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diff --git a/13941-0.txt b/13941-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a857a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/13941-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12322 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13941 *** + +THE + +DIVINE RIGHT + +OF + +CHURCH GOVERNMENT: + +WHEREIN IT IS PROVED + +THAT THE PRESBYTERIAN GOVERNMENT, BY PREACHING AND RULING ELDERS, IN +SESSIONAL, PRESBYTERIAL, AND SYNODICAL ASSEMBLIES, MAY LAY THE ONLY +LAWFUL CLAIM TO A DIVINE RIGHT, ACCORDING TO THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. + +A NEW EDITION, CORRECTED AND AMENDED. + + * * * * * +BY SUNDRY MINISTERS OF CHRIST WITHIN THE +CITY OF LONDON. + + * * * * * + +TO WHICH IS ADDED + +AN APPENDIX, + +CONTAINING + +EXTRACTS FROM SOME OF THE BEST AUTHORS WHO HAVE WRITTEN ON CHURCH +GOVERNMENT, + +CONCERNING THE SCRIPTURAL QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF CHURCH MEMBERS; +THE SOLE RIGHT OF GOSPEL MINISTERS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL; THE PEOPLE'S +DIVINE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN PASTORS; + +TOGETHER WITH + +AN ABSTRACT OF THE ARGUMENTS OF THE GREAT DR. OWEN (THOUGH A PROFESSED +INDEPENDENT) IN FAVOUR OF THE DIVINE RIGHT OF THE OFFICE OF THE RULING +ELDER. + + * * * * * + +NEW YORK: R. MARTIN & CO., 26 JOHN-STREET. + + * * * * * + +M.DCCC.XLIV. + + + + +THE EDITOR TO THE READER. + + * * * * * + +After what the authors of the following Treatise have said in their +preface, the Editor judges it unnecessary for him to detain the reader +long with any observations of his upon the subject. He, however, could +sincerely wish that the friends of Christ would pay that attention to +the government and discipline of his Church which it justly deserves. +Although this subject should not be placed among the things essential to +the being of a Christian; yet if it be found among the things that +Christ has commanded, it is at our peril if we continue wilfully +ignorant of, or despise it. He has expressly declared, that he who +breaks one of the _least_ of his commandments, and teacheth men to do +so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. It is an opinion too +common, that if we believe the _essentials_ of religion, there is no +occasion for so much preciseness about the forms of church government, +which are only _circumstantials_, as there will be no inquiry made about +these at the tribunal of Christ. But whatever relative importance the +things of religion may have, when compared with one another, we ought to +reckon nothing which God hath appointed, nothing which Jesus hath +ratified with his blood, nothing which the Holy Spirit hath indited, so +_circumstantial_, as to be unworthy of our serious regard. It is at +least very rash, if not presumptuous, to say, that nothing about the +circumstantials of religion will be inquired into at the tribunal of +Christ. God has expressly said, that every work, good or evil, every +idle word, and every deed done in the body, shall be brought into +judgment; and false worshippers will, perhaps, find that their form of +worship consisted in something worse than idle words, or sinful words +either, even in sinful deeds, for which they will be accountable at the +judgment. As Christ laid down his life for his people, has instructed +them, and has set a hedge about all that they have, it would be most +ungrateful to requite him with pouring the highest contempt on his +kingly honor and authority; and when his worship is polluted, his truth +perverted, and the walls of his New Testament Zion broken down, to care +for none of those things. Government and discipline are the hedge of his +garden, the Church; and how will what men call the essentials of +religion remain in their glory, when this is broken down, the present +state of affairs can sufficiently attest, when the most damnable errors +are propagated with impunity. + +In our times the enemies of the scriptural order of the house of God are +very numerous and very active, exerting all their power to break down +the carved work of God's sanctuary. The present spirit for novelty and +innovation, together with the rage for infidelity so prevalent, strongly +favors the opposition made to every thing which has a tendency to bind +men closely to God, to his truths, to the purity of his worship and +ordinances, or to one another by a holy profession. The design, +therefore, of republishing this Treatise is to assist Presbyterians of +all denominations in the understanding of those passages of Scripture +upon which their wall is built, that they be not led aside by the +cunning speeches of false teachers, whereby they deceive and draw aside +the hearts of the simple. + +This work was first published at London, at the time when the +controversy between the Presbyterians and ancient Independents ran very +high, and every intelligent and unprejudiced reader will see, that the +Holy Scriptures have been carefully perused, accurately compared, wisely +collected, and judiciously explained, in order to evince that the +Presbyterian government has the only lawful claim to a divine right, and +is the only form appointed by Christ in his Church. It is, therefore, to +be wished, that all his people would endeavor, in the strength of Divine +grace, to observe the laws of his house, and to walk in all his +ordinances and commandments blameless. + +Considerable pains have been taken to make this edition more easily +understood by common readers than the former, and yet several difficult +and hard words have passed unnoticed. The Latin quotations from the +Fathers have been omitted, because they contain nothing materially +different from what is in the body of the work, and modern Independents +pay little regard to any human authorities but their own. It was +proposed to have added a few extracts from Messrs. Rutherford and +Gillespie, but upon looking into their works nothing of consequence was +observed, that tended to cast any new light upon the subject. It is +hoped, however, that the Appendix is filled up with extracts from other +authors upon subjects of considerable importance, and very necessary for +these times, concerning the scriptural qualifications and duties of +church members; the divine right of the gospel ministry; the people's +divine right to choose their own pastors; with an abstract of Dr. Owen's +arguments in favor of the divine right of the ruling elder: and as there +are many serious Christians who have not a capacity to take up and +retain a long chain of reasoning, a summary of the whole Treatise is +given by way of question and answer as a conclusion. + +The Editor is not to be understood as approving of, or vindicating every +single sentiment, or mode of expression, used in this Treatise: at the +same time, next to the Holy Scriptures, he recommends it as one of the +best defences of presbytery which he has seen. + +That it may be blessed of God for informing the ignorant, settling the +wavering, and establishing the believers of _the present Truth_, is the +earnest desire of, + +Christian reader, + +Your humble servant in the Gospel, + +T.H. + +_Paisley, 28th February, 1799._ + + + + +PREFACE + +TO THE PIOUS AND JUDICIOUS READER. + + +CHRISTIAN READER: + +Thou hast in the ensuing treatise, 1st, a brief delineation of the +nature of a divine right, wherein it consists, and how many ways a thing +may be accounted of divine right, according to the Scriptures; as also, +2d, a plain and familiar description of that church government which +seems to have the clearest divine right for it, and (of all other +contended for) to be the most consonant and agreeable to the word of +Christ; which description (comprehending in itself the whole frame and +system of the government) is in the several branches thereof explained +and confirmed by testimonies or arguments from Scripture; more briefly, +in particulars which are easily granted; more largely, in particulars +which are commonly controverted; yet as perspicuously and concisely in +both as the nature of this unusual and comprehensive subject insisted +upon would permit. Things are handled rather by way of positive +assertion, than of polemical dissertation, (which too commonly +degenerates into verbal strifes, 1 Tim. vi. 3, 4; 2 Tim. ii. 23; and +vain-jangling, 1 Tim. i. 6,) and where any dissenting opinions or +objections are refuted, we hope it is with that sobriety, meekness, and +moderation of spirit, that any unprejudiced judgment may perceive, that +we had rather gain than grieve those who dissent from us; that we +endeavor rather to heal up than to tear open the rent; and that we +contend more for truth than for victory. + +To the publication hereof we have been inclinable (after much +importunity) principally upon deliberate and serious consideration of, +1st, the necessity of a treatise of this kind; 2d, the advantage likely +to accrue thereupon; and, 3d, the seasonable opportunity of sending it +abroad at such a time as this is. + +I. The necessity of a treatise of this nature, is evident and urgent. +For, + +1. We hold ourselves obliged, not only by the common duty of our +ministerial calling, but also by the special bond of our solemn +covenant with God, especially in Art. 1, to bend all our best endeavors +to help forward a reformation of religion according to the word of God, +which can never be effected without a due establishment of the +scripture-government and discipline in the Church of God. And to make +known what this government is from the law and testimony, by preaching +or writing, comes properly and peculiarly within the sphere of our place +and vocation. + +2. A cloud of darkness and prejudice, in reference to this matter of +church government, too generally rests upon the judgments and +apprehensions of men (yea of God's own people) among us, either, 1st, +through the difficulty or uncommonness of this matter of church +government, (though ancient and familiar in other reformed churches, yet +new and strange to us;) or, 2d, through the strange misrepresentations +that are made hereof, by those that are small friends to the true +presbyterial government, or that are enemies to all church government +whatsoever; or, 3d, through the different opinions about church +government, which are to be found among pious people and ministers: by +all which the weak and unstable minds of many are cast into a maze of +many confused thoughts and irresolutions. + +3. Though many learned treatises have been published, some whereof have +positively asserted, others have polemically vindicated divers parts of +church government, and the divine right thereof, yet hitherto no +treatise of this nature is extant, positively laying open the nature of +a divine right, what it is, and a system of that government, which is +so, and proving both by the Scriptures; without which, how shall the +judgments and consciences of men be satisfied, that this is that church +government, according to the word of God, which they have covenanted to +endeavor to promote, and whereto they are obliged to submit? And since +it is our lot to travel in an unbeaten path, we, therefore, promise to +ourselves, from all sober and judicious readers, the greater candor and +ingenuity in their measuring of our steps and progress herein. + +II. The advantage which may probably accrue hereupon, we hope shall be +manifold: For, 1. Who can tell but that some of them, that in some +things are misled and contrary-minded, may be convinced and regained? +and it will be no small reward of our labors if but one erring brother +may be brought back. 2. Some satisfaction may redound to such as are of +doubtful, unresolved minds, by removing of their doubts and scruples, +and ripening of their resolutions, to settle more safely in point of +church government. 3. Those that as yet are unseen in the matter of +church government, or that want money to buy, or leisure to read many +books upon this subject, may here have much in a little, and +competently inform themselves of the whole body of the government. 4. +Consequently upon the attaining of the former ends, the work of +reformation will be much facilitated and smoothed, the hearts of the +people being prepared for the Lord and his ordinances. 5. The present +attempt (if it reach not to that completeness and satisfactoriness which +is desired) 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 Church. 6. But though it should fall out that +in all the former we should be utterly disappointed, we shall have this +peace and comfort upon our own spirits, that we have not hid our talent +in the earth, nor neglected to bear witness to this part of Christ's +truth, touching the government of his Church, by his kingly power, +wherein Christ was opposed so much in all ages, Psalm ii. 1, 2, 3; Luke +xix. 14, 27; Acts iv., and for which Christ did suffer so much in a +special and immediate manner, as[1] some have observed. For this end +Christ came into the world, (and for this end we came into the +ministerial calling,) to bear witness to the truth. + +III. Finally, the present opportunity of publishing a treatise on this +subject doth much incite and encourage us therein. For at this time we +are beginning, in this province of London, (and we hope the whole +kingdom will, with all convenient speed, and due caution, second us,) to +put that covenanted church government into actual execution, which we +have a long time intended in our deliberate resolutions. So that +generally we shall be engaged in the government one way or other, either +as acting in it as the church officers, or as submitting to it as church +members: now, how shall any truly conscientious person, either act in +it, or conform and submit unto it with faith, judgment, and alacrity, +till he be in some competent measure satisfied of the divine right +thereof? + +Will mere prudence, without a divine right, be a sufficient basis to +erect the whole frame of church government upon, as some conceive? +Prudentials, according to general rules of Scripture, may be of use in +circumstantials, but will bare prudentials in substantials also satisfy +either our God, our covenant, our consciences, or our end in this great +work of reformation? What conscientious person durst have a hand in +acting as a ruling elder, did he not apprehend the word of God holds +forth a divine right for the ruling elder? Who durst have a hand in the +censures of admonishing the unruly, excommunicating the scandalous and +obstinate, and of restoring the penitent, were there not a divine right +hereof revealed in the Scripture, &c. Now, therefore, that ruling +elders, and the rest of the people, may begin this happy work +conscientiously, judiciously, cheerfully, in some measure perceiving the +divine right of the whole government, wherein they engage themselves, +cleared by Scripture, we hope, by God's blessing, that this small tract +will afford some seasonable assistance, which will be unto us a very +acceptable recompense. + +Thus far of the nature of this treatise, and the grounds of our +publishing thereof. In the next place, a few doubts or scruples touching +church government here asserted, being succinctly resolved, we shall +preface no further. + +_Doubt_ 1. Many scruple, and much question the divine right of the whole +frame of church government; as, 1. Whether there be any particular +church government of divine right? 2. What that government is? 3. What +church officers or members of elderships are of divine right? 4. Whether +parochial or congregational elderships be of divine right? 5. Whether +classical presbyteries be of divine right? 6. Whether provincial, +national, and ecumenical assemblies be of divine right? 7. Whether +appeals from congregational to classical, provincial, national, and +ecumenical assemblies, and their power to determine upon such appeals, +be of divine right? 8. Whether the power of censures in the +congregational eldership, or any other assembly, be of divine right? 9. +Whether there be any particular rules in the Scripture directing persons +or assemblies in the exercise of their power? 10. Whether the civil +magistrates, or their committees' and commissioners' execution of church +censures be contrary to that way of government which Christ hath +appointed in his Church? + +_Resol_. To all or most of these doubts some competent satisfaction may +be had from this treatise ensuing, if seriously considered. For, 1. That +there is a church government of divine right, now under the New +Testament, declared in Scripture, is proved, Part I. 2. What that +government is in particular, is evidenced both by the description of +church government, and the confirmation of the parts thereof by +Scripture, Part. II. chap. 1, and so to the end of the book: whereby it +is cleared that the presbyterial government is that particular +government which is of divine right, according to the word of God. 3. +What ordinary church officers, (members of the several elderships,) are +of divine right, is proved, Part II, chap. 11, sect. 1, viz. pastors and +teachers, with ruling elders. 4. That parochial or congregational +elderships, consisting of preaching and ruling elders, are of divine +right, is manifested, Part II. chap. 12. 5. That classical presbyteries, +or assemblies, and their power in church government, are of divine +right, is demonstrated, Part II. chap. 13. 6. That synodical assemblies, +or councils in general, (consequently provincial, national, or +ecumenical councils in particular,) and their power in church +government, are of divine right, is cleared, Part II. chap. 14. 7. That +appeals from congregational elderships, to classical and synodical +assemblies, from lesser to greater assemblies associated, and power in +those assemblies to determine authoritatively in such, appeals, are of +divine right, is proved, Part II. chap. 15. 8. That the power of church +censures is in Christ's own church officers only as the first subject +and proper receptacle there of divine right, is cleared, Part II. chap. +11, sect. 2, which officers of Christ have and execute the said power +respectively, in all the ruling assemblies, congregational, classical, +or synodical. See section 3, and chap. 12, 13, 14, 15. 9. That the +Scriptures hold forth, touching church government, not only general, but +also many particular rules, sufficiently directing both persons and +assemblies how they should duly put in execution their power of church, +government. This is made good, Part II. chap. 4; and those that desire +to know which are these rules in particular, may consult those +learned[2] centuriators of Magdeburg, who have collected and +methodically digested, in the very words of the Scripture, a system of +canons or rules, touching church government, as in the preface to those +rules they do profess, saying, touching things pertaining to the +government of the Church, the apostles delivered certain canons, which +we will add in order, &c., the very heads of which would be too prolix +to recite. 10. Finally, that neither the supreme civil magistrate, as +such, nor consequently any commissioner or committees whatsoever, +devised and erected by his authority, are the proper subject of the +formal power of church government, nor may lawfully, by any virtue of +the magistratical office, dispense any ecclesiastical censures or +ordinances: but that such undertakings are inconsistent with that way of +government which Christ hath appointed in his Church, is evidenced, Part +II. chap. 9, well compared with chap. 11. + +_Doubt_ 2. But this presbyterial government is likely to be an arbitrary +and tyrannical government, forasmuch as the presbyters of the assembly +of divines and others (who, Diotrephes-like, generally affect +domineering) have desired an unlimited power, according to their own +judgments and prudence, in excommunicating men from the ordinances in +cases of scandal. + +_Resol_. A heinous charge, could it be proved against the presbyterial +government. Now for wiping off this black aspersion, consider two +things, viz: I. The imputation itself, which is unjust and groundless; +II. The pretended ground hereof, which is false or frivolous. + +I. The imputation itself is, that the presbyterial government is likely +to be an arbitrary and tyrannical government. _Ans_. How unjust this +aspersion! I. What likelihood of arbitrary conduct in this government, +that is, that it should be managed and carried on according to men's +mere will and pleasure? For, 1. The presbyterial government (truly so +called) is not in the nature of it any invention of man, but an +ordinance of Christ; nor in the execution of it to be stated by the will +of man, but only by the sure word of prophecy, the sacred Scriptures. +This government allows not of one church officer at all; nor of one +ruling assembly made up of those officers; nor of one censure or act of +power to be done by any officer or assembly; nor of one ordinance to be +managed in the Church of God, but what are grounded upon, and warranted +by the word of God. This government allows no execution of any part +thereof, neither in substantials, nor circumstantials, but according to +the particular, or at least, the general rules of Scripture +respectively. And can that be arbitrary, which is not at all according +to man's will, but only according to Christ's rule, limiting and +ordering man's will? Or is not the Scripture a better and safer +provision against all arbitrary government in the Church, than all the +ordinances, decrees, statutes, or whatsoever municipal laws in the world +of man's devising, can be against all arbitrary government in the +commonwealth? Let not men put out their own eyes, though others would +cast a mist before them. 2. Who can justly challenge the reformed +presbyterial churches for arbitrary proceedings in matters of church +government, practised in some of them for above these fourscore years? +Or where are their accusers? 3. Why should the presbyterial +government, to be erected in England, be prejudged as arbitrary, before +the government be put in execution? When arbitrary conduct appears, let +the adversaries complain. 4. If any arbitrary conduct hath been +discovered in any reformed church, or shall fall out in ours, it is or +shall be more justly reputed the infirmity and fault of the governors, +than of the government itself. + +II. What probability or possibility of tyranny in the presbyterial +government? For, 1. Who should tyrannize, what persons, what ruling +assemblies? Not the ministers; for, hitherto they have given no just +cause of any suspicion, since this government was in hand: and they are +counterpoised in all assemblies with a plurality of ruling elders, it +being already studiously[3] provided that there be always two ruling +elders to one minister: if there be still two to one, how should they +tyrannize if they would? Neither ministers nor ruling elders are likely +to tyrannize, if due care be taken by them, whom it doth concern, to +elect, place, and appoint, conscientious, prudent, and gracious +ministers and ruling elders over all congregations. Nor yet the ruling +assemblies, lesser or greater; for in the presbyterial government all +lesser ruling assemblies (though now at first, perhaps, some of them +consisting of more weak and less experienced members) are subordinate to +the greater authoritatively; and persons aggrieved by any +mal-administrations have liberty to appeal from inferior to superior: +and the very national assembly itself, though not properly subordinate, +yet is it to be responsible to the supreme political magistracy in all +their proceedings so far as subjects and members of the commonwealth. + +III. How can they tyrannize over any? Or in what respects? Not over +their estates: for they claim no secular power at all over men's +estates, by fines, penalties, forfeitures, or confiscations. Not over +their bodies, for they inflict no corporal punishment, by banishment, +imprisonment, branding, slitting, cropping, striking, whipping, +dismembering, or killing. Not over their souls; for, them they desire by +this government to gain, Matth. xviii. 15; to edify, 2 Cor. x. 8, and +xiii. 10; and to save, 1 Cor. v. 5. Only this government ought to be +impartial and severe against sin, that the flesh may be destroyed, 1 +Cor. v. 5. It is only destructive to corruption, which is deadly and +destructive to the soul. Thus the imputation itself of arbitrary conduct +and tyranny to the presbyterial government is unjust and groundless. + +II. The pretended ground of this aspersion is false and frivolous. The +presbyters of the Assembly of Divines, and others (_Diotrephes_-like, +affecting pre-eminence) have desired an unlimited power, according to +their own prudence and judgment, in keeping men from the ordinances in +cases of scandal not enumerated. _Ans_. 1. The presbyters of the +Assembly and others, are so far from the domineering humor of +Diotrephes, that they could gladly and heartily have quitted all +intermeddling in church government, if Jesus Christ had not by office +engaged them thereto; only to have dispensed the word and sacraments +would have procured them less hatred, and more case. 2. They desired +liberty to keep from the ordinances, not only persons guilty of the +scandals enumerated, but of all such like scandals, (and to judge which +are those scandals, not according to their minds unlimitedly, but +according to the mind of Christ in his word, more sure than all +ordinances or acts of Parliament in the world.) And was this so hideous +a desire? This liberty was desired, not for themselves, but for +well-constituted elderships. As great power was granted by the very +service-book to every single curate; (see the Rubric before the +communion.) A perfect enumeration and description of scandals can be +made in no book but in the Scriptures; and when all is done, must we not +refer thither? All scandals are punishable, as well as any, and to +inflict penalties on some, and not on others as bad or worse, is +inexcusable partiality. Why should not presbyteries duly constituted, +especially the greater, be accounted, at least, as faithful, +intelligent, prudent, and every way as competent judges of what is +scandal, and what not, according to the Scriptures, and that without +arbitrary conduct and tyranny, as any civil court, committees, or +commissioners whatsoever? Ruling church assemblies are intrusted with +the whole government in the church, consequently with this, and every +part. The best reformed churches allow to their presbyteries power to +keep from the ordinances scandalous persons, not only for scandals +enumerated, but for scandals of like nature not enumerated, with some +general clause or other, as may appear in eight several churches, +according to the allegations here in the foot-note;[4] and, therefore, +no new thing is desired, but what is commonly practised in the reformed +churches, whom we should imitate so far as they lead us on towards +purity and perfection. + +_Doubt_ 3. But the independent government seems to be a far more +excellent way, and it is embraced by many godly and precious people and +ministers. + +_Ans_. 1. What true excellency is there at all in the whole independent +government, save only in those particulars wherein it agrees with the +presbyterial government; and only so far as it is presbyterial? +Therefore, the presbyterial government is equally, yea, primarily and +principally excellent. Wherein is the excellency of the independent way +of government? 1st. Have they only those officers which Christ himself +hath appointed, pastors and teachers, ruling elders and deacons? So the +Presbyterians. 2d. Have they those spiritual censures, of admonishing, +excommunicating, and receiving again into communion, which Christ +ordained in his Church, for guarding his ordinances, and well guiding of +the flock? So the Presbyterians. 3d. Have they congregational +presbyteries duly elected, and constituted for the exercise of all acts +of government, proper and necessary for their respective congregations? +So the Presbyterians. 4th. Have they liberty of electing their own[5] +officers, pastors, elders, and deacons? So the Presbyterians. 5th. Have +they power to keep the whole lump of the Church from being leavened, and +purely to preserve the ordinances of Christ, from pollution and +profanation, &c.? So the Presbyterians, &c. So that whereinsoever the +independent government is truly excellent, the presbyterial government +stands in a full equipage and equality of excellence. + +II. What one true excellence is there in the whole independent +government in any one point, wherein it really differs from the +presbyterial government? Take for instance a few points of difference. + +_In the independent government._ + + No other visible Church of Christ is acknowledged, but only a single + congregational meeting in one place to partake of all ordinances. + + The matter of their visible Church must be to their utmost judgment + of discerning such as have true grace, real saints. + + Their churches are gathered out of other true visible churches of + Christ, without any leave or consent of pastor or flock; yea, + against their wills, receiving such as tender themselves, yea, too + often by themselves or others, directly or indirectly seducing + disciples after them. + + Preaching elders are only elected, not ordained. + + Ruling elders also preach. + + The subject of church government is the community of the faithful. + + The church officers act immediately as the servants of the church, + and deputed thereby. + + All censures and acts of government are dispensed in single + congregations ultimately, independently, without all liberty of + appeal from them to any superior church assembly; so the parties + grieved are left without remedy. + + There are acknowledged no authoritative classes or synods, in + common, great, difficult cases, and in matters of appeals, but only + suasive and consultative; and in case advice be not followed, they + proceed only to a non-communion. + + +_In the presbyterial government._ + + One general visible Church of Christ on earth is acknowledged, and + all particular churches; and single congregations are but as similar + parts of that whole. + + The matter of the Church invisible are only true believers, but of + the Church visible persons professing true faith in Christ, and + obedience to him according to the rules of the Gospel. + + Parochial churches are received as true visible churches of Christ, + and most convenient for mutual edification. Gathering churches out + of churches, hath no footsteps in Scripture; is contrary to + apostolical practice; is the scattering of churches, the daughter of + schism, the mother of confusion, but the stepmother to edification. + + Preaching elders are both elected and ordained. + + Ruling elders only rule, preach not, 1 Tim. v. 17. + + The subject of church government is only Christ's own church + officers. + + The church governors act immediately as the servants of Christ, and + as appointed by him. + + All censures and acts of government are dispensed in congregational + presbyteries subordinately, dependently, with liberty of appeal in + all cases to presbyterial or synodal assemblies; where parties + grieved have sufficient remedy. + + There are acknowledged, and with happy success used, not only + suasive and consultative; but also authoritative classes and synods, + in cases of great importance, difficulty, common concernment, or + appeals; which have power to dispense all church censures, as need + shall require. + +Let these and such like particulars in the independent way, differing +from the presbyterial, be duly pondered, and then let the impartial and +indifferent reader judge, whether they be not the deformities, at least +the infirmities of that way. + +III. How many true excellences are there in the way of the presbyterial +government, wherein it utterly surpasses the independent government! +Read but the particulars of the former parallel in the presbyterial +government, and then consider how far this transcends, yea, how the +independent government is indeed no government at all, to the +presbyterial government; wherein is to be found such ample provision, +and that according to the word of God, for comely order against +confusion; for peace and unity of the Church against schism and +division; for truth of the faith against all error and heresy; for piety +and unblamableness against all impiety and scandal of conversation; for +equity and right against all mal-administrations, whether ignorant, +arbitrary, or tyrannical; for the honor and purity of all Christ's +ordinances against all contempt, pollution, and profanation; for +comfort, quickening, and encouragement of the saints in all the ways of +Christ; and consequently for the honor of God and our Lord Jesus Christ +in all the mysterious services of his spiritual sanctuary: all which +rich advantages, how impossible is it they should ever be found in the +independent government so long as it continues independent? And what +though some pious minister and people embrace the independent way! This +dazzles not the eyes of the intelligent, but of the infirm; we are to be +regulated by Scripture warrant, not by human examples. The best of +saints have failed in the ecclesiastical affairs; what a sharp +contention was there between Paul and Barnabas, Acts xv. 39, &c.; what a +dangerous dissimulation was there in Peter, the Jews, and Barnabas! Gal. +ii. 11, 12, 13, &c.; and, therefore, it is not safe, prudent, or +conscientious, to imitate all the examples of the best, and yet how few +are those that have engaged themselves in the independent way, in +comparison to the multitude of precious ministers and people, inferior +to them neither in parts, learning, piety, nor any other spiritual gift, +who are for the presbyterial way of church government! Notwithstanding, +let all the true Israel of God constantly follow, not the doubtful +practices of unglorified saints, but the written pleasure of the most +glorious King of saints; and as many as walk according to this rule, +peace shall be on them, and upon the Israel of God. + + + + +THE DIVINE RIGHT OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. + +PART I. + +OF THE NATURE OF A DIVINE RIGHT: AND HOW MANY WAYS A THING MAY BE OF +DIVINE RIGHT. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_That there is a Government in the Church of_ DIVINE RIGHT _now under +the New Testament._ + + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath _the government_ (both of the Church, and +of all things for the Church) laid _upon his shoulder_, Isa. ix. 6, and +to that end hath _all power in heaven and earth given to him_, Matth. +xxviii. 18, John v. 22, Ephes. i. 22. But lapsed man (being full of +pride, Psal. x. 2, 4, and enmity against the law of God, Rom. viii. 7) +is most impatient of all government of God and of Christ, Ps. ii. 1, 2, +3, with Luke xix. 14, 27; whence it comes to pass, that the _governing_ +and _kingly power_ of Christ hath been opposed in all ages, and +especially in this of ours, by quarrelsome queries, wrangling disputes, +plausible pretences, subtle policies, strong self-interests, and mere +violent wilfulness of many in England, even after they are brought under +the _oath of God to reform church government according to the word of +God_. Yet it will be easily granted _that there should be a government +in the Church of God_, otherwise the Church would become a mere _Babel_ +and _chaos_ of confusion, and be in a far worse condition than all human +societies in the whole world: and _that some one church government is +much to be preferred before another, yea, before all other_; as being +most desirable in itself, and most suitable to this state; otherwise, +why is the _Prelatical_ government rejected, that another and a better +may be erected instead thereof? But the pinch lies in this, _Whether +there be any government in the Church visible of divine right?_ And, if +so, _which of those church governments_ (which lay claim to a divine +right for their foundation) _may be most clearly evinced by the +Scriptures to be of_ divine right _indeed?_ If the former be +convincingly affirmed, the fancy of the _Erastians_ and _semi-Erastians_ +of these things will vanish, that deny all government to the Church +distinct from that of the civil magistrate. If the latter be solidly +proved by Scripture, it will appear, whether the _monarchical +government_ of the pope and prelates; or the _mere democratical +government_ of all the people in an equal level of authority, as among +the Brownists; or the _mixed democratical government_ of both elders and +people within their own single congregation only, without all +subordination of Assemblies, and benefit of appeals, as among the +Independents; or rather the _pure representative government_ of the +presbytery or church rulers only, chosen by the people, in subordination +to superior synodical assemblies, and with appeals thereto, as it is +among the Presbyterians, be that peculiar government which Jesus Christ +hath left unto his church, by divine right, and in comparison of which +all others are to be rejected. + +To draw things therefore to a clear and speedy issue about the divine +right of church government, let this general proposition be laid down-- + +_The Scriptures declare, That there is a government of_ DIVINE RIGHT _in +the visible Church of Christ now under the New Testament._ + +This is evident, 1 Cor. xii. 28, _God hath set some in the Church, +first, Apostles, secondly, Prophets, thirdly, Teachers--Helps, +Governments;_ in which place these things are plain: 1. That here the +Apostle speaks of the visible Church: for he had formerly spoken of +visible gifts and _manifestations of the Spirit given to profit this_ +Church _withal_, ver. 7 to 12. He also compares this Church of God to a +visible organical body, consisting of many visible members, ver. 12, 13, +&c. And in this 28th verse he enumerates the visible officers of this +Church. 2. That here the Apostle speaks of one general visible Church; +for he saith not _churches_, but _church_, in the singular number, that +is, of one; besides, he speaks here of the Church in such a latitude as +to comprehend in itself all gifts of the Spirit, all members, and all +officers, both extraordinary and ordinary, which cannot be meant of the +church of Corinth, or any one particular church, but only of that one +general Church on earth. 3. That this general visible Church here meant, +is the Church of Christ now under the New Testament, and not under the +Old Testament; for he mentions here the New Testament officers only, +ver. 28. 4. That in the visible Church now under the New Testament, +there is a government settled; for besides _Apostles, Prophets_, and +_Teachers_, here is mention of another sort of officer distinct from +them all, called, in the abstract, _Governments_, a metaphor from +pilots, mariners, or shipmasters, who by their helm, card, or compass, +cables, and other tacklings, guide, and order, turn and twine the ship +as necessity shall require; so these officers called _Governments_, have +a power of governing and steering the spiritual vessel of the Church; +thus, Beza on this place, says he declares the order of Presbyters, _who +are keepers of discipline and church polity_. For how improperly should +these, or any officers be styled _Governments in the Church_, if they +had not a power of government in the Church settled upon them? Nor can +this be interpreted of the civil magistrate; for, when the Apostle wrote +this, the Church had her government, when yet she had no civil +magistrate to protect her; and when did God ever take this power from +the Church and settle it upon the civil magistrate? Besides, all the +other officers here enumerated are purely ecclesiastical officers; how +groundless then and inconsistent is it under this name of _Governments_ +to introduce a foreign power, viz. the political magistrate, into the +list and roll of mere church officers? Finally, the civil magistrate, as +a magistrate, is not so much as a member of the visible Church, (for +then all Pagan magistrates should be members of the Church,) much less a +governor in the Church of Christ. 5. That this government settled in the +Church is of divine right; for, of those _Governments_, as well as of +_Apostles, Prophets_, and _Teachers_, it is said, _God hath set_ them +_in the Church. God hath set_ them, _hath put, set_--Tremellius out of +the Syriac. Hath _constituted, ordained_--Beza out of the Greek. Now, if +they be set in the Church and God hath set them there, here is a plain +divine right for government in the Church. + +Add hereto, 2 Cor. x. 8, "Of our authority, which the Lord hath given to +us for the edification, and not for the destruction of you." Here are +mentioned--1. Church power or authority for government in the Church. 2. +The end of this power--positively, for the edification; negatively, not +for the destruction of the Church. 3. The Author or Fountain of this +authority--the Lord Christ hath given it, dispensed it; there is the +divine right. 4. The proper subjects intrusted with this authority, viz: +the church guides, our authority, which he hath given to us. They are +the receptacle of power for the Church, and the government thereof. +Compare also 1 Thes. v. 12, Matth. xvi. 19, 20, with xviii. 11, and John +xx. 21, 22, 23. In which and divers like places the divine right of +church government is apparently vouched by the Scripture, as will +hereafter more fully appear; but this may suffice in general for the +confirmation of this general proposition. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_Of the Nature of a_ DIVINE RIGHT _in general._ + + +Now touching this divine right of church government, two things are yet +more particularly to be opened and proved, for the more satisfactory +clearing thereof unto sober minds, to unprejudiced and unpre-engaged +judgments, viz:--1. What the nature of a divine right is, and how many +ways a thing may be said to be of divine right, and that by warrant of +Scripture. 2. What the nature of the government of the Church under the +New Testament is, which is vouched by the Scripture to be of divine +right. + +For the first--viz. What the nature of a divine right is--consider both +what a divine right is in general, and how many ways a thing may be said +by Scripture warrant to be of divine right in particular. + +_Right_ is that which is most proper, just, or equal; or that which is +prescribed or commanded by some statute law, and is just to be received +in virtue of said law. + +_Divine_ sometimes points out a divine warrant or authority from God, +engraven or enstamped upon any thing, whereby it is exalted above all +human or created authority and power. And thus, all Scripture is styled +divinely breathed or inspired of God. Hence is the divine authority of +Scripture asserted, 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; and in this sense divine right +is here spoken of, in reference to church government, as it signifies a +divine warrant and authority from God himself, engraven upon that church +government and discipline, (hereafter to be handled,) and revealed to us +in his holy Scriptures, the infallible and perfect oracles. So that +divine right, according to this interpretation of the terms, is that +which is either just, meet, and equal; or commanded and enjoined by any +divine warrant or authority. And generally, a thing may be said to be of +divine right, which is any way divinely just, equal, &c.; or divinely +commanded by any law of God, or by that which is equivalent to a divine +law. And whatsoever matters in church government can be proved by +Scripture to have this stamp of divine warrant and authority set upon +them, they may properly be said to be of divine right, and that by the +will and appointment of Jesus Christ, to whom God hath delegated all +power and authority for the government of his Church, Matth. xxviii. 18, +19, 20, Isa. ix. 6, John v. 22, Eph. i. 22. In this sense, if church +government, or any part of it, be found to be of divine right, then +consequently--1. It is above all mere human power and created authority +in the world whatsoever, and that supereminently. A divine +right is the highest and best tenure whereby the Church can hold of +Christ any doctrine, worship, or government; only God can stamp such a +divine right upon any of these things, whereby conscience shall be +obliged. All human inventions herein, whether devised of our own hearts, +or derived as traditions from others, are incompatible and inconsistent +herewith; vain in themselves, and to all that use them, and condemned of +God. See 1 Kings xii. 32, 33, Isa. xxix. 4, Matth. xv. 6, 7, 8, 9. 2. It +is beyond all just, human, or created power, to abolish or oppose the +same, or the due execution thereof in the Church of Christ; for what is +of divine right, is held of God, and not of man; and to oppose that, +were to fight against God. The supreme magistrates in such cases should +be nurse-fathers, Isa. xlix. 23, not step-fathers to the Church; their +power being cumulative and perfective, not privative and destructive +unto her; for she both had and exercised a power in church government, +long before there was any Christian magistrate in the world; and it +cannot be proved that ever Christ took away that power from his Church, +or translated it to the political magistrate, when he became Christian. +3. It is so obligatory upon all churches in the whole Christian world, +that they ought uniformly to submit themselves unto it; for a divine +right is equally obligatory on one church as well as on another. And it +is so obligatory on all persons, states, and degrees, that none ought to +be exempted from that church government which is of divine right, nor to +be _tolerated_ in another church government, which is but of human +invention; nor ought any Christian to seek after, or content himself +with any such exemption or _toleration_; for in so doing, the inventions +of men should be preferred before the ordinances of God; our own wisdom, +will, and authority, before the wisdom, will, and authority of Christ: +and we should in effect say, _We will not have this man to reign over +us_, Luke xix. 27. _Let us break their bands asunder, and cast their +cords away from us_, Psalm ii. 3. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_Of the Nature of a_ DIVINE RIGHT _in particular. How many ways a thing +may be of_ DIVINE RIGHT. _And first, of a_ DIVINE RIGHT _by the true +light of nature._ + + +Thus we see in general what a divine right is: now in particular let us +come to consider how many ways a thing may be said to be of divine right +by scripture-warrant, keeping still our eye upon this subject of church +government, at which all particulars are to be levelled for the clearing +of it. + +A thing may be said to be of divine right, or (which is the same for +substance) of divine institution, divers ways. 1. _By the true light of +nature._ 2. _By obligatory scripture examples._ 3. _By divine +approbation._ 4. _By divine acts._ 5. _By divine precepts or mandates._ +All may be reduced to these five heads, ascending by degrees from the +lowest to the highest divine right. + +I. _By light of nature._ That which is evident by, and consonant to the +true light of nature, or natural reason, is to be accounted of divine +right in matters of religion. Hence two things are to be made out by +Scripture. 1. What is meant by the true light of nature. 2. How it may +be proved, that what things in religion are evident by, or consonant to +this true light of nature, are of divine right. + +1. For the first, What is meant by the true light of nature, or natural +reason? Thus conceive. The light of nature may be considered two ways. +1. As it was in man before the fall, and so it was that image and +similitude of God, in which man was at first created, Gen. i. 26, 27, or +at least part of that image; which image of God, and light of nature, +was con-created with man, and was perfect: viz. so perfect as the sphere +of humanity and state of innocency did require; there was no sinful +darkness, crookedness, or imperfection in it; and whatsoever was evident +by, or consonant to this pure and perfect light of nature, in respect +either of theory or practice, was doubtless of divine right, because +correspondent to that divine law of God's image naturally engraved in +Adam's heart. But man being lapsed, this will not be now our question, +as it is not our case. 2. As it is now in man after the fall. The light +of nature and image of God in man is not totally abolished and utterly +razed by the fall; there remain still some relics and fragments thereof, +some glimmerings, dawnings, and common principles of light, both +touching piety to God, equity to man, and sobriety to a man's self, &c., +as is evident by comparing these places, Psal. xix. 1, 2, &c., Acts +xiv. 17, and xvii. 27, 28; Rom. i. 18-21, and ii. 12, 14, 15; 2 Cor. v. +1: in which places it is plain, 1. That the book of the creature is able +(without the scriptures, or divine revelations) to make known to man +much of God, his invisible Godhead and attributes, Psalm xix. 1, 2, &c.; +Acts xiv. 17, and xvii. 27, 28; yea, so far as to leave them without +excuse, Rom. i. 18-21. 2. That there remained so much natural light in +the minds even of the heathens, as to render them capable of instruction +by the creature in the invisible things of God; yea, and that they +actually in some measure did know God, and because they walked not up to +this knowledge, were plagued, Rom. i. 18-21, 24, &c. 3. That the work of +the law (though not the right ground, manner, and end of that work, +which is the blessing of the new covenant, Jer. xxxi. 33; Heb. viii. 10) +was materially written in some measure in their hearts. Partly because +they did by nature without the law the things contained in the law, so +being a law to themselves, Rom. ii. 14, 15; partly, because they by +nature forbore some of those sins which were forbidden in the law, and +were practised by some that had the law, as 2 Cor. v. 1; and partly, +because according to the good and bad they did, &c., their conscience +did accuse or excuse, Rom. ii. 15. Now conscience doth not accuse or +excuse but according to some rule, principle, or law of God, (which is +above the conscience,) or at least so supposed to be. And they had no +law but the imperfect characters thereof in their own hearts, which were +not quite obliterated by the fall. Now so far as this light of nature +after the fall, is a true relic of the light of nature before the fall, +that which is according to this light may be counted of divine right in +matters of religion, which is the next thing to be proved. + +For the second, how it may be proved that what things in religion are +evident by, or consonant to this true light of nature, are of divine +right. Thus briefly, + +1. Because that knowledge which by the light of nature Gentiles have of +the invisible things of God, is a beam of divine light, as the apostle, +speaking of the Gentiles' light of nature, saith, That which may be +known of God is manifest in them--for God hath showed it to them. For +the invisible things, &c., Rom. i. 19, 20. God himself is the Fountain +and Author of the true light of nature; hence some not unfitly call it +the divine light of nature, not only because it hath God for its object, +but also God for its principle; now that which is according to God's +manifestation, must needs be of divine right. + +2. 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 sin, in +commending and urging of duty, as in the case of the incestuous +Corinthian; "It is reported commonly, that there is fornication among +you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the +Gentiles," (who had only the light of nature to guide them,) 1 Cor. v. +1. In case of the habits of men and women in their public church +assemblies, that women's heads should be covered, men's uncovered in +praying or prophesying. "Judge in yourselves, is it comely that a woman +pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that if +a man hath long hair, it is a shame to him? but if a woman have long +hair it is a glory to her," &c., 1 Cor. xi. 13-15. Here the apostle +appeals plainly to the very light of nature for the regulating and +directing of their habits in church assemblies; and thus, in case of +praying or prophesying in the congregation in an unknown tongue, (unless +some do interpret,) he strongly argues against it from the light of +nature, 1 Cor. xiv. 7-11, and afterwards urges that women be silent in +their churches, from the natural uncomeliness of their speaking there, +for it is a shame for women to speak in the church, 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35. + +Now, if the Spirit of God condemn things as vicious, and commend things +as virtuous from the light of nature, is there not divine right in the +light of nature? May we not say, that which is repugnant to the light of +nature in matters of religion, is condemned by divine right; and what is +correspondent to the light of nature, is prescribed by divine right? And +if not, where is the strength or force of this kind of arguing from the +light of nature? + +Consequently, in the present case of church government, that which is +agreeable to the true light of nature, must needs be confessed to be of +divine right. Though the light of nature be but dim, yet it will lend +some help in this particular: e.g. the light of nature teaches, 1. That +as every society in the world hath a distinct government of its own +within itself, without which it could not subsist, so must the Church, +which is a society, have its own distinct government within itself, +without which it cannot subsist more than any other society. 2. That in +all matters of difference the lesser number in every society should give +way to, and the matters controverted be determined and concluded by the +major part; else there would never be an end: and why not so in the +Church? 3. That in every ill administration in inferior societies the +parties aggrieved should have liberty to appeal from them to superior +societies, that equity may take place; and why not from inferior to +superior church assemblies? + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +II. _Of a Divine Right by obligatory Scripture Examples._ + + +II. By obligatory scripture examples (which God's people are bound to +follow and imitate) matters of religion become of divine right, and by +the will and appointment of Jesus Christ, by whose Spirit those examples +were recorded in Scripture, and propounded for imitation to the saints. +The light of nature in this case helps something; but the light of +obligatory scripture examples helps much more, as being more clear, +distinct, and particular. We say scripture examples; for only these +examples are held forth to us by an infallible, impartial, divine hand, +and those scripture examples obligatory, or binding; for there are many +sorts of scripture examples that oblige not us to imitation of them, +being written for other uses and purposes. + +Great use is to be made of such examples in matters of religion, and +particularly in matters of church government, for the clearing of the +divine right thereof; and great opposition is made by some against the +binding force of examples, especially by men of perverse spirits, (as +too many of the Erastian party are;) therefore it will be of great +consequence to unfold and clear this matter of scripture examples, and +the obliging power thereof, that we may see how far examples are to be a +law and rule for us by divine right. In general, this proposition seems +to be unquestionable, that whatsoever matter or act of religion Jesus +Christ makes known to his Church and people, by or under any binding +scripture example, that matter or act of religion so made known, is of +divine right, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ: But to +evince this more satisfactorily, these several particulars are to be +distinctly made good and manifested: 1. That some scripture examples are +obligatory and binding on Christians in matters of religion. 2. Which +are those obligatory scripture examples? These things being made out, we +shall see with what strength scripture examples hold forth a divine +right to us in the mysteries of religion, and particularly in church +government. + +I. That some scripture examples in matters of religion are obligatory on +Christians, as patterns and rules, which they are bound in conscience to +follow and imitate, is evident, + +1. By the divine intention of the Spirit of God, in recording and +propounding of examples in Scripture: for he records and propounds them +for this very end, that they may be imitated. Thus Christ's humility, +in washing the feet of his disciples, was intentionally propounded as an +obligatory example, binding both the disciples, and us after them, to +perform the meanest offices of love in humility to one another. "If I +then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash +one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do +as I have done to you," John xiii. 4, &c., 13-15. Thus Christ's +suffering with innocence and unprovoked patience, not reviling again, +&c., is purposely propounded for all Christians to imitate, and they are +bound in conscience as well as they can to follow it--"Christ suffered +for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps," &c., 1 +Pet. ii. 21-23. Hence, the apostle so urges the example of Christ for +the Corinthians to follow in their bounty to the poor saints, yea, +though to their own impoverishing, "For you know the grace of our Lord +Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became +poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich," 2 Cor. viii. 9. Nor +was the example of Christ only written for our imitation; but the +examples of the apostles also in the primitive churches were +intentionally left upon record for this end, that they might be binding +patterns for us to follow in like cases in after ages. And in +particular, this seems to be one singular ground, scope, and intention +of Christ's Spirit in writing the history of the Acts of the Apostles, +that the apostles' acts in the primitive churches might be our rules in +successive churches. For, 1. Though this book contain in it many things +dogmatical, that is, divers doctrines of the apostles, yet it is not +styled the book of the doctrine, but of the Acts of the Apostles, that +we may learn to act as they acted. This being one main difference +between profane and sacred histories; those are for speculation, these +also for admonition and imitation, 1 Cor. x. 11. The history, therefore, +of the Acts propounds examples admonitory and obligatory upon us, that +we should express like acts in like cases. 2. Luke (the penman of the +Acts) makes such a transition from his history of Christ, to this +history of Christ's apostles, as to unite and knit them into one volume, +Acts i. 1; whence we are given to understand, that if the Church wanted +this history of the apostles, she should want that perfect direction +which the Spirit intended for her: as also that this book is useful and +needful to her as well as the other. 3. In the very front of the Acts it +is said, that _Christ after his resurrection_ (and before his ascension) +_gave commandments to the apostles--and spake of the things pertaining +to the kingdom of God_, Acts i. 2, 3; viz. of the polity of the Church, +say some.[6] Of the kingdom of grace, say others.[7] Judicious +Calvin[8] interprets it partly of church government, saying, Luke +admonisheth us, that Christ did not so depart out of the world, as to +cast off all care of us: for by this doctrine he shows that he hath +constituted a perpetual government in his Church. Therefore Luke +signifies, that Christ departed not, before he had provided for his +Church's government. Now those expressions are set in the frontispiece, +to stamp the greater authority and obligatory power upon the acts after +recorded, being done according to Christ's commandments; Christ +intending their acts in the first founding of his kingdom and polity +ecclesiastic to be the rule for after churches. For what Christ spoke of +his kingdom to the apostles is like that, "What I say to you, I say to +all," Matt. xiii. 37, as what was said to the apostles touching +preaching and baptizing, remitting and retaining of sins, was said to +all the apostles' successors, "to the end of the world," John xx. 21, +23, with Matt, xxviii. 18-20. + +2. By God's approving and commending such as were followers not only of +the doctrine, but also of the examples of the Lord, his apostles, and +primitive churches; "And ye became followers" (or imitators) "of us and +of the Lord," 1 Thess. i. 6, 7; and again, "Ye, brethren, became +followers" (or imitators) "of the churches of God, which in Judea are in +Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own +countrymen, even as they have of the Jews," 1 Thess. ii. 14. In which +places the Holy Ghost recites the Thessalonians imitating of the Lord, +of the apostles, and of the churches, to the praise of the +Thessalonians, by which they are given to understand that they did well, +and discharged their duty in such imitations: for God's condemning or +commending any thing, is virtually a prohibiting or prescribing thereof. + +3. By the Lord's commanding some examples to be imitated. Commands of +this nature are frequent. In general, "Beloved, imitate not that which +is evil, but that which is good," 3 John 11. In particular, 1. Imitating +of God and Christ; "Be ye, therefore, followers of God as dear children: +and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us," Eph. v. 1, 2, with Eph. +iv. 32. "He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk, +even as he walked," 1 John ii. 6. 2. Imitating the apostles and other +saints of God. "I beseech you, be ye imitators of me: for this cause +have I sent unto you Timothy--who shall bring you into remembrance of my +ways which be in Christ," 1 Cor. iv. 16, 17. "Be ye imitators of me, +even as I also am of Christ," 1 Cor. xi. 1. + +"Those things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and +seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you," Phil. iv. 9. +"Be not slothful, but imitators of them who through faith and patience +inherit the promises," Heb. vi. 12. "Whose faith imitate, considering +the end of their conversation," Heb. xiii. 7. "Take, my brethren, the +prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example" (or +pattern) "of suffering affliction, and of patience," James v. 10. These +and like divine commands infallibly evidence that many scripture +examples are obligatory, and do bind our consciences to the imitation of +them. + +4. By consent of orthodox and learned writers, both ancient and modern, +acknowledging an obligatory force in some scripture examples, as being +left upon record for our imitation. As among others Chrysostom,[9] and +Greg. Nyssen[10] well observe. + +Among modern writers, Mr. Perkins excellently observes, This is a rule +in divinity, that the ordinary examples of the godly approved in +Scripture, being against no general precept, have the force of a general +rule, and are to be followed. See also Pet. Martyr, Calvin, and +others.[11] + +II. Thus, it is clear that some scripture examples are obligatory. Now +(to come closer to the matter) consider which scripture examples are +obligatory. 1. How many sorts of binding examples are propounded to us +in Scripture. 2. What rules we may walk by for finding out the +obligatory force of such examples. + +How many sorts of binding examples are propounded unto us in Scripture, +and which are those examples? Ans. There are principally three sorts, +viz: Examples of God, of Christ, of Christians. + +I. Of God. The example of God is propounded in Scripture as obligatory +on us in all moral excellencies and actions: e.g. Matt. v. 44, 45, 48; +Eph. v. 1; 1 Pet. i. 14-16; 1 John iv. 10, 11. + +II. Of Christ. That the example of Christ is obligatory, and a binding +rule to us for imitation, is evident by these and like testimonies of +Scripture, Matt. xi. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 11; Eph. v. 2, 3, 25, &c.; 1 John +ii. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 21-23. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed +your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's feet. For I have given +you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you," John xiii. 14, +15. In this place we must follow the reason of the example, rather than +the individual act, viz: after Christ's example, we must be ready to +perform the lowest and meanest offices of love and service to one +another. + +But which of Christ's examples are obligatory on Christians, will better +appear, by distinguishing the several sorts of Christ's actions. +Christ's actions were of several kinds; and to imitate them all is +neither needful, nor possible, nor warrantable. Orthodox writers thus +rank Christ's actions: + +1. Some of Christ's actions were of divine power and virtue; as his +miracles, turning water into wine, John ii. 7, &c.; walking on the sea, +Mark vi. 48, 49; dispossessing of devils by his word, Mark i. 27; Luke +iv. 36; curing one born blind with clay and spittle, John ix.; healing +the sick by his word or touch, John iv. 50; Mark vi. 56; raising the +dead to life again, as John xii. 1; Matt. xi. 5; Luke vii. 22. + +2. Some were acts of divine prerogative, as sending for the ass and +colt, without first asking the owner's leave, Matt. xxi. 2, &c. + +3. Some mediatory, done by him as Mediator, Prophet, Priest, and King of +his Church: e.g. inditing the Scripture, called therefore the word of +Christ, Col. iii. 16; laying down his life _for the sheep_, John x. 15, +&c.; giving of the Spirit, John xx. 22; Acts ii.; appointing of his own +officers, and giving them commissions, Eph. iv. 7, 10, 11; Matt. x. and +xxviii. 18-20; instituting of new, and thereby abrogating of old +ordinances, Matt. xxviii. 18, 19; 1 Cor. xi. 23, &c. + +4. Some accidental, occasional, incidental, or circumstantial, as in +the case of his celebrating his supper, that it was at night, not in the +morning; after supper, not before; with none but men, none but +ministers; with unleavened, not with leavened bread, &c.; these +circumstantials were accidentally occasioned by the passover, nature of +his family, &c. + +5. Some acts of Christ were moral, as Matt. xi. 29; Eph. v. 2, 3, 25, +&c.; or at least founded upon a moral reason and foundation, as John +xiii. 14,15. + +To imitate Christ in his three first sort of acts, is utterly unlawful, +and in part impossible. To imitate him in his circumstantial acts from +necessity, were to make accidentals necessary, and happily to border +upon superstition; for, to urge any thing above what is appointed, as +absolutely necessary, is to urge superstition; and to yield to any thing +above what is appointed, as simply necessary, were to yield to +superstition. But to imitate Christ in his moral acts, or acts grounded +upon a moral reason, is our duty: such acts of Christ ought to be the +Christian's rules. + +III. Of prophets, apostles, saints, or primitive churches. That their +examples are obligatory, is evident by these places, 1 Cor. xi. 1; Phil. +iv. 8, 9; 1 Pet. iii. 4, 5, 6; 1 Thess. i. 6, and ii. 14; Heb. xiii. 7; +James v. 10, 11; 3 John 11. + +Which of their examples are obligatory, may be thus resolved, by +distinguishing of their actions. + +1. Some were sinful; written for our caution and admonition, not for our +imitation: as 1 Cor. x. 5, 6, 10, 12. That neither the just be lifted up +into pride by security, nor the unjust be hardened against the medicine +through despair. See the fourth rule following. + +2. Some were heroical; done by singular instinct and instigation of the +Spirit of God; as divers acts may be presumed to be, (though we read not +the instinct clearly recorded:) as, Elias's calling for fire from +heaven, 2 Kings i. 10; which the very apostles might not imitate, not +having his spirit, Luke ix. 54, 55; Phinehas's killing the adulterer and +adulteress, Numb. xxv. 7, 8; Samson's avenging himself upon his enemies +by his own death, Judges xvi. 30, of which, saith Bernard, if it be +defended not to have been his sin, it is undoubtedly to be believed he +had private counsel, viz. from God, for his fact; David's fighting with +Goliath of Gath the giant, hand to hand, 1 Sam. xvii. 32, &c., which is +no warrant for private duels and quarrels. Such heroic acts are not +imitable but by men furnished with like heroic spirit, and instinct +divine. + +3. Some were by special calling, and singular extraordinary +dispensation: as Abraham's call to leave his own country for pilgrimage +in Canaan, Gen. xii. 1, 4, which is no warrant for popish pilgrimages +to the holy land, &c.; Abraham's attempts, upon God's special trying +commands, to kill and sacrifice his son, Gen. xxii. 10, no warrant for +parents to kill or sacrifice their children; the Israelites borrowing +of, and robbing the Egyptians, Exod. xii. 35, no warrant for cozenage, +stealing, or for borrowing with intent not to pay again: compare Rom. +xiii. 8; 1 Thess. iv. 6; Psal. xxxvii. 21; the Israelites taking usury +of the Canaanitish strangers, (who were destined to ruin both in their +states and persons, Deut. xx. 15-17,) Deut. xxiii. 20, which justifies +neither their nor our taking usury of our brethren, Lev. xxv. 36, 37; +Deut. xxiii. 19, 20; Neh. v. 7, 10; Psal. xv. 5; Prov. xxviii. 8; Ezek. +xviii. 8, 13, 17, and xxii. 12; John Baptist's living in the desert, +Mat. iii., no protection for popish hermitage, or proof that it is a +state of greater perfection, &c. + +4. Some were only accidental or occasional, occasioned by special +necessity of times and seasons, or some present appearance of scandal, +or some such accidental emergency. Thus primitive Christians had all +things common, Acts iv. 32, but that is no ground for anabaptistical +community. Paul wrought at his trade of tent-making, made his hands +_minister to his necessities_, Acts xx. 34; would not take wages for +preaching to the church of Corinth, 2 Cor. xi. 7-9; but this lays no +necessity on ministers to preach the gospel _gratis_, and maintain +themselves by their own manual labors, except when cases and seasons are +alike, Gal. vi. 6-8; 1 Cor. ix. 6-13; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. + +5. Some were of a moral nature, and upon moral grounds, wherein they +followed Christ, and we are to follow them, 1 Cor. xi. 1; Phil. iv. 8, +9, and other places forementioned; for, whatsoever actions were done +then, upon such grounds as are of a moral, perpetual, and common +concernment to one person as well as another, to one church as well as +another, in one age as well as another, those actions are obligatory on +all, and a rule to after generations. Thus the baptizing of women in the +primitive churches, Acts viii. 12, and xvi. 15, though only the males +were circumcised under the Old Testament, is a rule for our baptizing of +women as well as men, they being _all one in Christ,_ Gal. iii. 28. So +the admitting of infants to the first initiating sacrament of the Old +Testament, circumcision, because they with their parents' were accounted +within the covenant of grace by God, Gen. xvii., is a rule for us now to +admit infants to the first initiating sacrament of the New Testament, +baptism, because infants are federally holy, and within the covenant +with their believing parents now, as well as then, Rom. xi. 16; 1 Cor. +vii. 14; Col. ii. 11, 12. Thus the baptizing of divers persons formerly, +though into no particular congregation, nor as members of any +particular congregation, as the eunuch, Acts viii.; Lydia, Acts xvi.; +the jailer, Acts xvi.; because it was sufficient they were baptized into +that one general visible body of Christ, 1 Cor. xii. 12, 13, is a rule +for us what to do in like cases upon the same common ground. Thus the +Church's practice of preaching the word, and breaking bread on the first +day of the week, Acts xx. 7, &c., is our rule for sanctifying the Lord's +day, by celebrating the word, sacraments, and other holy ordinances, at +these times. And in like manner, the primitive practices of ordaining +preaching presbyters, by laying on of hands, 1 Tim. iv. 14; 2 Tim. i. 6; +Acts xiii. 3; of governing all the congregations of a city by one common +presbytery, in which respect they are all called by the name of one +church, as the church of Jerusalem, Acts viii. 1, and xv. 4; the church +of Antioch, Acts xiii. 1, and xi. 25, 26; the church of Corinth, 1 Cor. +i. 2, 2 Cor. i. 1; which had churches in it, 1 Cor. xiv. 34. Of healing +common scandals and errors, troubling divers presbyterial churches by +the authoritative decrees of a synod, made up of members from divers +presbyterial churches, as Acts xv., and such like, are our rules in like +particulars, which the Lord hath left for our direction, the same +grounds of such actions reaching us as well as them. + +Now this last kind of examples are those which we are, by divers divine +commands, especially enjoined to follow; and therefore such examples +amount to a divine right or institution; and what we ought to do by +virtue of such binding examples is of divine right, and by the will and +appointment of Jesus Christ. + +What discriminatory notes or rules may we walk by, for finding out the +obligatory force of scripture examples; and what manner of examples +those be? For discovery hereof, take these ensuing general rules: + +1. Those examples in Scripture, which the Spirit of Christ commands us +to imitate, are undoubtedly obligatory. Such are the moral examples of +God, Christ, apostles, prophets, saints, and churches, recorded in +Scripture, with command to follow them, Eph. iv. 32, and v. 1, 2; 1 John +ii. 6; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Phil. iv. 6; Heb. vi. 12, and xiii. 7; James v. 10; +3 John 11. + +2. Those examples in Scripture, which the Spirit of Christ commends and +praises, are obligatory; his commendings are virtual commandings; and we +ought to follow whatsoever is praiseworthy, especially in God's account, +Phil. iv. 8, 9; 2 Cor. x. 18. Now the Spirit of Christ commends many +examples to us: as, _Enoch's walking with God_, Gen. v. 24; _Noah's +uprightness,_ Gen. vi.; _Abraham's faith_, Rom. iv., _and obedience_, +Gen. xxii.; _Lot's zeal against Sodom's sins_, 2 Pet. ii. 9; _Job's +patience_, James v. 10, 11. And in a word, all the examples of the +saints, which the Lord approves and speaks well of; as Heb. xi.; 1 Pet. +iii. 5, 6: together with all such examples, whose imitation by others is +commended in Scripture; as, 1 Thess. i. 6, 7, and ii. 14. + +3. Those examples in Scripture are obligatory, whose ground, reason, +scope, or end, are obligatory, and of a moral nature, and as much +concern one Christian as another, one church as another, one time as +another, &c., whether they be the examples under the Old or New +Testament. Thus the example of the church of Corinth, in excommunicating +the incestuous person, because he was a wicked person--and lest he +should _leaven the whole lump;_ and that they might keep the +evangelical passover sincerely, and for that they had power _to judge +them within_; and that his "flesh might be destroyed, and his spirit +saved in the day of the Lord Jesus," 1 Cor. v. 5-8, 11-13: which grounds +and ends being moral, oblige us to use the like remedy against all +wicked and scandalous persons. + +4. Those acts which are propounded in Scripture as patterns or examples, +that we should act the like good, or avoid the like ill, are an +obligatory law to us. There is an example of caution, and an example of +imitation. + +Thus in reference to well-doing, or suffering for well-doing, the +examples of Christ, his apostles, and other saints, are propounded as +patterns to write after, as John xiii. 14, 15; Heb. xi. tot. with Heb. +xii. 1, _with such a cloud of witnesses_. This verse is as the epilogue +of the former chapter, (saith the learned Calvin,) showing to what end +the catalogue of saints was reckoned up, who under the law excelled in +faith, viz: that every one may fit himself to imitate them. Another +adds,[12] He calls them a cloud, whereby we may be directed; in allusion +to that cloud that went before Israel in the wilderness, to conduct them +to the land of Canaan. See also 1 Pet. ii. 21-23; James v. 10. + +Thus also, in reference to ill-doing, that it may be avoided by us, the +bad examples of saints and others are laid before us as warnings and +cautions to us, binding us to eschew like evils, 1 Cor. x. 5, 6, 11. +"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust +after evil things, as they also lusted. Now all these things happened +unto them for examples," &c., Jude 7. + +5. Those acts of saints or Christians, which were done by them as saints +and Christians, are obligatory upon, and to be followed by all +Christians; but those acts which are done by magistrates, prophets, +apostles, ministers, &c., only as such, are only obligatory on such as +have like offices, not on all; according to the maxim, that which agrees +to any thing as such, agrees to every thing that is such. Thus James +urges the example of Elias in praying, James v. 17. Paul presses the +example of Abraham in being justified by believing, Rom. iv. 23,24. +Peter prescribes, as a pattern to wives, the example of Sarah, and other +holy women of old, for "adorning themselves with a meek and quiet +spirit,--being in subjection to their own husbands," 1 Pet. iii. 4-6. + +6. Those acts that were commonly and ordinarily done, are ordinarily to +be imitated; as, baptizing _in water only_, and not in any other +element, was the ordinary practice of the New Testament, Matt. iii. 11, +16; Mark i. 6, 10; Luke iii. 16; John i. 26, 31, 33; Acts i. 5, and +viii. 36, 38, and x. 47, and xi. 16; and by that practice we are obliged +to baptize in water only. Joining of many Christians together in +receiving the Lord's supper was an ordinary practice, Matt. xxvi. 20, +26, 27; Acts ii. 42, and xx. 7, &c.; 1 Cor. xi. 20, and by us ordinarily +to be imitated; how else is it a communion? 1 Cor. x. 16, 17. + +But such acts as were done only upon special causes or singular reasons, +are only to be imitated in like cases. Thus Christ argues from a like +special cause, that he was not to do miracles at Nazareth without a +call, as he did in other places where he had a call of God; from the +particular example of Elijah and Elisha, who only went to them to whom +God called them, Luke ix. 25-27; 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 them, &c., from David's example of eating show-bread when +he had need, Matt. xii. 1-5. + +7. Those acts that were done from extraordinary calling and gifts, are +to be imitated (in regard of their special way of acting) only by those +that have such extraordinary calling and gifts. Christ therefore blames +his apostles for desiring to imitate Elijah's extraordinary act in +calling for fire from heaven, &c., when they had not his spirit, Luke ix. +54, 55. Papists are blameworthy for imitating the extraordinary forty +days' and nights' fast of Moses, Elijah, and Christ, in their Lent fast. +Prelates argue corruptly for bishops' prelacy over their brethren the +ministers, from the superiority of the apostles over presbyters. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_Of a Divine Right by Divine Approbation._ + + +III. By divine approbation of the Spirit of Jesus Christ in his word. +Whatsoever in matters of religion hath the divine approbation of the +Spirit of Christ in the Scriptures, that is of divine right, and by the +will and appointment of Jesus Christ. God's approving or allowing of any +thing, plainly implies that it is according to his will and pleasure, +and so is equivalent to a divine institution or appointment; for what is +a divine institution or law but the publishing of the divine will of the +legislator, touching things to be acted or omitted? and God cannot +approve any thing that is against his will. Contrariwise, God's +disallowing of any thing, plainly implies that it is against his will, +and so of divine right prohibited, and unlawful. God allows or disallows +things not because they are good or evil; but things are, therefore, +good or evil, because he approves or disallows them. + +Now God approves or disallows things divers ways: + +1. By commending or discommending. God commended king Josiah for his +zeal and impartiality in completing of the reformation of religion, 1 +Kings xiii. 25. This is a rule for all princes and magistrates how they +should reform. The angel of the church of Ephesus is commended, for not +bearing of those that were evil, for trying and detecting the false +apostles, and for hating the works of the Nicolaitans, Rev. ii. 2, 3, 6. +The angel of the church of Pergamus is praised, for holding fast +Christ's name, and not denying his faith in places of danger, and days +of deepest persecution, Rev. ii. 13: a rule for all pastors and +churches, how in all such cases they should carry themselves. God's +commendings are divine commandings. On the contrary, God dispraises +Ephesus, for falling from her first love, Rev. ii. 4. Pergamus, for +holding the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, +Rev. ii. 14, 15. Thyatira, for tolerating the false prophetess Jezebel, +to teach and seduce his servants, &c., Rev. ii. 20. Laodicea, because +she was neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, Rev. iii. 15. The church of +Corinth, for coming together in public assemblies, not for better but +for worse, by reason of schisms, scandals, and other disorders about the +Lord's supper, 1 Cor. xi. 17, &c. In these and all such divine +discommendings of the churches for their corruptions, all succeeding +churches are strongly forbidden the like corruptions: God's dispraises +are divine prohibitions. Thus good church elders are commended in this +notion, that they are _elders ruling well_, 1 Tim. v. 17; therefore, +that elders in the church should rule, and rule well, is by this +commendation of divine right. + +2. By promising and threatening. What promise did God ever make to any +act or performance, which was not a duty? or what threatening against +any act which was not a sin? He promises to them that forsake all for +Christ, a "hundred-fold now in this time, and in the world to come +eternal life," Mark x. 29, 30; therefore it is our duty to forsake all +for Christ. He promised to ratify in heaven his disciples' sentences of +_building or loosing on earth_; and to _be with them_ whensoever _two or +three of them were met together_ for that end, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. +18-20, and John xx. 23. Therefore binding and loosing, remitting and +retaining of sins, and meeting together for that end, belong to them by +divine right. He promised to be with them that baptize, preach, remit, +and retain sins in his name, &c., _always, to the end of the world_, +John xx. 23; with Matt, xxviii. 18-20, which promise shows, that these +works and employments belong to all succeeding ministers to the world's +end, as well as to the apostles by divine right. On the contrary, the +Lord threatens Ephesus for decay of first love, Rev. ii. 4, 5; Pergamus, +for holding false doctrine, Rev. ii. 14, 15; Thyatira, for tolerating of +Jezebel and her false teaching, &c., Rev. ii. 21, 21, 23; and Laodicea, +for lukewarmness, Rev. iii. 15, 16. Therefore, all these were their +sins, and we are bound, even by this divine threatening, to avoid the +like by a divine warrant. + +3. By remunerating or rewarding; whether he reward with blessings or +with judgments. With blessings God rewarded the Hebrew midwives, because +they preserved the male children of Israel, contrary to Pharaoh's bloody +command; _God made them houses_, Exod. i. 17, 20, 21. He will have the +elders that rule well _counted worthy of double honor_, &c.; i.e. +rewarded with a bountiful, plentiful maintenance, 1 Tim. v. 17. +Therefore, their ruling in the church is of divine right, for which God +appoints such a good reward. Contrariwise, with judgments God rewarded +king Saul, for offering a burnt-offering himself, 1 Sam. xiii. 12-14; +Uzzah, for touching the ark, though it was ready to fall, 2 Sam. vi. 6, +7; and king Uzziah, for going into the temple to burn incense, 2 Chron. +xxvi. 16. None of these being priests, yet presuming to meddle with the +priest's office. A rule for all persons, being not church officers, yea, +though they be princes or supreme magistrates, that they are hereby +warned by the divine law, not to usurp church authority or offices to +themselves. God rewarded the Corinthians with the judgments of +weakness, sickness, and death, for unworthy receiving of the Lord's +supper, 1 Cor. xi. 30. So that this is a divine warning for all after +churches against unworthy communicating. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +IV. _Of a Divine Right by Divine Acts._ + + +IV. By divine acts. Whatsoever matters of religion were erected in, or +conferred upon the Church of God, by God, or any person of the blessed +Trinity, and are left recorded in the Scripture, they are of divine +right, by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ. Shall divine +approbation, yea, shall the saints' binding example hold forth to us a +divine right, and shall not the divine actions of God, Christ, and the +Spirit, do it much more? Take some instances: the Lord's-day sabbath, +under the New Testament, was it not instituted (the seventh day being +changed to the first day of the week) by the acts of Christ, having now +perfected the spiritual creation of the new world? viz: by his +resurrection and apparitions to his disciples on that day, and +miraculous blessing and sanctifying of that day, by pouring forth the +gifts of the Holy Ghost, Acts ii., all which were seconded with the +apostolical practice in the primitive churches, Acts xx. 7, &c.; 1 Cor. +xvi. 1, 2. And do not the churches of Christ generally conclude upon +these grounds, that the Lord's-day sabbath is of divine warrant? Thus +circumcision is abrogated of divine right, by Christ's act, instituting +baptism instead thereof, Col. ii. 11, 12. The passover is abolished of +divine right, by Christ himself, our true passover, _being sacrificed +for us_, 1 Cor. v. 7; and the Lord's supper being instituted a memorial +of Christ's death instead of it, Matt, xxvi., Mark xiv., Luke xxii. And +the whole ceremonial law is antiquated and made void by Christ's death, +accomplishing all those dark types; therefore Christ, immediately before +his yielding up the ghost, cried, _It is finished_, John xix. 30. See +Col. ii. 14; Eph. ii. 14, 15; _abolishing the law of commandments in +ordinances_, Heb. viii. 13, and x. 4, 5, &c. Thus by Christ's act of +giving the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter and the apostles, +Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18, 19, the keys belong to the officers of the +church by divine right. By God's act of _setting in the Church some, +first apostles_, &c., 1 Cor. xii. 28, all those officers belong to the +general visible Church by divine right. By Christ's act of bounty upon +his triumphant ascension into heaven, _in giving gifts to men_, Eph. +iv. 7, 11, 12; all those church officers being Christ's gifts, are of +divine right. Finally, by the Holy Ghost's act, in setting elders, +overseers over the flock, Acts xx. 28, elders are such overseers by +divine right. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +V. _Of a Divine Right by Divine Precepts._ + + +V. Finally, and primarily, by divine precepts, whatsoever in matters of +religion is commanded or forbidden by God in his word, that is +accordingly a duty or sin, by divine right: as, the duties of the whole +moral law, the ten words, commanded of God, Exod. xx.; Deut. v. +Believing in Christ, commanded of God, 1 John iii. 23. The plentiful and +honorable maintenance of ministers, commanded of God, 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; +1 Cor. ix. 9-11, 13, 14; Gal. vi. 6. The people's esteeming, loving, and +obeying their pastors and teachers, commanded of God, 1 Thess. v. 12; +Heb. xiii. 7, 17. Ministers' diligence and faithfulness, in feeding and +watching over their flocks, commanded of God, Acts xx. 28; 2 Tim. iv. +1-3; 1 Pet. iv. 1-3; with innumerable commands and precepts of all +sorts: now all things so commanded are evidently of divine right, and +without gainsaying, granted on all hands, even by Erastians themselves. +But the question will be, how far we shall extend this head of _divine +commands_. For clearness' sake, thus distinguish, thus resolve: + +God's commands are either immediate or mediate. + +1. Immediate divine commands: as those which God propounds and urges; as +the ten commandments, Exod. xx., Deut. v., and all other injunctions of +his in his word positively laid down. Of such commands, the apostle +saith, "I command, yet not I, but the Lord," 1 Cor. vii. 10. + +Now these immediate commands of God, in regard of their manner of +publishing and propounding, are either explicit or implicit. + +1. Explicit: which are expressly and in plain terms laid down, as the +letter of the commandments of the decalogue, Exod. xx. The commands of +Christ, "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep," John xxi.; "Go, disciple ye all +nations," &c., Matt, xxviii. 19; "Do this in remembrance of me," Matt, +xxvi; 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24, &c. Now whatsoever is expressly commanded of +God in plain, evident terms, that is of divine right, without all color +of controversy. Only take this caution, the divine right of things +enjoined by God's express command, is to be interpreted according to the +nature of the thing commanded, and the end or scope of the Lord in +commanding: e.g. 1. Some things God commands morally, to be of perpetual +use; as to honor father and mother, &c.; these are of divine right +forever. 2. Some things he commands but positively, to be of use for a +certain season; as the ceremonial administrations till Christ should +come, for the Jewish church, and the judicial observances for their +Jewish polity; and all these positive laws were of divine right till +Christ abrogated them. 3. Some things he commands only by way of trial, +not with intention that the things commanded should be done, but that +his people's fear, love, and obedience may be proved, tried, &c. Thus +God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac for a burnt-offering, +Gen. xxii.: such things are of divine right only in such cases of +special infallible command. 