Such as live, for ought we know, unblameably, but yet refuse to +come to the Sacrament in the Presbyterian way. + +1. Such as are _young people_, and not yet sufficiently instructed in +the grounds of Religion; Our Exhortation to you is, _That you would +remember your Creator in the days of your Youth_; the word in the +Hebrew[184] is, in the choyce of thy dayes: The time of Youth is the +Golden Age; and grace in Youth, is like a Jewel in a gold-ring. The +time of Youth, it is the _Seasoning Age_: A Vessell will of a long +time retain the savour of that liquor that it is first seasoned +withall; _Teach a child_ (saith Solomon) _the trade of his way, and he +will not depart from it when he is old_. The time of Youth is the +chiefe time you have to _work for heaven_. Old age is a time to _spend +grace_; but Youth is the time to get it: Old Age is the time to _reap_ +the fruit of holiness, but Youth is the time to _sow_ the seed of it: +And it is a time, that of all times God doth most require, and most +delight in. It is observed by one, that Christ [185]_loved his +youngest Disciple best_: And by Another, that Christ was _wonderfully +delighted_ with that _Hosanna_ that the children sang unto him, Mat. +21.16. [186]_The childrens Hosanna pleased him no less then the mens +Hallelujahs; Suffer little children to come unto me_, saith Christ, +_for to them belongeth the Kingdome of God._ In the Old Testament God +hath manifested a great deal of love to young people; He chose _Abel_, +the younger, _Shem_, the younger, _Abraham_, the younger, _Jacob_, the +younger; young _Samuel_, and young _David_, and young _Josiah_: And +therefore let young men, especially, be exhorted to begin betimes, to +bear the yoak of the Lord; _Seek ye first the Kingdome of God, and his +Righteousness_; first, _before_ any thing else; and first, _more_ then +any other thing. Say not, (O say not!) I am a young man, and therefore +may plead for liberty to do what I list, till I come of riper years: +But remember, _That Jesus Christ shed his blood for thee when he +was 8. dayes old_; and took thee into his Family by _Baptisme_, _when +thou didst hang upon thy mothers Breast_; Thou art (it may be) a young +man, but a Baptized young-man; A Young-man consecrated and dedicated +to God; And it is not only sin, but sacriledg and perjury, to +_impropriate that that is dedicated to God, to the service of the +Devill_. Remember the wrath manifested from Heaven _against the 42. +children_ that mocked _Elisha_; And remember further, That young +people must dye, as well as old: _There are Skulls in Golgotha, of all +sizes_; and young people have _immortall souls_, and must appear at +the great day of Judgment, as well as _old_; Young people are by +nature _children of wrath, heires of hell_; and therefore this is thy +first work (_O young man_) to get out of the Root of Abomination, into +the Root of Acceptation; out of the old _Adam_ into the new _Adam_; & +before this be done, (though thou shouldst spend thy time in gathering +up Pearls and Jewels,) thou art an undone creature. + +For the better effecting of this, we exhort you, to attend diligently +to the publike Preaching of the Word, and willingly and cheerfully to +submit to be catechized and instructed by your _Parents, Masters, and +Ministers_. The Scripture divideth a Congregation, into him that +_catechizeth_, and those that are _catechized_, saying, [187]_Let them +that are taught_, or (as it is in the Greek) _Catechized, communicate +to him that teacheth_ (or _catechizeth_) _them in all good things_. In +the Primitive times, when any Heathen man was converted to +Christianity, he was first a _catechumenus_, before he was admitted +either to _Baptisme_, or the _Lords Supper_. And _Egesippus_ +testifies, [188]_that by the diligent instruction of the Church, there +was no known Common-Wealth in any part of the World, inhabited, but +within fourty years after Christs passion, received a great shaking of +Heathenish Religion._ There are in Christian Religion, _fundamentalls_ +and _superstructions_. The _fundamentalls_ are the vitals of +Christianity: These are comprized in many of our _English_ +Catechismes. Amongst all others, we do more especially commend the +_greater and lesser Catechismes made by the Reverend Assembly of +Divines_, _and published to be used in all Churches in_ England _and_ +Wales, _by Authority of Parliament_. These we exhort you, not only to +read, but to learn. And to invite you thereunto, we further declare; + +That the study of the Catechisme, is a singular help for the _right +understanding_ of the Scriptures: (For the Catechisme is nothing else, +but a Methodical Extract out of the Bible, of the fundamentals of +Christian Religion;) And it is also very useful to make you understand +what your _Ministers preach to you_; And to keep you from the +_Errours_ and _Heresies of these times_ to prepare you to give a +distinct and perfect account of your Faith to the Minister and Elders. +For one great Reason why men do so pervert the Scriptures to their own +destruction, and run wilde into so many errors and heresies, and are +so unable to give a particular and distinct account to the Minister +and Elders, is for want of the study of the Catechisme. As a ship +_without ballast_ is tossed about with every wave and wind; so is a +_man without the study of the Catechisme_, carried about with every +wind of vain doctrine. As a _house_ without a foundation will quickly +fall, so will a Christian that is not well verst in the fundamentals +of Religion. As Children grow _crooked_, that are not well looked to +at first; so many run into _crooked opinions_, because not well +catechized. + +And therefore we earnestly beseech and intreat all Parents, and +Masters of Families, that they would make conscience of this great +duty of catechizing their children and servants. And oh that the Lord +would make our words to take impression upon your hearts. In the Old +Testament God commands Parents to _teach diligently their children_. +The word in the Hebrew[189] is, to _whet the Law_ upon their children. +The fourth Commandement is directed not to children, and servants, but +to Parents and Masters; And they are there commanded, not only _in +their own persons_, to keep the Sabbath; but to see that their +_children and