,,the ,,divine ,,right ,,of ,,church ,,government3 ,,wherein ,,it ,,is ,,proved ,,that ,,the ,,presbyterian ,,government1 ,,by ,,preaching ,,and ,,ruling ,,elders1 ,,in ,,sessional1 ,,presbyterial1 ,,and ,,synodical ,,assemblies1 ,,may ,,lay ,,the ,,only ,,lawful ,,claim ,,to ,a ,,divine ,,right1 ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,holy ,,scriptures4 ,a ,,new ,,edition1 ,,corrected ,,and ,,amended4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,sundry ,,ministers ,,of ,,christ ,,within ,,the ,,city ,,of ,,london4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to ,,which ,,is ,,added ,,an ,,appendix1 ,,containing ,,extracts ,,from ,,some ,,of ,,the ,,best ,,authors ,,who ,,have ,,written ,,on ,,church ,,government1 ,,concerning ,,the ,,scriptural ,,qualifications ,,and ,,duties ,,of ,,church ,,members2 ,,the ,,sole ,,right ,,of ,,gospel ,,ministers ,,to ,,preach ,,the ,,gospel2 ,,the ,,people',s ,,divine ,,right ,,to ,,choose ,,their ,,own ,,pastors2 ,,together ,,with ,,an ,,abstract ,,of ,,the ,,arguments ,,of ,,the ,,great ,,dr4 ,,owen 7,,though ,a ,,professed ,,independent7 ,,in ,,favour ,,of ,,the ,,divine ,,right ,,of ,,the ,,office ,,of ,,the ,,ruling ,,elder4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,new ,,york3 ,r4 ,,martin ,,co41 #bf ,,john-,,street4 99 99 99 99 99 ,m4,,dccc4,,xliv4 ,,the ,,editor ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after what the authors of the following ,treatise have said in their preface1 the ,editor judges it unnecessary for him to detain the reader long with any observations of his upon the subject4 ,he1 however1 could sincerely wish that the friends of ,christ would pay that attention to the government and discipline of his ,church which it justly deserves4 ,although this subject should not be placed among the things essential to the being of a ,christian2 yet if it be found among the things that ,christ has commanded1 it is at our peril if we continue wilfully ignorant of1 or despise it4 ,he has expressly declared1 that he who breaks one of the least of his commandments1 and teacheth men to do so1 shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven4 ,it is an opinion too common1 that if we believe the essentials of religion1 there is no occasion for so much preciseness about the forms of church government1 which are only circumstantials1 as there will be no inquiry made about these at the tribunal of ,christ4 ,but whatever relative importance the things of religion may have1 when compared with one another1 we ought to reckon nothing which ,god hath appointed1 nothing which ,jesus hath ratified with his blood1 nothing which the ,holy ,spirit hath indited1 so circumstantial1 as to be unworthy of our serious regard4 ,it is at least very rash1 if not presumptuous1 to say1 that nothing about the circumstantials of religion will be inquired into at the tribunal of ,christ4 ,god has expressly said1 that every work1 good or evil1 every idle word1 and every deed done in the body1 shall be brought into judgment2 and false worshippers will1 perhaps1 find that their form of worship consisted in something worse than idle words1 or sinful words either1 even in sinful deeds1 for which they will be accountable at the judgment4 ,as ,christ laid down his life for his people1 has instructed them1 and has set a hedge about all that they have1 it would be most ungrateful to requite him with pouring the highest contempt on his kingly honor and authority2 and when his worship is polluted1 his truth perverted1 and the walls of his ,new ,testament ,zion broken down1 to care for none of those things4 ,government and discipline are the hedge of his garden1 the ,church2 and how will what men call the essentials of religion remain in their glory1 when this is broken down1 the present state of affairs can sufficiently attest1 when the most damnable errors are propagated with impunity4 ,in our times the enemies of the scriptural order of the house of ,god are very numerous and very active1 exerting all their power to break down the carved work of ,god's sanctuary4 ,the present spirit for novelty and innovation1 together with the rage for infidelity so prevalent1 strongly favors the opposition made to every thing which has a tendency to bind men closely to ,god1 to his truths1 to the purity of his worship and ordinances1 or to one another by a holy profession4 ,the design1 therefore1 of republishing this ,treatise is to assist ,presbyterians of all denominations in the understanding of those passages of ,scripture upon which their wall is built1 that they be not led aside by the cunning speeches of false teachers1 whereby they deceive and draw aside the hearts of the simple4 ,this work was first published at ,london1 at the time when the controversy between the ,presbyterians and ancient ,independents ran very high1 and every intelligent and unprejudiced reader will see1 that the ,holy ,scriptures have been carefully perused1 accurately compared1 wisely collected1 and judiciously explained1 in order to evince that the ,presbyterian government has the only lawful claim to a divine right1 and is the only form appointed by ,christ in his ,church4 ,it is1 therefore1 to be wished1 that all his people would endeavor1 in the strength of ,divine grace1 to observe the laws of his house1 and to walk in all his ordinances and commandments blameless4 ,considerable pains have been taken to make this edition more easily understood by common readers than the former1 and yet several difficult and hard words have passed unnoticed4 ,the ,latin quotations from the ,fathers have been omitted1 because they contain nothing materially different from what is in the body of the work1 and modern ,independents pay little regard to any human authorities but their own4 ,it was proposed to have added a few extracts from ,messrs4 ,rutherford and ,gillespie1 but upon looking into their works nothing of consequence was observed1 that tended to cast any new light upon the subject4 ,it is hoped1 however1 that the ,appendix is filled up with extracts from other authors upon subjects of considerable importance1 and very necessary for these times1 concerning the scriptural qualifications and duties of church members2 the divine right of the gospel ministry2 the people's divine right to choose their own pastors2 with an abstract of ,dr4 ,owen's arguments in favor of the divine right of the ruling elder3 and as there are many serious ,christians who have not a capacity to take up and retain a long chain of reasoning1 a summary of the whole ,treatise is given by way of question and answer as a conclusion4 ,the ,editor is not to be understood as approving of1 or vindicating every single sentiment1 or mode of expression1 used in this ,treatise3 at the same time1 next to the ,holy ,scriptures1 he recommends it as one of the best defences of presbytery which he has seen4 ,that it may be blessed of ,god for informing the ignorant1 settling the wavering1 and establishing the believers of the present ,truth1 is the earnest desire of1 ,christian reader1 ,your humble servant in the ,gospel1 ,t4,h4 ,paisley1 #bhth ,february1 #agii4 ,,preface ,,to ,,the ,,pious ,,and ,,judicious ,,reader4 ,,christian ,,reader3 ,thou hast in the ensuing treatise1 #ast1 a brief delineation of the nature of a divine right1 wherein it consists1 and how many ways a thing may be accounted of divine right1 according to the ,scriptures2 as also1 #b;d1 a plain and familiar description of that church government which seems to have the clearest divine right for it1 and 7of all other contended for7 to be the most consonant and agreeable to the word of ,christ2 which description 7comprehending in itself the whole frame and system of the government7 is in the several branches thereof explained and confirmed by testimonies or arguments from ,scripture2 more briefly1 in particulars which are easily granted2 more largely1 in particulars which are commonly controverted2 yet as perspicuously and concisely in both as the nature of this unusual and comprehensive subject insisted upon would permit4 ,things are handled rather by way of positive assertion1 than of polemical dissertation1 7which too commonly degenerates into verbal strifes1 #a ,tim4 vi4 #c1 #d2 #b ,tim4 ii4 #bc2 and vain-jangling1 #a ,tim4 i4 #f17 and where any dissenting opinions or objections are refuted1 we hope it is with that sobriety1 meekness1 and moderation of spirit1 that any unprejudiced judgment may perceive1 that we had rather gain than grieve those who dissent from us2 that we endeavor rather to heal up than to tear open the rent2 and that we contend more for truth than for victory4 ,to the publication hereof we have been inclinable 7after much importunity7 principally upon deliberate and serious consideration of1 #ast1 the necessity of a treatise of this kind2 #b;d1 the advantage likely to accrue thereupon2 and1 #c;d1 the seasonable opportunity of sending it abroad at such a time as this is4 ,i4 ,the necessity of a treatise of this nature1 is evident and urgent4 ,for1 #a4 ,we hold ourselves obliged1 not only by the common duty of our ministerial calling1 but also by the special bond of our solemn covenant with ,god1 especially in ,art4 #a1 to bend all our best endeavors to help forward a reformation of religion according to the word of ,god1 which can never be effected without a due establishment of the scripture-government and discipline in the ,church of ,god4 ,and to make known what this government is from the law and testimony1 by preaching or writing1 comes properly and peculiarly within the sphere of our place and vocation4 #b4 ,a cloud of darkness and prejudice1 in reference to this matter of church government1 too generally rests upon the judgments and apprehensions of men 7yea of ,god's own people7 among us1 either1 #ast1 through the difficulty or uncommonness of this matter of church government1 7though ancient and familiar in other reformed churches1 yet new and strange to us27 or1 #b;d1 through the strange misrepresentations that are made hereof1 by those that are small friends to the true presbyterial government1 or that are enemies to all church government whatsoever2 or1 #c;d1 through the different opinions about church government1 which are to be found among pious people and ministers3 by all which the weak and unstable minds of many are cast into a maze of many confused thoughts and irresolutions4 #c4 ,though many learned treatises have been published1 some whereof have positively asserted1 others have polemically vindicated divers parts of church government1 and the divine right thereof1 yet hitherto no treatise of this nature is extant1 positively laying open the nature of a divine right1 what it is1 and a system of that government1 which is so1 and proving both by the ,scriptures2 without which1 how shall the judgments and consciences of men be satisfied1 that this is that church government1 according to the word of ,god1 which they have covenanted to endeavor to promote1 and whereto they are obliged to submit8 ,and since it is our lot to travel in an unbeaten path1 we1 therefore1 promise to ourselves1 from all sober and judicious readers1 the greater candor and ingenuity in their measuring of our steps and progress herein4 ,,ii4 ,the advantage which may probably accrue hereupon1 we hope shall be manifold3 ,for1 #a4 ,who can tell but that some of them1 that in some things are misled and contrary-minded1 may be convinced and regained8 and it will be no small reward of our labors if but one erring brother may be brought back4 #b4 ,some satisfaction may redound to such as are of doubtful1 unresolved minds1 by removing of their doubts and scruples1 and ripening of their resolutions1 to settle more safely in point of church government4 #c4 ,those that as yet are unseen in the matter of church government1 or that want money to buy1 or leisure to read many books upon this subject1 may here have much in a little1 and competently inform themselves of the whole body of the government4 #d4 ,consequently upon the attaining of the former ends1 the work of reformation will be much facilitated and smoothed1 the hearts of the people being prepared for the ,lord and his ordinances4 #e4 ,the present attempt 7if it reach not to that completeness and satisfactoriness which is desired7 may yet incite some of our brethren of more acute and polished judgments to embark themselves in some further discoveries for the public benefit of the ,church4 #f4 ,but though it should fall out that in all the former we should be utterly disappointed1 we shall have this peace and comfort upon our own spirits1 that we have not hid our talent in the earth1 nor neglected to bear witness to this part of ,christ's truth1 touching the government of his ,church1 by his kingly power1 wherein ,christ was opposed so much in all ages1 ,psalm ii4 #a1 #b1 #c2 ,luke xix4 #ad1 #bg2 ,acts iv41 and for which ,christ did suffer so much in a special and immediate manner1 as#a some have observed4 ,for this end ,christ came into the world1 7and for this end we came into the ministerial calling17 to bear witness to the truth4 ,,iii4 ,finally1 the present opportunity of publishing a treatise on this subject doth much incite and encourage us therein4 ,for at this time we are beginning1 in this province of ,london1 7and we hope the whole kingdom will1 with all convenient speed1 and due caution1 second us17 to put that covenanted church government into actual execution1 which we have a long time intended in our deliberate resolutions4 ,so that generally we shall be engaged in the government one way or other1 either as acting in it as the church officers1 or as submitting to it as church members3 now1 how shall any truly conscientious person1 either act in it1 or conform and submit unto it with faith1 judgment1 and alacrity1 till he be in some competent measure satisfied of the divine right thereof8 ,will mere prudence1 without a divine right1 be a sufficient basis to erect the whole frame of church government upon1 as some conceive8 ,prudentials1 according to general rules of ,scripture1 may be of use in circumstantials1 but will bare prudentials in substantials also satisfy either our ,god1 our covenant1 our consciences1 or our end in this great work of reformation8 ,what conscientious person durst have a hand in acting as a ruling elder1 did he not apprehend the word of ,god holds forth a divine right for the ruling elder8 ,who durst have a hand in the censures of admonishing the unruly1 excommunicating the scandalous and obstinate1 and of restoring the penitent1 were there not a divine right hereof revealed in the ,scripture1 c4 ,now1 therefore1 that ruling elders1 and the rest of the people1 may begin this happy work conscientiously1 judiciously1 cheerfully1 in some measure perceiving the divine right of the whole government1 wherein they engage themselves1 cleared by ,scripture1 we hope1 by ,god's blessing1 that this small tract will afford some seasonable assistance1 which will be unto us a very acceptable recompense4 ,thus far of the nature of this treatise1 and the grounds of our publishing thereof4 ,in the next place1 a few doubts or scruples touching church government here asserted1 being succinctly resolved1 we shall preface no further4 ,doubt #a4 ,many scruple1 and much question the divine right of the whole frame of church government2 as1 #a4 ,whether there be any particular church government of divine right8 #b4 ,what that government is8 #c4 ,what church officers or members of elderships are of divine right8 #d4 ,whether parochial or congregational elderships be of divine right8 #e4 ,whether classical presbyteries be of divine right8 #f4 ,whether provincial1 national1 and ecumenical assemblies be of divine right8 #g4 ,whether appeals from congregational to classical1 provincial1 national1 and ecumenical assemblies1 and their power to determine upon such appeals1 be of divine right8 #h4 ,whether the power of censures in the congregational eldership1 or any other assembly1 be of divine right8 #i4 ,whether there be any particular rules in the ,scripture directing persons or assemblies in the exercise of their power8 #aj4 ,whether the civil magistrates1 or their committees' and commissioners' execution of church censures be contrary to that way of government which ,christ hath appointed in his ,church8 ,resol4 ,to all or most of these doubts some competent satisfaction may be had from this treatise ensuing1 if seriously considered4 ,for1 #a4 ,that there is a church government of divine right1 now under the ,new ,testament1 declared in ,scripture1 is proved1 ,part ,i4 #b4 ,what that government is in particular1 is evidenced both by the description of church government1 and the confirmation of the parts thereof by ,scripture1 ,part4 ,,ii4 chap4 #a1 and so to the end of the book3 whereby it is cleared that the presbyterial government is that particular government which is of divine right1 according to the word of ,god4 #c4 ,what ordinary church officers1 7members of the several elderships17 are of divine right1 is proved1 ,part ,,ii1 chap4 #aa1 sect4 #a1 viz4 pastors and teachers1 with ruling elders4 #d4 ,that parochial or congregational elderships1 consisting of preaching and ruling elders1 are of divine right1 is manifested1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #ab4 #e4 ,that classical presbyteries1 or assemblies1 and their power in church government1 are of divine right1 is demonstrated1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #ac4 #f4 ,that synodical assemblies1 or councils in general1 7consequently provincial1 national1 or ecumenical councils in particular17 and their power in church government1 are of divine right1 is cleared1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #ad4 #g4 ,that appeals from congregational elderships1 to classical and synodical assemblies1 from lesser to greater assemblies associated1 and power in those assemblies to determine authoritatively in such1 appeals1 are of divine right1 is proved1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #ae4 #h4 ,that the power of church censures is in ,christ's own church officers only as the first subject and proper receptacle there of divine right1 is cleared1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #aa1 sect4 #b1 which officers of ,christ have and execute the said power respectively1 in all the ruling assemblies1 congregational1 classical1 or synodical4 ,see section #c1 and chap4 #ab1 #ac1 #ad1 #ae4 #i4 ,that the ,scriptures hold forth1 touching church government1 not only general1 but also many particular rules1 sufficiently directing both persons and assemblies how they should duly put in execution their power of church1 government4 ,this is made good1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #d2 and those that desire to know which are these rules in particular1 may consult those learned#b centuriators of ,magdeburg1 who have collected and methodically digested1 in the very words of the ,scripture1 a system of canons or rules1 touching church government1 as in the preface to those rules they do profess1 saying1 touching things pertaining to the government of the ,church1 the apostles delivered certain canons1 which we will add in order1 c41 the very heads of which would be too prolix to recite4 #aj4 ,finally1 that neither the supreme civil magistrate1 as such1 nor consequently any commissioner or committees whatsoever1 devised and erected by his authority1 are the proper subject of the formal power of church government1 nor may lawfully1 by any virtue of the magistratical office1 dispense any ecclesiastical censures or ordinances3 but that such undertakings are inconsistent with that way of government which ,christ hath appointed in his ,church1 is evidenced1 ,part ,,ii4 chap4 #i1 well compared with chap4 #aa4 ,doubt #b4 ,but this presbyterial government is likely to be an arbitrary and tyrannical government1 forasmuch as the presbyters of the assembly of divines and others 7who1 ,diotrephes-like1 generally affect domineering7 have desired an unlimited power1 according to their own judgments and prudence1 in excommunicating men from the ordinances in cases of scandal4 ,resol4 ,a heinous charge1 could it be proved against the presbyterial government4 ,now for wiping off this black aspersion1 consider two things1 viz3 ,i4 ,the imputation itself1 which is unjust and groundless2 ,,ii4 ,the pretended ground hereof1 which is false or frivolous4 ,i4 ,the imputation itself is1 that the presbyterial government is likely to be an arbitrary and tyrannical government4 ,ans4 ,how unjust this aspersion6 ,i4 ,what likelihood of arbitrary conduct in this government1 that is1 that it should be managed and carried on according to men's mere will and pleasure8 ,for1 #a4 ,the presbyterial government 7truly so called7 is not in the nature of it any invention of man1 but an ordinance of ,christ2 nor in the execution of it to be stated by the will of man1 but only by the sure word of prophecy1 the sacred ,scriptures4 ,this government allows not of one church officer at all2 nor of one ruling assembly made up of those officers2 nor of one censure or act of power to be done by any officer or assembly2 nor of one ordinance to be managed in the ,church of ,god1 but what are grounded upon1 and warranted by the word of ,god4 ,this government allows no execution of any part thereof1 neither in substantials1 nor circumstantials1 but according to the particular1 or at least1 the general rules of ,scripture respectively4 ,and can that be arbitrary1 which is not at all according to man's will1 but only according to ,christ's rule1 limiting and ordering man's will8 ,or is not the ,scripture a better and safer provision against all arbitrary government in the ,church1 than all the ordinances1 decrees1 statutes1 or whatsoever municipal laws in the world of man's devising1 can be against all arbitrary government in the commonwealth8 ,let not men put out their own eyes1 though others would cast a mist before them4 #b4 ,who can justly challenge the reformed presbyterial churches for arbitrary proceedings in matters of church government1 practised in some of them for above these fourscore years8 ,or where are their accusers8 #c4 ,why should the presbyterial government1 to be erected in ,england1 be prejudged as arbitrary1 before the government be put in execution8 ,when arbitrary conduct appears1 let the adversaries complain4 #d4 ,if any arbitrary conduct hath been discovered in any reformed church1 or shall fall out in ours1 it is or shall be more justly reputed the infirmity and fault of the governors1 than of the government itself4 ,,ii4 ,what probability or possibility of tyranny in the presbyterial government8 ,for1 #a4 ,who should tyrannize1 what persons1 what ruling assemblies8 ,not the ministers2 for1 hitherto they have given no just cause of any suspicion1 since this government was in hand3 and they are counterpoised in all assemblies with a plurality of ruling elders1 it being already studiously#c provided that there be always two ruling elders to one minister3 if there be still two to one1 how should they tyrannize if they would8 ,neither ministers nor ruling elders are likely to tyrannize1 if due care be taken by them1 whom it doth concern1 to elect1 place1 and appoint1 conscientious1 prudent1 and gracious ministers and ruling elders over all congregations4 ,nor yet the ruling assemblies1 lesser or greater2 for in the presbyterial government all lesser ruling assemblies 7though now at first1 perhaps1 some of them consisting of more weak and less experienced members7 are subordinate to the greater authoritatively2 and persons aggrieved by any mal-administrations have liberty to appeal from inferior to superior3 and the very national assembly itself1 though not properly subordinate1 yet is it to be responsible to the supreme political magistracy in all their proceedings so far as subjects and members of the commonwealth4 ,,iii4 ,how can they tyrannize over any8 ,or in what respects8 ,not over their estates3 for they claim no secular power at all over men's estates1 by fines1 penalties1 forfeitures1 or confiscations4 ,not over their bodies1 for they inflict no corporal punishment1 by banishment1 imprisonment1 branding1 slitting1 cropping1 striking1 whipping1 dismembering1 or killing4 ,not over their souls2 for1 them they desire by this government to gain1 ,matth4 xviii4 #ae2 to edify1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj2 and to save1 #a ,cor4 v4 #e4 ,only this government ought to be impartial and severe against sin1 that the flesh may be destroyed1 #a ,cor4 v4 #e4 ,it is only destructive to corruption1 which is deadly and destructive to the soul4 ,thus the imputation itself of arbitrary conduct and tyranny to the presbyterial government is unjust and groundless4 ,,ii4 ,the pretended ground of this aspersion is false and frivolous4 ,the presbyters of the ,assembly of ,divines1 and others 7,diotrephes-like1 affecting pre-eminence7 have desired an unlimited power1 according to their own prudence and judgment1 in keeping men from the ordinances in cases of scandal not enumerated4 ,ans4 #a4 ,the presbyters of the ,assembly and others1 are so far from the domineering humor of ,diotrephes1 that they could gladly and heartily have quitted all intermeddling in church government1 if ,jesus ,christ had not by office engaged them thereto2 only to have dispensed the word and sacraments would have procured them less hatred1 and more case4 #b4 ,they desired liberty to keep from the ordinances1 not only persons guilty of the scandals enumerated1 but of all such like scandals1 7and to judge which are those scandals1 not according to their minds unlimitedly1 but according to the mind of ,christ in his word1 more sure than all ordinances or acts of ,parliament in the world47 ,and was this so hideous a desire8 ,this liberty was desired1 not for themselves1 but for well-constituted elderships4 ,as great power was granted by the very service-book to every single curate2 7see the ,rubric before the communion47 ,a perfect enumeration and description of scandals can be made in no book but in the ,scriptures2 and when all is done1 must we not refer thither8 ,all scandals are punishable1 as well as any1 and to inflict penalties on some1 and not on others as bad or worse1 is inexcusable partiality4 ,why should not presbyteries duly constituted1 especially the greater1 be accounted1 at least1 as faithful1 intelligent1 prudent1 and every way as competent judges of what is scandal1 and what not1 according to the ,scriptures1 and that without arbitrary conduct and tyranny1 as any civil court1 committees1 or commissioners whatsoever8 ,ruling church assemblies are intrusted with the whole government in the church1 consequently with this1 and every part4 ,the best reformed churches allow to their presbyteries power to keep from the ordinances scandalous persons1 not only for scandals enumerated1 but for scandals of like nature not enumerated1 with some general clause or other1 as may appear in eight several churches1 according to the allegations here in the foot-note2#d and1 therefore1 no new thing is desired1 but what is commonly practised in the reformed churches1 whom we should imitate so far as they lead us on towards purity and perfection4 ,doubt #c4 ,but the independent government seems to be a far more excellent way1 and it is embraced by many godly and precious people and ministers4 ,ans4 #a4 ,what true excellency is there at all in the whole independent government1 save only in those particulars wherein it agrees with the presbyterial government2 and only so far as it is presbyterial8 ,therefore1 the presbyterial government is equally1 yea1 primarily and principally excellent4 ,wherein is the excellency of the independent way of government8 #ast4 ,have they only those officers which ,christ himself hath appointed1 pastors and teachers1 ruling elders and deacons8 ,so the ,presbyterians4 #b;d4 ,have they those spiritual censures1 of admonishing1 excommunicating1 and receiving again into communion1 which ,christ ordained in his ,church1 for guarding his ordinances1 and well guiding of the flock8 ,so the ,presbyterians4 #c;d4 ,have they congregational presbyteries duly elected1 and constituted for the exercise of all acts of government1 proper and necessary for their respective congregations8 ,so the ,presbyterians4 #dth4 ,have they liberty of electing their own#e officers1 pastors1 elders1 and deacons8 ,so the ,presbyterians4 #eth4 ,have they power to keep the whole lump of the ,church from being leavened1 and purely to preserve the ordinances of ,christ1 from pollution and profanation1 c48 ,so the ,presbyterians1 c4 ,so that whereinsoever the independent government is truly excellent1 the presbyterial government stands in a full equipage and equality of excellence4 ,,ii4 ,what one true excellence is there in the whole independent government in any one point1 wherein it really differs from the presbyterial government8 ,take for instance a few points of difference4 ,in the independent government4 ,no other visible ,church of ,christ is acknowledged1 but only a single congregational meeting in one place to partake of all ordinances4 ,the matter of their visible ,church must be to their utmost judgment of discerning such as have true grace1 real saints4 ,their churches are gathered out of other true visible churches of ,christ1 without any leave or consent of pastor or flock2 yea1 against their wills1 receiving such as tender themselves1 yea1 too often by themselves or others1 directly or indirectly seducing disciples after them4 ,preaching elders are only elected1 not ordained4 ,ruling elders also preach4 ,the subject of church government is the community of the faithful4 ,the church officers act immediately as the servants of the church1 and deputed thereby4 ,all censures and acts of government are dispensed in single congregations ultimately1 independently1 without all liberty of appeal from them to any superior church assembly2 so the parties grieved are left without remedy4 ,there are acknowledged no authoritative classes or synods1 in common1 great1 difficult cases1 and in matters of appeals1 but only suasive and consultative2 and in case advice be not followed1 they proceed only to a non-communion4 ,in the presbyterial government4 ,one general visible ,church of ,christ on earth is acknowledged1 and all particular churches2 and single congregations are but as similar parts of that whole4 ,the matter of the ,church invisible are only true believers1 but of the ,church visible persons professing true faith in ,christ1 and obedience to him according to the rules of the ,gospel4 ,parochial churches are received as true visible churches of ,christ1 and most convenient for mutual edification4 ,gathering churches out of churches1 hath no footsteps in ,scripture2 is contrary to apostolical practice2 is the scattering of churches1 the daughter of schism1 the mother of confusion1 but the stepmother to edification4 ,preaching elders are both elected and ordained4 ,ruling elders only rule1 preach not1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,the subject of church government is only ,christ's own church officers4 ,the church governors act immediately as the servants of ,christ1 and as appointed by him4 ,all censures and acts of government are dispensed in congregational presbyteries subordinately1 dependently1 with liberty of appeal in all cases to presbyterial or synodal assemblies2 where parties grieved have sufficient remedy4 ,there are acknowledged1 and with happy success used1 not only suasive and consultative2 but also authoritative classes and synods1 in cases of great importance1 difficulty1 common concernment1 or appeals2 which have power to dispense all church censures1 as need shall require4 ,let these and such like particulars in the independent way1 differing from the presbyterial1 be duly pondered1 and then let the impartial and indifferent reader judge1 whether they be not the deformities1 at least the infirmities of that way4 ,,iii4 ,how many true excellences are there in the way of the presbyterial government1 wherein it utterly surpasses the independent government6 ,read but the particulars of the former parallel in the presbyterial government1 and then consider how far this transcends1 yea1 how the independent government is indeed no government at all1 to the presbyterial government2 wherein is to be found such ample provision1 and that according to the word of ,god1 for comely order against confusion2 for peace and unity of the ,church against schism and division2 for truth of the faith against all error and heresy2 for piety and unblamableness against all impiety and scandal of conversation2 for equity and right against all mal-administrations1 whether ignorant1 arbitrary1 or tyrannical2 for the honor and purity of all ,christ's ordinances against all contempt1 pollution1 and profanation2 for comfort1 quickening1 and encouragement of the saints in all the ways of ,christ2 and consequently for the honor of ,god and our ,lord ,jesus ,christ in all the mysterious services of his spiritual sanctuary3 all which rich advantages1 how impossible is it they should ever be found in the independent government so long as it continues independent8 ,and what though some pious minister and people embrace the independent way6 ,this dazzles not the eyes of the intelligent1 but of the infirm2 we are to be regulated by ,scripture warrant1 not by human examples4 ,the best of saints have failed in the ecclesiastical affairs2 what a sharp contention was there between ,paul and ,barnabas1 ,acts xv4 #ci1 c42 what a dangerous dissimulation was there in ,peter1 the ,jews1 and ,barnabas6 ,gal4 ii4 #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 c42 and1 therefore1 it is not safe1 prudent1 or conscientious1 to imitate all the examples of the best1 and yet how few are those that have engaged themselves in the independent way1 in comparison to the multitude of precious ministers and people1 inferior to them neither in parts1 learning1 piety1 nor any other spiritual gift1 who are for the presbyterial way of church government6 ,notwithstanding1 let all the true ,israel of ,god constantly follow1 not the doubtful practices of unglorified saints1 but the written pleasure of the most glorious ,king of saints2 and as many as walk according to this rule1 peace shall be on them1 and upon the ,israel of ,god4 ,,the ,,divine ,,right ,,of ,,church ,,government4 ,,part ,i4 ,,of ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,a ,,divine ,,right3 ,,and ,,how ,,many ,,ways ,a ,,thing ,,may ,,be ,,of ,,divine ,,right4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,that there is a ,government in the ,church of ,,divine ,,right now under the ,new ,testament4 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath the government 7both of the ,church1 and of all things for the ,church7 laid upon his shoulder1 ,isa4 ix4 #f1 and to that end hath all power in heaven and earth given to him1 ,matth4 xxviii4 #ah1 ,john v4 #bb1 ,ephes4 i4 #bb4 ,but lapsed man 7being full of pride1 ,psal4 x4 #b1 #d1 and enmity against the law of ,god1 ,rom4 viii4 #g7 is most impatient of all government of ,god and of ,christ1 ,ps4 ii4 #a1 #b1 #c1 with ,luke xix4 #ad1 #bg2 whence it comes to pass1 that the governing and kingly power of ,christ hath been opposed in all ages1 and especially in this of ours1 by quarrelsome queries1 wrangling disputes1 plausible pretences1 subtle policies1 strong self-interests1 and mere violent wilfulness of many in ,england1 even after they are brought under the oath of ,god to reform church government according to the word of ,god4 ,yet it will be easily granted that there should be a government in the ,church of ,god1 otherwise the ,church would become a mere ,babel and chaos of confusion1 and be in a far worse condition than all human societies in the whole world3 and that some one church government is much to be preferred before another1 yea1 before all other2 as being most desirable in itself1 and most suitable to this state2 otherwise1 why is the ,prelatical government rejected1 that another and a better may be erected instead thereof8 ,but the pinch lies in this1 ,whether there be any government in the ,church visible of divine right8 ,and1 if so1 which of those church governments 7which lay claim to a divine right for their foundation7 may be most clearly evinced by the ,scriptures to be of divine right indeed8 ,if the former be convincingly affirmed1 the fancy of the ,erastians and semi-,erastians of these things will vanish1 that deny all government to the ,church distinct from that of the civil magistrate4 ,if the latter be solidly proved by ,scripture1 it will appear1 whether the monarchical government of the pope and prelates2 or the mere democratical government of all the people in an equal level of authority1 as among the ,brownists2 or the mixed democratical government of both elders and people within their own single congregation only1 without all subordination of ,assemblies1 and benefit of appeals1 as among the ,independents2 or rather the pure representative government of the presbytery or church rulers only1 chosen by the people1 in subordination to superior synodical assemblies1 and with appeals thereto1 as it is among the ,presbyterians1 be that peculiar government which ,jesus ,christ hath left unto his church1 by divine right1 and in comparison of which all others are to be rejected4 ,to draw things therefore to a clear and speedy issue about the divine right of church government1 let this general proposition be laid down-- ,the ,scriptures declare1 ,that there is a government of ,,divine ,,right in the visible ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament4 ,this is evident1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 ,god hath set some in the ,church1 first1 ,apostles1 secondly1 ,prophets1 thirdly1 ,teachers--,helps1 ,governments2 in which place these things are plain3 #a4 ,that here the ,apostle speaks of the visible ,church3 for he had formerly spoken of visible gifts and manifestations of the ,spirit given to profit this ,church withal1 ver4 #g to #ab4 ,he also compares this ,church of ,god to a visible organical body1 consisting of many visible members1 ver4 #ab1 #ac1 c4 ,and in this #bhth verse he enumerates the visible officers of this ,church4 #b4 ,that here the ,apostle speaks of one general visible ,church2 for he saith not churches1 but church1 in the singular number1 that is1 of one2 besides1 he speaks here of the ,church in such a latitude as to comprehend in itself all gifts of the ,spirit1 all members1 and all officers1 both extraordinary and ordinary1 which cannot be meant of the church of ,corinth1 or any one particular church1 but only of that one general ,church on earth4 #c4 ,that this general visible ,church here meant1 is the ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament1 and not under the ,old ,testament2 for he mentions here the ,new ,testament officers only1 ver4 #bh4 #d4 ,that in the visible ,church now under the ,new ,testament1 there is a government settled2 for besides ,apostles1 ,prophets1 and ,teachers1 here is mention of another sort of officer distinct from them all1 called1 in the abstract1 ,governments1 a metaphor from pilots1 mariners1 or shipmasters1 who by their helm1 card1 or compass1 cables1 and other tacklings1 guide1 and order1 turn and twine the ship as necessity shall require2 so these officers called ,governments1 have a power of governing and steering the spiritual vessel of the ,church2 thus1 ,beza on this place1 says he declares the order of ,presbyters1 who are keepers of discipline and church polity4 ,for how improperly should these1 or any officers be styled ,governments in the ,church1 if they had not a power of government in the ,church settled upon them8 ,nor can this be interpreted of the civil magistrate2 for1 when the ,apostle wrote this1 the ,church had her government1 when yet she had no civil magistrate to protect her2 and when did ,god ever take this power from the ,church and settle it upon the civil magistrate8 ,besides1 all the other officers here enumerated are purely ecclesiastical officers2 how groundless then and inconsistent is it under this name of ,governments to introduce a foreign power1 viz4 the political magistrate1 into the list and roll of mere church officers8 ,finally1 the civil magistrate1 as a magistrate1 is not so much as a member of the visible ,church1 7for then all ,pagan magistrates should be members of the ,church17 much less a governor in the ,church of ,christ4 #e4 ,that this government settled in the ,church is of divine right2 for1 of those ,governments1 as well as of ,apostles1 ,prophets1 and ,teachers1 it is said1 ,god hath set them in the ,church4 ,god hath set them1 hath put1 set--,tremellius out of the ,syriac4 ,hath constituted1 ordained--,beza out of the ,greek4 ,now1 if they be set in the ,church and ,god hath set them there1 here is a plain divine right for government in the ,church4 ,add hereto1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 ,of our authority1 which the ,lord hath given to us for the edification1 and not for the destruction of you4 ,here are mentioned--#a4 ,church power or authority for government in the ,church4 #b4 ,the end of this power--positively1 for the edification2 negatively1 not for the destruction of the ,church4 #c4 ,the ,author or ,fountain of this authority--the ,lord ,christ hath given it1 dispensed it2 there is the divine right4 #d4 ,the proper subjects intrusted with this authority1 viz3 the church guides1 our authority1 which he hath given to us4 ,they are the receptacle of power for the ,church1 and the government thereof4 ,compare also #a ,thes4 v4 #ab1 ,matth4 xvi4 #ai1 #bj1 with xviii4 #aa1 and ,john xx4 #ba1 #bb1 #bc4 ,in which and divers like places the divine right of church government is apparently vouched by the ,scripture1 as will hereafter more fully appear2 but this may suffice in general for the confirmation of this general proposition4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,of the ,nature of a ,,divine ,,right in general4 ,now touching this divine right of church government1 two things are yet more particularly to be opened and proved1 for the more satisfactory clearing thereof unto sober minds1 to unprejudiced and unpre-engaged judgments1 viz3--#a4 ,what the nature of a divine right is1 and how many ways a thing may be said to be of divine right1 and that by warrant of ,scripture4 #b4 ,what the nature of the government of the ,church under the ,new ,testament is1 which is vouched by the ,scripture to be of divine right4 ,for the first--viz4 ,what the nature of a divine right is--consider both what a divine right is in general1 and how many ways a thing may be said by ,scripture warrant to be of divine right in particular4 ,right is that which is most proper1 just1 or equal2 or that which is prescribed or commanded by some statute law1 and is just to be received in virtue of said law4 ,divine sometimes points out a divine warrant or authority from ,god1 engraven or enstamped upon any thing1 whereby it is exalted above all human or created authority and power4 ,and thus1 all ,scripture is styled divinely breathed or inspired of ,god4 ,hence is the divine authority of ,scripture asserted1 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1 #ag2 and in this sense divine right is here spoken of1 in reference to church government1 as it signifies a divine warrant and authority from ,god himself1 engraven upon that church government and discipline1 7hereafter to be handled17 and revealed to us in his holy ,scriptures1 the infallible and perfect oracles4 ,so that divine right1 according to this interpretation of the terms1 is that which is either just1 meet1 and equal2 or commanded and enjoined by any divine warrant or authority4 ,and generally1 a thing may be said to be of divine right1 which is any way divinely just1 equal1 c42 or divinely commanded by any law of ,god1 or by that which is equivalent to a divine law4 ,and whatsoever matters in church government can be proved by ,scripture to have this stamp of divine warrant and authority set upon them1 they may properly be said to be of divine right1 and that by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ1 to whom ,god hath delegated all power and authority for the government of his ,church1 ,matth4 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai1 #bj1 ,isa4 ix4 #f1 ,john v4 #bb1 ,eph4 i4 #bb4 ,in this sense1 if church government1 or any part of it1 be found to be of divine right1 then consequently--#a4 ,it is above all mere human power and created authority in the world whatsoever1 and that supereminently4 ,a divine right is the highest and best tenure whereby the ,church can hold of ,christ any doctrine1 worship1 or government2 only ,god can stamp such a divine right upon any of these things1 whereby conscience shall be obliged4 ,all human inventions herein1 whether devised of our own hearts1 or derived as traditions from others1 are incompatible and inconsistent herewith2 vain in themselves1 and to all that use them1 and condemned of ,god4 ,see #a ,kings xii4 #cb1 #cc1 ,isa4 xxix4 #d1 ,matth4 xv4 #f1 #g1 #h1 #i4 #b4 ,it is beyond all just1 human1 or created power1 to abolish or oppose the same1 or the due execution thereof in the ,church of ,christ2 for what is of divine right1 is held of ,god1 and not of man2 and to oppose that1 were to fight against ,god4 ,the supreme magistrates in such cases should be nurse-fathers1 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc1 not step-fathers to the ,church2 their power being cumulative and perfective1 not privative and destructive unto her2 for she both had and exercised a power in church government1 long before there was any ,christian magistrate in the world2 and it cannot be proved that ever ,christ took away that power from his ,church1 or translated it to the political magistrate1 when he became ,christian4 #c4 ,it is so obligatory upon all churches in the whole ,christian world1 that they ought uniformly to submit themselves unto it2 for a divine right is equally obligatory on one church as well as on another4 ,and it is so obligatory on all persons1 states1 and degrees1 that none ought to be exempted from that church government which is of divine right1 nor to be tolerated in another church government1 which is but of human invention2 nor ought any ,christian to seek after1 or content himself with any such exemption or toleration2 for in so doing1 the inventions of men should be preferred before the ordinances of ,god2 our own wisdom1 will1 and authority1 before the wisdom1 will1 and authority of ,christ3 and we should in effect say1 ,we will not have this man to reign over us1 ,luke xix4 #bg4 ,let us break their bands asunder1 and cast their cords away from us1 ,psalm ii4 #c4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,of the ,nature of a ,,divine ,,right in particular4 ,how many ways a thing may be of ,,divine ,,right4 ,and first1 of a ,,divine ,,right by the true light of nature4 ,thus we see in general what a divine right is3 now in particular let us come to consider how many ways a thing may be said to be of divine right by scripture-warrant1 keeping still our eye upon this subject of church government1 at which all particulars are to be levelled for the clearing of it4 ,a thing may be said to be of divine right1 or 7which is the same for substance7 of divine institution1 divers ways4 #a4 ,by the true light of nature4 #b4 ,by obligatory scripture examples4 #c4 ,by divine approbation4 #d4 ,by divine acts4 #e4 ,by divine precepts or mandates4 ,all may be reduced to these five heads1 ascending by degrees from the lowest to the highest divine right4 ,i4 ,by light of nature4 ,that which is evident by1 and consonant to the true light of nature1 or natural reason1 is to be accounted of divine right in matters of religion4 ,hence two things are to be made out by ,scripture4 #a4 ,what is meant by the true light of nature4 #b4 ,how it may be proved1 that what things in religion are evident by1 or consonant to this true light of nature1 are of divine right4 #a4 ,for the first1 ,what is meant by the true light of nature1 or natural reason8 ,thus conceive4 ,the light of nature may be considered two ways4 #a4 ,as it was in man before the fall1 and so it was that image and similitude of ,god1 in which man was at first created1 ,gen4 i4 #bf1 #bg1 or at least part of that image2 which image of ,god1 and light of nature1 was con-created with man1 and was perfect3 viz4 so perfect as the sphere of humanity and state of innocency did require2 there was no sinful darkness1 crookedness1 or imperfection in it2 and whatsoever was evident by1 or consonant to this pure and perfect light of nature1 in respect either of theory or practice1 was doubtless of divine right1 because correspondent to that divine law of ,god's image naturally engraved in ,adam's heart4 ,but man being lapsed1 this will not be now our question1 as it is not our case4 #b4 ,as it is now in man after the fall4 ,the light of nature and image of ,god in man is not totally abolished and utterly razed by the fall2 there remain still some relics and fragments thereof1 some glimmerings1 dawnings1 and common principles of light1 both touching piety to ,god1 equity to man1 and sobriety to a man's self1 c41 as is evident by comparing these places1 ,psal4 xix4 #a1 #b1 c41 ,acts xiv4 #ag1 and xvii4 #bg1 #bh2 ,rom4 i4 #ah-ba1 and ii4 #ab1 #ad1 #ae2 #b ,cor4 v4 #a3 in which places it is plain1 #a4 ,that the book of the creature is able 7without the scriptures1 or divine revelations7 to make known to man much of ,god1 his invisible ,godhead and attributes1 ,psalm xix4 #a1 #b1 c42 ,acts xiv4 #ag1 and xvii4 #bg1 #bh2 yea1 so far as to leave them without excuse1 ,rom4 i4 #ah-ba4 #b4 ,that there remained so much natural light in the minds even of the heathens1 as to render them capable of instruction by the creature in the invisible things of ,god2 yea1 and that they actually in some measure did know ,god1 and because they walked not up to this knowledge1 were plagued1 ,rom4 i4 #ah-ba1 #bd1 c4 #c4 ,that the work of the law 7though not the right ground1 manner1 and end of that work1 which is the blessing of the new covenant1 ,jer4 xxxi4 #cc2 ,heb4 viii4 #aj7 was materially written in some measure in their hearts4 ,partly because they did by nature without the law the things contained in the law1 so being a law to themselves1 ,rom4 ii4 #ad1 #ae2 partly1 because they by nature forbore some of those sins which were forbidden in the law1 and were practised by some that had the law1 as #b ,cor4 v4 #a2 and partly1 because according to the good and bad they did1 c41 their conscience did accuse or excuse1 ,rom4 ii4 #ae4 ,now conscience doth not accuse or excuse but according to some rule1 principle1 or law of ,god1 7which is above the conscience17 or at least so supposed to be4 ,and they had no law but the imperfect characters thereof in their own hearts1 which were not quite obliterated by the fall4 ,now so far as this light of nature after the fall1 is a true relic of the light of nature before the fall1 that which is according to this light may be counted of divine right in matters of religion1 which is the next thing to be proved4 ,for the second1 how it may be proved that what things in religion are evident by1 or consonant to this true light of nature1 are of divine right4 ,thus briefly1 #a4 ,because that knowledge which by the light of nature ,gentiles have of the invisible things of ,god1 is a beam of divine light1 as the apostle1 speaking of the ,gentiles' light of nature1 saith1 ,that which may be known of ,god is manifest in them--for ,god hath showed it to them4 ,for the invisible things1 c41 ,rom4 i4 #ai1 #bj4 ,god himself is the ,fountain and ,author of the true light of nature2 hence some not unfitly call it the divine light of nature1 not only because it hath ,god for its object1 but also ,god for its principle2 now that which is according to ,god's manifestation1 must needs be of divine right4 #b4 ,because the ,spirit of ,god and of ,christ in the ,new ,testament is pleased often to argue from the light of nature in condemning of sin1 in commending and urging of duty1 as in the case of the incestuous ,corinthian2 ,it is reported commonly1 that there is fornication among you1 and such fornication as is not so much as named among the ,gentiles1 7who had only the light of nature to guide them17 #a ,cor4 v4 #a4 ,in case of the habits of men and women in their public church assemblies1 that women's heads should be covered1 men's uncovered in praying or prophesying4 ,judge in yourselves1 is it comely that a woman pray unto ,god uncovered8 ,doth not even nature itself teach you1 that if a man hath long hair1 it is a shame to him8 but if a woman have long hair it is a glory to her1 c41 #a ,cor4 xi4 #ac-ae4 ,here the apostle appeals plainly to the very light of nature for the regulating and directing of their habits in church assemblies2 and thus1 in case of praying or prophesying in the congregation in an unknown tongue1 7unless some do interpret17 he strongly argues against it from the light of nature1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #g-aa1 and afterwards urges that women be silent in their churches1 from the natural uncomeliness of their speaking there1 for it is a shame for women to speak in the church1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd1 #ce4 ,now1 if the ,spirit of ,god condemn things as vicious1 and commend things as virtuous from the light of nature1 is there not divine right in the light of nature8 ,may we not say1 that which is repugnant to the light of nature in matters of religion1 is condemned by divine right2 and what is correspondent to the light of nature1 is prescribed by divine right8 ,and if not1 where is the strength or force of this kind of arguing from the light of nature8 ,consequently1 in the present case of church government1 that which is agreeable to the true light of nature1 must needs be confessed to be of divine right4 ,though the light of nature be but dim1 yet it will lend some help in this particular3 e4g4 the light of nature teaches1 #a4 ,that as every society in the world hath a distinct government of its own within itself1 without which it could not subsist1 so must the ,church1 which is a society1 have its own distinct government within itself1 without which it cannot subsist more than any other society4 #b4 ,that in all matters of difference the lesser number in every society should give way to1 and the matters controverted be determined and concluded by the major part2 else there would never be an end3 and why not so in the ,church8 #c4 ,that in every ill administration in inferior societies the parties aggrieved should have liberty to appeal from them to superior societies1 that equity may take place2 and why not from inferior to superior church assemblies8 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,ii4 ,of a ,divine ,right by obligatory ,scripture ,examples4 ,,ii4 ,by obligatory scripture examples 7which ,god's people are bound to follow and imitate7 matters of religion become of divine right1 and by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ1 by whose ,spirit those examples were recorded in ,scripture1 and propounded for imitation to the saints4 ,the light of nature in this case helps something2 but the light of obligatory scripture examples helps much more1 as being more clear1 distinct1 and particular4 ,we say scripture examples2 for only these examples are held forth to us by an infallible1 impartial1 divine hand1 and those scripture examples obligatory1 or binding2 for there are many sorts of scripture examples that oblige not us to imitation of them1 being written for other uses and purposes4 ,great use is to be made of such examples in matters of religion1 and particularly in matters of church government1 for the clearing of the divine right thereof2 and great opposition is made by some against the binding force of examples1 especially by men of perverse spirits1 7as too many of the ,erastian party are27 therefore it will be of great consequence to unfold and clear this matter of scripture examples1 and the obliging power thereof1 that we may see how far examples are to be a law and rule for us by divine right4 ,in general1 this proposition seems to be unquestionable1 that whatsoever matter or act of religion ,jesus ,christ makes known to his ,church and people1 by or under any binding scripture example1 that matter or act of religion so made known1 is of divine right1 and by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ3 ,but to evince this more satisfactorily1 these several particulars are to be distinctly made good and manifested3 #a4 ,that some scripture examples are obligatory and binding on ,christians in matters of religion4 #b4 ,which are those obligatory scripture examples8 ,these things being made out1 we shall see with what strength scripture examples hold forth a divine right to us in the mysteries of religion1 and particularly in church government4 ,i4 ,that some scripture examples in matters of religion are obligatory on ,christians1 as patterns and rules1 which they are bound in conscience to follow and imitate1 is evident1 #a4 ,by the divine intention of the ,spirit of ,god1 in recording and propounding of examples in ,scripture3 for he records and propounds them for this very end1 that they may be imitated4 ,thus ,christ's humility1 in washing the feet of his disciples1 was intentionally propounded as an obligatory example1 binding both the disciples1 and us after them1 to perform the meanest offices of love in humility to one another4 ,if ,i then1 your ,lord and ,master1 have washed your feet1 ye ought also to wash one another's feet4 ,for ,i have given you an example1 that ye should do as ,i have done to you1 ,john xiii4 #d1 c41 #ac-ae4 ,thus ,christ's suffering with innocence and unprovoked patience1 not reviling again1 c41 is purposely propounded for all ,christians to imitate1 and they are bound in conscience as well as they can to follow it--,christ suffered for us1 leaving us an example1 that ye should follow his steps1 c41 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ba-bc4 ,hence1 the apostle so urges the example of ,christ for the ,corinthians to follow in their bounty to the poor saints1 yea1 though to their own impoverishing1 ,for you know the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that though he was rich1 yet for your sakes he became poor1 that ye through his poverty might be rich1 #b ,cor4 viii4 #i4 ,nor was the example of ,christ only written for our imitation2 but the examples of the apostles also in the primitive churches were intentionally left upon record for this end1 that they might be binding patterns for us to follow in like cases in after ages4 ,and in particular1 this seems to be one singular ground1 scope1 and intention of ,christ's ,spirit in writing the history of the ,acts of the ,apostles1 that the apostles' acts in the primitive churches might be our rules in successive churches4 ,for1 #a4 ,though this book contain in it many things dogmatical1 that is1 divers doctrines of the apostles1 yet it is not styled the book of the doctrine1 but of the ,acts of the ,apostles1 that we may learn to act as they acted4 ,this being one main difference between profane and sacred histories2 those are for speculation1 these also for admonition and imitation1 #a ,cor4 x4 #aa4 ,the history1 therefore1 of the ,acts propounds examples admonitory and obligatory upon us1 that we should express like acts in like cases4 #b4 ,luke 7the penman of the ,acts7 makes such a transition from his history of ,christ1 to this history of ,christ's apostles1 as to unite and knit them into one volume1 ,acts i4 #a2 whence we are given to understand1 that if the ,church wanted this history of the apostles1 she should want that perfect direction which the ,spirit intended for her3 as also that this book is useful and needful to her as well as the other4 #c4 ,in the very front of the ,acts it is said1 that ,christ after his resurrection 7and before his ascension7 gave commandments to the apostles--and spake of the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god1 ,acts i4 #b1 #c2 viz4 of the polity of the ,church1 say some4#f ,of the kingdom of grace1 say others4#g ,judicious ,calvin#h interprets it partly of church government1 saying1 ,luke admonisheth us1 that ,christ did not so depart out of the world1 as to cast off all care of us3 for by this doctrine he shows that he hath constituted a perpetual government in his ,church4 ,therefore ,luke signifies1 that ,christ departed not1 before he had provided for his ,church's government4 ,now those expressions are set in the frontispiece1 to stamp the greater authority and obligatory power upon the acts after recorded1 being done according to ,christ's commandments2 ,christ intending their acts in the first founding of his kingdom and polity ecclesiastic to be the rule for after churches4 ,for what ,christ spoke of his kingdom to the apostles is like that1 ,what ,i say to you1 ,i say to all1 ,matt4 xiii4 #cg1 as what was said to the apostles touching preaching and baptizing1 remitting and retaining of sins1 was said to all the apostles' successors1 to the end of the world1 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc1 with ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj4 #b4 ,by ,god's approving and commending such as were followers not only of the doctrine1 but also of the examples of the ,lord1 his apostles1 and primitive churches2 ,and ye became followers 7or imitators7 of us and of the ,lord1 #a ,thess4 i4 #f1 #g2 and again1 ,ye1 brethren1 became followers 7or imitators7 of the churches of ,god1 which in ,judea are in ,christ ,jesus3 for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen1 even as they have of the ,jews1 #a ,thess4 ii4 #ad4 ,in which places the ,holy ,ghost recites the ,thessalonians imitating of the ,lord1 of the apostles1 and of the churches1 to the praise of the ,thessalonians1 by which they are given to understand that they did well1 and discharged their duty in such imitations3 for ,god's condemning or commending any thing1 is virtually a prohibiting or prescribing thereof4 #c4 ,by the ,lord's commanding some examples to be imitated4 ,commands of this nature are frequent4 ,in general1 ,beloved1 imitate not that which is evil1 but that which is good1 #c ,john #aa4 ,in particular1 #a4 ,imitating of ,god and ,christ2 ,be ye1 therefore1 followers of ,god as dear children3 and walk in love1 as ,christ also hath loved us1 ,eph4 v4 #a1 #b1 with ,eph4 iv4 #cb4 ,he that saith he abideth in him1 ought himself also to walk1 even as he walked1 #a ,john ii4 #f4 #b4 ,imitating the apostles and other saints of ,god4 ,i beseech you1 be ye imitators of me3 for this cause have ,i sent unto you ,timothy--who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in ,christ1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #af1 #ag4 ,be ye imitators of me1 even as ,i also am of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #a4 ,those things which you have both learned1 and received1 and heard1 and seen in me1 do3 and the ,god of peace shall be with you1 ,phil4 iv4 #i4 ,be not slothful1 but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises1 ,heb4 vi4 #ab4 ,whose faith imitate1 considering the end of their conversation1 ,heb4 xiii4 #g4 ,take1 my brethren1 the prophets1 who have spoken in the name of the ,lord1 for an example 7or pattern7 of suffering affliction1 and of patience1 ,james v4 #aj4 ,these and like divine commands infallibly evidence that many scripture examples are obligatory1 and do bind our consciences to the imitation of them4 #d4 ,by consent of orthodox and learned writers1 both ancient and modern1 acknowledging an obligatory force in some scripture examples1 as being left upon record for our imitation4 ,as among others ,chrysostom1#i and ,greg4 ,nyssen#aj well observe4 ,among modern writers1 ,mr4 ,perkins excellently observes1 ,this is a rule in divinity1 that the ordinary examples of the godly approved in ,scripture1 being against no general precept1 have the force of a general rule1 and are to be followed4 ,see also ,pet4 ,martyr1 ,calvin1 and others4#aa ,,ii4 ,thus1 it is clear that some scripture examples are obligatory4 ,now 7to come closer to the matter7 consider which scripture examples are obligatory4 #a4 ,how many sorts of binding examples are propounded to us in ,scripture4 #b4 ,what rules we may walk by for finding out the obligatory force of such examples4 ,how many sorts of binding examples are propounded unto us in ,scripture1 and which are those examples8 ,ans4 ,there are principally three sorts1 viz3 ,examples of ,god1 of ,christ1 of ,christians4 ,i4 ,of ,god4 ,the example of ,god is propounded in ,scripture as obligatory on us in all moral excellencies and actions3 e4g4 ,matt4 v4 #dd1 #de1 #dh2 ,eph4 v4 #a2 #a ,pet4 i4 #ad-af2 #a ,john iv4 #aj1 #aa4 ,,ii4 ,of ,christ4 ,that the example of ,christ is obligatory1 and a binding rule to us for imitation1 is evident by these and like testimonies of ,scripture1 ,matt4 xi4 #bi2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #aa2 ,eph4 v4 #b1 #c1 #be1 c42 #a ,john ii4 #f2 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ba-bc4 ,if ,i then1 your ,lord and ,master1 have washed your feet1 ye ought also to wash one another's feet4 ,for ,i have given you an example1 that ye should do as ,i have done to you1 ,john xiii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,in this place we must follow the reason of the example1 rather than the individual act1 viz3 after ,christ's example1 we must be ready to perform the lowest and meanest offices of love and service to one another4 ,but which of ,christ's examples are obligatory on ,christians1 will better appear1 by distinguishing the several sorts of ,christ's actions4 ,christ's actions were of several kinds2 and to imitate them all is neither needful1 nor possible1 nor warrantable4 ,orthodox writers thus rank ,christ's actions3 #a4 ,some of ,christ's actions were of divine power and virtue2 as his miracles1 turning water into wine1 ,john ii4 #g1 c42 walking on the sea1 ,mark vi4 #dh1 #di2 dispossessing of devils by his word1 ,mark i4 #bg2 ,luke iv4 #cf2 curing one born blind with clay and spittle1 ,john ix42 healing the sick by his word or touch1 ,john iv4 #ej2 ,mark vi4 #ef2 raising the dead to life again1 as ,john xii4 #a2 ,matt4 xi4 #e2 ,luke vii4 #bb4 #b4 ,some were acts of divine prerogative1 as sending for the ass and colt1 without first asking the owner's leave1 ,matt4 xxi4 #b1 c4 #c4 ,some mediatory1 done by him as ,mediator1 ,prophet1 ,priest1 and ,king of his ,church3 e4g4 inditing the ,scripture1 called therefore the word of ,christ1 ,col4 iii4 #af2 laying down his life for the sheep1 ,john x4 #ae1 c42 giving of the ,spirit1 ,john xx4 #bb2 ,acts ii42 appointing of his own officers1 and giving them commissions1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #aj1 #aa2 ,matt4 x4 and xxviii4 #ah-bj2 instituting of new1 and thereby abrogating of old ordinances1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bc1 c4 #d4 ,some accidental1 occasional1 incidental1 or circumstantial1 as in the case of his celebrating his supper1 that it was at night1 not in the morning2 after supper1 not before2 with none but men1 none but ministers2 with unleavened1 not with leavened bread1 c42 these circumstantials were accidentally occasioned by the passover1 nature of his family1 c4 #e4 ,some acts of ,christ were moral1 as ,matt4 xi4 #bi2 ,eph4 v4 #b1 #c1 #be1 c42 or at least founded upon a moral reason and foundation1 as ,john xiii4 #ad1ae4 ,to imitate ,christ in his three first sort of acts1 is utterly unlawful1 and in part impossible4 ,to imitate him in his circumstantial acts from necessity1 were to make accidentals necessary1 and happily to border upon superstition2 for1 to urge any thing above what is appointed1 as absolutely necessary1 is to urge superstition2 and to yield to any thing above what is appointed1 as simply necessary1 were to yield to superstition4 ,but to imitate ,christ in his moral acts1 or acts grounded upon a moral reason1 is our duty3 such acts of ,christ ought to be the ,christian's rules4 ,,iii4 ,of prophets1 apostles1 saints1 or primitive churches4 ,that their examples are obligatory1 is evident by these places1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #a2 ,phil4 iv4 #h1 #i2 #a ,pet4 iii4 #d1 #e1 #f2 #a ,thess4 i4 #f1 and ii4 #ad2 ,heb4 xiii4 #g2 ,james v4 #aj1 #aa2 #c ,john #aa4 ,which of their examples are obligatory1 may be thus resolved1 by distinguishing of their actions4 #a4 ,some were sinful2 written for our caution and admonition1 not for our imitation3 as #a ,cor4 x4 #e1 #f1 #aj1 #ab4 ,that neither the just be lifted up into pride by security1 nor the unjust be hardened against the medicine through despair4 ,see the fourth rule following4 #b4 ,some were heroical2 done by singular instinct and instigation of the ,spirit of ,god2 as divers acts may be presumed to be1 7though we read not the instinct clearly recorded37 as1 ,elias's calling for fire from heaven1 #b ,kings i4 #aj2 which the very apostles might not imitate1 not having his spirit1 ,luke ix4 #ed1 #ee2 ,phinehas's killing the adulterer and adulteress1 ,numb4 xxv4 #g1 #h2 ,samson's avenging himself upon his enemies by his own death1 ,judges xvi4 #cj1 of which1 saith ,bernard1 if it be defended not to have been his sin1 it is undoubtedly to be believed he had private counsel1 viz4 from ,god1 for his fact2 ,david's fighting with ,goliath of ,gath the giant1 hand to hand1 #a ,sam4 xvii4 #cb1 c41 which is no warrant for private duels and quarrels4 ,such heroic acts are not imitable but by men furnished with like heroic spirit1 and instinct divine4 #c4 ,some were by special calling1 and singular extraordinary dispensation3 as ,abraham's call to leave his own country for pilgrimage in ,canaan1 ,gen4 xii4 #a1 #d1 which is no warrant for popish pilgrimages to the holy land1 c42 ,abraham's attempts1 upon ,god's special trying commands1 to kill and sacrifice his son1 ,gen4 xxii4 #aj1 no warrant for parents to kill or sacrifice their children2 the ,israelites borrowing of1 and robbing the ,egyptians1 ,exod4 xii4 #ce1 no warrant for cozenage1 stealing1 or for borrowing with intent not to pay again3 compare ,rom4 xiii4 #h2 #a ,thess4 iv4 #f2 ,psal4 xxxvii4 #ba2 the ,israelites taking usury of the ,canaanitish strangers1 7who were destined to ruin both in their states and persons1 ,deut4 xx4 #ae-ag17 ,deut4 xxiii4 #bj1 which justifies neither their nor our taking usury of our brethren1 ,lev4 xxv4 #cf1 #cg2 ,deut4 xxiii4 #ai1 #bj2 ,neh4 v4 #g1 #aj2 ,psal4 xv4 #e2 ,prov4 xxviii4 #h2 ,ezek4 xviii4 #h1 #ac1 #ag1 and xxii4 #ab2 ,john ,baptist's living in the desert1 ,mat4 iii41 no protection for popish hermitage1 or proof that it is a state of greater perfection1 c4 #d4 ,some were only accidental or occasional1 occasioned by special necessity of times and seasons1 or some present appearance of scandal1 or some such accidental emergency4 ,thus primitive ,christians had all things common1 ,acts iv4 #cb1 but that is no ground for anabaptistical community4 ,paul wrought at his trade of tent-making1 made his hands minister to his necessities1 ,acts xx4 #cd2 would not take wages for preaching to the church of ,corinth1 #b ,cor4 xi4 #g-i2 but this lays no necessity on ministers to preach the gospel gratis1 and maintain themselves by their own manual labors1 except when cases and seasons are alike1 ,gal4 vi4 #f-h2 #a ,cor4 ix4 #f-ac2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #ah4 #e4 ,some were of a moral nature1 and upon moral grounds1 wherein they followed ,christ1 and we are to follow them1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #a2 ,phil4 iv4 #h1 #i1 and other places forementioned2 for1 whatsoever actions were done then1 upon such grounds as are of a moral1 perpetual1 and common concernment to one person as well as another1 to one church as well as another1 in one age as well as another1 those actions are obligatory on all1 and a rule to after generations4 ,thus the baptizing of women in the primitive churches1 ,acts viii4 #ab1 and xvi4 #ae1 though only the males were circumcised under the ,old ,testament1 is a rule for our baptizing of women as well as men1 they being all one in ,christ1 ,gal4 iii4 #bh4 ,so the admitting of infants to the first initiating sacrament of the ,old ,testament1 circumcision1 because they with their parents' were accounted within the covenant of grace by ,god1 ,gen4 xvii41 is a rule for us now to admit infants to the first initiating sacrament of the ,new ,testament1 baptism1 because infants are federally holy1 and within the covenant with their believing parents now1 as well as then1 ,rom4 xi4 #af2 #a ,cor4 vii4 #ad2 ,col4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 ,thus the baptizing of divers persons formerly1 though into no particular congregation1 nor as members of any particular congregation1 as the eunuch1 ,acts viii42 ,lydia1 ,acts xvi42 the jailer1 ,acts xvi42 because it was sufficient they were baptized into that one general visible body of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ab1 #ac1 is a rule for us what to do in like cases upon the same common ground4 ,thus the ,church's practice of preaching the word1 and breaking bread on the first day of the week1 ,acts xx4 #g1 c41 is our rule for sanctifying the ,lord's day1 by celebrating the word1 sacraments1 and other holy ordinances1 at these times4 ,and in like manner1 the primitive practices of ordaining preaching presbyters1 by laying on of hands1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad2 #b ,tim4 i4 #f2 ,acts xiii4 #c2 of governing all the congregations of a city by one common presbytery1 in which respect they are all called by the name of one church1 as the church of ,jerusalem1 ,acts viii4 #a1 and xv4 #d2 the church of ,antioch1 ,acts xiii4 #a1 and xi4 #be1 #bf2 the church of ,corinth1 #a ,cor4 i4 #b1 #b ,cor4 i4 #a2 which had churches in it1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd4 ,of healing common scandals and errors1 troubling divers presbyterial churches by the authoritative decrees of a synod1 made up of members from divers presbyterial churches1 as ,acts xv41 and such like1 are our rules in like particulars1 which the ,lord hath left for our direction1 the same grounds of such actions reaching us as well as them4 ,now this last kind of examples are those which we are1 by divers divine commands1 especially enjoined to follow2 and therefore such examples amount to a divine right or institution2 and what we ought to do by virtue of such binding examples is of divine right1 and by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ4 ,what discriminatory notes or rules may we walk by1 for finding out the obligatory force of scripture examples2 and what manner of examples those be8 ,for discovery hereof1 take these ensuing general rules3 #a4 ,those examples in ,scripture1 which the ,spirit of ,christ commands us to imitate1 are undoubtedly obligatory4 ,such are the moral examples of ,god1 ,christ1 apostles1 prophets1 saints1 and churches1 recorded in ,scripture1 with command to follow them1 ,eph4 iv4 #cb1 and v4 #a1 #b2 #a ,john ii4 #f2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #a2 ,phil4 iv4 #f2 ,heb4 vi4 #ab1 and xiii4 #g2 ,james v4 #aj2 #c ,john #aa4 #b4 ,those examples in ,scripture1 which the ,spirit of ,christ commends and praises1 are obligatory2 his commendings are virtual commandings2 and we ought to follow whatsoever is praiseworthy1 especially in ,god's account1 ,phil4 iv4 #h1 #i2 #b ,cor4 x4 #ah4 ,now the ,spirit of ,christ commends many examples to us3 as1 ,enoch's walking with ,god1 ,gen4 v4 #bd2 ,noah's uprightness1 ,gen4 vi42 ,abraham's faith1 ,rom4 iv41 and obedience1 ,gen4 xxii42 ,lot's zeal against ,sodom's sins1 #b ,pet4 ii4 #i2 ,job's patience1 ,james v4 #aj1 #aa4 ,and in a word1 all the examples of the saints1 which the ,lord approves and speaks well of2 as ,heb4 xi42 #a ,pet4 iii4 #e1 #f3 together with all such examples1 whose imitation by others is commended in ,scripture2 as1 #a ,thess4 i4 #f1 #g1 and ii4 #ad4 #c4 ,those examples in ,scripture are obligatory1 whose ground1 reason1 scope1 or end1 are obligatory1 and of a moral nature1 and as much concern one ,christian as another1 one church as another1 one time as another1 c41 whether they be the examples under the ,old or ,new ,testament4 ,thus the example of the church of ,corinth1 in excommunicating the incestuous person1 because he was a wicked person--and lest he should leaven the whole lump2 and that they might keep the evangelical passover sincerely1 and for that they had power to judge them within2 and that his flesh might be destroyed1 and his spirit saved in the day of the ,lord ,jesus1 #a ,cor4 v4 #e-h1 #aa-ac3 which grounds and ends being moral1 oblige us to use the like remedy against all wicked and scandalous persons4 #d4 ,those acts which are propounded in ,scripture as patterns or examples1 that we should act the like good1 or avoid the like ill1 are an obligatory law to us4 ,there is an example of caution1 and an example of imitation4 ,thus in reference to well-doing1 or suffering for well-doing1 the examples of ,christ1 his apostles1 and other saints1 are propounded as patterns to write after1 as ,john xiii4 #ad1 #ae2 ,heb4 xi4 tot4 with ,heb4 xii4 #a1 with such a cloud of witnesses4 ,this verse is as the epilogue of the former chapter1 7saith the learned ,calvin17 showing to what end the catalogue of saints was reckoned up1 who under the law excelled in faith1 viz3 that every one may fit himself to imitate them4 ,another adds1#ab ,he calls them a cloud1 whereby we may be directed2 in allusion to that cloud that went before ,israel in the wilderness1 to conduct them to the land of ,canaan4 ,see also #a ,pet4 ii4 #ba-bc2 ,james v4 #aj4 ,thus also1 in reference to ill-doing1 that it may be avoided by us1 the bad examples of saints and others are laid before us as warnings and cautions to us1 binding us to eschew like evils1 #a ,cor4 x4 #e1 #f1 #aa4 ,now these things were our examples1 to the intent we should not lust after evil things1 as they also lusted4 ,now all these things happened unto them for examples1 c41 ,jude #g4 #e4 ,those acts of saints or ,christians1 which were done by them as saints and ,christians1 are obligatory upon1 and to be followed by all ,christians2 but those acts which are done by magistrates1 prophets1 apostles1 ministers1 c41 only as such1 are only obligatory on such as have like offices1 not on all2 according to the maxim1 that which agrees to any thing as such1 agrees to every thing that is such4 ,thus ,james urges the example of ,elias in praying1 ,james v4 #ag4 ,paul presses the example of ,abraham in being justified by believing1 ,rom4 iv4 #bc1bd4 ,peter prescribes1 as a pattern to wives1 the example of ,sarah1 and other holy women of old1 for adorning themselves with a meek and quiet spirit1--being in subjection to their own husbands1 #a ,pet4 iii4 #d-f4 #f4 ,those acts that were commonly and ordinarily done1 are ordinarily to be imitated2 as1 baptizing in water only1 and not in any other element1 was the ordinary practice of the ,new ,testament1 ,matt4 iii4 #aa1 #af2 ,mark i4 #f1 #aj2 ,luke iii4 #af2 ,john i4 #bf1 #ca1 #cc2 ,acts i4 #e1 and viii4 #cf1 #ch1 and x4 #dg1 and xi4 #af2 and by that practice we are obliged to baptize in water only4 ,joining of many ,christians together in receiving the ,lord's supper was an ordinary practice1 ,matt4 xxvi4 #bj1 #bf1 #bg2 ,acts ii4 #db1 and xx4 #g1 c42 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bj1 and by us ordinarily to be imitated2 how else is it a communion8 #a ,cor4 x4 #af1 #ag4 ,but such acts as were done only upon special causes or singular reasons1 are only to be imitated in like cases4 ,thus ,christ argues from a like special cause1 that he was not to do miracles at ,nazareth without a call1 as he did in other places where he had a call of ,god2 from the particular example of ,elijah and ,elisha1 who only went to them to whom ,god called them1 ,luke ix4 #be-bg2 so he proves that in like case of necessity it was lawful for his disciples on the sabbath-day to rub ears of corn and eat them1 c41 from ,david's example of eating show-bread when he had need1 ,matt4 xii4 #a-e4 #g4 ,those acts that were done from extraordinary calling and gifts1 are to be imitated 7in regard of their special way of acting7 only by those that have such extraordinary calling and gifts4 ,christ therefore blames his apostles for desiring to imitate ,elijah's extraordinary act in calling for fire from heaven1 c41 when they had not his spirit1 ,luke ix4 #ed1 #ee4 ,papists are blameworthy for imitating the extraordinary forty days' and nights' fast of ,moses1 ,elijah1 and ,christ1 in their ,lent fast4 ,prelates argue corruptly for bishops' prelacy over their brethren the ministers1 from the superiority of the apostles over presbyters4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,of a ,divine ,right by ,divine ,approbation4 ,,iii4 ,by divine approbation of the ,spirit of ,jesus ,christ in his word4 ,whatsoever in matters of religion hath the divine approbation of the ,spirit of ,christ in the ,scriptures1 that is of divine right1 and by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ4 ,god's approving or allowing of any thing1 plainly implies that it is according to his will and pleasure1 and so is equivalent to a divine institution or appointment2 for what is a divine institution or law but the publishing of the divine will of the legislator1 touching things to be acted or omitted8 and ,god cannot approve any thing that is against his will4 ,contrariwise1 ,god's disallowing of any thing1 plainly implies that it is against his will1 and so of divine right prohibited1 and unlawful4 ,god allows or disallows things not because they are good or evil2 but things are1 therefore1 good or evil1 because he approves or disallows them4 ,now ,god approves or disallows things divers ways3 #a4 ,by commending or discommending4 ,god commended king ,josiah for his zeal and impartiality in completing of the reformation of religion1 #a ,kings xiii4 #be4 ,this is a rule for all princes and magistrates how they should reform4 ,the angel of the church of ,ephesus is commended1 for not bearing of those that were evil1 for trying and detecting the false apostles1 and for hating the works of the ,nicolaitans1 ,rev4 ii4 #b1 #c1 #f4 ,the angel of the church of ,pergamus is praised1 for holding fast ,christ's name1 and not denying his faith in places of danger1 and days of deepest persecution1 ,rev4 ii4 #ac3 a rule for all pastors and churches1 how in all such cases they should carry themselves4 ,god's commendings are divine commandings4 ,on the contrary1 ,god dispraises ,ephesus1 for falling from her first love1 ,rev4 ii4 #d4 ,pergamus1 for holding the doctrine of ,balaam1 and the doctrine of the ,nicolaitans1 ,rev4 ii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,thyatira1 for tolerating the false prophetess ,jezebel1 to teach and seduce his servants1 c41 ,rev4 ii4 #bj4 ,laodicea1 because she was neither hot nor cold1 but lukewarm1 ,rev4 iii4 #ae4 ,the church of ,corinth1 for coming together in public assemblies1 not for better but for worse1 by reason of schisms1 scandals1 and other disorders about the ,lord's supper1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #ag1 c4 ,in these and all such divine discommendings of the churches for their corruptions1 all succeeding churches are strongly forbidden the like corruptions3 ,god's dispraises are divine prohibitions4 ,thus good church elders are commended in this notion1 that they are elders ruling well1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 therefore1 that elders in the church should rule1 and rule well1 is by this commendation of divine right4 #b4 ,by promising and threatening4 ,what promise did ,god ever make to any act or performance1 which was not a duty8 or what threatening against any act which was not a sin8 ,he promises to them that forsake all for ,christ1 a hundred-fold now in this time1 and in the world to come eternal life1 ,mark x4 #bi1 #cj2 therefore it is our duty to forsake all for ,christ4 ,he promised to ratify in heaven his disciples' sentences of building or loosing on earth2 and to be with them whensoever two or three of them were met together for that end1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah-bj1 and ,john xx4 #bc4 ,therefore binding and loosing1 remitting and retaining of sins1 and meeting together for that end1 belong to them by divine right4 ,he promised to be with them that baptize1 preach1 remit1 and retain sins in his name1 c41 always1 to the end of the world1 ,john xx4 #bc2 with ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj1 which promise shows1 that these works and employments belong to all succeeding ministers to the world's end1 as well as to the apostles by divine right4 ,on the contrary1 the ,lord threatens ,ephesus for decay of first love1 ,rev4 ii4 #d1 #e2 ,pergamus1 for holding false doctrine1 ,rev4 ii4 #ad1 #ae2 ,thyatira1 for tolerating of ,jezebel and her false teaching1 c41 ,rev4 ii4 #ba1 #ba1 #bc2 and ,laodicea1 for lukewarmness1 ,rev4 iii4 #ae1 #af4 ,therefore1 all these were their sins1 and we are bound1 even by this divine threatening1 to avoid the like by a divine warrant4 #c4 ,by remunerating or rewarding2 whether he reward with blessings or with judgments4 ,with blessings ,god rewarded the ,hebrew midwives1 because they preserved the male children of ,israel1 contrary to ,pharaoh's bloody command2 ,god made them houses1 ,exod4 i4 #ag1 #bj1 #ba4 ,he will have the elders that rule well counted worthy of double honor1 c42 i4e4 rewarded with a bountiful1 plentiful maintenance1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,therefore1 their ruling in the church is of divine right1 for which ,god appoints such a good reward4 ,contrariwise1 with judgments ,god rewarded king ,saul1 for offering a burnt-offering himself1 #a ,sam4 xiii4 #ab-ad2 ,uzzah1 for touching the ark1 though it was ready to fall1 #b ,sam4 vi4 #f1 #g2 and king ,uzziah1 for going into the temple to burn incense1 #b ,chron4 xxvi4 #af4 ,none of these being priests1 yet presuming to meddle with the priest's office4 ,a rule for all persons1 being not church officers1 yea1 though they be princes or supreme magistrates1 that they are hereby warned by the divine law1 not to usurp church authority or offices to themselves4 ,god rewarded the ,corinthians with the judgments of weakness1 sickness1 and death1 for unworthy receiving of the ,lord's supper1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #cj4 ,so that this is a divine warning for all after churches against unworthy communicating4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,iv4 ,of a ,divine ,right by ,divine ,acts4 ,,iv4 ,by divine acts4 ,whatsoever matters of religion were erected in1 or conferred upon the ,church of ,god1 by ,god1 or any person of the blessed ,trinity1 and are left recorded in the ,scripture1 they are of divine right1 by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ4 ,shall divine approbation1 yea1 shall the saints' binding example hold forth to us a divine right1 and shall not the divine actions of ,god1 ,christ1 and the ,spirit1 do it much more8 ,take some instances3 the ,lord's-day sabbath1 under the ,new ,testament1 was it not instituted 7the seventh day being changed to the first day of the week7 by the acts of ,christ1 having now perfected the spiritual creation of the new world8 viz3 by his resurrection and apparitions to his disciples on that day1 and miraculous blessing and sanctifying of that day1 by pouring forth the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,acts ii41 all which were seconded with the apostolical practice in the primitive churches1 ,acts xx4 #g1 c42 #a ,cor4 xvi4 #a1 #b4 ,and do not the churches of ,christ generally conclude upon these grounds1 that the ,lord's-day sabbath is of divine warrant8 ,thus circumcision is abrogated of divine right1 by ,christ's act1 instituting baptism instead thereof1 ,col4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 ,the passover is abolished of divine right1 by ,christ himself1 our true passover1 being sacrificed for us1 #a ,cor4 v4 #g2 and the ,lord's supper being instituted a memorial of ,christ's death instead of it1 ,matt1 xxvi41 ,mark xiv41 ,luke xxii4 ,and the whole ceremonial law is antiquated and made void by ,christ's death1 accomplishing all those dark types2 therefore ,christ1 immediately before his yielding up the ghost1 cried1 ,it is finished1 ,john xix4 #cj4 ,see ,col4 ii4 #ad2 ,eph4 ii4 #ad1 #ae2 abolishing the law of commandments in ordinances1 ,heb4 viii4 #ac1 and x4 #d1 #e1 c4 ,thus by ,christ's act of giving the keys of the kingdom of heaven to ,peter and the apostles1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah1 #ai1 the keys belong to the officers of the church by divine right4 ,by ,god's act of setting in the ,church some1 first apostles1 c41 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 all those officers belong to the general visible ,church by divine right4 ,by ,christ's act of bounty upon his triumphant ascension into heaven1 in giving gifts to men1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #aa1 #ab2 all those church officers being ,christ's gifts1 are of divine right4 ,finally1 by the ,holy ,ghost's act1 in setting elders1 overseers over the flock1 ,acts xx4 #bh1 elders are such overseers by divine right4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,v4 ,of a ,divine ,right by ,divine ,precepts4 ,v4 ,finally1 and primarily1 by divine precepts1 whatsoever in matters of religion is commanded or forbidden by ,god in his word1 that is accordingly a duty or sin1 by divine right3 as1 the duties of the whole moral law1 the ten words1 commanded of ,god1 ,exod4 xx42 ,deut4 v4 ,believing in ,christ1 commanded of ,god1 #a ,john iii4 #bc4 ,the plentiful and honorable maintenance of ministers1 commanded of ,god1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #ah2 #a ,cor4 ix4 #i-aa1 #ac1 #ad2 ,gal4 vi4 #f4 ,the people's esteeming1 loving1 and obeying their pastors and teachers1 commanded of ,god1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab2 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #ag4 ,ministers' diligence and faithfulness1 in feeding and watching over their flocks1 commanded of ,god1 ,acts xx4 #bh2 #b ,tim4 iv4 #a-c2 #a ,pet4 iv4 #a-c2 with innumerable commands and precepts of all sorts3 now all things so commanded are evidently of divine right1 and without gainsaying1 granted on all hands1 even by ,erastians themselves4 ,but the question will be1 how far we shall extend this head of divine commands4 ,for clearness' sake1 thus distinguish1 thus resolve3 ,god's commands are either immediate or mediate4 #a4 ,immediate divine commands3 as those which ,god propounds and urges2 as the ten commandments1 ,exod4 xx41 ,deut4 v41 and all other injunctions of his in his word positively laid down4 ,of such commands1 the apostle saith1 ,i command1 yet not ,i1 but the ,lord1 #a ,cor4 vii4 #aj4 ,now these immediate commands of ,god1 in regard of their manner of publishing and propounding1 are either explicit or implicit4 #a4 ,explicit3 which are expressly and in plain terms laid down1 as the letter of the commandments of the decalogue1 ,exod4 xx4 ,the commands of ,christ1 ,feed my lambs1 feed my sheep1 ,john xxi42 ,go1 disciple ye all nations1 c41 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ai2 ,do this in remembrance of me1 ,matt1 xxvi2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bc1 #bd1 c4 ,now whatsoever is expressly commanded of ,god in plain1 evident terms1 that is of divine right1 without all color of controversy4 ,only take this caution1 the divine right of things enjoined by ,god's express command1 is to be interpreted according to the nature of the thing commanded1 and the end or scope of the ,lord in commanding3 e4g4 #a4 ,some things ,god commands morally1 to be of perpetual use2 as to honor father and mother1 c42 these are of divine right forever4 #b4 ,some things he commands but positively1 to be of use for a certain season2 as the ceremonial administrations till ,christ should come1 for the ,jewish church1 and the judicial observances for their ,jewish polity2 and all these positive laws were of divine right till ,christ abrogated them4 #c4 ,some things he commands only by way of trial1 not with intention that the things commanded should be done1 but that his people's fear1 love1 and obedience may be proved1 tried1 c4 ,thus ,god commanded ,abraham to offer up his son ,isaac for a burnt-offering1 ,gen4 xxii43 such things are of divine right only in such cases of special infallible command4 #d4 ,some things he commands extraordinarily in certain select and special cases3 as1 ,israel to borrow jewels of the ,egyptians to rob them1 without intention ever to restore them1 ,exod4 xi4 #b1 c4 ,the disciples to go preach--yet to provide neither gold nor silver1 c4 ,matt4 x4 #g-aj4 ,the elders of the church 7while miracles were of use in the church7 to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the ,lord1 for their recovery1 ,james v4 #ad4 ,these and like extraordinary commands were only of force by divine right1 in these extraordinary select cases1 when they were propounded4 #a4 ,implicit1 or implied3 which are either comprehensively contained in or under the express terms and letter of the command2 or1 consequentially1 are deducible from the express command4 ,comprehensively1 many things are contained in a command1 that are not expressed in the very letter of the command4 ,thus sound interpreters of the decalogue generally confess1 that all precepts thereof include the whole parts under the general term1 and ,god wills many things by them more than the bare words signify3 e4g4 in negative commands1 forbidding sin1 we are to understand the positive precepts prescribing the contrary duties2 and so1 on the contrary1 under affirmative commands1 we are to understand the negative thereof3 thus ,christ expounds the sixth commandment1 ,matt4 v4 #ba-bg1 and ver4 #dc1 to the end of the chapter4 ,so when any evil is forbidden1 not only the outward gross acts1 but all inward acts and degrees thereof1 