4. Some things he commands extraordinarily +in certain select and special cases: as, _Israel to borrow jewels of the +Egyptians to rob them_, without intention ever to restore them, Exod. +xi. 2, &c. The disciples to _go preach_--yet to _provide neither gold +nor silver_, &c. Matt. x. 7-10. The elders of the church (while miracles +were of use in the church) _to anoint the sick with oil in the name of +the Lord_, for their recovery, James v. 14. These and like extraordinary +commands were only of force by divine right, in these extraordinary +select cases, when they were propounded. + +1. Implicit, or implied: which are either comprehensively contained in +or under the express terms and letter of the command; or, +consequentially, are deducible from the express command. + +Comprehensively, many things are contained in a command, that are not +expressed in the very letter of the command. Thus sound interpreters of +the decalogue generally confess, that all precepts thereof include the +whole parts under the general term, and God wills many things by them +more than the bare words signify: e.g. in negative commands, forbidding +sin, we are to understand the positive precepts prescribing the contrary +duties; and so, on the contrary, under affirmative commands, we are to +understand the negative thereof: thus Christ expounds the sixth +commandment, Matt. v. 21-27, and ver. 43, to the end of the chapter. So +when any evil is forbidden, not only the outward gross acts, but all +inward acts and degrees thereof, with all causes and occasions, all +fruits and effects thereof, are forbidden likewise: as, under killing, +provoking terms, rash anger, Matt. v. 21, 22; under adultery, wanton +looks, lustful thoughts, &c., Matt. v. 27-30. Now all things +comprehended in a command (though not expressed) are of divine right. + +Consequentially, many things are clearly deducible from express commands +in Scripture, by clear, unforced, infallible, and undeniable +consequence. Now what things are commanded by necessary consequence, +they are of divine right, as well as things in express terms prescribed: +e.g. in the case of baptism, have the ordinary ministers of the New +Testament any punctual express command to baptize? yet, by consequence, +it is evident infallibly, the apostles are commanded to baptize, and the +promise is made to them by Christ, that he _will be with them always to +the end of the world_, Matt, xxviii. 18-20, which cannot be interpreted +of the apostles' persons only; for they were not to live till the +world's end, but are dead and gone long ago; but of the apostles and +their successors, the ministers of the gospel to the world's end; now to +whom the promise of Christ's presence is here to be applied, to them the +precept of baptizing and teaching is intended by clear consequence and +deduction. So, infants of Christian parents under the New Testament are +commanded to be baptized by consequence; for that the infants of God's +people under the Old Testament were commanded to be circumcised, Gen. +xvii.; for, the privileges of believers under the New Testament are as +large as the privileges of believers under the Old Testament: and the +children of believers under the New Testament are federally holy, and +within the covenant of God, as well as the children of believers under +the Old Testament, Gen. xvii., compared with Rom. xi. 16; 1 Cor. vii. +14: and what objections can be made from infants' incapacity now, +against their baptism, might as well then have been made against their +being circumcised: and why children should once be admitted to the +initiating sacrament, and not still be admitted to the like initiating +sacrament, (the Lord of the covenant and sacrament nowhere forbidding +them,) there can be no just ground. And baptism succeeds in the room of +circumcision, Col. ii. 11, 12. _Thus in case of the Lord's supper_, +apostles were commanded to dispense it, and men commanded to receive it. +"Do ye this in remembrance of me," Matt, xxvi., 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25; yet +by consequence, the ministers of the gospel succeeding the apostles, +being stewards of the mysteries of God, have the same charge laid upon +them; and women as well as men are enjoined to keep that sacrament, +whole families communicating in the passover, the forerunner of the +Lord's supper, Exod. xiv., and male and female being _all one in +Christ_, Gal. iii. 28. _Thus in case of the maintenance of ministers +under the New Testament_: the apostle proves it by consequence to be +commanded, God hath ordained, &c., from God's command of not _muzzling +the ox that treads out the corn_, and of maintaining the priests under +the Old Testament, 1 Cor. ix. 14, &c.; l Tim. v. 17, 18. And thus, in +case of church polity, the Hebrews are commanded to obey and be +subordinate to their rulers in the Lord, Heb. xiii. 17; consequently, +other churches are commanded not only to have rulers, but to obey and +submit to their rule and government. Timothy is commanded to lay hands +_suddenly on none_, &c., in ordaining of preaching elders, 1 Tim. v. 21, +22; consequently, such as succeed Timothy in ordaining of preaching +elders are enjoined therein to do nothing suddenly, hastily, &c., but +upon mature deliberation. The apostle commands, that men must _first be +proved, and found blameless, before they execute the deacon's office_, 1 +Tim. iii. 10; by consequence, it is much more necessarily commanded, +that ruling elders should first be proved, and be found blameless, +before they exercise rule; and that ministers be examined, and found +blameless, before they be ordained to or execute the ministerial +function, for these offices are of greater and higher concernment than +the deacon's office. + +2. Mediate divine commands, which are mediately from God, but +immediately from men; and these come under a double consideration, being +either, + +1. Such commands whose general principles are immediately the Lord's, +yet accommodations and determinations of particulars are from men, by +apparent deductions from those grounds. Of such the apostle saith, "But +to the rest speak I, not the Lord," 1 Cor. vii. 12; not that Paul +delivered any commands merely of his own head, (for he had "obtained +mercy of the Lord to be faithful," ver. 25, and did _think that he had +the Spirit of the Lord_, ver. 40,) but grounded his commands upon the +word of God, whereof the apostle was the interpreter. The case is +concerning divorce when it fell out that believer and unbeliever were +married together: the Lord had given general rules about divorce, but no +particular rule about this case, (it being not incident to the Jews;) +the apostle, therefore, accommodates the general rule to the particular +case; he, not the Lord, determined the particular. This sound +interpreters conceive to be the apostle's meaning: Thus the apostle, +treating of order in public assemblies, saith, "The prophet and the +spiritual man must acknowledge the things which I write, to be the +commandments of the Lord," 1 Cor. xiv. 37. Understand it mediately, as +being agreeable to the Lord's principles revealed: for otherwise how +should the prophet know what the Lord immediately revealed to the +apostle? or why should we think it probable that what Paul here speaks +of order and decency in church assemblies, was immediately and expressly +delivered him by speech or revelation from the Lord, seeing these +particulars have such easy and apparent deduction from general +principles, and revelations are not unnecessarily multiplied? Yet these +particular deductions and determinations are here styled the +commandments of the Lord. + +2. Such commands, which are accidental and occasional, whose grounds and +general principles are also the Lord's; yet determination or deduction +of particulars can hardly be made, but in such emergent cases and +occasions accidentally falling out, as necessitate thereunto. As in that +case, Acts xv., when the synod commands abstinence _from blood, and +things strangled_, and that necessarily, (though the Levitical law was +now abrogated,) because the common use thereof by accident grew very +scandalous: therefore, by the law of charity, the use of Christian +liberty is to be suspended, when otherwise the scandal of my brother is +endangered; yet from any ground of equity to have provided such a +particular rule as this, without such a case occurring, would scarce +have been possible. Now the synod saith of this determination, "It +seemed good unto the Holy Ghost, and unto us," Acts xv. And another +synod, walking by the like light and rule of the Scripture as they did, +may say of themselves as the apostles said. + + + + +PART II. + +OF THE NATURE OF THAT CHURCH GOVERNMENT WHICH IS OF DIVINE RIGHT, +ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_The Description of Church Government._ + + +The nature of that church government which is of divine right according +to Scripture, comes next to be considered; (having so fully seen what +the nature of a divine right is, and how many several ways matters in +religion may be said to be of divine right.) For the fuller and clearer +unfolding whereof, let us first see how church government may be +described; and then how that description may be explained and justified +by the word of God, in the branches of it. + +Church government may be thus described: + +Church government is a power[13] or authority spiritual,[14] revealed in +the holy Scriptures,[15] derived from Jesus Christ[16] our Mediator,[17] +only to his own officers, and by them exercised in dispensing of the +word,[18] seals,[19] censures,[20] and all other ordinances of +Christ,[21] for the edifying of the Church of Christ.[22] + +This description of church government may be thus explained and proved. +Three things are principally considerable herein, viz: 1. The thing +defined, or described, viz. church government. 2. The general nature of +this government which it hath in common with all other governments, viz. +power or authority. + +3. The special difference whereby it is distinguished from all other +governments whatsoever. Herein six things are observable. 1. The special +rule, wherein it is revealed, and whereby it is to be measured, viz. the +holy Scriptures. 2. The proper author, or fountain, whence this power is +derived, viz. from Jesus Christ our Mediator, peculiarly. 3. The special +kind of this power or authority, viz. it is a spiritual power, it is a +derived power. 4. The several parts or acts wherein this power sets +forth itself, viz. in dispensing the word, seals, censures, and all +other ordinances of Christ. 5. The special end or scope of this power, +viz. the edifying of the Church of Christ. 6. The proper and distinct +subject or receptacle wherein Christ hath placed and intrusted all this +power, viz. only his own officers. All these things are comprehended in +this description, and unto these several heads the whole nature of +church government may be reduced. So that, these being explained and +confirmed by the Scriptures, it will easily and fully be discovered, +what that church government is which is of divine right, and by the will +and appointment of Jesus Christ, our Mediator. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_Of the Subject Described, viz. Church Government, the terms being +briefly opened._ + + +Touching the thing defined or described, it is church government. Here +two terms are to be a little explained: 1. What is meant by church? 2. +What is meant by government? + +1. Church is originally derived from a Greek word,[23] which signifies +to call forth. Hence church properly signifies a company or multitude, +called forth; and so in this notation of the word, three things are +implied: 1. The term from which they are called. 2. The term to which +they are called. 3. The medium or mean by which they are brought from +one term to another, viz. by calling. And these things thus generally +laid down, do agree to every company that may properly be called a +church. Now, this word translated church, never signifies one particular +person, but many congregated, gathered, or called together; and it hath +several acceptations or uses in the New Testament: 1. It is used in a +common and civil sense, for any civil meeting, or concourse of people +together: thus that tumultuous and riotous assembly is called a church, +Acts xix. 32, 39, 40. 2. It is used in a special religious sense, for a +sacred meeting or assembly of God's people together: and thus it +signifies the Church of God, either, 1. Invisible, comprehending only +the elect of God, as Heb. xii. 23, "and Church of the first-born," Eph. +v. 23, &c., "Even as Christ is the head of the Church." 2. Or, visible, +comprehending the company of those that are called to the visible +profession of the faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according +to the gospel, as Acts ii. 47, and v. 11, and viii. 3, and xii. 1, 5; 1 +Cor. xii. 23, and often elsewhere. Now in this description, church is +not understood of a civil assembly; for such assemblies are governed by +civil power. Nor of the invisible Church of Christ; for, as the Church +is invisible, (to speak properly,) it is invisibly governed by Christ +and his Spirit, Rom. viii. 14; Gal. ii. 20. But of the visible Church of +Christ, for which Christ hath provided a visible polity, a visible +government, by visible officers and ordinances, for the good both of the +visible and invisible members thereof, which is that church government +here spoken of. + +2. Government is the translation of a Greek word, which properly +signifies the government of a ship with chart, &c., by the pilot or +mariner, and thence metaphorically is used to signify any government, +political or ecclesiastical. But the word is only once used in all the +New Testament, viz. 1 Cor. xii. 28: _Governments_, h.e. ruling elders in +the church; the abstract being put for the concrete, governments for +governors. But whatever be the terms or names whereby government is +expressed, government generally considered seems still to signify a +superiority of office, power, and authority, which one hath and +exerciseth over another. This is the notion of government in general. So +that church government, in general, notes that pre-eminence or +superiority of office, power, and authority, which some have and +exercise over others in spiritual matters, in church affairs. And here +we are further to consider, that church government is either, 1. +Magisterial, lordly, and supreme; and so it is primitively and +absolutely in God, Matt. xxviii. 18. Dispensatorily and mediatorily in +Jesus Christ our Mediator only, whom God hath made both Lord and Christ, +Acts ii. 36; Matt, xxiii. 8, 10; 1 Cor. viii. 6, and to whom God alone +hath dispensed all authority and power, Matt, xxviii. 18, 19; John v. +22. Now church government, as settled on Christ only, is monarchical. 2. +Ministerial, stewardly, and subordinate; and this power Jesus Christ our +Mediator hath committed to his church guides and officers in his Church, +2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10; and church government, as intrusted in the +hands of church guides, is representative. This ministerial church +government, committed by Christ to his officers, may be considered +either, 1. As it was dispensed under the Old Testament, in a Mosaical, +Levitical polity; in which sense we here speak not of church government; +(that polity being dissolved and antiquated.) 2. Or, as it is to be +dispensed now under the New Testament, in an evangelical Christian +polity, by Christ's New Testament officers; and this is that church +government which is here described, viz. not the supreme magisterial +government of Christ, but the subordinate ministerial government of +Christ's officers; and this not as it was under the Old Testament, but +as it ought to be now under the New Testament. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_Of the general Nature of Church Government, viz. Power or Authority._ + + +Touching the general nature of this government, which it participates in +common with all other governments, it is power or authority. Here divers +particulars are to be cleared and proved, viz: + +1. What is meant by power or authority? The word chiefly used in the New +Testament for power or authority is used not only to denote Christ's +supreme power, as Luke iv. 36; Mark i. 17, with Luke vi. 19; but also +his officers' derived power, as with 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10. It is +used to signify divers things: as, 1. Dignity, privilege, prerogative. +"To them he gave prerogative to be the sons of God," John i. 12. 2. +Liberty, leave, license; as, 1 Cor. viii. 9, "But so that your liberty +become not an offence to the weak;" and 1 Cor. ix. 4, 5, "Have not we +liberty to eat and drink? Have not we liberty to lead about a sister, a +wife?" 3. But most usually right and authority; as, Matt. xxi. 23, 24, +27, and xxviii. 18; so 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10: in this last sense +especially it is here to be taken in this description of church +government. + +Power or authority in general is by some[24] thus described: that +whereby one may claim or challenge any thing to one's self, without the +injury of any other. Power is exercised either about things, or actions, +or persons. 1. About things, as when a man disposes of his own goods, +which he may do without wrong to any. 2. About actions, as when a man +acts that which offends no law. 3. About persons, as when a man commands +his children or servants that are under his own power.--Proportionably, +the power of the Church in government is exercised, 1. About things, as +when it is to be determined by the word, what the Church may call her +own of right; as, that all the officers are hers, Eph; iv. 7, 8, 10, 11; +1 Cor. xii. 28: that all the promises are hers, 2 Pet. i. 4; 1 Tim. iv. +8: that Jesus Christ, and with Christ all things, are hers, 1 Cor. iii. +21, 22. The keys of the kingdom of heaven are hers, Matt. xvi. 19, and +xviii. 18, &c.; John xx. 21, 23, &c.: these things the Church may +challenge without wrong to any. 2. About actions. As when it is to be +determined by the word, what the Church of divine right may do, or not +do: as, the Church may not _bear with them that are evil_, Rev. ii. 2; +_nor tolerate women to teach_, or false doctrine to be broached, Rev. +ii. 20, &c. The Church may _warn the unruly_, 1 Thess. v. 14: +excommunicate the obstinate and incorrigible, Matt, xviii. 17, 18; 1 +Cor. v. 4, 5, 13: receive again penitent persons to the communion of the +faithful, 2 Cor. ii. 7, 8: make binding decrees in synods, even to the +restraining of the outward exercise of due Christian liberty for a time, +for prevention of scandal, Acts xv. 3. About persons. The Church also +hath a power to be exercised, for calling them to their duty, and +keeping them in their duty according to the word of God: as, to _rebuke +them before all_, that sin before all, 1 Tim. v. 20: to prove deacons, +Acts vi. 2, 3, &c.; 1 Tim. iii. 10: _to ordain elders_, Tit. i. 5; Acts +xiv. 23: to use the _keys of the kingdom of heaven_, in the dispensing +of all ordinances, Matt, xviii. 18-20, and John xx. 21, 23, with Matt, +xxviii. 18-20: and, in a word, (as the cause shall require,) to judge of +all them that are within the Church, 1 Cor. v. 12. + +This is the power and authority wherein the nature of church government +generally doth consist. + +2. That all governments in Scripture are styled by the common names of +power or authority: e.g. the absolute government of God over all things, +is power, Acts i. 7: the supreme government of Jesus Christ, is power, +Matt, xxviii. 18; Rev. xii. 10: the political government of the +magistrate in commonwealths, is power, as John xix. 10; Rom. xiii. 1-3; +Luke xxiii. 7: the military government of soldiers under superior +commanders, is power, &c., Matt. viii. 9: the family government that the +master of a family hath over his household, is power, 1 Tim. iii. 5, "If +any man know not how to rule his own house." Yea, the very tyrannical +rule that sin and Satan exercise over carnal men, is styled power, Acts +xxvi. 18; Col. i. 13. Thus, generally, all sorts of government are +commonly called power or authority. + +3. That thus the Scripture also styles church government, viz. power or +authority, as 2 Cor. x. 8, "Of our authority" (or power) "which the Lord +hath given us for your edification." Paul speaks it of this power of +church government. And again, speaking of the same subject, he saith, +"Lest being present, I should use sharpness, according to the power +which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction." 2 +Cor. xiii. 10. + +For further clearing hereof, consider the several sorts or kinds of +ecclesiastical power, according to this type or scheme of ecclesiastical +power and authority here subjoined. + +Ecclesiastical power is either supreme and magisterial; or subordinate +and ministerial. + +I. Supreme magisterial power, consisting in a lordly dominion and +sovereignty over the Church; and may come under a double consideration, +viz: + +1. As it is justly attributed to God alone. Thus the absolute +sovereignty and supreme power (to speak properly) is only his over the +Church, and all creatures in the whole universe: now this supreme divine +power is either essential or mediatorial. + +1. Essential, viz. that power which belongs to the essence of God, and +to every person of the Trinity in common, as God. "His kingdom ruleth +over all," Psal. ciii. 19. "God ruleth in Jacob to the ends of the +earth," Psal. lix. 13. "The kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the +Governor among the nations," Psal. xxii. 28. + +2. Mediatorial, viz. that magisterial, lordly, and sovereign power or +dominion, which God hath dispensed, delegated, or committed to Christ as +Mediator, being both head of the Church, and over all things to the +Church. This power is peculiar only to Jesus Christ our Mediator. "All +power is given to me both in heaven and in earth," Matt. xxviii. 18. +"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand," +John iii. 35. "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all +judgment to the Son," John v. 22. "One is your Master, even Christ," +Matt. xxiii. 8, 10. "God hath put all things under his feet, and gave +him to be head over all things to the Church," Eph. i. 20-23.--This +power of Christ is the only proper fountain whence all ecclesiastical +power flows to the Church. + +II. As it is unjustly arrogated and usurped by man; whether, 1. By the +pope to himself; who arrogates to himself to be Christ's vicar, the +supreme visible head on earth of the visible catholic Church of Christ; +who exalts himself above all that is called God on earth, over +magistrates, princes, kings, yea, over the souls and consciences of +men, and the holy Scriptures of God themselves, &c., 2 Thess. ii. 4; +Rev. xviii. 10-13. + +2. By earthly princes to themselves: as, King Henry VIII., who, casting +off the papal power and primacy, was vested with it himself within his +own dominions, over the Church, accounting himself the fountain of all +ecclesiastical power, (it being by statute law annexed to the crown,) +and assuming to himself that papal title of supreme head of the Church, +&c., which is sharply taxed by orthodox divines of foreign churches. +Thus, that most learned Rivet, taxing Bishop Gardiner for extolling the +king's primacy, saith, "For, he that did as yet nourish the doctrine of +the papacy, as after it appeared, did erect a new papacy in the person +of the king."--Andrew Rivet, _Expli. Decalog. Edit._ ii. page 203. +Judicious Calvin saith thus: "And to this day how many are there in the +papacy that heap upon kings whatsoever right and power they can +possibly, so that there may not be any dispute of religion; but should +this power be in one king, to decree according to his own pleasure +whatsoever he pleaseth, and that should remain fixed without +controversy? They that at first so much extolled Henry, king of England, +(certainly they were inconsiderate men,) gave unto him supreme power of +all things, and this grievously wounded me always; for they were +blasphemers, when they called him the supreme head of the Church under +Christ: certainly this was too much. But let this remain buried, because +they sinned by an inconsiderate zeal. But when that impostor, (he means +Bishop Gardiner, as Rivet notes,) which after was chancellor of this +Proserpina, which there at this day overcometh all the devils, he when +he was at Ratisbon did not contend with reasons, (I speak of this last +chancellor, who was Bishop of Winchester,) but as I now began to say, he +much regarded not scripture testimonies; but said, it was at the +pleasure of the king to abrogate the statutes, and institute new rites. +Touching fasting, there the king can enjoin and command the people, that +this or that day the people may eat flesh: yea, that it is lawful for +the king to forbid priests to marry; yea, that it is lawful for the king +to forbid to the people the use of the cup in the Lord's supper; that it +is lawful for the king to decree this or that in his kingdom. Why? +Because the king hath the supreme power. It is certain, if kings do +their duty, they are both patrons of religion, and nurse-fathers of the +Church, as Isaiah calls them, Isa. xlix. 23. This, therefore, is +principally required of kings, that they use the sword wherewith they +are furnished, for the maintaining of God's worship. But in the mean +time there are inconsiderate men, that make them too spiritual; and this +fault reigns up and down Germany; yea, spreads too much in +these countries. And now we perceive what fruits spring from this root, +viz: that princes, and all that are in place of government, think +themselves to be so spiritual, that there is no other ecclesiastical +government. And this sacrilege creeps among us, because they cannot +measure their office with certain and lawful bounds, but are of opinion +they cannot reign, unless they abolish all the authority of the Church, +and become the chief judges both in doctrine, and in the whole spiritual +government. At the beginning they pretend some zeal; but mere ambition +drives them, that so solicitously they snatch all things to themselves. +Therefore there ought to be a temper kept; for this disease hath always +reigned in princes, to desire to bend religion according to their own +pleasure and lust, and for their own profits in the mean time. For they +have respect to their profit, because for the most part they are not +acted by the Spirit of God, but their ambition carries them." Thus +Calvin in Amos vii. 13. Oh what exclamations would this holy man have +poured out, had he lived to see the passages of our days! _Quis talia +fando temperet a lachrymis!_[25] + +II. Subordinate ministerial power, which is either, + +1. Indirectly, improperly, and only objectively ecclesiastical or +spiritual, (so called, because it is exercised about spiritual or +ecclesiastical objects, though formally in its own nature it be properly +a mere civil or political power.) This is that power which is allowed to +the civil magistrate about religion; he is _an overseer of things +without the Church_, having an external care of religion as a +_nurse-father_, Isa. xlix. 23; as had Hezekiah, Josiah, Asa, +Jehoshaphat, &c.; so as, by the law, to restore religion decayed, reform +the Church corrupted, protect the Church reformed, &c. + +2. Directly, properly, and formally ecclesiastical or spiritual, having +respect properly to matters within the Church. This power only belongs +to church officers, who are overseers of things within, 1 Cor. iv. 20, +21; 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10; and this is either, 1. More special and +peculiar to the office of some church governors only, as the power of +preaching the gospel, dispensing the sacraments, &c., which is only +committed to the ministers of the gospel, and which they, as ministers, +may execute, in virtue of their office. This is called by some the key +of doctrine, or key of knowledge; by others, the power of order, or of +special office. See Matt, xxviii. 18-20; Rom. x. 15; 1 Tim. v. 17. 2. +More general and common to the office of all church governors, as the +power of censures, &c., wherein ruling elders act with ministers, +admonishing the unruly, excommunicating the incorrigible, remitting and +receiving again of the penitent into church communion. Compare Matt, +xviii. 17, 18; 1 Cor. v. 2, 4, 5, 7, 11-13; 2 Cor. ii. 6-12, with Rom. +xii. 8; 1 Cor. xii. 28; and 1 Tim. v. 17. This is called the key of +discipline, or power of jurisdiction. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_Of the special difference of Church Government from other Governments. +And first of the Special Rule of Church Government, viz. the Holy +Scriptures._ + + +Touching the special difference, whereby church government is in this +description distinguished from all other governments whatsoever, it +consists of many branches, which will require more large explication and +confirmation; and shall be handled, not according to that order, as they +are first named in the description, but according to the order of +nature, as they most conduce to the clearing of one another, every +branch being distinctly laid down, as followeth: + +The rule or standard of church government is only the holy Scriptures. +Thus in the description, church government is styled a power or +authority revealed in the holy Scriptures. For clearing hereof, take +this proposition, viz: + +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 +Testament, which all the members of his Church ought to observe and +submit unto until the end of the world. For clearing this, weigh these +considerations: + +1. The government of the visible Church under the New Testament is as +needful as ever it was under the Old Testament. What necessity of +government could be pleaded then, which may not as strongly be pleaded +now? Is not the visible Church of Christ a mixed body of sound and +unsound members, of fruitful and barren branches, of tares and wheat, of +good and bad, of sincere believers and hypocrites, of sheep and goats, +&c., now as well as it was then? Is there not as great cause to separate +and distinguish by church power, between the precious and the vile, the +clean and the unclean, (who are apt to defile, infect, and leaven one +another,) now as well as then? Ought there not to be as great care over +the holy ordinances of God, to preserve and guard them from contempt and +pollution, by a hedge and fence of government, now as well as then? Is +it not as necessary that by government sin be suppressed, piety +promoted, and the Church edified, now as well as then? But under the Old +Testament the Church visible had a perfect rule of church government, +(as is granted on all sides:) and hath Jesus Christ left his Church now +under the New Testament in a worse condition? + +2. The Lord Jesus Christ (upon whose shoulder God hath laid the +government, Isa. ix. 6, and unto whom _all power both in heaven and in +earth is given_ by the Father to that end, Matt. xxviii. 18) _is most +faithful in all his house_, the Church, fully to discharge all the trust +committed to him, and completely to supply his Church with all +necessaries both to her being, and well-being ecclesiastical. Moses was +faithful in the Old Testament; for, as God gave him a pattern of church +government in the ceremonial law, so he did all things according to the +pattern; and shall the Lord Jesus be less faithful as _a son over his +own house,_ than was Moses as a servant over another's house? "Consider +the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was +faithful to him that appointed him, 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 house, whose house are we," +Heb. iii. 1, 2, 5, 6. Yea, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and +to-day, and forever," Heb. xiii. 8, giving a pattern of church +government to Moses, and the church officers of the Old Testament, (the +Church being then as a child in nonage and minority, Gal, iv. 1, &c.,) +can we imagine he hath not as carefully left a pattern of church +government to his apostles, and the church officers of the New +Testament, the Church being now as a man come to full age and maturity? + +3. The holy Scriptures are now completely and unalterably perfect, +containing such exact rules for the churches of God in all states and +ages, both under the Old and New Testament, that not only the people of +God, of all sorts and degrees, but also the men of God, and officers of +the Church, of all sorts and ages, may thereby be made perfect, +thoroughly furnished unto all good works. "The law of the Lord is +perfect," Psal. xix. 7. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, +and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for +instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, +thoroughly furnished to every good work," 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. And in his +first epistle to Timothy, (which is the Church's directory for divine +worship, discipline, and government,) he saith, "These things write I +unto thee--that thou mightest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself +in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God," (this is +spoken in reference to matters of church government peculiarly,) 1 Tim. +iii. 14, 15. And the apostle, having respect to the former matters in +his epistle, saith to Timothy, and to all Timothies after him, "I give +thee charge in the sight of God--that thou keep this commandment without +spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ," +(therefore, this charge is intended for all ministers after Timothy to +the world's end,) 1 Tim. vi. 13, 14, compared with 1 Tim. v. 21, observe +_these things_. And the perfection of the whole scripture canon is +sealed up with that testimony in the close of the last book, "If any man +shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are +written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of +the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book +of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written +in this book," Rev. xxii. 18, 19. Now, if the Scriptures be thus +accurately perfect and complete, they must needs contain a sufficient +pattern, and rules of church government now under the New Testament; +which rules are scattered here and there in several books of the word, +(as flowers grow scattered in the field, as silver is mingled in the +mine, or as gold is mixed with the sand,) that so God may exercise his +Church, in sifting and searching them out. + +4. All the substantials of church government under the New Testament are +laid down in the word in particular rules, whether they be touching +officers, ordinances, censures, assemblies, and the compass of their +power, as after will appear; and all the circumstantials are laid down +in the word, under general rules of order, decency, and edification, 1 +Cor, xiv. 40, and ver. 5,12, 26. + +Consequently, there is a perfect and sufficient rule for church +government laid down in the Scriptures, which is obligatory upon all. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_Of the Proper Author or Fountain, whence Church Government and the +authority thereof is derived by Divine Right, viz. Jesus Christ our +Mediator._ + + +As the Scripture is the rule of church government, so Christ is the sole +root and fountain whence it originally flows; therefore, it is said in +the description, church government is a power or authority, derived from +Jesus Christ our Mediator. Take it in this proposition, viz: + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath all authority and power in heaven and in +earth, for the government of his Church, committed unto him from God the +Father. This is clearly evident, + +1. By plain testimonies of Scripture, declaring that the government of +the Church is laid upon his shoulder, to which end the Father hath +invested him with all authority and power. "The government shall be upon +his shoulder," &c., Isa. ix. 6,7. "All power is given me in heaven and in +earth: go, disciple ye all nations," &c., Matt, xxviii. 18, 19. "He shall +be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God +shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign +over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no +end," Luke i. 32, 33. "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all +judgment to the Son; and hath given him authority to execute judgment +also, because he is the Son of man," John v. 22, 27. "The Father loveth +the Son, and hath given all things into his hand," John iii. 35. "It is +he that hath the key of David, that openeth and no man shutteth, and +shutteth and no man openeth," Rev. iii. 7. "God raised him from the +dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far +above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every +name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to +come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the +head over all things to the Church, which is his body," Eph. i. 20-23, + +2. By eminent princely titles, attributed unto Jesus Christ our +Mediator, having such authority, power, rule, and government legibly +engraven upon their foreheads, in reference to his Church. + +"A Governor which shall feed" (or rule) "my people Israel," Matt. ii. 6. +"That great Shepherd of the sheep," Heb. xiii. 20. "That Shepherd and +Bishop of our souls," 1 Pet. ii. ult. "One is your master, Christ," +Matt, xxiii. 8, 10. "Christ as a son over his own house," Heb. iii. 6. +"The Head of the body the Church," Col. i. 18; Eph. v. 23. "Head over +all things to the Church," Eph. i. 22. "To us but one Lord Jesus +Christ," 1 Cor. viii. 6. "Made of God both Lord and Christ," Acts ii. +36. "Lord of lords," Rev. xix. 16. "He is Lord of all," Acts x. 36. +"God's King set on his holy hill of Zion," Psal. ii. 6. "David their +king," Jer. xxx. 9; Ezek. xxxiv. 23, and xxxvii. 24; Hos. iii. 5. "King +of kings," Rev. xix. 16. + +3. By those primitive, fundamental, imperial acts of power, and supreme +authority in the government of the Church, which are peculiarly ascribed +to Jesus Christ our Mediator, as appropriate to him alone, above all +creatures, e.g. + +1. The giving of laws to his Church. "The law of Christ," Gal. vi. 2. +"Gave commandments to the apostles," Acts i. 2. "There is one Lawgiver, +who is able to save and to destroy," James iv. 12. "The Lord is our +judge, the Lord is our lawgiver," (or statute-maker,) "the Lord is our +king," Isa. xxxiii. 22. + +2. The constituting of ordinances, whereby his Church shall be edified: +as _preaching the word_, Matt. x. 7; 1 Cor. i. 17; Matt, xxviii. 18-20; +Mark xvi. 15. _Administering of the sacraments. Baptism_, John i. 33, +with Matt. iii. 13, &c., and xxviii. 18, 19. _The Lord's supper_, 1 Cor. +xi. 20, 23, &c.; Matt. xxvi. 26, &c.; Mark xiv. 22, &c.; Luke xxii. 19, +20. _Dispensing of censures_, Matt. xvi. 10, with xviii. 15-18, &c. + +3. The ordaining and appointing of his own church officers, by whom his +ordinances shall be dispensed and managed in his Church. "He gave gifts +to men; and he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, +evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers," Eph. iv. 7, 8, 11; compare +1 Cor. xii. 28; 1 Thess. v. 12; Acts xx. 28. + +4. The dispensing of Christ's ordinances, not in the name of +magistrates, ministers, churches, councils, &c., but in Christ's own +name. The apostles did "speak and teach in the name of Jesus," Acts iv. +17, 18. "Whatsoever ye ask in my name," John xiv. 13, 14, and xvi. 23. +"Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son," Matt, +xxviii. 18, 19. "They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus," Acts +xix. 5. "In the name--with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to +deliver such a one to Satan," 1 Cor. v. 4. Yea, assemblies of the Church +are to be in Christ's name: "Where two or three are gathered together in +my name," Matt, xviii. 20. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_Of the Special Kind, or Peculiar Nature of this Power and Authority._ + + +Having viewed what is the rule of this authority, viz. the holy +Scriptures, and what is the fountain of this authority, viz. Jesus +Christ our Mediator; now consider the special kind or peculiar nature of +this authority, which the description lays down in two several +expressions, viz: 1. It is a spiritual power or authority. 2. It is a +derived power, &c. + +1. The power or authority of church government is a spiritual power. +Spiritual, not so perfectly and completely as Christ's supreme +government is spiritual, who alone hath absolute and immediate power and +authority over the very spirits and consciences of men; ruling them by +the invisible influence of his Spirit and grace as he pleaseth, John +iii. 8; Rom. viii. 14; Gal. ii. 20: but so purely, properly, and merely +spiritual is this power, that it really, essentially, and specifically +differs, and is contradistinct from that power which is properly civil, +worldly, and political, in the hand of the political magistrate. Now, +that this power of church government is in this sense properly, purely, +merely spiritual: and that by divine right may be evidenced many ways +according to Scripture; forasmuch as the rule, fountain, matter, form, +subject, object, end, and the all of this power, is only spiritual. + +1. Spiritual in the rule, revealing and regulating it, viz. not any +principles of state policy, parliament rolls, any human statutes, laws, +ordinances, edicts, decrees, traditions, or precepts of men whatsoever, +according to which cities, provinces, kingdoms, empires, may be happily +governed: but the holy Scriptures, that perfect divine canon, wherein +the Lord Christ hath revealed sufficiently how his own house, his +Church, shall be ruled, 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15; and all his ordinances, +word, sacraments, censures, &c., shall therein be dispensed, 2 Tim. iii. +16, 17. (See chap. IV.) Now this Scripture is divinely breathed, or +inspired of God--holy men writing not according to the fallible will of +man, but the infallible acting of the Holy Ghost, 2 Tim. iii. 16, with 2 +Pet. i. 20, 21. + +2. Spiritual in the fountain or author of this power, whence it +originally flows; it being derived, not from any magistrate, prince, or +potentate in the world, not from any man on earth, or the will of man; +but only from Jesus Christ our Mediator, himself being the sole or first +receptacle of all power from the Father, Matt. xxviii. 18; John v. 22: +and consequently, the very fountain of all power and authority to his +Church, Matt. xxviii. 18-20, with John xx. 21, 23; Matt. xvi. 19, and +xviii. 18-20; 2 Cor. x. 8. See this formerly cleared, chap. III. and V. + +3. Spiritual in the matter of it, and the several parts of this power: +therefore called the _keys of the kingdom of heaven_, not the keys of +the kingdoms of earth, Matt. xvi. 19, (as Christ professed his _kingdom +was not of this world_, John xviii. 36; and when one requested of +Christ, that by his authority he would speak to his brother to divide +the inheritance with him, Christ disclaimed utterly all such worldly, +earthly power, saying, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" +Luke xii. 13, 14.) Consider these heavenly spiritual keys in the kinds +of them, whether of doctrine or discipline; or in the acts of them, +whether of binding or loosing, in all which they are spiritual: e.g. the +doctrine which is preached is not human but divine, revealed in the +Scriptures by the Spirit of God, and handling most sublime spiritual +mysteries of religion, 2 Pet. i.; 2 Tim. iii. 16,17. The seals +administered are not worldly seals, confirming and ratifying any carnal +privileges, liberties, interests, authority, &c., but spiritual, +_sealing the righteousness of faith_, Rom. iv. 11; the death and blood +of Jesus Christ, with all the spiritual virtue and efficacy thereof unto +his members, Rom. v. 6; Gal. iii.; 1 Cor. x. 16, 17, and xi. 23, 24, &c. +The censures dispensed are not pecuniary, corporal, or capital, by +fines, confiscations, imprisonments, whippings, stocking, stigmatizing, +or taking away of limb or life, (all such things this government meddles +not withal, but leaves them to such as bear the civil sword,) but +spiritual, that only concern the soul and conscience; as _admonishing_ +of the unruly and disorderly, Matt, xviii. 18, 19; _casting out the +incorrigible_ and obstinate from the spiritual fellowship of the saints, +Matt. xviii. 18, 19; 2 Cor. v. ult.: _receiving again into spiritual +communion_ of the faithful, such as are penitent, 2 Cor. ii. 6. Thus the +binding and loosing, which are counted the chief acts of the keys, are +spiritually by our Saviour interpreted to be the _remitting and +retaining of sins_; compare Matt, xviii. 18, 19, with John xx. 21, 23. + +4. Spiritual in the form and manner, as well as in the matter. For this +power is to be exercised, not in a natural manner, or in any carnal +name, of earthly magistrate, court, parliament, prince, or potentate +whatsoever, as all secular civil power is; no, nor in the name of +saints, ministers, or the churches: but in a spiritual manner, in the +name of the Lord Jesus, from whom alone all his officers receive their +commissions. The word is to be _preached in his name_, Acts xvii. 18: +seals dispensed in his name, Matt. xxviii. 19; Acts xix. 5: censures +inflicted in his name, 1 Cor. v. 4, &c. (See chap. V.) + +5. Spiritual in the subject intrusted with this power; which is not any +civil, political, or secular magistrate, (as after will more fully +appear, in chap. IX.) but spiritual officers, which Christ himself hath +instituted and bestowed upon his Church, _apostles_, &c., _pastors, +teachers, elders_, Eph. iv. 7, 8, 10, 11. To these only he hath given +the _keys of the kingdom of heaven_, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18,19, +and xxviii. 18, 19; John xx. 21-23; 2 Cor. x. 8, _authority which the +Lord hath given us_. These he hath made _governments in his Church_, 1 +Cor. xii. 28. To these he will have _obedience and subjection_ +performed, Heb. xiii. 17, and _double honor_ allowed, 1 Tim. v. 17. + +6. Spiritual in respect of the object about which this power is to be +put forth and exercised, viz. not about things, actions, or persons +civil, as such; but spiritual and ecclesiastical, as such. Thus +injurious actions, not as trespasses against any statute or law +political; but as scandalous to our brethren, or the Church of God, +Matt, xviii. 18, 19; are considered and punished by this power. Thus the +incestuous person was cast out, because a wicked person in himself, and +likely to leaven others by his bad example, 1 Cor. v. 6. Thus the +persons whom the Church may judge are not the men of the world without +the Church, but those that are in some sense spiritual, and within the +Church, 1 Cor. v. 12. + +7. Spiritual also is this power in the scope and end of it. This the +Scripture frequently inculcates: e.g. a brother is to be admonished +privately, publicly, &c., not for the gaining of our private interests, +advantages, &c., but for _the gaining of our brother_, that his soul and +conscience may be gained to God and to his duty, and he be reformed, +Matt, xviii. 15. The incestuous person is to be "delivered to Satan, for +the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of +our Lord Jesus," 1 Cor. v. 5; yea, the whole authority given to church +guides from the Lord was given to this end, _for the edification, not +the destruction_ of the Church, 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10; all which, +and such like, are spiritual ends. Thus the power of church government +here described is wholly and entirely a spiritual power, whether we +respect the rule, root, matter, form, subject, object, or end thereof. +So that in this respect it is really and specifically distinct from all +civil power, and in no respect encroacheth upon, or can be prejudicial +unto the magistrate's authority, which is properly and only political. + +2. The power or authority of church government is a derived power. For +clearing this, observe, there is a magisterial primitive supreme power, +which is peculiar to Jesus Christ our Mediator, (as hath been proved, +chap. III. and V:) and there is a ministerial, derivative, subordinate +power, which the Scripture declares to be in church guides, Matt. xvi. +19, and xviii. 18; John xx. 21, 23; Matt, xxviii. 19, 20; 2 Cor. x. 8, +and xiii. 10, and often elsewhere this is abundantly testified. But +whence is this power originally derived to them? Here we are carefully +to consider and distinguish three things, touching this power or +authority from one another, viz: 1st. The donation of the authority +itself, and of the offices whereunto this power doth properly belong. +2d. The designation of particular persons to such offices as are vested +with such power. 3d. The public protection, countenancing, authorizing, +defending, and maintaining of such officers in the public exercise of +such power within such and such realms or dominions. This being +premised, we may clearly thus resolve, according to scripture warrant, +viz. the designation or setting apart of particular individual persons +to those offices in the Church that have power and authority engraven +upon them, is from the church nominating, electing, and ordaining of +such persons thereunto, see Acts iii. 1-3; 1 Tim. iv. 14, and v. 22; +Tit. i. 5; Acts iv. 22. The public protection, defence, maintenance, +&c., of such officers in the public exercise of the power and authority +of their office in such or such dominions, is from the civil magistrate, +as the _nursing-father_ of the Church, Isa. xlix. 23; for it is by his +authority and sanction that such public places shall be set apart for +the public ministry, that such maintenance and reward shall be legally +performed for such a ministry, that all such persons of such and such +congregations shall be (in case they neglect their duty to such a +ministry) punished with such political penalties, &c. But the donation +of the office and spiritual authority annexed thereunto, is only derived +from Jesus Christ our Mediator. He alone gives all church officers, and +therefore none may devise or superadd any new officers, Eph. iv. 7, 8, +10, 11; 1 Cor. xii. 28. And he alone commits all authority and power +spiritual to those officers, for dispensing of word, sacraments, +censures, and all ordinances, Matt. xvi. 19, and xxviii. 18-20; John xx. +21-23; 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10: 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 Church. None can give what he has not. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_Of the several Parts or Acts of this power of Church Government, +wherein it puts forth itself in the Church._ + + +Thus far of the special kind or peculiar nature of this authority; now +to the several parts or acts of this power which the description +comprehends in these expressions, (in dispensing the word, seals, +censures, and all other ordinances of Christ.) The evangelical +ordinances which Christ has set up in his church are many; and all of +them by divine right that Christ sets up. Take both the enumeration of +ordinances and the divine right thereof severally, as followeth. + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath instituted and appointed these ensuing +administrations to be standing and perpetual ordinances in his church: +which ordinances for method sake may be reduced into two heads, +according to the distribution of the keys formerly laid down, (chap. +III.,) viz., ordinances appertaining, 1st, To the key of order or of +doctrine; 2d, To the key of jurisdiction or of discipline. + +1. Ordinances appertaining to the key of order or doctrine, viz: + +1. Public prayer and thanksgiving are divine ordinances: for 1st, Paul +writing his first epistle to Timothy, "that he might know how to behave +himself in the house of God," 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15, among other directions +in that epistle, gives this for one, "I exhort therefore that first of +all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made +for all men," 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2, "for this is good and acceptable in the +sight of God our Saviour," verse 3. 2. The apostle, regulating public +prayers in the congregation, directing that they should be performed +with the understanding, takes it for granted that public prayer was an +ordinance of Christ. "If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, +but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with +the spirit, and will pray with the understanding also. Else when thou +shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the +unlearned, say amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not +what thou sayest? for thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is +not edified." 1 Cor. xiv. 14-17. 3. Further, the apostles did account +public prayer to be of more concern than serving of tables, and +providing for the necessities of the poor, yea, to be a principal part +of their ministerial office, and therefore resolve to addict and "give +themselves to the ministry of the word and to prayer," Acts vi. 4; and +this was the church's practice in the purest times, Acts i. 13, 14, +whose pious action is for our imitation. 4. And Jesus Christ hath made +gracious promises to public prayer, viz., of his presence with those who +assemble in his name; and of audience of their prayers, Matt, xviii. 19, +20. Would Christ so crown public prayer were it not his own ordinance? + +2. Singing of psalms is a divine ordinance, being, + +1. Prescribed; "be filled with the spirit: speaking to yourselves in +psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs," Eph. v. 18, 19. "Let the word +of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing +one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs," Col. iii. 16. + +2. Regulated; the right performance thereof being laid down, "I will +sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also," 1 +Cor. xiv. 15, 16. "Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord," Col. +iii. 16. "Singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord," Eph. v. +19. + +3. The public ministry of the word of God in the congregation is a +divine ordinance. "We will give ourselves," said the apostles, "to the +ministry of the word and prayer," Acts vi. 4. The ministry of the word +is a sacred ordinance, whether read, preached, or catechetically +propounded. + +1. The public reading of the word is a divine ordinance, (though +exposition of what is read do not always immediately follow.) For, 1. +God commanded the reading of the word publicly, and never since repealed +that command, Deut. xxxi. 11-13; Jer. xxxvi. 6; Col. iii. 16. 2. Public +reading of the scriptures hath been the practice of God's church, both +before Christ, Exod. xxiv. 7; Neh. viii. 18, and ix. 3, and xiii. 1; and +after Christ, Acts xiii. 15, 27, and xv. 21; 2 Cor. iii. 14. 3. Public +reading of the scriptures is as necessary and profitable now as ever it +was. See Deut. xxxi. 11-13. + +2. The public preaching of the word is an eminent ordinance of Christ. +This is evident many ways, viz: + +1. Christ hath commanded that the word shall be preached. "Go ye into +all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," Mark xvi. 15. +"Go ye, therefore, and disciple ye all nations; teaching them to observe +all things whatsoever I have commanded you," Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. "As +ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand," Matt. x. 7. +See also Mark iii. 14. "I charge thee," &c. "Preach the word," 2 Tim. +iv. 1, 2. "Necessity is laid upon me, yea, wo is unto me if I preach not +the gospel," 1 Cor. ix. 16, 17. "Christ sent me--to preach the gospel," +1 Cor. i. 17; with which compare also Acts xx. 28, and 1 Pet. v. 1-4. + +2. Christ hath appointed who shall preach the word. "How shall they +preach except they be sent?" Rom. x. 15. The qualifications of preaching +elders see in 1 Tim. iii. 2-8, and Tit. i. 5-9. + +3. Christ hath appointed how the word shall be preached. "Be instant, in +season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering +and doctrine," 2 Tim. iv. 2. "That he may be able by sound doctrine +both to exhort and convince gainsayers," Tit. i. 9. "He that hath my +word, let him speak my word faithfully: what is the chaff to the wheat, +saith the Lord?" Jer. xxiii. 28. + +4. Christ hath made many encouraging promises to the preaching of his +word, which he would not have done, were it not his own ordinance. +"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, +and lo I am with you every day to the end of the world," Matt, xxviii. +20. "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and +whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven," Matt. +xvi. 19, and xviii. 18. "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted +unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained," John xx. +23. Both these are partly meant of doctrinal binding and loosing, +remitting and retaining. "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy +peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, +for I have much people in this city," Acts xviii. 9, 10. + +3. The catechetical propounding or expounding of the word, viz. a plain, +familiar laying down of the first principles of the oracles of God, is +an ordinance of Christ also. For, 1. This was the apostolical way of +teaching the churches at the first plantation thereof. "When for the +time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again +which be the first principles of the oracles of God, and are become such +as have need of milk and not of strong meat," Heb. v. 12. "Therefore, +leaving the word of the beginning of Christ, let us go on unto +perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead +works, and of faith towards God," &c., Heb. vi. 1,2. "And I, brethren, +could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto +babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for +hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able," 1 +Cor. iii. 1, 2. 2. And this is the sense of pastor and people which the +Holy Ghost useth, setting forth the reciprocal relation and office +between them, with his own approbation. "Let him that is catechized in +the word, communicate to him that catechizeth him, in all good things," +Gal. vi. 6. + +4. The administration of the sacraments is of divine institution. + +1. Of baptism. "He that sent me to baptize with water," John i. 33. "Go +ye therefore, disciple ye all nations, baptizing them into the name of +the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," Matt, xxviii. 18-20. + +2. Of the Lord's supper, which Christ ordained _the same night in which +he was betrayed_: which institution is at large described, 1 Cor. xi. +20, 23, &c.; Matt. xxvi. 26-31; Mark xiv. 22-27; Luke xxii. 19, 20. + +2. Ordinances appertaining to the key of jurisdiction or of discipline, +viz: + +1. The ordination of presbyters with imposition of the hands of the +presbytery, after praying and fasting, is a divine ordinance. "Neglect +not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy with the +laying on of the hands of the presbytery," 1 Tim. iv. 14. Titus was left +in Crete for this end, "To set in order things that were wanting, and +ordain presbyters" (or elders) "in every city, as Paul had appointed +him," Tit. i. 5. Timothy is charged, "Lay hands suddenly on no man, +neither be partaker of other men's sins; keep thyself pure," 1 Tim. v. +22. Paul and Barnabas came to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, and "when +they had ordained them presbyters in every church, and had prayed with +fasting, they commended them to the Lord," &c., Acts xiv. 21, 23. + +2. Authoritative discerning, and judging of doctrine according to the +word of God, is a divine ordinance. As that council at Jerusalem, +authoritatively (viz. by ministerial authority) judged of both the false +doctrine and manners of false teachers, branding them for "troublers of +the Church, subverters of souls," &c. "Forasmuch as we have heard that +certain, coming forth from u, have troubled you with words, subverting +your souls, saying, ye ought to be circumcised, and keep the law, to +whom we gave no such commandment," Acts xv. 24; "it seemed good to the +Holy Ghost, and to us, to impose upon you no greater burden than these +necessary things," v. 28; and this was done upon debates from scripture +grounds, "and to this the words of the prophets agree," Acts xv. 15: +and afterwards their results and determinations are called "decrees +ordained by the apostles and elders," Acts xvi. 4. + +3. Admonition and public rebuke of sinners is a divine ordinance of +Christ. "If thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his +fault between thee and him alone: if he will not hear thee, then take +with thee one or two more--and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it +unto the Church," Matt, xviii. 15-17. "Whose soever sins ye bind on +earth shall be bound in heaven," John xx. 23. One way and degree of +binding is by authoritative, convincing reproof. "Admonish the unruly," +1 Thess. v. 14. "An heretic, after the first and second admonition, +reject," Tit. iii. 1. "Them that sin, convincingly reprove before all, +that the rest also may fear," 1 Tim. v. 20. "Rebuke them sharply," (or +convince them cuttingly,) Tit. iii. 13. "Sufficient to such an one is +that rebuke, which was from many," 2 Cor. ii. 6. + +4. Rejecting, and purging out, or putting away from the communion of the +Church, wicked and incorrigible persons, is an ordinance of Christ. "And +if he will not hear them, tell the Church; but if he will not hear the +Church, let him be unto thee even as a heathen and a publican." "Verily, +I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth, they shall be +bound in heaven," Matt, xviii. 17, 18, compared with Matt. xvi. 19, and +John xx. 21, 23. "An heretic, after once or twice admonition, reject," +Tit. iii. 10; i.e. excommunicate, till he repent--_Pisc. in loc._ By +the lawful judgment of the Church, to deliver the impenitent to +Satan.--_Beza in loc._ "Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have +delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme," 1 Tim. i. 20. +The apostle's scope in 1 Cor. v. is to press the church of Corinth to +excommunicate the incestuous person. "Ye are puffed up, and have not +rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed may be taken from the +midst of you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, +have already as present judged him that thus wrought this thing. In the +name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my +spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one +to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved +in the day of our Lord Jesus," 1 Cor. v. 2-5. "Know ye not that a little +leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven," +ver. 7. "I wrote to you in an epistle, not to be mingled together with +fornicators," ver. 9, 11; and explaining what he meant by not being +_mingled together_, saith, "If any named a brother be a fornicator, or +covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or drunkard, or rapacious, with +such an one not to eat together," ver. 11. "Therefore take away from +among yourselves that wicked person," ver. 13. + +5. Seasonable remitting, receiving, comforting, and authoritative +confirming again in the communion of the Church those that are penitent. +"What things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven," +Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18. "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are +remitted unto them," John xx. 23. This loosing and remitting is not only +doctrinal and declarative in the preaching of the word, but also +juridical and authoritative in the administration of censures. This is +called, for distinction's sake, absolution. After the church of Corinth +had excommunicated the incestuous person, and he thereupon had given +sufficient testimony of his repentance, the apostle directs them to +receive him into church communion again, saying, "Sufficient to such an +one is that rebuke inflicted of many; so that contrariwise you should +rather forgive and comfort him, lest such an one should be swallowed up +of abundant sorrow. Wherefore I beseech authoritatively to confirm love +unto him: for to this purpose also I have written unto you, that I may +know the proof of you, if ye be obedient in all things," 2 Cor. ii. 6-9. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Of the End and Scope of this Government of the Church._ + + +The end or scope intended by Christ in instituting, and to be aimed at +by Christ's officers in executing of church government in dispensing the +word, sacrament, censures, and all ordinances of Christ, is (as the +description expresseth) _the edifying of the Church of Christ_. This end +is very comprehensive. For the fuller evidencing whereof these two +things are to be proved:1st, That Jesus Christ our Mediator hath under +the New Testament one general visible Church on earth. 2d. 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 +Church. + +I. For the first, that Jesus Christ our Mediator hath under the New +Testament a general visible Church on earth, made up of all particular +churches, may be cleared by considering well these particulars. + +1st. That it is evident by the Scriptures that Jesus Christ hath on +earth many particular visible churches: (whether churches +congregational, presbyterial, provincial, or national, needs not here be +determined.) "Unto the churches of Galatia," Gal. i. 2. "The churches +of Judea," Gal. i. 22. "Through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the +churches," Acts xv. 41. "To the seven churches in Asia," Rev. i. 4, 20. +"The church of Ephesus," Rev. ii. 1. "The church in Smyrna," ver. 8. +"The church in Pergamus," ver. 12. "The church in Thyatira," ver. 18. +"The church in Sardis," Rev. iii. 1. "The church in Philadelphia," ver. +7. And "the church in Laodicea," ver. 14. "The church that is in their +house," Rom. xvi. 5; and Philem. 2. "Let your women keep silence in the +church," 1 Cor. xiv. 34. "All the churches of the Gentiles," Rom. xvi. +4. "So ordain I in all churches," 1 Cor. vii. 17. "As in all churches +of the saints," 1 Cor. xiv. 33. "The care of all the churches," 2 Cor. +xi. 28. The New Testament hath many such like expressions. + +2d. That how many particular visible churches soever Christ hath on +earth, yet Scripture counts them all to be but one general visible +Church of Christ. This is manifest, + +1. By divers Scriptures, using the word church in such a full latitude +and extensive completeness, as properly to signify, not any one single +congregation, or particular church, but one general visible Church: as, +"Upon this rock I will build my Church," Matt. xvi. 18. "Give none +offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Greeks, nor to the Church of +God," 1 Cor. x. 32. "God hath set some in the Church, first, apostles; +secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers," &c., 1 Cor. xii. 28. "I +persecuted the Church of God," 1 Cor. xv. 9; Gal. i. 13. "The Church of +the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth," 1 Tim. iii. 15. +"Might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God," Eph. iii. 10. +"In the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto thee," Heb. ii. 12. +In which, and such like places, we must needs understand, that one +general visible Church of Christ. + +2. By such passages of scripture as evidently compare all visible +professors and members of Christ throughout the world to one organical +body, having eyes, ears, hands, feet, &c., viz., several organs, +instruments, officers, &c., in it, for the benefit of the whole body; as, +"He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and +some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the +work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," Eph. iv. +11, 12. "There is one body," Eph. iv. 4. "As we have many members in one +body, and all members have not the same office; so we being many are one +body in Christ, and every one members one of another," &c., Rom. xii. +4-9. "As the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of +that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ," (i.e., +Christ considered mystically, not personally,) "for by one Spirit are we +all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we +be bond or free," &c., 1 Cor. xii. 12, to the end of the chapter, which +context plainly demonstrates all Christ's visible members in the world, +Jews or Gentiles, &c., to be members of one and the same organical body +of Christ, which organical body of Christ is the general visible Church +of Christ; for the invisible church is not organical. + +II. That the edification of the Church of Christ is that eminent scope +and end, why Christ gave church government and all other ordinances of +the New Testament to his Church. This is frequently testified in +scripture. 1. The apostle, speaking of this power generally, saith, "Our +authority which the Lord hath given to us for edification, and not for +the destruction of you," 2 Cor. x. 8. The like passage he hath again, +saying, "according to the authority," or power, "which the Lord hath +given to me for edification, and not for destruction," 2 Cor. xiii. 10; +in both which places he speaks of the authority of church government in +a general comprehensive way, declaring the grand and general immediate +end thereof to be, affirmatively, edification of the church; negatively, +not the subversion or destruction thereof. 2. In like manner, when +particular acts of government, and particular ordinances +are mentioned, the edification of the Church, at least in her members, +is propounded as the great end of all: e.g. 1. Admonition is for +edification, that an erring _brother may be gained_, Matt. xviii. 15, +16, that wavering minds may be sound in the faith. "Rebuke them +cuttingly, that they may be sound in the faith," Tit. i. 13, that +beholders and bystanders may fear to fall into like sins. "Them that sin +rebuke before all, that others also may fear," 1 Tim. v. 20. 2. +Excommunication is for edification; particularly of the delinquent +member himself; thus the incestuous person was "delivered to Satan for +the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved in the day +of the Lord Jesus," 1 Cor. v. 4, 5. "Hymeneus and Alexander were +delivered to Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme," 1 Tim. i. +20: more generally of the Church; thus the incestuous person was to be +put away from among them lest the whole lump of the church should be +leavened by him, 1 Cor. v. 3. Absolution also is for edification, lest +the penitent party "should be swallowed up of too much sorrow," 2 Cor. +ii. 7. 4. All the officers of his Church are for edification of the +Church, (Eph. iv. 7, 8, 11, 12, 16,) together with all the gifts and +endowments in these officers, whether of prayer, prophecy, tongues, &c., +all must be managed to edification. This is the scope of the whole +chapter. 1 Cor. xii. 7, &c., and 1 Cor. xiv. 3-5, 9, 12, &c., 26; read +the whole chapter. That passage of Paul is remarkable, "I thank my God, +I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I had rather +speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach +others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue," verses 18, +19. Thus church government, and all sorts of ordinances, with the +particular acts thereof, are to be levelled at this mark of edification. +Edification is an elegant metaphor from material buildings (perhaps of +the material and typical temple) to the spiritual; for explanation's +sake briefly thus take the accommodation: The _architects_, or builders, +are the _ministers_, 1 Cor. iii. 10. The _foundation_ and _corner-stone_ +that bears up, binds together, and gives strength to the building, is +Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. iii. 11; 1 Pet. ii. 4, 6. The _stones_ or +_materials_ are the _faithful_ or _saints_, 2 Cor. i. 1. The _building_, +or house itself, is the _Church_, that spiritual house, and _temple of +the living God_, Eph. ii. 21, and iv. 12; 1 Cor. iii. 9, 16, 17. The +edification of this house is gradually to be perfected more and more +till the coming of Christ, by laying the foundation of Christianity, in +bringing men still unto Christ, and carrying on the superstruction in +perfecting them in Christ in all spiritual growth, till at last the +top-stone be laid on, the Church completed, and translated _to the house +not made with hands, eternal in the heavens_. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_Of the proper receptacle and distinct subject of all this power and +authority of Church Government, which Christ hath peculiarly intrusted +with the execution thereof according to the Scriptures. And_ 1. +_Negatively, That the political magistrate is not the proper subject of +this power._ + + +Thus we have taken a brief survey of church government, both in the +rule, root, kind, branches, and end thereof, all which are comprised in +the former description, and being less controverted, have been more +briefly handled. Now, the last thing in the description which comes +under our consideration, is the proper receptacle of all this power from +Christ, or the peculiar subject intrusted by Christ with this power and +the execution thereof, viz. only Christ's own officers. For church +government is a spiritual power or authority, derived from Jesus Christ +our Mediator, only to his own officers, and by them exercised in +dispensing of the word, &c. Now about this subject of the power will be +the great knot of the controversy, forasmuch as there are many different +claims thereof made, and urged with vehement importunity: (to omit the +Romish claim for the pope, and the prelatical claim for the bishop,) the +politic Erastian pretends that the only proper subject of all church +government is the political or civil magistrate; the gross Brownists or +rigid Separatists, that it is the body of the people, or community of +the faithful in an equal even level; they that are more refined, (who +style themselves for distinction's sake[26] Independents,) that it is +the single congregation, or the company of the faithful with their +presbytery, or church officers; the Presbyterians hold that the proper +subject wherein Christ hath seated and intrusted all church power, and +the exercise thereof, is only his own church officers, (as is in the +description expressed.) Here, therefore, the way will be deeper, and the +travelling slower; the opposition is much, and therefore the +disquisition of this matter will unavoidably be the more. + +For perspicuity herein, seeing it is said that this power is derived +from Christ only to his own officers; and by this word (only) all other +subjects are excluded; the subject of church power may be considered, +1. Negatively, what it is not. 2. Affirmatively, what it is. + +Negatively, the proper subject unto whom Christ hath committed the power +of church government, and the exercise thereof, is not, 1. The political +magistrate, as the Erastians imagine. 2. Nor the body of the people, +either with their presbytery or without it, as the Separatists and +Independents pretend. Let these negatives first be evinced, and then the +affirmative will be more clearly evidenced. + +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 government, and the exercise of that power; it will be +cleared by declaring these two things distinctly and severally, viz: 1. +What power about ecclesiasticals is granted to the civil magistrate. 2. +What power therein is denied unto him, and why. + + +SECTION 1. + +Such power is granted by the reformed churches and orthodox writers to +the political magistrate, in reference to church affairs. Take it in +these particulars. + +A defensive, protecting, patronizing power to the church, and all the +members thereof. "Kings shall be thy nursing-fathers," &c., Isa. xlix. +23. "The magistrate is the minister of God for good to well-doers, as +well as the avenger, executing wrath upon evil-doers; a terror not to +good works, but to the evil," Rom. xiii. 3, 4; he is called _an heir, +or, possessor of restraint, to put men to shame_, Judges xviii. 7. And +as the church ought to pray for kings and all in authority, so +consequently all in authority should endeavor to defend it, that the +church and people of God should lead a quiet and peaceable life, (under +the wing of their protection,) "in all godliness and honesty," 1 Tim. +ii. 2; and this is evident from the end and scope of these prayers here +prescribed, as interpreters unanimously agree. And hereupon are those +promises to the church, "The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, +and their kings shall minister unto thee," Isa. lx. 10; "and thou shalt +suck the breast of kings," Isa. lx. 16. Now, this nursing, protecting +care of magistrates towards the church, puts forth itself in these or +like acts, viz: He, + +1. Removes all external impediments of true religion, worship of God, +&c., by his civil power, whether persons or things, whether +persecutions, profaneness, heresy, idolatry, superstition, &c., that +truth and godliness may purely flourish: as did Jehoshaphat, Asa, +Hezekiah, Josiah. And hereupon it is that God so oft condemns the not +removing and demolishing of the high places and monuments of idolatry, +1 Kings xv. 14, with 2 Chron. xv. 17; 1 Kings xxii. 44; 2 Kings xii. 3: +and highly commends the contrary in Asa, 2 Chron. xv. 8, 16: in +Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xvii. 3, 4, 6-10: in Hezekiah, 2 Chron. xxxi. 1; 2 +Kings xviii. 4: in Manasseh, 2 Chron. xxxiii. 15: in Josiah, 2 Kings +xxiii. 8, 13, 19, 20, 24: whereupon the Holy Ghost gives him that +superlative commendation above all kings before and after him, ver. 25. + +2. Countenanceth, advanceth, and encourageth by his authority and +example the public exercise of all God's ordinances, and duties of +religion within his dominions, whether in matter of divine worship, +discipline, and government, maintaining for the Church the fulness of +spiritual liberties and privileges communicated to her from Christ: as +did Asa, 2 Chron. xv. 9-16: Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xx. 7-9: Hezekiah, 2 +Chron. xxix., xxx., and xxxi. chapters throughout: Josiah, 2 Chron. +xxxiv. and xxxv. chapters. And to this end God prescribed in the law +that the king should still have a copy of the law of God by him, therein +to read continually, Deut. xvii. 18-20; because he was to be not only a +practiser, but also a protector thereof, a keeper of both tables. + +3. Supplies the Church with all external necessaries, provisions, means, +and worldly helps in matters of religion: as convenient public places to +worship in, sufficient maintenance for ministers, (as the Scripture +requireth, 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; 1 Cor. ix. 6-15; Gal. vi. 6:) schools and +colleges, for promoting of literature, as nurseries to the prophets, +&c.; together with the peaceable and effectual enjoyment of all these +worldly necessaries, for comfortably carrying on of all public +ordinances of Christ. Thus David prepared materials, but Solomon built +the temple, 1 Chron. xxii. Hezekiah commanded the people that dwelt in +Jerusalem, to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they +might be encouraged in the law of the Lord; and Hezekiah himself and his +princes came and saw it performed, 2 Chron. xxxi. 4, &c., 8: Josiah +repaired the house of God, 2 Chron. xxxiv. + +Nor need the magistrate think scorn, but rather count it his honor to be +an earthly protector of the Church, which is the _body of Christ, the +Lamb's wife_, for redeeming of which Christ died, and for gathering and +perfecting of which the very world is continued. + +An ordering, regulating power is also allowed to the magistrate about +ecclesiastical matters in a political way, so that he warrantably, + +1. Reforms the Church, when corrupted in divine worship, discipline, or +government: as did Moses, Exod. xxxii.; Joshua, Josh. xxiv.; Asa, 2 +Chron. xv.; Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xvii.; Hezekiah, 2 Kings xviii.; +Josiah, 2 Kings xxiii.; 2 Chron. xxxiv. + +2. Convenes or convocates synods and councils, made up of ecclesiastical +persons, to consult, advise, and conclude determinatively, according to +the word, how the church is to be reformed and refined from corruptions, +and how to be guided and governed when reformed, &c. For, 1. Pious +magistrates under the Old Testament called the Church together, convened +councils. David, about bringing back the ark, 1 Chron. xiii. 1, 2, and +another council when he was old, 1 Chron. xiii. 1; Solomon, 1 Kings +viii. 1; Hezekiah, 2 Chron. xxix. 4; and Josiah, 2 Kings xxiii. 1, 2. 2. +All ought to be subject to superior powers, who ought to procure the +public peace and prosperity of the Church, Rom. xiii. 1, 2, &c.; 1 Pet. +ii. 13, &c., 17; 1 Tim. ii. 2. Therefore superior powers may convocate +councils. 3. Christian magistrates called the four general councils: +Constantine the first Nicene council; Theodosius, senior, the first +council of Constantinople; Theodosius, junior, the first Ephesian +council; Marcian Emperor, the Chalcedon council; and, 4. Hereunto +antiquity subscribes, as Dr. Whitaker observes. + +3. Supports the laws of God with his secular authority, as a keeper of +the tables, enjoining and commanding, under civil penalties, all under +his dominion, strictly and inviolably to observe the same: as "Josiah +made all that were present in Israel to serve the Lord their God," 2 +Chron. xxxiv. 33. Nehemiah made the sabbath to be sanctified, and +strange wives to be put away, Neb. xii. 13, &c. Yea, Nebuchadnezzar, a +heathen king, decreed, that "Whosoever should speak amiss of the God of +Shadrach," &c., "should be cut in pieces, and their houses made a +dunghill," Dan. iii. 28, 29. And Darius decreed, "That in every dominion +of his kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel," &c., Dan. +vi. 26, 27. + +And as he strengthens the laws and ordinances of God by his civil +authority, so he ratifies and establishes within his dominions the just +and necessary decrees of the Church in synods and councils (which are +agreeable to God's word) by his civil sanction. + +4. Judges and determines definitively with a consequent political +judgment, or judgment of political discretion, concerning the things +judged and determined antecedently by the Church, in reference to his +own act. Whether he will approve such ecclesiasticals or not; and in +what manner he will so approve, or do otherwise by his public authority; +for he is not a brutish agent, (as papists would have him,) to do +whatsoever the Church enjoins him unto blind obedience, but is to act +prudently and knowingly in all his office; and therefore the judgment of +discerning (which belongs to every Christian, for the well-ordering of +his own act) cannot be denied to the Christian magistrate, in respect of +his office. + +5. Takes care politically, that even matters and ordinances merely and +formally ecclesiastical, be duly managed by ecclesiastical persons +orderly called thereto. Thus Hezekiah commanded the priests and Levites +to do their duties, 2 Chron. xxix. 5, 24, and the people to do theirs, 2 +Chron. xxx. 1; and for this he is commended, that therein he did cleave +unto the Lord, and observed his precepts which he had commanded Moses, 2 +Kings xviii. 6. Thus when the king is commanded to observe and do all +the precepts of the law, the Lord (as orthodox divines do judge) +intended that he should keep them, not only as a private man, but as a +king, by using all care and endeavor that all his subjects with him +perform all duties to God and man, Deut. xvii. 18-20. + +6. A compulsive, coactive, punitive, or corrective power, formally +political, is also granted to the political magistrate in matters of +religion, in reference to all sorts of persons and things under his +jurisdiction. He may politically compel the outward man of all persons, +church officers, or others under his dominions, unto external +performance of their respective duties, and offices in matters of +religion, punishing them, if either they neglect to do their duty at +all, or do it corruptly, not only against equity and sobriety, contrary +to the second table, but against truth and piety, contrary to the first +table of the decalogue. We have sufficient intimation of the +magistrate's punitive power in cases against the second table; as the +stubborn and rebellious, incorrigible son, that was a glutton and a +drunkard, sinning against the fifth commandment, was to be stoned to +death, Deut. xxi. 18-21. The murderer, sinning against the sixth +commandment, was to be punished with death, Gen. ix. 6; Numb. xxxv. +30-34; Deut. x. 11-13. The unclean person, sinning against the seventh +commandment, was to be punished with death, Lev. xx. 11, 12, 14, 17, +19-25; and before that, see Gen. xxxviii. 24. Yea, Job, who is thought +to live before Moses, and before this law was made, intimates that +adultery is a heinous crime, yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by +the judges, Job xxxi. 9,11. The thief, sinning against the eighth +commandment, was to be punished by restitution, Exod. xxii. 1, 15, &c. +The false witness, sinning against the ninth commandment, was to be +dealt withal as he would have had his brother dealt with, by the law of +retaliation, Deut. xix. 16, to the end of the chapter, &c. Yea, the +magistrate's punitive power is extended also to offences against the +first table; whether these offences be against the first commandment, by +false prophets teaching lies, errors, and heresies in the name of the +Lord, endeavoring to seduce people from the true God. "If there arise +among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, that prophet, or that +dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he hath spoken to turn +you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of +Egypt," &c., Deut. xiii. 1-6. 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 God, showing +that this power also belongs to the Christian magistrate in like cases +now under the gospel. + +Yea, in case of such seducement from God, though by nearest allies, +severe punishment was to be inflicted upon the seducer, Deut. xiii. +6-12. See also ver. 12, to the end of the chapter, how a city is to be +punished in the like case. And Mr. Burroughs,[27] in his Irenicum, shows +that this place of Deut. xiii. 6, &c., belongs even to us under the +gospel. + +Or whether these offences be against the second commandment, the +magistrate's punitive power reaches them, Deut. xvii. 1-8; Lev. xvii. +2-8; 2 Chron. xvi. 13, 16. "Maachah, the mother of Asa the king, he +removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove." Job +xxxi. 26-28, herewith compare Exod. viii. 25, 26. Or whether the +offences be against the third commandment, "And thou shalt speak unto +the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth God shall bear his +sin: and he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put +to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him, as well +the stranger as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the +name of the Lord shall be put to death," Lev. xxiv. 15, 16. Yea, the +heathen king Nebuchadnezzar made a notable decree to this purpose, +against blaspheming God, saying, "I make a decree, that every people, +nation, and language, who speak any thing amiss against the God of +Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their +houses shall be made a dunghill," Dan. iii. 29: and the pagan +magistrate, king Artaxerxes, made a more full decree against all +contempt of the law of God: "And whosoever will not do the law of thy +God," saith he to Ezra, "and the law of the king, let judgment be +executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, +or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment:" and Ezra blesses God +for this, Ezra vii. 26, 27. + +Besides all this light of nature, and evidence of the Old Testament, for +the ruler's political punitive power for offences against God, there are +divers places in the New Testament showing that a civil punitive power +rests still in the civil magistrate: witness those general expressions +in those texts--Rom. xiii. 3, 4: "Rulers are not a terror to good works, +but to the evil. If thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he +beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger +_to execute_ wrath upon him that doeth evil." 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14: "Submit +yourselves unto every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it +be to the king as to the supreme, or unto governors which are sent for +the _punishment_ of evil-doers,[28] and the praise of them that do +well." Now, (as Mr. Burroughs[29] notes,) seeing the Scripture speaks +thus generally, except the nature of the thing require, why should we +distinguish where the Scripture doth not? so that these expressions may +be extended to those sorts of evil-doing against the first as well as +against the second table; against murdering of souls by heresy, as well +as murdering of men's bodies with the sword; against the blaspheming of +the God of heaven, as well as against blaspheming of kings and rulers, +that are counted gods on earth. That place seems to have much force in +it to this purpose, Heb. x. 28, 29: "He that despised Moses' law, died +without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer +punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden +under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, +wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto +the Spirit of grace?" Yea, what deserve such as deny the Spirit to be of +God? Papists exempt their clergy from the judgment of the civil power, +though they be delinquents against it; and their states, both civil +and spiritual, from civil taxes, tributes, and penalties, both which we +deny to ours: for, 1st, This is repugnant to the law of nature, that +church officers and members, as parts and members of the commonwealth, +should not be subject to the government of that commonwealth whereof +they are parts. 2d, Repugnant to the laws and practices of the Old +Testament, under which we read of no such exemptions. Yea, we have +instance of Abiathar the high-priest, who, for his partnership with +Adonijah in his rebellion, was exiled by king Solomon, and so +consequently deprived of the exercise of his office, 1 Kings ii. 26, 27. +3d, Inconsistent with our Saviour's example, who, as subject to the law, +held himself obliged to pay tribute to avoid offence, (Matt. xvii. 26,) +which was an active scandal; and he confesses Pilate's power to condemn +or release him was _given him from above_, John xix. 11. 4th, And +finally, contrary to the apostolical precepts, _enjoining all to be +subject to superior powers_, Rom. xiii. 1-4; 1 Pet. ii. 13-15. + +Now, all the former power that is granted, or may be granted to the +magistrate about religion, is only cumulative and objective, as divines +used to express it; thus understand them:-- + +Cumulative, not privative; adding to, not detracting from any liberties +or privileges granted her from Christ. The heathen magistrate may be a +_nurse-father_, Isa. xlix. 23; 1 Tim. ii. 2, may not be a _step-father_: +may protect the Church, religion, &c., and order many things in a +political way about religion; may not extirpate or persecute the Church; +may help her in reformation; may not hinder her in reforming herself, +convening synods in herself, as in Acts xv., &c., if he will not help +her therein; otherwise her condition were better without than with a +magistrate. The Christian magistrate much less ought to hinder her +therein, otherwise her state were worse under the Christian than under +the pagan magistrate. + +Objective or objectively ecclesiastical, as being exercised about +objects ecclesiastical, but politically, not ecclesiastically. His +proper power is _about_, not _in_ religious matters. He may politically, +outwardly exercise his power about objects or matters spiritual; but not +spiritually, inwardly, formally act any power in the Church. He may act +in church affairs as did Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah; not as did +Corah, Saul, Uzzah, or Uzziah. He is an overseer of things without, not +of things within. And in a word, his whole power about church offices +and religion is merely, properly, and formally civil or political.