servants do it also_. It is not, _Thou, or thy son, or +thy daughter; But thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter_. It doth not +say, (as _Zanchy_ well observes[190],) _Remember thou to keep holy the +Sabbath day, and to perswade thy children and servants to keep it +holy_: But _remember thou to keep it holy, and thy son, and thy +servant_, implying thereby, _that it is the Duty of the Master and +Father, to compell his servant and children to the keeping of the +Sabbath day_. For doing of this, God exceedingly extols _Abraham_, +Gen. 18.19. _I know that he will command his children, and his +household after him, that they keep the wayes of the Lord_: upon which +words, a learned Divine wrote thus; [191]_Abraham did not leave his +children and servants to their own genius, their own counsels, their +own lusts, though it is certain, divers of them would have thanked him +for such a liberty; for they had been nursed up in superstition and +idolatry, as_ Abraham _was, and might have pretended, that they were +not satisfied in point of conscience. But_ Abraham _knew how to +distinguish between liberty of conscience, and liberty of lust, and +therefore would not allow them such a liberty as would have enticed +them into the worst kinde of bondage._ The New Testament also calls +upon Parents, not only to bring up their children, but to +[192]_nurture them up in instruction and admonition of the Lord_. Old +_Eli_ was _grievously punished_ for neglect of this duty: And let his +severe chastisement be as a _warning-piece_ to all Fathers and +Masters; And let them know, _That if their children and servants +perish for want of instruction, through their negligence, their blood +will be required at their hands._ + +And if Parents and Masters, much more ought Ministers to be very +conscientious in the diligent discharge of this duty. Our Saviour +Christ layeth an express command upon them, not only _to feed the +sheep_, _but also the lambs of Christ_. It is no disparagement to a +_Peter_, to be a _feeder of Christs lambs_. Oh that Ministers would +unanimously and universally set to this duty! We commend it to them, +as a most _Soveraign Antidote_, to preserve their Congregations from +the errours of these times. It is reported of _Julian_, that amongst +other subtile plots he used for the rooting out of Christian Religion; +One was the _suppression of all Christian Schools_, and places of +catechizing. [193]And as one saith, _If he had not been as a Cloud +that soon passeth away, it had been to be feared, lest within a short +time he had overshadowed all Religion._ For when Catechizing was taken +from the Church, it was presently all overspread with ignorance. And +it is further added by the same Author, That the Papists themselves +acknowledg, that all the advantage the Protestants got of them in the +beginning of Reformation, was by their catechizing; because they began +sooner to catechize, then they did. And it is to be feared, saith he, +if ever the Papists get once again advantage of Us, it will be by +their exacter catechizing, then ours. And therefore, if ever you would +prevent the further _corruption_ of mens Judgments, and secure them +from the infection of _errour_, and preserve Religion from ruine. We +exhort you in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, to practise this +duty; and intreat our people with all readiness and constancie, to +submit unto this Ordinance of God, which with so much publique +prejudice, hath been so long neglected. + +And to perswade people thereunto, let them consider further, + +1. If Ministers are bound to catechize; then people are bound to be +catechized. + +2. That they are baptized, and thereby consecrated unto Christ, and +obliged by promise, to give up themselves unto instruction. + +3. That ignorance, though it be not the greatest, yet it is a most +dangerous sin: All sin is wrapt up in ignorance, as a child in +swadling clouts. The Scripture saith, [194]_That Christ will come in +flaming fire to render vengeance upon all those that know him not_, +&c. + +It makes the _ignorance of God_ to be the cause of all sin, 1 _Sam._ +2.12. 1 _Joh._ 2.4. _Eph._ 4.19. And _David_ prayeth unto God, +[195]_To pour out his wrath upon the heathen that know him not_; how +much more upon the Christians that know him not? As toads and Serpents +grow in dark and dirty sellars: so all sin and wickednesse in an +ignorant and blind soul. Now there is no ordinary way for young people +to gain the knowledge of God, but by _Catechizing_. + +4. That the time of youth is the _golden Age_, the _seasoning age_, +and a time in which men are apt to receive abiding impressions of +evil, or good. And if they can learn to say to _Elisha_, _Bald-pate_, +why should they be unwilling to learn to sing to Christ, _Hosanna_? + +5. That it is not so great a shame for young people to be ignorant, as +to be wilful and obstinate in ignorance. And if they refuse to be +_Catechised_, they shall perish in their ignorance; but the _Minister_ +is free from the blood of their souls. + +The second sort are such _as live within the bounds of our Province, +and come to our Congregations, and yet are wicked and prophane, and +such, as if they should come to be examined by the Minister and +Elders, would not be received to the Sacrament_. These are Christians +in _name_, but they are a shame to the _name_, and bear it (as +_Urijah_ did a letter to _Joab_) _for their ruine and destruction_. We +beseech and intreat them to consider, what a sinful and cursed +condition it is to live ungodlily and unrighteously under the +abundance of Gospel-Ordinances. + +First, what a _sinful condition_ it is; For, + +1. It is as much as in them lyes, a frustrating of the great love of +Christ in dying for them: For, therefore Christ dyed, _that they which +live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which +dyed for them, and rose again_, 2 Cor. 5.13. + +2. It is a frustrating of the gracious design of God, in sending the +Gospel to them; for one chief errand of the Gospel, is to _teach us to +deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, +and godly in this present world_, Tit. 2.12. + +3. It is not only to sin against the _light of nature_, but against +the _light of the Gospel_. + +4. Not only against the _creating