with all causes and occasions1 all fruits and effects thereof1 are forbidden likewise3 as1 under killing1 provoking terms1 rash anger1 ,matt4 v4 #ba1 #bb2 under adultery1 wanton looks1 lustful thoughts1 c41 ,matt4 v4 #bg-cj4 ,now all things comprehended in a command 7though not expressed7 are of divine right4 ,consequentially1 many things are clearly deducible from express commands in ,scripture1 by clear1 unforced1 infallible1 and undeniable consequence4 ,now what things are commanded by necessary consequence1 they are of divine right1 as well as things in express terms prescribed3 e4g4 in the case of baptism1 have the ordinary ministers of the ,new ,testament any punctual express command to baptize8 yet1 by consequence1 it is evident infallibly1 the apostles are commanded to baptize1 and the promise is made to them by ,christ1 that he will be with them always to the end of the world1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj1 which cannot be interpreted of the apostles' persons only2 for they were not to live till the world's end1 but are dead and gone long ago2 but of the apostles and their successors1 the ministers of the gospel to the world's end2 now to whom the promise of ,christ's presence is here to be applied1 to them the precept of baptizing and teaching is intended by clear consequence and deduction4 ,so1 infants of ,christian parents under the ,new ,testament are commanded to be baptized by consequence2 for that the infants of ,god's people under the ,old ,testament were commanded to be circumcised1 ,gen4 xvii42 for1 the privileges of believers under the ,new ,testament are as large as the privileges of believers under the ,old ,testament3 and the children of believers under the ,new ,testament are federally holy1 and within the covenant of ,god1 as well as the children of believers under the ,old ,testament1 ,gen4 xvii41 compared with ,rom4 xi4 #af2 #a ,cor4 vii4 #ad3 and what objections can be made from infants' incapacity now1 against their baptism1 might as well then have been made against their being circumcised3 and why children should once be admitted to the initiating sacrament1 and not still be admitted to the like initiating sacrament1 7the ,lord of the covenant and sacrament nowhere forbidding them17 there can be no just ground4 ,and baptism succeeds in the room of circumcision1 ,col4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 ,thus in case of the ,lord's supper1 apostles were commanded to dispense it1 and men commanded to receive it4 ,do ye this in remembrance of me1 ,matt1 xxvi41 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bd1 #be2 yet by consequence1 the ministers of the gospel succeeding the apostles1 being stewards of the mysteries of ,god1 have the same charge laid upon them2 and women as well as men are enjoined to keep that sacrament1 whole families communicating in the passover1 the forerunner of the ,lord's supper1 ,exod4 xiv41 and male and female being all one in ,christ1 ,gal4 iii4 #bh4 ,thus in case of the maintenance of ministers under the ,new ,testament3 the apostle proves it by consequence to be commanded1 ,god hath ordained1 c41 from ,god's command of not muzzling the ox that treads out the corn1 and of maintaining the priests under the ,old ,testament1 #a ,cor4 ix4 #ad1 c42 l ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #ah4 ,and thus1 in case of church polity1 the ,hebrews are commanded to obey and be subordinate to their rulers in the ,lord1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag2 consequently1 other churches are commanded not only to have rulers1 but to obey and submit to their rule and government4 ,timothy is commanded to lay hands suddenly on none1 c41 in ordaining of preaching elders1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ba1 #bb2 consequently1 such as succeed ,timothy in ordaining of preaching elders are enjoined therein to do nothing suddenly1 hastily1 c41 but upon mature deliberation4 ,the apostle commands1 that men must first be proved1 and found blameless1 before they execute the deacon's office1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #aj2 by consequence1 it is much more necessarily commanded1 that ruling elders should first be proved1 and be found blameless1 before they exercise rule2 and that ministers be examined1 and found blameless1 before they be ordained to or execute the ministerial function1 for these offices are of greater and higher concernment than the deacon's office4 #b4 ,mediate divine commands1 which are mediately from ,god1 but immediately from men2 and these come under a double consideration1 being either1 #a4 ,such commands whose general principles are immediately the ,lord's1 yet accommodations and determinations of particulars are from men1 by apparent deductions from those grounds4 ,of such the apostle saith1 ,but to the rest speak ,i1 not the ,lord1 #a ,cor4 vii4 #ab2 not that ,paul delivered any commands merely of his own head1 7for he had obtained mercy of the ,lord to be faithful1 ver4 #be1 and did think that he had the ,spirit of the ,lord1 ver4 #dj17 but grounded his commands upon the word of ,god1 whereof the apostle was the interpreter4 ,the case is concerning divorce when it fell out that believer and unbeliever were married together3 the ,lord had given general rules about divorce1 but no particular rule about this case1 7it being not incident to the ,jews27 the apostle1 therefore1 accommodates the general rule to the particular case2 he1 not the ,lord1 determined the particular4 ,this sound interpreters conceive to be the apostle's meaning3 ,thus the apostle1 treating of order in public assemblies1 saith1 ,the prophet and the spiritual man must acknowledge the things which ,i write1 to be the commandments of the ,lord1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cg4 ,understand it mediately1 as being agreeable to the ,lord's principles revealed3 for otherwise how should the prophet know what the ,lord immediately revealed to the apostle8 or why should we think it probable that what ,paul here speaks of order and decency in church assemblies1 was immediately and expressly delivered him by speech or revelation from the ,lord1 seeing these particulars have such easy and apparent deduction from general principles1 and revelations are not unnecessarily multiplied8 ,yet these particular deductions and determinations are here styled the commandments of the ,lord4 #b4 ,such commands1 which are accidental and occasional1 whose grounds and general principles are also the ,lord's2 yet determination or deduction of particulars can hardly be made1 but in such emergent cases and occasions accidentally falling out1 as necessitate thereunto4 ,as in that case1 ,acts xv41 when the synod commands abstinence from blood1 and things strangled1 and that necessarily1 7though the ,levitical law was now abrogated17 because the common use thereof by accident grew very scandalous3 therefore1 by the law of charity1 the use of ,christian liberty is to be suspended1 when otherwise the scandal of my brother is endangered2 yet from any ground of equity to have provided such a particular rule as this1 without such a case occurring1 would scarce have been possible4 ,now the synod saith of this determination1 ,it seemed good unto the ,holy ,ghost1 and unto us1 ,acts xv4 ,and another synod1 walking by the like light and rule of the ,scripture as they did1 may say of themselves as the apostles said4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,of ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,,that ,,church ,,government ,,which ,,is ,,of ,,divine ,,right1 ,,according ,,to ,,scripture4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,the ,description of ,church ,government4 ,the nature of that church government which is of divine right according to ,scripture1 comes next to be considered2 7having so fully seen what the nature of a divine right is1 and how many several ways matters in religion may be said to be of divine right47 ,for the fuller and clearer unfolding whereof1 let us first see how church government may be described2 and then how that description may be explained and justified by the word of ,god1 in the branches of it4 ,church government may be thus described3 ,church government is a power#ac or authority spiritual1#ad revealed in the holy ,scriptures1#ae derived from ,jesus ,christ#af our ,mediator1#ag only to his own officers1 and by them exercised in dispensing of the word1#ah seals1#ai censures1#bj and all other ordinances of ,christ1#ba for the edifying of the ,church of ,christ4#bb ,this description of church government may be thus explained and proved4 ,three things are principally considerable herein1 viz3 #a4 ,the thing defined1 or described1 viz4 church government4 #b4 ,the general nature of this government which it hath in common with all other governments1 viz4 power or authority4 #c4 ,the special difference whereby it is distinguished from all other governments whatsoever4 ,herein six things are observable4 #a4 ,the special rule1 wherein it is revealed1 and whereby it is to be measured1 viz4 the holy ,scriptures4 #b4 ,the proper author1 or fountain1 whence this power is derived1 viz4 from ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 peculiarly4 #c4 ,the special kind of this power or authority1 viz4 it is a spiritual power1 it is a derived power4 #d4 ,the several parts or acts wherein this power sets forth itself1 viz4 in dispensing the word1 seals1 censures1 and all other ordinances of ,christ4 #e4 ,the special end or scope of this power1 viz4 the edifying of the ,church of ,christ4 #f4 ,the proper and distinct subject or receptacle wherein ,christ hath placed and intrusted all this power1 viz4 only his own officers4 ,all these things are comprehended in this description1 and unto these several heads the whole nature of church government may be reduced4 ,so that1 these being explained and confirmed by the ,scriptures1 it will easily and fully be discovered1 what that church government is which is of divine right1 and by the will and appointment of ,jesus ,christ1 our ,mediator4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,of the ,subject ,described1 viz4 ,church ,government1 the terms being briefly opened4 ,touching the thing defined or described1 it is church government4 ,here two terms are to be a little explained3 #a4 ,what is meant by church8 #b4 ,what is meant by government8 #a4 ,church is originally derived from a ,greek word1#bc which signifies to call forth4 ,hence church properly signifies a company or multitude1 called forth2 and so in this notation of the word1 three things are implied3 #a4 ,the term from which they are called4 #b4 ,the term to which they are called4 #c4 ,the medium or mean by which they are brought from one term to another1 viz4 by calling4 ,and these things thus generally laid down1 do agree to every company that may properly be called a church4 ,now1 this word translated church1 never signifies one particular person1 but many congregated1 gathered1 or called together2 and it hath several acceptations or uses in the ,new ,testament3 #a4 ,it is used in a common and civil sense1 for any civil meeting1 or concourse of people together3 thus that tumultuous and riotous assembly is called a church1 ,acts xix4 #cb1 #ci1 #dj4 #b4 ,it is used in a special religious sense1 for a sacred meeting or assembly of ,god's people together3 and thus it signifies the ,church of ,god1 either1 #a4 ,invisible1 comprehending only the elect of ,god1 as ,heb4 xii4 #bc1 and ,church of the first-born1 ,eph4 v4 #bc1 c41 ,even as ,christ is the head of the ,church4 #b4 ,or1 visible1 comprehending the company of those that are called to the visible profession of the faith in ,christ1 and obedience unto ,christ1 according to the gospel1 as ,acts ii4 #dg1 and v4 #aa1 and viii4 #c1 and xii4 #a1 #e2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bc1 and often elsewhere4 ,now in this description1 church is not understood of a civil assembly2 for such assemblies are governed by civil power4 ,nor of the invisible ,church of ,christ2 for1 as the ,church is invisible1 7to speak properly17 it is invisibly governed by ,christ and his ,spirit1 ,rom4 viii4 #ad2 ,gal4 ii4 #bj4 ,but of the visible ,church of ,christ1 for which ,christ hath provided a visible polity1 a visible government1 by visible officers and ordinances1 for the good both of the visible and invisible members thereof1 which is that church government here spoken of4 #b4 ,government is the translation of a ,greek word1 which properly signifies the government of a ship with chart1 c41 by the pilot or mariner1 and thence metaphorically is used to signify any government1 political or ecclesiastical4 ,but the word is only once used in all the ,new ,testament1 viz4 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh3 ,governments1 h4e4 ruling elders in the church2 the abstract being put for the concrete1 governments for governors4 ,but whatever be the terms or names whereby government is expressed1 government generally considered seems still to signify a superiority of office1 power1 and authority1 which one hath and exerciseth over another4 ,this is the notion of government in general4 ,so that church government1 in general1 notes that pre-eminence or superiority of office1 power1 and authority1 which some have and exercise over others in spiritual matters1 in church affairs4 ,and here we are further to consider1 that church government is either1 #a4 ,magisterial1 lordly1 and supreme2 and so it is primitively and absolutely in ,god1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah4 ,dispensatorily and mediatorily in ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator only1 whom ,god hath made both ,lord and ,christ1 ,acts ii4 #cf2 ,matt1 xxiii4 #h1 #aj2 #a ,cor4 viii4 #f1 and to whom ,god alone hath dispensed all authority and power1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai2 ,john v4 #bb4 ,now church government1 as settled on ,christ only1 is monarchical4 #b4 ,ministerial1 stewardly1 and subordinate2 and this power ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath committed to his church guides and officers in his ,church1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj2 and church government1 as intrusted in the hands of church guides1 is representative4 ,this ministerial church government1 committed by ,christ to his officers1 may be considered either1 #a4 ,as it was dispensed under the ,old ,testament1 in a ,mosaical1 ,levitical polity2 in which sense we here speak not of church government2 7that polity being dissolved and antiquated47 #b4 ,or1 as it is to be dispensed now under the ,new ,testament1 in an evangelical ,christian polity1 by ,christ's ,new ,testament officers2 and this is that church government which is here described1 viz4 not the supreme magisterial government of ,christ1 but the subordinate ministerial government of ,christ's officers2 and this not as it was under the ,old ,testament1 but as it ought to be now under the ,new ,testament4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,of the general ,nature of ,church ,government1 viz4 ,power or ,authority4 ,touching the general nature of this government1 which it participates in common with all other governments1 it is power or authority4 ,here divers particulars are to be cleared and proved1 viz3 #a4 ,what is meant by power or authority8 ,the word chiefly used in the ,new ,testament for power or authority is used not only to denote ,christ's supreme power1 as ,luke iv4 #cf2 ,mark i4 #ag1 with ,luke vi4 #ai2 but also his officers' derived power1 as with #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,it is used to signify divers things3 as1 #a4 ,dignity1 privilege1 prerogative4 ,to them he gave prerogative to be the sons of ,god1 ,john i4 #ab4 #b4 ,liberty1 leave1 license2 as1 #a ,cor4 viii4 #i1 ,but so that your liberty become not an offence to the weak2 and #a ,cor4 ix4 #d1 #e1 ,have not we liberty to eat and drink8 ,have not we liberty to lead about a sister1 a wife8 #c4 ,but most usually right and authority2 as1 ,matt4 xxi4 #bc1 #bd1 #bg1 and xxviii4 #ah2 so #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj3 in this last sense especially it is here to be taken in this description of church government4 ,power or authority in general is by some#bd thus described3 that whereby one may claim or challenge any thing to one's self1 without the injury of any other4 ,power is exercised either about things1 or actions1 or persons4 #a4 ,about things1 as when a man disposes of his own goods1 which he may do without wrong to any4 #b4 ,about actions1 as when a man acts that which offends no law4 #c4 ,about persons1 as when a man commands his children or servants that are under his own power4--,proportionably1 the power of the ,church in government is exercised1 #a4 ,about things1 as when it is to be determined by the word1 what the ,church may call her own of right2 as1 that all the officers are hers1 ,eph2 iv4 #g1 #h1 #aj1 #aa2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh3 that all the promises are hers1 #b ,pet4 i4 #d2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #h3 that ,jesus ,christ1 and with ,christ all things1 are hers1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #ba1 #bb4 ,the keys of the kingdom of heaven are hers1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah1 c42 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc1 c43 these things the ,church may challenge without wrong to any4 #b4 ,about actions4 ,as when it is to be determined by the word1 what the ,church of divine right may do1 or not do3 as1 the ,church may not bear with them that are evil1 ,rev4 ii4 #b2 nor tolerate women to teach1 or false doctrine to be broached1 ,rev4 ii4 #bj1 c4 ,the ,church may warn the unruly1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ad3 excommunicate the obstinate and incorrigible1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ag1 #ah2 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e1 #ac3 receive again penitent persons to the communion of the faithful1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #g1 #h3 make binding decrees in synods1 even to the restraining of the outward exercise of due ,christian liberty for a time1 for prevention of scandal1 ,acts xv4 #c4 ,about persons4 ,the ,church also hath a power to be exercised1 for calling them to their duty1 and keeping them in their duty according to the word of ,god3 as1 to rebuke them before all1 that sin before all1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj3 to prove deacons1 ,acts vi4 #b1 #c1 c42 #a ,tim4 iii4 #aj3 to ordain elders1 ,tit4 i4 #e2 ,acts xiv4 #bc3 to use the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 in the dispensing of all ordinances1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ah-bj1 and ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc1 with ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj3 and1 in a word1 7as the cause shall require17 to judge of all them that are within the ,church1 #a ,cor4 v4 #ab4 ,this is the power and authority wherein the nature of church government generally doth consist4 #b4 ,that all governments in ,scripture are styled by the common names of power or authority3 e4g4 the absolute government of ,god over all things1 is power1 ,acts i4 #g3 the supreme government of ,jesus ,christ1 is power1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah2 ,rev4 xii4 #aj3 the political government of the magistrate in commonwealths1 is power1 as ,john xix4 #aj2 ,rom4 xiii4 #a-c2 ,luke xxiii4 #g3 the military government of soldiers under superior commanders1 is power1 c41 ,matt4 viii4 #i3 the family government that the master of a family hath over his household1 is power1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #e1 ,if any man know not how to rule his own house4 ,yea1 the very tyrannical rule that sin and ,satan exercise over carnal men1 is styled power1 ,acts xxvi4 #ah2 ,col4 i4 #ac4 ,thus1 generally1 all sorts of government are commonly called power or authority4 #c4 ,that thus the ,scripture also styles church government1 viz4 power or authority1 as #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 ,of our authority 7or power7 which the ,lord hath given us for your edification4 ,paul speaks it of this power of church government4 ,and again1 speaking of the same subject1 he saith1 ,lest being present1 ,i should use sharpness1 according to the power which the ,lord hath given me to edification1 and not to destruction4 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #aj4 ,for further clearing hereof1 consider the several sorts or kinds of ecclesiastical power1 according to this type or scheme of ecclesiastical power and authority here subjoined4 ,ecclesiastical power is either supreme and magisterial2 or subordinate and ministerial4 ,i4 ,supreme magisterial power1 consisting in a lordly dominion and sovereignty over the ,church2 and may come under a double consideration1 viz3 #a4 ,as it is justly attributed to ,god alone4 ,thus the absolute sovereignty and supreme power 7to speak properly7 is only his over the ,church1 and all creatures in the whole universe3 now this supreme divine power is either essential or mediatorial4 #a4 ,essential1 viz4 that power which belongs to the essence of ,god1 and to every person of the ,trinity in common1 as ,god4 ,his kingdom ruleth over all1 ,psal4 ciii4 #ai4 ,god ruleth in ,jacob to the ends of the earth1 ,psal4 lix4 #ac4 ,the kingdom is the ,lord's1 and he is the ,governor among the nations1 ,psal4 xxii4 #bh4 #b4 ,mediatorial1 viz4 that magisterial1 lordly1 and sovereign power or dominion1 which ,god hath dispensed1 delegated1 or committed to ,christ as ,mediator1 being both head of the ,church1 and over all things to the ,church4 ,this power is peculiar only to ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator4 ,all power is given to me both in heaven and in earth1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah4 ,the ,father loveth the ,son1 and hath given all things into his hand1 ,john iii4 #ce4 ,the ,father judgeth no man1 but hath committed all judgment to the ,son1 ,john v4 #bb4 ,one is your ,master1 even ,christ1 ,matt4 xxiii4 #h1 #aj4 ,god hath put all things under his feet1 and gave him to be head over all things to the ,church1 ,eph4 i4 #bj-bc4--,this power of ,christ is the only proper fountain whence all ecclesiastical power flows to the ,church4 ,,ii4 ,as it is unjustly arrogated and usurped by man2 whether1 #a4 ,by the pope to himself2 who arrogates to himself to be ,christ's vicar1 the supreme visible head on earth of the visible catholic ,church of ,christ2 who exalts himself above all that is called ,god on earth1 over magistrates1 princes1 kings1 yea1 over the souls and consciences of men1 and the holy ,scriptures of ,god themselves1 c41 #b ,thess4 ii4 #d2 ,rev4 xviii4 #aj-ac4 #b4 ,by earthly princes to themselves3 as1 ,king ,henry ,,viii41 who1 casting off the papal power and primacy1 was vested with it himself within his own dominions1 over the ,church1 accounting himself the fountain of all ecclesiastical power1 7it being by statute law annexed to the crown17 and assuming to himself that papal title of supreme head of the ,church1 c41 which is sharply taxed by orthodox divines of foreign churches4 ,thus1 that most learned ,rivet1 taxing ,bishop ,gardiner for extolling the king's primacy1 saith1 ,for1 he that did as yet nourish the doctrine of the papacy1 as after it appeared1 did erect a new papacy in the person of the king4--,andrew ,rivet1 ,expli4 ,decalog4 ,edit4 ii4 page #bjc4 ,judicious ,calvin saith thus3 ,and to this day how many are there in the papacy that heap upon kings whatsoever right and power they can possibly1 so that there may not be any dispute of religion2 but should this power be in one king1 to decree according to his own pleasure whatsoever he pleaseth1 and that should remain fixed without controversy8 ,they that at first so much extolled ,henry1 king of ,england1 7certainly they were inconsiderate men17 gave unto him supreme power of all things1 and this grievously wounded me always2 for they were blasphemers1 when they called him the supreme head of the ,church under ,christ3 certainly this was too much4 ,but let this remain buried1 because they sinned by an inconsiderate zeal4 ,but when that impostor1 7he means ,bishop ,gardiner1 as ,rivet notes17 which after was chancellor of this ,proserpina1 which there at this day overcometh all the devils1 he when he was at ,ratisbon did not contend with reasons1 7,i speak of this last chancellor1 who was ,bishop of ,winchester17 but as ,i now began to say1 he much regarded not scripture testimonies2 but said1 it was at the pleasure of the king to abrogate the statutes1 and institute new rites4 ,touching fasting1 there the king can enjoin and command the people1 that this or that day the people may eat flesh3 yea1 that it is lawful for the king to forbid priests to marry2 yea1 that it is lawful for the king to forbid to the people the use of the cup in the ,lord's supper2 that it is lawful for the king to decree this or that in his kingdom4 ,why8 ,because the king hath the supreme power4 ,it is certain1 if kings do their duty1 they are both patrons of religion1 and nurse-fathers of the ,church1 as ,isaiah calls them1 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc4 ,this1 therefore1 is principally required of kings1 that they use the sword wherewith they are furnished1 for the maintaining of ,god's worship4 ,but in the mean time there are inconsiderate men1 that make them too spiritual2 and this fault reigns up and down ,germany2 yea1 spreads too much in these countries4 ,and now we perceive what fruits spring from this root1 viz3 that princes1 and all that are in place of government1 think themselves to be so spiritual1 that there is no other ecclesiastical government4 ,and this sacrilege creeps among us1 because they cannot measure their office with certain and lawful bounds1 but are of opinion they cannot reign1 unless they abolish all the authority of the ,church1 and become the chief judges both in doctrine1 and in the whole spiritual government4 ,at the beginning they pretend some zeal2 but mere ambition drives them1 that so solicitously they snatch all things to themselves4 ,therefore there ought to be a temper kept2 for this disease hath always reigned in princes1 to desire to bend religion according to their own pleasure and lust1 and for their own profits in the mean time4 ,for they have respect to their profit1 because for the most part they are not acted by the ,spirit of ,god1 but their ambition carries them4 ,thus ,calvin in ,amos vii4 #ac4 ,oh what exclamations would this holy man have poured out1 had he lived to see the passages of our days6 ,quis talia fando temperet a lachrymis6#be ,,ii4 ,subordinate ministerial power1 which is either1 #a4 ,indirectly1 improperly1 and only objectively ecclesiastical or spiritual1 7so called1 because it is exercised about spiritual or ecclesiastical objects1 though formally in its own nature it be properly a mere civil or political power47 ,this is that power which is allowed to the civil magistrate about religion2 he is an overseer of things without the ,church1 having an external care of religion as a nurse-father1 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc2 as had ,hezekiah1 ,josiah1 ,asa1 ,jehoshaphat1 c42 so as1 by the law1 to restore religion decayed1 reform the ,church corrupted1 protect the ,church reformed1 c4 #b4 ,directly1 properly1 and formally ecclesiastical or spiritual1 having respect properly to matters within the ,church4 ,this power only belongs to church officers1 who are overseers of things within1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #bj1 #ba2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj2 and this is either1 #a4 ,more special and peculiar to the office of some church governors only1 as the power of preaching the gospel1 dispensing the sacraments1 c41 which is only committed to the ministers of the gospel1 and which they1 as ministers1 may execute1 in virtue of their office4 ,this is called by some the key of doctrine1 or key of knowledge2 by others1 the power of order1 or of special office4 ,see ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 ,rom4 x4 #ae2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 #b4 ,more general and common to the office of all church governors1 as the power of censures1 c41 wherein ruling elders act with ministers1 admonishing the unruly1 excommunicating the incorrigible1 remitting and receiving again of the penitent into church communion4 ,compare ,matt1 xviii4 #ag1 #ah2 #a ,cor4 v4 #b1 #d1 #e1 #g1 #aa-ac2 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f-ab1 with ,rom4 xii4 #h2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 and #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,this is called the key of discipline1 or power of jurisdiction4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,of the special difference of ,church ,government from other ,governments4 ,and first of the ,special ,rule of ,church ,government1 viz4 the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,touching the special difference1 whereby church government is in this description distinguished from all other governments whatsoever1 it consists of many branches1 which will require more large explication and confirmation2 and shall be handled1 not according to that order1 as they are first named in the description1 but according to the order of nature1 as they most conduce to the clearing of one another1 every branch being distinctly laid down1 as followeth3 ,the rule or standard of church government is only the holy ,scriptures4 ,thus in the description1 church government is styled a power or authority revealed in the holy ,scriptures4 ,for clearing hereof1 take this proposition1 viz3 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath laid down in his word a perfect and sufficient rule for the government of his visible ,church under the ,new ,testament1 which all the members of his ,church ought to observe and submit unto until the end of the world4 ,for clearing this1 weigh these considerations3 #a4 ,the government of the visible ,church under the ,new ,testament is as needful as ever it was under the ,old ,testament4 ,what necessity of government could be pleaded then1 which may not as strongly be pleaded now8 ,is not the visible ,church of ,christ a mixed body of sound and unsound members1 of fruitful and barren branches1 of tares and wheat1 of good and bad1 of sincere believers and hypocrites1 of sheep and goats1 c41 now as well as it was then8 ,is there not as great cause to separate and distinguish by church power1 between the precious and the vile1 the clean and the unclean1 7who are apt to defile1 infect1 and leaven one another17 now as well as then8 ,ought there not to be as great care over the holy ordinances of ,god1 to preserve and guard them from contempt and pollution1 by a hedge and fence of government1 now as well as then8 ,is it not as necessary that by government sin be suppressed1 piety promoted1 and the ,church edified1 now as well as then8 ,but under the ,old ,testament the ,church visible had a perfect rule of church government1 7as is granted on all sides37 and hath ,jesus ,christ left his ,church now under the ,new ,testament in a worse condition8 #b4 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7upon whose shoulder ,god hath laid the government1 ,isa4 ix4 #f1 and unto whom all power both in heaven and in earth is given by the ,father to that end1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah7 is most faithful in all his house1 the ,church1 fully to discharge all the trust committed to him1 and completely to supply his ,church with all necessaries both to her being1 and well-being ecclesiastical4 ,moses was faithful in the ,old ,testament2 for1 as ,god gave him a pattern of church government in the ceremonial law1 so he did all things according to the pattern2 and shall the ,lord ,jesus be less faithful as a son over his own house1 than was ,moses as a servant over another's house8 ,consider the ,apostle and ,high ,priest of our profession1 ,christ ,jesus1 who was faithful to him that appointed him1 as also ,moses was faithful in all his house--and ,moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant--but ,christ as a son over his own house1 whose house are we1 ,heb4 iii4 #a1 #b1 #e1 #f4 ,yea1 ,jesus ,christ1 the same yesterday1 and to-day1 and forever1 ,heb4 xiii4 #h1 giving a pattern of church government to ,moses1 and the church officers of the ,old ,testament1 7the ,church being then as a child in nonage and minority1 ,gal1 iv4 #a1 c417 can we imagine he hath not as carefully left a pattern of church government to his apostles1 and the church officers of the ,new ,testament1 the ,church being now as a man come to full age and maturity8 #c4 ,the holy ,scriptures are now completely and unalterably perfect1 containing such exact rules for the churches of ,god in all states and ages1 both under the ,old and ,new ,testament1 that not only the people of ,god1 of all sorts and degrees1 but also the men of ,god1 and officers of the ,church1 of all sorts and ages1 may thereby be made perfect1 thoroughly furnished unto all good works4 ,the law of the ,lord is perfect1 ,psal4 xix4 #g4 ,all ,scripture is given by inspiration of ,god1 and is profitable for doctrine1 for reproof1 for correction1 for instruction in righteousness1 that the man of ,god may be perfect1 thoroughly furnished to every good work1 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1 #ag4 ,and in his first epistle to ,timothy1 7which is the ,church's directory for divine worship1 discipline1 and government17 he saith1 ,these things write ,i unto thee--that thou mightest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of ,god1 which is the ,church of the living ,god1 7this is spoken in reference to matters of church government peculiarly17 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ad1 #ae4 ,and the apostle1 having respect to the former matters in his epistle1 saith to ,timothy1 and to all ,timothies after him1 ,i give thee charge in the sight of ,god--that thou keep this commandment without spot1 unrebukable1 until the appearing of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 7therefore1 this charge is intended for all ministers after ,timothy to the world's end17 #a ,tim4 vi4 #ac1 #ad1 compared with #a ,tim4 v4 #ba1 observe these things4 ,and the perfection of the whole scripture canon is sealed up with that testimony in the close of the last book1 ,if any man shall add unto these things1 ,god shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book3 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy1 ,god shall take away his part out of the book of life1 and out of the holy city1 and from the things which are written in this book1 ,rev4 xxii4 #ah1 #ai4 ,now1 if the ,scriptures be thus accurately perfect and complete1 they must needs contain a sufficient pattern1 and rules of church government now under the ,new ,testament2 which rules are scattered here and there in several books of the word1 7as flowers grow scattered in the field1 as silver is mingled in the mine1 or as gold is mixed with the sand17 that so ,god may exercise his ,church1 in sifting and searching them out4 #d4 ,all the substantials of church government under the ,new ,testament are laid down in the word in particular rules1 whether they be touching officers1 ordinances1 censures1 assemblies1 and the compass of their power1 as after will appear2 and all the circumstantials are laid down in the word1 under general rules of order1 decency1 and edification1 #a ,cor1 xiv4 #dj1 and ver4 #e1ab1 #bf4 ,consequently1 there is a perfect and sufficient rule for church government laid down in the ,scriptures1 which is obligatory upon all4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,of the ,proper ,author or ,fountain1 whence ,church ,government and the authority thereof is derived by ,divine ,right1 viz4 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator4 ,as the ,scripture is the rule of church government1 so ,christ is the sole root and fountain whence it originally flows2 therefore1 it is said in the description1 church government is a power or authority1 derived from ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator4 ,take it in this proposition1 viz3 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath all authority and power in heaven and in earth1 for the government of his ,church1 committed unto him from ,god the ,father4 ,this is clearly evident1 #a4 ,by plain testimonies of ,scripture1 declaring that the government of the ,church is laid upon his shoulder1 to which end the ,father hath invested him with all authority and power4 ,the government shall be upon his shoulder1 c41 ,isa4 ix4 #f1g4 ,all power is given me in heaven and in earth3 go1 disciple ye all nations1 c41 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai4 ,he shall be great1 and shall be called the ,son of the ,highest1 and the ,lord ,god shall give unto him the throne of his father ,david2 and he shall reign over the house of ,jacob forever1 and of his kingdom there shall be no end1 ,luke i4 #cb1 #cc4 ,the ,father judgeth no man1 but hath committed all judgment to the ,son2 and hath given him authority to execute judgment also1 because he is the ,son of man1 ,john v4 #bb1 #bg4 ,the ,father loveth the ,son1 and hath given all things into his hand1 ,john iii4 #ce4 ,it is he that hath the key of ,david1 that openeth and no man shutteth1 and shutteth and no man openeth1 ,rev4 iii4 #g4 ,god raised him from the dead1 and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places1 far above all principality1 and power1 and might1 and dominion1 and every name that is named1 not only in this world1 but also in that which is to come3 and hath put all things under his feet1 and gave him to be the head over all things to the ,church1 which is his body1 ,eph4 i4 #bj-bc1 #b4 ,by eminent princely titles1 attributed unto ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 having such authority1 power1 rule1 and government legibly engraven upon their foreheads1 in reference to his ,church4 ,a ,governor which shall feed 7or rule7 my people ,israel1 ,matt4 ii4 #f4 ,that great ,shepherd of the sheep1 ,heb4 xiii4 #bj4 ,that ,shepherd and ,bishop of our souls1 #a ,pet4 ii4 ult4 ,one is your master1 ,christ1 ,matt1 xxiii4 #h1 #aj4 ,christ as a son over his own house1 ,heb4 iii4 #f4 ,the ,head of the body the ,church1 ,col4 i4 #ah2 ,eph4 v4 #bc4 ,head over all things to the ,church1 ,eph4 i4 #bb4 ,to us but one ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 #a ,cor4 viii4 #f4 ,made of ,god both ,lord and ,christ1 ,acts ii4 #cf4 ,lord of lords1 ,rev4 xix4 #af4 ,he is ,lord of all1 ,acts x4 #cf4 ,god's ,king set on his holy hill of ,zion1 ,psal4 ii4 #f4 ,david their king1 ,jer4 xxx4 #i2 ,ezek4 xxxiv4 #bc1 and xxxvii4 #bd2 ,hos4 iii4 #e4 ,king of kings1 ,rev4 xix4 #af4 #c4 ,by those primitive1 fundamental1 imperial acts of power1 and supreme authority in the government of the ,church1 which are peculiarly ascribed to ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 as appropriate to him alone1 above all creatures1 e4g4 #a4 ,the giving of laws to his ,church4 ,the law of ,christ1 ,gal4 vi4 #b4 ,gave commandments to the apostles1 ,acts i4 #b4 ,there is one ,lawgiver1 who is able to save and to destroy1 ,james iv4 #ab4 ,the ,lord is our judge1 the ,lord is our lawgiver1 7or statute-maker17 the ,lord is our king1 ,isa4 xxxiii4 #bb4 #b4 ,the constituting of ordinances1 whereby his ,church shall be edified3 as preaching the word1 ,matt4 x4 #g2 #a ,cor4 i4 #ag2 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 ,mark xvi4 #ae4 ,administering of the sacraments4 ,baptism1 ,john i4 #cc1 with ,matt4 iii4 #ac1 c41 and xxviii4 #ah1 #ai4 ,the ,lord's supper1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bj1 #bc1 c42 ,matt4 xxvi4 #bf1 c42 ,mark xiv4 #bb1 c42 ,luke xxii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,dispensing of censures1 ,matt4 xvi4 #aj1 with xviii4 #ae-ah1 c4 #c4 ,the ordaining and appointing of his own church officers1 by whom his ordinances shall be dispensed and managed in his ,church4 ,he gave gifts to men2 and he gave some1 apostles2 and some1 prophets2 and some1 evangelists2 and some1 pastors and teachers1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #h1 #aa2 compare #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab2 ,acts xx4 #bh4 #d4 ,the dispensing of ,christ's ordinances1 not in the name of magistrates1 ministers1 churches1 councils1 c41 but in ,christ's own name4 ,the apostles did speak and teach in the name of ,jesus1 ,acts iv4 #ag1 #ah4 ,whatsoever ye ask in my name1 ,john xiv4 #ac1 #ad1 and xvi4 #bc4 ,baptizing them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai4 ,they were baptized in the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 ,acts xix4 #e4 ,in the name--with the power of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 to deliver such a one to ,satan1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,yea1 assemblies of the ,church are to be in ,christ's name3 ,where two or three are gathered together in my name1 ,matt1 xviii4 #bj4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,of the ,special ,kind1 or ,peculiar ,nature of this ,power and ,authority4 ,having viewed what is the rule of this authority1 viz4 the holy ,scriptures1 and what is the fountain of this authority1 viz4 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator2 now consider the special kind or peculiar nature of this authority1 which the description lays down in two several expressions1 viz3 #a4 ,it is a spiritual power or authority4 #b4 ,it is a derived power1 c4 #a4 ,the power or authority of church government is a spiritual power4 ,spiritual1 not so perfectly and completely as ,christ's supreme government is spiritual1 who alone hath absolute and immediate power and authority over the very spirits and consciences of men2 ruling them by the invisible influence of his ,spirit and grace as he pleaseth1 ,john iii4 #h2 ,rom4 viii4 #ad2 ,gal4 ii4 #bj3 but so purely1 properly1 and merely spiritual is this power1 that it really1 essentially1 and specifically differs1 and is contradistinct from that power which is properly civil1 worldly1 and political1 in the hand of the political magistrate4 ,now1 that this power of church government is in this sense properly1 purely1 merely spiritual3 and that by divine right may be evidenced many ways according to ,scripture2 forasmuch as the rule1 fountain1 matter1 form1 subject1 object1 end1 and the all of this power1 is only spiritual4 #a4 ,spiritual in the rule1 revealing and regulating it1 viz4 not any principles of state policy1 parliament rolls1 any human statutes1 laws1 ordinances1 edicts1 decrees1 traditions1 or precepts of men whatsoever1 according to which cities1 provinces1 kingdoms1 empires1 may be happily governed3 but the holy ,scriptures1 that perfect divine canon1 wherein the ,lord ,christ hath revealed sufficiently how his own house1 his ,church1 shall be ruled1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ad1 #ae2 and all his ordinances1 word1 sacraments1 censures1 c41 shall therein be dispensed1 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1 #ag4 7,see chap4 ,,iv47 ,now this ,scripture is divinely breathed1 or inspired of ,god--holy men writing not according to the fallible will of man1 but the infallible acting of the ,holy ,ghost1 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1 with #b ,pet4 i4 #bj1 #ba4 #b4 ,spiritual in the fountain or author of this power1 whence it originally flows2 it being derived1 not from any magistrate1 prince1 or potentate in the world1 not from any man on earth1 or the will of man2 but only from ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 himself being the sole or first receptacle of all power from the ,father1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah2 ,john v4 #bb3 and consequently1 the very fountain of all power and authority to his ,church1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah-bj1 with ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc2 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah-bj2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h4 ,see this formerly cleared1 chap4 ,,iii4 and ,v4 #c4 ,spiritual in the matter of it1 and the several parts of this power3 therefore called the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 not the keys of the kingdoms of earth1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 7as ,christ professed his kingdom was not of this world1 ,john xviii4 #cf2 and when one requested of ,christ1 that by his authority he would speak to his brother to divide the inheritance with him1 ,christ disclaimed utterly all such worldly1 earthly power1 saying1 ,man1 who made me a judge or a divider over you8 ,luke xii4 #ac1 #ad47 ,consider these heavenly spiritual keys in the kinds of them1 whether of doctrine or discipline2 or in the acts of them1 whether of binding or loosing1 in all which they are spiritual3 e4g4 the doctrine which is preached is not human but divine1 revealed in the ,scriptures by the ,spirit of ,god1 and handling most sublime spiritual mysteries of religion1 #b ,pet4 i42 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1ag4 ,the seals administered are not worldly seals1 confirming and ratifying any carnal privileges1 liberties1 interests1 authority1 c41 but spiritual1 sealing the righteousness of faith1 ,rom4 iv4 #aa2 the death and blood of ,jesus ,christ1 with all the spiritual virtue and efficacy thereof unto his members1 ,rom4 v4 #f2 ,gal4 iii42 #a ,cor4 x4 #af1 #ag1 and xi4 #bc1 #bd1 c4 ,the censures dispensed are not pecuniary1 corporal1 or capital1 by fines1 confiscations1 imprisonments1 whippings1 stocking1 stigmatizing1 or taking away of limb or life1 7all such things this government meddles not withal1 but leaves them to such as bear the civil sword17 but spiritual1 that only concern the soul and conscience2 as admonishing of the unruly and disorderly1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ah1 #ai2 casting out the incorrigible and obstinate from the spiritual fellowship of the saints1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ah1 #ai2 #b ,cor4 v4 ult43 receiving again into spiritual communion of the faithful1 such as are penitent1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f4 ,thus the binding and loosing1 which are counted the chief acts of the keys1 are spiritually by our ,saviour interpreted to be the remitting and retaining of sins2 compare ,matt1 xviii4 #ah1 #ai1 with ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 #d4 ,spiritual in the form and manner1 as well as in the matter4 ,for this power is to be exercised1 not in a natural manner1 or in any carnal name1 of earthly magistrate1 court1 parliament1 prince1 or potentate whatsoever1 as all secular civil power is2 no1 nor in the name of saints1 ministers1 or the churches3 but in a spiritual manner1 in the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 from whom alone all his officers receive their commissions4 ,the word is to be preached in his name1 ,acts xvii4 #ah3 seals dispensed in his name1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai2 ,acts xix4 #e3 censures inflicted in his name1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 c4 7,see chap4 ,v47 #e4 ,spiritual in the subject intrusted with this power2 which is not any civil1 political1 or secular magistrate1 7as after will more fully appear1 in chap4 ,,ix47 but spiritual officers1 which ,christ himself hath instituted and bestowed upon his ,church1 apostles1 c41 pastors1 teachers1 elders1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #h1 #aj1 #aa4 ,to these only he hath given the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah1ai1 and xxviii4 #ah1 #ai2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 authority which the ,lord hath given us4 ,these he hath made governments in his ,church1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,to these he will have obedience and subjection performed1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag1 and double honor allowed1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 #f4 ,spiritual in respect of the object about which this power is to be put forth and exercised1 viz4 not about things1 actions1 or persons civil1 as such2 but spiritual and ecclesiastical1 as such4 ,thus injurious actions1 not as trespasses against any statute or law political2 but as scandalous to our brethren1 or the ,church of ,god1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ah1 #ai2 are considered and punished by this power4 ,thus the incestuous person was cast out1 because a wicked person in himself1 and likely to leaven others by his bad example1 #a ,cor4 v4 #f4 ,thus the persons whom the ,church may judge are not the men of the world without the ,church1 but those that are in some sense spiritual1 and within the ,church1 #a ,cor4 v4 #ab4 #g4 ,spiritual also is this power in the scope and end of it4 ,this the ,scripture frequently inculcates3 e4g4 a brother is to be admonished privately1 publicly1 c41 not for the gaining of our private interests1 advantages1 c41 but for the gaining of our brother1 that his soul and conscience may be gained to ,god and to his duty1 and he be reformed1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ae4 ,the incestuous person is to be delivered to ,satan1 for the destruction of the flesh1 that the spirit may be saved in the day of our ,lord ,jesus1 #a ,cor4 v4 #e2 yea1 the whole authority given to church guides from the ,lord was given to this end1 for the edification1 not the destruction of the ,church1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj2 all which1 and such like1 are spiritual ends4 ,thus the power of church government here described is wholly and entirely a spiritual power1 whether we respect the rule1 root1 matter1 form1 subject1 object1 or end thereof4 ,so that in this respect it is really and specifically distinct from all civil power1 and in no respect encroacheth upon1 or can be prejudicial unto the magistrate's authority1 which is properly and only political4 #b4 ,the power or authority of church government is a derived power4 ,for clearing this1 observe1 there is a magisterial primitive supreme power1 which is peculiar to ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 7as hath been proved1 chap4 ,,iii4 and ,v37 and there is a ministerial1 derivative1 subordinate power1 which the ,scripture declares to be in church guides1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc2 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ai1 #bj2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj1 and often elsewhere this is abundantly testified4 ,but whence is this power originally derived to them8 ,here we are carefully to consider and distinguish three things1 touching this power or authority from one another1 viz3 #ast4 ,the donation of the authority itself1 and of the offices whereunto this power doth properly belong4 #b;d4 ,the designation of particular persons to such offices as are vested with such power4 #c;d4 ,the public protection1 countenancing1 authorizing1 defending1 and maintaining of such officers in the public exercise of such power within such and such realms or dominions4 ,this being premised1 we may clearly thus resolve1 according to scripture warrant1 viz4 the designation or setting apart of particular individual persons to those offices in the ,church that have power and authority engraven upon them1 is from the church nominating1 electing1 and ordaining of such persons thereunto1 see ,acts iii4 #a-c2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad1 and v4 #bb2 ,tit4 i4 #e2 ,acts iv4 #bb4 ,the public protection1 defence1 maintenance1 c41 of such officers in the public exercise of the power and authority of their office in such or such dominions1 is from the civil magistrate1 as the nursing-father of the ,church1 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc2 for it is by his authority and sanction that such public places shall be set apart for the public ministry1 that such maintenance and reward shall be legally performed for such a ministry1 that all such persons of such and such congregations shall be 7in case they neglect their duty to such a ministry7 punished with such political penalties1 c4 ,but the donation of the office and spiritual authority annexed thereunto1 is only derived from ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator4 ,he alone gives all church officers1 and therefore none may devise or superadd any new officers1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #h1 #aj1 #aa2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,and he alone commits all authority and power spiritual to those officers1 for dispensing of word1 sacraments1 censures1 and all ordinances1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xxviii4 #ah-bj2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj3 and therefore it is not safe for any creature to intrude upon this prerogative royal of ,christ to give any power to any officer of the ,church4 ,none can give what he has not4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,of the several ,parts or ,acts of this power of ,church ,government1 wherein it puts forth itself in the ,church4 ,thus far of the special kind or peculiar nature of this authority2 now to the several parts or acts of this power which the description comprehends in these expressions1 7in dispensing the word1 seals1 censures1 and all other ordinances of ,christ47 ,the evangelical ordinances which ,christ has set up in his church are many2 and all of them by divine right that ,christ sets up4 ,take both the enumeration of ordinances and the divine right thereof severally1 as followeth4 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath instituted and appointed these ensuing administrations to be standing and perpetual ordinances in his church3 which ordinances for method sake may be reduced into two heads1 according to the distribution of the keys formerly laid down1 7chap4 ,,iii417 viz41 ordinances appertaining1 #ast1 ,to the key of order or of doctrine2 #b;d1 ,to the key of jurisdiction or of discipline4 #a4 ,ordinances appertaining to the key of order or doctrine1 viz3 #a4 ,public prayer and thanksgiving are divine ordinances3 for #ast1 ,paul writing his first epistle to ,timothy1 that he might know how to behave himself in the house of ,god1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ad1 #ae1 among other directions in that epistle1 gives this for one1 ,i exhort therefore that first of all supplications1 prayers1 intercessions1 and giving of thanks be made for all men1 #a ,tim4 ii4 #a1 #b1 for this is good and acceptable in the sight of ,god our ,saviour1 verse #c4 #b4 ,the apostle1 regulating public prayers in the congregation1 directing that they should be performed with the understanding1 takes it for granted that public prayer was an ordinance of ,christ4 ,if ,i pray in an unknown tongue1 my spirit prayeth1 but my understanding is unfruitful4 ,what is it then8 ,i will pray with the spirit1 and will pray with the understanding also4 ,else when thou shalt bless with the spirit1 how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned1 say amen at thy giving of thanks1 seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest8 for thou verily givest thanks well1 but the other is not edified4 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ad-ag4 #c4 ,further1 the apostles did account public prayer to be of more concern than serving of tables1 and providing for the necessities of the poor1 yea1 to be a principal part of their ministerial office1 and therefore resolve to addict and give themselves to the ministry of the word and to prayer1 ,acts vi4 #d2 and this was the church's practice in the purest times1 ,acts i4 #ac1 #ad1 whose pious action is for our imitation4 #d4 ,and ,jesus ,christ hath made gracious promises to public prayer1 viz41 of his presence with those who assemble in his name2 and of audience of their prayers1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,would ,christ so crown public prayer were it not his own ordinance8 #b4 ,singing of psalms is a divine ordinance1 being1 #a4 ,prescribed2 be filled with the spirit3 speaking to yourselves in psalms1 and hymns1 and spiritual songs1 ,eph4 v4 #ah1 #ai4 ,let the word of ,christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom1 teaching and admonishing one another in psalms1 and hymns1 and spiritual songs1 ,col4 iii4 #af4 #b4 ,regulated2 the right performance thereof being laid down1 ,i will sing with the spirit1 and ,i will sing with the understanding also1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ae1 #af4 ,singing with grace in your hearts to the ,lord1 ,col4 iii4 #af4 ,singing and making melody in your hearts to the ,lord1 ,eph4 v4 #ai4 #c4 ,the public ministry of the word of ,god in the congregation is a divine ordinance4 ,we will give ourselves1 said the apostles1 to the ministry of the word and prayer1 ,acts vi4 #d4 ,the ministry of the word is a sacred ordinance1 whether read1 preached1 or catechetically propounded4 #a4 ,the public reading of the word is a divine ordinance1 7though exposition of what is read do not always immediately follow47 ,for1 #a4 ,god commanded the reading of the word publicly1 and never since repealed that command1 ,deut4 xxxi4 #aa-ac2 ,jer4 xxxvi4 #f2 ,col4 iii4 #af4 #b4 ,public reading of the scriptures hath been the practice of ,god's church1 both before ,christ1 ,exod4 xxiv4 #g2 ,neh4 viii4 #ah1 and ix4 #c1 and xiii4 #a2 and after ,christ1 ,acts xiii4 #ae1 #bg1 and xv4 #ba2 #b ,cor4 iii4 #ad4 #c4 ,public reading of the scriptures is as necessary and profitable now as ever it was4 ,see ,deut4 xxxi4 #aa-ac4 #b4 ,the public preaching of the word is an eminent ordinance of ,christ4 ,this is evident many ways1 viz3 #a4 ,christ hath commanded that the word shall be preached4 ,go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature1 ,mark xvi4 #ae4 ,go ye1 therefore1 and disciple ye all nations2 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever ,i have commanded you1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,as ye go1 preach1 saying1 ,the kingdom of heaven is at hand1 ,matt4 x4 #g4 ,see also ,mark iii4 #ad4 ,i charge thee1 c4 ,preach the word1 #b ,tim4 iv4 #a1 #b4 ,necessity is laid upon me1 yea1 wo is unto me if ,i preach not the gospel1 #a ,cor4 ix4 #af1 #ag4 ,christ sent me--to preach the gospel1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ag2 with which compare also ,acts xx4 #bh1 and #a ,pet4 v4 #a-d4 #b4 ,christ hath appointed who shall preach the word4 ,how shall they preach except they be sent8 ,rom4 x4 #ae4 ,the qualifications of preaching elders see in #a ,tim4 iii4 #b-h1 and ,tit4 i4 #e-i4 #c4 ,christ hath appointed how the word shall be preached4 ,be instant1 in season1 out of season1 reprove1 rebuke1 exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine1 #b ,tim4 iv4 #b4 ,that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince gainsayers1 ,tit4 i4 #i4 ,he that hath my word1 let him speak my word faithfully3 what is the chaff to the wheat1 saith the ,lord8 ,jer4 xxiii4 #bh4 #d4 ,christ hath made many encouraging promises to the preaching of his word1 which he would not have done1 were it not his own ordinance4 ,teaching them to observe all things whatsoever ,i have commanded you1 and lo ,i am with you every day to the end of the world1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #bj4 ,whatsoever ye shall bind on earth1 shall be bound in heaven2 and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah4 ,whose soever sins ye remit1 they are remitted unto them3 and whose soever sins ye retain1 they are retained1 ,john xx4 #bc4 ,both these are partly meant of doctrinal binding and loosing1 remitting and retaining4 ,be not afraid1 but speak1 and hold not thy peace3 for ,i am with thee1 and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee1 for ,i have much people in this city1 ,acts xviii4 #i1 #aj4 #c4 ,the catechetical propounding or expounding of the word1 viz4 a plain1 familiar laying down of the first principles of the oracles of ,god1 is an ordinance of ,christ also4 ,for1 #a4 ,this was the apostolical way of teaching the churches at the first plantation thereof4 ,when for the time ye ought to be teachers1 ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of ,god1 and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat1 ,heb4 v4 #ab4 ,therefore1 leaving the word of the beginning of ,christ1 let us go on unto perfection1 not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works1 and of faith towards ,god1 c41 ,heb4 vi4 #a1b4 ,and ,i1 brethren1 could not speak unto you as unto spiritual1 but as unto carnal1 as unto babes in ,christ4 ,i have fed you with milk1 and not with meat1 for hitherto ye were not able to bear it1 neither yet now are ye able1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #a1 #b4 #b4 ,and this is the sense of pastor and people which the ,holy ,ghost useth1 setting forth the reciprocal relation and office between them1 with his own approbation4 ,let him that is catechized in the word1 communicate to him that catechizeth him1 in all good things1 ,gal4 vi4 #f4 #d4 ,the administration of the sacraments is of divine institution4 #a4 ,of baptism4 ,he that sent me to baptize with water1 ,john i4 #cc4 ,go ye therefore1 disciple ye all nations1 baptizing them into the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj4 #b4 ,of the ,lord's supper1 which ,christ ordained the same night in which he was betrayed3 which institution is at large described1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bj1 #bc1 c42 ,matt4 xxvi4 #bf-ca2 ,mark xiv4 #bb-bg2 ,luke xxii4 #ai1 #bj4 #b4 ,ordinances appertaining to the key of jurisdiction or of discipline1 viz3 #a4 ,the ordination of presbyters with imposition of the hands of the presbytery1 after praying and fasting1 is a divine ordinance4 ,neglect not the gift that is in thee1 which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad4 ,titus was left in ,crete for this end1 ,to set in order things that were wanting1 and ordain presbyters 7or elders7 in every city1 as ,paul had appointed him1 ,tit4 i4 #e4 ,timothy is charged1 ,lay hands suddenly on no man1 neither be partaker of other men's sins2 keep thyself pure1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bb4 ,paul and ,barnabas came to ,lystra1 ,iconium1 and ,antioch1 and when they had ordained them presbyters in every church1 and had prayed with fasting1 they commended them to the ,lord1 c41 ,acts xiv4 #ba1 #bc4 #b4 ,authoritative discerning1 and judging of doctrine according to the word of ,god1 is a divine ordinance4 ,as that council at ,jerusalem1 authoritatively 7viz4 by ministerial authority7 judged of both the false doctrine and manners of false teachers1 branding them for troublers of the ,church1 subverters of souls1 c4 ,forasmuch as we have heard that certain1 coming forth from u1 have troubled you with words1 subverting your souls1 saying1 ye ought to be circumcised1 and keep the law1 to whom we gave no such commandment1 ,acts xv4 #bd2 it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost1 and to us1 to impose upon you no greater burden than these necessary things1 v4 #bh2 and this was done upon debates from scripture grounds1 and to this the words of the prophets agree1 ,acts xv4 #ae3 and afterwards their results and determinations are called decrees ordained by the apostles and elders1 ,acts xvi4 #d4 #c4 ,admonition and public rebuke of sinners is a divine ordinance of ,christ4 ,if thy brother trespass against thee1 go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone3 if he will not hear thee1 then take with thee one or two more--and if he shall neglect to hear them1 tell it unto the ,church1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ae-ag4 ,whose soever sins ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven1 ,john xx4 #bc4 ,one way and degree of binding is by authoritative1 convincing reproof4 ,admonish the unruly1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ad4 ,an heretic1 after the first and second admonition1 reject1 ,tit4 iii4 #a4 ,them that sin1 convincingly reprove before all1 that the rest also may fear1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj4 ,rebuke them sharply1 7or convince them cuttingly17 ,tit4 iii4 #ac4 ,sufficient to such an one is that rebuke1 which was from many1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f4 #d4 ,rejecting1 and purging out1 or putting away from the communion of the ,church1 wicked and incorrigible persons1 is an ordinance of ,christ4 ,and if he will not hear them1 tell the ,church2 but if he will not hear the ,church1 let him be unto thee even as a heathen and a publican4 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 what things soever ye shall bind on earth1 they shall be bound in heaven1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ag1 #ah1 compared with ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 ,an heretic1 after once or twice admonition1 reject1 ,tit4 iii4 #aj2 i4e4 excommunicate1 till he repent--,pisc4 in loc4 ,by the lawful judgment of the ,church1 to deliver the impenitent to ,satan4--,beza in loc4 ,of whom is ,hymeneus and ,alexander1 whom ,i have delivered to ,satan1 that they may learn not to blaspheme1 #a ,tim4 i4 #bj4 ,the apostle's scope in #a ,cor4 v4 is to press the church of ,corinth to excommunicate the incestuous person4 ,ye are puffed up1 and have not rather mourned1 that he that hath done this deed may be taken from the midst of you4 ,for ,i verily1 as absent in body1 but present in spirit1 have already as present judged him that thus wrought this thing4 ,in the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 you being gathered together1 and my spirit with the power of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 to deliver such an one to ,satan for the destruction of the flesh1 that the spirit may be saved in the day of our ,lord ,jesus1 #a ,cor4 v4 #b-e4 ,know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump8 ,purge out therefore the old leaven1 ver4 #g4 ,i wrote to you in an epistle1 not to be mingled together with fornicators1 ver4 #i1 #aa2 and explaining what he meant by not being mingled together1 saith1 ,if any named a brother be a fornicator1 or covetous1 or an idolater1 or a reviler1 or drunkard1 or rapacious1 with such an one not to eat together1 ver4 #aa4 ,therefore take away from among yourselves that wicked person1 ver4 #ac4 #e4 ,seasonable remitting1 receiving1 comforting1 and authoritative confirming again in the communion of the ,church those that are penitent4 ,what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah4 ,whose soever sins ye remit1 they are remitted unto them1 ,john xx4 #bc4 ,this loosing and remitting is not only doctrinal and declarative in the preaching of the word1 but also juridical and authoritative in the administration of censures4 ,this is called1 for distinction's sake1 absolution4 ,after the church of ,corinth had excommunicated the incestuous person1 and he thereupon had given sufficient testimony of his repentance1 the apostle directs them to receive him into church communion again1 saying1 ,sufficient to such an one is that rebuke inflicted of many2 so that contrariwise you should rather forgive and comfort him1 lest such an one should be swallowed up of abundant sorrow4 ,wherefore ,i beseech authoritatively to confirm love unto him3 for to this purpose also ,i have written unto you1 that ,i may know the proof of you1 if ye be obedient in all things1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f-i4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,of the ,end and ,scope of this ,government of the ,church4 ,the end or scope intended by ,christ in instituting1 and to be aimed at by ,christ's officers in executing of church government in dispensing the word1 sacrament1 censures1 and all ordinances of ,christ1 is 7as the description expresseth7 the edifying of the ,church of ,christ4 ,this end is very comprehensive4 ,for the fuller evidencing whereof these two things are to be proved3#ast1 ,that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath under the ,new ,testament one general visible ,church on earth4 #b;d4 ,that the edification of this ,church of ,christ is that eminent scope and end why ,christ gave the power of church government and other ordinances unto the ,church4 ,i4 ,for the first1 that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath under the ,new ,testament a general visible ,church on earth1 made up of all particular churches1 may be cleared by considering well these particulars4 #ast4 ,that it is evident by the ,scriptures that ,jesus ,christ hath on earth many particular visible churches3 7whether churches congregational1 presbyterial1 provincial1 or national1 needs not here be determined47 ,unto the churches of ,galatia1 ,gal4 i4 #b4 ,the churches of ,judea1 ,gal4 i4 #bb4 ,through ,syria and ,cilicia1 confirming the churches1 ,acts xv4 #da4 ,to the seven churches in ,asia1 ,rev4 i4 #d1 #bj4 ,the church of ,ephesus1 ,rev4 ii4 #a4 ,the church in ,smyrna1 ver4 #h4 ,the church in ,pergamus1 ver4 #ab4 ,the church in ,thyatira1 ver4 #ah4 ,the church in ,sardis1 ,rev4 iii4 #a4 ,the church in ,philadelphia1 ver4 #g4 ,and the church in ,laodicea1 ver4 #ad4 ,the church that is in their house1 ,rom4 xvi4 #e2 and ,philem4 #b4 ,let your women keep silence in the church1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd4 ,all the churches of the ,gentiles1 ,rom4 xvi4 #d4 ,so ordain ,i in all churches1 #a ,cor4 vii4 #ag4 ,as in all churches of the saints1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cc4 ,the care of all the churches1 #b ,cor4 xi4 #bh4 ,the ,new ,testament hath many such like expressions4 #b;d4 ,that how many particular visible churches soever ,christ hath on earth1 yet ,scripture counts them all to be but one general visible ,church of ,christ4 ,this is manifest1 #a4 ,by divers ,scriptures1 using the word church in such a full latitude and extensive completeness1 as properly to signify1 not any one single congregation1 or particular church1 but one general visible ,church3 as1 ,upon this rock ,i will build my ,church1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ah4 ,give none offence1 neither to the ,jews1 nor to the ,greeks1 nor to the ,church of ,god1 #a ,cor4 x4 #cb4 ,god hath set some in the ,church1 first1 apostles2 secondarily1 prophets2 thirdly1 teachers1 c41 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,i persecuted the ,church of ,god1 #a ,cor4 xv4 #i2 ,gal4 i4 #ac4 ,the ,church of the living ,god1 the pillar and ground of the truth1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ae4 ,might be known by the ,church the manifold wisdom of ,god1 ,eph4 iii4 #aj4 ,in the midst of the ,church will ,i sing praise unto thee1 ,heb4 ii4 #ab4 ,in which1 and such like places1 we must needs understand1 that one general visible ,church of ,christ4 #b4 ,by such passages of scripture as evidently compare all visible professors and members of ,christ throughout the world to one organical body1 having eyes1 ears1 hands1 feet1 c41 viz41 several organs1 instruments1 officers1 c41 in it1 for the benefit of the whole body2 as1 ,he gave some apostles1 and some prophets1 and some evangelists1 and some pastors and teachers1 for the perfecting of the saints1 for the work of the ministry1 for the edifying of the body of ,christ1 ,eph4 iv4 #aa1 #ab4 ,there is one body1 ,eph4 iv4 #d4 ,as we have many members in one body1 and all members have not the same office2 so we being many are one body in ,christ1 and every one members one of another1 c41 ,rom4 xii4 #d-i4 ,as the body is one1 and hath many members1 and all the members of that one body being many1 are one body2 so also is ,christ1 7i4e41 ,christ considered mystically1 not personally17 for by one ,spirit are we all baptized into one body1 whether we be ,jews or ,gentiles1 whether we be bond or free1 c41 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ab1 to the end of the chapter1 which context plainly demonstrates all ,christ's visible members in the world1 ,jews or ,gentiles1 c41 to be members of one and the same organical body of ,christ1 which organical body of ,christ is the general visible ,church of ,christ2 for the invisible church is not organical4 ,,ii4 ,that the edification of the ,church of ,christ is that eminent scope and end1 why ,christ gave church government and all other ordinances of the ,new ,testament to his ,church4 ,this is frequently testified in scripture4 #a4 ,the apostle1 speaking of this power generally1 saith1 ,our authority which the ,lord hath given to us for edification1 and not for the destruction of you1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h4 ,the like passage he hath again1 saying1 according to the authority1 or power1 which the ,lord hath given to me for edification1 and not for destruction1 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #aj2 in both which places he speaks of the authority of church government in a general comprehensive way1 declaring the grand and general immediate end thereof to be1 affirmatively1 edification of the church2 negatively1 not the subversion or destruction thereof4 #b4 ,in like manner1 when particular acts of government1 and particular ordinances are mentioned1 the edification of the ,church1 at least in her members1 is propounded as the great end of all3 e4g4 #a4 ,admonition is for edification1 that an erring brother may be gained1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ae1 #af1 that wavering minds may be sound in the faith4 ,rebuke them cuttingly1 that they may be sound in the faith1 ,tit4 i4 #ac1 that beholders and bystanders may fear to fall into like sins4 ,them that sin rebuke before all1 that others also may fear1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj4 #b4 ,excommunication is for edification2 particularly of the delinquent member himself2 thus the incestuous person was delivered to ,satan for the destruction of the flesh1 that the spirit might be saved in the day of the ,lord ,jesus1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e4 ,hymeneus and ,alexander were delivered to ,satan1 that they might learn not to blaspheme1 #a ,tim4 i4 #bj3 more generally of the ,church2 thus the incestuous person was to be put away from among them lest the whole lump of the church should be leavened by him1 #a ,cor4 v4 #c4 ,absolution also is for edification1 lest the penitent party should be swallowed up of too much sorrow1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #g4 #d4 ,all the officers of his ,church are for edification of the ,church1 7,eph4 iv4 #g1 #h1 #aa1 #ab1 #af17 together with all the gifts and endowments in these officers1 whether of prayer1 prophecy1 tongues1 c41 all must be managed to edification4 ,this is the scope of the whole chapter4 #a ,cor4 xii4 #g1 c41 and #a ,cor4 xiv4 #c-e1 #i1 #ab1 c41 #bf2 read the whole chapter4 ,that passage of ,paul is remarkable1 ,i thank my ,god1 ,i speak with tongues more than you all2 yet in the church ,i had rather speak five words with my understanding1 that by my voice ,i might teach others also1 than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue1 verses #ah1 #ai4 ,thus church government1 and all sorts of ordinances1 with the particular acts thereof1 are to be levelled at this mark of edification4 ,edification is an elegant metaphor from material buildings 7perhaps of the material and typical temple7 to the spiritual2 for explanation's sake briefly thus take the accommodation3 ,the architects1 or builders1 are the ministers1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #aj4 ,the foundation and corner-stone that bears up1 binds together1 and gives strength to the building1 is ,jesus ,christ1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #aa2 #a ,pet4 ii4 #d1 #f4 ,the stones or materials are the faithful or saints1 #b ,cor4 i4 #a4 ,the building1 or house itself1 is the ,church1 that spiritual house1 and temple of the living ,god1 ,eph4 ii4 #ba1 and iv4 #ab2 #a ,cor4 iii4 #i1 #af1 #ag4 ,the edification of this house is gradually to be perfected more and more till the coming of ,christ1 by laying the foundation of ,christianity1 in bringing men still unto ,christ1 and carrying on the superstruction in perfecting them in ,christ in all spiritual growth1 till at last the top-stone be laid on1 the ,church completed1 and translated to the house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,of the proper receptacle and distinct subject of all this power and authority of ,church ,government1 which ,christ hath peculiarly intrusted with the execution thereof according to the ,scriptures4 ,and #a4 ,negatively1 ,that the political magistrate is not the proper subject of this power4 ,thus we have taken a brief survey of church government1 both in the rule1 root1 kind1 branches1 and end thereof1 all which are comprised in the former description1 and being less controverted1 have been more briefly handled4 ,now1 the last thing in the description which comes under our consideration1 is the proper receptacle of all this power from ,christ1 or the peculiar subject intrusted by ,christ with this power and the execution thereof1 viz4 only ,christ's own officers4 ,for church government is a spiritual power or authority1 derived from ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 only to his own officers1 and by them exercised in dispensing of the word1 c4 ,now about this subject of the power will be the great knot of the controversy1 forasmuch as there are many different claims thereof made1 and urged with vehement importunity3 7to omit the ,romish claim for the pope1 and the prelatical claim for the bishop17 the politic ,erastian pretends that the only proper subject of all church government is the political or civil magistrate2 the gross ,brownists or rigid ,separatists1 that it is the body of the people1 or community of the faithful in an equal even level2 they that are more refined1 7who style themselves for distinction's sake#bf ,independents17 that it is the single congregation1 or the company of the faithful with their presbytery1 or church officers2 the ,presbyterians hold that the proper subject wherein ,christ hath seated and intrusted all church power1 and the exercise thereof1 is only his own church officers1 7as is in the description expressed47 ,here1 therefore1 the way will be deeper1 and the travelling slower2 the opposition is much1 and therefore the disquisition of this matter will unavoidably be the more4 ,for perspicuity herein1 seeing it is said that this power is derived from ,christ only to his own officers2 and by this word 7only7 all other subjects are excluded2 the subject of church power may be considered1 #a4 ,negatively1 what it is not4 #b4 ,affirmatively1 what it is4 ,negatively1 the proper subject unto whom ,christ hath committed the power of church government1 and the exercise thereof1 is not1 #a4 ,the political magistrate1 as the ,erastians imagine4 #b4 ,nor the body of the people1 either with their presbytery or without it1 as the ,separatists and ,independents pretend4 ,let these negatives first be evinced1 and then the affirmative will be more clearly evidenced4 ,touching the first of these--that the political magistrate is not the proper subject unto whom ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath committed the power of church government1 and the exercise of that power2 it will be cleared by declaring these two things distinctly and severally1 viz3 #a4 ,what power about ecclesiasticals is granted to the civil magistrate4 #b4 ,what power therein is denied unto him1 and why4 ,,section #a4 ,such power is granted by the reformed churches and orthodox writers to the political magistrate1 in reference to church affairs4 ,take it in these particulars4 ,a defensive1 protecting1 patronizing power to the church1 and all the members thereof4 ,kings shall be thy nursing-fathers1 c41 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc4 ,the magistrate is the minister of ,god for good to well-doers1 as well as the avenger1 executing wrath upon evil-doers2 a terror not to good works1 but to the evil1 ,rom4 xiii4 #c1 #d2 he is called an heir1 or1 possessor of restraint1 to put men to shame1 ,judges xviii4 #g4 ,and as the church ought to pray for kings and all in authority1 so consequently all in authority should endeavor to defend it1 that the church and people of ,god should lead a quiet and peaceable life1 7under the wing of their protection17 in all godliness and honesty1 #a ,tim4 ii4 #b2 and this is evident from the end and scope of these prayers here prescribed1 as interpreters unanimously agree4 ,and hereupon are those promises to the church1 ,the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls1 and their kings shall minister unto thee1 ,isa4 lx4 #aj2 and thou shalt suck the breast of kings1 ,isa4 lx4 #af4 ,now1 this nursing1 protecting care of magistrates towards the church1 puts forth itself in these or like acts1 viz3 ,he1 #a4 ,removes all external impediments of true religion1 worship of ,god1 c41 by his civil power1 whether persons or things1 whether persecutions1 profaneness1 heresy1 idolatry1 superstition1 c41 that truth and godliness may purely flourish3 as did ,jehoshaphat1 ,asa1 ,hezekiah1 ,josiah4 ,and hereupon it is that ,god so oft condemns the not removing and demolishing of the high places and monuments of idolatry1 #a ,kings xv4 #ad1 with #b ,chron4 xv4 #ag2 #a ,kings xxii4 #dd2 #b ,kings xii4 #c3 and highly commends the contrary in ,asa1 #b ,chron4 xv4 #h1 #af3 in ,jehoshaphat1 #b ,chron4 xvii4 #c1 #d1 #f-aj3 in ,hezekiah1 #b ,chron4 xxxi4 #a2 #b ,kings xviii4 #d3 in ,manasseh1 #b ,chron4 xxxiii4 #ae3 in ,josiah1 #b ,kings xxiii4 #h1 #ac1 #ai1 #bj1 #bd3 whereupon the ,holy ,ghost gives him that superlative commendation above all kings before and after him1 ver4 #be4 #b4 ,countenanceth1 advanceth1 and encourageth by his authority and example the public exercise of all ,god's ordinances1 and duties of religion within his dominions1 whether in matter of divine worship1 discipline1 and government1 maintaining for the ,church the fulness of spiritual liberties and privileges communicated to her from ,christ3 as did ,asa1 #b ,chron4 xv4 #i-af3 ,jehoshaphat1 #b ,chron4 xx4 #g-i3 ,hezekiah1 #b ,chron4 xxix41 xxx41 and xxxi4 chapters throughout3 ,josiah1 #b ,chron4 xxxiv4 and xxxv4 chapters4 ,and to this end ,god prescribed in the law that the king should still have a copy of the law of ,god by him1 therein to read continually1 ,deut4 xvii4 #ah-bj2 because he was to be not only a practiser1 but also a protector thereof1 a keeper of both tables4 #c4 ,supplies the ,church with all external necessaries1 provisions1 means1 and worldly helps in matters of religion3 as convenient public places to worship in1 sufficient maintenance for ministers1 7as the ,scripture requireth1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #ah2 #a ,cor4 ix4 #f-ae2 ,gal4 vi4 #f37 schools and colleges1 for promoting of literature1 as nurseries to the prophets1 c42 together with the peaceable and effectual enjoyment of all these worldly necessaries1 for comfortably carrying on of all public ordinances of ,christ4 ,thus ,david prepared materials1 but ,solomon built the temple1 #a ,chron4 xxii4 ,hezekiah commanded the people that dwelt in ,jerusalem1 to give the portion of the priests and the ,levites1 that they might be encouraged in the law of the ,lord2 and ,hezekiah himself and his princes came and saw it performed1 #b ,chron4 xxxi4 #d1 c41 #h3 ,josiah repaired the house of ,god1 #b ,chron4 xxxiv4 ,nor need the magistrate think scorn1 but rather count it his honor to be an earthly protector of the ,church1 which is the body of ,christ1 the ,lamb's wife1 for redeeming of which ,christ died1 and for gathering and perfecting of which the very world is continued4 ,an ordering1 regulating power is also allowed to the magistrate about ecclesiastical matters in a political way1 so that he warrantably1 #a4 ,reforms the ,church1 when corrupted in divine worship1 discipline1 or government3 as did ,moses1 ,exod4 xxxii42 ,joshua1 ,josh4 xxiv42 ,asa1 #b ,chron4 xv42 ,jehoshaphat1 #b ,chron4 xvii42 ,hezekiah1 #b ,kings xviii42 ,josiah1 #b ,kings xxiii42 #b ,chron4 xxxiv4 #b4 ,convenes or convocates synods and councils1 made up of ecclesiastical persons1 to consult1 advise1 and conclude determinatively1 according to the word1 how the church is to be reformed and refined from corruptions1 and how to be guided and governed when reformed1 c4 ,for1 #a4 ,pious magistrates under the ,old ,testament called the ,church together1 convened councils4 ,david1 about bringing back the ark1 #a ,chron4 xiii4 #a1 #b1 and another council when he was old1 #a ,chron4 xiii4 #a2 ,solomon1 #a ,kings viii4 #a2 ,hezekiah1 #b ,chron4 xxix4 #d2 and ,josiah1 #b ,kings xxiii4 #a1 #b4 #b4 ,all ought to be subject to superior powers1 who ought to procure the public peace and prosperity of the ,church1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a1 #b1 c42 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ac1 c41 #ag2 #a ,tim4 ii4 #b4 ,therefore superior powers may convocate councils4 #c4 ,christian magistrates called the four general councils3 ,constantine the first ,nicene council2 ,theodosius1 senior1 the first council of ,constantinople2 ,theodosius1 junior1 the first ,ephesian council2 ,marcian ,emperor1 the ,chalcedon council2 and1 #d4 ,hereunto antiquity subscribes1 as ,dr4 ,whitaker observes4 #c4 ,supports the laws of ,god with his secular authority1 as a keeper of the tables1 enjoining and commanding1 under civil penalties1 all under his dominion1 strictly and inviolably to observe the same3 as ,josiah made all that were present in ,israel to serve the ,lord their ,god1 #b ,chron4 xxxiv4 #cc4 ,nehemiah made the sabbath to be sanctified1 and strange wives to be put away1 ,neb4 xii4 #ac1 c4 ,yea1 ,nebuchadnezzar1 a heathen king1 decreed1 that ,whosoever should speak amiss of the ,god of ,shadrach1 c41 should be cut in pieces1 and their houses made a dunghill1 ,dan4 iii4 #bh1 #bi4 ,and ,darius decreed1 ,that in every dominion of his kingdom men tremble and fear before the ,god of ,daniel1 c41 ,dan4 vi4 #bf1 #bg4 ,and as he strengthens the laws and ordinances of ,god by his civil authority1 so he ratifies and establishes within his dominions the just and necessary decrees of the ,church in synods and councils 7which are agreeable to ,god's word7 by his civil sanction4 #d4 ,judges and determines definitively with a consequent political judgment1 or judgment of political discretion1 concerning the things judged and determined antecedently by the ,church1 in reference to his own act4 ,whether he will approve such ecclesiasticals or not2 and in what manner he will so approve1 or do otherwise by his public authority2 for he is not a brutish agent1 7as papists would have him17 to do whatsoever the ,church enjoins him unto blind obedience1 but is to act prudently and knowingly in all his office2 and therefore the judgment of discerning 7which belongs to every ,christian1 for the well-ordering of his own act7 cannot be denied to the ,christian magistrate1 in respect of his office4 #e4 ,takes care politically1 that even matters and ordinances merely and formally ecclesiastical1 be duly managed by ecclesiastical persons orderly called thereto4 ,thus ,hezekiah commanded the priests and ,levites to do their duties1 #b ,chron4 xxix4 #e1 #bd1 and the people to do theirs1 #b ,chron4 xxx4 #a2 and for this he is commended1 that therein he did cleave unto the ,lord1 and observed his precepts which he had commanded ,moses1 #b ,kings xviii4 #f4 ,thus when the king is commanded to observe and do all the precepts of the law1 the ,lord 7as orthodox divines do judge7 intended that he should keep them1 not only as a private man1 but as a king1 by using all care and endeavor that all his subjects with him perform all duties to ,god and man1 ,deut4 xvii4 #ah-bj4 #f4 ,a compulsive1 coactive1 punitive1 or corrective power1 formally political1 is also granted to the political magistrate in matters of religion1 in reference to all sorts of persons and things under his jurisdiction4 ,he may politically compel the outward man of all persons1 church officers1 or others under his dominions1 unto external performance of their respective duties1 and offices in matters of religion1 punishing them1 if either they neglect to do their duty at all1 or do it corruptly1 not only against equity and sobriety1 contrary to the second table1 but against truth and piety1 contrary to the first table of the decalogue4 ,we have sufficient intimation of the magistrate's punitive power in cases against the second table2 as the stubborn and rebellious1 incorrigible son1 that was a glutton and a drunkard1 sinning against the fifth commandment1 was to be stoned to death1 ,deut4 xxi4 #ah-ba4 ,the murderer1 sinning against the sixth commandment1 was to be punished with death1 ,gen4 ix4 #f2 ,numb4 xxxv4 #cj-cd2 ,deut4 x4 #aa-ac4 ,the unclean person1 sinning against the seventh commandment1 was to be punished with death1 ,lev4 xx4 #aa1 #ab1 #ad1 #ag1 #ai-be2 and before that1 see ,gen4 xxxviii4 #bd4 ,yea1 ,job1 who is thought to live before ,moses1 and before this law was made1 intimates that adultery is a heinous crime1 yea1 it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges1 ,job xxxi4 #i1aa4 ,the thief1 sinning against the eighth commandment1 was to be punished by restitution1 ,exod4 xxii4 #a1 #ae1 c4 ,the false witness1 sinning against the ninth commandment1 was to be dealt withal as he would have had his brother dealt with1 by the law of retaliation1 ,deut4 xix4 #af1 to the end of the chapter1 c4 ,yea1 the magistrate's punitive power is extended also to offences against the first table2 whether these offences be against the first commandment1 by false prophets teaching lies1 errors1 and heresies in the name of the ,lord1 endeavoring to seduce people from the true ,god4 ,if there arise among you a prophet1 or a dreamer of dreams1 that prophet1 or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death1 because he hath spoken to turn you away from the ,lord your ,god1 which brought you out of the land of ,egypt1 c41 ,deut4 xiii4 #a-f4 ,from which place ,calvin notably asserts the punitive power of magistrates against false prophets and impostors that would draw ,god's people to a defection from the true ,god1 showing that this power also belongs to the ,christian magistrate in like cases now under the gospel4 ,yea1 in case of such seducement from ,god1 though by nearest allies1 severe punishment was to be inflicted upon the seducer1 ,deut4 xiii4 #f-ab4 ,see also ver4 #ab1 to the end of the chapter1 how a city is to be punished in the like case4 ,and ,mr4 ,burroughs1#bg in his ,irenicum1 shows that this place of ,deut4 xiii4 #f1 c41 belongs even to us under the gospel4 ,or whether these offences be against the second commandment1 the magistrate's punitive power reaches them1 ,deut4 xvii4 #a-h2 ,lev4 xvii4 #b-h2 #b ,chron4 xvi4 #ac1 #af4 ,maachah1 the mother of ,asa the king1 he removed from being queen1 because she had made an idol in a grove4 ,job xxxi4 #bf-bh1 herewith compare ,exod4 viii4 #be1 #bf4 ,or whether the offences be against the third commandment1 ,and thou shalt speak unto the children of ,israel1 saying1 ,whosoever curseth ,god shall bear his sin3 and he that blasphemeth the name of the ,lord he shall surely be put to death1 and all the congregation shall certainly stone him1 as well the stranger as he that is born in the land1 when he blasphemeth the name of the ,lord shall be put to death1 ,lev4 xxiv4 #ae1 #af4 ,yea1 the heathen king ,nebuchadnezzar made a notable decree to this purpose1 against blaspheming ,god1 saying1 ,i make a decree1 that every people1 nation1 and language1 who speak any thing amiss against the ,god of ,shadrach1 ,meshech1 and ,abednego1 shall be cut in pieces1 and their houses shall be made a dunghill1 ,dan4 iii4 #bi3 and the pagan magistrate1 king ,artaxerxes1 made a more full decree against all contempt of the law of ,god3 ,and whosoever will not do the law of thy ,god1 saith he to ,ezra1 and the law of the king1 let judgment be executed speedily upon him1 whether it be unto death1 or to banishment1 or to confiscation of goods1 or to imprisonment3 and ,ezra blesses ,god for this1 ,ezra vii4 #bf1 #bg4 ,besides all this light of nature1 and evidence of the ,old ,testament1 for the ruler's political punitive power for offences against ,god1 there are divers places in the ,new ,testament showing that a civil punitive power rests still in the civil magistrate3 witness those general expressions in those texts--,rom4 xiii4 #c1 #d3 ,rulers are not a terror to good works1 but to the evil4 ,if thou do that which is evil1 be afraid1 for he beareth not the sword in vain3 for he is the minister of ,god1 a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil4 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ac1 #ad3 ,submit yourselves unto every ordinance of man for the ,lord's sake1 whether it be to the king as to the supreme1 or unto governors which are sent for the punishment of evil-doers1#bh and the praise of them that do well4 ,now1 7as ,mr4 ,burroughs#bi notes17 seeing the ,scripture speaks thus generally1 except the nature of the thing require1 why should we distinguish where the ,scripture doth not8 so that these expressions may be extended to those sorts of evil-doing against the first as well as against the second table2 against murdering of souls by heresy1 as well as murdering of men's bodies with the sword2 against the blaspheming of the ,god of heaven1 as well as against blaspheming of kings and rulers1 that are counted gods on earth4 ,that place seems to have much force in it to this purpose1 ,heb4 x4 #bh1 #bi3 ,he that despised ,moses' law1 died without mercy under two or three witnesses4 ,of how much sorer punishment1 suppose ye1 shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the ,son of ,god1 and hath counted the blood of the covenant1 wherewith he was sanctified1 an unholy thing1 and hath done despite unto the ,spirit of grace8 ,yea1 what deserve such as deny the ,spirit to be of ,god8 ,papists exempt their clergy from the judgment of the civil power1 though they be delinquents against it2 and their states1 both civil and spiritual1 from civil taxes1 tributes1 and penalties1 both which we deny to ours3 for1 #ast1 ,this is repugnant to the law of nature1 that church officers and members1 as parts and members of the commonwealth1 should not be subject to the government of that commonwealth whereof they are parts4 #b;d1 ,repugnant to the laws and practices of the ,old ,testament1 under which we read of no such exemptions4 ,yea1 we have instance of ,abiathar the high-priest1 who1 for his partnership with ,adonijah in his rebellion1 was exiled by king ,solomon1 and so consequently deprived of the exercise of his office1 #a ,kings ii4 #bf1 #bg4 #c;d1 ,inconsistent with our ,saviour's example1 who1 as subject to the law1 held himself obliged to pay tribute to avoid offence1 7,matt4 xvii4 #bf17 which was an active scandal2 and he confesses ,pilate's power to condemn or release him was given him from above1 ,john xix4 #aa4 #dth1 ,and finally1 contrary to the apostolical precepts1 enjoining all to be subject to superior powers1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a-d2 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ac-ae4 ,now1 all the former power that is granted1 or may be granted to the magistrate about religion1 is only cumulative and objective1 as divines used to express it2 thus understand them3-- ,cumulative1 not privative2 adding to1 not detracting from any liberties or privileges granted her from ,christ4 ,the heathen magistrate may be a nurse-father1 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc2 #a ,tim4 ii4 #b1 may not be a step-father3 may protect the ,church1 religion1 c41 and order many things in a political way about religion2 may not extirpate or persecute the ,church2 may help her in reformation2 may not hinder her in reforming herself1 convening synods in herself1 as in ,acts xv41 c41 if he will not help her therein2 otherwise her condition were better without than with a magistrate4 ,the ,christian magistrate much less ought to hinder her therein1 otherwise her state were worse under the ,christian than under the pagan magistrate4 ,objective or objectively ecclesiastical1 as being exercised about objects ecclesiastical1 but politically1 not ecclesiastically4 ,his proper power is about1 not in religious matters4 ,he may politically1 outwardly exercise his power about objects or matters spiritual2 but not spiritually1 inwardly1 formally act any power in the ,church4 ,he may act in church affairs as did ,asa1 ,jehoshaphat1 ,hezekiah1 ,josiah2 not as did ,corah1 ,saul1 ,uzzah1 or ,uzziah4 ,he is an overseer of things without1 not of things within4 ,and in a word1 his whole power about church offices and religion is merely1 properly1 and formally civil or political4#cj ,nor is this only our private judgment1 or the opinion of some few particular persons touching the granting or bounding of the magistrate's power about matters of religion2 but with us we have the suffrage of many reformed churches1 who1 in their ,confessions of ,faith published to the world1 do fully and clearly express themselves to the same effect4 ,the ,helvetian church thus3 ,since every magistrate is of ,god1 it is 7unless he would exercise tyranny7 his chief duty1 all blasphemy being repressed1 to defend and provide for religion1 and to execute this to his utmost strength1 as the prophet teacheth out of the word2 in which respect the pure and free preaching of ,god's word1 a right1 diligent1 and well-instituted discipline of youth1 citizens and scholars2 a just and liberal maintenance of the ministers of the church1 and a solicitous care of the poor1 7whereunto all ecclesiastical means belong17 have the first place4 ,after this1 c4 ,the ,french churches thus3 ,he also therefore committed the sword into the magistrates' hands1 that they might repress faults committed not only against the second table1 but also against the first2 therefore we affirm1 that their laws and statutes ought to be obeyed1 tribute to be paid1 and other burdens to be borne1 the yoke of subjection voluntarily to be undergone1 yea1 though the magistrates should be infidels1 so long as the supreme government of ,god remains perfect and untouched1 ,matt4 xxiv42 ,acts iv4 #ag1 and v4 #ai2 ,jude verse #h4 ,the church of ,scotland thus3 ,moreover we affirm1 that the purging and conserving of religion is the first and most especial duty of kings1 princes1 governors1 and magistrates4 ,so that they are ordained of ,god not only for civil polity1 but also for the conservation of true religion1 and that all idolatry and superstition may be suppressed3 as is evident in ,david1 ,jehoshaphat1 ,josiah1 ,hezekiah1 and others1 adorned with high praises for their singular zeal4 ,the ,belgic church thus3 ,therefore he hath armed the magistrates with a sword1 that they may punish the bad and defend the good4 ,furthermore1 it is their duty not only to be solicitous about preserving of civil polity1 but also to give diligence that the sacred ministry may be preserved1 all idolatry and adulterate worship of ,god may be taken out of the way1 the kingdom of antichrist may be pulled down1 but ,christ's kingdom propagated4 ,finally1 it is their part to take course1 that the holy word of the gospel be preached on every side1 that all may freely and purely serve and worship ,god according to the prescript of his word4 ,and all men1 of whatsoever dignity1 condition1 or state they be1 ought to be subject to lawful magistrates1 to pay them tribute and subsidies1 to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the word of ,god2 to pour out prayers for them1 that ,god would vouchsafe to direct them in all their actions1 and that we may under them lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty4 ,wherefore we detest the ,anabaptists and all turbulent men who cast off superior dominions and magistrates1 pervert laws and judgments1 make all goods common1 and finally abolish or confound all orders and degrees which ,god hath constituted for honesty's sake among men4 ,the church in ,bohemia thus3 ,they teach also that it is commanded in the word of ,god that all should be subject to the higher powers in all things1 yet in those things only which are not repugnant to ,god and his word4 ,but as touching those things which concern men's souls1 faith1 and salvation1 they teach that men should hearken only to ,god's word1 c41 his ministers1 as ,christ himself saith1 ,render to ,csar the things that are ,csar's1 and to ,god those things that are ,god's4 ,but if any would compel them to those things which are against ,god1 and fight and strive against his word1 which abideth forever2 they teach them to make use of the apostle's example1 who thus answered the magistrate at ,jerusalem3 ,it is meet 7say they7 to obey ,god rather than men4 ,finally1 the church in ,saxony hath expressed herself notably in this point1 saying1 among many other passages1 ,god will have all men1 yea1 even unregenerate men1 to be ruled and restrained by political government4 ,and in this government the wisdom1 justice1 and goodness of ,god to mankind do shine forth4 ,his wisdom1 order declares1 which is the difference of virtues and vices1 and the consociation of men by lawful governments and contracts ordained in wonderful wisdom4 ,god's justice also is seen in political government1 who will have manifest wickednesses to be punished by magistrates2 and when they that rule punish not the guilty1 ,god himself wonderfully draws them to punishment1 and regularly punishes heinous faults with heinous penalties in this life1 as it is said1 ,he that takes the sword shall perish by the sword2 and1 ,whoremongers and adulterers ,god will judge4 ,god will have in these punishments the difference of vices and virtues to be seen2 and will have us learn that ,god is wise1 just1 true1 chaste4 ,god's goodness also to mankind is beheld1 because by this means he preserves the society of men1 and therefore he preserves it that thence the ,church may be gathered1 and will have polities to be the ,church's inns4 ,of these divine and immoveable laws1 which are testimonies of ,god1 and the chief rule of manners1 the magistrate is to be keeper in punishing all that violate them4 ,for the voice of the law1 without punishment and execution1 is of small avail to bridle and restrain men2 therefore it is said by ,paul1 ,the power should be a terror to evil works1 and an honor to the good4 ,and antiquity rightly said1 ,the magistrate is the keeper of the law1 both of the first and second table1 so far as appertains to good order4 ,and though many in their governments neglect the glory of ,god1 yet this ought to be their chief care1 to hear and embrace the true doctrine touching the ,son of ,god1 and to foster the churches1 as the psalm saith1 ,and now understand1 ye kings1 and be instructed1 ye judges of the earth4 ,again1 ,open your gates1 ye princes1 i4e41 ,open your empires to the gospel1 and afford harbor to the ,son of ,god4 ,and ,isa4 xlix43 ,and kings shall be thy nursing-fathers1 and queens1 i4e41 commonwealths1 shall be thy nursing-mothers1 i4e41 of the ,church1 they shall afford lodgings to churches and pious studies4 ,and kings and princes themselves shall be members of the ,church1 and shall rightly understand doctrine1 shall not help those that establish false doctrine1 and exercise unjust cruelty1 but shall be mindful of this saying1 ,i will glorify them that glorify me4 ,and ,daniel exhorteth the king of ,babylon unto the acknowledgment of ,god's wrath1 and to clemency towards the exiled ,church1 when he saith1 ,break off thy sins by righteousness1 and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor4 ,and since they are among the chief members of the ,church1 they should see that judgment be rightly exercised in the ,church1 as ,constantine1 ,theodosius1 ,arcadius1 ,marcianus1 ,charles the ,great1 and many pious kings1 took care that the judgments of the ,church should be rightly exercised1 c4 ,thus those of the presbyterian judgment are willing to give to ,csar those things that are ,csar's1 even about matters of religion1 that the magistrate may see1 it is far from their intention in the least degree to intrench upon his just power1 by asserting the spiritual power1 which ,christ hath seated in his church officers1 distinct from the magistratical power3 but as for them of the independent judgment1 and their adherents1 they divest the magistrate of such power4#ca ,,section ,,ii4 ,,ii4 ,some power on the other hand touching religion and church affairs1 is utterly denied to the civil magistrate1 as no way belonging to him at all by virtue of his office of magistracy4 ,take it thus3 ,jesus ,christ1 our ,mediator1 now under the ,new ,testament1 hath committed no spiritual power at all1 magisterial or ministerial1 properly1 internally1 formally1 or virtually ecclesiastical1 nor any exercise thereof1 for the government of his ,church1 to the political magistrate1 heathen or ,christian1 as the subject or receptacle thereof by virtue of his magistratical office4 ,for explication hereof briefly thus3 #a4 ,what is meant by spiritual power1 magisterial and ministerial1 is laid down in the general nature of the government1 ,chap4 ,,iii4 ,and1 ,that all magisterial lordly power over the ,church1 belongs peculiarly and only to ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 ,lord of all1 is proved1 ,chap4 ,v4 ,consequently1 the civil magistrate can challenge no such power1 without usurpation upon ,christ's prerogative4 ,we hence condemn the ,pope as ,antichrist1 while he claims to be ,christ's vicar-general over ,christ's visible ,church on earth4 ,so that all the question here will be about the ministerial power1 whether any such belong to the civil magistrate4 #b4 ,what is meant by power1 properly1 internally1 formally1 or virtually ecclesiastical8 ,thus conceive3 ,these several terms are purposely used1 the more clearly and fully to distinguish power purely ecclesiastical1 which is denied to the magistrate1 from power purely political about ecclesiastical objects1 which is granted to him2 which is called ecclesiastical1 not properly1 but improperly2 not internally1 but externally2 not formally1 but only objectively1 as conversant about ecclesiastical objects4 ,nor hath he any such ecclesiastical power in him virtually1 i4e4 so as to convey and give it to any other under him4 ,he may grant and protect the public exercise of that power within his dominions2 but designation of particular persons to the office and power1 is from the ,church2 the donation of the office and power only from ,christ himself4 ,so that magistracy doth not formally nor virtually comprehend in it ecclesiastical power for church government2 for a magistrate1 as a magistrate1 hath no inward ecclesiastical power at all belonging to him4 ,for confirmation of this proposition1 consider these ensuing arguments4 ,argum4 #ast4 ,the keys of the kingdom of heaven were never given by ,christ to the civil magistrate1 as such3 therefore he cannot be the proper subject of church government as a magistrate4 ,we may thus reason3 ,major4 ,no power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven was ever given by ,christ to the civil magistrate1 as a magistrate4 ,minor4 ,but all formal power of church government is at least part of the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore no formal power of church government was ever given by ,christ to the civil magistrate1 as a magistrate4 ,the major proposition is evident4 #a4 ,because when ,christ gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 he makes no mention at all of the civil magistrate directly or indirectly1 expressly or implicitly1 as the recipient subject thereof4 ,compare ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah1 ,john ii4 #ba-bc1 with ,matt4 xxvii4 #ah-bj4 #b4 ,because1 in ,christ's giving the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 he makes express mention of church officers1#cb which are really and essentially different from the civil magistrate1 viz4 of ,peter1 in name of all the rest1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ah1 #ai1 and of the rest of the apostles as the receptacle of the keys with him1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ah1 all the disciples save ,thomas being together1 he gave them the same commission in other words1 ,john xx4 #bj-bd1 and ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah-bj4 ,now if ,christ should have given the keys1 or any power thereof to the magistrate1 as a magistrate1 he must consequently have given them only to the magistrate1 and then how could he have given them to his apostles1 being officers in the ,church really distinct from the magistrate8 #c4 ,because ,jesus ,christ1 in giving the keys of the kingdom1 gave not any one sort1 act1 part1 or piece of the keys severally1 but the whole power of the keys1 all the sorts and acts thereof jointly4 ,therefore it is said1 ,i give the keys of the kingdom--and whatsoever thou shalt bind--whatsoever thou shalt loose--whose soever sins ye remit--whose soever sins ye retain--,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 ,john xx4 #bc4 ,so that here is not only key1 but keys given at once1 viz4 key of doctrine1 and the key of discipline2 or the key of order1 and the key of jurisdiction2 not only binding or retaining1 but loosing or remitting of sins1 viz4 all acts together conferred in the keys4 ,now if ,christ gave the keys to the magistrate1 then he gave all the sorts of keys and all the acts thereof to him3 if so1 the magistrate may as well preach the word1 and dispense the sacraments1 c41 7as ,erastus would have him17 as dispense the censures1 c41 7for ,christ joined all together in the same commission1 and by what warrant are they disjoined87 and if so1 what need of pastors1 teachers1 c411 in the ,church8 ,let the civil magistrate do all4 ,it is true1 the ruling elder 7which was after added7 is limited only to one of the keys1 viz4 the key of discipline1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 but this limitation is by the same authority that ordained his office4 #d4 ,because if ,christ gave the keys to the civil magistrate as such1 then to every magistrate1 whether ,jewish1 heathenish1 or ,christian3 but not to the ,jewish magistrate2 for the sceptre was to depart from him1 and the ,jewish polity to be dissolved1 and even then was almost extinct4 ,not to the heathenish magistrate1 for then those might be properly and formally church governors which were not church members2 and if the heathen magistrate refused to govern the ,church1 7when there was no other magistrate on earth17 she must be utterly destitute of all government1 which are grossly absurd4 ,nor1 finally1 to the ,christian magistrate1 for ,christ gave the keys to officers then in being2 but at that time no ,christian magistrate was in being in the world4 ,therefore the keys were given by ,christ to no civil magistrate1 as such1 at all4 ,the minor1 viz4 ,but all formal power of church government is at least part of the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven is clear4 ,if we take church government largely1 as containing both doctrine1 worship1 and discipline1 it is the whole power of the keys2 if strictly1 as restrained only to discipline1 it is at least part of the power4 ,for1 #ast1 ,not only the power of order1 but also the power of jurisdiction1 is contained under the word keys2 otherwise it should have been said key1 not keys2 church government therefore is at least part of the power of the keys4 #b;d1 ,the word key1 noting a stewardly power1 as appears1 ,isa4 xxii4 #bb1 7as ,erastians themselves will easily grant17 may as justly be extended in the nature of it to signify the ruling power by jurisdiction1 as the teaching power by doctrine2 in that the office of a steward in the household1 who bears the keys1 consists in governing1 ordering1 and ruling the household1 as well as in feeding it1 as that passage in ,luke xii4 #da-di1 being well considered1 doth very notably evidence4 ,for1 ,christ applying his speech to his disciples1 saith1 ,who then is that faithful and wise steward1 whom his ,lord shall make ruler of his household8--he will make him ruler over all that he hath1 c4 #c;d1 ,nothing in the text or context appears why we should limit keys and the acts thereof only to doctrine1 and exclude discipline2 and where the text restrains not1 we are not to restrain4 #dth1 ,the most of sound interpreters extend the keys and the acts thereof as well to discipline as to doctrine2 to matters of jurisdiction1 as well as to matters of order4 ,from all we may conclude1 ,therefore no formal power of church government was ever given by ,christ to the civil magistrate1 as a magistrate4 ,argum4 #b;d4 ,there was full power of church government in the church when no magistrate was ,christian1 yea1 when all magistrates were persecutors of the ,church1 so far from being her nursing fathers1 that they were her cruel butchers2 therefore the magistrate is not the proper subject of this power4 ,thus we may argue3 ,major4 ,no proper power of church government1 which was fully exercised in the ,church of ,christ1 before any magistrate became ,christian1 yea1 when magistrates were persecutors of the ,church1 was derived from ,christ to the magistrate as a magistrate4 ,minor4 ,but all proper power of church government was fully exercised in the ,church before any magistrate became ,christian1 yea1 when magistrates were cruel persecutors of the ,church of ,christ4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore no proper power of church government was derived from ,christ to the civil magistrate as a magistrate4 ,the major proposition must be granted4 ,for1 #ast1 ,either then the ,church1 in exercising such full power of church government1 should have usurped that power which belonged not at all to her1 but only to the magistrate2 for what power belongs to a magistrate1 as a magistrate1 belongs to him only2 but dare we think that the apostles1 or the primitive purest apostolical churches did or durst exercise all their power of church government which they exercised1 merely by usurpation without any right thereunto themselves8 #b;d1 ,or if the ,church usurped not1 c41 but exercised the power which ,christ gave her1 let the magistrate show wherein ,christ made void the ,church's charter1 retracted this power1 and gave it unto him4 ,the minor proposition cannot be denied4 ,for1 #ast4 ,it was about #cjj years after ,christ before any of the ,roman emperors 7who had subdued the whole world1 ,luke ii4 #a1 under their sole dominion7 became ,christian4 ,for ,constantine the ,great was the first emperor that received the faith1 procured peace to the ,church1 and gave her respite from her cruel persecutions1 which was in ,anno #cji 7or thereabouts7 after ,christ2 before which time the ,church was miserably wasted and butchered with those ten bloody persecutions1 by the tyranny of ,nero1 and other cruel emperors before ,constantine4 #b;d4 ,yet within the space of this first #cji or #caa years1 all proper power of church government was fully exercised in the ,church of ,christ2 not only the word preached1 ,acts iv4 #b2 #a ,tim4 iii4 #af2 and sacraments dispensed1 ,acts xx4 #g2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #ag1 c42 ,acts ii4 #d1 and viii4 #ab3 but also deacons set apart for that office of deaconship1 ,acts vi43 elders ordained and sent forth1 ,acts xiii4 #a-c1 and xiv4 #bc2 #a ,tim4 iv42 ,tit4 i4 #e3 public admonition in use1 ,tit4 iii4 #aj2 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj3 excommunication1 #a ,cor4 v42 and #a ,tim4 i4 #bj3 absolution of the penitent1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f1 #g1 c43 synodical conventions and decrees1 ,acts xv4 with xvi4 #d4 ,so that we may conclude1 ,therefore no proper power of church government was derived from ,christ to the civil magistrate1 as a magistrate4 ,argum4 #c;d4 ,the magistratical power really1 specifically1 and essentially differs from the ecclesiastical power2 therefore the civil magistrate1 as a magistrate1 cannot be the proper subject of this ecclesiastical power4 ,hence we may thus argue3 ,major4 ,no power essentially1 specifically1 and really differing from magistratical power1 was ever given by ,christ to the magistrate as a magistrate4 ,minor4 ,but all proper ecclesiastical power essentially1 specifically1 and really differs from the magistratical power4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore no proper ecclesiastical power was ever given by ,jesus ,christ to the civil magistrate as a magistrate4 ,the major is evident3 for how can the magistrate1 as a magistrate1 receive such a power as is really and essentially distinct and different from magistracy8 ,were not that to make the magistratical power both really the same with itself1 and yet really and essentially different from itself8 ,a flat contradiction4 ,the minor may be clearly evinced many ways3 as1 #ast1 ,from the real and formal distinction between the two societies1 viz4 the ,church and commonwealth1 wherein ecclesiastical and political power are peculiarly seated4 #b;d4 ,from the co-ordination of the power ecclesiastical and political1 in reference to one another4 #c;d4 ,from the different causes of these two powers1 viz4 efficient1 material1 formal1 and final2 in all which they are truly distinguished from one another4 #ast4 ,from the real and formal distinction between the two societies1 viz4 church and commonwealth3 for1 #a4 ,the society of the ,church is only ,christ's1 and not the civil magistrate's3 it is his house1 his spouse1 his body1 c41 and ,christ hath no vicar#cc under him4 #b4 ,the officers ecclesiastical are ,christ's officers1 not the magistrate's1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a3 ,christ gave them1 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aj1 #aa3 ,god set them in the ,church1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 #c4 ,these ecclesiastical officers are both elected and ordained by the ,church1 without commission from the civil magistrate1 by virtue of ,christ's ordinance1 and in his name4 ,thus the apostles appointed officers3 ,whom we may appoint1 ,acts vi4 #c1 #d4 ,the power of ordination and mission is in the hands of ,christ's officers2 compare ,acts xiv4 #bc2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad1 with ,acts xiii4 #a-d3 and this is confessed by the parliament to be an ordinance of ,jesus ,christ1 in their ordinance for ordaining of preaching presbyters4 #d4 ,the ,church1 and the several presbyteries ecclesiastical1 meet not as civil judicatories1 for civil acts of government1 as making civil statutes1 inflicting civil punishments1 c41 but as spiritual assemblies1 for spiritual acts of government and discipline3 as preaching1 baptizing1 receiving the ,lord's supper1 prayer1 admonition of the disorderly1 c4 #e4 ,what gross absurdities would follow1 should not these two societies1 viz4 church and commonwealth1 be acknowledged to be really and essentially distinct from one another6 ,for then1 #a4 ,there can be no commonwealth where there is not a ,church2 but this is contrary to all experience4 ,heathens have commonwealths1 yet no ,church4 #b4 ,then there may be church officers elected where there is no church1 seeing there are magistrates where there is no church4 #c4 ,then those magistrates1 where there is no church1 are no magistrates2 but that is repugnant to ,scripture1 which accounts heathen rulers the servants of ,god1 ,isa4 xlv4 #a2 ,jer4 xxv4 #i3 and calls them kings1 ,exod4 vi4 #ac2 ,isa4 xxxi4 #ce4 ,and further1 if there be no magistrates where there is no church1 then the church is the formal constituting cause of magistrates4 #d4 ,then the commonwealth1 as the commonwealth1 is the church2 and the church1 as the church1 is the commonwealth3 then the church and the commonwealth are the same4 #e4 ,then all that are members of the commonwealth are1 on that account1 because members of the commonwealth1 members of the church4 #f4 ,then the commonwealth1 being formally the same with the church1 is1 as a commonwealth1 the mystical body of ,christ4 #g4 ,then the officers of the church are the officers of the commonwealth2 the power of the keys gives them right to the civil sword3 and consequently1 the ministers of the gospel1 as ministers1 are justices of the peace1 judges1 parliament-men1 c41 all which how absurd1 let the world judge4 #b;d4 ,from the co-ordination of the power ecclesiastical and political1 in reference to one another3 7this being a received maxim1 that subordinate powers are of the same kind2 co-ordinate powers are of distinct kinds47 ,now1 that the power of the ,church is co-ordinate with the civil power1 may be evidenced as followeth3 #a4 ,the officers of ,christ1 as officers1 are not directly and properly subordinate to the civil power1 though in their persons they are subject thereto3 the apostles and pastors may preach1 and cast out of the church1 against the will of the magistrate1 and yet not truly offend magistracy2 thus1 in doing the duty they have immediately received from ,god1 they must obey ,god rather than men1 ,acts iv4 #ai1 #bj4 ,and the apostles and pastors must exercise their office 7having received a command from ,christ7 without attending to the command or consent of the civil magistrate for the same2 as in casting out the incestuous person1 #a ,cor4 v4 #e3 telling the ,church1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ag3 rejecting a heretic1 ,tit4 iii4 #aj4 ,and1 #b4 ,those acts of power are not directly and formally subordinate to the magistrate1 which he himself cannot do1 or which belong not to him4 ,thus the kings of ,israel could not burn incense3 ,it appertaineth not unto thee1 #b ,chron4 xxvi4 #ah1 #ai4 ,likewise1 none have the power of the keys1 but they to whom ,christ saith1 ,go ye into all the world and preach the gospel1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai3 but ,christ spake not this to magistrates3 so only those that are sent1 ,rom4 x4 #ae1 and those that are governors1 are by ,christ placed in the ,church4 #c4 ,the officers of the ,church can ecclesiastically censure the officers of the state1 though not as such1 as well as the officers of the state can punish civilly the officers of the ,church1 though not as such3 the church guides may admonish1 excommunicate1 c41 the officers of the state as members of the ,church1 and the officers of the state may punish the officers of the ,church as the members of the state4 #d4 ,those that are not sent of the magistrate as his deputies1 they are not subordinate in their mission to his power1 but the ministers are not sent as the magistrate's deputies1 but are set over the flock by the ,holy ,ghost1 ,acts xx4 #bh3 they are likewise the ministry of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 #b3 they are over you in the ,lord1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab3 and in his name they exercise their jurisdiction1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e4 #e4 ,if the last appeal in matters purely ecclesiastical be not to the civil power1 then there is no subordination2 but the last appeal properly so taken is not to the magistrate4 ,this appears from these considerations3 #a4 ,nothing is appealable to the magistrate but what is under the power of the sword2 but admonition1 excommunication1 c41 are not under the power of the sword3 they are neither matters of dominion nor coercion4 #b4 ,if it were so1 then it follows that the having of the sword gives a man a power to the keys4 #c4 ,then it follows that the officers of the kingdom of heaven are to be judged as such by the officers of the kingdom of this world as such1 and then there is no difference between the things of ,csar and the things of ,god4 #d4 ,the church of ,antioch sent to ,jerusalem1 ,acts xv4 #b1 and the synod there1 without the magistrate1 came together1 ver4 #f2 and determined the controversy1 ver4 #bh1 #bi4 ,and we read1 ,the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cb2 not to the civil power as prophets4 ,so we must seek knowledge at the priest's lips1 not at the civil magistrate's1 ,mal4 ii4 #g4 ,and we read1 that the people came to the priests in hard controversies1 but never that the priests went to the civil power1 ,deut4 xvii4 #h-aj4 #e4 ,it makes the magistrate ,christ's vicar1 and so ,christ to have a visible head on earth1 and so to be an ecclesiastico-civil pope1 and consequently there should be as many visible heads of ,christ's ,church as there are magistrates4 #f4 ,these powers are both immediate2 one from ,god the ,father1 as ,creator1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a1 #b2 the other from ,jesus ,christ1 as ,mediator1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah4 ,now lay all these together1 and there cannot be a subordination of powers2 and therefore there must be a real distinction4 #c;d4 ,from the different causes of these two powers1 viz4 efficient1 material1 formal1 and final2 in all which they are truly distinguished from one another1 as may plainly appear by this ensuing parallel3 #a4 ,they differ in their efficient cause or author1 whence they are derived4 ,magistratical power is from ,god1 the ,creator and ,governor of the world1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a1 #b1 #d2 and so belongs to all mankind1 heathen or ,christian2 ecclesiastical power is peculiarly from ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator1 ,lord of the ,church1 7who hath all power given him1 and the government of the ,church laid upon his shoulder1 as ,eph4 i4 #bb2 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah1 compared with ,isa4 ix4 #af47 ,see ,matt4 vi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah1 and xxviii4 #ai1 #bj2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h3 and consequently belongs properly to the ,church1 and to them that are within the ,church1 #a ,cor4 v4 #ab1 #ac4 ,magistratical power in general is the ordinance of ,god1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a1 #b1 #d2 but magistratical power in particular1 whether it should be monarchical in a king1 aristocratical in states1 democratical in the people1 c41 is of men1 called1 therefore1 a human creature1 or creation1 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ac2 but ecclesiastical power1 and officers in particular1 as well as general1 are from ,christ1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xxviii4 #ah-bj2 ,tit4 iii4 #aj2 #a ,cor4 v4 #ac2 #b ,cor4 ii4 ,for officers1 see ,eph4 iv4 #aa1 #ab2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 #b4 ,they differ in their material cause2 whether it be the matter of which they consist1 in which they are seated1 or about which they are exercised4 #a4 ,in respect of the matter of which they consist1 they much differ4 ,ecclesiastical power consists of the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 which are exercised in the preaching of the word1 dispensing the sacraments1 executing the censures1 admonition1 excommunication1 absolution1 ordination of presbyters1 c42 but magistratical power consists in the secular sword1 which puts forth itself in making statutes1 inflicting fines1 imprisonments1 confiscations1 banishments1 torments1 death4 #b4 ,in respect of the matter or object about which they are exercised1 they much differ3 for1 the magistratical power is exercised politically1 about persons and things without the ,church1 as well as within the church2 but the ecclesiastical power is exercised only upon them that are within the ,church1 #a ,cor4 v4 #ac4 ,the magistratical power in some cases of treason1 c41 banishes or otherwise punishes even penitent persons3 ecclesiastical power punishes no penitent persons4 ,the magistratical power punishes not all sorts of scandal1 but some3 the ecclesiastical power punishes 7if rightly managed7 all sorts of scandal4 #c4 ,they differ in their formal cause1 as doth clearly appear by their way or manner of acting3 magistratical power takes cognizance of crimes1 and passes sentence thereupon according to statutes and laws made by man3 ecclesiastical power takes cognizance of1 and passes judgment upon crimes according to the word of ,god1 the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,magistratical power punishes merely with political punishments1 as fines1 imprisonments1 c4 ,ecclesiastical merely with spiritual punishments1 as church censures4 ,magistratical power makes all decrees and laws1 and executes all authority1 commanding or punishing only in its own name1 in name of the supreme magistrate1 as of the king1 c41 but ecclesiastical power is wholly exercised1 not in the name of churches1 or officers1 but only in ,christ's name1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ai2 ,acts iv4 #ag2 #a ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,the magistrate can delegate his power to another3 church-governors cannot delegate their power to others1 but must exercise it by themselves4 ,the magistrate about ecclesiasticals hath power to command and compel politically the church officers to do their duty1 as formerly was evidenced2 but cannot discharge lawfully those duties themselves1 but in attempting the same1 procure divine wrath upon themselves3 as ,korah1 ,numb4 xvi42 ,king ,saul1 #a ,sam4 xiii4 #i-ae2 ,king ,uzziah1 #b ,chron4 xxvi4 #af-bb3 but church-guides can properly discharge the duties of doctrine1 worship1 and discipline themselves1 and ecclesiastically command and compel others to do their duty also4 #d4 ,lastly1 ,they differ in their final cause or ends4 ,the magistratical power levels at the temporal1 corporal1 external1 political peace1 tranquillity1 order1 and good of human society1 and of all persons within his jurisdiction1 c4 ,the ecclesiastical power intends properly the spiritual good and edification of the ,church and all the members thereof1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ae2 #a ,cor4 v4 #e1 c42 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4cd ,may we not from all clearly conclude1 ,therefore no proper ecclesiastical power was ever given by ,jesus ,christ to the magistrate as a magistrate8 ,argum4 #dth4 ,the civil magistrate is no proper church officer1 and therefore cannot be the proper subject of church power1 ,hence we may argue3 ,major4 ,all formal power of church government was derived from ,jesus ,christ to his own proper church officers only4 ,to them he gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bh3 to them he gave the authority for edification of the church1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj3 but this will after more fully appear in ,chap4 ,,xi4 following4 ,minor4 ,but no civil magistrate1 as a magistrate1 is any of ,christ's proper church officers4 ,for1 #a4 ,the civil magistrate is never reckoned up in the catalogue1 list1 or roll of ,christ's church officers in ,scripture1 ,eph4 iv4 #aj-ab2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 c42 ,rom4 xii4 #f-h2 if here1 or anywhere else1 let the magistrate or the ,erastians show it4 #b4 ,a magistrate1 as a magistrate1 is not a church member1 7much less a church governor27 for then all magistrates1 heathen as well as ,christian1 should be church members and church officers1 but this is contrary to the very nature of ,christ's kingdom1 which admits no heathen into it4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore no formal power of church government was derived from ,jesus ,christ to the magistrate as a magistrate4 ,argum4 #eth4 ,the civil magistrate1 as such1 is not properly subordinate to ,christ's mediatory kingdom2 therefore is not the receptacle of church power from ,christ4 ,hence thus3 ,major4 ,whatsoever formal power of church government ,christ committed to any1 he committed it only to those that were properly subordinate to his mediatory kingdom4 ,for whatsoever ecclesiastical ordinance1 office1 power1 or authority1 ,christ gave to men1 he gave it as ,mediator and ,head of the ,church1 by virtue of his mediatory office2 and for the gathering1 edifying1 and perfecting of his mediatory kingdom1 which is his ,church1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #aj-ab4 ,therefore such as are not properly subordinate to ,christ in this his office1 and for this end1 can have no formal church power from ,christ4 ,minor4 ,but no magistrate1 as a magistrate1 is subordinate properly to ,christ's mediatory kingdom4 ,for1 #a4 ,not ,christ the ,mediator1 but ,god the ,creator authorizeth the magistrate's office1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a1 #b1 #f4 #b4 ,magistracy is never styled a ministry of ,christ in ,scripture1 nor dispensed in his name4 #c4 ,christ's kingdom is not of this world1 ,john xviii4 #cf2 the magistrate's is4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore no formal power of ,church government is committed by ,christ to the magistrate as a magistrate4 #fth4 ,finally1 divers absurdities unavoidably follow upon the granting of a proper formal power of ,church government to the civil magistrate3 therefore he cannot be the proper subject of such power4 ,hence it may be thus argued3 ,major4 ,no grant of ecclesiastical power1 which plainly introduceth many absurdities1 can be allowed to the political magistrate1 as the proper subject thereof4 ,for though in matters of religion there be many things mysterious1 sublime1 and above the reach of reason2 yet there is nothing to be found that is absurd1 irrational1 c4 ,minor4 ,but to grant to the political magistrate1 as a magistrate1 a proper formal power of church government1 introduceth plainly many absurdities1 e4g43 #a4 ,this brings confusion betwixt the office of the magistracy and ministry4 #b4 ,confounds the church and commonwealth together4 #c4 ,church government may be monarchical in one man2 and so1 not only prelatical but papal2 and consequently1 antichristian4 ,which absurdities1 with many others1 were formerly intimated1 and neither by religion nor reason can be endured4 ,we conclude3 ,conclusion4 ,therefore the grant of a proper formal power of church government cannot be allowed to the political magistrate as the proper subject thereof1 because he is a magistrate4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,that the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 are not the immediate subject of the power of ,church government4 ,thus we see1 that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator did not commit any proper formal ecclesiastical power for church government to the political magistrate1 as such1 as the ,erastians conceive4 ,now1 in the next place 7to come more close7 let us consider that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath not committed the spiritual power of church government to the body of the people1 presbyterated1 or unpresbyterated 7to use their own terms7 as the first subject thereof1 according to the opinion of the ,separatists or ,independents4 ,take it in this proposition3 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath not committed the proper formal power or authority spiritual1 for government of his ,church1#ce unto the community of the faithful1 whole church1 or body of the people1 as the proper immediate receptacle1 or first subject thereof4 ,,section ,i4 ,some things herein need a little explanation1 before we come to the confirmation4 #a4 ,by fraternity1 community of the faithful1 whole church or body of the people1 understand a particular company of people1 meeting together in one assembly or single congregation1 to partake of ,christ's ordinances4 ,this single congregation may be considered as presbyterated1 i4e41 furnished with an eldership2 or as unpresbyterated1 i4e41 destitute of an eldership1 having yet no elders or officers erected among them4 ,rigid ,brownists or ,separatists say1 that the fraternity or community of the faithful unpresbyterated is the first receptacle of proper ecclesiastical power from ,christ3 unto whom some of independent judgment subscribe4 ,independents thus resolve3 ,first1 ,that the apostles of ,christ are the first subject of apostolical power4 ,secondly1 ,that a particular congregation of saints1 professing the faith1 taken indefinitely for any church1 7one as well as another17 is the first subject of all church offices with all their spiritual gifts and power4 ,thirdly1 ,that when the church of a particular congregation walketh together in the truth and peace1 the brethren of the church are the first subjects of church liberty2 the elders thereof of church authority2 and both of them together are the first subject of all church power4#cf ,which assertions of ,brownists and ,independents 7except the first7 are denied by them of presbyterian judgment1 as being obvious to divers material and just exceptions4#cg3 #b4 ,by proper formal power or authority spiritual1 for church government1 thus conceive4 ,to omit what hath been already laid down about the natures and sorts of spiritual power and authority1 7part #b1 chap4 ,,iii4 and ,,vi417 which are to be remembered1 here it may be further observed1 that there is a proper public1 official1 authoritative power1 though but stewardly and ministerial1 which is derived from ,jesus ,christ to his church officers1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 of which power the apostle speaking1 saith1 ,if ,i should somewhat boast of our power which the ,lord hath given us to edification1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h2 so #b ,cor4 xiii4 #aj4 ,the people are indeed allowed certain liberties or privileges2 as1 ,to try the spirits1 c41 #a ,john iv4 #a4 ,to prove all doctrines by the word1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ba4 ,to nominate and elect their own church officers1 as their deacons1 which they did1 ,acts vi4 #c1 #e1 #f2 but this is not a proper power of the keys4 ,but the proper1 public1 official1 authoritative power1 is quite denied to the body of the people1 furnished with an eldership or destitute thereof4 #c4 ,by proper immediate receptacle1 or first subject of power1 understand1 that subject1 seat1 or receptacle of power1 which first and immediately received this power from ,jesus ,christ2 and consequently was intrusted and authorized by him1 to put forth and exercise that power in his ,church for the government thereof4 ,and here two things must be carefully remembered3 #a4 ,that we distinguish betwixt the object and subject of this power4 ,the object for which1 for whose good and benefit all this power is given1 is primarily the general visible ,church1 ,ephes4 iv4 #g1 #aj-ab2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 ,rom4 xii4 #e1f1 c4 ,secondarily1 particular churches1 as they are parts and members of the general4 ,but the subject receiving to which the power is derived1 is not the ,church general or particular1 but the officers or governors of the ,church4 #b4 ,that we distinguish also betwixt the donation of the power1 and the designation of particular persons to offices ecclesiastical4 ,this designation of persons to the offices of key bearing or ruling may be done first and immediately by the ,church1 in nominating or electing her individual officers which is allowed to her2 yet is no proper authoritative act of power4 ,but the donation of the power itself is not from the ,church as the fountain1 but immediately from ,christ himself1 #b ,cor4 xi4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,nor is it to the ,church as the subject1 but immediately to the individual church officers themselves1 who consequently1 in all the exercise of their power1 act as the ministers and stewards of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 putting forth their power immediately received from ,christ1 not as the substitutes or delegates of the ,church putting forth her power1 which from ,christ she mediately conveys to them1 as ,independents do imagine1 but by us is utterly denied4 ,,section ,,ii4 ,for confirmation of this proposition thus explained and stated2 consider these few arguments3 ,argum4 ,i4 ,the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 have no authentic commission or grant of proper spiritual power for church government2 and therefore they cannot possibly be the first subject or the proper immediate receptacle of such power from ,christ4 ,we may thus argue3 ,major4 ,whomsoever ,jesus ,christ hath made the immediate receptacle or first subject of proper formal power for governing of his ,church1 to them this power is conveyed by some authentic grant or commission4 ,minor4 ,but the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 have not this power conveyed unto them by any authentic grant or commission4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath not made the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 the immediate receptacle or first subject of proper formal power for governing of his ,church4 ,the major proposition is evident in itself3 ,for1 #a4 ,the power of church government in this or that subject is not natural1 but positive2 and cast upon man1 not by natural1 but by positive law1 positive grant3 men are not bred1 but made the first subject of such power2 therefore all such power claimed or exercised1 without such positive grant1 is merely without any due title1 imaginary1 usurped1 unwarrantable1 in very fact null and void4 #b4 ,all power of church government is radically and fundamentally in ,christ1 ,isa4 ix4 #f2 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah2 ,john v4 #bb4 ,and how shall any part of it be derived from ,christ to man1 but by some fit intervening mean betwixt ,christ and man8 ,and what mean of conveyance betwixt ,christ and man can suffice1 if it do not amount to an authentic grant or commission for such power8 #c4 ,this is evidently ,christ's way to confer power by authentic commission immediately upon his church officers1 the apostles and their successors1 to the world's end4 ,thou art ,peter2 and ,i give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 c41 ,matt4 xvi4 #ah1 #ai4 ,whatsoever ye shall bind on earth1 c41 ,matt1 xviii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,as my ,father sent me1 so send ,i you2 go1 disciple ye all nations2 whose sins ye remit1 they are remitted--and lo1 ,i am with you always to the end of the world1 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc2 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ai1 #bj4 ,our power1 which the ,lord hath given us for edification1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj3 so that we may conclude them that have such commission to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of power from ,christ1 as will after more fully appear4 #d4 ,if no such commission be needful to distinguish those that have such power from those that have none1 why may not all without exception1 young and old1 wise and foolish1 men and women1 ,christian and heathen1 c41 equally lay claim to this power of church government8 ,if not1 what hinders8 ,if so1 how absurd6 ,the minor proposition1 viz3 ,but the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 have not this power conveyed to them by any authentic grant or commission1 is firm4 ,for whence had they it8 ,when was it given to them8 ,what is the power committed to them8 ,or in what sense is such power committed to them8 #a4 ,whence had they it8 ,from heaven or of men8 ,if from men1 then it is a human ordinance and invention2 a plant which the heavenly ,father hath not planted2 and therefore shall he plucked up4 ,matt4 xv4 #ac4 ,if from heaven1 then from ,christ2 for all power is given to him1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah1 c42 ,isa4 ix4 #f4 ,if it be derived from ,christ1 then it is derived from him by some positive law of ,christ as his grant or charter4 ,a positive grant of such power to select persons1 viz4 church officers1 the ,scripture mentions1 as was evidenced in the proof of the major proposition4 ,but touching any such grant or commission to the community of the faithful1 the ,scripture is silent4 ,and let those that are for the popular power produce1 if they can1 any clear scripture that expressly1 or by infallible consequence1 contains any such commission4 #b4 ,when was any such power committed by ,christ to the multitude of the faithful1 either in the first planting and beginning of the ,church1 or in the after establishment and growth of the ,church under the apostles' ministry8 ,not the first2 for then the apostles themselves should have derived their power from the community of the faithful3 now this is palpably inconsistent with the ,scriptures1 ,which tell us that the apostles had both their apostleship itself1 and their qualifications with gifts and graces for it1 yea1 and the very designation of all their particular persons unto that calling1 all of them immediately from ,christ himself4 ,for the first1 see ,gal4 i4 #a3 ,paul1 an apostle1 not of men1 nor by man1 but by ,jesus ,christ1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj4 ,for the second1 see ,john xx4 #bb1 #bc3 ,and when he had said this1 he breathed on them1 and saith unto them1 ,receive ye the ,holy ,ghost2 whose soever sins ye remit1 they are remitted unto them1 c4 ,for the third1 see ,luke vi4 #ac1 c43 ,and when it was day he called to him his disciples3 and of them he chose twelve1 whom also he named apostles2 ,simon-- ,matt4 x4 #e-g1 c43 ,these twelve ,jesus sent forth1 and commanded them1 saying4 ,and after his resurrection he enlarges their commission1 ,mark xvi4 #ae1 #af3 ,go ye into all the world2 and1 ,as my ,father hath sent me1 so send ,i you1 ,john xx4 #ba4 ,see also how the ,lord cast the lot upon ,matthias1 ,acts i4 #bd-bf4 ,nor the second2 for if such power be committed to the community of the faithful after the apostles had established the churches1 then let those that so think show where ,christ committed this power first to the apostles1 and after to the community of the faithful1 and by them or with them to their ordinary officers1 for execution thereof4 ,but no such thing hath any foundation in ,scripture2 for the ordinary ,church guides1 though they may have a designation to their office by the church1 yet they have the donation1 or derivation of their office and its authority only from ,christ3 their office is from ,christ1 ,ephes4 iv4 #h1 #aa2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 ,acts xx4 #bh1 #bi4 ,their power from ,christ1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xxviii4 #ah1 #ai2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 ,our power which the ,lord hath given us1 #b ,cor4 viii4 #aj4 ,they are ,christ's ministers1 stewards1 ambassadors1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a2 #b ,cor4 v4 #ai1 #bj4 ,they are to act and officiate in his name1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ai2 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e2 and to ,christ they must give an account4 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag1 #ah2 ,luke xii4 #da1 #db4 ,now if the ordinary officers have 7as well as the apostles their apostleship7 their offices of pastor1 teacher1 c41 from ,christ1 and are therein the successors of the apostles to continue to the world's end1 7,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj17 then they have their power and authority in their offices immediately from ,christ1 as the first receptacles thereof themselves1 and not from the ,church as the first receptacle of it herself4 ,a successor hath jurisdiction from him from whom the predecessor had his2 otherwise he doth not truly succeed him4 ,consequently the ,church or community of the faithful cannot possibly be the first receptacle of the power of church government from ,christ4 #c4 ,what power is it that is committed to the body of the ,church or multitude of the faithful8 ,either it must be the power of order1 or the power of jurisdiction4 ,but neither of these is allowed to the multitude of the faithful by the ,scriptures1 7but appointed and appropriated to select persons47 ,not the power of order2 for the whole multitude1 and everyone therein1 neither can nor ought to intermeddle with any branches of that power4 #a4 ,not with preaching2 all are not apt to teach1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #b1 nor able to exhort and convince gainsayers1 ,tit4 i4 #i2 all are not gifted and duly qualified4 ,some are expressly prohibited speaking in the church1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd1 #ce1 #a ,tim4 ii4 #ab1 ,rev4 ii4 #bj1 and none are to preach1 unless they be sent1 ,rom4 x4 #ae1 nor to take such honor unto themselves unless they be called1 c41 ,heb4 v4 #d1 #e4 ,are all and every one of the multitude of the faithful able to teach1 exhort1 and convince8 are they all sent to preach8 are they all called of ,god8 c4 ,nay1 hath not ,christ laid this task of authoritative preaching only upon his own officers8 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai4 #b4 ,not with administration of the sacraments2 this and preaching are by one and the same commission given to officers only1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bc4 #c4 ,nor to ordain presbyters1 or other officers4 ,they may choose2 but extraordinary officers1 or the presbytery of ordinary officers1 ordain4 ,acts vi4 #c1 #e1 #f3 ,look ye out men--whom we may appoint4 ,compare also ,acts xiv4 #bc2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad1 and v4 #bb2 ,tit4 iii4 #e4 ,so that the people's bare election and approbation is no sufficient ,scripture ordination of officers4 ,nor is there one often thousand among the people that is in all points able to try and judge of the sufficiency of preaching presbyters1 for tongues1 arts1 and soundness of judgment in divinity4 ,nor is the power of jurisdiction in public admonition1 excommunication1 and absolution1 c41 allowed to the multitude4 ,for all and every one of the multitude of the faithful1 #a4 ,never had any such power given to them from ,christ2 this key as well as the key of knowledge being given to the officers of the ,church only1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah-bj4 ,tell the church1 there1 must needs be meant of the ruling church only4#ch #b ,cor4 viii4 #aj2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc4 #b4 ,never acted or executed any such power1 that we can find in ,scripture4 ,as for that which is primarily urged of the church of ,corinth1 that the whole church did excommunicate the incestuous person1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 c41 many things may be answered to evince the contrary4 #ast1 ,the whole multitude could not do it2 for children could not judge1 and women must not speak in the ,church4 #b;d1 ,it is not said1 ,sufficient to such an one is the rebuke inflicted of all2 but of many1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f1 viz4 of the presbytery1 which consisted of many officers4 #c;d1 ,the church of ,corinth1 wherein this censure was inflicted1 was not a congregational1 but a presbyterial church1 having divers particular congregations in it1 7as is hereafter cleared in ,chap4 ,,xxiii417 and therefore the whole multitude of the church of ,corinth could not meet together in one place for this censure1 but only the presbytery of that great church4 ,again1 never did the whole multitude receive from ,christ due gifts and qualifications for the exercise of church government and jurisdiction2 nor any promise from ,christ to be with them therein1 as officers have1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj4 ,and the absurdities of such popular government are intolerable1 as after will appear4 #d4 ,finally1 in what sense can it be imagined that any such power should be committed from ,christ to the community of the faithful1 the whole body of the ,church8 ,for this power is given them equally with the church-guides1 or unequally4 ,if equally1 then14#a4 ,the church-guides have power and authority1 as primarily and immediately committed to them1 as the ,church herself hath2 and then they need not derive or borrow any power from the body of the faithful1 having a power equal to theirs4 #b4 ,how vainly is that power equally given as to the officers1 so to the whole multitude1 when the whole multitude have no equal gifts and abilities to execute the same6 ,if unequally1 then this power is derived to the church-guides1 either more or less than to the multitude of the faithful4 ,if less1 then how improperly were all those names of rule and government imposed upon officers1 which nowhere are given by ,scripture to the multitude6 as ,pastors1 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa4 ,elders1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,overseers1 ,acts xx4 #bh4 ,guides1 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #ag1 #bb4 ,in this last verse they are contradistinguished from the saints2 church-guides1 and saints guided1 make up a visible organical church4 ,rulers in the ,lord1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab2 ,rom4 xii4 #h3 and well-ruling ,elders1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,governments1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,stewards1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1b2 ,luke xii4 #db1 c4 ,and all these titles have power and rule engraven in their very foreheads2 and they of right belonged rather to the multitude than to the officers1 if the officers derive their power from the multitude of the people4 ,if more1 then church-guides1 having more power than the ,church1 need not derive any from the ,church1 being themselves better furnished4 ,thus1 what way soever we look1 it cannot be evinced1 that the multitude and body of the people1 with or without eldership1 are the first subject of power1 or have any authoritative public official power at all1 from any grant1 mandate1 or commission of ,christ4 ,from all which we may strongly conclude1 ,therefore ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath not made the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 the immediate receptacle1 or first subject of proper formal power for governing of his church4 ,argum4 ,,ii4 ,as the multitude of the faithful have no authentic grant or commission of such power of the keys in the ,church2 so they have no divine warrant for the actual execution of the power of the said keys therein3 and therefore cannot be the first receptacle of the power of the keys from ,christ4 ,for thus we may reason3 ,major4 ,whosoever are the first subject1 or immediate receptacle of the power of the keys from ,christ1 they have divine warrant actually to exercise and put in execution the said power4 ,minor4 ,but the multitude or community of the faithful have no divine warrant actually to exercise and put in execution the power of the keys4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore the community of the faithful are not the first subject1 or immediate receptacle of the power of the keys from ,jesus ,christ4 ,the major proposition must necessarily be yielded4 ,for1 #a4 ,the power of the keys contains both authority and exercise2 power being given to that end that it may be exercised for the benefit of the ,church4 ,it is called the power given us for edification1 #b ,cor4 viii4 #aj4 ,where there is no exercise of power there can be no edification by power4 #b4 ,both the authority and complete exercise of all that authority1 were at once and together communicated from ,christ to the receptacle of power4 ,i give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven2 and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth1 c41 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah4 ,as my ,father sent me1 so send ,i you--whose soever sins ye remit1 they are remitted1 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 ,here is both power and the exercise thereof joined together in the same commission4 ,yea1 so individual and inseparable are power and exercise1 that under exercise1 power and authority is derived3 as1 ,go1 disciple ye all nations1 baptizing them1 c41 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai4 #c4 ,how vain1 idle1 impertinent1 and ridiculous is it to fancy and dream of such a power as shall never be drawn into act by them that have it6 ,the minor proposition1 viz4 ,but the multitude or communion of the faithful have no divine warrant1 actually to exercise and put in execution the power of the keys1 is clear also3 #a4 ,by reason3 for1 the actual execution of this power belongs to them by divine warrant1 either when they have church officers1 or when they want church officers4 ,not while they have officers2 for1 that were to slight ,christ's officers3 that were to take officers' work out of their hands by them that are no officers1 and when there were no urgent necessity2 contrary whereunto1 see the proofs1 ,chap4 ,,xi4 ,section #b1 that were to prejudice the church1 in depriving her of the greater gifts1 and undoubtedly authorized labors of her officers1 c4 ,not when they want officers in a constituted church3 as in case where there are three or four elders1 the pastor dies1 two of the ruling elders fall sick1 or the like2 in such cases the community cannot by divine warrant supply the defects of these officers themselves1 by exercising their power1 or executing their offices4 ,for where doth ,scripture allow such power to the community in such cases8 ,what one church without its eldership can be instanced in the ,new ,testament1 that in such cases once presumed to exercise such power1 which might be precedent or example for it to other churches8 ,how needless are church officers1 if the multitude of the faithful may1 as members of the church1 take up their office1 and actually discharge it in all the parts of it8 #b4 ,by induction of particulars1 it is evident1 that the community cannot execute the power of the keys by any divine warrant4 #a4 ,they may not preach3 for1 how shall they preach1 except they be sent8 ,rom4 x4 #ae2 but the community cannot he sent1 many of them being incapable of the office1 either by reason of their sex1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd1 #ce2 #a ,tim4 ii4 #aa1 #ab3 or by reason of their age2 as children1 and all or most of them by reason of their deficiency in gifts and in scripture qualifications1 ,tit4 i4 and #a ,tim4 iii4 ,for not one member of a thousand is so completely furnished1 as to be apt to teach1 able to convince gainsayers1 and to divide the word of truth aright4 ,besides1 they may not send themselves1 were they capable1 for1 no man takes this honor to himself--,yea1 ,jesus ,christ himself did not glorify himself to be made an high-priest--,heb4 v4 #d1 #e4 ,now only officers are sent to preach1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ai1 #bj2 ,mark xvi4 #ae4 #b4 ,they may not administer the seals1 the sacraments1 baptize1 c4 under the ,new ,testament2 for who gave the people any such authority8 hath not ,christ conjoined preaching and dispensing of the sacraments in the same commission1 that the same persons only that do the one1 may do the other8 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai4 #c4 ,they may not ordain officers in the church1 and authoritatively send them abroad3 for1 ordinarily the community have not sufficient qualifications and abilities for proving and examining of men's gifts for the ministry4 ,the community are nowhere commanded or allowed so to do in the whole ,new ,testament1 but other persons distinct from them1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bb2 #b ,tim4 ii4 #b2 ,tit4 i4 #e1 c4 ,nor did the community ever exercise or assume to themselves any such power of ordination or mission1 but only officers both in the first sending of men to preach1 as #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad2 #b ,tim4 i4 #f3 and to be deacons1 ,acts vi4 #f1 and also in after missions1 as ,acts xiii4 #a-c4 #d4 ,the community1 without officers1 may not exercise any act of jurisdiction authoritatively and properly2 may not admonish1 excommunicate1 or absolve4 ,for we have no precept that they should do it2 we have no example in all the ,new ,testament that they ever did do it2 we have both precept and example1 that select officers both did and ought to do it4 ,whatsoever ye bind on earth 7saith ,christ to his officers7 shall be bound in heaven1 c4 ,matt4 xviii4 #ah1 and xvi4 #ai4 ,whose soever sins ye remit1 c41 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 ,an heretic1 after once or twice admonition1 reject1 ,tit4 i4 #aj4 ,i have decreed--to deliver such an one to ,satan1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,the rebuke inflicted by many1 not all1 #b ,cor4 ii4 ,whom ,i have delivered to ,satan1 #a ,tim4 i4 ult4 ,and the ,scriptures nowhere set the community over themselves to be their own church-guides and governors2 but appoint over them in the ,lord rulers and officers distinct from the community4 ,compare these places1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab2 ,acts xx4 #bh1 #bi2 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #ag1 #bb4 ,salute all them that have the rule over you1 and all the saints4 ,from the premises we conclude1 ,therefore the community of the faithful are not the first subject1 or immediate receptacle of the power of the keys from ,jesus ,christ4 ,argum4 ,,iii4 ,jesus ,christ hath not given nor promised to the community of the faithful a spirit of ministry1 nor those gifts which are necessary for the government of the church3 therefore the community was never intended to be the first subject of church government4 ,major4 ,whomsoever ,christ makes the first subject of the power of church government1 to them he promises and gives a spirit of ministry1 and gifts necessary for that government4 ,for1 #a4 ,as there is diversity of ecclesiastical administrations 7which is the foundation of diversity of officers7 and diversity of miraculous operations1 and both for the profit of the ,church2 so there is conveyed from the ,spirit of ,christ diversity of gifts1 free endowments1 enabling and qualifying for the actual discharge of those administrations and operations4 ,see #a ,cor4 xii4 #d-g1 c4 #b4 ,what instance can be given throughout the whole ,new ,testament of any persons1 whom ,christ made the receptacle of church government1 but withal he gifted them1 and made his promises to them1 to qualify them for such government8 ,as the apostles and their successors3 ,as my ,father sent me1 even so send ,i you4 ,and when he had said this1 he breathed on them1 and saith unto them1 ,receive ye the ,holy ,ghost3 whose soever sins ye remit1 they are remitted unto them2 and whose soever sins ye retain1 they are retained1 ,john xx4 #ba-bc4 ,and1 ,go ye therefore1 and disciple ye all nations1 c4--,and lo1 ,i am with you alway1 7or every day17 even to the end of the world1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai1 #bj4 #c4 ,christ being the wisdom of the ,father1 ,col4 ii4 #c1 ,john i4 #ah1 and faithful as was ,moses in all his house2 yea1 more faithful--,moses as a servant over another's1 he as a son over his own house1 ,heb4 iii4 #b1 #e1 #f--;it cannot stand with his most exact wisdom and fidelity1 to commit the grand affairs of church government to such as are not duly gifted1 and sufficiently qualified by himself for the due discharge thereof4 ,minor4 ,but ,christ neither promises1 nor gives a spirit of ministry1 nor necessary gifts for church government to the community of the faithful4 ,for1 #a4 ,the ,scriptures teach1 that gifts for ministry and government are promised and bestowed not on all1 but upon some particular persons only in the visible body of ,christ4 ,to one is given by the ,spirit the word of wisdom1 to another the word of knowledge1 c41 not to all1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #h1 #i1 c4 ,if a man know not how to rule his own house1 how shall he take care of the church of ,god8 #a ,tim4 iii4 #e4 ,the hypothesis insinuates that all men have not gifts and skill rightly to rule their own houses1 much less to govern the church4 #b4 ,experience tells us1 that the multitude of the people are generally destitute of such knowledge1 wisdom1 prudence1 learning1 and other necessary qualifications for the right carrying on of church government4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore ,christ makes not the community of the faithful the first subject of the power of church government4 ,argum4 ,,iv4 ,the community of the faithful are nowhere in the word called or acknowledged to be church governors3 therefore they are not the first subject of church government4 ,major4 ,those persons1 who are the first subject and receptacle of proper power for church government from ,christ1 are in the word called and acknowledged to be church governors4 ,this is evident1 #a4 ,by ,scripture1 which is wont to give to them whom ,christ intrusts with his government1 such names and titles as have rule1 authority1 and government engraven upon them3 as overseers1 ,acts xx4 #bh2 governments1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 rulers1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 and ,rom4 xii4 #h2 with divers others1 as after will appear in ,chap4 ,,xi4 #b4 ,by reason1 which tells us that government and governors are relative terms2 and therefore to whom government belongs1 to them also the denominations of governors1 rulers1 c41 do belong1 and not contrariwise4 ,minor4 ,but the community of the faithful are nowhere in the word either called or acknowledged to be church governors4 ,this is clear4 ,for1 #a4 ,no titles or names are given them by ,scripture which imply any rule or government in the visible ,church of ,christ4 #b4 ,they are plainly set in opposition against1 and distinction from1 church governors3 they are called the flock2 these1 overseers set over them by the ,holy ,ghost1 ,acts xx4 #bh3 they1 the saints2 these their rulers1 ,heb4 xiii4 #bb3 these are over them in the ,lord2 and consequently they are under them in the ,lord1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab4 #c4 ,the community of the faithful are so far from being the subject of church government themselves1 that they are expressly charged by the word of ,christ to know1 honor1 obey1 and submit1 to other governors set over them1 and distinct from themselves4 ,know them who are over you in the ,lord1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab4 ,let the well-ruling elders be counted worthy of double honor2 especially1 c41 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,obey ye your rulers1 and submit1 for they watch for your souls1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore the community of the faithful are not the first subject and receptacle of proper power for church government4 ,argum4 ,v4 ,this opinion of making the body of the ,church1 or community of the faithful1 the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys for the government of the ,church1 doth inevitably bring along with it many intolerable absurdities4 ,therefore it is not to be granted4 ,thus we may argue3 ,major4 ,that doctrine or opinion which draws after it unavoidably divers intolerable absurdities1 is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion4 ,minor4 ,but this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole community or body of the ,church to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys1 draws after it unavoidable divers intolerable absurdities4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole community or body of the ,church to be the first subject1 and immediate receptacle of the keys1 is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion4 ,the ,major is plain4 ,for1 #a4 ,though matters of religion be above reason1 yet are they not unreasonable1 absurd1 and directly contrary to right reason4 #b4 ,the ,scriptures condemn it as a great brand upon men1 that they are absurd or unreasonable2 ,brethren1 pray for us--that we may be delivered from absurd and evil men1 #b ,thes4 iii4 #b2 and therefore if absurd men be so culpable1 absurdity1 and unreasonableness itself1 which make them such1 are much more culpable4 ,the ,minor1 viz4 ,but this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole community or body of the ,church to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys1 draws after it unavoidably divers intolerable absurdities1 will notably appear by an induction of particulars4 #a4 ,hereby a clear foundation is laid for the rigid ,brownist's confused democracy1 and abhorred anarchy4 ,for1 if the whole body of the people be the first receptacle of the keys1 then all church government and every act thereof is in the whole body1 and every member of that body a governor1 consequently every member of that body an officer4 ,but this is absurd2 for if all be officers1 where is the organical body8 and if all be governors1 where are the governed8 if all be eyes1 where are the feet8 and if there be none governed1 where is the government8 it is wholly resolved at last into mere democratical anarchy and confusion1 but ,god is not the author of confusion1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cc4 ,what an absurdity were it1 if in the body natural all were an eye1 or hand6 for where then were the hearing1 smelling1 c42 or if all were one member1 where were the body8 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ag1ai4 ,so if in the family all were masters1 where were the household8 where were the family government8 ,if in a city all were aldermen1 where were the citizens8 where were the city government8 ,if in a kingdom all were kings1 where were the subjects1 the people1 the commonalty1 the commonwealth1 or the political government8 #b4 ,hereby the community or whole body of the faithful1 even to the meanest member1 are vested from ,christ with full power and authority actually to discharge and execute all acts of order and jurisdiction without exception3 e4g4 ,to preach the word authoritatively1 dispense the sacraments1 ordain their officers1 admonish offenders1 excommunicate the obstinate and incorrigible1 and absolve the penitent4 ,for the keys of the kingdom of heaven comprehend all these acts jointly1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah-bj1 with ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc3 and to whom ,christ in the ,new ,testament gives power to execute one of these acts1 to them he gives power to execute all2 they are joined together1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ai1 7except in such cases where himself gives a limitation of the power1 as in the case of the ruling elder1 who is limited to ruling as contradistinct to laboring in the word and doctrine1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag47 ,now what gross absurdities ensue hereupon6 ,for1 #a4 ,then the weak as well as the strong1 the ignorant as well as the intelligent1 the children as well as the parents1 yea1 and the very women as well as the men1 may preach1 dispense seals1 ordain1 admonish1 excommunicate1 absolve authoritatively2 7for they are all equally members of the body1 one as well as another1 and therefore1 as such1 have all alike equal share in the keys and exercise thereof37 viz4 they that are not gifted for these offices1 shall discharge these offices2 they that are not called nor sent of ,god to officiate1 7for ,god sends not all17 shall yet officiate in the name of ,christ without calling or sending1 contrary to ,rom4 x41 ,heb4 v4 #d4 ,they that want the common use of reason and discretion 7as children7 shall have power to join in the highest acts of order and jurisdiction3 yea1 they that are expressly prohibited speaking in the churches1 as the women1 #a ,cor4 xiv41 #a ,tim4 ii41 shall yet have the keys of the kingdom of heaven hung at their girdles4 #b4 ,then the ,church shall be the steward of ,christ1 and dispenser of the mysteries of ,god authoritatively and properly4 ,but if the whole ,church be the dispenser of the mysteries of ,god1 what shall be the object of this dispensation8 ,not the ,church1 for according to this opinion she is the first subject dispensing2 therefore it must be something distinct from the ,church1 unto which the ,church dispenseth2 what shall this be8 shall it be another collateral church8 then particular churches collateral may take pastoral care one of another reciprocally1 and the same churches be both over and under one another2 or shall it be those that are without all churches8 then the ordinances of the gospel1 and the dispensation of them1 were not principally bestowed upon the ,church and body of ,christ for the good thereof1 7which is directly repugnant to the ,scriptures1 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa-ac27 but rather for them that are without4 ,how shall the men1 who maintain the principle's of the ,independents1 clearly help themselves out of these perplexing absurdities8 #c4 ,hereby the body of the people 7as ,mr4 ,bayly well observes in his ,dissuasive1 chap4 ix4 page #ahg7 will be extremely unfitted for1 and unwarrantably taken off from the several duties that lie upon them in point of conscience to discharge in their general and particular callings1 in spiritual and secular matters1 on the ,lord's days and on their own days4 ,for1 if the ecclesiastical power be in all the people1 then all the people are judges1 and at least have a negative voice in all church matters4 ,they cannot judge in any cause prudently and conscientiously1 till they have complete knowledge and information of both the substantials and circumstantials of all those cases that are brought before them2 they must not judge blindly1 or by an implicit faith1 c41 but by their own light4 ,for all the people to have such full information and knowledge of every cause1 cannot but take up abundance of time1 7many of the people being slow of understanding and extremely disposed to puzzle1 distract1 and confound one another in any business to be transacted in common by them all47 ,if these matters of discipline be managed by them on the sabbath day after the dispatch of other public ordinances1 ministry of the word1 prayer1 sacraments1 c41 what time can remain for family duties privately1 as repeating sermons1 and meditating upon the word1 searching the ,scriptures1 whether things preached be so indeed1 reading the ,scriptures1 catechizing their children and servants1 c48 and how will the life of religion in families1 yea1 and in churches also1 languish1 if these family exercises be not conscientiously upheld8 ,if they be managed on the week days1 how can all the people spare so much time1 as still to be present1 when perhaps many of them have much ado all the week long to provide food and raiment1 and other necessaries for their families8 and if any provide not for his own1 and specially for those of his own house1 he hath denied the faith1 and is worse than an infidel1 #a ,tim4 v4 #h4 ,let the case of the church of ,arnheim#ci witness the mischief and absurdity of this popular government once for all4 #d4 ,hereby1 finally1 the community of the faithful 7being accounted the proper subject of the power of the keys7 have authority and power not only to elect1 but also to ordain their own officers1 their pastors and teachers4 ,and this they of the independent judgment plainly confess in these words3#dj ,though the office of a pastor in general be immediately from ,christ1 and the authority from him also1 yet the application of this office1 and of this authority to this elect person1 is by the church2 and therefore the church hath sufficient and just warrant1 as to elect and call a presbyter unto an office1 so to ordain him to it by imposition of hands4 ,they that have power to elect a king1 have power also to depute some in their name to set the crown upon his head4 ,but for the whole church or community to ordain presbyters by imposition of hands1 is very absurd4 ,for1 #a4 ,their women and children1 being members of the church and of the community1 may join in ordaining presbyters by imposing of hands1 and have as great an influence in appointing them that shall actually impose hands1 as the rest of the church members have1 being as properly members as they4 #b4 ,then the community1 that generally are unable to judge of the fitness and sufficiency of presbyters for the pastoral office1 in point of necessary gifts of learning1 c41 shall1 without judicious satisfaction herein by previous examination1 ordain men notwithstanding to the highest ordinary office in the church4 ,how ignorantly1 how doubtfully1 how irregularly1 how unwarrantably1 let the reader judge4 #c4 ,then the community of the faithful may assume to themselves power to execute this ordinary act of ordination of officers1 without all precept of ,christ or his apostles1 and without all warrant of the apostolical churches4 ,but how absurd these things be1 each moderate capacity may conceive4 ,further absurdities hereupon are declared by ,mr4 ,bain1#da and after him by ,mr4 ,ball4#db ,whence we may justly conclude1 ,therefore this doctrine or opinion1 that makes the whole community or body of the church to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys1 is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion4 ,the middle-way men1 7that profess to go between the authoritative presbyterial1 and the rigid ,brownistical way17 seeing these and such like absurdities1 upon which the ,brownists inevitably dash themselves1 think to salve all by their new-coined distinction of the keys2 viz4 #a4 ,there is a key of faith or knowledge1 ,luke xi4 #eb4 ,the first subject of this key is every believer1 whether joined to any particular church or not4 #b4 ,there is a key of order1 ,col4 ii4 #e1 which is either1 #a4 ,a key of interest1 power1 or liberty1 ,gal4 v4 #ac1 which key is of a more large nature2 #b4 ,a key of rule and authority1 which is of more strict nature1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 ,john xx4 #bc4 ,hence1 upon this distinction premised1 they thus infer1 #a4 ,a particular congregation of saints is the first subject of all the church offices with all their spiritual gifts and power1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #bb4 #b4 ,the apostles of ,christ were the first subject of apostolical power4 #c4 ,the brethren of a particular congregation are the first subjects of church liberty4 #d4 ,the elders of a particular church are the first subjects of church authority4 #e4 ,both the elders and brethren1 walking and joining together in truth and peace1 are the first subjects of all church power needful to be exercised in their own body4 ,answer4 ,a rotten foundation1 and a tottering superstruction1 which tumbles down upon the builders' own heads3 for1 #a4 ,this distribution of the keys is infirm in divers respects3 e4g4 #a4 ,in that the key of knowledge 7as it stands here distinguished from the key of order1 comprehending the key of power and authority7 is left utterly devoid of all power4 ,now no key of the kingdom of heaven is to be left without all power1 ,independents themselves being judges4 #b4 ,in that the key of power is left as utterly void of all authority1 7being contradistinguished from the key of authority17 as the key of knowledge is left void of power4 ,now1 power and authority1 in matters of government1 seem to be both one2 and the word in the original signifies the one as well as the other4 #c4 ,the key of liberty or interest is a new key1 lately forged by some new locksmiths in ,separation-shop1 to be a pick-lock of the power of church officers1 and to open the door for popular government2 no ordinance of ,christ1 but a mere human invention1 7as will after appear upon examination of that scripture upon which it is grounded17 and therefore this limb of the distribution is redundant1 a superfluous excrescence4 #d4 ,the texts of ,scripture upon which this distribution of the keys is grounded1 are divers of them abused1 or at least grossly mistaken2 for1 ,luke xi4 #eb1 key of knowledge is interpreted only the key of saving faith4 ,but knowledge1 in strict speaking1 is one thing1 and faith another2 there may be knowledge where there is no faith2 and knowledge1 in a sort1 is a key to faith1 as the inlet thereof4 ,and the key of knowledge1 viz4 true doctrine and pure preaching of the word1 is a distinct thing from knowledge itself4 ,this key the lawyers had taken away by not interpreting1 or misinterpreting of the law2 but they could not take away the people's faith1 or knowledge itself4 ,touching ,col4 ii4 #e1 #f1 your order1 it will be hard to prove this was only or chiefly intended of the keys delivered to ,peter3 doth it not rather denote the people's moral orderly walking1 according to the rule of faith and life1 as in other duties1 so in submitting themselves to ,christ's order of government1 as is elsewhere required1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag8 ,and as for ,gal4 v4 #ac1 produced to prove the key of liberty1 ,brethren1 you have been called unto liberty1 there is too much liberty taken in wresting this text2 for the apostle here speaks not of liberty as a church power1 of choosing officers1 joining in censures1 c41 but as a gospel privilege1 consisting in freedom from the ceremonial law1 that yoke of bondage1 which false teachers would have imposed upon them1 after ,christ had broken it off2 as will further appear1 if you please with this text to compare ,gal4 v4 #a1 #aa1 #ae1 #aj1 and well consider the current of the whole context4 #b4 ,the inferences upon this distribution of the keys premised1 are very strange and untheological4 ,for it may be accepted in general1 that it is a groundless fancy to make several first subjects of the keys1 according to the several distributions of the keys2 for1 had all the members of the distribution been good1 yet this inference thereupon is naught1 inasmuch as the ,scripture tells us plainly1 that all the keys together and at once were promised to ,peter1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and given to the apostles1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ah1 #ai1 with xxviii4 #ah-bj1 and ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 so that originally the apostles and their successors were the only first subject and immediate receptacle of all the keys from ,christ4 ,and though since1 for assistance and case of the pastor1 they are divided into more hands--viz4 of the ruling elder1 ,rom4 xii4 #h2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag--yet originally the subject was but one4 ,further1 here is just ground for many particular exceptions3 as1 #a4 ,that every believer1 whether joined to any particular church or not1 is made the first subject of the key of knowledge1 which seems to be extremely absurd3 for then every particular believer1 gifted or ungifted1 strong or weak1 man1 woman1 or child1 hath power to preach1 7taking the key of knowledge here for the key of doctrine1 as it ought to be taken1 or else it is no ecclesiastical key at all17 which is one of the highest offices1 and which the great apostle said1 ,who is sufficient for these things8 #b ,cor4 ii4 #af4 ,how unscriptural and irrational this is1 all may judge4 ,then also some of the keys may be committed to such as are without the ,church4 ,then finally1 it is possible to be a believer1 and yet in no visible church2 7for ,independents hold there is no church but a particular congregation1 which is their only church37 but a man is no sooner a true believer1 but he is a member of the invisible ,church3 he is no sooner a professed believer1 but he is a member of the general visible ,church1 though he be joined to no particular congregation4 #b4 ,that a particular congregation of saints is made the first subject of all the church offices1 with all their spiritual gifts and power1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #bb4 ,but is the word subject used here properly1 for the first subject recipient of all church offices1 with all their gifts and power8 ,then the congregation of saints are either officers themselves formally1 and can execute the function of all sorts of officers1 and have all gifts to that end2 what need then is there of any select officers8 for they can make officers virtually1 and furnish those officers with gifts and power to that end2 but who gave them any such authority8 ,or what apostolical church ever assumed to themselves any such thing8 ,officers1 not churches1 are the first subject of such gifts and power4 ,is the word subject here used improperly1 for object1 whose good all offices with their gifts and power are given8 ,then not any particular congregation1 but the whole general visible ,church is the object for which all offices and officers with their gifts and power are primarily given1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa1 #ab4 ,as for that place1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #bb1 ,all is yours1 c41 it points not out the particular privilege of any one single congregation1 7nor was the church of ,corinth such1 but presbyterial1 see chap4 ,,xiii417 but the general privilege of all true saints1 and of the invisible mystical ,church3 for were ,paul and ,cephas apostles given peculiarly to the church of ,corinth only8 ,or was the world1 life1 death1 things present and to come1 given to the wicked in the church of ,corinth8 #c4 ,that the apostles are made the first subject of all apostolical power4 ,but then1 how doth this contradict the former assertion1 that a particular congregation is the first subject of all offices with their gifts and power8 ,are there two first subjects of the same adjuncts8 ,or is apostleship no office8 ,are apostolical gifts no gifts1 or power no power8 or have apostles all from the ,church8 ,doubtless apostles were before all ,christian churches1 and had the keys given them before the churches had their being4 #d4 ,that the brethren of a particular congregation are made the first subjects of church liberty4 ,but1 if that liberty be power and authority1 then this evidently contradicts the former1 that a particular congregation is the first subject of all offices and power2 for brethren here are distinct from elders1 and both do but make up a particular congregation4 ,if liberty here be not power1 then it is none of ,christ's keys1 but a new forged pick-lock4 #e4 ,that the elders of a particular church are made the first subject of church authority2 but then here is a contradiction to the former position1 that made the particular congregation the first subject of all power4 ,and though apostles and elders be the first subject of authority1 yet1 when the keys were first committed to them1 they were not in relation to any particular church1 but to the general4 #f4 ,finally1 that both elders and brethren1 walking and joining together in truth and peace1 are the first subjects of all church power1 is liable also to exception4 ,for this joins the brethren 7who indeed have no authoritative power at all7 with the elders1 as the joint subject of all power4 ,and this but allowed to them walking and joining together in truth and peace3 but what if the major part of the ,church prove heretical1 and so walk not in truth2 or schismatical1 and so walk not in peace1 shall the elders and the non-offending party lose all their power8 ,where then shall that independent church find healing8 for appeals to presbyteries and synods are counted apocryphal by them4 ,but enough hath been said to detect the vanity of these new dreams and notions2 it is a bad sore that must be wrapped in so many clouts4#dc ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,of the proper ,receptacle1 or immediate subject of the ,power of ,church ,government3 affirmatively1 what it is1 viz4 ,christ's own ,officers4 ,thus the proper receptacle or subject of ecclesiastical power hath been considered negatively1 what it is not1 viz3 not the political magistrate1 nor yet the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 with or without their eldership4 ,now this receptacle of power comes to be evidenced affirmatively1 what it is1 viz4 7according to the express words of the description of government17 ,christ's own officers4 ,this is the last branch of the description1 the divine right whereof remains to be cleared2 which may most satisfactorily be done by evidencing these three things1 viz3 #a4 ,that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath certain peculiar church