[30] + +Nor is this only our private judgment, or the opinion of some few +particular persons touching the granting or bounding of the magistrate's +power about matters of religion; but with us we have the suffrage of +many reformed churches, who, in their Confessions of Faith published to +the world, do fully and clearly express themselves to the same effect. + +The Helvetian church thus: Since every magistrate is of God, it is +(unless he would exercise tyranny) his chief duty, all blasphemy being +repressed, to defend and provide for religion, and to execute this to +his utmost strength, as the prophet teacheth out of the word; in which +respect the pure and free preaching of God's word, a right, diligent, +and well-instituted discipline of youth, citizens and scholars; a just +and liberal maintenance of the ministers of the church, and a solicitous +care of the poor, (whereunto all ecclesiastical means belong,) have the +first place. After this, &c. + +The French churches thus: He also therefore committed the sword into the +magistrates' hands, that they might repress faults committed not only +against the second table, but also against the first; therefore we +affirm, that their laws and statutes ought to be obeyed, tribute to be +paid, and other burdens to be borne, the yoke of subjection voluntarily +to be undergone, yea, though the magistrates should be infidels, so long +as the supreme government of God remains perfect and untouched, Matt. +xxiv.; Acts iv. 17, and v. 19; Jude verse 8. + +The church of Scotland thus: Moreover we affirm, that the purging and +conserving of religion is the first and most especial duty of kings, +princes, governors, and magistrates. So that they are ordained of God +not only for civil polity, but also for the conservation of true +religion, and that all idolatry and superstition may be suppressed: as +is evident in David, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, Hezekiah, and others, adorned +with high praises for their singular zeal. + +The Belgic church thus: Therefore he hath armed the magistrates with a +sword, that they may punish the bad and defend the good. Furthermore, it +is their duty not only to be solicitous about preserving of civil +polity, but also to give diligence that the sacred ministry may be +preserved, all idolatry and adulterate worship of God may be taken out +of the way, the kingdom of antichrist may be pulled down, but Christ's +kingdom propagated. Finally, it is their part to take course, that the +holy word of the gospel be preached on every side, that all may freely +and purely serve and worship God according to the prescript of his word. +And all men, of whatsoever dignity, condition, or state they be, ought +to be subject to lawful magistrates, to pay them tribute and subsidies, +to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the word of God; +to pour out prayers for them, that God would vouchsafe to direct them in +all their actions, _and that we may under them lead a quiet and +peaceable life in all godliness and honesty_. Wherefore we detest the +Anabaptists and all turbulent men who cast off superior dominions and +magistrates, pervert laws and judgments, make all goods common, and +finally abolish or confound all orders and degrees which God hath +constituted for honesty's sake among men. + +The church in Bohemia thus: They teach also that it is commanded in the +word of God that _all should be subject to the higher powers_ in all +things, yet in those things only which are not repugnant to God and his +word. But as touching those things which concern men's souls, faith, and +salvation, they teach that men should hearken only to God's word, &c., +his ministers, as Christ himself saith, _Render to Cæsar the things +that are Cæsar's, and to God those things that are God's._ But if any +would compel them to those things which are against God, and fight and +strive against his word, which abideth forever; they teach them to make +use of the apostle's example, who thus answered the magistrate at +Jerusalem: _It is meet_ (say they) _to obey God rather than men_. + +Finally, the church in Saxony hath expressed herself notably in this +point, saying, among many other passages, God will have all men, yea, +even unregenerate men, to be ruled and restrained by political +government. And in this government the wisdom, justice, and goodness of +God to mankind do shine forth. His wisdom, order declares, which is the +difference of virtues and vices, and the consociation of men by lawful +governments and contracts ordained in wonderful wisdom. God's justice +also is seen in political government, who will have manifest +wickednesses to be punished by magistrates; and when they that rule +punish not the guilty, God himself wonderfully draws them to punishment, +and regularly punishes heinous faults with heinous penalties in this +life, as it is said, _He that takes the sword shall perish by the +sword_; and, _Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge_. God will have +in these punishments the difference of vices and virtues to be seen; and +will have us learn that God is wise, just, true, chaste. God's goodness +also to mankind is beheld, because by this means he preserves the +society of men, and therefore he preserves it that thence the Church may +be gathered, and will have polities to be the Church's inns. Of these +divine and immoveable laws, which are testimonies of God, and the chief +rule of manners, the magistrate is to be keeper in punishing all that +violate them. For the voice of the law, without punishment and +execution, is of small avail to bridle and restrain men; therefore it is +said by Paul, _The power should be a terror to evil works, and an honor +to the good._ And antiquity rightly said, _The magistrate is the keeper +of the law, both of the first and second table,_ so far as appertains to +_good order_. And though many in their governments neglect the glory of +God, yet this ought to be their chief care, to hear and embrace the true +doctrine touching the Son of God, and to foster the churches, as the +psalm saith, _And now understand, ye kings, and be instructed, ye judges +of the earth._ Again, _Open your gates, ye princes_, i.e., Open your +empires to the gospel, and afford harbor to the Son of God. And Isa. +xlix.: _And kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and queens_, i.e., +commonwealths, _shall be thy nursing-mothers_, i.e., of the Church, they +shall afford lodgings to churches and pious studies. And kings and +princes themselves shall be members of the Church, and shall rightly +understand doctrine, shall not help those that establish false doctrine, +and exercise unjust cruelty, but shall be mindful of this saying, "I +will glorify them that glorify me." And Daniel exhorteth the king of +Babylon unto the acknowledgment of God's wrath, and to clemency towards +the exiled Church, when he saith, "Break off thy sins by righteousness, +and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." And since they are +among the chief members of the Church, they should see that judgment be +rightly exercised in the Church, as Constantine, Theodosius, Arcadius, +Marcianus, Charles the Great, and many pious kings, took care that the +judgments of the Church should be rightly exercised, &c. + +Thus those of the presbyterian judgment are willing to give to Cæsar +those things that are Cæsar's, even about matters of religion, that the +magistrate may see, it is far from their intention in the least degree +to intrench upon his just power, by asserting the spiritual power, which +Christ hath seated in his church officers, distinct from the +magistratical power: but as for them of the independent judgment, and +their adherents, they divest the magistrate of such power.[31] + + +SECTION II. + +II. Some power on the other hand touching religion and church affairs, +is utterly denied to the civil magistrate, as no way belonging to him at +all by virtue of his office of magistracy. Take it thus: + +Jesus Christ, our Mediator, now under the New Testament, hath committed +no spiritual power at all, magisterial or ministerial, properly, +internally, formally, or virtually ecclesiastical, nor any exercise +thereof, for the government of his Church, to the political magistrate, +heathen or Christian, as the subject or receptacle thereof by virtue of +his magistratical office. + +For explication hereof briefly thus: 1. What is meant by +spiritual power, magisterial and ministerial, is laid down in the +general nature of the government, Chap. III. And, That all magisterial +lordly power over the Church, belongs peculiarly and only to Jesus +Christ our Mediator, Lord of all, is proved, Chap. V. Consequently, the +civil magistrate can challenge no such power, without usurpation upon +Christ's prerogative. We hence condemn the Pope as Antichrist, while he +claims to be Christ's vicar-general over Christ's visible Church on +earth. So that all the question here will be about the ministerial +power, whether any such belong to the civil magistrate. 2. What is meant +by power, properly, internally, formally, or virtually ecclesiastical? +Thus conceive: These several terms are purposely used, the more clearly +and fully to distinguish power purely ecclesiastical, which is denied to +the magistrate, from power purely political about ecclesiastical +objects, which is granted to him; which is called ecclesiastical, not +properly, but improperly; not internally, but externally; not formally, +but only objectively, as conversant about ecclesiastical objects. Nor +hath he any such ecclesiastical power in him virtually, i.e. so as to +convey and give it to any other under him. He may grant and protect the +public exercise of that power within his dominions; but designation of +particular persons to the office and power, is from the Church; the +donation of the office and power only from Christ himself. So that +magistracy doth not formally nor virtually comprehend in it +ecclesiastical power for church government; for a magistrate, as a +magistrate, hath no inward ecclesiastical power at all belonging to him. + +For confirmation of this proposition, consider these ensuing arguments. + +_Argum_. 1st. The keys of the kingdom of heaven were never given by +Christ to the civil magistrate, as such: therefore he cannot be the +proper subject of church government as a magistrate. We may thus reason: + +_Major_. No power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven was ever given by +Christ to the civil magistrate, as a magistrate. + +_Minor_. But all formal power of church government is at least part of +the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore no formal power of church government was ever +given by Christ to the civil magistrate, as a magistrate. + +The major proposition is evident. + +1. Because when Christ gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven, he makes +no mention at all of the civil magistrate directly or indirectly, +expressly or implicitly, as the recipient subject thereof. Compare Matt. +xvi. 19, and xviii. 18, John ii. 21-23, with Matt. xxvii. 18-20. 2. +Because, in Christ's giving the keys of the kingdom of heaven, he makes +express mention of church officers,[32] which are really and essentially +different from the civil magistrate, viz. of Peter, in name of all the +rest, Matt. xvi. 18, 19, and of the rest of the apostles as the +receptacle of the keys with him, Matt. xviii. 18, all the disciples save +Thomas being together, he gave them the same commission in other words, +John xx. 20-24, and Matt. xxviii. 18-20. Now if Christ should have given +the keys, or any power thereof to the magistrate, as a magistrate, he +must consequently have given them only to the magistrate, and then how +could he have given them to his apostles, being officers in the Church +really distinct from the magistrate? + +3. Because Jesus Christ, in giving the keys of the kingdom, gave not any +one sort, act, part, or piece of the keys severally, but the whole power +of the keys, all the sorts and acts thereof jointly. Therefore it is +said, _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_--Matt. xvi. 19, John xx. 23. So that here is not +only key, but keys given at once, viz. key of doctrine, and the key of +discipline; or the key of order, and the key of jurisdiction; not only +binding or retaining, but loosing or remitting of sins, viz. all acts +together conferred in the keys. Now if Christ gave the keys to the +magistrate, then he gave all the sorts of keys and all the acts thereof +to him: if so, the magistrate may as well preach the word, and dispense +the sacraments, &c., (as Erastus would have him,) as dispense the +censures, &c., (for Christ joined all together in the same commission, +and by what warrant are they disjoined?) and if so, what need of +pastors, teachers, &c.,, in the Church? Let the civil magistrate do all. +It is true, the ruling elder (which was after added) is limited only to +one of the keys, viz. the _key of discipline_, 1 Tim. v. 17; but this +limitation is by the same authority that ordained his office. + +4. Because if Christ gave the keys to the civil magistrate as such, then +to every magistrate, whether Jewish, heathenish, or Christian: but not +to the Jewish magistrate; for the sceptre was to depart from him, and +the Jewish polity to be dissolved, and even then was almost extinct. Not +to the heathenish magistrate, for then those might be properly and +formally church governors which were not church members; and if the +heathen magistrate refused to govern the Church, (when there was no +other magistrate on earth,) she must be utterly destitute of all +government, which are grossly absurd. Nor, finally, to the Christian +magistrate, for Christ gave the keys to officers then in being; but at +that time no Christian magistrate was in being in the world. Therefore +the keys were given by Christ to no civil magistrate, as such, at all. + +The minor, viz. But all formal power of church government is at least +part of the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven is clear. If we +take church government largely, as containing both doctrine, worship, +and discipline, it is the whole power of the keys; if strictly, as +restrained only to discipline, it is at least part of the power. For, +1st, Not only the power of order, but also the power of jurisdiction, is +contained under the word keys; otherwise it should have been said key, +not keys; church government therefore is at least part of the power of +the keys. 2d, The word key, noting a stewardly power, as appears, Isa. +xxii. 22, (as Erastians themselves will easily grant,) may as justly be +extended in the nature of it to signify the ruling power by +jurisdiction, as the teaching power by doctrine; in that the office of a +steward in the household, who bears the keys, consists in governing, +ordering, and ruling the household, as well as in feeding it, as that +passage in Luke xii. 41-49, being well considered, doth very notably +evidence. For, Christ applying his speech to his disciples, saith, "Who +then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler +of his household?--he will make him ruler over all that he hath," &c. +3d, Nothing in the text or context appears why we should limit keys and +the acts thereof only to doctrine, and exclude discipline; and where the +text restrains not, we are not to restrain. 4th, The most of sound +interpreters extend the keys and the acts thereof as well to discipline +as to doctrine; to matters of jurisdiction, as well as to matters of +order. From all we may conclude, + +Therefore no formal power of church government was ever given by Christ +to the civil magistrate, as a magistrate. + +_Argum_. 2d. There was full power of church government in the church +when no magistrate was Christian, yea, when all magistrates were +persecutors of the Church, so far from being her _nursing fathers_, that +they were her _cruel butchers_; therefore the magistrate is not the +proper subject of this power. Thus we may argue: + +_Major_. No proper power of church government, which was fully exercised +in the Church of Christ, before any magistrate became Christian, yea, +when magistrates were persecutors of the Church, was derived from Christ +to the magistrate as a magistrate. + +_Minor_. But all proper power of church government was fully exercised +in the Church before any magistrate became Christian, yea, when +magistrates were cruel persecutors of the Church of Christ. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore no proper power of church government was derived +from Christ to the civil magistrate as a magistrate. + +The _major_ proposition must be granted. For, 1st, Either then the +Church, in exercising such full power of church government, should have +usurped that power which belonged not at all to her, but only to the +magistrate; for what power belongs to a magistrate, as a magistrate, +belongs to him only; but dare we think that the apostles, or the +primitive purest apostolical churches did or durst exercise all their +power of church government which they exercised, merely by usurpation +without any right thereunto themselves? 2d, Or if the Church usurped +not, &c., but exercised the power which Christ gave her, let the +magistrate show wherein Christ made void the Church's charter, retracted +this power, and gave it unto him. + +The minor proposition cannot be denied. For, + +1st. It was about 300 years after Christ before any of the Roman +emperors (who had subdued the whole world, Luke ii. 1, under their sole +dominion) became Christian. For Constantine the Great was the first +emperor that received the faith, procured peace to the Church, and gave +her respite from her cruel persecutions, which was in Anno 309 (or +thereabouts) after Christ; before which time the Church was miserably +wasted and butchered with those ten bloody persecutions, by the tyranny +of Nero, and other cruel emperors before Constantine. + +2d. Yet within the space of this first 309 or 311 years, all proper +power of church government was fully exercised in the Church of Christ; +not only the word preached, Acts iv. 2; 1 Tim. iii. 16; and sacraments +dispensed, Acts xx. 7; 1 Cor. xi. 17, &c.; Acts ii. 4, and viii. 12: but +also _deacons_ set apart for that office of _deaconship_, Acts vi.: +_elders_ ordained and sent forth, Acts xiii. 1-3, and xiv. 23; 1 Tim. +iv.; Tit. i. 5: public _admonition in use_, Tit. iii. 10; 1 Tim. v. 20: +_excommunication_, 1 Cor. v.; and 1 Tim. i. 20: _absolution_ of the +penitent, 2 Cor. ii. 6, 7, &c.: synodical conventions and decrees, Acts +xv. with xvi. 4. So that we may conclude, + +Therefore no proper power of church government was derived from Christ +to the civil magistrate, as a magistrate. + +_Argum_. 3d. The magistratical power really, specifically, and +essentially differs from the ecclesiastical power; therefore the civil +magistrate, as a magistrate, cannot be the proper subject of this +ecclesiastical power. Hence we may thus argue: + +_Major_. No power essentially, specifically, and really differing from +magistratical power, was ever given by Christ to the magistrate as a +magistrate. + +_Minor_. But all proper ecclesiastical power essentially, specifically, +and really differs from the magistratical power. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore no proper ecclesiastical power was ever given by +Jesus Christ to the civil magistrate as a magistrate. + +The major is evident: for how can the magistrate, as a magistrate, +receive such a power as is really and essentially distinct and different +from magistracy? Were not that to make the magistratical power both +really the same with itself, and yet really and essentially different +from itself? A flat contradiction. + +The minor may be clearly evinced many ways: as, 1st, From the real and +formal distinction between the two societies, viz. the Church and +commonwealth, wherein ecclesiastical and political power are peculiarly +seated. 2d. From the co-ordination of the power ecclesiastical and +political, in reference to one another. 3d. From the different causes of +these two powers, viz. efficient, material, formal, and final; in all +which they are truly distinguished from one another. + +1st. From the real and formal distinction between the two societies, +viz. church and commonwealth: for, 1. The society of the Church is only +Christ's, and not the civil magistrate's: it is his _house_, his +_spouse_, his _body_, &c., and Christ hath no vicar[33] under him. 2. +The officers ecclesiastical are Christ's officers, not the magistrate's, +1 Cor. iv. 1: _Christ gave_ them, Eph. iv. 8, 10, 11: _God set them in +the Church_, 1 Cor. xii. 28. 3. These ecclesiastical officers are both +elected and ordained by the Church, without commission from the civil +magistrate, by virtue of Christ's ordinance, and in his name. Thus the +apostles appointed officers: _Whom we may appoint_, Acts vi. 3, 4. The +power of ordination and mission is in the hands of Christ's officers; +compare Acts xiv. 23; 1 Tim. iv. 14, with Acts xiii. 1-4: and this is +confessed by the parliament to be an ordinance of Jesus Christ, in their +ordinance for ordaining of preaching presbyters. 4. The Church, and the +several presbyteries ecclesiastical, meet not as civil judicatories, for +civil acts of government, as making civil statutes, inflicting civil +punishments, &c., but as spiritual assemblies, for spiritual acts of +government and discipline: as preaching, baptizing, receiving the Lord's +supper, prayer, admonition of the disorderly, &c. 5. What gross +absurdities would follow, should not these two societies, viz. church +and commonwealth, be acknowledged to be really and essentially +distinct from one another! For then, 1. There can be no commonwealth +where there is not a Church; but this is contrary to all experience. +Heathens have commonwealths, yet no Church. 2. Then there may be church +officers elected where there is no church, seeing there are magistrates +where there is no church. 3. Then those magistrates, where there is no +church, are no magistrates; but that is repugnant to Scripture, which +accounts heathen rulers the servants of God, Isa. xlv. 1; Jer. xxv. 9: +and calls them kings, Exod. vi. 13; Isa. xxxi. 35. And further, if there +be no magistrates where there is no church, then the church is the +formal constituting cause of magistrates. 4. Then the commonwealth, as +the commonwealth, is the church; and the church, as the church, is the +commonwealth: then the church and the commonwealth are the same. 5. Then +all that are members of the commonwealth are, on that account, because +members of the commonwealth, members of the church. 6. Then the +commonwealth, being formally the same with the church, is, as a +commonwealth, the mystical body of Christ. 7. Then the officers of the +church are the officers of the commonwealth; the power of the keys gives +them right to the civil sword: and consequently, the ministers of the +gospel, as ministers, are justices of the peace, judges, parliament-men, +&c., all which how absurd, let the world judge. + +2d. From the co-ordination of the power ecclesiastical and political, in +reference to one another: (this being a received maxim, that subordinate +powers are of the same kind; co-ordinate powers are of distinct kinds.) +Now, that the power of the Church is co-ordinate with the civil power, +may be evidenced as followeth: 1. The officers of Christ, as officers, +are not directly and properly subordinate to the civil power, though in +their persons they are subject thereto: the apostles and pastors may +preach, and cast out of the church, against the will of the magistrate, +and yet not truly offend magistracy; thus, in doing the duty they have +immediately received from God, they must "obey God rather than men," +Acts iv. 19, 20. And the apostles and pastors must exercise their office +(having received a command from Christ) without attending to the command +or consent of the civil magistrate for the same; _as in casting out the +incestuous person_, 1 Cor. v. 5: telling the Church, Matt. xviii. 17: +_rejecting a heretic_, Tit. iii. 10. And, 2. Those acts of power are not +directly and formally subordinate to the magistrate, which he himself +cannot do, or which belong not to him. Thus the kings of Israel could +not burn incense: "It appertaineth not unto thee," 2 Chron. xxvi. 18, +19. Likewise, none have the power of the keys, but they to whom Christ +saith, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel," Matt. xxviii. +19: but Christ spake not this to magistrates: so only those that are +_sent_, Rom. x. 15, and those that are governors, are by Christ placed +in the Church. 3. The officers of the Church can ecclesiastically +censure the officers of the state, though not as such, as well as the +officers of the state can punish civilly the officers of the Church, +though not as such: the church guides may admonish, excommunicate, &c., +the officers of the state as members of the Church, and the officers of +the state may punish the officers of the Church as the members of the +state. 4. Those that are not sent of the magistrate as his deputies, +they are not subordinate in their mission to his power, but the +ministers are not sent as the magistrate's deputies, but are _set over +the flock by the Holy Ghost_, Acts xx. 28: they are likewise the +_ministry of Christ_, 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2: they are _over you in the Lord_, +1 Thess. v. 12: and in his name they exercise their jurisdiction, 1 Cor. +v. 4, 5. 5. If the last appeal in matters purely ecclesiastical be not +to the civil power, then there is no subordination; but the last appeal +properly so taken is not to the magistrate. This appears from these +considerations: 1. Nothing is appealable to the magistrate but what is +under the power of the sword; but admonition, excommunication, &c., are +not under the power of the sword: they are neither matters of dominion +nor coercion. 2. If it were so, then it follows that the having of the +sword gives a man a power to the keys. 3. 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 such, and then there is no +difference between the things of Cæsar and the things of God. 4. The +church of Antioch sent to Jerusalem, Acts xv. 2, and the synod there, +without the magistrate, came together, ver. 6; and determined the +controversy, ver. 28, 29. And we read, "The spirits of the prophets are +subject to the prophets," 1 Cor. xiv. 32; not to the civil power as +prophets. So we must seek knowledge at the priest's lips, not at the +civil magistrate's, Mal. ii. 7. And we read, that the people came to the +priests in hard controversies, but never that the priests went to the +civil power, Deut. xvii. 8-10. 5. It makes the magistrate Christ's +vicar, and so Christ to have a visible head on earth, and so to be an +ecclesiastico-civil pope, and consequently there should be as many +visible heads of Christ's Church as there are magistrates. 6. These +powers are both immediate; one from God the Father, as _Creator_, Rom. +xiii. 1, 2; the other from Jesus Christ, as _Mediator_, Matt. xxviii. +18. Now lay all these together, and there cannot be a subordination of +powers; and therefore there must be a real distinction. + +3d. From the different causes of these two powers, viz. efficient, +material, formal, and final; in all which they are truly distinguished +from one another, as may plainly appear by this ensuing parallel: + +1. They differ in their efficient cause or author, whence they are +derived. Magistratical power is from God, the Creator and Governor of +the world, Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 4; and so belongs to all mankind, heathen or +Christian; ecclesiastical power is peculiarly from Jesus Christ our +Mediator, Lord of the Church, (who hath all power given him, and the +government of the Church laid upon his shoulder, as Eph. i. 22; Matt. +xxviii. 18, compared with Isa. ix. 16.) See Matt. vi. 19, and xviii. 18, +and xxviii. 19, 20; John xx. 21-23; 2 Cor. x. 8: and consequently +belongs properly to the Church, and to them that are within the Church, +1 Cor. v. 12, 13. Magistratical power in general is the ordinance of +God, Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 4; but magistratical power in particular, whether +it should be monarchical in a king, aristocratical in states, +democratical in the people, &c., is of men, called, therefore, a human +creature, or creation, 1 Pet. ii. 13; but ecclesiastical power, and +officers in particular, as well as general, are from Christ, Matt. xvi. +19, and xxviii. 18-20; Tit. iii. 10; 1 Cor. v. 13; 2 Cor. ii. For +officers, see Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Cor. xii. 28. + +2. They differ in their material cause; whether it be the matter of +which they consist, in which they are seated, or about which they are +exercised. 1. In respect of the matter of which they consist, they much +differ. Ecclesiastical power consists of the keys of the kingdom of +heaven, which are exercised in the preaching of the word, dispensing the +sacraments, executing the censures, admonition, excommunication, +absolution, ordination of presbyters, &c.; but magistratical power +consists in the secular sword, which puts forth itself in making +statutes, inflicting fines, imprisonments, confiscations, banishments, +torments, death. 2. In respect of the matter or object about which they +are exercised, they much differ: for, the magistratical power is +exercised politically, about persons and things without the Church, as +well as within the church; but the ecclesiastical power is exercised +only upon them that are within the Church, 1 Cor. v. 13. The +magistratical power in some cases of treason, &c., banishes or otherwise +punishes even penitent persons: ecclesiastical power punishes no +penitent persons. The magistratical power punishes not all sorts of +scandal, but some: the ecclesiastical power punishes (if rightly +managed) all sorts of scandal. + +3. They differ in their formal cause, as doth clearly appear by their +way or manner of acting: magistratical power takes cognizance of crimes, +and passes sentence thereupon according to statutes and laws made by +man: ecclesiastical power takes cognizance of, and passes judgment upon +crimes according to the word of God, the Holy Scriptures. Magistratical +power punishes merely with political punishments, as fines, +imprisonments, &c. Ecclesiastical merely with spiritual punishments, as +church censures. Magistratical power makes all decrees and laws, and +executes all authority, commanding or punishing only in its own name, in +name of the supreme magistrate, as of the king, &c., but ecclesiastical +power is wholly exercised, not in the name of churches, or officers, but +only in Christ's name, Matt, xxviii. 19; Acts iv. 17; 1 Cor. v. 4. The +magistrate can delegate his power to another: church-governors cannot +delegate their power to others, but must exercise it by themselves. The +magistrate about ecclesiasticals hath power to command and compel +politically the church officers to do their duty, as formerly was +evidenced; but cannot discharge lawfully those duties themselves, but in +attempting the same, procure divine wrath upon themselves: as Korah, +Numb. xvi.; King Saul, 1 Sam. xiii. 9-15; King Uzziah, 2 Chron. xxvi. +16-22: but church-guides can properly discharge the duties of doctrine, +worship, and discipline themselves, and ecclesiastically command and +compel others to do their duty also. + +4. Lastly, They differ in their final cause or ends. The magistratical +power levels at the temporal, corporal, external, political peace, +tranquillity, order, and good of human society, and of all persons +within his jurisdiction, &c. The ecclesiastical power intends properly +the spiritual good and edification of the Church and all the members +thereof, Matt, xviii. 15; 1 Cor. v. 5, &c.; 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. +10.[34] May we not from all clearly conclude, Therefore no proper +ecclesiastical power was ever given by Jesus Christ to the magistrate as +a magistrate? + +_Argum_. 4th. The civil magistrate is no proper church officer, and +therefore cannot be the proper subject of church power, Hence we may +argue: + +_Major_. All formal power of church government was derived from Jesus +Christ to his own proper church officers only. To them he gave the _keys +of the kingdom of heaven_, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18; John xx. 21, +28: to them he gave the _authority for edification of the church_, 2 +Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10: but this will after more fully appear in Chap. +XI. following. + +_Minor_. But no civil magistrate, as a magistrate, is any of Christ's +proper church officers. For, 1. The civil magistrate is never reckoned +up in the catalogue, list, or roll of Christ's church officers in +Scripture, Eph. iv. 10-12; 1 Cor. xii. 28, &c.; Rom. xii. 6-8; if here, +or anywhere else, let the magistrate or the Erastians show it. 2. A +magistrate, as a magistrate, is not a church member, (much less a church +governor;) for then all magistrates, heathen as well as Christian, +should be church members and church officers, but this is contrary to +the very nature of Christ's kingdom, which admits no heathen into it. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore no formal power of church government was derived +from Jesus Christ to the magistrate as a magistrate. + +_Argum_. 5th. The civil magistrate, as such, is not properly subordinate +to Christ's mediatory kingdom; therefore is not the receptacle of church +power from Christ. Hence thus: + +_Major_. Whatsoever formal power of church government Christ committed +to any, he committed it only to those that were properly subordinate to +his mediatory kingdom. For whatsoever ecclesiastical ordinance, office, +power, or authority, Christ gave to men, he gave it as Mediator and Head +of the Church, by virtue of his mediatory office; and for the +gathering, edifying, and perfecting of his mediatory kingdom, which is +his Church, Eph. iv. 7, 10-12. Therefore such as are not properly +subordinate to Christ in this his office, and for this end, can have no +formal church power from Christ. + +_Minor_. But no magistrate, as a magistrate, is subordinate properly to +Christ's mediatory kingdom. For, 1. Not Christ the Mediator, but God the +Creator authorizeth the magistrate's office, Rom. xiii. 1, 2, 6. 2. +Magistracy is never styled a ministry of Christ in Scripture, nor +dispensed in his name. 3. Christ's kingdom is not of this world, John +xviii. 36; the magistrate's is. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore no formal power of Church government is +committed by Christ to the magistrate as a magistrate. + +6th. Finally, divers absurdities unavoidably follow upon the granting of +a proper formal power of Church government to the civil magistrate: +therefore he cannot be the proper subject of such power. Hence it may be +thus argued: + +_Major_. No grant of ecclesiastical power, which plainly introduceth +many absurdities, can be allowed to the political magistrate, as the +proper subject thereof. For though in matters of religion there be many +things mysterious, sublime, and above the reach of reason; yet there is +nothing to be found that is absurd, irrational, &c. + +_Minor_. But to grant to the political magistrate, as a magistrate, a +proper formal power of church government, introduceth plainly many +absurdities, e.g.: 1. This brings confusion betwixt the office of the +magistracy and ministry. 2. Confounds the church and commonwealth +together. 3. Church government may be monarchical in one man; and so, +not only prelatical but papal; and consequently, antichristian. Which +absurdities, with many others, were formerly intimated, and neither by +religion nor reason can be endured. We conclude: + +_Conclusion_. Therefore the grant of a proper formal power of church +government cannot be allowed to the political magistrate as the proper +subject thereof, because he is a magistrate. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +_That the community of the faithful, or body of the people, are not the +immediate subject of the power of Church government._ + + +Thus we see, that Jesus Christ our Mediator did not commit any proper +formal ecclesiastical power for church government to the political +magistrate, as such, as the Erastians conceive. Now, in the next place +(to come more close) let us consider that Jesus Christ our Mediator hath +not committed the spiritual power of church government to the body of +the people, presbyterated, or unpresbyterated (to use their own terms) +as the first subject thereof, according to the opinion of the +Separatists or Independents. Take it in this proposition: + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath not committed the proper formal power or +authority spiritual, for government of his Church,[35] unto the +community of the faithful, whole church, or body of the people, as the +proper immediate receptacle, or first subject thereof. + + +SECTION I. + +Some things herein need a little explanation, before we come to the +confirmation. + +1. By _fraternity, community of the faithful, whole church or body of +the people_, understand a particular company of people, meeting together +in one assembly or single congregation, to partake of Christ's +ordinances. This single congregation may be considered as presbyterated, +i.e., furnished with an eldership; or as unpresbyterated, i.e., +destitute of an eldership, having yet no elders or officers erected +among them. Rigid Brownists or Separatists say, that the fraternity or +community of the faithful unpresbyterated is the first receptacle of +proper ecclesiastical power from Christ: unto whom some of independent +judgment subscribe. Independents thus resolve: First, That the apostles +of Christ are the first subject of apostolical power. Secondly, That a +particular congregation of saints, professing the faith, taken +indefinitely for any church, (one as well as another,) is the first +subject of all church offices with all their spiritual gifts and power. +Thirdly, That when the church of a particular congregation walketh +together in the truth and peace, the brethren of the church are the +first subjects of church liberty; the elders thereof of church +authority; and both of them together are the first subject of all church +power.[36] Which assertions of Brownists and Independents (except the +first) are denied by them of presbyterian judgment, as being obvious to +divers material and just exceptions.[37]: + +2. By _proper formal power or authority spiritual, for church +government_, thus conceive. To omit what hath been already laid down +about the natures and sorts of spiritual power and authority, (part 2, +chap. III. and VI.,) which are to be remembered, here it may be further +observed, that there is a proper public, official, authoritative power, +though but stewardly and ministerial, which is derived from Jesus Christ +to his church officers, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18; John xx. 21-23; +Matt, xxviii. 18-20; of which power the apostle speaking, saith, "If I +should somewhat boast of our power which the Lord hath given us to +edification," 2 Cor. x. 8; so 2 Cor. xiii. 10. The people are indeed +allowed certain liberties or privileges; as, _To try the spirits_, &c., +1 John iv. 1. To prove all doctrines by the word, 1 Thess. v. 21. To +nominate and elect their own church officers, as their deacons, which +they did, Acts vi. 3, 5, 6; but this is not a proper power of the keys. +But the proper, public, official, authoritative power, is quite denied +to the body of the people, furnished with an eldership or destitute +thereof. + +3. By _proper immediate receptacle, or first subject of power_, +understand, that subject, seat, or receptacle of power, which first and +immediately received this power from Jesus Christ; and consequently was +intrusted and authorized by him, to put forth and exercise that power in +his Church for the government thereof. And here two things must be +carefully remembered: 1. That we distinguish betwixt the object and +subject of this power. The object for which, for whose good and benefit +all this power is given, is primarily the general visible Church, Ephes. +iv. 7, 10-12; 1 Cor. xii. 28; Rom. xii. 5,6, &c. Secondarily, particular +churches, as they are parts and members of the general. But the subject +receiving to which the power is derived, is not the Church general or +particular, but the officers or governors of the Church. 2. That we +distinguish also betwixt the donation of the power, and the designation +of particular persons to offices ecclesiastical. This designation of +persons to the offices of key bearing or ruling may be done first and +immediately by the Church, in nominating or electing her individual +officers which is allowed to her; yet is no proper authoritative act of +power. But the donation of the power itself is not from the Church as +the fountain, but immediately from Christ himself, 2 Cor. xi. 8, and +xiii. 10. Nor is it to the Church as the subject, but immediately to the +individual church officers themselves, who consequently, in all the +exercise of their power, act as the _ministers and stewards of Christ_, +1 Cor. iv. 1, putting forth their power immediately received from +Christ, not as the substitutes or delegates of the Church putting forth +her power, which from Christ she mediately conveys to them, as +Independents do imagine, but by us is utterly denied. + + +SECTION II. + +For confirmation of this proposition thus explained and stated; consider +these few arguments: + +_Argum_. I. The community of the faithful, or body of the people, have +no authentic commission or grant of proper spiritual power for church +government; and therefore they cannot possibly be the first subject or +the proper immediate receptacle of such power from Christ. We may thus +argue: + +_Major_. Whomsoever Jesus Christ hath made the immediate receptacle or +first subject of proper formal power for governing of his Church, to +them this power is conveyed by some authentic grant or commission. + +_Minor_. But the community of the faithful, or body of the people, have +not this power conveyed unto them by any authentic grant or commission. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore Jesus Christ our Mediator hath not made the +community of the faithful, or body of the people, the immediate +receptacle or first subject of proper formal power for governing of his +Church. + +The major proposition is evident in itself: For, 1. The power of church +government in this or that subject is not natural, but positive; and +cast upon man, not by natural, but by positive law, positive grant: men +are not bred, but made the first subject of such power; therefore all +such power claimed or exercised, without such positive grant, is merely +without any due title, imaginary, usurped, unwarrantable, in very fact +null and void. 2. All power of church government is radically and +fundamentally in Christ, Isa. ix. 6; Matt, xxviii. 18; John v. 22. And +how shall any part of it be derived from Christ to man, but by some fit +intervening mean betwixt Christ and man? And what mean of conveyance +betwixt Christ and man can suffice, if it do not amount to an authentic +grant or commission for such power? 3. This is evidently Christ's way to +confer power by authentic commission immediately upon his church +officers, the apostles and their successors, to the world's end. "Thou +art Peter; and I give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven," &c., +Matt. xvi. 18, 19. "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth," &c., Matt, +xviii. 19, 20. "As my Father sent me, so send I you; go, disciple ye all +nations; whose sins ye remit, they are remitted--and lo, I am with you +always to the end of the world," John xx. 21, 23; Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. +"Our power, which the Lord hath given us for edification," 2 Cor. x. 8, +and xiii. 10: so that we may conclude them that have such commission to +be the first subject and immediate receptacle of power from Christ, as +will after more fully appear. 4. If no such commission be needful to +distinguish those that have such power from those that have none, why +may not all without exception, young and old, wise and foolish, men and +women, Christian and heathen, &c., equally lay claim to this power of +church government? If not, what hinders? If so, how absurd! + +The minor proposition, viz: But the community of the faithful, or body +of the people, have not this power conveyed to them by any authentic +grant or commission, is firm. For whence had they it? When was it given +to them? What is the power committed to them? Or in what sense is such +power committed to them? + +1. Whence had they it? _From heaven or of men?_ If from men, then it is +a human ordinance and invention; _a plant which the heavenly Father hath +not planted_; and therefore _shall he plucked up_. Matt. xv. 13. If from +heaven, then from Christ; for _all power is given to him_, Matt, xxviii. +18, &c.; Isa. ix. 6. If it be derived from Christ, then it is derived +from him by some positive law of Christ as his grant or charter. A +positive grant of such power to select persons, viz. church officers, +the Scripture mentions, as was evidenced in the proof of the major +proposition. But touching any such grant or commission to the community +of the faithful, the Scripture is silent. And let those that are for the +popular power produce, if they can, any clear scripture that expressly, +or by infallible consequence, contains any such commission. + +2. When was any such power committed by Christ to the multitude of the +faithful, either in the first planting and beginning of the Church, or +in the after establishment and growth of the Church under the apostles' +ministry? Not the first; for then the apostles themselves should have +derived their power from the community of the faithful: now this is +palpably inconsistent with the Scriptures, Which tell us that the +apostles had both their apostleship itself, and their qualifications +with gifts and graces for it, yea, and the very designation of all their +particular persons unto that calling, all of them immediately from +Christ himself. For the first, see Gal. i. 1: "Paul, an apostle, not of +men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ," Matt, xxviii. 18-20. For the +second, see John xx. 22, 23: "And when he had said this, he breathed on +them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose soever sins +ye remit, they are remitted unto them," &c. For the third, see Luke vi. +13, &c.: "And when it was day he called to him his disciples: and of +them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon--" Matt. x. +5-7, &c.: "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying." +And after his resurrection he enlarges their commission, Mark xvi. 15, +16: "Go ye into all the world;" and, "As my Father hath sent me, so send +I you," John xx. 21. See also how the Lord cast the lot upon Matthias, +Acts i. 24-26. Nor the second; for if such power be committed to the +community of the faithful after the apostles had established the +churches, then let those that so think show where Christ committed this +power first to the apostles, and after to the community of the faithful, +and by them or with them to their ordinary officers, for execution +thereof. But no such thing hath any foundation in Scripture; for the +ordinary Church guides, though they may have a designation to their +office by the church, yet they have the donation, or derivation of their +office and its authority only from Christ: their office is from Christ, +Ephes. iv. 8, 11; 1 Cor. xii. 28; Acts xx. 28, 29. Their power from +Christ, Matt. xvi. 19, and xxviii. 18, 19; John xx. 21, 23. "Our power +which the Lord hath given us," 2 Cor. viii. 10. They are _Christ's +ministers, stewards, ambassadors_, 1 Cor. iv. 1; 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. They +are to act and officiate _in his name_, Matt, xviii. 19; 1 Cor. v. 4, 5; +and to Christ they _must give an account_. Heb. xiii. 17, 18; Luke xii. +41, 42. Now if the ordinary officers have (as well as the apostles their +apostleship) their offices of pastor, teacher, &c., from Christ, and are +therein the successors of the apostles to continue to the world's end, +(Matt, xxviii. 18-20,) then they have their power and authority in their +offices immediately from Christ, as the first receptacles thereof +themselves, and not from the Church as the first receptacle of it +herself. A successor hath jurisdiction from him from whom the +predecessor had his; otherwise he doth not truly succeed him. +Consequently the Church or community of the faithful cannot possibly be +the first receptacle of the power of church government from Christ. + +3. What power is it that is committed to the body of the Church or +multitude of the faithful? Either it must be the power of order, or the +power of jurisdiction. But neither of these is allowed to the multitude +of the faithful by the Scriptures, (but appointed and appropriated to +select persons.) Not the power of order; for the whole multitude, and +everyone therein, neither can nor ought to intermeddle with any branches +of that power. 1. Not with preaching; all are not _apt to teach_, 1 Tim. +iii. 2, nor able to exhort and convince gainsayers, Tit. i. 9; all are +not gifted and duly qualified. Some are expressly prohibited _speaking +in the church_, 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35, 1 Tim. ii. 12, Rev. ii. 20, and none +are _to preach, unless they be sent_, Rom. x. 15, nor _to take such +honor unto themselves unless they be called_, &c., Heb. v. 4, 5. Are all +and every one of the multitude of the faithful able to teach, exhort, +and convince? are they all sent to preach? are they all called of God? +&c. Nay, hath not Christ laid this task of authoritative preaching only +upon his own officers? Matt, xxviii. 18, 19. 2. Not with administration +of the sacraments; this and preaching are by one and the same commission +given to officers only, Matt, xxviii. 18-20; 1 Cor. xi. 23. 3. Nor to +ordain presbyters, or other officers. They may choose; but extraordinary +officers, or the presbytery of ordinary officers, ordain. Acts vi. 3, 5, +6: "Look ye out men--whom we may appoint." Compare also Acts xiv. 23; 1 +Tim. iv. 14, and v. 22; Tit. iii. 5. So that the people's bare election +and approbation is no sufficient Scripture ordination of officers. Nor +is there one often thousand among the people that is in all points able +to try and judge of the sufficiency of preaching presbyters, for +tongues, arts, and soundness of judgment in divinity. Nor is the power +of jurisdiction in public admonition, excommunication, and absolution, +&c., allowed to the multitude. For all and every one of the multitude of +the faithful, 1. Never had any such power given to them from Christ; +this key as well as the key of knowledge being given to the officers of +the Church only, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18-20. _Tell the church_, +there, must needs be meant of the ruling church only.[38] 2 Cor. viii. +10; John xx. 21-23. 2. Never acted or executed any such power, that we +can find in Scripture. As for that which is primarily urged of the +church of Corinth, that the whole church did excommunicate the +_incestuous person_, 1 Cor. v. 4, &c., many things may be answered to +evince the contrary. 1st, The whole multitude could not do it; for +children could not judge, and women must not speak in the Church. 2d, It +is not said, _Sufficient to such an one is the rebuke inflicted of all_; +but _of many_, 2 Cor. ii. 6, viz. of the presbytery, which consisted of +many officers. 3d, The church of Corinth, wherein this censure was +inflicted, was not a congregational, but a presbyterial church, having +divers particular congregations in it, (as is hereafter cleared in Chap. +XXIII.,) and therefore the whole multitude of the church of Corinth +could not meet together in one place for this censure, but only the +presbytery of that great church. Again, never did the whole multitude +receive from Christ due gifts and qualifications for the exercise of +church government and jurisdiction; nor any promise from Christ to be +with them therein, as officers have, Matt, xxviii. 18-20. And the +absurdities of such popular government are intolerable, as after will +appear. + +4. Finally, in what sense can it be imagined that any such power should +be committed from Christ to the community of the faithful, the whole +body of the Church? For this power is given them equally with the +church-guides, or unequally. If equally, then,.1. The church-guides have +power and authority, as primarily and immediately committed to them, as +the Church herself hath; and then they need not derive or borrow any +power from the body of the faithful, having a power equal to theirs. 2. +How vainly is that power equally given as to the officers, so to the +whole multitude, when the whole multitude have no equal gifts and +abilities to execute the same! If unequally, then this power is derived +to the church-guides, either more or less than to the multitude of the +faithful. If less, then how improperly were all those names of rule and +government imposed upon officers, which nowhere are given by Scripture +to the multitude! as _Pastors_, Eph. iv. 8, 11. _Elders_, 1 Tim. v. 17. +_Overseers_, Acts xx. 28. _Guides_, Heb. xiii. 7, 17, 22. In this last +verse they are contradistinguished from the saints; church-guides, and +saints guided, make up a visible organical church. _Rulers in the Lord_, +1 Thes. v. 12; Rom. xii. 8: and _well-ruling Elders_, 1 Tim. v. 17. +_Governments_, 1 Cor. xii. 28. _Stewards_, 1 Cor. iv. 1,2; Luke xii. 42, +&c. And all these titles have power and rule engraven in their very +foreheads; and they of right belonged rather to the multitude than to +the officers, if the officers derive their power from the multitude of +the people. If more, then church-guides, having more power than the +Church, need not derive any from the Church, being themselves better +furnished. + +Thus, what way soever we look, it cannot be evinced, that the multitude +and body of the people, with or without eldership, are the first subject +of power, or have any authoritative public official power at all, from +any grant, mandate, or commission of Christ. From all which we may +strongly conclude, + +Therefore Jesus Christ our Mediator hath not made the community of the +faithful, or body of the people, the immediate receptacle, or first +subject of proper formal power for governing of his church. + +_Argum_. II. As the multitude of the faithful have no authentic grant or +commission of such power of the keys in the Church; so they have no +divine warrant for the actual execution of the power of the said keys +therein: and therefore cannot be the first receptacle of the power of +the keys from Christ. For thus we may reason: + +_Major_. Whosoever are the first subject, or immediate receptacle of the +power of the keys from Christ, they have divine warrant actually to +exercise and put in execution the said power. _Minor_. But the +multitude or community of the faithful have no divine warrant actually +to exercise and put in execution the power of the keys. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore the community of the faithful are not the first +subject, or immediate receptacle of the power of the keys from Jesus +Christ. + +The major proposition must necessarily be yielded. For, 1. The power of +the keys contains both authority and exercise; power being given to that +end that it may be exercised for the benefit of the Church. It is called +the _power given us for edification_, 2 Cor. viii. 10. Where there is no +exercise of power there can be no edification by power. 2. Both the +authority and complete exercise of all that authority, were at once and +together communicated from Christ to the receptacle of power. "I give +unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt +bind on earth," &c., Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18. "As my Father sent +me, so send I you--whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted," John +xx. 21, 23. Here is both power and the exercise thereof joined together +in the same commission. Yea, so individual and inseparable are power and +exercise, that under exercise, power and authority is derived: as, "Go, +disciple ye all nations, baptizing them," &c., Matt. xxviii. 18, 19. 3. +How vain, idle, impertinent, and ridiculous is it to fancy and dream of +such a power as shall never be drawn into act by them that have it! + +The minor proposition, viz. But the multitude or communion of the +faithful have no divine warrant, actually to exercise and put in +execution the power of the keys, is clear also: + +1. By reason: for, the actual execution of this power belongs to them by +divine warrant, either when they have church officers, or when they want +church officers. Not while they have officers; for, that were to slight +Christ's officers: that were to take officers' work out of their hands +by them that are no officers, and when there were no urgent necessity; +contrary whereunto, see the proofs, Chap. XI. Section 2, that were to +prejudice the church, in depriving her of the greater gifts, and +undoubtedly authorized labors of her officers, &c. Not when they want +officers in a constituted church: as in case where there are three or +four elders, the pastor dies, two of the ruling elders fall sick, or the +like; in such cases the community cannot by divine warrant supply the +defects of these officers themselves, by exercising their power, or +executing their offices. For where doth Scripture allow such power to +the community in such cases? What one church without its eldership can +be instanced in the New Testament, that in such cases once presumed to +exercise such power, which might be precedent or example for it to +other churches? How needless are church officers, if the multitude of +the faithful may, as members of the church, take up their office, and +actually discharge it in all the parts of it? + +2. By induction of particulars, it is evident, that the community cannot +execute the power of the keys by any divine warrant. 1. _They may not +preach_: for, "how shall they preach, except they be sent?" Rom. x. 15; +but the community cannot he sent, many of them being incapable of the +office, either by reason of their _sex_, 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35; 1 Tim. ii. +11, 12: or by reason of their _age_; as children, and all or most of +them by reason of their deficiency in gifts and in scripture +qualifications, Tit. i. and 1 Tim. iii. For not one member of a thousand +is so completely furnished, as to be "apt to teach, able to convince +gainsayers, and to divide the word of truth aright." Besides, they may +not send themselves, were they capable, for, _no man takes this honor to +himself_--Yea, _Jesus Christ himself did not glorify himself to be made +an high-priest_--Heb. v. 4, 5. Now only officers are sent to preach, +Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 19, 20; Mark xvi. 15. 2. They may not +administer the seals, the sacraments, baptize, &c. under the New +Testament; for who gave the people any such authority? hath not Christ +conjoined preaching and dispensing of the sacraments in the same +commission, that the same persons only that do the one, may do the +other? Matt. xxviii. 18, 19. 3. They may not ordain officers in the +church, and authoritatively send them abroad: for, ordinarily the +community have not sufficient qualifications and abilities for proving +and examining of men's gifts for the ministry. The community are nowhere +commanded or allowed so to do in the whole New Testament, but other +persons distinct from them, 1 Tim. v. 22; 2 Tim. ii. 2; Tit. i. 5, &c. +Nor did the community ever exercise or assume to themselves any such +power of ordination or mission, but only officers both in the first +sending of men to preach, as 1 Tim. iv. 14; 2 Tim. i. 6: and to be +deacons, Acts vi. 6, and also in after missions, as Acts xiii. 1-3. 4. +The community, without officers, may not exercise any act of +jurisdiction authoritatively and properly; may not admonish, +excommunicate, or absolve. For we have no precept that they should do +it; we have no example in all the New Testament that they ever did do +it; we have both precept and example, that select officers both did and +ought to do it. "Whatsoever ye bind on earth" (saith Christ to his +officers) "shall be bound in heaven," &c. Matt. xviii. 18, and xvi. 19. +"Whose soever sins ye remit," &c., John xx. 21, 23. "An heretic, after +once or twice admonition, reject," Tit. i. 10. "I have decreed--to +deliver such an one to Satan," 1 Cor. v. 4. "The rebuke inflicted by +many," not all, 2 Cor. ii. "Whom I have delivered to Satan," 1 Tim. i. +_ult_. And the Scriptures nowhere set the community over themselves to +be their own church-guides and governors; but appoint over them in the +Lord rulers and officers distinct from the community. Compare these +places, 1 Thes. v. 12; Acts xx. 28, 29; Heb. xiii. 7, 17, 22. "Salute +all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints." From the +premises we conclude, + +Therefore the community of the faithful are not the first subject, or +immediate receptacle of the power of the keys from Jesus Christ. + +_Argum_. III. Jesus Christ hath not given nor promised to the community +of the faithful a spirit of ministry, nor those gifts which are +necessary for the government of the church: therefore the community was +never intended to be the first subject of church government. + +_Major_. Whomsoever Christ makes the first subject of the power of +church government, to them he promises and gives a spirit of ministry, +and gifts necessary for that government. For, 1. As there is diversity +of ecclesiastical administrations (which is the foundation of diversity +of officers) and diversity of miraculous operations, and both for the +profit of the Church; so there is conveyed from the Spirit of Christ +diversity of gifts, free endowments, enabling and qualifying for the +actual discharge of those administrations and operations. See 1 Cor. +xii. 4-7, &c. 2. What instance can be given throughout the whole New +Testament of any persons, whom Christ made the receptacle of church +government, but withal he gifted them, and made his promises to them, to +qualify them for such government? As the apostles and their successors: +"As my Father sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he +breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose +soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins +ye retain, they are retained," John xx. 21-23. And, "Go ye therefore, +and disciple ye all nations, &c.--And lo, I am with you alway," (or +every day,) "even to the end of the world," Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. 3. +Christ being the _wisdom of the Father_, Col. ii. 3, John i. 18, and +_faithful as was Moses in all his house_; yea, _more faithful_--_Moses +as a servant_ over another's, he _as a son over his own house_, Heb. +iii. 2, 5, 6--it cannot stand with his most exact wisdom and fidelity, +to commit the grand affairs of church government to such as are not duly +gifted, and sufficiently qualified by himself for the due discharge +thereof. + +_Minor_. But Christ neither promises, nor gives a spirit of ministry, +nor necessary gifts for church government to the community of the +faithful. For, 1. The Scriptures teach, that gifts for ministry and +government are promised and bestowed not on all, but upon some +particular persons only in the visible body of Christ. "To one is given +by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge," +&c., not to all, 1 Cor. xii. 8, 9, &c. "If a man know not how to rule +his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" 1 Tim. iii. +5. The hypothesis insinuates that all men have not gifts and skill +rightly to rule their own houses, much less to govern the church. 2. +Experience tells us, that the multitude of the people are generally +destitute of such knowledge, wisdom, prudence, learning, and other +necessary qualifications for the right carrying on of church government. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ makes not the community of the faithful +the first subject of the power of church government. + +_Argum_. IV. The community of the faithful are nowhere in the word +called or acknowledged to be church governors: therefore they are not +the first subject of church government. + +_Major_. Those persons, who are the first subject and receptacle of +proper power for church government from Christ, are in the word called +and acknowledged to be church governors. This is evident, 1. By +Scripture, which is wont to give to them whom Christ intrusts with his +government, such names and titles as have rule, authority, and +government engraven upon them: as _overseers_, Acts xx. 28; +_governments_, 1 Cor. xii. 28; _rulers_, 1 Tim. v. 17, and Rom. xii. 8; +with divers others, as after will appear in Chap. XI. 2. By reason, +which tells us that government and governors are relative terms; and +therefore to whom government belongs, to them also the denominations of +governors, rulers, &c., do belong, and not contrariwise. + +_Minor_. But the community of the faithful are nowhere in the word +either called or acknowledged to be church governors. This is clear. +For, 1. No titles or names are given them by Scripture which imply any +rule or government in the visible Church of Christ. 2. They are plainly +set in opposition against, and distinction from, church governors: they +are called the _flock_; these, _overseers_ set over them by the Holy +Ghost, Acts xx. 28: they, _the saints_; these _their rulers_, Heb. xiii. +22: these are _over them in the Lord_; and consequently they are _under +them in the Lord_, 1 Thes. v. 12. 3. The community of the faithful are +so far from being the subject of church government themselves, that they +are expressly charged by the word of Christ to _know, honor, obey_, and +_submit_, to other governors set over them, and distinct from +themselves. "Know them who are over you in the Lord," 1 Thes. v. 12. +"Let the well-ruling elders be counted worthy of double +honor; especially," &c., 1 Tim. v. 17. "Obey ye your rulers, and submit, +for they watch for your souls," Heb. xiii. 17. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore the community of the faithful are not the first +subject and receptacle of proper power for church government. + +_Argum_. V. This opinion of making the body of the Church, or community +of the faithful, the first subject and immediate receptacle of the keys +for the government of the Church, doth inevitably bring along with it +many intolerable absurdities. Therefore it is not to be granted. Thus we +may argue: + +_Major_. That doctrine or opinion which draws after it unavoidably +divers intolerable absurdities, is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion. + +_Minor_. 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 keys, draws after it unavoidable divers intolerable absurdities. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore this doctrine or opinion that makes the whole +community or body of the Church to be the first subject, and immediate +receptacle of the keys, is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion. + +The _Major_ is plain. For, 1. Though matters of religion be above +reason, yet are they not unreasonable, absurd, and directly contrary to +right reason. 2. The Scriptures condemn it as a great brand upon men, +that they are absurd or unreasonable; "Brethren, pray for us--that we +may be delivered from absurd and evil men," 2 Thes. iii. 2; and +therefore if absurd men be so culpable, absurdity, and unreasonableness +itself, which make them such, are much more culpable. + +The _Minor_, viz. 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 keys, draws after it unavoidably divers intolerable +absurdities, will notably appear by an induction of particulars. + +1. Hereby a clear foundation is laid for the rigid Brownist's confused +democracy, and abhorred anarchy. For, if the whole body of the people be +the first receptacle of the keys, then all church government and every +act thereof is in the whole body, and every member of that body a +governor, consequently every member of that body an officer. But this is +absurd; for if all be officers, where is the organical body? and if all +be governors, where are the governed? if all be eyes, where are the +feet? and if there be none governed, where is the government? it is +wholly resolved at last into mere democratical anarchy and confusion, +"but God is not the author of confusion," 1 Cor. xiv. 33. What an +absurdity were it, if in the body natural _all were an eye_, or _hand_! +for _where_ then _were the hearing, smelling_, &c.; _or if all were one +member, where were the body_? 1 Cor. xii. 17,19. So if in the family all +were masters, where were the household? where were the family +government? If in a city all were aldermen, where were the citizens? +where were the city government? If in a kingdom all were kings, where +were the subjects, the people, the commonalty, the commonwealth, or the +political government? + +2. Hereby the community or whole body of the faithful, even to the +meanest member, are vested from Christ with full power and authority +actually to discharge and execute all acts of order and jurisdiction +without exception: e.g. To preach the word authoritatively, dispense the +sacraments, ordain their officers, admonish offenders, excommunicate the +obstinate and incorrigible, and absolve the penitent. For _the keys of +the kingdom of heaven_ comprehend all these acts jointly, Matt. xvi. 19, +and xviii. 18-20, with John xx. 21, 23: and to whom Christ in the New +Testament gives power to execute one of these acts, to them he gives +power to execute all; they are joined together, Matt, xviii. 19, (except +in such cases where himself gives a limitation of the power, as in the +case of the ruling elder, who is limited to ruling as contradistinct to +_laboring in the word and doctrine_, 1 Tim. v. 17.) Now what gross +absurdities ensue hereupon! For, 1. Then the weak as well as the strong, +the ignorant as well as the intelligent, the children as well as the +parents, yea, and the very women as well as the men, may preach, +dispense seals, ordain, admonish, excommunicate, absolve +authoritatively; (for they are all equally members of the body, one as +well as another, and therefore, as such, have all alike equal share in +the keys and exercise thereof:) viz. they that are not gifted for these +offices, shall discharge these offices; they that are not called nor +sent of God to officiate, (for God sends not all,) shall yet officiate +in the name of Christ without calling or sending, contrary to Rom. x., +Heb. v. 4. They that want the common use of reason and discretion (as +children) shall have power to join in the highest acts of order and +jurisdiction: yea, they that are expressly prohibited _speaking in the +churches_, as the _women_, 1 Cor. xiv., 1 Tim. ii., shall yet have the +_keys of the kingdom of heaven_ hung at their girdles. 2. Then the +Church shall be the steward of Christ, and dispenser of the mysteries of +God authoritatively and properly. But if the whole Church be the +dispenser of the mysteries of God, what shall be the object of this +dispensation? Not the Church, for according to this opinion she is the +first subject dispensing; therefore it must be something distinct from +the Church, unto which the Church dispenseth; what shall this be? shall +it be another collateral church? then particular churches collateral may +take pastoral care one of another reciprocally, and the same churches be +both over and under one another; or shall it be those that are without +all churches? then the ordinances of the gospel, and the dispensation of +them, were not principally bestowed upon the Church and body of Christ +for the good thereof, (which is directly repugnant to the Scriptures, +Eph. iv. 8, 11-13;) but rather for them that are without. How shall the +men, who maintain the principle's of the Independents, clearly help +themselves out of these perplexing absurdities? + +3. Hereby the body of the people (as Mr. Bayly well observes in his +Dissuasive, chap. ix. page 187) will be extremely unfitted for, and +unwarrantably taken off from the several duties that lie upon them in +point of conscience to discharge in their general and particular +callings, in spiritual and secular matters, on the Lord's days and on +their own days. For, if the ecclesiastical power be in all the people, +then all the people are judges, and at least have a negative voice in +all church matters. They cannot judge in any cause prudently and +conscientiously, till they have complete knowledge and information of +both the substantials and circumstantials of all those cases that are +brought before them; they must not judge blindly, or by an implicit +faith, &c., but by their own light. For all the people to have such full +information and knowledge of every cause, cannot but take up abundance +of time, (many of the people being slow of understanding and extremely +disposed to puzzle, distract, and confound one another in any business +to be transacted in common by them all.) If these matters of discipline +be managed by them on the sabbath day after the dispatch of other public +ordinances, ministry of the word, prayer, sacraments, &c., what time can +remain for family duties privately, as repeating sermons, and meditating +upon the word, searching the Scriptures, whether things preached be so +indeed, reading the Scriptures, catechizing their children and servants, +&c.? and how will the life of religion in families, yea, and in churches +also, languish, if these family exercises be not conscientiously upheld? +If they be managed on the week days, how can all the people spare so +much time, as still to be present, when perhaps many of them have much +ado all the week long to provide food and raiment, and other necessaries +for their families? and "if any provide not for his own, and specially +for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than +an infidel," 1 Tim. v. 8. Let the case of the church of Arnheim[39] +witness the mischief and absurdity of this popular government once for +all. + +4. Hereby, finally, the community of the faithful (being accounted the +proper subject of the power of the keys) have authority and power not +only to elect, but also to ordain their own officers, their pastors and +teachers. And this they of the independent judgment plainly confess in +these words:[40] Though the office of a pastor in general be immediately +from Christ, and the authority from him also, yet the application of +this office, and of this authority to this elect person, is by the +church; and therefore the church hath sufficient and just warrant, as to +elect and call a presbyter unto an office, so to ordain him to it by +imposition of hands. They that have power to elect a king, have power +also to depute some in their name to set the crown upon his head. But +for the whole church or community to ordain presbyters by imposition of +hands, is very absurd. For, 1. Their women and children, being members +of the church and of the community, may join in ordaining presbyters by +imposing of hands, and have as great an influence in appointing them +that shall actually impose hands, as the rest of the church members +have, being as properly members as they. 2. Then the community, that +generally are unable to judge of the fitness and sufficiency of +presbyters for the pastoral office, in point of necessary gifts of +learning, &c., shall, without judicious satisfaction herein by previous +examination, ordain men notwithstanding to the highest ordinary office +in the church. How ignorantly, how doubtfully, how irregularly, how +unwarrantably, let the reader judge. 3. Then the community of the +faithful may assume to themselves power to execute this ordinary act of +ordination of officers, without all precept of Christ or his apostles, +and without all warrant of the apostolical churches. But how absurd +these things be, each moderate capacity may conceive. Further +absurdities hereupon are declared by Mr. Bain,[41] and after him by Mr. +Ball.[42] + +Whence we may justly conclude, + +Therefore this doctrine or opinion, that makes the whole community or +body of the church to be the first subject and immediate receptacle of +the keys, is an unsound and unwarrantable opinion. + +The middle-way men, (that profess to go between the authoritative +presbyterial, and the rigid Brownistical way,) seeing these and such +like absurdities, upon which the Brownists inevitably dash themselves, +think to salve all by their new-coined distinction of the keys; viz. 1. +There is a key of faith or knowledge, Luke xi. 52. The first subject of +this key is every believer, whether joined to any particular church or +not. 2. There is a key of order, Col. ii. 5, which is either, 1. A key +of interest, power, or liberty, Gal. v. 13, which key is of a more large +nature; 2. A key of rule and authority, which is of more strict nature, +Matt. xvi. 19, John xx. 23. Hence, upon this distinction premised, they +thus infer, 1. A particular congregation of saints is the first subject +of all the church offices with all their spiritual gifts and power, 1 +Cor. iii. 22. 2. The apostles of Christ were the first subject of +apostolical power. 3. The brethren of a particular congregation are the +first subjects of church liberty. 4. The elders of a particular church +are the first subjects of church authority. 5. Both the elders and +brethren, walking and joining together in truth and peace, are the first +subjects of all church power needful to be exercised in their own body. + +_Answer_. A rotten foundation, and a tottering superstruction, which +tumbles down upon the builders' own heads: for, + +1. This distribution of the keys is infirm in divers respects: e.g. 1. +In that the key of knowledge (as it stands here distinguished from the +key of order, comprehending the key of power and authority) is left +utterly devoid of all power. Now no key of the kingdom of heaven is to +be left without all power, Independents themselves being judges. 2. In +that the key of power is left as utterly void of all authority, (being +contradistinguished from the key of authority,) as the key of knowledge +is left void of power. Now, power and authority, in matters of +government, seem to be both one; and the word in the original signifies +the one as well as the other. 3. The key of liberty or interest is a new +key, lately forged by some new locksmiths in Separation-shop, to be a +pick-lock of the power of church officers, and to open the door for +popular government; no ordinance of Christ, but a mere human invention, +(as will after appear upon examination of that scripture upon which it +is grounded,) and therefore this limb of the distribution is redundant, +a superfluous excrescence. 4. The texts of Scripture upon which this +distribution of the keys is grounded, are divers of them abused, or at +least grossly mistaken; for, Luke xi. 52, key of knowledge is +interpreted only the key of saving faith. But knowledge, in strict +speaking, is one thing, and faith another; there may be knowledge where +there is no faith; and knowledge, in a sort, is a key to faith, as the +inlet thereof. And the key of knowledge, viz. true doctrine and pure +preaching of the word, is a distinct thing from knowledge itself. This +key the lawyers had taken away by not interpreting, or misinterpreting +of the law; but they could not take away the people's faith, or +knowledge itself. Touching Col. ii. 5, 6, _your order_, it will be hard +to prove this was only or chiefly intended of the keys delivered to +Peter: doth it not rather denote the people's moral orderly walking, +according to the rule of faith and life, as in other duties, so in +submitting themselves to Christ's order of government, as is elsewhere +required, Heb. xiii. 17? And as for Gal. v. 13, produced to prove the +key of liberty, _Brethren, you have been called unto liberty_, there is +too much liberty taken in wresting this text; for the apostle here +speaks not of liberty as a church power, of choosing officers, joining +in censures, &c., but as a gospel privilege, consisting in freedom from +the ceremonial law, that yoke of bondage, which false teachers would +have imposed upon them, after Christ had broken it off; as will further +appear, if you please with this text to compare Gal. v. 1, 11, 15, 10, +and well consider the current of the whole context. + +2. The inferences upon this distribution of the keys premised, are very +strange and untheological. For it may be accepted in general, that it is +a groundless fancy to make several first subjects of the keys, according +to the several distributions of the keys; for, had all the members of +the distribution been good, yet this inference thereupon is naught, +inasmuch as the Scripture tells us plainly, that all the keys together +and at once were promised to Peter, Matt. xvi. 19, and given to the +apostles, Matt, xviii. 18, 19, with xxviii. 18-20, and John xx. 21-23; +so that originally the apostles and their successors were the only first +subject and immediate receptacle of all the keys from Christ. And though +since, for assistance and case of the pastor, they are divided into more +hands--viz. of the ruling elder, Rom. xii. 8; 1 Cor. xii. 28; 1 Tim. v. +17--yet originally the subject was but one. Further, here is just ground +for many particular exceptions: as, 1. That every believer, whether +joined to any particular church or not, is made the first subject of the +key of knowledge, which seems to be extremely absurd: for then every +particular believer, gifted or ungifted, strong or weak, man, woman, or +child, hath power to preach, (taking the key of knowledge here for the +key of doctrine, as it ought to be taken, or else it is no +ecclesiastical key at all,) which is one of the highest offices, and +which the great apostle said, "Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 +Cor. ii. 16. How unscriptural and irrational this is, all may judge. +Then also some of the keys may be committed to such as are without the +Church. Then finally, it is possible to be a believer, and yet in no +visible church; (for Independents hold there is no church but a +particular congregation, which is their only church:) but a man is no +sooner a true believer, but he is a member of the invisible Church: he +is no sooner a professed believer, but he is a member of the general +visible Church, though he be joined to no particular congregation. 2. +That a particular congregation of saints is made the first subject of +all the church offices, with all their spiritual gifts and power, 1 Cor. +iii. 22. But is the word subject used here properly, for the first +subject recipient of all church offices, with all their gifts and power? +Then the congregation of saints are either officers themselves formally, +and can execute the function of all sorts of officers, and have all +gifts to that end; what need then is there of any select officers? for +they can make officers virtually, and furnish those officers with gifts +and power to that end; but who gave them any such authority? Or what +apostolical church ever assumed to themselves any such thing? Officers, +not churches, are the first subject of such gifts and power. Is the word +subject here used improperly, for object, whose good all offices with +their gifts and power are given? Then not any particular congregation, +but the whole general visible Church is the object for which all offices +and officers with their gifts and power are primarily given, 1 Cor. xii. +28; Eph. iv. 8, 11, 12. As for that place, 1 Cor. iii. 22, "All is +yours," &c., it points not out the particular privilege of any one +single congregation, (nor was the church of Corinth such, but +presbyterial, see chap. XIII.,) but the general privilege of all true +saints, and of the invisible mystical Church: for were Paul and Cephas +apostles given peculiarly to the church of Corinth only? Or was the +_world, life, death, things present and to come_, given to the wicked in +the church of Corinth? 3. That the apostles are made the first subject +of all apostolical power. But then, how doth this contradict the former +assertion, that a particular congregation is the first subject of all +offices with their gifts and power? Are there two first subjects of the +same adjuncts? Or is apostleship no office? Are apostolical gifts no +gifts, or power no power? or have apostles all from the Church? +Doubtless apostles were before all Christian churches, and had the keys +given them before the churches had their being. 4. That the brethren of +a particular congregation are made the first subjects of church liberty. +But, if that liberty be power and authority, then this evidently +contradicts the former, that a particular congregation is the first +subject of all offices and power; for brethren here are distinct from +elders, and both do but make up a particular congregation. If liberty +here be not power, then it is none of Christ's keys, but a new forged +pick-lock. 5. That the elders of a particular church are made the first +subject of church authority; but then here is a contradiction to the +former position, that made the particular congregation the first subject +of all power. And though apostles and elders be the first subject of +authority, yet, when the keys were first committed to them, they were +not in relation to any particular church, but to the general. 6. +Finally, that both elders and brethren, walking and joining together in +truth and peace, are the first subjects of all church power, is liable +also to exception. For this joins the brethren (who indeed have no +authoritative power at all) with the elders, as the joint subject of all +power. And this but allowed to them walking and joining together in +truth and peace: but what if the major part of the Church prove +heretical, and so walk not in truth; or schismatical, and so walk not in +peace, shall the elders and the non-offending party lose all their +power? Where then shall that independent church find healing? for +appeals to presbyteries and synods are counted apocryphal by them. But +enough hath been said to detect the vanity of these new dreams and +notions; it is a bad sore that must be wrapped in so many clouts.[43] + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +_Of the proper Receptacle, or immediate subject of the Power of Church +Government: affirmatively, what it is, viz. Christ's own Officers._ + + +Thus the proper receptacle or subject of ecclesiastical power hath been +considered negatively, what it is not, viz: not the political +magistrate, nor yet the community of the faithful, or body of the +people, with or without their eldership. Now this receptacle of power +comes to be evidenced affirmatively, what it is, viz. (according to the +express words of the description of government,) Christ's own officers. +This is the last branch of the description, the divine right whereof +remains to be cleared; which may most satisfactorily be done by +evidencing these three things, viz: 1. That Jesus Christ our Mediator +hath certain peculiar church guides and officers which he hath erected +in his Church. 2. That Jesus Christ our Mediator hath especially +intrusted his own officers with the government of his Church. 3. How, or +in what sense the ruling officers are intrusted with this government, +severally or jointly? + + +SECTION I. + +1. _Of the Divine Right of Christ's Church Officers, viz. Pastors and +Teachers, with Ruling Elders._ + +Touching the first, that Christ hath certain peculiar church guides and +officers, which he hath erected in his Church. Take it thus: + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath ordained and set in his Church (besides +the apostles and other extraordinary officers that are now ceased) +pastors and teachers, as also ruling elders, as the subject of the keys +for all ordinary ecclesiastical administrations. The divine right of +these ordinary church officers may appear as followeth: + +I. Pastors and teachers are the ordinance of Jesus Christ. This is +generally granted on all sides; and therefore these few particulars may +suffice for the demonstration of it, viz: + +1. They are enumerated in the list or catalogue of those church officers +which are of divine institution. "God hath set" (or put, constituted) +"some in the Church, first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, +teachers," 1 Cor. xii. 28. These are some of the triumphant gifts and +trophies of Christ's ascension: "Ascending up on high, he led captivity +captive, and gave gifts to men: and he gave some apostles, and some +prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers," Eph. iv. +8, 11. Thus in that exact roll of ordinary officers: "Having, therefore, +gifts different according to the grace given unto us; whether prophecy, +let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let +us wait on our ministry;" (here is the general distribution of all +ordinary officers under two heads, _prophecy_ and _ministry_:) "or he +that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation," (here +is the teacher and the pastor, that come under the first head of +prophecy,) Rom. xii. 6-8. "Take heed to yourselves, and to all the +flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made" (or set) "you overseers," +Acts xx. 28. Note--God hath set in the Church; Christ hath given for his +body; the Holy Ghost hath made overseers over the flock, these pastors +and teachers: and are not pastors and teachers church officers by divine +right, having the authority of God, Christ, and of the Holy Ghost? + +2. They are to be thus and thus qualified according to divine direction. +The qualifications of these pastors and teachers, (called presbyters and +overseers,) see in 1 Tim. iii. 2-8, "An overseer," or bishop, "must be +blameless," &c.; and Tit. i. 5-10, "To ordain presbyters," or elders, +"in every city--If any be blameless," &c. Now, where God lays down +qualifications for pastors and teachers, there he approves such officers +to be his own ordinance. + +3. They have manifold church employments committed to them from Christ, +as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, (1 Cor. iv. +1, 2,) they being intrusted in whole or in part with the managing of +most if not all the ordinances forementioned in part 2, chap. VII., as +there by the texts alleged is evident. Matters of order and special +office are committed to them only _divisim_: matters of jurisdiction are +committed to them with ruling elders _conjunctim_. If Christ hath +intrusted them thus with church ordinances, and the dispensing of them, +sure they are Christ's church officers. + +4. The very names and titles given them in Scripture proclaim them to be +Christ's own ordinance; among many take these: "Ministers of Christ," 1 +Cor. iv. 1; "Stewards of the mysteries of God," 1 Cor. iv. 1; +"Ambassadors for Christ," 2 Cor. v. 20; "Laborers thrust forth into his +harvest by the Lord of the harvest," Matt. ix. 38; "Ruling over you in +the Lord,"[44] 1 Thess. v. 12. + +5. The Lord Christ charges their flock and people with many duties to be +performed to their pastors and teachers, because of their office; as to +know them, love them, obey them, submit unto them, honor them, maintain +them, &c., which he would not do were they not his own ordinance. "But +we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and rule +over you in the Lord, and esteem them very highly in love for their +work's sake," 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. "Obey your rulers, and submit; for +they watch for your souls as those that must give an account," Heb. +xiii. 17. "The elders that rule well count worthy of double honor; +especially them that labor in the word and doctrine; _for the Scripture +saith_, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the +corn, and the laborer is worthy of his hire," 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; compared +With 1 Cor. ix. 6-15. "Let him that is catechized, communicate to him +that catechizeth him in all good things," Gal. vi. 6-8. + +Thus much for the present may suffice to have been spoken touching the +divine right of pastors and teachers, the ordinary standing ministers of +Christ under the New Testament. 