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Title: A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry Author: Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly Release date: January 29, 2014 [eBook #44787] Language: English Credits: Produced by Jordan, Chris Pinfield, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A VINDICATION OF THE PRESBYTERIALL-GOVERNMENT AND MINISTRY *** Produced by Jordan, Chris Pinfield, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Transcriber's Note The text includes a large number of marginal notes that are printed in small font and are sometimes unclear. They have been converted into footnotes or (if they comprise general descriptions of a passage) into sidenotes. A footnote may refer to the following, rather than preceding, word or phrase. If so the footnote anchor has been positioned accordingly. Many of the paragraphs are numbered according to a complex scheme. Only on one page are they indented. While the numbering has been retained the indenting has been removed. Apparent typographical errors, and inconsistencies in hyphenation, have been corrected. Superscripts and a word in spaced-out text have been rendered in ordinary font. Ligatures have been removed. Small capitals have been converted to ordinary capitals. Italics are indicated by _underscores_. Transliterated Greek is indicated by =equal signs=, and Hebrew by +plus signs+. The error noted at the end of the text has been incorporated. A VINDICATION OF THE Presbyteriall-Government, AND MINISTRY: TOGETHER, With an Exhortation, to all the Ministers, Elders, and People, within the Bounds of the Province of LONDON, whether joyning with Us, or separating from Us. _Published, By the Ministers, and Elders, met together in a Provinciall Assembly_, Novemb. 2d. 1649. Wherein, amongst other things, these ensuing particulars are contained: 1. _That there is a Church-Government, by_ Divine Right. 2. _That the_ Magistrate, _is not the_ Fountain _of_ Church-Government. 3. _That the_ Presbyterial-Government, _is by_ Divine Right. 4. _The_ Inconveniencies _of the_ Congregationall-_way_. 5. _That the_ Ruling-Elder _is by_ Divine Right. 6. _That it is the will of_ Jesus Christ, _that all sorts of persons should give an account of their_ Faith, _to the_ Minister, _and_ Elders, _before admission to the_ Lords Supper; _together with_ Answers, _to the usuall_ Objections _made against it_. 7. Directions _to the_ Elders _for the right managing of their_ Office. 8. Directions _to such as are admitted to the_ Lords Supper, _for the right sanctifying of_ Gods Name, _in that_ Ordinance, & _for their carriage one towards another_. 9. Rules _to preserve_ People, _from the_ Errours _of these_ Times. 10. _That_ Separation _from our_ Churches, _is justly charged with_ Schisme. 11. _That_ Ministers _formerly ordained by_ Bishops, _need no new_ Ordination. 12. _The Necessity and usefulness of_ Catechizing. Licensed, Entred, and Printed according to Order. _London_, Printed for _C. Meredith_, at the _Crane_ in _Pauls_ Church-yard, 1650. [Illustration] _It hath been the chief stratagem of the adversaries of the Church, in all Ages, to erect a_ throne _for themselves, in the hearts of people, by casting reproaches and slanders upon the_ Doctrine, Government, _and_ Godly Ministers _of_ Jesus Christ. _In the old Testament, when the Jewes came first out of_ Babylon, _and began to build the second Temple of_ Jerusalem, _their enemies most falsly, and maliciously, suggested to King_ Artaxerxes, [1]That the City of Jerusalem, was a rebellious City, and hurtful unto Kings and Provinces, and that they had moved sedition within the same, of old time, _&c._ _And thereby caused the work of the house of God, to cease for many years. And in the New Testament, when the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven in a most miraculous manner, for the_ solemn inauguration of Christian Religion; _and when the Apostles were filled with the_ Holy Spirit, _even then, they were charged to be_ full of new wine. _And in after-times, the slanderous accusations of the_ Heathen _Idolaters against the_ Christians, _are observed to have been one of the chiefest causes of the_ ten bloudy Persecutions, _raised up against them by the_ Romane Emperours. _And this was that which forced the Godly-learned of those days, to write_ Apologies, _in defence of_ Christians, and Christian Religion.[2] _To come neerer to our own times; when the Protestant Religion began to be re-established (after the bloudy times of Queen_ Mary) _it was loaded with so many infamous lyes, and malicious falsities, That_ Reverend and learned Jewell, _was compelled to write an_ Apologie[3] _for it; for which, he will be famous in the Churches, to all Posterity. And even in our dayes, when it pleased God, out of his infinite goodness, to lay a_ foundation _of a glorious_ Reformation in Church-Discipline, _in this Kingdom, and to raise up the hearts of many_ Godly Ministers, _and others, to contribute their utmost help for the perfecting of it, Then did a Generation of men rise up, who made it their great design to pour out flouds of reproaches, and calumnies, upon both Government, and Ministers. First, they represent the Government unto the people, as_ absolutely destructive _unto the_ civill State, _to the_ liberties _both of their soules and bodies, and as unsufferable in a_ free Kingdom. _And then the_ Ministers _that assert it, as men that seek to ingross_ all power _into their own hands, as the chief_ Incendiaries _of Church and State, and as the causes of all the miseries, that have of late years come upon the three Kingdoms._ _And therefore, We,_ Ministers and Elders _met together, by the Authority of Parliament, in the Provincial Assembly of the Province of_ London, _considering with our selves, what way we might be serviceable in this great work of_ Reformation, _have thought it our duties to wipe off those_ foul aspersions, _that are cast upon it, and upon those who have been active for it; and to dispel the mists and fogs, which have so long darkened the glorious Sun-shine of this blessed Reformation._ _And because we also find, that there are many, who doubt, whether there be any particular_ Church-government _prescribed in the Word; and if so, whether it be the_ Presbyterial, _or_ Congregationall. _And others that question the lawfulness of_ Ruling-Elders, _and of their joynt power, with the_ Minister, _to examine those that are admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; Therefore, we have also thought it most necessary for us to search into the Word, and to deliver our judgments in all these particulars._ _And further, because we observe with grief of heart, that sin and iniquity abounds, and many separate from our Congregations, and run head-long into heretical, and soul-damning opinions; And those that do joyn with us in the_ Presbyteriall Government, _both Ministers, Elders, and People, meet with many discouragements, and may (possibly) grow faint, and weary and neglective of their duties: Therefore, We have also thought our selves obliged, to our_ Vindication, _to adde an_ Exhortation, _unto all Ministers, Elders, and People, within the bounds of our Province, whether joyning with us, or separating from us_. _The work (we acknowledge) is very weighty, and difficult; and the times wherein we live, are very perillous, in which men are made_ Offenders for a word; _Provincial Assemblies (as now constituted) are new, and strange with us, weak in power, and of no repute with many; suspected by some, as likely to prove prejudiciall to the Kingdom; and by others, to the liberty of Congregations. And the judgments and consciences of most people, are so prepossessed with prejudices and self-interest, as that we cannot but expect, that this_ our first expression of our selves, _will meet with much opposition, and contradiction. Some will not vouchsafe to read it; Others will read it, and contemn it; Others will mock and scoff at it. But our comfort is, the Testimony of our Consciences. That the grounds of this our present undertaking, are neither_ pragmaticalness of spirit, _nor to_ vent _our own_ spleen, _in aspersing others; nor_ affectation of domination _over others; nor to blow the Trumpet to new troubles. But our ends and ayms, herein, sincerely are_, That the truths of Christ may be vindicated, the Government of the Lord Jesus advanced, the power of Godliness exalted, the credit of the Godly Ministry repaired, the unity of the Spirit gained, and kept in the bond of peace, That our Congregations may be purged, purity of Ordinances promoted, divisions healed, breaches made up, stumbling blocks removed; That those who stand may be established, the weak & feeble strengthened, the seduced may be converted from the errour of their wayes and repent, to the acknowledgment of the truth; That languishing gifts and graces, may be quickened and increased; That a through Reformation (according to our solemn Covenant) may be really endeavoured; That no means of edification, may by Us be neglected; That we may keep our selves pure from the bloud of all men: That the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour may be inlarged, and God in all things glorified. _We confess, it is hardly possible, to wipe off the dirt cast upon us, but some of it will necessarily light upon those that cast it; (and it is fit, that they, that unjustly besmear others, should have their own filthiness impartially discovered) yet notwithstanding, we have purposely avoided, as much as may be, all personall reflections, and have waved the answering of some objections made against us, lest in answering to them, we should give occasion, to those that seek occasion. And we doubt not (however others may be transported with passion, or prejudice) but this endeavour of ours, which so much concerns the preservation of Religion, Truth, Godliness, and Ministry from ruine and destruction, will be acceptable, to all sober, and unbyassed Christians._ _We shall begin with our_ Vindication, _and therein first assert Church-Government, by Divine Right; and then clear up the_ Presbyteriall Government, _and_ Ministry; _and represent them unto you, in their native colours; and afterwards proceed to our_ Exhortation. The VINDICATION. The externall Government and Discipline of _Christ_, (though it be not necessary to the being, yet it) is absolutely necessary to the well-being of a Church: So necessary, as that we cannot but be deeply affected with grief and sorrow, when we consider how long the through setling of it hath been delayed, (notwithstanding the Covenant we have taken, with hands lifted up to heaven, to endeavor a reformation in point of Discipline) and cannot but conceive it to be one chief reason of all the miseries that are now upon us; because those that have been in Authority amongst us, have laboured to build their own houses, and have suffered the house of God to lye waste. If _Nehemiah_ sate down and wept, and mourned certain days, because the _wall of Jerusalem was broken down_, &c. Much more have we cause to mourn, that the _wall of Zion is not yet reared up_; for as a _City without walls_, _a Sea without banks_, _a vineyard without a hedge_, so is a Church without Discipline, and he that shall consider the multitude of Heresies and Blasphemies, the abundance of iniquities and abominations, that have crowded into the Church, whilest this wall hath been unbuilt, and this hedge unmade; cannot but take up the lamentation of _David_[4], though with a little difference,----_Why hast thou suffered thy Vineyard to be without a hedge, so that all they which do passe by pluck her. The Boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild Beasts of the field devour it. Return, we beseech thee, O Lord of Hosts; look down from Heaven, and behold and visit this Vine, and the Vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thy self_, &c. And likewise to pray the prayer of the same Prophet in another place[5], _Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion, and build thou the walls of Jerusalem_. The differences, we confess, about this wall, are very many, and so many, as that it would require a large Volume to treat of them; and it cannot be denyed, but these differences have been the great apple of strife for these many years: And although it be our design (as we have said) to heal and make up the breaches of this wofully divided Church, and not to widen and increase them; yet notwithstanding, we cannot without prejudice to the truth, to our selves, and to our respective Congregations, but give the world some short account of _two opinions_ about Church-Government. There are some, that although they have taken a _Covenant_, to endeavour the Reformation of the _Church_ in Discipline, according to the _Word_, yet are not afraid to say; That there is _no particular Church-Government_ set down in the _Word_; that the _Christian Magistrate_ is the _Fountain_ of all _Church-power_, and that to assert a _jus divinum_ of _Church-Government_, is _destructive_ to all political Government. Now though this Opinion prevail much with _State-Divines_, and with Christians that study _worldly-policy_, more then _Scripture simplicity_; And though it be likely (if God prevent not) to swallow up in a short time, all other Opinions about _Church Government_: And though the asserting of a _jus divinum_ in _Church-Discipline_, be with some men, _the only heresie not to be tolerated_, and more hated, then the _abomination of desolation_, standing in the holy place, was by the Jews; yet notwithstanding, we hold it our duties, especially in these times, to make it known to all our respective Congregations. 1. _That Jesus Christ, as King and Head of his Church, hath appointed a particular Government in his Church._ 2. _That the Christian Magistrate, is not the originall of Church Government._ Which two particulars, we shall endeavour with great brevity and perspicuity, to make out unto all unprejudiced Christians. And first. 1. _That there is a particular Church-Government by divine right_: not that we think, that every _circumstance_ in _Church Government_ is set down precisely in the _Word_, or is of _divine right_ in a strict sence: But this we say, That the _substantials and essentials_, are recorded particularly in the Word by Christ, the King of his Church, and are unalterable by any State whatsoever; And that the _circumstantials_ are set down under generall rules, sufficient for the ordering of them; and that therefore, even they also in a large sence may be said to be of a _divine right_. Now this we shall endeavour to prove by these ensuing Arguments. 1. _From the fulness, and sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures._ The _Apostle Paul_ saith, that his first Epistle to _Timothy_[6], was written, _To teach him how to behave himself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth_. And in his second Epistle[7] he tels us; _That the holy Scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works_. Now to know how to govern the Church, is one of the great works that belong to the Minister: And therefore, to say, that this is not recorded in Scripture, is to make the holy Scripture a rule _defective, and ineffectuall for the end for which it was written_, and to cast a very great _reproach and dishonour upon it_. And surely, if some substantiall parts of Church-Government, are exprest in the Word (as few will deny) then (as we conceive) all of them of necessity must be expressed, or else the Word should not be able to attain its end; which to affirm, is no small errour: And for our parts, we cannot conceive any reason to induce us to believe, that the _Holy Ghost_ should set down in the Word, some of the _substantials of Church-Goverment_, as binding and unalterable unto the end of the World, and leave other things as _substantiall_ as they, _arbitrary and alterable_, according to the will and pleasure of the _Christian Magistrate_. 2. _From the excellency of the Kingly Office of Jesus Christ_; For _Christ Jesus_ is the only _King_ of his Church, governing it not only inwardly, and invisibly, by the working of his Spirit; but outwardly also, and visibly, as it is a visible, politicall, and ministeriall body, in which he hath appointed his own proper [8]_Ambassadors_, [9]_Assemblies_, [10]_Lawes_, [11]_Ordinances_, and [12]_Censures_, to be administred in his name, and according to his own way. As a King of this politicall and ministeriall Church, he _breathed on his Disciples, and said, Receive the Holy Ghost, whose sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose sins ye retain, they are retained_. As a King of this visible Church, he said unto his Apostles, _All power is given to me in Heaven, and in Earth; Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world_. As a King of the same Church, he gave gifts to men, when he ascended up to heaven, [13]_some to be Apostles, some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers_. As a King, he now sits at Gods right hand, and is made Head over all things to his Church; which Church is called the house of God; and who should appoint Orders for the Government of the House, but the _Lord of the house_? And to say, that he hath not ordained how his house should be governed, is [14]to make the Master less faithfull in his own house, then his Servant _Moses_ was; which Church is _Christs Vineyard_, _Christs Garden_, and can we think Christ so negligent, as not to appoint a hedge to fence his Vineyard, and a wall to preserve his Garden? which Church is a spirituall _Republique_. And shall we deny that to _Christ_ in the Government of his Kingdome, which we grant unto all Earthly _Monarchs_? Shall we say, That Christ hath ordained no Laws, by which his Kingdome shall be governed; no Censures, by which his rebellious subjects shall be punished; no Officers to dispence those censures? This is a high defamation to Jesus Christ, and his _Kingly Office_. 3. _From the immediate, and proper end of Church Government_, which is not only matter of order and decency, but spiritual and supernatural, being appointed for the [15]_Edification of the body of Christ in grace unto glory_; and more particularly, for the _gaining of an offending brother unto repentance, and for the saving of his soul in the day of the Lord Jesus_. Now this is a certain rule, _whatsoever hath a spiritual efficacy, must of necessity have a divine originall_; _humane institutions_ can but produce humane effects: And therefore, seeing Church Government is designed for divine and supernaturall ends, it must of necessity, plead its originall from God himself. 