guides and officers which he hath erected in his ,church4 #b4 ,that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath especially intrusted his own officers with the government of his ,church4 #c4 ,how1 or in what sense the ruling officers are intrusted with this government1 severally or jointly8 ,,section ,i4 #a4 ,of the ,divine ,right of ,christ's ,church ,officers1 viz4 ,pastors and ,teachers1 with ,ruling ,elders4 ,touching the first1 that ,christ hath certain peculiar church guides and officers1 which he hath erected in his ,church4 ,take it thus3 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath ordained and set in his ,church 7besides the apostles and other extraordinary officers that are now ceased7 pastors and teachers1 as also ruling elders1 as the subject of the keys for all ordinary ecclesiastical administrations4 ,the divine right of these ordinary church officers may appear as followeth3 ,i4 ,pastors and teachers are the ordinance of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is generally granted on all sides2 and therefore these few particulars may suffice for the demonstration of it1 viz3 #a4 ,they are enumerated in the list or catalogue of those church officers which are of divine institution4 ,god hath set 7or put1 constituted7 some in the ,church1 first1 apostles2 secondarily1 prophets2 thirdly1 teachers1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,these are some of the triumphant gifts and trophies of ,christ's ascension3 ,ascending up on high1 he led captivity captive1 and gave gifts to men3 and he gave some apostles1 and some prophets1 and some evangelists1 and some pastors and teachers1 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa4 ,thus in that exact roll of ordinary officers3 ,having1 therefore1 gifts different according to the grace given unto us2 whether prophecy1 let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith2 or ministry1 let us wait on our ministry2 7here is the general distribution of all ordinary officers under two heads1 prophecy and ministry37 or he that teacheth1 on teaching2 or he that exhorteth1 on exhortation1 7here is the teacher and the pastor1 that come under the first head of prophecy17 ,rom4 xii4 #f-h4 ,take heed to yourselves1 and to all the flock1 over which the ,holy ,ghost hath made 7or set7 you overseers1 ,acts xx4 #bh4 ,note--,god hath set in the ,church2 ,christ hath given for his body2 the ,holy ,ghost hath made overseers over the flock1 these pastors and teachers3 and are not pastors and teachers church officers by divine right1 having the authority of ,god1 ,christ1 and of the ,holy ,ghost8 #b4 ,they are to be thus and thus qualified according to divine direction4 ,the qualifications of these pastors and teachers1 7called presbyters and overseers17 see in #a ,tim4 iii4 #b-h1 ,an overseer1 or bishop1 must be blameless1 c42 and ,tit4 i4 #e-aj1 ,to ordain presbyters1 or elders1 in every city--,if any be blameless1 c4 ,now1 where ,god lays down qualifications for pastors and teachers1 there he approves such officers to be his own ordinance4 #c4 ,they have manifold church employments committed to them from ,christ1 as ministers of ,christ and stewards of the mysteries of ,god1 7#a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 #b17 they being intrusted in whole or in part with the managing of most if not all the ordinances forementioned in part #b1 chap4 ,,vii41 as there by the texts alleged is evident4 ,matters of order and special office are committed to them only divisim3 matters of jurisdiction are committed to them with ruling elders conjunctim4 ,if ,christ hath intrusted them thus with church ordinances1 and the dispensing of them1 sure they are ,christ's church officers4 #d4 ,the very names and titles given them in ,scripture proclaim them to be ,christ's own ordinance2 among many take these3 ,ministers of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a2 ,stewards of the mysteries of ,god1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a2 ,ambassadors for ,christ1 #b ,cor4 v4 #bj2 ,laborers thrust forth into his harvest by the ,lord of the harvest1 ,matt4 ix4 #ch2 ,ruling over you in the ,lord1#dd #a ,thess4 v4 #ab4 #e4 ,the ,lord ,christ charges their flock and people with many duties to be performed to their pastors and teachers1 because of their office2 as to know them1 love them1 obey them1 submit unto them1 honor them1 maintain them1 c41 which he would not do were they not his own ordinance4 ,but we beseech you1 brethren1 to know them that labor among you1 and rule over you in the ,lord1 and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab1 #ac4 ,obey your rulers1 and submit2 for they watch for your souls as those that must give an account1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag4 ,the elders that rule well count worthy of double honor2 especially them that labor in the word and doctrine2 for the ,scripture saith1 ,thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn1 and the laborer is worthy of his hire1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #ah2 compared ,with #a ,cor4 ix4 #f-ae4 ,let him that is catechized1 communicate to him that catechizeth him in all good things1 ,gal4 vi4 #f-h4 ,thus much for the present may suffice to have been spoken touching the divine right of pastors and teachers1 the ordinary standing ministers of ,christ under the ,new ,testament4 ,but forasmuch as we observe that in these days some rigid ,erastians and ,seekers oppose and deny the very office of the ministry now under the gospel1 and others profess that the ministry of the church of ,england is false and antichristian2 we intend1 7by ,god's assistance17 as soon as we can rid our hands from other pressing employments1 to endeavor the asserting and vindicating of the divine right of the ministers of the ,new ,testament in general1 and of the truth of the ministry of the church of ,england in particular4 ,,ii4 ,ruling elders1 distinct from all preaching elders and deacons1 are a divine ordinance in the ,church of ,god now under the ,new ,testament4 ,the divine right of this church officer1 the mere ruling elder1 is much questioned and doubted by some1 because they find not the ,scriptures speaking so fully and clearly of the ruling elder as of the preaching elder and of the deacon4 ,by others it is flatly denied and opposed1 as by divers that adhere too tenaciously to the ,erastian and prelatical principles3 who yet are willing to account the assistance of the ruling elder in matter of church government to be a very prudential way4 ,but if mere prudence be counted once a sufficient foundation for a distinct kind of church officer1 we shall open a door for invention of church officers at pleasure2 then welcome commissioners and committee men1 c42 yea1 then let us return to the vomit1 and resume prelates1 deans1 archdeacons1 chancellors1 officials1 c41 for church officers4 ,and where shall we stop8 who but ,christ ,jesus himself can establish new officers in his church8 ,is it not the fruit of his ascension1 c48 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #aa1 #ab4 ,certainly if the ,scriptures lay not before us grounds more than prudential for the ruling elder1 it were better never to have mere ruling elders in the church4 ,both the ,presbyterians and ,independents#de acknowledge the divine right of the ruling elder4 ,for satisfaction of doubting unprejudiced minds1 7to omit divers considerations that might be produced17 the divine right of the ruling elder may be evinced by these ensuing arguments4 ,argum4 ,i4 ,the first argument for the divine right of the ruling elder in the ,church of ,christ1 shall be drawn from ,rom4 xii4 #f-h3 ,having1 then1 gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us1 whether prophecy1 let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith2 or ministry1 let us wait on our ministering2 or he that teacheth1 on teaching2 or he that exhorteth1 on exhortation2 he that giveth1 let him do it with simplicity2 he that ruleth1 with diligence1 c4 ,let the scope and context of this chapter be a little viewed1 and it will make way for the more clear arguing from this place4 ,briefly thus3 ,the apostle having finished the principal part of his epistle1 which was problematical1 wherein he disputed--#a4 ,about justification1 chap1 i4-vi42 #b4 ,sanctification1 chap4 vi4 #g1 #h2 and1 #c4 ,predestination1 chap4 ix4 #aj1 #aa1 he comes to the next branch1 which is more practical1 about good works1 chap4 xii4-xvi4 ,this twelfth chapter is wholly in the way of exhortation1 and he herein exhorts to divers duties4 #a4 ,more generally that we should even consecrate ourselves wholly to the service of ,god1 ver4 #a2 that we should not conform to the world1 ver4 #b4 ,more specially he descends to particular duties1 which are of two sorts1 viz3 #a4 ,such as concern ecclesiastical officers as officers1 ver4 #c-i2 #b4 ,such as concern all ,christians in common as ,christians1 both towards one another and towards their very enemies1 verse #i1 to the end of the chapter4 ,touching ecclesiastical officers1 the apostle's evident scope is to urge them not to be proud of their spiritual gifts1 7which in those days abounded17 but to think soberly1 self-denyingly of themselves1 and to use all their gifts well4 ,this he presseth upon them1 #a4 ,from the nature of the ,church1 which is as a natural organical body1 wherein are many members1 having their several offices for the good of the whole body2 so the members of ,christ's body being many1 have their several gifts and offices for the good of the whole1 that the superior should not despise the inferior1 nor the inferior envy their superior1 ver4 #c-e4 #b4 ,from the distribution or enumeration of the several kinds of ordinary standing officers in this organical body1 the ,church1 who are severally exhorted duly to discharge those duties that are specially required of them in their several functions1 ver4 #f-h4 ,these officers are reduced first to two general heads1 viz3 ,prophecy 7understand not the extraordinary gift of foretelling future things1 c41 but the ordinary1 in the right understanding and interpreting of ,scripture7 and ministry2 and the general duties thereof are annexed1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,then these generals are subdivided into the special offices contained under them1 the special duty of every officer being severally pressed upon them4 ,under prophecy are contained1 #a4 ,he that teacheth1 i4e41 the doctor or teacher2 #b4 ,he that exhorteth1 i4e41 the pastor1 ver4 #g1 #h4 ,under ministry are comprised1 #a4 ,he that giveth1 i4e41 the deacon2 #b4 ,he that ruleth1 i4e41 the ruling elder4 ,the current of our best interpreters to this effect resolve this context4 ,so that here we have a very excellent and perfect enumeration of all the ordinary standing officers in the ,church of ,christ distinctly laid down4 ,this premised1 the argument for the divine right of the ruling elder may be thus propounded3 ,major4 ,whatsoever members of ,christ's organical body have an ordinary office of ruling therein given them of ,god1 distinct from all other ordinary standing officers in the church1 together with directions from ,god how they are to rule2 they are the ruling elders we seek1 and that by divine right4 ,minor4 ,but he that ruleth1 mentioned in ,rom4 xii4 #h1 is a member of ,christ's organical body1 having an ordinary office of ruling therein given him of ,god1 distinct from all other standing officers in the church1 together with direction how he is to rule4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore he that ruleth1 mentioned in ,rom4 xii4 #h1 is the ruling elder we seek1 and that by divine right4 ,the major proposition is clear4 ,for in the particulars of it1 well compared together1 are observable both a plain delineation or description of the ruling elder's office2 and also a firm foundation for the divine right of that office4 ,the ruling elder's office is described and delineated by these several clauses1 which set out so many requisites for the making up of a ruling elder1 viz3 #a4 ,he must be a member of ,christ's organical body4 ,such as are without1 pagans1 heathens1 infidels1 c41 out of the ,church1 they are not fit objects for church government1 to have it exercised by the ,church upon them2 the ,church only judges them that are within1 7#a ,cor4 v4 #ab1 #ac17 much less can they be fit subjects of church government to exercise it themselves within the ,church4 ,how shall they be officers in the ,church that are not so much as members of the ,church8 ,besides1 such as are only members of the invisible body of ,christ1 as the glorified saints in heaven1 they cannot be officers in the ,church2 for not the ,church invisible1 but only the ,church or body of ,christ visible is organical4 ,so that every church officer must first be a ,church member1 a member of the visible organical body3 consequently a ruling elder must be such a member4 #b4 ,he must have an office of ruling in this body of ,christ4 ,membership is not enough1 unless that power of rule be superadded thereto2 for the whole office of the ruling elder is contained in the matter of rule2 take away rule1 you destroy the very office4 ,now1 rule belongs not to every member3 ,salute all them that have the rule over you1 and all the saints1 ,heb4 xiii4 #bd1 where rulers and saints are made contradistinct to one another4 ,in the body natural all the members are not eyes1 hands1 c41 governing the body1 some are rather governed2 so in the body of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #c4 ,this his office of ruling must be an ordinary office2 apostles had some power that was extraordinary1 as their apostleship was extraordinary2 but when we seek for this ruling elder1 we seek for a fixed1 standing1 ordinary officer ruling in the church4 #d4 ,all that is not enough1 that he be a member of the church1 that he have an office of rule in the church1 and that office also be ordinary2 but besides all these it is necessary that he be also distinct from all other standing officers in the church1 viz4 from pastors1 teachers1 deacons2 else all the former will not make up a peculiar kind of officer1 if in all points he fully agree with any of the said three4 ,but if there can be found such an officer in whom all these four requisites do meet1 viz3 ,that1 #a4 ,is a member of ,christ's organical body2 #b4 ,hath an office of rule therein2 #c1 ,that office is ordinary2 and1 #d4 ,that ordinary office is distinct from all other ordinary standing offices in the church2 this must unavoidably be that very ruling elder which we inquire after4 ,by this it is evident1 that in this proposition here is a plain and clear delineation of the ruling elder's office4 ,now1 in the next place1 touching the foundation for the divine right of this office2 it also is notably expressed in the same proposition1 while it presupposeth1 #a4 ,that ,god is the giver of this office2 #b4 ,that ,god is the guider of this office4 ,for whatsoever office or officer ,god gives for his ,church1 and having given it1 guides and directs to the right discharge thereof1 that must needs be of divine right beyond all contradiction4 ,thus this proposition is firm and cogent4 ,now let us assume3 ,minor4 ,but he that ruleth1 mentioned in ,rom4 xii4 #h1 is a member of ,christ's organical body1 having an ordinary office of ruling therein1 given him of ,god1 distinct from all other ordinary standing officers in the church1 together with direction from ,god how he is to rule4 ,this assumption or minor proposition 7whereon the main stress of the argument doth lie7 may be thus evidenced by parts1 from this context3 ,he that ruleth is a member of ,christ's organical body4 ,for1 #a4 ,the ,church of ,christ is here compared to a body1 ,we being many are one body in ,christ1 ver4 #e4 #b4 ,this body is declared to be organical1 i4e4 consisting of several members1 that have their several offices in the body1 some of teaching1 some of exhorting1 and some of ruling1 c4 ,for as we have many members in one body1 and all members have not the same office1 so we being many are one body in ,christ1 and every one members one of another1 c41 ver4 #d-f1 c4 #c4 ,among the rest of the members of this body1 he that ruleth is reckoned up for one1 ver4 #e-h2 this is palpably evident4 ,he that ruleth hath an office of ruling in this body of ,christ4 ,for1 #a4 ,this word 7translated7 he that ruleth1 in the proper signification and use of it1 both in the ,scriptures and in other ,greek authors1 doth signify one that ruleth authoritatively over another1 7as hereafter is manifested in the #c;d argument1 #b47 #b4 ,our best interpreters and commentators do render and expound the word generally to this effect3 e4g4 ,he that is over#df--one set over#dg--;he that stands in the head or front#dh--;as a captain or commander in the army1 to which this phrase seems to allude--he that ruleth4 #c4 ,this word1 wherever it is used in a genuine proper sense1 in all the ,new ,testament1 notes rule1 or government4 ,it is used metaphorically for taking care 7as one set over any business7 of good works1 only in two places1 ,tit4 iii4 #h1 and iii4 #ad4 ,properly for government which superiors have over inferiors2 and that either domestical1 in private families1 so it is used in #a ,tim4 iii4 #d1 #e1 #ab1 or ecclesiastical1 in the church1 which is the public family of ,god2 in this sense it is used1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 and here1 ,rom4 xii4 #h1 and these are all the places where this word is found used in all the ,new ,testament4 #c4 ,he that ruleth here1 hath an ordinary1 not an extraordinary office of rule in the church4 ,for he is ranked and reckoned up in the list of ,christ's ordinary standing officers1 that are constantly to continue in the church1 viz4 pastors1 teachers1 deacons4 ,commonly this place is interpreted to speak of the ordinary church officers1 and none other2 consequently he that ruleth is such a one4 #d4 ,he that ruleth here1 is an officer distinct from all other ordinary officers in the ,church of ,christ4 ,for in this place we have a full enumeration of all ,christ's ordinary officers1 and he that ruleth is a distinct officer among them all4 #a4 ,distinct in name1 he only is called he that ruleth1 the rest have every one of them their several distinct name1 ver4 #g1 #h4 #b4 ,distinct in his work here appropriated to him2 the doctor teacheth2 the pastor exhorteth2 the deacon giveth2 this elder ruleth1 as the very name signifieth1 ver4 #h4 ,compare #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,as the elder ruleth1 so he is distinct from the deacon that hath no rule in the church2 and as he only rules1 so he is distinct from both pastor and teacher1 that both teach1 exhort1 and rule2 they both have power of order and jurisdiction1 the ruling elder hath only power of jurisdiction4 #c4 ,finally1 he is distinct among and from them all in the particular direction here given these officers about the right discharge of their functions4 ,the teacher must be exercised in teaching2 the pastor in exhortation2 the deacon must give with singleness2 and the elder1 he must rule with diligence1 studiousness1 c4 ,now what other solid reason can be imagined1 why he that ruleth should here have a distinct name1 distinct work and employment1 and distinct direction how to manage this work1 than this1 that the ,holy ,ghost might set him out unto us as an ordinary officer in the church1 distinct from all the other standing officers here enumerated8 #e4 ,god himself is the author and giver of this office of him that ruleth1 as well as of all the other offices here mentioned4 ,for1 #a4 ,all gifts and endowments in the church in general1 and in every member in particular2 they are from ,god1 it is he that gives and divides them as he will1 as ,god hath dealt to every one the measure of faith1 ,rom4 xii4 #c4 #b4 ,all the special offices1 and gifts for these offices in special1 are also from the same ,god1 we having therefore gifts according to the grace given unto us1 differing2 whether prophecy1 c41 ,rom1 xii4 #f1 #g1 c4 ,here it is plain that he distinguished betwixt grace and gifts4 ,by grace here we are to understand that holy office or charge in the church1 which is given to any man by the grace and favor of ,god4 ,and in this sense the apostle in this very chapter1 ver4 #c1 useth the word grace3 ,for ,i say through the grace given to me1 i4e4 through the authority of my apostleship1 which by grace ,i have received1 c4 ,by gifts1 we are to understand those endowments wherewith ,god hath freely furnished his officers in the church for their several offices4 ,now both these gifts and this grace1 both the endowments and the office1 are originally from ,god1 his grace is the fountain of them2 and both the grace of each office1 and the gifts for such office1 relate to all these ordinary offices here enumerated1 as is evident by the current and connection of the whole context1 see ver4 #f-h2 consequently the grace1 i4e4 the office of ruling1 which is of divine grace1 and the gifts for that office1 arise from the same fountain1 ,god himself4 #f4 ,finally1 ,god himself is the guider and director of him that ruleth1 here prescribing to him how he is to rule1 viz4 with diligence1 with studiousness1 c41 ver4 #h4 ,now we may receive this as a maxim1 ,that of divine right may be done1 for which ,god gives his divine rule how it is to be done3 and that office must needs be of divine right1 which ,god himself so far approves as to direct in his word how it shall be discharged4 ,now1 to sum up all1 he that ruleth here1 #a4 ,is a member of ,christ's organical body4 #b4 ,hath an office of ruling in this body4 #c4 ,this his office is not extraordinary but ordinary1 standing1 and perpetual4 #d4 ,he is an officer distinct from all other ordinary officers in the ,church4 #e4 ,god himself is the giver and author of this office4 #f4 ,and ,god himself is the guider and director of this office3 and then see if we may not clearly conclude1 ,conclusion4 ,therefore1 he that ruleth1 mentioned in ,rom4 xii4 #h1 is the ruling elder we seek1 and that by divine right4 ,the adversaries of ruling elders muster up divers exceptions against the alleging of ,rom4 xii4 #h1 for proof of the divine right of their office1 the weakness of which is to be discovered ere we pass to another argument4 ,except4 #a4 ,this is an arguing from a general to a special affirmatively4 ,it doth not follow1 because the apostle here in general mentioneth him that ruleth1 therefore in special it must be the ruling elder4#di ,ans4 ,this exception is the same with first exception against the second argument hereafter laid down4 ,there see4 ,for the same answer appositely and satisfactorily is applicable to both4 ,except4 #b4 ,but the apostle here speaks of them that rule1 but we have nowhere received that such elders have rule over the church--and he speaks of all that rule in the church1 who therefore would wrest this place only to elders8 ,one cannot rightly attribute that word translated he that ruleth to elders only1 which is common unto more4 ,if these elders he here meant1 neither pastors nor teachers ought to rule1 for this word agrees no otherwise to him that ruleth1 than the word of exhorting to him that exhorteth4#ej ,ans4 #a4 ,that such elders rule in the church is evident1 both by ,rom4 xii4 #h1 where this word implies rule as hath been showed1 and he that ruleth is reckoned up amongst ordinary church officers1 as hath been said1 therefore he rules in the church3 these the apostle also calls ruling elders1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 viz4 officers in the church1 and distinct from them that labor in the word and doctrine2 as in the third argument will appear3 yea1 they are governments set of ,god in the church1 distinct from other officers1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 as in the second argument shall be evidenced3 there see2 therefore these elders have rule4 #b4 ,though in this term the apostle speaks of him that ruleth1 yet he speaks not of every one that ruleth4 ,for1 #a4 ,he speaks singularly1 he that ruleth1 as of one kind of ruling officer2 not plurally1 they that rule1 as if he had indefinitely or universally meant all the ruling officers in the church4 #b4 ,he reckons up here distinct kinds of ordinary officers1 pastors1 teachers1 elders1 and deacons2 and pastors and teachers1 besides laboring in the word1 have power of rule1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab1 ,heb4 xiii4 #g-ag1 and he that ruleth1 here1 is distinct from them both2 and therefore this term cannot mean all church rulers1 but only one kind1 viz4 the ruling elder4 #c4 ,though this name1 he that ruleth1 be common unto more rulers in the church1 than to the mere ruling elder2 yet it doth not therefore necessarily follow1 that it cannot here particularly point out only the mere ruling elder1 inasmuch1 as he that ruleth1 is not here set alone1 7for then this objection might have had some color17 but is enumerated with other officers as distinct from them4 #d4 ,though the ruling elder here be called he that ruleth1 yet this doth not exclude the pastor from ruling1 no more than when the ordinary ministers are called pastors and teachers1 the apostles and evangelists are excluded from feeding and teaching1 in ,eph4 iv4 #aa1 #ab2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,this elder is called1 he that ruleth1 not that there is no other ruler than he1 but because he doth no other thing but rule1 others rule and preach also4 ,except4 #c4 ,if this were meant of such elders1 then these elders were as necessary to the church as pastors1 being given to the church by the like reason4 ,consequently where these elders are not1 there is no church2 as there is no church where the word and sacraments are not4#ea ,ans4 #a4 ,according to this argument deacons are as necessary as either pastors1 teachers1 or elders1 and without deacons there should be no church2 for they are all enumerated here alike1 ,rom4 xii4 #g1 #h1 and in #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 but this would be absurd1 and against experience4 #b4 ,though both pastors and ruling elders belong to the church by divine right1 yet doth it not follow that the ruling elder is equally as necessary as the pastor4 ,the ruling elder only rules1 the pastor both rules and preaches1 therefore he is more necessary to the church4 ,there are degrees of necessity2 some things are absolutely necessary to the being of a church1 as matter and form1 viz4 visible saints1 and a due profession of faith1 and obedience to ,christ1 according to the gospel4 ,thus it is possible a church may be1 and yet want both deacons1 elders1 and pastors too1 yea1 and word and sacraments for a time3 some things are only respectively necessary to the well-being of a church2 thus officers are necessary1 yet some more than others1 without which the church is lame1 defective1 and miserably imperfect4 ,except4 #d4 ,should ruling elders here be meant1 then deacons that obey1 should be preferred before the elders that rule4#eb ,ans4 ,priority of order is no infallible argument of priority of worth and dignity2 as is evidenced in answer to the third exception against ,arg4 ,,ii4--there see2 we find ,priscilla a woman named before ,aquila a man1 and her husband1 ,acts xviii4 #ah2 ,rom4 xvi4 #c2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ai2 is therefore the woman preferred before the man8 the wife before the husband8 ,and again1 ,aquila is set before ,priscilla1 ,acts xviii4 #b1 #bf1 #a ,cor4 xvi4 #ai1 to let us see that the ,holy ,ghost indifferently speaks of superior and inferior before one another4 ,except4 #e4 ,but here the apostle speaketh of divers gifts and graces1 for so differing gifts do import1 not of divers offices3 for then they might not concur in one man1 and consequently neither might the prophet teach1 nor exhort1 nor the deacon distribute1 nor show mercy4 ,many gifts may be common in one man1 many offices cannot2--which of these gifts in the apostles' times was not common as well to the people as to the pastors2 and to women as well as to men8 c4#ec ,ans4 ,divers considerations may be propounded to discover the vanity of this exception3 chiefly take these three4 #a4 ,there is no sufficient reason in this exception1 proving the apostle here to speak only of divers gifts and graces1 and not of divers offices also4 ,for1 #a4 ,this is not proved by that expression1 differing gifts1 ver4 #f1 for these differing gifts are not here spoken of abstractly and absolutely1 without reference to their subjects1 but relatively with reference to their subjects wherein they are1 viz4 in the several officers1 ver4 #g1 #h1 and therefore1 as the apostle mentions the differing gifts1 so here he tells us in the same sixth verse1 that we have these different gifts1 according to the grace given unto us1 i4e4 according to the office given unto us of ,god's grace1 7as hath been manifested17 after which immediately is subjoined an enumeration of offices4 #b4 ,nor is this proved by the inference made1 upon the granting that divers offices are here meant1 viz4 ,then they might not concur in one man1 the prophet might not teach nor exhort1 c42 many gifts may be common in one man1 many offices cannot4 ,for who is so little versed in the ,scriptures1 but he knows that apostles1 pastors1 elders1 deacons1 are distinct officers one from another2 yet all the inferior offices are virtually comprehended in the superior1 and may be discharged by them3 elders may distribute as well as deacons2 and beyond them1 rule3 pastors may distribute and rule as well as deacons and elders1 and beyond both preach1 dispense sacraments1 and ordain ministers4 ,apostles may do there all1 and many things besides extraordinary4 ,much more may the prophet teach and exhort1 and the deacon distribute and show mercy2 these being the proper acts of their office4 #c4 ,nor1 finally1 is this proved by that suggestion1 that all these gifts in the apostles' times were common to all sorts and sexes1 women as well as men2 as he after takes much pains to prove1 but to very little purpose4 ,for not only in the apostles' times1 but in our times also1 all ,christians may teach1 exhort1 distribute1 show mercy1 c41 privately1 occasionally1 by bond of charity1 and law of fraternity towards one another mutually3 but may not teach1 exhort1 rule1 distribute1 c41 authoritatively by virtue of their office1 so as to give themselves wholly to such employments1 which is the thing here intended2 yet it is worth observing how far ,bilson was transported against ruling elders1 that rather than yield to their office1 he will make all these gifts common to all sorts and sexes1 men and women4 ,this is new divinity2 all sorts and sexes may both preach and rule4 ,let ,bilson have the credit of symbolizing with the ,separatists1 if not of transcending them4 #b4 ,here is good ground in the context to make us think that the apostle here spoke of distinct church officers1 and not only of distinct gifts4 ,for1 #a4 ,in the similitude of a natural body 7whereunto here the church is compared7 he speaks of distinct members1 having distinct offices1 ver4 #d4 ,for as we have many members in one body1 and all members have not the same office4 #b4 ,in his accommodation of this similitude1 he speaks not only of gifts1 but also of offices according to which these gifts are given1 which he calls grace1 ver4 #f1 7as was noted474 ,this grace given1 or this office given of grace1 is branched out1 first1 into two general heads1 viz4 prophecy and ministry1 ver4 #f1 #g4 ,then these generals are subdivided into the special offices contained under them1 viz43 ,under prophecy the teacher1 he that teacheth2 and the pastor1 he that exhorteth2 under ministry the deacon1 he that distributeth2 and the ruling elder1 he that ruleth4 ,now there is in the text just ground for this resolution of the text1 in making prophecy and ministry generals1 and all the rest special kinds of officers2 forasmuch as prophecy and ministry are expressed abstractly1 whether prophecy1 7not1 whether we are prophets27 whether ministry1 7not1 whether we are deacons1 ministers37 and both prophecy and ministry are put in the accusative case2 and both of them have relation1 and are joined unto the participle of the plural number having1 intimating that divers do share in prophecy1 pastor and teacher2 divers in ministry1 deacon and ruling elder4 ,but all the other are expressed concretely1 and in the nominative case1 and in the singular number1 and to every of them the single article is prefixed1 translated ,he--,he that teacheth--,he that exhorteth--,he that giveth--,he that ruleth4 ,hence we have great cause to count prophecy and ministry as generals2 all the rest as special offices under them4 ,argum4 ,,ii4 ,the second argument for the divine right of the ruling elder shall be grounded upon #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh3 ,and ,god hath set some in the church1 first1 apostles1 secondly1 prophets1 thirdly1 teachers1 afterwards powers1 then gifts of healing1 helps1 governments1 kinds of tongue4 ,god1 in the first founding of ,christianity and of the primitive churches1 bestowed many eminent gifts upon divers ,christians2 the church of ,corinth greatly excelled in such gifts1 #a ,cor4 i4 #e1 #g4 ,hence their members gifted1 grew spiritually proud1 and despised their brethren2 to correct which abuse of gifts1 and direct them to the right use thereof for the common profit of all1 is the chief scope of this chapter1 see verse #g1 ,the manifestation of the ,spirit is given to every man to profit withal4 ,for1 #a4 ,all their gifts flow from one and the same fountain1 the ,spirit of ,god1 therefore should be improved for the common good of all1 especially considering no one man hath all gifts1 but several men have several gifts1 that all might be beholden to one another1 ver4 #h-aa4 #b4 ,the whole ,church of ,christ throughout all the world is but one body1 and that body organical1 having several members therein placed for several uses1 as eyes1 hands1 c41 wherein the meanest members are useful and necessary to the highest3 therefore all members should harmoniously lay out their gifts for the good of the whole body1 without jars or divisions1 ver4 #ab-bh4 #c4 ,all the several officers1 whether extraordinary or ordinary1 though furnished with several gifts and several administrations1 yet are placed by one and the same ,god1 in one and the same general ,church2 and therefore should all level at the benefit of the whole church1 without pride1 animosities1 divisions1 c41 ver4 #bh1 to the end4 ,these things being briefly premised for the clearing the context and scope of the chapter1 we may thus argue from ver4 #bh3 ,major4 ,whatsoever officers ,god himself1 now under the ,new ,testament1 hath set in the ,church as governors therein1 distinct from all other church governors1 whether extraordinary or ordinary2 they are the ruling elders we inquire after1 and that by divine right4 ,this proposition is so clear and evident of itself1 that much needs not to be said for any further demonstration of it4 ,for what can be further desired for proof that there are such distinct officers as ruling elders in the ,church of ,christ1 and that of divine right1 than to evince1 #a4 ,that there are certain officers set of ,god in the ,church as governors therein4 #b4 ,that those officers so set of ,god in the ,church1 are set in the ,church under the ,new ,testament1 which immediately concerns us1 and not under the ,old ,testament4 #c4 ,that these officers set of ,god as governors in the ,church of the ,new ,testament1 are distinct from all other church governors1 whether extraordinary or ordinary8 ,for1 by the third of these1 we have a distinct church officer delineated and particularized3 by the second we have this distinct church officer limited to the time and state of the ,church only under the ,new ,testament1 which is our case3 and by the first of these1 we have this distinct ,new ,testament officer's ruling power in the ,church1 and the divine right thereof evidently demonstrated1 by ,god's act in setting him there in this capacity2 7see ,part #a4 ,chap4 ,,vi427 so that by all put together1 the consequence of this major proposition seems to be strong and unquestionable4 ,minor4 ,but the governments named in #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 are officers which ,god himself now under the ,new ,testament hath set in the ,church as governors therein1 distinct from all other church governors1 whether extraordinary or ordinary4 ,this minor or assumption is wholly grounded upon1 and plainly contained in this text1 and may thus be evidenced by parts4 #a4 ,the church here spoken of in the church is the ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament3 for1 #a4 ,the church here mentioned1 ver4 #bh1 is the same with that ,,one ,,body mentioned1 ver4 #ab1 #ac1 of this chapter1 as the whole context and coherence of the chapter evinceth2 but that ,,one ,,body denotes not the ,church of ,god under the ,old ,testament1 but only the ,church of ,christ under the ,new ,testament2 partly1 inasmuch as it is counted the ,church of ,christ1 yea1 7so intimate is the union between head and members17 it is called ,,christ1 so also is ,,christ1 ver4 #ab1 7viz4 not ,christ personally considered1 but ,christ mystically considered1 as comprehending head and body27 now this denomination of the ,church1 viz4 ,christ1 or the ,church of ,christ1 c41 is peculiar to the ,church under the ,new ,testament3 for where in all the ,scripture is the ,church of ,god under the ,old ,testament called the ,church of ,christ1 c48 and partly1 inasmuch as all1 both ,jews and ,gentiles1 are incorporated jointly into this ,,one ,,body1 and coalesce into one ,church3 ,for by one ,spirit are we all baptized into one body1 whether ,jews or ,gentiles1 whether bond or free1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ac4 ,now this union or conjunction of ,jews and ,gentiles into one body1 one ,church1 is only done under the ,new ,testament2 see ,eph4 ii4 #aa1 to the end of the chapter4 #b4 ,the officers here mentioned to be set in this ,church1 are only the ,new ,testament officers1 ver4 #bh4 #c4 ,the scope of the whole chapter is to redress abuses of spiritual gifts in the church of ,corinth1 which was a church under the ,new ,testament2 and therefore it would have been too remote for the apostle to have argued from the several distributions of gifts peculiar to the officers or members of the ,church under the ,old ,testament4 #b4 ,the governments here mentioned are officers set in this church as governors1 or rulers therein3 ,hath set some in the ,church1 first1 apostles--governments4 ,for clearing of this1 consider the enumeration here made2 the denomination of these officers1 governments2 and the constitution or placing of these governments in the ,church4 #a4 ,the enumeration here made is evidently an enumeration of several sorts of church officers1 some extraordinary1 to endure but for a time1 some ordinary1 to continue constantly in the ,church2 to this the current of interpreters doth easily subscribe3 and this the text itself plainly speaks2 partly1 if we look at the matter1 viz4 the several officers enumerated1 which are either extraordinary1 these five1 viz4 apostles1 prophets1 powers1 or miracles1 gifts of healing1 and kinds of tongues3 these continued but for a season1 during the first founding of ,christian churches3 7the proper and peculiar work of these extraordinary officers1 what it was1 is not here to be disputed47 ,or ordinary1 these three1 viz4 teachers1 7there is the preaching elder17 governments1 7there is the ruling elder17 helps1 7there is the deacon27 these are the officers enumerated2 and however there be some other officers elsewhere mentioned1 whence some conceive this enumeration not to be so absolutely perfect1 yet this is undoubtedly evident1 that it is an enumeration of officers in the church3 partly1 this is evident1 if we look at the manner of the apostle's speech1 which is in an enumerating form1 viz4 first1 secondly1 thirdly1 afterwards1 then3 and partly1 it is evident that he intended to reckon up those officers that were distinct from all other parts of the mystical body of ,christ1 by his recapitulation1 ,are all apostles1 are all prophets8 c41 ver4 #bi1 #cj1 i4e4 not all1 but only some members of the body are set apart by ,god to bear these offices in the church4 ,now1 if there be here a distinct enumeration of distinct officers in the church1 as is evident2 then consequently governments must needs be one of these distinct church officers1 being reckoned up among the rest2 and this is one step1 that governments are in the roll of church officers enumerated4 #b4 ,the denomination of these officers1 governments1 evidenceth that they are governing officers1 vested with rule in the ,church4 ,this word 7as hath been noted in chap4 ,,ii47 is a metaphor from pilots or shipmasters governing of their ships by their compass1 helm1 c41 ,james iii4 #d1 7who is hence called governor1 viz4 of the ship1 ,acts xxvii4 #aa2 ,rev4 xviii4 #ag17 and it notes such officers as sit at the stern of the vessel of the ,church1 to govern and guide it in spirituals according to the will and mind of ,christ3 governments--the abstract is put for governors1 the concrete3 this name of governments hath engraven upon it an evident character of power for governing4 ,but this will be easily granted by all4 ,all the doubt will be1 whom the apostle intended by these governments8 ,thus conceive1 negatively1 these cannot be meant1 viz4 not governors in general1 for1 besides that a general exists not but in the particular kinds or individuals thereof1 a member of a body in general exists not but in this or that particular member1 eye1 hand1 foot1 c43 besides this1 it is evident that ,christ hath not only in general appointed governors in his ,church1 and left particulars to the church or magistrate's determination1 but hath himself descended to the particular determination of the several kinds of officers which he will have in his ,church2 compare these places together1 ,eph4 iv4 #g1 #aa1 #ab2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 ,rom4 xii4 #g1 #h3 though in the ordinance of magistracy ,god hath only settled the general1 but for the particular kinds of it1 whether it should be monarchical1 c41 that is left to the prudence of the several commonwealths to determine what is fittest for themselves4 7,see ,part #b1 chap4 ,,ix47 #b4 ,not masters of families3 for all families are not in the ,church1 pagan families are without4 ,no family as a family is either a church or any part of a church1 7in the notion that church is here spoken of27 and though masters of families be governors in their own houses1 yet their power is not ecclesiastical but economical or domestical1 common to heathens as well as ,christians4 ,not the political magistrate1#ed for the reasons hinted1 7,part #a1 chap4 ,i42 see also ,part #b1 chap4 ,,ix417 and for divers other arguments that might be propounded4 #d4 ,not the prelatical bishops1 pretending to be an order above preaching presbyters1 and to have the reins of all church government in their hands only2 for1 in ,scripture language1 bishop and presbyter are all one order1 7these words being only names of the same officer27 this is evident by comparing ,tit4 i4 #e1 with ver4 #g4 ,hereunto also the judgment of antiquity evidently subscribeth1 accounting a bishop and a presbyter to be one and the same officer in the church2 as appears particularly in ,ambrose1 ,theodoret1 ,hierom1 and others4 ,now1 if there be no such order as prelatical bishops1 consequently they cannot be governments in the church4 #e4 ,not the same with helps1 as the former corrupt impressions of our ,bibles seemed to intimate1 which had it thus1 helps in governments1 which some moderns seem to favor2 but this is contrary to the original ,greek1 which signifies helps1 governments2 contrary to the ancient ,syriac version1 which hath it thus1 7as ,tremel4 renders it17 and helpers1 and governments3 and therefore this gross corruption is well amended in our late printed ,bible4 ,helps1 governments1 are here generally taken by interpreters for two distinct officers4 #f4 ,nor1 finally1 can the teaching elder here be meant2 for that were to make a needless and absurd tautology1 the teacher being formerly mentioned in this same verse4 ,consequently1 by governments here1 what can be intended1 but such a kind of officer in the church as hath rule and government therein1 distinct from all governors forementioned8 ,and doth not this lead us plainly to the ruling elder8 #c4 ,these governments thus set in the ,church1 as rulers therein1 are set therein by ,god himself2 ,god hath set some in the ,church1 first1 apostles--governments--,god hath set1 put1 made1 constituted1 c41 7as the word imports17 in the ,church4 ,what hath ,god set in the ,church8 viz4 apostles and--governments1 as well as apostles themselves4 ,the verb1 hath set1 equally relates to all the sorts of officers enumerated4 ,and is not that officer ,,ia the ,church of divine right1 which ,god himself1 by his own act and authority1 sets therein8 ,then doubtless these governments are of divine right4 #d4 ,finally1 these governments set in the ,church under the ,new ,testament as governors therein1 and that by ,god himself1 are distinct from not only all governing officers without the ,church1 7as hath been showed17 but also from all other governing officers within the church4 ,for here the apostles make a notable enumeration of the several sorts of church officers1 both extraordinary and ordinary1 viz4 eight in all4 ,five of these being extraordinary1 and to continue but for a season1 for the more effectual spreading and propagating of the gospel of ,christ at first1 and planting of ,christian churches1 viz4 apostles1 prophets1 powers1 gifts of healings1 kinds of tongues3 three of these being ordinary1 and to be perpetuated in the ,church1 as of continual use and necessity therein1 viz4 teachers1 governments1 i4e4 ruling elders1 and helps1 i4e4 deacons1 who are to help and relieve the poor and afflicted4 ,this is the enumeration4 ,it is not contended1 that it is absolutely and completely perfect1 for that some officers seem to be omitted and left out1 which elsewhere are reckoned up1 ,eph4 iv4 #aa2 ,rom4 xii4 #g1 #h4 ,evangelists are omitted in the list of extraordinary officers1 and pastors are left out of the roll of the ordinary officers2 and yet some conceive that pastors and teachers point not out two distinct sorts of officers1 but rather two distinct acts of the same officers2 and if this will hold1 then pastors are sufficiently comprised under the word teachers2 yea1 some think that both evangelists and pastors are comprehended under the word teacher4#ee ,but1 however1 be that as it will1 these two things are evident1 #a4 ,that this enumeration 7though evangelists and pastors be left out7 is the fullest and completest enumeration of church officers which in any place is to be found throughout all the ,new ,testament4 #b4 ,that though we should grant this defect in the enumeration1 yet this is no way prejudicial to the present argument1 that governments here mentioned are ruling officers in the ,church1 distinct from all other church officers that have rule2 for they are plainly and distinctly recited as distinct kinds of officers1 distinct from apostles1 from prophets1 from teachers1 from all here mentioned4 ,and thus interpreters#ef commonly expound this place1 taking governments for a distinct kind of church officer from all the rest here enumerated4 ,now to sum up all that hath been said for the proof of the assumption2 it is evident1 #a4 ,that the church here spoken of is the ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament4 #b4 ,that the governments here mentioned1 are officers set in this church1 7not out of the church17 as rulers governing therein4 #c4 ,that these governments set as rulers or governors in this church1 are set there not by man1 but by ,god himself2 ,god hath set in the ,church--governments4 #d4 ,and1 finally1 ,that these governments thus set in the ,church1 are distinct1 not only from all governors out of the ,church1 but also from all governing officers within the ,church4 ,and if all this laid together will not clearly evince the divine right of the ruling elder1 what will8 ,hence we may strongly conclude1 ,conclusion4 ,therefore these governments in #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 are the ruling elders we inquire after1 and that of divine right4 ,now against the urging of #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 for the proof of the divine right of the ruling elders1 divers exceptions are made1 which are to be answered before we pass to the third argument4 ,except4 #a4 ,the allegation of this place is too weak to prove the thing in question4 ,for will any man that knoweth what it is to reason1 reason from the general to the particular and special affirmatively8 or will ever any man of common sense be persuaded that this consequence is good3 ,there were governors in the primitive church mentioned by the ,apostles--therefore they were lay governors8 ,surely ,i think not4#eg ,ans4 ,this exception hath a confident flourish of words1 but they are but words4 ,it may be replied1 #a4 ,by way of concession1 that to argue indeed from a general to a special1 is no solid reasoning2 as1 ,this is a kingdom1 therefore it is ,england2 this is a city1 therefore it is ,london2 the apostle mentions government in the primitive ,church1 therefore they are ruling elders3 this were an absurd kind of reasoning4 #b4 ,by way of negation4 ,our reasoning from this text for the ruling elder1 is not from the general to a special affirmatively--there are governments in the ,church1 therefore ruling elders3 but this is our arguing--these governments here mentioned in #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 are a special kind of governing officers1 set of ,god in the ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament1 and distinct from all other church officers1 whether extraordinary or ordinary3 and therefore they are the ruling elders which we seek after1 and that by divine right4 ,so that we argue from the enumeration of several kinds of church officers affirmatively3 here is an enumeration or roll of divers kinds of church officers of divine right2 governments are one kind in the roll1 distinct from the rest2 therefore governments are of divine right1 consequently ruling elders2 for none but they can be these governments1 as hath been proved in the assumption4 ,if the apostle had here mentioned governments only1 and none other kind of officers with them1 there had been some color for this exception1 and some probability that the apostle had meant governors in general and not in special3 but when the apostle sets himself to enumerate so many special kinds of officers1 apostles1 prophets1 teachers1 c41 how far from reason is it to think that in the midst of all these specials1 governments only should be a general4 #c4 ,as for ,dr4 ,field's scoffing term of lay governors or lay elders1 which he seems in scorn to give to ruling elders2 it seems to be grounded upon that groundless distinction of the ministry and people into clergy and laity2 which is justly rejected by sound orthodox writers#eh1 as not only without but against the warrant of ,scripture1 clergy being nowhere appropriated to the ministry only1 but commonly attributed to the whole church1 #a ,pet4 v4 #b1 #c4 ,the ,scripture term given to these officers is ruling elders1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 and so far as such1 7though they be elected from among the people17 they are ecclesiastical officers4 ,except4 #b4 ,but it is not said here governors in the concrete1 as apostles1 prophets1 teachers are mentioned concretely1 which are distinct officers3 but it is said governments1 in the abstract1 to note faculties1 not persons4 ,the text may be thus resolved3 ,the apostle first sets down three distinct orders1 apostles1 prophets1 and teachers3 then he reckons up those common gifts of the ,holy ,ghost 7and among the rest the gift of governing7 which were common to all three4 ,so that we need not here make distinct orders in the ,church1 but only distinct gifts which might be in one man4#ei ,ans4 #a4 ,as the apostles1 prophets1 and teachers are here set down concretely1 and not abstractly1 and are confessed to be three distinct orders enumerated3 so all the other five1 though set down abstractly1 are 7by a metonymy of the adjunct for the subject7 to be understood concretely1 helps for helpers2 governments for governors1 c42 otherwise we shall here charge the apostle with a needless impertinent tautology in this chapter1 for he had formerly spoken of these gifts abstractly1 ver4 #h-aj1 as being all given to profit the ,church withal1 ver4 #g2 but here1 ver4 #bh-cj1 he speaks of these gifts as they are in several distinct subjects1 for the benefit of the organical body the church2 else what saith he here1 more than he said before8 #b4 ,that all these eight here enumerated1 one as well as another1 do denote1 not distinct offices or acts of the same officer1 but distinct officers1 having distinct administrations1 and distinct gifts for those administrations1 is evident1 partly by the apostle's form of enumeration1 first1 secondly1 thirdly1 afterwards1 then or furthermore3 if he had intended only three sorts of officers1 he would have stopped at thirdly1 but he goes on in an enumerating way1 to show us those that follow are distinct officers as well as those that go before2 partly1 by the apostle's recapitulation1 ver4 #bi1 #cj1 which plainly points out different officers1 persons not gifts1 besides those three3 ,are all apostles8 are all prophets8 are all teachers8 7and here he stops not1 but reckons on7 are all workers of miracles8 have all the gifts of healing8 c4 ,if it should be replied1 ,but he doth not add1 ,are all helps8 are all governments8 therefore these are not to be accounted distinct officers from the rest2 otherwise why should the apostle thus have omitted them1 had there been any such distinct officers in the ,church in his time8 ,it may be replied1 ,these two officers1 helps and governments1 are omitted in the recapitulation1 ver4 #bi1 #cj1 not that the ,church then had no such officers1 for why then should they have been distinctly mentioned in the enumeration of church officers1 ver4 #bh8 ,but either1 #a4 ,for that helps and governments were more inferior ordinary officers1 and not furnished with such extraordinary1 or at least1 eminent gifts1 as the other had1 7which they abused greatly to pride1 contention1 schism1 and contempt of one another1 the evils which the apostle here labors so much to cure17 and so there was no such danger that these helps and governments should run into the same distempers that the other did4 ,or1 #b4 ,for that he would instruct these helps and governments to be content with their own stations and offices1 7without strife and emulation17 though they be neither apostles1 nor prophets1 nor teachers1 nor any of the other enumerated1 which were so ambitiously coveted after2 and the last verse seems much to favor this consideration1 but covet earnestly the best gifts1 viz4 which made most for edification1 not for ostentation4#fj ,except4 #c4 ,but helps here are placed before governments1 therefore it is not likely that governments were the ruling elders2 ,helps1 i4e4 deacons1 which is an inferior office1 seeming here to be preferred before them4#fa ,ans4 ,this follows not4 ,priority of order is not always an argument of priority of worth1 dignity1 or authority4 ,scripture doth not always observe exactness of order1 to put that first which is of most excellency3 sometimes the pastor is put before the teacher1 as ,ephes4 iv4 #aa1 sometimes the teacher before the pastor1 as ,rom4 xii4 #g1 #h4 ,peter is first named of all the apostles1 both in ,matt4 x4 #b1 and in ,acts i4 #ac1 but we shall hardly grant the ,papist's arguing thence to be solid--,peter is first named1 therefore he is the chief and head of all the apostles2 no more can we account this any good consequence--helps are set before governments1 therefore governments are officers inferior to helps1 consequently they cannot be ruling elders3 this were bad logic4 ,except4 #d4 ,but the word governments is general1 and may signify either ,christian magistrates1 or ecclesiastical officers1 as archbishops1 bishops1 or whatsoever other by lawful authority are appointed in the ,church4#fb ,and some of the semi-,erastians of our times1 by governments understand the ,christian magistracy1 holding the ,christian magistracy to be an ecclesiastical administration4#fc ,ans4 #a4 ,governments1 i4e4 governors1 7though in itself and singly mentioned1 it be a general1 yet7 here being enumerated among so many specials1 is special1 and notes the special kind of ruling elders1 as hath been proved4 #b4 ,as for archbishops and diocesan bishops1 they are notoriously known to be1 as such1 no officers set in the ,church by ,god1 but merely by the invention of man2 therefore they have no part nor lot in this business1 nor can here be meant4 ,and if by others1 by lawful authority appointed in the ,church1 they mean those officers that ,god appoints well3 if those whom man sets there without ,god1 as chancellors1 commissioners1 c41 such have as much power of government in the ,church1 as they are such1 as archbishops and bishops1 viz4 just none at all by any divine warrant4 #c4 ,nor can the civil ,christian magistrate here be implied4 #a4 ,partly1 because this is quite beside the whole intent and scope of this chapter1 treating merely upon spiritual church-matters1 not at all of secular civil matters1 viz3 of spiritual gifts for the ,church's profit1 ver4 #a to #ab2 of the ,church herself as one organical body1 ver4 #ab to #bh2 and of the officers which ,god hath set in this organical body1 ver4 #bh1 c4 ,now here to crowd in the ,christian magistrate1 which is a mere political governor1 into the midst of these spiritual matters1 and into the roll of these merely ecclesiastical officers1 how absurd is it6 #b4 ,partly1 because the magistrate1 as such1 is not set of ,god in the ,church either as a church officer1 or as a church member1 7as hath been demonstrated formerly1 chap4 ,,ix427 and though he become a ,christian1 that adds nothing to the authority of his magistracy1 being the privilege only of his person1 not of his office4 #c4 ,partly1 because when this was written to the ,corinthians1 the apostle writes of such governments as had at that time their present actual being and existence in the ,church3 and neither then1 nor divers hundreds of years after1 were there any magistrates ,christian1 as hath been evidenced1 chap4 ,,ix4#fd ,except4 #e4 ,teachers are here expressed1 but pastors omitted2 and therefore well might governors be mentioned instead of pastors4#fe ,answ4 #a4 ,then1 according to his judgment1 pastors were a distinct kind of officers from teachers2 otherwise the naming of teachers would have sufficiently implied pastors1 without the addition of the word governors1 one act or function of the office being put for the whole office4 ,but prelates did not love to hear of such a distinction4 ,however1 it is the judgment of many others no less learned or pious than they1 that in the same congregation where there are several ministers1 he that excels in exposition of scriptures1 teaching sound doctrine1 and convincing gainsayers1 may be designed hereunto1 and called a teacher or doctor3 he that excels in application1 and designed thereunto1 may be called a pastor2 but where there is only one minister in one particular congregation1 he is to perform1 as far as he is able1 the whole work of the ministry4 #b4 ,if pastors are to be understood by this term governors1 as contradistinct from teachers1 formerly enumerated in the text2 doth not this seem to devolve the matter of government so wholly upon the pastor1 as that the teacher hath nothing to do with it8 and hereby both pastor and teacher are wronged at once3 the teacher1 while power of governing is denied him1 which belongs to him as well as to the pastor2 the teacher being a minister of the word1 hath power of administration of the sacraments and discipline1 as well as the pastor3 the pastor1 while he consequently is deprived of the necessary and comfortable assistance of the teacher in point of government4 ,therefore the pastor cannot here be intended by governors4 #c4 ,bilson himself was not very confident of this gloss1 and therefore he immediately adds1 ,if this content you not1 ,i then deny they are all ecclesiastical functions that are there specified1 c4 ,what then doth he make them8 viz4 he makes divers of them1 and governments among the rest1 to be but several gifts1 whereof one and the same officer might be capable4 ,and a little after he ingenuously confesses he cannot tell what these governors were1 saying1 ,i could easily presume1 ,i cannot easily prove what they were4 ,the manner and order of those wonderful gifts of' ,god's ,spirit1 after so many hundreds may be conjectured1 cannot be demonstrated--governors they were1 or rather governments1 7for so the apostle speaketh17 i4e4 gifts of wisdom1 discretion1 and judgment1 to direct and govern the whole church1 and every particular member thereof1 in the manifold dangers and distresses which those days did not want4 ,governors also they might be called1 that were appointed in every congregation to hear and appease the private strifes and quarrels that grew betwixt man and man1 lest the ,christians1 to the shame of themselves1 and slander of the gospel1 should pursue each other for things of this life before the magistrates1 who then were infidels2 of these ,st4 ,paul speaketh1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #a-g4 ,these governors and moderators of their brethren's quarrels and contentions ,i find1 others ,i find not in the apostle's writings1 but such as withal were watchmen and feeders of the flock4 ,thus inconsistent he is with himself3 one while these governors must be pastors2 another while arbitrators or daysmen about private differences2 another while gifts1 not officers2 another while he cannot easily prove what they were4 ,but they have been proved to be ruling elders1 and the proof still stands good1 notwithstanding all his or others' exceptions4 ,argum4 ,,iii4 ,the third argument for the divine right of the mere ruling elder shall be drawn from #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 ,let the elders that rule well1 be counted worthy of double honor1 especially they that labor in the word and doctrine4 ,from which words we may thus argue for the divine right of the ruling elder3 ,major4 ,whatsoever officers in the ,church are1 according to the word of ,christ1 styled elders1 invested with rule in the ,church1 approved of ,god in their rule1 and yet distinct from all them that labor in the word and doctrine2 they are the ruling elders in the ,church which we inquire after1 and that by divine right4 ,this proposition seems clear and unquestionable4 ,for1 #a4 ,if there be a certain kind of church officer which ,christ in his word calls an elder1 #b4 ,declares to have rule in his church1 #c4 ,approves in this his rule1 and1 #d4 ,distinguished from him that labors in the word and doctrine2 this is plainly the ruling elder1 and here is evidently the divine right of his office4 ,such a divine approbation of his office1 testified in ,scripture1 implies no less than a divine institution thereof4 ,minor4 ,but the officers mentioned in #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 are1 according to the word of ,christ1 styled elders1 invested with rule in the church3 approved of ,god in their rule1 and yet distinct from all them that labor in the word and doctrine4 ,this assumption may be thus evidenced by parts4 #a4 ,the officers mentioned here in this word of ,christ1 are styled elders4 ,this ,greek word translated elder1 is used in the ,new ,testament chiefly in three several senses3 #a4 ,for men of ancient time1 not now living2 and so it is opposed to modern3 ,tradition of elders1 ,matt4 xv4 #b1 i4e4 of them of old time1 see ,matt4 v4 #ba4 #b4 ,for elders in age now living2 so it is opposed to younger1 #a ,tim4 v4 #a2 #a ,pet4 v4 #e4 #c4 ,for elders in function or office1 opposed to private men not in office1 as ,acts xiv4 #bc2 and in this last sense it is to be taken in this place1 an office of ruling being here ascribed to these elders4 ,they are called elders1 say some1 because for the most part they were chosen out of the elder sort of men3 others better1 from the maturity of knowledge1 wisdom1 gifts1 gravity1 piety1 c41 which ought to be in them4 ,this name elder seems to have rule and authority written upon it1 when applied to any church officer2 and it is by the ,septuagint often ascribed to rulers political1 elders in the gate1 ,judges viii4 #ad2 ,ruth iv4 #b1 #c2 #a ,sam4 v4 #c2 #a ,chron4 xi4 #c4 ,in this place 7as it is well noted by some#ff7 the word elders is a genus1 a general attribute1 agreeing both to them that rule well1 and also to those that labor in the word and doctrine3 the one sort only rule2 the other sort both rule and preach2 but both sorts are elders4 #b4 ,the officers here mentioned are not only styled elders1 but invested with rule in the church4 ,for it is plain both by the text and context duly considered1 and the apostle's scope in writing of this epistle1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ae1 that these elders are officers in the ,church4 ,and that in the church they are vested with rule appears not only by their name of elders1 which when applied to officers1 imports rule1 authority1 c41 as hath been said2 but also by the adjunct participle that rule1 or ruling1 annexed to elders--,let the elders ruling well4 ,so that here we have not only the office1 the thing1 but the very name of ruling elders4 ,the word seems to be a military term1 for captains and commanders in an army1 foremost slanders1 7as the word imports17 that lead on and command all the rest that follow them3 hence metaphorically used for the foremost-standers1 rulers1 governors in the church4 ,it noteth not only those that go before others by doctrine1 or good example3 but that govern and rule others by authority4 ,for1 #a4 ,thus the word is used in ,scripture3 ,one that ruleth well his own house1 having his children in subjection with all gravity1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #d3 where it plainly notes an authoritative ruling4 ,again1 ,if a man know not how to rule his own house1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #e4 ,and again1 ,ruling their children and their own houses well1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ab4 ,and can any man be so absurd as to think that a master of a family hath not a proper authoritative rule over his own children and family1 but rules them only by doctrine and example8 #b4 ,thus learned divines#fg and accurate ,grecians#fh use the word to denote authority3 so that the ,holy ,ghost here calling them ruling elders1 implies they are vested with rule3 and those that deny this place to hold out two sorts of elders1 yet confess it holds out two sorts of acts1 ruling and preaching4 #c4 ,these ruling elders are here approved of ,god in their rule2 and that two ways1 viz3 #a4 ,in that ,god's ,spirit here commends their ruling1 being duly discharged1 ruling well1 excellently1 c4 ,did no rule in the ,church belong to them for matter1 ,god would never command or approve them for the matter4 ,he cannot be accounted with ,god to do any thing well1 that hath no right to do it at all4 #b4 ,in that ,god's ,spirit here commands their well ruling to be honorably rewarded4 ,let them be counted worthy of double honor3 or1 ,let them be dignified with double honor4 ,here is not only reward1 but an eminent reward appointed them1 and that urged from ,scripture1 ver4 #ah4 ,where ,god thus appoints rewards1 he approves that for which he rewards2 and what ,god thus approves is of divine right4 ,see part #a1 chap4 ,v4 #d4 ,yet1 finally1 ,these elders1 vested with rule in the ,church1 and divinely approved in their rule1 are distinct from all them that labor in the word and doctrine4 ,this may thus he evidenced from the text1 as some#fi have well observed3 ,for1 #a4 ,here is a general1 under which the several kinds of officers here spoken of are comprehended1 elders2 all here mentioned are elders4 #b4 ,here are two distinct kinds of elders1 viz3 those that rule well1 there is one kind2 and they that labor in the word 7as the pastors7 and doctrine1 7as the doctors and teachers17 here is the other kind4 #c4 ,here are two participles expressing these two species or kinds of elders--ruling1 and laboring3 those only rule1 that is all their work1 and therefore here are called ruling elders2 not because they alone rule1 but because their only work is to rule3 but these not only rule1 but1 over and besides1 they labor in the word and doctrine4 #d4 ,here are two distinct articles distinctly annexed to these two participles--they that rule2 they that labor4 #e4 ,finally1 here is an eminent disjunctive particle set betwixt these two kinds of elders1 these two participles1 these two articles1 evidently distinguishing one from the other1 viz4 especially they that labor in the word1 c41 intimating1 that as there were some ruling elders that did labor in the word and doctrine1 so there were others that did rule1 and not labor in the word3 both were worthy of double honor1 but especially they that both ruled and labored in the word also4 ,and wheresoever this word1 here translated especially1 is used in all the ,new ,testament1 it is used to distinguish thing from thing1 person from person1 that are spoken of2 as1 ,let us do good to all1 but especially to those of the household of faith1 ,gal4 vi4 #aj3 therefore there were some of the household of faith1 and some that were not2 and accordingly we must put a difference in doing good to them4 ,all the saints salute you1 especially those of ,csar's household2 some saints not of his household3 all saluted them1 but especially those of ,csar's household4 ,he that provides not for his own1 especially for them of his own house1 he hath denied the faith1 #a ,tim4 v4 #h4 ,a believer is to provide for his friends and kindred1 but especially for those of his own house1 wife and children4 ,see also #a ,tim4 iv4 #aj2 ,tit4 i4 #aa2 #b ,tim4 iv4 #ac2 #b ,pet4 ii4 #aj2 ,acts xx4 #ch1 and xxvi4 #c2 in all which places the word especially is used as a disjunctive particle1 to distinguish one thing from another1 without which distinction we shall but make nonsense in interpreting those places4 ,and generally the best interpreters#gj do from this text conclude1 that there were two sorts of elders1 viz3 the ruling elder1 that only ruled2 the preaching elder1 that besides his ruling1 labored in the word and doctrine also4 ,now1 therefore1 seeing the officers here mentioned are1 #a4 ,according to the word of ,christ1 7for this is the word of ,christ17 styled elders2 #b4 ,vested with rule2 #c4 ,approved of ,god in their rule2 and yet1 #d4 ,distinct from all that labor in the word and doctrine1 as hath been particularly proved2 we may conclude1 that1 ,conclusion4 ,therefore the officers here mentioned are the ruling elders in the ,church which we inquire after1 and that by divine right4 ,but against this place of #a ,tim4 i4 #ag1 and the argument from it1 divers cavils and exceptions are made2 let them have a brief solution4 ,except4 #a4 ,there were two sorts of elders1 some laboring in the word and doctrine1 some taking care of the poor1 viz4 deacons2 both were worthy of double honor1 especially they that labored in the word1 c4#ga ,ans4 #a4 ,this is a new distinction of elders without warrant of ,scripture4 ,deacons are nowhere in all the ,new ,testament styled elders2#gb nay1 they are contradistinguished from elders1 both teaching and ruling4 ,he that giveth let him do it with simplicity3 he that ruleth1 with diligence1 ,rom4 xii4 #h4 ,helps1 governments1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,compare also ,tit4 i4 #e1 #f1 c41 #a ,tim4 iii4 #b1 c41 with #a ,tim4 iii4 #h1 c4 #b4 ,as deacons are not elders1 so deacons have no rule in the church4 ,it is true1 they are to rule their children and their own houses well1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ab2 this is only family rule3 but as for the church1 their office therein is to be helps1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 to distribute1 ,rom4 xii4 #h2 to serve tables1 ,acts vi4 #b1 #c2 but no rule is ascribed to them4 ,except4 #b4 ,but by ruling well1 some understand living well1 leading a holy1 exemplary life4 ,the apostle would have ministers not only to live well themselves1 but also to feed others by the word and doctrine2 they that live well are to be double honored1 especially they who labor in the word1 c41 as #a ,thess4 v4 #ab1 #ac4gc ,ans4 #a4 ,the apostle here speaks rather of officers than of acts of office3 of persons rather than of duties1 if his phrase be observed4 #b4 ,living well is not ruling well here in the apostle's sense1 who intends the rule of elders over others2 he that lives well rules well over himself2 not over others3 else all that live well were church rulers2 they conduct by example1 do not govern by authority1 ,altar4 ,damasc4 c4 xii4 #h4 ,if well ruling be well living1 then double honor1 double maintenance from the church is due for well living1 7#a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 #ah17 consequently all that live well deserve this double honor4 #d4 ,this seems to intimate that ministers deserve double honor for living well1 though they preach not4 ,how absurd6 #e4 ,d4 ,downham1 once pleased with this gloss1 after confessed it was not safe4 ,except4 #c4 ,those that rule well may be meant of aged1 infirm1 superannuated bishops1 who cannot labor in the word and doctrine4#gd ,ans4 #a4 ,here is no speech of prelatical bishops1 but of ruling and preaching elders in this text4 #b4 ,how shall old1 decrepit bishops rule well1 when they cannot labor in the word and doctrine8 #c4 ,by this gloss1 the preaching elders that labor in the word and doctrine1 should be preferred before the most ancient bishop in double honor2 such doctrine would not long since have been very odious and apocryphal to our late prelates4 #d4 ,those preachers that have faithfully and constantly spent their strength1 and worn out themselves with ministerial labor1 that they cannot rule nor preach any longer1 are yet worthy of double honor for all their former travels in the service of ,christ and his ,church4 ,except4 #d4 ,among ministers some did preach1 others only administered the sacraments2 so ,paul showeth that he preached and labored more than all the apostles1 #a ,cor4 xv4 #aj2 but baptized few or none1 #a ,cor i4 #ad1 leaving that to be performed by others2 and when ,paul and ,barnabas were companions1 and their travels were equal1 yet ,paul is noted to have been the chief speaker1 7,acts xiv4 #ab37 all were worthy of double honor1 but especially they who labored in the word and doctrine4#ge ,ans4 #a4 ,this gloss imagineth such a ministry in the apostles' times as the prelates had erected of late in their days1 viz3 many dumb dogs that could not bark nor preach at all1 yet could administer the sacraments by the old service-book4 ,but the apostles1 as ,cartwright#gf observes1 allowed no such ministers1 will have every bishop or preaching elder to be both apt to teach1 and able to convince1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #b2 ,tit4 i4 #i4 ,so that it was far from ,paul to countenance a non-preaching or seldom-preaching ministry1 by allowing any honor at all1 much less a double honor1 to such4 ,sure1 preaching is one part1 yea1 a most principal part or duty of the minister's office1 7as hath been evidenced before1 ,part #b1 ,chap4 ,,vii417 and shall he be counted worthy of double honor that neglects a principal duty of his office8 ,nay1 he deserves not the very name of such an officer in the church3 why should he be called a pastor that doth not feed8 or a teacher1 that doth not teach his flock8 c41 saith ,chrysost4 ,hom4 xv4 in #a ,timothy4 #b4 ,why should ,paul's laboring be restrained here to his preaching only8 when ,paul speaks of his own labor elsewhere1 he speaks of it in another sense1 #b ,cor4 xi4 #ag1 in labor and weariness--compare it with the context2 and in this place judicious ,calvin seems rather to interpret it of other manner of labor1 and ,pareus extends it1 besides preaching1 to divers other labors which ,paul did undergo4 #c4 ,what warrant doth this exception hold out for two sorts of ministers here pretended1 some preaching1 others only administering the sacraments8 ,thus1 ,paul preached much1 baptised but few3 therefore1 there were some that only administered the sacraments3 well concluded4 ,yet ,paul baptized some1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ad1 #af1 distributed the ,lord's supper to some1 ,acts xx4 #g1 #aa2 so that he both preached and dispensed the sacraments4 ,let any show where any person dispensed the sacraments that was not a preacher4 ,again1 ,paul and ,barnabas equally travelled together1 but ,paul was chief speaker3 what then8 therefore some labored in the word1 others in the sacraments only4 ,this is woful logic4 #d4 ,to whomsoever the power of dispensing the sacraments was given by ,christ1 to them also the power of preaching was given2 dispensing the word and sacraments are joined in the same commission1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj3 what ,christ joins together let not man put asunder4 #e4 ,touching the preaching elder there is mentioned only one act peculiar to his office1 viz4 laboring in the word1 c42 but1 taking a part for the whole1 we may understand his dispensing the sacraments also1 and what else is peculiar to the preaching elder's office1 though for brevity's sake it be not here named4#gg ,except4 #e4 ,by elders that rule well may be meant certain governors1 or inferior magistrates1 chosen to compose controversies or civil strifes4 ,suitable hereunto is the late ,erastian gloss1 that by elders ruling well may be meant kings1 parliament-men1 and all civil governors4#gh ,ans4 #a4 ,it is well known that in the primitive times there was no ,christian magistrate in the ,church1 and for the ,church to choose heathen judges or magistrates to be arbitrators or daysmen in civil controversies1 is a thing utterly condemned by the apostle1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #a1 c4 #b4 ,the apostle speaks here of ecclesiastical1 not of civil officers1 as the latter phrase intimates4 ,the main scope of this epistle was to instruct ,timothy how to behave himself1 not in the commonwealth1 but in the ,church of ,god1 7#a ,tim4 iii4 #ae17 and here he speaks of such officers as were in being in the ,church at that time4 #c4 ,if kings1 parliament-men1 and all civil governors be these ruling elders1 then ministers have not only an equal share with them in government by this text1 which the ,erastians will not like well2 but also are to have a superior honor or maintenance to kings1 parliament-men1 and all civil governors4 ,certainly the magistrates will never triumph in this gloss1 nor thank them that devised it4 #d4 ,sutlive seems to be against this opinion1 7though no great friend to ruling elders17 saying ,beza bestows many words to prove that the judges in #a ,cor4 vi4 were not of the number of presbyters3 which truly ,i myself should easily grant him4 ,for there were none such ever constituted4 #e4 ,this is a novel interpretation1 as some observe1#gi unknown among ancient writers4 ,except4 #f4 ,those words especially they who labor in the word and doctrine are added to the former explanatively1 to teach us who they are that rule well1 viz4 they who labor much in the word and doctrine1 and not to distinguish them that labor in the word1 from elders ruling well2 as if ,paul had said1 ,let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor1 greatly laboring in the word1 c4 ,for the word translated especially here more aptly signifies much1 greatly1 than especially4 ,for though with the adversative but along with it1 it signifieth especially1 yet alone 7as it is here7 it signifies much1 greatly4#hj ,ans4 #a4 ,if this sentence especially they who labor1 c4 were added only to explain who are well-ruling elders1 viz4 such as greatly labor in the word1 c41 then few of the prelatical bishops were to be counted well-ruling elders1 for very few1 if any of them1 were guilty of laboring greatly in the word and doctrine4 #b4 ,then also the apostle would have said1 either who especially labor1 or simply without the article1 especially laboring2 then especially1 they who labor1 as here he doth1 carrying his speech rather to distinct persons and officers1 than to distinct duties or actions4 #c4 ,this word translated especially1 hath been already in the minor proposition proved to be rather disjunctive1 than explanatory2 a term of distinction to point out a several sort of elders from only ruling elders1 rather than a term of explication1 signifying who are to be reputed these well-ruling elders4 #d4 ,the word especially is used for a term of distinction1 even in those places where the adversative but is not joined to it1 as in ,tit4 i4 #aj1 ,for there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers1 especially they of the circumcision3 where especially distinguishes them of the circumcision1 from all other vain talkers1 and deceivers2 and in #a ,tim4 iv4 #aj1 ,who is the ,saviour of all men1 especially of them that believe2 here especially without but distinguishes them that believe from all other men1 as capable of a special salvation from ,god2 if here it were not a note of distinction1 according to this gloss1 we should thus read the place1 ,who is the ,saviour of all men1 greatly believing2 but this were cold comfort to weak ,christians of little faith4 ,so here especially1 though but be wanting1 distinguished them that labor in the word and doctrine1 from them that labor not therein1 and yet rule well4 ,except4 #g4 ,it is one thing to preach1 another thing to labor in the word and doctrine4 ,if there be here any distinction of elders it is between those that labor more abundantly and painfully1 and between those that labor not so much4 ,this objection takes much with some4#ha ,b4 ,bilson much presses this objection from the emphasis of the word laboring2 signifying endeavoring any thing with greater striving and contention1 c41 to this sense1 ,let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor1 especially they who labor and sweat1 c41 in the word--who give themselves even to be tired and broken with labors2 and this1 saith he1 is the genuine signification of the word translated laboring1 when it is borrowed from the labor of the body1 to denote the contention or striving of the mind1 c4#hb ,ans4 #a4 ,this gloss takes it for granted1 that this text speaks only of preaching1 or the ministry of the word1 and therein of the lesser or greater pains taken3 which 7besides that it begs the thing in question7 makes the ministry of the word common to both sorts here distinctly spoken of1 whereas rather the plain current of the text makes ruling common to both1 over and beyond which the preaching elder labors in the word4 #b4 ,doth not this interpretation allow a double honor to ministers that labor not so much as others in the word8 ,and can we think that the laborious ,paul intended to dignify1 patronize1 or encourage idle drones1 lazy1 sluggish1 seldom preachers8 ,ministers must be exceeding instant and laborious in their ministry1 #b ,tim4 iv4 #a-c4 ,if this were the sense only to prefer the greater before the less labor in the ministry1 the apostle would have used this order of words1 ,let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor1 especially they who labor1 c41 take upon themselves more weighty cares4 ,for those words 7in the word and doctrine7 should either have been quite omitted1 as now was expressed1 or should have been inserted immediately after them that rule well1 and before the word especially1 to this effect1 ,let the elders that rule well and preach the word and doctrine well1 be counted worthy of double honor2 but especially those who labor much in well ruling and in well preaching3 in such an expression the case had been very clear and evident4 #d4 ,should this comment stand1 that they who labor more in the ministry than others should have more honor1 more maintenance1 than others1 how many emulations and contentions were this likely to procure8 ,who shall undertake to proportion the honor and reward1 according to the proportion of every minister's labor8 #e4 ,as for the criticism of the word laboring1 which ,bilson lays so much stress upon1 these things are evident1 #a4 ,that here laboring1 signifies emphatically nothing else but that labor1 care1 diligence1 solicitude1 c41 which the nature of the pastoral office requires in every faithful pastor2 as is implied #a ,thess4 v41 #ab1 #ac1 ,know them which labor among you1 and are over you in the ,lord2 and the apostle saith that every minister shall receive a reward according to his own labor1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #h4 ,such labor and diligence also is required in them that rule1 whilst they are charged to rule with diligence1 ,rom4 xii4 #h1 which is as much as with labor3 yea1 the common charity of ,christians hath its labor2 and this very word labor is ascribed thereunto1 labor of love1 #a ,thess4 i4 #c2 ,heb4 vi4 #aj4 #b4 ,that if the apostle had here intended the extraordinary labor of some ministers above others1 not ordinarily required of all1 he would have taken a more emphatical word to have set it out1 as he is wont to do in some other cases1 as in #b ,cor4 xi4 #bg1 ,in labor and weariness4 #a ,thess4 ii4 #i1 ,for ye remembered1 brethren1 our labor and weariness4 #f4 ,finally1 ,if there be but one kind of church officers here designed1 then1 as saith the learned ,cartwright1 the words 7especially those that labor7 do not cause the apostle's speech to rise1 but to fall2 not to go forward1 but to go backward2 for to teach worthily and singularly is more than to teach painfully2 for the first doth set forth all that which may be required in a worthy teacher1 where the latter noteth one virtue only of pains taking4 ,except4 #h4 ,though it could be evinced1 that here the apostle speaks of some other elders1 besides the ministers of the word1 yet what advantage can this be for the proof of ruling elders8 ,for the apostle being to prove that the ministers of the word ought to be honored1 i4e4 maintained2 why might he not use this general proposition1 that all rulers1 whether public or domestic1 whether civil or ecclesiastical1 are to be honored8 ,and when the apostle speaketh of the qualifications of deacons1 he requires them to be such as have ruled their own houses well4#hc ,ans4 #a4 ,this slight gloss might have appeared more tolerable and plausible1 were it not1 partly1 that the grand scope of the apostle in this chapter and epistle is to direct about church officers and church affairs1 as both the context1 and #a ,tim4 iii4 #ad1 #ae1 clearly evidence2 and partly1 had the word rulers been expressed alone in the text1 and the word elders left out3 but seeing that the apostle speaks not generally of them that rule well1 but particularly of the elders that rule well in the ,church2 here is no place for this poor faint gloss4 #b4 ,had the apostle here intended such a lax and general proposition for all sorts of rulers1 then had he also meant that an honorable maintenance is due from the ,church to domestic as well as public1 yea1 to civil as well as ecclesiastical rulers3 then the ,church should have charge enough3 yea1 and then should ministers of the word 7according to this interpretation7 have more honor and maintenance than any other rulers1 domestic or public1 civil or ecclesiastical4 ,magistrates will never thank him for this gloss4 #c4 ,though some kind of skill to rule and govern be required in deacons1 yet that is no public rule in the ,church1 but a private rule in their own houses only1 which the apostle mentions1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ab4 ,except4 #i4 ,but these ,well-ruling presbyters may be referred to these pastors and teachers which were resident in every church1 who therefore are properly said to have care and inspection of the faithful1 as being affixed to that place for that end2 but the word laboring1 or they that labor1 may be referred to them who travelled up and down for the visiting and confirming of the churches4#hd ,there were some that remained in some certain places1 for the guiding and governing of such as were already won by the preaching of the gospel3 others that travelled with great labor and pains from place to place to spread the knowledge of ,god into all parts1 and to preach ,christ crucified to such as never heard of him before4 ,both these were worthy of double honor1 but the latter that builded not upon another man's foundation1 more especially than the former1 that did but keep that which others had gotten1 and govern those that others have gained4#he ,ans4 #a4 ,if this be the sense1 that there were some ministers fixed1 and limited to particular places and churches2 others unfixed1 having an unlimited commission1 and these are to be especially honored3 then the meaning is1 that the apostles and evangelists who were unfixed1 and had unlimited commissions1 and laid the foundation1 were to be especially honored above pastors and teachers that were fixed and limited1 and only built upon their foundation4 ,but how should this be the meaning8 ,for this seems a needless exhortation2 what church would not readily yield an especial honor to apostles and evangelists above pastors and teachers8 ,this would savor too much of self-seeking in the apostle1 and providing for his own honor4 ,this implies that the text hath reference to apostles and evangelists1 whereas it evidently speaks only of ordinary ruling and preaching presbyters4 #b4 ,if this be the sense of ,dr4 ,field and ,bilson1 that some mere ordinary presbyters travelled laboriously to lay the foundation of ,christianity1 others were fixed to certain places to build upon that foundation3 this seems to be false2 for we read that mere ordinary presbyters were ordained for several cities and places as their peculiar charges1 whom they were to feed1 and with whom they were to remain1 as ,acts xiv4 #bc2 ,tit4 i4 #e2 herewith compare ,acts xx4 #bh2 #a ,pet4 v4 #b2 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab4 ,but that mere ordinary presbyters were ordained and employed in the ,church without limitation of commission1 where can it be evidenced in all the ,scriptures8 ,wandering presbyters are nowhere commended2 wandering stars are condemned1 ,jude1 ver4 #ac4 #c4 ,to refer the word laboring to them that travelled from place to place for visiting and confirming of the churches1 is very weak and unjustifiable in this place2 for this clashes with ,dr4 ,field's former gloss1 7mentioned ,except4 #d1 limiting laboring to preaching47 ,but any thing for a present shift4 ,this word is sometimes given to the apostle1 as #a ,cor4 xv4 #aj2 #b ,cor4 xi4 #bg3 but where are apostles and evangelists called laboring1 merely in respect of their travelling from place to place1 to lay the foundation of ,christianity1 thereby to distinguish them from ordinary pastors and teachers8 ,nay1 the apostle himself makes them that rule1 and them that labor1 the same1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab1 #ac4 ,so here in #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 they that rule--and they that labor--are the same1 i4e4 both of them ordinary presbyters1 both of them ruling1 only to one of them the office of laboring in the word and doctrine is superadded2 yea1 the very women that were godly were said to labor in the ,lord1 ,rom4 xvi4 #f1 #ab1 not for their far travels up and down several countries to propagate the gospel1 for where are ,mary and ,persis reported to have done this8 ,yet doubtless such good women privately labored much to bring in others1 especially of their own sex1 to hear the apostles1 and entertain the gospel2 and if the women may be said to labor much in the ,lord1 in respect of their private endeavors1 how much more may labor be ascribed to presbyters in respect of both their private and public employments6 ,so that this word laboring1 which is applied in ,scripture not only to ordinary presbyters1 but also to women1 cannot 7without violence7 be drawn peculiarly to signify apostles and evangelists1 as this exception intends4 ,except4 #aj4 ,seeing in every minister of the word three things are requisite1 unblamableness of life1 dexterity of governing1 and integrity of doctrine2 the two first are commended here1 but especially the labor in doctrine above them both2 therefore here are set down not a two-fold order of presbyters1 but only two parts of the pastoral office1 preaching and governing2 both which the apostle joins in the office of pastors1 #a ,thes4 v4 #b-ac4hf ,the guides of the church are worthy of double honor1 both in respect of governing and teaching1 but especially for their pains in teaching2 so noting two parts or duties of presbyterial offices1 not two sorts of presbyters4#hg ,ans4 #a4 ,it is true1 pastors have the power both of ruling and preaching belonging to their office1 as is intimated1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab1 #ac1 and ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 and in other places2 but doth it therefore follow1 that none have the power of ruling1 but those that have the power of preaching8 or that this text1 or #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 intends only those rulers that preach8 #b4 ,bilson1 in this exception1 confesseth that laboring belongs to ordinary fixed pastors1 and therefore contradicts himself in his former objection1 wherein he would have appropriated it to unfixed apostles and evangelists2 yea1 by this gloss it is granted1 that preaching presbyters are to be more honored than non-preaching ruling prelates4 ,these are miserable shifts and evasions1 whereby they are necessitated thus to wound