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 gospel, and others profess that the +ministry of the church of England is false and antichristian; we +intend, (by God's assistance,) as soon as we can rid our hands from +other pressing employments, to endeavor the asserting and vindicating of +the divine right of the ministers of the New Testament in general, and +of the truth of the ministry of the church of England in particular. + +II. Ruling elders, distinct from all preaching elders and deacons, are a +divine ordinance in the Church of God now under the New Testament. + +The divine right of this church officer, the mere ruling elder, is much +questioned and doubted by some, because they find not the Scriptures +speaking so fully and clearly of the ruling elder as of the preaching +elder and of the deacon. By others it is flatly denied and opposed, as +by divers that adhere too tenaciously to the Erastian and prelatical +principles: who yet are willing to account the assistance of the ruling +elder in matter of church government to be a very prudential way. But if +mere prudence be counted once a sufficient foundation for a distinct +kind of church officer, we shall open a door for invention of church +officers at pleasure; then welcome commissioners and committee men, &c.; +yea, then let us return to the vomit, and resume prelates, deans, +archdeacons, chancellors, officials, &c., for church officers. And where +shall we stop? who but Christ Jesus himself can establish new officers +in his church? Is it not the fruit of his ascension, &c.? Eph. iv. 7, +11, 12. Certainly if the Scriptures lay not before us grounds more than +prudential for the ruling elder, it were better never to have mere +ruling elders in the church. Both the Presbyterians and Independents[45] +acknowledge the divine right of the ruling elder. For satisfaction of +doubting unprejudiced minds, (to omit divers considerations that might +be produced,) the divine right of the ruling elder may be evinced by +these ensuing arguments. + +_Argum_. I. The first argument for the divine right of the ruling elder +in the Church of Christ, shall be drawn from Rom. xii. 6-8: "Having, +then, gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, +whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; +or ministry, _let us wait_ on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on +teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, _let him +do it_ with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence," &c. Let the +scope and context of this chapter be a little viewed, and it will make +way for the more clear arguing from this place. Briefly thus: The +apostle having finished the principal part of his epistle, which was +problematical, wherein he disputed--1. About justification, chap, +i.-vi.; 2. Sanctification, chap. vi. 7, 8; and, 3. Predestination, chap. +ix. 10, 11, he comes to the next branch, which is more practical, about +good works, chap. xii.-xvi. This twelfth chapter is wholly in the way of +exhortation, and he herein exhorts to divers duties. 1. More generally +that we should even consecrate ourselves wholly to the service of God, +ver. 1; that we should not conform to the world, ver. 2. More specially +he descends to particular duties, which are of two sorts, viz: 1. Such +as concern ecclesiastical officers as officers, ver. 3-9; 2. Such as +concern all Christians in common as Christians, both towards one another +and towards their very enemies, verse 9, to the end of the chapter. +Touching ecclesiastical officers, the apostle's evident scope is to urge +them not to be proud of their spiritual gifts, (which in those days +abounded,) but to think soberly, self-denyingly of themselves, and to +use all their gifts well. This he presseth upon them, 1. From the nature +of the Church, which is as a natural organical body, wherein are many +members, having their several offices for the good of the whole body; so +the members of Christ's body being many, have their several gifts and +offices for the good of the whole, that the superior should not despise +the inferior, nor the inferior envy their superior, ver. 3-5. 2. From +the distribution or enumeration of the several kinds of ordinary +standing officers in this organical body, the Church, who are severally +exhorted duly to discharge those duties that are specially required of +them in their several functions, ver. 6-8. These officers are reduced +first to two general heads, viz: Prophecy (understand not the +extraordinary gift of foretelling future things, &c., but the ordinary, +in the right understanding and interpreting of Scripture) and ministry; +and the general duties thereof are annexed, ver. 6, 7. Then these +generals are subdivided into the special offices contained under them, +the special duty of every officer being severally pressed upon them. +Under prophecy are contained, 1. _He that teacheth_, i.e., the doctor or +teacher; 2. _He that exhorteth_, i.e., the pastor, ver. 7, 8. Under +ministry are comprised, 1. _He that giveth_, i.e., the deacon; 2. _He +that ruleth_, i.e., the ruling elder. The current of our best +interpreters to this effect resolve this context. So that here we have a +very excellent and perfect enumeration of all the ordinary standing +officers in the Church of Christ distinctly laid down. This premised, +the argument for the divine right of the ruling elder may be thus +propounded: + +_Major_. Whatsoever members of Christ's organical body have an ordinary +office of ruling therein given them of God, distinct from all other +ordinary standing officers in the church, together with directions from +God how they are to rule; they are the ruling elders we seek, and that +by divine right. + +_Minor_. But _he that ruleth_, mentioned in Rom. xii. 8, is a member of +Christ's organical body, having an ordinary office of ruling therein +given him of God, distinct from all other standing officers in the +church, together with direction how he is to rule. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore he that ruleth, mentioned in Rom. xii. 8, is the +ruling elder we seek, and that by divine right. + +The major proposition is clear. For in the particulars of it, well +compared together, are observable both a plain delineation or +description of the ruling elder's office; and also a firm foundation for +the divine right of that office. The ruling elder's office is described +and delineated by these several clauses, which set out so many +requisites for the making up of a ruling elder, viz: 1. He must be a +member of Christ's organical body. Such as are without, pagans, +heathens, infidels, &c., out of the Church, they are not fit objects for +church government, to have it exercised by the Church upon them; the +Church only judges them that are within, (1 Cor. v. 12, 13,) much less +can they be fit subjects of church government to exercise it themselves +within the Church. How shall they be officers in the Church that are not +so much as members of the Church? Besides, such as are only members of +the invisible body of Christ, as the glorified saints in heaven, they +cannot be officers in the Church; for not the Church invisible, but only +the Church or body of Christ visible is organical. So that every church +officer must first be a Church member, a member of the visible organical +body: consequently a ruling elder must be such a member. 2. He must have +an office of ruling in this body of Christ. Membership is not enough, +unless that power of rule be superadded thereto; for the whole office of +the ruling elder is contained in the matter of rule; take away rule, you +destroy the very office. Now, rule belongs not to every member: "Salute +all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints," Heb. xiii. +24, where rulers and saints are made contradistinct to one another. In +the body natural all the members are not eyes, hands, &c., governing the +body, some are rather governed; so in the body of Christ, 1 Cor. xii. 3. +This his office of ruling must be an ordinary office; apostles had some +power that was extraordinary, as their apostleship was extraordinary; +but when we seek for this ruling elder, we seek for a fixed, standing, +ordinary officer ruling in the church. 4. All that is not enough, that +he be a member of the church, that he have an office of rule in the +church, and that office also be ordinary; but besides all these it is +necessary that he be also distinct from all other standing officers in +the church, viz. from pastors, teachers, deacons; else all the former +will not make up a peculiar kind of officer, if in all points he fully +agree with any of the said three. But if there can be found such an +officer in whom all these four requisites do meet, viz: That, 1. Is a +member of Christ's organical body; 2. Hath an office of rule therein; 3, +That office is ordinary; and, 4. That ordinary office is distinct from +all other ordinary standing offices in the church; this must unavoidably +be that very ruling elder which we inquire after. By this it is evident, +that in this proposition here is a plain and clear delineation of the +ruling elder's office. Now, in the next place, touching the foundation +for the divine right of this office; it also is notably expressed in the +same proposition, while it presupposeth, 1. That God is the giver of +this office; 2. That God is the guider of this office. For whatsoever +office or officer God gives for his Church, and having given it, guides +and directs to the right discharge thereof, that must needs be of divine +right beyond all contradiction. Thus this proposition is firm and +cogent. Now let us assume: + +_Minor_. But _he that ruleth_, mentioned in Rom. xii. 8, is a member of +Christ's organical body, having an ordinary office of ruling therein, +given him of God, distinct from all other ordinary standing officers in +the church, together with direction from God how he is to rule. + +This assumption or minor proposition (whereon the main stress of the +argument doth lie) may be thus evidenced by parts, from this context: + +_He that ruleth_ is a member of Christ's organical body. For, 1. The +Church of Christ is here compared to a body, _We being many are one body +in Christ_, ver. 5. 2. This body is declared to be organical, i.e. +consisting of several members, that have their several offices in the +body, some of teaching, some of exhorting, and some of ruling, &c. "For +as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same +office, so we being many are one body in Christ, and every one members +one of another," &c., ver. 4-6, &c. 3. Among the rest of the members of +this body, _he that ruleth_ is reckoned up for one, ver. 5-8; this is +palpably evident. + +_He that ruleth_ hath an office of ruling in this body of Christ. For, +1. This word (translated) _he that ruleth_, in the proper signification +and use of it, both in the Scriptures and in other Greek authors, doth +signify one that ruleth authoritatively over another, (as hereafter is +manifested in the 3d argument, § 2.) 2. Our best interpreters and +commentators do render and expound the word generally to this effect: +e.g. He that is over[46]--one set over[47]--he that stands in the head +or front[48]--as a captain or commander in the army, to which this +phrase seems to allude--_he that ruleth_. 3. This word, wherever it is +used in a genuine proper sense, in all the New Testament, notes rule, or +government. It is used metaphorically for taking care (as one set over +any business) of good works, only in two places, Tit. iii. 8, and iii. +14. Properly for government which superiors have over inferiors; and +that either domestical, in private families, so it is used in 1 Tim. +iii. 4, 5, 12, or ecclesiastical, in the church, which is the public +family of God; in this sense it is used, 1 Thes. v. 12, 1 Tim. v. 17, +and here, Rom. xii. 8, and these are all the places where this word is +found used in all the New Testament. + +3. _He that ruleth_ here, hath an ordinary, not an extraordinary office +of rule in the church. For he is ranked and reckoned up in the list of +Christ's ordinary standing officers, that are constantly to continue in +the church, viz. pastors, teachers, deacons. Commonly this place is +interpreted to speak of the ordinary church officers, and none other; +consequently he that ruleth is such a one. + +4. _He that ruleth_ here, is an officer distinct from all other ordinary +officers in the Church of Christ. For in this place we have a full +enumeration of all Christ's ordinary officers, and he that ruleth is a +distinct officer among them all. 1. Distinct in name, he only is called +_he that ruleth_, the rest have every one of them their several distinct +name, ver. 7, 8. 2. Distinct in his work here appropriated to him; the +doctor teacheth; the pastor exhorteth; the deacon giveth; this elder +_ruleth_, as the very name signifieth, ver. 8. Compare 1 Tim. v. 17, 1 +Cor. xii. 28. As the elder ruleth, so he is distinct from the deacon +that hath no rule in the church; and as he only rules, so he is distinct +from both pastor and teacher, that both teach, exhort, and rule; they +both have power of order and jurisdiction, the ruling elder hath only +power of jurisdiction. 3. Finally, he is distinct among and from them +all in the particular direction here given these officers about the +right discharge of their functions. The teacher must be exercised _in +teaching_; the pastor _in exhortation_; the deacon must _give with +singleness_; and the elder, he must _rule with diligence, studiousness_, +&c. Now what other solid reason can be imagined, why _he that ruleth_ +should here have a distinct name, distinct work and employment, and +distinct direction how to manage this work, than this, that the Holy +Ghost might set him out unto us as an ordinary officer in the church, +distinct from all the other standing officers here enumerated? + +5. God himself is the author and giver of this office of him that +ruleth, as well as of all the other offices here mentioned. For, 1. All +gifts and endowments in the church in general, and in every member in +particular; they are from God, it is he that gives and divides them as +he will, _as God hath dealt to every one the measure of faith_, Rom. +xii. 3. 2. All the special offices, and gifts for these offices in +special, are also from the same God, _we having therefore gifts +according to the grace given unto us, differing; whether prophecy_, &c., +Rom, xii. 6, 7, &c. Here it is plain that he distinguished betwixt grace +and gifts. By grace here we are to understand that holy office or charge +in the church, which is given to any man by the grace and favor of God. +And in this sense the apostle in this very chapter, ver. 3, useth the +word _grace: For I say through the grace given to me_, i.e. through the +authority of my apostleship, which by grace I have received, &c. By +gifts, we are to understand those endowments wherewith God hath freely +furnished his officers in the church for their several offices. Now both +these gifts and this grace, both the endowments and the office, are +originally from God, his grace is the fountain of them; and both the +grace of each office, and the gifts for such office, relate to all these +ordinary offices here enumerated, as is evident by the current and +connection of the whole context, see ver. 6-8; consequently the grace, +i.e. the office of ruling, which is of divine grace, and the gifts for +that office, arise from the same fountain, God himself. + +6. Finally, God himself is the guider and director of him that ruleth, +here prescribing to him how he is to rule, viz. _with diligence, with +studiousness_, &c., ver. 8. Now we may receive this as a maxim, That of +divine right may be done, for which God gives his divine rule how it is +to be done: and that office must needs be of divine right, which God +himself so far approves as to direct in his word how it shall be +discharged. + +Now, to sum up all, he that ruleth here, 1. Is a member of Christ's +organical body. 2. Hath an office of ruling in this body. 3. This his +office is not extraordinary but ordinary, standing, and perpetual. 4. He +is an officer distinct from all other ordinary officers in the Church. +5. God himself is the giver and author of this office. 6. And God +himself is the guider and director of this office: and then see if we +may not clearly conclude, + +_Conclusion_. Therefore, he that ruleth, mentioned in Rom. xii. 8, is +the ruling elder we seek, and that by divine right. + +The adversaries of ruling elders muster up divers exceptions against the +alleging of Rom. xii. 8, for proof of the divine right of their office, +the weakness of which is to be discovered ere we pass to another +argument. _Except_. 1. This is an arguing from a general to a special +affirmatively. It doth not follow, because the apostle here in general +mentioneth him that ruleth, therefore in special it must be the ruling +elder.[49] + +_Ans_. This exception is the same with first exception against the +second argument hereafter laid down. There see. For the same answer +appositely and satisfactorily is applicable to both. + +_Except_. 2. But the apostle here speaks of them that rule, but we have +nowhere received that such elders have rule over the church--and he +speaks of all that rule in the church, who therefore would wrest this +place only to elders? One cannot rightly attribute that word translated +_he that ruleth_ to elders only, which is common unto more. If these +elders he here meant, neither pastors nor teachers ought to rule, for +this word agrees no otherwise to him that ruleth, than the word of +exhorting to him that exhorteth.[50] + +_Ans_. 1. That such elders rule in the church is evident, both by Rom. +xii. 8, where this word implies rule as hath been showed, and he that +ruleth is reckoned up amongst ordinary church officers, as hath been +said, therefore he rules in the church: these the apostle also calls +ruling elders, 1 Tim. v. 17, viz. officers in the church, and distinct +from them that labor in the word and doctrine; as in the third argument +will appear: yea, they are governments set of God in the church, +distinct from other officers, 1 Cor. xii. 28, as in the second argument +shall be evidenced: there see; therefore these elders have rule. + +2. Though in this term the apostle speaks of him that ruleth, yet he +speaks not of every one that ruleth. For, 1. He speaks singularly, he +that ruleth, as of one kind of ruling officer; not plurally, they that +rule, as if he had indefinitely or universally meant all the ruling +officers in the church. 2. He reckons up here distinct kinds of ordinary +officers, pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons; and pastors and +teachers, besides laboring in the word, have power of rule, 1 Thes. v. +12, Heb. xiii. 7-17, and he that ruleth, here, is distinct from them +both; and therefore this term cannot mean all church rulers, but only +one kind, viz. the ruling elder. + +3. Though this name, _he that ruleth_, be common unto more rulers in the +church, than to the mere ruling elder; yet it doth not therefore +necessarily follow, that it cannot here particularly point out only the +mere ruling elder, inasmuch, as _he that ruleth_, is not here set +alone, (for then this objection might have had some color,) but is +enumerated with other officers as distinct from them. + +4. Though the ruling elder here be called _he that ruleth_, yet this +doth not exclude the pastor from ruling, no more than when the ordinary +ministers are called pastors and teachers, the apostles and evangelists +are excluded from feeding and teaching, in Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Cor. xii. +28. This elder is called, _he that ruleth_, not that there is no other +ruler than he, but because he doth no other thing but rule, others rule +and preach also. + +_Except_. 3. If this were meant of such elders, then these elders were +as necessary to the church as pastors, being given to the church by the +like reason. Consequently where these elders are not, there is no +church; as there is no church where the word and sacraments are not.[51] + +_Ans_. 1. According to this argument deacons are as necessary as either +pastors, teachers, or elders, and without deacons there should be no +church; for they are all enumerated here alike, Rom. xii. 7, 8, and in 1 +Cor. xii. 28; but this would be absurd, and against experience. 2. +Though both pastors and ruling elders belong to the church by divine +right, yet doth it not follow that the ruling elder is equally as +necessary as the pastor. The ruling elder only rules, the pastor both +rules and preaches, therefore he is more necessary to the church. There +are degrees of necessity; some things are absolutely necessary to the +being of a church, as matter and form, viz. visible saints, and a due +profession of faith, and obedience to Christ, according to the gospel. +Thus it is possible a church may be, and yet want both deacons, elders, +and pastors too, yea, and word and sacraments for a time: some things +are only respectively necessary to the well-being of a church; thus +officers are necessary, yet some more than others, without which the +church is lame, defective, and miserably imperfect. + +_Except_. 4. Should ruling elders here be meant, then deacons that obey, +should be preferred before the elders that rule.[52] + +_Ans_. Priority of order is no infallible argument of priority of worth +and dignity; as is evidenced in answer to the third exception against +Arg. II.--there see; we find Priscilla a woman named before Aquila a +man, and her husband, Acts xviii. 18; Rom. xvi. 3; 1 Tim. iv. 19; is +therefore the woman preferred before the man? the wife before the +husband? And again, Aquila is set before Priscilla, Acts xviii. 2, 26, 1 +Cor. xvi. 19, to let us see that the Holy Ghost indifferently speaks +of superior and inferior before one another. + +_Except_. 5. But here the apostle speaketh of divers gifts and graces, +for so _differing gifts_ do import, not of divers offices: for then they +might not concur in one man, and consequently neither might the prophet +teach, nor exhort, nor the deacon distribute, nor show mercy. Many gifts +may be common in one man, many offices cannot;--which of these gifts in +the apostles' times was not common as well to the people as to the +pastors; and to women as well as to men? &c.[53] + +_Ans_. Divers considerations may be propounded to discover the vanity of +this exception: chiefly take these three. + +1. There is no sufficient reason in this exception, proving the apostle +here to speak only of divers gifts and graces, and not of divers offices +also. For, 1. This is not proved by that expression, _differing gifts_, +ver. 6, for these differing gifts are not here spoken of abstractly and +absolutely, without reference to their subjects, but relatively with +reference to their subjects wherein they are, viz. in the several +officers, ver. 7, 8, and therefore, as the apostle mentions the +_differing gifts_, so here he tells us in the same sixth verse, that we +have these "different gifts, according to the grace given unto us," i.e. +according to the office given unto us of God's grace, (as hath been +manifested,) after which immediately is subjoined an enumeration of +offices. 2. Nor is this proved by the inference made, upon the granting +that divers offices are here meant, viz. [Then they might not concur in +one man, the prophet might not teach nor exhort, &c.; many gifts may be +common in one man, many offices cannot.] For who is so little versed in +the Scriptures, but he knows that apostles, pastors, elders, deacons, +are distinct officers one from another; yet all the inferior offices are +virtually comprehended in the superior, and may be discharged by them: +elders may distribute as well as deacons; and beyond them, rule: pastors +may distribute and rule as well as deacons and elders, and beyond both +preach, dispense sacraments, and ordain ministers. Apostles may do there +all, and many things besides extraordinary. Much more may the prophet +teach and exhort, and the deacon distribute and show mercy; these being +the proper acts of their office. 3. Nor, finally, is this proved by that +suggestion, that all these gifts in the apostles' times were common to +all sorts and sexes, women as well as men; as he after takes much pains +to prove, but to very little purpose. For not only in the apostles' +times, but in our times also, all Christians may teach, exhort, +distribute, show mercy, &c., privately, occasionally, by bond of +charity, and law of fraternity towards one another mutually: but may not +teach, exhort, rule, distribute, &c., authoritatively by virtue of their +office, so as to give themselves wholly to such employments, which is +the thing here intended; yet it is worth observing how far Bilson was +transported against ruling elders, that rather than yield to their +office, he will make all these gifts common to all sorts and sexes, men +and women. This is new divinity; all sorts and sexes may both preach and +rule. Let Bilson have the credit of symbolizing with the Separatists, if +not of transcending them. + +2. Here is good ground in the context to make us think that the apostle +here spoke of distinct church officers, and not only of distinct gifts. +For, 1. In the similitude of a natural body (whereunto here the church +is compared) he speaks of distinct members, having distinct offices, +ver. 4. "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have +not the same office." 2. In his accommodation of this similitude, he +speaks not only of gifts, but also of offices according to which these +gifts are given, which he calls _grace_, ver. 6, (as was noted.). This +grace given, or this office given of grace, is branched out, first, into +two general heads, viz. _prophecy_ and _ministry_, ver. 6, 7. Then these +generals are subdivided into the special offices contained under them, +viz.: Under prophecy the teacher, _he that teacheth_; and the pastor, +_he that exhorteth_; under ministry the deacon, _he that distributeth_; +and the ruling elder, _he that ruleth_. Now there is in the text just +ground for this resolution of the text, in making prophecy and ministry +generals, and all the rest special kinds of officers; forasmuch as +prophecy and ministry are expressed abstractly, _whether prophecy_, +(not, whether we are prophets;) _whether ministry_, (not, whether we are +deacons, ministers:) and both prophecy and ministry are put in the +accusative case; and both of them have relation, and are joined unto the +participle of the plural number _having_, intimating that divers do +share in prophecy, pastor and teacher; divers in ministry, deacon and +ruling elder. But all the other are expressed concretely, and in the +nominative case, and in the singular number, and to every of them the +single article is prefixed, translated He--_He that teacheth--He that +exhorteth--He that giveth--He that ruleth_. Hence we have great cause to +count prophecy and ministry as generals; all the rest as special offices +under them. + +_Argum_. II. The second argument for the divine right of the ruling +elder shall be grounded upon 1 Cor. xii. 28: "And God hath set some in +the church, first, apostles, secondly, prophets, thirdly, teachers, +afterwards powers, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, kinds of +tongue." God, in the first founding of Christianity and of the primitive +churches, bestowed many eminent gifts upon divers Christians; the church +of Corinth greatly excelled in such gifts, 1 Cor. i. 5, 7. Hence their +members gifted, grew spiritually proud, and despised their brethren; to +correct which abuse of gifts, and direct them to the right use thereof +for the common profit of all, is the chief scope of this chapter, see +verse 7, "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to +profit withal." For, 1. All their gifts flow from one and the same +fountain, the Spirit of God, therefore should be improved for the common +good of all, especially considering no one man hath all gifts, but +several men have several gifts, that all might be beholden to one +another, ver. 8-11. 2. The whole Church of Christ throughout all the +world is but one body, and that body organical, having several members +therein placed for several uses, as eyes, hands, &c., wherein the +meanest members are useful and necessary to the highest: therefore all +members should harmoniously lay out their gifts for the good of the +whole body, without jars or divisions, ver. 12-28. 3. All the several +officers, whether extraordinary or ordinary, though furnished with +several gifts and several administrations, yet are placed by one and the +same God, in one and the same general Church; and therefore should all +level at the benefit of the whole church, without pride, animosities, +divisions, &c., ver. 28, to the end. These things being briefly premised +for the clearing the context and scope of the chapter, we may thus argue +from ver. 28: + +_Major_. Whatsoever officers God himself, now under the New Testament, +hath set in the Church as governors therein, distinct from all other +church governors, whether extraordinary or ordinary; they are the ruling +elders we inquire after, and that by divine right. + +This proposition is so clear and evident of itself, that much needs not +to be said for any further demonstration of it. For what can be further +desired for proof that there are such distinct officers as ruling elders +in the Church of Christ, and that of divine right, than to evince, 1. +That there are certain officers set of God in the Church as governors +therein. 2. That those officers so set of God in the Church, are set in +the Church under the New Testament, which immediately concerns us, and +not under the Old Testament. 3. That these officers set of God as +governors in the Church of the New Testament, are distinct from all +other church governors, whether extraordinary or ordinary? For, by the +third of these, we have a distinct church officer delineated and +particularized: by the second we have this distinct church officer +limited to the time and state of the Church only under the New +Testament, which is our case: and by the first of these, we have this +distinct New Testament officer's ruling power in the Church, and the +divine right thereof evidently demonstrated, by God's act in setting him +there in this capacity; (see Part 1. Chap. VI.;) so that by all put +together, the consequence of this major proposition seems to be strong +and unquestionable. + +_Minor_. But the governments named in 1 Cor. xii. 28, are officers which +God himself now under the New Testament hath set in the Church as +governors therein, distinct from all other church governors, whether +extraordinary or ordinary. + +This minor or assumption is wholly grounded upon, and plainly contained +in this text, and may thus be evidenced by parts. + +1. The church here spoken of [_in the church_] is the Church of Christ +now under the New Testament: for, 1. The church here mentioned, ver. 28, +is the same with that ONE BODY mentioned, ver. 12, 13, of this chapter, +as the whole context and coherence of the chapter evinceth; but that ONE +BODY denotes not the Church of God under the Old Testament, but only the +Church of Christ under the New Testament; partly, inasmuch as it is +counted the Church of Christ, yea, (so intimate is the union between +head and members,) it is called CHRIST, _so also is_ CHRIST, ver. 12, +(viz. not Christ personally considered, but Christ mystically +considered, as comprehending head and body;) now this denomination of +the Church, viz. Christ, or the Church of Christ, &c., is peculiar to +the Church under the New Testament: for where in all the Scripture is +the Church of God under the Old Testament called the Church of Christ, +&c.? and partly, inasmuch as all, both Jews and Gentiles, are +incorporated jointly into this ONE BODY, and coalesce into one Church: +"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or +Gentiles, whether bond or free," 1 Cor. xii. 13. Now this union or +conjunction of Jews and Gentiles into one body, one Church, is only done +under the New Testament; see Eph. ii. 11, to the end of the chapter. 2. +The officers here mentioned to be set in this Church, are only the New +Testament officers, ver. 28. 3. The scope of the whole chapter is to +redress abuses of spiritual gifts in the church of Corinth, which was a +church under the New Testament; 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 +Testament. + +2. The governments here mentioned are officers set in this church as +governors, or rulers therein: "Hath set some in the Church, first, +apostles--governments." For clearing of this, consider the enumeration +here made; the denomination of these officers, governments; and the +constitution or placing of these governments in the Church. 1. The +enumeration here made is evidently an enumeration of several sorts of +church officers, some extraordinary, to endure but for a time, some +ordinary, to continue constantly in the Church; to this the current of +interpreters doth easily subscribe: and this the text itself plainly +speaks; partly, if we look at the matter, viz. the several officers +enumerated, which are either extraordinary, these five, viz. apostles, +prophets, powers, or miracles, gifts of healing, and kinds of tongues: +these continued but for a season, during the first founding of Christian +churches: (the proper and peculiar work of these extraordinary officers, +what it was, is not here to be disputed.) Or ordinary, these three, viz. +_teachers_, (there is the preaching elder,) _governments_, (there is the +ruling elder,) _helps_, (there is the deacon;) these are the officers +enumerated; and however there be some other officers elsewhere +mentioned, whence some conceive this enumeration not to be so absolutely +perfect, yet this is undoubtedly evident, that it is an enumeration of +officers in the church: partly, this is evident, if we look at the +manner of the apostle's speech, which is in an enumerating form, viz. +first, secondly, thirdly, afterwards, then: and partly, it is evident +that he intended to reckon up those officers that were distinct from all +other parts of the mystical body of Christ, by his recapitulation, "Are +all apostles, are all prophets?" &c., ver. 29, 30, i.e. not all, but +only some members of the body are set apart by God to bear these offices +in the church. Now, if there be here a distinct enumeration of distinct +officers in the church, as is evident; then consequently _governments_ +must needs be one of these distinct church officers, being reckoned up +among the rest; and this is one step, that governments are in the roll +of church officers enumerated. 2. The denomination of these officers, +_governments_, evidenceth that they are governing officers, vested with +rule in the Church. This word (as hath been noted in chap. II.) is a +metaphor from pilots or shipmasters governing of their ships by their +compass, helm, &c., James iii. 4, (who is hence called _governor_, viz. +of the ship, Acts xxvii. 11; Rev. xviii. 17,) and it notes such officers +as sit at the stern of the vessel of the Church, to govern and guide it +in spirituals according to the will and mind of Christ: governments--the +abstract is put for governors, the concrete: this name of governments +hath engraven upon it an evident character of power for governing. But +this will be easily granted by all. All the doubt will be, whom the +apostle intended by these governments? Thus conceive, negatively, these +cannot be meant, viz. not governors in general, for, besides that a +general exists not but in the particular kinds or individuals thereof, a +member of a body in general exists not but in this or that particular +member, eye, hand, foot, &c.: besides this, it is evident that Christ +hath not only in general appointed governors in his Church, and left +particulars to the church or magistrate's determination, but hath +himself descended to the particular determination of the several kinds +of officers which he will have in his Church; compare these places +together, Eph. iv. 7, 11, 12; 1 Cor. xii. 28; Rom. xii. 7, 8: though in +the ordinance of magistracy God hath only settled the general, but for +the particular kinds of it, whether it should be monarchical, &c., that +is left to the prudence of the several commonwealths to determine what +is fittest for themselves. (See Part 2, chap. IX.) 2. Not masters of +families: for all families are not in the Church, pagan families are +without. No family as a family is either a church or any part of a +church, (in the notion that church is here spoken of;) and though +masters of families be governors in their own houses, yet their power is +not ecclesiastical but economical or domestical, common to heathens as +well as Christians. Not the political magistrate,[54] for the reasons +hinted, (Part 1, chap. I.; see also Part 2, chap. IX.,) and for divers +other arguments that might be propounded. 4. Not the prelatical bishops, +pretending to be an order above preaching presbyters, and to have the +reins of all church government in their hands only; for, in Scripture +language, bishop and presbyter are all one order, (these words being +only names of the same officer;) this is evident by comparing Tit. i. 5, +with ver. 7. Hereunto also the judgment of antiquity evidently +subscribeth, accounting a bishop and a presbyter to be one and the same +officer in the church; as appears particularly in Ambrose, Theodoret, +Hierom, and others. Now, if there be no such order as prelatical +bishops, consequently they cannot be governments in the church. 5. Not +the same with _helps_, as the former corrupt impressions of our Bibles +seemed to intimate, which had it thus, _helps in governments_, which +some moderns seem to favor; but this is contrary to the original Greek, +which signifies _helps, governments_; contrary to the ancient Syriac +version, which hath it thus, (as Tremel. renders it,) _and helpers, and +governments_: and therefore this gross corruption is well amended in our +late printed Bible. _Helps, governments_, are here generally taken by +interpreters for two distinct officers. 6. Nor, finally, can the +teaching elder here be meant; for that were to make a needless and +absurd tautology, the teacher being formerly mentioned in this same +verse. Consequently, by _governments_ here, what can be intended, but +such a kind of officer in the church as hath rule and government +therein, distinct from all governors forementioned? And doth not this +lead us plainly to the ruling elder? + +3. These governments thus set in the Church, as rulers therein, are set +therein by God himself; God hath set some in the Church, _first, +apostles--governments--God hath set, put, made, constituted_, &c., (as +the word imports,) _in the Church_. What hath God set in the Church? +viz. apostles and--governments, as well as apostles themselves. The +verb, _hath set_, equally relates to all the sorts of officers +enumerated. And is not that officer IA the Church of divine right, which +God himself, by his own act and authority, sets therein? Then doubtless +these governments are of divine right. + +4. Finally, these governments set in the Church under the New Testament +as governors therein, and that by God himself, are distinct from not +only all governing officers without the Church, (as hath been showed,) +but also from all other governing officers within the church. For here +the apostles make a notable enumeration of the several sorts of church +officers, both extraordinary and ordinary, viz. eight in all. Five of +these being extraordinary, and to continue but for a season, for the +more effectual spreading and propagating of the gospel of Christ at +first, and planting of Christian churches, viz. apostles, prophets, +powers, gifts of healings, kinds of tongues: three of these being +ordinary, and to be perpetuated in the Church, as of continual use and +necessity therein, viz. teachers, governments, [i.e. ruling elders,] and +helps, [i.e. deacons, who are to help and relieve the poor and +afflicted.] This is the enumeration. It is not contended, that it is +absolutely and completely perfect, for that some officers seem to be +omitted and left out, which elsewhere are reckoned up, Eph. iv. 11; Rom. +xii. 7, 8. Evangelists are omitted in the list of extraordinary +officers, and pastors are left out of the roll of the ordinary officers; +and yet some conceive that pastors and teachers point not out two +distinct sorts of officers, but rather two distinct acts of the same +officers; and if this will hold, then pastors are sufficiently comprised +under the word teachers; yea, some think that both evangelists and +pastors are comprehended under the word teacher.[55] But, however, be +that as it will, these two things are evident, 1. That this enumeration +(though evangelists and pastors be left out) is the fullest and +completest enumeration of church officers which in any place is to be +found throughout all the New Testament. 2. That though we should grant +this defect in the enumeration, yet this is no way prejudicial to the +present argument, that governments here mentioned are ruling officers in +the Church, distinct from all other church officers that have rule; for +they are plainly and distinctly recited as distinct kinds of officers, +distinct from apostles, from prophets, from teachers, from all here +mentioned. And thus interpreters[56] commonly expound this place, taking +governments for a distinct kind of church officer from all the rest here +enumerated. + +Now to sum up all that hath been said for the proof of the assumption; +it is evident, 1. That the church here spoken of is the Church of Christ +now under the New Testament. 2. That the governments here mentioned, are +officers set in this church, (not out of the church,) as rulers +governing therein. 3. That these governments set as rulers or governors +in this church, are set there not by man, but by God himself; _God hath +set in the Church--governments_. 4. And, finally, That these governments +thus set in the Church, are distinct, not only from all governors out of +the Church, but also from all governing officers within the Church. And +if all this laid together will not clearly evince the divine right of +the ruling elder, what will? Hence we may strongly conclude, + +_Conclusion_. Therefore these governments in 1 Cor. xii. 28, are the +ruling elders we inquire after, and that of divine right. + +Now against the urging of 1 Cor. xii. 28, for the proof of the divine +right of the ruling elders, divers exceptions are made, which are to be +answered before we pass to the third argument. + +_Except_. 1. The allegation of this place is too weak to prove the thing +in question. For will any man that knoweth what it is to reason, reason +from the general to the particular and special affirmatively? or will +ever any man of common sense be persuaded that this consequence is good: +There were governors in the primitive church mentioned by the +Apostles--therefore they were lay governors? Surely I think not.[57] + +_Ans_. This exception hath a confident flourish of words, but they are +but words. It may be replied, 1. By way of concession, that to argue +indeed from a general to a special, is no solid reasoning; as, This is a +kingdom, therefore it is England; this is a city, therefore it is +London; the apostle mentions government in the primitive Church, +therefore they are ruling elders: this were an absurd kind of reasoning. +2. By way of negation. Our reasoning from this text for the ruling +elder, is not from the general to a special affirmatively--there are +governments in the Church, therefore ruling elders: but this is our +arguing--these governments here mentioned in 1 Cor. xii. 28, are a +special kind of governing officers, set of God in the Church of Christ +now under the New Testament, and distinct from all other church +officers, whether extraordinary or ordinary: and therefore they are the +ruling elders which we seek after, and that by divine right. So that we +argue from the enumeration of several kinds of church officers +affirmatively: here is an enumeration or roll of divers kinds of church +officers of divine right; governments are one kind in the roll, distinct +from the rest; therefore governments are of divine right, consequently +ruling elders; for none but they can be these governments, as hath been +proved in the assumption. If the apostle had here mentioned governments +only, and none other kind of officers with them, there had been some +color for this exception, and some probability that the apostle had +meant governors in general and not in special: but when the apostle sets +himself to enumerate so many special kinds of officers, apostles, +prophets, teachers, &c., how far from reason is it to think that in the +midst of all these specials, governments only should be a general. 3. As +for Dr. Field's scoffing term of lay governors or lay elders, which he +seems in scorn to give to ruling elders; it seems to be grounded upon +that groundless distinction of the ministry and people into clergy and +laity; which is justly rejected by sound orthodox writers[58], as not +only without but against the warrant of Scripture, clergy being nowhere +appropriated to the ministry only, but commonly attributed to the whole +church, 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. The Scripture term given to these officers is +_ruling elders_, 1 Tim. v. 17; and so far as such, (though they be +elected from among the people,) they are ecclesiastical officers. + +_Except_. 2. But it is not said here governors in the concrete, as +apostles, prophets, teachers are mentioned concretely, which are +distinct officers: but it is said governments, in the abstract, to note +faculties, not persons. The text may be thus resolved: The apostle first +sets down three distinct orders, apostles, prophets, and teachers: then +he reckons up those common gifts of the Holy Ghost (and among the rest +the gift of governing) which were common to all three. So that we need +not here make distinct orders in the Church, but only distinct gifts +which might be in one man.[59] + +_Ans_. 1. As the apostles, prophets, and teachers are here set down +concretely, and not abstractly, and are confessed to be three distinct +orders enumerated: so all the other five, though set down abstractly, +are (by a metonymy of the adjunct for the subject) to be understood +concretely, helps for helpers; governments for governors, &c.; otherwise +we shall here charge the apostle with a needless impertinent tautology +in this chapter, for he had formerly spoken of these gifts abstractly, +ver. 8-10, as being _all given to profit_ the Church _withal_, ver. 7; +but here, ver. 28-30, he speaks of these gifts as they are in several +distinct subjects, for the benefit of the organical body the church; +else what saith he here, more than he said before? 2. That all these +eight here enumerated, one as well as another, do denote, not distinct +offices or acts of the same officer, but distinct officers, having +distinct administrations, and distinct gifts for those administrations, +is evident, partly by the apostle's form of enumeration, _first, +secondly, thirdly, afterwards, then_ or _furthermore_: if he had +intended only three sorts of officers, he would have stopped at thirdly, +but he goes on in an enumerating way, to show us those that follow are +distinct officers as well as those that go before; partly, by the +apostle's recapitulation, ver. 29, 30, which plainly points out +different officers, persons not gifts, besides those three: _Are all +apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers?_ (and here he stops not, +but reckons on) _are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of +healing?_ &c. If it should be replied, But he doth not add, Are all +helps? are all governments? therefore these are not to be accounted +distinct officers from the rest; otherwise why should the apostle thus +have omitted them, had there been any such distinct officers in the +Church in his time? It may be replied, These two officers, helps and +governments, are omitted in the recapitulation, ver. 29, 30, not that +the Church then had no such officers, for why then should they have been +distinctly mentioned in the enumeration of church officers, ver. 28? But +either, 1. For that helps and governments were more inferior ordinary +officers, and not furnished with such extraordinary, or at least, +eminent gifts, as the other had, (which they abused greatly to pride, +contention, schism, and contempt of one another, the evils which the +apostle here labors so much to cure,) and so there was no such danger +that these helps and governments should run into the same distempers +that the other did. Or, 2. For that he would instruct these helps and +governments to be content with their own stations and offices, (without +strife and emulation,) though they be neither apostles, nor prophets, +nor teachers, nor any of the other enumerated, which were so ambitiously +coveted after; and the last verse seems much to favor this +consideration, _but covet earnestly the best gifts_, viz. which made +most for edification, not for ostentation.[60] + +_Except_. 3. But helps here are placed before governments, therefore it +is not likely that governments were the ruling elders; Helps, i.e. +deacons, which is an inferior office, seeming here to be preferred +before them.[61] + +_Ans_. This follows not. Priority of order is not always an argument of +priority of worth, dignity, or authority. Scripture doth not always +observe exactness of order, to put that first which is of most +excellency: sometimes the pastor is put before the teacher, as Ephes. +iv. 11, sometimes the teacher before the pastor, as Rom. xii. 7, 8. +Peter is first named of all the apostles, both in Matt. x. 2, and in +Acts i. 13, but we shall hardly grant the Papist's arguing thence to be +solid--Peter is first named, therefore he is the chief and head of all +the apostles; no more can we account this any good consequence--helps +are set before governments, therefore governments are officers inferior +to helps, consequently they cannot be ruling elders: this were bad +logic. + +_Except_. 4. But the word governments is general, and may signify either +Christian magistrates, or ecclesiastical officers, as archbishops, +bishops, or whatsoever other by lawful authority are appointed in the +Church.[62] And some of the semi-Erastians of our times, by governments +understand the Christian magistracy, holding the Christian magistracy to +be an ecclesiastical administration.[63] + +_Ans_. 1. Governments, i.e. governors, (though in itself and singly +mentioned, it be a general, yet) here being enumerated among so many +specials, is special, and notes the special kind of ruling elders, as +hath been proved. 2. As for archbishops and diocesan bishops, they are +notoriously known to be, as such, no officers set in the Church by God, +but merely by the invention of man; therefore they have no part nor lot +in this business, nor can here be meant. And if by others, by lawful +authority appointed in the Church, they mean those officers that God +appoints well: if those whom man sets there without God, as chancellors, +commissioners, &c., such have as much power of government in the Church, +as they are such, as archbishops and bishops, viz. just none at all by +any divine warrant. 3. Nor can the civil Christian magistrate here be +implied. 1. Partly, because this is quite beside the whole intent and +scope of this chapter, treating merely upon spiritual church-matters, +not at all of secular civil matters, viz: of spiritual gifts for the +Church's profit, ver. 1 to 12; of the Church herself as one organical +body, ver. 12 to 28; and of the officers which God hath set in this +organical body, ver. 28, &c. Now here to crowd in the Christian +magistrate, which is a mere political governor, into the midst of these +spiritual matters, and into the roll of these merely ecclesiastical +officers, how absurd is it! 2. Partly, because the magistrate, as such, +is not set of God in the Church either as a church officer, or as a +church member, (as hath been demonstrated formerly, chap. IX.;) and +though he become a Christian, that adds nothing to the authority of his +magistracy, being the privilege only of his person, not of his office. +3. Partly, because when this was written to the Corinthians, the apostle +writes of such governments as had at that time their present actual +being and existence in the Church: and neither then, nor divers hundreds +of years after, were there any magistrates Christian, as hath been +evidenced, chap. IX.[64] + +_Except_. 5. Teachers are here expressed, but pastors omitted; and +therefore well might governors be mentioned instead of pastors.[65] + +_Answ_. 1. Then, according to his judgment, pastors were a distinct kind +of officers from teachers; otherwise the naming of teachers would have +sufficiently implied pastors, without the addition of the word +governors, one act or function of the office being put for the whole +office. But prelates did not love to hear of such a distinction. +However, it is the judgment of many others no less learned or pious than +they, that in the same congregation where there are several ministers, +he that excels in exposition of scriptures, teaching sound doctrine, and +convincing gainsayers, may be designed hereunto, and called a teacher or +doctor: he that excels in application, and designed thereunto, may be +called a pastor; but where there is only one minister in one particular +congregation, he is to perform, as far as he is able, the whole work of +the ministry. 2. If pastors are to be understood by this term governors, +as contradistinct from teachers, formerly enumerated in the text; doth +not this seem to devolve the matter of government so wholly upon the +pastor, as that the teacher hath nothing to do with it? and hereby both +pastor and teacher are wronged at once: the teacher, while power of +governing is denied him, which belongs to him as well as to the pastor; +the teacher being a minister of the word, hath power of administration +of the sacraments and discipline, as well as the pastor: the pastor, +while he consequently is deprived of the necessary and comfortable +assistance of the teacher in point of government. Therefore the pastor +cannot here be intended by governors. 3. Bilson himself was not very +confident of this gloss, and therefore he immediately adds, "If this +content you not, I then deny they are all ecclesiastical functions that +are there specified," &c. What then doth he make them? viz. he makes +divers of them, and governments among the rest, to be but several gifts, +whereof one and the same officer might be capable. And a little after he +ingenuously confesses he cannot tell what these governors were, saying, +"I could easily presume, I cannot easily prove what they were. The +manner and order of those wonderful gifts of' God's Spirit, after so +many hundreds may be conjectured, cannot be demonstrated--governors they +were, or rather governments, (for so the apostle speaketh,) i.e. gifts +of wisdom, discretion, and judgment, to direct and govern the whole +church, and every particular member thereof, in the manifold dangers and +distresses which those days did not want. Governors also they might be +called, that were appointed in every congregation to hear and appease +the private strifes and quarrels that grew betwixt man and man, lest the +Christians, to the shame of themselves, and slander of the gospel, +should pursue each other for things of this life before the magistrates, +who then were infidels; of these St. Paul speaketh, 1 Cor. vi. 1-7. +These governors and moderators of their brethren's quarrels and +contentions I find, others I find not in the apostle's writings, but +such as withal were watchmen and feeders of the flock." Thus +inconsistent he is with himself: one while these governors must be +pastors; another while arbitrators or daysmen about private differences; +another while gifts, not officers; another while he cannot easily prove +what they were. But they have been proved to be ruling elders, and the +proof still stands good, notwithstanding all his or others' exceptions. + +_Argum_. III. The third argument for the divine right of the mere ruling +elder shall be drawn from 1 Tim. v. 17, "Let the elders that rule well, +be counted worthy of double honor, especially they that labor in the +word and doctrine." From which words we may thus argue for the divine +right of the ruling elder: + +_Major_. Whatsoever officers in the Church are, according to the word of +Christ, styled elders, invested with rule in the Church, approved of God +in their rule, and yet distinct from all them that labor in the word and +doctrine; they are the ruling elders in the Church which we inquire +after, and that by divine right. + +This proposition seems clear and unquestionable. For, 1. If there be a +certain kind of church officer which Christ in his word calls an elder, +2. Declares to have rule in his church, 3. Approves in this his rule, +and, 4. Distinguished from him that labors in the word and doctrine; +this is plainly the ruling elder, and here is evidently the divine right +of his office. Such a divine approbation of his office, testified in +Scripture, implies no less than a divine institution thereof. + +_Minor_. But the officers mentioned in 1 Tim. v. 17, are, according to +the word of Christ, styled elders, invested with rule in the church: +approved of God in their rule, and yet distinct from all them that labor +in the word and doctrine. This assumption may be thus evidenced by +parts. + +1. The officers mentioned here in this word of Christ, are styled +elders. This Greek word translated _elder_, is used in the New Testament +chiefly in three several senses: 1. For men of ancient time, not now +living; and so it is opposed to modern: Tradition of elders, Matt. xv. +2, i.e. of them of old time, see Matt. v. 21. 2. For elders in age now +living; so it is opposed to younger, 1 Tim. v. 1; 1 Pet. v. 5. 3. For +elders in function or office, opposed to private men not in office, as +Acts xiv. 23; and in this last sense it is to be taken in this place, an +office of ruling being here ascribed to these elders. They are called +elders, say some, because for the most part they were chosen out of the +elder sort of men: others better, from the maturity of knowledge, +wisdom, gifts, gravity, piety, &c., which ought to be in them. This name +elder seems to have rule and authority written upon it, when applied to +any church officer; and it is by the Septuagint often ascribed to rulers +political, _elders in the gate_, Judges viii. 14; Ruth iv. 2, 3; 1 Sam. +v. 3; 1 Chron. xi. 3. In this place (as it is well noted by some[66]) +the word elders is a genus, a general attribute, agreeing both to them +that rule well, and also to those that labor in the word and doctrine: +the one sort only rule; the other sort both rule and preach; but both +sorts are elders. + +2. The officers here mentioned are not only styled elders, but invested +with rule in the church. For it is plain both by the text and context +duly considered, and the apostle's scope in writing of this epistle, 1 +Tim. iii. 15, that these elders are officers in the Church. And that in +the church they are vested with rule appears not only by their name of +elders, which when applied to officers, imports rule, authority, &c., as +hath been said; but also by the adjunct participle _that rule_, or +_ruling_, annexed to elders--_Let the elders ruling well_. So that here +we have not only the office, the thing, but the very name of ruling +elders. The word seems to be a military term, for captains and +commanders in an army, _foremost slanders_, (as the word imports,) that +lead on and command all the rest that follow them: hence metaphorically +used for the foremost-standers, rulers, governors in the church. It +noteth not only those that go before others by doctrine, or good +example: but that govern and rule others by authority. For, 1. Thus the +word is used in Scripture: "One that ruleth well his own house, having +his children in subjection with all gravity," 1 Tim. iii. 4: where it +plainly notes an authoritative ruling. Again, "If a man know not how to +rule his own house," 1 Tim. iii. 5. And again, "Ruling their children +and their own houses well," 1 Tim. iii. 12. 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 family, but rules them only by doctrine +and example? + +2. Thus learned divines[67] and accurate Grecians[68] use the word to +denote authority: so that the Holy Ghost here calling them ruling +elders, implies they are vested with rule: and those that deny this +place to hold out two sorts of elders, yet confess it holds out two +sorts of acts, ruling and preaching. + +3. These ruling elders are here approved of God in their rule; and that +two ways, viz: 1. In that God's Spirit here commends their ruling, being +duly discharged, _ruling well, excellently_, &c. Did no rule in the +Church belong to them for matter, God would never command or approve +them for the matter. He cannot be accounted with God to do any thing +well, that hath no right to do it at all. 2. In that God's Spirit here +commands their well ruling to be honorably rewarded. _Let them be +counted worthy of double honor:_ or, _Let them be dignified with double +honor_. Here is not only reward, but an eminent reward appointed them, +and that urged from Scripture, ver. 18. Where God thus appoints rewards, +he approves that for which he rewards; and what God thus approves is of +divine right. See part 1, chap. V. + +4. Yet, finally, These elders, vested with rule in the Church, and +divinely approved in their rule, are distinct from all them that labor +in the word and doctrine. This may thus he evidenced from the text, as +some[69] have well observed: For, 1. Here is a general, under which the +several kinds of officers here spoken of are comprehended, _elders_; all +here mentioned are elders. 2. Here are two distinct kinds of elders, +viz: _those that rule well_, there is one kind; and _they that labor in +the word_ (as the pastors) _and doctrine_, (as the doctors and +teachers,) here is the other kind. 3. Here are two participles +expressing these two species or kinds of elders--_ruling_, and +_laboring_: those only rule, that is all their work, and therefore +here are called ruling elders; not because _they_ alone rule, but +because their only work is to rule: but these not only rule, but, over +and besides, _they_ labor in the word and doctrine. 4. Here are two +distinct articles distinctly annexed to these two participles--_they +that rule; they that labor_. 5. Finally, here is an eminent disjunctive +particle set betwixt these two kinds of elders, these two participles, +these two articles, evidently distinguishing one from the other, viz. +especially _they that labor in the word_, &c., intimating, that as there +were some ruling elders that did labor in the word and doctrine, so +there were others that did rule, and not labor in the word: both were +worthy of double honor, but especially they that both ruled and labored +in the word also. And wheresoever this word, here translated +_especially_, is used in all the New Testament, it is used to +distinguish thing from thing, person from person, that are spoken of; +as, "Let us do good to all, but especially to those of the household of +faith," Gal. vi. 10: therefore there were some of the household of +faith, and some that were not; and accordingly we must put a difference +in doing good to them. "All the saints salute you, especially those of +Cæsar's household;" some saints not of his household: all saluted them, +but especially those of Cæsar's household. "He that provides not for +his own, especially for them of his own house, he hath denied the +faith," 1 Tim. v. 8. A believer is to provide for his friends and +kindred, but especially _for those of his own house_, wife and children. +See also 1 Tim. iv. 10; Tit. i. 11; 2 Tim. iv. 13; 2 Pet. ii. 10; Acts +xx. 38, and xxvi. 3; in all which places the word _especially_ is used +as a disjunctive particle, to distinguish one thing from another, +without which distinction we shall but make nonsense in interpreting +those places. And generally the best interpreters[70] do from this text +conclude, that there were two sorts of elders, viz: the ruling elder, +that only ruled; the preaching elder, that besides his ruling, labored +in the word and doctrine also. + +Now, therefore, seeing the officers here mentioned are, 1. According to +the word of Christ, (for this is the word of Christ,) styled elders; 2. +Vested with rule; 3. Approved of God in their rule; and yet, 4. Distinct +from all that labor in the word and doctrine, as hath been particularly +proved; we may conclude, that, + +_Conclusion_. Therefore the officers here mentioned are the ruling +elders in the Church which we inquire after, and that by divine right. + +But against this place of 1 Tim. i. 17, and the argument from it, divers +cavils and exceptions are made; let them have a brief solution. + +_Except_. 1. There were two sorts of elders, some laboring in the word +and doctrine, some taking care of the poor, viz. deacons; both were +worthy of double honor, especially they that labored in the word, +&c.[71] + +_Ans_. 1. This is a new distinction of elders without warrant of +Scripture. Deacons are nowhere in all the New Testament styled +elders;[72] nay, they are contradistinguished from elders, both teaching +and ruling. "He that giveth _let him do it_ with simplicity: he that +ruleth, with diligence," Rom. xii. 8. "Helps, governments," 1 Cor. xii. +28. Compare also Tit. i. 5, 6, &c., 1 Tim. iii. 2, &c., with 1 Tim. iii. +8, &c. 2. As deacons are not elders, so deacons have no rule in the +church. It is true, they are to "rule their children and their own +houses well," 1 Tim. iii. 12; this is only family rule: but as for the +church, their office therein is to be _helps_, 1 Cor. xii. 28; _to +distribute_, Rom. xii. 8; _to serve tables_, Acts vi. 2, 3; but no rule +is ascribed to them. + +_Except_. 2. But by ruling well, some understand living well, leading a +holy, exemplary life. The apostle would have ministers not only to live +well themselves, but also to feed others by the word and doctrine; they +that live well are to be double honored, especially they who labor in +the word, &c., as 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.[73] + +_Ans_. 1. The apostle here speaks rather of officers than of acts of +office: of persons rather than of duties, if his phrase be observed. 2. +Living well is not ruling well here in the apostle's sense, who intends +the rule of elders over others; he that lives well rules well over +himself; not over others: else all that live well were church rulers; +they conduct by example, do not govern by authority, Altar. Damasc. c. +xii. 8. If well ruling be well living, then double honor, double +maintenance from the church is due for well living, (1 Tim. v. 17, 18,) +consequently all that live well deserve this double honor. 4. This seems +to intimate that ministers deserve double honor for living well, though +they preach not. _How absurd_! 5. D. Downham, once pleased with this +gloss, after confessed it was not safe. + +_Except_. 3. Those that rule well may be meant of aged, infirm, +superannuated bishops, who cannot labor in the word and doctrine.[74] + +_Ans_. 1. Here is no speech of prelatical bishops, but of ruling and +preaching elders in this text. 2. How shall old, decrepit bishops rule +well, when they cannot labor in the word and doctrine? 3. By this gloss, +the preaching elders that labor in the word and doctrine, should be +preferred before the most ancient bishop in double honor; such doctrine +would not long since have been very odious and apocryphal to our late +prelates. 4. Those preachers that have faithfully and constantly spent +their strength, and worn out themselves with ministerial labor, that +they cannot rule nor preach any longer, are yet worthy of double honor +for all their former travels in the service of Christ and his Church. + +_Except_. 4. Among ministers some did preach, others only administered +the sacraments; so Paul showeth that he preached and "labored more than +all the apostles," 1 Cor. xv. 10; but baptized few or none, 1 Cor i. 14, +leaving that to be performed by others; and when Paul and Barnabas were +companions, and their travels were equal, yet Paul is noted to have been +the chief speaker, (Acts xiv. 12:) all were worthy of double honor, but +especially they who labored in the word and doctrine.[75] + +_Ans_. 1. This gloss imagineth such a ministry in the apostles' times as +the prelates had erected of late in their days, viz: many dumb dogs that +could not bark nor preach at all, yet could administer the sacraments by +the old service-book. But the apostles, as Cartwright[76] observes, +allowed no such ministers, will have every bishop or preaching elder to +be both "apt to teach, _and_ able to convince," 1 Tim. iii. 2; Tit. i. +9. So that it was far from Paul to countenance a non-preaching or +seldom-preaching ministry, by allowing any honor at all, much less a +double honor, to such. Sure, preaching is one part, yea, a most +principal part or duty of the minister's office, (as hath been evidenced +before, Part 2, Chap. VII.,) and shall he be counted worthy of double +honor that neglects a principal duty of his office? Nay, he deserves not +the very name of such an officer in the church: why should he be called +a pastor that doth not feed? or a teacher, that doth not teach his +flock? &c., saith Chrysost. Hom. xv. in 1 Timothy. 2. Why should Paul's +laboring be restrained here to his preaching only? when Paul speaks of +his own labor elsewhere, he speaks of it in another sense, 2 Cor. xi. +17, "in labor and weariness"--compare it with the context; and in this +place judicious Calvin seems rather to interpret it of other manner of +labor, and Pareus extends it, besides preaching, to divers other labors +which Paul did undergo. 3. What warrant doth this exception hold out for +two sorts of ministers here pretended, some _preaching_, others _only +administering the sacraments_? Thus, _Paul preached much, baptised but +few_: therefore, _there were some that only administered the +sacraments_: well concluded. Yet Paul baptized some, 1 Cor. i. 14, 16, +distributed the Lord's supper to some, Acts xx. 7, 11; so that he both +preached and dispensed the sacraments. Let any show where any person +dispensed the sacraments that was not a preacher. Again, _Paul and +Barnabas equally travelled together, but Paul was chief speaker_: what +then? therefore _some labored in the word, others in the sacraments +only_. This is woful logic. 4. To whomsoever the power of dispensing the +sacraments was given by Christ, to them also the power of preaching was +given; dispensing the word and sacraments are joined in the same +commission, Matt, xxviii. 18-20: what Christ joins together let not man +put asunder. 5. Touching the preaching elder there is mentioned only one +act peculiar to his office, viz. _laboring in the word_, &c.; but, +taking a part for the whole, we may understand his dispensing the +sacraments also, and what else is peculiar to the preaching elder's +office, though for brevity's sake it be not here named.[77] + +_Except_. 5. By elders that rule well may be meant certain governors, or +inferior magistrates, chosen to compose controversies or civil strifes. +Suitable hereunto is the late Erastian gloss, that by elders ruling well +may be meant kings, parliament-men, and all civil governors.[78] + +_Ans_. 1. It is well known that in the primitive times there was no +Christian magistrate in the Church, and for the Church to choose heathen +judges or magistrates to be arbitrators or daysmen in civil +controversies, is a thing utterly condemned by the apostle, 1 Cor. vi. +1, &c. 2. The apostle speaks here of ecclesiastical, not of civil +officers, as the latter phrase intimates. The main scope of this epistle +was to instruct Timothy how to behave himself, not in the commonwealth, +but in the Church of God, (1 Tim. iii. 15,) and here he speaks of such +officers as were in being in the Church at that time. 3. If kings, +parliament-men, and all civil governors be these ruling elders, then +ministers have not only an equal share with them in government by this +text, which the Erastians will not like well; but also are to have a +superior honor or maintenance to kings, parliament-men, and all civil +governors. Certainly the magistrates will never triumph in this gloss, +nor thank them that devised it. 4. Sutlive seems to be against this +opinion, (though no great friend to ruling elders,) saying Beza bestows +many words to prove that the judges in 1 Cor. vi. were not of the number +of presbyters: which truly I myself should easily grant him. For there +were none such ever constituted. 5. This is a novel interpretation, as +some observe,[79] unknown among ancient writers. + +_Except_. 6. Those words [_especially they who labor in the word and +doctrine_] are added to the former explanatively, to teach us who they +are that rule well, viz. _they who labor much in the word and doctrine_, +and not to distinguish them that labor in the word, from elders ruling +well; as if Paul had said, "Let the elders that rule well be counted +worthy of double honor, greatly laboring in the word," &c. For the word +translated _especially_ here more aptly signifies _much, greatly_, than +especially. For though with the adversative _but_ along with it, it +signifieth especially, yet alone (as it is here) it signifies _much, +greatly_.[80] + +_Ans_. 1. If this sentence [_especially they who labor_, &c.] were added +only to explain who are well-ruling elders, viz. such as greatly labor +in the word, &c., then few of the prelatical bishops were to be counted +well-ruling elders, for very few, if any of them, were guilty of +laboring greatly in the word and doctrine. 2. Then also the apostle +would have said, either who especially labor, or simply without the +article, especially laboring; then especially, they who labor, as here +he doth, carrying his speech rather to distinct persons and officers, +than to distinct duties or actions. 3. This word translated +_especially_, hath been already in the minor proposition proved to be +rather disjunctive, than explanatory; a term of distinction to point out +a several sort of elders from only ruling elders, rather than a term of +explication, signifying who are to be reputed these well-ruling elders. +4. The word _especially_ is used for a term of distinction, even in +those places where the adversative _but_ is not joined to it, as in Tit. +i. 10, "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, +especially they of the circumcision:" where _especially_ distinguishes +_them of the circumcision_, from all other _vain talkers, and +deceivers_; and in 1 Tim. iv. 10, "Who is the Saviour of all men, +especially of them that believe;" here _especially_ without _but_ +distinguishes them that believe from all other men, as capable of a +special salvation from God; if here it were not a note of distinction, +according to this gloss, we should thus read the place, "Who is the +Saviour of all men, greatly believing;" but this were cold comfort to +weak Christians of little faith. So here _especially_, though _but_ be +wanting, distinguished them that labor in the word and doctrine, from +them that labor not therein, and yet rule well. + +_Except_. 7. It is one thing to preach, another thing to labor in the +word and doctrine. If there be here any distinction of elders it is +between those that labor more abundantly and painfully, and between +those that labor not so much. This objection takes much with some.[81] +B. Bilson much presses this objection from the emphasis of the word +_laboring_; signifying endeavoring any thing with greater striving and +contention, &c., to this sense, "Let the elders that rule well be +counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor and sweat, +&c., in the word--who give themselves even to be tired and broken with +labors;" and this, saith he, is the genuine signification of the word +translated laboring, when it is borrowed from the labor of the body, to +denote the contention or striving of the mind, &c.[82] + +_Ans_. 1. This gloss takes it for granted, that this text speaks only of +preaching, or the ministry of the word, and therein of the lesser or +greater pains taken: which (besides that it begs the thing in question) +makes the ministry of the word common to both sorts here distinctly +spoken of, whereas rather the plain current of the text makes ruling +common to both, over and beyond which the preaching elder _labors in the +word_. 2. Doth not this interpretation allow a double honor to ministers +that labor not so much as others in the word? And can we think that the +laborious Paul intended to dignify, patronize, or encourage idle drones, +lazy, sluggish, seldom preachers? Ministers must be exceeding instant +and laborious in their ministry, 2 Tim. iv. 1-3. If this were the sense +only to prefer the greater before the less labor in the ministry, the +apostle would have used this order of words, "Let the elders that rule +well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor," &c., +take upon themselves more weighty cares. For those words (in the word +and doctrine) should either have been quite omitted, as now was +expressed, or should have been inserted immediately after them that rule +well, and before the word especially, to this effect, "Let the elders +that rule well and preach the word and doctrine well, be counted worthy +of double honor; but especially those who labor much in well ruling and +in well preaching:" in such an expression the case had been very clear +and evident. 4. Should this comment stand, that they who labor more in +the ministry than others should have more honor, more maintenance, than +others, how many emulations and contentions were this likely to procure? +Who shall undertake to proportion the honor and reward, according to +the proportion of every minister's labor? 5. As for the criticism of the +word _laboring_, which Bilson lays so much stress upon, these things are +evident, 1. That here _laboring_, signifies emphatically nothing else +but that labor, care, diligence, solicitude, &c., which the nature of +the pastoral office requires in every faithful pastor; as is implied 1 +Thess. v., 12, 13, "Know them which labor among you, and are over you in +the Lord;" and the apostle saith that every minister "shall receive a +reward according to his own labor," 1 Cor. iii. 8. Such labor and +diligence also is required in them that rule, whilst they are charged to +rule _with diligence_, Rom. xii. 8, which is as much as _with labor_: +yea, the common charity of Christians hath its labor; and this very word +_labor_ is ascribed thereunto, _labor of love_, 1 Thess. i. 3; Heb. vi. +10. 2. That if the apostle had here intended the extraordinary labor of +some ministers above others, not ordinarily required of all, he would +have taken a more emphatical word to have set it out, as he is wont to +do in some other cases, as in 2 Cor. xi. 27, "In labor and weariness." 1 +Thess. ii. 9, "For ye remembered, brethren, our labor and weariness." 6. +Finally, "If there be but one kind of church officers here designed, +then," as saith the learned Cartwright, "the words (_especially those +that labor_) do not cause the apostle's speech to rise, but to fall; not +to go forward, but to go backward; for to teach worthily and singularly +is more than to teach painfully; for the first doth set forth all that +which may be required in a worthy teacher, where the latter noteth one +virtue only of pains taking." + +_Except_. 8. Though it could be evinced, that here the apostle speaks of +some other elders, besides the ministers of the word, yet what advantage +can this be for the proof of ruling elders? For the apostle being to +prove that the ministers of the word ought to be honored, i.e. +maintained; why might he not use this general proposition, that all +rulers, whether public or domestic, whether civil or ecclesiastical, are +to be honored? And when the apostle speaketh of the qualifications of +deacons, he requires them to be such as have ruled their own houses +well.[83] + +_Ans_. 1. This slight gloss might have appeared more tolerable and +plausible, were it not, partly, that the grand scope of the apostle in +this chapter and epistle is to direct about church officers and church +affairs, as both the context, and 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15, clearly evidence; +and partly, had the word rulers been expressed alone in the text, and +the word elders left out: but seeing that the apostle speaks not +generally of them that rule well, but particularly of the elders that +rule well in the Church; here is no place for this poor faint gloss. 2. +Had the apostle here intended such a lax and general proposition for all +sorts of rulers, then had he also meant that an honorable maintenance is +due from the Church to domestic as well as public, yea, to civil as well +as ecclesiastical rulers: then the Church should have charge enough: +yea, and then should ministers of the word (according to this +interpretation) have more honor and maintenance than any other rulers, +domestic or public, civil or ecclesiastical. Magistrates will never +thank him for this gloss. 3. Though some kind of skill to rule and +govern be required in deacons, yet that is no public rule in the Church, +but a private rule in their own houses only, which the apostle mentions, +1 Tim. iii. 12. + +_Except_. 9. But these Well-ruling presbyters may be referred to these +pastors and teachers which were resident in every church, who therefore +are properly said to have care and inspection of the faithful, as being +affixed to that place for that end; but the word _laboring_, or _they +that labor_, may be referred to them who travelled up and down for the +visiting and confirming of the churches.[84] "There were some that +remained in some certain places, for the guiding and governing of such +as were already won by the preaching of the gospel: others that +travelled with great labor and pains from place to place to spread the +knowledge of God into all parts, and to preach Christ crucified to such +as never heard of him before. Both these were worthy of double honor, +but the latter that builded not upon another man's foundation, more +especially than the former, that did but keep that which others had +gotten, and govern those that others have gained."[85] + +_Ans_. 1. If this be the sense, that there were some ministers fixed, +and limited to particular places and churches; others unfixed, having an +unlimited commission, and these are to be especially honored: then the +meaning is, that the apostles and evangelists who were unfixed, and had +unlimited commissions, and laid the foundation, were to be especially +honored above pastors and teachers that were fixed and limited, and only +built upon their foundation. But how should this be the meaning? For +this seems a needless exhortation; what church would not readily yield +an especial honor to apostles and evangelists above pastors and +teachers? This would savor too much of self-seeking in the apostle, and +providing for his own honor. This implies that the text hath reference +to apostles and evangelists, whereas it evidently speaks only of +ordinary ruling and preaching presbyters. + +2. If this be the sense of Dr. Field and Bilson, that some mere +ordinary presbyters travelled laboriously to lay the foundation of +Christianity, others were fixed to certain places to build upon that +foundation: this seems to be false; for we read that mere ordinary +presbyters were ordained for several cities and places as their peculiar +charges, whom they were to feed, and with whom they were to remain, as +Acts xiv. 23; Tit. i. 5; herewith compare Acts xx. 28; 1 Pet. v. 2; 1 +Thess. v. 12. But that mere ordinary presbyters were ordained and +employed in the Church without limitation of commission, where can it be +evidenced in all the Scriptures? Wandering presbyters are nowhere +commended; wandering stars are condemned, Jude, ver. 13. + +3. To refer the word _laboring_ to them that travelled from place to +place for visiting and confirming of the churches, is very weak and +unjustifiable in this place; for this clashes with Dr. Field's former +gloss, (mentioned Except. 4, limiting _laboring_ to preaching.) But any +thing for a present shift. This word is sometimes given to the apostle, +as 1 Cor. xv. 10; 2 Cor. xi. 27: but where are apostles and evangelists +called _laboring_, merely in respect of their travelling from place to +place, to lay the foundation of Christianity, thereby to distinguish +them from ordinary pastors and teachers? Nay, the apostle himself makes +_them that rule_, and _them that labor_, the same, 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. +So here in 1 Tim. v. 17, _they that rule_--_and they that labor_--are +the same, i.e. both of them ordinary presbyters, both of them ruling, +only to one of them the office of _laboring_ in the word and doctrine is +superadded; yea, the very women that _were_ godly were said _to labor in +the Lord_, Rom. xvi. 6, 12, not for their far travels up and down +several countries to propagate the gospel, for where are Mary and Persis +reported to have done this? Yet doubtless such good women privately +labored much to bring in others, especially of their own sex, to hear +the apostles, and entertain the gospel; and if the women may be said to +_labor much in the Lord_, in respect of their private endeavors, how +much more may labor be ascribed to presbyters in respect of both their +private and public employments! So that this word _laboring_, which is +applied in Scripture not only to ordinary presbyters, but also to women, +cannot (without violence) be drawn peculiarly to signify apostles and +evangelists, as this exception intends. + +_Except_. 10. Seeing in every minister of the word three things are +requisite, unblamableness of life, dexterity of governing, and integrity +of doctrine; the two first are commended here, but especially the labor +in doctrine above them both; therefore here are set down not a two-fold +order of presbyters, but only two parts of the pastoral office, +preaching and governing; both which the apostle joins in the office of +pastors, 1 Thes. v. 2-13.[86] "The guides of the church are worthy of +double honor, both in respect of governing and teaching, but especially +for their pains in teaching; so noting two parts or duties of +presbyterial offices, not two sorts of presbyters."[87] + +_Ans_. 1. It is true, pastors have the power both of ruling and +preaching belonging to their office, as is intimated, 1 Thes. v. 12, 13, +and Heb. xiii. 7, and in other places; but doth it therefore follow, +that none have the power of ruling, but those that have the power of +preaching? or that this text, or 1 Tim. v. 17, intends only those rulers +that preach? 2. Bilson, in this exception, confesseth that _laboring_ +belongs to ordinary fixed pastors, and therefore contradicts himself in +his former objection, wherein he would have appropriated it to unfixed +apostles and evangelists; yea, by this gloss it is granted, that +preaching presbyters are to be more honored than non-preaching ruling +prelates. These are miserable shifts and evasions, whereby they are +necessitated thus to wound their own friends, and to cross their own +principles. 3. According to this gloss, this should be the sense, "Let +the ministers that rule well by good life, and skilful government, be +counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word +and doctrine." Now doth not this tacitly insinuate, that some ministers +may rule well, and be worthy of double honor, though they labor not in +the word and doctrine? and how absurd were this? But if the text be +interpreted not of several acts of the same office, but of several sorts +of officers, this absurdity is prevented, _Let ruling elders be doubly +honored, especially those that both rule and preach_. 4. The text +evidently speaks not of duties, but of persons; not of acts, but of +agents; not of offices, but of officers; for it is not said, "Let the +elders be counted worthy of double honor, for well ruling; especially +for laboring"--but, _Let the elders that rule well, especially they that +labor in the word, &c._ So that this gloss is vain, and against the +plain letter of the text. + +_Except_. 11. Though the emphasis of the word, _they that labor_, be not +to be neglected, yet the difference betwixt presbyters is not put by +that word, but by those (_in the word and doctrine_.) This does not +signify two kinds of presbyters, but two offices of ministers and +pastors; one general, to _rule well_; another special, _to labor in the +word and doctrine_. To rule well, saith Hierom, is to fulfil his office; +or, as the Syriac interpreter expounds it, "to behave themselves well in +their place;" or as the Scripture speaks, _To go in and out before God's +people as becomes them, going before them in good works in their +private conversations, and also in their public administrations_; whence +the apostle makes here a comparison betwixt the duties of ministers +thus, "All presbyters that generally discharge their office well are +worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word, which is +a primary part of their office."[88] + +_Ans_. 1. For substance this objection is the same with objection 10, +already answered, therefore much more needs not to be added. 2. It is to +be noted, that the apostle saith not, "Let the presbyters that rule well +be counted worthy of double honor, especially because they labor in the +word--for then he should have pointed at the distinct offices of +ministers;" but he saith, _especially they that labor_, which clearly +carries the sense to the distinction of elders themselves, who have +distinct employments. 3. If preaching presbyters only should here be +meant, and under that phrase (_that rule well_) their whole office in +general, and the right managing thereof, should be contained, whereas +_laboring in the word and doctrine_ (as this exception implies) is but +one part thereof, then hence it would inevitably follow, that a minister +deserves more honor for the well administration of one part of his +office only, than for the well managing of the whole, which is absurd! +Here therefore the apostle doth not compare one primary part of the +pastor's office, with the whole office and all the parts thereof; but +one sort of presbyters with another, distinguishing the mere ruling +presbyter from the ruling and preaching presbyter, as the acute and +learned Whitaker hath well observed. + +_Except_. 