4. We argue from an enumeration of the substantials of Church-Government. The Word of God declares unto us, That there are _Church-officers_, and who they are, _viz._, [16]_Pastors and Teachers_, [17]_Ruling-Elders, and_ [18]_Deacons_; And how they are to be [19]_qualified_ for, and [20]_externally called_ unto their respective Offices, together with all the Ministerial duties in those Offices, by them to be performed respectively; as [21]_publike prayer_, the _Ministry of the Word_, [22]_by reading and_ [23]_preaching_, the [24]blessing of the people in the name of the Lord, [25]_Administration of the Sacraments_, [26]_Censures_ and [27]distribution of Alms. The Scripture also tells us of a [28]Church, consisting of no more then can conveniently meet in one place to partake in all the Ordinances of publike Worship: and of [29]a Church consisting of divers congregations. The Scripture also speaks of [30]Synods, with Ecclesiasticall Authority, together with the [31]subordination of the lesser, to the greater, and appeals thereunto. Now all these are the substantials of Church Government, and are sufficiently set down in the Word, as may partly appear by the quotations in the Margent, and shall further appear by what we shall say afterwards. And more then these, and such as are necessarily included in these, are not (as we humbly conceive) substantials in the outward Government of the Church. The rest are circumstantialls, for which Christ hath given general rules sufficient to direct the Church in the ordering of them, and from which therefore she may not depart. These rules are set down, 1 Cor. 14.26, 40. _Let all things be done unto edifying, decently and in order_, 1 Cor. 10.31, 32. _Do all to the glory of God_, &c. Rom. 14.19. _Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace_, &c. The second thing, which with the like brevity and perspicuity, we shall endeavour to evidence unto you, is, _That the Christian Magistrate, is not the Fountain and Origin of Church-Government_. The former assertion, gave unto _God_, the things which were _Gods_; and this doth not at all take away from _Cæsar_, the things that are _Cæsars_: For we freely acknowledg, that _Magistracy_ is an _Ordinance of God_, appointed for the great good of mankind; so that, whoever are enemies to _Magistracy_, are enemies to _mankind_, and [32]to the _revealed Will of God_. We desire to hold up the honour and greatness, the power and authority of lawful Magistracy, against Papists, Anabaptists, and all others, that despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. We say, that the Magistrate is, in a civil notion, the supream Governor in all causes Ecclesiastical; the [33]keeper of both tables; [34]the nursing father of the Church: [35]that it belongs to him, by his Political power, to reform the Church, when corrupted; to preserve it, when reformed; to suppresse blasphemy, idolatry, heresie, schisme, and prophanenesse, and whatsoever is contrary to godlinesse and sound doctrine; that the people under him, may lead a quiet life, in all godlinesse and honesty. [36]That he is sent of God for the punishment of evil doers (amongst which, are heretiques, as well as others, and therefore called evil workers; and heresies, evil deeds, _Phil._ 3.2. 2 ep. _Joh._ ver. 11.) and for the praise of them that do well. That he is the [37]_Bishop of those things that are without the Church; as_ Constantine _stiled himself_. That to him belongs to punish Church-Officers, with civil punishments, when they abuse their power; and to give protection to the publique exercise of Church-Government, within his dominions. But yet, notwithstanding all this, we affirm, That though the Magistrate be a _nursing father_ of the _Church_, yet he is not the _begetting father_; That the _Magistrate_, as a _Magistrate_, is no _Church-Officer_, neither are the keyes of the Kingdom of heaven committed unto him. Neither did Christ ever say to the _Kings of the Earth; whose sins you remit, shall be remitted; and whose sins you retain, shall be retained; and whatsoever you shall binde on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven._ Neither is the offended brother directed to tell the civil Magistrate, but to tell the Church. Neither doth it belong to him to preach the Word, or to administer the Sacraments. Neither is he, as a Magistrate, seated by Christ in his Church, but is to be subject to the Church in all spiritual things, as a member thereof. Neither is it in his power to appoint what Government he please in the Church; no more then what Religion he please. And this we prove: 1. Because _Jesus Christ_ (as hath been already shewed) hath appointed a _particular Church-Government in his Word_, to be observed by all Kingdoms and States immutably, and unalterably, for the substantials of it. 2. Because the _Church of Christ had a Government within it self for 300 years before it had a Christian Magistrate_. The Scripture tells us, that the Church, in the Apostles dayes, had power to meet for ordering Church-affairs, for excommunicating scandalous offenders, and obstinate heretiques. And this power was not derived to them, from the _Magistrate_, being then Heathen; nor were they Traytors and Rebels against the State, in challenging this power. And when the _Magistrate_, afterwards, became Christian, the Church did not lose that power which it had before, when he was heathen. For the truth is, when a _heathen Magistrate becomes a Christian, he doth not acquire more Authority over the Church of Christ, then he had before, no more then a heathen husband converted, doth over his wife, which he married, when unconverted_. A Magistrate, by becoming Christian, is better inabled to do service to Christ, and his right is sanctified to him; but his _Authority_ is no greater then it was before. 3. Because the power of the Magistrate, in reference to the power of the Church, is not _privative_ of the Churches power, but _cumulative_ and _additional_. For if it were otherwise, then the condition of the Church should be worse under a _Constantine_, then under a _Nero_; under a _Christian Magistrate_, then under a _Heathen_; which is contrary to all those Scriptures, which tell us [38]what glorious advantages the Church should have, by the Magistrates becoming Christian; and that the Magistrate shall bring honour and glory to the new _Jerusalem_, and not take away that power that properly belongs to the new _Jerusalem_. 4. Because that this assertion, denyeth an _intrinsecall power_ to the Church, to preserve it self in unity, to purge out spiritual defilements, and to take care for its own preservation against _Church-destroying enemies, and iniquities_; which makes the happinesse of the Church wholly to depend upon the civil Magistrate; and is contrary, not only to the nature of the Church[39], but of all other _societies_, which have a _power_ within themselves, of _self-preservation_; and is contrary to the experience of former ages, which tell us, _That the Church of Christ did flourish more in truth and holinesse_, (though not in wealth and honours,) _whilest it was under Heathen persecuting Emperours, then afterwards_. From the Apostles, even unto the dregs of our time, the Church of Christ, both in its infancy and fuller growth, increased by persecutions, and was crowned by Martyrdoms: But after it had Christian Princes, indeed it was greater in power and riches, but lesse in piety, saith _Jerome_[40]. 5. Because that this opinion, _That the Magistrate is the Fountain of all Church-power, derives upon the Christian Magistrate most of that power, which the Pope did formerly most unjustly and tyrannically usurp over the Churches of Jesus Christ_; and thereby makes the Christian Magistrate to become a _Political Pope_, and sets up a _civil Antichrist_ instead of a spiritual, for one great part of _Antichristianisme_ consisteth in the Popes making himself to be the _Original of all spiritual jurisdiction_. And thus we have given you a short account of the first opinion; and we do beseech you, in the Name of our _Lord Jesus Christ_, that you would weigh what we have said, in the ballance of the Sanctuary; & that you would look upon Church-Government, as an Ordinance of God, flowing unto you in the bloud of Christ, and as part of his _Kingly Office_; That you would allow of no _Church-officers_, or _Offices_, that have not a _divine stamp_ upon them, accounting them guilty of a _spiritual Præmunire_, that will undertake an office in the Church, if there cannot be shewed a _Scripture-warrant_ for it; and that you would submit unto it for conscience sake. The second opinion, is of those, that will confesse a _particular Church-Government by divine right_; but say, that this is not the _Presbyteriall_, but the Government commonly called _Independent_, or _Congregationall_: the truth is, There are four kinds of Church-Government which lay claim to a _jus divinum_; The _Papal_, _Prelatical_, _Independent_, and _Presbyterial_. The first of them was banished out of this Kingdom, by King Hen. the 8. The second of them, as it was used and practised in this land, is abjured by our Covenant. The great debate of these late years, hath been about the _Presbyterial_, and _Independent Government_. And though we do not intend at this time, to enter into a large dispute; yet we earnestly desire our Brethren, that differ from us only in point of Church-Government, to consider the wofull mischiefs, that have come upon the Churches of Christ in _England_, by their dividing, and separating from us: And that whilest we have been _disputing_ what is that _Government_ which Christ hath appointed in his _Word_, there are a prevailing party risen up, that will have no _Government_ at all to be found in the _Word_: whilest we have been so long _debating_ about the _hedge_, the wild Beasts have got in, and made spoyl of the _Vineyard it self_: Whilest we have been building the wall, others have been _plucking down the house_: Whilest we have been consulting about the _Garment of Christ_, others have taken advantage to deny the _Divinity of Christ_: Whilest we have been so tediously contending about _Reforming of Churches_, _Ordination of Ministers_; and _purity of Ordinances_, there are men risen up, that deny all _Ministry, Ordinances, and Churches_. And indeed, there is scarce any fundamental Doctrine in Christian Religion, but is now, not only called in question, but openly denyed by some, or other. And therefore, we do exhort our _Brethren_, in the name of our _Lord Jesus Christ_, that they would sadly lay to heart the unexpressible calamities, which are brought upon our Churches, by their dividing from us; and that they would study, for the time to come, all wayes of _Union and Accommodation_: And for our parts, we do here profess to all the World, that we are, have alwayes been, and through the grace of God, shall ever be willing to study to find out any _Scripture way_, wherein we may _unite_ together with them, for the preservation of the _Truths of Jesus Christ_, the prevention of a _toleration of Heresies and Blasphemies_, and for the healing of the great _scandal_ that is given to _weak Christians, and wicked men_, by our unhappy _differences and divisions_. As for the _Presbyterial Government_ it self, we may justly say of it, as the Jews did upon another occasion, [41]_we know that every where it is spoken against_; and that men deal with it, and Us that profess it, as the _old persecutors_ dealt with the _Christians_; when they put them into _Bear-skins_, and then baited them with dogs; and as the _Papists_ dealt with _John Hus_[42], when they _pinned a paper, with the picture of red Devils, upon his head, and then exposed him to the laughter of the people_. Some say, That it is a _lordly, Domineering government_; and that if we had our wills, we would _lord_ it over the people of Christ, more then ever the _Prelates_ did; and instead of one Bishop in a Diocess, we should have many hundreds. Others say, that it is a Tyrannical and cruel government, and if it were once established, it would fine and imprison all that would not yeeld to it. Others, that we require an Arbitrary power, and challenge an illimited jurisdiction. Others, that we have a design to free our selves from being under the power of the civil Magistrate. Others, that this government doth rob the Congregational Churches of their power and liberty, no lesse then Prelacy did, so that the Church in removing of Prelacy, changed not _Dominium_, but _Dominum_. Others, that we seek for _unity_, but neglect _purity_. Others accuse us, that we contend too earnestly for _purity_, because we will not admit men to the Sacrament, before they give an account to the Minister and Elders of their fitness thereunto. Others accuse us, for stamping a _jus divinum_ upon our government; and others on the contrary, declaim against us, because we do not assert a _jus divinum_, but depend upon a _jus humanum_; depend more upon an _Ordinance of Parliament_ for our establishment, then an _Ordinance of God_. Others exclaim against us, that we are now become the only _troublers of Israel_, and the only _hinderers_ of a _blessed and glorious Reformation_; That we are _pestilent fellowes_, _movers of sedition among the people_, causers of the first war between _King and Parliament_, and of all the murders and blood-shedings, that have been in the Nation for these many years; That we were the Authors and abettors of that violence that was offered to the Parliament, _July 6. 1647_. That the Ministers of _London_ are Pulpit-Incendiaries, and have separated their consecrated lungs, for Bellows, to blow up the fire of a second War the last year; that they were the bringers in of that numerous Army out of _Scotland_, to invade the _Parliament_ and _Army_ of _England_: Others say, that we are Apostatized from our principles, and are turned _Malignants_, that we that were once the great _Parliament Assertors_, are now become the only _Parliament-Opposers_. Lastly, that the _Presbyterian Ministers_ seek their own private ease and interest, and not the things of Jesus Christ; That they are notorious hypocrites, _Baals_ Priests, limbs of Antichrist. And that the only reason why they dislike, and expresse an unsatisfiednesse with these times, and the alterations therein made, is, because they fear, that their great _Diana of tythes will be pulled down, and that their gains will be lesse, and their pains greater; and that they cannot lord it over their people, as they hoped to have done_. These are the _Bear-skins_ in which we are put from day to day; these are the _red Devils_ that are pinned upon us, to render our persons, _Ministry_, and _Government_ odious unto the people. But our comfort is, that these accusations are meer calumnies and slanders, and that there is not the least shadow of reality or truth in them. And it is an evident token to us, that _God hath some great work for us to do, because he suffers the red dragon to pour out such floods of reproaches upon us_; and that our _government is of Divine Original, because it is so much opposed_, and that by all sorts of men, and that in contrary ways: some opposing it, because it seeks so much after _purity of ordinances_; others, because it seeks it not enough: some, because it layeth claim so much to a _jus divinum_; Others, _because not enough_. We well remember, and are therein much comforted, what _Tertullian_ saith; _That that religion must needs be good which Nero persecuted_; and what _Spanhemius that late learned Professor of Leyden_, in his history of the original, and progress of the Anabaptists of _Germany_, tells us, [43]_That when God raised up Luther, Melancthon, Zuinglius, and divers other Worthies, to be the Reformers of his Church; At the same time, the enemy of mankind raised up the Anabaptists, to be the disturbers of his Church. That Thomas Muntzer their great Antesignanus, when he could not get Luther to joyn with him, but on the contrary was rebuked by him, and earnestly admonished not to disturb the publique peace, &c. He began to rise up, and thunder against Luther himself, crying out, that Luther was as much in fault, as the Pope of Rome; that it was true, the work of reformation was somewhat furthered by him, but left still infected with much leaven; yea that Luther was worse then the Pope, for that he had published only a carnall Gospel._ And afterwards, When _Luther_, _Melancthon_, _Zuinglius_, _Bullinger_, _Menius_, _Regius_, and others, began, by writing, to defend both their own, and the cause of the Church of God, and to wipe off the blot that was cast as well upon themselves as upon the Gospel, by these Anabaptists; _Muntzer_ and his confederates were the more enraged against them, crying out, _That Luther, and those of his party, favoured nothing but the flesh, vaunting indeed, that they had cut off some of the leaves of Antichrist, but the tree, and the roots remained still untouched, which must also be cut down, and which cut down they would. And because they could finde nothing in the written Word, to defend their errours, and the tumults which they raised, they fly to revelations, and inspirations &c. Hereupon every Fish-monger begins to boast of the spirit, feign revelations after the example of Storch and Muntzer; The Pulpit is open to every Cobler or Tinker. They scoffed at the publique Sermons of the reformed, inveighed against the Lutherane Faith, as being void of good works, &c. Muntzer, the chiefe trumpet of these uproars, proclaims openly, that he was raised up by the command of God, for the punishment of wicked Princes, and altering of Politick government. His usual subscription to his letters was_, Thomas Muntzer, _the servant of God against the ungodly_. What was the fatal end of this _Muntzer_, and of _Iohn Becold_ the Taylor of _Leyden_, and of the rest of that crew; what prodigious opinions they held, he that will, may read them in the forementioned Author. There are two reasons have moved us to cite this story: First, to shew, _That it is not unusual with God, when he raiseth up men faithful in their generation to reform his Church_, to give way to the enemy of mankind, for the trial of his people, to raise up some men even amongst the Reformers themselves, that by spreading of errours and Heresies, and State-disturbing opinions, should endeavour to obstruct the Reformation so happily begun. Secondly, that in _times of Reformation_, it hath alwayes been the practice of the Ring-leaders of Errours and Heresies, to inveigh more bitterly, and write more railingly against the Reformers of the Church, and the Reformation by them indeavoured, then against the common adversary, both of themselves, of the Reformers, and of the Reformation. And this is our lot and portion at this day. But yet, notwithstanding all this, we hope, that if this _Presbyteriall Government_, so much opposed both by _Malignants, and Sectaries of all sorts_, were once presented unto our congregations in its true and native colours, it would be embraced by all that fear God amongst us; and that we might say of it, as once it was said of _Socrates_, _That all that knew him, loved him; and the reason why any did not love him, was only because they did not know him_. And we likewise hope, that if we shall fully answer the accusations that are brought against us, in the bitter and lying pamphlets of this licentious age, that then our persons also shall stand right in the hearts and consciences of all that truly fear God within this Kingdome. Give us leave, therefore to undertake these two things. First, _To represent the Presbyteriall-Government before you, in its true beauty and excellency_. Secondly, _To vindicate our persons from the slanders and cruell reproaches that are cast upon them_. 1. For the _Vindication of our Government_, and therein the undeceiving of our people, who look upon it; as it is misrepresented unto them, by those that are enemies unto Us, Them, and the Government, we shall offer briefly these ensuing particulars. 1. That the _Presbyteriall-Government_ is a Government that hath been the fruit of the prayers of many thousands of godly people in _England_, in Queen _Elizabeth's_, and King _Iames_ his dayes: There were many knowing Christians, and faithfull Ministers, that made it their frequent prayer, that God would reform _England_ in Discipline, as he had done in Doctrine; and the Discipline then they prayed for, and many suffered for, was the _Presbyterian_; as appears by the books written in those days[44]. _And shall we now despise that mercy that comes swimming to us in the prayers of so many thousand Saints?_ 2. Though the Presbyterian-Government (for the practice of it) be new and strange to us in _England_, yet it is not new. First, To the Churches of Christ in other Countries: For most of those places that did thrust out the Popish Religion, and Government, did receive in the Protestant Religion, and Presbyterial-Government. It is not new to the Protestant Reformed Churches in _France_, _Scotland_, _Netherlands_, and _Geneva_, and divers other places, who have had comfortable experience of this Government, and have enjoyed a great deal of liberty, verity, piety, unity, and prosperity under it: And (which we desire all our respective Congregations seriously to consider) therefore it is (as we humbly conceive) that the framers of our _National Covenant_ did put in these words, _And the example of the best Reformed Churches_, into the first Article of the Covenant, that thereby they might hint unto us, what that Government was, which is neerest the Word, even that which is now practised in the best Reformed Churches. 