and preserving mercies of God_, but +against the _heart-blood mercy_ of Jesus Christ. + +5. It is a sin of _horrible ingratitude and unthankfulness_; a sin +that makes God himself to stand, as it were, amazed, that any man +should be so wicked, as to be guilty of it, _Isai._ 1.2. _Jer._ 2.11, +12. + +6. It is a sin that will make us speechlesse, and unexcusable at the +great day, _Joh._ 15.22. + +7. It is a sin that renders a Christian worse then the very bruit +creatures, _Isa._ 1.3. And in this one sense, worse then the Devills +themselves, because the Devills never refused so great salvation. + +2. Consider what a cursed condition this is: For, + +1. It is a _spirituall plague_, which is so much greater then a +corporal, by how much the Soul is better then the Body. + +2. It is a sign not only of Gods Fatherly, but revengeful displeasure, +_a brand of reprobation, and the high-way to damnation_. + +3. It renders a man utterly uncapable (as such) of the Sacrament of +the body and bloud of Christ; for Christ ordained the Sacrament for +his friends, not for his enemies; to increase, not beget grace; for +those that are visible Saints, not for those that are visibly wicked. + +4. It brings _Personall, Congregationall_, and _Nationall Judgments_, +Luk. 13.5. Isa. 5. + +5. It makes a Christians condition at the day of Judgment more +intolerable, then the condition of _Sodom and Gomorrah_. It makes the +Gospel it self to be the chiefest inditement against him; and the +hottest place in Hell to be his portion for ever, and ever. + +Oh that the Lord would give hearts to these men to meditate on these +things! and to repent of all their swearing, cursing, lying, +drunkenness, fornication, adultery, Sabbath-breaking, and such like +abominations! And let them not be offended with us, (as most of them +are) for not admitting them to the Sacrament; but rather offended with +their sins, that make them uncapable, as such, of the Sacrament. Let +not them cry out against us, but against themselves; and study to be +revenged, not of their Ministers and Elders, but of their sins, and +themselves. The Lord knows, that it is meer love to the Lord Jesus +Christ, and tender pity and compassion to their and our own souls, +that forceth us to deny them this Ordinance; lest we should be +instrumental to their eating and drinking their own damnation, and +accessary to their unworthy receiving, and to the prophanation of the +Sacrament; _Let not our pity, love, and care to them, breed hatred +against us, in them._ And why should they desire to partake in these +holy mysteries, whose hearts and lives are so full of unholinesse? why +should they that want spirituall life, desire to eat of spirituall +food? What should men spiritually dead, do at a spiritual feast? why +should they desire to eat that bread, which will certainly, as long +as they continue in this condition, be the bread of death, not of +life; and to drink that cup, which will certainly be a cup, not of +salvation, but of damnation! Let our counsel be acceptable to you; +_First wash you, make ye clean, put away the evill of your doings from +before Gods eyes, cease to do evill, learn to do well_; and then come +and see whether we will not receive you heartily and joyfully to the +Sacrament. _First wash your hands in innocency, and then you will be +fit to compasse the Lords Altar._ First get _spirituall life, and then +come and eat spirituall food_. First get to be a friend and Disciple +of Christ; and then not only We, but Christ himself, will bid you +welcome, and make you partakers of all the benefits and comforts of +the blessed Sacrament. + +The third and last sort, _are such as come to our Congregation, and +live_ (for ought we know) _unblameably_; and yet refuse to joyn with +Us in the Sacrament upon this account, because they will not come to +be examined by the Minister and Elders. This (as we find by woful +experience) is the great mountain that lyeth in the way, and hindereth +the free passage of the Presbyterial-Government; and therefore we have +taken some pains in our Vindication for the removing of it; we have +shewed, + +1. That the Ruling-Elder (which is the Officer so much opposed) hath a +Divine Warrant. + +2. It is the Will of Jesus Christ, that they that come to the +Sacrament, should first submit themselves to Examination; and not only +so, but to _Examination by Minister and Elders_. + +3. What this Examination is, which is required, and how often it is +required. + +4. The reason why ancient men and women, that have formerly under the +Prelatical Government been admitted to the Sacrament, are required to +submit unto Examination, before they can be again admitted; It +remains, That we give Answers to the Objections that are brought +against this way of Examination; but before we do this, we will first +offer certain Reasons and Motives (besides those already named) to +perswade every one of our respective Congregations, as well old, as +young, rich as poor, freely and cheerfully to submit unto it. + +[Sidenote: Motive 1.] + +The first _Motive_, is _from the evident necessity of it, especially +now, while we are reforming the promiscuous admission of all sorts of +people to the Lords Table, formerly so scandalous_. + +And this appears; because, + +1. Without this, how can _ignorant persons_ (_unfit to communicate_) +be detected? what other ordinary and regular course can be imagined, +to discover who are insufficient in regard of their want of knowledge? +And it is most certain, that there are many ignorant persons, old, as +well as young, rich, as well as poor, in the most knowing +Congregations; and many times, those whom we suppose _to be very +skilful in the word of Righteousnesse_, upon _Examination_ are found +to be _babes in knowledge_. + +2. Without this course, multitudes of ignorant persons, both old and +young, will intrude themselves, who by reason of their ignorance, +being not able to discern the Lords body, must needs _eat and drink +Judgment to themselves, and become guilty of the body and blood of +Christ_, 1 Cor. 11.27, 29. + +3. Without this, how shall Ministers and Elders ever come truly to +know the _spiritual state_ of their Congregation, that they may watch +over them in the Lord? + +4. Unless every one of the Congregation give an account of their +Faith to the Eldership, as well as any one, the people will be +extreamly apt to object unto the _Minister and Elders_, +partial-dealing in this particular, which is contrary to that heavy +charge of the Apostle, [196]_I charge thee before God, and the Lord +Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, +without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality._ +And it will breed _discontents_ and _animosities_ in the people +against the Eldership, and great _divisions_ and _dissentions_ among +themselves. + +5. This course should be submitted to by the most intelligent and +knowing Christians in a Congregation, that by their _good example_, +and _professed subjection_ to the Government of Christ, those that +have not so great a measure of knowledge, and so have more need to +come, may more readily and effectually be perswaded to do the same. + +6. Finally, how can the _Ministers and Elders_, intrusted by God with +the _Oversight of their flock_, keep themselves pure from the sin of +those Persons, who through ignorance cannot chuse but prophane the +Lords Supper; unless by this means, they use their best endeavors to +finde out where ignorance is, and to remove it: And it is their duty +to _keep themselves pure_, _and not to be partakers of other mens +sins_. + +[Sidenote: Motive 2.] + +The second motive, is from the _great profit and benefit that will +redound to our respective Congregations, from this practice, prudently +and faithfully undertaken, and universally submitted unto_. For, + +1. Hereby the whole Congregation, in all the members of it, shall +receive much advantage and edification, whilest those that are +_knowing_, shall be encouraged, and those that are _weaker_ in +understanding, further strengthened in knowledg; and those that are +_ignorant_, put into a way of gaining knowledge, and so be prepared to +partake of the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, more conscionably; and +more comfortably discern the Lords body, which is done by _knowledge_; +as well as by _Faith_, 1 _Cor._ 11.29. + +2. Hereby the great offence of promiscuous, or mixt communion, will be +prevented, which hath been heretofore, and is to this day, a great +grief to the godly, both Ministers and people: and which hath been, +and is daily objected against us, by them that separate from our +Churches, as the ground why they are necessitated to depart from us; +and are still discouraged from returning to us. + +3. Hereby a _good foundation_ will be laid, of carrying on that _reall +reformation_ which we have _covenanted for_, both in Congregations, +families, and particular persons; _growth in knowledge_ being a great +means to further _our growth in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ_, +2 Pet. 3.18. + +4. Hereby those uncomfortable and disorderly fractions and divisions +among the members of our severall Congregations, (some refusing to +submit to all orders, while others christianly submit themselves,) wil +in good measure be _cured_, and our Congregations to the _glory of +God_, and the comfort of _Minister_, _and Elders_, be reduced to a +sweet Harmonious _unity and uniformity_, not only in judgment, but in +practice, both thinking and doing the same thing; which were a +_Gospel-blessing_ much to be desired, as a fruit of that Ancient +Promise, _Jer._ 32.39. + +[Sidenote: Motive 3.] + +The third Motive is from the _Mischiefs that will inevitably ensue +upon the neglect of this practice_. For hereby, + +1. _Ignorant persons_ shall go on in their ignorance undiscovered, +unreformed. + +2. The _Lords Supper_ in many Congregations will be wholly disused, or +miserably prophaned. 3. Particular Congregations will be filled with +distractions and discontents, whilest a great part among them refuse +to walk orderly. 4. The _Ministers and Elders_, who sincerely tender +the spiritual welfare of their Congregations will be much +_discouraged_ and _discomforted_. + +5. The _Work of Reformation_, and particularly the growth of people in +knowledg and the grace of Jesus Christ, will extreamly be obstructed +and hindered; _and whosoever shall be any cause or occasion thereof, +will but uncomfortably answer it unto Jesus Christ_. + +[Sidenote: Motive 4.] + +The fourth Motive, is from the _weaknesse and insuffiency_ of the +objections that are brought against this practice; To which we shall +now (God assisting us) return _distinct_, and we hope, _satisfactory_ +Answers. + +The Objections are: + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 1.] + +Many who are well inclined, object their own _timorousness_: And have +_jealousies_ that the Minister will propound such hard and unusual +questions, as they shall not on a sudden be able to answer. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] + +The Questions to be propounded by the Eldership to persons, before +they come to the Lords Table, are for the substance of them contained +in the _Ordinance of Parliament_, of the 20th of _October_, 1643. the +particulars thereof being the _fundamentalls of Religion_, contained +usually in most _Catechismes_, which persons of the meanest capacity +ought to understand. + +2. We doubt not but the _Ministers with the Elders_, will make it +their serious Endeavours, to deal with all persons in all _Prudence, +meeknesse, tendernesse, and love_, as the condition of those that come +before them shall require; They being not insensible of their own +_weaknesse_, will take heed of Discouraging the meanest, or Quenching +the smoaking flax, well knowing, _That they are not to Lord it over +Gods heritage, but to promote their growth, and to be Helpers of their +joy_. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 2.] + +Why may not people be now admitted to the Sacrament, without +examination, as well as before the Elders were chosen? + +[Sidenote: _Answ._ 2.] + +Because; 1. Before Elders were chosen, and the foundation of +Church-Government begun to be laid, the Church of _England_ was in +_point of Church Government_ in an unreformed condition: But now +(blessed be God) in a way of Reformation. And we have in our +_Nationall Covenant_, _sworn to endeavour a reformation in +Church-Government, according to the Word of God_. In pursuance of that +Covenant, there are many Ordinances of Parliament, to require it; and +accordingly it is practised in many Congregations; and _shall we still +persist in our old unreformed way?