12. It is evident in the text itself, that all these elders +here meant were worthy of double honor, whether they labored or +governed; which by St. Paul's proofs, presently following, and by the +consent of all old and new writers, is meant of their maintenance at the +charges of the Church.[89] Now that lay-judges and censors of manners +were in the apostle's time found at the expense of the Church, or by +God's law ought to have their maintenance at the people's hands, till I +see it justly proved, I cannot believe it: which yet must be proved +before this construction can be admitted.[90] + +_Ans_. 1. This word _honor_ signifies (after the custom of the Hebrews, +Exod. xx. 12) all pious offices and relief. This phrase (_double honor_) +interpreters expound either absolutely or comparatively. Absolutely +thus: _double honor_, i.e. great honor, so some; maintenance in this +life, happiness in the life to come, so others; honor of reverence to +their persons, and of maintenance for their labors, so Chrysostom, of +which saith Calvin, "That Chrysostom interprets double honor to be +maintenance and reverence, I impugn not." Comparatively thus: _double +honor_ here seems to relate to what was before spoken, ver. 3, "Honor +widows that are widows indeed." Now here he intimates, that though +widows are to be honored, yet these should be much more honored; they +should have single, these double honor. In this last sense, which seems +most genuine, it seems most likely that the apostle here intended +principally, if not only, the honor of maintenance; partly because the +honor appointed for widows, ver. 3, &c., was only maintenance; partly +because the reason of this charge to honor, &c., refers only to +maintenance, ver. 18. Thus far we grant, that the text speaks of +maintenance. 2. It may be further yielded that all the presbyters here +spoken of are to be counted worthy of double honor, of honorable, +liberal maintenance; even they that rule well (if need require) are to +be thus honored, but the principal care of maintenance ought to be of +them that labor in the word and doctrine, because the apostle saith +_especially they that labor, &c._: the like injunction, see Gal. vi. 6, +"Let him that is catechized, communicate to him that catechizeth him in +all good things;" and thus much this text plainly evidenceth. 3. What +then can be inferred hereupon by the adversaries of ruling elders? +"Therefore the ruling elders (in the reformed churches) that take no +maintenance of the church, are not the elders that rule well here +mentioned?" This follows not: the apostle Paul took no wages of the +church of Corinth, 2 Cor. xi. 7-9, and xii. 12, 13, &c., was he +therefore not an apostle to them, as to other churches of whom he took +maintenance? Divers among us in these days labor in the word and +doctrine, and are not sufficiently maintained by their churches, but +forced to spend of their own estates to do others service; are they +therefore no ministers? _Forgive them this wrong_. Most churches are not +able (or at least not willing) to maintain their very preaching +presbyters and their families comfortably and sufficiently, as the +gospel requireth: if therefore in prudence, that the Church be not +needlessly burdened, those ruling elders are chosen generally that need +no maintenance, doth their not taking maintenance of the church make +their office null and void? Or if the church do not give them +maintenance (when they neither need it, nor desire it, nor is the church +able to do it) is the church therefore defective in her duty, or an ill +observer of the apostolical precepts? Sure maintenance is not +essentially and inseparably necessary to the calling of either ruling +or preaching elder. There may be cases when not only the preaching, but +the ruling elders ought to be maintained, and there may be cases when +not only the ruling but also the preaching presbyter (as it was with +Paul) should not expect to be maintained by the church. 4. It is as +observable that the apostle here saith, let them be counted worthy of +double honor, though the reformed churches do not actually give double +maintenance to elders that rule well, yet they count them worthy of +double maintenance, though the elders do not take it, though the +churches cannot give it. + +Finally, unto these testimonies and arguments from Scripture, many +testimonies of ancient and modern writers (of no small repute in the +Church of God) may be usefully annexed, speaking for ruling elders in +the Church of Christ from time to time: some speaking of such sort of +elders, presbyters, or church-governors, as that ruling elders may very +well be implied in their expressions; some plainly declaring that the +Church of Christ _in fact_ had such officers for government thereof; 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 thereof; by +which it may notably appear, that in asserting the office of the ruling +elder in the Church, we take not upon us to maintain any singular +paradox of our own devising, or to hold forth some new light in this old +opinionative age: and that the ruling elder is not a church officer +first coined at Geneva, and a stranger to the Church of Christ for the +first 1500 years, (as the adversaries of ruling elders scornfully +pretend,) but hath been owned by the Church of Christ as well in former +as in later times.[91] + + +_An Appendix touching the Divine Right of Deacons._ + +Though we cannot find in Scripture that the power of the keys is +committed by Christ unto deacons, with the other church governors, but +conceive that deacons, as other members of the church, are to be +governed, and are not to govern; yet forasmuch as deacons are ordinary +officers in the Church of God, of which she will have constant use in +all ages, and which at first were divinely appointed, and after +frequently mentioned in the New Testament; it will not be thought unfit, +before we conclude this section, touching the divine right of Christ's +church-officers, briefly to assert the divine right of deacons, as +followeth. + +Deacons in the church are an ordinance of Jesus Christ. For, + +1. They are found in Christ's catalogue of church officers, distinct +from all other officers, both extraordinary and ordinary. _Helps_, 1 +Cor. xii. 28. The Greek word in the natural acceptation properly +signifies, to lift over against one in taking up some burden or weight; +metaphorically, it here is used for deacons, whose office it is to +_help_ and _succor the poor and sick, to lend them a hand to lift them +up_, &c., and this office is here distinctly laid down from all other +ordinary and extraordinary offices in the text. So they are +distinguished from all ordinary officers reckoned up, Rom. xii. 7, 8: +under _prophecy_, there is the _teacher_ and _pastor_; under _ministry_, +the _ruling elder_, and the _deacon_, verse 8. This officer was so well +known, and usual in the primitive churches, that when the apostle writes +to the church at Philippi, he directs his epistle not only to the +saints, but to the officers, viz. _to the overseers, and deacons_, +Philip, i. 1. The occasion of the first institution of this office, see +in Acts vi. 1, 2, &c. At the first planting of the Christian Church, the +apostles themselves took care to receive the churches' goods, and to +distribute to every one of their members _as they had need_, Acts iv. +34, 35; but in the increase of the church, the burden of this care of +distributing alms increasing also, upon some complaints of the Greeks, +_that their widows were neglected_, the office of deacons was erected, +for better provision for the poor, Acts vi. 1-7; and because the +churches are never like to want poor and afflicted persons, there will +be constant need of this officer. The pastor and deacon under the New +Testament seem to answer the priests and Levites under the Old +Testament. + +2. The qualifications of deacons are laid down by Christ in the New +Testament, at large: 1 Tim. iii. 8-14, _Deacons also must be grave, not +double-tongued_, &c., and Acts vi. 3, 5. + +3. The manner also of deacons' vocation or calling unto their office is +delineated, viz: 1. They must be chosen by the church; "Look ye out +among you seven men of honest report," &c., "and they chose Stephen," +&c., Acts vi. 3, 5. 2. They must first be proved and tried by the +officers of the church, before they may officiate as deacons; "and let +these also first be proved, then let them use the office of a deacon, +being blameless," 1 Tim. iii. 10. 3. They must be appointed by the +officers of the church to their office, and set apart with prayer, Acts +vi. 3, 6: "Look ye out men--whom we may appoint over this business--whom +they set before the apostles, and when they had prayed, they laid their +hands on them." + +4. Deacons have by Scripture their work and employment appointed them. +Their work is, _to serve tables_, (hence the name deacon seems derived,) +Acts vi. 2, 3. To be an help, no hinderance in the church; called +_helps_, 1 Cor. xii. 18. + +5. Deacons have a divine approbation and commendation in Scripture, if +they execute their office well. "For they that have used the office of a +deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in +the faith which is in Christ Jesus," 1 Tim. iii. 13. Here the well +administration of deaconship is commended as producing two good effects +to such deacons, viz: 1. _A good degree_, i.e. great honor, dignity, and +reputation, both to themselves and to their office; they adorn, grace, +and credit their office in the church; not that they purchase to +themselves by desert a higher office in the church, that from deacons +they should be advanced to be presbyters, as some would interpret this +text. 2. _Much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus._ For +nothing makes a man more bold than a good conscience in the upright and +faithful discharge of our duties in our callings; innocency and +integrity make brave spirits; such with great confidence and boldness +serve Christ and the church, being men that may be trusted to the +uttermost. Now where God thus approves or commends the well managing of +an office, he also divinely approves and allows the office itself, and +the officer that executes the same.[92] + + +SECTION II. + +2. _Of the first receptacle, or subject of the power of church +government from Christ, viz. Christ's own officers._ + +Touching the second, that Jesus Christ our Mediator hath peculiarly +intrusted his own officers with the power of church government: take it +thus-- + +Jesus Christ our Mediator did immediately commit the proper, formal, +ministerial, or stewardly authority and power for governing of his +church to his own church guides as the proper immediate receptacle or +first subject thereof. + +For explication of this proposition, four things are to be opened. + +1. What is meant by proper, formal, ministerial or stewardly authority +and power for church government? See this already discussed, Part 2, +chapters III., V., and IX., in the beginning of Section 2, so that here +there needs no further addition, as to this point. + +2. What is meant by church guides? By church guides here understand, +negatively, 1. Not the political magistrate. For though he be the +_nurse-father_ of the church, Isa. xlix. 23, _the keeper and avenger of +both the tables_; and _have an outward care of religion_, and _may +exercise a political power about sacred things_, as did Asa, +Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, &c., yet hath he no proper, inward, +formal power in sacred things, nor is it lawful for him to exercise the +same; as Korah, Num. xvi.; King Saul, 1 Sam. xiii. 9-15; Uzzah, 2 Sam. +vi. 6-8, 1 Chron. xiii. 9, 10; and King Uzziah, 2 Chron. xxvi. 16-22, +did to the provoking of God, and to their own destruction. (But see what +power is granted, and what denied to the civil magistrate in matters of +religion, and why, Part 2, Chap. IX. Sect. 1.) 2. Not any officer of +man's mere invention and setting up in the church, whether papal, as +cardinals, &c., prelatical, as deans, archdeacons, chancellors, +officials, &c., or political, as committees, commissioners, &c. For who +can create and institute a new kind of offices in the church, but Jesus +Christ only, who alone hath the lordly magisterial power as Mediator +appropriated to him? Eph. iv. 8, 11; Rom. xii. 5-8; 1 Cor. xii. 28; and +therefore how can such acts be sufficiently excused from bold usurpation +upon Christ's own prerogative? 3. Nor the deacons themselves, (though +officers of Christ's appointment, as was formerly proved;) for their +office is not to rule and govern, but _to serve tables_, &c., Acts vi. +2, 3. None of these are the church guides which Christ hath committed +his proper power unto. But affirmatively understand all these church +guides extraordinary and ordinary, which Christ hath erected in his +Church, vesting them with power and authority therein, viz. apostles, +prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, governments, or ruling +elders, mentioned together in Eph. iv. 8, 11; 1 Cor. xii. 28; 1 Tim. v. +17; Rom. xii. 6-8. These are Christ's own church officers, these Christ +hath made the immediate receptacle and first subject of the keys, or of +ecclesiastical power derived from himself. + +3. What is meant by Christ's committing this stewardly power first and +immediately to the church guides? _Ans_. There is, 1. A priority and +immediateness of the donation of the power of the keys: thus Christ +first and immediately gave keys to his own officers, whom Scripture, +therefore, calls _the ministers of Christ_, (not of the Church,) 1 Cor. +iv. 1, not first and immediately to the community of the faithful, or +Church, and then by the Church secondarily and mediately to the +officers, as her substitutes and delegates, acting for her, and not in +virtue of their own power from Christ. 2. A priority and immediateness +of designation of particular individual persons to the office of +key-bearing, and this is done by the mediate intervening act of the +church officers in separating of particular persons to the office which +Christ instituted; 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 congregation, which yet is no act of +authority or power. + +4. How hath Christ committed this power of the keys to his church +guides, that thereby they become the most proper receptacle thereof? +_Ans_. Thus briefly. All absolute lordly power is in God originally: all +lordly magisterial mediatory power is in Christ dispensatorily: all +official, stewardly power is by delegation from Christ only in the +church guides[93] ministerially, as the only proper subject thereof that +may exercise the same lawfully in Christ's name: yet all power, both +magisterial in Christ, and ministerial in Christ's officers, is for the +Church of Christ and her edification objectively and finally. + +These things thus explained and stated, we come now to the confirmation +of the proposition. Consider these arguments: + +1. Jesus Christ committed immediately ecclesiastical power and the +exercise thereof to his church guides. Thus we may argue: + +_Major_. All those that have ecclesiastical power, and the exercise +thereof, immediately committed to them from Jesus Christ, are the +immediate subject or receptacle of that power. + +For what makes any persons the immediate subject of power, but the +immediate derivation and commission of power to them from Jesus Christ, +who is the fountain of all power? + +_Minor_. But the church guides have the ecclesiastical power and the +exercise thereof immediately committed to them from Jesus Christ. This +may be evinced many ways by Scriptures. 1. It is said expressly, "Of +our authority which the Lord hath given us for your edification," 2 Cor. +10, 8: by _us_ here we are to understand church guides, for here they +are set in opposition to the church members (_for edification_,) not +destruction of (you.) Here are edifiers and edified. Now these church +guides have authority given them, and that from the Lord, i.e. Christ; +here is their commission or power, not from the Church or any creature, +but from Christ; hence the apostle calls church guides, "Your rulers or +guides in the Lord," 1 Thes. v. 12; _in the Lord_, i.e. by the Lord's +authority and commission. So that church officers are _rulers in the +Lord_, and the churches ruled by them; yea, ruling elders being one sort +of church guides, have such an undoubted power of governing in the +Church divinely committed to them, that of them it is said, "God hath +set in the church governments", 1 Cor. xii. 28, i.e. governors, the +abstract being put for the concrete. If _God have set governors in the +Church_, then God vested those governors with a power of governing, +whence they have their name of governments. + +2. The keys of the kingdom of heaven, with all their acts, were +immediately committed to the church guides, viz. to the apostles and +their successors to the end of the world; compare these testimonies, +Matt. xvi. 16, 19, and xviii. 18-20; John xx. 21-23; with Matt, xxviii. +18-20: therefore consequently ecclesiastical power was committed +immediately unto them as the subject thereof. For, _By the kingdom of +heaven_ here we are to understand (according to the full latitude of the +phrase) both the kingdom of grace in this world, and of glory in the +world to come; _binding and loosing both in earth and in heaven_, upon +the right use of the keys, being here the privileges promised to church +guides; and _by kingdom of heaven_--on earth, understand the whole +visible Church of Christ in the earth, not only some single +congregation. By _keys of the kingdom of heaven_, thus apprehend, Christ +promiseth and giveth not the sword _of the kingdom_, any secular power; +nor the sceptre _of the kingdom_, any sovereign, lordly, magisterial +power over the Church. But the _keys_, &c. i.e. a stewardly, ministerial +power, and their acts, _binding and loosing_, i.e. _retaining and +remitting sins on earth_, (as in John it is explained;) opening and +shutting are proper acts of keys; binding and loosing but metaphorical, +viz. a speech borrowed from bonds or chains wherewith men's bodies are +bound in prison or in captivity, or from which the body is loosed: we +are naturally all under sin, Rom. v. 12, and therefore liable to death, +Rom. vi. 23. Now sins are to the soul as bonds and cords, Prov. v. 22. +_The bond of iniquity_, Acts viii. 23; and death with the pains thereof, +are as chains, 2 Pet. ii. 4, Jude 6; in hell as in a prison, 1 Pet. +iii. 10: the remission or retaining of these sins, is the loosing or the +binding of the soul under these cords and chains. So that the keys +themselves are not material but metaphorical; a metaphor from stewards +in great men's houses, kings' houses, &c., into whose hands the whole +trust and ordering of household affairs is committed, who take in and +cast out servants, open and shut doors, &c., do all without control of +any in the family save the master of the family. Such, in the Hebrew +phrase, are said to be _over the house_, Gen. xliii. 18; Isa. xxii. 15; +2 Kings xviii. 18: and the keys of the house are committed to them as a +badge of their power. So that when God threatens to put Shebna out of +his office in the king's house, and to place Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, in +his room, he saith, "I will commit thy government into his hand--and the +key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder," Isa. xxii. 21, +22, parallel of that phrase, "and the government shall be upon his +shoulder," Isa. ix. 6. Hence, as key is in the Old Testament used for +stewardly power and government, Isa. xxii. 21, 22; (only twice properly, +Judges iii. 25; 1 Chron. ix. 27;) so in the New Testament, _key_ is +always used, metaphorically, to denote power, and that about +ecclesiasticals or spirituals, viz. in Matt. xvi. 19; Luke xi. 52; Rev. +i. 18, and iii. 7, and ix. 1, and xx. 1. So that _keys_, &c., are +metaphorically the ordinances which Christ hath instituted, to be +dispensed in his church, preaching the word, administrations of the +seals and censures: for it is not said _key_, but _keys_, which +comprehendeth them all: by the right use of which both the gates of the +Church here, and of heaven hereafter, are opened or shut to believers or +unbelievers; and Christ promising or giving these _keys_ to Peter and +the apostles, and their successors _to the end of the world_, Matt. +xxviii. 20, doth intrust and invest them with power and authority of +dispensing these ordinances for this end, and so makes them _stewards_ +in his house _of the mysteries of God_, 1 Cor. iv. 1, so that we may +conclude: + +_Conclusion_. Therefore the church guides are the immediate subject and +receptacle of that ecclesiastical power, and of the exercise thereof. + +_Argum_. II. 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 constituted. +Therefore those persons that were intrusted with those offices must +needs be the first and immediate receptacle or subject of the power of +the keys. Thus we may argue: + +_Major_. All those whose ecclesiastical offices for church government, +under the New Testament, were instituted by Christ, before any formal +visible Christian Church was gathered or constituted, are the first and +immediate receptacle or subject of the power of the keys from Jesus +Christ. + +_Minor_. But the ecclesiastical offices of Christ's own officers for +governing of the Church, now under the New Testament, were instituted by +Christ before any formal visible Christian Church was gathered or +constituted. + +_Conclusion_. 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 Christ. + +The major proposition cannot reasonably be denied, and may be further +cleared by these considerations, viz: 1. That the Church offices for +church government under the New Testament are in their own nature +intrinsically offices of power. The apostle styles it _power_, or +_authority_, which is _given_ to these officers by _the Lord_, 2 Cor. x. +8, and xiii. 10. _The keys of the kingdom of heaven_ are committed to +them, Matt. xvi. 19, and _keys_ import a stewardly power: compare Matt. +xvi. 19, and xviii. 18, John xx. 21, 23, with Isa. xxii. 21, 22. +Materially, the acts and exercise of these officers are acts of power, +as _binding, loosing_, &c., Matt, xviii. 18; not only _preaching_, &c., +but _excommunicating_, is an act of power, 1 Cor. v. 4. Absolving the +penitent, and confirming him again in the Church's love, is an act of +power:--_to confirm love unto him_, i.e. authoritatively to confirm, +&c., as the word signifies, 2 Cor. ii. 8. Formally, these acts are to be +done as acts of power, in Christ's name, and by his authority, Matt. +xxviii. 19; 1 Cor. v. 4. Now if these offices be in their own nature +offices of power, consequently they that have such offices conferred +upon them by Christ, before the Christian Church had being or existence, +they must needs be the first and immediate recipient subject of the +power of the keys from Christ. 2. Either those church officers, whose +offices were instituted before the Christian Church was constituted, +must be the first subject of the power, &c., or some others. If any +other, then, 1. Either heathens, or heathen magistrates, who are out of +the Church: but both these were absurd to grant; for then they that are +not so much as church members should be church governors, and the Church +be ecclesiastically judged by them that are without. 2. Or the first +subject of this power was the Christian Church itself before it had +existence; but that were notoriously absurd; and besides these, no other +can be imagined, but the church officers; therefore they must needs be +the first subject of the power of the keys. + +The minor proposition (viz. But the ecclesiastical offices of Christ's +own officers for governing of the Church now under the New Testament, +were instituted by Christ before any formal visible Christian Church +was gathered or constituted) is so evident in the current of the New +Testament, that it needs little confirmation. For, 1. The church offices +under the New Testament, as apostleship, pastorship, &c., were +instituted by Christ either before his death--compare these places +together, Mark iii. 13, 14, &c.; Luke ix. 1, &c., and x. 1, 2, &c.; John +xx. 21-23; Matt, xxviii. 18-20--or presently upon his ascension, Eph. +iv. 8, 11, 12, &c.; Acts ii.; 1 Cor. xiii. 28. Now no formal Christian +Church was constituted and gathered till the feast of Pentecost and +afterwards. Then, after the apostles had received the gifts of the Holy +Ghost, &c., Acts ii., great multitudes of Jews and Gentiles were +converted to Christ, and being converted, incorporated and associated +themselves into churches, as the history of the Acts, chap, ii., and +forward, evidenceth abundantly. 2. Church officers, under the New +Testament, are for the calling and gathering men unto Christ, and to his +body mystical; and for admitting of those that believe into that one +body, Matt, xxviii. 18, 19; 1 Cor. xii. 28. And is not he that calleth, +before them that are called by them; they that baptize, before the +baptized; and they that gather the churches, before those churches which +they gather? May we not hence conclude, _Therefore_, &c. + +_Argum_. III. The names, titles, and other denominations purposely and +peculiarly given to the church guides in Scripture, generally do bear +power and authority engraven upon their foreheads. _Therefore_, they are +the proper, immediate, and only subjects of ecclesiastical power. Thus +we may argue: + +_Major_. All those persons in the Church, that have such names, titles, +or denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the +Spirit of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon +them in reference to the Church, are the immediate and only proper +subjects of ecclesiastical power. + +_Minor_. But Christ's officers in the Church have such names, titles, or +denominations given to them peculiarly in the Scriptures by the Spirit +of Christ, as generally have authority and power engraven upon them in +reference to the Church. + +_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ's own officers in the Church are the +proper, immediate, and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical +power. + +This major proposition must be granted. For, 1. Is not this the Holy +Ghost's familiar and ordinary manner in Scripture, to give titles and +denominations, which are apt, pertinent, significative and instructing +both to others and themselves that have such denominations conferred +upon them? As in the family, the husband is called _the head of the +wife_, 1 Cor. xi., because he is to govern, she is to be subject: the +wife is called _an help-meet_, &c., Gen. ii.: to teach the wife her +duty, to help his good and comfort every way, to hinder it no way. So in +the commonwealth, magistrates are called _heirs of restraint, to put men +to shame_, Judges xviii. 7, because they are to restrain disorders, +shame evil-doers: higher powers, to teach others subjection to them, +Rom. xiii. 1. "An ordinance of man or human creation," 1 Pet. ii. 13: +because, though magistracy in general be an ordinance of God, yet this +or that special kind of magistracy, whether monarchical, aristocratical, +&c., is of man. Thus in the Church: the Church is called _Christ's +body_, Ephes. iv. 12, to show Christ's headship, the Church's subjection +to Christ, and their near union to one another. Christians are called +_members_, Rom. xii.; 1 Cor. xii., to teach them mutual love, care, and +serviceableness to one another. Ministers are called _ambassadors of +Christ_, 2 Cor. v. _Angels of the churches_, Rev. ii., to teach them to +be faithful in their offices, and others to respect them for their +offices. _Salt of the earth_, Matt. v. 13, because they are to season +others spiritually. _Stars_, Rev. i., because they are to shine forth +for the enlightening and guiding of others, &c. 2. If this proposition +be denied, then to what end are such names and denominations, importing +authority, generally given by the Spirit of God to some sort of persons +only, and not to others? Is it for no end? That would be a dangerous +charge upon the Spirit of Christ. Is it for any end? Then what other can +be imagined, than to signify, hold forth, and instruct both themselves +and others in their duties, and to distinguish them that are vested with +authority in the Church, from them that are not? + +The _major proposition_ (viz. But Christ's own officers in the Church +have such names, titles, or denominations given to them peculiarly in +the Scriptures by the Spirit of Christ, as generally have authority and +power engraven upon them in reference to the Church) may be evinced, 1. +By induction of particular names attributed to Christ's officers. 2. By +a denial of them, or the like, to any other members of the Church. + +1. By induction of particular titles or denominations attributed to +Christ's officers, which generally have power and authority palpably +engraven upon them: (yea, the self-same names are given to them, by +which not only heathen writers, but also the Greek version of the Old +Testament by the Septuagint, and the very original of the New Testament +are wont to give to political officers, to express their political +authority, power, and government,) as, for instance: + +1. _Presbyter or elder_, is ascribed often to Christ's church officers, +as in Acts xiv. 23, and xv. 2, 4, and xx. 17; 1 Tim. v. 17; Tit. v.; 1 +Pet. v. 1. This same word is ascribed to _rulers political_, to _elders +in the gate_, by the Septuagint, in Judges viii. 14; Ruth iv. 2, 3; 2 +Sam. v. 3; 1 Chron. vi. 3. + +2. _Overseer_ or _bishop_, noting authority and power in having the +charge and oversight of the flock, is ascribed to church officers in +Acts xx. 28; Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; Tit. i. 7. This same word is +used by the Septuagint, to denote the power of the civil magistrate, to +whom the care and oversight of the commonwealth is committed, Numb. +xxxi. 14; Judges ix. 28; 2 Kings xi. 15. + +3. _Guide, leader, conductor, captain, governor_, signifies them all, +and is given to church officers, as contradistinct from the _church_ and +_saints_, Heb. xiii. 7, 17, 24. It is also attributed to civil rulers to +set forth their power, in Deut. i. 13; Micah iii. 9, 11; 2 Chron. v. 1; +Ezek. xliv. 3, and xlv. 7; Dan. iii. 2; Acts vii. 10. This very word +_governor_, is attributed to Christ himself, _out of thee shall come +forth a governor, that shall rule_ (or _feed_) _my people Israel_, Matt. +ii. 6. + +4. _Steward, dispenser_. "Stewards of the mysteries of God," is the +title given to ministers, 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. "Steward of God," Tit. i. 7. +"That faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his +household," &c., Luke xii. 42. This also is a title of power given to +them that are set over families, as Gal. iv. 2, "he is under tutors and +stewards." And to them that are set over cities--as Rom. xvi. 23, +"Erastus the steward" (or as we render it, _the chamberlain_) "of the +city saluteth you." + +5. _Pastor_ is ascribed to Christ's officers; Eph. iv. 11, "and some +pastors and teachers." They govern the Church as the shepherd his flock, +feeding, ruling them as well with the shepherd's staff, as with food. +This term is sometimes given to civil magistrates, Isa. xliv. 28; Micah +v. 5: sometimes to Christ the great shepherd of the sheep, 1 Pet. v. 4; +noting his authority, Matt. xxvi. 31; John x. 2, 11, 14, 16; Heb. xiii. +20; 1 Pet. ii. 25: sometimes to God himself the supreme Ruler of the +world, Ps. lxxx. 1. + +6. _Governments_, a denomination given to _ruling elders_, 1 Cor. xii. +28, as hath been proved Sect. 1 of this Chapter. A metaphor from +mariners or pilots, that steer and govern the ship: translated thence, +to signify the power and authority of church governors, spiritual +pilots, steering the ship or ark of Christ's Church. This word is used +also by heathen authors, to signify political governors.[94] + +_Ruler_. 1 Tim. v. 17, "Let the elders that rule well"--and, + +"He that ruleth," Rom. xii. 8, and "Your rulers in the Lord," 1 Thes. +v. 12, viz. not only in the fear of the Lord,[95] nor only in those +things that appertain to God's worship,[96] but also in the Lord; i.e. +who are over you, to rule according to the will of the Lord,[97] even by +the Lord Christ's power and authority derived to them. Now these names +are among heathen authors ascribed to rulers of cities, armies, and +kingdoms.[98] + +By these among other titles given to Christ's officers in Scripture, he +that runs may read a plain authority and power enstamped on them in +reference to the Church; and consequently on them that are thus +denominated, unless they be applied to them improperly, unfitly, +abusively; which we suppose no sober intelligent reader dare affirm. + +2. By a denial of these and like titles to the whole Church of Christ, +or to any other members of the Church whatsoever, besides church +officers. For where can it be showed in all the book of God, that in +this sense, either the whole Church or any members thereof besides +officers, are ever styled _presbyters, bishops, governors, stewards of +God, or of the mysteries of God, pastors, governments, or rulers_? The +greatest factors for popular government must let this alone forever. +Thus, from all that hath been said, we need not fear to conclude: + +_Conclusion_. Therefore Christ's own officers in the Church are the +proper, immediate, and only subjects or receptacles of ecclesiastical +power. + +_Argum_. IV. The relations which Christ's officers have unto his Church, +imply and comprehend in themselves authority and power in reference to +the Church, and therefore they are the proper subjects of ecclesiastical +power. Thus we reason: + +_Major_. Whosoever they are that peculiarly stand in such relations to +the Church of Christ, as imply and comprehend in themselves authority +and power for governing of the Church, they are the only subject of +ecclesiastical power. + +This proposition is evident; for, otherwise, to what end are those +peculiar relations to the Church which comprehend government in them, +unless such as are so peculiarly related be the only subjects of +government? Shall all those relations be mere names and shadows? or +shall others in the church be counted the subject of this authority and +power for church government, that have no such relations to the Church +at all implying any such power? + +_Minor_. 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 church. + +This assumption or minor proposition will be evident by a due induction +of some of their particular relations that have such power enstamped on +them; as for instance, Christ's officers stand in these relations of +power to the Church and people of God. + +1. _They are pastors_, Eph. iv. 11. The church is the _flock_, John x. +16; 1 Cor. ix. 7; _flock_, Acts xx. 28, 29; 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. Hath not the +_pastor_ power to rule and govern his _flock_? + +2. They are _stewards_. "Who is that faithful and wise steward?" Luke +xii. 42. "Stewards of the mysteries of God," 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. "Stewards +of God," Tit. i. 7. The Church and people of God are the Lord's +_household_, over which these stewards are set, &c., Luke xii. 42. +_God's house_, 1 Tim. iii. 15; Heb. iii. 6. Have not stewards power to +govern and order those _families_ over which they are set, and wherewith +they are intrusted? Gal. iv. 1. + +3. They are _bishops_ or _overseers_, Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; Tit. i. +7. The Church and people of God are that _charge_ which the Lord hath +committed to their inspection. "Over which the Holy Ghost hath made you +overseers," Acts xx. 28. Have not _overseers_ power over that which is +_committed to their inspection_? + +4. They are _catechizers_ and _teachers_, Rom. xii. 7, 8; Eph. iv. 11. +The Church and people are _catechized_, Gal. vi. 6; _taught_. Hath not +he that _catechizeth_ power for government of him that is _catechized_? +He that _teacheth_ of him that is _taught_? + +5. They are _co-workers_ with God, 1 Cor. iii. 9; 2 Cor. vi. 1. +_Architects, builders_, &c., 1 Cor. iii. 10; some of them _laying the +foundation, others building thereupon_. The Church and people of God are +God's building. "Ye are God's building," 1 Cor. iii. 9. Have not +_builders_ power of disposing and ordering affairs appertaining to the +_building_? + +6. Finally, to add no more, the officers of Christ in the Church are not +only as _nurses_; "We _were_ gentle among you, even as a nurse +cherisheth her children," 1 Thess. ii. 7: and as _mothers_; "My little +children, of whom I travail in birth again," Gal. iv. 19: but also as +_fathers_, 1 Thess. ii. 11; 1 Cor. iv. 15, spiritual fathers in Christ: +and the Church and people of God, they are the _sons_ and _daughters_, +the spiritual _babes_ and _children_, begotten, brought forth, and +nursed up by them, 1 Thess. ii. 7, 11; Gal. iv. 19: and have fathers no +authority nor power of government over their children? See Eph. vi. 1-3; +1 Tim. iii. 4. + +Thus Christ's officers stand in such relation to the Church as do +evidently carry power of government along with them; but where are any +other members of the church besides officers, stated in such relation of +_pastors, stewards, overseers, catechizers, builders, husbandmen, +nurses, mothers_, and _fathers_ to the Church of God and members of +Christ, that can be evidenced by the Scriptures? Why may we not then +clearly conclude, + +_Conclusion_. Therefore the officers of Christ are the only subjects of +ecclesiastical power. + +_Argum_. V. The many divine commands and impositions of duties of +obedience, submission, subjection, &c., upon the Church and people of +God, to be performed by them to Christ's officers, and that in reference +to their office, 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 Church. Thus it may be argued: + +_Major_. Whatsoever persons they are to whom the Church and people of +God are peculiarly bound by the commands of Christ, to perform duties of +obedience and subjection, and that in reference to their office in the +church, they are the only subjects of authority from Christ for the +government of his Church. + +This proposition needs no proof, 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 them, that yet have no peculiar +authority nor power over them, and that in reference to their office in +the church. + +_Minor_. 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 subjection, and that in reference to their +office in the church. + +This assumption or minor proposition may be evidenced, 1. Partly by +induction of some particular instances of Christ's commands, whereby the +Church and people of God are bound to perform duties of obedience and +subjection to the officers of Christ, in reference to their office in +the church. 2. Partly by a denial of the like commands in reference to +all others in the church, except the officers of the church only. + +Touching the first, viz. the instances of such commands, consider these +following. The Church and people of God are commanded, + +1. To know their rulers. "We beseech you, brethren, to know them that +labor among you, and are over you in the Lord," 1 Thess. v. 12. _To +know_, i.e., not simply and merely to know, but to acknowledge, accept, +and approve of them as such rulers over you in the Lord. This teaches +subjection to the office of ruling. + +2. To love them exceedingly for their work's sake. "Esteem them +superabundantly in love for their work's sake," 1 Thess. v. 13. For what +work? viz. both laboring and ruling, mentioned verse 12. If they must +love them so exceedingly for ruling over them, must they not much more +be obedient to this rule? + +3. To count them worthy of double honor in reference to their +well-ruling. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double +honor, especially--," 1 Tim. v. 17: whether we take _double honor_ here +for reverence or maintenance, or both; yet how can we esteem the _elders +ruling well worthy of double honor_ without some submission to their +rule? + +4. To obey them that are their rulers and governors. _Obey ye your +rulers, or governors_, Heb. xiii. 17; where the words _obey ye_ doth not +(as some dream) signify a persuasion, but obedience, and in this sense +it is commonly used, not only in profane authors, but also in the Holy +Scriptures, as James iii. 3, Gal. iii. 1. + +5. Finally, to submit and be subordinate unto them. The Church and +people of God are charged to submit unto them. "Obey your governors and +submit ye," Heb. xiii. 17. The word properly notes a submissive yielding +without opposition or resistance; yea, it signifies intense obedience. +They must not only yield, but yield with subjection and submission, +which relates to authority. They are also charged to be subordinate to +them. "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elders," 1 Pet. v. +5; i.e., _be ye subordinate_, (it is a military term,) viz: be ordered, +ranked, guided, governed, disciplined by them, as soldiers are by their +commanders. The word _elders_ here is by some taken only for elders in +age, and not in office. But it seems better to interpret it of elders in +office; and the context well agrees with this; for the apostle having +immediately before charged the ruling preaching presbyters with their +duties towards their flock, ver. 1-4, here he seems to enjoin the ruled +flock (which commonly were younger in age and gifts) to look to their +duties of subjection to their elders in office. + +Touching the second, viz. the denial of like commands, and upon like +grounds to all others in the church, except to the church officers only: +where can it be evidenced in all the Scriptures that the people of God +are commanded to know, to esteem very highly in love, to count worthy of +double honor, to obey, and submit themselves to any persons in the +church but to the ruling officers thereof in reference to their office, +and the due execution thereof? + +Now, seeing the Church and people of God are peculiarly obliged, by so +many commands of Christ, to perform such duties of subjection and +obedience to the officers of Christ, may it not be concluded, + +Therefore the officers of Christ are the only subjects of authority from +Christ for the government of his Church? + +_Argum_. VI. Finally, the directions touching rule and government in the +Church; the encouragements to well-ruling by commendations, promises, +rewards, together with the contrary deterring discouragements from +ill-ruling, by discommendations, threats, &c., being specially applied +and appropriated by the word of Christ unto Christ's officers, very +notably discover to us that Christ's officers are the only subjects of +power from Christ for the government of his Church. Thus it may be +argued: + +_Major_. Whatsoever persons in the Church have directions for church +government, encouragements to well-ruling, and discouragements from +ill-ruling, particularly and peculiarly applied unto them by the word of +Christ; they are the only subjects of power from Christ for the +government of his Church: + +This proposition is evident: For, 1. 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 Christ? 2. How can it +stand with the justice of God to encourage them only unto well-ruling, +by commendations, promises, rewards, &c., or to deter them from +ill-governing by dispraises, threats, &c., &c., to whom the power of +government doth not appertain, as to the only subjects thereof? 3. What +strange apprehensions and distractions would this breed in the hearts of +Christ's officers and others, should those that have not the power of +church government committed to them by Christ, be yet directed by his +word how to govern, encouraged in governing well, and deterred from +governing ill? + +_Minor_. But the officers of Christ in the church have directions for +church government, encouragements to well-ruling, and discouragements +from ill-ruling, particularly and peculiarly applied unto them by the +word of God. + +This assumption or minor proposition may be cleared by divers Scriptures +according to the particular branches thereof, viz: + +1. Directions for church government are particularly applied by the word +of Christ to his own officers: as for instance, they are directed to +_bind and loose_--to _remit_ and _retain sins on earth_, Matt. xvi. 19, +and xviii. 18; John xx. 21, 23. _To judge them that are within the_ +Church, _not without_, 1 Cor. v. 12. _Not to lord it, domineer_, or +_overrule the flock of Christ_, 1 Pet. v. To _rule well_, 1 Tim. v. 17. +To rule _with diligence_, Rom. xii. 8. To _lay hands suddenly on no man, +neither to be partakers of other men's sins, but to keep themselves +pure_, 1 Tim. v. 22. _Not to prefer one before another, nor do anything +by partiality_, 1 Tim. v. 21. _To rebuke them that sin before all, that +others also may fear_, 1 Tim. v. 20. _To reject a heretic after once or +twice admonition_, Tit. iii. 10. To use the _authority that is given +them from the Lord to the edification, not to the destruction_ of the +Church, 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10; with divers such like rules specially +directed to Christ's officers. + +2. Encouragements to well-ruling are peculiarly directed to Christ's +officers. For, 1. They are the persons specially commended in that +respect; _well-ruling_, 1 Tim. v. 17. _Good and faithful steward_, Luke +xii. 42. The angels of the churches are praised for their good +government, Rev. ii. 2, 3, 6, and ver. 18, 19. 2. They are the persons +to whom the promises, in reference to good government, are directed, as +Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18-20; John xx. 21, 23; Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; +Luke xii. 42-44; 1 Pet. v. 4. 3. They are the persons whom the Lord will +have peculiarly rewarded, now with _double honor_, 1 Tim. v. 17; +hereafter with _endless glory_, 1 Pet. v. 4. + +3. Discouragements, deterring from ill-governing, are also specially +applied to Christ's officers, whether by way of dispraise or threats, +&c., Rev. ii. 12, 14-16, and ver. 18, 20. + +Now if, 1. Rules for church government, 2. Encouragements in reference +to well ruling, and, 3. Discouragements in reference to ill-ruling, be +so peculiarly directed by the word of Christ to his own officers, we may +conclude, + +Therefore the officers of Christ in the Church are the only subjects of +power from Christ for the government of his Church. + +_Object_. But the church[99] of a particular congregation fully +furnished with officers, and rightly walking in judgment and peace, is +the first subject of all church authority, as appears from the example +of the church of Corinth in the excommunication of the incestuous +Corinthian, 1 Cor. v. 1-5; wherein it appears that the presbytery alone +did not put forth this power, but the brethren also concurred in this +sentence with some act of power, (viz. a negative power:) for, 1. The +reproof, for not proceeding to sentence sooner, is directed to the whole +Church, as well as to the presbytery. They are all blamed for not +mourning, &c., 1 Cor. v. 2. 2. The command is directed to them all, when +they are gathered together, (_and what is that but to a church +meeting?_) to proceed against him, 1 Cor. v. 4, 13. 3. He declareth this +act of theirs, in putting him out, to be a judicial act, ver. 12. 4. +Upon his repentance the apostle speaketh to the brethren, as well as to +their elders, to forgive him, 2 Cor. ii. 4-10. Consequently, Christ's +church officers are not the peculiar, immediate, or only subject of the +power of the keys, as hath been asserted. + +_Ans_. I. As for the main proposition asserted in this objection, +something hath been formerly laid down to show the unsoundness of it. +(See chap. X. near the end.) Whereunto thus much may be superadded. 1. +What necessity is there that a particular congregation should be fully +furnished with officers, to make it the subject of all church authority? +For deacons are one sort of officers, yet what authority is added to the +Church by the addition of deacons, whose office it is only to serve +tables, Acts vi., not to rule the Church? or if the Church have no +deacons, as once it had not, Acts i. 2, and before that, all the time +from Christ, wherein is she maimed or defective in her authority? 2. If +the Church, fully furnished with officers, yet walk not in judgment and +peace, then in such case it is granted, that a particular congregation +is not the first subject of all church authority. Then a congregation +that walks in error or heresy, or passion, or profaneness, all which are +contrary to judgment; and that walks in divisions, schisms, contentions, +&c., which are contrary to peace, loseth her authority. Stick but close +to this principle, and you will quickly lay the church authority of most +independent congregations in the dust. But who shall determine whether +they walk in judgment and peace, or not? Not themselves; for that were +to make parties judges in their own case, and would produce a very +partial sentence. Not sister churches; for all particular churches, +according to them, have equal authority, and none may usurp one over +another. Not a presbyterial church, for such they do not acknowledge. +Then it must be left undetermined, yea undeterminable, (according to +their principles;) consequently, who can tell when they have any +authority at all? 3. Suppose the congregation had all her officers, and +walked in judgment and peace also, yet is she not the first subject of +all authority; for there is a synodal authority, beyond a congregational +authority, as confessed by Mr. Cotton.[100] + +II. As for the proofs of this proposition asserted here, they seem +extremely invalid and unsatisfying. For, + +The instance of the church of Corinth excommunicating the incestuous +person, will not prove the congregation to be the first subject of all +church authority: 1. Partly, because the church of Corinth was a +presbyterial church, having several congregations in it, (as hereafter +is evidenced, chap. XIII.;) now to argue from the authority of a +presbyterial church, to the authority of a congregational, +affirmatively, is not cogent. 2. Partly, because here were but two acts +of power mentioned in this instance, viz. casting out and receiving +again of the incestuous person: suppose the community had joined the +presbytery in these two acts, (which yet is not proved,) will it follow +therefore they are the first subject of all church authority? Are not +ordination of presbyters, determination in case of appeals, of schism, +of heresy, &c., acts of authority above the sphere of a single +congregation? What one congregation can be instanced in the New +Testament that did ever execute any of these acts of authority? + +The reasons brought, prove not that the brethren did concur with the +presbytery in this sentence with some act of power, as will appear +plainly, if they be considered severally. + +1. Not the reproof, 1 Cor. v. 2, "And ye are puffed up, and have not +rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away +from among you." Here they are blamed, that they no more laid to heart +so vile a scandal, which should have been matter of mourning to the +whole congregation; that they instead of mourning were puffed up, +gloried in their shame; and that they sluggishly neglected to endeavor, +in their sphere, his casting out. And all this blame might justly be +charged upon the whole church, the fraternity as well as the presbytery: +the scandal of one member should be the grief of the whole body of the +church. What then? Hath therefore the fraternity, as well as the +presbytery, power to cast him out? That were a miserable consequence +indeed: the people should not only have mourned for the sin, but have +urged the presbytery to have proceeded to sentence, and after sentence +have withdrawn from him, in obedience to the sentence; but none of all +these can amount to a proper act of church authority in them. + +2. Nor doth the apostle's command prove the people's concurrence in any +act of power with the presbytery, 1 Cor. v. 4, 5, "In the name of our +Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, to deliver such an one +unto Satan," &c.: ver. 7, "Purge out therefore the old leaven," &c.: and +ver. 13, "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." +In which passages it is supposed the apostle directs his injunction to +them all (as well as to their presbytery) when they come together in +their church meeting to proceed to sentence. + +But against this reason, well ponder upon these considerations, viz: 1. +It is certain beyond all controversy, that the apostle did not direct +these commands to the whole church of Corinth absolutely, and +universally, without all exception and limitation to any members at all: +for by his own rule, "Women must be silent in their churches, it being a +shame for a woman to speak in the church," 1 Cor. xiv. 34, 35, and +children or fools were not able to judge. Hence it is evident that a +church absolutely and universally taken, cannot possibly be the +ministerial ruling church which hath the authority. 2. It is evident to +any man that is but moderately acquainted with the Scriptures, that God +useth to direct his commands, reproofs, and other speeches to a people +indifferently, and as it were collectively and generally, which yet he +intends should be particularly applied and appropriated; not to all, but +to this or that person or persons, only among such a people +distributively and respectively; according to their respective callings, +interests, relations, &c., as in the Old Testament God directs a command +to the people of Israel indefinitely, and as it were collectively, to +kill enticers to idolatry, false prophets, Deut. xiii. 9; but intended +that the judge should sentence him, finding him guilty by witnesses. The +Lord also directs his command to all the people, as it were +collectively, to put out of the camp "every one that was a leper, and +had an issue, or was defiled by the dead," Numb. v. 2; but intended that +the priest should peculiarly take and apply this command to himself, who +was to judge in these cases. See Lev. xiii. and elsewhere. So in the New +Testament the apostle praised the Corinthians indefinitely, and as it +were collectively, for "remembering him in all things, and keeping the +ordinances as he delivered them to them," 1 Cor. xi. 2; wherein he +intended only to commend the virtuous; and after he discommends them +indefinitely for "coming together not for better, but for worse," 1 Cor. +xi. 17; intending only their dispraise that were herein particularly +delinquent among them. Again, he speaks indefinitely, and as it were +collectively and generally, "Ye may all prophesy one by one," 1 Cor. +xiv. 31; but he intended it only to the prophets respectively, not to +all the members; for he saith elsewhere, "Are all prophets?" 1 Cor. xii. +29. And writing to the churches of Galatia, Gal. i. 2, against false +teachers he speaks thus to all those churches collectively, "A little +leaven leaveneth the whole lump," Gal. v. 9. And, "I would they were +even cut off who trouble you," ver. 12. Now every one of these churches +were to apply this to themselves respectively, Independents themselves +being judges. So here in this present case of the church of Corinth, the +apostle directs his commands to them, as it were collectively, about +putting away the incestuous person, which commands were particularly to +be put in execution by the presbytery in that church in whose hands the +church authority was.[101] + +Thus taking these commands, 1 Cor. v. 4, 7, 13, though directed +indefinitely, and as it were collectively to the whole church, yet +intended respectively to be put in execution by the presbytery in that +church, they hold forth no concurrence of the people in any act of power +at all with the church officers or presbytery. And it is a good note +which Cameron[102] hath upon this place, "These things that are written +in this epistle are so to be taken of the presbytery and of the people, +that every one both of the presbyters and of the people, should +interpret the command according to the reason of his office." 3. When +the apostle reciteth the proceedings of the church in this very case of +the incestuous person, in his 2d epistle, he saith, "Sufficient to such +a man is this punishment" (or censure) "which was inflicted of many," 2 +Cor. ii. 6. It is very observable, he saith not, _of all_; nor _of +many_, but _of the chief ones_, viz. the church officers, who had the +rule and government of the church committed to them: (the article _the_ +being emphatical;) for this word translated _many_ may as well be +translated chief, denoting worth, &c., as many, denoting number. And in +this sense the Holy Ghost ofttimes useth this word in the New Testament; +as for instance, "Is not the life better than meat?" Matt. vi. 25. +"Behold, a greater than Jonah is here," Matt. xii. 41. "And behold, a +greater than Solomon is here," Matt. xii. 41. "To love him with all the +heart," &c., "is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices," +Mark xii. 33. And again, ver. 43, "This poor widow hath cast more than +all they," &c. And thus it is frequently used to signify quality, worth, +greatness, dignity, eminency, &c., and so it may be conveniently +interpreted in this of the Corinthians. 4. Though all proper acts of +authority appertain only to the church officers, yet we are not against +the people's fraternal concurrence therewith. People may incite the +presbytery to the acts of their office; people may be present at the +administration of censures, &c., by the elders, as Cyprian of old would +dispatch all public acts, the people being present; people may judge +with a judgment of discretion, acclamation, and approbation, &c., as the +elders judge with a judgment of power; and people afterwards may, yea +must, withdraw from delinquents sentenced, that the sentence may attain +its proposed end. But none of these are properly any acts of power. + +3. Nor doth the apostle's expression, verse 12, "Do you not judge them +that are within?" prove that the people concur with any authoritative +act in the elders' sentence. For, 1. This being spoken to them +indefinitely, was to be applied distributively and respectively, only to +them to whom it properly appertained, viz. the elders, as hath been +showed. They only have authority to judge. 2. Such a judgment is allowed +to the saints in church censures, as shall be allowed to them when the +saints shall judge the world, yea angels, 1 Cor. vi. 1-3, viz. in both a +judgment of acclamation, approbation, &c., as assessors, as people judge +at the assizes; not in either a judgment of authority, which the judge +and jury only do pronounce. + +4. Nor, finally, doth the apostle's direction to forgive the incestuous, +being penitent, 2 Cor. ii. 4-10, which seems to be given to all, prove +the people's concurrence with the elders in any act of power. For the +authoritative forgiving and receiving him again, belonged only to the +elders; the charitable forgiving, receiving, and comforting of him, +belonged also to the people. As the judge and jury at an assizes, acquit +by judgment of authority, the people only by judgment of discretion and +acclamation. + +Thus it appears how little strength is in this instance of the church of +Corinth, (though supposed to be the strongest ground the Independents +have,) for the propping up of their popular government, and +authoritative suffrage of the people. + + +SECTION III. + +III. Having thus considered the subject of authority and power for +church government: 1. Negatively, what it is not, viz. neither the +political magistrate, nor yet the community of the faithful, or whole +body of the people, Chap. IX. and X. 2. Positively, what it is, viz. +Christ's own officers in his church, as hath been explained and +evidenced, Sect. 2, of this Chap. 3. Now, in the third and last place, +we are to insist a little further upon this subject of the power, by way +of explanation: and to inquire, seeing Christ's officers are found to be +the subject of this power, in what sense or notion they are the subject +and receptacle of this authority and power from Christ, whether jointly +or severally; as solitarily and single from one another, or associated +and incorporated into assemblies with one another; or in both respects? + +For resolution herein we must remember that distribution of the keys, or +of proper ecclesiastical power, (which was briefly mentioned before in +Part 2, Chap. III.) into that which is, + +1. More special and peculiar to the office of some church governors, +which by virtue of their office they are to execute and discharge: thus +it is peculiar to the minister's office, 1. To preach the word; compare +these places together, Matt. xxviii. 18-20, John xx. 21-23, Rom. x. 15, +1 Tim. v. 17, Heb. xiii. 7, 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2, &c. 2. _To dispense the +sacraments_, Matt. xxviii. 18-20, 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25. The word and +sacraments were joined together in the same commission to the same +officers, viz. the preaching presbyters, &c., as is evident in that of +Matt. xxviii. 19. + +2. More general and common to the office of all church governors, as the +power of censures, viz. admonishing, excommunicating, and absolving, and +of such other acts as necessarily depend thereupon; wherein not only the +preaching, but also the ruling elders are to join and contribute their +best assistance; as may be collected from these several testimonies of +Scripture, Matt. xviii. 17, 18, _Tell the Church_,[103] 1 Cor. v. 2-13, +2 Cor. ii. 6-12, compared with Rom. xii. 8, 1 Cor. xii. 28, and 1 Tim. +v. 17. + +Now these officers of Christ, viz. they that labor in the word and +doctrine, and the ruling elders, are the subject of this power of +jurisdiction as they are united in one body, hence called a Church, +Matth. xviii. 18, viz. the governing or ruling church; for no other can +there be meant; and presbytery,[104] i.e. a society or assembly of +presbyters together, 1 Tim. iv. 14. + +The presbyters, elderships, or assemblies wherein these officers are +united and associated, are of two sorts, viz: 1. The lesser assemblies, +consisting of the ministers and ruling elders in each single +congregation; which, for distinction's sake, is styled the +congregational eldership. 2. The greater assemblies, consisting of +church governors sent from several churches and united into one body, +for governing of all these churches within their own bounds, whence +their members were sent. These greater assemblies are either +presbyterial or synodal. 1. Presbyterial, consisting of the ministers +and elders of several adjacent or neighboring single congregations, or +parish churches, ruling those several congregations in common; this kind +of assembly is commonly called the presbytery, or, for distinction's +sake, the classical presbytery, i.e. the presbytery of such a rank of +churches. 2. Synodal, consisting of ministers and elders, sent from +presbyterial assemblies, to consult and conclude about matters of common +and great concernment to the church within their limits. Such was that +assembly mentioned, Acts xv. These synodal assemblies are either, 1. Of +ministers and elders from several presbyteries within one province, +called provincial. 2. Or of ministers and elders from several provinces +within one nation, called therefore national. Or, 3. Of ministers and +elders from the several nations within the whole Christian world, +therefore called ecumenical: for all which assemblies, congregational, +presbyterial, and synodal, and the subordination of the lesser to the +greater assemblies respectively, there seems to be good ground and +divine warrant in the word of God, as (God willing) shall be evinced in +the xii., xiii., xiv., and xv. chapters following. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +_Of the Divine Right of Congregational Elderships or Kirk Sessions, for +the government of the Church._ + + +Touching congregational elderships, consisting of the ministers and +ruling elders of the several single congregations, which are called the +lesser assemblies, or smaller presbyteries, and which are to manage and +order all ecclesiastical matters within themselves, which are of more +immediate, private, particular concernment to their own congregations +respectively; and consequently, of more easy dispatch, and of more daily +use and necessity. Concerning these congregational presbyteries, we +shall not now take into consideration either, 1. What are the members +constituting and making up these elderships; whether ruling elders by +divine warrant may be superadded to the pastors and teachers, and so be +associated for the government of the congregation. For the divine right +of the ruling elders, distinct from the preaching elder for the +government of the church, hath been evidenced at large, Chapter XI., +Section 1, foregoing. And if any acts of government in the church belong +to the ruling elder at all, sure those acts of common jurisdiction, to +be dispatched in these least assemblies, cannot of all other be denied +unto him. 2. Nor shall it here be discussed, what the power of +congregational elderships is, whether it be universally extensive to all +acts of government ecclesiastical whatsoever, without exception or +limitation; and that independently, without subordination to the greater +assemblies, and without all liberty of appeal thereunto in any cases +whatsoever, though of greatest and most common concernment. Which things +are well stated and handled by others;[105] and will in some measure be +considered afterwards in Chapter XV. + +3. But the thing for the present to be insisted upon, against the +Erastian and prelatical party, is, the divine right of authority and +power for church government, which is in congregational presbyteries or +elderships, in reference to their respective congregations. Take it +thus: + +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 +belong, are by divine right warrantable. + +For confirmation hereof the light of nature, the institution of Christ, +the apostolical practice, and the law of necessity, seem to speak +sufficiently unto us. + +1. The common light of nature thus far directeth all sorts of smaller +societies, whether political or ecclesiastical, to compose all +particular and more private differences and offences within themselves; +and to decide and determine small, common, easy causes and matters, by +smaller courts and judicatories appointed for that end: a vain thing to +trouble more and greater assemblies with those matters, that may as well +be determined by the lesser. It was wise and grave counsel which Jethro, +Moses' father-in-law, gave to Moses, that he should set up over the +people certain judges inferior to himself, who themselves might judge +all smaller matters, but all _great and hard matters to be brought to +Moses_, Exod. xviii. 22, 26. And our Saviour seems to insinuate, that +the Jews had their inferior courts for inferior causes, superior +judicatories for greater, in that gradation of his, Matt. v. 22. +Likewise they had lesser and greater ecclesiastical assemblies, (as +after will appear.) Now, to what use are greater and lesser +judicatories, civil or ecclesiastical, but that the lesser and lighter +causes may be judged in the inferior, harder and greater in the +superior? + +2. The institution of Christ recorded Matt. xviii. 15-21, seems to hold +forth notably both single congregational elderships, and their power. +And this, whether we consider the Jewish form, unto which our Saviour +seems to refer; or whether we observe the matter of his discourse. + +1. As for the Jewish form of church government (unto which our Saviour +here seems to allude) we may observe it was managed by two, if not three +sorts of ecclesiastical courts, viz: By the Sanhedrin, presbytery, and +synagogue, (much like to the evangelical synod, presbytery, and +congregational eldership since Christ.) 1. They had their +ecclesiastical,[106] as well as their civil Sanhedrin, for high and +difficult affairs of the church; which seems first to be constituted, +Exod. xxiv. 1, and after decay thereof, it was restored by King +Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. xix. 8; and from this court that national church's +reformation proceeded, Neh. vi. 13. 2. Again, it is very probable they +had between their Sanhedrin and their synagogue a middle ecclesiastical +court called _The Presbytery_, Luke xxii. 66, and Acts xxii. 5, _and the +whole presbytery_. Let such as are expert in Jewish antiquities and +their polity, consider and judge. 3. Finally, they had their lesser +judicatories in their synagogues, or congregational meetings: for, their +synagogues were not only for prayer, and the ministry of the word, in +reading and expounding the Scriptures, but also for public censures, +correcting of offences, &c., as that phrase seems to import, "And I +punished them oft in every synagogue," Acts xxvi. 11. His facts and +proceedings, it is true, were cruel, unjust, impious. But why inflicted +_in every synagogue_, rather than in other places, and that by virtue of +the _high priest's letters_, Acts ix. 1, 2; but there the Jews had +judicatories, that inflicted public punishments upon persons +ecclesiastically offending? Besides, we read often in the New Testament +of the _rulers of the synagogue_, as Mark v. 35, 36, 38; Luke viii. 41, +and xiii. 14; and of Crispus and Sosthenes the chief _rulers of the +synagogue_, Acts xviii. 8, 17; whence is intimated to us, that these +synagogues had their rule and government in themselves; and that this +rule was not in one person, but in divers together; for if there were +chief rulers, there were also inferiors subordinate unto them: but this +is put out of doubt, in Acts xiii. 15, where after the lecture of the +law and the prophets, _the rulers of the synagogue sent unto +them_--_synagogue_ in the singular number, and rulers in the plural. +Thus analogically there should be ecclesiastical rulers and governors in +every single congregation, for the well guiding thereof. But if this +satisfy not, add hereunto the material passages in our Saviour's speech. + +2. Now touching the matter of our Saviour's discourse, it makes this +very clear to us; for by a gradation he leadeth us from admonition +private and personal, to admonition before two or three witnesses, and +from admonition before two or three witnesses, to the representative +body of one church, (as the phrase _tell the church_ must here +necessarily be interpreted,) if there the difference can be composed, +the offence removed, or the cause ended; rather than unnecessarily +render the offence, and so our brother's shame, more public and +notorious. And that the presbytery or eldership of a particular +congregation, vested with power to hear and determine such cases as +shall be brought before them, is partly, though not only here intended, +seems evident in the words following, which are added for the +strengthening and confirming of what went before in ver. 17: "Verily, I +say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in +heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in +heaven. Again, I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth +as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of +my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered +together in my name, there am I in the midst of them," Matt. xviii. +18-20. In which passages these things are to be noted: 1. That this +church to which the complaint is to be made, is invested with power of +_binding_ and _loosing_, and that so authoritatively that what by this +church shall be bound or loosed on earth shall also be bound or loosed +in heaven, according to Christ's promise. 2. That these acts of +_binding_ or _loosing_, may be the acts but of two or three, and +therefore consequently of the eldership of a particular congregation; +for where such a juridical act was dispatched by a classical presbytery, +it is said to be done of _many_, 2 Cor. ii. 6, because that in such +greater presbyteries there are always more than _two or three_. And +though some do pretend, that the faults here spoken of by our Saviour in +this place, were injuries, not scandals; and that the church here +mentioned was not any ecclesiastical consistory, or court, but the civil +Sanhedrin, a court of civil judicature; and yet most absurdly they +interpret the binding and loosing here spoken of, to be doctrinal and +declarative; not juridical and authoritative; as if the doctrinal +binding and loosing were in the power of the civil Sanhedrin:[107] yet +all these are but vain, groundless pretences and subterfuges, without +substance or solidity, as the learned and diligent reader may easily +find demonstrated by consulting these judicious authors mentioned in the +foot note,[108] to whom for brevity's sake he is referred for +satisfaction in these and divers such like particulars. + +3. The consideration of the apostolical practice, and state of the +Church of God in those times, may serve further to clear this matter to +us. For, 1. We sometimes read of single congregations; and as the Holy +Ghost doth call the whole body of Christ _the Church_, Matt. xvi. 18, 1 +Cor. xii. 28, and often elsewhere; and the larger particular members of +that body of Christ (partaking the nature of the whole, as a drop of +water is as true water as the whole ocean) churches; as, _the church of +Jerusalem_, Acts viii. 1; _the church of Antioch_, Acts xiii. 1; _the +church of Ephesus_, Rev. ii. 1; _the church of Corinth_, 2 Cor. i. 1; +(these being the greater presbyterial churches, as after will appear, +Chap. XIII.;) so the same holy Spirit of Christ is pleased to style +single congregations, _churches_, "Let women keep silence in the +churches," 1 Cor. xiv. 34, i.e. in the single congregations of this one +church of Corinth: and often mention is made of the church that is in +such or such an _house_, as Rom. xvi. 5; 1 Cor. xvi. 19; Col. iv. 15; +Philem. 2; whether this be interpreted of the church made up only of the +members of that family, or of the church that ordinarily did meet in +such houses, it implies a single congregation. Now shall single +congregations have the name and nature of churches, and shall we imagine +they had not in them the ordinary standing church officers, viz. pastors +and teachers, governments, or elders _ruling well_, and helps or +deacons? or is it probable they were furnished with these officers, and +yet the officers furnished with no power for the government of these +single congregations at all? 2. We find that the apostles being crowned +with such success in their ministry, as to be instruments of converting +such multitudes to the faith as were sufficient to make up many several +churches from time to time, did diligently take care to ordain them +presbyters, or elders _in every church_, Acts xiv. 23; Tit. i. 5. Now +can it be clearly evidenced by any, that these were not ruling as well +as preaching presbyters; especially when it appears by other places that +the primitive churches had both? Rom. xii. 8; 1 Cor. xii. 28; + +1 Tim. v. 17. Or can we think that the apostles were not as careful to +erect elderships in several congregations, as to appoint elders? +otherwise how could the apostles have answered it to their Lord and +Master Jesus Christ, in leaving them without that necessary provision of +government, which Christ himself had allowed to them, at least, in some +cases, as hath been evidenced? + +4. Finally, necessity (which is a strong and cogent law) plainly and +forcibly pleads for elderships in particular congregations endowed with +authority and power from Christ for government within themselves. For, +1. How wearisome a thing would it be to all congregations, should every +one of their members be bound to attend upon synods and greater +presbyteries, (which in the country are at a great distance from them,) +in all ecclesiastical matters of judicature, if they had no relief in +their own congregations? How impossible would it be for the greater +presbyteries, not only to hear and determine all hard and weighty, but +also all small and easy causes that would be brought before them? And +what should become of such a congregation as either voluntarily +transplants itself, or is accidentally cast among heathens or pagans in +far countries, where there are no Christians or churches to join and +associate withal, if they be denied an authoritative presbytery within +themselves, for preventing and healing of scandals, and preserving +themselves from destruction and ruin, which anarchy would unavoidably +bring upon them? + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_Of the Divine Right of Presbyteries, (for distinction's sake called +Classical Presbyteries,) for the government of the Church._ + + +Having spoken of the lesser, viz. congregational elderships, we come now +to the greater ruling assemblies, which are either presbyterial or +synodal. And first, of the presbyterial assembly, or classical +presbytery, viz. an assembly made up of the presbyters of divers +neighboring single congregations, for governing of all those respective +congregations in common, whereunto they belong, in all matters of common +concernment and greater difficulty in the Church. The divine warrant and +right of this presbytery, and of the power thereof for church +government, may principally be evidenced, 1. By the light of nature. 2. +By the light of Scripture, which light of Scripture was followed by the +Church in the ages after the apostolical times. + +I. The light of nature and right reason may discover to us (though more +dimly) the divine warrant of the greater presbyteries, and of their +power for the governing of the church. For, + +1. There are many ecclesiastical matters which are of common concernment +to many single congregations, as trial of church officers, ordination +and deposition of ministers, dispensation of censures, judicial +determination of controversies, resolution in difficult cases of +conscience, ordering of things indifferent, &c.; here the rule holds +well, that which concerns many congregations, is not to be considered +and determined upon only by one, but those many concerned and interested +therein. + +2. Single congregational elderships stand in need of all mutual help and +assistance one of another in the Lord, being, 1. Inwardly weak in +themselves; too prone to be turned out of the way, Heb. xii. 13, Gal. v. +15, and too feeble for divers great tasks: as examination and ordination +of ministers, &c., which weakness is healed by association with others +assisting them. 2. Outwardly opposed by many dangerous and subtle +adversaries: men as grievous wolves, &c., Acts xx. 28-30; 2 Pet. ii. 1; +Phil. iii. 2; 1 Tim. iv. 1-7; Eph. iv. 14; devils, 1 Pet. v. 8. In such +cases two are better than one: "Wo to them that are alone; if they fall, +who shall take them up?" + +3. Such intricate cases may fall out as cannot be determined and settled +by the eldership of a single congregation. As for instance, some member +in the congregation may conceive himself so wronged by the eldership +thereof, that he cannot submit to their unjust sentence; shall he not in +such case have liberty of appeal from them? If not, then he is left +without a remedy, (which is the calamity of the Independent government.) +If he may, whether shall he appeal regularly but to an associated +presbytery? therefore there must be such a presbytery to appeal unto. +Again, there may be a controversy betwixt the whole congregation, and +their presbytery; yea, the presbytery itself may be equally divided +against itself; yea, one single congregation may have a great and +weighty contest with another sister congregation, (all single +congregations being equal in power and authority, none superior, none +inferior to others.) Now, in these and such like cases, suppose both +parties be resolute and wilful, and will not yield to any bare moral +suasion or advice without some superior authority, what healing is left +in such cases, without the assistance of an authoritative presbytery, +wherein the whole hath power to regulate all the parts? + +4. Single congregations, joined in vicinity and neighborhood to one +another, should avoid divisions, (which are destructive to all +societies, as well ecclesiastical as civil,) and maintain peace and +unity among themselves, (which is conservative to all societies;) +neither of which, without associated presbyteries, can be firmly and +durably effected. Both which ought with all diligence to be endeavored. +For, 1. Peace and unity in the Church are in themselves amiable, and +ought to be promoted, Psal. cxxxiii. 1, &c.; Eph. iv. 3, 13; 1 Cor. i. +10. 2. Schisms and divisions are simply evil, and all appearance, cause, +and occasion thereof, ought carefully to be avoided, 1 Cor. xii. 25; +Rom. xvi. 17; 1 Thes. iv. 22. 3. All congregations are but as so many +branches, members, parts of that one church, one body, one family, one +commonwealth, one kingdom, whereof Christ is Head, Lord, and King; and +therefore they should communicate together, and harmoniously incorporate +and associate with one another, (so far as may be,) for the common good, +peace, unity, and edification of all. See 1 Cor. xii. 12-29; Eph. ii. +12-16, and iv. 12-14, and v. 23-25. + +II. The light of Scripture will hold forth the divine warrant of greater +presbyteries and their power for church government, far more clearly +than the light of nature. Forasmuch as we find in the Scriptures a +pattern of these greater presbyteries, and of their presbyterial +government over divers single congregations in common in the primitive +apostolical churches. For the greater evidence and perspicuity hereof, +take this proposition: + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath laid down in his word a pattern of +presbyterial government in common over divers single congregations in +one Church, for a rule to his Church in all after ages. For confirmation +hereof, there are chiefly these three positions to make good, which are +comprised in this proposition, viz: 1. That there is in the word a +pattern of divers single congregations in one church. 2. That there is +in the word a pattern of one presbyterial government in common over +divers single congregations in one church. 3. Finally, that the pattern +of the said presbyterial government, is for a rule to the churches of +Christ in all after ages. + + +POSITION I. + +That there is in the word a pattern of divers single congregations in +one church, may be plentifully evinced by four instances of churches, +(to mention no more,) viz. the churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, +and Corinth. Touching which four these two things are clear in the +Scripture, viz: 1. That every of them was one church. 2. That in every +one of these churches there were more congregations than one. Both which +will fully evince a pattern of divers single congregations in one church +held forth in the word. + +1. The former of these, viz. That every one of these was one church, +may be proved by induction of particulars. 1. All the believers in +Jerusalem were one church; hence they are often comprised under the word +church, of the singular number:--"Against the church which was at +Jerusalem," Acts viii. 1. "Then tidings of these things came unto the +ears of the church which was in Jerusalem," Acts ii. 22. "And when they +were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the +apostles and elders," Acts xv. 4. 2. All the believers in Antioch were +one church. "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch, certain +prophets," Acts xiii. 1. "And when he had found him, he brought him to +Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled +themselves with the church, and taught much people, and the disciples +were first called Christians in Antioch," Acts xi. 26. 3. All the +believers in Ephesus were one church: "And from Miletus he sent to +Ephesus, and called the elders of the church," Acts xx. 17. And after he +gives them this charge, "Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all +the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed +the church of God," ver. 28; all were but _one flock, one church_. "Unto +the angel of the church of Ephesus, write," Rev. ii. 1. 4. All the +believers in Corinth were one church, and comprised under that singular +word, church: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth," 1 Cor. i. 2. +"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our +brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth," 2 Cor. i. 1. Thus +in all these four instances it is clear beyond all contradiction, that +they were every of them respectively one church. + +The latter of these, viz. that these primitive apostolical churches of +Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Corinth, were not every of them +severally and respectively only one single congregation, (as some +imagine,) but consisted every of them of more congregations than one. +This shall be manifested in these four churches severally, as followeth: + +The church of Jerusalem in Judea contained in it more congregations than +one. This may be convincingly evidenced divers ways, particularly from, +1. The multitude of believers in that church. 2. The multitude of church +officers there. 3. The variety of languages there. 4. The manner of the +Christians' public meetings in those primitive times, both in the church +of Jerusalem, and in other churches. + +1. From the multitude of believers in the church of Jerusalem. For it is +palpably evident to any impartial reader that will not wilfully shut his +eyes, and subject his reason unto the groundless dictates of men, +against the clear light of the Scripture, that there were more believers +in the church of Jerusalem, than could ordinarily meet in one +congregation, to partake of all the ordinances of Christ. + +And this may fully appear by these many instances following. 1. Christ +after his resurrection, and before his ascension, "was seen of above +five hundred brethren at once," 1 Cor. xv. 6. 2. "After that of James, +then of all the apostles," ver. 7. 3. At the election of Matthias, and +before Christ's ascension, there were disciples together, the "company +of their names together was as it were one hundred and twenty," Acts i. +15. 4. At Peter's sermon, "they that gladly received his word, were +baptized. And that day were added about three thousand souls," Acts ii. +1, 4. 5. And "The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be +saved," ver. 27. 6. Afterwards at another of Peter's sermons, "Many of +them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about +five thousand," Acts iv. 4. 7. After that, "Believers were the more +added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women," Acts v. 14. 8. +Furthermore, the disciples multiplying, and the work of the ministry +thereupon much increasing, the apostles were necessitated to appoint +seven deacons for serving of tables, that they might wholly "give +themselves to the ministry of the word and prayer," Acts vi. 1 to 7; +whence some have thought, that there were seven congregations in +Jerusalem, a deacon for every one. Certainly there were rather more than +fewer, (saith the author of the Assertion of the Government of the +Church of Scotland,[109]) though we cannot determine how many. However +this, the Holy Ghost clearly testifieth that "The word of God increased, +and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly." 9. +"And a great company of the priests became obedient to the faith," Acts +vi. 7; and probably the example of the priests drew on multitudes to the +Gospel. All these forementioned were in a short time converted, and +became members of this one church of Jerusalem, and that before the +dispersion occasioned by the persecution of the Church, Acts viii. 1. +Now should we put all these together, viz. both the number of believers +expressed in particular, which is 8,620, and the multitudes so often +expressed in the general, (which, for aught we know, might be many more +than the former,) what a vast multitude of believers was there in +Jerusalem! and how impossible was it for them to meet all together in +one congregation, to partake of all the ordinances of Jesus Christ! 10. +In like manner, after the dispersion forementioned, the word so +prospered, and the disciples brought into the faith by it, so +multiplied, 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 Christ, than before. For it is said, "Then had the +churches rest throughout all Judea" (and the church of Jerusalem in +Judea was doubtless one of those churches) "and Galilee and Samaria, and +were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and comfort of the +Holy Ghost, were multiplied." 11. Again, "the word of the Lord increased +and multiplied," Acts xii. 24. 12. Furthermore, when Paul, with other +disciples, his fellow-travellers, came to Jerusalem, and "declared to +James and the elders, what things God had wrought by his ministry among +the Gentiles--They glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, +brother, how many" myriads (or ten thousands) "of believing Jews there +are, and they are all zealous of the law"--Acts xxi. 20. Our translation +seems herein very defective, rendering it how many thousands; whereas it +should be, according to the Greek, how many ten thousands: and these +myriads seem to be in the church of Jerusalem, seeing it is said of +them, ver. 22, "The multitude must needs come together, for they will +hear that thou art come." Now considering this emphatical expression, +not only _thousands_, but _ten thousand_: not _only ten thousand_ in the +singular number, but _ten thousands, myriads_, in the plural number: nor +only _myriads, ten thousands_, in the plural number, but _how many ten +thousands_; we cannot in reason imagine but there were at least three +ten thousands, viz: thirty thousand believers, and how all they should +meet together in one congregation for all ordinances, let the reader +judge. Thus far of the proof, from the multitude of believers in the +church of Jerusalem. + +_Except_. But the five thousand mentioned Acts iv. 4, are no new number +added to the three thousand, but the three thousand included in the five +thousand, as Calvin and Beza think. + +_Ans_. 1. Then it is granted that five thousand one hundred and twenty, +besides an innumerable addition of converts, were in Jerusalem; which if +such a number, and multitudes besides, could for edification meet in one +place, to partake of all the ordinances, let the reader judge. + +2. Though Calvin and Beza think the three thousand formerly converted to +be included in this number of five thousand, Acts iv. 4, yet divers both +ancient and modern interpreters are of another mind, as Augustine. There +came unto the body of the Lord in number three thousand faithful men; +also by another miracle wrought, there came other five thousand.