2. _To the Word of God_; but is there to be found in all the _substantials_ of it, as we have briefly shewed already, and some of our own _Brethren Ministers_ of this City, have made to appear at large, in a Book, entituled, _The divine Right of the Presbyterial Government_. We shall speak a little more to three of the forementioned _Substantials of Church-Government_: And shall prove, 1. _That the Scripture holds forth a Church, consisting of divers Congregations._ 2. _Synods with Ecclesiastical Authority._ 3. _Subordination of Congregations unto Synods, together with Appeals thereunto._ 1. _That the Scripture holds forth a Church consisting of divers Congregations._ Such a Church was The _Church of Jerusalem_; as appears, 1. By the _Multitude of Believers_, both before, and after the dispersion (mentioned, _Act._ 8.1.) _Act._ 2.41, 46, 47. _Act._ 4.4. _Act._ 5.14. _Act._ 6.1, 7. _Act._ 9.31._ Act._ 12.24. _Act._ 21.20. 2. By the many _Apostles_, and other _Preachers_ in the _Church_ of _Jerusalem_: If there were but one Congregation there, each Apostle preached but seldom, which will not consist with _Act._ 6.2. 3. The _diversity of Languages_ amongst the Believers, mentioned both in the second and sixt Chapters of the _Acts_, doth argue more Congregations then one in that Church. All which, are fully and largely handled by the _Reverend Assembly of Divines_ in a book of theirs, printed by Authority of Parliament. 2. _That the Scripture speaks of Synods with Ecclesiastical Authority_, this is evident from _Act._ 15. in which Chapter, two things are to be observed: 1. _That the Apostles in that Meeting, did not act as Apostles with infallible authority, but as Elders, in such a way as makes that Meeting, a pattern for ordinary Synods._ For the proof of this, we offer these reasons. 1. Because _Paul_ and _Barnabas_ did willingly submit to be sent from _Antioch_ to _Jerusalem_, which they needed not have done (one of them at least being an Apostle) nor could have done, had they acted as Apostles, and not as Members, for that time, of the _Presbytery of Antioch_, _Act._ 15.2. 2. Because _Paul_ and _Barnabas_ were sent not only to the Apostles at _Jerusalem_, but to the Apostles and Elders, which at that time were not a few (the Believers in _Jerusalem_ being many thousands) which proves, that they sent not unto the _Apostles as extraordinary and infallible_ (for then what need the advice of the Elders?) but as wise and holy Guides of the Church, who might not only relieve them by some wise counsel, but also _set a president_ unto succeeding Ages, how _Errours and Dissentions_ in the Church might be removed and healed; as Mr. _Cotton_ observes, in his book of the _Keyes_, &c. pag. 23. [Sidenote: Mr. _Cotton_ of the _Keyes_.] 3. Because in the Synod, the Apostles did not determine the thing in question, by _Apostolical Authority_, from immediate revelation, but assembled together with the Elders to consider of the matter, _Act._ 15.6. and a Multitude of the Brethren together with them, _Act._ 15.12, 22, 23. And there the question was stated, and debated from Scripture in an ordinary way. _Peter_ proves it by the _witnesse of the Spirit to his Ministry, in_ Cornelius _his Family, Paul_ and _Barnabas_ by the like effect of their Ministry amongst the Gentiles. _James_ confirmed the same by the testimony of the Prophets; with which, the whole Synod being satisfied, they determine of a judicial sentence, and of a way to publish it by letters and messages. 4. Because the Decrees of the Synod are put forth in the name, _not only of the Apostles, but of the Apostles and Elders_, _Act._ 15.22, 23. _Act._ 16.4. _Act._ 21.25. The second thing to be observed in that Chapter, is, _That the Apostles and Elders did put forth Acts of Ecclesiasticall Authority in that Synod._ This appears plainly from _Act._ 15.28. _to lay no other burden_. To bind burdens, is an _act of the binding power of the Keyes_. And it appears likewise from _Act._ 16.4. where mention is made of _Decrees ordained by the Apostles & Elders_. And it is observeable, that wheresoever =dogma=, is used in the _New Testament_, it is put either for _Decrees_ or _Laws_, and so frequently by the _Septuagint in the old Testament_, as is abundantly proved by the Reverend _Assembly of Divines_, in their answer to the Reasons of the Dissenting-Brethren, against the instance of the Church of _Jerusalem_, pag. 66. 3. That the Scripture holds forth a subordination of Congregations unto Synods, together with Appeals thereunto. To prove this, we will bring two places: The first is _Deut._ 17.8. to 12. together with 2 _Chron._ 19.8, 10, 11. Out of which two places, compared together, we gather these two conclusions: 1. _That the Jews had two supream Judicatories in Jerusalem_; the one _Ecclesiasticall_, for the _matters of the Lord_; the other _civill_, for the _matters of the King_. This appears by _Deut._ 17. ver. 8. where we have a distinction of causes; some _forensicall_ between _blood_ and _blood_, belonging to the civil _Judicatory_; some ceremonial, between stroak, and stroak; that is, (as not only _Hierome_, but the Chaldy and Septuagint read the words, and as appears by the frequent use of the word in that sense, _Levit._ 13. and elsewhere,) between leprosie, and leprosie, belonging to the cognizance of the Ecclesiastical Judicatory. And in the 12 verse, these two Judicatories are distinguished, by the disjunctive _Or_; _And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the Priest_, (that standeth to minister before the Lord thy God,) _or unto the Judge_, &c. This further appears, by 2 _Chr._ 19.8, 10, 11. In which we have clear mention; first of two sorts of Judges, the _Levites and Priests, and chief of the Fathers_, vers. 8. secondly, of two sorts of causes, some _spirituall and Ecclesiasticall_, called the _judgment of the Lord_, ver. 8. and the _matters of the Lord_, ver. 11. others civill, as _between blood and blood_, ver. 10. And thirdly, of two _Presidents_; _Amariah_ the chief _Priest_, in all _matters of the Lord_; and _Zebadiah_ the Ruler of the house of _Judah_, in all the _matters of the King_. And this distinction between the civil and Ecclesiastical Judicatory, is the opinion of many Orthodox & learned Authors, which are cited by Mr. _Gelaspy_, _Aarons_ rod blossom, cap. 3. pag. 8. where this conclusion is largely and learnedly debated & asserted. 2. _That there was a subordination in the Jewish Church, of the Synagogues, in all hard and difficult controversies, and in all the matters of the Lord, unto the Ecclesiastical Judicatory at Jerusalem, and appeals thereunto_; this appears evidently, _Deut._ 17.8, 9. 2 Chron. 19.8, 10. Now that this _Subordination_, together with _appeals_, did not belong to the _Jewish Church_, as _Jewish_ only, but as it was an _Ecclesiastical Republique_, is evident. For though the _high Priest_, amongst the Jews, was a _type of Christ_, yet these _gradual Judicatories_, wherein the _aggrieved party did appeal, from the lesser to the greater; (that against the very light of nature, the adverse party might not be the sole Judge and party too, in his own cause) were not in any kind ceremonial or typicall_. _Appeals_, (saith Dr. _Whitaker_,) _they are of divine and natural light, and certainly very necessary in every necessity, because of the iniquity and ignorance of Judges_, Whit. Contr. 4. de Romano Pontific. lib. 4. cap. 2. And generally, all _Protestant Writers_ against appeals to the Pope, acknowledge yet, their necessary usefulness to a _Synod_. So did that renowned Martyr _Cranmer_, the form of whose appeal to a Council, three several times urged by him, with much instance, we have recorded by Mr. _Foxe_ at large, Acts and Monuments. And indeed, if the _benefit of appeals, and consociation of Churches_, should not be as free to us, as to the _Jews_, how much _more defective & improvident_ were the _Gospel_, then the _Law_, contrary to all _ancient Prophesies of Gospel-Communion_? How were _our Saviour King of Peace and Righteousnesse_, should he have ordained now under the _Gospel_ such a _government_, as by making _Parties sole Judges_, were neither _righteous, nor peaceable_? what _Judaicall type or ceremony_, can there be in this communion and mutual assistance in government, which God (as by his Word, so) by the very light of nature, teacheth all societies whatsoever, whether Common-Wealth, Armies, Universities, or Navies? &c. as learnedly Mr. _Herle_, in his Independency, &c. The second place is Matth. 18.15, 16, 17, 18. which text, by a _parity of reason_, proves a _subordination of Congregations unto Synods_. For there is the same relation between _Church and Church_, as between_ brother and brother_; and if a _brother_ offending is _subordinate_ unto a _particular Congregation_; then by a _like reason_, an _offending Congregation_ is _subordinate_ unto _greater Assemblies_. And the reason of it is, because the _grounds_, _reasons_, and _ends_ of _subordination_, are the same in both. _That God might be glorified, the offendor shamed, humbled, reduced, and sin not suffered to rest upon him. That others may be preserved from contagion, and made to fear. That scandal and pollution of the Ordinances, may be prevented, or removed._ All which argue as strongly and fully for _subordination of an offending Congregation to superiour and greater Assemblies, as of an offending brother to a particular Congregation_: And the truth is, whosoever denyes the subordination of a Congregation unto a Synod, together with appeals thereunto, doth in plain tearms affirm these three things, 1. _That the Government of Christ in his Church under the New Testament, is a Government directly contrary to the very light of nature making the same men parties, and finall Judges in their own cause._ 2. _That the Government of the Church in the Old Testament, was more equal and just, then under the New._ 3. _That Jesus Christ hath in his Government appointed no effectual remedy to heal the scandals of an offending Congregation, or at least, a more effectual remedy to redresse an offending Brother, then an offending Congregation._ All which are great _derogations_, and _disparagements_ to the _Kingly Office and Government of Jesus Christ_. And thus we have shewed that the Presbyterial Government is not new to the Word of God, as some falsly object. We proceed to justifie it in other particulars. 3. The Presbyterial Government _challengeth no power over mens bodies or estates_. It medleth not in civil affairs, or with inflicting civil mulcts, or corporal punishments. It is a government _purely spirituall_, dispensing the Keyes of the _Kingdom of heaven_, not of earth; and how then can it be cruel and tyrannical, in fineing and imprisoning mens persons, as was objected? 4. It is not a _Government_ that hath _Lordships_ and great _Revenues_ annexed to it, as the Prelatical had. It is not _gainful_ and _profitable_, but _burdensome_ and _troublesome_: What do the ruling Elders gain by their office, but reproach and contempt? And is not the condition of the teaching Elder worse, in regard of maintenance, since he ingaged in this discipline, then ever it was? This is a government that hath no outward advantages to induce men to accept of it. _It is conscience_, and (as we hope) _pure conscience_, that ingageth any in it, and _therefore it is, that it hath so few friends, because there are so few that are truly conscientious_. 5. It is not a _Domineering Hierarchicall magisteriall Government, that lords it over peoples consciences, requiring subjection to the decrees of it, with blind and slavish obedience_. But it is a _Stewardship_, a _Ministry_, a painful and laborious service. We say, That all the determinations, even of Nationall Synods, are to be obeyed no further, then they agree with the Word of God. And that a Synod is _Judex judicandus_. That Congregations are to examine with the judgment of discretion, what is sent to them from Synods. There is _no more obedience required to the Decrees of a Nationall Synod, then the Independents claim to the decrees of a particular Congregation_. 6. It is not an _Arbitrary illimited Government, but bounded and limited_: 1. _By the Word of God_; for in this Government, everything is to be administred according to the pattern in the Mount. We desire none to follow, but where the Word goeth before. 2. _By the civill Magistrate_, in regard of the exercise of it. For we acknowledg our selves (as we have said) accountable to the civill Magistrate, to punish us with civil mulcts, if we abuse our power. 7. It is not a _Government, that doth rob and spoyl particular Congregations of their just power and priviledges, but helps and strengthens them_. For it is not (as the Prelatical was) _extrinsecall_ to the severall Congregations; (which had no vote in the government, nor consent to it, but were sufferers only of it, and under it:) Neither doth it assume to it self the _sole power of Ordination and jurisdiction_: (as the Prelatical likewise did, and in this, was lordly and tyrannical over all particular Congregations in each Diocess:) But it is _intrinsecall to the Congregation_, consisting of the Pastors and Elders of every Congregation, governing one another by their own Officers: For we hold (which few of our Adversaries will understand or consider) _That all Congregations are equal_. No one Congregation over another. _That all Ministers are equall_, No one Minister, by divine right, over another. [Sidenote: That which concerns all, must be managed by all.] We hold no _Mother-Church_, on which all other Churches should depend. But our Government, so far as it is distinct from the Congregational, consisteth of _divers Sister-Churches, combined by mutuall concernment, and governing one another in matters of mutuall concernment, by the common agreement of Pastors and Elders_, according to that Golden Rule, _Quod omnes tangit, ab omnibus tractari debet_. In the Presbyterial Government every Congregation hath a voyce, by the Pastors and Elders thereof, and so is governed by a _power intrinsecall to it self, which cannot in its own nature be tyrannicall_. Though there is no power in the world so just, but by abuse may prove tyrannicall. To illustrate this by a simile. _The Presbyterial Government is like the Government of the_ City _by the_ Common-councell, _wherein there are_ Common-Councell-men _sent from every_ Ward, _to judg and determine of matters, that concern the good of the whole_ City; _which certainly in its own nature, cannot be prejudicall to the severall_ Wards, _but every helpfull and commodious; whereas the_ Prelatical-Government, _was just as if the City should be governed by a_ High-Commission _chosen of_ Forreiners; _and the_ Independent-Government _is just as if every_ Ward _should undertake to govern it self, divided from one another, and not at all to be under the power and authority of the_ Common-councell. Adde besides this, the _Presbyteriall-Government_ doth give unto people of particular Congregations all that is by Christ left them. For, 1. We allow unto every Congregation a particular Eldership, where it may be had. 2. We impose upon no Congregation a Minister against whom they can give a rationall dissent. 3. We allow the Congregationall Eldership to judg in all matters which concern that particular Church; and to keep from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, all those whom they finde to be ignorant or scandalous. 4. In the _great Censure of Excommunication_, we say, That it ought not to be _executed against the consent of that particular Congregation, to which the party to be excommunicated belongs_. And in all other matters of importance, the Presbyterian-Government hath great respect to that Congregation which is particularly concerned therein. And therefore, it is so far from _robbing_, that it is a great _Pillar to uphold and support Congregational Government_; as for example: 1. When a particular Congregation is destitute of a Minister, then the Neighbour-Ministers of the Classis help what in them lies to make up that defect, by sending supply in the mean time, and afterwards by joyning in the ordination of another. 2. When there is an insufficient Eldership, then the Classical Presbytery contributes light and strength. 3. When an Eldership proves Heretical, then the Classical Presbytery helps to convince them of their Heresies, which the people are not able ordinarily to do, and thereby to preserve the Congregation from spiritual contagion. 4. When any member is wronged by the Eldership, the Classis, or Synod, contributes ayd and relief, as will appear further in the next particular. 8. The Presbyterial-Government _is so far from being tyrannical, as that it is the greatest remedy against Church-tyranny, because it is as a city of refuge for all those that are oppressed in their particular Congregations, to fly unto_. For under the Congregational-Government, when a brother is (as he conceives) wronged by the major part of the Church of which he is a member, he is for ever lock't up, and hath no authoritative way to relieve himself. (Indeed, he hath moral wayes, by advice and counsel, which are altogether insufficient;) But the Presbyterian-Government is a _Zoar_, and an _Ark_ for the wronged party to fly unto, from the Particular Congregation, to a Classical, Provinciall, or National Assembly. Give us leave to shew you the difference by this example: Suppose in the civil Government every Corporation should plead a _power independent_ from a _Parliament_, and challenge to be unaccountable, would not this make as many _Parliaments_, as _Corporations_? And if any member should be wronged by the major part of the Corporation to which he belongs, were he not left without remedy? And if these Corporations should cry down the _Parliaments_ power over them as tyrannical, would it not be said, that this is therefore only done, that they themselves might become petty Tyrants? So is it here; The _Congregationall Government_ is a _Spiritual Corporation_ independent from all other _Ecclesiasticall Assemblies_ in point of _Church-power_. As the _Pope_ claims a power over all _Church-Assemblies_, so this claims an exemption from the power of all _Church-Assemblies_, and cryeth down all _Classical_, _Provinciall_, or _Nationall-Assemblies_ with power, as tyrannical; but is not this, that in the mean time it may become absolute, and as it were a petty Tyranny? There are in the Congregational Government these six great defects, besides many others which we could name. 1. There is (as hath been said) no _authoritative way to relieve a Brother oppressed by the major part of his Congregation_, which granted, would make the Government of Christ in the _New Testament_, to be inferiour to the _Jewish Government_, in which they had the liberty of Appeals. And also to be against the _light of right reason_, in making the same men to be parties and judges in their own cause, (as hath been formerly shewed.) 2. There is no _authoritative way_ to heal the major part of a Congregation, when it falls into fundamental errours, which is a great disparagement to the Government of Jesus Christ, and reflects deeply upon the wisdome and care of the great King of his Church. _For it makes Christ to provide a more efficatious remedy to cure an erring member, (to wit, by the great Ordinance of excommunication,) then an erring Church._ 3. There is no _Authoritative way_ to keep out pluralities of Religions. For if the whole _power_ of Church-Government be in the _Congregation-Independently_, then let a Congregation set up what Religion they think fit, there is no _Authoritative Church-remedy_ left to hinder them. 4. There is no _Authoritative way for unity and uniformity in Church-administrations_, which doth inevitably lay stumbling blocks before weak Christians, and holds them in suspence, not knowing to what Congregation to joyn, because they see such different wayes of administration of Ordinances. 5. There is no _relief when a Congregation is destitute of a Minister, in point of Ordination_, but the succeeding Minister is left to be examined and ordained by the people of the Congregation that chose him. And so also when a Congregation becomes hereticall, and in other such cases. 6. _If any of their Ministers preach out of their own Congregation, he preacheth only as a gifted brother_; neither can he, (as we conceive) according to their own Principles, administer the Sacraments out of his own Congregation, or perform any other act of office. Although we believe some of them do so, contrary to their own principles herein. 