their own friends1 and to cross their own principles4 #c4 ,according to this gloss1 this should be the sense1 ,let the ministers that rule well by good life1 and skilful government1 be counted worthy of double honor1 especially they who labor in the word and doctrine4 ,now doth not this tacitly insinuate1 that some ministers may rule well1 and be worthy of double honor1 though they labor not in the word and doctrine8 and how absurd were this8 ,but if the text be interpreted not of several acts of the same office1 but of several sorts of officers1 this absurdity is prevented1 ,let ruling elders be doubly honored1 especially those that both rule and preach4 #d4 ,the text evidently speaks not of duties1 but of persons2 not of acts1 but of agents2 not of offices1 but of officers2 for it is not said1 ,let the elders be counted worthy of double honor1 for well ruling2 especially for laboring--but1 ,let the elders that rule well1 especially they that labor in the word1 c4 ,so that this gloss is vain1 and against the plain letter of the text4 ,except4 #aa4 ,though the emphasis of the word1 they that labor1 be not to be neglected1 yet the difference betwixt presbyters is not put by that word1 but by those 7in the word and doctrine47 ,this does not signify two kinds of presbyters1 but two offices of ministers and pastors2 one general1 to rule well2 another special1 to labor in the word and doctrine4 ,to rule well1 saith ,hierom1 is to fulfil his office2 or1 as the ,syriac interpreter expounds it1 to behave themselves well in their place2 or as the ,scripture speaks1 ,to go in and out before ,god's people as becomes them1 going before them in good works in their private conversations1 and also in their public administrations2 whence the apostle makes here a comparison betwixt the duties of ministers thus1 ,all presbyters that generally discharge their office well are worthy of double honor2 especially they who labor in the word1 which is a primary part of their office4#hh ,ans4 #a4 ,for substance this objection is the same with objection #aj1 already answered1 therefore much more needs not to be added4 #b4 ,it is to be noted1 that the apostle saith not1 ,let the presbyters that rule well be counted worthy of double honor1 especially because they labor in the word--for then he should have pointed at the distinct offices of ministers2 but he saith1 especially they that labor1 which clearly carries the sense to the distinction of elders themselves1 who have distinct employments4 #c4 ,if preaching presbyters only should here be meant1 and under that phrase 7that rule well7 their whole office in general1 and the right managing thereof1 should be contained1 whereas laboring in the word and doctrine 7as this exception implies7 is but one part thereof1 then hence it would inevitably follow1 that a minister deserves more honor for the well administration of one part of his office only1 than for the well managing of the whole1 which is absurd6 ,here therefore the apostle doth not compare one primary part of the pastor's office1 with the whole office and all the parts thereof2 but one sort of presbyters with another1 distinguishing the mere ruling presbyter from the ruling and preaching presbyter1 as the acute and learned ,whitaker hath well observed4 ,except4 #ab4 ,it is evident in the text itself1 that all these elders here meant were worthy of double honor1 whether they labored or governed2 which by ,st4 ,paul's proofs1 presently following1 and by the consent of all old and new writers1 is meant of their maintenance at the charges of the ,church4#hi ,now that lay-judges and censors of manners were in the apostle's time found at the expense of the ,church1 or by ,god's law ought to have their maintenance at the people's hands1 till ,i see it justly proved1 ,i cannot believe it3 which yet must be proved before this construction can be admitted4#ij ,ans4 #a4 ,this word honor signifies 7after the custom of the ,hebrews1 ,exod4 xx4 #ab7 all pious offices and relief4 ,this phrase 7double honor7 interpreters expound either absolutely or comparatively4 ,absolutely thus3 double honor1 i4e4 great honor1 so some2 maintenance in this life1 happiness in the life to come1 so others2 honor of reverence to their persons1 and of maintenance for their labors1 so ,chrysostom1 of which saith ,calvin1 ,that ,chrysostom interprets double honor to be maintenance and reverence1 ,i impugn not4 ,comparatively thus3 double honor here seems to relate to what was before spoken1 ver4 #c1 ,honor widows that are widows indeed4 ,now here he intimates1 that though widows are to be honored1 yet these should be much more honored2 they should have single1 these double honor4 ,in this last sense1 which seems most genuine1 it seems most likely that the apostle here intended principally1 if not only1 the honor of maintenance2 partly because the honor appointed for widows1 ver4 #c1 c41 was only maintenance2 partly because the reason of this charge to honor1 c41 refers only to maintenance1 ver4 #ah4 ,thus far we grant1 that the text speaks of maintenance4 #b4 ,it may be further yielded that all the presbyters here spoken of are to be counted worthy of double honor1 of honorable1 liberal maintenance2 even they that rule well 7if need require7 are to be thus honored1 but the principal care of maintenance ought to be of them that labor in the word and doctrine1 because the apostle saith especially they that labor1 c43 the like injunction1 see ,gal4 vi4 #f1 ,let him that is catechized1 communicate to him that catechizeth him in all good things2 and thus much this text plainly evidenceth4 #c4 ,what then can be inferred hereupon by the adversaries of ruling elders8 ,therefore the ruling elders 7in the reformed churches7 that take no maintenance of the church1 are not the elders that rule well here mentioned8 ,this follows not3 the apostle ,paul took no wages of the church of ,corinth1 #b ,cor4 xi4 #g-i1 and xii4 #ab1 #ac1 c41 was he therefore not an apostle to them1 as to other churches of whom he took maintenance8 ,divers among us in these days labor in the word and doctrine1 and are not sufficiently maintained by their churches1 but forced to spend of their own estates to do others service2 are they therefore no ministers8 ,forgive them this wrong4 ,most churches are not able 7or at least not willing7 to maintain their very preaching presbyters and their families comfortably and sufficiently1 as the gospel requireth3 if therefore in prudence1 that the ,church be not needlessly burdened1 those ruling elders are chosen generally that need no maintenance1 doth their not taking maintenance of the church make their office null and void8 ,or if the church do not give them maintenance 7when they neither need it1 nor desire it1 nor is the church able to do it7 is the church therefore defective in her duty1 or an ill observer of the apostolical precepts8 ,sure maintenance is not essentially and inseparably necessary to the calling of either ruling or preaching elder4 ,there may be cases when not only the preaching1 but the ruling elders ought to be maintained1 and there may be cases when not only the ruling but also the preaching presbyter 7as it was with ,paul7 should not expect to be maintained by the church4 #d4 ,it is as observable that the apostle here saith1 let them be counted worthy of double honor1 though the reformed churches do not actually give double maintenance to elders that rule well1 yet they count them worthy of double maintenance1 though the elders do not take it1 though the churches cannot give it4 ,finally1 unto these testimonies and arguments from ,scripture1 many testimonies of ancient and modern writers 7of no small repute in the ,church of ,god7 may be usefully annexed1 speaking for ruling elders in the ,church of ,christ from time to time3 some speaking of such sort of elders1 presbyters1 or church-governors1 as that ruling elders may very well be implied in their expressions2 some plainly declaring that the ,church of ,christ in fact had such officers for government thereof2 and some testifying that of right such officers ought to be in the ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament for the well guiding thereof2 by which it may notably appear1 that in asserting the office of the ruling elder in the ,church1 we take not upon us to maintain any singular paradox of our own devising1 or to hold forth some new light in this old opinionative age3 and that the ruling elder is not a church officer first coined at ,geneva1 and a stranger to the ,church of ,christ for the first #aejj years1 7as the adversaries of ruling elders scornfully pretend17 but hath been owned by the ,church of ,christ as well in former as in later times4#ia ,an ,appendix touching the ,divine ,right of ,deacons4 ,though we cannot find in ,scripture that the power of the keys is committed by ,christ unto deacons1 with the other church governors1 but conceive that deacons1 as other members of the church1 are to be governed1 and are not to govern2 yet forasmuch as deacons are ordinary officers in the ,church of ,god1 of which she will have constant use in all ages1 and which at first were divinely appointed1 and after frequently mentioned in the ,new ,testament2 it will not be thought unfit1 before we conclude this section1 touching the divine right of ,christ's church-officers1 briefly to assert the divine right of deacons1 as followeth4 ,deacons in the church are an ordinance of ,jesus ,christ4 ,for1 #a4 ,they are found in ,christ's catalogue of church officers1 distinct from all other officers1 both extraordinary and ordinary4 ,helps1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,the ,greek word in the natural acceptation properly signifies1 to lift over against one in taking up some burden or weight2 metaphorically1 it here is used for deacons1 whose office it is to help and succor the poor and sick1 to lend them a hand to lift them up1 c41 and this office is here distinctly laid down from all other ordinary and extraordinary offices in the text4 ,so they are distinguished from all ordinary officers reckoned up1 ,rom4 xii4 #g1 #h3 under prophecy1 there is the teacher and pastor2 under ministry1 the ruling elder1 and the deacon1 verse #h4 ,this officer was so well known1 and usual in the primitive churches1 that when the apostle writes to the church at ,philippi1 he directs his epistle not only to the saints1 but to the officers1 viz4 to the overseers1 and deacons1 ,philip1 i4 #a4 ,the occasion of the first institution of this office1 see in ,acts vi4 #a1 #b1 c4 ,at the first planting of the ,christian ,church1 the apostles themselves took care to receive the churches' goods1 and to distribute to every one of their members as they had need1 ,acts iv4 #cd1 #ce2 but in the increase of the church1 the burden of this care of distributing alms increasing also1 upon some complaints of the ,greeks1 that their widows were neglected1 the office of deacons was erected1 for better provision for the poor1 ,acts vi4 #a-g2 and because the churches are never like to want poor and afflicted persons1 there will be constant need of this officer4 ,the pastor and deacon under the ,new ,testament seem to answer the priests and ,levites under the ,old ,testament4 #b4 ,the qualifications of deacons are laid down by ,christ in the ,new ,testament1 at large3 #a ,tim4 iii4 #h-ad1 ,deacons also must be grave1 not double-tongued1 c41 and ,acts vi4 #c1 #e4 #c4 ,the manner also of deacons' vocation or calling unto their office is delineated1 viz3 #a4 ,they must be chosen by the church2 ,look ye out among you seven men of honest report1 c41 and they chose ,stephen1 c41 ,acts vi4 #c1 #e4 #b4 ,they must first be proved and tried by the officers of the church1 before they may officiate as deacons2 and let these also first be proved1 then let them use the office of a deacon1 being blameless1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #aj4 #c4 ,they must be appointed by the officers of the church to their office1 and set apart with prayer1 ,acts vi4 #c1 #f3 ,look ye out men--whom we may appoint over this business--whom they set before the apostles1 and when they had prayed1 they laid their hands on them4 #d4 ,deacons have by ,scripture their work and employment appointed them4 ,their work is1 to serve tables1 7hence the name deacon seems derived17 ,acts vi4 #b1 #c4 ,to be an help1 no hinderance in the church2 called helps1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ah4 #e4 ,deacons have a divine approbation and commendation in ,scripture1 if they execute their office well4 ,for they that have used the office of a deacon well1 purchase to themselves a good degree1 and great boldness in the faith which is in ,christ ,jesus1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ac4 ,here the well administration of deaconship is commended as producing two good effects to such deacons1 viz3 #a4 ,a good degree1 i4e4 great honor1 dignity1 and reputation1 both to themselves and to their office2 they adorn1 grace1 and credit their office in the church2 not that they purchase to themselves by desert a higher office in the church1 that from deacons they should be advanced to be presbyters1 as some would interpret this text4 #b4 ,much boldness in the faith which is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,for nothing makes a man more bold than a good conscience in the upright and faithful discharge of our duties in our callings2 innocency and integrity make brave spirits2 such with great confidence and boldness serve ,christ and the church1 being men that may be trusted to the uttermost4 ,now where ,god thus approves or commends the well managing of an office1 he also divinely approves and allows the office itself1 and the officer that executes the same4#ib ,,section ,,ii4 #b4 ,of the first receptacle1 or subject of the power of church government from ,christ1 viz4 ,christ's own officers4 ,touching the second1 that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath peculiarly intrusted his own officers with the power of church government3 take it thus-- ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator did immediately commit the proper1 formal1 ministerial1 or stewardly authority and power for governing of his church to his own church guides as the proper immediate receptacle or first subject thereof4 ,for explication of this proposition1 four things are to be opened4 #a4 ,what is meant by proper1 formal1 ministerial or stewardly authority and power for church government8 ,see this already discussed1 ,part #b1 chapters ,,iii41 ,v41 and ,,ix41 in the beginning of ,section #b1 so that here there needs no further addition1 as to this point4 #b4 ,what is meant by church guides8 ,by church guides here understand1 negatively1 #a4 ,not the political magistrate4 ,for though he be the nurse-father of the church1 ,isa4 xlix4 #bc1 the keeper and avenger of both the tables2 and have an outward care of religion1 and may exercise a political power about sacred things1 as did ,asa1 ,jehoshaphat1 ,hezekiah1 ,josiah1 c41 yet hath he no proper1 inward1 formal power in sacred things1 nor is it lawful for him to exercise the same2 as ,korah1 ,num4 xvi42 ,king ,saul1 #a ,sam4 xiii4 #i-ae2 ,uzzah1 #b ,sam4 vi4 #f-h1 #a ,chron4 xiii4 #i1 #aj2 and ,king ,uzziah1 #b ,chron4 xxvi4 #af-bb1 did to the provoking of ,god1 and to their own destruction4 7,but see what power is granted1 and what denied to the civil magistrate in matters of religion1 and why1 ,part #b1 ,chap4 ,,ix4 ,sect4 #a47 #b4 ,not any officer of man's mere invention and setting up in the church1 whether papal1 as cardinals1 c41 prelatical1 as deans1 archdeacons1 chancellors1 officials1 c41 or political1 as committees1 commissioners1 c4 ,for who can create and institute a new kind of offices in the church1 but ,jesus ,christ only1 who alone hath the lordly magisterial power as ,mediator appropriated to him8 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa2 ,rom4 xii4 #e-h2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 and therefore how can such acts be sufficiently excused from bold usurpation upon ,christ's own prerogative8 #c4 ,nor the deacons themselves1 7though officers of ,christ's appointment1 as was formerly proved27 for their office is not to rule and govern1 but to serve tables1 c41 ,acts vi4 #b1 #c4 ,none of these are the church guides which ,christ hath committed his proper power unto4 ,but affirmatively understand all these church guides extraordinary and ordinary1 which ,christ hath erected in his ,church1 vesting them with power and authority therein1 viz4 apostles1 prophets1 evangelists1 pastors and teachers1 governments1 or ruling elders1 mentioned together in ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 ,rom4 xii4 #f-h4 ,these are ,christ's own church officers1 these ,christ hath made the immediate receptacle and first subject of the keys1 or of ecclesiastical power derived from himself4 #c4 ,what is meant by ,christ's committing this stewardly power first and immediately to the church guides8 ,ans4 ,there is1 #a4 ,a priority and immediateness of the donation of the power of the keys3 thus ,christ first and immediately gave keys to his own officers1 whom ,scripture1 therefore1 calls the ministers of ,christ1 7not of the ,church17 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 not first and immediately to the community of the faithful1 or ,church1 and then by the ,church secondarily and mediately to the officers1 as her substitutes and delegates1 acting for her1 and not in virtue of their own power from ,christ4 #b4 ,a priority and immediateness of designation of particular individual persons to the office of key-bearing1 and this is done by the mediate intervening act of the church officers in separating of particular persons to the office which ,christ instituted2 though it is not denied but that the church or company of the faithful may lawfully nominate or elect individual persons to be officers in the congregation1 which yet is no act of authority or power4 #d4 ,how hath ,christ committed this power of the keys to his church guides1 that thereby they become the most proper receptacle thereof8 ,ans4 ,thus briefly4 ,all absolute lordly power is in ,god originally3 all lordly magisterial mediatory power is in ,christ dispensatorily3 all official1 stewardly power is by delegation from ,christ only in the church guides#ic ministerially1 as the only proper subject thereof that may exercise the same lawfully in ,christ's name3 yet all power1 both magisterial in ,christ1 and ministerial in ,christ's officers1 is for the ,church of ,christ and her edification objectively and finally4 ,these things thus explained and stated1 we come now to the confirmation of the proposition4 ,consider these arguments3 #a4 ,jesus ,christ committed immediately ecclesiastical power and the exercise thereof to his church guides4 ,thus we may argue3 ,major4 ,all those that have ecclesiastical power1 and the exercise thereof1 immediately committed to them from ,jesus ,christ1 are the immediate subject or receptacle of that power4 ,for what makes any persons the immediate subject of power1 but the immediate derivation and commission of power to them from ,jesus ,christ1 who is the fountain of all power8 ,minor4 ,but the church guides have the ecclesiastical power and the exercise thereof immediately committed to them from ,jesus ,christ4 ,this may be evinced many ways by ,scriptures4 #a4 ,it is said expressly1 ,of our authority which the ,lord hath given us for your edification1 #b ,cor4 #aj1 #h3 by us here we are to understand church guides1 for here they are set in opposition to the church members 7for edification17 not destruction of 7you47 ,here are edifiers and edified4 ,now these church guides have authority given them1 and that from the ,lord1 i4e4 ,christ2 here is their commission or power1 not from the ,church or any creature1 but from ,christ2 hence the apostle calls church guides1 ,your rulers or guides in the ,lord1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab2 in the ,lord1 i4e4 by the ,lord's authority and commission4 ,so that church officers are rulers in the ,lord1 and the churches ruled by them2 yea1 ruling elders being one sort of church guides1 have such an undoubted power of governing in the ,church divinely committed to them1 that of them it is said1 ,god hath set in the church governments1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 i4e4 governors1 the abstract being put for the concrete4 ,if ,god have set governors in the ,church1 then ,god vested those governors with a power of governing1 whence they have their name of governments4 #b4 ,the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 with all their acts1 were immediately committed to the church guides1 viz4 to the apostles and their successors to the end of the world2 compare these testimonies1 ,matt4 xvi4 #af1 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah-bj2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 with ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj3 therefore consequently ecclesiastical power was committed immediately unto them as the subject thereof4 ,for1 ,by the kingdom of heaven here we are to understand 7according to the full latitude of the phrase7 both the kingdom of grace in this world1 and of glory in the world to come2 binding and loosing both in earth and in heaven1 upon the right use of the keys1 being here the privileges promised to church guides2 and by kingdom of heaven--on earth1 understand the whole visible ,church of ,christ in the earth1 not only some single congregation4 ,by keys of the kingdom of heaven1 thus apprehend1 ,christ promiseth and giveth not the sword of the kingdom1 any secular power2 nor the sceptre of the kingdom1 any sovereign1 lordly1 magisterial power over the ,church4 ,but the keys1 c4 i4e4 a stewardly1 ministerial power1 and their acts1 binding and loosing1 i4e4 retaining and remitting sins on earth1 7as in ,john it is explained27 opening and shutting are proper acts of keys2 binding and loosing but metaphorical1 viz4 a speech borrowed from bonds or chains wherewith men's bodies are bound in prison or in captivity1 or from which the body is loosed3 we are naturally all under sin1 ,rom4 v4 #ab1 and therefore liable to death1 ,rom4 vi4 #bc4 ,now sins are to the soul as bonds and cords1 ,prov4 v4 #bb4 ,the bond of iniquity1 ,acts viii4 #bc2 and death with the pains thereof1 are as chains1 #b ,pet4 ii4 #d1 ,jude #f2 in hell as in a prison1 #a ,pet4 iii4 #aj3 the remission or retaining of these sins1 is the loosing or the binding of the soul under these cords and chains4 ,so that the keys themselves are not material but metaphorical2 a metaphor from stewards in great men's houses1 kings' houses1 c41 into whose hands the whole trust and ordering of household affairs is committed1 who take in and cast out servants1 open and shut doors1 c41 do all without control of any in the family save the master of the family4 ,such1 in the ,hebrew phrase1 are said to be over the house1 ,gen4 xliii4 #ah2 ,isa4 xxii4 #ae2 #b ,kings xviii4 #ah3 and the keys of the house are committed to them as a badge of their power4 ,so that when ,god threatens to put ,shebna out of his office in the king's house1 and to place ,eliakim1 son of ,hilkiah1 in his room1 he saith1 ,i will commit thy government into his hand--and the key of the house of ,david will ,i lay upon his shoulder1 ,isa4 xxii4 #ba1 #bb1 parallel of that phrase1 and the government shall be upon his shoulder1 ,isa4 ix4 #f4 ,hence1 as key is in the ,old ,testament used for stewardly power and government1 ,isa4 xxii4 #ba1 #bb2 7only twice properly1 ,judges iii4 #be2 #a ,chron4 ix4 #bg27 so in the ,new ,testament1 key is always used1 metaphorically1 to denote power1 and that about ecclesiasticals or spirituals1 viz4 in ,matt4 xvi4 #ai2 ,luke xi4 #eb2 ,rev4 i4 #ah1 and iii4 #g1 and ix4 #a1 and xx4 #a4 ,so that keys1 c41 are metaphorically the ordinances which ,christ hath instituted1 to be dispensed in his church1 preaching the word1 administrations of the seals and censures3 for it is not said key1 but keys1 which comprehendeth them all3 by the right use of which both the gates of the ,church here1 and of heaven hereafter1 are opened or shut to believers or unbelievers2 and ,christ promising or giving these keys to ,peter and the apostles1 and their successors to the end of the world1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #bj1 doth intrust and invest them with power and authority of dispensing these ordinances for this end1 and so makes them stewards in his house of the mysteries of ,god1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 so that we may conclude3 ,conclusion4 ,therefore the church guides are the immediate subject and receptacle of that ecclesiastical power1 and of the exercise thereof4 ,argum4 ,,ii4 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator did institute ecclesiastical offices for church government under the ,new ,testament before any ,christian ,church under the ,new ,testament was gathered or constituted4 ,therefore those persons that were intrusted with those offices must needs be the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the power of the keys4 ,thus we may argue3 ,major4 ,all those whose ecclesiastical offices for church government1 under the ,new ,testament1 were instituted by ,christ1 before any formal visible ,christian ,church was gathered or constituted1 are the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the power of the keys from ,jesus ,christ4 ,minor4 ,but the ecclesiastical offices of ,christ's own officers for governing of the ,church1 now under the ,new ,testament1 were instituted by ,christ before any formal visible ,christian ,church was gathered or constituted4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore ,christ's own officers for governing of the ,church now under the ,new ,testament are the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the keys from ,jesus ,christ4 ,the major proposition cannot reasonably be denied1 and may be further cleared by these considerations1 viz3 #a4 ,that the ,church offices for church government under the ,new ,testament are in their own nature intrinsically offices of power4 ,the apostle styles it power1 or authority1 which is given to these officers by the ,lord1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed to them1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and keys import a stewardly power3 compare ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah1 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc1 with ,isa4 xxii4 #ba1 #bb4 ,materially1 the acts and exercise of these officers are acts of power1 as binding1 loosing1 c41 ,matt1 xviii4 #ah2 not only preaching1 c41 but excommunicating1 is an act of power1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,absolving the penitent1 and confirming him again in the ,church's love1 is an act of power3--to confirm love unto him1 i4e4 authoritatively to confirm1 c41 as the word signifies1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #h4 ,formally1 these acts are to be done as acts of power1 in ,christ's name1 and by his authority1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai2 #a ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,now if these offices be in their own nature offices of power1 consequently they that have such offices conferred upon them by ,christ1 before the ,christian ,church had being or existence1 they must needs be the first and immediate recipient subject of the power of the keys from ,christ4 #b4 ,either those church officers1 whose offices were instituted before the ,christian ,church was constituted1 must be the first subject of the power1 c41 or some others4 ,if any other1 then1 #a4 ,either heathens1 or heathen magistrates1 who are out of the ,church3 but both these were absurd to grant2 for then they that are not so much as church members should be church governors1 and the ,church be ecclesiastically judged by them that are without4 #b4 ,or the first subject of this power was the ,christian ,church itself before it had existence2 but that were notoriously absurd2 and besides these1 no other can be imagined1 but the church officers2 therefore they must needs be the first subject of the power of the keys4 ,the minor proposition 7viz4 ,but the ecclesiastical offices of ,christ's own officers for governing of the ,church now under the ,new ,testament1 were instituted by ,christ before any formal visible ,christian ,church was gathered or constituted7 is so evident in the current of the ,new ,testament1 that it needs little confirmation4 ,for1 #a4 ,the church offices under the ,new ,testament1 as apostleship1 pastorship1 c41 were instituted by ,christ either before his death--compare these places together1 ,mark iii4 #ac1 #ad1 c42 ,luke ix4 #a1 c41 and x4 #a1 #b1 c42 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj--or presently upon his ascension1 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa1 #ab1 c42 ,acts ii42 #a ,cor4 xiii4 #bh4 ,now no formal ,christian ,church was constituted and gathered till the feast of ,pentecost and afterwards4 ,then1 after the apostles had received the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost1 c41 ,acts ii41 great multitudes of ,jews and ,gentiles were converted to ,christ1 and being converted1 incorporated and associated themselves into churches1 as the history of the ,acts1 chap1 ii41 and forward1 evidenceth abundantly4 #b4 ,church officers1 under the ,new ,testament1 are for the calling and gathering men unto ,christ1 and to his body mystical2 and for admitting of those that believe into that one body1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah1 #ai2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,and is not he that calleth1 before them that are called by them2 they that baptize1 before the baptized2 and they that gather the churches1 before those churches which they gather8 ,may we not hence conclude1 ,therefore1 c4 ,argum4 ,,iii4 ,the names1 titles1 and other denominations purposely and peculiarly given to the church guides in ,scripture1 generally do bear power and authority engraven upon their foreheads4 ,therefore1 they are the proper1 immediate1 and only subjects of ecclesiastical power4 ,thus we may argue3 ,major4 ,all those persons in the ,church1 that have such names1 titles1 or denominations given to them peculiarly in the ,scriptures by the ,spirit of ,christ1 as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in reference to the ,church1 are the immediate and only proper subjects of ecclesiastical power4 ,minor4 ,but ,christ's officers in the ,church have such names1 titles1 or denominations given to them peculiarly in the ,scriptures by the ,spirit of ,christ1 as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in reference to the ,church4 ,conclusion4 ,therefore ,christ's own officers in the ,church are the proper1 immediate1 and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical power4 ,this major proposition must be granted4 ,for1 #a4 ,is not this the ,holy ,ghost's familiar and ordinary manner in ,scripture1 to give titles and denominations1 which are apt1 pertinent1 significative and instructing both to others and themselves that have such denominations conferred upon them8 ,as in the family1 the husband is called the head of the wife1 #a ,cor4 xi41 because he is to govern1 she is to be subject3 the wife is called an help-meet1 c41 ,gen4 ii43 to teach the wife her duty1 to help his good and comfort every way1 to hinder it no way4 ,so in the commonwealth1 magistrates are called heirs of restraint1 to put men to shame1 ,judges xviii4 #g1 because they are to restrain disorders1 shame evil-doers3 higher powers1 to teach others subjection to them1 ,rom4 xiii4 #a4 ,an ordinance of man or human creation1 #a ,pet4 ii4 #ac3 because1 though magistracy in general be an ordinance of ,god1 yet this or that special kind of magistracy1 whether monarchical1 aristocratical1 c41 is of man4 ,thus in the ,church3 the ,church is called ,christ's body1 ,ephes4 iv4 #ab1 to show ,christ's headship1 the ,church's subjection to ,christ1 and their near union to one another4 ,christians are called members1 ,rom4 xii42 #a ,cor4 xii41 to teach them mutual love1 care1 and serviceableness to one another4 ,ministers are called ambassadors of ,christ1 #b ,cor4 v4 ,angels of the churches1 ,rev4 ii41 to teach them to be faithful in their offices1 and others to respect them for their offices4 ,salt of the earth1 ,matt4 v4 #ac1 because they are to season others spiritually4 ,stars1 ,rev4 i41 because they are to shine forth for the enlightening and guiding of others1 c4 #b4 ,if this proposition be denied1 then to what end are such names and denominations1 importing authority1 generally given by the ,spirit of ,god to some sort of persons only1 and not to others8 ,is it for no end8 ,that would be a dangerous charge upon the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,is it for any end8 ,then what other can be imagined1 than to signify1 hold forth1 and instruct both themselves and others in their duties1 and to distinguish them that are vested with authority in the ,church1 from them that are not8 ,the major proposition 7viz4 ,but ,christ's own officers in the ,church have such names1 titles1 or denominations given to them peculiarly in the ,scriptures by the ,spirit of ,christ1 as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in reference to the ,church7 may be evinced1 #a4 ,by induction of particular names attributed to ,christ's officers4 #b4 ,by a denial of them1 or the like1 to any other members of the ,church4 #a4 ,by induction of particular titles or denominations attributed to ,christ's officers1 which generally have power and authority palpably engraven upon them3 7yea1 the self-same names are given to them1 by which not only heathen writers1 but also the ,greek version of the ,old ,testament by the ,septuagint1 and the very original of the ,new ,testament are wont to give to political officers1 to express their political authority1 power1 and government17 as1 for instance3 #a4 ,presbyter or elder1 is ascribed often to ,christ's church officers1 as in ,acts xiv4 #bc1 and xv4 #b1 #d1 and xx4 #ag2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 ,tit4 v42 #a ,pet4 v4 #a4 ,this same word is ascribed to rulers political1 to elders in the gate1 by the ,septuagint1 in ,judges viii4 #ad2 ,ruth iv4 #b1 #c2 #b ,sam4 v4 #c2 #a ,chron4 vi4 #c4 #b4 ,overseer or bishop1 noting authority and power in having the charge and oversight of the flock1 is ascribed to church officers in ,acts xx4 #bh2 ,phil4 i4 #a2 #a ,tim4 iii4 #b2 ,tit4 i4 #g4 ,this same word is used by the ,septuagint1 to denote the power of the civil magistrate1 to whom the care and oversight of the commonwealth is committed1 ,numb4 xxxi4 #ad2 ,judges ix4 #bh2 #b ,kings xi4 #ae4 #c4 ,guide1 leader1 conductor1 captain1 governor1 signifies them all1 and is given to church officers1 as contradistinct from the church and saints1 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #ag1 #bd4 ,it is also attributed to civil rulers to set forth their power1 in ,deut4 i4 #ac2 ,micah iii4 #i1 #aa2 #b ,chron4 v4 #a2 ,ezek4 xliv4 #c1 and xlv4 #g2 ,dan4 iii4 #b2 ,acts vii4 #aj4 ,this very word governor1 is attributed to ,christ himself1 out of thee shall come forth a governor1 that shall rule 7or feed7 my people ,israel1 ,matt4 ii4 #f4 #d4 ,steward1 dispenser4 ,stewards of the mysteries of ,god1 is the title given to ministers1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 #b4 ,steward of ,god1 ,tit4 i4 #g4 ,that faithful and wise steward1 whom his ,lord shall make ruler over his household1 c41 ,luke xii4 #db4 ,this also is a title of power given to them that are set over families1 as ,gal4 iv4 #b1 he is under tutors and stewards4 ,and to them that are set over cities--as ,rom4 xvi4 #bc1 ,erastus the steward 7or as we render it1 the chamberlain7 of the city saluteth you4 #e4 ,pastor is ascribed to ,christ's officers2 ,eph4 iv4 #aa1 and some pastors and teachers4 ,they govern the ,church as the shepherd his flock1 feeding1 ruling them as well with the shepherd's staff1 as with food4 ,this term is sometimes given to civil magistrates1 ,isa4 xliv4 #bh2 ,micah v4 #e3 sometimes to ,christ the great shepherd of the sheep1 #a ,pet4 v4 #d2 noting his authority1 ,matt4 xxvi4 #ca2 ,john x4 #b1 #aa1 #ad1 #af2 ,heb4 xiii4 #bj2 #a ,pet4 ii4 #be3 sometimes to ,god himself the supreme ,ruler of the world1 ,ps4 lxxx4 #a4 #f4 ,governments1 a denomination given to ruling elders1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 as hath been proved ,sect4 #a of this ,chapter4 ,a metaphor from mariners or pilots1 that steer and govern the ship3 translated thence1 to signify the power and authority of church governors1 spiritual pilots1 steering the ship or ark of ,christ's ,church4 ,this word is used also by heathen authors1 to signify political governors4#id ,ruler4 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 ,let the elders that rule well--and1 ,he that ruleth1 ,rom4 xii4 #h1 and ,your rulers in the ,lord1 #a ,thes4 v4 #ab1 viz4 not only in the fear of the ,lord1#ie nor only in those things that appertain to ,god's worship1#if but also in the ,lord2 i4e4 who are over you1 to rule according to the will of the ,lord1#ig even by the ,lord ,christ's power and authority derived to them4 ,now these names are among heathen authors ascribed to rulers of cities1 armies1 and kingdoms4#ih ,by these among other titles given to ,christ's officers in ,scripture1 he that runs may read a plain authority and power enstamped on them in reference to the ,church2 and consequently on them that are thus denominated1 unless they be applied to them improperly1 unfitly1 abusively2 which we suppose no sober intelligent reader dare affirm4 #b4 ,by a denial of these and like titles to the whole ,church of ,christ1 or to any other members of the ,church whatsoever1 besides church officers4 ,for where can it be showed in all the book of ,god1 that in this sense1 either the whole ,church or any members thereof besides officers1 are ever styled presbyters1 bishops1 governors1 stewards of ,god1 or of the mysteries of ,god1 pastors1 governments1 or rulers8 ,the greatest factors for popular government must let this alone forever4 ,thus1 from all that hath been said1 we need not fear to conclude3 ,conclusion4 ,therefore ,christ's own officers in the ,church are the proper1 immediate1 and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical power4 ,argum4 ,,iv4 ,the relations which ,christ's officers have unto his ,church1 imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power in reference to the ,church1 and therefore they are the proper subjects of ecclesiastical power4 ,thus we reason3 ,major4 ,whosoever they are that peculiarly stand in such relations to the ,church of ,christ1 as imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power for governing of the ,church1 they are the only subject of ecclesiastical power4 ,this proposition is evident2 for1 otherwise1 to what end are those peculiar relations to the ,church which comprehend government in them1 unless such as are so peculiarly related be the only subjects of government8 ,shall all those relations be mere names and shadows8 or shall others in the church be counted the subject of this authority and power for church government1 that have no such relations to the ,church at all implying any such power8 ,minor4 ,but the officers of ,christ peculiarly stand in such relations to the ,church of ,christ as imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power for the government of the church4 ,this assumption or minor proposition will be evident by a due induction of some of their particular relations that have such power enstamped on them2 as for instance1 ,christ's officers stand in these relations of power to the ,church and people of ,god4 #a4 ,they are pastors1 ,eph4 iv4 #aa4 ,the church is the flock1 ,john x4 #af2 #a ,cor4 ix4 #g2 flock1 ,acts xx4 #bh1 #bi2 #a ,pet4 v4 #b1 #c4 ,hath not the pastor power to rule and govern his flock8 #b4 ,they are stewards4 ,who is that faithful and wise steward8 ,luke xii4 #db4 ,stewards of the mysteries of ,god1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a1 #b4 ,stewards of ,god1 ,tit4 i4 #g4 ,the ,church and people of ,god are the ,lord's household1 over which these stewards are set1 c41 ,luke xii4 #db4 ,god's house1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ae2 ,heb4 iii4 #f4 ,have not stewards power to govern and order those families over which they are set1 and wherewith they are intrusted8 ,gal4 iv4 #a4 #c4 ,they are bishops or overseers1 ,phil4 i4 #a2 #a ,tim4 iii4 #b2 ,tit4 i4 #g4 ,the ,church and people of ,god are that charge which the ,lord hath committed to their inspection4 ,over which the ,holy ,ghost hath made you overseers1 ,acts xx4 #bh4 ,have not overseers power over that which is committed to their inspection8 #d4 ,they are catechizers and teachers1 ,rom4 xii4 #g1 #h2 ,eph4 iv4 #aa4 ,the ,church and people are catechized1 ,gal4 vi4 #f2 taught4 ,hath not he that catechizeth power for government of him that is catechized8 ,he that teacheth of him that is taught8 #e4 ,they are co-workers with ,god1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #i2 #b ,cor4 vi4 #a4 ,architects1 builders1 c41 #a ,cor4 iii4 #aj2 some of them laying the foundation1 others building thereupon4 ,the ,church and people of ,god are ,god's building4 ,ye are ,god's building1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #i4 ,have not builders power of disposing and ordering affairs appertaining to the building8 #f4 ,finally1 to add no more1 the officers of ,christ in the ,church are not only as nurses2 ,we were gentle among you1 even as a nurse cherisheth her children1 #a ,thess4 ii4 #g3 and as mothers2 ,my little children1 of whom ,i travail in birth again1 ,gal4 iv4 #ai3 but also as fathers1 #a ,thess4 ii4 #aa2 #a ,cor4 iv4 #ae1 spiritual fathers in ,christ3 and the ,church and people of ,god1 they are the sons and daughters1 the spiritual babes and children1 begotten1 brought forth1 and nursed up by them1 #a ,thess4 ii4 #g1 #aa2 ,gal4 iv4 #ai3 and have fathers no authority nor power of government over their children8 ,see ,eph4 vi4 #a-c2 #a ,tim4 iii4 #d4 ,thus ,christ's officers stand in such relation to the ,church as do evidently carry power of government along with them2 but where are any other members of the church besides officers1 stated in such relation of pastors1 stewards1 overseers1 catechizers1 builders1 husbandmen1 nurses1 mothers1 and fathers to the ,church of ,god and members of ,christ1 that can be evidenced by the ,scriptures8 ,why may we not then clearly conclude1 ,conclusion4 ,therefore the officers of ,christ are the only subjects of ecclesiastical power4 ,argum4 ,v4 ,the many divine commands and impositions of duties of obedience1 submission1 subjection1 c41 upon the ,church and people of ,god1 to be performed by them to ,christ's officers1 and that in reference to their office1 do plainly proclaim the officers of ,christ to be the proper receptacle and subject of authority and power from ,christ for the government of his ,church4 ,thus it may be argued3 ,major4 ,whatsoever persons they are to whom the ,church and people of ,god are peculiarly bound by the commands of ,christ1 to perform duties of obedience and subjection1 and that in reference to their office in the church1 they are the only subjects of authority from ,christ for the government of his ,church4 ,this proposition needs no proof1 unless we will be so absurd as to say that the ,church and people of ,god are peculiarly obliged by ,christ's command to obey and be subject to them1 that yet have no peculiar authority nor power over them1 and that in reference to their office in the church4 ,minor4 ,but the officers of ,christ are those to whom the ,church and people of ,god are peculiarly bound by the commands of ,christ to perform duties of obedience and subjection1 and that in reference to their office in the church4 ,this assumption or minor proposition may be evidenced1 #a4 ,partly by induction of some particular instances of ,christ's commands1 whereby the ,church and people of ,god are bound to perform duties of obedience and subjection to the officers of ,christ1 in reference to their office in the church4 #b4 ,partly by a denial of the like commands in reference to all others in the church1 except the officers of the church only4 ,touching the first1 viz4 the instances of such commands1 consider these following4 ,the ,church and people of ,god are commanded1 #a4 ,to know their rulers4 ,we beseech you1 brethren1 to know them that labor among you1 and are over you in the ,lord1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ab4 ,to know1 i4e41 not simply and merely to know1 but to acknowledge1 accept1 and approve of them as such rulers over you in the ,lord4 ,this teaches subjection to the office of ruling4 #b4 ,to love them exceedingly for their work's sake4 ,esteem them superabundantly in love for their work's sake1 #a ,thess4 v4 #ac4 ,for what work8 viz4 both laboring and ruling1 mentioned verse #ab4 ,if they must love them so exceedingly for ruling over them1 must they not much more be obedient to this rule8 #c4 ,to count them worthy of double honor in reference to their well-ruling4 ,let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor1 especially--1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag3 whether we take double honor here for reverence or maintenance1 or both2 yet how can we esteem the elders ruling well worthy of double honor without some submission to their rule8 #d4 ,to obey them that are their rulers and governors4 ,obey ye your rulers1 or governors1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag2 where the words obey ye doth not 7as some dream7 signify a persuasion1 but obedience1 and in this sense it is commonly used1 not only in profane authors1 but also in the ,holy ,scriptures1 as ,james iii4 #c1 ,gal4 iii4 #a4 #e4 ,finally1 to submit and be subordinate unto them4 ,the ,church and people of ,god are charged to submit unto them4 ,obey your governors and submit ye1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag4 ,the word properly notes a submissive yielding without opposition or resistance2 yea1 it signifies intense obedience4 ,they must not only yield1 but yield with subjection and submission1 which relates to authority4 ,they are also charged to be subordinate to them4 ,likewise1 ye younger1 submit yourselves to the elders1 #a ,pet4 v4 #e2 i4e41 be ye subordinate1 7it is a military term17 viz3 be ordered1 ranked1 guided1 governed1 disciplined by them1 as soldiers are by their commanders4 ,the word elders here is by some taken only for elders in age1 and not in office4 ,but it seems better to interpret it of elders in office2 and the context well agrees with this2 for the apostle having immediately before charged the ruling preaching presbyters with their duties towards their flock1 ver4 #a-d1 here he seems to enjoin the ruled flock 7which commonly were younger in age and gifts7 to look to their duties of subjection to their elders in office4 ,touching the second1 viz4 the denial of like commands1 and upon like grounds to all others in the church1 except to the church officers only3 where can it be evidenced in all the ,scriptures that the people of ,god are commanded to know1 to esteem very highly in love1 to count worthy of double honor1 to obey1 and submit themselves to any persons in the church but to the ruling officers thereof in reference to their office1 and the due execution thereof8 ,now1 seeing the ,church and people of ,god are peculiarly obliged1 by so many commands of ,christ1 to perform such duties of subjection and obedience to the officers of ,christ1 may it not be concluded1 ,therefore the officers of ,christ are the only subjects of authority from ,christ for the government of his ,church8 ,argum4 ,,vi4 ,finally1 the directions touching rule and government in the ,church2 the encouragements to well-ruling by commendations1 promises1 rewards1 together with the contrary deterring discouragements from ill-ruling1 by discommendations1 threats1 c41 being specially applied and appropriated by the word of ,christ unto ,christ's officers1 very notably discover to us that ,christ's officers are the only subjects of power from ,christ for the government of his ,church4 ,thus it may be argued3 ,major4 ,whatsoever persons in the ,church have directions for church government1 encouragements to well-ruling1 and discouragements from ill-ruling1 particularly and peculiarly applied unto them by the word of ,christ2 they are the only subjects of power from ,christ for the government of his ,church3 ,this proposition is evident3 ,for1 #a4 ,how should it be consistent with the infinite wisdom of ,god peculiarly to apply unto them directions about ruling and governing the church that are not the only subjects in whom the power of government is intrusted by ,jesus ,christ8 #b4 ,how can it stand with the justice of ,god to encourage them only unto well-ruling1 by commendations1 promises1 rewards1 c41 or to deter them from ill-governing by dispraises1 threats1 c41 c41 to whom the power of government doth not appertain1 as to the only subjects thereof8 #c4 ,what strange apprehensions and distractions would this breed in the hearts of ,christ's officers and others1 should those that have not the power of church government committed to them by ,christ1 be yet directed by his word how to govern1 encouraged in governing well1 and deterred from governing ill8 ,minor4 ,but the officers of ,christ in the church have directions for church government1 encouragements to well-ruling1 and discouragements from ill-ruling1 particularly and peculiarly applied unto them by the word of ,god4 ,this assumption or minor proposition may be cleared by divers ,scriptures according to the particular branches thereof1 viz3 #a4 ,directions for church government are particularly applied by the word of ,christ to his own officers3 as for instance1 they are directed to bind and loose--to remit and retain sins on earth1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 ,to judge them that are within the ,church1 not without1 #a ,cor4 v4 #ab4 ,not to lord it1 domineer1 or overrule the flock of ,christ1 #a ,pet4 v4 ,to rule well1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,to rule with diligence1 ,rom4 xii4 #h4 ,to lay hands suddenly on no man1 neither to be partakers of other men's sins1 but to keep themselves pure1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bb4 ,not to prefer one before another1 nor do anything by partiality1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ba4 ,to rebuke them that sin before all1 that others also may fear1 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj4 ,to reject a heretic after once or twice admonition1 ,tit4 iii4 #aj4 ,to use the authority that is given them from the ,lord to the edification1 not to the destruction of the ,church1 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj2 with divers such like rules specially directed to ,christ's officers4 #b4 ,encouragements to well-ruling are peculiarly directed to ,christ's officers4 ,for1 #a4 ,they are the persons specially commended in that respect2 well-ruling1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,good and faithful steward1 ,luke xii4 #db4 ,the angels of the churches are praised for their good government1 ,rev4 ii4 #b1 #c1 #f1 and ver4 #ah1 #ai4 #b4 ,they are the persons to whom the promises1 in reference to good government1 are directed1 as ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah-bj2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc2 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai1 #bj2 ,luke xii4 #db-dd2 #a ,pet4 v4 #d4 #c4 ,they are the persons whom the ,lord will have peculiarly rewarded1 now with double honor1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 hereafter with endless glory1 #a ,pet4 v4 #d4 #c4 ,discouragements1 deterring from ill-governing1 are also specially applied to ,christ's officers1 whether by way of dispraise or threats1 c41 ,rev4 ii4 #ab1 #ad-af1 and ver4 #ah1 #bj4 ,now if1 #a4 ,rules for church government1 #b4 ,encouragements in reference to well ruling1 and1 #c4 ,discouragements in reference to ill-ruling1 be so peculiarly directed by the word of ,christ to his own officers1 we may conclude1 ,therefore the officers of ,christ in the ,church are the only subjects of power from ,christ for the government of his ,church4 ,object4 ,but the church#ii of a particular congregation fully furnished with officers1 and rightly walking in judgment and peace1 is the first subject of all church authority1 as appears from the example of the church of ,corinth in the excommunication of the incestuous ,corinthian1 #a ,cor4 v4 #a-e2 wherein it appears that the presbytery alone did not put forth this power1 but the brethren also concurred in this sentence with some act of power1 7viz4 a negative power37 for1 #a4 ,the reproof1 for not proceeding to sentence sooner1 is directed to the whole ,church1 as well as to the presbytery4 ,they are all blamed for not mourning1 c41 #a ,cor4 v4 #b4 #b4 ,the command is directed to them all1 when they are gathered together1 7and what is that but to a church meeting87 to proceed against him1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #ac4 #c4 ,he declareth this act of theirs1 in putting him out1 to be a judicial act1 ver4 #ab4 #d4 ,upon his repentance the apostle speaketh to the brethren1 as well as to their elders1 to forgive him1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #d-aj4 ,consequently1 ,christ's church officers are not the peculiar1 immediate1 or only subject of the power of the keys1 as hath been asserted4 ,ans4 ,i4 ,as for the main proposition asserted in this objection1 something hath been formerly laid down to show the unsoundness of it4 7,see chap4 ,x4 near the end47 ,whereunto thus much may be superadded4 #a4 ,what necessity is there that a particular congregation should be fully furnished with officers1 to make it the subject of all church authority8 ,for deacons are one sort of officers1 yet what authority is added to the ,church by the addition of deacons1 whose office it is only to serve tables1 ,acts vi41 not to rule the ,church8 or if the ,church have no deacons1 as once it had not1 ,acts i4 #b1 and before that1 all the time from ,christ1 wherein is she maimed or defective in her authority8 #b4 ,if the ,church1 fully furnished with officers1 yet walk not in judgment and peace1 then in such case it is granted1 that a particular congregation is not the first subject of all church authority4 ,then a congregation that walks in error or heresy1 or passion1 or profaneness1 all which are contrary to judgment2 and that walks in divisions1 schisms1 contentions1 c41 which are contrary to peace1 loseth her authority4 ,stick but close to this principle1 and you will quickly lay the church authority of most independent congregations in the dust4 ,but who shall determine whether they walk in judgment and peace1 or not8 ,not themselves2 for that were to make parties judges in their own case1 and would produce a very partial sentence4 ,not sister churches2 for all particular churches1 according to them1 have equal authority1 and none may usurp one over another4 ,not a presbyterial church1 for such they do not acknowledge4 ,then it must be left undetermined1 yea undeterminable1 7according to their principles27 consequently1 who can tell when they have any authority at all8 #c4 ,suppose the congregation had all her officers1 and walked in judgment and peace also1 yet is she not the first subject of all authority2 for there is a synodal authority1 beyond a congregational authority1 as confessed by ,mr4 ,cotton4#ajj ,,ii4 ,as for the proofs of this proposition asserted here1 they seem extremely invalid and unsatisfying4 ,for1 ,the instance of the church of ,corinth excommunicating the incestuous person1 will not prove the congregation to be the first subject of all church authority3 #a4 ,partly1 because the church of ,corinth was a presbyterial church1 having several congregations in it1 7as hereafter is evidenced1 chap4 ,,xiii427 now to argue from the authority of a presbyterial church1 to the authority of a congregational1 affirmatively1 is not cogent4 #b4 ,partly1 because here were but two acts of power mentioned in this instance1 viz4 casting out and receiving again of the incestuous person3 suppose the community had joined the presbytery in these two acts1 7which yet is not proved17 will it follow therefore they are the first subject of all church authority8 ,are not ordination of presbyters1 determination in case of appeals1 of schism1 of heresy1 c41 acts of authority above the sphere of a single congregation8 ,what one congregation can be instanced in the ,new ,testament that did ever execute any of these acts of authority8 ,the reasons brought1 prove not that the brethren did concur with the presbytery in this sentence with some act of power1 as will appear plainly1 if they be considered severally4 #a4 ,not the reproof1 #a ,cor4 v4 #b1 ,and ye are puffed up1 and have not rather mourned1 that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you4 ,here they are blamed1 that they no more laid to heart so vile a scandal1 which should have been matter of mourning to the whole congregation2 that they instead of mourning were puffed up1 gloried in their shame2 and that they sluggishly neglected to endeavor1 in their sphere1 his casting out4 ,and all this blame might justly be charged upon the whole church1 the fraternity as well as the presbytery3 the scandal of one member should be the grief of the whole body of the church4 ,what then8 ,hath therefore the fraternity1 as well as the presbytery1 power to cast him out8 ,that were a miserable consequence indeed3 the people should not only have mourned for the sin1 but have urged the presbytery to have proceeded to sentence1 and after sentence have withdrawn from him1 in obedience to the sentence2 but none of all these can amount to a proper act of church authority in them4 #b4 ,nor doth the apostle's command prove the people's concurrence in any act of power with the presbytery1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e1 ,in the name of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 when ye are gathered together1 to deliver such an one unto ,satan1 c43 ver4 #g1 ,purge out therefore the old leaven1 c43 and ver4 #ac1 ,therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person4 ,in which passages it is supposed the apostle directs his injunction to them all 7as well as to their presbytery7 when they come together in their church meeting to proceed to sentence4 ,but against this reason1 well ponder upon these considerations1 viz3 #a4 ,it is certain beyond all controversy1 that the apostle did not direct these commands to the whole church of ,corinth absolutely1 and universally1 without all exception and limitation to any members at all3 for by his own rule1 ,women must be silent in their churches1 it being a shame for a woman to speak in the church1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd1 #ce1 and children or fools were not able to judge4 ,hence it is evident that a church absolutely and universally taken1 cannot possibly be the ministerial ruling church which hath the authority4 #b4 ,it is evident to any man that is but moderately acquainted with the ,scriptures1 that ,god useth to direct his commands1 reproofs1 and other speeches to a people indifferently1 and as it were collectively and generally1 which yet he intends should be particularly applied and appropriated2 not to all1 but to this or that person or persons1 only among such a people distributively and respectively2 according to their respective callings1 interests1 relations1 c41 as in the ,old ,testament ,god directs a command to the people of ,israel indefinitely1 and as it were collectively1 to kill enticers to idolatry1 false prophets1 ,deut4 xiii4 #i2 but intended that the judge should sentence him1 finding him guilty by witnesses4 ,the ,lord also directs his command to all the people1 as it were collectively1 to put out of the camp every one that was a leper1 and had an issue1 or was defiled by the dead1 ,numb4 v4 #b2 but intended that the priest should peculiarly take and apply this command to himself1 who was to judge in these cases4 ,see ,lev4 xiii4 and elsewhere4 ,so in the ,new ,testament the apostle praised the ,corinthians indefinitely1 and as it were collectively1 for remembering him in all things1 and keeping the ordinances as he delivered them to them1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #b2 wherein he intended only to commend the virtuous2 and after he discommends them indefinitely for coming together not for better1 but for worse1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #ag2 intending only their dispraise that were herein particularly delinquent among them4 ,again1 he speaks indefinitely1 and as it were collectively and generally1 ,ye may all prophesy one by one1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ca2 but he intended it only to the prophets respectively1 not to all the members2 for he saith elsewhere1 ,are all prophets8 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bi4 ,and writing to the churches of ,galatia1 ,gal4 i4 #b1 against false teachers he speaks thus to all those churches collectively1 ,a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump1 ,gal4 v4 #i4 ,and1 ,i would they were even cut off who trouble you1 ver4 #ab4 ,now every one of these churches were to apply this to themselves respectively1 ,independents themselves being judges4 ,so here in this present case of the church of ,corinth1 the apostle directs his commands to them1 as it were collectively1 about putting away the incestuous person1 which commands were particularly to be put in execution by the presbytery in that church in whose hands the church authority was4#aja ,thus taking these commands1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #g1 #ac1 though directed indefinitely1 and as it were collectively to the whole church1 yet intended respectively to be put in execution by the presbytery in that church1 they hold forth no concurrence of the people in any act of power at all with the church officers or presbytery4 ,and it is a good note which ,cameron#ajb hath upon this place1 ,these things that are written in this epistle are so to be taken of the presbytery and of the people1 that every one both of the presbyters and of the people1 should interpret the command according to the reason of his office4 #c4 ,when the apostle reciteth the proceedings of the church in this very case of the incestuous person1 in his #b;d epistle1 he saith1 ,sufficient to such a man is this punishment 7or censure7 which was inflicted of many1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f4 ,it is very observable1 he saith not1 of all2 nor of many1 but of the chief ones1 viz4 the church officers1 who had the rule and government of the church committed to them3 7the article the being emphatical27 for this word translated many may as well be translated chief1 denoting worth1 c41 as many1 denoting number4 ,and in this sense the ,holy ,ghost ofttimes useth this word in the ,new ,testament2 as for instance1 ,is not the life better than meat8 ,matt4 vi4 #be4 ,behold1 a greater than ,jonah is here1 ,matt4 xii4 #da4 ,and behold1 a greater than ,solomon is here1 ,matt4 xii4 #da4 ,to love him with all the heart1 c41 is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices1 ,mark xii4 #cc4 ,and again1 ver4 #dc1 ,this poor widow hath cast more than all they1 c4 ,and thus it is frequently used to signify quality1 worth1 greatness1 dignity1 eminency1 c41 and so it may be conveniently interpreted in this of the ,corinthians4 #d4 ,though all proper acts of authority appertain only to the church officers1 yet we are not against the people's fraternal concurrence therewith4 ,people may incite the presbytery to the acts of their office2 people may be present at the administration of censures1 c41 by the elders1 as ,cyprian of old would dispatch all public acts1 the people being present2 people may judge with a judgment of discretion1 acclamation1 and approbation1 c41 as the elders judge with a judgment of power2 and people afterwards may1 yea must1 withdraw from delinquents sentenced1 that the sentence may attain its proposed end4 ,but none of these are properly any acts of power4 #c4 ,nor doth the apostle's expression1 verse #ab1 ,do you not judge them that are within8 prove that the people concur with any authoritative act in the elders' sentence4 ,for1 #a4 ,this being spoken to them indefinitely1 was to be applied distributively and respectively1 only to them to whom it properly appertained1 viz4 the elders1 as hath been showed4 ,they only have authority to judge4 #b4 ,such a judgment is allowed to the saints in church censures1 as shall be allowed to them when the saints shall judge the world1 yea angels1 #a ,cor4 vi4 #a-c1 viz4 in both a judgment of acclamation1 approbation1 c41 as assessors1 as people judge at the assizes2 not in either a judgment of authority1 which the judge and jury only do pronounce4 #d4 ,nor1 finally1 doth the apostle's direction to forgive the incestuous1 being penitent1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #d-aj1 which seems to be given to all1 prove the people's concurrence with the elders in any act of power4 ,for the authoritative forgiving and receiving him again1 belonged only to the elders2 the charitable forgiving1 receiving1 and comforting of him1 belonged also to the people4 ,as the judge and jury at an assizes1 acquit by judgment of authority1 the people only by judgment of discretion and acclamation4 ,thus it appears how little strength is in this instance of the church of ,corinth1 7though supposed to be the strongest ground the ,independents have17 for the propping up of their popular government1 and authoritative suffrage of the people4 ,,section ,,iii4 ,,iii4 ,having thus considered the subject of authority and power for church government3 #a4 ,negatively1 what it is not1 viz4 neither the political magistrate1 nor yet the community of the faithful1 or whole body of the people1 ,chap4 ,,ix4 and ,x4 #b4 ,positively1 what it is1 viz4 ,christ's own officers in his church1 as hath been explained and evidenced1 ,sect4 #b1 of this ,chap4 #c4 ,now1 in the third and last place1 we are to insist a little further upon this subject of the power1 by way of explanation3 and to inquire1 seeing ,christ's officers are found to be the subject of this power1 in what sense or notion they are the subject and receptacle of this authority and power from ,christ1 whether jointly or severally2 as solitarily and single from one another1 or associated and incorporated into assemblies with one another2 or in both respects8 ,for resolution herein we must remember that distribution of the keys1 or of proper ecclesiastical power1 7which was briefly mentioned before in ,part #b1 ,chap4 ,,iii47 into that which is1 #a4 ,more special and peculiar to the office of some church governors1 which by virtue of their office they are to execute and discharge3 thus it is peculiar to the minister's office1 #a4 ,to preach the word2 compare these places together1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah-bj1 ,john xx4 #ba-bc1 ,rom4 x4 #ae1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #b ,tim4 iv4 #a1 #b1 c4 #b4 ,to dispense the sacraments1 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah-bj1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bd1 #be4 ,the word and sacraments were joined together in the same commission to the same officers1 viz4 the preaching presbyters1 c41 as is evident in that of ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai4 #b4 ,more general and common to the office of all church governors1 as the power of censures1 viz4 admonishing1 excommunicating1 and absolving1 and of such other acts as necessarily depend thereupon2 wherein not only the preaching1 but also the ruling elders are to join and contribute their best assistance2 as may be collected from these several testimonies of ,scripture1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ag1 #ah1 ,tell the ,church1#ajc #a ,cor4 v4 #b-ac1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f-ab1 compared with ,rom4 xii4 #h1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 and #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,now these officers of ,christ1 viz4 they that labor in the word and doctrine1 and the ruling elders1 are the subject of this power of jurisdiction as they are united in one body1 hence called a ,church1 ,matth4 xviii4 #ah1 viz4 the governing or ruling church2 for no other can there be meant2 and presbytery1#ajd i4e4 a society or assembly of presbyters together1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad4 ,the presbyters1 elderships1 or assemblies wherein these officers are united and associated1 are of two sorts1 viz3 #a4 ,the lesser assemblies1 consisting of the ministers and ruling elders in each single congregation2 which1 for distinction's sake1 is styled the congregational eldership4 #b4 ,the greater assemblies1 consisting of church governors sent from several churches and united into one body1 for governing of all these churches within their own bounds1 whence their members were sent4 ,these greater assemblies are either presbyterial or synodal4 #a4 ,presbyterial1 consisting of the ministers and elders of several adjacent or neighboring single congregations1 or parish churches1 ruling those several congregations in common2 this kind of assembly is commonly called the presbytery1 or1 for distinction's sake1 the classical presbytery1 i4e4 the presbytery of such a rank of churches4 #b4 ,synodal1 consisting of ministers and elders1 sent from presbyterial assemblies1 to consult and conclude about matters of common and great concernment to the church within their limits4 ,such was that assembly mentioned1 ,acts xv4 ,these synodal assemblies are either1 #a4 ,of ministers and elders from several presbyteries within one province1 called provincial4 #b4 ,or of ministers and elders from several provinces within one nation1 called therefore national4 ,or1 #c4 ,of ministers and elders from the several nations within the whole ,christian world1 therefore called ecumenical3 for all which assemblies1 congregational1 presbyterial1 and synodal1 and the subordination of the lesser to the greater assemblies respectively1 there seems to be good ground and divine warrant in the word of ,god1 as 7,god willing7 shall be evinced in the xii41 xiii41 xiv41 and xv4 chapters following4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,of the ,divine ,right of ,congregational ,elderships or ,kirk ,sessions1 for the government of the ,church4 ,touching congregational elderships1 consisting of the ministers and ruling elders of the several single congregations1 which are called the lesser assemblies1 or smaller presbyteries1 and which are to manage and order all ecclesiastical matters within themselves1 which are of more immediate1 private1 particular concernment to their own congregations respectively2 and consequently1 of more easy dispatch1 and of more daily use and necessity4 ,concerning these congregational presbyteries1 we shall not now take into consideration either1 #a4 ,what are the members constituting and making up these elderships2 whether ruling elders by divine warrant may be superadded to the pastors and teachers1 and so be associated for the government of the congregation4 ,for the divine right of the ruling elders1 distinct from the preaching elder for the government of the church1 hath been evidenced at large1 ,chapter ,,xi41 ,section #a1 foregoing4 ,and if any acts of government in the church belong to the ruling elder at all1 sure those acts of common jurisdiction1 to be dispatched in these least assemblies1 cannot of all other be denied unto him4 #b4 ,nor shall it here be discussed1 what the power of congregational elderships is1 whether it be universally extensive to all acts of government ecclesiastical whatsoever1 without exception or limitation2 and that independently1 without subordination to the greater assemblies1 and without all liberty of appeal thereunto in any cases whatsoever1 though of greatest and most common concernment4 ,which things are well stated and handled by others2#aje and will in some measure be considered afterwards in ,chapter ,,xv4 #c4 ,but the thing for the present to be insisted upon1 against the ,erastian and prelatical party1 is1 the divine right of authority and power for church government1 which is in congregational presbyteries or elderships1 in reference to their respective congregations4 ,take it thus3 ,elderships of single congregations vested and furnished with ecclesiastical authority and power to exercise and dispense acts of government in and over those respective congregations whereunto they do belong1 are by divine right warrantable4 ,for confirmation hereof the light of nature1 the institution of ,christ1 the apostolical practice1 and the law of necessity1 seem to speak sufficiently unto us4 #a4 ,the common light of nature thus far directeth all sorts of smaller societies1 whether political or ecclesiastical1 to compose all particular and more private differences and offences within themselves2 and to decide and determine small1 common1 easy causes and matters1 by smaller courts and judicatories appointed for that end3 a vain thing to trouble more and greater assemblies with those matters1 that may as well be determined by the lesser4 ,it was wise and grave counsel which ,jethro1 ,moses' father-in-law1 gave to ,moses1 that he should set up over the people certain judges inferior to himself1 who themselves might judge all smaller matters1 but all great and hard matters to be brought to ,moses1 ,exod4 xviii4 #bb1 #bf4 ,and our ,saviour seems to insinuate1 that the ,jews had their inferior courts for inferior causes1 superior judicatories for greater1 in that gradation of his1 ,matt4 v4 #bb4 ,likewise they had lesser and greater ecclesiastical assemblies1 7as after will appear47 ,now1 to what use are greater and lesser judicatories1 civil or ecclesiastical1 but that the lesser and lighter causes may be judged in the inferior1 harder and greater in the superior8 #b4 ,the institution of ,christ recorded ,matt4 xviii4 #ae-ba1 seems to hold forth notably both single congregational elderships1 and their power4 ,and this1 whether we consider the ,jewish form1 unto which our ,saviour seems to refer2 or whether we observe the matter of his discourse4 #a4 ,as for the ,jewish form of church government 7unto which our ,saviour here seems to allude7 we may observe it was managed by two1 if not three sorts of ecclesiastical courts1 viz3 ,by the ,sanhedrin1 presbytery1 and synagogue1 7much like to the evangelical synod1 presbytery1 and congregational eldership since ,christ47 #a4 ,they had their ecclesiastical1#ajf as well as their civil ,sanhedrin1 for high and difficult affairs of the church2 which seems first to be constituted1 ,exod4 xxiv4 #a1 and after decay thereof1 it was restored by ,king ,jehoshaphat1 #b ,chron4 xix4 #h2 and from this court that national church's reformation proceeded1 ,neh4 vi4 #ac4 #b4 ,again1 it is very probable they had between their ,sanhedrin and their synagogue a middle ecclesiastical court called ,the ,presbytery1 ,luke xxii4 #ff1 and ,acts xxii4 #e1 and the whole presbytery4 ,let such as are expert in ,jewish antiquities and their polity1 consider and judge4 #c4 ,finally1 they had their lesser judicatories in their synagogues1 or congregational meetings3 for1 their synagogues were not only for prayer1 and the ministry of the word1 in reading and expounding the ,scriptures1 but also for public censures1 correcting of offences1 c41 as that phrase seems to import1 ,and ,i punished them oft in every synagogue1 ,acts xxvi4 #aa4 ,his facts and proceedings1 it is true1 were cruel1 unjust1 impious4 ,but why inflicted in every synagogue1 rather than in other places1 and that by virtue of the high priest's letters1 ,acts ix4 #a1 #b2 but there the ,jews had judicatories1 that inflicted public punishments upon persons ecclesiastically offending8 ,besides1 we read often in the ,new ,testament of the rulers of the synagogue1 as ,mark v4 #ce1 #cf1 #ch2 ,luke viii4 #da1 and xiii4 #ad2 and of ,crispus and ,sosthenes the chief rulers of the synagogue1 ,acts xviii4 #h1 #ag2 whence is intimated to us1 that these synagogues had their rule and government in themselves2 and that this rule was not in one person1 but in divers together2 for if there were chief rulers1 there were also inferiors subordinate unto them3 but this is put out of doubt1 in ,acts xiii4 #ae1 where after the lecture of the law and the prophets1 the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them--synagogue in the singular number1 and rulers in the plural4 ,thus analogically there should be ecclesiastical rulers and governors in every single congregation1 for the well guiding thereof4 ,but if this satisfy not1 add hereunto the material passages in our ,saviour's speech4 #b4 ,now touching the matter of our ,saviour's discourse1 it makes this very clear to us2 for by a gradation he leadeth us from admonition private and personal1 to admonition before two or three witnesses1 and from admonition before two or three witnesses1 to the representative body of one church1 7as the phrase tell the church must here necessarily be interpreted17 if there the difference can be composed1 the offence removed1 or the cause ended2 rather than unnecessarily render the offence1 and so our brother's shame1 more public and notorious4 ,and that the presbytery or eldership of a particular congregation1 vested with power to hear and determine such cases as shall be brought before them1 is partly1 though not only here intended1 seems evident in the words following1 which are added for the strengthening and confirming of what went before in ver4 #ag3 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven2 and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven4 ,again1 ,i say unto you1 that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask1 it shall be done for them of my ,father which is in heaven4 ,for where two or three are gathered together in my name1 there am ,i in the midst of them1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ah-bj4 ,in which passages these things are to be noted3 #a4 ,that this church to which the complaint is to be made1 is invested with power of binding and loosing1 and that so authoritatively that what by this church shall be bound or loosed on earth shall also be bound or loosed in heaven1 according to ,christ's promise4 #b4 ,that these acts of binding or loosing1 may be the acts but of two or three1 and therefore consequently of the eldership of a particular congregation2 for where such a juridical act was dispatched by a classical presbytery1 it is said to be done of many1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f1 because that in such greater presbyteries there are always more than two or three4 ,and though some do pretend1 that the faults here spoken of by our ,saviour in this place1 were injuries1 not scandals2 and that the church here mentioned was not any ecclesiastical consistory1 or court1 but the civil ,sanhedrin1 a court of civil judicature2 and yet most absurdly they interpret the binding and loosing here spoken of1 to be doctrinal and declarative2 not juridical and authoritative2 as if the doctrinal binding and loosing were in the power of the civil ,sanhedrin3#ajg yet all these are but vain1 groundless pretences and subterfuges1 without substance or solidity1 as the learned and diligent reader may easily find demonstrated by consulting these judicious authors mentioned in the foot note1#ajh to whom for brevity's sake he is referred for satisfaction in these and divers such like particulars4 #c4 ,the consideration of the apostolical practice1 and state of the ,church of ,god in those times1 may serve further to clear this matter to us4 ,for1 #a4 ,we sometimes read of single congregations2 and as the ,holy ,ghost doth call the whole body of ,christ the ,church1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ah1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 and often elsewhere2 and the larger particular members of that body of ,christ 7partaking the nature of the whole1 as a drop of water is as true water as the whole ocean7 churches2 as1 the church of ,jerusalem1 ,acts viii4 #a2 the church of ,antioch1 ,acts xiii4 #a2 the church of ,ephesus1 ,rev4 ii4 #a2 the church of ,corinth1 #b ,cor4 i4 #a2 7these being the greater presbyterial churches1 as after will appear1 ,chap4 ,,xiii427 so the same holy ,spirit of ,christ is pleased to style single congregations1 churches1 ,let women keep silence in the churches1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd1 i4e4 in the single congregations of this one church of ,corinth3 and often mention is made of the church that is in such or such an house1 as ,rom4 xvi4 #e2 #a ,cor4 xvi4 #ai2 ,col4 iv4 #ae2 ,philem4 #b2 whether this be interpreted of the church made up only of the members of that family1 or of the church that ordinarily did meet in such houses1 it implies a single congregation4 ,now shall single congregations have the name and nature of churches1 and shall we imagine they had not in them the ordinary standing church officers1 viz4 pastors and teachers1 governments1 or elders ruling well1 and helps or deacons8 or is it probable they were furnished with these officers1 and yet the officers furnished with no power for the government of these single congregations at all8 #b4 ,we find that the apostles being crowned with such success in their ministry1 as to be instruments of converting such multitudes to the faith as were sufficient to make up many several churches from time to time1 did diligently take care to ordain them presbyters1 or elders in every church1 ,acts xiv4 #bc2 ,tit4 i4 #e4 ,now can it be clearly evidenced by any1 that these were not ruling as well as preaching presbyters2 especially when it appears by other places that the primitive churches had both8 ,rom4 xii4 #h2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,or can we think that the apostles were not as careful to erect elderships in several congregations1 as to appoint elders8 otherwise how could the apostles have answered it to their ,lord and ,master ,jesus ,christ1 in leaving them without that necessary provision of government1 which ,christ himself had allowed to them1 at least1 in some cases1 as hath been evidenced8 #d4 ,finally1 necessity 7which is a strong and cogent law7 plainly and forcibly pleads for elderships in particular congregations endowed with authority and power from ,christ for government within themselves4 ,for1 #a4 ,how wearisome a thing would it be to all congregations1 should every one of their members be bound to attend upon synods and greater presbyteries1 7which in the country are at a great distance from them17 in all ecclesiastical matters of judicature1 if they had no relief in their own congregations8 ,how impossible would it be for the greater presbyteries1 not only to hear and determine all hard and weighty1 but also all small and easy causes that would be brought before them8 ,and what should become of such a congregation as either voluntarily transplants itself1 or is accidentally cast among heathens or pagans in far countries1 where there are no ,christians or churches to join and associate withal1 if they be denied an authoritative presbytery within themselves1 for preventing and healing of scandals1 and preserving themselves from destruction and ruin1 which anarchy would unavoidably bring upon them8 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,of the ,divine ,right of ,presbyteries1 7for distinction's sake called ,classical ,presbyteries17 for the government of the ,church4 ,having spoken of the lesser1 viz4 congregational elderships1 we come now to the greater ruling assemblies1 which are either presbyterial or synodal4 ,and first1 of the presbyterial assembly1 or classical presbytery1 viz4 an assembly made up of the presbyters of divers neighboring single congregations1 for governing of all those respective congregations in common1 whereunto they belong1 in all matters of common concernment and greater difficulty in the ,church4 ,the divine warrant and right of this presbytery1 and of the power thereof for church government1 may principally be evidenced1 #a4 ,by the light of nature4 #b4 ,by the light of ,scripture1 which light of ,scripture was followed by the ,church in the ages after the apostolical times4 ,i4 ,the light of nature and right reason may discover to us 7though more dimly7 the divine warrant of the greater presbyteries1 and of their power for the governing of the church4 ,for1 #a4 ,there are many ecclesiastical matters which are of common concernment to many single congregations1 as trial of church officers1 ordination and deposition of ministers1 dispensation of censures1 judicial determination of controversies1 resolution in difficult cases of conscience1 ordering of things indifferent1 c42 here the rule holds well1 that which concerns many congregations1 is not to be considered and determined upon only by one1 but those many concerned and interested therein4 #b4 ,single congregational elderships stand in need of all mutual help and assistance one of another in the ,lord1 being1 #a4 ,inwardly weak in themselves2 too prone to be turned out of the way1 ,heb4 xii4 #ac1 ,gal4 v4 #ae1 and too feeble for divers great tasks3 as examination and ordination of ministers1 c41 which weakness is healed by association with others assisting them4 #b4 ,outwardly opposed by many dangerous and subtle adversaries3 men as grievous wolves1 c41 ,acts xx4 #bh-cj2 #b ,pet4 ii4 #a2 ,phil4 iii4 #b2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #a-g2 ,eph4 iv4 #ad2 devils1 #a ,pet4 v4 #h4 ,in such cases two are better than one3 ,wo to them that are alone2 if they fall1 who shall take them up8 #c4 ,such intricate cases may fall out as cannot be determined and settled by the eldership of a single congregation4 ,as for instance1 some member in the congregation may conceive himself so wronged by the eldership thereof1 that he cannot submit to their unjust sentence2 shall he not in such case have liberty of appeal from them8 ,if not1 then he is left without a remedy1 7which is the calamity of the ,independent government47 ,if he may1 whether shall he appeal regularly but to an associated presbytery8 therefore there must be such a presbytery to appeal unto4 ,again1 there may be a controversy betwixt the whole congregation1 and their presbytery2 yea1 the presbytery itself may be equally divided against itself2 yea1 one single congregation may have a great and weighty contest with another sister congregation1 7all single congregations being equal in power and authority1 none superior1 none inferior to others47 ,now1 in these and such like cases1 suppose both parties be resolute and wilful1 and will not yield to any bare moral suasion or advice without some superior authority1 what healing is left in such cases1 without the assistance of an authoritative presbytery1 wherein the whole hath power to regulate all the parts8 #d4 ,single congregations1 joined in vicinity and neighborhood to one another1 should avoid divisions1 7which are destructive to all societies1 as well ecclesiastical as civil17 and maintain peace and unity among themselves1 7which is conservative to all societies27 neither of which1 without associated presbyteries1 can be firmly and durably effected4 ,both which ought with all diligence to be endeavored4 ,for1 #a4 ,peace and unity in the ,church are in themselves amiable1 and ought to be promoted1 ,psal4 cxxxiii4 #a1 c42 ,eph4 iv4 #c1 #ac2 #a ,cor4 i4 #aj4 #b4 ,schisms and divisions are simply evil1 and all appearance1 cause1 and occasion thereof1 ought carefully to be avoided1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #be2 ,rom4 xvi4 #ag2 #a ,thes4 iv4 #bb4 #c4 ,all congregations are but as so many branches1 members1 parts of that one church1 one body1 one family1 one commonwealth1 one kingdom1 whereof ,christ is ,head1 ,lord1 and ,king2 and therefore they should communicate together1 and harmoniously incorporate and associate with one another1 7so far as may be17 for the common good1 peace1 unity1 and edification of all4 ,see #a ,cor4 xii4 #ab-bi2 ,eph4 ii4 #ab-af1 and iv4 #ab-ad1 and v4 #bc-be4 ,,ii4 ,the light of ,scripture will hold forth the divine warrant of greater presbyteries and their power for church government1 far more clearly than the light of nature4 ,forasmuch as we find in the ,scriptures a pattern of these greater presbyteries1 and of their presbyterial government over divers single congregations in common in the primitive apostolical churches4 ,for the greater evidence and perspicuity hereof1 take this proposition3 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath laid down in his word a pattern of presbyterial government in common over divers single congregations in one ,church1 for a rule to his ,church in all after ages4 ,for confirmation hereof1 there are chiefly these three positions to make good1 which are comprised in this proposition1 viz3 #a4 ,that there is in the word a pattern of divers single congregations in one church4 #b4 ,that there is in the word a pattern of one presbyterial government in common over divers single congregations in one church4 #c4 ,finally1 that the pattern of the said presbyterial government1 is for a rule to the churches of ,christ in all after ages4 ,,position ,i4 ,that there is in the word a pattern of divers single congregations in one church1 may be plentifully evinced by four instances of churches1 7to mention no more17 viz4 the churches of ,jerusalem1 ,antioch1 ,ephesus1 and ,corinth4 ,touching which four these two things are clear in the ,scripture1 viz3 #a4 ,that every of them was one church4 #b4 ,that in every one of these churches there were more congregations than one4 ,both which will fully evince a pattern of divers single congregations in one church held forth in the word4 #a4 ,the former of these1 viz4 ,that every one of these was one church1 may be proved by induction of particulars4 #a4 ,all the believers in ,jerusalem were one church2 hence they are often comprised under the word church1 of the singular number3--,against the church which was at ,jerusalem1 ,acts viii4 #a4 ,then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in ,jerusalem1 ,acts ii4 #bb4 ,and when they were come to ,jerusalem1 they were received of the church1 and of the apostles and elders1 ,acts xv4 #d4 #b4 ,all the believers in ,antioch were one church4 ,now there were in the church that was at ,antioch1 certain prophets1 ,acts xiii4 #a4 ,and when he had found him1 he brought him to ,antioch4 ,and it came to pass1 that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church1 and taught much people1 and the disciples were first called ,christians in ,antioch1 ,acts xi4 #bf4 #c4 ,all the believers in ,ephesus were one church3 ,and from ,miletus he sent to ,ephesus1 and called the elders of the church1 ,acts xx4 #ag4 ,and after he gives them this charge1 ,take heed therefore to yourselves1 and to all the flock1 over which the ,holy ,ghost hath made you overseers1 to feed the church of ,god1 ver4 #bh2 all were but one flock1 one church4 ,unto the angel of the church of ,ephesus1 write1 ,rev4 ii4 #a4 #d4 ,all the believers in ,corinth were one church1 and comprised under that singular word1 church3 ,unto the church of ,god which is at ,corinth1 #a ,cor4 i4 #b4 ,paul1 an apostle of ,jesus ,christ1 by the will of ,god1 and ,timothy our brother1 unto the church of ,god which is at ,corinth1 #b ,cor4 i4 #a4 ,thus in all these four instances it is clear beyond all contradiction1 that they were every of them respectively one church4 ,the latter of these1 viz4 that these primitive apostolical churches of ,jerusalem1 ,antioch1 ,ephesus1 and ,corinth1 were not every of them severally and respectively only one single congregation1 7as some imagine17 but consisted every of them of more congregations than one4 ,this shall be manifested in these four churches severally1 as followeth3 ,the church of ,jerusalem in ,judea contained in it more congregations than one4 ,this may be convincingly evidenced divers ways1 particularly from1 #a4 ,the multitude of believers in that church4 #b4 ,the multitude of church officers there4 #c4 ,the variety of languages there4 #d4 ,the manner of the ,christians' public meetings in those primitive times1 both in the church of ,jerusalem1 and in other churches4 #a4 ,from the multitude of believers in the church of ,jerusalem4 ,for it is palpably evident to any impartial reader that will not wilfully shut his eyes1 and subject his reason unto the groundless dictates of men1 against the clear light of the ,scripture1 that there were more believers in the church of ,jerusalem1 than could ordinarily meet in one congregation1 to partake of all the ordinances of ,christ4 ,and this may fully appear by these many instances following4 #a4 ,christ after his resurrection1 and before his ascension1 was seen of above five hundred brethren at once1 #a ,cor4 xv4 #f4 #b4 ,after that of ,james1 then of all the apostles1 ver4 #g4 #c4 ,at the election of ,matthias1 and before ,christ's ascension1 there were disciples together1 the company of their names together was as it were one hundred and twenty1 ,acts i4 #ae4 #d4 ,at ,peter's sermon1 they that gladly received his word1 were baptized4 ,and that day were added about three thousand souls1 ,acts ii4 #a1 #d4 #e4 ,and ,the ,lord added to the ,church daily such as should be saved1 ver4 #bg4 #f4 ,afterwards at another of ,peter's sermons1 ,many of them that heard the word believed2 and the number of the men was about five thousand1 ,acts iv4 #d4 #g4 ,after that1 ,believers were the more added to the ,lord1 multitudes both of men and women1 ,acts v4 #ad4 #h4 ,furthermore1 the disciples multiplying1 and the work of the ministry thereupon much increasing1 the apostles were necessitated to appoint seven deacons for serving of tables1 that they might wholly give themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer1 ,acts vi4 #a to #g2 whence some have thought1 that there were seven congregations in ,jerusalem1 a deacon for every one4 ,certainly there were rather more than fewer1 7saith the author of the ,assertion of the ,government of the ,church of ,scotland1#aji7 though we cannot determine how many4 ,however this1 the ,holy ,ghost clearly testifieth that ,the word of ,god increased1 and the number of the disciples in ,jerusalem multiplied greatly4 #i4 ,and a great company of the priests became obedient to the faith1 ,acts vi4 #g2 and probably the example of the priests drew on multitudes to the ,gospel4 ,all these forementioned were in a short time converted1 and became members of this one church of ,jerusalem1 and that before the dispersion occasioned by the persecution of the ,church1 ,acts viii4 #a4 ,now should we put all these together1 viz4 both the number of believers expressed in particular1 which is #h1fbj1 and the multitudes so often expressed in the general1 7which1 for aught we know1 might be many more than the former17 what a vast multitude of believers was there in ,jerusalem6 and how impossible was it for them to meet all together in one congregation1 to partake of all the ordinances of ,jesus ,christ6 #aj4 ,in like manner1 after the dispersion forementioned1 the word so prospered1 and the disciples brought into the faith by it1 so multiplied1 that it was still far more impossible for all the believers in the church of ,jerusalem to meet in one congregation to partake of all the ordinances of ,christ1 than before4 ,for it is said1 ,then had the churches rest throughout all ,judea 7and the church of ,jerusalem in ,judea was doubtless one of those churches7 and ,galilee and ,samaria1 and were edified2 and walking in the fear of the ,lord1 and comfort of the ,holy ,ghost1 were multiplied4 #aa4 ,again1 the word of the ,lord increased and multiplied1 ,acts xii4 #bd4 #ab4 ,furthermore1 when ,paul1 with other disciples1 his fellow-travellers1 came to ,jerusalem1 and declared to ,james and the elders1 what things ,god had wrought by his ministry among the ,gentiles--,they glorified the ,lord1 and said unto him1 ,thou seest1 brother1 how many myriads 7or ten thousands7 of believing ,jews there are1 and they are all zealous of the law--,acts xxi4 #bj4 ,our translation seems herein very defective1 rendering it how many thousands2 whereas it should be1 according to the ,greek1 how many ten thousands3 and these myriads seem to be in the church of ,jerusalem1 seeing it is said of them1 ver4 #bb1 ,the multitude must needs come together1 for they will hear that thou art come4 ,now considering this emphatical expression1 not only thousands1 but ten thousand3 not only ten thousand in the singular number1 but ten thousands1 myriads1 in the plural number3 nor only myriads1 ten thousands1 in the plural number1 but how many ten thousands2 we cannot in reason imagine but there were at least three ten thousands1 viz3 thirty thousand believers1 and how all they should meet together in one congregation for all ordinances1 let the reader judge4 ,thus far of the proof1 from the multitude of believers in the church of ,jerusalem4 ,except4 ,but the five thousand mentioned ,acts iv4 #d1 are no new number added to the three thousand1 but the three thousand included in the five thousand1 as ,calvin and ,beza think4 ,ans4 #a4 ,then it is granted that five thousand one hundred and twenty1 besides an innumerable addition of converts1 were in ,jerusalem2 which if such a number1 and multitudes besides1 could for edification meet in one place1 to partake of all the ordinances1 let the reader judge4 #b4 ,though ,calvin and ,beza think the three thousand formerly converted to be included in this number of five thousand1 ,acts iv4 #d1 yet divers both ancient and modern interpreters are of another mind1 as ,augustine4 ,there came unto the body of the ,lord in number three thousand faithful men2 also by another miracle wrought1 there came other five thousand4#aaj ,these five thousand are altogether diverse from the three thousand converted at the first sermon3 so ,lorinus1 ,aretius1 and divers others4 #c4 ,besides a great number of testimonies1 there are reasons to induce us to believe1 that the three thousand are not included in the five thousand1 viz3 #a4 ,as the three thousand mentioned in ,acts ii4 #da1 did not comprehend the one hundred and twenty mentioned ,acts i4 #ae1 so it holds in proportion that the three thousand mentioned there1 are not comprehended here in ,acts iv4 #d4 ,besides1 #b4 ,this sermon was not by intention to the church1 or numbers already converted1 but by occasion of the multitude flocking together to behold the miracle ,peter and ,john wrought on the man that was lame from his mother's womb2 as ,acts iii4 #aj-ab2 so that 'tis more than probable that the five thousand mentioned ,acts iv4 #d1 are a number superadded besides the three thousand already converted4 ,except4 ,but suppose such a number as three thousand1 and afterwards five thousand were converted in ,jerusalem1 yet these remained not constant members of that ,church1 for the three thousand were not dwellers at ,jerusalem1 but strangers who came out of all countries to keep the feast of ,pentecost3 yea1 ,acts ii4 #i1 they are said expressly to be dwellers of ,mesopotamia1 ,cappadocia1 c41 and so might erect churches where they came4 ,ans4 #a4 ',tis said1 ,acts ii4 #ad1 ,peter standing 7when he began to preach this sermon wherein the three thousand were converted7 said1 ,ye men of ,judea1 and all ye that dwell at ,jerusalem1 hearken to my voice2 intimating that these he preached to dwelt at ,jerusalem4 ,but grant that some of these men that heard ,peter's sermon were formerly dwellers in ,mesopotamia and ,cappadocia1 what hinders but that they might be now dwellers at ,jerusalem8 #c4 ,the occasion of their coming up to ,jerusalem at this time was not only the observation of the feast of ,pentecost1 7which lasted but a day17 but also the great expectation that the people of the ,jews then had of the appearance of the ,messiah in his kingdom1 as we may collect from ,luke xix4 #aa1 where it is said1 ,they thought the kingdom of ,god should immediately appear2 so that now they might choose to take up their dwellings at ,jerusalem1 and not return1 as they had been wont1 at the end of their usual feasts4 #d4 ,the ,holy ,ghost makes mention that in the particular places mentioned1 ver4 #i1 #aj1 that of all those nations there were some that dwelt at ,jerusalem2 read ,acts ii4 #e1 ,there were dwelling at ,jerusalem ,jews1 devout men out of every nation under heaven2 if out of every nation1 then out of those nations there specified2 and even there dwelling at ,jerusalem4 #e4 ,those who were scattered by reason of persecution into ,judea and ,samaria1 and other parts of the world1 did not erect new churches1 but were still members of that one church in ,jerusalem2 so saith the ,scripture expressly1 that they 7of the church of ,jerusalem7 were all scattered abroad throughout the region of ,judea and ,samaria1 ,acts viii4 #a4 ,except4 ,although it should be granted that before the dispersion mentioned ,acts viii4 #a1 #b1 the number was so great that they could not meet together in one place1 yet the persecution so wasted and scattered them all1 that there were no more left than might meet in one congregation8 ,ans4 ,after the dispersion there were more believers in ,jerusalem than could meet together in one place for all acts of worship1 as appears by ,acts ix4 #ca1 ,the churches had rest throughout all ,judea1 c41 and were multiplied2 ,acts xii4 #bd1 ,the word of ,god grew and multiplied2 and ,acts xxi4 #bj1 ,james saith of the believers of this church1 how many thousands of the ,jews there are which believe1 and are zealous of the law2 or1 as it is in the ,greek1 thou seest how many ten thousands there are of the ,jews which believe2 this text will evince1 that there were many thousands in the church of ,jerusalem after the dispersion1 as hath been observed3 and if this number were not more after the dispersion than could meet together to partake of all ordinances1 let the reader judge4 ,except4 ,but the text saith expressly1 all were scattered except the apostles4 ,ans4 ,all must be understood either of all the believers1 or all the teachers and church officers in the church of ,jerusalem1 except believers2 but it cannot be understood of all the believers that they were scattered3 and therefore it must be understood that all the teachers and church officers were scattered1 except the apostles4 ,that all the believers were not scattered will easily appear3 ,for1 #a4 ',tis said that ,paul broke into houses1 haling men and women1 committed them to prison1 ver4 #c1 and this he did in ,jerusalem1 ,acts xxvi4 #aj2 therefore all could not be scattered4 #b4 ,they that were scattered1 preached the word1 ver4 #d1 which all the members1 men and women1 could not do2 therefore by all that were scattered must of necessity be meant1 not the body of believers in the church1 but only the officers of the church4 #c4 ,if all the believers were scattered1 to what end did the apostles tarry at ,jerusalem--to preach to the walls8 this we cannot imagine4 ,except4 ,but can any think the teachers were scattered1 and the ordinary believers were not1 except we suppose the people more courageous to stay by it than their teachers8 ,ans4 ,it is hard to say1 that those that are scattered in a persecution1 are less courageous than those that stay and suffer4 ,in the time of the bishops' tyranny1 many of the ,independent ministers did leave this kingdom1 while others of their brethren did abide by it1 endured the heat and burden of the day1 had trial of cruel mockings1 bonds and imprisonments3 now the ,independent ministers that left us1 would think we did them wrong1 should we say that they were less courageous than those that stayed behind1 enduring the hot brunt of persecution4 ,,ii4 ,from the multitude of church officers in ,jerusalem1 it may further appear1 that there were more congregations than one in the church of ,jerusalem4 ,for there were many apostles1 prophets1 and elders in this church of ,jerusalem1 as is plain1 if we consider these following passages in the ,acts of the ,apostles4 ,after ,christ's ascension1 the eleven apostles returned to ,jerusalem1 and continued in prayer and supplication1 ,acts i4 #ab-ad4 ,matthias chosen by lot1 was also numbered with the eleven apostles1 ,acts i4 #bf4 ,and when the day of ,pentecost was fully come1 they were all with one accord in one place1 ,acts ii4 #a4 ,peter standing up with the eleven1 lift up his voice and said1 ,acts ii4 #ad4 ,they were pricked in their heart1 and said to ,peter and to the rest of the apostles1 ,men and brethren1 what shall we do8 ,acts ii4 #cg4 ,and the same day there were added about three thousand souls1 and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship1 and in breaking of bread1 and in prayers1 ,acts ii4 #db4 ,and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus1 ,acts iv4 #cc4 ,as many as were possessors of lands or houses1 sold them1 and brought the prices of the things that were sold1 and laid them down at the apostles' feet1 ,acts iv4 #cd1 #ce1 #cg4 ,then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them1 ,acts vi4 #b4 ,now1 when the apostles which were at ,jerusalem1 ,acts viii4 #ad4 ,they determined that ,paul and ,barnabas and certain other of them should go up to ,jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question4 ,and when they were come to ,jerusalem1 they were received of the church1 and of the apostles and elders2 and the apostles and elders came together1 ,acts xv4 #b1 #d1 #f1 #bb1 #bc2 xi4 #cj4 ,and in those days came prophets from ,jerusalem unto ,antioch1 ,acts xi4 #bg4 ,in all which places1 the multitude of apostles1 elders1 and prophets in this church of ,jerusalem is evident4 ,and it is further observable1 that the apostles devolved the serving of tables upon the seven deacons1 that they might wholly give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word1 ,acts vi1 #b2 which needed not1 nor would there have been full employment for the apostles1 if there had not been divers congregations in that one church of ,jerusalem4 ,except4 ',tis true1 the apostles were for a time in ,jerusalem1 yet when in ,judea or elsewhere any received the gospel1 the apostles went abroad to erect other churches4 ,ans4 ,touching the apostles going abroad1 there can be given but one instance1 ,acts viii4 #ad1 where the whole twelve went not forth1 but only two were sent1 viz4 ,peter and ,john3 but suppose it were granted1 that upon some special occasions the apostles went out from ,jerusalem1 can it be imagined that the apostles' ordinary abode would be at ,jerusalem1 to attend only one single congregation1 as if that would fill all their hands with work8 ,except4 ,the apostles were well employed when they met in an upper room1 and had but one hundred and twenty for their flock1 and this for forty days together2 now if they stayed in ,jerusalem when they had but one hundred and twenty1 and yet had their hands filled with work1 the presence of the apostles argues not more congregations in ,jerusalem than could meet in one place for all acts of worship4 ,ans4 #a4 ,from ,christ's ascension 7immediately after which they went up to the upper chamber7 to the feast of ,pentecost1 there were but ten days1 not forty2 so that there is one mistake4 #b4 ,during that time betwixt ,christ's ascension and the feast of ,pentecost1 7whether ten or forty days is not very material17 the apostles were especially taken up in prayer and supplication1 waiting for the promise of the ,spirit to qualify them for the work of the ministry3 now1 because the twelve apostles1 before they had received the extraordinary gifts of the ,spirit1 did continue for a short time in ,jerusalem with a small number in prayer1 will it therefore follow that after they had received these extraordinary gifts1 that they were bound up within the limits of one single congregation8 ,except4 ,the argument that there were many teachers in ,jerusalem1 proves not that there were more congregations in ,jerusalem than one1 because there were then many gifted men1 which were not officers1 which yet occasionally instructed others1 as ,aquila did ,apollos2 therefore it seems they were only gifted persons1 not officers4 ,ans4 #a4 ,grant that in those times there were many gifted men1 not in office1 which might occasionally instruct others1 as ,aquila did ,apollos2 yet it is further to be noted1 that1 #b4 ,this instructing must be either private1 or public2 if private only1 then the objection is of no force1 7because these teachers instructed publicly27 if in public1 then if this objection were of force1 it would follow1 that women might instruct publicly1 because ,priscilla1 as well as ,aquila1 instructed ,apollos4 #c4 ,the current of expositors say1 that the seventy disciples were at ,jerusalem among the one hundred and twenty1 ,acts i4 #af1 who were teachers by office4 ,,iii4 ,from the variety of languages among the disciples at ,jerusalem1 it is evident there were more congregations than one in that one church3 the diversity of languages among them is plainly mentioned in divers places1 ,and there were dwelling at ,jerusalem1 ,jews1 devout men out of every nation under heaven4 ,now every man heard them speak in his own language1 c41 ,acts ii4 #e1 #h-ab4 ,now1 of those that heard this variety of languages1 and ,peter's sermon thereupon1 ,they that gladly received his word1 were baptized1 and the same day there were added about three thousand souls1 ,acts ii4 #da1 which diversity of languages necessitated those members of the church of ,jerusalem to enjoy the ordinances in divers distinct congregations in their own language4 ,and that they might so do1 the ,spirit furnished the apostles1 c41 with diversity of languages1 which diversity of languages were as well for edification of them within the ,church1 as for a sign to them that were without4 ,except4 ,though the ,jews being dispersed were come in from other countries1 yet they were all generally learned1 and understood the ,hebrew tongue1 the language of their own nation1 so that diversity of tongues proves not1 that of necessity there must be distinct places to meet in4 ,ans4 #a4 ,it is easier said than proved1 that the ,jews were so generally skilled in the ,hebrew tongue1 when1 while they were scattered in ,media and ,parthia1 and other places1 they had no universities or schools of learning4 ,besides1 it is not to be forgotten1 that the proper language or dialect in those days in use among the ,jews was ,syriac2 as appears by divers instances of ,syriac words in the ,new ,testament1 as of the ,jews' own terms3 ,acts i4 #ai1 which in their proper tongue1 is called ,aceldama2 ,john xix4 #ac4 #ag1 ,gabbatha1 ,golgotha1 c42 ,mark xv4 #cd1 ,eloi1 ,eloi1 lama-sabachthani2 with divers other pure ,syriac terms4 ,grant they did2 yet1 #b4 ,there were in ,jerusalem proselytes also1 ,romans1 ,cappadocians1 ,cretians1 and ,arabians1 ,acts ii4 #aj1 #aa2 how could they be edified in the faith1 if only one congregation1 where nothing but ,hebrew was spoken1 met in ,jerusalem2 if so be there were not other congregations for men of other languages1 that understood not the ,hebrew tongue8 ,,iv4 ,from the manner of ,christians' public meetings in those primitive times1 both in the church of ,jerusalem and in other churches4 ,it is plain that the multitudes of ,christians in ,jerusalem1 and other churches1 could not possibly meet all together in one single congregation1 inasmuch as they had no public temples1 or capacious places for worship and partaking of all ordinances1 7as we now have17 but private places1 houses1 chambers1 or upper rooms1 7as the unsettled state of the ,church and troublesomeness of those times would permit17 which in all probability were of no great extent1 nor any way able to contain in them so many thousand believers at once1 as there were3 ,they met from house to house1 to break bread1 ,acts ii4 #df4 ,in an upper room the apostles with the women and brethren continued in prayer and supplication1 ,acts i4 #ab-ad4 ,we read of their meetings in the house of ,mary1 ,acts xii4 #ab4 ,in the school of one ,tyrannus1 ,acts xix4 #i4 ,in an upper chamber at ,troas1 ,acts xx4 #h4 ,in ,paul's own hired house at ,rome1 ,acts xxviii4 #cj1 #ca4 ,in the house of ,aquila and ,priscilla1 where the church met1 therefore called the church in his house1 ,rom4 xvi4 #e2 #a ,cor4 xvi4 #ai4 ,in the house of ,nimphas1 ,col4 iv4 #ae1 and in the house of ,archippus1 ,philem4 #b4 ,this was their manner of public meetings in the apostles' times3 which also continued in the next ages1 as saith ,eusebius1#aaa till1 by indulgence of succeeding emperors1 they had large churches1 houses of public meeting erected for them4 ,to sum up all3 #a4 ,there were in the church at ,jerusalem greater numbers of believers than could possibly meet at once to partake of all ,christ's ordinances4 #b4 ,there were more church officers than one single congregation could need1 or than could be fully employed therein1 unless we will say1 that they preached but seldom4 #c4 ,there was such diversity of languages among them1 that they must needs rank themselves into several congregations1 according to their languages1 else he that spoke in one language to hearers of many several languages1 would be a barbarian to them1 and they to him4 #d4 ,finally1 their places of ordinary meeting were private1 of small extent1 incapable of containing so many thousands at once as there were believers2 and by all these1 how evident is it1 that there must needs be granted that there were more congregations than one in this one church of ,jerusalem6 ,,ii4 ,the church of ,antioch1 in ,syria1 consisted also of more congregations than one4 ,this appears1 #a4 ,from the multitude of believers at ,antioch4 ,for1 #a4 ,after the dispersion upon ,saul's persecution1 the ,lord ,jesus was preached at ,antioch1 and a great number believed1 c41 ,acts xi4 #ba4 #b4 ,upon ,barnabas's preaching there1 much people was added to the ,lord1 ,acts xi4 #bd4 #c4 ,barnabas and ,saul for a year together taught much people there1 and disciples there so mightily multiplied1 that there ,christ's disciples first received the eminent and famous denomination of ,,christians1 and so were and still are called throughout the whole world1 ,acts xi4 #be1 #bf4 #b4 ,from the multitudes of prophets and preachers that ministered at ,antioch4 ,for1 #a4 ,upon the dispersion of the ,jews at ,jerusalem1 divers of them 7being men of ,cyprus and ,cyrene7 preached the ,lord ,jesus at ,antioch1 ,acts xi4 #bj2 here must be three or four preachers at least1 otherwise they would not be men of ,cyprus and ,cyrene4 #b4 ,after this ,barnabas was sent to preach at ,antioch2 there is a fifth1 ,acts xi4 #bb-bd4 #c4 ,barnabas finds so much work at ,antioch1 that he goes to ,tarsus to bring ,saul thither to help him2 there is a sixth1 ver4 #be1 #bf4 #d4 ,besides these1 there came prophets from ,jerusalem to ,antioch in those days2 there are at least two more1 viz4 eight in all1 ,acts xi4 #bg1 #bh4 #d4 ,further1 besides ,barnabas and ,saul1 three more teachers are named1 viz4 ,simon called ,niger1 ,lucius of ,cyrene1 and ,manaen1 ,acts xii4 #a-c4 #f4 ,yea1 ,paul and ,barnabas continued in ,antioch1 teaching and preaching the word of the ,lord1 with many others also1 ,acts xv4 #ce4 ,now sum up all1 what a multitude of believers1 and what a college of preachers were here at ,antioch6 ,how is it possible that all these preachers should bustle themselves about one congregation 7and doubtless they abhorred idleness7 in dispensing the ordinances of ,christ to them only8 or how could so many members meet in one single congregation at once1 ordinarily to partake of all ordinances8 ,,iii4 ,the church of ,ephesus 7in ,asia ,minor1 ,acts xix4 #bb7 had in it more congregations than one3 ,for1 #a4 ,the number of prophets and preachers at ,ephesus were many4 ,paul continued there two years and three months1 ,acts xix4 #h1 #aj2 and ,paul settled there about twelve disciples who prophesied1 ,acts xix4 #a1 #f1 #g4 ,and how should these thirteen ministers be employed1 if there were not many congregations8 ,compare also ,acts xx4 #ag1 #bh1 #cf1 #cg1 where it is said of the bishops of ,ephesus1 that ,paul kneeled down and prayed with them all1 and they all wept sore4 ,here is a good number implied4 #b4 ,the gift of tongues also was given unto all these twelve prophets1 ,acts xix4 #f1 #g4 ,to what end1 if they had not several congregations of several languages1 to speak in these several tongues unto them8 #c4 ,the multitude of believers must needs be great at ,ephesus3 ,for1 #a4 ,why should ,paul1 who had universal commission to plant churches in all the world1 stay above two years together at ,ephesus if no more had been converted there than to make up one single congregation8 ,acts xix4 #h1 #aj4 #b4 ,during this space1 all that dwelt in ,asia1 usually meeting at ,ephesus for worship1 heard the word of the ,lord1 both ,jews and ,greeks1 ,acts xix4 #aj4 #c4 ,at the knowledge of ,paul's miracles1 fear fell upon all the ,jews and ,greeks dwelling at ,ephesus1 and the name of the ,lord ,jesus was magnified1 ,acts xix4 #ag4 #d4 ,many of the believers came and confessed1 and showed their deeds1 ver4 #ah1 whereby is intimated that more did believe than did thus4 #e4 ,many also of them that used curious arts brought their books together1 and burned them before all men1 and they counted the price of them1 and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver1 7this they would never have done publicly if the major part1 or at least a very great and considerable part of the city1 had not embraced the faith1 that city being so furiously zealous in their superstition and idolatry17 so mightily grew the word of ,god1 and prevailed1 ,acts xix4 #ai1 #bj4 #f4 ,paul testifies that at ,ephesus a great door and effectual was open unto him1 viz4 a most advantageous opportunity of bringing in a mighty harvest of souls to ,christ1 #a ,cor4 xvi4 #h1 #i4 ,put all together1 #a4 ,the number of prophets and preachers2 #b4 ,the gifts of tongues conferred upon those prophets2 and1 #c4 ,the multitude of believers which so abounded at ,ephesus3 how is it possible to imagine1 upon any solid ground1 that there was no more but one single congregation in the church of ,ephesus8 ,,iv4 ,the church of ,corinth in ,grcia comprised in it also more congregations than one1 as may be justly concluded from1 #a4 ,the multitude of believers4 #b4 ,the plenty of ministers4 #c4 ,the diversity of tongues and languages4 #d4 ,and the plurality of churches at ,corinth4 ,let all these be well compared together4 #a4 ,from the multitude of believers4 ,there appears to be a greater number of believers at ,corinth than could all at once meet together to partake of all the ordinances of ,christ3 ,for1 #a4 ,at ,paul's first coming to ,corinth1 and at his first sermon preached in the house of ,justus1 it is said1 ,and ,crispus1 the chief ruler of the synagogue1 believed on the ,lord1 and all his house1 and many of the ,corinthians hearing1 believed and were baptized1 ,acts xviii4 #a1 #g1 #h4 ,here is ,crispus and all his house1 7which probably was very great1 he being the chief ruler of the synagogue17 and many of the ,corinthians1 believing2 an excellent first-fruits2 for who can justly say but ,paul at his first sermon converted so many as might be sufficient to make up one single congregation8 #b4 ,immediately after this 7,paul having shook his raiment against the ,jews1 who1 contrary to his doctrine1 opposed themselves and blasphemed2 and having said unto them1 ,your blood be upon your own heads1 ,i am clean3 from henceforth ,i will go unto the ,gentiles1 ,acts xviii4 #f7 the ,lord comforts ,paul against the obstinacy of the ,jews by the success his ministry should have among the ,gentiles in the city of ,corinth3 ,then spake the ,lord to ,paul in the night by a vision1 ,be not afraid1 but speak1 and hold not thy peace3 for ,i am with thee1 and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee3 for ,i have much people in this city1 ,acts xviii4 #i1 #aj4 ,much people belonging to ,god1 according to his secret predestination1 over and besides those that already were actually his by effectual vocation4 ,and much people1 in respect of the ,jews that opposed and blasphemed1 7who were exceeding many17 otherwise it would have been but small comfort to ,paul if by much people should be meant no more than could meet at once in one small single congregation4 #c4 ,paul himself continued at ,corinth a year and six months teaching the word of ,god among them1 ,acts xviii4 #aa4 ,to what end should ,paul the apostle of the ,gentiles stay so long in one place1 if he had not seen the ,lord's blessing upon his ministry1 to bring into the faith many more souls than would make up one congregation1 having so much work to do far and near8 #d4 ,they that believed at ,corinth were baptized1 ,acts xviii4 #h4 7,baptism admitted them into that one body of the ,church1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ac47 ,some were baptized by ,paul1 7though but few in comparison of the number of believers among them3 compare ,acts xviii4 #h1 with #a ,cor4 #ad-ag17 the generality consequently were baptized by other ministers there1 and that in other congregations wherein ,paul preached not1 as well as in such wherein ,paul preached2 it being unreasonable to deny the being of divers congregations for the word and sacraments to be dispensed in1 himself dispensing the sacrament of baptism to so few4 #b4 ,from the plenty of ministers and preachers in the church of ,corinth1 it is evident it was a presbyterial church1 and not only a single congregation2 for to what end should there be many laborers in a little harvest1 many teachers over one single congregation8 c4 ,that there were many preachers at ,corinth is plain3 ,for1 #a4 ,paul himself was the master-builder there that laid the foundation of that church1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #aj1 their spiritual father2 ,in ,christ ,jesus ,i have begotten you through the gospel1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #ae4 ,and he stayed with them one year and a half1 ,acts xviii4 ,,ii4 #b4 ,while the apostle sharply taxeth them as guilty of schism and division for their carnal crying up of their several teachers3 some doting upon one1 some upon another1 some upon a third1 c4 ,every one of you saith1 ,i am of ,paul1 and ,i of ,apollos1 and ,i of ,cephas1 and ,i of ,christ1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ab4 ,doth not this intimate that they had plenty of preachers1 and these preachers had their several followers1 so prizing some of them as to undervalue the rest8 and was this likely to be without several congregations into which they were divided8 #c4 ,when the apostle saith1 ,though ye have ten thousand instructors in ,christ1 yet have ye not many fathers1 #a ,cor4 v4 #ae2 though his words be hyperbolical1 yet they imply that they had great store of teachers and preachers4 #d4 ,we have mention of many prophets in the church of ,corinth3 ,let the prophets speak two or three1 and let the other judge--,and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #bj1 #ca4 ,here are prophets speaking two or three2 and prophets judging of their doctrine1 which sure were more than they that were judged2 it being unreasonable for the minor part to pass judgement upon the major part4 ,and though these prophets had extraordinary gifts1 7as the church of ,corinth excelled all other churches in gifts1 #a ,cor4 i4 #g17 and were able to preach in an extraordinary singular way2 yet were they the ordinary pastors and ministers of that church of ,corinth1 as the whole current of this fourteenth chapter evidenceth1 wherein so many rules and directions1 aptly agreeing to ordinary pastors1 are imposed upon them for the well ordering of their ministerial exercises4 ,now1 where there were so many pastors1 were there not several congregations for them to feed8 ,or were they idle1 neglecting the exercise and improvement of their talents8 #c4 ,from the diversity of tongues and languages1 wherein the church did eminently excel4 ,in every thing ye are enriched by him1 in all utterance1 and in all knowledge--,so that you come behind in no gift1 c41 i4e41 ye excel in every gift1 more being intended than is expressed1 #a ,cor4 i4 #e1 #g4 ,among other gifts some of them excelled in tongues which they spake1 the right use of which gift of tongues the apostle doth at large lay down1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #b1 #d-f1 #ac1 #ad1 #ah1 #ai1 #bc1 #bf1 #bg4 ,if any speak in an unknown tongue let it be by two1 or at the most by three1 and that by course1 and let one interpret4 ,so that there were many endued with gifts of tongues in that church4 ,to what end8 ,not only for a sign to unbelievers1 ver4 #bb1 but also for edification of divers congregations1 of divers tongues and languages within that church of ,corinth4 #d4 ,from the plurality of churches mentioned in reference to this church of ,corinth4 ,for the apostle regulating their public assemblies and their worship there1 saith to the church of ,corinth1 ,let your women keep silence in the churches4 ,it is not said1 in the church1 in the singular number2 but in the churches1 in the plural2 and this of the churches in ,corinth1 for it is said1 ,let your women1 c41 not indefinitely1 ,let women1 c4 ,so that according to the plain letter of the words1 here are churches in the church of ,corinth1 viz4 a plurality of single congregations in this one presbyterial church4 ,and this plurality of churches in the church of ,corinth is the more confirmed if we take the church of ,cenchrea 7which is a harbor or seaport to ,corinth7 to be comprised within the church of ,corinth1 as some learned authors do conceive it may4#aab ,,position ,,ii4 ,that there is in the word of ,christ a pattern of one presbyterial government in common over divers single congregations in one church4 ,this may be evidenced by these following considerations3 ,for1 #a4 ,divers single congregations are called one church1 as hath at large been proved in the second position immediately foregoing2 inasmuch as all the believers in ,jerusalem are counted one church3 yet those believers are more in number than could meet for all ordinances in any one single congregation4 ,and why are divers congregations styled one church8 #a4 ,not in regard of that oneness of heart and soul which was among them1 having all things common1 c41 ,acts iv4 #cb4 ,for these affections and actions of kindness belonged to them by the law of brotherhood and ,christian charity to one another1 7especially considering the then present condition of believers17 rather than by any special ecclesiastical obligation1 because they were members of such a church4 #b4 ,not in regard of any explicit church covenant1 knitting them in one body4 ,for we find neither name nor thing1 print nor footstep of any such thing as a church covenant in the church of ,jerusalem1 nor in any other primitive apostolical church in all the ,new ,testament2 and to impose an explicit church covenant upon the saints as a necessary constituting form of a true visible ,church of ,christ1 and without which it is no ,church1 is a mere human invention1 without all solid warrant from the word of ,god4 #c4 ,not in regard of the ministration of the word1 sacraments1 prayers1 c4 ,for these ordinances were dispensed in their single congregations severally1 it being impossible that such multitudes of believers should meet all in one congregation1 to partake of them jointly1 7as hath been evidenced47 #d4 ,but in regard of one joint administration of church government among them1 by one common presbytery1 or college of elders1 associated for that end4 ,from this one way of church government1 by one presbytery in common1 all the believers in ,jerusalem1 and so in other cities respectively1 were counted but one church4 #b4 ,in every such presbyterial church made up of divers single congregations1 there were ecclesiastical ruling officers1 which are counted or called the officers of that church1 but never counted or called governors1 elders1 c41 of any one single congregation therein2 as in the church of ,jerusalem1 ,acts xi4 #bg1 #cj1 and xv4 #b3 of ,antioch1 compare ,acts xiii4 #a-c1 with xv4 #ce3 of ,ephesus1 ,acts xx4 #ag1 #bh3 and of the church of ,corinth1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ab1 and iv4 #ae1 and xiv4 #bi4 #c4 ,the officers of such presbyterial churches met together for acts of church government3 as1 to take charge of the church's goods1 and of the due distribution thereof1 ,acts iv4 #ce1 #cg1 and xi4 #cj3 to ordain1 appoint1 and send forth church officers1 ,acts vi4 #b1 #c1 #f1 and xiii4 #a1 #c3 to excommunicate notorious offenders1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e1 #g1 #ac1 compared with #b ,cor4 ii4 #f3 and to restore again penitent persons to church communion1 #b ,cor4 ii4 #g-i4 ,except4 ,receiving of alms is no act of government4 ,ans4 ,true1 the bare receiving of alms is no act of government1 but the ordering and appointing how it shall be best improved and disposed of1 cannot be denied to be an act of government1 and for this did the elders meet together1 ,acts xi4 #cj4 #d4 ,the apostles themselves1 in their joint acts of government in such churches1 acted as ordinary officers1 viz4 as presbyters or elders4 ,this is much to be observed1 and may be evidenced as followeth3 for1 #a4 ,none of their acts of church government can at all be exemplary or obligatory upon us1 if they were not presbyterial1 but merely apostolical2 if they acted therein not as ordinary presbyters1 but as extraordinary apostles4 ,for what acts they dispatched merely as apostles1 none may meddle withal but only apostles4 #b4 ,as they were apostles1 so they were presbyters1 and so they style themselves1 ,the elder to the elect lady1 #b ,john i4 ,the elders which are among you ,i exhort1 saith ,peter1 who am also an elder1 7i4e4 who am a fellow-elder1 or co-presbyter17 #a ,pet4 v4 #a2 wherein he ranks himself among ordinary presbyters1 which had been improper1 unless he had discharged the offices and acts of an ordinary presbyter4 #c4 ,their acts were such1 for substance1 as ordinary presbyters do perform1 as preaching and prayer1 ,acts vi4 #d3 ordaining of officers1 ,acts vi4 #f1 and xiv4 #bc3 dispensing of the sacraments1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ad2 ,acts ii4 #db1 and xx4 #g3 and of church censures1 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e1 compared with #a ,tim4 v4 ver4 #a1 ult43 which acts of government1 and such like1 were committed by ,christ to them1 and to ordinary presbyters 7their successors7 to the end of the world2 compare ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ag1 #ah1 to the end1 and ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc1 with ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah-bj4 #d4 ,they acted not only as ordinary elders1 but also they acted jointly with other elders1 being associated with them in the same assembly1 as in that eminent synod at ,jerusalem1 ,acts xv4 #f1 #bb1 #bc1 and xvi4 #d1 ,and as they went through cities1 they delivered them the decrees for to keep1 that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at ,jerusalem4 #e4 ,and1 finally1 they took in the church's consent with themselves1 wherein it was needful1 as in the election and appointment of deacons1 ,acts vi4 #b1 #c4 #f4 ,the deacons being specially to be trusted with the church's goods1 and the disposal thereof1 according to the direction of the presbytery1 for the good of the church1 c4 ,let all these considerations be impartially balanced in the scales of indifferent unprejudiced judgments2 and how plainly do they delineate in the word1 a pattern of one presbyterial government in common over divers single congregations within one church6 ,except4 ,the apostles' power over many congregations was founded upon their power over all churches2 and so cannot be a pattern for the power of elders over many4 ,ans4 #a4 ,the apostles' power over many congregations as one church1 to govern them all as one church jointly and in common1 was not founded upon their power over all churches1 but upon the union of those congregations into one church2 which union lays a foundation for the power of elders governing many congregations4 #b4 ,besides1 the apostles1 though extraordinary officers1 are called elders1 #a ,pet4 v4 #a1 to intimate to us1 that in ordinary acts of church government1 they did act as elders for a pattern to us in like administrations4 ,except4 ,the apostles1 it is true1 were elders virtually1 that is1 their apostleship contained all offices in it1 but they were not elders formally4 ,ans4 #a4 ,if by formally be meant1 that they were not elders really1 then it is false2 for the ,scripture saith ,peter was an elder1 #a ,peter v4 #a4 ,if by formally be meant that they were not elders only1 that is granted2 they were so elders1 as they were still apostles1 and so apostles as they were yet elders3 their eldership did not exclude their apostleship1 nor their apostleship swallow up their eldership4 #b4 ,besides1 two distinct offices may be formally in one and the same person2 as ,melchisedec was formally a king and priest1 and ,david formally a king and prophet2 and why then might not ,peter or ,john1 or any of the twelve1 be formally apostles and elders8 ,and ministers are formally pastors and ruling elders4 ,except4 ',tis true1 the apostles acted together with elders1 because it so fell out they met together2 but that they should meet jointly to give a pattern for an eldership1 is not easy to prove2 one apostle might have done that alone1 which all here did4 ,ans4 #a4 ',tis true1 the apostles as apostles had power to act singly what they did jointly2 yet1 when they acted jointly1 their acts might have more authority in the ,church3 upon which ground they of ,antioch may be conceived to have sent to the whole college of apostles and elders at ,jerusalem1 7rather than to any one singly27 why was this1 but to add more authority to their acts and determinations8 #b4 ,why should not their meeting together be a pattern of a presbytery1 as well as their meeting together when they took in the consent of the people1 ,acts vi41 in the choice of the deacons1 to be a pattern or warrant that the people have a power in the choice of their officers8 7as those of contrary judgment argue37 if one be taken in as an inimitable practice1 why not the other8 #c4 ,if the apostles joining with elders1 acted nothing as elders1 then we can bring nothing of theirs into imitation2 and by this we should cut the sinews1 and raze the foundation of church government1 as if there were no footsteps thereof in the holy ,scriptures4 ,,position ,,iii4 ,finally1 ,that the pattern of the said presbytery and presbyterial government is for a rule to the churches of ,christ in all after ages1 may appear as followeth3 #a4 ,the first churches were immediately planted and governed by ,christ's own apostles and disciples2 #a4 ,who immediately received the keys of the kingdom of heaven from ,christ himself in person1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ag1ah2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 #b4 ,who immediately had the promise of ,christ's perpetual presence with them in their ministry1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 and of the plentiful donation of the ,spirit of ,christ to lead them into all truth1 ,john xiv4 #af1 and xvi4 #ac-ae2 ,acts i4 #d1 #e1 #h #c4 ,who immediately received from ,christ1 after his resurrection and before his ascension1 commandments by the ,holy ,ghost1--,christ being seen of them forty days1 and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of ,god1 ,acts i4 #b1 #c2 and1 #d4 ,who were first and immediately baptized by the ,holy ,ghost1 extraordinarily1 ,acts ii4 #a-e4 ,now1 who can imagine that the apostles and disciples were not actuated by the ,spirit of ,christ bestowed upon them8 or did not discharge ,christ's commandments1 touching his kingdom imposed upon them8 or did not duly use those keys of ,christ's kingdom committed to them in the ordering and governing of the primitive churches8 ,and if so1 then the pattern of their practices must be a rule for all the succeeding churches1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #a2 ,phil1 iv4 #i4 #b4 ,to what end hath the ,holy ,ghost so carefully recorded a pattern of the state and government of the primitive churches in the first and purest times1 but for the imitation of successive churches in after times8 ,for whatsoever things wore written aforetime1 were written for our learning1 or instruction4 ,but what do such records instruct us8 ,only in fact1 that such things were done by the first churches8 or of right also1 that such things should be done by the after churches8 ,surely1 this is more proper and profitable for us4 #c4 ,if such patterns of ,christ's apostles1 disciples1 and primitive churches in matters of the government will not amount to an obligatory rule for all following churches1 how shall we justify sundry other acts of religion commonly received in the best reformed churches1 and founded only or chiefly upon the foundation of the practice of ,christ's apostles and the apostolical churches8 ,as the receiving of the ,lord's supper on the ,lord's days1 ,acts xx4 #g1 c42 which notwithstanding are generally embraced without any considerable opposition or contradiction1 and that most deservedly4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,of the ,divine ,right of ,synods1 or ,synodal ,assemblies4 ,thus far of the ruling assemblies1 which are styled presbyterial2 next come into consideration those greater assemblies1 which are usually called synodal1 or synods1 or councils4 ,they are so called from their convening1 or coming together3 or rather from their calling together4 ,both names1 viz4 synod and council1 are of such latitude of signification1 as that they may be applied to any public convention of people3 but in the common ordinary use of these words1 they are appropriated to large ecclesiastical assemblies1 above classical presbyteries in number and power4 ,these synodal assemblies are made up1 7as occasion and the necessity of the church shall require47 #a4 ,either of presbyters1 sent from the several classical presbyteries within a province1 hence called provincial synods3 #b4 ,or of presbyters1 sent from the several provincial synods within a nation1 hence called national synods3 #c4 ,or of presbyters1 delegated or sent from the several national churches throughout the ,christian world1 hence called ecumenical synods1 or universal and general councils4 ,touching the divine warrant of synods1 and their power in church affairs1 much need not be said1 seeing divers learned authors have so fully stated and handled this matter4#aac ,yet1 that the reader may have a short view hereof1 and not be left wholly unsatisfied1 these two things shall briefly be opened and insisted upon1 viz3 #a4 ,certain considerations shall be propounded1 tending to clear the state of the question about the divine right of synods1 and their power4 #b4 ,the proposition itself1 with some few arguments adduced1 for the proof thereof4 ,for the former1 viz3 ,the true stating of this question about the divine right of synods1 and of their power1 well weigh these few considerations4 #a4 ,synods differ in some respects from classical presbyteries1 handled in ,chap4 ,,xiii41 though the nature and kind of their power be the same for substance4 ,for1 #a4 ,synods are more large extensive assemblies than classical presbyteries1 the members of presbyteries being sent only from several single congregations1 the members of synods being delegated from several presbyteries1 and proportionably their power is extended also4 #b4 ,the exercise of government by presbyteries1 is the common ordinary way of government held forth in ,scripture4 ,by synods it is more rare and extraordinary1 at least in great part1 as in case of extraordinary causes that fall out3 as1 for choosing an apostle1 ,acts i41 healing of scandals1 c41 ,acts xv4 #b4 ,all synods are of the same nature and kind1 whether provincial1 national1 or ecumenical1 though they differ as lesser and greater1 in respect of extent1 from one another1 7the provincial having as full power within their bounds1 as the national or ecumenical within theirs47 ,so that the proving of the divine right of synods indefinitely and in general1 doth prove also the divine right of provincial1 national1 and ecumenical synods in particular3 for1 greater and lesser do not vary the species or kind4 ,what is true of ecclesiastical synods in general1 agrees to every such synod in particular4 ,object4 ,but why hath not the ,scripture determined these assemblies in particular8 ,ans4 #a4 ,it is not necessary the ,scripture should in every case descend to particulars4 ,in things of one and the same kind1 general rules may serve for all particulars2 especially seeing particulars are so innumerable1 what volumes would have contained all particulars8 #b4 ,all churches and seasons are not capable of synods provincial or national3 for1 in an island there may be no more ,christians than to make up one single congregation1 or one classical presbytery4 ,or in a nation1 the ,christian congregations may be so few1 or so dispersed1 or so involved in persecution1 that they cannot convene in synods1 c4 #c4 ,the power of synods contended for1 is1 #a4 ,not civil2 they have no power to take cognizance of civil causes1 as such2 not to inflict any civil punishments2 as fines1 imprisonments1 confiscations1 banishments1 death1 7these being proper to the civil magistrate37 but merely spiritual2 they judge only in ecclesiastical causes1 in a spiritual manner1 by spiritual censures1 to spiritual ends1 as did that synod1 ,acts xv4 #b4 ,not corruptive1 privative1 or destructive to the power of classical presbyteries1 or single congregations2 but rather perfective and conservative thereunto4 ,as suppose a single congregation should elect a minister unsound in judgment1 or scandalous in conversation1 the synod may annul and make void that election1 and direct them to make a better choice1 or appoint them a minister themselves2 hereby this liberty of election is not at all infringed or violated1 but for their own advantage regulated1 c4 #c4 ,not absolute1 and infallible2 but limited and fallible3 any synod or council may err1 being constituted of men that are weak1 frail1 ignorant in part1 c41 and therefore all their decrees and determinations are to be examined by the touchstone of the ,scriptures1 nor are they further to be embraced1 or counted obligatory1 than they are consonant thereunto1 ,isa4 viii4 #bj4 ,hence there is liberty of appeal1 as from congregational elderships to the classical presbytery1 and from thence to the provincial synod1 so from the provincial to the national assembly1 c4 #d4 ,finally1 the power of synods is not only persuasive and consultative1 7as some think17 able to give grave advice1 and to use forcible persuasions in any case1 which if accepted and followed1 well2 if rejected and declined1 there is no further remedy1 but a new non-communion instead of a divine church censure3 but it is a proper authoritative juridical power1 which all within their bounds are obliged reverently to esteem1 and dutifully to submit unto1 so far as agreeable to the word of ,christ4 #d4 ,finally1 this authoritative juridical power of synods is threefold1 viz4 doctrinal1 regulating1 and censuring4 #a4 ,doctrinal1 in reference to matters of faith1 and divine worship2 not to coin new articles of faith1 or devise new acts of divine worship3 but to explain and apply those articles of faith and rules of worship which are laid down in the word1 and declare the contrary errors1 heresies1 corruptions4 ,hence the ,church is styled1 the pillar and ground of truth1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ae4 ,thus to the ,jewish ,church were committed of trust the oracles of ,god1 ,rom4 iii4 #b4 #b4 ,regulating1 in reference to external order and polity1 in matters prudential and circumstantial1 which are determinate according to the true light of nature1 and the general rules of ,scripture1 such as are in #a ,cor4 x4 #ca1 #cb2 ,rom4 xiv42 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #bf1 #dj1 c42 not according to any arbitrary power of men4 #c4 ,censuring power1 in reference to error1 heresy1 schism1 obstinacy1 contempt1 or scandal1 and the repressing thereof2 which power is put forth merely in spiritual censures1 as admonition1 excommunication1 deposition1 c4 ,and these censures exercised1 not in a lordly1 domineering1 prelatical way3 but in an humble1 sober1 grave1 yet authoritative way1 necessary both for preservation of soundness of doctrine1 and incorruptness of conversation2 and for extirpation of the contrary4 ,this is the power which belongs to synods4 ,thus much for clearing the right state of this question4 ,,ii4 ,for the second thing1 viz4 the proposition itself1 and the confirmation thereof1 take it briefly in these terms4 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath laid down in his word sufficient ground and warrant for juridical synods1 and their authority1 for governing of his ,church now under the ,new ,testament4 ,many arguments might be produced for proof of this proposition3 as1 #a4 ,from the light of nature4 #b4 ,from the words of the law1 ,deut4 xvii4 #h1 #ab1 compared with #b ,chron4 xix4 #h1 #aa2 ,ps4 cxxii4 #d1 #e1 holding forth an ecclesiastical ,sanhedrin in the ,church of the ,jews1 superior to other courts4 #c4 ,from the words of ,christ1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ae-ba4 #d4 ,from the unity of the visible ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament4 #e4 ,from the primitive apostolical pattern laid down1 ,acts xv41 c41 and from divers other considerations2 but for brevity's sake1 only the two last arguments shall be a little insisted upon4 ,argum4 ,i4 ,the unity or oneness of the visible ,church of ,christ now under the ,new ,testament1 laid down in ,scripture1 gives us a notable foundation for church government by juridical synods4 ,for1 #a4 ,that ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath one general1 visible ,church on earth now under the ,new ,testament1 hath been already proved1 ,part #b1 ,chap4 ,,viii4 #b4 ,that in this ,church there is a government settled by divine right1 is evidenced1 ,part #a1 ,chap4 ,i4 #c4 ,that all ,christ's ordinances1 and particularly church government1 primarily belong to the whole general ,church visible1 for her edification1 7secondarily to particular churches and single congregations1 as parts or members of the whole17 hath been manifested1 ,part #b1 ,chap4 ,,viii4 ,now1 there being one general visible ,church1 having a government set in it of divine right1 and that government belonging primarily to the whole body of ,christ2 secondarily1 to the parts or members thereof2 must it not necessarily follow1 that the more generally and extensively ,christ's ordinance of church government is managed in greater and more general assemblies1 the more fully the perfection and end of the government1 viz4 the edification of the whole body of ,christ1 is attained2 and on the contrary1 the more particularly and singly church government is exercised1 as in presbyteries1 or single congregational elderships1 the more imperfect it is1 and the less it attains to the principal end3 consequently1 if there be a divine warrant for church government by single congregational elderships1 is it not much more for church government by presbyteries1 and synods1 or councils1 wherein more complete provision is made for the edification of the general ,church or body of ,jesus ,christ8 ,argum4 ,,ii4 ,the primitive apostolical practice in the first and purest ages of the ,church after ,christ1 may further evidence with great strength the divine warrant for church government by juridical synods or councils4 ,let this be the position3 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator hath laid down in his word a pattern of a juridical synod1 consisting of governing officers of divers presbyterial churches1 for a rule to the ,church of ,christ in all succeeding ages4 ,for proof hereof take these two assertions3 #a4 ,that ,jesus ,christ hath laid down in his word a pattern of a juridical synod4 #b4 ,that this juridical synod is for a rule to the churches of ,christ in all succeeding ages4 ,,assertion ,i4 ,that ,jesus ,christ hath laid down in his word a pattern of a synod1 yea1 of a juridical synod1 consisting of governing officers of divers presbyterial churches1 is manifest1 ,acts xv4 and xvi41 where are plainly set forth3 #a4 ,the occasion of the synod4 #b4 ,the proper members of the synod4 #c4 ,the equal power and authority exercised by all those members4 #d4 ,the way and method of ordinary synodal proceeding4 #e4 ,the juridical acts of power put forth by the synod2 with the issue and consequent of all upon the churches4 ,first1 ,here was a proper ground and occasion for a juridical synod4 ,for thus the text expressly declareth1 that certain men which came down from ,judea1 taught the brethren1 and said1 ,except ye be circumcised after the manner of ,moses1 ye cannot be saved2 when therefore ,paul and ,barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them1 they determined that ,paul and ,barnabas1 and certain other of them1 should go up to ,jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question1 ,acts xv4 #a1 #b1 compared with ver4 #e--;,but there rose up certain of the sect of the ,pharisees1 which believed1 saying1 that it was needful to circumcise them1 and to command them to keep the law of ,moses2 and with ver4 #bc1 #bd--,the apostles1 and elders1 and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the ,gentiles1 in ,antioch1 and ,syria1 and ,cilicia3 ,forasmuch as we have heard1 that certain which went out from us1 have troubled you with words1 subverting your souls1 saying1 ,ye must be circumcised and keep the law4 ,in which passages these things are evident3 #a4 ,that false doctrine1 destructive to the doctrine of ,christ in his gospel1 did arise in the ,church1 viz3 ,that circumcision and keeping of the ceremonial law of ,moses was necessary to salvation1 ver4 #a1 #e1 #bd2 and this false doctrine promoted with lying1 as if the apostles and elders of ,jerusalem had sent forth the false teachers with directions to preach so1 as their apology 7to whom we gave no such commandment1 ver4 #bd7 seems to import4 ,here is corruption both in doctrine and manners fit for a synod to take cognizance of4 #b4 ,that this corrupt doctrine was vented by certain that came down from ,judea4 ,it is evident1 it was by certain of the sect of the ,pharisees that believed2 as ,paul and ,barnabas make the narrative to the church at ,jerusalem1 ver4 #e1 therefore the false teachers coming from ,judea 7where the ,churches of ,christ were first of all planted1 and whence the church plantation spread7 published their doctrines with more credit to their errors and danger to the churches2 and so both the churches of ,judea whence they came1 and of ,antioch1 ,syria1 and ,cilicia1 whither they came1 were interested in the business4 #c4 ,that the said false teachers by the leaven of their doctrine troubled them with words1 subverting the souls of the brethren1 both at ,antioch1 ,syria1 and ,cilicia1 ver4 #bc1 #bd2 here was the disturbance and scandal of divers churches3 compare ver4 #ci with #da4 #d4 ,that ,paul and ,barnabas at ,antioch had no small dissension and dispute against the false teachers1 ver4 #a1 #b1 that so 7if possible7 they might be convinced1 and the ,church's peace preserved1 without craving further assistance in a solemn synod4 #e4 ,that after these disputes1 and for the better settling of all the churches about this matter1 7which these disputes could not effect17 they decreed 7or ordained7 that ,paul and ,barnabas1 and some others of themselves1 should go up to the apostles and elders at ,jerusalem about this question1 ver4 #b4 ,here was an authoritative mission of delegated officers from the presbyterial church at ,antioch1 and from other churches of ,syria and ,cilicia also1 ver4 #bc1 #da1 to a synodal assembly with the presbyterial church at ,jerusalem4 ,secondly1 ,here were proper members of a synod convened to consider of this question1 viz4 the officers and delegates of divers presbyterial churches3 of the presbyterial church at ,jerusalem1 the apostles and elders1 ,acts xv4 #f3 of the presbyterial church at ,antioch1 ,paul1 ,barnabas1 and others2 compare verse #b and #ab4 ,and besides these1 there were brethren from other churches1 present as members of the synod2 as may appear by these two considerations1 viz3 #a4 ,partly1 because it is called ,the whole multitude1 ver4 #ab2 ,the apostles and elders with the whole church1 ver4 #bb2 ,the apostles1 and elders1 and brethren1 ver4 #bc4 ,this whole multitude1 whole church1 and brethren1 distinct from the apostles and elders which were at ,jerusalem1 cannot be the company of all the faithful at ,jerusalem1 for 7as hath been evidenced1 ,chap4 ,,xiv41 ,position #b17 they were too many to meet in one house4 ,but it was the synodal multitude1 the synodal church1 consisting of apostles1 and elders1 and brethren2 which brethren seem to be such as were sent from several churches1 as ,judas and ,silas1 ver4 #bd1 who were assistants to the apostles and evangelists--,judas1 ,acts xv4 #bb1 #cb2 ,silas1 ,acts xv4 #cb1 #dj1 and xvi4 #ai1 and xvii4 #d1 #ad1 #ae1 and xviii4 #e4 ,some think ,titus was of this synod also4 #b4 ,partly because the brethren of ,antioch1 ,syria1 and ,cilicia1 were troubled with this question1 ver4 #bc1 #bd4 ,therefore it cannot be reasonably imagined1 but all those places sought out for a remedy2 and to that end1 severally and respectively sent their delegates to the synod at ,jerusalem3 else they had been very regardless of their own church peace and welfare4 ,and the epistle of the synod was directed to them all by name1 ver4 #bc2 and so did formally bind them all1 having men of their own members of the synod1 which decrees did but materially1 and from the nature of the thing1 bind the other churches at ,lystra and ,iconium1 ,acts xvi4 #d4 ,now1 if there were delegates but from two presbyterial churches1 they were sufficient to constitute a synod2 and this justifies delegates from ten or twenty churches1 proportionably1 when there shall be like just and necessary occasion4 ,thirdly1 ,here all the members of the synod1 as they were convened by like ordinary authority1 so they acted by like ordinary and equal power in the whole business laid before them2 which shows it was an ordinary1 not an extraordinary synod4 ,for though apostles and evangelists1 who had power over all churches1 were members of the synod1 as well as ordinary elders2 yet they acted not in this synod by a transcendent1 infallible1 apostolical power1 but by an ordinary power1 as elders4 ,this is evident1 #a4 ,because the ,apostle ,paul1 and ,barnabas his colleague1 7called a prophet and teacher1 ,acts xiii4 #a1 #b1 and an apostle1 ,acts xiv4 #ad17 were sent as members to this synod1 by order and determination of the church of ,antioch1 and they submitted themselves to that determination1 ,acts xv4 #b1 #c2 which they could not have submitted unto as apostles1 but as ordinary elders and members of the presbytery at ,antioch3 they that send1 being greater than those that are sent by them4 ,upon which ground it is a good argument which is urged against ,peter's primacy over the rest of the apostles1 because the college of apostles at ,jerusalem sent ,peter and ,john to ,samaria1 having received the faith1 ,acts viii4 #ad4 #b4 ,because the manner of proceeding in this synod convened1 was not extraordinary and apostolical1 as when they acted by an immediate infallible inspiration of the ,spirit1 in penning the ,holy ,scriptures1 7without all disputing1 examining1 or judging of the matter that they wrote1 so far as we can read17 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1ag2 #b ,pet4 i4 #bj1 #ba2 but ordinary1 presbyterial1 and synodal2 by ordinary helps and means1 7as afterwards shall appear more fully27 stating the question1 proving and evidencing from ,scripture what was the good and acceptable will of ,god concerning the present controversy1 and upon evidence of ,scripture concluding1 ,it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost1 and to us1 ,acts xv4 #bh2 which words1 any assembly1 having like clear evidence of ,scripture for their determination1 may without presumption use1 as well as this synod did4#aad #c4 ,because the elders and brethren 7who are as authoritatively members of the synod as the apostles7 did in all points as authoritatively act as the apostles themselves4 ,for1 #a4 ,certain other of the church of ,antioch1 as well as ,paul and ,barnabas1 were sent as delegates from the church of ,antioch1 ,acts xv4 #b4 #b4 ,they were all sent as well to the elders1 as to the apostles at ,jerusalem1 about this matter1 ver4 #b4 #c4 ,they were received at ,jerusalem1 as well by the elders1 as the apostles1 and reported their case to them both1 ver4 #d4 #d4 ,the elders1 as well as the apostles1 met together to consider thereof1 ver4 #f4 #e4 ,the letters containing the synodal decrees and determinations1 were written in the name of the elders and brethren1 as well as in the name of the apostles1 ver4 #bc4 #f4 ,the elders and brethren1 as well as the apostles1 blame the false teachers for troubling of the ,church1 subverting of souls2 declaring1 that they gave the false teachers no such commandment to preach any such doctrine1 ver4 #bd4 #g4 ,the elders and brethren1 as well as the apostles1 say1 ,it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost1 and to us1 ver4 #bh4 #h4 ,the elders and brethren1 as well as the apostles1 did impose upon the churches no other burden than these necessary things1 ver4 #bh4 #i4 ,the elders1 as well as the apostles1 being assembled1 thought good to send chosen men of themselves1 viz4 ,judas and ,silas1 with ,paul and ,barnabas1 to ,antioch1 to deliver the synodal decrees to them1 and to tell them the same things by mouth1 ver4 #bb1 #be1 #bg4 #aj4 ,and the decrees are said to be ordained as well by the elders1 as by the apostles at ,jerusalem1 ,acts xvi4 #d4 ,so that through this whole synodal transaction1 the elders are declared in the text to go on in a full authoritative course of judgment with the apostles1 from point to point4 ,and therefore in this synod1 the apostles acted as ordinary elders1 not as extraordinary officers4 ,fourthly4 ,here was the ordinary way and method of synodal proceedings by the apostles1 elders1 and brethren1 when they were convened unanimously1 ver4 #be4 ,for1 #a4 ,they proceeded deliberatively1 by discourses and disputes1 deliberating about the true state of the question1 and the remedy of the scandal4 ,this is laid down1 #a4 ,more generally1 and when there had been much disputing1 ver4 #g4 #b4 ,more particularly1 how they proceeded when they drew towards a synodal determination1 ,peter speaks of the ,gentiles' conversion1 and clears the doctrine of justification by faith without the works of the law1 ver4 #g-ab4 ,then ,barnabas and ,paul confirm the conversion of the ,gentiles1 declaring the signs and wonders wrought by them among the ,gentiles1 ver4 #ab4 ,after them ,james speaks1 approving what ,peter had spoken touching the conversion of the ,gentiles1 confirming it by ,scripture2 and further adds 7which ,peter did but hint1 ver4 #aj1 and ,paul and ,barnabas did not so much as touch upon7 a remedy against the present scandal1 ver4 #ac-bb4 ,here is now an ordinary way of proceeding by debates1 disputes1 allegations of ,scripture1 and mutual suffrages4 ,what needed all this1 if this had been a transcendent1 extraordinary1 and not an ordinary synod8 #b4 ,they proceeded after all their deliberative inquiries and disputes decisively to conclude and determine the matter1 ver4 #bj-cj4 ,the result of the synod 7as there is evident7 is threefold4 #a4 ,to set down in writing their decrees and determinations4 #b4 ,to signify those decrees in an epistle to the brethren at ,antioch1 ,syria1 and ,cilicia4 #c4 ,to send these letters by some from among themselves1 viz4 ,judas and ,silas1 together with ,paul and ,barnabas1 to all the churches that were offended or endangered1 that both by written decrees and word of mouth1 the churches might be established in faith and peace4 ,fifthly1 ,here were several authoritative and juridical acts of power1 put forth in this synod1 according to the exigency of the present distempers of the churches4 ,this appears plainly1 #a4 ,by the proceedings of the synod in accommodating a suitable and proportionable remedy to every malady at that time distempering the ,church1 viz4 a triple medicine for a threefold disease4 #a4 ,against the heresy broached1 viz4 that they must be circumcised and keep the ceremonial law of ,moses1 or else they could not be saved1 ,acts xv4 #b4 ,the synod put forth a doctrinal power1 in confutation of the heresy1 and clear vindication of the truth1 about the great point of justification by faith without the works of the law1 ,acts xv4 #g-bc2 and 7,independents themselves being judges7 a doctrinal decision of matters of faith by a lawful synod1 far surpasseth the doctrinal determination of any single teacher1 or of the presbytery of any single congregation2 and is to be reverently received of the churches as a binding ordinance of ,christ4 #b4 ,against the schism1 occasioned by the doctrine of the false teachers that troubled the ,church1 ,acts xv4 #a1 #b1 the synod put forth a censuring power1 stigmatizing the false teachers with the infamous brands of troubling the ,church with words1 subverting of souls1 and 7tacitly1 as some conceive from that expression1 ,unto whom we gave no such commandment1 ver4 #bd7 of belying the apostles and elders of ,jerusalem1 as if they had sent them abroad to preach this doctrine4 ,object4 ,but the synod proceeded not properly to censure the false teachers by any ecclesiastical admonition1 or excommunication2 therefore the power exercised in the synod was only doctrinal1 and not properly juridical4 ,ans4 #a4 ,they censured them in some degree1 and that with a mark of infamy1 ver4 #bd1 as was manifested4 ,and this was not only a warning and hint to the churches1 to note such false teachers1 avoid them1 and withdraw from them1 compare ,rom4 xvi4 #ag1 #ah1 with #a ,tim4 vi4 #c-e2 but also was a virtual admonition to the false teachers themselves1 while their doctrines and ways were so expressly condemned4 #b4 ,they proceeded not to present excommunication1 it is granted2 nor was it at first dash seasonable1 prudent1 or needful4 ,but the synod knew well1 that if these false teachers1 after this synodal mark of disgrace set upon them1 should still persist in their course1 incurably and incorrigibly obstinate1 they might in due time be excommunicated by course2 it being a clear case in itself that such heretics or schismatics1 as otherwise cannot be reduced1 are not to be suffered1 but to be cast out of the churches4 ,an heretic1 after once or twice admonition1 reject1 ,tit4 iii4 #aj1 #aa2 see ,rev4 ii4 #b1 #ad1 #bj4 #c4 ,against the scandal of the weak ,jews1 and their heart-estrangement from the ,gentiles1 who neglected their ceremonial observances1 as also against the scandal of the ,gentiles1 who were much troubled and offended at the urging of circumcision1 and the keeping of the law as necessary to salvation1 ver4 #a1 #b1 #ai1 #bd1 the synod put forth an ordering or regulating power1 framing practical rules or constitutions for the healing of the scandal1 and for prevention of the spreading of it1 commanding the brethren of the several churches to abstain from divers things that might any way occasion the same3 ,it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost1 and to us1 to impose 7or lay7 upon you no further burden than these necessary things1 ,acts xv4 #bh1 #bi4 ,here is burden and necessary things1 7so judged to be necessary for those times1 and that state of the ,church17 and imposing of these upon the churches3 will not this amount to a plain ordering power and authority8 ,especially considering that the word to impose1 or lay on1 when it is used of the judgment1 act1 or sentence of an assembly1 ordinarily signifies an authoritative judgment1 or decree1 as1 ,why tempt ye ,god1 to lay1 or impose1 a yoke upon the neck of the disciples8 ,acts xv4 #aj4 ,thus some in the synod endeavored to carry the synod with themselves1 authoritatively to have imposed the ceremonies upon the churches2 whom ,peter thus withstands4 ,so1 ,they bind heavy burdens1 and hard to be borne1 and impose them upon men's shoulders1 ,matt1 xxiii4 #d3 and this laying on of burdens by the ,pharisees1 was not by a bare doctrinal declaring1 but by an authoritative commanding1 as seems by that1 teaching for doctrines the commandments of men1 ,matt4 xv4 #i4 #b4 ,by the title or denomination given to the synodal results contained in their letters sent to the brethren4 ,they are styled1 ,the decrees ordained1 or judged1 ,acts xvi4 #d4 ,here are plainly juridical authoritative constitutions4 ,for it is very observable1 ,that wheresoever the words translated decree or decrees are found in the ,new ,testament1 thereby are denoted1 laws1 statutes1 or decrees3 as ,decrees of ,csar1 ,acts xvii4 #g3 ,a decree from ,csar1 ,luke ii4 #a3 ,moses' ceremonial law1 ,the hand-writing to ordinances1 ,col4 ii4 #ad3 ,the law of commandments in ordinances1 ,eph4 ii4 #ae3 and this word is found used only in these five places in the whole ,new ,testament3 and the ,septuagint interpreters often use the word in the ,old ,testament to this purpose2 for laws1 ,dan4 vi4 #h2 for decrees1 ,dan4 ii4 #ac1 and iii4 #aj1 #bi1 and iv4 #c1 and vi4 #i4 ,and the other word translated ordained1 when applied to an assembly by the ,septuagint1 is used for a judgment of authority1 as1 ,and what was decreed against her1 ,esth4 ii4 #a2 and so a word derived from it1 signifies a decree1 ,dan4 iv4 #ad1 #ba4 ,in this sense also the word is sometimes used in the ,new ,testament1 when applied to assemblies2 as1 ,take ye him1 and judge him according to your law1 ,john xviii4 #ca2 ,whom we laid hold upon1 and would have judged according to our law1 ,acts xxiv4 #f4 ,now1 if there be so much power and authority engraven upon these two words severally1 how strongly do they hold forth authority1 when they are applied to any thing jointly1 as here to the synodal decisions6 #c4 ,by the consequent of these synodal proceedings1 viz4 the cheerful submission of the churches thereunto4 ,this appears both in the church of ,antioch1 where the troubles first were raised by the false teachers2 where1 when the epistle of the synod was read1 they rejoiced for the consolation1 ,acts xv4 #cj1 #ca2 and ,judas and ,silas exhorted and confirmed the brethren by word of mouth1 according to the synod's direction1 ver4 #cb2 and in other churches1 to which ,paul and ,timothy delivered the decrees ordained by the apostles and elders which were at ,jerusalem2 and so were the churches confirmed in the faith1 and abounded in number daily1 ,acts xvi4 #d1 #e2 whence we have these evidences of the churches' submission to the synodal decrees3 #a4 ,the decrees are counted by the churches a consolation4 #b4 ,they were so welcome to them1 that they rejoiced for the consolation4 #c4 ,they were hereby notably confirmed in the faith1 against the false doctrines broached among them4 #d4 ,the churches abounded in number daily1 the scandal and stumbling-blocks that troubled the ,church being removed out of the way4 ,how should such effects so quickly have followed upon the publication of the synodal decrees1 in the several churches1 had not the churches looked upon that synod as vested with juridical power and authority for composing and imposing of these their determinations8 ,,assertion ,,ii4 ,that this juridical synod is for a rule to the churches of ,christ in all succeeding ages1 there need no new considerations for proof hereof2 only let the reader please to look back to ,position iv4 of the last chapter1 where the substance of those considerations which urge the pattern of presbyteries and presbyterial government for a rule to succeeding churches1 is applicable 7by change of terms7 to the pattern of juridical synods4#aae ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,of the subordination of particular churches to greater assemblies for their authoritative and judicial determination of causes ecclesiastical1 and the divine right thereof4 ,the divine right of ecclesiastical assemblies1 congregational1 classical1 and synodal1 and of their power for church government1 being thus evidenced by the ,scriptures1 now in the last place take a few words briefly touching the subordination of the lesser to the greater assemblies1 and the divine warrant thereof4 ,in asserting the subordination of particular churches to higher assemblies1 whether classical or synodal1 #a4 ,it is not denied1 but particular churches have within themselves power of discipline entirely1 so far as any cause in debate particularly and peculiarly concerneth themselves1 and not others4 #b4 ,it is granted1 that where there is no consociation1 or neighborhood of single churches1 whereby they may mutually aid one another1 there a single congregation must not be denied entire jurisdiction2 but this falls not within the compass of ordinary rules of church government left us by ,christ4 ,if there be but one congregation in a kingdom or province1 that particular congregation may do much by itself alone1 which it ought not to do where there are neighboring and adjacent churches that might associate therewith for mutual assistance4 #c4 ,it is granted1 that every single congregation hath equal power1 one as much as another1 and that there is no subordination of one to another2 according to that common and known axiom1 ,an equal hath no power or rule over an equal4 ,subordination prelatical1 which is of one or more parishes to the prelate and his cathedral1 is denied2 all particular churches being collateral1 and of the same authority4 #d4 ,it is granted1 that classical or synodal authority cannot be by ,scripture introduced over a particular church in a privative or destructive way to that power which ,god hath bestowed upon it2 but contrarily it is affirmed1 that all the power of assemblies1 which are above particular congregations1 is cumulative and perfective to the power of those inferior congregations4 #e4 ,it is granted1 that the highest ecclesiastical assembly in the world cannot require from the lowest a subordination absolute1 and at their own mere will and pleasure1 but only in some respect2 subordination absolute being only to the law of ,god laid down in ,scripture4 ,we detest popish tyranny1 which claims a power of giving their will for a law4 ',tis subjection in the ,lord that is pleaded for3 the straightest rule in the world1 unless the holy ,scripture1 we affirm to be a rule to be regulated2 peace being only in walking according to ,scripture canon1 ,gal4 vi4 ver4 #af4 #f4 ,nor is it the question whether friendly1 consultative1 fraternal1 ,christian advice or direction1 be either to be desired or bestowed by neighboring churches1 either apart or in their synodal meetings1 for the mutual benefit of one another1 by reason of that holy profession in which they are all conjoined and knit together3 for this will be granted on all hands1 though when it is obtained1 it will not amount to a sufficient remedy in many cases4 ,but this is that which we maintain1 viz4 that the law of ,god holdeth forth a subordination of a particular church to greater assemblies1 consisting of divers choice members1 taken out of several single congregations3 which assemblies have authoritative power and ecclesiastical jurisdiction over that particular church1 by way of giving sentence in and deciding of causes ecclesiastical4 ,for confirmation of this assertion1 thus3 ,argum4 ,i4 ,the light of nature may be alleged to prove1 that there ought to be this subordination3 this is warranted not only by ,god's positive law1 but even by nature's law4 ,the church is a company of people who are not outlawed by nature4 ,the visible church being an ecclesiastical polity1 and the perfection of all polity1 doth comprehend in it whatsoever is excellent in all other bodies political4 ,the church must resemble the commonwealth's government in things common to both1 and which have the same use in both4 ,the law of nature directs unto diversities of courts in the commonwealth1 and the greater to have authority over the lesser4 ,the church is not only to be considered as employed in holy services1 or as having assemblies exercised in spiritual things1 and after a spiritual manner1 but it is also to be considered as consisting of companies and societies of men to be regularly ordered1 and so far nature agreeth to it1 that it should have divers sorts of assemblies1 and the lower subordinate to the higher4 ,that particular parts should be subject to the whole for the good of the whole1 is found necessary both in bodies natural and politic4 ,is the foot to be lanced8 though it have a particular use of its own1 and a peculiar employment1 yet it is to be ordered by the eye1 the hand1 and the rest4 ,kingdoms have their several cities and towns1 which all have their governments apart by themselves2 yet for the preservation of the whole1 all join together in the ,parliament4 ,armies and navies have their several companies and ships1 yet in any danger every particular company and ship is ordered by the counsels and directions of the officers and guides of the whole army or navy4 ,the ,church is spiritual1 but yet a kingdom1 a body1 an army1 c4 ,d4 ,ames himself affirms that the light of nature requires that particular churches ought to combine in synods for things of greater moment4 ,the ,god of nature and reason hath not left in his word a government against the light of nature and right reason4 ,appeals are of divine and natural right1 and certainly very necessary in every society1 because of the iniquity and ignorance of judges4 ,that they are so1 the practices of all ages and nations sufficiently testify4 ,argum4 ,,ii4 ,the ,jewish church government affords a second argument4 ,if in that they had synagogues in every city1 which were subordinate to the supreme ecclesiastical court at ,jerusalem1 then there ought to be a subordination of particular churches among us to higher assemblies2 but so it was among them3 therefore1 ,that the subordination was among them of the particular synagogues to the assembly at ,jerusalem1 is clear--,deut4 xvii4 #h1 #ab2 #b ,chron4 xix4 #h1 #aa2 ,exod4 xviii4 #bb1 #bf4 ,that therefore it ought to be so among us1 is as plain3 for the dangers and difficulties that they were involved in without a government1 and for which ,god caused that government to be set up among them1 are as great if not greater among us1 and therefore why should we want the same means of prevention and cure8 ,are not we in greater danger of heresies now in the time of the ,new ,testament1 the churches therein being thereby to be exercised by way of trial1 as the apostle foretells1 #a ,cor4 xi4 #ai8 ,doth not ungodliness in these last times abound1 according to the same apostle's prediction8 ,is there not now a more free and permitted intercourse of society with infidels than in those times8 ,nor are the exceptions against this argument of any strength3 as1 #a4 ,that arguments for the form of church government must yet be fetched from the ,jewish ,church2 the government of the ,jews was ceremonial and typical1 and ,christians must not ,judaize1 nor use that ,judaical compound of subordination of churches3 the ,mosaical polity is abrogated now under the ,new ,testament4 ,not to tell those that make this exception1 #a4 ,that none argue so much from the ,jewish government as themselves for the power of congregations1 both in ordination and excommunication1 because the people of ,israel laid hands on the ,levites1 and all ,israel were to remove the unclean2 #b4 ,we answer1 the laws of the ,jewish church1 whether ceremonial or judicial1 so far are in force1 even at this day1 as they were grounded upon common equity1 the principles of reason and nature1 and were serving to the maintenance of the moral law4 ',tis of especial right1 that the party unjustly aggrieved should have redress1 that the adverse party should not be sole judge and party too1 that judgment ought not to be rashly or partially passed upon any4 ,the ,jewish polity is only abrogated in regard of what was in it of particular right1 not of common right3 so far as there was in their laws either a typicalness proper to their church1 or a peculiarness of respect to their state in that land of promise given unto them4 ,whatsoever was in their laws of moral concernment or general equity1 is still obliging2 whatsoever the ,jewish ,church had not as ,jewish1 but as it was a political church1 or an ecclesiastical republic1 7among which is the subordination of ecclesiastical courts to be reckoned17 doth belong to the ,christian ,church3 that all judgments were to be determined by an high-priest1 was typical of ,christ's supremacy in judicature2 but that there were gradual judicatories for the ease of an oppressed or grieved party1 there can be no ceremony or type in this4 ,this was not learned by ,moses in the pattern of the ,mount1 but was taught by the light of nature to ,jethro1 ,exod4 xviii4 #bb1 and by him given in advice to ,moses4 ,this did not belong unto the peculiar dispensation of the ,jews1 but unto the good order of the church4 ,to conclude our answer to this exception1 if the benefit of appeals be not as free to us as to the ,jews1 the yoke of the gospel should be more intolerable than the yoke of the law2 the poor afflicted ,christian might groan and cry under an unjust and tyrannical eldership1 and no ecclesiastical judicatory to relieve him2 whereas the poor oppressed ,jew might appeal to the ,sanhedrin3 certainly this is contrary to that prophecy of ,christ1 ,psal4 lxxii4 #ab1 #ad4 ,argum4 ,,iii4 ,a third argument to prove the subordination of particular congregations1 is taken from the institution of our ,saviour ,christ1 of gradual appeals1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ag1 #ah1 where our ,saviour hath appointed a particular member of a church 7if scandalous7 to be gradually dealt withal2 first to be reproved in private1 then to be admonished before two or three witnesses1 and last of all to be complained of to the church3 whence we thus argue3 ,if ,christ hath instituted that the offence of an obstinate brother should be complained of to the church2 then much more is it intended that the obstinacy of a great number1 suppose of a whole church1 should be brought before a higher assembly3 but the former is true1 therefore the latter4 ,the consequence1 wherein the strength of the argument lies1 is proved several ways4 #a4 ,from the rule of proportion3 by what proportion one or two are subject to a particular church1 by the same proportion is that church subject to a provincial or a national assembly2 and by the same proportion that one congregation is governed by the particular eldership representing it1 by the same proportion are ten or twelve congregations governed by a classical presbytery representing them all4 #b4 ,from the sufficiency of that remedy that ,christ here prescribes for those emergent exigencies under which the ,church may lie2 since1 therefore1 offences may as well arise between two persons in the same congregation1 ,christ hath appointed that particular congregations1 as well as members1 shall have liberty to complain and appeal to a more general judgment for redress3 the salve here prescribed by ,christ is equal to the sore2 if the sore of scandal may overspread whole churches1 as well as particular persons1 then certainly the salve of appeals and subordination is here also appointed4 ,if a man be scandalized by the neighbor-church1 to whom shall he complain8 ,the church offending must not be both judge and party4 #c4 ,from that ecclesiastical communion that is between churches and churches in one and the same province or nation1 whereby churches are joined and united together in doctrine and discipline into one body1 as well as divers particular persons in a particular congregation2 since1 therefore1 scandals may be committed among them that are in that holy communion one with another1 most unworthy of and destructive to that sacred league1 certainly those scandals should be redressed by a superior judicatory1 as well as offences between brother and brother4 #d4 ,he that careth for a part of a church must much more care for the whole2 he whose love extends itself to regard the conversion of one1 is certainly very careful of the spiritual welfare of many1 the edification of a whole church2 the influence of ,christ's love being poured upon the whole body1 bride and spouse1 by order of nature1 before it redound to the benefit of a finger or toe1 viz4 some one single person or other4 ,nor are the exceptions against this institution of gradual appeals of any moment4 ,the grand one1 and that makes directly against our position is1 that our ,saviour would have the controversy between brother and brother to be terminated in a peculiar church1 and that its judgment should be ultimately requested1 he saith1 ,tell the church1 not churches4 ,the subordination here appointed by ,christ is of fewer to more1 but still within the same church1 not without it4 ,to which we answer1 our ,saviour means not by church only one single particular congregation1 but also several1 combined in their officers1 as appears by these following reasons4 #a4 ,a particular church in sundry cases cannot decide the difference1 or heal the distemper our ,saviour prescribes against2 as when a particular church is divided into two parts1 both in opposition one to the other2 or when one church is at variance with another2 if ,christ here limits only to a particular church1 how shall such distempers be remedied8 #b4 ,when ,christ bids tell the church1 he speaks in allusion to the ,jewish ,church1 which was represented not only by parts in the single synagogue or congregation1 but wholly in their sanhedrin1 consisting of select persons1 appointed by ,god1 for deciding controversies incident to their particular congregations1 and their members4 ,so that we may thus reason3 the subordination here established by ,christ is so far to be extended in the ,christian ,church1 as in the ,church of the ,jews1 for ,christ alludeth to the ,jewish practice2 but in the ,jewish ,church there was a subordination of fewer to more1 not only within the same synagogue or congregation1 but within the whole nation1 for all synagogues were under the great council at ,jerusalem4 ,now that ,christ gives here the same rule that was of old given to the ,jews for church government1 is clear1 #a4 ,from the censure of the obstinate1 who was to be reputed a heathen and a publican2 wherein is a manifest allusion to the present estate of the ,church of the ,jews2 and1 #b4 ,from the familiarity and plainness of ,christ's speech1 ,tell the church1 which church could not have been understood by the disciples had not ,christ spoken of the ,jewish judicatory2 besides which they knew none for such offences as ,christ spake of to them1 there being no particular church which had given its name to ,christ3 as also1 #c4 ,from his citing the words of that text1 ,deut4 xix4 #ae1 where the witnesses and offenders were1 by way of further appeal1 to stand before the ,lord1 before the priests for judgment1 ver4 #ag4 #c4 ,it is plain that our ,saviour intended a liberty of going beyond a particular congregation for determining cases of controversy1 from the reason of that subordination which ,christ enjoins1 of one to two or three1 and of them to the church4 ,the reason of that gradual progress there set down1 was because in the increase of numbers and greatness of assemblies1 more wisdom1 judgment1 and gravity is supposed to be1 than in the admonitions of a few and smaller number2 now1 then1 this power of right admonition increaseth with the number of admonishers1 as well without as within the same congregation2 if ten go beyond two in wisdom and gravity1 forty will go beyond ten1 and be more likely to win upon the offender1 and regain him4 ,argum4 ,,iv4 ,a fourth argument is taken from the pattern of the apostolical churches1 ,acts xv4 ,the church of ,antioch 7though presbyterial1 as was proved ,chapter ,,xiii41 ,position ,,ii47 was subordinate to the synod at ,jerusalem2 therefore a particular church is subordinate to higher assemblies1 c4 ,if a synodal decree did bind them in those times1 then may it bind particular churches now1 and these ought even still to be subject to synods4 ,the consequence is undeniable1 unless we hold that what the synod there imposed was unjust1 or that we have now less need of those remedies than they had2 nay1 since the apostles 7who were assisted with an extraordinary spirit of inspiration7 would nevertheless in a doubtful business have synodal conventions for determining of controversies1 much more ought we to do so whose gifts are far inferior to theirs2 and unless it had been in their determination to leave us their example of a synodal way of church government for our pattern1 they had not wanted the meeting together of so many with them for decision of the doubt1 whose doctrine was infallible1 and of itself1 without an assembly1 to be believed4 ,the exceptions against this pattern of church polity are of no validity1 e4g4 #a4 ,this was no synod4 ,first1 that it was no synod appears1 in that we read of no word of a synod4 ,secondly1 no commissioners from ,syria and ,cilicia1 which churches should have sent their delegates1 had they been a synod1 and had their decrees been to have bound in a synodal way4 ,thirdly1 all the believers had voices here4 #b4 ,if it were a synod1 yet it is no pattern for us1 in regard it was consisting of members guided by an infallible and apostolical spirit4 ,we answer1 #a4 ,here is the thing synod1 though not the word1 which is a meeting consisting of the deputies of many single churches4 #b4 ,that ,jerusalem and ,antioch had their commissioners there1 is evident2 and by consequence many single churches had their commissioners1 for there were many single congregations at ,jerusalem and ,antioch1 as hath been proved1 ,chapter ,,xiii41 ,position ,,ii42 that these met together1 the word used1 verse #f1 they came together1 evidenceth1 and verse #be4 ,for the churches of ,syria and ,cilicia not sending their commissioners1 it follows not that because they are not named1 therefore they were not there2 and if they were not there1 therefore they ought not to have been3 but it is rather thought ,syria and ,cilicia had commissioners there1 in regard the synodal decrees are directed to them as well as others1 and the decrees bound them1 which they could not do as formal ,scripture2 for the words1 it seemeth good to us1 and their submitting the matter to disputation1 argue the contrary2 therefore as synodal decrees1 which inasmuch as they bound those churches1 they either were present1 or were obliged to be present by their commissioners4 #c4 ,to that exception1 that the multitude of believers had voices there1 and therefore it is not one of our synods1 ver4 #bb-- ,we answer1 it can nowise be proved that every particular believer had a suffrage in the assembly4 ,eminent divines#aaf understand by multitude and church1 the multitude and whole church of apostles and elders1 who are said to be gathered together1 verse #f1 to consider of the matter2 besides which no other multitude is said to be gathered together1 while the matter was in debate2 yet we shall not deny even to other members the liberty of their consent and approbation1 and freedom to examine all determinations by the rule of ,god's word3 but the ordaining and forming those decrees is here evinced to be by the apostles and elders1 when as they are called their decrees1 ,acts xvi4 #d1f4 #c4 ,those only had definitive votes1 who met together synodically to consider of the question2 but they were only the apostles and elders1 ,acts xv4 #f4 ,that the epistle is sent in the name of all1 is granted2 because it was sent by common consent1 and withal thereby was added some more weight to the message4 #d4 ,further1 if the believers of ,jerusalem voted in that assembly1 by what authority was it8 ,how could they impose a burden upon1 and command decrees unto the churches of ,syria and ,cilicia1 and other churches1 who1 according to our brethren's opinion1 were not only absent in their commissioners1 but independent in their power8 ,to the exception1 that other synods may not pretend to the privileges of that1 since its decrees were indited by the ,holy ,ghost2 and therefore no pattern for our imitation-- ,ans4 ,the decrees of this assembly did oblige1 as synodal decrees1 not as apostolical and canonical ,scripture3 this appears several ways3 #a4 ,the apostles1 in framing these canons1 did proceed in a way synodal and ecclesiastical1 and far different from that which they used in dictating of ,scripture1 and publishing divine truths2 their decrees were brought forth by much disputation1 human disquisition1 but divine oracles are published without human reasonings1 from the immediate inditing of the ,spirit1 #b ,pet4 i4 #b4 #b4 ,besides the apostles1 there were here commissioned elders and other brethren1 men of ordinary rank1 not divinely and infallibly inspired4 ,the apostles in the penning of ,scripture consult not with elders and brethren1 7as our opposites here say they did37 our brethren make mandates of ordinary believers divine and canonical ,scripture4 #c4 ,divine writ is published only in the name of the ,lord2 but these in the name of man also1 ,it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost and to us1 ,acts xv4 #bh4 #d4 ,canonical and apostolical writing of new ,scripture shall not continue till ,christ's coming1 because the canon is complete1 ,rev4 xxii4 #ah1 #ai1 c42 but thus to decree through the assistance of the ,holy ,ghost1 who remaineth with the ,church to the end1 and to be directed by ,scripture1 shall still continue4 ,therefore this decreeing is not as the inditing of the ,holy ,scripture4 ,the minor is clear both from ,christ's promise1 ,where two or three are met together1 ,matt4 xvii4 #ah-bj2 ,matt4 viii4 #bj2 as also by the ,spirit's inspiring those councils of ,nice of old1 and ,dort of late3 ,therefore the apostles here laid aside their apostolical extraordinary power1 descending to the places of ordinary pastors1 to give them examples in future ages4 ,to conclude1 it is plain1 that all the essentials in this assembly were synodal1 as whether we consider3 #a4 ,the occasion of the meeting1 a controversy2 #b4 ,the deputation of commissioners from particular churches1 for the deciding of that controversy2 or #c4 ,the convention of those that were deputed2 or #d4 ,the discussion of the question1 they being so convened2 or #e4 ,the determination of the question so discussed2 or #f4 ,the imposition of the thing so determined2 or #g4 ,the subjection to the thing so imposed4 #a ,tim4 i4 #ag ,,to ,,the ,,immortal ,,god ,,alone ,,be ,,glory ,,for ,,ever ,,and ,,ever4 ,,footnotes3 ,footnote #a3 ,this truth1 that ,jesus ,christ is a king1 and hath a kingdom and government in his ,church distinct from the kingdoms of this world1 and from the civil government1 hath this commendation and character above all other truths1 that ,christ himself suffered to the death for it1 and sealed it with his blood4 ,for it may he observed from the story of his passion1 this was the only point of his accusation1 which was confessed and avouched by himself1 ,luke xxiii4 #c2 ,john xviii4 #cc1 #cf1 #cg2 was most aggravated1 prosecuted1 and driven home by the ,jews1 ,luke xxiii4 #b2 ,john xix4 #bb1 #bc2 was prevalent with ,pilate as the cause of condemning him to die1 ,john xix4 #ab1 #ac1 and was mentioned also in his superscription upon his cross1 ,john xix4 #ai2 and although in reference to ,god1 and in respect of satisfaction to the ,divine justice for our sins1 his death was ,greek3 lytron a price of redemption2 yet in reference to men who did persecute1 accuse1 and condemn him1 his death was ,greek3 martyrion a martyr's testimony to seal such a truth4--,mr4 ,g4 ,gillespie1 in his ,aaron's ,rod ,blossoming1 c41 ,epist4 to the ,reader4 ,footnote #b3 ,cent4 ,i4 lib4 #b1 cap4 #g1 p4 #djg ad #dah1 ,edit4 ,basil4 ,an4 #afbd4 ,de rebus ad ,gubernationem ,ecclesiae pertinentibus1 ,apostoli certos quosdam1 ,canones tradiderunt3 quos ordine subjiciemus1 c4 ,footnote #c3 ,directions of the ,lords and ,commons1 c4 ,aug4 #ai1 #afde1 p4 #aj ,footnote #d3 7#a7 ,the ancient discipline of the ,bohemian ,brethren1 published in ,latin1 in octavo1 ,anno #afcc1 pages #ii1 #ajj4 7#b7 ,the discipline of ,geneva1 ,anno #aegf1 in ,art4 #a1 #bb1 #eg1 #hf1 and #hg4 7#c7 ,the discipline of the ,french church at ,frankfort1 ,edit4 #b1 in octavo1 ,anno #aeee1 in cap4 de ,disciplina et ,excom41 p4 #ge1 and the ,ecclesiast4 ,discipline of the reformed churches of ,france1 printed at ,london1 ,anno #afdb1 ,art4 #ae1 #af1 and #bd1 p4 #dd4 7#a7 ,the ,synodal ,constitution of the ,dutch churches in ,england1 chap4 #d1 ,art4 #ac1 and ,tit4 #a1 ,art4 #b2 and the ,dutch churches in ,belgia1 7see ,harmonia ,synodorum ,belgicarum17 cap4 #ad1 ,art4 #g1 #aa1 and #ae1 p4 #afj4 7#e7 ,the reformed churches at ,nassau1 in ,germany1 as ,zeoper testifies1 ,de ,politei ,eccles41 printed ,herborne1 ,anno #afjg1 in octavo1 ,tit4 de ,censuris ,ecclesiast41 ,part #d1 ,art4 #fd1 p4 #hac4 7#f7 ,the discipline in the churches constituted by the labor of ,joannes ,lasco1 entitled ,forma ac ratio tota ,ecclesiastici ,miniterii1 c41 author ,joannes ,lasco ,poloniae ,barone1 ,anno #aeee1 p4 #bia4 7#g7 ,the discipline agreed upon by the ,english exiles that fled from the ,marian persecution to ,frankfort1 thence to ,geneva1 allowed by ,calvin2 entitled ,ratio ac forma public orandi ,deum1 c41 ,genevae1 #aeef1 ,tit4 de ,disciplina1 p4 #fh4 7#h7 ,the ,order of ,excommunication and ,public ,repentance used in the ,church of ,scotland1 ,anno #aega1 ,tit4 ,the offences that deserve public repentance1 c41 pp4 #hg1 #hh4 ,footnote #e3 ,see more in chap4 #aj1 sect4 #a4 ,footnote #f3 ,r4 ,park1 de ,polit4 ,eccl4 #a4 #b1 cap4 #db4 ,footnote #g3 ,malcolm4 ,com4 in loco4 ,footnote #h3 ,calvin in loco4 ,footnote #i3 ,chrys4 wisheth--,but1 ,o that there had not wanted one that would have delivered diligently unto us the history of the apostles1 not only what they wrote1 or what they spake1 but how they behaved themselves throughout their whole life1 both what they did eat1 and when they did eat1 when they sat1 and whither they went1 and what they did every day1 in what parts they lived1 and into what house they entered1 and whither they sailed1 and that would accurately have expounded all things2 so full of manifold utility are all things of theirs4--,chrys41 ,argum4 in ,epist4 ad ,philem4 ,and elsewhere he affirmeth1--,nor hath the grace of the ,holy ,ghost without cause left unto us these histories written1 but that he may stir us up to the imitation and emulation of such unspeakable men4 ,for when we hear of this man's patience1 of that man's soberness1 of another man's readiness to entertain strangers1 and the manifold virtue of every one1 and how every one of them did shine and become illustrious1 we are stirred up to the like zeal4 ,chrys4 in ,gen4 xxx4 #be4 ,homil4 #eg1 in initio4 ,footnote #aj3 ,for this cause1 therefore1 the conversation of these most excellent men is accurately related1 that by imitation of them our life may be rightly led on to that which is good4--,greg4 ,nyssen1 lib4 de ,vita ,mosis1 tom4 i4 p4 #agj1 vid4 tot4 lib4 ,footnote #aa3 ,perkins on ,matth4 vi4 #af4 ,see him also on ,heb4 xi4 #f1 p4 #bh1 in fol4 col4 #b1 ,b1 ,c1 c41 and on ,heb4 xi4 #bb1 p4 #aca1 col4 #b1 ,d1 and notably on ,heb4 xii4 #a1 p4 #bjj1 col4 #b1 ,c1 ,d1 c41 and on ,rev4 ii4 #ai1 p4 #cac1 col4 #a1 ,b1 and his ,art of ,prophesying1 p4 #ffc1 col4 #a and #b4 ,vide ,pet4 ,martyr in lib4 ,jud4 p4 #b1 col4 #a1 and in ,rom4 iv4 #bc1 #bd4 ,and ,calvin in ,heb4 xii4 #a2 and in ,rom4 iv4 #bc1 #bd1 and in #a4 ,pet4 i4 #ba1 c4 ,footnote #ab3 ,park4 de ,pol4 ,eccl4 #a4 #b1 c4 #db4 ,footnote #ac3 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,footnote #ad3 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ae-ah2 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,footnote #ae3 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1 #ag2 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ad1 #ae1 with all places that mention any thing of government4 ,footnote #af3 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa1 #ab2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 ,john xx4 #ba-bc2 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h4 ,footnote #ag3 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xxviii4 #ai2 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc2 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,footnote #ah3 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 ,acts vi4 #d2 #b ,tim4 iv4 #b4 ,footnote #ai3 ,matt1 xxviii4 #ah-bj2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bd4 ,footnote #bj3 ,matt1 xviii4 #ae-ag2 ,tit4 iii4 #ai2 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj2 #a ,cor4 v4 #d1 #e1 #ac2 #b ,cor4 ii4 #f3 #a ,tim4 i4 #bj2 #b ,cor4 ii #g1 #h1 c4 ,footnote #ba3 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a4 ,footnote #bb3 #b ,cor4 x4 #h1 and xiii4 #aj4 ,footnote #bc3 ,greek3 ,ekklaesia1 ,acts xix4 #cb1 #ci1 #dj2 ,eph4 v4 #bc2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #ih4 ,footnote #bd3 ,cameron4 ,praelect de ,eccles4 in fol4 pp4 #bif-bih4 ,footnote #be3 ,who in relating such things can refrain from weeping8 ,footnote #bf3 ,see ,mr4 ,edwards's ,antapologia1 page #bja1 printed in anno #afdd1 proving this out of their own books4 ,especially see a little book in #abmo4 printed in anno #afdf1 styled a collection of certain matters1 which almost in every page pleads for ,independency and ,independents by name3 from which most of the ,independent principles seem to be derived4 ,footnote #bg3 ,let not any man put off this ,scripture1 saying1 ,this is in the ,old ,testament1 but we find no such thing in the gospel2 for we find the same thing1 almost the same words used in a prophecy of the times of the gospel1 ,zech4 xiii4 #c4 ,in the latter end of the xii4 chapter1 it is prophesied that those who pierced ,christ1 should look upon him and mourn1 c41 having a spirit of grace and supplication poured upon them1 chap4 xiii4 #a4 ,there shall now be opened a fountain for sin1 and for uncleanness1 ver4 #c4 ,it shall come to pass that he that takes upon him to prophesy1 that his father and mother that begat him1 shall say unto him1 ,thou shalt not live1 for thou speakest lies in the name of the ,lord3 and his father and his mother that begat him1 shall thrust him through1 when he prophesieth4 ,you must understand this by that in ,deuteronomy4 ,the meaning is not that his father or mother should presently run a knife into him1 but that though they begat him1 yet they should be the means to bring him to condign punishment1 even the taking away his life2 these who were the instruments of his life1 should now be the instruments of his death4--,mr4 ,jer4 ,burroughs in ills ,irenicum1 chap4 v41 ,pages #ai1 #bj1 printed #afdf4 ,footnote #bh3 ,but schismatics and heretics are called evil-workers1 ,phil4 iii4 #b2 and heresy is classed among the works of the flesh1 ,gal4 v4 #bj4 ,footnote #bi3 ,mr4 ,burroughs in his ,irenicum1 c4v4 page #be2 printed #afdf4 ,footnote #cj3 ,see this evidenced upon divers grounds in ,appollon4 jus ,majest41 pp4 #be1 #bf4 ,footnote #ca3 ,see ,m4,s4 to ,a4,s41 pages #ee-fj4 ,footnote #cb3 ,the civil magistrate is no proper church officer1 as was intimated1 ,part #a c4 #a41 and will be further evidenced in this chapter4 ,footnote #cc3 ,that the civil magistrate is not the vicar of ,christ our ,mediator1 see abundantly proved by ,mr4 ,s4 ,rutherford1 in his ,divine ,right of ,church ,government1 c41 ,ch4 #bg1 ,quest4 #bc1 pages #eie to #fdg4 ,footnote #cd3 ,the formal difference or distinction betwixt these two powers1 is fully and clearly asserted by that learned bishop1 ,usher1 in these words3 ,god1 for the better settling of piety and honesty among men1 and the repressing of profaneness and other vices1 hath established two distinct powers upon earth3 the one of the keys1 committed to the ,church2 the other of the sword1 committed to the civil magistrate4 ,that of the keys1 is ordained to work upon the inward man2 having immediate relation to the remitting or retaining of sins1 ,john xx4 #bc4 ,that of the sword is appointed to work upon the outward man2 yielding protection to the obedient1 and inflicting external punishment upon the rebellious and disobedient4 ,by the former1 the spiritual officers of the ,church of ,christ are inclinable to govern well1 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,to speak1 and exhort1 and rebuke with all authority1 ,tit4 ii4 #ae4 ,to loose such as are penitent1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai1 and xviii4 #ah4 ,to commit others to the ,lord's prison1 until their amendment1 or to bind them over to the judgment of the great day1 if they shall persist in their wilfulness and obstinacy4 ,by the other1 princes have an imperious power assigned by ,god unto them1 for the defence of such as do well1 and executing revenge and wrath1 ,rom4 xiii4 #d1 upon such as do evil1 whether by death1 or banishment1 or confiscation of goods1 or imprisonment1 ,ezra vii4 #bf1 according to the quality of the offence4 ,when ,st4 ,peter1 that had the keys committed unto him1 made bold to draw the sword1 he was commanded to put it up1 ,matt4 xxvi4 #eb1 as a weapon that he had no authority to meddle withal4 ,and on the other side1 when ,uzziah the king would venture upon the execution of the priest's office1 it was said unto him1 ',it pertaineth not unto thee1 ,uzziah1 to burn incense unto the ,lord1 but to the priests1 the sons of ,aaron1 that are consecrated to burn incense1' #b ,chron4 xxvi4 #ah4 ,let this therefore be our second conclusion3 ,that the power of the sword1 and of the keys1 are two distinct ordinances of ,god2 and that the prince hath no more authority to enter upon the execution of any part of the priest's function1 than the priest hath to intrude upon any part of the office of the prince4 ,in his speech delivered in the ,castle-chamber at ,dublin1 c41 concerning the oath of supremacy1 pages #c1 #d1 #e4 ,further differences betwixt these two powers1 see in ,gillespie's ,aaron's ,rod1 ,book #b1 ,chap4 #d4 ,footnote #ce3 ,see this proposition for substance fully and clearly asserted by that acute and pious author1 ,mr4 ,p4 ,bains1 in his ,diocesan's ,trial1 quest4 #c1 pages #hc1 #hd1 conclus4 #c4 ,footnote #cf3 ,see ,cotton's ,keys1 c41 pp4 #ca-cc1 and ,mr4 ,thomas ,goodwin1 and ,mr4 ,philip ,nye1 in their epistle prefixed thereunto1 do own this book as being for substance their own judgment4 ,footnote #cg3 ,see that judicious treatise1 ,vindiciae ,clavium1 chap4 ,,iii4 ,,iv4 ,v41 pp4 #cc-eb4 ,footnote #ch3 ,john ,cameron1 ,praelect4 in ,matt1 xviii4 #ae1 p4 #adi-aea1 in fol1 and ,baine's ,diocesan's ,trial1 the third quest1 pp4 #gi1 #hj1 and ,d4 ,parcus in ,matt4 xviii4 #ae4 ,this is fully discussed and proved by ,mr4 ,rutherford in his ,peaceable ,plea1 ,chap4 viii4 p4 #he1 c4 ,footnote #ci3 ,a difference arose betwixt two gentlemen in that church about singing of hymns3 the second gentleman was complained of to the church by the first1 and upon hearing of the whole business1 and all the words that passed between them1 this second gentleman was censured by the church1 and ,mr4 ,nye charged sin upon him 7that was the phrase7 in many particulars1 and still at the end of every charge ,mr4 ,nye repeated1 this was your sin4 ,after this censure1 so solemnly done1 the gentleman censured brings in accusations against ,mr4 ,nye1 in several articles1 charging him with pride1 want of charity1 c41 in the manner of the censure2 and this being brought before the church1 continued in debate about half a year1 three or four days in a week1 and sometimes more1 before all the congregation4 ,divers of the members having callings to follow1 they desired to have leave to be absent4 ,mr4 ,goodwin oft professed publicly upon these differences1 ,if this were their church fellowship1 he would lay down his eldership2 and nothing was more commonly spoke among the members1 than that certainly for matter of discipline they were not in the right way1 for that there was no way of bringing things to an end4 ,at last1 after more than half a year's debate1 not being able to bring these differences to an end1 and being come into ,england1 they had their last meeting about it1 to agree not to publish it abroad when they came into ,england1 c4 ,mr4 ,edwards's ,antapolog41 pp4 #cf1 #cg4 ,footnote #dj3 ,mr4 ,j4 ,cotton1 in his ,way of the ,churches of ,christ in ,new ,england1 chap1 ii4 sect4 #g1 p4 #dc4 ,footnote #da3 ,were the power in the church1 the church should not only call them1 but make them out of virtue and power received into herself2 then should the church have a true lordlike power in regard of her ministers4 ,besides1 there are many in the community of ,christians incapable of this power regularly1 as women and children4 ,mr4 ,p4 ,bain in his ,diocesan's ,trial1 quest4 #c1 conclus4 #c1 page #hd1 printed #afba4 ,footnote #db3 ,if spiritual and ecclesiastical power be in the church or community of the faithful1 the church doth not only call1 but make officers out of virtue and power received into herself1 and then should the church have a true lordlike power in regard of her ministers4 ,for1 as he that will derive authority to the church1 maketh himself lord of the church1 so1 if the church derive authority to the ministers of ,christ1 she maketh herself lady or mistress over them1 in the exercise of that lordlike authority2 for1 as all men know1 it is the property of the lord and master to impart authority4 ,did the church give power to the pastors and teachers1 she might make the sacrament and preaching which one doth in order1 no sacrament1 no preaching2 for it is the order instituted of ,god that giveth being and efficacy to these ordinances2 and if the power of ruling1 feeding1 and dispensing the holy things of ,god do reside in the faithful1 the word and sacrament1 in respect of dispensation and efficacy1 shall depend upon the order and institution of the society4 ,if the power of the keys be derived from the community of the faithful1 then are all officers immediately and formally servants to the church1 and must do every thing in the name of the church1 rule1 feed1 bind1 loose1 remit1 and retain sins1 preach and administer the sacraments2 then they must perform their office according to the direction of the church1 more or less1 seldom or frequent1 remiss or diligent2 for from whom are they to receive direction how to carry themselves in their offices1 but from him or them of whom they receive their office1 whose work they are to do1 and from whom they must expect reward8 ,if their office and power be of ,god immediately1 they must do the duties of their place according to his designment1 and unto him they must give account2 but if their power and function be from the church1 the church must give account to ,god1 and the officers to the church1 whom she doth take to be her helpers1 c4 ,mr4 ,john ,ball1 in his ,trial of the grounds tending to separation1 chap4 xii4 pages #beb1 #bec1 c4 ,footnote #dc3 ,see ,vindiciae ,clavium1 judiciously unmasking these new notions4 ,footnote #dd3 ,here understand by this phrase1 7over you in the ,lord17 viz3 ,not only in the fear of the ,lord1 nor only in those things that appertain to ,god's worship1 but also according to the will1 and by the authority of the ,lord ,christ derived to them4 ,footnote #de3 ,see the ,apologetical narration by the five ,independents1 page #h2 and ,mr4 ,jo4 ,cotton1 at large1 asserts the divine institution of the ruling elder4 ,way of the ,churches of ,christ1 c41 chap4 #b1 sect4 #b1 page #ac-ce4 ,footnote #df3 ,calvin1 ,beza1 ,pareus1 ,pagnin4 ,footnote #dg3 ,arias ,montan4 ,footnote #dh3 ,tremel4 out of the ,syriac2 so the old ,geneva translation1 and our new translation4 ,footnote #di3 ,field1 of the ,church1 book #e1 chap4 #bf4 ,footnote #ej3 ,sutlive1 who afterwards declared1 that he was sorry with all his heart1 that ever he put pen to paper to write against ,beza as he had done1 in behalf of the proud domineering prelates2 and he spoke this with great indignation4 ,footnote #ea3 ,mat4 ,sutliv4 de ,presbyterio1 cap4 #ab1 p4 #hg1 edit4 #aeia4 ,footnote #eb3 ,ibid4 pages #gb and #hg1 edit4 #aeia4 ,footnote #ec3 ,bilson's perpetual ,government of ,christ's ,church1 c4 #aj1 p4 #acf1 #acg1 #ach1 printed in ,ann4 #afaj4 ,footnote #ed3 ,that the magistrate cannot be here meant1 see fully evidenced in ,mr4 ,gillespie's ,aaron's ,rod1 c41 book ii4 chap4 #f1 pages #bah-bbd1 and also chap4 #i1 p4 #bhd4 ,footnote #ee3 ,pareas in #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh4 ,footnote #ef3 ,d4 ,field1 ,of the ,church1 book v4 chap4 xxvi4 ,footnote #eg3 ,peter ,martyr1 ,beza1 ,piscator1 and ,calvin4 ,footnote #eh3 ,calvin in #a ,pet4 v4 #b1 #c4 ,vid4 etiam ,jacob4 ,laurent4 ,comment1 in #a ,pet4 v4 #b1 #c1 ubi fusius de hac distinctione disserit1 p4 #cbb1 ad4 #cbe4 ,footnote #ei3 ,mat4 ,sutliv4 ,de ,presbyterio1 cap4 #ab1 page #gb and #hg3 edit4 ,lond41 an4 #aeia4 ,bilson's ,perpetual ,government of ,christ's ,church1 chap4 #aj1 page #ada2 in #dto4 printed in anno #afaj4 ,footnote #fj3 ,vide ,calv4 in loc4 ,footnote #fa3 ,sutlive4 ,footnote #fb3 ,whitgift4 ,footnote #fc3 ,coleman4 ,footnote #fd3 ,who desire more full satisfaction touching this poor and empty gloss1 that the civil magistrate should be meant by these governments1 let them consult ,mr4 ,gillespie's elaborate treatise1 called ,aaron's ,rod ,blossoming1 book #b1 chap1 #f1 pp4 #bah to #bbd4 ,footnote #fe3 ,bilson4 ,footnote #ff3 ,mr4 ,rutherford in his ,due ,right of ,presbyteries1 p4 #ade4 ,footnote #fg3 ,calvin1 ,beza1 c4 on this place4 ,footnote #fh3 ,see ,gillespie's ,aaron's ,rod1 book #b1 chap4 #i4 ,footnote #fi3 ,mr4 ,rutherford in his ,due ,rights of ,presbyteries1 chap4 #g1 sec4 #g1 pages #ade-adg4 ,footnote #gj3 ,beza1 ,piscata1 ,calvin1 on this verse4 ,footnote #ga3 ,bilson's ,perpetual ,government of ,christ's ,church1 chap4 x4 pages #acj1 #aca4 ,footnote #gb3 ,altar4 ,damas4 cap4 xii41 page #iah and page #ibj4 ,footnote #gc3 ,b4 ,king1 in his ,sermon on ,cant4 viii41 ,bilson in his ,perpetual ,government of ,christ's ,church1 c4 x4 page #acb1 c4 ,footnote #gd3 ,b4 ,king1 in his ,sermon on ,cant4 viii41 page #dj4 ,footnote #ge3 ,b4 ,whitgift in his ,defence against ,cartwright's first ,reply4 ,this is one of ,d4 ,field's three glosses4 ,field1 ,of the ,church1 lib v41 chap4 #bf4 ,footnote #gf3 ,bishops that have no tolerable gift of teaching1 are like idols1 their cases1 or rather coffins1 set up in the church's choice4 ,cartwright ,testam4 ,annot41 in #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,footnote #gg3 ,altar4 ,damasc4 chap1 xii41 page #iai4 ,footnote #gh3 ,bridge1 ,hussey4 ,footnote #gi3 ,altar4 ,damasc4 chap1 xii41 page #iai4 ,footnote #hj3 ,sutlive4 ,footnote #ha3 ,sutlive1 ,de ,presbyterio1 cap4 #ab1 pages #gb1 #gc4 ,footnote #hb3 ,bilson's ,government of the ,church1 page #acc4 ,footnote #hc3 ,sutlive1 ,de ,presbyterio1 c4 #ab1 pages #gb1 #gc4 ,footnote #hd3 ,bilson1 page #ace4 ,footnote #he3 ,field1 ,book v4 ,footnote #hf3 ,bilson1 page #acc4 ,footnote #hg3 ,field1 ,book v4 ,footnote #hh3 ,d4 ,downham4 ,see ,altar4 ,damasc4 c4 xii4 page #ibd4 ,footnote #hi3 ,chrysost4 ,homil4 #ae1 in #a ,tim4 #e1 ,hier4 in #a ,tim4 cap4 #e1 ,ambr4 in #a ,tim4 cap41 ,calv4 in #a ,tim4 cap4 #e1 ,bullinger in #a ,tim4 cap4 #e1 ,beza in #a ,tim4 #e4 ,footnote #ij3 ,bilson1 ,sutlive1 and ,downham4 ,footnote #ia3 ,the ,london ministers have here inserted the testimonies of these ancient writers in favor of the divine right of the office of the ruling elder1 viz4 ,ignatius1 ,purpurius1 ,tertullian1 ,origen1 ,cyprian1 ,optatus1 ,ambrose1 ,augustine1 and ,isidorus2 and of these three late ones1 viz4 ,whitaker1 ,thorndike1 and ,rivet4 ,the amount of their testimony1 when taken together1 appears to be simply this1 that there have been ruling elders1 as distinct from preaching elders1 in the ,church of ,christ from the beginning4 ,it is therefore judged unnecessary to give the quotations from these authors at large4--,editor4 ,footnote #ib3 ,against the office of deacons1 and the divine right thereof1 fourteen objections are answered by ,mr4 ,s4 ,rutherford in his ,due ,right of ,presbyteries1 chap4 #g1 pages #aei to #age4 ,to which the reader that shall make any scruple about the deacon's office1 is referred for his further satisfaction4 ,footnote #ic3 ,some of our brethren in ,new ,england1 observing what confusion necessarily depends upon the government which hath been practised there1 have been forced much to search into it within this four years1 and incline to acknowledge the presbyters to be the subject of the power without dependence upon the people4 ,we judge1 upon mature deliberation1 that the ordinary exercise of government must be so in the presbyters1 as not to depend upon the express votes and suffrages of the people4 ,there hath been a convent or meeting of the ministers of these parts1 about this question at ,cambridge in the ,bay1 and there we have proposed our arguments1 and answered theirs1 and they proposed theirs1 and answered ours2 and so the point is left to consideration4 ,mr4 ,thomas ,parker in his letter written from ,newbury in ,new ,england1 ,december #ag1 #afdc1 printed #afdd4 ,footnote #id3 ,vid4 ,hen4 ,steph4 ,thes4 ,l4 ,graec4 in verb4 ,footnote #ie3 ,piscator4 ,footnote #if3 ,beza4 ,footnote #ig3 ,zanch4 in loco4 ,footnote #ih3 ,vid4 ,hen4 ,steph4 ,thes4 ad verb4 ,footnote #ii3 ,mr4 ,jo4 ,cotton's ,keys of the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 chap4 vii4 in propos4 #c1 pages #dd-df4 ,footnote #ajj3 ,see ,mr4 ,cotton's own words in chap4 ,,xiv4 at the end1 in the margin4 ,footnote #aja3 ,see ,john ,calvin1 in #a ,cor4 v4 #d4 ,footnote #ajb3 ,cameron1 in ,matt4 xviii4 #ae4 ,footnote #ajc3 ,thus ,mr4 ,bayne remarkably expounds this text1 ,matt4 xviii41 saying3 ,where first mark1 that ,christ doth presuppose the authority of every particular church taken indistinctly4 ,for it is such a church as any brother offended may presently complain to4 ,therefore no universal1 or provincial1 or diocesan church gathered in a council4 #b4 ,it is not any particular church that he doth send all ,christians to1 for then all ,christians in the world should come to one particular church1 were it possible4 ,he doth therefore presuppose indistinctly the very particular church where the brother offending and offended are members4 ,and if they be not both of one church1 the plaintiff must make his denunciation to the church where the defendant is4 #c4 ,as ,christ doth speak it of any ordinary particular church indistinctly1 so he doth by the name of church not understand essentially all the congregation4 ,for then ,christ should give not some1 but all the members of the church to be governors of it4 #d4 ,christ speaketh it of such a church to whom we may ordinarily and orderly complain2 now this we cannot to the whole multitude4 #e4 ,this church he speaketh of then doth presuppose it1 as the ordinary executioner of all discipline and censure4 ,but the multitude have not this execution ordinary1 as all but ,morelius1 and such democratical spirits1 do affirm4 ,and the reason ratifying the sentence of the church1 doth show that often the number of it is but small1 ,for where two or three are gathered together in my name2 whereas the church or congregations essentially taken for teachers and people1 are incomparably great4 ,neither doth ,christ mean by church the chief pastor1 who is virtually as the whole church4--,mr4 ,bayne's ,diocesan's ,trial4 ,footnote #ajd3 ,timothy received grace by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery4 ,for that persons must be understood here1 is apparent by the like place1 when it is said1 by the laying on of my hands1 he noteth a person1 and so here a presbytery4 #b4 ,to take presbytery to signify the order of priesthood1 is against all lexicons1 and the nature of the ,greek termination4 #c4 ,timothy never received that order of a presbyter1 as before we have proved4 #d4 ,it cannot signify1 as ,greek expositors take it1 a company of bishops2 for neither was that canon of three bishops and the ,metropolitan1 or all the bishops in a province1 in the apostle's time2 neither were these who were now called bishops1 then called presbyters1 as they say1 but apostles1 men that had received apostolic grace1 angels1 c4 ,finally1 it is very absurd to think of companies of other presbyters in churches that ,paul planted1 but presbyteries of such presbyters as are now distinguished from bishops1 which is the grant of our adversaries4--,bayne's ,diocesan's ,trial1 page #hb4 ,footnote #aje3 ,see ,assertion of the ,government of the ,church of ,scotland1 ,part ,i4 ,chap4 #b1 p4 #abb1 c4 ,footnote #ajf3 ,mr4 ,gillespie's ,aaron's ,rod ,blossoming1 book i4 chap4 iii4 pages #h-ch4 ,footnote #ajg3 ,vid4 ,joannis ,seldeni de ,anno ,civili1 and ,calendario1 c4 ,dissertationem in ,praefat41 page #h4 ,see also ,mr4 ,john ,lightfoot's ,commentary upon the ,acts1 c4 x4 #bh1 pages #bce-bci4 ,footnote #ajh3 ,john ,cameron1 ,praelect4 in ,matt4 xviii4 #ae1 page #adc ad #afb1 and ,mr4 ,g4 ,gillespie's ,aaron's ,rod ,blossoming1 c41 book i41 chap4 #c1 page #h1 c41 and book ii41 chap4 #i1 page #bid-big2 and book iii41 chapters #b-f1 handling this elaborately1 pages #cej-dbc4 ,footnote #aji3 ,assertion1 c41 part #b1 chap4 #c1 p4 #aci4 ,footnote #aaj3 ,basilius in ,psal4 cxv4 ,oecumenius in loc4 ,jerom4 ,chrysostome1 hom4 #cc1 in ,matt4 ,irenaeus1 lib4 #a1 chap4 #aa4 ,salmeron4 ,footnote #aaa3 ,euseb4 ,hist4 ,eccles4 #a4 #h c4 #a4 ,footnote #aab3 ,if ,cenchrea be comprehended under the church of ,corinth in this epistle1 and the apostle writing to the ,corinthians1 wrote also to this church1 called1 ,rom4 xvi4 #a1 the church of ,cenchrea1 then have we more congregations than one at ,corinth4 ,now1 ,cenchrea was a seaport or harbor of the ,corinthians4 ,it was a place near to ,corinth1 on the east of the ,egean ,sea4 ,rutherford1 in his ,due ,right of ,presbyteries1 page #dfb4 ,footnote #aac3 ,paget1 ,gillespie1 and the four ,leyden professors1 unto whose judicious and elaborate treatises1 the reader is referred for more full satisfaction against the usual cavils and exceptions that are made against synods1 and their power4 ,footnote #aad3 ,this is the judgment of the learned ,whitaker upon these words3 other lawful councils may in like manner assert their decrees to be the decrees of the ,holy ,ghost1 if they shall be like to this council1 and shall keep the same rule1 which in this council the apostles did keep and follow4 ,for if they shall decree and determine nothing but from ,scripture1 7which was done in this council47 and if they shall examine all questions by the ,scripture1 and shall follow the voice of the ,scriptures in all their decrees1 then they may assert1 that the ,holy ,ghost so decreed1 c4 ,whitaker1 ,cont4 page #faj4 ,footnote #aae3 ,that there is an authoritative1 juridical synod2 and that this synod1 ,acts xv41 was such a one2 and that this synod is a pattern to us2--all this is most ingenuously acknowledged and asserted by that learned ,independent1 ,mr4 ,john ,cotton1 in these words1 viz3 ,,iv4 ,proposition1 in case a particular church be disturbed with errors of scandal1 and the same maintained by a faction among them4 ,now a synod of churches1 or of their messengers1 is the first subject of that power and authority1 whereby error is judicially convinced and condemned1 the truth searched out and determined2 and the way of truth and peace declared and imposed upon the churches4 ,the truth of this proposition may appear by two arguments ,argum4 #a4 ,from the want of power in such a particular church1 to pass a binding sentence where error or scandal is maintained by a faction2 for the promise of binding and loosing which is made to a particular church1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ah1 is not given to the church when it is leavened with error and variance4 ,and the ground----,if then the church1 or a considerable part of it1 fall into error through ignorance1 or into faction2 by variance1 they cannot expect the presence of ,christ with them according to his promise1 to pass a blind sentence4 ,and then as they fall under the conviction and admonition of any other sister church1 in a way of brotherly love1 by virtue of communion of churches2 so their errors and variance1 and whatsoever scandals else do accompany the same1 they are justly subject to the condemnation of a synod of churches4 #b4 ,a second argument to prove that a synod is the first subject of power1 to determine and judge errors and variances in particular churches1 is taken from the pattern set before us in that case1 ,acts xv4 #a-bh3 when certain false teachers having taught in the church of ,antioch a necessity of circumcision to salvation1 and having gotten a faction to take part with them1 7as appeareth by the dissension and disputation of ,paul and ,barnabas against them17 the church did not determine the case themselves1 but referred the whole matter to the apostles and elders at ,jerusalem1 ,acts xv4 #a1 #b4 ,not to the apostles alone1 but to the apostles and elders4 ,the apostles were as the elders and rulers of all churches2 and the elders there were not a few1 the believers in ,jerusalem being many thousands4 ,neither did the apostles determine the matter 7as hath been said7 by apostolical authority from immediate revelation3 but they assembled together with the elders1 to consider of the matter1 ver4 #f1 and a multitude of brethren together with them1 ver4 #ab1 #bb1 #bc2 and after searching out the cause by an ordinary means of disputation1 ver4 #g1 ,peter cleared it by the witness ,of the ,spirit to his ministry in ,cornelius's family2 ,paul and ,barnabas by the like effect of their ministry among the ,gentiles3 ,james confirmed the same by the testimony of the prophets1 wherewith the whole synod being satisfied1 they determine of a ,,judicial ,,sentence1 and of a way to publish it by letters and messengers2 in which they ,,censure the false teachers as troublers of their church1 and subverters of their souls2 they reject the imposition of circumcision as a yoke which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear2 they ,,impose upon the ,church none but some necessary observations1 and them by way of ,,that ,,authority which the ,lord had given them1 ver4 #bh3 which ,,pattern clearly showeth us to whom the key of authority is committed1 when there groweth offence and difference in a church4 ,look as in the case of the offence of a faithful brother persisted in1 the matter is at last judged and determined in a church3 so in the offence of the church or congregation1 the matter is at last judged in a congregation of churches1 a church of churches2 for what is a synod else but a church of churches8--,keys of the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 pages #dg-di4 ,footnote #aaf3 ,junius1 ,beza1 ,calvin1 and ,piscator4 ,,appendix4 ,,no4 #a4aag ,of the ,scriptural ,qualifications and ,duties of ,church ,members4 ,quest4 ,what persons have a right in the sight of ,god to be actual members of the ,church of ,christ8 ,ans4 ,only regenerated and converted persons1 such as are married to1 and have put on ,christ2 such as are savingly and powerfully enlightened1 quickened1 and convinced of sin1 righteousness1 and judgment2#aah such as have chosen ,christ for their ,lord and ,saviour1 and resigned and made over themselves to him1 and received him upon his own terms2#aai such only as are reconciled unto1 and are in favor with ,god2 as are justified by faith1 sanctified by the ,spirit1 and set apart for holiness1 and unto a living to ,god1 and no more unto themselves3#abj such as are the beloved of ,god1 called effectually to be saints1 and have really and sincerely taken upon them the yoke of ,christ ,jesus1 ,i say such persons1 and only such1 doth ,jesus ,christ account worthy of this privilege and dignity4#aba ,although men do not certainly know those that are such1 and by reason of their darkness and fallible judgments they may and do admit others into the ,church1 and unto her privileges1 yet in truth these have no right unto them1 and ought not to be there2 for these spiritual holy things are for1 and only for1 spiritual and holy persons4 ,christ prepares men by his grace1 word1 and ,spirit to make them fit materials1 and then he calls them to join together and become a spiritual house1 for his delight1 service1 and glory4,f ,and therefore holy persons1 and such only1 ought to be full members of the ,church of ,christ4 ,this will appear by these following particulars3 #a4 ,because ,god often declares his detestation and abhorrence of others being there1 and manifests his indignation against them4 ,as to the man that came to the marriage supper without the wedding-garment1 ,matt4 xxii4 #aa-ac2 and the five foolish virgins1 chap4 xxv42 and the dreadful end of the tares1 chap4 xiii4 #ch-dd1 which were the hypocrites1 that by the devil's instigation had crept into the ,church4 ,it is true that such were1 and will be1 in the best of churches1 although their guides may do all they can to prevent it1 because they cannot make an infallible judgment of persons' states2 yet it is as certain these are usurpers and ought not to be there4 ,for1 although they are in ,god's providence permitted to creep in1 yet we may be sure they are not there with his approbation3--they are not all ,israel that are of ,israel2 for1 saith ,god to all uncircumcised1 ,what have you to do to take my covenant into your mouth1 seeing you hate instruction and cast my words behind your back1 7as all hypocrites do17 ,ps4 l4 #af1 #ag4 ,and ,christ says1 that such as will not have him to reign over him 7and to be sure hypocrites will not7 shall be destroyed1 ,luke xix4 #bg4 ,now1 as hypocrites are most loathsome and abominable persons in the sight of ,god1 as may be seen at large in ,matt1 xxiii4 #ac-ce1 they have no right unto the spiritual privileges of the ,church of ,christ1 because1 in the sight of ,god1 the gospel ,church should consist only of new creatures and real members of ,jesus ,christ4 ,,ii4 ,that all church members ought to be sincere-hearted believers appears by the high titles which the ,lord ,jesus gives unto them in ,scripture3 they are described to be like the king's daughter1 all glorious within4 ,they are called saints1 holy brethren1 and beloved1 elect1 dear children of ,god1 the spouse of ,christ1 a holy temple of ,god1 lively stones1 built up a spiritual house1 a holy priesthood1 and the ,lord's sealed ones4 ,now such honorable titles belong not unto mere formal professors1 but only unto the real members of ,christ3 not unto those that have a name only2 but to such as are so indeed and in truth4 ,,iii4 ,a third reason is taken from the ends of ,god in instituting and appointing churches4 ,they are said to be built by the ,spirit for ,god1 i4e4 for ,god to dwell and walk in them1 to repose himself in them1 as in his holy garden1 house1 and temple4 ,they are designed for promoting his glory in the world1 to distinguish his people from others2 that they should be to the praise of his glorious grace1 and be the living witnesses to his name1 truths1 and ways2 that they should be the habitations of beauty and glory1 of fame and renown in the world1 and be the light thereof2 and that with one heart and mouth they should glorify ,god4 ,believers are united into a church capacity for their spiritual profit and advantage1 that ,god may there give them his love1 and communicate his grace1 truths1 and counsels to them1 as to his avowed household and family ,christ walks there1 and ,god the ,father dwells there1 and the ,holy ,spirit speaks to them in a special and frequent manner to distribute liberally of their love and fulness4 ,they are formed and set up by ,jesus ,christ to be the only seats and subjects of his laws1 ordinances1 power1 and authority1 that they might receive1 obey1 and observe his laws1 declare before the world their owning of him for their ,lord1 by their open and public profession of1 and subjection unto him1 as such2 and that1 by their regular and distinct following of him in their united church state1 they might manifest to all men1 that they are his subjects and disciples1 that they have chosen him for their ,lord and ,king1 and his law for the rule of their faith and obedience2 that they are not their own1 but his2 and that they have reposed themselves in him1 as their happiness and eternal blessedness2 that they are called out of the world and set apart by his grace for himself1 to live unto him2 and that they have taken upon themselves his holy yoke1 and the observation of all his laws4 ,god has united believers into churches1 that by his ,spirit and ministers he may feed and nourish them there as his flock1 water them as his garden1 support them as his house1 and order and govern them as his family and household4 ,,iv4 ,the ,church of ,christ should consist of new creatures and sincere-hearted believers1 because they only can and will answer and prosecute the foresaid1 and such like holy ends of ,god1 in and by his ,church4 ,they are fitted and framed1 moulded and polished1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 for their growing up into a holy temple in the ,lord2 and so1 by the constant and promised guidance and conduct of their living head ,jesus ,christ1 with their spiritual qualifications1 they are enabled to answer and perform the great ends of ,god1 in erecting and building them up in a church state4 ,but unregenerate persons cannot do this1 because they are strangers in heart to ,jesus ,christ1 and to the power of godliness2 nor would they if they could1 because they have not the saving knowledge of ,christ in them1 but are full of obstinacy against ,god4 ,v4 ,because all the laws1 ordinances1 and works of church members are holy1 spiritual1 and heavenly4 ,they are such as the natural man understands not1 and cannot discern what they are1 because they are spiritual and holy2 and therefore they that are not taught of ,god savingly to form a proper judgment of them1 do think and judge of them carnally and vainly4 ,but believers have them written in their hearts beforehand4 ,yet they have them not without book1 ,i mean they have the same laws of ,christ written in the books of their hearts which they find in the ,bible1 by which they are in some measure enabled to understand1 receive1 love1 and rightly to obey1 the laws and ordinances of ,christ without4 ,their laws are holy and spiritual1 and their works in a church state are so likewise4 ,they have a holy ,god1 who is a ,spirit1 to serve and worship2 a spiritual ,head to believe in and obey2 holy and spiritual work to do2 and therefore they need to be holy and spiritual persons1 not only externally in profession1 but also internally1 in truth4 ,almost all the laws and ordinances of ,christ are committed unto them1 and ,god expects his principal and choicest worship from his ,church2 and these are all above and beyond the reach of carnal minds4 ,,vi4 ,the ,church ought to be composed of believers and regenerated persons1 because they are called to continue and stand fast in all storms and tempests2 and to hold out unto the end1 as being built upon the rock ,jesus ,christ4 ,for whatever church is built upon the sand1 and not upon the ,lord ,jesus1 and by the authority of his word and ,spirit1 will not stand long1 because it wants a foundation to bear up its weight4 ,they must all be built upon the rock and chief corner-stone1 the sure foundation that ,god hath laid4 ,the ,lord ,jesus tells us1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ah1 that upon this rock 7i4e4 himself and the truths that ,peter had confessed7 will ,i build my ,church1 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it4 ,but it is certain that hypocrites are not built upon ,christ by faith1 but fix their vain hopes on a sandy foundation4 ,therefore1 if their persons are not built upon ,christ1 their church state cannot2 but upon the sand4 ,hence then it follows that only true believers are built on ,christ1 and so they are the only persons that ,christ wishes to have built up into holy temples2 because the churches that ,christ builds shall be built upon himself1 that they may stand impregnable against all opposition3 and therefore they should only be composed of such as are united to him by faith1 and have chosen him for their only rock and foundation1 and not of such as do secretly reject him4 ,quest4 ,what qualifications should believers find in themselves for their own satisfaction1 before they enter into full communion with the visible ,church of ,christ8 ,ans4 ,they should be able to answer the following questions in the affirmative4 ,i4 ,can you say indeed that you do seriously and heartily desire to see1 and to be more deeply and powerfully convinced of your own vileness and sinfulness1 of your own weakness and wretchedness1 and of your wants and unworthiness8 and that1 in order to your deep and spiritual humiliation and self-debasing1 that you may be more vile in your own eyes1 and ,jesus ,christ and free grace more precious and excellent1 more high and honorable1 and more sweet and desirable1 that your hearts may be melted into godly sorrow1 and that you may be moved thereby to abhor yourselves1 and to repent in dust and ashes8 ,job xlii4 #e1 #f4 ,,ii4 ,can you say that you do seriously and heartily desire and endeavor to believe in ,christ1 and to receive and accept of him in the gospel way1 such as you find in ,mark viii4 #cd2 ,luke xiv4 #bf-bh1 and elsewhere8 ,do you thus desire and choose to have him with his yoke and cross8 ,matt4 xi4 #bh1 #bi4 ,and do you so deny yourselves1 and your sinful self1 righteous self1 worldly self1 supposed able1 powerful self1 and every other carnal and spiritual self1 that ,christ only may be exalted1 that you may be nothing in your justification and salvation1 but that ,jesus ,christ and free grace may be all1 and in all things8 ,col4 iii4 #aa2 ,phil4 iii4 #g1 #h4 ,do you desire1 choose1 and endeavor to have ,christ on the hardest terms2 and do you desire1 that all may go for ,christ's person1 blood1 and righteousness1 his grace1 love1 life1 and ,spirit1 for the pardon of your sins1 and the justification of your persons1 that you may be found in him1 not having your own righteousness1 but the righteousness of ,christ by faith8 ,phil4 iii4 #i4 ,and do you go and present yourselves as destitute condemned sinners to him1 and to ,god the ,father in and by him1 that you may be clothed with the righteousness of ,christ1 and that ,god may pardon1 justify1 and accept you for his sake only8 ,,iii4 ,do you seriously and heartily desire and choose to have ,christ ,jesus for your ,lord and ,ruler too1 ,col4 ii4 #f2 that he may rule in you1 and over you1 and that your lusts and yourselves1 your interests1 and your all1 may be subject unto him1 and be wholly at his command and disposal continually8 ,is ,christ the ,lord as acceptable to you as ,christ ,jesus the ,saviour8 and are you willing to obey him1 and to be subject to his authority and dominion1 as well as to be saved by him8 ,would you have him to destroy your lusts1 to make an end of sin1 and to bring all under his obedience8 ,,iv4 ,do you seriously and heartily desire and endeavor never to sin more2 but to walk with ,god unto all well-pleasing continually8 ,col4 i4 #aj4 ,and do you pray earnestly that ,god would work in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ba1 that you may in all your ways honor and glorify him1 as the end of your living in this world8 #b ,cor4 v4 #ae4 ,would you indeed live to the praise of his glorious grace1 be an ornament unto his name and gospel1 and be fruitful in every good word and work8 ,are these things the scope1 aim1 and intent of your hearts and souls 7in some good measure and degree7 daily1 in duties and ordinances1 and at other times8 ,v4 ,do you seriously and heartily choose and desire communion with ,christ1 and in truth endeavor to obtain and keep it8 ,do you so seek for it in the way of gospel obedience1 and in observing your duty in keeping ,christ's commandments8 ,and do you prefer it to all earthly1 carnal things8 ,do your hearts breathe and pant after it1 and are you willing to deny self1 and all self-interests to get it8 ,are you glad when you find it1 and sad when by your own carelessness you lose it8 ,doth it when obtained quicken your love to and zeal for ,christ8 ,doth it warm your hearts1 and cause them for a time to run your race in gospel obedience cheerfully8 ,doth it lead you unto1 and cause your hearts to centre in ,christ8 and doth it oblige and bind them faster unto him and stir you up to thankfulness8 ,,vi4 ,do you sincerely and heartily desire1 seriously choose1 and earnestly endeavor1 to be filled with gospel sincerity towards ,god and man1 and would you rather be true-hearted towards ,god than seem to be so towards man8 ,would you much rather have the praise of ,god1 and be approved of by him1 than the praise of men1 and be extolled by them8 ,is it the great thing you aim at1 in your profession and practice1 to attain sincerity and uprightness in heart8 ,is all hypocrisy hateful and abominable unto you8 ,are you afraid of it1 and do you watch and strive against it1 as against an enemy to ,god and your own souls1 and are you grieved indeed when you find it in you8 ,,vii4 ,do you desire and choose ,jesus ,christ for the great object of your love1 delight1 and joy8 and do you find him to be so in some measure8 ,do you desire and endeavor to make him the object of your warmest affections1 and to love him sincerely1 heartily1 spiritually1 fervently1 and constantly2 and do you express your love to him by keeping his commandments8 ,are you grieved in spirit1 because you can love him no more8 and do you earnestly pray unto him to shed abroad his love into your hearts by the ,holy ,ghost1 that you may love him as ye ought8 ,rom4 v4 #e4 ,doth his love and loveliness attract your hearts to him1 and cause you to yield the obedience of faith to his holy laws8 ,,viii4 ,is it the desire1 choice1 and endeavor of your souls to have all sins purged out of them1 and to have them filled with ,christ's grace1 truth1 and holiness2 and do you hate your sin1 watch and fight against it1 and endeavor to keep it under8 ,do you indeed aim at1 desire1 labor1 and strive1 to be holy in heart and life1 and conformable unto ,jesus ,christ in all things possible8 ,are your lusts your heaviest burdens and your greatest afflictions1 and do you intend and endeavor their utter ruin and destruction8 ,will no degree of grace satisfy you until you be perfect to the utmost as ,christ is8 ,are you so much concerned for ,christ's honor1 and your soul's holiness and happiness1 that you dare not knowingly sin against them for a world2 or do1 in word or deed1 by omission or commission1 that which may dishonor1 grieve1 or wound them8 ,are these things so indeed8 ,,ix4 ,have you a measure of spiritual knowledge and discerning of spiritual things8 ,do you understand the nature and concerns of the house of ,god1 and the work and duties1 the privileges and enjoyments thereof1 and what you have to do there2 together with the ends of ,god in instituting and erecting gospel churches8 ,x4 ,do you intend and resolve1 in the light1 life1 and power of ,christ1 to seek for1 and endeavor unfeignedly to obtain1 and prosecute the ends of church fellowship1 when you shall he accepted among them8 and do you desire and aim at the holy ends appointed by ,god in desiring communion with them8 as1 #a4 ,to enjoy ,god and communion with him in all his ordinances4 #b4 ,to worship ,god there in spirit and truth1 and to give him your homage and service in his house4 #c4 ,to show your subjection and obedience to him1 and to make a public and open profession of him1 and of his truths before men4 #d4 ,to receive of his grace1 to enrich your souls with his fulness1 and to be sealed by his ,spirit unto the day of your redemption4 #e4 ,that you may walk orderly and beautifully1 and shine as lights in the ,church1 and in the world1 before saints and sinners4 #f4 ,that you may be established in the truth1 live under the watch and care of ,christ's ministers1 and of fellow-members2 that by their inspection and faithful dealings with you you may be kept1 or brought back from sin to ,god1 by their wise reproofs and holy instructions4 #g4 ,that you may yield up yourselves in holy obedience to ,christ1 and do all things whatsoever he commands you1 that you may have the right use and enjoyment of all your purchased privileges1 and be secured against the gates of hell4 ,are these and such like ends in your hearts and minds1 in your walk and in church fellowship1 and can you find the forementioned signs of grace in you in some suitable measure1 though not so clearly and fully as you would wish8 ,then ,i may venture to assure you1 that you are qualified for being actual members of the ,church of ,christ1 that you are called and invited into his house1 and that you are indispensably bound to answer to the call of ,god1 and to enter into his holy temple4 ,i say that church privileges are yours1 the doors of ,god's house stand open for you1 ,christ stands at the door and waits for you1 he invites you to come in and to sit down at his table1 and you shall be most freely and heartily welcome to your ,lord1 and to his people4 ,quest4 ,what are those qualifications1 which the rulers of a church1 for their own satisfaction1 should look for1 and find in such persons1 as they admit into full communion with the ,church of ,christ8 ,ans4 ,it is certain that all that profess the name of ,christ and his ways1 ought not1 and may not be admitted into the ,lord's holy temple1 because many1 if not the most of them1 are very ignorant of ,christ and his ways1 and notoriously scandalous in their lives1 as sad and woful experience shows4 ,if church rulers should admit known hypocrites1 they betray their trust1 and defile ,christ's holy temple1 by taking in such persons as they know1 or ought to know1 he would not have there3 and that they ought to try and prove persons1 that they may know their fitness1 before they admit them in1 is clear in ,acts ix4 #bf1 #bg1 and because ,christ hath committed the keys of his house to take in and exclude according to his will and appointment4 ,as to satisfying qualifications in persons desiring admission into the church1 when they appear to be real sound-hearted believers1 according to the judgment of charity1 by the rules of the word1 the church ought to receive them in the ,lord4 ,i4 ,if they can satisfy the church1 by giving ,scripture evidence of their regeneration1 conversion1 repentance1 and faith in ,christ2 of their knowledge of ,christ1 his laws and ordinances2 of their lost and perishing state by reason of sin1 and of their sincere desires and resolutions to become the ,lord's1 and to walk with him unto all well-pleasing in all his ways4 ,,ii4 ,if they are sound in the faith of the gospel2 ,i mean in the chief and principal doctrines thereof1 although they may be ignorant of1 or mistaken in matters of less importance4 ,if they have some distinct knowledge and faith concerning these1 and other such truths and matters contained in the word of ,god2 as of the state and condition in which man was at first created2 how he lost that holy and blessed estate1 and the misery into which he brought himself and all his posterity thereby4 ,concerning themselves1 that they are by nature children of wrath1 dead in trespasses and sins1 and condemned to eternal death2 that they are enemies to1 and at enmity with1 ,god2 that they have neither will nor power by nature to will and to do that which they ought1 and which is well-pleasing to ,god2 that they have forsaken ,god1 and are under the curse of the law2 and that they are the children1 subjects1 and servants of the devil1 the world1 and their own lusts2 that ,god left not all men in this lost state and condition1 but provided an all-sufficient remedy1 namely1 ,jesus ,christ1 and that by an everlasting covenant1 entered into with him1 in the behalf of men1 before the foundation of the world1 ,tit4 i4 #b2 #b ,tim4 i4 #i2 ,prov4 viii43 and that1 in pursuance thereof1 he elected and gave some to ,christ1 that he might save them out of his mere grace and love4 ,john vi4 #cg1 #dj3--,that ,god the ,father gave and sent his ,son1 the second person of the ,trinity1 to mediate peace between ,god and man1 and to reconcile them to ,god1 by his active and passive obedience2--that ,jesus ,christ gave himself1 and became a propitiation for their sins2--that he assumed our nature into a personal union with himself1 whereby there are two natures in one person1 by which he was made capable of his mediatorship2--that he1 being ,god and man in one person1 took upon himself our guilt and punishment1 obeyed the whole law of ,god1 that men had broke1 and did always the things that pleased ,god2--that1 when he had finished his active obedience1 he became obedient unto the death of the cross1 to the wrath of ,god1 and to the curse of the law1 ,gal4 iii4 #ac2 ,phil4 ii4 #h2--that he really died and was buried1 lay in the grave1 and rose again the third day2 and after forty days he ascended into heaven1 and sat down at the right hand of ,god2 and that he will come again to judge the quick and the dead2--that he is king1 priest1 and prophet2 a king to give laws unto men1 and to command their obedience to him1 to rule and govern his subjects1 and to reward the obedient1 and to punish the disobedient2--that all power in heaven and earth is committed unto him2 and that he is coequally and coeternally ,god with the ,father and ,holy ,spirit2--that as a ,high ,priest he died and made atonement for the sins of his people1 and sits in heaven to make intercession1 and to appear in the presence of ,god for them1 ,heb4 vii4 #be1 and ix4 #bd2--that there are three persons in the ,godhead1 yet but one ,god2--that the ,holy ,ghost is eternally ,god1 was sent into the world1 and came from the ,father and ,son1 for the elect's sake2--that it is he that regenerates persons1 works effectually in their hearts1 applies ,jesus ,christ and all his benefits to men1 and savingly convinces his elect of sin1 righteousness1 and judgment4 ,that all that rightly believe in ,christ shall be saved1 but those that believe not shall be damned2 and that all that believe in him must be careful to perform good works4 ,that believers are made righteous1 through the righteousness of ,jesus ,christ1 and that they have none of their own to commend them unto ,god4 ,that ,god hath made ,jesus ,christ unto his chosen1 wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification1 and redemption2 and that they are made the righteousness of ,god in him4 ,that ,god imputed their sins to ,christ1 and imputes the blood and righteousness of ,christ to them2 and that they are justified thereby1 and not by inherent holiness and righteousness4 ,that ,god loves1 pardons1 justifies1 and saves men freely1 without any respect unto their good works1 as any cause thereof2 but that all the moving cause 7without himself7 is ,jesus ,christ in his mediation4 ,that the ground and reason of their obedience1 in performing good works1 is the revealed will and pleasure of ,christ commanding them1 and the ends of them are to express their thankfulness to ,god for his grace and love1 to please and honor him1 to meet with ,god1 and to enjoy communion with him1 to receive of his grace and the good of many promises2 to shine as lights in the world1 and to be useful unto men2 to declare whose and what they are1 and to lay up a reward in another world2 to keep their lusts under1 and their graces in use and exercise2 and to manifest their respect and subjection to ,jesus ,christ1 his authority1 and law4 ,that the law1 for the matter of it1 as in the hand of ,christ1 is the rule of all obedience2 and that all are bound to yield subjection to it4 ,that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust4 ,that regeneration is absolutely necessary to salvation1 and that without it none can enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,that the ,scriptures of the ,old and ,new ,testaments contain1 and exhibit unto men1 the whole revealed will of ,god1 and are sufficient to make the man of ,god perfect1 thoroughly furnished unto every good work2 and that whatsoever they are to believe and do is contained therein2 and that it is the ground of their faith1 hope1 and practice4 ,that ,jesus ,christ hath instituted and appointed many ordinances of worship1 for his own glory and his people's good1 and that all are bound to observe and to wait on ,god in them4 ,that all persons are indispensably bound to mind1 and carefully to observe the principal manner and end of all their duties1 and to see that they be right1 holy1 and spiritual indeed1 and not to please themselves with the matter of them alone4 ,that no man can serve ,god1 or do any work acceptable unto him1 until he be regenerated1 and brought into a state of grace4 ,these are some of the matters of faith that they should in some measure be acquainted with and believe1 that are admitted into full communion with the ,church of ,christ4 ,and these and other truths must not be known and believed in a general1 notional1 light1 and speculative manner2 but heartily1 powerfully1 and particularly3 not for others1 but for themselves2 otherwise their faith and knowledge will no way profit their souls to salvation4 ,,iii4 ,they must be qualified also with a blameless conversation4 ,their conversation must be as becometh the gospel1 otherwise they are not meet for communion with the gospel church4 ,carnal walking will not suit spiritual temples3 for they will greatly pollute and defile them1 and stain and obscure their beauty and glory4 ,therefore they must not be brawlers and contentious persons1 covetous and worldly-minded1 vain and frothy4 ,they must not be froward and peevish1 nor defraud others of their right4 ,nor must they neglect the worship of ,god in their families1 nor be careless in governing and educating them in good manners1 and in the things of ,god4 ,they must not be such as are known to omit the duties and ordinances of religion in their proper seasons1 or to have vicious families through their neglect3 nor to have any other kind of conversation hateful to ,god and to his people4 ,and therefore1 whatever their profession be1 they may not be admitted into the ,church of ,god1 until they have repented of these1 or any other scandal in their life and conduct4 ,,iv4 ,they ought to be such as have chosen the ,lord ,jesus ,christ for their king and head1 and dedicated and devoted themselves to him1 to live in him and for him3 such as have singled him out1 and set him apart1 7as it were17 to be the object of their love1 trust1 and delight1 of their service and obedience4 ,they must have chosen and closed with him upon his own terms1 7i4e4 freely17 renouncing and rejecting all their own righteousness1 worthiness1 interest1 and sufficiency1 and choosing and appropriating him to themselves1 for their righteousness1 worthiness1 portion1 and sufficiency1 under a sight and conviction of their own emptiness and deformity2 and with a heart-satisfied persuasion of the loveliness and fulness of ,christ4 ,v4 ,all this must be done seriously1 humbly1 and heartily1 so far as men can judge4 ,if persons declare their knowledge of ,god and faith in ,christ in such a manner1 and apparently by such a spirit as evidences some sense and feeling of what they do declare1 church rulers may be much helped in forming a right judgment of them1 that they are fitted by ,god for church-membership4 ,if they do seriously profess1 that what they do is in obedience to the will1 and1 as they judge1 to the call of ,christ as their indispensable duty2--that they join in church fellowship to meet with and enjoy ,god1 to receive out of his fulness to enable them to perform all duties1 and to conform their hearts and lives in his will to all things2--such persons may undoubtedly be accounted worthy members1 and admitted as such4 ,quest4 ,what are the duties of church members towards one another8 ,ans4 ,i4 ,the greatest is love2 love and spiritual affections are the holy cords which tie the hearts1 souls1 and judgments of believers together4 ,this is that which1 together with the fear of ,god1 makes them avoid all things that may give just offence or grief to one another1 and that which provokes them to follow after the things that make for peace and edification4 ,love is the bond of peace4 ,it is that which1 together with divine light and truth1 causes church members to draw together as in one yoke1 and unanimously as with one heart and soul to design1 aim at1 and carry on mutual and common good in the church4 ,without this they cannot1 they will not cement1 nor long abide and live together as a church1 in peace and unity1 nor promote any good work among themselves4 ,without heart-uniting love they will receive and entertain jealousies and suspicions one of another1 and put the worst construction on whatever is said or done2 and they cannot walk together comfortably and profitably when these are entertained4 ,therefore it is absolutely necessary for all church members to be firmly united in cordial love and charity1 which is the bond of perfectness to and in all other duties4 ,god highly commends and strictly commands this love one to another1 and puts it into the heart of his peculiar people1 that they may do what he commands4 #a4 ,god highly commends it wherever he finds it in act and exercise2 #a ,thess4 iv4 #aj1 and indeed1 says he1 ye do it towards all the brethren4 ,to this duty1 and to manifest his high approbation of it1 ,god hath promised a great reward1 ,heb4 vi4 #aj4 #b4 ,god commands it and vehemently exhorts to it often in the gospel4 ,oh how importunately did the ,lord ,jesus enjoin it1 and frequently press it on his disciples when he was on earth6 ,john xiii4 #cd1 ,a new commandment give ,i unto you4 ,what is that new commandment8 ,why1 ,that ye love one another1 as ,i have loved you1 that ye also love one another4 ,and in ,john xv4 #ab1 #ag1 ,this is my commandment1 that ye love one another1 as ,i have loved you2 i4e4 ,take the pattern of my love to you for your pattern in loving one another4 ,i have loved and will love you--#a4 ,with great love1 ,john xv4 #ac3 so do you likewise4 #b4 ,my love to you is free1 without any desert in you3 let yours be free1 without carnal respects one to another also4 #c4 ,my love to you is real1 hearty1 and unfeigned3 so let yours be one to another1 #a ,pet4 i4 #bb4 #d4 ,my love to you is an exceeding fruitful love4 ,i loved you so1 as to labor1 toil1 sweat1 and die for you3 so must you love one another with a fruitful1 profiting love4 #e4 ,my love to you is a pitying1 sparing1 and forgiving love2 a forbearing and tender-hearted love3 so must you be to one another1 ,col4 iii4 #ab1 #ac4 #f4 ,i love you with a warm and fervent love3 so do you love one another4 #g4 ,i love with a holy1 spiritual love1 as new men who have my image stamped on1 and my holy nature in you1 and as you are made perfect by the comeliness and beauty ,i have put on you3 so do you love one another1 because you are a lovely and holy people unto me4 #h4 ,i love you with a constant and unchangeable love2 notwithstanding of all your weaknesses1 yea1 unkindness too1 and unworthy walkings before me3 thus you are bound to love one another4 ,o that church members and all other ,christians would seriously1 sincerely1 diligently1 and constantly mind and practise this grand and indispensable duty to one another1 in all their ways and actions1 and not lay it aside as a little1 useless1 or indifferent matter1 which they may neglect at their own will and pleasure4 #b4 ,as we are indispensably bound to love one another2 so we are as absolutely and perfectly bound to walk in a loving and encouraging manner towards one another4 ,our behavior ought to be such in all things1 as to invite all to love us1 as holy1 humble1 and blameless saints1 and brethren in ,christ4 ,the ,lord ,jesus expects church members to walk lovingly towards one another1 as well as to love one another4 ,they ought1 therefore1 as much as possible1 to provoke and encourage each other1 and to remove out of the way of love all such stumbling-blocks as may any way hinder it1 as we cannot love a sour1 peevish1 contentious1 and cross-grained professor1 with as much complacency as a meek1 quiet1 humble1 affable1 and courteous one4 #c4 ,christ hath charged and strictly commanded all church members to live in peace3 to be at peace among themselves2 to follow peace with all men1 and as much as in them lieth to live peaceably with all men4 ,o how often1 and with what vehemency doth the ,holy ,ghost press and enjoin this duty1 especially among church members1 in the ,holy ,scriptures6 ,see ,psal4 xxxiv4 #ad2 #a ,pet4 iii4 #aa2 ,rom xiv4 #ai2 #b ,cor4 xiii4 #aa2 #a ,thess4 v4 #ac2 ,heb4 xii4 #ad2 ,eph4 v4 #c4 ,the apostle ,paul earnestly warns church members against all debates1 strifes1 and contentions one with another1 especially in their church meetings1 ,phil4 ii4 #c4 ,david tells us1 that it is a most pleasant and lovely thing for brethren to dwell together in unity1 ,psal4 cxxxiii4 #a1 #b4 ,then how much more pleasant and lovely is it for spiritual brethren to love and worship ,god in this manner together ,christ came into the world and lived here a peace-maker1 and pronounces them blessed that are so1 ,matt4 v4 #i4 ,he is a lover of peace and concord1 especially in his ,church2 but he is an implacable hater of strife and discord1 and will not endure it therein3 much less will he wink at such as are the first sowers of these seeds4 ,the truth is1 strivers and disputers in a church are the devil's agents1 do a great deal of mischief to it1 and are real plagues in it4 ,they greatly hinder edification1 and spoil the order1 beauty1 and harmony there3 they are the proud1 self-conceited men1 who are vainly puffed up with high thoughts of themselves1 and their own abilities1 because they have got some speculative knowledge into their heads1 with a volubility of speech1 while they are destitute of spiritual wisdom and humility in their hearts2 and therefore they conceive that they are wiser than the church1 and more able to manage and order church affairs than their rulers4 ,their pride and self-conceit make them slight and contemn their teachers1 and rise up in a rebellious contention with1 and opposition unto them2 as the prophet complains1 ,hos4 iv4 #d1 ,this people are they that strive with the priests4 ,take heed then of strife and contention1 and follow peace one with another1 especially in your assembling together about the work of the church4 ,endeavor to get humble hearts1 and then you will not be contentious1 but quiet and peaceable4 #d4 ,church members ought to sympathize with1 and to help to bear one another's burdens as need requires1 ,rom4 xii4 #ae1 #af2 ,gal4 vi4 #b4 ,they ought to make their brethren's crosses1 losses1 temptations1 and afflictions their own4 ,and1 when they need the helping hand of fellow-members to support or lift them up1 when fallen1 they must give it to them freely1 readily1 and cheerfully1 and not turn a deaf ear to1 nor hide their eyes from1 them and their cries4 ,and1 if they are cruel to1 or careless of1 one another in affliction1 our ,lord ,jesus will require it at their hands1 and lake it as done to himself4 ,therefore1 seeing it is the will of ,god1 and our indispensable duty to one another1 who are members of the church1 let us put on bowels of mercies and kindness1 ,col4 iii4 #ab1 and be tender-hearted1 pitiful1 and courteous to each other1 ,eph4 iv4 #cb2 #a ,pet4 iii4 #h4 #e4 ,church members ought to exhort and comfort one another1 for so is the will of ,god concerning them4 ,this is not only their teacher's duty and work1 but theirs also to each other1 ,heb4 x4 #bd1 #be2 ,heb4 iii4 #ac2 #a ,thess4 v4 #ad4 ,christians stand in continual need of one another's exhortations and consolations2 and if they manage this work well they may be very useful and profitable to one another1 and may help to awaken1 quicken1 and provoke one another1 to the love and practice of holiness4 #f4 ,it is the will of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,church's head1 that her members should be each other's keepers2 that they should watch over one another1 and admonish and reprove one another1 as need requires4 ,it is not meant1 that they should pry into one another's secrets1 or be busybodies in other men's matters1 but that they should watch over one another's life and conversation1 that if they do well they may be encouraged2 if ill1 that they may1 by counsel1 reproof1 instruction1 and exhortation1 be brought to a real sight and sense of their misconduct1 and to unfeigned repentance4 ,by which good work1 you will do them1 the church1 yea1 ,christ himself1 good and acceptable service4 ,church members should carefully observe1 if all do keep close to their duty in the church1 or are remiss and negligent2--if they conduct themselves in a holy1 righteous1 and sober way2 or if1 on the contrary1 they are frothy1 vain1 proud1 extravagant1 unjust1 idle1 careless1 or any way scandalous4 ,they should strictly observe if there be any tattlers1 backbiters1 or sowers of discord2 or such as speak contemptibly of their brethren1 especially of their elders1 7ruling or preaching17 and of their administrations3 as also1 if there be any such as combine together1 and make parties in the church1 or endeavor to obstruct any good work which their elders are carrying on1 for promoting the glory of ,christ and the good of his people1 and deal with them accordingly4 ,they ought carefully to observe if any be fallen under sin or temptation in any case1 and presently to set their hands to help1 to relieve1 and to restore them1 ,rev4 vi4 #a4 ,they must watch1 and endeavor to gain a sinning member1 #a4 ,by their private admonition1 in case the offence be private2 and if that will not do1 to take one or two more to see what effect that will have4 #b4 ,but if that will not answer the end1 then they are bound to bring it to the church representative1 that they may deal with the offending brother1 and proceed against him as commanded3 ,this is another great and indispensable duty required of church members1 that they be not partakers of other men's sins4 #g4 ,church members ought to forbear and forgive one another2 for this is another commanded duty1 ,eph4 iv4 #b1 #cb2 ,col4 iii4 #ac4 ,when a brother offends or does another any injury1 the offended brother should tell him of it1 examine the matter and search out the circumstances of it1 and see whether he did it unadvisedly1 through weakness or ignorance2 or whether he did it wilfully and knowingly4 ,if upon an impartial search he is found to have wronged his brother through ignorance or weakness1 he must judge charitably of him1 and not be harsh and severe towards him1 in his carriage or censure4 ,but if it clearly appear1 upon impartial inquiry1 that he did the injury knowingly and wilfully1 then the offended brother must deal with him as a wilful transgressor4 ,he must lay his sin before him1 and show him what laws he hath transgressed2 what evil he hath done him1 what wrong to his own soul1 and what offence he hath done to ,christ1 by breaking his holy laws4 ,he must admonish him again and again of his sin1 and reprove him1 but not too severely1 until he find him obstinate and stubborn4 ,and if ,god convince him of his sin1 and give him repentance unto life1 he must readily forgive him4 ,and1 if he be once truly convinced of1 and humbled for1 his sin1 he will most fully confess it to his brother1 as well as to ,god1 and endeavor to make him amends1 and give him all possible satisfaction for the injury he hath done him1 most freely and willingly3 for it is a certain sign that a person is not powerfully and savingly convinced of1 and humbled for1 his sin1 while he bears off1 and must be sought after to make satisfaction to such as he hath wronged2 because were his heart really melted into the will of ,god1 he could not be quiet1 until he have given all possible satisfaction to his brother whom he has injured1 ,luke xix4 #h4 ,but in case he remain obstinate1 and will not hearken to reproof1 then the offended brother should take one or two more and deal with him2 and if that will not do1 he ought to bring it to the church representative1 i4e4 the elders of the church1 that they may see what they can do with him4 ,but if they cannot prevail on him to repent and to make satisfaction1 then he ought to be cast out of the communion of the church1 ,matt1 xviii4 #ag4 #h4 ,it is the indispensable duty of church members to hearken to and receive instruction1 admonition1 and reproof from one another4 ,for if some are indispensably bound at certain times to give them1 surely others who need them are as much bound to receive them1 ,prov4 viii4 #cc1 x4 #ag1 and xxix4 #a4 ,these are bound to hearken to their brethren's reproofs1 counsels1 and admonitions1 with all humility1 patience1 and freedom of spirit1 with all love1 meekness1 and thankfulness to ,god1 and to the givers of them3 for they are great mercies to such as need them1 and they are their real and profitable friends1 who seek their good1 and endeavor to prevent their destruction4 ,let it therefore never be said justly of any of you that are church members1 that you were reproved and admonished of any known sin by a brother1 and that you refused and slighted their counsel or reproof1 justified yourselves in your sins1 and were displeased with or angry at such as admonished you1 and did their indispensable duty to you1 under your sin1 for your salvation4 #i4 ,church members ought to pray for one another1 and that with a real love1 fervency1 and importunity1 as they do for themselves1 ,james v4 #af4 ,o with what serious minds and strong affections should all church members pray for one another6 ,they should be much in building up one another1 and praying in the ,holy ,ghost one for another1 ,jude #bj4 ,they should carry one another in their hearts at the throne of grace1 especially such as are under affliction1 the whole ,church in general1 and her teachers in particular1 ,heb4 xiii4 #ah1 and wrestle with ,god for them2 for they have the spirit of prayer given them1 and audience and interest in heaven1 for others1 as well as for themselves4 #aj4 ,church members should often meet together for prayer and holy conversation1 by two or three or more1 as they may have opportunity4 ,this was wont to be the commendable practice of our forefathers1 when ,christ1 duty1 heaven1 and religion lay warmer on their hearts than now they do2 and this is still the practice of some1 that are now alive4 ,god hath promised his glorious teaching1 and his warming1 strengthening1 sanctifying1 and comforting presence to such as do so1 ,matt1 xviii4 #bj4 ,church members find time enough to visit one another1 and meet together to tell some idle stories1 to tattle about other men's matters1 which do not concern them1 and perhaps to backbite some of their brethren1 and to prejudice the minds of persons against their teachers and their work1 if they do not please them4 ,and will not such meetings have bitterness in the end8 ,is it not great iniquity for ,christians to tempt one another to sin1 and to wrong their own souls1 by misspending that precious time which they might have employed in the service of ,god1 and one another's spiritual profit4 ,men and women were wont to discourse often of the things of ,god and their experiences one to another1 ,mal4 iii4 #af4 ,but1 alas6 few persons are now to be found1 who can find time and inclination for such an exercise4 ,and the reason seems to be1 that most are great strangers to ,god and to themselves1 and are so much intoxicated with the things of this world1 that they will not attend with any pleasure unto the spiritual duties of religion4 #aa4 ,church members ought to encourage one another by their example1 to attend regularly on the public ordinances of ,god's worship in his church4 ,whenever the church meets for the celebration of the worship of ,god1 all her members are bound to meet together at the appointed time1 except in extraordinary cases2 otherwise good order cannot be kept1 and the public duties performed1 for the glory of ,god1 and the edification of the church4 ,by church members wilfully or carelessly absenting themselves at the time of meeting1 they give an evil example to others1 tempt them to do the like1 and cast a stumbling-block in the way of their duty1 ,heb4 x4 #be4 #ab4 ,church members must be charitable to the poor that are among them1 and freely contribute to them according to their ability and their necessity4 ,they are indispensably bound to impart their help and assistance to the poor1 and to give them a little of their estates4 ,it is a debt which they owe to ,god1 and a duty to them4 ,they will comfort them thereby2 but they will much more profit themselves than them4 ,it is a more blessed thing to give than to receive4 ,wealthy persons are stewards for the poor1 and a part of what ,god hath given those was designed for these1 #a ,pet4 iv4 #aj1 and therefore1 says ,god1 ,deut4 xv4 #g1 #h1 ,thou shalt not shut thine hand from thy poor brother1 but shalt open it wide unto him4 ,the rich must not only give to keep the poor alive in misery1 but make comfortable provisions for them1 that they may have enough to keep them from the temptations of poverty and pressing wants1 and to fit them for1 and encourage them in1 their work and duty1 to ,god and man4 #ac4 ,church members ought carefully1 watchfully1 diligently1 and conscientiously to beware of and avoid whatever may give any just offence or scandal to one another4 ,for we are charged to give none offence neither to ,jew nor ,gentile1 nor to the ,church of ,god1 #a ,cor4 x4 #cb4 ,and our ,saviour tells us1 that wo to them by whom the offence cometh1 ,matt1 xviii4 #g4 ,you must take heed of such evils as the following1 and avoid them1 because they all carry scandal in their nature to your own and others' souls3 as1 #a4 ,proud1 disdainful1 and haughty words conduct1 and conversation2 for these are grievous and provoking evils1 which will justly offend all the observers of them4 #b4 ,sullen1 sour1 and churlish language and behavior1 which is offensive unto all sorts of persons2 for this is an evil altogether unbecoming the followers of ,jesus ,christ4 #c4 ,a cross1 captious1 and contradictive spirit and conduct1 delighting in opposition to the judgment of the church and her rulers4 ,this is very scandalous to the brethren1 and very reproachful unto themselves4 #d4 ,speaking evil of one another behind their backs2 backbiting or publishing their real or supposed evils1 before they have been spoken to in secret4 #e4 ,speaking lightly or contemptibly of one another1 either to themselves or to others in their absence1 as few men can bear patiently to be despised by the slighting carriages of their brethren4 #f4 ,vain1 foolish1 and frothy discourses1 which are very offensive to gracious saints4 #g4 ,earthly-mindedness and greedy pursuits after worldly things2 for as these are offensive to ,god1 and hurtful to the soul1 so they are offensive to saints4 #h4 ,strife and contention among brethren1 and grudging or envying one another's prosperity2 as these produce many evil and wicked fruits1 and cast blame upon the providence of ,god1 who bestows his mercies as he will4 #i4 ,defrauding and breaking promises4 ,contracting debts and unduly delaying or refusing to pay them1 and disappointing men of their just expectations in virtue of promises made to them4 ,those also are scandalous1 and cause the name of ,god to be evil spoken of4 #aj4 ,entering into a marriage relation with such as are apparently in an unbelieving1 carnal1 and unconverted state and condition2 for this also is very offensive to holy serious men1 although many make very light of it4 #aa4 ,idleness and slothfulness in your external calling1 neglecting to provide for your own house1 as that will prove a scandalous sin to others and to yourselves too4 #ab4 ,taking up a report rashly against one another of a scandalous nature1 giving ear unto tattlers1 and busybodies2 or being busybodies in other men's matters yourselves1 as this will give great offence4 ,,no4 ,,ii4#abb ,quest4 ,who have a right to preach the gospel and dispense the public ordinances of religion8 ,ans4 ,without some proper furniture1 it is absurd to imagine any should be sent of ,god to the ministerial work4 ,when the ascended ,jesus gave to the church apostles1 evangelists2 pastors and teachers1 he gave gifts to men4 ,who1 saith he1 goeth at1 any time a warfare on his own charges8 ,what is the furniture1 the qualifications prerequisite1 according to the ,holy ,scriptures8 ,a blameless conversation1 a good report2 experience of the self-debasing work of the ,spirit of ,god2 compassion to the souls of men2 a fixedness in the ,christian doctrines2 a disposition faithfully to perform his vows2 an aptness to teach the ignorant1 and convince gainsayers4 ,knowledge of languages1 knowledge of the history and sciences of this world1 are useful handmaids to assist us in the study of divine things4 ,to preach from the oracles of ,god1 without capacity to peruse the original1 especially if versant in romances and plays1 we abhor and detest4 ,this aptness to teach1 however1 consists not chiefly in any of these1 but in a capacity to conceive spiritual things1 and with some distinctness to express their conceptions to the edification of others1 in that energy and life1 whereby one1 as affected himself1 declares the truths of ,god1 in a simple1 serious1 bold1 and conscience-touching manner4 ,the difference of this1 from human eloquence1 loud bawling1 and theatrical action1 is evident4 ,these may touch the passions1 and not affect the conscience3 they may procure esteem to the preacher1 none to ,christ4 ,these are the product of natural art3 this the distinguished gift of ,god1 without which1 in a certain degree1 none can have evidence that he was divinely sent to minister the gospel of ,christ4 ,no appearance of furniture1 real or pretended1 can warrant a man's exercising of the ministry1 unless he have a regular call4 ,that all may prophesy one by one is indeed hinted in the sacred records3 but there it is evident inspiration treats of what pertains to extraordinary officers in the church2 hence there is mentioned the gift of tongues1 extraordinary psalms1 revelations3 the all that might prophesy are1 therefore1 not all the members of the church2 not women1 who are forbid to speak in the church2 but all the extraordinary officers called prophets1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ca4 ,the all that were scattered abroad from ,jerusalem1 and went about preaching the gospel1 ,acts viii4 #b1 could not be all the believers2 for there remained at ,jerusalem a church of believers for ,saul to make havoc of4 ,it must therefore have been all the preachers1 besides the apostles4 ,to strengthen this1 let it be observed1 that the word here rendered preaching is nowhere in ,scripture referred to one out of office3 that every one of this dispersion1 we afterward hear of1 are represented as evangelists1 pastors1 or teachers1 ,acts ix4 #a1 #aa1 #ai1 and xiii4 #a4 ,parents and masters convey the same instruction that ministers do2 but with a different authority3 not as ministers of ,christ1 or officers in his ,church4 ,if other gifts or saintship entitled to preach the gospel1 wo would be unto every gifted person1 every saint1 that did not preach it4 ,if our adored ,redeemer refused the work of a civil judge because not humanly vested with such power1 will he allow his followers to exercise an office far more important1 without any regular call8 ,his oracles distinguish between the mission of persons1 and their gifts1 sometimes called a receiving of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,john xx4 #ba1 #bc4 ,to render the point incontestably evident1 he demands1 how men shall preach except they be sent8 declares1 that no man rightly taketh this honor to himself but he that is called of ,god1 as was ,aaron4 ,i sent them not1 therefore they shall not profit this people at all1 saith the ,lord4 ,the characters divinely affixed to ministers1 preachers1 or heralds1 ambassadors1 stewards1 watchmen1 angels1 messengers1 brightly mark their call and commission to their work4 ,the inspired rules for the qualifications1 the election1 the ordination of ministers1 are divinely charged to be kept till the day1 the second coming of ,jesus ,christ4 ,for intermeddling with the sacred business without a regular call1 has the ,almighty severely punished numbers of men4 ,witness the destruction of ,korah and his company2 the rejection of ,saul2 and the death of ,uzza2 the leprosy of ,uriah2 the disaster of the sons of ,sceva1 c41 ,num4 xvi42 #a ,sam4 xiii42 #a ,chron4 xiii42 #b ,chron4 xxvi42 ,acts xix4 ,to rush into it1 if gifted1 or to imagine we are so1 at our own hand1 introduces the wildest disorder1 and the most shocking errors3 it did so at ,antioch1 and the places adjacent1 where some falsely pretended a mission from the apostles4 ,this1 too1 was its effect with the ,german anabaptists1 and with the sectaries of ,england4 ,aversion at manual work1 pride of abilities1 a disturbed imagination1 a carnal project to promote self1 prompts the man to be preacher4 ,such ultroneous rushing is inconsistent with the deep impression of the charge1 and the care to manifest their mission1 everywhere in ,scripture obvious in the ministers of ,christ4 ,however sound his doctrine1 great his abilities1 warm his address1 where is the promise of ,god's especial presence1 protection1 or success1 to the ultroneous preacher8 ,where is his conduct commanded1 commended1 or unmarked with wrath1 exemplified in the sacred words8 ,how then can the preaching1 or our hearing1 of such1 be in faith8 ,how can it be acceptable to ,god1 or profitable to ourselves8 ,for whatsoever is not of faith is sin4 ,falsely this preacher pretends a mission from ,christ3 wickedly1 he usurps an authority over his ,church3 rebelliously he deserts his own calling1 and attempts to make void the office his ,saviour has appointed2 to frustrate the dispensation of the gospel committed to his faithful ambassadors4 ,for how can they fulfil their ministry1 if others take the work out of their hand8 ,how can they commit it to faithful men1 if1 not waiting their commission1 men rush into it at pleasure8 ,in vain pleads the ultroneous preacher1 that a particular mission to the office of preaching and dispensing the sacraments was only necessary1 when the gospel was preached to the heathen4 ,from age to age1 it is as new1 to children as new1 to such as never heard it4 ,nor1 when hinting the necessity of a mission1 does the inspiring ,spirit make any distinction1 whether the gospel be newly dispensed or not4 ,what therefore ,god hath joined together1 let no man put asunder4 ,in vain he pleads an immediate commission from ,god3 in his infallible statutes1 having fixed standing rules of vocation to the ministry1 by the mediation of men1 ,god gives us no command1 no encouragement1 to hope for an immediate call1 till the end of time4 ,absurdly then we allow any to have such a call1 till we see the signs of an apostle wrought in him4 ,it is not sufficient he be sound in his doctrine1 exemplarily holy in his life1 active in his labors1 disinterested in his aims1 seeking not his own1 but the honor of ,christ1 not his own carnal profit1 but the spiritual welfare of men3 every ordinary preacher is1 or ought to be so4 ,but1 to this claimant of a mission uncommon1 working of miracles1 or such extraordinary credentials1 must demonstrate he hath not run unsent4 ,in vain the ultroneous preacher boasts of his feelings2 his success2 his moving his audience2 his reforming their lives2 as if these demonstrated his call from ,god4 ,on earth1 was ever delusion carried on without pretence to1 or without appearances of these8 ,let them1 who know the history of ,popery1 of ,mahometanism1 ,quakerism1 c41 say if they were4 ,who knows not1 that the ,pharisaic sect pretended far more strictness1 far more devotion1 than the family of ,christ8 ,who knows not1 that ,satan may1 and has oft transformed himself into an angel of light2 his ministers into the form of inspired apostles2 and his influences1 almost indiscernibly similar to those of the ,spirit of ,jesus ,christ8 ,who knows not1 how oft vain-glory1 proud and falsely extolling of himself and party1 in their number1 their spiritual experience and high advances in holiness1 mark the distinguished impostor8 ,how oft his sermons are larded with these6 ,no more tell us1 if the sermon be good1 you do not regard who preach it4 ,if ,god has prescribed a method of call1 has stated the qualifications of the candidate1 has warned against preachers unsent1 has oft marked their guilt with visible strokes of his wrath1 be ashamed to talk at so arrogant1 so careless a rate4 ,lay it not in the power of the ,mesopotamian wizard6 ,lies it not in the power of a ,romish ,jesuit1 nay1 if permitted1 of ,beelzebub1 for a time to preach to you many truths of the gospel1 in the warmest strain1 the loftiest language8 ,would you acknowledge the three for honored ambassadors of ,christ8 ,tell us not your preacher is wonderfully pious and good3 perhaps you have only his own attestation2 when better known he may be a drunkard1 a swearer1 a villain1 for you4 ,suppose he were pious1 so was ,uzziah2 yet it pertained not to him to execute the priest's office4 ,say not he is wonderfully gifted--speaks like never man3 perhaps so was ,korah1 a man famous and of renown3 such perhaps were the vagabond sons of ,sceva4 ,say not his earnestness in his work marks his heavenly call3 no1 such were the ,satanic exorcists just mentioned2 such was ,mahomet1 the vilest impostor4 ,to abolish the idolatry1 and