[110] +These five thousand are altogether diverse from the three thousand +converted at the first sermon: so Lorinus, Aretius, and divers others. + +3. Besides a great number of testimonies, there are reasons to induce us +to believe, that the three thousand are not included in the five +thousand, viz: 1. As the three thousand mentioned in Acts ii. 41, did +not comprehend the one hundred and twenty mentioned Acts i. 15, so it +holds in proportion that the three thousand mentioned there, are not +comprehended here in Acts iv. 4. Besides, 2. This sermon was not by +intention to the church, or numbers already converted, 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 womb;" as Acts iii. +10-12; so that 'tis more than probable that the five thousand mentioned +Acts iv. 4, are a number superadded besides the three thousand already +converted. + +_Except_. But suppose such a number as three thousand, and afterwards +five thousand were converted in Jerusalem, yet these remained not +constant members of that Church, for the three thousand were not +dwellers at Jerusalem, but strangers who came out of all countries to +keep the feast of Pentecost: yea, Acts ii. 9, they are said expressly to +be "dwellers of Mesopotamia, Cappadocia," &c., and so might erect +churches where they came. + +_Ans_. 1. 'Tis said, Acts ii. 14, "Peter standing" (when he began to +preach this sermon wherein the three thousand were converted) "said, Ye +men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, hearken to my voice;" +intimating that these he preached to dwelt at Jerusalem. + +But grant that some of these men that heard Peter's sermon were formerly +dwellers in Mesopotamia and Cappadocia, what hinders but that they might +be now dwellers at Jerusalem? + +3. The occasion of their coming up to Jerusalem at this time was not +only the observation of the feast of Pentecost, (which lasted but a +day,) but also the great expectation that the people of the Jews then +had of the appearance of the Messiah in his kingdom, as we may collect +from Luke xix. 11, where it is said, "They thought the kingdom of God +should immediately appear;" so that now they might choose to take up +their dwellings at Jerusalem, and not return, as they had been wont, at +the end of their usual feasts. + +4. The Holy Ghost makes mention that in the particular places mentioned, +ver. 9, 10, that of all those nations there were some that dwelt at +Jerusalem; read Acts ii. 5, "There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, +devout men out of every nation under heaven;" if out of every nation, +then out of those nations there specified; and even there dwelling at +Jerusalem. 5. Those who were scattered by reason of persecution into +Judea and Samaria, and other parts of the world, did not erect new +churches, but were still members of that one church in Jerusalem; so +saith the Scripture expressly, that "they" (of the church of Jerusalem) +"were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judea and Samaria," +Acts viii. 1. + +_Except_. Although it should be granted that before the dispersion +mentioned Acts viii. 1, 2, the number was so great that they could not +meet together in one place, yet the persecution so wasted and scattered +them all, that there were no more left than might meet in one +congregation? + +_Ans_. After the dispersion there were more believers in Jerusalem than +could meet together in one place for all acts of worship, as appears by +Acts ix. 31, "The churches had rest throughout all Judea," &c., "and +were multiplied;" Acts xii. 24, "The word of God grew and multiplied;" +and Acts xxi. 20, James saith of the believers of this church, "how many +thousands of the Jews there are which believe, and are zealous of the +law;" or, as it is in the Greek, thou seest how many _ten thousands_ +there are of the Jews which believe; this text will evince, that there +were many thousands in the church of Jerusalem after the dispersion, as +hath been observed: and if this number were not more after the +dispersion than could meet together to partake of all ordinances, let +the reader judge. + +_Except_. But the text saith expressly, all were scattered except the +apostles. + +_Ans_. _All_ must be understood either of all the believers, or all the +teachers and church officers in the church of Jerusalem, except +believers; but it cannot be understood of all the believers that they +were scattered: and therefore it must be understood that all the +teachers and church officers were scattered, except the apostles. That +all the believers were not scattered will easily appear: For, 1. 'Tis +said that Paul broke into houses, "haling men and women, committed them +to prison," ver. 3, and this he did in Jerusalem, Acts xxvi. 10; +therefore all could not be scattered. 2. "They that were scattered, +preached the word," ver. 4, which all the members, men and women, could +not do; therefore by all that were scattered must of necessity be meant, +not the body of believers in the church, but only the officers of the +church. 3. If all the believers were scattered, to what end did the +apostles tarry at Jerusalem--to preach to the walls? this we cannot +imagine. + +_Except_. But can any think the teachers were scattered, and the +ordinary believers were not, except we suppose the people more +courageous to stay by it than their teachers? + +_Ans_. It is hard to say, that those that are scattered in a +persecution, are less courageous than those that stay and suffer. In the +time of the bishops' tyranny, many of the Independent ministers did +leave this kingdom, while others of their brethren did abide by it, +endured the heat and burden of the day, "had trial of cruel mockings, +bonds and imprisonments:" now the Independent ministers that left us, +would think we did them wrong, should we say that they were less +courageous than those that stayed behind, enduring the hot brunt of +persecution. + +II. From the multitude of church officers in Jerusalem, it may further +appear, that there were more congregations than one in the church of +Jerusalem. For there were many apostles, prophets, and elders in this +church of Jerusalem, as is plain, if we consider these following +passages in the Acts of the Apostles. After Christ's ascension, "the +eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem, and continued in prayer and +supplication," Acts i. 12-14. Matthias chosen by lot, was also "numbered +with the eleven apostles," Acts i. 26. "And when the day of Pentecost +was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place," Acts ii. 1. +"Peter standing up with the eleven, lift up his voice and said," Acts +ii. 14. "They were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the +rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts ii. 37. +"And the same day there were added about three thousand souls, and they +continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in +breaking of bread, and in prayers," Acts ii. 42. "And with great power +gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," Acts +iv. 33. "As many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and +brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at +the apostles' feet," Acts iv. 34, 35, 37. "Then the twelve called the +multitude of the disciples to them," Acts vi. 2. "Now, when the apostles +which were at Jerusalem," Acts viii. 14. "They determined that Paul and +Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the +apostles and elders about this question. And when they were come to +Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and +elders; and the apostles and elders came together," Acts xv. 2, 4, 6, +22, 23; xi. 30. And "in those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto +Antioch," Acts xi. 27. In all which places, the multitude of apostles, +elders, and prophets in this church of Jerusalem is evident. And it is +further observable, that the apostles devolved the serving of tables +upon the seven deacons, that they might wholly "give themselves to +prayer and the ministry of the word," Acts vi, 2; which needed not, nor +would there have been full employment for the apostles, if there had +not been divers congregations in that one church of Jerusalem. + +_Except_. 'Tis true, the apostles were for a time in Jerusalem, yet when +in Judea or elsewhere any received the gospel, the apostles went abroad +to erect other churches. + +_Ans_. Touching the apostles going abroad, there can be given but one +instance, Acts viii. 14, where the whole twelve went not forth, but only +two were sent, viz. Peter and John: but suppose it were granted, that +upon some special occasions the apostles went out from Jerusalem, can it +be imagined that the apostles' ordinary abode would be at Jerusalem, to +attend only one single congregation, as if that would fill all their +hands with work? + +_Except_. The apostles were well employed when they met in an upper +room, and had but one hundred and twenty for their flock, and this for +forty days together; now if they stayed in Jerusalem when they had but +one hundred and twenty, and yet had their hands filled with work, the +presence of the apostles argues not more congregations in Jerusalem than +could meet in one place for all acts of worship. + +_Ans_. 1. From Christ's ascension (immediately after which they went up +to the upper chamber) to the feast of Pentecost, there were but ten +days, not forty; so that there is one mistake. + +2. During that time betwixt Christ's ascension and the feast of +Pentecost, (whether ten or forty days is not very material,) the +apostles were especially taken up in prayer and supplication, waiting +for the promise of the Spirit to qualify them for the work of the +ministry: now, because the twelve apostles, before they had received the +extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, did continue for a short time in +Jerusalem with a small number in prayer, will it therefore follow that +after they had received these extraordinary gifts, that they were bound +up within the limits of one single congregation? + +_Except_. The argument that there were many teachers in Jerusalem, +proves not that there were more congregations in Jerusalem than one, +because there were then many gifted men, which were not officers, which +yet occasionally instructed others, as Aquila did Apollos; therefore it +seems they were only gifted persons, not officers. + +_Ans_. 1. Grant that in those times there were many gifted men, not in +office, which might occasionally instruct others, as Aquila did Apollos; +yet it is further to be noted, that, + +2. This instructing must be either private, or public; if private only, +then the objection is of no force, (because these teachers instructed +publicly;) if in public, then if this objection were of force, it would +follow, that women might instruct publicly, because Priscilla, as well +as Aquila, instructed Apollos. + +3. The current of expositors say, that the seventy disciples were at +Jerusalem among the one hundred and twenty, Acts i. 16, who were +teachers by office. + +III. From the variety of languages among the disciples at Jerusalem, it +is evident there were more congregations than one in that one church: +the diversity of languages among them is plainly mentioned in divers +places, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men out of +every nation under heaven. Now every man heard them speak in his own +language," &c., Acts ii. 5, 8-12. Now, of those that heard this variety +of languages, and Peter's sermon thereupon, "They that gladly received +his word, were baptized, and the same day there were added about three +thousand souls," Acts ii. 41, which diversity of languages necessitated +those members of the church of Jerusalem to enjoy the ordinances in +divers distinct congregations in their own language. And that they might +so do, the Spirit furnished the apostles, &c., with diversity of +languages, which diversity of languages were as well for edification of +them within the Church, as for a sign to them that were without. + +_Except_. Though the Jews being dispersed were come in from other +countries, yet they were all generally learned, and understood the +Hebrew tongue, the language of their own nation, so that diversity of +tongues proves not, that of necessity there must be distinct places to +meet in. + +_Ans_. 1. It is easier said than proved, that the Jews were so generally +skilled in the Hebrew tongue, when, while they were scattered in Media +and Parthia, and other places, they had no universities or schools of +learning. Besides, it is not to be forgotten, that the proper language +or dialect in those days in use among the Jews was Syriac; as appears by +divers instances of Syriac words in the New Testament, as of the Jews' +own terms: Acts i. 19, which "in their proper tongue, is called +Aceldama;" John xix. 13. 17, _Gabbatha, Golgotha_, &c.; Mark xv. 34, +_Eloi, Eloi, lama-sabachthani_; with divers other pure Syriac terms. +Grant they did; yet, + +2. There were in Jerusalem proselytes also, Romans, Cappadocians, +Cretians, and Arabians, Acts ii. 10, 11; how could they be edified in +the faith, if only one congregation, where nothing but Hebrew was +spoken, met in Jerusalem; if so be there were not other congregations +for men of other languages, that understood not the Hebrew tongue? + +IV. From the manner of Christians' public meetings in those primitive +times, both in the church of Jerusalem and in other churches. It is +plain that the multitudes of Christians in Jerusalem, and other +churches, could not possibly meet all together in one single +congregation, inasmuch as they had no public temples, or capacious +places for worship and partaking of all ordinances, (as we now have,) +but private places, _houses, chambers_, or _upper rooms_, (as the +unsettled state of the Church and troublesomeness of those times would +permit,) which in all probability were of no great extent, nor any way +able to contain in them so many thousand believers at once, as there +were: "They met from house to house, to break bread," Acts ii. 46. "In +an upper room the apostles with the women and brethren continued in +prayer and supplication," Acts i. 12-14. We read of their meetings in +the _house of Mary_, Acts xii. 12. In the school _of one Tyrannus_, Acts +xix. 9. In an _upper chamber at Troas_, Acts xx. 8. In _Paul's own hired +house_ at Rome, Acts xxviii. 30, 31. In the _house of Aquila and +Priscilla_, where the church met, therefore called the _church in his +house_, Rom. xvi. 5; 1 Cor. xvi. 19. In the _house of Nimphas_, Col. iv. +15, and in the _house of Archippus_, Philem. 2. This was their manner of +public meetings in the apostles' times: which also continued in the next +ages, as saith Eusebius,[111] till, by indulgence of succeeding +emperors, they had large churches, houses of public meeting erected for +them. + +To sum up all: 1. There were in the church at Jerusalem greater numbers +of believers than could possibly meet at once to partake of all Christ's +ordinances. 2. There were more church officers than one single +congregation could need, or than could be fully employed therein, unless +we will say, that they preached but seldom. 3. There was such diversity +of languages among them, that they must needs rank themselves into +several congregations, according to their languages, else he that spoke +in one language to hearers of many several languages, would be a +barbarian to them, and they to him. 4. Finally, their places of ordinary +meeting were private, of small extent, incapable of containing so many +thousands at once as there were believers; and by all these, how evident +is it, that there must needs be granted that there were more +congregations than one in this one church of Jerusalem! + +II. The church of Antioch, in Syria, consisted also of more +congregations than one. This appears, + +1. From the multitude of believers at Antioch. For, 1. After the +dispersion upon Saul's persecution, _the Lord Jesus was preached at +Antioch, and a great number believed_, &c., Acts xi. 21. 2. Upon +_Barnabas's_ preaching there, _much people was added to the Lord_, Acts +xi. 24. 3. _Barnabas_ and _Saul_ for a year together taught much people +there, and disciples there so mightily multiplied, that there Christ's +disciples first received the eminent and famous denomination of +CHRISTIANS, and so were and still are called throughout the whole world, +Acts xi. 25, 26. + +2. From the multitudes of prophets and preachers that ministered at +Antioch. For, 1. Upon the dispersion of the Jews at Jerusalem, _divers +of them (being men of Cyprus and Cyrene) preached the Lord Jesus at +Antioch_, Acts xi. 20; here must be three or four preachers at least, +otherwise they would not be _men of Cyprus and Cyrene_. 2. After this +_Barnabas_ was sent to preach at Antioch; there is a fifth, Acts xi. +22-24. 3. _Barnabas_ finds so much work at _Antioch_, that he goes to +Tarsus to bring _Saul_ thither to help him; there is a sixth, ver. 25, +26. 4. Besides these, _there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch in +those days_; there are at least two more, viz. eight in all, Acts xi. +27, 28. 4. Further, besides _Barnabas_ and _Saul_, three more teachers +are named, viz. _Simon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen_, Acts +xii. 1-3. 6. Yea, "Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and +preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also," Acts xv. 35. Now +sum up all, what a multitude of believers, and what a college of +preachers were here at Antioch! How is it possible that all these +preachers should bustle themselves about one congregation (and doubtless +they abhorred idleness) in dispensing the ordinances of Christ to them +only? or how could so many members meet in one single congregation at +once, ordinarily to partake of all ordinances? + +III. The church of Ephesus (_in Asia Minor_, Acts xix. 22) had in it +more congregations than one: For, + +1. The number of prophets and preachers at Ephesus were many. _Paul_ +continued there _two years and three months_, Acts xix. 8, 10; and +_Paul_ settled there about twelve _disciples who prophesied_, Acts xix. +1, 6, 7. And how should these thirteen ministers be employed, if there +were not many congregations? Compare also Acts xx. 17, 28, 36, 37, where +it is said of the bishops of Ephesus, that "Paul kneeled down and prayed +with them all, and they all wept sore." Here is a good number implied. + +2. The gift of tongues also was given unto all these twelve prophets, +Acts xix. 6, 7. To what end, if they had not several congregations of +several languages, to speak in these several tongues unto them? + +3. The multitude of believers must needs be great at Ephesus: For, 1. +Why should _Paul_, who had universal commission to plant churches in all +the world, stay _above two years together_ at Ephesus if no more had +been converted there than to make up one single congregation? Acts xix. +8, 10. 2. During this space, "all that dwelt in Asia," usually meeting +at Ephesus for worship, "heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and +Greeks," Acts xix. 10. 3. At the knowledge of _Paul's_ miracles, "fear +fell upon all the Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus, and the name of +the Lord Jesus was magnified," Acts xix. 17. 4. _Many_ of the believers +_came and confessed, and showed their deeds_, ver. 18, whereby is +intimated that more did believe than did thus. 5. "Many also of them +that used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them +before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty +thousand pieces of silver," (this they would never have done publicly if +the major part, or at least a very great and considerable part of the +city, had not embraced the faith, that city being so furiously zealous +in their superstition and idolatry,) "so mightily grew the word of God, +and prevailed," Acts xix. 19, 20. 6. _Paul_ testifies that at Ephesus _a +great door and effectual was open unto him_, viz. a most advantageous +opportunity of bringing in a mighty harvest of souls to Christ, 1 Cor. +xvi. 8, 9. Put all together, 1. The number of prophets and preachers; 2. +The gifts of tongues conferred upon those prophets; and, 3. The +multitude of believers which so abounded at Ephesus: how is it possible +to imagine, upon any solid ground, that there was no more but one single +congregation in the church of Ephesus? + +IV. The church of Corinth in Græcia comprised in it also more +congregations than one, as may be justly concluded from, 1. The +multitude of believers. 2. The plenty of ministers. 3. The diversity of +tongues and languages. 4. And the plurality of churches at Corinth. Let +all these be well compared together. + +1. From the multitude of believers. 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 Christ: For, 1. At Paul's first coming to +Corinth, and at his first sermon preached in the house of Justus, it is +said, "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the +Lord, and all his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed +and were baptized," Acts xviii. 1, 7, 8. Here is Crispus and all his +house, (which probably was very great, he being the chief ruler of the +synagogue,) and _many of the Corinthians, believing_; an excellent +first-fruits; for who can justly say but Paul at his first sermon +converted so many as might be sufficient to make up one single +congregation? 2. Immediately after this (Paul having shook his raiment +against the Jews, who, contrary to his doctrine, opposed themselves and +blasphemed; and having said unto them, "Your blood be upon your own +heads, I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles," Acts +xviii. 6) the Lord comforts Paul against the obstinacy of the Jews by +the success his ministry should have among the Gentiles in the city of +Corinth: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not +afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no +man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this +city," Acts xviii. 9, 10. _Much people_ belonging to God, according to +his secret predestination, over and besides those that already were +actually his by effectual vocation. And _much people_, in respect of the +Jews that opposed and blasphemed, (who were exceeding many,) 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 +congregation. 3. Paul himself continued at Corinth "a year and six +months teaching the word of God among them," Acts xviii. 11. To what end +should Paul the apostle of the Gentiles stay so long in one place, if he +had not seen the Lord's blessing upon his ministry, to bring into the +faith many more souls than would make up one congregation, having so +much work to do far and near? 4. "They that believed at Corinth were +baptized," Acts xviii. 8. (Baptism admitted them into that one body of +the Church, 1 Cor. xii. 13.) Some were baptized by Paul, (though but few +in comparison of the number of believers among them: compare Acts xviii. +8, with 1 Cor. 14-17,) the generality consequently were baptized by +other ministers there, and that in other congregations wherein Paul +preached not, as well as in such wherein Paul preached; it being +unreasonable to deny the being of divers congregations for the word and +sacraments to be dispensed in, himself dispensing the sacrament of +baptism to so few. + +2. From the plenty of ministers and preachers in the church of Corinth, +it is evident it was a presbyterial church, and not only a single +congregation; for to what end should there be many laborers in a little +harvest, many teachers over one single congregation? &c. That there were +many preachers at Corinth is plain: For, 1. Paul himself was the +master-builder there that laid the foundation of that church, 1 Cor. +iii. 10, their spiritual father; "In Christ Jesus I have begotten you +through the gospel," 1 Cor. iv. 15. And he stayed with them _one year +and a half_, Acts xviii. II. 2. While the apostle sharply taxeth them as +guilty of schism and division for their carnal crying up of their +several teachers: some doting upon one, some upon another, some upon a +third, &c. "Every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and +I of Cephas, and I of Christ," 1 Cor. i. 12. Doth not this intimate that +they had plenty of preachers, and these preachers had their several +followers, so prizing some of them as to undervalue the rest? and was +this likely to be without several congregations into which they were +divided? 3. When the apostle saith, "Though ye have ten thousand +instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers," 1 Cor. v. 15; +though his words be hyperbolical, yet they imply that they had great +store of teachers and preachers. 4. We have mention of many prophets in +the church of Corinth: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the +other judge--And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the +prophets," 1 Cor. xiv. 20, 31. Here are _prophets_ speaking _two or +three_; and prophets judging of their doctrine, which sure were more +than they that were judged; it being unreasonable for the minor part to +pass judgement upon the major part. And though these prophets had +extraordinary gifts, (as the church of Corinth excelled all other +churches in gifts, 1 Cor. i. 7,) and were able to preach in an +extraordinary singular way; yet were they the ordinary pastors and +ministers of that church of Corinth, as the whole current of this +fourteenth chapter evidenceth, wherein so many rules and directions, +aptly agreeing to ordinary pastors, are imposed upon them for the well +ordering of their ministerial exercises. Now, where there were so many +pastors, were there not several congregations for them to feed? Or were +they idle, neglecting the exercise and improvement of their talents? + +3. From the diversity of tongues and languages, wherein the church did +eminently excel. "In every thing ye are enriched by him, in all +utterance, and in all knowledge--So that you come behind in no gift," +&c., i.e., ye excel in every gift, more being intended than is +expressed, 1 Cor. i. 5, 7. Among other gifts some of them excelled in +tongues which they spake, the right use of which gift of tongues the +apostle doth at large lay down, 1 Cor. xiv. 2, 4-6, 13, 14, 18, 19, 23, +26, 27. "If any speak in _an unknown_ tongue let it be by two, or at the +most by three, and that by course, and let one interpret." So that there +were many endued with gifts of tongues in that church. To what end? Not +only for a _sign to unbelievers_, ver. 22, but also for edification of +divers congregations, of divers tongues and languages within that church +of Corinth. + +4. From the plurality of churches mentioned in reference to this church +of Corinth. For the apostle regulating their public assemblies and their +worship there, saith to the church of Corinth, "Let your women keep +silence in the churches." It is not said, in the _church_, in the +singular number; but in the _churches_, in the plural; and this of the +_churches in Corinth_, for it is said, _Let your women_, &c., not +indefinitely, _Let women_, &c. So that according to the plain letter of +the words, here are churches in the church of Corinth, viz. a plurality +of single congregations in this one presbyterial church. And this +plurality of churches in the church of Corinth is the more confirmed if +we take the church of Cenchrea (which is a harbor or seaport to +Corinth) to be comprised within the church of Corinth, as some learned +authors do conceive it may.[112] + + +POSITION II. + +That there is in the word of Christ a pattern of one presbyterial +government in common over divers single congregations in one church. +This may be evidenced by these following considerations: For, + +1. Divers single congregations are called one church, as hath at large +been proved in the second position immediately foregoing; inasmuch as +all the believers in Jerusalem are counted one church: yet those +believers are more in number than could meet for all ordinances in any +one single congregation. And why are divers congregations styled one +church? 1. Not in regard of that oneness of heart and soul which was +among them, "having all things common," &c., Acts iv. 32. For these +affections and actions of kindness belonged to them by the law of +brotherhood and Christian charity to one another, (especially +considering the then present condition of believers,) rather than by any +special ecclesiastical obligation, because they were members of such a +church. 2. Not in regard of any explicit church covenant, knitting them +in one body. For we find neither name nor thing, print nor footstep of +any such thing as a church covenant in the church of Jerusalem, nor in +any other primitive apostolical church in all the New Testament; and to +impose an explicit church covenant upon the saints as a necessary +constituting form of a true visible Church of Christ, and without which +it is no Church, is a mere human invention, without all solid warrant +from the word of God. 3. Not in regard of the ministration of the word, +sacraments, prayers, &c. For these ordinances were dispensed in their +single congregations severally, it being impossible that such multitudes +of believers should meet all in one congregation, to partake of them +jointly, (as hath been evidenced.) 4. But in regard of one joint +administration of church government among them, by one common +presbytery, or college of elders, associated for that end. From this one +way of church government, by one presbytery in common, all the believers +in Jerusalem, and so in other cities respectively, were counted but one +church. 2. In every such presbyterial church made up of divers single +congregations, there were ecclesiastical ruling officers, which are +counted or called the officers of that church, but never counted or +called governors, elders, &c., of any one single congregation therein; +as in the church of Jerusalem, Acts xi. 27, 30, and xv. 2: of Antioch, +compare Acts xiii. 1-3, with xv. 35: of Ephesus, Acts xx. 17, 28: and of +the church of Corinth, 1 Cor. i. 12, and iv. 15, and xiv. 29. + +3. The officers of such presbyterial churches met together for acts of +church government: as, to take charge of the church's goods, and of the +due distribution thereof, Acts iv. 35, 37, and xi. 30: to ordain, +appoint, and send forth church officers, Acts vi. 2, 3, 6, and xiii. 1, +3: to excommunicate notorious offenders, 1 Cor. v. 4, 5, 7, 13, compared +with 2 Cor. ii. 6: and to restore again penitent persons to church +communion, 2 Cor. ii. 7-9. + +_Except_. Receiving of alms is no act of government. + +_Ans_. True, the bare receiving of alms is no act of government, but the +ordering and appointing how it shall be best improved and disposed of, +cannot be denied to be an act of government, and for this did the elders +meet together, Acts xi. 30. + +4. The apostles themselves, in their joint acts of government in such +churches, acted as ordinary officers, viz. as presbyters or elders. This +is much to be observed, and may be evidenced as followeth: for, 1. None +of their acts of church government can at all be exemplary or obligatory +upon us, if they were not presbyterial, but merely apostolical; if they +acted therein not as ordinary presbyters, but as extraordinary apostles. +For what acts they dispatched merely as apostles, none may meddle withal +but only apostles. 2. As they were apostles, so they were presbyters, +and so they style themselves, "The elder to the elect lady," 2 John i. +"The elders which are among you I exhort," saith Peter, "who am also an +elder," (i.e. who am a fellow-elder, or co-presbyter,) 1 Pet. v. 1; +wherein he ranks himself among ordinary presbyters, which had been +improper, unless he had discharged the offices and acts of an ordinary +presbyter. 3. Their acts were such, for substance, as ordinary +presbyters do perform, as preaching and prayer, Acts vi. 4: ordaining of +officers, Acts vi. 6, and xiv. 23: dispensing of the sacraments, 1 Cor. +i. 14; Acts ii. 42, and xx. 7: and of church censures, 1 Cor. v. 4, 5, +compared with 1 Tim. v. ver. 1, ult.: which acts of government, and such +like, were committed by Christ to them, and to ordinary presbyters +(their successors) to the end of the world; compare Matt. xvi. 19, and +xviii. 17, 18, to the end, and John xx. 21, 23, with Matt. xxviii. +18-20. 4. They acted not only as ordinary elders, but also they acted +jointly with other elders, being associated with them in the same +assembly, as in that eminent synod at Jerusalem, Acts xv. 6, 22, 23, and +xvi. 4, "And as they went through cities, they delivered them the +decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which +were at Jerusalem." 5. And, finally, they took in the church's consent +with themselves, wherein it was needful, as in the election and +appointment of deacons, Acts vi. 2, 3. 6. The deacons being specially to +be trusted with the church's goods, and the disposal thereof, according +to the direction of the presbytery, for the good of the church, &c. + +Let all these considerations be impartially balanced in the scales of +indifferent unprejudiced judgments; and how plainly do they delineate in +the word, a pattern of one presbyterial government in common over divers +single congregations within one church! + +_Except_. The apostles' power over many congregations was founded upon +their power over all churches; and so cannot be a pattern for the power +of elders over many. + +_Ans_. 1. The apostles' power over many congregations as one church, to +govern them all as one church jointly and in common, was not founded +upon their power over all churches, but upon the union of those +congregations into one church; which union lays a foundation for the +power of elders governing many congregations. + +2. Besides, the apostles, though extraordinary officers, are called +elders, 1 Pet. v. 1, to intimate to us, that in ordinary acts of church +government, they did act as elders for a pattern to us in like +administrations. + +_Except_. The apostles, it is true, were elders virtually, that is, +their apostleship contained all offices in it, but they were not elders +formally. + +_Ans_. 1. If by formally be meant, that they were not elders really, +then it is false; for the Scripture saith Peter was an elder, 1 Peter v. +1. If by formally be meant that they were not elders only, that is +granted; they were so elders, as they were still apostles, and so +apostles as they were yet elders: their eldership did not exclude their +apostleship, nor their apostleship swallow up their eldership. + +2. Besides, two distinct offices may be formally in one and the same +person; as Melchisedec was formally a king and priest, and David +formally a king and prophet; and why then might not Peter or John, or +any of the twelve, be formally apostles and elders? And ministers are +formally pastors and ruling elders. + +_Except_. 'Tis true, the apostles acted together with elders, because +it so fell out they met together; but that they should meet jointly to +give a pattern for an eldership, is not easy to prove; one apostle might +have done that alone, which all here did. + +_Ans_. 1. 'Tis true, the apostles as apostles had power to act singly +what they did jointly; yet, when they acted jointly, their acts might +have more authority in the Church: upon which ground they of Antioch may +be conceived to have sent to the whole college of apostles and elders at +Jerusalem, (rather than to any one singly;) why was this, but to add +more authority to their acts and determinations? + +2. Why should not their meeting together be a pattern of a presbytery, +as well as their meeting together when they took in the consent of the +people, Acts vi., in the choice of the deacons, to be a pattern or +warrant that the people have a power in the choice of their officers? +(as those of contrary judgment argue:) if one be taken in as an +inimitable practice, why not the other? + +3. If the apostles joining with elders, acted nothing as elders, then we +can bring nothing of theirs into imitation; and by this we should cut +the sinews, and raze the foundation of church government, as if there +were no footsteps thereof in the holy Scriptures. + + +POSITION III. + +Finally, That the pattern of the said presbytery and presbyterial +government is for a rule to the churches of Christ in all after ages, +may appear as followeth: + +1. The first churches were immediately planted and governed by Christ's +own apostles and disciples; 1. Who immediately received the keys of the +kingdom of heaven from Christ himself in person, Matt. xvi. 19, and +xviii. 17,18; John xx. 21, 23. 2. Who immediately had the promise of +Christ's perpetual presence with them in their ministry, Matt, xxviii. +18-20; and of the plentiful donation of the Spirit of Christ to lead +them into all truth, John xiv. 16, and xvi. 13-15; Acts i. 4, 5, 8 3. +Who immediately received from Christ, after his resurrection and before +his ascension, "commandments by the Holy Ghost,"--"Christ being seen of +them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of +God," Acts i. 2, 3; and, 4. Who were first and immediately _baptized by +the Holy Ghost_, extraordinarily, Acts ii. 1-5. Now, who can imagine +that the apostles and disciples were not actuated by the Spirit of +Christ bestowed upon them? or did not discharge Christ's commandments, +touching his kingdom imposed upon them? or did not duly use those keys +of Christ's kingdom committed to them in the ordering and governing of +the primitive churches? And if so, then the pattern of their practices +must be a rule for all the succeeding churches, 1 Cor. xi. 1; Phil, iv. +9. + +2. 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 times, but for the imitation of successive churches in after +times? "For whatsoever things wore written aforetime, were written for +our learning," or instruction. But what do such records instruct us? +Only _in fact_, that such things were done by the first churches? or _of +right_ also, that such things should be done by the after churches? +Surely, this is more proper and profitable for us. + +3. If such patterns of Christ's apostles, disciples, and primitive +churches in matters of the government will not amount to an obligatory +rule for all following churches, how shall we justify sundry other acts +of religion commonly received in the best reformed churches, and founded +only or chiefly upon the foundation of the practice of Christ's apostles +and the apostolical churches? As the receiving of the Lord's supper on +the Lord's days, Acts xx. 7, &c.; which notwithstanding are generally +embraced without any considerable opposition or contradiction, and that +most deservedly. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +_Of the Divine Right of Synods, or Synodal Assemblies._ + + +Thus far of the ruling assemblies, which are styled presbyterial; next +come into consideration those greater assemblies, which are usually +called synodal, or synods, or councils. They are so called from their +convening, or coming together: or rather from their calling together. +Both names, viz. synod and council, are of such latitude of +signification, as that they may be applied to any public convention of +people: but in the common ordinary use of these words, they are +appropriated to large ecclesiastical assemblies, above classical +presbyteries in number and power. These synodal assemblies are made up, +(as occasion and the necessity of the church shall require.) 1. Either +of presbyters, sent from the several classical presbyteries within a +province, hence called provincial synods: 2. Or of presbyters, sent from +the several provincial synods within a nation, hence called national +synods: 3. Or of presbyters, delegated or sent from the several +national churches throughout the Christian world, hence called +ecumenical synods, or universal and general councils. + +Touching the divine warrant of synods, and their power in church +affairs, much need not be said, seeing divers learned authors have so +fully stated and handled this matter.[113] Yet, that the reader may have +a short view hereof, and not be left wholly unsatisfied, these two +things shall briefly be opened and insisted upon, viz: 1. Certain +considerations shall be propounded, tending to clear the state of the +question about the divine right of synods, and their power. 2. The +proposition itself, with some few arguments adduced, for the proof +thereof. + +For the former, viz: The true stating of this question about the divine +right of synods, and of their power, well weigh these few +considerations. + +1. Synods differ in some respects from classical presbyteries, handled +in Chap. XIII., though the nature and kind of their power be the same +for substance. For, 1. Synods are more large extensive assemblies than +classical presbyteries, the members of presbyteries being sent only from +several single congregations, the members of synods being delegated from +several presbyteries, and proportionably their power is extended also. +2. The exercise of government by presbyteries, is the common ordinary +way of government held forth in Scripture. By synods it is more rare and +extraordinary, at least in great part, as in case of extraordinary +causes that fall out: as, for choosing an apostle, Acts i., healing of +scandals, &c., Acts xv. + +2. All synods are of the same nature and kind, whether provincial, +national, or ecumenical, though they differ as lesser and greater, in +respect of extent, from one another, (the provincial having as full +power within their bounds, as the national or ecumenical within theirs.) +So that the proving of the divine right of synods indefinitely and in +general, doth prove also the divine right of provincial, national, and +ecumenical synods in particular: for, greater and lesser do not vary the +species or kind. What is true of ecclesiastical synods in general, +agrees to every such synod in particular. + +_Object_. But why hath not the Scripture determined these assemblies in +particular? + +_Ans_. 1. It is not necessary the Scripture should in every case descend +to particulars. In things of one and the same kind, general rules may +serve for all particulars; especially seeing particulars are so +innumerable, what volumes would have contained all particulars? 2. All +churches and seasons are not capable of synods provincial or national: +for, in an island there may be no more Christians than to make up one +single congregation, or one classical presbytery. Or in a nation, the +Christian congregations may be so few, or so dispersed, or so involved +in persecution, that they cannot convene in synods, &c. + +3. The power of synods contended for, is, 1. Not civil; they have no +power to take cognizance of civil causes, as such; not to inflict any +civil punishments; as fines, imprisonments, confiscations, banishments, +death, (these being proper to the civil magistrate:) but merely +spiritual; they judge only in ecclesiastical causes, in a spiritual +manner, by spiritual censures, to spiritual ends, as did that synod, +Acts xv. 2. Not corruptive, privative, or destructive to the power of +classical presbyteries, or single congregations; but rather perfective +and conservative thereunto. As suppose a single congregation should +elect a minister unsound in judgment, or scandalous in conversation, the +synod may annul and make void that election, and direct them to make a +better choice, or appoint them a minister themselves; hereby this +liberty of election is not at all infringed or violated, but for their +own advantage regulated, &c. 3. Not absolute, and infallible; but +limited and fallible: any synod or council may err, being constituted of +men that are weak, frail, ignorant in part, &c., and therefore all their +decrees and determinations are to be examined by the touchstone of the +Scriptures, nor are they further to be embraced, or counted obligatory, +than they are consonant thereunto, Isa. viii. 20. Hence there is liberty +of appeal, as from congregational elderships to the classical +presbytery, and from thence to the provincial synod, so from the +provincial to the national assembly, &c. 4. Finally, the power of synods +is not only persuasive and consultative, (as some think,) able to give +grave advice, and to use forcible persuasions in any case, which if +accepted and followed, well; if rejected and declined, there is no +further remedy, but a new non-communion instead of a divine church +censure: but it is a proper authoritative juridical power, which all +within their bounds are obliged reverently to esteem, and dutifully to +submit unto, so far as agreeable to the word of Christ. + +4. Finally, this authoritative juridical power of synods is threefold, +viz. _doctrinal, regulating, and censuring_. 1. _Doctrinal_, in +reference to matters of faith, and divine worship; not to coin new +articles of faith, or devise new acts of divine worship: but to explain +and apply those articles of faith and rules of worship which are laid +down in the word, and declare the contrary errors, heresies, +corruptions. Hence the Church is styled, _the pillar and ground of +truth_, 1 Tim. iii. 15. Thus to the Jewish Church _were committed of +trust the oracles of God_, Rom. iii. 2. 2. _Regulating_, in reference to +external order and polity, in matters prudential and circumstantial, +which are determinate according to the true light of nature, and the +general rules of Scripture, such as are in 1 Cor. x. 31, 32; Rom. xiv.; +1 Cor. xiv. 26, 40, &c.; not according to any arbitrary power of men. 3. +_Censuring_ power, in reference to error, heresy, schism, obstinacy, +contempt, or scandal, and the repressing thereof; which power is put +forth merely in spiritual censures, as admonition, excommunication, +deposition, &c. And these censures exercised, not in a lordly, +domineering, prelatical way: but in an humble, sober, grave, yet +authoritative way, necessary both for preservation of soundness of +doctrine, and incorruptness of conversation; and for extirpation of the +contrary. This is the power which belongs to synods. Thus much for +clearing the right state of this question. + +II. For the second thing, viz. the proposition itself, and the +confirmation thereof, take it briefly in these terms. + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath laid down in his word sufficient ground +and warrant for juridical synods, and their authority, for governing of +his Church now under the New Testament. Many arguments might be produced +for proof of this proposition: as, 1. From the light of nature. 2. From +the words of the law, Deut. xvii. 8, 12, compared with 2 Chron. xix. 8, +11; Ps. cxxii. 4, 5, holding forth an ecclesiastical Sanhedrin in the +Church of the Jews, superior to other courts. 3. From the words of +Christ, Matt, xviii. 15-21. 4. From the unity of the visible Church of +Christ now under the New Testament. 5. From the primitive apostolical +pattern laid down, Acts xv., &c., and from divers other considerations; +but for brevity's sake, only the two last arguments shall be a little +insisted upon. + +_Argum_. I. The unity or oneness of the visible Church of Christ now +under the New Testament, laid down in Scripture, gives us a notable +foundation for church government by juridical synods. For, 1. That Jesus +Christ our Mediator hath one general, visible Church on earth now under +the New Testament, hath been already proved, Part 2, Chap. VIII. 2. That +in this Church there is a government settled by divine right, is +evidenced, Part 1, Chap. I. 3. That all Christ's ordinances, and +particularly church government, primarily belong to the whole general +Church visible, for her edification, (secondarily to particular churches +and single congregations, as parts or members of the whole,) hath been +manifested, Part 2, Chap. VIII. Now, there being one general visible +Church, having a government set in it of divine right, and that +government belonging primarily to the whole body of Christ; secondarily, +to the parts or members thereof; must it not necessarily follow, that +the more generally and extensively Christ's ordinance of church +government is managed in greater and more general assemblies, the more +fully the perfection and end of the government, viz. the edification of +the whole body of Christ, is attained; and on the contrary, the more +particularly and singly church government is exercised, as in +presbyteries, or single congregational elderships, the more imperfect it +is, and the less it attains to the principal end: consequently, if there +be a divine warrant for church government by single congregational +elderships, is it not much more for church government by presbyteries, +and synods, or councils, wherein more complete provision is made for the +edification of the general Church or body of Jesus Christ? + +_Argum_. II. The primitive apostolical practice in the first and purest +ages of the Church after Christ, may further evidence with great +strength the divine warrant for church government by juridical synods or +councils. Let this be the position: + +Jesus Christ our Mediator hath laid down in his word a pattern of a +juridical synod, consisting of governing officers of divers presbyterial +churches, for a rule to the Church of Christ in all succeeding ages. + +For proof hereof take these two assertions: 1. That Jesus Christ hath +laid down in his word a pattern of a juridical synod. 2. That this +juridical synod is for a rule to the churches of Christ in all +succeeding ages. + + +ASSERTION I. + +That Jesus Christ hath laid down in his word a pattern of a synod, yea, +of a juridical synod, consisting of governing officers of divers +presbyterial churches, is manifest, Acts xv. and xvi., where are plainly +set forth: 1. The occasion of the synod. 2. The proper members of the +synod. 3. The equal power and authority exercised by all those members. +4. The way and method of ordinary synodal proceeding. 5. The juridical +acts of power put forth by the synod; with the issue and consequent of +all upon the churches. + +First, Here was a proper ground and occasion for a juridical synod. For +thus the text expressly declareth, that "certain men which came down +from Judea, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised +after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved; when therefore Paul and +Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they +determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go +up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question," Acts +xv. 1, 2, compared with ver. 5--"But there rose up certain of the sect +of the Pharisees, which believed, saying, that it was needful to +circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses;" and with +ver. 23, 24--"The apostles, and elders, and brethren send greeting unto +the brethren which are of the Gentiles, in Antioch, and Syria, and +Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from +us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must +be circumcised and keep the law." In which passages these things are +evident: + +1. That false doctrine, destructive to the doctrine of Christ in his +gospel, did arise in the Church, viz: That circumcision and keeping of +the ceremonial law of Moses was necessary to salvation, ver. 1, 5, 24; +and this false doctrine promoted with lying, as if the apostles and +elders of Jerusalem had sent forth the false teachers with directions to +preach so, as their apology ("to whom we gave no such commandment," ver. +24) seems to import. Here is corruption both in doctrine and manners fit +for a synod to take cognizance of. + +2. That this corrupt doctrine was vented by certain that came down from +Judea. It is evident, it was by certain of the sect of the Pharisees +that believed; as Paul and Barnabas make the narrative to the church at +Jerusalem, ver. 5, therefore the false teachers coming from Judea (where +the Churches of Christ were first of all planted, and whence the church +plantation spread) published their doctrines with more credit to their +errors and danger to the churches; and so both the churches of Judea +whence they came, and of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, whither they came, +were interested in the business. + +3. That the said false teachers by the leaven of their doctrine troubled +them with words, subverting the souls of the brethren, both at Antioch, +Syria, and Cilicia, ver. 23, 24; here was the disturbance and scandal of +divers churches: compare ver. 39 with 41. + +4. That Paul and Barnabas at Antioch had no small dissension and dispute +against the false teachers, ver. 1, 2, that so (if possible) they might +be convinced, and the Church's peace preserved, without craving further +assistance in a solemn synod. + +5. That after these disputes, and for the better settling of all the +churches about this matter, (which these disputes could not effect,) +_they decreed_ (or ordained) _that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of +themselves, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about +this question, ver_. 2. Here was an authoritative mission of delegated +officers from the presbyterial church at Antioch, and from other +churches of Syria and Cilicia also, ver. 23, 41, to a synodal assembly +with the presbyterial church at Jerusalem. + +Secondly, Here were proper members of a synod convened to consider of +this question, viz. the officers and delegates of divers presbyterial +churches: of the presbyterial church at Jerusalem, the apostles and +elders, Acts xv. 6: of the presbyterial church at Antioch, Paul, +Barnabas, and others; compare verse 2 and 12. And besides these, there +were brethren from other churches, present as members of the synod; as +may appear by these two considerations, viz: + +1. Partly, because it is called "The whole multitude," ver. 12; "The +apostles and elders with the whole church," ver. 22; "The apostles, and +elders, and brethren," ver. 23. This whole multitude, whole church, and +brethren, distinct from the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem, +cannot be _the company of all the faithful at Jerusalem_, for (as hath +been evidenced, Chap. XIV., Position 2,) they were too many to meet in +one house. But it was the synodal multitude, the synodal church, +consisting of apostles, and elders, and brethren; which brethren seem to +be such as were sent from several churches, as Judas and Silas, ver. 24, +who were assistants to the apostles and evangelists--Judas, Acts xv. 22, +32; Silas, Acts xv. 32, 40, and xvi. 19, and xvii. 4, 14, 15, and xviii. +5. Some think Titus was of this synod also. + +2. Partly because the brethren of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, were +troubled with this question, ver. 23, 24. Therefore it cannot be +reasonably imagined, but all those places sought out for a remedy; and +to that end, severally and respectively sent their delegates to the +synod at Jerusalem: else they had been very regardless of their own +church peace and welfare. And the epistle of the synod was directed to +them all by name, ver. 23; and so did formally bind them all, having men +of their own members of the synod, which decrees did but materially, and +from the nature of the thing, bind the other churches at Lystra and +Iconium, Acts xvi. 4. Now, if there were delegates but from two +presbyterial churches, they were sufficient to constitute a synod; and +this justifies delegates from ten or twenty churches, proportionably, +when there shall be like just and necessary occasion. + +Thirdly, Here all the members of the synod, as they were convened by +like ordinary authority, so they acted by like ordinary and equal power +in the whole business laid before them; which shows it was an ordinary, +not an extraordinary synod. For though apostles and evangelists, who had +power over all churches, were members of the synod, as well as ordinary +elders; yet they acted not in this synod by a transcendent, infallible, +apostolical power, but by an ordinary power, as elders. This is evident, + +1. Because the Apostle Paul, and Barnabas his colleague, (called a +prophet and teacher, Acts xiii. 1, 2, and an apostle, Acts xiv. 14,) +were sent as members to this synod, by order and determination of the +church of Antioch, and they submitted themselves to that determination, +Acts xv. 2, 3; which they could not have submitted unto as apostles, but +as ordinary elders and members of the presbytery at Antioch: they that +send, being greater than those that are sent by them. Upon which ground +it is a good argument which is urged against Peter's primacy over the +rest of the apostles, because the college of apostles at Jerusalem sent +Peter and John to Samaria, having received the faith, Acts viii. 14. + +2. Because the manner of proceeding in this synod convened, was not +extraordinary and apostolical, as when they acted by an immediate +infallible inspiration of the Spirit, in penning the Holy Scriptures, +(without all disputing, examining, or judging of the matter that they +wrote, so far as we can read,) 2 Tim. iii. 16,17; 2 Pet. i. 20, 21; but +ordinary, presbyterial, and synodal; by ordinary helps and means, (as +afterwards shall appear more fully;) stating the question, proving and +evidencing from Scripture what was _the good and acceptable will of God_ +concerning the present controversy, and upon evidence of Scripture +concluding, _It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us_, Acts xv. 28; +which words, any assembly, having like clear evidence of Scripture for +their determination, may without presumption use, as well as this synod +did.[114] + +3. Because the elders and brethren (who are as authoritatively members +of the synod as the apostles) did in all points as authoritatively act +as the apostles themselves. For, 1. Certain other of the church of +Antioch, as well as _Paul_ and _Barnabas_, were sent as delegates from +the church of _Antioch_, Acts xv. 2. 2. They were all sent as well to +the _elders_, as to the _apostles_ at _Jerusalem_, about this matter, +ver. 2. 3. They were received at _Jerusalem_, as well by the _elders_, +as the _apostles_, and reported their case to them both, ver. 4. 4. The +_elders_, as well as the _apostles_, met together to consider thereof, +ver. 6. 5. The letters containing the synodal decrees and +determinations, were written in the name of the _elders and brethren_, +as well as in the name of the _apostles_, ver. 23. 6. The _elders and +brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, blame the false teachers for +troubling of the Church, _subverting of souls_; declaring, that they +gave the false teachers _no such commandment_ to preach any such +doctrine, ver. 24. 7. The _elders and brethren_, as well as the +_apostles_, say, "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us," ver. 28. +8. The _elders_ and _brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, did impose +upon the churches "no other burden than these necessary things," ver. +28. 9. The _elders_, as well as the _apostles_, being assembled, +"thought good to send chosen men of themselves," viz. _Judas_ and +_Silas_, with _Paul_ and _Barnabas_, to _Antioch_, to deliver the +synodal decrees to them, and to tell them the same things by mouth, ver. +22, 25, 27. 10. And the decrees are said to be ordained as well by the +_elders_, as by the _apostles at Jerusalem_, Acts xvi. 4. So that +through this whole synodal transaction, the elders are declared in the +text to go on in a full authoritative course of judgment with the +apostles, from point to point. And therefore in this synod, the apostles +acted as ordinary elders, not as extraordinary officers. + +Fourthly. Here was the ordinary way and method of synodal proceedings by +the apostles, elders, and brethren, when they were convened unanimously, +ver. 25. For, + +1. They proceeded deliberatively, by discourses and disputes, +deliberating about the true state of the question, and the remedy of the +scandal. This is laid down, 1. More generally, "and when there had been +much disputing," ver. 7. 2. More particularly, how they proceeded when +they drew towards a synodal determination, Peter speaks of the Gentiles' +conversion, and clears the doctrine of justification "by faith without +the works of the law," ver. 7-12. Then Barnabas and Paul confirm the +conversion of the Gentiles, "declaring the signs and wonders wrought by +them among the Gentiles," ver. 12. After them James speaks, approving +what Peter had spoken touching the conversion of the Gentiles, +confirming it by Scripture; and further adds (which Peter did but hint, +ver. 10, and Paul and Barnabas did not so much as touch upon) a remedy +against the present scandal, ver. 13-22. Here is now an ordinary way of +proceeding by debates, disputes, allegations of Scripture, and mutual +suffrages. What needed all this, if this had been a transcendent, +extraordinary, and not an ordinary synod? + +2. They proceeded after all their deliberative inquiries and disputes +decisively to conclude and determine the matter, ver. 20-30. The result +of the synod (as there is evident) is threefold. 1. To set down in +writing their decrees and determinations. 2. To signify those decrees in +an epistle to the brethren at Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 3. To send +these letters by some from among themselves, viz. Judas and Silas, +together with Paul and Barnabas, to all the churches that were offended +or endangered, that both by written decrees and word of mouth, the +churches might be established in faith and peace. + +Fifthly, Here were several authoritative and juridical acts of power, +put forth in this synod, according to the exigency of the present +distempers of the churches. This appears plainly, + +1. By the proceedings of the synod in accommodating a suitable and +proportionable remedy to every malady at that time distempering the +Church, viz. a triple medicine for a threefold disease. + +1. Against the heresy broached, viz. that they must be circumcised and +keep the ceremonial "law of Moses, or else they could not be saved," +Acts xv. 2. The synod put forth a doctrinal power, in confutation of the +heresy, and clear vindication of the truth, about the great point of +"justification by faith without the works of the law," Acts xv. 7-23; +and (Independents themselves being judges) a doctrinal decision of +matters of faith by a lawful synod, far surpasseth the doctrinal +determination of any single teacher, or of the presbytery of any single +congregation; and is to be reverently received of the churches as a +binding ordinance of Christ. + +2. Against the schism, occasioned by the doctrine of the false teachers +that troubled the Church, Acts xv. 1, 2, the synod put forth a censuring +power, stigmatizing the false teachers with the infamous brands of +troubling the Church with words, subverting of souls, and (tacitly, as +some conceive from that expression, "Unto whom we gave no such +commandment," ver. 24) of belying the apostles and elders of Jerusalem, +as if they had sent them abroad to preach this doctrine. + +_Object_. But the synod proceeded not properly to censure the false +teachers by any ecclesiastical admonition, or excommunication; therefore +the power exercised in the synod was only doctrinal, and not properly +juridical. + +_Ans_. 1. They censured them in some degree, and that with a mark of +infamy, ver. 24, as was manifested. And this was not only a warning and +hint to the churches, to note such false teachers, avoid them, and +withdraw from them, compare Rom. xvi. 17, 18, with 1 Tim. vi. 3-5; but +also was a virtual admonition to the false teachers themselves, while +their doctrines and ways were so expressly condemned. 2. They proceeded +not to present excommunication, it is granted; nor was it at first dash +seasonable, prudent, or needful. But the synod knew well, that if these +false teachers, after this synodal mark of disgrace set upon them, +should still persist in their course, incurably and incorrigibly +obstinate, they might in due time be excommunicated by course; it being +a clear case in itself that such heretics or schismatics, as otherwise +cannot be reduced, are not to be suffered, but to be cast out of the +churches. "An heretic, after once or twice admonition, reject," Tit. +iii. 10, 11; see Rev. ii. 2, 14, 20. + +3. Against the scandal of the weak Jews, and their heart-estrangement +from the Gentiles, who neglected their ceremonial observances, as also +against the scandal of the Gentiles, who were much troubled and offended +at the urging of circumcision, and the keeping of the law as necessary +to salvation, ver. 1, 2, 19, 24, the synod put forth an ordering or +regulating power, framing practical rules or constitutions for the +healing of the scandal, and for prevention of the spreading of it, +commanding the brethren of the several churches to abstain from divers +things that might any way occasion the same: "It seemed good to the Holy +Ghost, and to us, to impose" (or lay) "upon you no further burden than +these necessary things," Acts xv. 28, 29. Here is _burden_ and +_necessary things_, (so judged to be necessary for those times, and that +state of the Church,) and imposing of these upon the churches: will not +this amount to a plain ordering power and authority? Especially +considering that the word _to impose_, or _lay on_, when it is used of +the judgment, act, or sentence of an assembly, ordinarily signifies an +authoritative judgment, or decree, as, "Why tempt ye God, to lay, or +impose, a yoke upon the neck of the disciples?" Acts xv. 10. Thus some in +the synod endeavored to carry the synod with themselves, authoritatively +to have imposed the ceremonies upon the churches; whom Peter thus +withstands. So, "They bind heavy burdens, and hard to be borne, and +impose them upon men's shoulders," Matt, xxiii. 4: and this laying on of +burdens by the Pharisees, was not by a bare doctrinal declaring, but by +an authoritative commanding, as seems by that, "teaching for doctrines +the commandments of men," Matt. xv. 9. + +2. By the title or denomination given to the synodal results contained +in their letters sent to the brethren. They are styled, "The decrees +ordained, or judged," Acts xvi. 4. Here are plainly juridical +authoritative constitutions. For it is very observable, + +That wheresoever the words translated _decree_ or _decrees_ are found in +the New Testament, thereby are denoted, laws, statutes, or decrees: as +"Decrees of Cæsar," Acts xvii. 7: "A decree from Cæsar," Luke ii. 1: +Moses' ceremonial law, "The hand-writing to ordinances," Col. ii. 14: +"The law of commandments in ordinances," Eph. ii. 15: and this word is +found used only in these five places in the whole New Testament: and the +Septuagint interpreters often use the word in the Old Testament to this +purpose; for _laws_, Dan. vi. 8; for _decrees_, Dan. ii. 13, and iii. +10, 29, and iv. 3, and vi. 9. + +And the other word translated _ordained_, when applied to an assembly by +the Septuagint, is used for a judgment of authority, as, "And what was +decreed against her," Esth. ii. 1; and so a word derived from it, +signifies a _decree_, Dan. iv. 14, 21. + +In this sense also the word is sometimes used in the New Testament, when +applied to assemblies; as, "Take ye him, and judge him according to your +law," John xviii. 31; "Whom we laid hold upon, and would have judged +according to our law," Acts xxiv. 6. + +Now, if there be so much power and authority engraven upon these two +words severally, how strongly do they hold forth authority, when they +are applied to any thing jointly, as here to the synodal decisions! + +3. By the consequent of these synodal proceedings, viz. the cheerful +submission of the churches thereunto. This appears both in the church of +Antioch, where the troubles first were raised by the false teachers; +where, "when the epistle" of the synod "was read, they rejoiced for the +consolation," Acts xv. 30, 31; and Judas and Silas exhorted and +confirmed the brethren by word of mouth, according to the synod's +direction, ver. 32; and in other churches, to which Paul and Timothy +delivered the "decrees ordained by the apostles and elders which were at +Jerusalem; and so were the churches confirmed in the faith, and abounded +in number daily," Acts xvi. 4, 5; whence we have these evidences of the +churches' submission to the synodal decrees: 1. The decrees are counted +by the churches a consolation. 2. They were so welcome to them, that +they _rejoiced for the consolation_. 3. They were hereby notably +_confirmed in the faith_, against the false doctrines broached among +them. 4. The churches _abounded in number daily_, the scandal and +stumbling-blocks that troubled the Church being removed out of the way. +How should such effects so quickly have followed upon the publication of +the synodal decrees, in the several churches, had not the churches +looked upon that synod as vested with juridical power and authority for +composing and imposing of these their determinations? + + +ASSERTION II. + +That this juridical synod is for a rule to the churches of Christ in all +succeeding ages, there need no new considerations for proof hereof; +only let the reader please to look back to Position iv. of the last +chapter, where the substance of those considerations which urge the +pattern of presbyteries and presbyterial government for a rule to +succeeding churches, is applicable (by change of terms) to the pattern +of juridical synods.[115] + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +_Of the subordination of particular churches to greater assemblies for +their authoritative and judicial determination of causes ecclesiastical, +and the divine right thereof._ + + +The divine right of ecclesiastical assemblies, congregational, +classical, and synodal, and of their power for church government, being +thus evidenced by the Scriptures, now in the last place take a few words +briefly touching the subordination of the lesser to the greater +assemblies, and the divine warrant thereof. In asserting the +subordination of particular churches to higher assemblies, whether +classical or synodal, + +1. It is not denied, but particular churches have within themselves +power of discipline entirely, so far as any cause in debate particularly +and peculiarly concerneth themselves, and not others. + +2. It is granted, that where there is no consociation, or neighborhood +of single churches, whereby they may mutually aid one another, there a +single congregation must not be denied entire jurisdiction; but this +falls not within the compass of ordinary rules of church government left +us by Christ. If there be but one congregation in a kingdom or province, +that particular congregation may do much by itself alone, which it ought +not to do where there are neighboring and adjacent churches that might +associate therewith for mutual assistance. + +3. It is granted, that every single congregation hath equal power, one +as much as another, and that there is no subordination of one to +another; according to that common and known axiom, An equal hath no +power or rule over an equal. Subordination prelatical, which is of one +or more parishes to the prelate and his cathedral, is denied; all +particular churches being collateral, and of the same authority. + +4. It is granted, 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 it; but +contrarily it is affirmed, that all the power of assemblies, which are +above particular congregations, is cumulative and perfective to the +power of those inferior congregations. + +5. It is granted, that the highest ecclesiastical assembly in the world +cannot require from the lowest a subordination absolute, and at their +own mere will and pleasure, but only in some respect; subordination +absolute being only to the law of God laid down in Scripture. We detest +popish tyranny, which claims a power of giving their will for a law. +'Tis subjection in the Lord that is pleaded for: the straightest rule in +the world, unless the holy Scripture, we affirm to be a rule to be +regulated; peace being only in walking according to Scripture canon, +Gal. vi. ver. 16. + +6. Nor is it the question whether friendly, consultative, fraternal, +Christian advice or direction, be either to be desired or bestowed by +neighboring churches, either apart or in their synodal meetings, for the +mutual benefit of one another, by reason of that holy profession in +which they are all conjoined and knit together: for this will be granted +on all hands, though when it is obtained, it will not amount to a +sufficient remedy in many cases. + +But this is that which we maintain, viz. that the law of God holdeth +forth a subordination of a particular church to greater assemblies, +consisting of divers choice members, taken out of several single +congregations: which assemblies have authoritative power and +ecclesiastical jurisdiction over that particular church, by way of +giving sentence in and deciding of causes ecclesiastical. For +confirmation of this assertion, thus: + +_Argum_. I. The light of nature may be alleged to prove, that there +ought to be this subordination: this is warranted not only by God's +positive law, but even by nature's law. The church is a company of +people who are not outlawed by nature. The visible church being an +ecclesiastical polity, and the perfection of all polity, doth comprehend +in it whatsoever is excellent in all other bodies political. The church +must resemble the commonwealth's government in things common to both, +and which have the same use in both. The law of nature directs unto +diversities of courts in the commonwealth, and the greater to have +authority over the lesser. The church is not only to be considered as +employed in holy services, or as having assemblies exercised in +spiritual things, and after a spiritual manner, but it is also to be +considered as consisting of companies and societies of men to be +regularly ordered, and so far nature agreeth to it, that it should have +divers sorts of assemblies, and the lower subordinate to the higher. +That particular parts should be subject to the whole for the good of the +whole, is found necessary both in bodies natural and politic. Is the +foot to be lanced? though it have a particular use of its own, and a +peculiar employment, yet it is to be ordered by the eye, the hand, and +the rest. Kingdoms have their several cities and towns, which all have +their governments apart by themselves; yet for the preservation of the +whole, all join together in the Parliament. Armies and navies have their +several companies and ships, 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 navy. The Church is spiritual, but yet a +kingdom, a body, an army, &c. D. Ames himself affirms that the light of +nature requires that particular churches ought to combine in synods for +things of greater moment. The God of nature and reason hath not left in +his word a government against the light of nature and right reason. +Appeals are of divine and natural right, and certainly very necessary in +every society, because of the iniquity and ignorance of judges. That +they are so, the practices of all ages and nations sufficiently testify. + +_Argum_. II. The Jewish church government affords a second argument. If +in that they had synagogues in every city, which were subordinate to the +supreme ecclesiastical court at Jerusalem, then there ought to be a +subordination of particular churches among us to higher assemblies; but +so it was among them: therefore, + +That the subordination was among them of the particular synagogues to +the assembly at Jerusalem, is clear--Deut. xvii. 8, 12; 2 Chron. xix. 8, +11; Exod. xviii. 22, 26. + +That therefore it ought to be so among us, is as plain: for the dangers +and difficulties that they were involved in without a government, and +for which God caused that government to be set up among them, are as +great if not greater among us, and therefore why should we want the same +means of prevention and cure? Are not we in greater danger of heresies +now in the time of the New Testament, the churches therein being thereby +to be exercised by way of trial, as the apostle foretells, 1 Cor. xi. +19? Doth not ungodliness in these last times abound, according to the +same apostle's prediction? Is there not now a more free and permitted +intercourse of society with infidels than in those times? + +Nor are the exceptions against this argument of any strength: as, 1. +That arguments for the form of church government must yet be fetched +from the Jewish Church; the government of the Jews was ceremonial and +typical, and Christians must not Judaize, nor use that Judaical compound +of subordination of churches: the Mosaical polity is abrogated now under +the New Testament. Not to tell those that make this exception, 1. That +none argue so much from the Jewish government as themselves for the +power of congregations, both in ordination and excommunication, because +the people of Israel laid hands on the Levites, and all Israel were to +remove the unclean; 2. We answer, the laws of the Jewish church, whether +ceremonial or judicial, so far are in force, even at this day, as they +were grounded upon common equity, the principles of reason and nature, +and were serving to the maintenance of the moral law. 'Tis of especial +right, that the party unjustly aggrieved should have redress, that the +adverse party should not be sole judge and party too, that judgment +ought not to be rashly or partially passed upon any. The Jewish polity +is only abrogated in regard of what was in it of particular right, not +of common right: so far as there was in their laws either a typicalness +proper to their church, or a peculiarness of respect to their state in +that land of promise given unto them. Whatsoever was in their laws of +moral concernment or general equity, is still obliging; whatsoever the +Jewish Church had not as Jewish, but as it was a political church, or an +ecclesiastical republic, (among which is the subordination of +ecclesiastical courts to be reckoned,) doth belong to the Christian +Church: that all judgments were to be determined by an high-priest, was +typical of Christ's supremacy in judicature; but that there were gradual +judicatories for the ease of an oppressed or grieved party, there can be +no ceremony or type in this. This was not learned by Moses in the +pattern of the Mount, but was taught by the light of nature to Jethro, +Exod. xviii. 22, and by him given in advice to Moses. This did not +belong unto the peculiar dispensation of the Jews, but unto the good +order of the church. + +To conclude our answer to this exception, if the benefit of appeals be +not as free to us as to the Jews, the yoke of the gospel should be more +intolerable than the yoke of the law; the poor afflicted Christian might +groan and cry under an unjust and tyrannical eldership, and no +ecclesiastical judicatory to relieve him; whereas the poor oppressed Jew +might appeal to the Sanhedrin: certainly this is contrary to that +prophecy of Christ, Psal. lxxii. 12, 14. + +_Argum_. III. A third argument to prove the subordination of particular +congregations, is taken from the institution of our Saviour Christ, of +gradual appeals, Matt, xviii. 17, 18, where our Saviour hath appointed a +particular member of a church (if scandalous) to be gradually dealt +withal; first to be reproved in private, then to be admonished before +two or three witnesses, and last of all to be complained of to the +church: whence we thus argue: + +If Christ hath instituted that the offence of an obstinate brother +should be complained of to the church; then much more is it intended +that the obstinacy of a great number, suppose of a whole church, should +be brought before a higher assembly: but the former is true, therefore +the latter. The consequence, wherein the strength of the argument lies, +is proved several ways. + +1. From the rule of proportion: by what proportion one or two are +subject to a particular church, by the same proportion is that church +subject to a provincial or a national assembly; and by the same +proportion that one congregation is governed by the particular eldership +representing it, by the same proportion are ten or twelve congregations +governed by a classical presbytery representing them all. + +2. From the sufficiency of that remedy that Christ here prescribes for +those emergent exigencies under which the Church may lie; since, +therefore, offences may as well arise between two persons in the same +congregation, Christ hath appointed that particular congregations, as +well as members, shall have liberty to complain and appeal to a more +general judgment for redress: the salve here prescribed by Christ is +equal to the sore; if the sore of scandal may overspread whole churches, +as well as particular persons, then certainly the salve of appeals and +subordination is here also appointed. If a man be scandalized by the +neighbor-church, to whom shall he complain? The church offending must +not be both judge and party. + +3. From that ecclesiastical communion that is between churches and +churches in one and the same province or nation, whereby churches are +joined and united together in doctrine and discipline into one body, as +well as divers particular persons in a particular congregation; since, +therefore, scandals may be committed among them that are in that holy +communion one with another, most unworthy of and destructive to that +sacred league, certainly those scandals should be redressed by a +superior judicatory, as well as offences between brother and brother. + +4. He that careth for a part of a church must much more care for the +whole; he whose love extends itself to regard the conversion of one, is +certainly very careful of the spiritual welfare of many, the edification +of a whole church; the influence of Christ's love being poured upon the +whole body, bride and spouse, by order of nature, before it redound to +the benefit of a finger or toe, viz. some one single person or other. +Nor are the exceptions against this institution of gradual appeals of +any moment. + +The grand one, and that makes directly against our position is, that our +Saviour would have the controversy between brother and brother to be +terminated in a peculiar church, and that its judgment should be +ultimately requested, he saith, _Tell the church_, not churches. The +subordination here appointed by Christ is of fewer to more, but still +within the same church, not without it. To which we answer, our Saviour +means not by church only one single particular congregation, but also +several, combined in their officers, as appears by these following +reasons. + +1. A particular church in sundry cases cannot decide the difference, or +heal the distemper our Saviour prescribes against; as when a particular +church is divided into two parts, both in opposition one to the other; +or when one church is at variance with another; if Christ here limits +only to a particular church, how shall such distempers be remedied? + +2. When Christ bids _tell the church_, he speaks in allusion to the +Jewish Church, which was represented not only by parts in the single +synagogue or congregation, but wholly in their sanhedrin, consisting of +select persons, appointed by God, for deciding controversies incident to +their particular congregations, and their members. So that we may thus +reason: the subordination here established by Christ is so far to be +extended in the Christian Church, as in the Church of the Jews, for +Christ alludeth to the Jewish practice; but in the Jewish Church there +was a subordination of fewer to more, not only within the same synagogue +or congregation, but within the whole nation, for all synagogues were +under the great council at Jerusalem. Now that Christ gives here the +same rule that was of old given to the Jews for church government, is +clear, 1. From the censure of the obstinate, who was to be reputed a +heathen and a publican; wherein is a manifest allusion to the present +estate of the Church of the Jews; and, 2. From the familiarity and +plainness of Christ's speech, _Tell the church_, which church could not +have been understood by the disciples had not Christ spoken of the +Jewish judicatory; besides which they knew none for such offences as +Christ spake of to them, there being no particular church which had +given its name to Christ: as also, 3. From his citing the words of that +text, Deut. xix. 15, where the witnesses and offenders were, by way of +further appeal, to stand before the Lord, before the priests for +judgment, ver. 17. + +3. It is plain that our Saviour intended a liberty of going beyond a +particular congregation for determining cases of controversy, from the +reason of that subordination which Christ enjoins, of one to two or +three, and of them to the church. The reason of that gradual progress +there set down, was because in the increase of numbers and greatness of +assemblies, more wisdom, judgment, and gravity is supposed to be, than +in the admonitions of a few and smaller number; now, then, this power of +right admonition increaseth with the number of admonishers, as well +without as within the same congregation; if ten go beyond two in wisdom +and gravity, forty will go beyond ten, and be more likely to win upon +the offender, and regain him. + +_Argum_. IV. A fourth argument is taken from the pattern of the +apostolical churches, Acts xv. + +The church of Antioch (though presbyterial, as was proved Chapter XIII., +Position II.) was subordinate to the synod at Jerusalem; therefore a +particular church is subordinate to higher assemblies, &c. + +If a synodal decree did bind them in those times, then may it bind +particular churches now, and these ought even still to be subject to +synods. + +The consequence is undeniable, unless we hold that what the synod there +imposed was unjust, or that we have now less need of those remedies than +they had; nay, since the apostles (who were assisted with an +extraordinary spirit of inspiration) would nevertheless in a doubtful +business have synodal conventions for determining of controversies, much +more ought we to do so whose gifts are far inferior to theirs; and +unless it had been in their determination to leave us their example of a +synodal way of church government for our pattern, they had not wanted +the meeting together of so many with them for decision of the doubt, +whose doctrine was infallible, and of itself, without an assembly, to be +believed. + +The exceptions against this pattern of church polity are of no validity, +e.g. + +1. This was no synod. First, that it was no synod appears, in that we +read of no word of a synod. Secondly, no commissioners from Syria and +Cilicia, which churches should have sent their delegates, had they been +a synod, and had their decrees been to have bound in a synodal way. +Thirdly, all the believers had voices here. + +2. If it were a synod, yet it is no pattern for us, in regard it was +consisting of members guided by an infallible and apostolical spirit. + +We answer, 1. Here is the thing synod, though not the word, which is a +meeting consisting of the deputies of many single churches. + +2. That Jerusalem and Antioch had their commissioners there, is evident; +and by consequence many single churches had their commissioners, for +there were many single congregations at Jerusalem and Antioch, as hath +been proved, Chapter XIII., Position II.; that these met together, the +word used, verse 6, _they came together_, evidenceth, and verse 25. For +the churches of Syria and Cilicia not sending their commissioners, it +follows not that because _they are not named_, therefore _they were not +there_; and if _they were not there_, therefore _they ought not to have +been_: but it is rather thought Syria and Cilicia had commissioners +there, in regard the synodal decrees are directed to them as well as +others, and the decrees bound them, which they could not do as formal +Scripture; for the words, _it seemeth good to us_, and their submitting +the matter to disputation, argue the contrary; therefore as synodal +decrees, which inasmuch as they bound those churches, they either were +present, or were obliged to be present by their commissioners. + +3. To that exception, that the multitude of believers had voices there, +and therefore it is not one of our synods, ver. 22-- + +We answer, it can nowise be proved that every particular believer had a +suffrage in the assembly. + +Eminent divines[116] understand by _multitude_ and _church_, the +multitude and whole church of apostles and elders, who are said to be +_gathered together_, verse 6, _to consider of the matter_; besides which +no other multitude is said to be gathered together, while the matter was +in debate; yet we shall not deny even to other members the liberty of +their consent and approbation, and freedom to examine all determinations +by the rule of God's word: but the ordaining and forming those decrees +is here evinced to be by the apostles and elders, when as they are +called _their decrees_, Acts xvi. 4,6. + +3. Those only had definitive votes, who met together synodically to +consider of the question; but they were only the apostles and elders, +Acts xv. 6. That the epistle is sent in the name of all, is granted; +because it was sent by common consent, and withal thereby was added some +more weight to the message. + +4. Further, if the believers of Jerusalem voted in that assembly, by +what authority was it? How could they _impose a burden_ upon, and +command decrees unto the churches of Syria and Cilicia, and other +churches, who, according to our brethren's opinion, were not only absent +in their commissioners, but independent in their power? + +To the exception, that other synods may not pretend to the privileges of +that, since its decrees were indited by the Holy Ghost; and therefore no +pattern for our imitation-- + +_Ans_. The decrees of this assembly did oblige, as synodal decrees, not +as apostolical and canonical Scripture: this appears several ways: + +1. The apostles, in framing these canons, did proceed in a way synodal +and ecclesiastical, and far different from that which they used in +dictating of Scripture, and publishing divine truths; their decrees were +brought forth by much disputation, human disquisition, but divine +oracles are published without human reasonings, from the immediate +inditing of the Spirit, 2 Pet. i. 2. + +2. Besides the apostles, there were here commissioned elders and other +brethren, men of ordinary rank, not divinely and infallibly inspired. +The apostles in the penning of Scripture consult not with elders and +brethren, (as our opposites here say they did:) our brethren make +mandates of ordinary believers divine and canonical Scripture. + +3. Divine writ is published only in the name of the Lord; but these in +the name of man also, "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us," Acts +xv. 28. + +4. Canonical and apostolical writing of new Scripture shall not continue +till Christ's coming, because the canon is complete, Rev. xxii. 18, 19, +&c.; but thus to decree through the assistance of the Holy Ghost, who +remaineth with the Church to the end, and to be directed by Scripture, +shall still continue. Therefore this decreeing is not as the inditing of +the Holy Scripture. The minor is clear both from Christ's promise, +"Where two or three are met together," Matt. xvii. 18-20; Matt. viii. +20; as also by the Spirit's inspiring those councils of Nice of old, and +Dort of late: Therefore the apostles here laid aside their apostolical +extraordinary power, descending to the places of ordinary pastors, to +give them examples in future ages. + +To conclude, it is plain, that all the essentials in this assembly were +synodal, as whether we consider: 1. The occasion of the meeting, a +controversy; 2. The deputation of commissioners from particular +churches, for the deciding of that controversy; or 3. The convention of +those that were deputed; or 4. The discussion of the question, they +being so convened; or 5. The determination of the question so discussed; +or 6. The imposition of the thing so determined; or 7. The subjection to +the thing so imposed. + +1 Tim. i. 17 + +TO THE IMMORTAL GOD ALONE BE GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER. + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: This truth, that Jesus Christ is a king, and hath a kingdom +and government in his Church distinct from the kingdoms of this world, +and from the civil government, hath this commendation and character +above all other truths, that Christ himself suffered to the death for +it, and sealed it with his blood. For it may he observed from the story +of his passion, this was the only point of his accusation, which was +confessed and avouched by himself, Luke xxiii. 