_ + +2. The _Promiscuous admission_ of all sorts of Persons heretofore +without examination tended much to the _Prophanation of the Lords +Supper_, and was a great _scandall_ in our Church, _Hazarded_ the +souls of thousands, _occasioned_ separations from our Churches, +brought the judgments of God upon the _Kingdome_, and was no small +griefe to godly Ministers, &c. But now God having provided a further +Remedy, we ought not only, not to _oppose it_, but to _submit_ to it, +with all readiness and thankfulness. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 3.] + +Will you have the _Ancient men of a Congregation, that have for divers +years been partakers of the Sacrament, come now in their Old Age to be +Examined; will you have Noblemen, and Rich men, and Aldermen_, &c. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] + +We have formerly declared, That the Presbyteriall Government doth not +precisely require of those that come to the Sacrament, _That they +should first be Examined by Questions and Answers: But if any man +shall make a good profession of his Faith, in a continued discourse, +without being asked any Questions, it will be accepted, as well as if +they were Examined by particular Questions._ + +2. We have likewise shewed the Reason why Ancient men and women, that +have formerly been admitted, are required to submit to Examination, +before they can be again admitted, &c. We have intreated you, to +distinguish between a _Church-reforming in Discipline, and reformed_: +When a Church is once reformed, and members admitted by Examination of +the Eldership, there will never be any necessity of coming afterwards +to Ministers and Elders, for re-admission; (unless it be in case of +excommunication.) But in a Church reforming, as ours is, when all +sorts have formerly been admitted, without any Distinction, then _Old +men_ must be willing to give an account, as well as _young men_, and +_rich men_, as well as _poor_: Because, + +1. Old men and rich men are found to be _ignorant_, and to prophane +the Sacrament, as well as _young men_, and _poor men_. + +2. In Gospell-administrations God is no respecter of persons; neither +must his Officers be, if they would be found faithfull in their +places; _It is not gray hairs, nor silken coats; but knowledg, faith, +repentance, love and thankefulness, will qualifie a man for the +Sacrament._ + +3. If old men and rich men are more gracious and knowing, then others, +their good examples will be mighty incouragements, to draw on the +younger, and poorer sort. And wherein can _Noblemen, and Richmen, +express their thankfulness to God, for his distinguishing mercies +towards them, better, then in becoming patterns and presidents to +others, in their ready obedience to the will of Christ_, in this +particular? + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 4.] + +We are willing to come to the _Minister alone_, to be examined; But we +will never come before the _Ruling-Elders_. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] + +The Office of the _Ruling Elders_, as they are distinct from _teaching +Elders_, is grounded upon Scripture; and is not an invention of man, +but an _Ordinance of Christ_, (as we have shewed,) and therefore to be +submitted unto. + +2. Admission of members to the Sacrament, is an act of +Church-Government, and therefore belongs to the Elders, as well as the +Minister: (as we have likewise shewed.) _Church-Government is not +committed by Christ unto Ministers severally, but, to Ministers and +Elders joyntly_, Matth. 10.17. 1 Cor. 12.28. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thess. +5.12. Act. 15.6. Act. 20.17, 28. And therefore in conscience, people +ought to submit to the Ministers and Elders. + +3. This is a Practice according to the example of the _best reformed +Churches_, wherein Elders are joyned with Ministers in this +particular. + +4. To devolve this work upon one Minister alone, as it is sinful, so +it will prove very _prejudicial_, both to Minister and People: For in +some places _Ministers_ may not be so faithful and Prudentiall as they +ought to be, and may, through pride, covetousness, partiality, or +rashness, keep from the Sacrament, or admit to the Sacrament, whom +Christ would not have admitted, or kept away. And in other places, +where _Ministers_ are more _wise_, and _humble_, and _faithfull_, if +they should assume the power of Examination, without _Elders_ +assisting of them, they will be wofully _mis-reported_ and scandalized +by those that come before them, or by others, that are disaffected to +them; For if such horrid and base reports are already raised about the +Questions propounded by the Minister and Elders, when they sit +together; (as by sad experience these wicked dayes of ours will +witnesse:) what will not ungodly men be afraid to report, when the +Minister alone shall ingross this power? + +5. We have formerly shewed, that these Elders whom you so much oppose, +are such _as you either have, or might have chosen; and they were +chosen for the relief and benefit or the Congregation, that so the +Minister might not be sole judge of those that come to the Sacrament, +but might have others joyned with him, to see that he doth nothing out +of envy, malice, pride, or partiality; but that all things may be +managed for the good and edification of those for whose sake they are +chosen_: And therefore it is a wonder to us, to hear men speak so much +against _Ruling-Elders_, when they are purposely chosen for their _own +relief and benefit_. + +6. We have also formerly shewed, that when the Parliament gave their +allowance to the Presbyterial Government, if they had put the whole +_juridical power_ of the Church, into the hands of one Minister alone, +they that now seem so willing to come to be examined by the Minister, +without his Elders, would have more bitterly declaimed against that +way, then now they do against this: For this indeed were to make every +Minister a _Prelate_ in his Congregation; and to bring in that, which +hath some Resemblance to _Auricular confession_. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 5.] + +Though some _Ministers rigidly keep all from the Sacrament, that will +not come before the Eldership; yet there are others that are +Presbyterians, and have Elders chosen, that examine without them, and +will receive us to the Sacrament, without coming before them._ + +In answer to this, + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +1. We doubt whether there be any _Ministers_ of the Presbyterian +judgment, that do thus practise. + +2. If there be any such, we conceive that herein they act not only +contrary to an _Ordinance of Parliament_, but to an _Ordinance of +Christ_, who hath given the power of Discipline, not to _one +Minister_, (as we have said) but to an _united company of Presbyters_ +And for one Minister to assume this power unto himself, is (as we have +also declared) _to make himself the whole Church; It is to build up +what he hath destroyed, and to usurp the Prelaticall power of sole +jurisdiction, in his Congregation._ For he doth not only assume a +Pastoral power of instructing those that are to come to the Sacrament, +but an Authoritative power of admitting to, & keeping from the +Sacrament; which is to take to himself an authority that Christ hath +never given him. And we desire these Ministers to consider what we +have formerly delivered, _That it is as warrantable by the Word of God +for one Minister to assume the whole power of suspending persons +from the Sacrament, who have been duly admitted thereunto, as it is to +assume the whole power of admitting to the Sacrament_, &c. And further +we beseech and intreat them (if there be any such,) to consider what +an offence they give in this particular, to all their Brethren in the +Ministry; and what an argument they put into the mouthes of those that +are disaffected to the government; and in the fear of God to forsake +this way and course, lest while they think _to build with us, they be +found to be destroyers, both of the Presbyterian Government and +Ministry, and to open a wide door to Sacramental Prophanation_. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 6.] + +Doth not the Scripture say, _Let a man examine himself, and so let him +eat?_ &c. but it no where saith, Let a man be examined by the Minister +and Elders. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +1. The text speaks of those that were formerly admited in a due way to +the Sacrament; and of such it is only required, that they should +_examine themselves_: For the Examining of those amongst us that have +formerly bin admitted, is occasioned by the great Church deformation +that hath been amongst us; which being once healed, there will not be +again that need afterwards of _Church-Examination._ + +2. The Apostles words are not to be understood _restrictively and +exclusively_. For he doth not say, Let a man examine himself _only_, +But let a man _Examine himself_, that is, Let him _especially examine +himself_. Take a parallel text, Rom. 14.12. _So then every one of us +shall give an account of himself to God_; which text is not to be +understood exclusively; For it is certain, that Ministers must give an +account to God, not only of themselves, but also for their people; And +Parents and Masters, for their children, and servants; so it is here, +Let a man examine himself: This doth not exclude the duty of a +father, in examining his children; or of a Master, Minister, or Elder, +in examining those under his Charge: But it teacheth us, That we must +not rest in, nor trust to the Examination of our Father, Master, +Minister, or Elders, but likewise examine our selves: _If a childe, or +servant should say unto his father, or master, when he is examined +about his knowledge, or faith, The Scripture bids me examine my self, +and therefore I will not be examined by you. Would not this be +accounted a great affront, and an unnsufferable abuse to the holy +Scriptures?_ and yet just so do they reason & argue, that from this +Scripture, would exempt themselves from all examination by Minister & +Elders. And so likewise when Christ saith, Matth, 7.1. _Judge not, +that you be not judged_: He that should interpret that text +_exclusively_, of all kind of judging; would overthrow all Magistracy. +But it is to be understood only, as excluding private and rash +judging, (when a man judgeth his Brother, and hath no calling to judge +him, not a just cause:) so it is here; This text excludes all private +Christians from examining others; but to say, that it excludes all men +in office and place in the Church, and in the family, would at once +destroy all Church-Government, and all family-government. + +3. We might add, that those that are most ready to pretend, that it is +needless to give an account before the Minister and Elders, because +they are to _examine themselves_, it is to be feared, are as +regardless of examining themselves, as unwilling to give an account to +the Eldership. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 7.] + +Doth not the Scripture also say, _whosoever eateth and drinketh +unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself_? It is not said, +to the Eldership. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +That text is not to be understood _exclusively_, unless it relate to +close hypocrites: An _hypocrite_ eats and drinks damnation to himself +only, but if it relates to those that are _grosly ignorant and +scandalous_, it cannot be understood exclusively. For when a man that +is grosly ignorant and scandalous, receives the Sacrament, he not only +eats and drinks judgment to himself, but the _guilt of the sin lyeth +upon all those that knew of it, and did not do their duty for the +hindering of it_, as we have formerly shewed. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 8.] + +There are many _Elders_ that are very ignorant, and fiter rather to be +_examined_, then to _examine_; and that propound unbeseeming and +absurd questions. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +The ignorance of some Elders doth no more prejudice the office of an +Elder, then the ignorance of some Physitians, or Ministers, doth the +calling of Ministers and Physitians: If ignorant Elders be chosen, the +fault is not in the Office, but in the Choosers. + +2. This objection cannot be justly made against the Ruling-Elders +within this Province; we hope we may say without boasting, that they +are very knowing, and very godly; and we are confident, that all the +reports that are vented concerning absurd and unbeseeming questions, +&c. are meer lyes and falsities. In all such meetings, the Minister is +the Moderator, and he onely propounds the questions; the Elders sit by +and judge. + +3. In those Parishes where there are none sufficiently qualified to be +Elders, the Presbyterian Government doth not require them to chuse +Elders, but Orders, _That all such Parishes should be under the +immediate care, inspection, and government of the Classical +Presbytery_. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 9.] + +It is not enough for a _Minister to forewarn his people of the danger +of unworthy coming to the Lords Supper; and if they will +notwithstanding the warning, come unworthily, is not the Minister +free?_ + +It is not enough for a father to tell his child, that he must not +drink such a cup of poyson, and yet afterwards (when he seeth his +child very greedy of it) to give it him; especially, when he knoweth +that it will certainly poyson him. It was not enough for old _Eli_ to +admonish his Sons; but because he did not use his power, in hindring +them, he is reproved, as accessary to their sins. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 10.] + +I have _lived thus long, and never yet was examined, and certainly I +will not now begin in my old age, I will rather never receive the +Sacrament at all_. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +Old Customes are no good principles to build upon; these are times of +Reformation. + +2. Consider thine own spiritual wants, and what need thou hast of this +blessed Ordinance; and remember what the servant of _Naaman_ said unto +him, _If the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou +not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith, Wash and be +clean?_ So give Us leave to say to you, _If Christ had commanded you +to do some great thing, would you not have done it, rather then be +deprived of this Ordinance? how much rather when he saith to thee +only, Come and give an account of thy Faith before the Eldership, and +thou shalt be made partaker of this Heavenly banquet?_ + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 11.] + +But I have made a Vow, that I will never come before the Elders. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +This Vow is rash and sinful, a bond of iniquity; and therefore by +keeping of it, you become guilty of a double sin: the Eldership is an +Ordinance of Christ (as we have shewed) and therefore not to be vowed +against. + +[Sidenote: _Object._ 12.] + +I am every way able to examine my self, and none knows what is in my +heart; and therefore I will venture upon my own private examination. + +[Sidenote: _Answ._] + +How is it, that thou art unwilling to venture thy estate, without +first advising with a Lawyer: and wilt advise with Physitians about +thy bodily health; but wilt venture thy soul at the Sacrament, upon +thine own head, without taking the advice of Minister and Elders; _Is +thy soul less precious to thee, then thy body, or thy estate?_ +Besides, if thou hast knowledg, why wilt thou not come to examination; +if no knowledg, why wilt thou refuse the way & means to get knowledg? +the truth is, the true ground why some men do oppose this way, is +either, + +1. Out of ignorance and pride, because they are impatient to have +their ignorance discovered: + +2. Or else, Secondly, it is from a prophane spirit of opposition; not +onely against Church-Government, and all good order; but against all +the wayes of Christ. But let such persons consider; + +1. That it is far better to have their ignorance cured, then covered: +Ignorance covered will make us go blindfold to Hell; But Ignorance +cured, will make us go with open eyes to Heaven. + +2. That Christ accounts them his enemies, that will not have him to +[197]_reign over them_, and will destroy them as his enemies. + +3. To hate Instruction and Reformation, is a certain sign of +wickedness, which God abhors. + +4. All the opposition that carnal and rebellious spirits have against +Christ and his wayes, will in the end, prove kicking against the +pricks, and most pernicious to their own Souls. + +And thus we have answered all those objections, that are usually +brought against this way of Examination, and herein (as we hope) have +given abundant satisfaction to all those that are willing to receive +it. And we have likewise finished our Exhortation. As for the successe +of it, we leave it wholy to God; as having learn't, that _duty is +ours_, but _success is Gods_. When _Paul_ had finished his Sermon at +[198]_Athens, some mocked; and others said, we will hear thee again +of this matter. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed, &c._ +We doubt not but there are many within the Province; whose hearts _the +Lord will open, to attend to what is here said_. Our desire is to do +good unto all, even unto those that are our greatest adversaries; and +not _to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good_. If they +mock at us (as they did at _Paul_) yet surely, [199]_Our Judgment is +with the Lord, and our work with our God; He that is filthy, let him +be filthy still; and he that is unjust, let him be unjust still_: But +we hope better things of you, that have submitted to the +Presbyterian-Government. For whom we pray, [200]_That the God of +peace, that brought again from the dead our_ Lord Jesus Christ, _that +great Shepherd of his sheep, through the bloud of the everlasting_ +Covenant, _would make you perfect in every good work, to do his Will; +working in you, that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through_ +Jesus Christ; _to whom be glory, for ever and ever_, Amen. + +[96] Rom. 12.8. + +[97] 1 Pet. 5. + +[98] Luk. 22.25, 26. + +[99] ἡγουμενος. + +[100] Matth. 23.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. + +[101] 2 Tim. 2.24, 25, 26. + +[102] Phil. 1. + +[103] Psal. 74. & 137. + +[104] _unus homo, solus totius orbis impetum sustinuit._ + +[105] Isai. 8.11, 12, 13, 14. + +[106] Matth. 18.20. + +[107] Dan. 2.35, 45. + +[108] Micah 4.1, 2. + +[109] Isai. 61.12. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thes. 5.13. + +[110] 1 Pet. 5.4. + +[111] Dan. 9.25. + +[112] Neh. 4.3, 4. + +[113] Neh. 4.10. + +[114] Zech. 4.10. + +[115] and Zech. 4.9. 