9. _That the Presbyteriall Government is a Government that tends not at all to the destruction of any, but for the good and edification of all._ There are three chief ends of this Government. 1. _To keep the Churches of Christ in unity amongst themselves._ 2. _To keep them in purity and holinesse; it is_ Christs _Fan, to purge his floor; and his Beesom to sweep out of his house every thing that offends_. 3. _To keep them in verity, it is_ Christs Weeding-hook _to weed out heresies_; and therefore King _James_ (though no great friend to this Government) would often say, that it was _Malleus hæreticorum_, a Hammer to beat down Heresies: And we find, that wheresoever it is set up in strength, there the Churches are kept in unity, verity, and purity; and that (which is very observeable) where this Government hath once got possession, it hath for ever after kept out Popery and all Popish Innovations. The Prelatical Government with all its Lordships and Revenues annexed, as it was managed of late years in _England_, was an in-let to Popery, and it had _tantùmnon_ brought it in. But _wheresoever the_ Presbyterian-Government _is setled, there Popery, root and branch, is plucked up and destroyed, and that without any hope of recovery_. [Sidenote: _Object._] But it will be objected, that notwithstanding all that hath been said to render the Presbyterial Government amiable and acceptable; yet there are two great Mountains which do lye in the way which do hinder, and (as some say) will for ever hinder people from submitting unto it: The one is, 1. _Because it sets up a new officer in the_ Church, _which is a meer humane_ Creature, having no authority from the Word of God, nor was ever heard of in the Church of Christ, till _Calvin_'s time, & that is the LAY-ELDER. 2. _Because it requireth all, of all sorts, to come to the_ Minister _and these_ Lay-Elders _to be examined, before they can be admitted to the_ Sacrament _of the_ Lords Supper. [Sidenote: _Answer._] We cannot deny, but that these two objections are great _Remora_'s to the Government, and do hinder the general receiving of it, and therefore we shall be a little the larger in answering of them. For the first of them, we do here freely confesse, that if we were of opinion, as some are, that the Ruling-Elder hath no foundation in the Word of God, but is a meer humane Ordinance brought into the Church only in a prudential way; we should heartily desire the utter abolition of him: For we are not ignorant, that the Ruling Prelate was brought into the Church upon the same account, for the avoiding of Schism and Division, and afterwards proved the great Author and Fomenter of Schism and Division. And if we should decline the Ruling Prelate, and take in the Ruling Elder upon the same prudential grounds, it were just with God to make him as mischievous to the Church, as ever the Ruling Prelate was: And therefore let us consider what may be said out of the Word of God, for the justification of this so much _decryed Officer_: Yet first we cannot but take notice that the name of _Lay-Elder_ was affixed to this Officer by way of reproach and scorn, by the adversaries of him, and that it ought not to be continued. For though it be evident by Scripture[45], that there is a great difference betwixt the Ministry usually called the Clergy, and the people commonly called the Laity: yet its also as manifest, that the Scripture[46] distinguisheth them not by the names of Clergy and Laity; forasmuch as all Gods people are therein stiled the Lords Clergy, or Inheritance, and the Lord is called their Inheritance. And when persons are duly chosen from amongst the people to be Governours in the Church, as such, they are no longer Lay-men, but Ecclesiastical persons. And therefore we profess a dislike of the name Lay-Elder, and conceive they ought to be called either governours in the Church, 1 _Cor._ 12.23. or Ruling-Elders, as 1 Tim. 5.17. not because their Office is to rule alone (for the Teaching-Elder is a Ruler also, _Heb._ 13.17. 1 _Thess._ 5.12.) but because their Office is only to rule.[47] Now concerning these Ruling-Elders, we confess, that they are Officers somewhat new and strange to the Church of _England_; yet not new nor strange to the Word of God, nor to the Primitive times, nor (as all know) to the _Reformed Churches_. First, they are _not new nor strange to the Word of God, neither in the Old Testament, nor in the New_. The Jews in the _Old Testament_, had two sorts of _Elders_; _Elders of the Priests_, and _Elders of the people_, suitable to our _teaching and Ruling-Elders_; as appears, _Jer._ 19.1. And these _Elders_ of the people did sit and vote with the Priests and Levites in all their Ecclesiasticall Consistories, and that by divine appointment. That they were _constituent_ members of the great _Sanhedrim_, appears, 2 _Chron._ 19.8. where we reade, _That some of the chief of the Fathers were joyned with the Priests, to judge in the matters if the Lord_. And howsoever, many things among the Jews after the captivity, did decline to disorder and confusion; yet we finde even in the dayes of Christ, and his Apostles, That the Elders of the people still sate and voyced in the Councell with the Priests, according to the ancient form, as is clear from _Matth._ 26.57, 59. _Matth._ 27.1, 12. _Matth._ 16.21. _Matth._ 21.23. _Mar._ 14.43. _Luk._ 22.66. and _Saravia_ himself,[48] who disputeth so much against _Ruling Elders_, acknowledgeth thus much: _I finde indeed_, (saith he) _Elders in the Assembly of the Priests of the old Synagogue, which were not Priests; and their suffrages and authority in all Judgments, were equal with the suffrages of the Priests_. But he adds; That these Elders of the people were civill Magistrates; which is a poor shift, directly against many Scriptures, which contradistinguish these _Elders_ from the civil _Magistrate_; as appears; _Act._ 4.5. _Judg._ 8.14. _Deut._ 5.23. _Josh._ 8.33. 2 _King._ 10.15. _Ezra_ 10.14. And though it were possible, that some of them might be civill Magistrates, as some _Elders_ amongst Us, are Justices of the Peace: Yet they did not sit under that capacity, in the Ecclesiastical _Sanhedrim_, but as Ecclesiastical Elders. And that the Jews also had _Elders of the people_, sitting and voting in their inferiour Consistories, appears (as we humbly conceive) from _Act._ 13.15. _Act._ 18.8, 17. _Mar._ 5.22. In which places, we read of the Rulers of the Synagogue, who were neither Priests nor Levites, and yet were Rulers in Church-matters, and had power, together with the Priests, of casting men out of the Synagogue, and of ordering Synagogue-worship, _Joh._ 12.42. _Act._ 13.15. Now this _Association_ of the _Elders of the people, with the Priest, in the Jewish Church-Government, was by divine appointment_; for Moses first instituted it, and afterwards _Jehosaphat_ restored it, according as they were directed by God, Num. 11.16. 2 Chron. 19.8. And it did belong to the _Jewish Church_, not as it was Jewish, but as it was a Church, and therefore belongeth to the Christian Church, as well as Jewish. _For whatsoever agreeth to a Church, as a Church; agreeth to every Church._ There was nothing Judaical or typical in this institution, but it was founded upon the light of nature, and right reason, which is alike in all ages. But leaving the Old Testament, let us consider what may be said for the divine right of the _Ruling-Elder_, out of the New Testament. For this purpose, we have already produced three places, which we shall now briefly open; and shew how the Ruling Elder is proved out of them. The places are, 1 _Cor._ 12.28. _Rom._ 12.7, 8. 1 _Tim._ 5.17. The first place is, 1 _Cor._ 12.28. _And God hath set some in the Church, first, Apostles; secondarily, Prophets; thirdly, Teachers; After that, Miracles; then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues_; Where we have an enumeration of sundry Officers of the Church; and amongst others, there are _Helps_, _Governments_. By _Helps_, are meant _Deacons_; (as not only our _Reformed_ Divines, but _Chrysostome_, and _Estius_, and others observe,[49]) and by _Governments_, are meant the _Ruling-Elder_, which that it may the better appear, we will propound, and prove these six things. 1. That by _Governments_, are meant _men exercising Government_, the _Abstract_ put for the _Concrete_. The intent of the _Apostle_, is not to speak of _offices_ distinct from _persons_, but of _persons exercising offices_. This appears first, by the beginning of the verse, _God hath set some in his Church_; this relates to persons, not unto offices. Secondly, by the 29. and 30. verses, where the Apostle speaks _concretively_, of those things which he had spoken before _abstractively_. _Are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues_, &c? and so by consequence, _Are all helpers, are all Governours?_ And therefore it is, that the Syriack instead of _helps, Governments_, reads it _helpers, Governours_.[50] 2. That the _Governour_ here meant, must needs be a _Church-Governour_; for it is expresly said, that he is seated in the Church, and therefore the civil Magistrate cannot be meant by this Governour, as some would have it; partly, because this is quite besides the whole intent and scope of the Chapter, treating meerly upon _spirituall Church-matters_, not at all of secular civil matters; and partly, because the Magistrate, as such, is not placed by God in the _Church_, but in the _Common-Wealth_: and partly, because the Apostle writes of such Governours, that had at that time actual existence in the Church; and neither then, nor divers hundred years after, were there any _Christian Magistrates_. 3. That this _Church-Governour_ is seated by God in his Church; It is a _plant of Gods own planting_, and therefore shall stand firme, maugre all opposition. For it is expresly said, _God hath set some in his Church, first Apostles_, &c. _then helps, then Governments_. 4. That this Church-Governour thus seated by God in his Churches, not only a _Church-member_, but a _Church-Officer_. For though it be a question amongst the learned, whether some of the persons here named, as the _workers of miracles_, and those that had the _gift of healing, and of tongues_, were seated by God, as officers in the Church, and not rather, only as eminent members indued with these eminent gifts; yet it is most certain, that whosoever is seated by God in his Church, as a _Church Governour_, must needs be a _Church officer_; for the nature of the gift, doth necessarily imply an office. The Greek word[51] for Governments, is a metaphor from _Pilots_, or _Ship-masters_, governing their ships; (hence the Master of a ship is called =Kybernêtês=, a Governour, _Jam._ 3.4.) and it notes such officers, as sit at the stern of the vessel of the Church, to govern and guide it in spirituals, according to the will and mind of Christ, which is the direct office of our _Ruling-Elder_. 5. This Church-Governour thus seated by God in his Church as a Church-officer, is an _ordinary and perpetuall officer in his Church_. Indeed, here is mention made of Officers extraordinary, as Apostles, Prophets; and of gifts extraordinary, as the gift of miracles, healing, and of tongues; but here is also mention made of ordinary Officers, perpetually to abide, as _Teachers_, _Helpers_, and the _Church-Governour, or Ruling-Elder_. And that this Officer is ordinary and perpetual, appears from the perpetual necessity of him in the Church; for a Church without government, is as a ship without a Pilot, as a Kingdom without a Magistrate, and a world without a Sun. 6. That this Church-Governour thus seated by God in his Church, as a perpetual Officer, is an officer _contradistinguished in the Text from the_ Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, _and all other_ Officers _in the_ Church. This appears; 1. By the Apostles manner of expressing these officers in an _enumerative_ form; _First, Apostles; Secondarily, Prophets; Thirdly, Teachers; After that, miracles, then gifts of healing_, &c. 2. By the recapitulation, vers. 29, 30. _Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? Are all Teachers? Are all workers of miracles?_ &c. 3. By the scope of the whole Chapter, which is to set down different gifts and offices in different subjects; It is said, ver. 8, 9. _To one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledg by the same Spirit; to another, faith_, &c. And for this purpose, the Apostle draweth a simile from the members of mans body: As there are different members in mans body, and every member hath its different office, and every member stands in need one of another; the Eye cannot say to the Hand, I have no need of thee; nor again, the head to the foot, I have no need of thee, &c. So it is in the Church ministerial, which is the body of Christ. God hath set different Officers in his Church; some ordinary and perpetual; some extraordinary and temporary: And these different Officers have different Offices, some to teach, others to distribute to the poor Saints, others to govern. Are all Teachers? are all Deacons? are all Church-Governours? and these have all need one of another. The Teacher cannot say to the Deacon, I have no need of thee; nor to the Church Governour, I have no need of thee: But if all these Offices were in the Pastor alone, and only, then might he truly say to the Deacon and Ruling-Elder, I have no need of thee. But now God hath so set the members in his body which is his Church, that every member stands in need one of anothers help and support. [Sidenote: _Object._] If it be objected, that the Apostles had all these offices and gifts here mentioned, eminently seated in them, for they were Prophets, Teachers, Workers of Miracles; and therefore why may not all these be understood of one and the same person? [Sidenote: _Answ._] Though it be true, that the Apostles had eminently all these; yet it is as true, that there are many here named, which had but one of these gifts formally seated in them: And it is also apparent, that some of the persons here named were distinct Officers in the Church, as the Prophet, and the Teacher. Though the Apostles were Prophets and Teachers, yet the Prophet & the Teacher were Officers distinct from the Apostles; and by a parity of Reason, so were the Governors from the Apostle, Prophet, and Teacher; the scope of the Apostle being (as hath been said) to set out distinct Offices in distinct Officers: are all Apostles? are all Prophets? are all Teachers? The sum of what we have said from this Scripture, then, is this, _That God hath seated some men in his Church which have a gift and office to govern, which are neither Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, nor Pastors; and therefore they are Ruling-Elders_, which is the Officer which we are enquiring after. Now this Interpretation which we have given, is not only the interpretation of Reformed Divines, both _Lutherane_ and _Calvinists_, but of the ancient Fathers, and even the Papists themselves, as appears by the quotations in the Margent.[52] The second text is, _Rom._ 12.6, 7, 8. _Having then gifts differing according to the grace given, whether Prophesie, let us prophesie according to the proportion of Faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our Ministring; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation. He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity. He that ruleth, with diligence. He that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness._ In which words, we have a perfect enumeration of all the ordinary Offices of the Church. These offices are reduced, first, to two general heads, _Prophesie_ and _Ministry_, and are therefore set down in the _Abstract_. By _Prophesie_ is meant the faculty of right understanding, interpreting, and expounding the Scriptures. Ministry comprehends all other employments in the Church. Then these generals are subdivided into the special offices contained under them, and are therefore put down in the concrete. Under _Prophesie_ are contained, 1. _He that teacheth_, that is, the Doctor or Teacher. 2. _He that exhorteth, i. e._ the Pastor. Under _Ministry_ are comprized, 1. _He that giveth_, that is, the Deacon. 2. _He that ruleth_, that is, the Ruling Elder. 3. _He that sheweth mercy_, which [53]Office pertained unto them, who in those days had care of the sick: So that in these words, we have the _Ruling-Elder_ plainly set down, and _contra_-distinguished from the _teaching_ and _exhorting Elder_ (as appears by the distributive particles, =eite ho didaskôn, eite ho parakalôn=, _Whether he that teacheth_; _Whether he that exhorteth_; _Whether he that ruleth_, &c.) And here likewise we have the divine institution of the Ruling-Elder, for so the words hold forth. _Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given unto us_; and thus also in the third verse, _according as God hath dealt to every man_, &c. This officer is the gift of Gods free grace to the Church, for the good of it. Against this Exposition of the Text, it is objected by those that oppose the divine right of the Ruling-Elder, that the Apostle speaks, in these words, not of several offices in several persons, but of severall Gifts in one and the same person; for he saith, _having then Gifts differing according_, &c. But we answer: 1. That the word _Gift_ is often in Scripture taken for _Office_; as _Eph._ 4.8, 11. _When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men_; and v. 11. _He sheweth what these gifts were, some to be Apostles, some Evangelists_, &c. 2. That the Apostle in the _Protasis_ speaks not of severall Gifts, but of severall Offices, and these not in the same, but in several members, _v._ 4. _As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office._ And therefore the _apodosis_ must also be understood not only of _severall gifts_, but of _severall Offices_, and these in _several subjects_. And this further appears by the very similitude which the Apostle here useth, which is the same he used, 1 _Cor._ 12. from the body natural, wherein there are many distinct members, and every member hath its distinct Office; and so it is in the Church of Christ. 3. These gifts here mentioned, and the waiting upon them, do necessarily imply an Office in whomsoever they are; and therefore they are set down emphatically with an Article, =eite ho didaskôn ho proistamenos=. He that hath the gift of teaching, and exhorting, and ruling, and waiteth upon this gift, what is he but a Teacher, Pastor, and Ruling-Elder? And this must either be granted, or else we must open a door for all members of the Church, even women, not only to preach and teach, but to rule also, and to wait upon preaching and ruling: This truth is so clear, as that the Papists themselves being convinced of it, do say[54] upon this text, that the Apostle here first speaks of gifts in general; and secondly, applyeth these gifts to Ecclesiastical Officers, v. 6. and afterwards directs his exhortation to all Christians in general. The third text for the divine right of the _Ruling-Elder_, is, 1 _Tim._ 5.17. _Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine._ For the understanding of which words, we will lay down this rule, That every text of Scripture is to be interpreted according to the literall and grammatical construction; unless it be contrary to the analogie of Faith, or the rule of Life, or the circumstances of the Text: otherwise, we shall make a nose of wax of the Scriptures, and draw _quidlibet ex quolibet_. Now according to the _Grammatical construction_, here are plainly held forth _two sorts of Elders_; the one, _onely ruling_; and the other, _also labouring in Word and Doctrine_. Give us leave to give you the true analysis of the words. 1. Here is a _Genus_, a general, and that is _Elders_. 2. Two distinct species, or kinds of Elders, _Those that rule well_, and _those that labour in word and doctrine_; as Pastor and Doctor. 3. Here we have two participles, expressing these two kinds of Elders, _Ruling_, _Labouring_, the first do only rule, the second do also labour in Word and Doctrine. 4. Here are two distinct Articles, distinctly annexed to these two participles, =hoi proestôtes, hoi kopiôntes=. They that rule, They that labour. 