3; John xviii. 33, 36, +37; was most aggravated, prosecuted, and driven home by the Jews, Luke +xxiii. 2; John xix. 22, 23; was prevalent with Pilate as the cause of +condemning him to die, John xix. 12, 13, and was mentioned also in his +superscription upon his cross, John xix. 19; and although in reference +to God, and in respect of satisfaction to the Divine justice for our +sins, his death was [Greek: lytron] a price of redemption; yet in +reference to men who did persecute, accuse, and condemn him, his death +was [Greek: martyrion] a martyr's testimony to seal such a truth.--Mr. +_G. Gillespie, in his Aaron's Rod Blossoming, &c., Epist. to the +Reader_.] + +[Footnote 2: _Cent. I. lib. 2, cap._ 7, _p._ 407 _ad_ 418, _Edit. Basil. +An._ 1624. De rebus ad Gubernationem Ecclesiae pertinentibus, Apostoli +certos quosdam, Canones tradiderunt: quos ordine subjiciemus, &c.] + +[Footnote 3: Directions of the Lords and Commons, &c. Aug. 19, 1645, p. +10] + +[Footnote 4: (1) The ancient discipline of the Bohemian Brethren, +published in Latin, in octavo, _Anno_ 1633, pages 99, 100. + +(2) The discipline of Geneva, _Anno_ 1576, in _Art._ 1, 22, 57, 86, and +87. + +(3) The discipline of the French church at Frankfort, _Edit._ 2, in +octavo, _Anno_ 1555, _in cap. de Disciplina et Excom.,_ p. 75, and the +Ecclesiast. Discipline of the reformed churches of France, printed at +London, _Anno_ 1642, _Art._ 15, 16, and 24, p. 44. (1) The Synodal +Constitution of the Dutch churches in England, chap. 4, _Art._ 13, and +_Tit._ 1, _Art._ 2; and the Dutch churches in Belgia, (see _Harmonia +Synodorum Belgicarum_,) _cap._ 14, _Art._ 7, 11, and 15, p. 160. (5) The +reformed churches at Nassau, in Germany, as _Zeoper_ testifies, _De +Politei Eccles.,_ printed _Herborne, Anno_ 1607, in octavo, _Tit. de +Censuris Ecclesiast., Part_ 4, _Art._ 64, p. 813. (6) The discipline in +the churches constituted by the labor of _Joannes â Lasco_, entitled +_Forma ac ratio tota Ecclesiastici Miniterii, &c._, _author Joannes â +Lasco Poloniae Barone, Anno_ 1555, p. 291. (7) The discipline agreed +upon by the English exiles that fled from the _Marian_ persecution to +Frankfort, thence to Geneva, allowed by _Calvin_; entitled _Ratio ac +forma publicè orandi Deum, &c., Genevae_, 1556, _Tit. de Disciplina_, p. +68. (8) The Order of Excommunication and Public Repentance used in the +Church of Scotland, _Anno_ 1571, _Tit._ The offences that deserve public +repentance, &c., pp. 87, 88.] + +[Footnote 5: See more in chap. 10, sect. 1.] + +[Footnote 6: R. Park, de Polit. Eccl. 1. 2, cap. 42.] + +[Footnote 7: Malcolm. Com. in loco.] + +[Footnote 8: Calvin in loco.] + +[Footnote 9: Chrys. wisheth--"But, O that there had not wanted one that +would have delivered diligently unto us the history of the apostles, not +only what they wrote, or what they spake, but how they behaved +themselves throughout their whole life, both what they did eat, and when +they did eat, when they sat, and whither they went, and what they did +every day, in what parts they lived, and into what house they entered, +and whither they sailed, and that would accurately have expounded all +things; so full of manifold utility are all things of theirs."--Chrys., +Argum. in Epist. ad Philem. And elsewhere he affirmeth,--"Nor hath the +grace of the Holy Ghost without cause left unto us these histories +written, but that he may stir us up to the imitation and emulation of +such unspeakable men. For when we hear of this man's patience, of that +man's soberness, of another man's readiness to entertain strangers, and +the manifold virtue of every one, and how every one of them did shine +and become illustrious, we are stirred up to the like zeal." Chrys. in +Gen. xxx. 25. Homil. 57, in initio.] + +[Footnote 10: "For this cause, therefore, the conversation of these most +excellent men is accurately related, that by imitation of them our life +may be rightly led on to that which is good."--Greg. Nyssen, lib. de +Vita Mosis, tom. i. p. 170, vid. tot. lib.] + +[Footnote 11: Perkins on Matth. vi. 16. See him also on Heb. xi. 6, p. +28, in fol. col. 2, B, C, &c., and on Heb. xi. 22, p. 131, col. 2, D, +and notably on Heb. xii. 1, p. 200, col. 2, C, D, &c., and on Rev. ii. +19, p. 313, col. 1, B, and his Art of Prophesying, p. 663, col. 1 and 2. +Vide Pet. Martyr in lib. Jud. p. 2, col. 1, and in Rom. iv. 23, 24. And +Calvin in Heb. xii. 1; and in Rom. iv. 23, 24, and in 1. Pet. i. 21, +&c.] + +[Footnote 12: Park. de Pol. Eccl. 1. 2, c. 42.] + +[Footnote 13: 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10.] + +[Footnote 14: Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 15-18; 1 Cor. v. 4, 5; 2 Cor. x. +8, and xiii. 10.] + +[Footnote 15: 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; 1 Tim. iii. 14, 15, with all places +that mention any thing of government.] + +[Footnote 16: Eph. iv. 8, 11, 12; 1 Cor. xii. 28; Matt. xxviii. 18-20; +John xx. 21-23; Matt. xvi. 19; 2 Cor. x. 8.] + +[Footnote 17: Matt. xvi. 19, and xxviii. 19; John xx. 21, 23; 2 Cor. x. +8, and xiii. 10.] + +[Footnote 18: Matt, xxviii. 18-20; Acts vi. 4; 2 Tim. iv. 2.] + +[Footnote 19: Matt, xxviii. 18-20; 1 Cor. xi. 24.] + +[Footnote 20: Matt, xviii. 15-17; Tit. iii. 19; 1 Tim. v. 20; 1 Cor. v. +4, 5, 13; 2 Cor. ii. 6: 1 Tim. i. 20; 2 Cor. ii 7, 8, &c.] + +[Footnote 21: 1 Cor. iv. 1.] + +[Footnote 22: 2 Cor. x. 8, and xiii. 10.] + +[Footnote 23: [Greek: Ekklaesia], Acts xix. 32, 39, 40; Eph. v. 23; 1 +Cor. xii. 98.] + +[Footnote 24: Cameron. Praelect de Eccles. in fol. pp. 296-298.] + +[Footnote 25: Who in relating such things can refrain from weeping?] + +[Footnote 26: See Mr. Edwards's Antapologia, page 201, printed in anno +1644, proving this out of their own books. Especially see a little book +in 12mo. printed in anno 1646, styled a collection of certain matters, +which almost in every page pleads for Independency and Independents by +name: from which most of the Independent principles seem to be derived.] + +[Footnote 27: Let not any man put off this Scripture, saying, This is in +the Old Testament, but we find no such thing in the gospel; for we find +the same thing, almost the same words used in a prophecy of the times of +the gospel, Zech. xiii. 3. In the latter end of the xii. chapter, it is +prophesied that those who pierced Christ, should _look upon him and +mourn_, &c., having a _spirit of grace and supplication_ poured upon +them, chap. xiii. 1. "There shall now be opened a fountain for sin, and +for uncleanness," ver. 3. "It shall come to pass that he that takes upon +him to prophesy, that his father and mother that begat him, shall say +unto him, Thou shalt not live, for thou speakest lies in the name of the +Lord: and his father and his mother that begat him, shall thrust him +through, when he prophesieth." You must understand this by that in +Deuteronomy. The meaning is not that his father or mother should +presently run a knife into him, but that though they begat him, yet they +should be the means to bring him to condign punishment, even the taking +away his life; these who were the instruments of his life, should now be +the instruments of his death.--Mr. Jer. Burroughs in ills Irenicum, +chap. v., Pages 19, 20, printed 1646.] + +[Footnote 28: But schismatics and heretics are called evil-workers, +Phil. iii. 2; and heresy is classed among the works of the flesh, Gal. +v. 20.] + +[Footnote 29: Mr. Burroughs in his _Irenicum_, c.v. page 25; printed +1646.] + +[Footnote 30: See this evidenced upon divers grounds in _Appollon. jus +Majest._, pp. 25, 26.] + +[Footnote 31: See M.S. to A.S., pages 55-60.] + +[Footnote 32: The civil magistrate is no proper church officer, as was +intimated, Part 1 c. 1., and will be further evidenced in this chapter.] + +[Footnote 33: That the civil magistrate is not the vicar of Christ our +Mediator, see abundantly proved by Mr. S. Rutherford, in his Divine +Right of Church Government, &c., Ch. 27, Quest. 23, pages 595 to 647.] + +[Footnote 34: The formal difference or distinction betwixt these two +powers, is fully and clearly asserted by that learned bishop, Usher, in +these words: "God, for the better settling of piety and honesty among +men, and the repressing of profaneness and other vices, hath established +two distinct powers upon earth: the one of the keys, committed to the +Church; the other of the sword, committed to the civil magistrate. That +of the keys, is ordained to work upon the inward man; having immediate +relation to the remitting or retaining of sins, John xx. 23. That of the +sword is appointed to work upon the outward man; yielding protection to +the obedient, and inflicting external punishment upon the rebellious and +disobedient. By the former, the spiritual officers of the Church of +Christ are inclinable to govern well, 1 Tim. v. 17. To _speak_, and +_exhort_, and _rebuke_ with all _authority_, Tit. ii. 15. To loose such +as are penitent, Matt. xvi. 19, and xviii. 18. To commit others to the +Lord's prison, until their amendment, or to bind them over to the +judgment of the great day, if they shall persist in their wilfulness and +obstinacy. By the other, princes have an imperious power assigned by God +unto them, for the defence of such as do well, and executing revenge and +wrath, Rom. xiii. 4, upon such as do evil, whether by death, or +banishment, or confiscation of goods, or imprisonment, Ezra vii. 26, +according to the quality of the offence. + +"When St. Peter, that had the keys committed unto him, made bold to draw +the sword, he was commanded to put it up, Matt. xxvi. 52, as a weapon +that he had no authority to meddle withal. And on the other side, when +Uzziah the king would venture upon the execution of the priest's office, +it was said unto him, 'It pertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn +incense unto the Lord, but to the priests, the sons of Aaron, that are +consecrated to burn incense,' 2 Chron. xxvi. 18. Let this therefore be +our second conclusion: That the power of the sword, and of the keys, are +two distinct ordinances of God; and that the prince hath no more +authority to enter upon the execution of any part of the priest's +function, than the priest hath to intrude upon any part of the office of +the prince." In his speech delivered in the Castle-chamber at Dublin, +&c., concerning the oath of supremacy, pages 3, 4, 5. Further +differences betwixt these two powers, see in Gillespie's Aaron's Rod, +Book 2, Chap. 4.] + +[Footnote 35: See this proposition for substance fully and clearly +asserted by that acute and pious author, Mr. P. Bains, in his Diocesan's +Trial, quest. 3, pages 83, 84, conclus. 3.] + +[Footnote 36: See Cotton's Keys, &c., pp. 31-33, and Mr. Thomas Goodwin, +and Mr. Philip Nye, in their epistle prefixed thereunto, do own this +book as being for substance their own judgment.] + +[Footnote 37: See that judicious treatise, Vindiciae Clavium, chap. III. +IV. V., pp. 33-52.] + +[Footnote 38: John Cameron, Praelect. in Matt, xviii. 15, p. 149-151, in +fol, and Baine's Diocesan's Trial, the third quest, pp. 79, 80, and D. +Parcus in Matt. xviii. 15. This is fully discussed and proved by Mr. +Rutherford in his Peaceable Plea, Chap. viii. p. 85, &c.] + +[Footnote 39: A difference arose betwixt two gentlemen in that church +about singing of hymns: the second gentleman was complained of to the +church by the first, and upon hearing of the whole business, and all the +words that passed between them, this second gentleman was censured by +the church, and Mr. Nye _charged sin upon him_ (that was the phrase) in +many particulars, and still at the end of every charge Mr. Nye repeated, +"this was your sin." After this censure, so solemnly done, the gentleman +censured brings in accusations against Mr. Nye, in several articles, +charging him with pride, want of charity, &c., in the manner of the +censure; and this being brought before the church, continued in debate +about half a year, three or four days in a week, and sometimes more, +before all the congregation. Divers of the members having callings to +follow, they desired to have leave to be absent. Mr. Goodwin oft +professed publicly upon these differences, If this were their church +fellowship, he would lay down his eldership; and nothing was more +commonly spoke among the members, than that certainly for matter of +discipline they were not in the right way, for that there was no way of +bringing things to an end. At last, after more than half a year's +debate, not being able to bring these differences to an end, and being +come into England, they had their last meeting about it, to agree not to +publish it abroad when they came into England, &c. Mr. Edwards's +Antapolog., pp. 36, 37.] + +[Footnote 40: Mr. J. Cotton, in his Way of the Churches of Christ in New +England, chap, ii. sect. 7, p. 43.] + +[Footnote 41: Were the power in the church, the church should not only +call them, but make them out of virtue and power received into herself; +then should the church have a true lordlike power in regard of her +ministers. Besides, there are many in the community of Christians +incapable of this power regularly, as women and children. Mr. P. Bain in +his Diocesan's Trial, quest. 3, conclus. 3, page 84, printed 1621.] + +[Footnote 42: If spiritual and ecclesiastical power be in the church or +community of the faithful, the church doth not only call, but make +officers out of virtue and power received into herself, and then should +the church have a true lordlike power in regard of her ministers. For, +as he that will derive authority to the church, maketh himself lord of +the church, so, if the church derive authority to the ministers of +Christ, she maketh herself lady or mistress over them, in the exercise +of that lordlike authority; for, as all men know, it is the property of +the lord and master to impart authority. Did the church give power to +the pastors and teachers, she might make the sacrament and preaching +which one doth in order, no sacrament, no preaching; for it is the order +instituted of God that giveth being and efficacy to these ordinances; +and if the power of ruling, feeding, and dispensing the holy things of +God do reside in the faithful, the word and sacrament, in respect of +dispensation and efficacy, shall depend upon the order and institution +of the society. If the power of the keys be derived from the community +of the faithful, then are all officers immediately and formally servants +to the church, and must do every thing in the name of the church, rule, +feed, bind, loose, remit, and retain sins, preach and administer the +sacraments; then they must perform their office according to the +direction of the church, more or less, seldom or frequent, remiss or +diligent; for from whom are they to receive direction how to carry +themselves in their offices, but from him or them of whom they receive +their office, whose work they are to do, and from whom they must expect +reward? If their office and power be of God immediately, they must do +the duties of their place according to his designment, and unto him they +must give account; but if their power and function be from the church, +the church must give account to God, and the officers to the church, +whom she doth take to be her helpers, &c. Mr. John Ball, in his Trial of +the grounds tending to separation, chap. xii. pages 252, 253, &c.] + +[Footnote 43: See Vindiciae Clavium, judiciously unmasking these new +notions.] + +[Footnote 44: Here understand by this phrase, (_over you in the Lord_,) +viz: Not only in the fear of the Lord, nor only in those things that +appertain to God's worship, but also according to the will, and by the +authority of the Lord Christ derived to them.] + +[Footnote 45: See the Apologetical narration by the five Independents, +page 8; and Mr. Jo. Cotton, at large, asserts the divine institution of +the ruling elder. Way of the Churches of Christ, &c., chap. 2, sect. 2, +page 13-35.] + +[Footnote 46: Calvin, Beza, Pareus, Pagnin.] + +[Footnote 47: Arias Montan.] + +[Footnote 48: Tremel. out of the Syriac; so the old Geneva translation, +and our new translation.] + +[Footnote 49: Field, of the Church, book 5, chap. 26.] + +[Footnote 50: Sutlive, who afterwards declared, that he was sorry with +all his heart, that ever he put pen to paper to write against Beza as he +had done, in behalf of the proud domineering prelates; and he spoke this +with great indignation.] + +[Footnote 51: Mat. Sutliv. de Presbyterio, cap. 12, p. 87, edit. 1591.] + +[Footnote 52: Ibid. pages 72 and 87, edit. 1591.] + +[Footnote 53: Bilson's perpetual Government of Christ's Church, c. 10, +p. 136, 137, 138, printed in Ann. 1610.] + +[Footnote 54: That the magistrate cannot be here meant, see fully +evidenced in Mr. Gillespie's Aaron's Rod, &c., book ii. chap. 6, pages +218-224, and also chap. 9, p. 284.] + +[Footnote 55: Pareas in 1 Cor. xii. 28.] + +[Footnote 56: D. Field, Of the Church, book v. chap. xxvi.] + +[Footnote 57: Peter Martyr, Beza, Piscator, and Calvin.] + +[Footnote 58: Calvin in 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. _Vid. etiam Jacob. Laurent. +Comment, in_ 1 Pet. v. 2, 3, _ubi fusius de hac distinctione disserit_, +p. 322, ad. 325.] + +[Footnote 59: Mat. Sutliv. De Presbyterio, cap. 12, page 72 and 87: +edit. Lond., an. 1591. Bilson's Perpetual Government of Christ's Church, +chap. 10, page 141; in 4to. printed in anno 1610.] + +[Footnote 60: _Vide_ Calv. in loc.] + +[Footnote 61: Sutlive.] + +[Footnote 62: Whitgift.] + +[Footnote 63: Coleman.] + +[Footnote 64: Who desire more full satisfaction touching this poor and +empty gloss, that the civil magistrate should be meant by these +governments, let them consult Mr. Gillespie's elaborate treatise, called +Aaron's Rod Blossoming, book 2, chap, 6, pp. 218 to 224.] + +[Footnote 65: Bilson.] + +[Footnote 66: Mr. Rutherford in his Due Right of Presbyteries, p. 145.] + +[Footnote 67: Calvin, Beza, &c. on this place.] + +[Footnote 68: See Gillespie's Aaron's Rod, book 2, chap. 9.] + +[Footnote 69: Mr. Rutherford in his Due Rights of Presbyteries, chap. 7, +sec. 7, pages 145-147.] + +[Footnote 70: Beza, Piscata, Calvin, on this verse.] + +[Footnote 71: Bilson's Perpetual Government of Christ's Church, chap. x. +pages 130, 131.] + +[Footnote 72: Altar. Damas. cap. xii., page 918 and page 920.] + +[Footnote 73: B. King, in his Sermon on Cant. viii., Bilson in his +Perpetual Government of Christ's Church, c. x. page 132, &c.] + +[Footnote 74: B. King, in his Sermon on Cant. viii., page 40.] + +[Footnote 75: B. Whitgift in his Defence against Cartwright's first +Reply. This is one of D. Field's three glosses. Field, Of the Church, +lib v., chap. 26.] + +[Footnote 76: Bishops that have no tolerable gift of teaching, are like +idols, their cases, or rather coffins, set up in the church's choice. +Cartwright Testam. _Annot_., in 1 Tim. v. 17.] + +[Footnote 77: Altar. Damasc. chap, xii., page 919.] + +[Footnote 78: Bridge, Hussey.] + +[Footnote 79: Altar. Damasc. chap, xii., page 919.] + +[Footnote 80: Sutlive.] + +[Footnote 81: Sutlive, De Presbyterio, cap. 12, pages 72, 73.] + +[Footnote 82: Bilson's Government of the Church, page 133.] + +[Footnote 83: Sutlive, De Presbyterio, c. 12, pages 72, 73.] + +[Footnote 84: Bilson, page 135.] + +[Footnote 85: Field, Book v.] + +[Footnote 86: Bilson, page 133.] + +[Footnote 87: Field, Book v.] + +[Footnote 88: D. Downham. See Altar. Damasc. c. xii. page 924.] + +[Footnote 89: Chrysost. Homil. 15, in 1 Tim. 5, Hier. in 1 Tim. cap. 5, +Ambr. in 1 Tim. cap., Calv. in 1 Tim. cap. 5, Bullinger in 1 Tim. cap. +5, Beza in 1 Tim. 5.] + +[Footnote 90: Bilson, Sutlive, and Downham.] + +[Footnote 91: The London ministers have here inserted the testimonies of +these ancient writers in favor of the divine right of the office of the +ruling elder, viz. Ignatius, Purpurius, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, +Optatus, Ambrose, Augustine, and Isidorus; and of these three late ones, +viz. Whitaker, Thorndike, and Rivet. The amount of their testimony, when +taken together, appears to be simply this, that there have been ruling +elders, as distinct from preaching elders, in the Church of Christ from +the beginning. It is therefore judged unnecessary to give the quotations +from these authors at large.--_Editor_.] + +[Footnote 92: Against the office of deacons, and the divine right +thereof, fourteen objections are answered by Mr. S. Rutherford in his +Due Right of Presbyteries, chap. 7, pages 159 to 175. To which the +reader that shall make any scruple about the deacon's office, is +referred for his further satisfaction.] + +[Footnote 93: Some of our brethren in New England, observing what +confusion necessarily depends upon the government which hath been +practised there, have been forced much to search into it within this +four years, and incline to acknowledge the presbyters to be the subject +of the power without dependence upon the people. "We judge, upon mature +deliberation, that the ordinary exercise of government must be so in the +presbyters, as not to depend upon the express votes and suffrages of the +people. There hath been a convent or meeting of the ministers of these +parts, about this question at Cambridge in the Bay, and there we have +proposed our arguments, and answered theirs, and they proposed theirs, +and answered ours; and so the point is left to consideration." Mr. +Thomas Parker in his letter written from Newbury in New England, +December 17, 1643, printed 1644.] + +[Footnote 94: Vid. Hen. Steph. Thes. L. Graec. in verb.] + +[Footnote 95: Piscator.] + +[Footnote 96: Beza.] + +[Footnote 97: Zanch. in loco.] + +[Footnote 98: Vid. Hen. Steph. Thes. ad verb.] + +[Footnote 99: Mr. Jo. Cotton's Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, chap. vii. +in propos. 3, pages 44-46.] + +[Footnote 100: See Mr. Cotton's own words in chap. XIV. at the end, in +the margin.] + +[Footnote 101: See John Calvin, in 1 Cor. v. 4.] + +[Footnote 102: Cameron, in Matt. xviii. 15.] + +[Footnote 103: Thus Mr. Bayne remarkably expounds this text, Matt. +xviii., saying: Where first mark, that Christ doth presuppose the +authority of every particular church taken indistinctly. For it is such +a church as any brother offended may presently complain to. Therefore no +universal, or provincial, or diocesan church gathered in a council. 2. +It is not any particular church that he doth send all Christians to, for +then all Christians in the world should come to one particular church, +were it possible. He doth therefore presuppose indistinctly the very +particular church where the brother offending and offended are members. +And if they be not both of one church, the plaintiff must make his +denunciation to the church where the defendant is. 3. As Christ doth +speak it of any ordinary particular church indistinctly, so he doth by +the name of church not understand essentially all the congregation. For +then Christ should give not some, but all the members of the church to +be governors of it. 4. Christ speaketh it of such a church to whom we +may ordinarily and orderly complain; now this we cannot to the whole +multitude. 5. This church he speaketh of then doth presuppose it, as the +ordinary executioner of all discipline and censure. But the multitude +have not this execution ordinary, as all but Morelius, and such +democratical spirits, do affirm. And the reason ratifying the sentence +of the church, doth show that often the number of it is but small, "For +where two or three are gathered together in my name;" whereas the church +or congregations essentially taken for teachers and people, are +incomparably great. Neither doth Christ mean by church the chief pastor, +who is virtually as the whole church.--Mr. Bayne's Diocesan's Trial.] + +[Footnote 104: Timothy received grace by the laying on of the hands of +the presbytery. For that persons must be understood here, is apparent by +the like place, when it is said, by the laying on of my hands, he noteth +a person, and so here a presbytery. 2. To take presbytery to signify the +order of priesthood, is against all lexicons, and the nature of the +Greek termination. 3. Timothy never received that order of a presbyter, +as before we have proved. 4. It cannot signify, as Greek expositors take +it, a company of bishops; for neither was that canon of three bishops +and the Metropolitan, or all the bishops in a province, in the apostle's +time; neither were these who were now called bishops, then called +presbyters, as they say, but apostles, men that had received apostolic +grace, angels, &c. Finally, it is very absurd to think of companies of +other presbyters in churches that Paul planted, but presbyteries of such +presbyters as are now distinguished from bishops, which is the grant of +our adversaries.--Bayne's Diocesan's Trial, page 82.] + +[Footnote 105: See Assertion of the Government of the Church of +Scotland, Part I. Chap. 2, p. 122, &c.] + +[Footnote 106: Mr. Gillespie's Aaron's Rod Blossoming, book i. chap. +iii. pages 8-38.] + +[Footnote 107: Vid. Joannis Seldeni de Anno Civili, and Calendario, &c. +Dissertationem in Praefat., page 8. See also Mr. John Lightfoot's +Commentary upon the Acts, c. x. 28, pages 235-239.] + +[Footnote 108: John Cameron, Praelect. in Matt. xviii. 15, page 143 ad +162, and Mr. G. Gillespie's Aaron's Rod Blossoming, &c., book i., chap. +3, page 8, &c., and book ii., chap. 9, page 294-297; and book iii., +chapters 2-6, handling this elaborately, pages 350-423.] + +[Footnote 109: Assertion, &c., part 2, chap. 3, p. 139.] + +[Footnote 110: Basilius in Psal. cxv. Oecumenius in loc. Jerom. +Chrysostome, hom. 33, in Matt. Irenaeus, lib. 1, chap. 11. Salmeron.] + +[Footnote 111: Euseb. Hist. Eccles. 1. 8 c. 1.] + +[Footnote 112: If Cenchrea be comprehended under the church of Corinth +in this epistle, and the apostle writing to the Corinthians, wrote also +to this church, called, Rom. xvi. 1, _the church of Cenchrea_, then have +we more congregations than one at Corinth. Now, Cenchrea was a seaport +or harbor of the Corinthians. It was a place near to Corinth, on the +east of the Egean Sea. Rutherford, in his Due Right of Presbyteries, +page 462.] + +[Footnote 113: Paget, Gillespie, and the four Leyden professors, unto +whose judicious and elaborate treatises, the reader is referred for more +full satisfaction against the usual cavils and exceptions that are made +against synods, and their power.] + +[Footnote 114: This is the judgment of the learned Whitaker upon these +words: other lawful councils may in like manner assert "their decrees to +be the decrees of the Holy Ghost, if they shall be like to this council, +and shall keep the same rule, which in this council the apostles did +keep and follow. For if they shall decree and determine nothing but from +Scripture, (which was done in this council.) and if they shall examine +all questions by the Scripture, and shall follow the voice of the +Scriptures in all their decrees, then they may assert, that the Holy +Ghost so decreed," &c. Whitaker, Cont. page 610.] + +[Footnote 115: That there is an authoritative, juridical synod; and that +this synod, Acts xv., was such a one; and that this synod is a pattern +to us;--all this is most ingenuously acknowledged and asserted by that +learned Independent, Mr. John Cotton, in these words, viz: + +"IV. Proposition, in case a particular church be disturbed with errors +of scandal, and the same maintained by a faction among them. Now a synod +of churches, or of their messengers, is the first subject of that power +and authority, whereby error is judicially convinced and condemned, the +truth searched out and determined; and the way of truth and peace +declared and imposed upon the churches. + +"The truth of this proposition may appear by two arguments + +"_Argum_. 1. From the want of power in such a particular church, to pass +a binding sentence where error or scandal is maintained by a faction; +for the promise of binding and loosing which is made to a particular +church, Matt, xviii. 18, is not given to the church when it is leavened +with error and variance. And the ground----If then the church, or a +considerable part of it, fall into error through ignorance, or into +faction; by variance, they cannot expect the presence of Christ with +them according to his promise, to pass a blind sentence. And then as +they fall under the conviction and admonition of any other sister +church, in a way of brotherly love, by virtue of communion of churches; +so their errors and variance, and whatsoever scandals else do accompany +the same, they are justly subject to the condemnation of a synod of +churches. + +"2. A second argument to prove that a synod is the first subject of +power, to determine and judge errors and variances in particular +churches, is taken from the pattern set before us in that case, Acts xv. +1-28: when certain false teachers having taught in the church of Antioch +a necessity of circumcision to salvation, and having gotten a faction to +take part with them, (as appeareth by the dissension and disputation of +Paul and Barnabas against them,) the church did not determine the case +themselves, but referred the whole matter to the _apostles and elders at +Jerusalem_, Acts xv. 1, 2. Not to the apostles alone, but to the +apostles and elders. The apostles were as the elders and rulers of all +churches; and the elders there were not a few, the believers in +Jerusalem being many thousands. Neither did the apostles determine the +matter (as hath been said) by apostolical authority from immediate +revelation: but they assembled together with the elders, _to consider of +the matter_, ver. 6, and a _multitude of brethren_ together with them, +ver. 12, 22, 23; and after searching out the cause by an ordinary means +of disputation, ver. 7, Peter cleared it by the witness Of the Spirit to +his ministry in Cornelius's family; Paul and Barnabas by the like effect +of their ministry among the Gentiles: James confirmed the same by the +testimony of the prophets, wherewith the whole synod being satisfied, +they determine of a JUDICIAL SENTENCE, and of a way to publish it by +letters and messengers; in which they CENSURE the false teachers as +troublers of their church, and subverters of their souls; they reject +the imposition of circumcision as a yoke which neither they nor their +fathers were able to bear; they IMPOSE upon the Church none but some +necessary observations, and them by way of THAT AUTHORITY which the Lord +had given them, ver. 28: which PATTERN clearly showeth us to whom the +key of authority is committed, when there groweth offence and difference +in a church. Look as in the case of the offence of a faithful brother +persisted in, the matter is at last judged and determined in a church: +so in the offence of the church or congregation, the matter is at last +judged in a congregation of churches, a church of churches; for what is +a synod else but a church of churches?"--Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, +pages 47-49.] + +[Footnote 116: Junius, Beza, Calvin, and Piscator.] + + + + +APPENDIX. + +NO. 1.[117] + +_Of the Scriptural Qualifications and Duties of Church Members._ + + +_Quest_. What persons have a right in the sight of God to be actual +members of the Church of Christ? + +_Ans_. Only regenerated and converted persons, such as are married to, +and have put on Christ; such as are savingly and powerfully enlightened, +quickened, and convinced of sin, righteousness, and judgment;[118] such +as have chosen Christ for their Lord and Saviour, and resigned and made +over themselves to him, and received him upon his own terms;[119] such +only as are reconciled unto, and are in favor with God; as are justified +by faith, sanctified by the Spirit, and set apart for holiness, and unto +a living to God, and no more unto themselves:[120] such as are the +beloved of God, called effectually to be saints, and have really and +sincerely taken upon them the yoke of Christ Jesus, I say such persons, +and only such, doth Jesus Christ account worthy of this privilege and +dignity.[121] Although men do not certainly know those that are such, +and by reason of their darkness and fallible judgments they may and do +admit others into the Church, and unto her privileges, yet in truth +these have no right unto them, and ought not to be there; for these +spiritual holy things are for, and only for, spiritual and holy persons. +Christ prepares men by his grace, word, and Spirit to make them fit +materials, and then he calls them to join together and become a +spiritual house, for his delight, service, and glory.[F] And therefore +holy persons, and such only, ought to be full members of the Church of +Christ. + +This will appear by these following particulars: + +1. Because God often declares his detestation and abhorrence of others +being there, and manifests his indignation against them. As to the man +that came to the marriage supper without the wedding-garment, Matt. +xxii. 11-13; and the five foolish virgins, chap. xxv.; and the dreadful +end of the tares, chap. xiii. 38-44, which were the hypocrites, that by +the devil's instigation had crept into the Church. It is true that such +were, and will be, in the best of churches, although their guides may do +all they can to prevent it, because they cannot make an infallible +judgment of persons' states; yet it is as certain these are usurpers and +ought not to be there. For, although they are in God's providence +permitted to creep in, yet we may be sure they are not there with his +approbation:--they are not all Israel that are of Israel; for, saith God +to all uncircumcised, What have you to do to take my covenant into your +mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast my words behind your back, +(as all hypocrites do,) Ps. l. 16, 17. And Christ says, that such as +will not have him to reign over him (and to be sure hypocrites will not) +shall be destroyed, Luke xix. 27. Now, as hypocrites are most loathsome +and abominable persons in the sight of God, as may be seen at large in +Matt, xxiii. 13-35, they have no right unto the spiritual privileges of +the Church of Christ, because, in the sight of God, the gospel Church +should consist only of new creatures and real members of Jesus Christ. + +II. That all church members ought to be sincere-hearted believers +appears by the high titles which the Lord Jesus gives unto them in +Scripture: they are described to be like the king's daughter, all +glorious within. They are called saints, holy brethren, and beloved, +elect, dear children of God, the spouse of Christ, a holy temple of God, +lively stones, built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, and the +Lord's sealed ones. Now such honorable titles belong not unto mere +formal professors, but only unto the real members of Christ: not unto +those that have a name only; but to such as are so indeed and in truth. + +III. A third reason is taken from the ends of God in instituting and +appointing churches. They are said to be built by the Spirit for God, +i.e. for God to dwell and walk in them, to repose himself in them, as in +his holy garden, house, and temple. They are designed for promoting his +glory in the world, to distinguish his people from others; that they +should be to the praise of his glorious grace, and be the living +witnesses to his name, truths, and ways; that they should be the +habitations of beauty and glory, of fame and renown in the world, and be +the light thereof; and that with one heart and mouth they should glorify +God. Believers are united into a church capacity for their spiritual +profit and advantage, that God may there give them his love, and +communicate his grace, truths, and counsels to them, as to his avowed +household and family Christ walks there, and God the Father dwells +there, and the Holy Spirit speaks to them in a special and frequent +manner to distribute liberally of their love and fulness. They are +formed and set up by Jesus Christ to be the only seats and subjects of +his laws, ordinances, power, and authority, that they might receive, +obey, and observe his laws, declare before the world their owning of him +for their Lord, by their open and public profession of, and subjection +unto him, as such; and that, by their regular and distinct following of +him in their united church state, they might manifest to all men, that +they are his subjects and disciples, that they have chosen him for their +Lord and King, and his law for the rule of their faith and obedience; +that they are not their own, but his; and that they have reposed +themselves in him, as their happiness and eternal blessedness; that they +are called out of the world and set apart by his grace for himself, to +live unto him; and that they have taken upon themselves his holy yoke, +and the observation of all his laws. God has united believers into +churches, that by his Spirit and ministers he may feed and nourish them +there as his flock, water them as his garden, support them as his house, +and order and govern them as his family and household. + +IV. The Church of Christ should consist of new creatures and +sincere-hearted believers, because they only can and will answer and +prosecute the foresaid, and such like holy ends of God, in and by his +Church. They are fitted and framed, moulded and polished, by the Holy +Ghost, for their growing up into a holy temple in the Lord; and so, by +the constant and promised guidance and conduct of their living head +Jesus Christ, with their spiritual qualifications, they are enabled to +answer and perform the great ends of God, in erecting and building them +up in a church state. But unregenerate persons cannot do this, because +they are strangers in heart to Jesus Christ, and to the power of +godliness; nor would they if they could, because they have not the +saving knowledge of Christ in them, but are full of obstinacy against +God. + +V. Because all the laws, ordinances, and works of church members are +holy, spiritual, and heavenly. They are such as the natural man +understands not, and cannot discern what they are, because they are +spiritual and holy; and therefore they that are not taught of God +savingly to form a proper judgment of them, do think and judge of them +carnally and vainly. But believers have them written in their hearts +beforehand. Yet they have them not without book, I mean they have the +same laws of Christ written in the books of their hearts which they find +in the Bible, by which they are in some measure enabled to understand, +receive, love, and rightly to obey, the laws and ordinances of Christ +without. Their laws are holy and spiritual, and their works in a church +state are so likewise. They have a holy God, who is a Spirit, to serve +and worship; a spiritual Head to believe in and obey; holy and spiritual +work to do; and therefore they need to be holy and spiritual persons, +not only externally in profession, but also internally, in truth. Almost +all the laws and ordinances of Christ are committed unto them, and God +expects his principal and choicest worship from his Church; and these +are all above and beyond the reach of carnal minds. + +VI. The Church ought to be composed of believers and regenerated +persons, because they are called to continue and stand fast in all +storms and tempests; and to hold out unto the end, as being built upon +the rock Jesus Christ. For whatever church is built upon the sand, and +not upon the Lord Jesus, and by the authority of his word and Spirit, +will not stand long, because it wants a foundation to bear up its +weight. They must all be built upon the rock and chief corner-stone, the +sure foundation that God hath laid. The Lord Jesus tells us, Matt. xvi. +18, that upon this rock (i.e. himself and the truths that Peter had +confessed) will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not +prevail against it. But it is certain that hypocrites are not built upon +Christ by faith, but fix their vain hopes on a sandy foundation. +Therefore, if their persons are not built upon Christ, their church +state cannot; but upon the sand. Hence then it follows that only true +believers are built on Christ, and so they are the only persons that +Christ wishes to have built up into holy temples; because the churches +that Christ builds shall be built upon himself, that they may stand +impregnable against all opposition: and therefore they should only be +composed of such as are united to him by faith, and have chosen him for +their only rock and foundation, and not of such as do secretly reject +him. + +_Quest_. What qualifications should believers find in themselves for +their own satisfaction, before they enter into full communion with the +visible Church of Christ? + +_Ans_. They should be able to answer the following questions in the +affirmative. + +I. Can you say indeed that you do seriously and heartily desire to see, +and to be more deeply and powerfully convinced of your own vileness and +sinfulness, of your own weakness and wretchedness, and of your wants and +unworthiness? and that, in order to your deep and spiritual humiliation +and self-debasing, that you may be more vile in your own eyes, and Jesus +Christ and free grace more precious and excellent, more high and +honorable, and more sweet and desirable, that your hearts may be melted +into godly sorrow, and that you may be moved thereby to abhor +yourselves, and to repent in dust and ashes? Job xlii. 5, 6. + +II. Can you say that you do seriously and heartily desire and endeavor +to believe in Christ, and to receive and accept of him in the gospel +way, such as you find in Mark viii. 34; Luke xiv. 26-28, and elsewhere? +Do you thus desire and choose to have him with his yoke and cross? Matt. +xi. 28, 29. And do you so deny yourselves, and your sinful self, +righteous self, worldly self, supposed able, powerful self, and every +other carnal and spiritual self, that Christ only may be exalted, that +you may be nothing in your justification and salvation, but that Jesus +Christ and free grace may be all, and in all things? Col. iii. 11; Phil. +iii. 7, 8. Do you desire, choose, and endeavor to have Christ on the +hardest terms; and do you desire, that all may go for Christ's person, +blood, and righteousness, his grace, love, life, and Spirit, for the +pardon of your sins, and the justification of your persons, that you may +be found in him, not having your own righteousness, but the +righteousness of Christ by faith? Phil. iii. 9. And do you go and +present yourselves as destitute condemned sinners to him, and to God the +Father in and by him, that you may be clothed with the righteousness of +Christ, and that God may pardon, justify, and accept you for his sake +only? + +III. Do you seriously and heartily desire and choose to have Christ +Jesus for your Lord and Ruler too, Col. ii. 6; that he may rule in you, +and over you, and that your lusts and yourselves, your interests, and +your all, may be subject unto him, and be wholly at his command and +disposal continually? Is Christ the Lord as acceptable to you as Christ +Jesus the Saviour? and are you willing to obey him, and to be subject to +his authority and dominion, as well as to be saved by him? Would you +have him to destroy your lusts, to make an end of sin, and to bring all +under his obedience? + +IV. Do you seriously and heartily desire and endeavor never to sin more; +but to walk with God unto all well-pleasing continually? Col. i. 10. And +do you pray earnestly that God would work in you that which is +well-pleasing in his sight, Heb. xiii. 21, that you may in all your ways +honor and glorify him, as the end of your living in this world? 2 Cor. +v. 15. Would you indeed live to the praise of his glorious grace, be an +ornament unto his name and gospel, and be fruitful in every good word +and work? Are these things the scope, aim, and intent of your hearts and +souls (in some good measure and degree) daily, in duties and ordinances, +and at other times? + +V. Do you seriously and heartily choose and desire communion with +Christ, and in truth endeavor to obtain and keep it? Do you so seek for +it in the way of gospel obedience, and in observing your duty in keeping +Christ's commandments? And do you prefer it to all earthly, carnal +things? Do your hearts breathe and pant after it, and are you willing to +deny self, and all self-interests to get it? Are you glad when you find +it, and sad when by your own carelessness you lose it? Doth it when +obtained quicken your love to and zeal for Christ? Doth it warm your +hearts, and cause them for a time to run your race in gospel obedience +cheerfully? Doth it lead you unto, and cause your hearts to centre in +Christ? and doth it oblige and bind them faster unto him and stir you up +to thankfulness? + +VI. Do you sincerely and heartily desire, seriously choose, and +earnestly endeavor, to be filled with gospel sincerity towards God and +man, and would you rather be true-hearted towards God than seem to be so +towards man? Would you much rather have the praise of God, and be +approved of by him, than the praise of men, and be extolled by them? Is +it the great thing you aim at, in your profession and practice, to +attain sincerity and uprightness in heart? Is all hypocrisy hateful and +abominable unto you? Are you afraid of it, and do you watch and strive +against it, as against an enemy to God and your own souls, and are you +grieved indeed when you find it in you? + +VII. Do you desire and choose Jesus Christ for the great object of your +love, delight, and joy? and do you find him to be so in some measure? Do +you desire and endeavor to make him the object of your warmest +affections, and to love him sincerely, heartily, spiritually, fervently, +and constantly; and do you express your love to him by keeping his +commandments? Are you grieved in spirit, because you can love him no +more? and do you earnestly pray unto him to shed abroad his love into +your hearts by the Holy Ghost, that you may love him as ye ought? Rom. +v. 5. Doth his love and loveliness attract your hearts to him, and cause +you to yield the obedience of faith to his holy laws? + +VIII. Is it the desire, choice, and endeavor of your souls to have all +sins purged out of them, and to have them filled with Christ's grace, +truth, and holiness; and do you hate your sin, watch and fight against +it, and endeavor to keep it under? Do you indeed aim at, desire, labor, +and strive, to be holy in heart and life, and conformable unto Jesus +Christ in all things possible? Are your lusts your heaviest burdens and +your greatest afflictions, and do you intend and endeavor their utter +ruin and destruction? Will no degree of grace satisfy you until you be +perfect to the utmost as Christ is? Are you so much concerned for +Christ's honor, and your soul's holiness and happiness, that you dare +not knowingly sin against them for a world; or do, in word or deed, by +omission or commission, that which may dishonor, grieve, or wound them? +Are these things so indeed? + +IX. Have you a measure of spiritual knowledge and discerning of +spiritual things? Do you understand the nature and concerns of the house +of God, and the work and duties, the privileges and enjoyments thereof, +and what you have to do there; together with the ends of God in +instituting and erecting gospel churches? + +X. Do you intend and resolve, in the light, life, and power of Christ, +to seek for, and endeavor unfeignedly to obtain, and prosecute the ends +of church fellowship, when you shall he accepted among them? and do you +desire and aim at the holy ends appointed by God in desiring communion +with them? as, 1. To enjoy God and communion with him in all his +ordinances. 2. To worship God there in spirit and truth, and to give him +your homage and service in his house. 3. To show your subjection and +obedience to him, and to make a public and open profession of him, and +of his truths before men. 4. To receive of his grace, to enrich your +souls with his fulness, and to be sealed by his Spirit unto the day of +your redemption. 5. That you may walk orderly and beautifully, and shine +as lights in the Church, and in the world, before saints and sinners. 6. +That you may be established in the truth, live under the watch and care +of Christ's ministers, and of fellow-members; that by their inspection +and faithful dealings with you you may be kept, or brought back from sin +to God, by their wise reproofs and holy instructions. 7. That you may +yield up yourselves in holy obedience to Christ, and do all things +whatsoever he commands you, that you may have the right use and +enjoyment of all your purchased privileges, and be secured against the +gates of hell. Are these and such like ends in your hearts and minds, in +your walk and in church fellowship, and can you find the forementioned +signs of grace in you in some suitable measure, though not so clearly +and fully as you would wish? Then I may venture to assure you, that you +are qualified for being actual members of the Church of Christ, that you +are called and invited into his house, and that you are indispensably +bound to answer to the call of God, and to enter into his holy temple. + +I say that church privileges are yours, the doors of God's house stand +open for you, Christ stands at the door and waits for you, he invites +you to come in and to sit down at his table, and you shall be most +freely and heartily welcome to your Lord, and to his people. + +_Quest_. What are those qualifications, which the rulers of a church, +for their own satisfaction, should look for, and find in such persons, +as they admit into full communion with the Church of Christ? + +_Ans_. It is certain that all that profess the name of Christ and his +ways, ought not, and may not be admitted into the Lord's holy temple, +because many, if not the most of them, are very ignorant of Christ and +his ways, and notoriously scandalous in their lives, as sad and woful +experience shows. If church rulers should admit known hypocrites, they +betray their trust, and defile Christ's holy temple, by taking in such +persons as they know, or ought to know, he would not have there: and +that they ought to try and prove persons, that they may know their +fitness, before they admit them in, is clear in Acts ix. 26, 27, and +because Christ hath committed the keys of his house to take in and +exclude according to his will and appointment. + +As to satisfying qualifications in persons desiring admission into the +church, when they appear to be real sound-hearted believers, according +to the judgment of charity, by the rules of the word, the church ought +to receive them in the Lord. + +I. If they can satisfy the church, by giving Scripture evidence of their +regeneration, conversion, repentance, and faith in Christ; of their +knowledge of Christ, his laws and ordinances; of their lost and +perishing state by reason of sin, and of their sincere desires and +resolutions to become the Lord's, and to walk with him unto all +well-pleasing in all his ways. + +II. If they are sound in the faith of the gospel; I mean in the chief +and principal doctrines thereof, although they may be ignorant of, or +mistaken in matters of less importance. If they have some distinct +knowledge and faith concerning these, and other such truths and matters +contained in the word of God; as of the state and condition in which man +was at first created; how he lost that holy and blessed estate, and the +misery into which he brought himself and all his posterity thereby. +Concerning themselves, that they are by nature children of wrath, dead +in trespasses and sins, and condemned to eternal death; that they are +enemies to, and at enmity with, God; that they have neither will nor +power by nature to will and to do that which they ought, and which is +well-pleasing to God; that they have forsaken God, and are under the +curse of the law; and that they are the children, subjects, and servants +of the devil, the world, and their own lusts; that God left not all men +in this lost state and condition, but provided an all-sufficient remedy, +namely, Jesus Christ, and that by an everlasting covenant, entered into +with him, in the behalf of men, before the foundation of the world, Tit. +i. 2; 2 Tim. i. 9; Prov. viii.: and that, in pursuance thereof, he +elected and gave some to Christ, that he might save them out of his mere +grace and love. John vi. 37, 40:--That God the Father gave and sent his +Son, the second person of the Trinity, to mediate peace between God +and man, and to reconcile them to God, by his active and passive +obedience;--that Jesus Christ gave himself, and became a propitiation +for their sins;--that he assumed our nature into a personal union with +himself, whereby there are two natures in one person, by which he was +made capable of his mediatorship;--that he, being God and man in one +person, took upon himself our guilt and punishment, obeyed the whole law +of God, that men had broke, and did always the things that pleased +God;--that, when he had finished his active obedience, he became +obedient unto the death of the cross, to the wrath of God, and to the +curse of the law, Gal. iii. 13; Phil. ii. 8;--that he really died and +was buried, lay in the grave, and rose again the third day; and after +forty days he ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of +God; and that he will come again to judge the quick and the dead;--that +he is king, priest, and prophet; a king to give laws unto men, and to +command their obedience to him, to rule and govern his subjects, and to +reward the obedient, and to punish the disobedient;--that all power in +heaven and earth is committed unto him; and that he is coequally and +coeternally God with the Father and Holy Spirit;--that as a High Priest +he died and made atonement for the sins of his people, and sits in +heaven to make intercession, and to appear in the presence of God for +them, Heb. vii. 25, and ix. 24;--that there are three persons in the +Godhead, yet but one God;--that the Holy Ghost is eternally God, was +sent into the world, and came from the Father and Son, for the elect's +sake;--that it is he that regenerates persons, works effectually in +their hearts, applies Jesus Christ and all his benefits to men, and +savingly convinces his elect of sin, righteousness, and judgment. That +all that rightly believe in Christ shall be saved, but those that +believe not shall be damned; and that all that believe in him must be +careful to perform good works. That believers are made righteous, +through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and that they have none of +their own to commend them unto God. That God hath made Jesus Christ unto +his chosen, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and +that they are made the righteousness of God in him. That God imputed +their sins to Christ, and imputes the blood and righteousness of Christ +to them; and that they are justified thereby, and not by inherent +holiness and righteousness. That God loves, pardons, justifies, and +saves men _freely_, without any respect unto their good works, as any +cause thereof; but that all the moving cause (without himself) is Jesus +Christ in his mediation. That the ground and reason of their obedience, +in performing good works, is the revealed will and pleasure of Christ +commanding them, and the ends of them are to express their thankfulness +to God for his grace and love, to please and honor him, to meet with +God, and to enjoy communion with him, to receive of his grace and the +good of many promises; to shine as lights in the world, and to be useful +unto men; to declare whose and what they are, and to lay up a reward in +another world; to keep their lusts under, and their graces in use and +exercise; and to manifest their respect and subjection to Jesus Christ, +his authority, and law. That the law, for the matter of it, as in the +hand of Christ, is the rule of all obedience; and that all are bound to +yield subjection to it. That there shall be a resurrection of the just +and unjust. That regeneration is absolutely necessary to salvation, and +that without it none can enter into the kingdom of heaven. That the +Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain, and exhibit unto men, +the whole revealed will of God, and are sufficient to make the man of +God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work; and that +whatsoever they are to believe and do is contained therein; and that it +is the ground of their faith, hope, and practice. That Jesus Christ hath +instituted and appointed many ordinances of worship, for his own glory +and his people's good, and that all are bound to observe and to wait on +God in them. That all persons are indispensably bound to mind, and +carefully to observe the principal manner and end of all their duties, +and to see that they be right, holy, and spiritual indeed, and not to +please themselves with the matter of them alone. That no man can serve +God, or do any work acceptable unto him, until he be regenerated, and +brought into a state of grace. + +These are some of the matters of faith that they should in some measure +be acquainted with and believe, that are admitted into full communion +with the Church of Christ. And these and other truths must not be known +and believed in a general, notional, light, and speculative manner; but +heartily, powerfully, and particularly: not for others, but for +themselves; otherwise their faith and knowledge will no way profit their +souls to salvation. + +III. They must be qualified also with a blameless conversation. Their +conversation must be as becometh the gospel, otherwise they are not meet +for communion with the gospel church. Carnal walking will not suit +spiritual temples: for they will greatly pollute and defile them, and +stain and obscure their beauty and glory. Therefore they must not be +brawlers and contentious persons, covetous and worldly-minded, vain and +frothy. They must not be froward and peevish, nor defraud others of +their right. Nor must they neglect the worship of God in their families, +nor be careless in governing and educating them in good manners, and in +the things of God. They must not be such as are known to omit the +duties and ordinances of religion in their proper seasons, or to have +vicious families through their neglect: nor to have any other kind of +conversation hateful to God and to his people. And therefore, whatever +their profession be, they may not be admitted into the Church of God, +until they have repented of these, or any other scandal in their life +and conduct. + +IV. They ought to be such as have chosen the Lord Jesus Christ for their +king and head, and dedicated and devoted themselves to him, to live in +him and for him: such as have singled him out, and set him apart, (as it +were,) to be the object of their love, trust, and delight, of their +service and obedience. They must have chosen and closed with him upon +his own terms, (i.e. _freely_,) renouncing and rejecting all their own +righteousness, worthiness, interest, and sufficiency, and choosing and +appropriating him to themselves, for their righteousness, worthiness, +portion, and sufficiency, under a sight and conviction of their own +emptiness and deformity; and with a heart-satisfied persuasion of the +loveliness and fulness of Christ. + +V. All this must be done seriously, humbly, and heartily, so far as men +can judge. If persons declare their knowledge of God and faith in Christ +in such a manner, and apparently by such a spirit as evidences some +sense and feeling of what they do declare, church rulers may be much +helped in forming a right judgment of them, that they are fitted by God +for church-membership. If they do seriously profess, that what they do +is in obedience to the will, and, as they judge, to the call of Christ +as their indispensable duty;--that they join in church fellowship to +meet with and enjoy God, to receive out of his fulness to enable them to +perform all duties, and to conform their hearts and lives in his will to +all things;--such persons may undoubtedly be accounted worthy members, +and admitted as such. + +_Quest_. What are the duties of church members towards one another? + +_Ans_. I. The greatest is love; love and spiritual affections are the +holy cords which tie the hearts, souls, and judgments of believers +together. This is that which, together with the fear of God, makes them +avoid all things that may give just offence or grief to one another, and +that which provokes them to follow after the things that make for peace +and edification. Love is the bond of peace. It is that which, together +with divine light and truth, causes church members to draw together as +in one yoke, and unanimously as with one heart and soul to design, aim +at, and carry on mutual and common good in the church. Without this they +cannot, they will not cement, nor long abide and live together as a +church, in peace and unity, nor promote any good work among themselves. +Without heart-uniting love they will receive and entertain jealousies +and suspicions one of another, and put the worst construction on +whatever is said or done; and they cannot walk together comfortably and +profitably when these are entertained. Therefore it is absolutely +necessary for all church members to be firmly united in cordial love and +charity, which is the bond of perfectness to and in all other duties. +God highly commends and strictly commands this love one to another, and +puts it into the heart of his peculiar people, that they may do what he +commands. + +1. God highly commends it wherever he finds it in act and exercise; 1 +Thess. iv. 10, "and indeed," says he, "ye do it towards all the +brethren." To this duty, and to manifest his high approbation of it, God +hath promised a great reward, Heb. vi. 10. + +2. God commands it and vehemently exhorts to it often in the gospel. Oh +how importunately did the Lord Jesus enjoin it, and frequently press it +on his disciples when he was on earth! John xiii. 34, "A new commandment +give I unto you." What is that new commandment? Why, "That ye love one +another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." And in +John xv. 12, 17, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I +have loved you;" i.e. Take the pattern of my love to you for your +pattern in loving one another. I have loved and will love you--1. With +_great_ love, John xv. 13: so do you likewise. 2. My love to you is +_free_, without any desert in you: let yours be free, without carnal +respects one to another also. 3. My love to you is _real, hearty_, and +_unfeigned_: so let yours be one to another, 1 Pet. i. 22. 4. My love to +you is an exceeding _fruitful love_. I loved you so, as to labor, toil, +sweat, and die for you: so must you love one another with a fruitful, +profiting love. 5. My love to you is a _pitying, sparing, and forgiving +love; a forbearing and tender-hearted love_: so must you be to one +another, Col. iii. 12, 13. 6. I love you with a _warm and fervent love_: +so do you love one another. 7. I love with a _holy, spiritual love_, as +new men who have my image stamped on, and my holy nature in you, and as +you are made perfect by the comeliness and beauty I have put on you: so +do you love one another, because you are a lovely and holy people unto +me. 8. I love you with a _constant and unchangeable love_; +notwithstanding of all your weaknesses, yea, unkindness too, and +unworthy walkings before me: thus you are bound to love one another. + +O that church members and all other Christians would seriously, +sincerely, diligently, and constantly mind and practise this grand and +indispensable duty to one another, in all their ways and actions, and +not lay it aside as a little, useless, or indifferent matter, which they +may neglect at their own will and pleasure. + +2. As we are indispensably bound to love one another; so we are as +absolutely and perfectly bound to walk in a loving and encouraging +manner towards one another. Our behavior ought to be such in all things, +as to invite all to love us, as holy, humble, and blameless saints, and +brethren in Christ. The Lord Jesus expects church members to walk +lovingly towards one another, as well as to love one another. They +ought, therefore, as much as possible, to provoke and encourage each +other, and to remove out of the way of love all such stumbling-blocks as +may any way hinder it, as we cannot love a sour, peevish, contentious, +and cross-grained professor, with as much complacency as a meek, quiet, +humble, affable, and courteous one. + +3. Christ hath charged and strictly commanded all church members to live +in peace: to be at peace among themselves; to follow peace with all men, +and as much as in them lieth to live peaceably with all men. O how +often, and with what vehemency doth the Holy Ghost press and enjoin this +duty, especially among church members, in the Holy Scriptures! See Psal. +xxxiv. 14; 1 Pet. iii. 11; Rom xiv. 19; 2 Cor. xiii. 11; 1 Thess. v. 13; +Heb. xii. 14; Eph. v. 3. The apostle Paul earnestly warns church members +against all debates, strifes, and contentions one with another, +especially in their church meetings, Phil. ii. 3. David tells us, that +it is a most pleasant and lovely thing for brethren to dwell together in +unity, Psal. cxxxiii. 1, 2. 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-maker, and pronounces +them blessed that are so, Matt. v. 9. He is a lover of peace and +concord, especially in his Church; but he is an implacable hater of +strife and discord, and will not endure it therein: much less will he +wink at such as are the first sowers of these seeds. The truth is, +strivers and disputers in a church are the devil's agents, do a great +deal of mischief to it, and are real plagues in it. They greatly hinder +edification, and spoil the order, beauty, and harmony there: they are +the proud, self-conceited men, who are vainly puffed up with high +thoughts of themselves, and their own abilities, because they have got +some speculative knowledge into their heads, with a volubility of +speech, while they are destitute of spiritual wisdom and humility in +their hearts; and therefore they conceive that they are wiser than the +church, and more able to manage and order church affairs than their +rulers. Their pride and self-conceit make them slight and contemn their +teachers, and rise up in a rebellious contention with, and opposition +unto them; as the prophet complains, Hos. iv. 4, _This people are they +that strive with the priests_. Take heed then of strife and contention, +and follow peace one with another, especially in your assembling +together about the work of the church. Endeavor to get humble hearts, +and then you will not be contentious, but quiet and peaceable. + +4. Church members ought to sympathize with, and to help to bear one +another's burdens as need requires, Rom. xii. 15, 16; Gal. vi. 2. They +ought to make their brethren's crosses, losses, temptations, and +afflictions their own. And, when they need the helping hand of +fellow-members to support or lift them up, when fallen, they must give +it to them freely, readily, and cheerfully, and not turn a deaf ear to, +nor hide their eyes from, them and their cries. And, if they are cruel +to, or careless of, one another in affliction, our Lord Jesus will +require it at their hands, and lake it as done to himself. Therefore, +seeing it is the will of God, and our indispensable duty to one another, +who are members of the church, let us put on bowels of mercies and +kindness, Col. iii. 12, and be tender-hearted, pitiful, and courteous to +each other, Eph. iv. 32; 1 Pet. iii. 8. + +5. Church members ought to exhort and comfort one another, for so is the +will of God concerning them. This is not only their teacher's duty and +work, but theirs also to each other, Heb. x. 24, 25; Heb. iii. 13; 1 +Thess. v. 14. Christians stand in continual need of one another's +exhortations and consolations; and if they manage this work well they +may be very useful and profitable to one another, and may help to +awaken, quicken, and provoke one another, to the love and practice of +holiness. + +6. It is the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church's head, that her +members should be each other's keepers; that they should watch over one +another, and admonish and reprove one another, as need requires. It is +not meant, that they should pry into one another's secrets, or be +busybodies in other men's matters, but that they should watch over one +another's life and conversation, that if they do well they may be +encouraged; if ill, that they may, by counsel, reproof, instruction, and +exhortation, be brought to a real sight and sense of their misconduct, +and to unfeigned repentance. By which good work, you will do them, the +church, yea, Christ himself, good and acceptable service. Church members +should carefully observe, if all do keep close to their duty in the +church, or are remiss and negligent;--if they conduct themselves in a +holy, righteous, and sober way; or if, on the contrary, they are frothy, +vain, proud, extravagant, unjust, idle, careless, or any way scandalous. +They should strictly observe if there be any tattlers, backbiters, or +sowers of discord; or such as speak contemptibly of their brethren, +especially of their elders, (ruling or preaching,) and of their +administrations: as also, if there be any such as combine together, and +make parties in the church, or endeavor to obstruct any good work which +their elders are carrying on, for promoting the glory of Christ and the +good of his people, and deal with them accordingly. They ought carefully +to observe if any be fallen under sin or temptation in any case, and +presently to set their hands to help, to relieve, and to restore them, +Rev. vi. 1. They must watch, and endeavor to gain a sinning member, 1. +By their private admonition, in case the offence be private; and if that +will not do, to take one or two more to see what effect that will have. +2. But if that will not answer the end, then they are bound to bring it +to the church representative, that they may deal with the offending +brother, and proceed against him as commanded: This is another great and +indispensable duty required of church members, that they be not +partakers of other men's sins. + +7. Church members ought to forbear and forgive one another; for this is +another commanded duty, Eph. iv. 2, 32; Col. iii. 13. When a brother +offends or does another any injury, the offended brother should tell him +of it, examine the matter and search out the circumstances of it, and +see whether he did it unadvisedly, through weakness or ignorance; or +whether he did it wilfully and knowingly. If upon an impartial search he +is found to have wronged his brother through ignorance or weakness, he +must judge charitably of him, and not be harsh and severe towards him, +in his carriage or censure. But if it clearly appear, upon impartial +inquiry, that he did the injury knowingly and wilfully, then the +offended brother must deal with him as a wilful transgressor. He must +lay his sin before him, and show him what laws he hath transgressed; +what evil he hath done him, what wrong to his own soul, and what offence +he hath done to Christ, by breaking his holy laws. He must admonish him +again and again of his sin, and reprove him, but not too severely, until +he find him obstinate and stubborn. And if God convince him of his sin, +and give him repentance unto life, he must readily forgive him. And, if +he be once truly convinced of, and humbled for, his sin, he will most +fully confess it to his brother, as well as to God, and endeavor to make +him amends, and give him all possible satisfaction for the injury he +hath done him, most freely and willingly: for it is a certain sign that +a person is not powerfully and savingly convinced of, and humbled for, +his sin, while he bears off, and must be sought after to make +satisfaction to such as he hath wronged; because were his heart really +melted into the will of God, he could not be quiet, until he have given +all possible satisfaction to his brother whom he has injured, Luke xix. +8. But in case he remain obstinate, and will not hearken to reproof, +then the offended brother should take one or two more and deal with him; +and if that will not do, he ought to bring it to the church +representative, i.e. the elders of the church, that they may see what +they can do with him. But if they cannot prevail on him to repent and to +make satisfaction, then he ought to be cast out of the communion of the +church, Matt, xviii. 17. + +8. It is the indispensable duty of church members to hearken to and +receive instruction, admonition, and reproof from one another. For if +some are indispensably bound at certain times to give them, surely +others who need them are as much bound to receive them, Prov. viii. 33, +x. 17, and xxix. 1. These are bound to hearken to their brethren's +reproofs, counsels, and admonitions, with all humility, patience, and +freedom of spirit, with all love, meekness, and thankfulness to God, and +to the givers of them: for they are great mercies to such as need them, +and they are their real and profitable friends, who seek their good, and +endeavor to prevent their destruction. Let it therefore never be said +justly of any of you that are church members, that you were reproved and +admonished of any known sin by a brother, and that you refused and +slighted their counsel or reproof, justified yourselves in your sins, +and were displeased with or angry at such as admonished you, and did +their indispensable duty to you, under your sin, for your salvation. + +9. Church members ought to pray for one another, and that with a real +love, fervency, and importunity, as they do for themselves, James v. 16. +O with what serious minds and strong affections should all church +members pray for one another! They should be much in building up one +another, and praying in the Holy Ghost one for another, Jude 20. They +should carry one another in their hearts at the throne of grace, +especially such as are under affliction, the whole Church in general, +and her teachers in particular, Heb. xiii. 18, and wrestle with God for +them; for they have the spirit of prayer given them, and audience and +interest in heaven, for others, as well as for themselves. + +10. Church members should often meet together for prayer and holy +conversation, by two or three or more, as they may have opportunity. +This was wont to be the commendable practice of our forefathers, when +Christ, duty, heaven, and religion lay warmer on their hearts than now +they do; and this is still the practice of some, that are now alive. God +hath promised his glorious teaching, and his warming, strengthening, +sanctifying, and comforting presence to such as do so, Matt, xviii. 20. +Church members find time enough to visit one another, and meet together +to tell some idle stories, to tattle about other men's matters, which +do not concern them, and perhaps to _backbite_ some of their brethren, +and to prejudice the minds of persons against their teachers and their +work, if they do not please them. And will not such meetings have +bitterness in the end? Is it not great iniquity for Christians to tempt +one another to sin, and to wrong their own souls, by misspending that +precious time which they might have employed in the service of God, and +one another's spiritual profit. Men and women were wont to discourse +often of the things of God and their experiences one to another, Mal. +iii. 16. But, alas! few persons are now to be found, who can find time +and inclination for such an exercise. And the reason seems to be, that +most are great strangers to God and to themselves, and are so much +intoxicated with the things of this world, that they will not attend +with any pleasure unto the spiritual duties of religion. + +11. Church members ought to encourage one another by their example, to +attend regularly on the public ordinances of God's worship in his +church. Whenever the church meets for the celebration of the worship of +God, all her members are bound to meet together at the appointed time, +except in extraordinary cases; otherwise good order cannot be kept, and +the public duties performed, for the glory of God, and the edification +of the church. By church members wilfully or carelessly absenting +themselves at the time of meeting, they give an evil example to others, +tempt them to do the like, and cast a stumbling-block in the way of +their duty, Heb. x. 25. + +12. Church members must be charitable to the poor that are among them, +and freely contribute to them according to their ability and _their_ +necessity. They are indispensably bound to impart their help and +assistance to the poor, and to give them a little of their estates. It +is a debt which they owe to God, and a duty to them. They will comfort +them thereby; but they will much more profit themselves than them. It is +a more blessed thing to give than to receive. Wealthy persons are +stewards for the poor, and a part of what God hath given those was +designed for these, 1 Pet. iv. 10, and therefore, says God, Deut. xv. 7, +8, "Thou shalt not shut thine hand from thy poor brother, but shalt open +it wide unto him." The rich must not only give to keep the poor alive in +misery, but make comfortable provisions for them, that they may have +enough to keep them from the temptations of poverty and pressing wants, +and to fit them for, and encourage them in, their work and duty, to God +and man. + +13. Church members ought carefully, watchfully, diligently, and +conscientiously to beware of and avoid whatever may give any just +offence or scandal to one another. For we are charged to "give none +offence neither to Jew nor Gentile, nor to the Church of God," 1 Cor. x. +32. And our Saviour tells us, that "wo to them by whom the offence +cometh," Matt, xviii. 7. + +You must take heed of such evils as the following, and avoid them, +because they all carry scandal in their nature to your own and others' +souls: as, 1. Proud, disdainful, and haughty words conduct, and +conversation; for these are grievous and provoking evils, which will +justly offend all the observers of them. 2. Sullen, sour, and churlish +language and behavior, which is offensive unto all sorts of persons; for +this is an evil altogether unbecoming the followers of Jesus Christ. 3. +A cross, captious, and contradictive spirit and conduct, delighting in +opposition to the judgment of the church and her rulers. This is very +scandalous to the brethren, and very reproachful unto themselves. 4. +Speaking evil of one another behind their backs; backbiting or +publishing their real or supposed evils, before they have been spoken to +in secret. 5. Speaking lightly or contemptibly of one another, either to +themselves or to others in their absence, as few men can bear patiently +to be despised by the slighting carriages of their brethren. 6. Vain, +foolish, and frothy discourses, which are very offensive to gracious +saints. 7. Earthly-mindedness and greedy pursuits after worldly things; +for as these are offensive to God, and hurtful to the soul, so they are +offensive to saints. 8. Strife and contention among brethren, and +grudging or envying one another's prosperity; as these produce many evil +and wicked fruits, and cast blame upon the providence of God, who +bestows his mercies as he will. 9. Defrauding and breaking promises. +Contracting debts and unduly delaying or refusing to pay them, and +disappointing men of their just expectations in virtue of promises made +to them. Those also are scandalous, and cause the name of God to be evil +spoken of. 10. Entering into a marriage relation with such as are +apparently in an unbelieving, carnal, and unconverted state and +condition; for this also is very offensive to holy serious men, although +many make very light of it. 11. Idleness and slothfulness in your +external calling, neglecting to provide for your own house, as that will +prove a scandalous sin to others and to yourselves too. 12. Taking up a +report rashly against one another of a scandalous nature, giving ear +unto tattlers, and busybodies; or being busybodies in other men's +matters yourselves, as this will give great offence. + + + + +NO. II.[122] + + +_Quest_. Who have a right to preach the gospel and dispense the public +ordinances of religion? + +_Ans_. Without some proper furniture, it is absurd to imagine any should +be sent of God to the ministerial work. When the ascended Jesus gave to +the church apostles, evangelists; pastors and teachers, he gave gifts to +men. _Who_, saith he, _goeth at, any time a warfare on his own charges?_ +What is the furniture, the qualifications prerequisite, according to the +Holy Scriptures? A blameless conversation, a good report; experience of +the self-debasing work of the Spirit of God; compassion to the souls of +men; a fixedness in the Christian doctrines; a disposition faithfully to +perform his vows; an aptness to teach the ignorant, and convince +gainsayers. Knowledge of languages, knowledge of the history and +sciences of this world, are useful handmaids to assist us in the study +of divine things. To preach from the oracles of God, without capacity to +peruse the original, especially if versant in romances and plays, we +abhor and detest. This aptness to teach, however, consists not chiefly +in any of these, but in a capacity to conceive spiritual things, and +with some distinctness to express their conceptions to the edification +of others, in that energy and life, whereby one, as affected himself, +declares the truths of God, in a simple, serious, bold, and +conscience-touching manner. The difference of this, from human +eloquence, loud bawling, and theatrical action, is evident. These may +touch the passions, and not affect the conscience: they may procure +esteem to the preacher, none to Christ. These are the product of natural +art: this the distinguished gift of God, without which, in a certain +degree, none can have evidence that he was divinely sent to minister the +gospel of Christ. + +No appearance of furniture, real or pretended, can warrant a man's +exercising of the ministry, unless he have a regular call. That _all may +prophesy one by one_ is indeed hinted in the sacred records: but there +it is evident inspiration treats of what pertains to extraordinary +officers in the church; hence there is mentioned _the gift of tongues_, +extraordinary _psalms, revelations_: the _all_ that might prophesy are, +therefore, not _all_ the members of the church; not _women_, who are +forbid to speak in the church; but _all_ the extraordinary officers +called prophets, 1 Cor. xiv. 31. The _all_ that were scattered abroad +from Jerusalem, and _went about preaching the gospel_, Acts viii. 2, +could not be _all_ the believers; for there remained at Jerusalem a +church of believers for Saul to make havoc of. It must therefore have +been _all_ the preachers, besides the apostles. To strengthen this, let +it be observed, that the word here rendered _preaching_ is nowhere in +Scripture referred to one out of office: that every one of this +dispersion, we afterward hear of, are represented as evangelists, +pastors, or teachers, Acts ix. 1, 11, 19, and xiii. 1. Parents and +masters convey the same instruction that ministers do; but with a +different authority: not as ministers of Christ, or officers in his +Church. If other gifts or saintship entitled to preach the gospel, wo +would be unto every gifted person, every saint, that did not preach it. +If our adored Redeemer refused the work of a civil judge because not +humanly vested with such power, will he allow his followers to exercise +an office far more important, without any regular call? His oracles +distinguish between the mission of persons, and their gifts, sometimes +called a receiving of the Holy Ghost, John xx. 21, 23. + +To render the point incontestably evident, he demands, how men shall +preach _except they be sent_? declares, that _no man_ rightly _taketh +this honor to himself but he that is called of God, as was Aaron_. "I +sent them not, therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith +the Lord." The characters divinely affixed to ministers, preachers, or +heralds, ambassadors, stewards, watchmen, angels, messengers, brightly +mark their call and commission to their work. The inspired rules for the +qualifications, the election, the ordination of ministers, are divinely +charged to be kept till _the day_, the second coming _of Jesus Christ_. +For intermeddling with the sacred business without a regular call, has +the Almighty severely punished numbers of men. Witness the destruction +of Korah and his company; the rejection of Saul; and the death of Uzza; +the leprosy of Uriah; the disaster of the sons of Sceva, &c., Num. xvi.; +1 Sam. xiii.; 1 Chron. xiii.; 2 Chron. xxvi.; Acts xix. + +To rush into it, if gifted, or to imagine we are so, at our own hand, +introduces the wildest disorder, and the most shocking errors: it did so +at Antioch, and the places adjacent, where some falsely pretended a +mission from the apostles. This, too, was its effect with the German +anabaptists, and with the sectaries of England. Aversion at manual work, +pride of abilities, a disturbed imagination, a carnal project to promote +self, prompts the man to be preacher. Such ultroneous rushing is +inconsistent with the deep impression of the charge, and the care to +manifest their mission, everywhere in Scripture obvious in the ministers +of Christ. However sound his doctrine, great his abilities, warm his +address, where is the promise of God's especial presence, protection, +or success, to the ultroneous preacher? Where is his conduct commanded, +commended, or unmarked with wrath, exemplified in the sacred words? How +then can the preaching, or our hearing, of such, be in faith? How can it +be acceptable to God, or profitable to ourselves? For _whatsoever is not +of faith is sin_. Falsely this preacher pretends a mission from Christ: +wickedly, he usurps an authority over his Church: rebelliously he +deserts his own calling, and attempts to make void the office his +Saviour has appointed; to frustrate the dispensation of the gospel +committed to his faithful ambassadors. For how can they fulfil their +ministry, if others take the work out of their hand? How can they +_commit it to faithful men_, if, not waiting their commission, men rush +into it at pleasure? + +In vain pleads the ultroneous preacher, that a particular mission to the +office of preaching and dispensing the sacraments was only necessary, +when the gospel was preached to the heathen. From age to age, it is _as +new_, to children _as new_, to such as never heard it. Nor, when hinting +the necessity of a mission, does the inspiring Spirit make any +distinction, whether the gospel be newly dispensed or not. _What +therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder_. In vain he +pleads an immediate commission from God: in his infallible statutes, +having fixed standing rules of vocation to the ministry, by the +mediation of men, God gives us no command, no encouragement, to hope for +an immediate call, till the end of time. Absurdly then we allow any to +have such a call, till we see _the signs of an apostle wrought in him_. +It is not sufficient he be sound in his doctrine, exemplarily holy in +his life, active in his labors, disinterested in his aims, seeking not +his own, but the honor of Christ, not his own carnal profit, but the +spiritual welfare of men: every ordinary preacher is, or ought to be so. +But, to this claimant of a mission uncommon, working of miracles, or +such extraordinary credentials, must demonstrate he hath not run unsent. + +In vain the ultroneous preacher boasts of his feelings; his success; his +moving his audience; his reforming their lives; as if these demonstrated +his call from God. On earth, was ever delusion carried on without +pretence to, or without appearances of these? Let them, who know the +history of Popery, of Mahometanism, Quakerism, &c., say if they were. +Who knows not, that the Pharisaic sect pretended far more strictness, +far more devotion, than the family of Christ? Who knows not, that Satan +may, and has oft _transformed_ himself _into an angel of light_; his +ministers into the form of inspired apostles; and his influences, almost +indiscernibly similar to those of the Spirit of Jesus Christ? Who knows +not, how oft vain-glory, proud and falsely extolling of himself and +party, in their number, their spiritual experience and high advances in +holiness, mark the distinguished impostor? How oft his sermons are +larded with these! + +No more tell us, if the sermon be good, you do not regard who preach it. +If God has prescribed a method of call, has stated the qualifications of +the candidate, has warned against preachers unsent, has oft marked their +guilt with visible strokes of his wrath, be ashamed to talk at so +arrogant, so careless a rate. Lay it not in the power of the +Mesopotamian wizard! Lies it not in the power of a Romish Jesuit, nay, +if permitted, of Beelzebub, for a time to preach to you many truths of +the gospel, in the warmest strain, the loftiest language? Would you +acknowledge the _three_ for honored ambassadors of Christ? Tell us not +your preacher is wonderfully pious and good: perhaps you have only his +own attestation; when better known he may be a drunkard, a swearer, a +villain, for you. Suppose he were pious, so was Uzziah; yet it pertained +not to him to execute the priest's office. Say not he is wonderfully +gifted--speaks like _never man_: perhaps so was Korah, a man famous and +of renown: such perhaps were the vagabond sons of Sceva. Say not his +earnestness in his work marks his heavenly call: no, such were the +Satanic exorcists just mentioned; such was Mahomet, the vilest impostor. +To abolish the idolatry, and various other abominations of his country, +he exposed himself to cruel reproach, to manifold hardship and hazard of +life; about fourteen years almost unsuccessful he persevered in this +difficult, but delusive attempt. What hunger, what cold, what torment +and death have some Jesuitic and other antichristian missionaries +undergone, to propagate the most ruining delusions of hell; all under +the pretence of earnestness to gain sinners to Christ and his church. +The Scripture, however, nowhere saith, how shall they preach except they +be gracious? except they be gifted? except they be in earnest? But, _how +shall they preach except they be sent_? + + + + +NO. III.