various other abominations of his country1 he exposed himself to cruel reproach1 to manifold hardship and hazard of life2 about fourteen years almost unsuccessful he persevered in this difficult1 but delusive attempt4 ,what hunger1 what cold1 what torment and death have some ,jesuitic and other antichristian missionaries undergone1 to propagate the most ruining delusions of hell2 all under the pretence of earnestness to gain sinners to ,christ and his church4 ,the ,scripture1 however1 nowhere saith1 how shall they preach except they be gracious8 except they be gifted8 except they be in earnest8 ,but1 how shall they preach except they be sent8 ,,no4 ,,iii4#abc ,on the same subject--,who have a right to preach the gospel8 ,it is expressly enjoined in the word of ,god that we should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints4 ,this faith includes all the ordinances1 as well as all the doctrines of ,christ2 and it is no less our duty to contend for the former than for the latter4 ,they have been equally opposed1 and there is the same necessity why we should contend for both4 ,among the ordinances of ,christ1 the preaching of the gospel holds a principal place1 and it hath accordingly1 in all ages1 met with considerable opposition4 ,like other ordinances1 it hath been often grievously abused1 and perverted to the most unworthy purposes4 ,by many who would be esteemed the wise of the world1 it is counted unworthy the attention of any but the vulgar3 it has been called the foolishness of preaching4 ,the infidels of our time1 and some who1 by attachment to the ,arian and ,socinian system1 are in a progress to infidelity1 cry it down as a human device or piece of craft4 ,this need not1 however1 occasion any great surprise3 the spirit of the world savoreth not the things that be of ,god1 and the enemies of the truth naturally wish to have full scope to propagate their delusions4 ,but it is matter of regret that the preaching of the gospel is1 by many who attend upon it1 too little regarded as an ordinance of ,christ4 ,and some of the professed friends of gospel doctrine so far mistake the nature and institution of preaching1 as to engage in it without any other call than their own abundant zeal1 and even to plead that all should do so who find themselves qualified4 ,to show that such a sentiment and practice have no warrant from the word of ,god1 the following observations are offered4 ,i4 ,the preaching of the gospel is an ordinance that ,christ hath appointed for the gathering and edification of his ,church2 and1 being a matter of positive institution1 all that belongs to the administration of it can be learned only from the rules and approved examples recorded in the ,new ,testament4 ,it is not like those duties that are incumbent upon all1 according to the opportunities they have in providence for the performance of them1 and which1 without any express commandment1 could be urged upon ,christians by the common principles of moral obligation1 such as to teach and admonish one another4 ,and because the obligation to such moral duties depends not upon positive institution1 it must equally extend to all1 and no person whatever can be free from it4 ,but it is otherwise as to the preaching of the gospel1 which is a positive institution of ,christ2 for it is a duty enjoined upon some only2 yea1 some are even absolutely prohibited from intermeddling in it1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd2 #a ,tim4 ii4 #ab3 and this could not be the case if it were a matter of common moral obligation4 ,all arguments therefore taken from general principles1 to prove the obligation that ,christians are under to exert themselves for promoting the cause of religion1 are to no purpose here1 as they do not prove that the preaching of the gospel is one of those means that all are warranted to use4 ,,ii4 ,there is an instituted ministry of the ordinances of ,christ unto his ,church1 by such ministers and office-bearers as he hath appointed4 ,and the preaching of the gospel is frequently referred to as a principal part of that ministry4 ,we read of a ministry of the word1 ,acts vi4 #d2 a ministry received of the ,lord ,jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of ,god1 ,acts xx4 #bd2 a ministry of reconciliation1 #b ,cor4 v4 #ah2 and a ministry into which some are put by the ,lord ,christ1 #a ,tim4 i4 #ab4 ,this ministry is not left open to all the members of the church1 in such a manner as that everyone who finds himself disposed1 of supposes himself to be qualified1 may engage in it as he finds opportunity2 but office-bearers are appointed for it by the ,lord ,christ1 ,eph4 iv4 #aa1ab3 ,and he gave some apostles1 and some prophets1 and some evangelists1 and some pastors and teachers1 for the perfecting of the saints1 for the work of the ministry1 and for the edifying of the body of ,christ4 ,some of these officers were extraordinary and temporary2 they had an extraordinary call1 and were endued with miraculous powers1 which are now ceased3 but the work of the ministry1 and particularly the preaching of the gospel1 is to continue to the end of the world1 as appears from the promise given for the encouragement of those that are employed in it1 ,matt1 xxviii4 #bj4 ,there are accordingly ordinary officers1 pastors1 and teachers1 appointed for the continued exercise of that ministry4 ,to these instituted office-bearers is this ministry exclusively committed1 ,mark xvi41 ,matt1 xxviii4 ,the gospel of ,christ1 in respect of the public ministry thereof by preaching1 is frequently mentioned as a special and peculiar trust committed unto them1 #b ,cor4 v4 #ah-bj2 #a ,tim4 i4 #aa1 and vi4 #bj4 ,in all the passages of ,scripture where we have any mention of a charge or commission to preach the gospel1 it would be easy to show that it is directed only to persons in office2 and a variety of names are given to those that are employed in a ministry of the word1 all of which are expressive of their peculiar office4 ,they are called ministers1 #a ,cor4 iii4 #f2 officers and stewards1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a2 ambassadors for ,christ1 #b ,cor4 v4 #bj2 heralds 7so the word preacher signifies7 and teachers1 #b ,tim4 i4 #aa4 ,there is no room to plead here1 that though a constant ministry of the word1 in a pastoral charge1 belongs only to persons in office1 yet all may occasionally exercise their gifts in preaching the gospel4 ,the word of ,god acknowledges no such distinction as that between a constant and an occasional ministry of the gospel4 ,it enjoins upon those who are called to the work of the ministry1 not an occasional1 but a constant exercise of that ministry2 so that whether they be paid pastors1 or itinerant preachers1 they are not to entangle themselves with the affairs of this life1 but must be devoted wholly to the work of the gospel1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ac-af2 #b ,tim4 ii4 #d1 and iv4 #b4 ,and because they must thus devote their time and attention to this work1 the word of ,god also enjoins that a maintenance be given them by those to whom they exercise their ministry1 #a ,cor4 ix4 #g-ad2 ,gal4 vi4 #f2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag4 ,this is a farther evidence that the ministry of the word is restricted to persons in office1 and that they are to devote their time and attention to it1 not entangling themselves in the prosecution of a secular business4 ,,iii4 ,those only can be warrantably employed in a ministry of the ordinances of ,christ1 and particularly in preaching the gospel1 who are thereunto called by him1 and admitted according to the rule laid down in the word4 ,and none can be warrantably acknowledged and received as office-bearers1 to whom that ministry is committed without some proper evidence of their being called and sent by ,christ4 ,how shall they preach except they be sent8 ,rom4 x4 #ae4 ,how1 without this1 can they do it warrantably or profitably8 ,and1 without some evidence of this1 what ground have we to expect a blessing in waiting upon their ministry8 ,it is not a mere providential sending that is here meant1 as if there were no more necessity than abilities1 and an opportunity of exercising them2 for so the ministers of ,satan may be sent1 and a lying spirit was thus sent among the prophets of ,ahab4 ,but this sending means the call of ,christ1 intimated in such a way as to warrant the preacher1 and with such evidence as may satisfy the conscience of the hearers1 in receiving his ministry as the ordinance of ,christ4 ,a zeal for ,god1 a strong desire of being useful to souls1 and even a persuasion of having the call of ,christ1 cannot be sufficient warrant to the preacher2 far less can the hearers1 in receiving him1 proceed upon grounds so uncertain4 ,the apostles1 and some other ministers in the beginning of the ,christian dispensation1 had an extraordinary call and immediate mission by ,christ1 and this was evidenced to all by the miraculous powers bestowed on them4 ,these powers are now ceased1 and it is vain to plead any such immediate call4 ,the ordinary call of ,christ to the work of the ministry is intimated by or through the church1 judging thereof by the rules laid down in the word2 and according to these rules1 they that are found qualified and called1 are to be admitted to the ministry by them who are already invested with it4 ,the charge is given to the office-bearers of the church1 to commit that ministry which they have received to faithful men1 who shall be able to teach others also1 #b ,tim4 ii4 #b2 ,tit4 i4 #e4 ,and for their direction in this matter1 the qualifications necessary1 both as to character and abilities1 are laid down in the ,word1 particularly in #a ,tim4 iii42 of these qualifications they are required to make an impartial and deliberate examination1 so as to lay hands suddenly on no man1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #bb1 but to admit to the office of the ministry those only1 who1 by this trial1 they have reason to judge are called and sent by ,christ4 ,it is vain to distinguish here between a pastor of a congregation and an itinerant preacher2 as if the call of the church was necessary only to the former and not to the latter4 ,if by the call of the church is meant only the choice and call of the people1 it is admitted1 that this is only necessary to fix a pastoral relation to that part of the flock2 but a regular admission to the work of the ministry1 by the office-bearers of the church1 is equally necessary in the case of all that are employed in it1 whether they have a fixed charge or not4 ,timothy1 who had no fixed charge1 and though pointed out by prophecy as designed for the ministry1 was ordained and admitted to it by the presbytery4 ,and though ,paul and ,barnabas had an extraordinary call1 yet the prophets and teachers of the church at ,antioch are directed to separate and send them out1 according to the call of the ,holy ,ghost1 to preach the gospel unto the ,gentiles1 ,acts xiii4 ,a principal design of this seems to have been1 to set an example of procedure to the church in after times4 ,it appears1 then1 that the preaching of the gospel is an ordinance or institution of ,christ--that the ministry of that and other ordinances belongs only to those office-bearers whom he hath appointed and commissioned for that end--and that in ordinary cases1 none can be acknowledged as sent by him1 but such as are admitted to the ministry in the way above mentioned4 ,these observations would have admitted a much larger illustration2 but as they are1 they may assist an attentive reader to consult his ,bible for further satisfaction4 ,it is necessary1 however1 to take some notice of the arguments urged in support of the opposite sentiment1 and of the attempt to prove that every man who is qualified has a right to preach the gospel1 without any regular call and admission by the church4 ,and1 #ast4 ,it is pretended that this is enjoined upon all that are qualified for it1 because ,christians are called to teach1 exhort1 and admonish one another4 ,but even supposing that this were to be understood of preaching1 or a public ministry of the word1 such directions1 though expressed generally1 would not apply to all1 but to those only who are called to the ministry1 according to the limitation and restriction that is laid down in other places of ,scripture4 ,there is1 however1 no necessity of understanding these directions in that sense4 ,the ,scripture evidently distinguishes the preaching of the gospel1 or that public teaching which belongs to an instituted ministry1 from that private teaching which is competent to1 and obligatory on1 all ,christians by the law of love2 the latter is enjoined upon some to whom the former is absolutely prohibited3 compare #a ,tim4 ii4 #ab1 with ,tit4 ii4 #c1 #d4 ,christians in a private station have abundant opportunity1 and ordinarily much more than they improve1 to exercise their talents in teaching their families1 friends1 and neighbors1 without interfering with that public ministry of the word which is committed to those who are especially called thereto4 #b;d4 ,some passages of ,scripture are urged1 wherein it is supposed all ,christians are enjoined to exercise their qualifications in public teaching or preaching3 particularly ,rom4 xii4 #f-h2 #a ,pet4 iv4 #aj1 #aa4 ,these ,scriptures1 on the contrary1 restrict the public ministry of the word to those invested with an office1 and it is that ministry which belongs to their office that is spoken of4 ,in ,rom4 xii4 persons in office are exhorted to apply themselves faithfully and diligently to that ministry to which they are called1 whether it be a ministry of the word1 and of spiritual things1 or a ministry of temporal things1 and that without envying others who have a different office and ministry4 ,and1 to enforce this exhortation1 the apostle compares the ,church to the natural body1 ver4 #d1 in which all members have not the same office1 but one member is appointed to one office1 and another member to a different office3 and so it is in the ,church of ,christ1 ver4 #e4 ,the same allusion is applied more largely1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bg1 #bh1 to illustrate this very point4 ,the other passage1 #a ,pet4 iv4 #aj1 #aa1 is of the very same import3 those in office are called to exercise their ministry faithfully1 whether it be in spiritual or temporal things1 and are addressed as stewards1 ver4 #aj2 ,as every man hath received the gift1 even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of ,god4 ,some are led to mistake the meaning of these ,scriptures1 by misunderstanding the word gift1 as if it meant only talents or qualifications2 whereas1 in these and many other passages1 it means a certain office and ministry to which one is appointed4 ,eph4 iv4 #h1 #aa3 ,he gave gifts unto men2 he gave some apostles1 some prophets1 c4 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad3 ,neglect not the gift that is in thee1 which was given thee by prophecy1 with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery4 ,timothy was ordained to the office of the ministry in consequence of special direction of the spirit of prophecy4 ,see #a ,tim4 i4 #ah4 #c;d4 ,it is also supposed and much insisted on by some1 that both precept and example for the preaching of the gospel1 by what they call every gifted brother1 may be found in #a ,cor4 xiv4 #ca1 which is particularly urged in support of their opinion3 ,for ye may all prophesy1 one by one1 that all may learn1 and all may be comforted4 ,but universal terms1 such as are here used1 are limited or extended according to the subject2 and that even in the same verse1 as in chap4 xv4 #bb4 ,in like manner here1 the all that may prophesy are not the same all that may learn and be comforted4 ,the latter may extend to all the members of the church1 and even to strangers who might come into their assemblies2 the former could apply only to a few4 ,some members of the church are expressly prohibited from public teaching1 ver4 #cd4 ,besides1 all were not prophets1 chap4 xii4 #bi1 and therefore all could neither prophesy1 nor could warrantably attempt it4 ,the state of matters referred to in that chapter seems to have been this3 ,the church at ,corinth was numerous1 and had many ministers1 of whom the most1 if not all1 were endowed with some miraculous power1 such as that of prophecy1 of speaking strange languages1 and the like2 they were proud of these gifts1 and forward to show them1 ver4 #bf1 which occasioned disorder in their assemblies for worship2 those that had the gift of tongues prevented the prophets1 and did not modestly give place to one another4 ,these disorders the apostle reproves1 and exhorts them to exercise their gifts in a more regular and decent manner1 for the edification of the church4 ,this being the case1 it is strange to plead this passage as a warrant for the preaching of the gospel by those who are in no office1 and who neither have any miraculous power to prove their immediate call by ,christ to the work of the ministry1 nor are admitted thereto by the call of the church4 #dth4 ,further1 we are referred to ,acts viii4 #a-d1 for an example of the preaching of the gospel by persons not in office4 ,we are told1 ver4 #a1 that there was a great persecution against the church which was at ,jerusalem1 and they were all scattered abroad--except the apostles4 ,and it is said1 ver4 #d1 they1 that were scattered abroad1 went everywhere preaching the word4 ,from this it is argued1 that the ,church in general proclaimed the gospel of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,but why mention the ,church in general1 when the method of reasoning used would equally prove that the ,church universally did so2 and the absurdity of such reasoning must be evident upon a very little consideration of the subject4 ,how absurd to suppose that all mentioned in ver4 #a1 refers to and comprehends all the members of that church1 and that all the thousands and ten thousands belonging to it were all scattered abroad1 or that they all1 men1 women1 and children1 went everywhere preaching the word6 ,are we not told1 ver4 #c1 that some of them1 probably many of them1 both men and women1 were haled and committed to prison8 ,or1 had all the members of the church been driven from ,jerusalem1 how were the apostles to be employed8 ,did they only tarry to gather a new church8 ,when it is said1 ver4 #c1 that ,saul entered into every house1 how absurd would it be to suppose that it is meant every house in ,jerusalem1 or even every house in which there was a ,christian6 ,the expression1 also1 everywhere1 ver4 #d1 must be limited4 ,it would therefore be unreasonable to object against a proper limitation of the word all1 ver4 #a4 ,and about the just limitation of it we need be at no loss4 ,they were all scattered abroad--except the apostles4 ,what reason can there be for mentioning only the apostles as excepted1 while there were so many other members of that church still remaining at ,jerusalem1 but this1 that the persons referred to were of the same description in general with the apostles1 persons in office1 ministers of the church8 ,others might also be scattered1 but these are here spoken of2 and ,philip1 an evangelist1 and endowed with miraculous powers1 is mentioned as one of them4 #eth4 ,as to the case of ,apollos1 which some urge as affording irresistible evidence to prove that all who are qualified may preach the gospel1 a few words may suffice4 ,he spoke boldly in the synagogue1 the practice of which is no rule to the ,christian ,church4 ,he was not yet acquainted with some important doctrines of the ,new ,testament ,church1 much less could he be acquainted with the ordinances of it4 ,two intelligent ,christians instructed him more perfectly in the way of ,god4 ,he was recommended by the brethren to the church at ,corinth1 and there he labored successfully in the work of the ministry4 ,and what is all this to the purpose for which his example is urged8 ,we have no information1 indeed1 of what time1 nor in what manner1 he was called and admitted to the work of the ministry1 more than we have about many others mentioned in ,scripture3 but he is expressly called a minister1 and is1 once and again1 classed with the chiefest of the apostles1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ab1 iii4 #e1 #bb4 ,lest these and the like arguments should be found insufficient1 recourse is had by some to the plea of pure motives and good designs1 with a kind of appeal to the judgment of the great day1 and profession of trust1 that they are such as will not then be condemned4 ,it is a great satisfaction to have the testimony of conscience to the purity of motives in every part of conduct that is warranted by the word of ,god1 and also to know that the judgment of the saints at the great day will be a judgment of mercy4 ,but every part of the truth of ,christ will be determined at that day in exact conformity to what is now declared in the word4 ,and the purest motives and most noble designs are no rule of conduct to any2 much less can they give satisfaction to others4 ,these observations concerning the institution of a gospel ministry1 the writer is persuaded1 are agreeable to the word of ,god3 if they be not1 it would be idle to appeal to his motives in support of them4 ,but he can freely say that they are here offered to the public1 not from a desire of controversy1 but from a conviction1 that at this time it is necessary1 on different accounts1 to call people's attention to the mind and will of ,christ1 as revealed in the word concerning this subject4 ,let not such of the friends of religion1 as may be of different sentiments from what are here expressed1 be offended at an attempt1 in the spirit of meekness1 to remove their mistakes3 nor let them impute it to envy1 pride1 or selfish principles4 ,in a perfect consistency with all that he hath advanced1 the writer can say1 ,would to ,god that all the ,lord's people were prophets4 ,it is a necessary consequence of what is advanced on this subject1 that all should be careful that the ministry of the ordinances they attend upon be such as is warranted in the word4 ,if none can warrantably preach except they be sent1 we cannot warrantably attend on the ministry of any but those who we have reason to believe have ,christ's call and mission4 ,and if it be an objection against a pastor of a congregation1 that he is imposed upon the flock without their choice1 it is no less an objection against a preacher1 if he be not admitted to the ministry of the word by those whose office it is to examine his qualifications1 and judge of his call4 ,it must1 however1 be acknowledged1 that to have gone through the ordinary forms of admission is no sufficient evidence of one's having the call of ,christ4 ,the outward forms may be observed1 while the spirit and design of them is neglected1 and the rule of the word transgressed4 ,nor can any be acknowledged as sent by ,christ1 unless their character correspond with that pointed out and required in the word1 and unless the doctrine they teach be the gospel of ,christ4 ,none can be supposed to have a mission from ,christ1 who do not bring his message1 #b ,john ver4 #aj3 ,if there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine1 receive him not into your house1 neither bid him ,god speed4 ,but when we are favored with the pure gospel1 and an administration of it agreeable to the word1 let us wait upon it diligently2 regarding the preaching of the gospel as an ordinance of ,christ1 and depending on his promised blessing to make it effectual3 for when the world by wisdom knew not ,god1 it pleased ,god1 by the foolishness of preaching1 to save them that believe1 #a ,cor4 i4 #ba4 ,both parts of this number are recommended to the serious consideration of what are called lay-preachers1 and of such as favor that scheme4 ,and let all intruders upon the office of the holy ministry1 with their deluded votaries1 beware lest it should be said to them1 ,who hath required this at your hands8 ,,no4 ,,iv4 ,quest4 ,have not the people a divine right to choose their own pastors and other church officers8 ,ans4 ,in those divinely qualified for the ministry1 there are diversities of gifts1 though but one spirit4 ,as the same food1 though abundantly wholesome and nourishing1 is not equally suited to the taste1 appetite1 and constitutions of different persons and nations2 so the same gifts in a candidate for the gospel ministry are not equally adapted to every person and place4 ,to secure edification there must therefore be a choice of the gifts most suitable4 ,and who fitter to make it than those who are to enjoy the use thereof1 if their senses be exercised to discern good and evil8 ,can any man pretend to know better what gifts suit the case of my soul than ,i do myself8 ,those ignorant of the fundamental truths of ,christianity2 those scandalous1 profane deniers of the divine original of the ,old and ,new ,testaments1 or of any truth therein plainly revealed2 those neglecters of the public1 private1 and secret worship of ,god2 those given to cursing1 swearing1 ,sabbath profanation1 drunkenness1 whoredom1 or other scandalous courses1 are destitute of capacity and right to choose a gospel minister4 ,the ignorant are utterly incapable to judge of either the preacher's matter or method4 ,the openly wicked have their hatred of ,christ1 and a faithful minister1 marked in their forehead2 neither are such qualified to be visible members of the ,christian ,church4 ,to admit them therefore to choose a ,christian pastor would be a method1 introducing ruin and we2 a method equally absurd as for unfreemen to choose the magistrates of a burgh3 rather1 equally absurd as if ignorant babes1 and our enemies the ,french1 should be sustained electors of our members of parliament and privy council4 ,whether visible believers1 adults1 and having a life and conversation becoming the gospel1 have a right from ,god to choose their pastors and other church officers1 must now be examined4 ,all along from the ,reformation it has been the avowed principle of ,scotch ,presbyterians1 that they have a divine warrant to choose their own pastors and other ecclesiastic officers4 ,the first book of discipline1 published ,a4,d4 #aefj1 declares the lawful calling of the ministry to consist in the election of the people1 the examination of the ministry1 and administration by both1 and that no pastor should be intruded on any particular kirk without their consent4 ,their second book of discipline declares that the people's liberty of choosing church officers continued till the ,church was corrupted by antichrist3 that patronage flowed from the ,pope's canon law1 and is inconsistent with the order prescribed in ,god's word4 ,from various documents the assembly of #agcf declared it obvious1 that from the ,reformation it had been the fixed principle of this church that no minister ought to be intruded into any church contrary to the will of the congregation4 ,they seriously recommended a due regard hereunto in planting the vacancies1 as judicatories would study the glory of ,god1 the honor of ,god1 and the edification of men4 ,it is the law of heaven1 however1 the book of the ,lord1 that here and everywhere we intend to build our faith upon4 ,that of ,matthias is the first instance of an election of an officer in the ,christian ,church4 ,no doubt1 then1 it is marked in the sacred history as a pattern for the ages to come4 ,being an officer extraordinary1 his call was in part immediately divine1 by the determination of the lot4 ,being a church officer1 he was chosen by the ,church as far as consistent with his extraordinary office4 ,the disciples about ,jerusalem 7#abj7 were gathered together4 ,peter represented the necessity of filling up ,judas's place in the apostolate with one who could be a meet witness of ,jesus' doctrines1 miracles1 death1 and resurrection4 ,the one hundred and twenty disciples chose1 appointed1 or presented to whom they judged proper for that work4 ,the office being extraordinary1 and perhaps the votes equal1 the decision which of these two was referred to the divine determination of the lot4 ,after prayer for a perfect one1 it fell upon ,matthias1 and he was1 by suffrages1 or votes1 added to the number of the apostles4 ,had the next election of a church officer entirely excluded the ,christian people1 one had been tempted to suspect that ,matthias's extraordinary case was never designed for a pattern4 ,instead hereof1 the choice being of an ordinary officer1 is entirely deposited in their hands4 ,never were men better qualified for such an election than the inspired1 the spirit-discerning apostles2 yet when restrained by laborious attendance to their principal work1 the ministry of the word and of prayer1 from sufficient leisure to distribute their multiplied alms to their now numerous poor1 and directed by the ,holy ,ghost1 they ordered the ,christian people to look out1 choose seven of their number1 men of honest report1 full of the ,holy ,ghost and of wisdom1 who might be ordained to the office of deacons4 ,judging of the mentioned qualifications1 the ,christian multitude1 entirely of their own accord1 chose ,stephen1 ,philip1 ,prochorus1 ,nicanor1 ,timon1 ,parmenas1 and ,nicolas4 ,these they presented to the apostles1 who immediately ordained them by prayer1 and imposition of hands1 ,acts vi4 #a-f4 ,here1 by inspired appointment1 the people had the whole power of electing their deacons4 ,if they have the power of electing one ordinary officer1 why not of all8 ,if in the case of deacons they can judge of the qualifications of honest report1 full of the ,holy ,ghost and of wisdom1 what hinders them to judge of these and the like of ministers8 ,if ,jesus and his apostles argued from the less to the greater1 ,matt4 vi4 #cj1a ,cor4 ix4 #aj1 who can forbid us to argue so8 ,if it be right and equal for the ,christian people to choose deacons who take care of their sacred alms1 is it not much more right and equal that they have the choice of their pastors1 who take the oversight of their souls8 ,a third instance of the ,christian people electing their ecclesiastical officers1 relates to the joint travels of ,paul and ,barnabas at ,lystra and places around1 ,acts xiv4 #bc4 ,these two divinely directed messengers of ,christ1 having ordained 7or1 as properly translated from the ,greek1 through suffrages or votes constituted7 them elders 7presbyters7 in every city1 and prayed with fasting1 commended them to the ,lord4 ,here it is plainly marked that these elders1 presbyters1 were chosen by suffrages 7votes7 in order to ordination4 ,this the ,greek word in our version1 by the fraud of the ,english bishops rendered had ordained1 plainly imports4 ,the root of this word is borrowed from the custom of giving votes at ,athens and elsewhere in ,greece1 by lifting up of the hand4 ,wherever it is used in the ,greek ,testament1 and for anything we know in every ,greek author1 not posterior to ,luke1 the writer of the ,acts1 it constantly implies to give vote or suffrage4 ,in the text before us it agrees with ,paul and ,barnabas2 because they presided in the choice1 and finished the design of it by ordination4 ,here1 moreover1 it is evident that the persons chosen for elders 7presbyters7 were set apart to their office1 not by a hurried prayer and riotous banquet1 but by prayer and fasting3 and this manner of choice and ordination was used in every church4 ,the very performance of the work of ordination in public conjunction with the church tacitly infers their consent4 ,christ's commanding his people to try the spirits1 to try false prophets1 and to flee from them1 #a ,john iv4 #a1 #b1 necessarily imports a right to choose the worthy1 and reject the vile2 to choose what suits our edification1 and to reject what doth not2 for1 if we must receive whoever is imposed1 there is no occasion for trial1 we can have no other4 ,the privilege of trial here allowed to his people by ,christ plainly supposes their having some ability for it2 and1 by a diligent perusal of his word1 and consulting his ministers1 they may become more capable4 ,has our adored ,redeemer thus intrusted to his adult members the election of their pastors8 at what peril or guilt do any ministers or laics concur to bereave them thereof1 thrusting men into the evangelic office by another way2 thus constituting them spiritual thieves and robbers8 ,instead of being gentle to church members1 as a nurse cherisheth her children2 instead of condescending to men of low degree1 and doing all things to the glory of ,god and the edification of souls1 is not this to set at naught their brethren2 exercise lordly dominion over the members of ,christ2 and rule them with rigor8 ,in the oracles of ,god1 where is the hint1 that the choice of pastors for the ,christian people is lodged in any but themselves8--,since men apostolic and inspired put the choice from themselves to the ,christian people2 who can believe that it belongs to the clergy8 ,acts i4 and vi4 ,when ,christ avers his kingdom is not of this world2 when he threatens judgment without mercy to such as in his worshipping assemblies more readily give a seat to the rich1 with his gold ring and gay clothing1 than to the poor2 can it be imagined that he has intrusted the choice of his ambassadors to men1 for their greatness8 ,there is indeed a haughty objection often stated against the people's choice3 ,shall a cottager1 poor and unlearned1 who pays not one farthing of the stipend1 and at next term will perhaps remove from the congregation1 have an equal choice of a minister with his master1 a gentleman1 a nobleman1 of liberal education1 of distinguished abilities1 who is head of a large family1 has a fixed property and residence in the parish1 and furnishes almost the whole benefice8 ,will you fly in the face of our civil law8 ,will you plead for the method of choosing church officers1 which already has produced so much strife1 bloody squabbling1 or riot8 ,if ,christ's kingdom1 as himself when dying attested1 is not of this world1 how can outward learning1 riches1 settled abode1 or any worldly thing1 constitute one a member thereof8 ,these do not make one a better ,christian4 ,no4 ,not many wise men after the flesh1 not many mighty1 not many noble1 are called with a holy calling4 ,how ordinarily do rich men oppress the saints1 draw them before judgment-seats1 and blaspheme ,jesus' worthy name1 by which they are called6 ,if worldly privileges and endowments cannot make one a subject of the ,mediator's spiritual kingdom1 how can they entitle any to1 or raise him above his brethren in1 the privileges thereof8 ,if by the ,son of ,god the poor cottager has been made free indeed2 has been taught to profit2 is rich in faith2 is a king and priest unto ,god2 and hath received a kingdom that cannot be moved2 in the view of the ,omniscient and his angels1 and every man wise to salvation1 how little is he inferior to his rich1 perhaps his graceless1 master8 ,your rich man has college education1 understands philosophy1 history1 law1 agriculture2 but will that infer that he understands his ,bible1 understands ,christian principles1 spiritual experiences1 and what spiritual gifts best correspond therewith1 better than his cottager1 who daily searches the ,scriptures1 and has heard and learned of the ,father8 ,how oft are the great things of ,god hid from the wise and prudent1 and revealed unto babes6 ,christ crucified was to the learned ,greeks foolishness2 but to the poorest believer the power of ,god and the wisdom of ,god4 ,the natural man1 however learned1 receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god1 neither can he know them2 for they are spiritually discerned1 #a ,cor4 ii4 #ad4 ,how easy to find the herdman1 or the silly woman1 who will endure a trial on ,christian principles to far better purpose than many of your rich1 your great men6--,your great man is the head of a numerous family1 and has great influence in the corner4 ,that1 no doubt1 is a strong motive for him1 if he is a ,christian1 to be exceeding wary in his choice3 if he is so1 no doubt his ,christian judgment1 as far as is consistent with spiritual liberty1 is to have its own weight4 ,but while ,christ's kingdom is not of this world2 while in him there is neither male nor female1 bond nor free2 headship over a family can found no claim to a spiritual privilege4 ,thousands of heads of families are plainly aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel1 without ,god1 and without hope in the world4 ,many are heads of families who1 by neglect of the daily worship of ,god1 of religious instruction1 and by other unchristian conduct1 ruin the same4 ,boast not of the great man's settled abode1 boast not of to-morrow1 for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth2 how suddenly may disaster and death pluck him up by the roots6 ,the rich fathers1 where are they8 ,do the nobles live forever8 ,shall their dwelling continue to all generations8 ,how often1 in a few years1 the rich inheritance changes its master1 while the race of the poor hovers about the same spot for many generations6 ,what if the cottager attend more to gospel ministrations1 in one year1 than the rich in forty6 what if1 removing at next term1 he carry his beloved pastor in his heart1 and by effectual fervent prayers1 availing much1 by multiplied groanings that cannot be uttered1 he bring manifold blessings on the parish and ministry which he leaves2 while your rich man1 if wicked1 if of the too common stamp1 continues in it1 for no better purpose than to distress the faithful pastor1 corrupt the people1 bring down a curse1 and cumber the ground6 ,the great man bears the load of the stipend no more than the poorest cottager4 ,he purchased his estate with this burden upon it1 and on that account had its price proportionally abated4 ,suppose it were otherwise1 might not a poor widow's two mites be more in ,jesus' account than all he gives8 ,will we1 with the ,samaritan sorcerer1 indulge the thought that the gifts of ,god1 the spiritual privileges of his ,church1 are to be purchased with money8 ,for money to erect the church or defray the benefice we must not1 with the infamous traitor1 betray the ,son of ,god in his church--his ordinance1 his ministry1 into the hands of sinners to be crucified4 ,it is in vain to mention the civil law3 the very worst statute thereof1 relative to the point in hand1 indirectly supposes the consent of the congregation4 ,it leaves to the presbytery the full power to judge whether the presentee is fit for that charge4 ,if the congregation generally oppose1 with what candor do the presbytery1 in ,jesus' name1 determine that he is fit8 ,the last statute relative hereto declared the presentation void1 unless accepted4 ,nor is there in being any1 but the law of sin and death within them1 the law of itch after worldly gain1 that obliges candidates to accept4 ,how unmanly1 how disingenuous1 to blame the civil law with the present course of intrusions6--,since the resurrection of ,christ1 we think we may almost defy any to produce an instance of bloody squabbling1 or like outrageous contention1 in the choice of a pastor1 where none but the visible members of ,christ's mystical body1 adult1 and blameless in their lives1 were admitted to act in the choice4 ,but if at any called popular elections1 the power was sinfully betrayed into the hands of such baptized persons1 as in ignorance and loose practice equalled1 if not transcended1 heathen men and publicans2 into the hand of those who1 to please a superior1 to obtain a paltry bribe1 or a flagon of wine1 were readily determined in their vote for a minister2 let the prostitutes of ,jesus' ordinance answer for the unhappy consequences of their conduct4 ,if they so enormously broke through the hedge of the divine law1 no wonder a serpent bit them4 ,but who has forgot what angry contentions1 what necessity of a military guard at ordinations1 the lodging of the power of elections in patrons or heritors1 as such1 has of late occasioned8 ,to deprive the ,christian people of their privilege in choosing their pastor1 and give it to others upon worldly accounts1 is the grossest absurdity4 ,it overturns the nature of ,christ's spiritual kingdom1 founding a claim to her privileges on worldly character and property4 ,it gives those blessed lips the lie1 which said1 ,my kingdom is not of this world4 ,it counteracts the nature of the church1 as a voluntary society2 thrusting men into a momentous relation to her1 without1 nay contrary to1 her consent4 ,it settles the ministerial office upon a very rotten foundation3 for how hard is it to believe the man is a minister of a ,christian congregation1 who never consented to his being such6 to believe he has a pastoral mission from ,christ1 for whom providence would never open a regular door of entrance to the office2 but he was obliged to be thrust in by the window1 as a thief and a robber6 ,if he comes unsent1 how can ,i expect edification by his ministry1 when ,god has declared1 such shall not profit his people at all8 ,it implies the most unnatural cruelty4 ,if the law of nature allow me the choice of my physician1 my servant1 my guide1 my master1 how absurd to deny me the choice of a physician1 a servant1 a guide1 to my soul2 and to give it to another1 merely because he has some more money1 has a certain piece of ground1 which ,i have not6 ,how do these qualify him1 or entitle him to provide1 what the eternal salvation of my soul is so nearly connected with1 better than myself1 if taught of ,god8 ,by patronage how oft the honor of ,christ and the souls of men are betrayed into the hands of their declared enemies6 ,if the patron is unholy1 profane1 how readily the candidate he prefers is too like himself6 ,if a candidate be faithful1 be holy1 how readily1 like ,ahab in the case of ,micaiah1 he hates1 he sends not for him6 ,the complaisant chaplain1 who almost never disturbed the family with the worship of ,god2 who along with the children or others took off his cheerful glass2 sung his wanton song2 attended the licentious ball1 or play-house2 connived at1 or swore a profane oath2 took a hand at cards2 or ridiculed the mysteries1 the experiences1 the circumspect professor of the ,christian faith1 is almost certain to have the presentation3 perhaps he covenanted for it as part of his wages4 ,for what simony1 sacrilege1 and deceitful perjury1 with respect to ordination vows1 patronage opens a door1 he that runs may read4 ,shocked with the view1 let us forbear6 99 99 99 99 99 ,n4,b4 ,the ,london ministers in the preceding treatise have a large note respecting the election of ministers1 which does not fully invest this right in the people4 ,the editor1 therefore1 omitted that note altogether1 and has inserted this number1 extracted from ,brown's ,letters1 in the place of it1 as better adapted to the nature of the gospel church1 and to that liberty wherewith ,christ has made his people free4 ,,no4 ,v4#abd ,of the ,ordination and ,duty of ,ministers4 ,that the ordination of pastors is an ordinance of ,christ1 the sacred volumes clearly prove4 ,through election by suffrages 7or votes7 ,paul and ,barnabas ordained elders 7presbyters7 in every church1 ,acts xiv4 #bc4 ,by ,paul's inspired orders ,titus was left at ,crete to ordain elders 7presbyters7 in every city1 ,tit4 i4 #e4 ,by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery was ,timothy himself ordained3 he was apostolically authorized and directed to ordain others2 and informed that these directions are to be observed1 till the day of ,jesus ,christ1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad1 #ae4 ,that not election1 but ordination1 confers the sacred office is no less evident4 ,election marks out the person to be ordained2 ordination fixes the relation of a candidate to a particular congregation1 upon receiving a regular call2 while at the same time it constitutes him a minister of the whole catholic ,church4 ,ordination made men presbyters and deacons1 which were not so before4 ,if a person be destitute of the distinguishing ministerial gift1 or any other essential qualification1 ten thousand elections or ordinations cannot render him a minister of ,christ4 ,but solemnly tried and found qualified1 he is to be set apart to the ministry1 by prayer1 fasting1 and laying on of the hands of the presbytery4 ,nowhere in the heavenly volume do we find either precept or example that ,christian people have a whit more right to ordain their pastor1 than midwives have to baptize the children they assist to bring forth4 ,ordination appears to have been performed by apostles1 by evangelists1 and by a presbytery1 ,acts vi4 #f1 and xiv4 #bc2 ,tit4 i4 #e2 #a ,tim4 v4 #bb1 and iv4 #ad3 but never by private ,christians4 ,could these ordain their pastors or other ecclesiastic officers1 to what purpose did ,paul leave ,titus at ,crete to ordain elders in every city8 or why did he write never a word about ordination to the people1 in any of his epistles1 but to their rulers8 ,thus regularly ordained1 the ,christian pastor must enter upon his important work4 ,endowed with spiritual wisdom and understanding2 possessed of inward experience of the power of divine truth2 inflamed with zeal for the glory of ,god1 love to his work1 and compassion to the perishing souls of men1 he is to endeavor to acquaint himself with the spiritual state of his flock2 and to feed them1 not with heathenish and ,arminian harangues1 but with the gospel of ,christ1 the sincere milk of the word1 diligently preaching and rightly dividing it1 according to their diversified state and condition1 #a ,pet4 v4 #c2 #b ,cor4 v4 #aa2 #a ,cor4 ix4 #af4 ,assiduously growing in the knowledge and love of divine things1 he is to instruct and confirm his hearers therein4 ,every divine truth he is to publish and apply1 as opportunity calls for3 chiefly such as are most important1 or1 though once openly confessed1 are in his time attacked and denied1 #a ,tim4 vi4 #bj1 iii4 #ae4 ,painfully is he to catechize his people1 and in ,jesus' name to visit and teach them from house to house4 ,to awaken their conscience1 to promote the conversion of sinners1 to direct and comfort the cast down1 perplexed1 tempted1 and deserted2 to ponder the ,scripture1 and his own and others' experience1 to qualify him for this work1 must be his earnest care4 ,faithfully is he to administer the sacraments to such 7only7 as are duly prepared2 and in the simple manner prescribed by ,christ4 ,tenderly is he to take care of the poor2 to sympathize with the afflicted2 impartially to visit the sick2 to deal plainly with their consciences1 and to exhort and pray over them in the name of the ,lord4 ,with impartiality1 zeal1 meekness1 and prudence1 he is to rule and govern the church1 to admonish the unruly1 to rebuke offenders1 to excommunicate the incorrigible1 and to absolve the penitent4 ,habitually is he to give himself to effectual fervent prayer1 for his flock1 and for the ,church of ,god1 travailing as in birth till ,jesus be formed in the souls of men4 ,be a man's parts1 diligence1 and apparent piety what they will1 negligence in this will blast his ministrations1 and too clearly mark1 that he is therein chiefly influenced by some carnal motive of honor or gain4 ,finally1 he is constantly to walk before his flock a distinguished pattern of sobriety1 righteousness1 holiness1 humility1 heavenliness1 temperance1 charity1 brotherly kindness1 and every good word and work4 ,without this his ministrations appear but a solemn farce of deceit1 #b ,tim4 ii4 #d2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ae2 #b ,tim4 iv4 #b4 ,can ministers' reading of sermons consist with the dignity of their office8 ,did ,jesus or his apostles ever show them an example of this8 ,no4 ,at ,nazareth1 when he read his text in the book of ,esaias1 he closed his book1 and discoursed to the people4 ,on the mount he opened his mouth1 and taught3 we hear not that he took out his papers and read4 ,peter1 in his sermon at ,pentecost1 lifted up his voice1 and said3 his papers and reading we hear nothing of4 ,after reading of the law and the prophets1 the rulers of the synagogue of ,antioch in ,pisidia1 desired ,paul and ,barnabas1 not to read1 but to say on4 ,our adored ,saviour knew well enough how to direct his ambassadors2 yet he ordered them to go and preach1 not read1 the gospel to every creature1 ,luke iv4 #bj1 #ba2 ,matt4 v4 #b2 ,acts ii4 #ad1 and xiii4 #ae4 ,how hard to believe1 that he who gives gifts to men1 for the edifying of his body1 would send the sermonist1 whose memory and judgment are so insufficient1 that from neither he can produce an half hour's discourse without reading it6 ,how dull and insipid the manner6 ,how absurdly it hinders the ,spirit's assistance1 as to matter during the discourse6 ,how shameful6 ,shall the bookless lawyer warmly and sensibly plead almost insignificant trifles1 and shall the ambassador of ,christ1 deprived of his papers1 be incapable to plead so short a space in favor of his ,master1 and of the souls of men8 ,,no4 ,,vi4#abe ,of ,ruling ,elders4 ,the rule and government of the ,church1 or the execution of the authority of ,christ therein1 is in the hand of the elders4 ,all elders in office have rule1 and none have rule in the church but elders3 as such1 rule doth belong unto them4 ,the apostles by virtue of their special office were intrusted with all church power2 but therefore they were elders also1 #a ,pet4 v4 #a2 #c ,john i43 see ,acts xxi4 #ag2 #a ,tim4 i4 #ag4 ,they are some of them on other accounts called bishops1 pastors1 teachers1 ministers1 guides2 but what belongs to any of them in point of rule1 or what interest they have therein1 it belongs unto them as elders1 and not otherwise1 ,acts xx4 #ag1 #ah4 ,the ,scriptures affirm1 #ast1 ,that there is a work and duty of rule in the ,church1 distinct from the work and duty of pastoral feeding1 by the preaching of the word and administration of the sacraments1 ,acts xx4 #bh2 ,rom4 xii4 #h2 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 #b ,tim4 iv4 #e2 ,heb4 xiii4 #g1 #ag2 ,rev4 ii4 #c4 #b;d4 ,different and distinct gifts are required unto the discharge of these distinct works and duties4 ,this belongs unto the harmony of the dispensation of the gospel4 ,gifts are bestowed to answer all duties prescribed4 ,hence they are the first foundation of all power1 work1 and duty in the church4 ,unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of ,christ1 that is1 ability for duty1 according to the measure wherein ,christ is pleased to grant it2 ,eph4 iv4 #g3 see also #a ,cor4 xii4 #d1 #g1 #h-aj2 ,rom4 xii4 #f-h2 #a ,pet4 iv4 #aj3 wherefore different gifts are the first foundation of different offices and duties4 #c;d4 ,that different gifts are required unto the different works of pastoral teaching on the one hand1 and practical rule on the other1 is evident1 #ast1 ,from the light of reason1 and the nature of the works themselves being so different4 ,and1 #b;d1 ,from experience2 some men are fitted by gifts for the dispensation of the word and doctrine in a way of pastoral feeding1 who have no useful ability in the work of rule2 and some are fitted for rule1 who have no gifts for the discharge of the pastoral work in preaching1 ,yea1 it is very seldom that both these sort of gifts do concur in any eminent degree in the same persons1 or without some notable defect4 #dth4 ,the work of rule1 as distinct from teaching1 is in general to watch over the walk or conversation of the members of the church with authority1 exhorting1 comforting1 admonishing1 reproving1 encouraging1 and directing of them1 as occasion shall require4 ,the gifts necessary hereunto are diligence1 wisdom1 courage1 and gravity2 as we shall see afterwards4 ,the pastoral work is principally to reveal the whole counsel of ,god1 to divide the word aright1 or to labor in the word and doctrine1 both as unto the general dispensation and particular application of it1 in all seasons and on all occasions4 ,hereunto spiritual wisdom1 knowledge1 sound judgment1 experience1 and utterance are required2 all to be improved by continual study of the word and prayer4 ,but this difference of gifts unto these distinct works doth not of itself constitute distinct offices1 because the same persons may be suitably furnished with those of both sorts4 #eth4 ,yet distinct works and duties1 though some were furnished with gifts for both1 were a ground in the wisdom of the ,holy ,ghost1 for distinct offices in the church1 where one sort of them were as much as those of one office could1 ordinarily attend unto1 ,acts vi4 #b-d4 ,ministration unto the poor of the church1 for the supply of their temporal necessities1 is an ordinance of ,christ1 instituted that the apostles might give a more diligent attendance unto the word and prayer4 #fth4 ,the work of the ministry in prayer1 and preaching of the word1 or labor in the word and doctrine1 whereunto the administration of the seals of the covenant is annexed1 with all the duties that belong unto the special application of these things before insisted on unto the flock1 are ordinarily sufficient to take up the whole man1 and the utmost of their endowments who are called unto the pastoral office in the church4 ,the very nature of the work in itself is such1 as that the apostle giving a short description of it adds1 as an intimation of its greatness and excellency1 ,who is sufficient for these things8 #b ,cor4 ii4 #af4 ,and the manner of its performance adds unto its weight4 ,for not to mention that intenseness of mind in the exercise of faith1 love1 zeal1 and compassion1 which is required of them in the discharge of their whole office2 the diligent consideration of the state of the flock1 so as to provide spiritual food for them2 with a constant attendance unto the issues and effects of the word in the consciences and lives of men2 is enough for the most part to take up their whole time and strength4 ,it is gross ignorance or negligence that causeth any to be otherwise minded4 ,as the work of the ministry is generally discharged1 consisting only in a weekly provision of sermons1 and the performance of some stated offices by reading1 men have time and liberty enough to attend unto other occasions4 ,but in such persons we are not at present concerned4 ,our rule is plain1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ab-ag4 #gth4 ,it doth not hence follow1 that those who are called unto the ministry of the word1 as pastors and teachers1 who are elders also1 are divested of their right to rule in the church1 or discharged from the exercise of it1 because others1 not called unto their office1 are appointed to be assistant unto them1 that is1 helps in the government4 ,for the right and duty of rule is inseparable from the office of elders1 which all bishops and pastors are4 ,the right is still in them1 and the exercise of it1 consistent with their more excellent work1 is required of them4 ,the apostles in the constitution of elders in every church derogated nothing from their own authority1 nor discharged themselves of their care4 ,so when they appointed deacons to take care of supplies for the poor1 they did not forego their own right1 nor the exercise of their duty as their other work would permit them1 ,gal4 ii4 #i1 #aj4 ,and in particular the apostle ,paul manifested his concernment herein1 in the care he took about collection for the poor in all churches4 #hth4 ,as we observed at the entrance of this chapter1 the whole work of the church1 as unto authoritative teaching and rule1 is committed unto the elders4 ,for authoritative teaching and ruling1 is teaching and ruling by virtue of office3 and this office whereunto they do belong is that of elders1 as is undeniably attested1 ,acts xx4 #ag1 c4 ,all that belongs unto the care1 inspection1 oversight1 rule1 fend instruction of the church1 is committed unto the elders of it expressly4 ,for elders is a name derived from the ,jews1 denoting them that have authority in the church4 #ith4 ,to the complete constitution of any church1 or to the perfection of its organical state1 it is required that there be many elders in it2 at least more than one4 ,i do not determine what their number ought to be2 but it is to be proportioned to the work and end designed4 ,where the churches are small1 the number of elders must be so also4 ,so many are necessary in each office as are able to discharge the work which is allotted unto them4 ,but that church1 be it small or great1 is defective1 which hath not more elders than one2 so many as are sufficient for their work4 ,the pattern of the first churches constituted by the apostles1 which it is our duty to imitate and follow as our rule1 plainly declares1 that many elders were appointed by them in every church1 ,acts xi4 #cj1 xiv4 #bc1 xv4 #b1 #d1 #f1 #bb1 xvi4 #d1 xx4 #ag2 #a ,tim4 v4 #ag2 ,phil4 i4 #a2 ,tit4 i4 #e2 #a ,pet4 v4 #a4 #ajth4 ,we shall now make application of these things unto our present purpose4 ,i say then1 #ast1 ,whereas there is a work of rule in the ,church1 distinct from that of pastoral feeding3 #b;d1 ,whereas this work is to be attended unto with diligence1 which includes the whole duty of him that attends unto it3 #c;d1 ,that the ministry of the word and prayer1 with all those duties that accompany it1 is a full employment for any man1 and so consequently his principal and proper work1 which it is unlawful for him to be remiss in1 by attending on another with diligence3 #dth1 ,that1 in the wisdom of the ,holy ,ghost1 distinct works did require distinct offices for their discharge3 and1 #eth1 ,whereas there ought to be many elders in every church1 that both the works of teaching and ruling may be constantly attended unto2 all which we have proved already3 our inquiry herein is1 whether the same ,holy ,spirit hath not distinguished this office of elders into those two sorts1 namely1 those who are called unto teaching and rule also1 and those who are called unto rule only1 which we affirm4 ,the testimonies whereby the truth of this assertion is confirmed are generally known and pleaded4 ,i shall insist on some of them only1 beginning with that which is of uncontrollable evidence1 if it had any thing to conflict with but prejudices and interest1 and this is #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 the meaning of which is1 the elders or presbyters in office1 elders of the church that rule well or discharge their presidency for rule in due manner1 are worthy1 or ought to be reputed worthy1 of double honor2 especially those of them who labor1 or are engaged in the great labor and travail of the word and doctrine4 ,according to this sense the words of the text have a plain and obvious signification1 which at first view presents itself unto the common sense and understanding of all men4 ,on the first proposal of this text1 that the elders that rule well are worthy of double honor1 especially those who labor in the word and doctrine1 a rational man1 who is unprejudiced1 and never heard of the controversy about ruling elders1 can hardly avoid an apprehension that there are two sorts of elders1 some that labor in the word and doctrine1 and some who do not4 ,this is the substance of the truth in the text4 ,there are elders in the ,church2 there are or ought to be so in every church4 ,with these elders the whole rule of the ,church is intrusted2 all these1 and only these1 do rule in it4 ,of these elders there are two sorts2 for a description is given of one sort distinct from the other1 and comparative with it4 ,the first sort doth rule1 and also labor in the word and doctrine4 ,that these works are distinct and different was before declared3 yet by the institution of ,christ the right of rule is inseparable from the office of pastors or teachers4 ,for all that are rightly called thereunto are elders also1 which gives them an interest in rule4 ,but there are elders which are not pastors or teachers4 ,for there are some who rule well1 but labor not in the word and doctrine2 that is1 who are not pastors or teachers4 ,elders which rule well1 but labor not in the word and doctrine1 are ruling elders only2 for he who says1 ,the elders who rule well are worthy of double honor1 especially they who labor in the word and doctrine1 saith that there are1 or may be elders who rule well1 who do not labor in the word and doctrine2 that is1 who are not obliged to do so4 ,the argument from these words may be otherwise framed1 but this contains the plain sense of this testimony4 ,our next testimony is from the same apostle1 ,rom4 xii4 #f1 #g1 ,he that ruleth with diligence4 ,our argument from hence is this3 there is in the ,church one that ruleth with authority by virtue of his office4 ,for the discharge of this office there is a differing peculiar gift bestowed on some1 ver4 #g1 and there is the special manner prescribed for the discharge of this special office1 by virtue of that special gift2 it is to be done with peculiar diligence4 ,and this ruler is distinguished from him that exhorteth1 and him that teacheth1 with whose special work1 as such1 he hath nothing to do2 even as they are distinguished from those who give and show mercy2 that is1 there is an elder by office in the ,church1 whose work and duty it is to rule1 not to exhort or teach ministerially1 which is our ruling elder4 ,he that ruleth is a distinct officer1 and is expressly distinguished from all others4 ,rule is the principal part of him that ruleth2 for he is to attend unto it with diligence2 that is1 such as is peculiar unto rule1 in contradistinction unto what is principally required in other administrations4 ,there is the same evidence given unto the truth argued for in another testimony of the same apostle1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh3 that there is here an enumeration of offices and officers in the ,church1 both extraordinary for that season1 and ordinary for continuance1 is beyond exception4 ,unto them is added the present exercise of some extraordinary gifts1 as miracles1 healing1 tongues4 ,that by helps the deacons of the ,church are intended most do agree1 because their original institution was as helpers in the affairs of the ,church4 ,governments are governors or rulers2 that is1 such as are distinct from teachers2 such hath ,god placed in the ,church1 and such there ought to be4 ,it is said that gifts1 not offices1 are intended2 the gift of government1 or the gift for government4 ,if ,god hath given gifts for government to abide in the ,church1 distinct from those given unto teachers1 and unto other persons than the teachers1 then there is a distinct office of rule or government in the ,church1 which is all we plead for4 ,of the ,duties of ,ruling ,elders4 #ast4 ,to watch diligently over the ways1 walk1 and conversation of all the members of the church1 to see that it be blameless1 without offence1 useful1 exemplary1 and in all things answering the holiness of the commands of ,christ1 the honor of the gospel1 and the profession thereof which they make in the world4 ,and upon the observation which they make in the watch wherein they are placed1 to instruct1 admonish1 charge1 exhort1 encourage1 or comfort as they see cause4 ,and this they are to attend unto1 with courage and diligence4 #b;d4 ,to endeavor to prevent every thing that is contrary unto that love which the ,lord ,christ requireth in a peculiar and eminent manner to be found among his disciples4 ,this he calls his own new command1 with respect unto his authority requiring it1 his example first illustrating it in the world1 and the peculiar fruits and effects of it which he revealed and taught4 ,wherefore1 the due observance of this law of love in itself and all its fruits1 with the prevention1 removal1 or condemnation of all that is contrary unto it1 is that in which the rule of the church doth in a great measure consist4 ,and considering the weakness1 the passions1 the temptations of men1 the mutual provocations and differences that are apt to fall out even among the best1 the influence that earthly objects are apt to have upon their minds1 the frowardness sometimes of men's natural tempers2 the attendance unto this one duty1 or part of rule1 requires the utmost diligence of them that are called unto it4 #c;d4 ,to warn all the members of the church of their special church duties1 that they be not found negligent or wanting in them4 ,these are special duties required respectively of all church members1 according unto the distinct talents which they have received1 whether in things spiritual or temporal4 ,some are rich and some are poor2 some old and some young2 some in peace and some in trouble2 some have received more spiritual gifts than others1 and have more opportunity for their exercise3 therefore it belongs unto the rule of the church1 that all be admonished1 instructed1 and exhorted to attend unto their respective duties1 by those in rule1 according to the observation which they make of people's diligence or negligence in them4 #dth4 ,to watch against the beginning of any church disorders1 such as those that infested the church of ,corinth1 or any of the like sort2 and to see that the members of the church attend regularly upon the ordinances of the gospel1 as by slothfulness in this1 decays in faith1 love1 and order have insensibly prevailed in many1 to the dishonor of ,christ1 and the danger of their own souls4 #eth4 ,it belongs unto them also to visit the sick1 and especially such as their inward or outward conditions do expose them unto more than ordinary trials in their sickness2 that is1 the poor1 the afflicted1 the tempted in any kind4 ,this in general is a moral duty1 a work of mercy2 but it is moreover a peculiar church duty by virtue of divine institution1 ordaining1 that the disciples of ,christ may have all that spiritual and temporal relief1 which is necessary for them1 and useful to them1 in their troubles and distresses4 #fth4 ,to assist the pastor in watching over and directing the flock1 and to advise with the deacons concerning the relief of the poor4 ,according to the advantage which they have by their peculiar inspection of the conversation of all the members of the church1 they ought to acquaint the teaching elders with the state of the flock1 as to their knowledge1 conditions1 and temptations1 which may be of singular use unto them1 for their direction in the exercise of their ministry4 ,the liberal contributions at ,antioch for the brethren which dwelt in ,judea1 were sent by the hands of ,barnabas and ,saul unto the elders in ,judea1 ,acts xi4 #bg1 #cj4 #gth4 ,to unite with teaching elders in admitting members into the fellowship of the church1 upon a visible evidence of their being qualified as the ,scriptures direct4 ,unto them ,god bath given the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 to open the door of admission unto those whom ,god hath received1 ,matt4 xvi4 #ai4 #hth4 ,to meet and consult with the teaching elders about such things of importance as are to be proposed to the members of the church for their consent4 ,hence nothing rash or indigested1 nothing unsuited to the duty of the church1 will at any time be proposed therein1 so as to give occasion for contests1 janglings1 or disputes1 contrary to order or decency1 but all things may be preserved in a due regard unto the gravity and authority of the rulers4 #ith4 ,to sit in judgment upon offenders1 to take the proof1 to weigh the evidence and determine accordingly1 justifying the innocent1 and ordaining censure to be inflicted on the convicted brother1 according to the nature of the offence1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ae1 #ag1 #ah4 #ajth4 ,whereas there is generally but one teaching elder in a church1 upon his death or removal1 it is the work and duty of the ruling elders to preserve the church in peace and unity1 to take care of the continuation of its public ordinances1 to prevent irregularities in any persons or parties among them1 and to give all necessary aid and advice in the choice and call of some other meet person to be their pastor1 in the room of the deceased or removed4 ,,conclusion4 ,a ,summary of the preceding ,treatise on ,church ,government1 ,,by ,,question ,,and ,,answer4 ,quest4 ,what is meant by church government8 ,ans4 ,that particular form and order1 which ,christ has fixed in his ,church1 for the proper management thereof4 ,quest4 ,how does it appear that there is a particular form of government appointed in the ,new ,testament ,church8 ,ans4 ,as there is as great1 if not greater1 need of a government1 in the ,new ,testament ,church1 than there was in the ,old1 all the ordinances of which were most minutely described4 ,satan is now more experienced in deceiving1 and his agents are still alive1 and very actively employed1 in attempting to waste and destroy this sacred vineyard1 if without its proper hedge4 ,her members are still a mixture of tares and wheat2 of sheep and goats3 so that there is still a necessity of discerning between the precious and the vile2 of trying and censuring false teachers2 and of guarding divine ordinances from contempt and pollution4 ,as ,jesus gives the ,new ,testament ,church the peculiar title of the kingdom of heaven1 he could not1 in a consistency with his wisdom1 leave it without any particular laws or form of government1 except the changeable inclinations of men4 ,as he was faithful in his ,new ,testament house1 he must fix a particular form of government for her1 such as tends to her peace1 order1 and spiritual edification4 ,and1 amidst the prophet's vision of the ,new ,testament ,church1 he is directed to teach his people the form of the house1 the laws of the house1 c41 ,ezek4 xliii4 #aa4 ,quest4 ,when may a particular form of church government be said to be of divine right8 ,ans4 ,when all the parts thereof are agreeable to ,scripture precepts2 to approved ,scripture examples2 or are deducible by fair ,scripture consequences4 ,quest4 ,how does it appear1 that ,scripture consequences are to be admitted to prove any particular truth or doctrine8 ,ans4 ,because ,god has formed man a rational intelligent creature1 capable of searching out the plain meaning and import1 and also the necessary consequences of his express declarations4 ,we find ,christ reasoning by a deduction of consequences1 when he showed that the doctrine of the resurrection was revealed to ,moses at the burning bush2 that the sixth commandment forbids angry words2 and the seventh lascivious looks1 ,luke xx4 #cg1 #ch2 ,matt4 v4 #ba1 #bh4 ,and a great part of the inspired epistles to the ,romans1 ,galatians1 and ,hebrews consists in such a deduction of consequences4 ,and as all ,scripture is said to be profitable for doctrine1 for reproof1 for correction1 and for instruction in righteousness1 #b ,tim4 iii4 #af1 without a rational deduction of consequences1 every portion of ,scripture cannot answer each of these valuable ends4 ,quest4 ,what particular form of church government may lay the only proper claim to a divine right1 according to the ,holy ,scriptures8 ,ans4 ,the true presbyterian form1 without that lordly dominion and tyrannical power1 which has too often been exercised by courts1 bearing this name4 ,this government claimeth no power over men's bodies or estates4 ,it does not inflict civil pains or corporal punishments4 ,but it is a government purely spiritual1 dealing with the consciences of men1 and exercising the keys of the kingdom of heaven1 doing all things according to the word of ,god4 ,quest4 ,what are the parts of presbyterial church government8 ,ans4 ,it consists of a people1 having the qualifications which the ,scriptures require2 of certain rulers1 who are to perform the duties of their respective offices2 and of certain courts1 in which these rulers sit and act in matters of judgment4 ,quest4 ,what are the qualifications of persons who constitute the private members of the visible church8 ,ans4 ,they ought to be true believers in ,christ1 to have a competent knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel1 to make a sound profession of their faith1 and to maintain a holy conversation4 ,quest4 ,what rulers are there in the presbyterian church8 ,ans4 ,preaching elders1 ruling elders1 and deacons4 ,quest4 ,where is the divine warrant for the preaching elder8 ,ans4 ,in the ,holy ,scriptures we find that ,god hath set some in the ,church1 ,,teachers3 that our ascended ,redeemer hath given her ,,pastors and ,,teachers3 that the ,holy ,ghost had made some ,,bishops1 ,,overseers1 to feed her2 and qualifies some for prophecy1 ministry1 teaching1 exhortation1 #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh2 ,eph4 iv4 #aa2 ,acts xx4 #bh2 ,rom4 xii4 #f-h4 ,quest4 ,what are the duties of preaching elders8 ,ans4 ,to preach the word2 to dispense the ordinances of baptism and the ,lord's ,supper2 to administer church discipline2 and to rule and govern the church1 #b ,tim4 iv4 #b2 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai2 #a ,cor4 xi4 #bc-bi2 #a ,tim4 v4 #bj2 ,tit4 ii4 #ae1 and iii4 #aj2 ,heb4 xiii4 #ag2 #a ,pet4 v4 #b1 #c4 ,quest4 ,is the office of the gospel minister instituted by ,god to continue to the end of time8 ,ans4 ,yes2 the ends of it are of a permanent nature1 the converting and confirming of the elect1 and the silencing of gain-savers1 ,acts xxvi4 #ah2 ,tit4 i4 #i1 #aa4 ,quest4 ,where is the divine warrant for the office of the ruling elder8 ,ans4 ,from the three following passages of sacred ,scripture3 #a4 ,from ,rom4 xii4 #e to #h3 ,we being many are one body in ,christ1 and members one of another4 ,having then gifts1 differing according to the grace that is given to us1 whether prophecy1 let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith2 or ministry1 let us wait on our ministering2 or he that teacheth1 on teaching2 or he that exhorteth1 on exhortation2 he that giveth1 let him do it with simplicity2 he that ruleth1 with diligence1 c4 ,here we have a list of the ordinary officers of ,christ1 one body1 the church4 ,here is the teacher3 he that teacheth4 ,here is the pastor3 he that exhorteth4 ,here is the deacon3 he that giveth4 ,and here is another officer distinct from all them1 he that ruleth4 ,his description attests1 that ruling is1 if not his only1 yet his principal work4 ,he that ruleth is here marked by a distinct character1 as having a different gift1 and a distinct work from his fellow-officers4 ,this office therefore must be distinct4 #b4 ,from #a ,cor4 xii4 #bh1 where the ,spirit of ,god informs us1 that ,god hath set some in the ,church1 ,,governments4 ,these must be understood of governors1 as miracles are afterwards explained of workers of miracles4 ,these governments and governors are said to be set in the church1 not in the state2 by ,god1 not by men3 they are declared to be distinct officers by themselves4 ,their title1 government1 implies1 that ruling is their principal work4 #c4 ,from #a ,tim4 v4 #ag1 where the divine warrant for ruling elders shines with more peculiar brightness than anywhere in the book of ,god3 ,let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor2 especially they who labor in the word and doctrine4 ,the ruling elders here mentioned necessarily pertain to the church4 ,two sorts of ruling elders are here plainly distinguished3 some that only rule well2 others that also labor in word and doctrine4 ,there is not one place in the ,new ,testament1 nor perhaps in any ,greek author1 where the word here translated ,,especially does not distinguish between different persons or things1 ,gal4 vi4 #aj2 ,phil4 iv4 #bb2 #a ,tim4 iv4 #aj2 #b ,tim4 iv4 #ac2 and it would be absurd to suppose1 that it does not distinguish here also4 ,therefore this single text shows the divine right of both the teaching and ruling elder4 ,quest4 ,what are the duties of ruling elders8 ,ans4 ,to exercise ecclesiastical rule in church courts with the same authority as the preaching elder2 to watch over the flock2 impartially to receive or exclude members2 to warn and censure the unruly2 and to visit and pray with the sick4 ,quest4 ,where is the divine warrant for deacons8 ,ans4 ,from ,acts vi41 where we are informed of the original and design of their office2 and from #a ,tim4 iii4 #h-ab1 where the inspired apostle describes their necessary qualifications4 ,quest4 ,what are the duties of deacons8 ,ans4 ,to look into the state and to serve the tables of the poor1 by distributing the funds of the church1 according to the respective necessities of the saints1 #a ,tim4 iii4 #ab4 ,quest4 ,what are the courts in which presbyterian rulers meet8 ,ans4 ,congregational sessions1 presbyteries1 and synods4 ,quest4 ,where is the divine warrant for congregational sessions8 ,ans4 ,from ,matt1 xviii4 #ae-ah1 where1 in the ,christian form of church discipline prescribed by the ,church's ,head1 the concluding expression1 ,let him be unto thee as a heathen man and publican1 plainly alludes to the ,jewish form of procedure in scandals4 ,they had rulers1 and consequently courts in every synagogue1 or worshipping congregation1 ,mark v4 #ce-ci4 ,by virtue of letters from the high-priest to these1 ,saul had free access to punish the ,christians in every synagogue1 ,acts ix4 #a1 #b4 ,to these congregational courts it pertained to cast out of the synagogue1 and to order transgressors to be held for heathen men and publicans1 ,john ix4 #bb4 ,now ,jesus1 in alluding to these1 intimates that similar courts should be in every ,christian congregation4 ,in this form of discipline our divine ,saviour shows his utmost aversion against private offences being unnecessarily published abroad3 and therefore the church1 to which the offence is to be told1 after private admonition is fruitless1 must be understood in the most private sense of the word4 ,the following context evidences that it is a church1 which may consist only of two or three met together in ,christ's name2 yet1 notwithstanding1 a church having power to bind and loose from censure2 that is1 a church having the keys of the kingdom of heaven4 ,it cannot then be the whole congregation or body of the people1 as they are in general far too numerous to conceal offences1 and to them ,christ has given no formal judicial power1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ah-ba4 ,quest4 ,where is the divine warrant for a presbytery8 ,ans4 ,timothy is expressly said to be ordained by the laying on of the hands of the ,,presbytery1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad4 ,and the number of different ,christian congregations governed by one presbytery1 as at ,jerusalem1 ,antioch1 ,ephesus1 and ,corinth1 proves the divine right of this court4 ,it is shown in the xiii4 chapter of the preceding treatise1 that in each of these places there were more ,christians than could meet in one worshipping congregation1 for the enjoying of public ordinances3 and yet all these different congregations1 at ,jerusalem1 are expressly said to have been one church1 ,acts viii4 #a3 so those at ,antioch1 ,acts xiii4 #a3 so those at ,ephesus1 ,acts xx4 #ag3 and those also at ,corinth1 #a ,cor4 i4 #b4 ,now the question is1 ,how were the different congregations in each of these places ,,one ,,church8 ,not merely in union to ,christ and mutual affection one to another2 for in this respect all the saints are ,,one1 whether in heaven or in earth4 ,and therefore they are one church in virtue of conjunct government under ,,one ,,presbytery4 ,and in difficult cases1 or where a single congregation is so divided into parties that it cannot act impartially2 where the difference is between the pastor and the people1 a superior court is necessary to obtain material justice4 ,quest4 ,where is the divine warrant for an ecclesiastical synod8 ,ans4 ,in ,acts xv4 and xvi41 where we have a cause referred2 the proper members of a synod convened2 the ordinary and equal power exercised by all those members2 the ordinary method of procedure in such courts2 and the judicial decrees given by the synod2 together with the effect which their judgment1 in this matter1 had upon the churches4 ,quest4 ,what was the cause referred to this synod8 ,ans4 ,false doctrine propagated by some ,judaizing teachers1 who had gone down from ,jerusalem to ,antioch1 and maintained that circumcision and the observance of other branches of the ceremonial law continued necessary for salvation1 whereby they subverted some1 and troubled other members of the churches there4 ,after much unsuccessful disputing1 ,paul1 ,barnabas1 and others were delegated to go up to ,jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this matter4 ,quest4 ,who were the proper members of the synod convened here8 ,ans4 ,the apostles and elders at ,jerusalem2 ,paul1 ,barnabas1 and others1 from ,antioch2 and other commissioners from the troubled churches to whom the decrees were sent4 ,quest4 ,are not the brethren1 the church1 the whole church1 mentioned here as well as the apostles and elders8 ,ans4 ,but none of these expressions can mean1 that all the members of the church of ,jerusalem either were present or judged in that synod2 for women1 real members of the church1 of the whole church1 are expressly forbid to speak in the church1 #a ,cor4 xiv4 #cd4 ,church sometimes signifies only a small part of the church1 either as delegates or commissioners1 and in this sense it is used in verse #c1 where the commissioners from ,antioch are said to be brought on their way by the church2 and in chap4 xviii4 #bb1 it is said that ,paul saluted the church at ,jerusalem4 ,now1 it is not credible that all the ,christian professors at ,antioch would attend their commissioners a part of the way to ,jerusalem2 or that ,paul saluted the many ten thousand ,christians at ,jerusalem1 ,acts xxi4 #bj4 ,and the whole church does not necessarily mean the whole individual members of the church1 more than the whole world mentioned1 #a ,john ii4 #b1 means every individual in the world4 ,if any1 to support a favorite opinion1 will still insist that the whole members of the church actually met and judged of this affair equally with the apostles and elders1 they may inform us where they obtained a proper place for so many judges to reason and determine with distinctness or order4 ,that the brethren who joined in judgment with the apostles and elders were not private persons1 but rather delegates from the troubled churches around1 appears from ,judas and ,silas1 two of them being preachers1 v4 #bb4 ,quest4 ,how does it appear that the power of all the members was ordinary and equal8 ,ans4 ,as every member1 inspired or not1 acted equally in the whole business laid before them4 ,paul and ,barnabas were delegated by the church of ,antioch3 and the elders1 who convened1 had the same power as the apostles4 ,to the elders1 teaching or ruling1 as well as to the apostles1 was the matter referred3 both met to consider of it3 both were equally concerned in the decision1 saying1 ,it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost and to us4 ,elders1 as well as apostles1 imposed the necessary things upon the churches1 and authoritatively determined the decrees4 ,in the name of the elders1 as well as of the apostles1 the letters of the meeting1 containing their decision1 were written to the churches4 ,and the only reason why the inspired members put themselves on an equality with others was to exhibit a pattern to after ages4 ,quest4 ,how does it appear1 that this synod followed the ordinary method of procedure in such courts8 ,ans4 ,as they examined the cause by much reasoning and dispute4 ,in consequence of mature deliberation they determined the question1 and sent letters1 containing their decrees1 by proper messengers1 to the churches concerned4 ,in their disputation they reasoned from the oracles of ,god3 on these they founded their decision2 and hence therein they say1 ,it seemed good to the ,holy ,ghost1 and to us4 ,and if this had not been to have given a pattern to succeeding ages1 all this was unnecessary3 how absurd for inspired men to reason and dispute on the subject1 when the sentence of one inspired was sufficient for decision6 ,quest4 ,how does it appear that there were judicial decrees given by this synod8 ,ans4 ,in opposition to the false doctrine taught1 they1 by a judicial decision1 plainly declared1 that obedience to the ceremonies of the law of ,moses was no longer necessary3 and by a decree for promoting decency and good order1 they enacted1 that to avoid offence1 the believing ,gentiles should abstain from fornication1 from things strangled1 and from blood1 verse #bd-bi4 ,quest4 ,what effect had the decision of this synod upon the churches8 ,ans4 ,they cheerfully submitted to these decrees1 and were by them conformed in the faith1 comforted in heart1 and increased in number daily1 ,acts xv4 #ca1 and xvi4 #d1 #e4 ,quest4 ,but might not this be a meeting merely for consultation1 and their decision a mere advice8 ,ans4 ,no3 for every word here used imports authority4 ,the word translated lay upon1 commonly signifies an authoritative imposition1 ,matt4 xxiii4 #d4 ,the decision is expressly called a necessary burden1 and decrees ordained1 which imply power and authority1 ,acts xv4 #af1 xvii4 #g4 ,quest4 ,how does it appear that inferior courts are subordinate to those that are superior2 sessions to presbyteries1 and presbyteries to synods8 ,ans4 ,the true light of nature 7which is proved1 chap1 iii41 to be one of those ways1 whereby a thing is of divine right7 teacheth us1 that1 if we be injured by an inferior court1 we may appeal to a higher court for redress1 if there be one4 ,as in the ,jewish church there was evidently a subordination of judicatories1 so that those injured in the synagogue might appeal to the ,sanhedrin1 ,deut4 xvii4 #h1 #ab2 #b ,chron4 xix4 #h1 #aa2 ,exod4 xviii4 #bb1 #bf2 ,ps4 cxxii4 #e3 therefore as our dangers1 difficulties1 and necessities are as great as theirs1 by reason of false teachers and corrupt doctrines1 which were foretold should appear in the last times1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #a2 #b ,pet4 ii4 #a2 we cannot1 without dishonor to ,christ1 suppose that he would deprive us of a proper remedy for redressing our grievances1 which was afforded unto them3--the gradual advance in managing offences prescribed by ,christ himself1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ai1 as his care for the whole church cannot be less than for a single member4 ,if then an inferior judicatory offend or injure us1 we ought to carry the matter to another that has more influence and authority4 ,if the offending judicatory neglect to hear this1 we ought to tell the offence to the church in the highest sense1 that redress may be obtained--the apostle ,paul declaring1 that the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets4 ,but the right of reference or appeal from an inferior to a superior court is most clearly evinced from the case of the presbytery of ,antioch1 respecting circumcision1 being referred for decision to the synod of ,jerusalem1 and their readily submitting to its determination1 ,acts xv4 ,quest4 ,how does it appear that no power of authority is lodged in the body of the people1 the private members of the church8 ,ans4 ,although every church member has a right to all the spiritual privileges purchased with the ,saviour's blood1 and given to the church1 as need requires2 although he has a right to try the spirits1 and to prove all things by the word of ,god2 a power to choose the church officers who are immediately to rule over him2 yet the ,holy ,scriptures allow the exercise of no official power to the private members of the church4 ,not the ,christian people1 but their pastors have power to preach the gospel1 ,rom4 x4 #ae2 and to administer the sacraments1 those mysteries of ,god1 which are connected with preaching1 #a ,cor4 iv4 #a2 ,matt4 xxviii4 #ai4 ,not the people1 but their rulers1 are divinely warranted4 ,timothy was ordained1 not by the people1 but by the presbytery3 elders1 not by the people1 but by ,paul and ,barnabas3 and deacons1 not by the people1 but by the apostles1 #a ,tim4 iv4 #ad2 ,acts xiv4 #bc1 and vi4 #c1 #f4 ,not the people1 but their rulers are to censure the scandalous1 and to absolve the penitent1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ah2 #a ,cor4 v4 ,the ,scripture nowhere ascribes to the people any such characters as imply authority lodged in them2 but the contrary4 ,instead of being styled pastors1 they are called the flock1 watched over and fed2 instead of overseers1 the family overseen2 instead of rulers1 guides1 governors1 they are called the body governed1 the persons subject in the ,lord1 and they are solemnly charged to know1 honor1 obey1 and submit to those that are over them4 ,quest4 ,what is the proper method of dealing with persons that fall into scandal8 ,ans4 ,if the offence be known only to one or to a few1 the offender is to be told his fault secretly1 with ,christian meekness1 plainness1 and love4 ,if he profess his sorrow and resolution to amend1 the whole matter ought to be carefully concealed2 and those offended ought to be well pleased that their offending brother is gained4 ,if1 after one or more secret reproofs1 he continue impenitent1 defending his fault1 one or two more ,christian brethren1 grave1 judicious1 and meek1 are to be taken along1 and the offender to be dealt with by them1 and in their presence4 ,if now he appear to repent1 the several persons concerned in his reproof are1 with care and in love1 to conceal his offence1 lest1 by divulging it1 they be reproached as wicked calumniators4 ,if the offender contemn one or more such private admonitions or reproofs1 or if his scandal be of such a nature that it will necessarily become public1 the affair is to be told to the church court1 to which he is most immediately subject4 ,and1 to bring him to a due sense of his fault1 he is to be there dealt with in a prudent1 affectionate1 plain1 and convincing manner4 ,if this prove a means of bringing him to a sense of his offence1 the censures of the church are to be executed upon him according to the laws of ,christ's house1 and the nature of his crime1 and he is to be restored to the privileges of the church4 ,but if1 after due pains taken by the judicatories1 he remain obstinate1 he is then to be cast out of the church1 and held as a heathen man and publican1 ,matt4 xviii4 #ae to #ah4 ,,the ,,end4 ,,contents4 ,,page4 ,,preface #g ,,part ,i4 ,,chap4 ,i4--,that there is a ,government in the ,church of divine right now under the ,new ,testament #ai ,,chap4 ,,ii4--,of the nature of a divine right in general #bb ,,chap4 ,,iii4--,of a divine right in particular1 which is five ways2 first1 by the true light of ,nature #bd ,,chap4 ,,iv4--,of a divine right1 second1 by obligatory ,scripture #bg examples ,,chap4 ,v4--,of a divine right1 third1 by ,god's approbation #cg ,,chap4 ,,vi4--,of a divine right1 fourth1 by divine acts #ci ,,chap4 ,,vii4--,of a divine right1 fifth1 by divine precepts #dj ,,part ,,ii4 ,,chap4 ,i4--,a description of church government #de ,,chap4 ,,ii4--,the subject described1 and the terms church government briefly defined #df ,,chap4 ,,iii4--,the general nature of church government1 viz41 power or authority #dh ,,chap4 ,,iv4--,the special difference of church government from other governments1 as to the special rule of it1 viz41 the ,holy #ec ,scriptures ,,chap4 ,v4--,the proper fountain from which church government is derived1 so as to constitute it of divine authority1 viz41 ,jesus ,christ our ,mediator #ee ,,chap4 ,,vi4--,the peculiar nature of this power and authority #eg ,,chap4 ,,vii4--,the several acts about which this power and authority is exercised1 viz41 doctrine and discipline #fa ,,chap4 ,,viii4--,the end and design of this government of the church #fg ,,chap4 ,,ix4--,the peculiar subject intrusted by ,christ with this power1 and the execution thereof according to the ,scriptures #gj ,,sect4 ,i4--,the power granted to the civil magistrate about the #ib ,church ,,sect4 ,,ii4--,the power utterly refused him in church affairs #id ,,chap4 ,x4--,that the community of the faithful1 or body of the people1 are not the immediate subject of the power of church #ig government ,,chap4 ,,xi4--,that ,christ's own officers are the immediate subject of it2 pastors and ruling elders #aaa ,the divine right of the ruling elder at large #aad ,the divine right of the deacon #adi ,,chap4 ,,xii4--,the divine right of congregational elderships1 or kirk sessions1 for the government of the ,church #agb ,,chap4 ,,xiii4--,the divine right of presbyteries1 consisting of rulers from different neighboring congregations #agg ,,chap4 ,,xiv4--,the divine right of synods #aig ,,chap4 ,,xv4--,the subordination of particular congregations to greater assemblies1 for their judicial determination of ecclesiastical causes1 proved to be of divine right #baj ,,appendix4 ,no4 ,i4--,of the qualifications and duties of church members #bai ,no4 ,,ii4--,who have a right to preach the ,gospel #bcg ,no4 ,,iii4--,on the same subject #bdj ,no4 ,,iv4--,on the people's right to choose their own pastors #bdi ,no4 ,v4--,on the ordination and duty of ministers #bef ,no4 ,,vi4--,of ruling elders1 from ,dr4 ,owen #beh ,conclusion #bff ,,footnotes3 ,footnote #aag3 ,the substance of this ,number is extracted from ,ford's ,gospel ,church1 printed #afge4 ,footnote #aah3 ,john xvi4 #h1 #i2 #b ,cor4 v4 #e2 ,eph4 ii4 #a1 #e4 ,footnote #aai3 ,col4 ii4 #f2 #a ,cor4 vi4 #ai1 #bj4 ,footnote #abj3 ,col4 i4 #ab4 ,footnote #aba3 #a ,pet4 ii4 #e4 ,footnote #abb3 ,from ,brown's ,letters4 ,footnote #abc3 ,extracted from the ,christian ,magazine for ,sept4 #agig--;a periodical publication well worth the perusal of the friends of evangelical doctrine4 ,footnote #abd3 ,from ,brown's ,letters4 ,footnote #abe3 ,this number is a summary of ,dr4 ,owen's arguments in favor of the divine right of the ruling elder1 with an abstract of the duties which he ought to perform4 ,although the ,doctor was a professed ,independent1 yet he was entirely different1 both in doctrine and church government1 from any in ,scotland that bear that name1 as all who are acquainted with his works will easily observe4 ,the writer of his life asserts that he heard him say1 ,he could readily join with presbytery as it was exercised in ,scotland4 ,and indeed it appears very probable that the difference between the consultative synod which he allows1 and the authoritative synod contended for by true ,presbyterians1 is not so far different as many apprehend1 because the decisions of either bind the conscience only as they are agreeable to the ,holy ,ghost speaking in the ,scriptures4