5. Here is an _eminent discretive particle_, set betwixt these two kinds of Elders; these two participles, these two Articles evidently distinguishing one from the other, _viz._ =malista= _especially they that labour_, &c. And wheresoever this word =malista= is used in the New Testament, it is used, to distinguish thing from thing, or person from person; as _Gal._ 6.10. _Phil._ 4.22. 1 _Tim._ 5.8. 1 _Tim._ 4.10. _Tit._ 1.10. 2 _Tim._ 4.13. 2 _Pet._ 2.20. _Act._ 20.38. In all which places, the word [_especially_] is used as a discretive particle, to distinguish one thing from another, or one person from another; and therefore being applyed here to persons, must necessarily distinguish person from person, officer from officer. It is absurd to say, (saith Dr. _Whitaker_,[55]) that this text is to be understood of one and the same Elder. If a man should say, _All the Students in the University are worthy of double honour, especially, They that are Professors of Divinity; He must necessarily understand it of two sorts of Students_. Or if a man should say, _All Gentlemen that do service for the Kingdom in their Counties, are worthy of double honour, especially they that do service in the Parliament; this must needs be understood of different persons_. We are not ignorant, that Archbishop _Whitgift_, Bishop _King_, Bishop _Bilson_, Bishop _Downame_, & others, labour to fasten divers other interpretations upon these words, which would be over-tedious here to rehearse. Only thus much we crave leave to say, which we desire may be seriously weighed; That all other senses that are given of these words, are either such as are disagreeing from the literall and Grammatical construction, or such as fall into one of these two absurdities, either to maintain a _non-preaching Ministry_, or a _lazy-preaching Ministry_ to deserve double honour. Archbishop [56]_Whitgift_ by the Elder that rules well, understands a Reader that is not a Preacher. [57]Dr. _King_, a Bishop ruling, and not preaching; which is to say, that a non-preaching Minister deserves double honour. Dr. _Bilson_ [58]saith, that the words are to be understood of two sorts of Elders, and that the meaning is, That the Elder that rules well, and preacheth, is worthy of double honour, especially they that labour, that is, _that preach abundantly_, that do =kopian=, labour as a Waterman at his Oar; which is as much as if he had said, that a _lazy Minister_, or a _seldome-preaching Minister, deserves double honour_. For all Preachers are in Scripture required =kopian=, _to labour abundantly, 1 Thess._ 5.11. _1 Cor._ 3.8. where the same word is used that is here expressed. If the Apostle had meant to have distinguished them by their extraordinary labour, he would rather have said, =mochthountes=, then =kopiôntes=, for other-where he useth =mochthos=, as a degree of painful labour, above =kopos=, which is put for common labour, _Rom._ 16.12.[59] Dr. _Downame_ and others, interpret the words of one and the same Elder, thus, The Elders that rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially they that labour; that is, (say they) _especially they labouring, or especially because they labour_. And so they make their labouring, to be the chief cause of their double honour. But this interpretation is against the literal meaning, for the Greek is not =ei kopiôsin=, _if they labour_, but =malista hoi kopiôntes=, _especially they that labour_. Here is a participle with an Article, and a _discretive particle_, which can never be rightly and literally translated _causatively_. And therefore we conclude, together with our Reformed Divines[60], that this text according to the proper and Grammatical construction of it, doth hold forth unto all unprejudiced Christians, a Ruling Elder, distinct from a teaching Elder, which is the thing we undertook to prove. Besides these three Scriptures thus expounded, we shall briefly offer one more; and that is, Matth. 18.17. where the offended Brother is bid _to tell the Church_, &c. In which words, the whole power of excommunication is placed by Christ in the _Church_. The great question is, what is meant by Church? Here we take for granted: 1. That by Church, is not meant the civil Magistrate, as _Erastus_ fondly imagineth; for this is utterly contrary to the purpose of Christ, and the aym of that discipline here recommended to be used, which is the _gaining of our brother unto repentance_; whereas the aym of the civil Magistrate, is not the spiritual good properly and formally of the offender, but the publique good of the Common-Wealth. And besides, it is a language unknown in Scripture, to call the Magistrate the Church; and it is an exposition purposely invented, to overthrow all Ecclesiastical government. 2. That by Church, is meant _primarily and especially_ the particular Congregation; we do not say _onely_, but firstly and especially. Hence we argue; If the power of Excommunication be placed in the particular Church, then either in the Minister alone, or in the Minister and whole Congregation, or in the Minister and Elders chosen by the congregation. But not in the Minister alone, who being but one man, can no more be called a Church, then one man can be called many, or a member called a body. For one person cannot be called a Church, (saith _Bellarmine_ himself[61],) seeing the Church is the people and Kingdome of God. It is certain, that the Church here spoken of, is a certain number met together; for it is said, _Where two or three are gathered together_, &c. Nor in the Minister and whole Congregation; for God who is the God of order, not of confusion, hath never committed the exercise of Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, to a promiscuous multitude; the Scripture[62] divides a Congregation into Rulers and Saints, into Governours, and governed; and if all be Governours, who will be left to be governed? And besides, if the collective body of a Church be the Governours, then women and servants must govern as well as others. And therefore we conclude, that by Church, must needs be meant, the Minister and Ruling-Elders, which are the Officers we are enquiring after. And this is no new interpretation, but agreed unto by ancient and modern Writers. _Chrysostome_ saith[63], by Church, is meant the =proestôtes=, _the Rulers of the Church_, Camer.[64] _the Colledg of Presbyters_; others, the _Ecclesiacall Senate_. These are called a Church, for four Reasons: 1. Because it is usual in the Old Testament, (to which our Saviour here alludeth, as appears by the words Publican and Heathen,) to call the Assembly of Princes and Elders a Church, Numb. 35.12, 24, 25. with Deut. 1.16. 1 Chron. 13.2, 3. with 28.1, 2. & 29.1, 6. Deut. 31.28, 30. 1 King. 8.1, 2, 55. Num. 5.2. compared with Levit. 13.15. 2. Because they manage Church affaires in the name of Christ, and of the Church, and are servants of the Church, as well as of Christ. 3. Because they are, as it were, the eyes and ears of the Church; and therefore as the body is said to see or hear, when as the eyes and eares alone do see and hear; so the Church is said to see, hear, and act, that which this _Senate Ecclesiasticall_ doth see, hear, and act. 4. Because they represent the Church; and it is a common form of speech, to give the name of that which is represented, to that which represents it; as we say, that to be done by the whole Kingdome, which is done by a full and free Parliament. Hence we might further argue: _If the Colledge of Presbyters represent the Church, then it must be made up of Ruling-Elders, as well as Ministers._ For Ministers alone cannot represent the Church; the Church consisting not of Ministers alone, but of Ministers and people, who are part of the Church as well as Ministers, and are so called, _Act._ 15.3, 4. This is all we shall say, for the Scriptural part. [Sidenote: Episcopacy by Divine right.] As for the _Primitive times of the Church_, we should have wholly waved the mention of any thing about them, were it not for the base calumnies & reproaches which the Prelatical party cast upon the Ruling-Elder, in saying, That it is _the new fangled device of Calvin at Geneva_; and never known in the Church of Christ before his dayes. There is a Bishop that _makes offer to forfeit his life to justice, and his reputation to shame, if any man living can shew, that ever there was a Ruling-Elder in the Christian world, till_ Farell _and_ Viret _first created them_. But he hath been abundantly answered by _Smectymnuus_, insomuch, that whereas in his Episcopacy by Divine Right, he boldly averreth, that the name of the Elders of the Church, comprehendeth none but preachers, [65]and that therefore none but they may be called _Seniores Ecclesiæ, Elders of the Church_; though some others haply may have the title of _Seniores populi, Elders of the people_, because of their _civill Authority_. Yet notwithstanding afterward, the same Bishop in his [66]reply to _Smectymnuus_ acknowledgeth, that besides _Pastors and Doctors_, and besides _Magistrates and Elders of the City_, there are to be found in Antiquity, _Seniores Ecclesiastici, Ecclesiastical Elders_ also; only he alledgeth, they were but as our Church-Wardens, or rather, as our vestry-men; whereas in truth, _They were Judges in Ecclesiasticall controversies_, and did assist the Pastor in ruling and governing the Church; witnesse that famous place in [67]_Ambrose_, which testifies, _that both in the Jewish and in the Christian Church, there were these Ecclesiasticall Rulers_. This is also the judgment of [68]_Tertullian_, [69]_Origen_, [70]_Basil_, [71]_Optatus_, [72]_Hierome_, [73]_Augustine_, [74]_Gregory_ the great, and divers others cited by _Justellus_ in his Annotations in _Can. Eccl. Affricanæ_, and by _Voetius_, and by _Smectymnuus_, and by the Author of the _Assertion of the Scotch Discipline_, some of which are rehearsed in the Margent. We will conclude this Discourse, with the confession of Archbishop _Whitgift_, a great Writer against the Presbyterial-Government; _I know (saith he) that in the Primitive Church, they had in every Church Seniors, to whom the Government of the Church was committed, but that was before there was any Christian Prince or Magistrate_. And therefore, let not our respective Congregations suffer themselves to be abused any longer with a false belief, that the _Ruling-Elder_ is a new device, and an _Officer_ never known in the _Church of God_, nor _Word of God_. For we have sufficiently (as we conceive) proved it to be warranted by the Word, and to have been of use in the purer times of the Church. Three things we shall desire to adde, as a conclusion of this discourse. 1. _That there are prints of the Ruling-Elder remaining amongst us even at this day_; for as the _Overseers_ of every Parish, have a _resemblance of the Deacon_; so the _Church-warden_ hath some _foot-steps_ of our _Ruling-Elder_; though we must needs confess, that this _Office hath been much abused_; and we could desire it might be laid aside, and the true _Scripture-Ruling-Elder_ set up in his place. 2. That the Prelatical Divines, [75]which are such great adversaries to the _Ruling-Elder_, do yet notwithstanding, hold and prove, that men of abilities which are not Ministers, are to be admitted into _Generall Councels_; because that in the Synod of _Jerusalem_, not only the _Apostles_, but _Elders_ and _Brethren_ did sit and vote, because this was practised in the _Old Testament_; and because that this was practised in the Councels held afterwards in the Church of Christ, as appears out of _Eusebius_, _Sozomen_ and _Theodoret_, and by the subscriptions of those Councels done by men, not Ministers, as well as others. Hence we might argue; _If other men, besides Ministers, are by Gods word, even in the judgment of the Prelaticall Divines, to be admitted into the greatest Assemblies, and Councels of the Church, much more are they by the same right to be admitted into particular Congregations, to sit and vote with the Minister in the Government of the Church._ 3. Adde thirdly, that even in the Bishops days, for these many hundred years, there have been _Ruling-Elders_ in the Church; for the _Chancellours_, _Commissaries_, _Officials_, and such others, were all of them _Governours of the Church_, and had the _power of suspension and excommunication_; and yet were few of them, if any, _Ministers of the Word_: And it seems to us, to be a great _curse of God_, that lyeth upon mens spirits, that could willingly submit to _Chancellours_ & _Commissaries_, who did nothing else but _pick their purses, and tyrannize over their bodies and estates_, and yet will not submit unto the _Ruling-Elder_ now established, who _seeks no other interest, but the interest of Christ, and medleth not with mens bodies or estates, and desireth nothing but to be helpfull to the Ministers of Christ, to keep their Congregations in unity, piety, and verity_. This is all we shall say, in answer to the first Objection. The second grand Objection against the _Presbyteriall-Government_, is, that it requires all, of all sorts, to come to the _Minister_ and _Elders_ to be examined, before they can be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, which is (as some ignorantly say) to bring in auricular confession again into the Church, to bring the people of God into a spirituall slavery and bondage unto the Eldership, and which is an usurpation more then prelaticall, and a tyrannicall domineering over mens consciences, and hath no footing in the Word; for the Scripture saith, _Let a man examine himself, and so let him eate_, &c. It is not said, _Let him first be examined by the Ministers and Elders_: the Scripture addes, _He that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself_, not to the Eldership. And why then must a man submit himself unto the examination of the Eldership? and how come the Eldership to be guilty of another mans unworthy receiving? It is further added by some, that for their parts, they will willingly come before the Minister, and submit to his examination, but they will rather for ever be without the Sacrament, then submit to come before the _Lay-Elder_, for whom, they see no warrant in the Word of God: Others say, that they will freely yield that the _younger sort_, that never have received the Sacrament, should present themselves to the _Eldership_ to be catechized, and instructed, and fitted for the Sacrament; but they will never yield, that old men and women, that heretofore have divers times received, should now in their old age be required to come, to be examined not only by their Minister, but by the Elders also, who oftentimes are very unfit for that Office: Others adde, that though some Ministers rigidly keep all from the Sacrament, that will not come before the Elderships; yet there are others, that are _Presbyterians, and have Elders chosen, that act without them_, and will receive us to the Sacrament without comming before them. These, and such like Objections, are brought against this way of Examination, that is so happily begun amongst us. Now that we might satisfie these Objections, and make good our practice out of the Word of God, we shall briefly do these four things. 1. _We will declare what our practice is in this particular._ 2. _We will prove, that he that will come to the Sacrament, ought first to submit to examination._ 3. _That the power to examine, belongs not to the Minister alone, nor to the Minister with the whole Church, but to the Minister and Elders._ 4. _We will answer the Objections, that are brought against this way of examination by the Minister and Elders._ For the first of these, we say; First, That the _Presbyterial-Government_, doth not precisely & peremptorily require of those that come to the Sacrament, that they should first be examined by questions and answers, but if any man or woman shall make a good profession of their Faith in a continued discourse, without being _asked any questions_, it will be as well accepted, as if they were examined by particular questions. Secondly, that this _examination_ or _profession_ is not required every time men come to _the Sacrament_, but only _at their first admission_. 3. That he that is duly admitted into compleat _Church-fellowship in the Presbyterian-way_, is not only by vertue of his first admission, freed from all _after-examination_ (unless it be when he falls into any scandalous transgression) in the Congregation, to which he belongs; but he is inabled by a certificate from his Eldership, to receive the Sacrament in any Church of the Christian world of the same constitution, without any new examination. Fourthly, that the reason why ancient men and women, and others, that have formerly under the _Prelatical Government_ been admitted to the Sacrament, are now required to submit to examination, before they can be again admitted, doth not _proceed from the nature of the Presbyterian Government, but chiefly from the neglect of the Prelaticall_: For it is so evident, that it cannot be denyed, that under the former Government, men and women of all sorts, though never so ignorant or scandalous, were in most places admitted promiscuously to the Sacrament without any examination. Now this grievous disorder, and great iniquity in the Prelatical Government, is the principal cause of all the trouble we meet withal in ours; and we desire earnestly our people to distinguish with us, between a Church deformed, and reformed. If the Churches of God in _England_ were once so reformed, that there were an orderly admission, by examination or profession, unto the Lords Table by the Eldership; then we should require none to come to examination, but such only as never yet communicated, whom we would endeavour to train up in knowledge, by catechizing, and by Gods blessing, make fit in time, to be partakers of such heavenly mysteries. But now because our Churches, through want of Discipline, are deformed, & all sorts have been sinfully admitted without tryal: Hence it is, that we are forced, even out of tender regard to the souls of old people, and to free our selves from the guilt of their sins, and out of desire to keep the Sacrament from prophanation, to examine even aged people (many of whom we find very ignorant) and all sorts as have been formerly admitted (many of whom we find to be very unworthy) that so we may bring our Congregations into Gospel-order. This we say, _we are absolutely necessitated to do upon conscientious grounds, which we cannot recede from, though we find it very prejudiciall to our selves, and to our Government_. But in the mean time, we desire our respective Congregations to consider, that this is a necessity, that the iniquity of former times hath brought upon us; and that it doth not flow from the principles of our Government, but only from the negligence and sinfulness of Prelatical Governours. The second thing propounded, is to prove, that he that will come to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, ought first to submit to examination, and tryal, as it hath been formerly explained: For this purpose, we will lay down these three Propositions. 1. _It is the Will of Jesus Christ, that no grosly ignorant, or scandalous person should come to the Sacrament._ 2. _That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that those who are grosly ignorant, or scandalous, should be kept from the Sacrament (if they offer to come) by the Officers of the Church._ 3. _That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that Church-Governours have some sufficient way to find out who are such ignorant and scandalous persons, that they may be kept away._ [Sidenote: 1. Proposition.] _That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that no grosly ignorant, or scandalous person, should come to the Sacrament._ 1. No _grosly ignorant person_, because the Scripture saith, _that a man must first examine himself, and so eat of that bread, and drink of that cup_; and it likewise saith, that he that will come to the Sacrament must be one that _discerneth the Lords body_; otherwise he _eats and drinks damnation to himself_; and it adds, that we are to do this _in remembrance of Christ_, and thereby to _shew forth the Lords death till he come_. And therefore a man that is grosly ignorant, and is not able to examine himself, nor to discern the Lords body, nor to remember Christ; nor understands what it is to shew forth the Lords death, ought not to come to the Sacrament, no more then a baptized Infant, who is therefore not to partake of this Ordinance, because of his want of knowledge. 