[123] + +_On the same subject--Who have a right to preach the gospel_? + + +It is expressly enjoined in the word of God that we should earnestly +contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. This faith includes +all the ordinances, as well as all the doctrines of Christ; and it is no +less our duty to contend for the former than for the latter. They have +been equally opposed, and there is the same necessity why we should +contend for both. Among the ordinances of Christ, the preaching of the +gospel holds a principal place, and it hath accordingly, in all ages, +met with considerable opposition. Like other ordinances, it hath been +often grievously abused, and perverted to the most unworthy purposes. By +many who would be esteemed the wise of the world, it is counted unworthy +the attention of any but the vulgar: it has been called the foolishness +of preaching. The infidels of our time, and some who, by attachment to +the Arian and Socinian system, are in a progress to infidelity, cry it +down as a human device or piece of craft. This need not, however, +occasion any great surprise: the spirit of the world savoreth not the +things that be of God, and the enemies of the truth naturally wish to +have full scope to propagate their delusions. But it is matter of regret +that the preaching of the gospel is, by many who attend upon it, too +little regarded as an ordinance of Christ. And some of the professed +friends of gospel doctrine so far mistake the nature and institution of +preaching, as to engage in it without any other call than their own +abundant zeal, and even to plead that all should do so who find +themselves qualified. To show that such a sentiment and practice have no +warrant from the word of God, the following observations are offered. + +I. The preaching of the gospel is an ordinance that Christ hath +appointed for the gathering and edification of his Church; and, being a +matter of positive institution, all that belongs to the administration +of it can be learned only from the rules and approved examples recorded +in the New Testament. It is not like those duties that are incumbent +upon all, according to the opportunities they have in providence for the +performance of them, and which, without any express commandment, could +be urged upon Christians by the common principles of moral obligation, +such as to teach and admonish one another. And because the obligation to +such moral duties depends not upon positive institution, it must equally +extend to all, and no person whatever can be free from it. But it is +otherwise as to the preaching of the gospel, which is a positive +institution of Christ; for it is a duty enjoined upon some only; yea, +some are even absolutely prohibited from intermeddling in it, 1 Cor. +xiv. 34; 1 Tim. ii. 12: and this could not be the case if it were a +matter of common moral obligation. All arguments therefore taken from +general principles, to prove the obligation that Christians are under to +exert themselves for promoting the cause of religion, are to no purpose +here, as they do not prove that the preaching of the gospel is one of +those means that all are warranted to use. + +II. There is an instituted ministry of the ordinances of Christ unto his +Church, by such ministers and office-bearers as he hath appointed. And +the preaching of the gospel is frequently referred to as a principal +part of that ministry. We read of a ministry of the word, Acts vi. 4; a +ministry received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace +of God, Acts xx. 24; a ministry of reconciliation, 2 Cor. v. 18; and a +ministry into which some are put by the Lord Christ, 1 Tim. i. 12. This +ministry is not left open to all the members of the church, in such a +manner as that everyone who finds himself disposed, of supposes himself +to be qualified, may engage in it as he finds opportunity; but +office-bearers are appointed for it by the Lord Christ, Eph. iv. 11,12: +"And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and +some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the +work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ." Some +of these officers were extraordinary and temporary; they had an +extraordinary call, and were endued with miraculous powers, which are +now ceased: but the work of the ministry, and particularly the preaching +of the gospel, is to continue to the end of the world, as appears from +the promise given for the encouragement of those that are employed in +it, Matt, xxviii. 20. There are accordingly ordinary officers, pastors, +and teachers, appointed for the continued exercise of that ministry. + +To these instituted office-bearers is this ministry exclusively +committed, Mark xvi., Matt, xxviii. The gospel of Christ, in respect of +the public ministry thereof by preaching, is frequently mentioned as a +special and peculiar _trust_ committed unto them, 2 Cor. v. 18-20; 1 +Tim. i. 11, and vi. 20. In all the passages of Scripture where we have +any mention of a charge or commission to preach the gospel, it would be +easy to show that it is directed only to persons in office; and a +variety of names are given to those that are employed in a ministry of +the word, all of which are expressive of their peculiar office. They are +called ministers, 1 Cor. iii. 6; officers and stewards, 1 Cor. iv. 1; +ambassadors for Christ, 2 Cor. v. 20; heralds (so the word preacher +signifies) and teachers, 2 Tim. i. 11. + +There is no room to plead here, that though a constant ministry of the +word, in a pastoral charge, belongs only to persons in office, yet all +may occasionally exercise their gifts in preaching the gospel. The word +of God acknowledges no such distinction as that between a constant and +an occasional ministry of the gospel. It enjoins upon those who are +called to the work of the ministry, not an occasional, but a constant +exercise of that ministry; so that whether they be paid pastors, or +itinerant preachers, they are not to entangle themselves with the +affairs of this life, but must be devoted wholly to the work of the +gospel, 1 Tim. iv. 13-16; 2 Tim. ii. 4, and iv. 2. And because they must +thus devote their time and attention to this work, the word of God also +enjoins that a maintenance be given them by those to whom they exercise +their ministry, 1 Cor. ix. 7-14; Gal. vi. 6; 1 Tim. v. 17. This is a +farther evidence that the ministry of the word is restricted to persons +in office, and that they are to devote their time and attention to it, +not entangling themselves in the prosecution of a secular business. + +III. Those only can be warrantably employed in a ministry of the +ordinances of Christ, and particularly in preaching the gospel, who are +thereunto called by him, and admitted according to the rule laid down in +the word. And none can be warrantably acknowledged and received as +office-bearers, to whom that ministry is committed without some proper +evidence of their being called and sent by Christ. "How shall they +preach except they be sent?" Rom. x. 15. How, without this, can they do +it warrantably or profitably? And, without some evidence of this, what +ground have we to expect a blessing in waiting upon their ministry? It +is not a mere providential sending that is here meant, as if there were +no more necessity than abilities, and an opportunity of exercising them; +for so the ministers of Satan may be sent, and a lying spirit was thus +sent among the prophets of Ahab. But this sending means the call of +Christ, intimated in such a way as to warrant the preacher, and with +such evidence as may satisfy the conscience of the hearers, in receiving +his ministry as the ordinance of Christ. A zeal for God, a strong desire +of being useful to souls, and even a persuasion of having the call of +Christ, cannot be sufficient warrant to the preacher; far less can the +hearers, in receiving him, proceed upon grounds so uncertain. + +The apostles, and some other ministers in the beginning of the Christian +dispensation, had an extraordinary call and immediate mission by Christ, +and this was evidenced to all by the miraculous powers bestowed on them. +These powers are now ceased, and it is vain to plead any such immediate +call. The ordinary call of Christ to the work of the ministry is +intimated by or through the church, judging thereof by the rules laid +down in the word; and according to these rules, they that are found +qualified and called, are to be admitted to the ministry by them who are +already invested with it. The charge is given to the office-bearers of +the church, to commit that ministry which they have received "to +faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also," 2 Tim. ii. 2; +Tit. i. 5. And for their direction in this matter, the qualifications +necessary, both as to character and abilities, are laid down in the +Word, particularly in 1 Tim. iii.; of these qualifications they are +required to make an impartial and deliberate examination, so as to _lay +hands suddenly on no man_, 1 Tim. iv. 22, but to admit to the office of +the ministry those only, who, by this trial, they have reason to judge +are called and sent by Christ. + +It is vain to distinguish here between a pastor of a congregation and an +itinerant preacher; as if the call of the church was necessary only to +the former and not to the latter. If by the call of the church is meant +only the choice and call of the people, it is admitted, that this is +only necessary to fix a pastoral relation to that part of the flock; but +a regular admission to the work of the ministry, by the office-bearers +of the church, is equally necessary in the case of all that are employed +in it, whether they have a fixed charge or not. Timothy, who had no +fixed charge, and though pointed out by prophecy as designed for the +ministry, was ordained and admitted to it by the presbytery. And though +Paul and Barnabas had an extraordinary call, yet the prophets and +teachers of the church at Antioch are directed to separate and send them +out, according to the call of the Holy Ghost, to preach the gospel unto +the Gentiles, Acts xiii. A principal design of this seems to have been, +to set an example of procedure to the church in after times. + +It appears, then, 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 cases, none can be +acknowledged as sent by him, but such as are admitted to the ministry in +the way above mentioned. These observations would have admitted a much +larger illustration; but as they are, they may assist an attentive +reader to consult his Bible for further satisfaction. It is necessary, +however, to take some notice of the arguments urged in support of the +opposite sentiment, and of the attempt to prove that every man who is +qualified has a right to preach the gospel, without any regular call and +admission by the church. And, + +1st. It is pretended that this is enjoined upon all that are qualified +for it, because Christians are called to teach, exhort, and admonish one +another. But even supposing that this were to be understood of +preaching, or a public ministry of the word, such directions, though +expressed generally, would not apply to all, but to those only who are +called to the ministry, according to the limitation and restriction that +is laid down in other places of Scripture. There is, however, no +necessity of understanding these directions in that sense. The +Scripture evidently distinguishes the preaching of the gospel, or that +public teaching which belongs to an instituted ministry, from that +private teaching which is competent to, and obligatory on, all +Christians by the law of love; the latter is enjoined upon some to whom +the former is absolutely prohibited: compare 1 Tim. ii. 12, with Tit. +ii. 3, 4. Christians in a private station have abundant opportunity, and +ordinarily much more than they improve, to exercise their talents in +teaching their families, friends, and neighbors, without interfering +with that public ministry of the word which is committed to those who +are especially called thereto. + +2d. Some passages of Scripture are urged, wherein it is supposed all +Christians are enjoined to exercise their qualifications in public +teaching or preaching: particularly Rom. xii. 6-8; 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11. +These Scriptures, on the contrary, restrict the public ministry of the +word to those invested with an office, and it is that ministry which +belongs to their office that is spoken of. In Rom. xii. persons in +office are exhorted to apply themselves faithfully and diligently to +that ministry to which they are called, whether it be a ministry of the +word, and of spiritual things, or a ministry of temporal things, and +that without envying others who have a different office and ministry. +And, to enforce this exhortation, the apostle compares the Church to the +natural body, ver. 4, in which all members have not the same office, but +one member is appointed to one office, and another member to a different +office: and so it is in the Church of Christ, ver. 5. The same allusion +is applied more largely, 1 Cor. xii. 27, 28, to illustrate this very +point. The other passage, 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11, is of the very same import: +those in office are called to exercise their ministry faithfully, +whether it be in spiritual or temporal things, and are addressed as +stewards, ver. 10; "As every man hath received the gift, even so +minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace +of God." Some are led to mistake the meaning of these Scriptures, by +misunderstanding the word _gift_, as if it meant only talents or +qualifications; whereas, in these and many other passages, it means a +certain office and ministry to which one is appointed. Eph. iv. 8, 11: +He gave gifts unto men; he gave some apostles, some prophets, &c. 1 Tim. +iv. 14: "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by +prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy +was ordained to the office of the ministry in consequence of special +direction of the spirit of prophecy. See 1 Tim. i. 18. + +3d. It is also supposed and much insisted on by some, that both precept +and example for the preaching of the gospel, by what they call every +gifted brother, may be found in 1 Cor. xiv. 31, which is particularly +urged in support of their opinion: "For ye may _all_ prophesy, one by +one, that _all_ may learn, and _all_ may be comforted." But universal +terms, such as are here used, are limited or extended according to the +subject; and that even in the same verse, as in chap. xv. 22. In like +manner here, the _all_ that may prophesy are not the same _all_ that may +learn and be comforted. The latter may extend to all the members of the +church, and even to strangers who might come into their assemblies; the +former could apply only to a few. Some members of the church are +expressly prohibited from public teaching, ver. 34. Besides, all were +not prophets, chap. xii. 29, and therefore all could neither prophesy, +nor could warrantably attempt it. The state of matters referred to in +that chapter seems to have been this: The church at Corinth was +numerous, and had many ministers, of whom the most, if not all, were +endowed with some miraculous power, such as that of prophecy, of +speaking strange languages, and the like; they were proud of these +gifts, and forward to show them, ver. 26, which occasioned disorder in +their assemblies for worship; those that had the gift of tongues +prevented the prophets, and did not modestly give place to one another. +These disorders the apostle reproves, and exhorts them to exercise their +gifts in a more regular and decent manner, for the edification of the +church. This being the case, it is strange to plead this passage as a +warrant for the preaching of the gospel by those who are in no office, +and who neither have any miraculous power to prove their immediate call +by Christ to the work of the ministry, nor are admitted thereto by the +call of the church. + +4th. Further, we are referred to Acts viii. 1-4, for an example of the +preaching of the gospel by persons not in office. We are told, ver. 1, +that "there was a great persecution against the church which was at +Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad--_except the apostles_." +And it is said, ver. 4, "_they_, that were scattered abroad, went +everywhere _preaching the word_." From this it is argued, that _the +Church in general_ proclaimed the gospel of the Lord Jesus. But why +mention the Church in general, when the method of reasoning used would +equally prove that the Church universally did so; and the absurdity of +such reasoning must be evident upon a very little consideration of the +subject. How absurd to suppose that _all_ mentioned in ver. 1, refers to +and comprehends all the members of that church, and that all the +thousands and ten thousands belonging to it were all scattered abroad, +or that they all, men, women, and children, went _everywhere preaching_ +the word! Are we not told, ver. 3, that some of them, probably many of +them, both men and women, were haled and committed to prison? Or, had +all the members of the church been driven from Jerusalem, how were the +apostles to be employed? Did they only tarry to gather a new church? +When it is said, ver. 3, that Saul entered into every house, how absurd +would it be to suppose that it is meant every house in Jerusalem, or +even every house in which there was a Christian! The expression, also, +_everywhere_, ver. 4, must be limited. It would therefore be +unreasonable to object against a proper limitation of the word _all_, +ver. 1. And about the just limitation of it we need be at no loss. They +were all scattered abroad--except the apostles. What reason can there be +for mentioning only the apostles as excepted, while there were so many +other members of that church still remaining at Jerusalem, but this, +that the persons referred to were of the same description in general +with the apostles, persons in office, ministers of the church? Others +might also be scattered, but these are here spoken of; and Philip, an +evangelist, and endowed with miraculous powers, is mentioned as one of +them. + +5th. As to the case of Apollos, which some urge as affording +irresistible evidence to prove that all who are qualified may preach the +gospel, a few words may suffice. He spoke boldly in the synagogue, the +practice of which is no rule to the Christian Church. He was not yet +acquainted with some important doctrines of the New Testament Church, +much less could he be acquainted with the ordinances of it. Two +intelligent Christians instructed him more perfectly in the way of God. +He was recommended by the brethren to the church at Corinth, and there +he labored successfully in the work of the ministry. And what is all +this to the purpose for which his example is urged? We have no +information, indeed, of what time, nor in what manner, he was called and +admitted to the work of the ministry, more than we have about many +others mentioned in Scripture: but he is expressly called a minister, +and is, once and again, classed with the chiefest of the apostles, 1 +Cor. i. 12, iii. 5, 22. + +Lest these and the like arguments should be found insufficient, recourse +is had by some to the plea of pure motives and good designs, with a kind +of appeal to the judgment of the great day, and profession of trust, +that they are such as will not then be condemned. 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 God, +and also to know that the judgment of the saints at the great day will +be a judgment of mercy. But every part of the truth of Christ will be +determined at that day in exact conformity to what is now declared in +the word. And the purest motives and most noble designs are no rule of +conduct to any; much less can they give satisfaction to others. + +These observations concerning the institution of a gospel ministry, the +writer is persuaded, are agreeable to the word of God: if they be not, +it would be idle to appeal to his motives in support of them. But he can +freely say that they are here offered to the public, not from a desire +of controversy, but from a conviction, that at this time it is +necessary, on different accounts, to call people's attention to the mind +and will of Christ, as revealed in the word concerning this subject. Let +not such of the friends of religion, as may be of different sentiments +from what are here expressed, be offended at an attempt, in the spirit +of meekness, to remove their mistakes: nor let them impute it to envy, +pride, or selfish principles. In a perfect consistency with all that he +hath advanced, the writer can say, "Would to God that all the Lord's +people were prophets." + +It is a necessary consequence of what is advanced on this subject, that +all should be careful that the ministry of the ordinances they attend +upon be such as is warranted in the word. If none can warrantably preach +except they be sent, we cannot warrantably attend on the ministry of any +but those who we have reason to believe have Christ's call and mission. +And if it be an objection against a pastor of a congregation, that he is +imposed upon the flock without their choice, it is no less an objection +against a preacher, if he be not admitted to the ministry of the word by +those whose office it is to examine his qualifications, and judge of his +call. It must, however, be acknowledged, that to have gone through the +ordinary forms of admission is no sufficient evidence of one's having +the call of Christ. The outward forms may be observed, while the spirit +and design of them is neglected, and the rule of the word transgressed. +Nor can any be acknowledged as sent by Christ, unless their character +correspond with that pointed out and required in the word, and unless +the doctrine they teach be the gospel of Christ. None can be supposed to +have a mission from Christ, who do not bring his message, 2 John ver. +10: "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him +not into your house, neither bid him God speed." But when we are favored +with the pure gospel, and an administration of it agreeable to the word, +let us wait upon it diligently; regarding the preaching of the gospel as +an ordinance of Christ, and depending on his promised blessing to make +it effectual: for when "the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased +God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe," 1 Cor. +i. 21. + +Both parts of this number are recommended to the serious consideration +of what are called _lay-preachers_, and of such as favor that scheme. +And let all intruders upon the office of the holy ministry, with their +deluded votaries, beware lest it should be said to them, _Who hath +required this at your hands_? + + + + +NO. IV. + + +_Quest_. Have not the people a divine right to choose their own pastors +and other church officers? + +_Ans_. In those divinely qualified for the ministry, there are +diversities of gifts, though but one spirit. As the same food, though +abundantly wholesome and nourishing, is not equally suited to the taste, +appetite, and constitutions of different persons and nations; so the +same gifts in a candidate for the gospel ministry are not equally +adapted to every person and place. To secure edification there must +therefore be a choice of the gifts most suitable. And who fitter to make +it than those who are to enjoy the use thereof, if their senses be +exercised to discern good and evil? Can any man pretend to know better +what gifts suit the case of my soul than I do myself? + +Those ignorant of the fundamental truths of Christianity; those +scandalous, profane deniers of the divine original of the Old and New +Testaments, or of any truth therein plainly revealed; those neglecters +of the public, private, and secret worship of God; those given to +cursing, swearing, Sabbath profanation, drunkenness, whoredom, or other +scandalous courses, are destitute of capacity and right to choose a +gospel minister. The ignorant are utterly incapable to judge of either +the preacher's matter or method. The openly wicked have their hatred of +Christ, and a faithful minister, marked in their forehead; neither are +such qualified to be visible members of the Christian Church. To admit +them therefore to choose a Christian pastor would be a method, +introducing ruin and we; a method equally absurd as for unfreemen to +choose the magistrates of a burgh: rather, equally absurd as if ignorant +babes, and our enemies the French, should be sustained electors of our +members of parliament and privy council. + +Whether visible believers, adults, and having a life and conversation +becoming the gospel, have a right from God to choose their pastors and +other church officers, must now be examined. + +All along from the Reformation it has been the avowed principle of +Scotch Presbyterians, that they have a divine warrant to choose their +own pastors and other ecclesiastic officers. The first book of +discipline, published A.D. 1560, declares the lawful calling of the +ministry to consist in the election of the people, the examination of +the ministry, and administration by both, and that no pastor should be +intruded on any particular kirk without their consent. Their second book +of discipline declares that the people's liberty of choosing church +officers continued till the Church was corrupted by antichrist: that +patronage flowed from the Pope's canon law, and is inconsistent with the +order prescribed in God's word. From various documents the assembly of +1736 declared it obvious, 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 congregation. They seriously +recommended a due regard hereunto in planting the vacancies, as +judicatories would study the glory of God, the honor of God, and the +edification of men. It is the law of heaven, however, the book of the +Lord, that here and everywhere we intend to build our faith upon. + +That of Matthias is the first instance of an election of an officer in +the Christian Church. No doubt, then, it is marked in the sacred history +as a pattern for the ages to come. Being an officer extraordinary, his +call was in part immediately divine, by the determination of the lot. +Being a church officer, he was chosen by the Church as far as consistent +with his extraordinary office. The disciples about Jerusalem (120) were +gathered together. Peter represented the necessity of filling up Judas's +place in the apostolate with one who could be a meet witness of Jesus' +doctrines, miracles, death, and resurrection. The one hundred and twenty +disciples chose, appointed, or presented to whom they judged proper for +that work. The office being extraordinary, and perhaps the votes equal, +the decision which of these two was referred to the divine determination +of the lot. After prayer for a perfect _one_, it fell upon Matthias, and +he was, by suffrages, or votes, added to the number of the apostles. + +Had the next election of a church officer entirely excluded the +Christian people, one had been tempted to suspect that Matthias's +extraordinary case was never designed for a pattern. Instead hereof, the +choice being of an ordinary officer, is entirely deposited in their +hands. Never were men better qualified for such an election than the +inspired, the spirit-discerning apostles; yet when restrained by +laborious attendance to their principal work, the ministry of the word +and of prayer, from sufficient leisure to distribute their multiplied +alms to their now numerous poor, and directed by the Holy Ghost, they +ordered the Christian people _to look out_, choose seven of their +number, _men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom_, +who might be ordained to the office of deacons. Judging of the mentioned +qualifications, the Christian multitude, entirely of their own accord, +chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and +Nicolas. These they presented to the apostles, who immediately ordained +them by prayer, and imposition of hands, Acts vi. 1-6. Here, by inspired +appointment, the people had the whole power of electing their deacons. +If they have the power of electing one ordinary officer, why not of all? +If in the case of deacons they can judge of the qualifications of +_honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom_, what hinders them +to judge of these and the like of ministers? If Jesus and his apostles +argued from the less to the greater, Matt. vi. 30,1 Cor. ix. 10, who can +forbid us to argue so? If it be right and equal for the Christian people +to choose deacons who take care of their sacred alms, is it not much +more right and equal that they have the choice of their pastors, who +take the oversight of their souls? + +A third instance of the Christian people electing their ecclesiastical +officers, relates to the joint travels of Paul and Barnabas at Lystra +and places around, Acts xiv. 23. These two divinely directed messengers +of Christ, having ordained (or, as properly translated from the Greek, +_through suffrages or votes constituted) them elders_ (presbyters) _in +every city, and prayed with fasting, commended them to the Lord_. Here +it is plainly marked that these elders, _presbyters_, were chosen by +_suffrages (votes)_ in order to ordination. This the Greek word in our +version, by the fraud of the English bishops rendered _had ordained_, +plainly imports. The root of this word is borrowed from the custom of +giving votes at Athens and elsewhere in Greece, by lifting up of the +hand. Wherever it is used in the Greek Testament, and for anything we +know in every Greek author, not posterior to Luke, the writer of the +Acts, it constantly implies _to give vote or suffrage_. In the text +before us it agrees with Paul and Barnabas; because they presided in the +choice, and finished the design of it by ordination. Here, moreover, it +is evident that the persons chosen for elders _(presbyters)_ were set +apart to their office, not by a hurried prayer and riotous banquet, but +_by prayer and fasting:_ and this manner of choice and ordination was +used in every church. The very performance of the work of ordination in +public conjunction with the church tacitly infers their consent. + +Christ's commanding his people _to try the spirits_, to try false +prophets, and to flee from them, 1 John iv. 1, 2, necessarily imports a +right to choose the worthy, and reject the vile; to choose what suits +our edification, and to reject what doth not; for, if we must receive +whoever is imposed, there is no occasion for trial, we can have no +other. The privilege of trial here allowed to his people by Christ +plainly supposes their having some ability for it; and, by a diligent +perusal of his word, and consulting his ministers, they may become more +capable. Has our adored Redeemer thus intrusted to his adult members the +election of their pastors? at what peril or guilt do any ministers or +laics concur to bereave them thereof, thrusting men into the evangelic +office by another way; thus constituting them spiritual _thieves_ and +_robbers_? Instead of being _gentle_ to church members, as a _nurse +cherisheth her children_; instead of _condescending to men of low +degree_, and _doing all things to the glory of God_ and the _edification +of souls_, is not this to set at naught their brethren; exercise lordly +dominion over the members of Christ; and rule them with rigor? + +In the oracles of God, where is the hint, that the choice of pastors for +the Christian people is lodged in any but themselves?--Since men +apostolic and inspired put the choice from themselves to the Christian +people; who can believe that it belongs to the clergy? Acts i. and vi. +When Christ avers _his kingdom is not of this world_; when he threatens +judgment without mercy to such as in his worshipping assemblies more +readily give a seat to the rich, with his gold ring and gay clothing, +than to the poor; can it be imagined that he has intrusted the choice of +his ambassadors to men, for their greatness? + +There is indeed a haughty objection often stated against the people's +choice: Shall a cottager, poor and unlearned, who pays not one farthing +of the stipend, and at next term will perhaps remove from the +congregation, have an equal choice of a minister with his master, a +gentleman, a nobleman, of liberal education, of distinguished abilities, +who is head of a large family, has a fixed property and residence in the +parish, and furnishes almost the whole benefice? Will you fly in the +face of our civil law? Will you plead for the method of choosing church +officers, which already has produced so much strife, bloody squabbling, +or riot? If Christ's _kingdom_, as himself when dying attested, _is not +of this world_, how can outward learning, riches, settled abode, or any +worldly thing, constitute one a member thereof? These do not make one a +better Christian. No. _Not many wise men after the flesh, not many +mighty, not many noble, are called_ with a holy calling. How ordinarily +do rich men oppress the saints, draw them before judgment-seats, and +blaspheme Jesus' worthy name, by which they are called! If worldly +privileges and endowments cannot make one a subject of the Mediator's +spiritual kingdom, how can they entitle any to, or raise him above his +brethren in, the privileges thereof? If by the Son of God the poor +cottager has been made free indeed; has been taught to profit; is rich +in faith; is a king and priest unto God; and hath received a kingdom +that cannot be moved; in the view of the Omniscient and his angels, and +every man wise to salvation, how little is he inferior to his rich, +perhaps his graceless, master? Your rich man has college education, +understands philosophy, history, law, agriculture; but will that infer +that he understands his Bible, understands Christian principles, +spiritual experiences, and what spiritual gifts best correspond +therewith, better than his cottager, who daily searches the Scriptures, +and has heard and learned of the Father? How oft are the great things of +God hid from the wise and prudent, and revealed unto babes! Christ +crucified was to the learned Greeks foolishness; but to the poorest +believer the power of God and the wisdom of God. "The natural man," +however learned, "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither +can he know them; for they are spiritually discerned," 1 Cor. ii. 14. +How easy to find the herdman, or the silly woman, who will endure a +trial on Christian principles to far better purpose than many of your +rich, your great men!--Your great man is the head of a numerous family, +and has great influence in the corner. That, no doubt, is a strong +motive for him, if he is a Christian, to be exceeding wary in his +choice: if he is so, no doubt his Christian judgment, as far as is +consistent with spiritual liberty, is to have its own weight. But while +Christ's _kingdom is not of this world_; while in him there is _neither +male nor female, bond nor free_; headship over a family can found no +claim to a spiritual privilege. Thousands of heads of families are +plainly _aliens from the commonwealth of Israel_, without God, and +without hope in the world. Many are heads of families who, by neglect of +the daily worship of God, of religious instruction, and by other +unchristian conduct, ruin the same. + +Boast not of the great man's settled abode, boast not of to-morrow, for +thou knowest not what a day may bring forth; how suddenly may disaster +and death pluck him up by the roots! The rich fathers, where are they? +Do the nobles live forever? Shall their dwelling continue to all +generations? How often, in a few years, the rich inheritance changes its +master, while the race of the poor hovers about the same spot for many +generations! What if the cottager attend more to gospel ministrations, +in one year, than the rich in forty! what if, removing at next term, he +carry his beloved pastor in his heart, and by effectual fervent prayers, +availing much, by multiplied groanings that cannot be uttered, he bring +manifold blessings on the parish and ministry which he leaves; while +your rich man, if wicked, if of the too common stamp, continues in it, +for no better purpose than to distress the faithful pastor, corrupt the +people, bring down a curse, and cumber the ground! The great man bears +the load of the stipend no more than the poorest cottager. He purchased +his estate with this burden upon it, and on that account had its price +proportionally abated. Suppose it were otherwise, might not a poor +widow's _two mites_ be more in Jesus' account than all he gives? Will +we, with the Samaritan sorcerer, indulge the thought that the _gifts of +God_, the spiritual privileges of his Church, _are to be purchased with +money_? For money to erect the church or defray the benefice we must +not, with the infamous traitor, betray the Son of God in his church--his +ordinance, his ministry, into the hands of sinners to be crucified. + +It is in vain to mention the civil law: the very worst statute thereof, +relative to the point in hand, indirectly supposes the consent of the +congregation. It leaves to the presbytery the full power to judge +whether the presentee is fit for that charge. If the congregation +generally oppose, with what candor do the presbytery, in Jesus' name, +determine that he is fit? The last statute relative hereto declared the +presentation void, unless accepted. Nor is there in being any, but the +_law of sin and death_ within them, the law of itch after worldly gain, +that obliges candidates to accept. How unmanly, how disingenuous, to +blame the civil law with the present course of intrusions!--Since the +resurrection of Christ, we think we may almost defy any to produce an +instance of bloody squabbling, or like outrageous contention, in the +choice of a pastor, where none but the visible members of Christ's +mystical body, adult, and blameless in their lives, were admitted to act +in the choice. But if at any called popular elections, the power was +sinfully betrayed into the hands of such baptized persons, as in +ignorance and loose practice equalled, if not transcended, _heathen men +and publicans_; into the hand of those who, to please a superior, to +obtain a paltry bribe, or a flagon of wine, were readily determined in +their vote for a minister; let the prostitutes of Jesus' ordinance +answer for the unhappy consequences of their conduct. If they so +enormously broke through the hedge of the divine law, no wonder a +serpent bit them. But who has forgot what angry contentions, what +necessity of a military guard at ordinations, the lodging of the power +of elections in patrons or heritors, _as such_, has of late occasioned? + +To deprive the Christian people of their privilege in choosing their +pastor, and give it to others upon worldly accounts, is the grossest +absurdity. It overturns the nature of Christ's spiritual kingdom, +founding a claim to her privileges on worldly character and property. It +gives those blessed lips the lie, which said, _"My kingdom is not of +this world."_ It counteracts the nature of the church, as a voluntary +society; thrusting men into a momentous relation to her, without, nay +contrary to, her consent. It settles the ministerial office upon a very +rotten foundation: for how hard is it to believe the man is a minister +of a Christian congregation, who never consented to his being such! to +believe he has a pastoral mission from Christ, for whom providence would +never open a regular door of entrance to the office; but he was obliged +to be thrust in by the window, _as a thief and a robber_! If he comes +unsent, how can I expect edification by his ministry, when God has +declared, _such shall not profit his people at all_? It implies the most +unnatural cruelty. If the law of nature allow me the choice of my +physician, my servant, my guide, my master, how absurd to deny me the +choice of a physician, a servant, a guide, to my soul; and to give it to +another, merely because he has some more money, has a certain _piece of +ground_, which I have not! How do these qualify him, or entitle him to +provide, what the eternal salvation of my soul is so nearly connected +with, better than myself, if taught of God? + +By patronage how oft the honor of Christ and the souls of men are +betrayed into the hands of their declared enemies! If the patron is +unholy, profane, how readily the candidate he prefers is too like +himself! If a candidate be faithful, be holy, how readily, like Ahab in +the case of Micaiah, he hates, he sends not for him! The complaisant +chaplain, who almost never disturbed the family with the worship of God; +who along with the children or others took off his cheerful glass; sung +his wanton song; attended the licentious ball, or play-house; connived +at, or swore a profane oath; took a hand at cards; or ridiculed the +mysteries, the experiences, the circumspect professor of the Christian +faith, is almost certain to have the presentation: perhaps he covenanted +for it as part of his wages. For what simony, sacrilege, and deceitful +perjury, with respect to ordination vows, patronage opens a door, he +that runs may read. Shocked with the view, let us forbear! + + * * * * * + +N.B. The London ministers in the preceding treatise have a large note +respecting the election of ministers, which does not fully invest this +right in the people. The editor, therefore, omitted that note +altogether, and has inserted this number, extracted from Brown's +Letters, in the place of it, as better adapted to the nature of the +gospel church, and to that liberty wherewith Christ has made his people +free. + + + + +NO. V.[124] + +_Of the Ordination and Duty of Ministers._ + + +That the ordination of pastors is an ordinance of Christ, the sacred +volumes clearly prove. Through election by suffrages (or votes) Paul and +Barnabas ordained _elders_ (presbyters) _in every church_, Acts xiv. 23. +By Paul's inspired orders Titus was left at Crete to ordain elders +(presbyters) in every city, Tit. i. 5. By the laying on of the hands of +the presbytery was Timothy himself ordained: he was apostolically +authorized and directed to ordain others; and informed that these +directions are to be observed, _till the day of Jesus Christ_, 1 Tim. +iv. 14, 15. + +That not election, but ordination, confers the sacred office is no less +evident. Election marks out the person to be ordained; ordination fixes +the relation of a candidate to a particular congregation, upon receiving +a regular call; while at the same time it constitutes him a minister of +the whole catholic Church. Ordination made men _presbyters_ and +_deacons_, which were not so before. If a person be destitute of the +distinguishing ministerial gift, or any other essential qualification, +ten thousand elections or ordinations cannot render him a minister of +Christ. But solemnly tried and found qualified, he is to be set apart to +the ministry, by prayer, fasting, and laying on of the hands of the +presbytery. + +Nowhere in the heavenly volume do we find either precept or example that +Christian people have a whit more right to ordain their pastor, than +midwives have to baptize the children they assist to bring forth. +Ordination appears to have been performed by apostles, by evangelists, +and by a presbytery, Acts vi. 6, and xiv. 23; Tit. i. 5; 1 Tim. v. 22, +and iv. 14: but never by private Christians. Could these ordain their +pastors or other ecclesiastic officers, to what purpose did Paul leave +Titus at Crete to _ordain elders in every city_? or why did he write +never a word about ordination to the people, in any of his epistles, but +to their rulers? + +Thus regularly ordained, the Christian pastor must enter upon his +important work. Endowed with spiritual wisdom and understanding; +possessed of inward experience of the power of divine truth; inflamed +with zeal for the glory of God, love to his work, and compassion to the +perishing souls of men, he is to endeavor to acquaint himself with the +spiritual state of his flock; and to feed them, not with heathenish and +Arminian harangues, but with the gospel of Christ, the sincere milk of +the word, diligently preaching and rightly dividing it, according to +their diversified state and condition, 1 Pet. v. 3; 2 Cor. v. 11; 1 Cor. +ix. 16. Assiduously growing in the knowledge and love of divine things, +he is to instruct and confirm his hearers therein. Every divine truth he +is to publish and apply, as opportunity calls for: chiefly such as are +most important, or, though once openly confessed, are in his time +attacked and denied, 1 Tim. vi. 20, iii. 15. Painfully is he to +catechize his people, and in Jesus' name to visit and teach them from +house to house. To awaken their conscience, to promote the conversion of +sinners, to direct and comfort the cast down, perplexed, tempted, and +deserted; to ponder the Scripture, and his own and others' experience, +to qualify him for this work, must be his earnest care. Faithfully is he +to administer the sacraments to such (only) as are duly prepared; and in +the simple manner prescribed by Christ. Tenderly is he to take care of +the poor; to sympathize with the afflicted; impartially to visit the +sick; to deal plainly with their consciences, and to exhort and pray +over them in the name of the Lord. With impartiality, zeal, meekness, +and prudence, he is to rule and govern the church, to admonish the +unruly, to rebuke offenders, to excommunicate the incorrigible, and to +absolve the penitent. Habitually is he to give himself to effectual +fervent prayer, for his flock, and for the Church of God, travailing as +in birth till Jesus be formed in the souls of men. Be a man's parts, +diligence, and apparent piety what they will, negligence in this will +blast his ministrations, and too clearly mark, that he is therein +chiefly influenced by some carnal motive of honor or gain. Finally, he +is constantly to walk before his flock a distinguished pattern of +sobriety, righteousness, holiness, humility, heavenliness, temperance, +charity, brotherly kindness, and every good word and work. Without this +his ministrations appear but a solemn farce of deceit, 2 Tim. ii. 4; 1 +Tim. iv. 15; 2 Tim. iv. 2. + +Can ministers' reading of sermons consist with the dignity of their +office? Did Jesus or his apostles ever show them an example of this? No. +At Nazareth, when he read his text in the book of Esaias, he _closed his +book_, and discoursed to the people. On the mount _he opened his mouth, +and taught_: we hear not that he took out his papers and read. Peter, in +his sermon at Pentecost, _lifted up his voice, and said_: his papers and +reading we hear nothing of. After reading of the law and the prophets, +the rulers of the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, desired Paul and +Barnabas, not to _read_, but to _say on_. Our adored Saviour knew well +enough how to direct his ambassadors; yet he ordered them to _go and +preach_, not _read_, the gospel to every creature, Luke iv. 20, 21; +Matt. v. 2; Acts ii. 14, and xiii. 15. How hard to believe, that he who +gives gifts to men, for the edifying of his body, would send the +sermonist, whose memory and judgment are so insufficient, that from +neither he can produce an half hour's discourse without reading it! How +dull and insipid the manner! How absurdly it hinders the Spirit's +assistance, as to matter during the discourse! How shameful! Shall the +bookless lawyer warmly and sensibly plead almost insignificant trifles, +and shall the ambassador of Christ, deprived of his papers, be incapable +to plead so short a space in favor of his Master, and of the souls of +men? + + + + +NO. VI.[125] + +_Of Ruling Elders._ + + +The rule and government of the Church, or the execution of the authority +of Christ therein, is in the hand of the elders. All elders in office +have rule, and none have rule in the church but elders: _as such_, rule +doth belong unto them. The apostles by virtue of their special office +were intrusted with all church power; but therefore they were elders +also, 1 Pet. v. 1; 3 John i.: see Acts xxi. 17; 1 Tim. i. 17. They are +some of them on other accounts called bishops, pastors, teachers, +ministers, guides; but what belongs to any of them in point of rule, or +what interest they have therein, it belongs unto them as elders, and not +otherwise, Acts xx. 17, 18. The Scriptures affirm, 1st, That there is a +work and duty of rule in the Church, distinct from the work and duty of +pastoral feeding, by the preaching of the word and administration of the +sacraments, Acts xx. 28; Rom. xii. 8; 1 Cor. xii. 28; 1 Tim. v. 17; 2 +Tim. iv. 5; Heb. xiii. 7, 17; Rev. ii. 3. + +2d. Different and distinct gifts are required unto the discharge of +these distinct works and duties. This belongs unto the harmony of the +dispensation of the gospel. Gifts are bestowed to answer all duties +prescribed. Hence they are the first foundation of all power, work, and +duty in the church. Unto every one of us is given grace according to the +measure of the gift of Christ, that is, ability for duty, according to +the measure wherein Christ is pleased to grant it; Eph. iv. 7: see also +1 Cor. xii. 4, 7, 8-10; Rom. xii. 6-8; 1 Pet. iv. 10: wherefore +different gifts are the first foundation of different offices and +duties. + +3d. That different gifts are required unto the different works of +pastoral teaching on the one hand, and practical rule on the other, is +evident, 1st, From the light of reason, and the nature of the works +themselves being so different. And, 2d, From experience; some men are +fitted by gifts for the dispensation of the word and doctrine in a way +of pastoral feeding, who have no useful ability in the work of rule; and +some are fitted for rule, who have no gifts for the discharge of the +pastoral work in preaching, Yea, it is very seldom that both these sort +of gifts do concur in any eminent degree in the same persons, or without +some notable defect. + +4th. The work of rule, as distinct from teaching, is in general to watch +over the walk or conversation of the members of the church with +authority, exhorting, comforting, admonishing, reproving, encouraging, +and directing of them, as occasion shall require. The gifts necessary +hereunto are diligence, wisdom, courage, and gravity; as we shall see +afterwards. The pastoral work is principally to reveal the whole counsel +of God, to divide the word aright, or to labor in the word and doctrine, +both as unto the general dispensation and particular application of it, +in all seasons and on all occasions. Hereunto spiritual wisdom, +knowledge, sound judgment, experience, and utterance are required; all +to be improved by continual study of the word and prayer. But this +difference of gifts unto these distinct works doth not of itself +constitute distinct offices, because the same persons may be suitably +furnished with those of both sorts. + +5th. Yet distinct works and duties, though some were furnished with +gifts for both, were a ground in the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, for +distinct offices in the church, where one sort of them were as much as +those of one office could, ordinarily attend unto, Acts vi. 2-4. +Ministration unto the poor of the church, for the supply of their +temporal necessities, is an ordinance of Christ, instituted that the +apostles might give a more diligent attendance unto the word and prayer. + +6th. The work of the ministry in prayer, and preaching of the word, or +labor in the word and doctrine, whereunto the administration of the +seals of the covenant is annexed, with all the duties that belong unto +the special application of these things before insisted on unto the +flock, are ordinarily sufficient to take up the whole man, and the +utmost of their endowments who are called unto the pastoral office in +the church. The very nature of the work in itself is such, as that the +apostle giving a short description of it adds, as an intimation of its +greatness and excellency, "Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Cor. +ii. 16. And the manner of its performance adds unto its weight. For not +to mention that intenseness of mind in the exercise of faith, love, +zeal, and compassion, which is required of them in the discharge of +their whole office; the diligent consideration of the state of the +flock, so as to provide spiritual food for them; with a constant +attendance unto the issues and effects of the word in the consciences +and lives of men; is enough for the most part to take up their whole +time and strength. It is gross ignorance or negligence that causeth any +to be otherwise minded. As the work of the ministry is generally +discharged, consisting only in a weekly provision of sermons, and the +performance of some stated offices by reading, men have time and liberty +enough to attend unto other occasions. But in such persons we are not at +present concerned. Our rule is plain, 1 Tim. iv. 12-17. + +7th. It doth not hence follow, that those who are called unto the +ministry of the word, as pastors and teachers, who are elders also, are +divested of their right to rule in the church, or discharged from the +exercise of it, because others, not called unto their office, are +appointed to be assistant unto them, that is, _helps in the government_. +For the right and duty of rule is inseparable from the office of elders, +which all bishops and pastors are. The right is still in them, and the +exercise of it, consistent with their more excellent work, is required +of them. The apostles in the constitution of elders in every church +derogated nothing from their own authority, nor discharged themselves of +their care. So when they appointed deacons to take care of supplies for +the poor, they did not forego their own right, nor the exercise of their +duty as their other work would permit them, Gal. ii. 9, 10. And in +particular the apostle Paul manifested his concernment herein, in the +care he took about _collection for the poor_ in all churches. + +8th. As we observed at the entrance of this chapter, the whole work of +the church, as unto authoritative teaching and rule, is committed unto +the elders. For authoritative teaching and ruling, is teaching and +ruling by virtue of office: and this office whereunto they do belong is +that of elders, as is undeniably attested, Acts xx. 17, &c. All that +belongs unto the care, inspection, oversight, rule, fend instruction of +the church, is committed unto the _elders_ of it expressly. For _elders_ +is a name derived from the Jews, denoting them that have _authority_ in +the church. + +9th. To the complete constitution of any church, or to the perfection of +its organical state, it is required that there be _many elders_ in it; +at least more than one. I do not determine what their number ought to +be; but it is to be proportioned to the work and end designed. Where the +churches are small, the number of elders must be so also. So many are +necessary in each office as are able to discharge the work which is +allotted unto them. But that church, be it small or great, is defective, +which hath not more elders than one; so many as are sufficient for their +work. The pattern of the first churches constituted by the apostles, +which it is our duty to imitate and follow as our rule, plainly +declares, that many elders were appointed by them in every church, Acts +xi. 30, xiv. 23, xv. 2, 4, 6, 22, xvi. 4, xx. 17; 1 Tim. v. 17; Phil. i. +1; Tit. i. 5; 1 Pet. v. 1. + +10th. We shall now make application of these things unto our present +purpose. I say then, 1st, Whereas there is a work of rule in the Church, +distinct from that of pastoral feeding: 2d, Whereas this work is to be +attended unto with diligence, which includes the whole duty of him that +attends unto it: 3d, That the ministry of the word and prayer, with all +those duties that accompany it, is a full employment for any man, and so +consequently his principal and proper work, which it is unlawful for him +to be remiss in, by attending on another with diligence: 4th, That, in +the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, distinct works did require distinct +offices for their discharge: and, 5th, Whereas there ought to be many +elders in every church, that both the works of _teaching_ and _ruling_ +may be constantly attended unto; all which we have proved already: our +inquiry herein is, whether the same Holy Spirit hath not distinguished +this office of elders into those two sorts, namely, those who are called +unto teaching and rule also, and those who are called unto rule only, +which we affirm. + +The testimonies whereby the truth of this assertion is confirmed are +generally known and pleaded. I shall insist on some of them only, +beginning with that which is of uncontrollable evidence, if it had any +thing to conflict with but prejudices and interest, and this is 1 Tim. +v. 17, the meaning of which is, the elders or presbyters in office, +elders of the church _that rule well_ or discharge their presidency for +rule in due manner, are worthy, or ought to be reputed worthy, _of +double honor_; especially those of them who labor, or are engaged in the +great labor and travail of the word and doctrine. + +According to this sense the words of the text have a plain and obvious +signification, which at first view presents itself unto the common sense +and understanding of all men. On the first proposal of this text, that +the elders that rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those +who labor in the word and doctrine, a rational man, who is unprejudiced, +and never heard of the controversy about ruling elders, can hardly avoid +an apprehension that there are _two sorts of elders_, some that labor in +the word and doctrine, and some who do not. This is the substance of the +truth in the text. There are elders in the Church; there are or ought to +be so in every church. With these elders the whole rule of the Church is +intrusted; all these, and only these, do rule in it. Of these elders +there are two sorts; for a description is given of one sort distinct +from the other, and comparative with it. The first sort doth rule, and +also labor in the word and doctrine. That these works are distinct and +different was before declared: yet by the institution of Christ the +right of rule is inseparable from the office of pastors or teachers. For +all that are rightly called thereunto are elders also, which gives them +an interest in rule. But there are elders which are not pastors or +teachers. For there are some who rule well, but labor not in the word +and doctrine; that is, who are not pastors or teachers. + +Elders which rule well, but labor not in the word and doctrine, are +ruling elders only; for he who says, The elders who rule well are worthy +of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine, +saith that there are, or may be elders who rule well, who do not labor +in the word and doctrine; that is, who are not obliged to do so. + +The argument from these words may be otherwise framed, but this contains +the plain sense of this testimony. + +Our next testimony is from the same apostle, Rom. xii. 6, 7, _He that +ruleth with diligence_. Our argument from hence is this: there is in the +Church one that ruleth with authority by virtue of his office. For the +discharge of this office there is a differing peculiar gift bestowed on +some, ver. 7, and there is the special manner prescribed for the +discharge of this special office, by virtue of that special gift; it is +to be done with peculiar _diligence_. And this ruler is distinguished +from him that exhorteth, and him that teacheth, with whose special work, +as such, he hath nothing to do; even as they are distinguished from +those who give and show mercy; that is, there is an elder by office in +the Church, whose work and duty it is to _rule_, not to exhort or teach +ministerially, which is our ruling elder. He that ruleth is a distinct +officer, and is expressly distinguished from all others. Rule is the +principal part of him that ruleth; for he is to attend unto it with +_diligence_; that is, such as is peculiar unto _rule_, in +contradistinction unto what is principally required in other +administrations. + +There is the same evidence given unto the truth argued for in another +testimony of the same apostle, 1 Cor. xii. 28: that there is here an +enumeration of offices and officers in the Church, both extraordinary +for that season, and ordinary for continuance, is beyond exception. Unto +them is added the present exercise of some extraordinary gifts, as +miracles, healing, tongues. That by _helps_ the deacons of the Church +are intended most do agree, because their original institution was as +helpers in the affairs of the Church. _Governments_ are governors or +rulers; that is, such as are distinct from teachers; such hath God +placed in the Church, and such there ought to be. It is said that +_gifts_, not _offices_, are intended; the gift of government, or the +gift for government. If God hath given gifts for government to abide in +the Church, distinct from those given unto _teachers_, and unto other +persons than the teachers, then there is a distinct office of rule or +government in the Church, which is all we plead for. + + +_Of the Duties of Ruling Elders._ + +1st. To watch diligently over the ways, walk, and conversation of all +the members of the church, to see that it be blameless, without offence, +useful, exemplary, and in all things answering the holiness of the +commands of Christ, the honor of the gospel, and the profession thereof +which they make in the world. And upon the observation which they make +in the watch wherein they are placed, to instruct, admonish, charge, +exhort, encourage, or comfort as they see cause. And this they are to +attend unto, with courage and diligence. + +2d. 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 disciples. This he calls his own _new command_, with +respect unto his authority requiring it, his example first illustrating +it in the world, and the peculiar fruits and effects of it which he +revealed and taught. Wherefore, the due observance of this law of love +in itself and all its fruits, with the prevention, removal, or +condemnation of all that is contrary unto it, is that in which the _rule +of the church_ doth in a great measure consist. And considering the +weakness, the passions, the temptations of men, the mutual provocations +and differences that are apt to fall out even among the best, the +influence that earthly objects are apt to have upon their minds, the +frowardness sometimes of men's natural tempers; the attendance unto +this one duty, or part of rule, requires the utmost diligence of them +that are called unto it. + +3d. To warn all the members of the church of their special church +duties, that they be not found negligent or wanting in them. These are +special duties required respectively of all church members, according +unto the distinct talents which they have received, whether in things +spiritual or temporal. Some are rich and some are poor; some old and +some young; some in peace and some in trouble; some have received more +spiritual gifts than others, and have more opportunity for their +exercise: therefore it belongs unto the rule of the church, that all be +admonished, instructed, and exhorted to attend unto their respective +duties, by those in _rule_, according to the observation which they make +of people's diligence or negligence in them. + +4th. To watch against the beginning of any church disorders, such as +those that infested the church of Corinth, or any of the like sort; and +to see that the members of the church attend regularly upon the +ordinances of the gospel, as by slothfulness in this, decays in faith, +love, and order have insensibly prevailed in many, to the dishonor of +Christ, and the danger of their own souls. + +5th. It belongs unto them also to visit the sick, and especially such as +their inward or outward conditions do expose them unto more than +ordinary trials in their sickness; that is, the poor, the afflicted, the +tempted in any kind. This in general is a moral duty, a work of mercy; +but it is moreover a peculiar church duty by virtue of divine +institution, ordaining, that the disciples of Christ may have all that +spiritual and temporal relief, which is necessary for them, and useful +to them, in their troubles and distresses. + +6th. To assist the pastor in watching over and directing the flock, and +to advise with the deacons concerning the relief of the poor. According +to the advantage which they have by their peculiar inspection of the +conversation of all the members of the church, they ought to acquaint +the teaching elders with the state of the flock, as to their knowledge, +conditions, and temptations, which may be of singular use unto them, for +their direction in the exercise of their ministry. The liberal +contributions at Antioch for the brethren which dwelt in Judea, were +sent by the hands of Barnabas and Saul unto the elders in Judea, Acts +xi. 27, 30. + +7th. To unite with teaching elders in admitting members into the +fellowship of the church, upon a visible evidence of their being +qualified as the Scriptures direct. Unto them God bath given the keys of +the kingdom of heaven, to open the door of admission unto those whom God +hath received, Matt. xvi. 19. + +8th. 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 +consent. Hence nothing rash or indigested, nothing unsuited to the duty +of the church, will at any time be proposed therein, so as to give +occasion for contests, janglings, or disputes, contrary to order or +decency, but all things may be preserved in a due regard unto the +gravity and authority of the rulers. + +9th. To sit in judgment upon offenders, to take the proof, to weigh the +evidence and determine accordingly, justifying the innocent, and +ordaining censure to be inflicted on the convicted brother, according to +the nature of the offence, Matt. xviii. 15, 17, 18. + +10th. Whereas there is generally but one teaching elder in a church, +upon his death or removal, it is the work and duty of the ruling elders +to preserve the church in peace and unity, to take care of the +continuation of its public ordinances, to prevent irregularities in any +persons or parties among them, and to give all necessary aid and advice +in the choice and call of some other meet person to be their pastor, in +the room of the deceased or removed. + + + + +CONCLUSION. + +_A Summary of the preceding Treatise on Church Government,_ + +BY QUESTION AND ANSWER. + + +_Quest_. What is meant by church government? + +_Ans_. That particular form and order, which Christ has fixed in his +Church, for the proper management thereof. + +_Quest_. How does it appear that there is a particular form of +government appointed in the New Testament Church? + +_Ans_. As there is as great, if not greater, need of a government, in +the New Testament Church, than there was in the Old, all the ordinances +of which were most minutely described. Satan is now more experienced in +deceiving, and his agents are still alive, and very actively employed, +in attempting to waste and destroy this sacred vineyard, if without its +proper hedge. Her members are still a mixture of tares and wheat; of +sheep and goats: so that there is still a necessity of discerning +between the precious and the vile; of trying and censuring false +teachers; and of guarding divine ordinances from contempt and pollution. +As Jesus gives the New Testament Church the peculiar title of the +_kingdom of heaven_, he could not, in a consistency with his wisdom, +leave it without any particular laws or form of government, except the +changeable inclinations of men. As he was faithful in his New Testament +house, he must fix a particular form of government for her, such as +tends to her peace, order, and spiritual edification. And, amidst the +prophet's vision of the New Testament Church, he is directed to teach +his people _the form of the house, the laws of the house_, &c., Ezek. +xliii. 11. + +_Quest_. When may a particular form of church government be said to be +of divine right? + +_Ans_. When all the parts thereof are agreeable to Scripture precepts; +to approved Scripture examples; or are deducible by fair Scripture +consequences. + +_Quest_. How does it appear, that Scripture consequences are to be +admitted to prove any particular truth or doctrine? + +_Ans_. Because God has formed man a rational intelligent creature, +capable of searching out the plain meaning and import, and also the +necessary consequences of his express declarations. We find Christ +reasoning by a deduction of consequences, when he showed that the +doctrine of the resurrection was revealed to Moses at the burning bush; +that the sixth commandment forbids angry words; and the seventh +lascivious looks, Luke xx. 37, 38; Matt. v. 21, 28. And a great part of +the inspired epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews consists in +such a deduction of consequences. And as all Scripture is said to be +profitable "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for +instruction in righteousness," 2 Tim. iii. 16, without a rational +deduction of consequences, every portion of Scripture cannot answer each +of these valuable ends. + +_Quest_. What particular form of church government may lay the only +proper claim to a divine right, according to the Holy Scriptures? + +_Ans_. The true presbyterian form, without that lordly dominion and +tyrannical power, which has too often been exercised by courts, bearing +this name. This government claimeth no power over men's bodies or +estates. It does not inflict civil pains or corporal punishments. But it +is a government purely spiritual, dealing with the consciences of men, +and exercising the keys of the kingdom of heaven, doing all things +according to the word of God. + +_Quest_. What are the parts of presbyterial church government? + +_Ans_. It consists of a people, having the qualifications which the +Scriptures require; of certain rulers, who are to perform the duties of +their respective offices; and of certain courts, in which these rulers +sit and act in matters of judgment. + +_Quest_. What are the qualifications of persons who constitute the +private members of the visible church? + +_Ans_. They ought to be true believers in Christ, to have a competent +knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, to make a sound profession of +their faith, and to maintain a holy conversation. + +_Quest_. What rulers are there in the presbyterian church? + +_Ans_. Preaching elders, ruling elders, and deacons. + +_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for the preaching elder? + +_Ans_. In the Holy Scriptures we find that God hath set some in the +Church, TEACHERS: that our ascended Redeemer hath given her PASTORS and +TEACHERS: that the Holy Ghost had made some BISHOPS, OVERSEERS, to feed +her; and qualifies some for _prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation_, +1 Cor. xii. 28; Eph. iv. 11; Acts xx. 28; Rom. xii. 6-8. + +_Quest_. What are the duties of preaching elders? + +_Ans_. To preach the word; to dispense the ordinances of baptism and the +Lord's Supper; to administer church discipline; and to rule and govern +the church, 2 Tim. iv. 2; Matt. xxviii. 19; 1 Cor. xi. 23-29; 1 Tim. v. +20; Tit. ii. 15, and iii. 10; Heb. xiii. 17; 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. _Quest_. +Is the office of the gospel minister instituted by God to continue to +the end of time? + +_Ans_. Yes; the ends of it are of a permanent nature, the converting and +confirming of the elect, and the silencing of gain-savers, Acts xxvi. +18; Tit. i. 9, 11. + +_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for the office of the ruling elder? + +_Ans_. From the three following passages of sacred Scripture: 1. From +Rom. xii. 5 to 8: "We being many are one body in Christ, and members one +of another. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is +given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the +proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he +that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he +that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with +diligence," &c. Here we have a list of the ordinary officers of Christ, +one body, the church. Here is the teacher: _he that teacheth_. Here is +the pastor: _he that exhorteth_. Here is the deacon: _he that giveth_. +And here is another officer distinct from all them, _he that ruleth_. +His description attests, that _ruling_ is, if not his only, yet his +principal work. He that _ruleth_ is here marked by a distinct character, +as having a different _gift_, and a distinct work from his +fellow-officers. This office therefore must be _distinct_. 2. From 1 +Cor. xii. 28, where the _Spirit of God_ informs us, that God hath set +some in the Church, GOVERNMENTS. These must be understood of +_governors_, as _miracles_ are afterwards explained of _workers of +miracles_. These governments and governors are said to be _set_ in the +church, not in the state; by God, not by men: they are declared to be +distinct officers by themselves. Their title, government, implies, that +_ruling_ is their principal work. 3. From 1 Tim. v. 17, where the divine +warrant for ruling elders shines with more peculiar brightness than +anywhere in the book of God: "Let the elders that rule well be counted +worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and +doctrine." The ruling elders here mentioned necessarily pertain to the +church. Two sorts of ruling elders are here plainly distinguished: some +that only rule well; others that also labor in word and doctrine. There +is not one place in the New Testament, nor perhaps in any Greek author, +where the word here translated ESPECIALLY does not distinguish between +different persons or things, Gal. vi. 10; Phil. iv. 22; 1 Tim. iv. 10; 2 +Tim. iv. 13; and it would be absurd to suppose, that it does not +distinguish here also. Therefore this single text shows the divine right +of both the teaching and ruling elder. + +_Quest_. What are the duties of ruling elders? + +_Ans_. To exercise ecclesiastical rule in church courts with the same +authority as the preaching elder; to watch over the flock; impartially +to receive or exclude members; to warn and censure the unruly; and to +visit and pray with the sick. + +_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for deacons? + +_Ans_. From Acts vi., where we are informed of the original and design +of their office; and from 1 Tim. iii. 8-12, where the inspired apostle +describes their necessary qualifications. + +_Quest_. What are the duties of deacons? + +_Ans_. To look into the state and to serve the tables of the poor, by +distributing the funds of the church, according to the respective +necessities of the saints, 1 Tim. iii. 12. + +_Quest_. What are the courts in which presbyterian rulers meet? + +_Ans_. Congregational sessions, presbyteries, and synods. + +_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for congregational sessions? + +_Ans_. From Matt, xviii. 15-18, where, in the Christian form of church +discipline prescribed by the Church's Head, the concluding expression, +"Let him be unto thee as a heathen man and publican," plainly alludes to +the Jewish form of procedure in scandals. They had rulers, and +consequently courts in every synagogue, or worshipping congregation, +Mark v. 35-39. By virtue of letters from the high-priest to these, Saul +had free access to punish the Christians in every synagogue, Acts ix. 1, +2. To these congregational courts it pertained to cast out of the +synagogue, and to order transgressors to be held for heathen men and +publicans, John ix. 22. Now Jesus, in alluding to these, intimates that +similar courts should be in every Christian congregation. In this form +of discipline our divine Saviour shows his utmost aversion against +private offences being unnecessarily published abroad: and therefore the +church, to which the offence is to be told, after private admonition is +fruitless, must be understood in the most private sense of the word. The +following context evidences that it is a _church_, which may consist +only of _two or three_ met together in Christ's name; yet, +notwithstanding, a church having power to bind and loose from censure; +that is, a church having the keys of the kingdom of heaven. It cannot +then be the whole congregation or body of the people, as they are in +general far too numerous to conceal offences, and to them Christ has +given no formal judicial power, Matt. xviii. 18-21. + +_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for a presbytery? + +_Ans_. Timothy is expressly said to be ordained by the laying on of the +hands of the PRESBYTERY, 1 Tim. iv. 14. And the number of different +Christian congregations governed by one presbytery, as at Jerusalem, +Antioch, Ephesus, and Corinth, proves the divine right of this court. It +is shown in the xiii. chapter of the preceding treatise, that in each +of these places there were more Christians than could meet in one +worshipping congregation, for the enjoying of public ordinances: and yet +all these different congregations, at Jerusalem, are expressly said to +have been one church, Acts viii. 1: so those at Antioch, Acts xiii. 1: +so those at Ephesus, Acts xx. 17: and those also at Corinth, 1 Cor. i. +2. Now the question is, How were the different congregations in each of +these places ONE CHURCH? Not merely in union to Christ and mutual +affection one to another; for in this respect all the saints are ONE, +whether in heaven or in earth. And therefore they are one church in +virtue of conjunct government under ONE PRESBYTERY. And in difficult +cases, or where a single congregation is so divided into parties that it +cannot act impartially; where the difference is between the pastor and +the people, a superior court is necessary to obtain material justice. + +_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for an ecclesiastical synod? + +_Ans_. In Acts xv. and xvi., where we have a cause referred; the proper +members of a synod convened; the ordinary and equal power exercised by +all those members; the ordinary method of procedure in such courts; and +the judicial decrees given by the synod; together with the effect which +their judgment, in this matter, had upon the churches. + +_Quest_. What was the cause referred to this synod? + +_Ans_. False doctrine propagated by some Judaizing teachers, who had +gone down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and maintained that circumcision +and the observance of other branches of the ceremonial law continued +necessary for salvation, whereby they subverted some, and troubled other +members of the churches there. After much unsuccessful disputing, Paul, +Barnabas, and others were delegated to go up to Jerusalem to the +apostles and elders about this matter. + +_Quest_. Who were the proper members of the synod convened here? + +_Ans_. The apostles and elders at Jerusalem; Paul, Barnabas, and others, +from Antioch; and other commissioners from the troubled churches to whom +the decrees were sent. + +_Quest_. Are not the brethren, the church, the whole church, mentioned +here as well as the apostles and elders? + +_Ans_. But none of these expressions can mean, that all the members of +the church of Jerusalem either were present or judged in that synod; for +women, real members of the church, of the whole church, are expressly +forbid to speak in the church, 1 Cor. xiv. 34. Church sometimes +signifies only a small part of the church, either as delegates or +commissioners, and in this sense it is used in verse 3, where the +commissioners from Antioch are said to be brought on their way by the +_church_; and in chap. xviii. 22, it is said that Paul saluted the +_church_ at Jerusalem. Now, it is not credible that all the Christian +professors at Antioch would attend their commissioners a part of the way +to Jerusalem; or that Paul saluted the many ten thousand Christians at +Jerusalem, Acts xxi. 20. And the _whole church_ does not necessarily +mean the whole individual members of the church, more than the _whole +world_ mentioned, 1 John ii. 2, means every individual in the world. If +any, to support a favorite opinion, will still insist that the whole +members of the church actually met and judged of this affair equally +with the apostles and elders, they may inform us where they obtained a +proper place for so many judges to reason and determine with +distinctness or order. That the brethren who joined in judgment with the +apostles and elders were not private persons, but rather delegates from +the troubled churches around, appears from Judas and Silas, two of them +being preachers, v. 22. + +_Quest_. How does it appear that the power of all the members was +ordinary and equal? + +_Ans_. As every member, inspired or not, acted equally in the whole +business laid before them. Paul and Barnabas were delegated by the +church of Antioch: and the elders, who convened, had the same power as +the apostles. To the elders, teaching or ruling, as well as to the +apostles, was the matter referred: both met to consider of it: both were +equally concerned in the decision, saying, _It seemed good to the Holy +Ghost and to us_. Elders, as well as apostles, imposed the necessary +things upon the churches, and authoritatively determined the decrees. In +the name of the elders, as well as of the apostles, the letters of the +meeting, containing their decision, were written to the churches. And +the only reason why the inspired members put themselves on an equality +with others was to exhibit a pattern to after ages. + +_Quest_. How does it appear, that this synod followed the ordinary +method of procedure in such courts? + +_Ans_. As they examined the cause by much reasoning and dispute. In +consequence of mature deliberation they determined the question, and +sent letters, containing their decrees, by proper messengers, to the +churches concerned. In their disputation they reasoned from the oracles +of God: on these they founded their decision; and hence therein they +say, _It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us_. And if this had not +been to have given a pattern to succeeding ages, all this was +unnecessary: how absurd for inspired men to reason and dispute on the +subject, when the sentence of one inspired was sufficient for decision! + +_Quest_. How does it appear that there were judicial decrees given by +this synod? + +_Ans_. In opposition to the false doctrine taught, they, by a judicial +decision, plainly declared, that obedience to the ceremonies of the law +of Moses was no longer necessary: and by a decree for promoting decency +and good order, they enacted, that to avoid offence, the believing +Gentiles should abstain from fornication, from things strangled, and +from blood, verse 24-29. + +_Quest_. What effect had the decision of this synod upon the churches? + +_Ans_. They cheerfully submitted to these _decrees_, and were by them +conformed in the faith, comforted in heart, and increased in number +daily, Acts xv. 31, and xvi. 4, 5. + +_Quest_. But might not this be a meeting merely for consultation, and +their decision a mere advice? + +_Ans_. No: for every word here used imports authority. The word +translated _lay upon_, commonly signifies an authoritative imposition, +Matt. xxiii. 4. The decision is expressly called a _necessary burden_, +and _decrees ordained_, which imply power and authority, Acts xv. 16, +xvii. 7. + +_Quest_. How does it appear that inferior courts are subordinate to +those that are superior; sessions to presbyteries, and presbyteries to +synods? + +_Ans_. The true light of nature (which is proved, chap, iii., to be one +of those ways, whereby a thing is of divine right) teacheth us, that, if +we be injured by an inferior court, we may appeal to a higher court for +redress, if there be one. As in the Jewish church there was evidently a +subordination of judicatories, so that those injured in the synagogue +might appeal to the Sanhedrin, Deut. xvii. 8, 12; 2 Chron. xix. 8, 11; +Exod. xviii. 22, 26; Ps. cxxii. 5: therefore as our dangers, +difficulties, and necessities are as great as theirs, by reason of false +teachers and corrupt doctrines, which were foretold should appear in the +last times, 1 Tim. iv. 1; 2 Pet. ii. 1; we cannot, without dishonor to +Christ, suppose that he would deprive us of a proper remedy for +redressing our grievances, which was afforded unto them:--the gradual +advance in managing offences prescribed by Christ himself, Matt. xviii. +19, as his care for the whole church cannot be less than for a single +member. If then an inferior judicatory offend or injure us, we ought to +carry the matter to another that has more influence and authority. If +the offending judicatory neglect to hear this, we ought to tell the +offence to the church in the highest sense, that redress may be +obtained--the apostle Paul declaring, _that the spirits of the prophets +are subject to the prophets_. 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 Antioch, respecting circumcision, being referred +for decision to the synod of Jerusalem, and their readily submitting to +its determination, Acts xv. + +_Quest_. How does it appear that no power of authority is lodged in the +body of the people, the private members of the church? + +_Ans_. Although every church member has a right to all the spiritual +privileges purchased with the Saviour's blood, and given to the church, +as need requires; although he has a right to try the spirits, and to +prove all things by the word of God; a power to choose the church +officers who are immediately to rule over him; yet the Holy Scriptures +allow the exercise of no official power to the private members of the +church. Not the Christian people, but their pastors have power to preach +the gospel, Rom. x. 15; and to administer the sacraments, those +mysteries of God, which are connected with preaching, 1 Cor. iv. 1; +Matt. xxviii. 19. Not the people, but their rulers, are divinely +warranted. Timothy was ordained, not by the people, but by the +presbytery: elders, not by the people, but by Paul and Barnabas: and +deacons, not by the people, but by the apostles, 1 Tim. iv. 14; Acts +xiv. 23, and vi. 3, 6. Not the people, but their rulers are to censure +the scandalous, and to absolve the penitent, Matt. xviii. 18; 1 Cor. v. +The Scripture nowhere ascribes to the people any such characters as +imply authority lodged in them; but the contrary. Instead of being +styled pastors, they are called the _flock_, watched over and fed; +instead of overseers, the family overseen; instead of _rulers, guides, +governors_, they are called the _body_ governed, the persons subject in +the Lord, and they are solemnly charged to know, honor, obey, and submit +to those that are over them. + +_Quest_. What is the proper method of dealing with persons that fall +into scandal? + +_Ans_. If the offence be known only to one or to a few, the offender is +to be told his fault secretly, with Christian meekness, plainness, and +love. If he profess his sorrow and resolution to amend, the whole matter +ought to be carefully concealed; and those offended ought to be well +pleased that their offending brother is gained. If, after one or more +secret reproofs, he continue impenitent, defending his fault, one or two +more Christian brethren, grave, judicious, and meek, are to be taken +along, and the offender to be dealt with by them, and in their presence. +If now he appear to repent, the several persons concerned in his reproof +are, with care and in love, to conceal his offence, lest, by divulging +it, they be reproached as wicked calumniators. If the offender contemn +one or more such private admonitions or reproofs, or if his scandal be +of such a nature that it will necessarily become public, the affair is +to be told to the church court, to which he is most immediately subject. +And, to bring him to a due sense of his fault, he is to be there dealt +with in a prudent, affectionate, plain, and convincing manner. If this +prove a means of bringing him to a sense of his offence, the censures of +the church are to be executed upon him according to the laws of Christ's +house, and the nature of his crime, and he is to be restored to the +privileges of the church. But if, after due pains taken by the +judicatories, he remain obstinate, he is then to be cast out of the +church, and held as a heathen man and publican, Matt. xviii. 15 to 18. + +THE END. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE. +PREFACE 7 + +PART I. + +CHAP. I.--That there is a Government in the Church of divine +right now under the New Testament 19 + +CHAP. II.--Of the nature of a divine right in general 22 + +CHAP. III.--Of a divine right in particular, which is five ways; +first, by the true light of Nature 24 + +CHAP. IV.--Of a divine right, second, by obligatory Scripture 27 +examples + +CHAP. V.--Of a divine right, third, by God's approbation 37 + +CHAP. VI.--Of a divine right, fourth, by divine acts 39 + +CHAP. VII.--Of a divine right, fifth, by divine precepts 40 + + +PART II. + +CHAP. I.--A description of church government 45 + +CHAP. II.--The subject described, and the terms church government +briefly defined 46 + +CHAP. III.--The general nature of church government, viz., power or +authority 48 + +CHAP. IV.--The special difference of church government from other +governments, as to the special rule of it, viz., the Holy 53 +Scriptures + +CHAP. V.--The proper fountain from which church government is +derived, so as to constitute it of divine authority, viz., Jesus +Christ our Mediator 55 + +CHAP. VI.--The peculiar nature of this power and authority 57 + +CHAP. VII.--The several acts about which this power and authority +is exercised, viz., doctrine and discipline 61 + +CHAP. VIII.--The end and design of this government of the church 67 + +CHAP. IX.--The peculiar subject intrusted by Christ with this +power, and the execution thereof according to the Scriptures 70 + +SECT. I.--The power granted to the civil magistrate about the 92 +Church + +SECT. II.--The power utterly refused him in church affairs 94 + +CHAP. X.--That the community of the faithful, or body of the +people, are not the immediate subject of the power of church 97 +government + +CHAP. XI.--That Christ's own officers are the immediate subject of +it; pastors and ruling elders 111 + +The divine right of the ruling elder at large 114 + +The divine right of the deacon 149 + +CHAP. XII.--The divine right of congregational elderships, or kirk +sessions, for the government of the Church 172 + +CHAP. XIII.--The divine right of presbyteries, consisting of rulers +from different neighboring congregations 177 + +CHAP. XIV.--The divine right of synods 197 + +CHAP. XV.--The subordination of particular congregations to greater +assemblies, for their judicial determination of ecclesiastical +causes, proved to be of divine right 210 + + +APPENDIX. + +No. I.--Of the qualifications and duties of church members 219 + +No. II.--Who have a right to preach the Gospel 237 + +No. III.--On the same subject 240 + +No. IV.--On the people's right to choose their own pastors 249 + +No. V.--On the ordination and duty of ministers 256 + +No. VI.--Of ruling elders, from Dr. Owen 258 + +Conclusion 266 + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 117: The substance of this Number is extracted from Ford's +Gospel Church, printed 1675.] + +[Footnote 118: John xvi. 8, 9; 2 Cor. v. 5; Eph. ii. 1, 5.] + +[Footnote 119: Col. ii. 6; 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.] + +[Footnote 120: Col. i. 12.] + +[Footnote 121: 1 Pet. ii. 5.] + +[Footnote 122: From Brown's Letters.] + +[Footnote 123: Extracted from the Christian Magazine for Sept. 1797--a +periodical publication well worth the perusal of the friends of +evangelical doctrine.] + +[Footnote 124: From Brown's Letters.] + +[Footnote 125: This number is a summary of Dr. Owen's arguments in favor +of the divine right of the ruling elder, with an abstract of the duties +which he ought to perform. Although the Doctor was a professed +Independent, yet he was entirely different, both in doctrine and church +government, from any in Scotland that bear that name, as all who are +acquainted with his works will easily observe. The writer of his life +asserts that he heard him say, "He could readily join with presbytery as +it was exercised in Scotland." And indeed it appears very probable that +the difference between the consultative synod which he allows, and the +authoritative synod contended for by true Presbyterians, is not so far +different as many apprehend, because the decisions of either bind the +conscience only as they are agreeable to the Holy Ghost speaking in the +Scriptures.] + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Divine Right of Church Government +by Sundry Ministers Of Christ Within The City Of London + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13941 *** |