6.8. + +[116] Jer. 4.14. Isai. 1.16. + +[117] Rom. 2.29. + +[118] _In te stas, & non stas._ + +[119] _Frustra nititur qui non innititur._ + +[120] 2 Tim. 1.6. + +[121] _Manducatio Indignorum, & Manducatio Indigna._ Alsted. + +[122] 1 Pet. 1.12. + +[123] επιθνμουςιν αγγελοι παρακυψαι. + +[124] Joh. 6.51. and 56. + +[125] τροϕη ευχαριστηθεισα. + +[126] _Quantò pro nobis vilior, tantò nobis charior._ + +[127] _Donec totus fixus in Corde qui totus fixus in cruce._ + +[128] _Non vincula sed ornamenta, & spirituales Margaritæ_, quoted by +_Nyc. Vedelius_, in his Epistle before his Commentary upon _Ignatius_. + +[129] _Festum Aquilarum, non Graculorum_. + +[130] Rom. 5.8. + +[131] Lam. 3. + +[132] Luk. 7.6, 7. + +[133] 2 Sam. 9. + +[134] _Utimur perspecillis magis quàm speculis._ Senec. + +[135] Matth. 5.44, 45, 46. + +[136] Col. 1.10, 11. + +[137] Phil. 1.9, 10, 11. + +[138] Heb. 13.17. + +[139] 1 Thess. 5.12. + +[140] 1 Tim. 5.17, 18. + +[141] Gal. 6.6. + +[142] 1 Cor. 9.13, 14. + +[143] Φιλοξενοι. Tit. 1.8. + +[144] 1 Thess. 5.11, 14, 15. + +[145] Col. 3.1, 6. + +[146] 1 Cor. 10.24. + +[147] Rom. 15.2, 3. + +[148] Phil. 2.3. + +[149] Mal. 3.16. + +[150] 1 Tim. 6.4, 5. + +[151] 2 Tim. 2.23. + +[152] Rev. 3.4. + +[153] Rom. 16.17. + +[154] 1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5. + +[155] Tit. 1. 1 Tim 3.16. Tit. 2.12. + +[156] Eph. 2.1. 1 Cor. 2.14. + +[157] Rom. 8.7. + +[158] Gal. 5.17. Rom. 7.18, 19, 23, 24. Isa. 64.6. Rom. 3.28. Phil. +3.9. 2 Cor. 5.21. + +[159] Rom. 8.1, 13. 1 Joh. 3.14. Eph. 2.16. Titus 3.16. 1 Thess. 4.3. +Heb. 12.14. + +[160] Heb. 7.22. Heb. 8.6. + +[161] 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, &c. + +[162] Isai. 1.5, 6. + +[163] _Schisma, ni fallor, est eadem opinantem, & eodem ritu utentem +solo Congregationis delectari dissidio, & Schismaticos facit non +diversa fides, sed communionis disrupta societas_, Aug. contra +Faustum. lib. 20. cap 3. + +_Schisma dicitur a scindendo, & est scissio, separatio, disjunctio, +aut dissolutio unionis illius, quæ debet inter Christianos observari. +Quia autem hæc Scissio maximè perficitur, & apparet in debitâ +communione Ecclesiasticâ recusandâ, idcirco illa separatio per +appropriationem singularem, rectè vocatur Schisma._ Ames. cas. consc. +lib. 5. cap 12. + +_Schisma est secessio in religionis negotio, vel temeraria, vel +injusta, sive facta sit, sive continuata_, Camero, de Eccles. tom 1. +pag 396. + +[164] _Schisma aliud est, ut loquuntur in scholis, negativum, aliud +positivum. Negativum vocamus, quod non exit in cœtum & societatem +aliquam religiosam, sed simpliciter secessio est, & subductio; cum non +instituitur Ecclesia, facto schismate &c. Positivum tum fit, cum +instituitur Ecclesia, hoc est, cum fit consociatio quædam, quæ legibus +Ecclesiasticis, & Dei verbo atque Sacramentorum administratione utitur +separatim: quod quadam formulâ desumptâ ex Scriptura dicitur struere +altare adversus altare, hoc est, quod Schisma Antonomasticωs dicitur, +&_ κατ' εξοχην, _&c._ Camero de Schismate, pag. 402. + +[165] _Temeritas secessionis deprehenditur, ut loquuntur, a +posteriori, si ejus occasio levis sit: erit autem levis, nisi vel +inciderit gravis & intolerabilis persecutio, vel ille cœtus unde +fit secessio laboret hæresi, aut verò deditus fit Idololatriæ._ +Camero, pag. 399. And afterwards, pag. 405. _Quarta verò causa (cujus +non meminimus supra, quia versabamur in thesi, hic vero meminimus, +quia ventum est ad hypothesim) si agnitus fuerit Antichristus._ + +[166] _Etiam secessio fit temerè, cum fit ob morum corruptelas; +quorsum illud Christi pertinet_, Sedent in Cathedra Mosis, facite +quæcunque dixerint vobis. _Cujus rei hæc est ratio, quòd ubicunque +viget puritas doctrinæ, Deum in eo cœtu necessse est habere +Ecclesiam, tametsi obrutam penè multitudine scandalorum. Itaque qui +secessionem faciunt ab ejusmodi cœtu, haud dubiè inde secedunt ubi +Deus colligit Ecclesiam._ Camero, pag. 400. + +[167] _Mr. Carthwright. Mr. Dod. M. Hildersham. Mr. Bradshaw. Mr. +Ball._ + +[168] Matth. 13.9. + +[169] _Musculus_ on 1 Cor. 11. + +[170] _Thomas Goodwin_, in his Sermon upon _Zech._ 4. + +[171] 1 Cor. 1.10. Phil. 2.1, 2. Eph. 4.3, 4, 5, 6. + +[172] Jer. 32.39. Zeph. 3.9. Zach. 14.9. + +[173] Joh. 17.21. + +[174] Phil. 3.15, 16. + +[175] _Schisma propriè dictum est peccatum gravissimum_: + +1 _Quia adversatur charitati erga proximum, & privat eum spirituali +bono_. + +2 _Adversatur ædificationi illius qui facit separationem, quatenus +privat semetipsum Communione in bono spirituali_. + +3 _Adversatur Christo, quatenus unitatem corporis ejus mystici suo modo +tollit_. + +4 _Viam facit ad hæresin & separationem à Christo_. + +[176] 1 Cor 9.2. + +[177] _Subsequens consensus_ Jacobi _in_ Leam, _fecit eos conjuges_. +Pareus, _&c._ + +[178] 1 Tim. 4.14. + +[179] Act. 14.23. 1 Tim. 5.22. Tit. 1.5. + +[180] Smectymnuus. _The answer of Mr._ Marshal, _Mr._ Vines, _Mr._ +Caryl, _Mr._ Seaman, returned to the late King, in the Treaty at the +Isle of Wight. + +[181] Ambros. in cap. 4. ad Ephes. & in 1 Tim. 3. Hier. in Tit. 1. & +ad Euagrium. Aug. epist. 19. Chrys. in 1 Tim. 3. + +[182] 2 Tim. 3.13. 2.16, 17. + +[183] Levit. 13, 14. + +[184] Eccl. 12.1. בחרותיך. + +[185] _Discipulum minimum Iesus amavit plurimùm_, Hieron. + +[186] _Non minus placet Deo_ Hosanna _puerorum, quàm Hallelujah +virorum, Dr._ Andrews _in his Preface to the Command._ + +[187] Gal. 6.6. + +[188] Quoted by Dr. Andrewes, in his Preface to the Com. + +[189] Deut. 6.7. ושננתם. + +[190] Zanch. in 4. præceptum. + +[191] Mr. _Cheynell_ in a Sermon before the House of Commons. + +[192] Ephes. 6. εκτρεφειν. + +[193] Dr. _Andrews_ in the forementioned Preface. + +[194] 2 Thess. 1.8. + +[195] Psal. 79.6. + +[196] 1 Tim. 5.21. + +[197] Luk. 19.14, 27. + +[198] Act. 17.32, 34. + +[199] Isa. 49.4. + +[200] Heb. 13.19, 20. + + + + +Subscribed in the Name, and by the Appointment of the Assembly, + + _George Walker_, Moderator. + _Arthur Jackson_, } + _Edmund Calamy_, } Assessors. + + _Roger Drake_, Scriba. + _Elidad Blackwell_, Scriba. + + +FINIS. + + +Reader, be pleased to read in page 111. line 23. _And let every one_, &c. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Vindication of the +Presbyteriall-Govern, by Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44787 *** |