2. No _scandalous person_: This is evidenced from the words of the Apostle, _Let a man examine himself, & so let him eat_, &c. from which words we gather two things: 1. That he that would come to the Sacrament, _must examine himself_; which examination ought to be according to the nature of the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, _viz._ 1. In general; whether he be worthy to come, or no; (not with a _worthinesse of merit_, but of _Evangelical suitablenesse_.) 2. In particular: 1. Whether he have _true Faith in Christ_, without which, he cannot worthily eat this bread, and drink this cup. 2. Whether he _truly repent for sin, and from sin_. For he that comes in any sin unrepented of, comes unclean, and so pollutes the ordinance. 3. Whether he be [76]_truly united by love to Jesus Christ, and his members_; without which, he cannot enjoy communion with them in that ordinance. 2. That he who upon due examination, can find none of these qualifications, should not presume to come, which appears: 1. By the Apostolical command, _But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat; so_, and _not otherwise_. 2. By the sin which he commits, in _being guilty of the body and blood of Christ_, vers. 27. 3. By the _Danger_ he incurres to himself, in _eating and drinking his own damnation_, vers. 29. 2. From the nature of the Sacrament. 1. It is the _table of the Lord, and the Lords Supper_; and consequently the friends, and not the enemies of Christ, are thereto invited. 2. It is an ordinance, wherein we publiquely profess communion with Christ and his mystical body, & if he that comes, be by sin disjoyned from Christ, he is guilty of a _sacrilegious lye against him and his Church_, whilest he professeth himself to be a _friend_, and is _really an enemy_. 3. It is (according to the nature of all Sacraments,) [77]a sealing Ordinance, as is intimated in those remarkable sacramental phrases, _This is my body, this is my blood_, denoting not only a bare sacramental signification, but also a spiritual obsignation and exhibition of Christs body and blood, to a worthy receiver. Now a seal supposeth a writing to which it is annext, or else it is a meer nullity; and certainly Christ never intended to have his Seal put to a blank or counterfeit writing. 4. It is an ordinance appointed for the nourishment of those who are spiritually alive, Christs body & blood being therein conveyed under the Elements of bread & wine; which they only can eat and drink, [78]who are alive by Faith, and not they that are dead in trespasses & sins. 5. It is the _New Testament in the blood of Christ_, that is, _a confirmation of the New Testament_, and of all the promises and priviledges thereof in the blood of Christ, which belong not at all to wicked men, [79]_Godlinesse having the promises of this life, and that which is to come_. By all which it appears, that it is the Will of Christ, that no scandalous person should come to the Lords table. [Sidenote: 2. Proposition.] _That it is the Will of Jesus Christ, that those who are grosly ignorant, or scandalously wicked, should be kept from the Sacrament, (if they offer to come,) by Church-Officers._ And this is evident: 1. _From the power given to Church-Officers for that purpose._ 2. _From the evill consequents that will otherwise ensue._ 1. That such a power is given to Church-Officers, appears, Not onely From the proportionable practice of Church-Officers under the Old Testament, who kept the charge of the holy things of God, and were appointed [80]to see that none who were unclean in any thing, or uncircumcised in flesh, or in heart, should enter into the Temple, to partake of the holy things of God, and [81]had a power to put difference between holy and unholy, which power was not meerly _doctrinall_ or _declarative_, _but decisive, binding_, and _juridicall_, so far, as that according to their sentence, men were to be admitted, or excluded. That there was a power in the Old Testament to keep men from the Sacrament of the Passeover, for morall wickednesse, _vide Aarons_ rod blossoming, lib. 1. cap. 9, 10, &c. But also, From that power of Government, and _key of Discipline_, committed by Jesus Christ, to Church-Officers, under the New Testament. For Christ hath given to them the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, which imply not only a key of doctrine, but of discipline, and that both to _keep out such as Christ would not have received in, and to shut out such as Christ would not have to continue in_; The use of a key being for both these purposes. For shutting out those that should not be continued in, as is granted on all hands from divers Scriptures[82]. And consequently, for _keeping out those that should not be received in_, there being the same reason of both. _For to what purpose should such be received in, as are by Christs command immediately to be cast out again._ 2. That divers ill consequences will otherwise ensue, if grosly ignorant, and scandalous persons be not kept away, is plain. 1. _Church-Governours should be very unfaithfull Stewards of the Mysteries of Christ, and perverters of his Ordinance._ If a Steward to whom his Lord hath committed his goods to be carefully distributed, to such as are honest, faithfull, and diligent in his field or Vineyard, shall not only admit of _Loyterers_, and such as by their evill example discourage others, but also shall give to such the bread and wages which belongs to them who are faithfull and industrious, should he not be accounted a very unjust and unfaithfull Steward, and an abuser of his trust? 2. _They should be guilty of polluting and prophaning the_ Sacrament. If a Minister should give this Sacrament to an Infant, or to a Mad-man, or to a meer fool; or to a Swine, or a Dog, would not all men say this were a horrible prophanation thereof? _Shall it then seem a small prophanation to give it unto one who is as ignorant as an Infant, and walloweth as a Swine in the mire of sin and uncleanness?_ 3. _They should express a great deal of cruelty and inhumanity to the soul of him to whom they give the Sacrament_; because they give it to one who will eat and drink his own damnation. 4. _They will hereby make themselves accessary to his sin of unworthy receiving_; For it is a certain Rule in Divinity; [83]_He that suffers a man to commit sin, when it is in his power to hinder him, is accessory to the sin that that man commits_; as appears by the [84]example of _Eli_: And therefore, if the Officers of the Church that are deputed by Christ to keep grosly ignorant, or scandalous, from the Sacrament, shall yet notwithstanding suffer them to come, and can hinder them, but will not, they themselves become guilty of his sin. 5. _They do hereby grieve the Godly, that are members of the same Congregation, and as much as in them lies, they pollute & defile the whole Congregation: For know you not_, saith the Apostle, _that a little Leaven leaveneth the whole lump?_ 6. Adde lastly, that hereby they bring down the _judgments of God upon the Congregation_; according to that text, 1 Cor. 11.30. _For this cause many are sick._ From all this, we argue thus; If Church-Officers under the Old Testament had an authoritative power to separate between the holy and prophane; and if under the New Testament they have a power to keep out from the Sacrament, such as are grosly ignorant, or scandalously wicked; and if it be the Will of Christ, that the Officers of the Church should be faithful Stewards of the Mysteries of Christ, that they should not pervert, nor pollute his Ordinance; that they should not be cruel to the souls of their Brethren, or be partakers of other mens sins, that they should not grieve the Godly, nor bring guilt and judgment upon the Congregation of which they are Officers: Then it is the Will of Christ, that they should not give the Sacrament to such, who are grosly ignorant, and scandalously wicked. [Sidenote: 3. Proposition.] _That it is the Will_ of Christ, _that_ Church-Governours _have some sufficient way to discover who are such ignorant and scandalous persons, that they may be kept away_. This followeth clearly from the two former Proportions. For if it be the Will of Christ, that no grosly ignorant, or scandalous person should come to the Sacrament; and if they offer to come, should be kept back by Church-Officers; then it follows, That they must have sufficient way to detect who are ignorant and scandalous. _For Christ never wills any end, but he wills also all necessary and sufficient mean, conducing to that end._ Now what sufficient means can be propounded or imagined, for detection of ignorant or scandalous persons, but by examination before these Church-Officers; examination, we say, of the persons themselves in case of ignorance, and of witnesses also in the case of scandal. For though in some particular cases for private satisfaction, private conference with the Minister alone may sufficiently discover the knowledge or ignorance of persons, yet in this common case, for publique satisfaction touching the fitness of persons for the Lords Supper, no lesse then a publike and judicial examination before the Eldership can be sufficient; inasmuch as an authoritative act of admitting, or refusing the persons so examined, depends thereupon. To illustrate this; If a man by his last Will and Testament, should leave unto the Master and Fellows of a Colledge in trust a sum of money; to be distributed to hopeful poor schollars, such as were well verst in the learned Arts and Tongues: Would it not hence follow? 1. That those _Trustees_ have a power granted them by the Will, to examine those that come to desire that Legacie. 2. That if any refuse to be examined, or upon examination be found insufficiently qualified, they have authority to refuse them. 3. That the most sufficient, proper, and satisfactory way, is not to trust to Reports or Testimonials, but to examine the persons themselves that sue for such a Legacie: So in the present case, Jesus Christ hath left as a Legacie, the _Sacrament of his Body and Bloud_, and hath left the Church-Officers in trust with it, and hath said in his Will, That no grosly ignorant, or scandalous person ought to come to partake thereof; and if any come, that he be debarred from it by those Church-Officers. Hence it followeth inevitably. 1. _That those in trust have power to examine such as desire to partake of this_ Legacie, _whether they be of sufficient knowledg, and of good conversation, or no_. 2. _That they have power to refuse all such as either refuse to be examined, or upon examination, are found insufficient._ 3. _That if the Church Officers would give up their account with joy at the great day of judgment, they ought not to rest satisfied with private Reports or Informations of others; but to examine the persons themselves, that thereby they may faithfully discharge their trust in a matter of so great concernment_; And that they that will have the Sacrament, according to the will of Christ, ought first to submit themselves to such examination. Besides this that hath been said, to prove that those that would come to the Sacrament ought first to submit to examination; We shall further offer these following Arguments. 1. We argue from that general exhortation of the Apostle, 1 _Pet._ 3.15. _But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear._ Now if Christians are bound to give an account of their Faith and hope to every one that asketh them, _yea even to heathen Persecutors_: how much more ought they to do it to the Officers of the Church? especially at such a time, when they desire to be admitted to an _Ordinance_ that is not common to all sorts of Christians, but peculiar to such as are indued with knowledg, and of an unblameable life and conversation. 2. _From that power that Jesus Christ hath seated in his Church, of examining such as are by the Will of Christ to be excommunicated from the Sacrament._ That there is a power of examining, in order to excommunication, appears from Matth. 18.16, 17. and from Revel. 2.2. where Christ commends [85]the Angel of the Church of _Ephesus_, _because he could not bear them which were evill, and had tryed them who said, they were Apostles, and were not, and had found them lyars_. This trying was not only _charitative_, and _fraternall_, but _authoritative_ and _judiciall_. For it was an act of the Angel of the Church; which Angel is not to be understood individually, [86]but collectively, for all the Angels in _Ephesus_. And that there were more Angels then one in _Ephesus_, appears from _Act._ 20.17. (The like may be said of the Angel of the Church of _Smyrna_, _Pergamus_, _Thyatira_, &c. for Christ speaks unto each Angel in the plural number, Rev. 2.10, 13, 14.) From hence we argue, _If Iesus Christ hath given power Authoritatively, to examine such as are to be cast out from the Sacrament, then he hath also given power to examine such as are to be received in_. For there is the same reason of both. And as the power of excommunication would be wholly useless and frustraneous, if there were not a power of examination precedent thereunto; so would the power of keeping such as are grosly ignorant or scandalous, from the Sacrament, be utterly in vain, and of no benefit to the Church of Christ, if the power of examination should be denyed unto it. And certainly, whosoever is an enemy to this power, must be forced to grant, that it is the _Will of Iesus Christ_, that all sorts of people, though never so wicked, though actually drunk, though fooles, though Turks, Iews, or Heathen, are to be admitted to the Sacrament, if they come unto it. _For if there be no divine right of Examination, or of rejection, how dare any Church or State assume a power of making rules for keeping any persons from the Sacrament?_ should they make rules for keeping ignorant and scandalous persons from the hearing of the Word, would it not be accounted a sin of an high nature? And is it not as great a sin to keep any from the Sacrament, if Christ hath left no power for the doing of it? is not this to be wise above what is written? And therefore let us either admit all sorts to the Sacrament, without any distinction of persons, and thereby become guilty of the body and blood of Christ, and accessary to the sins of those that come unworthily; (as hath been said, and formerly proved,) or else let us diligently and conscientiously examine all of all sorts, that desire to be made partakers of this distinguishing ordinance. 3. From the titles that are given to the Officers of the Church, and from the duty that God requires at their hands. The Officers of the Church are called _Rulers_ and _Governours_, & such as are _over their people in the Lord_. And it is their duty _to watch over the souls of their people, as such as must give an account for them into God_. Now it is all the reason in the world, that they that must _give an account to God for their people, should take an account of their people_; and that they that _watch over their souls, should know the state of their souls_. And that they that are _Governours, Rulers, and Overseers, should teach, instruct, try and examine those over whom they rule and govern_.[87] [Sidenote: Quest.] But you will say, who are these _Rulers and Governours_, by whom we are to be examined? [Sidenote: _Answ._] The Answer to this, will lead us to the third thing propounded; and that is to prove, [Sidenote: The 3. Particular.] _That the power of examining those that desire to be admitted to the Lords Supper, belongs not to the Minister alone, nor to the Minister with the whole Church, but to the Minister & Ruling Elders._ 1. _Not to the Minister alone._ Indeed there is an examination, which belongs only to the teaching-Elder, and that is [88]a catechizing of his people in publique, by questions and answers; and this is part of the key of doctrine. [Sidenote: _Non uni, sed unitati._] But the _examination_ that we are now treating of, belongs to _Discipline and Government_; for it is not only a naked examination, but an _authoritative determining whether the party examined shall be detained from the_ Sacrament, _or admitted_; which is formally an act of Church-Government, and therefore belongs not to the Minister alone, but to all those whom Christ hath made Church-Governours, also: of which sort are the Ruling-Elders, as hath been sufficiently proved. The power of Discipline is given by Christ, not to one Elder, but to the united company of Elders: and for one Minister alone to assume this power unto himself, it is to make himself the Church; it is to make himself a Congregational Pope; it is a bringing in of a Power into the Church, that would have some resemblance (as was objected) to auricular confession. Now there are two things we are very confident of; 1. That when the Parliament gave their allowance to the Presbyterial Government, if they had put the whole juridical power of the Church into the hands of the Minister alone, they that now seem so willing to come to be examined by the Minister without his Elders, would have more bitterly declaimed against that way, then now they do against this: For this indeed were to make every Minister a Prelate in his Congregation; and (as we now said) to bring in that which hath some resemblance to _auricular confession_. 2. That it is as warrantable by the Word of God, for one Minister to assume the whole power unto himself alone, of suspending persons from the Sacrament, who have been duly admitted thereunto (which is a graduall excommunication) as it is to assume the whole power of admitting unto the Sacrament; for _contrariorum eadem est ratio_. And oh that our Brethren in the Ministry, that take this power unto themselves, would seriously consider what is here said. Secondly, the power cannot be placed in the whole Church collectively taken; for then it should be also in children and servants. The Scripture makes an exact distinction between Rulers, and Ruled; and we are very well assured, that if this power were seated in the Minister and whole Congregation, that they that are now so unwilling to come before the Minister and Elders, would be much more unwilling to come before the Minister, and whole Congregation. And therefore we conclude, That this power of examining, and receiving unto the Sacrament such are fit, and detaining such as are found to be grosly ignorant, and visibly wicked must needs belong to the Minister, assisted with the Elders, chosen out from amongst the rest of the Congregation: For if the Elders are Rulers, and Governours, seated by God in his Church, (as hath been abundantly proved) then it will undeniably follow, _That whatsoever is properly an act of Government, must belong to them as well as the Minister_. And who can deny, but that the power of admitting unto, or detaining from the Sacrament, is an act of Government? and therefore it doth by divine right belong to the Elders, as well as to the Minister. But yet here we must carefully distinguish between the _act of examination_, and the judgment given upon the person examined. The managing of the Examination, is the proper act of the teaching Elder; It is he that is to pray for a blessing; It is he, that is for order sake to ask the questions. But as for the _determining_, whether the party examined be fit or no to receive, this is an act of power and government, and belongs not to the Minister alone, but to the Eldership. And it is a very great wonder unto us, that people should profess so much dis-satisfaction and dislike, in coming before the Ruling-Elders whereas they cannot but take notice, 1. _That the Elders are such, as they themselves have, or might have chosen._ 2. _They are chosen for the relief and benefit of the Congregation._ That so the Minister might not be _sole judge_ of those that are to come to the Sacrament, but might have others joyned with him, to see that he doth nothing out of envy, malice, pride, or partiality, but that all things be managed for the good and edification of them, for whose sake they are chosen: which two particulars, if our people did seriously consider, they would quickly be perswaded to a hearty and an unanimous submission unto this ordinance of Jesus Christ. There remains the fourth thing yet behind, which is an answering of the objections that are brought against this way of examination by Minister and Elders. But this, and divers other considerable things, which we shall propound, to perswade people unto a cheerful obedience to this part of Church-Reformation, so comfortably begun in many Congregations in this Kingdome; We shall leave, till we come to that part of this discourse, which we call, The EXHORTATION; to which we refer the Candid Reader, that desires further satisfaction. And thus we have given you a short survey of the nature of the Presbyterial Government; together with an answer to the most material objections against it: which we have done only for this end, that so (as we have said) we might undeceive those, who look upon it as lordly and tyrannical; and by these bug-bears, are scared from submitting to it. And we beseech our several Congregations, to judge of it, as it is here represented, and to be willing to come under the yoke of it, which is light and easie, (being the yoke of Christ) and which will in a short time make our Congregations (if received into them) glorious for their unity, verity, and piety. We are not ignorant, that it hath many Adversaries. The obstinately ignorant hates it, because it will not suffer him to go blindfold to hell. The prophane person hates it, because it will not suffer him to eat and drink his own damnation, by unworthy coming to the Sacrament. The Heretique hates it, because after two or three admonitions, it rejects him. The Jesuite hates it, because it is an invincible bulwark to keep out Popery. The Schismatique, because the main design of it, is to make all the Saints to be of one lip, one heart, and one way. And above all, the Devil hates it, because if rightly managed, it will in a short time blow up his kingdome. But notwithstanding all these great and potent enemies, our comfort is, That this Government is the Government of Jesus Christ, who is the King of his Church, and hath given unto us the keyes of his Kingdom, hath promised to be with us, to protect and defend us to the end of the world; upon whose shoulders the government is laid; & though we be utterly unable, yet he that was able to bear the wrath of God upon his shoulders, is able to bear up this Government against the wrath of man. For this end and purpose, all power in heaven and earth is given unto him; and he is now sitting at the right hand of God, for the more effectual exercising thereof: and will there remain, till he hath made all his enemies his foot-stool. Whose priviledge it is, to rule in the midst of his enemies: And will one day say, Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me. _Be wise now therefore, O ye Kings, be instructed ye Judges of the Earth; serve the Lord with fear, and rejoyce with trembling. Kisse the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little; blessed are all they that put their trust in him._ * * * * * There remains the second particular yet behind; and that is the _Vindication of our persons_, (especially of such amongst us, who are teaching Elders,) from the slanders and cruel reproaches that are cast upon us; which we shall undertake, not so much for our own, as for our peoples sake, lest hereby our Ministry should be rendred useless and ineffectual; for (as [89]_Austine_ saith) _though a Ministers good conscience is sufficient for himself, yet his good name is necessary for his people_: who ordinarily dis-esteem the Doctrine of him, whose person they dis-esteem. We thank God, we can say with the Apostle, with us, _It is a very small thing that we should be judged of mans judgment: He that judgeth us is the Lord._ We remember what the Apostle tells us in that little Book of Martyrs, of divers Saints, whose _shoe-latchets we are not worthy to untye; who endured cruell mockings, yea moreover bonds and imprisonments, they were stoned, they were sawn assunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword_, &c. _of whom the world was not worthy_, and yet even they were not _thought worthy to live in the world_. And therefore we can with the more willingness, suffer our selves to be the _But_ of every mans malice, and the subject of every dayes Pamphlet. We read, that even _Elias_ himself was called the _troubler of Israel_, by him who was the chief _troubler thereof_. And that Saint _Paul_, who was wrapt up into the third heaven, was accused by _Tertullus_, to be _a Pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world_. And that the Primitive Confessors and Martyrs, famous for the holiness of their lives, were charged before the Heathen Emperors, to be the vildest of men; to be first murderers, and then eaters of their own children; to be guilty of incestuous marriages, and in their private meetings to commit uncleanness. And their Religion also was represented, as the cause of all the Earthquakes, famines, plagues, and other miseries of those times.[90] We have formerly made mention of the reproaches which the _Anabaptists_ of _Germany_ cast upon _Luther_; and we might adde the horrible and prodigious lies & slanders raised by the _Arians_ against _Athanasius_, that great Champion of Jesus Christ, and the hideous and strange reports, and bitter invectives of _Michael Servetus_ and _Bolseck_, against _Calvin_. But that which doth quiet our spirits, more then all this, is, the consideration of Christ Jesus himself, who when he was here upon Earth, was accused to be an _Enemy to_ Cæsar, _a friend to_ Publicans _and_ Sinners, _a Glutton and a Wine-bibber_, &c. _It is enough for the_ Disciple _that he be as his_ Master, _and the_ Servant _as his_ Lord; _if they have called the Master of the house_ Belzebub; _how much more shall they call them of his Houshold?_ As for the particular accusations that are charged upon us, they are, we confess, very many, and very great; and if to be accused, were sufficient to make us guilty, we were of all men most miserable. But we hope it may be said of us, as it was once of _Cato_, _That as he was 32. times accused, so he was 32. times cleared and absolved_. And we trust, that the Lord will in due time, dispell all these thick mists and fogs which our adversaries have raised up against us, and bring forth at last our _Righteousnesse as the light, and our judgment as the noon day_. And we do here profess before the great God, that in all the great changes that have bin lately made amongst us, it hath been our great endeavour to keep our selves unchanged, making the _unchangeable Word_ our _Rule_, and the _unchangeable God_ our _Rock_. And we are confident, that no man will account us _Apostatized from our principles_, but such as are in a great measure _Apostatized from their own professions_. There are some men that _Proteus_-like, can transform them into all shapes, for their own advantage, according to the times wherein they live; and _Camelion-like_, can change themselves into any colour but white, can turn any thing, but what they should be. And because we cannot change our consciences with the times, as some do; therefore, and therefore only, are we counted _Changlings_. It is just with such men, as with men in a ship at Sea, that will not be perswaded, but that the shore they pass by moves, and not the ship wherein they are. As for Us, we are, and hope (through Gods grace) ever shall be fixt and immoveable in our first principles. We were not the causers of the first War, between King and Parliament; but were called by the Parliament to their assistance: and the ground of our ingaging with them was, _The Propositions and Orders of the Lords, and Commons in Parl. Jun. 10. 1642._ for bringing in of mony and plate, &c. wherein they assured us, that whatever should be brought in thereupon, should not at all be employed upon any other occasion, _Then to maintain the Protestant Religion, the Kings authority and his person, in his Royall Dignity; the free course of justice; the Laws of the Land, the peace of the Kingdom; and the Priviledges of Parliament, against any force which shall oppose them._ And in this we were daily confirmed & incouraged more and more, by their many subsequent Declarations and Protestations, which we held our selves bound to believe, knowing many of them godly and conscientious men, of publique Spirits, zealously promoting the good both of Church and State. The War we ingaged in by Authority of Parliament, was only defensive, (which not only [91]Bishop _Bilson_, and [92]Bishop _Bedell_, but divers others of the Prelatical way hold to be just and warrantable.) We never opposed the King further, then He opposed His own Laws: Our aym in all that great Undertaking (as the great Heart-searcher knows) was to _secure Religion, to preserve the Government of the Kingdom, and to remove the Wicked from before the King, that his Throne might be established in Righteousness_. And this Act of ours, was not at all contrary to the _Oath_ of _Allegeance_ which we have taken; because the intent of that Oath can be no other, then to oblige to obey the King, according to the Laws of the Kingdome; and to our knowledg, we never disobeyed the King in his legall and political capacity; though we confess we did, and by the Law were allowed to deny obedience unto him in his personall capacity, when it did cross his legall. And therefore they that charge us so deeply, and reiterate their charge by their multiplyed Pamphlets, _That we Ministers are the cause of all the Murders and Blood sheddings of these late years, and other horrid practices which we forbear to mention, have the greater sin_. But our comfort is, the witness of our Consciences, and the integrity of our Carriages; and we doubt not but we can truly appeal, as _David_, did when he was accused for seeking the life of _Saul_. _The Lord judg between them and us, and plead our cause, and deliver us out of the hands of these cruell and unreasonable accusers._ This is all we shall return in answer to the first War; As for the second War, we profess, we stand amazed at the impudency of that man[93], who is not afraid, even against his own conscience (we fear) to say of the Presbyterian Ministers, _That they did separate their consecrated Lungs, for Bellows to blow up the Coals amongst the People this last Summer; That they were the Ghostly Fathers of all or the greatest part of those Anti-Parliamentary Barabasses, who so lately commenced Masters of Mis-rule in_ Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Essex, Wales, &c. _That in stead of lifting up their voyces like Trumpets, to cause the People to know their abominations, they lift them up like Trumpets, to prepare them to commit abominations, &c._ That Tumults, Insurrections, and Rebellions of the People against Authority, _in order to the advancement of High Presbytery, seem lawfull, yea, and commendable practices unto many of them_. To all which, and Multitudes of such like cruel invectives, we return the answer of the Archangel, _Jude_ 9. _The Lord rebuke thee._ It is well known to all that are not wilfully and maliciously blind, what help the Presbyterian Ministers and People did contribute towards the quenching of those flames; and that in all probability, the Army had been utterly destroyed, had not the Presbyterian Forces in _Lancashire_, _Suffolk_, _Essex_, and in divers other places (incouraged by the Ministers) come in timously, and vigorously to their assistance. And the time was, when this was ingenuously acknowledged by one of the chiefest of the Army, though the forementioned Pamphleter, possessed with prejudice against us, will not remember any such thing; and though some of us be like to be dealt withall by way of recompence, just as _M. Tullius Cicero_ was, who had his head cut off by _Popilius Lænas_, whose head he had saved from cutting off; or as _Constans_, the Son of _Constantine_ the great was served, who was kil'd by one _Magnentius_, whose life he had formerly preserved.[94] And what the Ministers of _London_ in particular did in this kind, is well known to all unprejudiced Citizens. We did not abet (as we are falsly accused) but abhor and detest, that _horrid violence offered to the Parliament, upon that fatall Munday_, July 6. 1647. We have always been, and still are friends to the _Priviledges of Parliament, according to our Covenant_. And for this very cause it is, even because we will not break the priviledges of Parliament, that we suffer so deeply from these kind of men at this day. Although we could (if recriminations were good answers) put them in mind of Pamphlets, not a few, written by them, and those of their way, _in justification of as horrid acts of violence offered to the Parliament_. When the Scottish Army came last into _England_, (though we are shamefully traduced, as if we had encouraged and invited them to come in,) yet our consciences do witness with us, and our _Auditors_ can testifie for us, that we did unanimously oppose them, as men that pretended the _Covenant_, but acted quite contrary unto it. We profess, that in conscience we are bound, and in practice we shall endeavour to obey _lawfull Authority in all lawfull things_; and when we cannot actively obey, we shall be ready _passively to submit_. If our hearts deceive us not, we have no design but the _glory of God_, _no interest like that of Religion_. We desire more to _sow spiritualls_, then _reap temporalls_. And that Christ and his Gospel, may be exalted, though upon our ruines. Pardon us, that we become fools in glorifying, for ye have compelled us. We hunt not after tythes, and great Livings, but seek the salvation of our peoples souls; and had our enemies a window into our hearts, they would finde these our professions to be true and unfeigned. And yet we must crave leave to tell these men, _That the design of taking away Tythes from the Ministry, was first invented by that cursed Apostate_ Julian, _who (as Mr._ Stock _that Reverend, pious, and painfull Preacher hath observed[95],) by this means is noted, more to have overthrown the Church, then all the Persecuting Emperours before him. Because they took away Presbyters, and their Martyrs blood was the seed of the Church, but he took away Presbyterium, the Ministry it self, in withdrawing the maintenance from the Church, and so overthrew the Worship of God._ As for our way of preaching, though we are far from justifying any _indiscreet and passionate expressions_, yet we conceive it to be very hard measure, to have our integrity arraigned and condemned for humane infirmities. And we hope we may, without boasting, say thus much; That the _setled Ministry of England_ was never more _censured, molested, impoverished and yet never more pious, peaceable, and painfull_. And that our condition in this juncture of affaires, is just like that of the _Romane, That had a suit commenced against him, because he did not receive the sword of his enemy far enough into his bowels_. And that therefore it is that some men rail against us, because we will not break our _Oaths and Covenants_, and will not _serve the times_, but _serve the Lord_. It is a great refreshing to us, to consider the wise dispensation of God, in ordering the affaires of this Kingdome, so, as he hath thereby discovered the hidden hypocrisie and cousenage of many men, unto those who otherwise would not have believed it. And we earnestly intreat these men to consider, as in the sight of God, before whose dreadfull judgment Seat, both we and they must shortly give an account of all things done in these our mortall bodies; Whether in that dreadful day it will appear a _righteous thing_, If those who have cryed down _Persecution so much_, should now themselves become the _greatest Persecutors_. And if they who have formerly abhorred others, as men transported with an _Antichristian spirit_, but for a bare suspition, that if they got power into their hands, they would prove _cruell and tyrannicall to poor tender consciences_, should now actually attempt to do that themselves, the which upon bare suspition, they did condemn in others: And if any who have accused others for seeking great Offices, and places of gain and preferment, should now manifest themselves to be none of the least self-seekers. Alas! who knows, or can discern the deceitfulness of our hearts? and that if we give way upon meer outward occurrences, to change our principles, but that upon further changes, the Righteous Lord may leave us to Satans stronger delusions, to transport us further, then at present can come in our hearts to imagine; that so after all the glorious beginnings in the Spirit, we should fearfully Apostatize, and end in the flesh. For our parts, we tremble to think of those formidable Judgments of our Righteous God. And our prayer to God is, that he would keep us sincere in all changes, and that he would plead our cause for us. And our _rejoycing, is the testimony of our consciences, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdome, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world_. It is the integrity of our consciences, that carries us above all the reproaches and slanders that are cast upon us: and that makes us go on in doing our duties, maugre all opposition; and to commit the maintaining of his own cause, and the cleering of our callings and persons unto the Lord, who judgeth righteously. [1] Ezra 4.15, 24. [2] _Justini Martyris Apologia. Tertul. Apol._ [3] _Juell. Apolog._ [4] Psal. 80.12, 13, 14, 15. [5] Psal. 51.18. [6] 1 Tim. 3.15. [7] 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. Psal. 19.7. [8] 2 Cor. 5.20. Eph. 4.11. [9] Matth. 18.20. [10] Iam. 4.12. Isa. 33.22. [11] Matth. 28.19. 1 Cor. 11.23. &c. [12] 1 Cor. 5. Ioh. 20.21, 22, 23. Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. [13] Eph. 4.11. Eph. 1.22. 1 Tim. 3.15. [14] Heb. 3.2, 3. Ha. 5.1, 7. Cant. 4.16, 6.2. Eph. 2.12. [15] Eph. 4.12. Matth. 18.15. 1 Cor. 5.5. [16] Eph. 4.11. [17] 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Cor. 12.28. and Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. [18] Act. 6.5, 6. Phil. 1.1. and 1 Tim. 3.8. [19] 1 Tim. 3.2. to 13. &c. Act. 6.3. [20] Act. 6.5, 6. 1 Tim. 3.10. Act. 13.1, 2, 3. and 14.23. 1 Tim. 5.22. and 4.14. [21] Act. 6.4. [22] Act. 15.21. Act. 13.15. [23] Matth. 16.19. 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. [24] Numb. 6.23. Luk. 24.50. 2 Cor. 13.14. [25] Matth. 28.19, 20. Mat. 26.26. to 31. 1 Cor. 11.23. [26] Tit. 3.10. 2 Thess. 3.14, 15. Mat. 18.15. to 21. 1 Cor. 5.3. and 2 Cor. 2.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. [27] Act. 4.35 and 6.1, 2, 3. Act. 11.29, 30. Rom. 12.8. [28] 1 Cor. 14.34. Rom. 16.1. [29] Act. 2.41, 47. Act. 5.4. Act. 6.1. Act. 21.20. [30] Act. 15. [31] Deut. 17. to the 12. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17, 18. [32] 2 Pet. 2.10. [33] Deut. 17.18, 19. & cap. 31.9. Josh. 1.7, 8.1. 2 King. 11.12. [34] Isa. 49.23. [35] Ezr. 7.26, 27. 1 Pet. 2.14. compared with Gal. 5.19, 20. & Phil. 3.2. & 2 ep. Joh. 10. 2 Chron. 15. & 2 Chron. 17.6. 2 Chron. 19.3. 2 Chron. 29. 2 Chron. 33.15, 16. 2 Chron. 34.31, 32, 33. Nehem. 13.15 _ad finem_. Dan. 3.29. 1 Tim. 2.2. Rev. 17.16, 17. [36] 1 Pet. 2.14. Rom. 13.3, 4. [37] =Episkopos tôn exô tês ekklêsias=, _Euseb. vit. Constant._ cap. 24. [38] Isa. 49.22. Psal. 72.10, 11. Isa. 60.10. Rev. 21.24. [39] 1 Cor. 5.12. [40] _Ab Apostolis usque ad nostri temporis fecem, Ecclesia Christi nata & Adulta persecutionibus crevit, Martyriis coronata est; et postquam ad Christianos Principes venit, potentiâ quidem & divitiis major, sed virtutibus minor facta est._ Hieron. tom. 1. in vitâ Malchi. [41] Act. 28.22. [42] Act. & Mon. [43] _Spanhemius_ in a Book, called _Englands warning, by Germanies woe_; or, An Historicall Narration of the Anabaptists in _Germany_, &c. [44] By Mr. _Carthwright_, against Archb. _Whitgift_. Mr. _Vdal_. Mr. _Hildersham_. Mr. _Traverse_, &c. [45] Heb. 13.17, 24. [46] 1 Pet. 5.3. Ier. 10.16. [47] _Non quia soli, sed quia solùm præsunt._ [48] _De divers. grad. Minist. Evang._ cap. 11, p. 108. [49] _Calvin. in locum. Chrysostom._ upon 1 Cor. 12.28. _Estius_ upon 1 Cor 12.28. [50] [Syriac: two words] +vmadrna vmdbrna+. [51] =Kybernêseis=. [52] _Gerhardus de Ministerio Ecclesiastico_, Calvin. _in locum_, P. Martyr, _in locum_. Beza _in locum_. Piscator _in locum_. Ambros. _in locum_. Chrys. _in locum_. Salmer. _in locum, Septimo loco ponit gubernatores, id est, eos qui præsunt aliis, & gubernant, plebemque in officio continent. Et Ecclesia Christi habet suam politiam, & cum Pastor per se omnia præstare non posset, adjungebantur ille duo Presbyteri, de quibus dixit_, Qui bene præsunt Presbyteri, duplici honore digni habeantur, maxime qui laborant in verbo & doctrina; _Qui una cum Pastore deliberabant de Ecclesiæ cura, & instauratione: qui etiam fidei atque honestæ vitæ consortes erant_. [53] Estius _in_ Rom. 12. _Aliis placet etiam hac parte speciale quoddam charisma sive officium significari, & misereri dicatur is qui ab Ecclesia curandis miseris, potissimum ægrotis, præfectus est, iisque præbet obsequia; velut etiam hodie fit in nosocomiis; qui sensus haudquaquam improbabilis est._ [54] _Cornelius à Lapide_, in Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. [55] _Whitak. in prælectionibus suis, ut refert in refutatione Dounami Sheervodius_, cited by the Author of Altare Damascen. cap. 12. pag. 925, 926. [56] Whitgift against Carthwright. [57] In a Sermon of his in print. [58] _De perpetua Eccl. gubernat._ [59] 2 Cor. 11.27. 1 Thess. 2.9. [60] Beza in 1 Tim. 5.17. Piscator in locum. Calvin. in loc. [61] _Non enim una persona potest dici Ecclesia cum Ecclesia sit populus & Regnum Dei._ [62] Heb. 13.17, 24. [63] _Chrys._ upon Matth. 18. [64] _Camer. de Ecclesia_, upon Matth. 18. [65] pag. 208, 209, 221. [66] pag. 146. [67] _unde & Synagoga, & postea Ecclesia Seniores habuit, quorum sine consilio nihil agebatur in Ecclesia; quod qua negligentiâ obsoleverit nescio, nisi forte Doctorum desidiâ, aut magis superbiâ, dum soli volunt aliquid videri_, Ambros. in 1 Tim. 5. [68] _Præsident probati quique Seniores honorem istum non pretio sed testimonio adepti._ Tertull. Apolog. cap. 39. [69] _Nonnulli præpositi sunt qui in vitam & mores eorum qui admittuntur inquirant, ut qui turpia committant iis communi coetu interdicant, qui vero ab istis abhorrent, ex animo complexi meliores quotidie reddant_, Orig. lib. 3. _Contra Celsum_. [70] Basil in Psalm 33. _Ubi quatuor gradus Ministrorum constituit, quod scilicet alii sint in Ecclesia instar oculorum, ut Seniores; alii instar linguæ, ut Pastores; alii tanquam manus, ut Diaconi_, &c. [71] Optatus lib. 1. _advers. Parmen._ mentioning a persecution, that did for a while scatter the Church, saith, _Erant Ecclesiæ ex auro & argento quam plurima ornamenta, nec defodere terræ, nec secum portare poterat, quare fidelibus Ecclesiæ Senioribus commendavit_. _Albaspinæus_ that learned Antiquary upon that place acknowledged, That besides the Clergy, there were certain of the Elders of the people, men of approved life, that did tend the affaires of the Church, of whom this place is to be understood. [72] _Et nos habemus in Ecclesia Senatum nostrum, coetum Presbyterorum; cum ergo inter coetera etiam senes Judea perdiderit quomodo poterit habere concilium, quod proprie Seniorum est?_ Hier. _in_ Is. 3.2. [73] Aug. writing in his 137. Epistle to those of his own Church, directs his Epistle, _Dilectissimis Patribus, Clero, senioribus, & universæ plebi Ecclesiæ Hipponensis_. So again. Aug. lib. 3. _contra Cresconium_, cap. 56. _Peregrinus Presbyter, & Seniores Ecclesiæ Musticanæ regionis._ Again, Sermo. 19. _de verbis Domini. Cum ob errorem aliquem a Senioribus arguuntur & imputantur alicui de illis, cur ebrius fuerit?_ &c. Again, _Epistola Synodalis Concilii Carbarsussitani apud eundem_, Aug. _enar. in_ Psalm 36. _Necesse nos fuerit Primiani causam quem plebs sancta Carthaginensis Ecclesiæ Episcopum fuerat in oculis Dei sortita, Seniorum literis ejusdem Ecclesiæ postulantibus audire atque discutere._ [74] Gregor. Magnus. _lib._ 11. _ep._ 19. _Si quid de quocunque Clerico ad aures tuas pervenerit, quod te juste possit offendere, facile non credas, sed præsentibus Ecclesiæ tuæ Senioribus diligenter est perscrutanda veritas, & tunc si qualitas rei poposcet, Canonica districtio culpam feriat delinquentis._ We should have added before, that _in actis purgationis Cæciliani & Fælicis_; We read _Episcopi, Presbyteri, Diaconi, Seniores_. Again, _Clerici & Seniores Cirthensium_. Sundry Letters were produced and read in the conference: one directed, _Clero & Senioribus_: another, _Clericis & Senioribus_. The Letter of _Purpurius_ to _Sylvanus_, speaketh thus, _Adhibete conclericos, & Seniores plebis Ecclesiasticos viros, & inquirant diligenter quæ sint istæ dissensiones_. [75] Sutlivius _de Concil. ab_ 1. _cap._ 8 saith, that among the Jews _Seniores tribuum_, the Elders of the Tribes did sit with the Priests in judging controversies of the Law of God. Hence he argues against _Bellarmine_, that so it ought to be in the christian Church also, because the priviledge of christians is no less then the priviledg of the Jewes. [76] 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. [77] Rom. 4.11. [78] Joh. 6.63. [79] 1 Tim. 4.8. [80] 2 Chr. 23.19. Ezek. 44.7, 8. [81] Levit. 10.10. Ezek. 22.26. [82] 1 Cor. 5.13. Rev. 2.14, 15, 20. Tit. 3.10. [83] Levit. 19.17. [84] 1 Sam. 2. [85] _Zelum singularem laudat in tuenda disciplina Ecclesiæ, quod vitiis in coetu grassantibus se fortiter opposuerit, scandalosos censuris debitis correxerit, vel Ecclesiæ communione ejecerit. Ita enim præcepit Christus & Apostolus, & viguerunt censuræ in primitiva Ecclesia magno bono_, Pareus in locum. [86] That the Church of _Ephesus_, is not Individually, but collectively to be taken, _vide Smectymnuum_. [87] 1 Cor. 12.28. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thess. 5.12. Heb. 13.17. [88] Gal. 6.6. where the word =katêchoumenos= properly signifieth a teaching by questions and answers. [89] _Mihi quidem sufficit conscientia mea, vobis autem necessaria est fama mea._ Aug. ad fratr. in Eremo. [90] Tertullian. Apologet. [91] In his Book of Christian subjection, _&c._ [92] In his letters to _Wadesworth_. [93] _J.G._ [94] Pezelii mellificium historicum, pars 2. pag. 268. [95] _M. Stock_ upon Malachy, cap. 3. The EXHORTATION. Having thus in few words, vindicated both our Government and our Persons, we conceive it necessary to subjoyn an Exhortation unto all the Ministers, and Elders, and people, that are within the Province; which we shall branch into these ensuing particulars: 1. We shall direct our speech _unto the Ministers and Ruling Elders, that have accepted of, and do act according to the Rules of the Presbyterian Government, as they are conjoyned in one and the same Presbytery_. 2. _Unto those of our respective Congregations, that submit unto the Government, and are admitted unto the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, in the Presbyterian way._ 3. _Unto those that live within the bounds of the Province, and have not yet submitted to the Government, nor are admitted to the Sacrament, in the Presbyteriall way._ 1. We shall direct our speech unto the Ministers and Ruling-Elders, that have accepted of, and do act according to the Rules of the Presbyterian Government, as they are conjoyned in one and the same Presbytery. That which we have to say unto them, is, To perswade them to be _faithfull in the discharge of the great trust committed unto them_. To be a _Ruler in Gods house_, as it is a place of _great honour_, so also of _great trust_; and he that hath this trust committed unto him, ought to be one of a thousand. It is a good saying of an Heathen, _Magistratus virum indicat_, Magistracy will try a man what he is, so will this office you. Such are the mountains of opposition you are like to meet withall; such is the courage you must put on; such is the wisdome and piety you must be cloathed withall, that we may truly say with the Apostle, _Who is sufficient for these things?_ As _Tacitus_ saith of _Galba_, that he was _Capax imperii, nisi imperasset_, thought very fit to have been an _Emperour_, had he not been an _Emperour_; so there are many that have been thought fit to be _Elders_, till they were made _Elders_. Many that seemed very good, when private Christians; when advanced into places of trust, have proved very wicked. To have the _body and blood of Christ Sacramentall in your custody_; To be made _Keepers of Christs Vineyard_, and _watchmen over his flock_; To have the _keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven_ committed unto you: This is not only a great honour, but a great burden. And therefore it must be your exceeding great care, so to behave your selves in the Church of God, which is his house, that you may give up your account with joy at that great day. For this purpose we Exhort you; 1. That you would labour to discharge your Office with care and diligence, according to the advice of the Apostle, [96]_Let him that Ruleth, Rule with diligence_. The Apostle foresaw how negligent Elders would be, in the trust committed unto them; and therefore he chose to lay this speciall injunction upon them. You must not suffer the key of discipline to rust for want of using, but must remember, that the life of discipline is in the execution; and that the _unprofitable servant was cast into Hell, not for abusing; but for not improving of his Talent_. 2. That you would study to Rule with all humility and Self-denyal, [97]not as lording it over Gods heritage, but as being examples to the flock, remembring the saying of our blessed Saviour, [98]_The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship; And they that exercise authority upon them, are called Benefactors: But ye shall not be so. But he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief_, (or, as it is in the Greek[99], he that Ruleth,) _as he that serveth_. You must not be as _Diotrephes_ who loved to have the _Preheminence_; not as the _Pharisees, [100]who loved the uppermost roomes at feasts, and the chief seats in the Synagogue_. 3. That you would labour to Rule the Church of God with all _peaceablenesse_, and _quietness_; doing nothing out of contention, envy, or malice; but all out of pure love, with the spirit of meekness and patience. That the people may read love and gentleness written upon all your admonitions and censures. [101]_For the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in all meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, to the acknowledgment of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devill, who are taken captive by him at his will._ Famous is the saying of our Saviour, _Have salt in your selves, and peace one with another_. By _salt_, is meant (as _Chemnitius_ and others observe,) _sincere doctrine and discipline_ whereby the people of God are seasoned, and kept from the putrefaction of sin and errour; this _salt_ is so to be sprinkled, as that if it be possible, it may have peace joyned with it. _Have salt in your selves, and peace one with another._ There are that think, that sincere discipline and peace cannot stand together, but they are confuted by Christs own words. The readiest way to have true peace one with another, is to have salt within our selves. There are indeed, some Congregations, that have this salt, without this peace; which is a misery to be exceedingly bewailed. There are others which have _peace_ without this _salt_, but this _peace_ is a wicked _peace_; a peace with sin and errour, which will end in damnation. But blessed and happy are those Congregations, that have _salt in themselves, and true Christian peace one with another_. A Church-Officer must not be a _bramble_, rending and tearing the people committed to his charge, but as a _fig tree_, _vine_, and _olive tree_, refreshing them with his _fatnesse, swetnesse, and fruitfulnesse_. 4. That you would labour to make your Congregations pure, as well as peaceable; following after piety, as much as verity and unity. That all your people under your charge, may be visible Saints at least. It is the great complaint that some take up against the _Presbyteriall Government_, that it studieth unity and truth, but neglecteth holiness and purity. And therefore we beseech you Brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is called _the holy One_, that you would labour to free the Government from this scandal. If there be any under your inspection grosly ignorant, or of scandalous life and conversation, you ought not to admit him to the Sacrament; for if you do, you are accessary to his sin of unworthy receiving; you are instrumentall to the damnation of his soul, you pollute the ordinance; you offend the godly amongst you; you render the Government obnoxious to just exception; and you bring down the heavy judgments of God upon the Congregation. If there be any that after admission prove scandalous, you are to admonish him; and if he continue obstinate, you are _to put away from among your selves that wicked person_, to purge out the _old leaven_, that you may be a _new lump_. And this you are to do: 1. _For the Churches sake_; that the Church in which you are Rulers, may not be infected; _for know you not, that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?_ 2. _For the sinners sake_; you must deliver such a one _unto Satan_, for the _destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus_. 3. _For Christs sake_, that his name may not be dishonoured, and that he may not be forced to depart from your Assemblies. 4. _For the Ordinances sake_, that they may not be polluted. 5. _For your own sakes_, that you may not be damned for other mens sins. Oh that our words might take impression upon all your hearts, that are Ministers and Elders within the Province! what a glorious thing were it, if it might be said of all our Congregations, that they are not only _true_, but _pure Churches, and Churches united in love, and in the truth_? How would this tend to the honour of Jesus Christ, the King of his Church? How would this make him delight to dwell in the midst of you? How would this stop the mouthes of Anabaptists, Brownists, and Independents? How would the blood of Jesus Christ be preserved from prophanation, and the wicked in time gained to repentance, and the blessing of God be upon us, together with peace and plenty in all our dwellings? We beseech you once more, by the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed for your souls, that you would not prostitute it to open sinners, but use all possible means to make your Congregations more and more pure. For this purpose, consider, what the Directory for Church-Government, advisedly and religiously requireth of you, namely, _That where there are many Ruling-Officers in a particular Congregation, some of them do more especially attend the inspection of one part, some of another, as may be most convenient. And some of them are, at fit times, to visit the several families for their spiritual good._ And for the better inabling you to do these things, we exhort you further: 5. That you would labour to abound more and more in all _knowledge_, and _soundnesse of judgement_, _and in all manner of godly conversation_; for he that would be fit to _purge_ Gods house of ignorance and scandal, must first _purge_ himself of ignorance and scandal. _Church-purification_ and reformation, must begin in _self-purification_ and reformation. He that will reprove sin in others, must be free from that sin himself; otherwise it will be said, _Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly, to cast out the moat out of thy brothers eye_. And he must be free from all other scandalous sins also; otherwise men will be ready to say, This man reproveth me for drunkenness, but he himself is covetous; he reproveth me for swearing, but he himself will lie. And therefore our prayer to God for you is, [102]_That you may be filled with the fruits of Righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment; that ye may approve the things that are excellent: That ye may be sincere, and without offence, till the day of Christ_. For you are appointed by Christ to convince gain-sayers, and therefore you had need to let the Word of God dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, especially in these dayes, wherein there are many unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers, whose mouthes must be stopped; who subvert whole houses, teaching things they ought not, for filthy lucres sake. You are appointed by Christ, to be examples to the flock. And that which is but a little sin in others, will be a great one in you. Your sins are not sins, but monsters: You are like _Looking-glasses_, according to which, others dresse themselves; you are like pictures in a glass-window, every little blemish will be quickly seen in you: Your lives are looked upon as _Presidents_, your examples, as _Rules_: And therefore you ought to be _exemplarily holy_, or else you shall receive the _greater condemnation_. 6. That you would labour to be _good in all your relations_, good _Parents_, good _Masters_, good _Husbands_, dwelling with your wives according to knowledge, as being heires together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered: _For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?_ How shall he be a good Ruling Elder, that doth not rule well his own house, _having his children in subjection with all gravity_? How can he perswade others to set up the worship of God in their families, that hath none in his own? And therefore, that you may rule the better in Gods Church, you must make your _houses_ as it were _little Churches_. 7. That you would labour to be men of _publique spirits_, seeking the things of Christ before, and more then your own; mourning more for the miseries of the Church, then your own; and rejoycing more in the prosperity of _Sion_, then your own. A Church-Officer must be like old _Eli_, who was more troubled at the losse of the _Ark_, then the death of his two sons. And like the Psalmist, that bewailed more the _burning of Gods house_, then his own; and the desolation of _Gods Church_, then of the _Kingdome_.[103] 8. That you would labour to be of a _liberall and free spirit, feeding the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind_. A Covetous _Judas_ will betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver, and sell a good conscience for a messe of pottage; and be prodigal of the blood of Christ, rather then lose his trading. 9. That you would labour to be of a _courageous and resolute spirit, valiant for the truth and cause of God_; as _Luther_ was, who alone opposed a world of Enemies; and as _Athanasius_, who was both as an _Adamant_, and a _Loadstone_, in his private converse[104]; he was very courteous and affable, drawing all men to him, even as a Loadstone doth iron; but in the cause of God, and of his truth, he was _unmoveable_, and _unconquerable_ as an Adamant. There is nothing will cause you sooner to apostatize from your Principles, and from your practices, then base fear of men. This made even _Peter deny Christ_; and _David_, run to the _Philistines_, & _Abraham_, to dissemble. The Wise man saith, _The fear of man bringeth a snare, but who so putteth his trust in the Lord, shall be safe._ Our prayer to God for you, is, That the [105]_Lord would speak unto you with a strong hand; and instruct you, that you may not walk in the way of this people, saying a Confederacy unto those unto whom this people shall say a Confederacy; nor fear their fear: but sanctifie the Lord of hosts in your hearts, and make him your fear and your dread_. And you have a most blessed promise added, That _Jesus Christ will be unto you for a Sanctuary_, to protect and defend you in the day of your greatest fears and dangers. 10. That you would labour to be of a _tender spirit_, tender of the honour of God, of the blood of Christ Sacramental, of the souls of the people committed to your charge, of the truths and Government of Christ. A Church-Officer must not be a _Gallio_, not caring what becomes of Religion, and the interest of Christ. Nor a luke-warm _Laodicean_, neither hot nor cold, lest he be spewed out of the mouth of Christ. But he must be a _Josiah_, whose commendation was this, that his _heart was tender_, a _David_, _whose eyes ran down with rivers of tears, because men kept not the law_: a _Jeremiah_, who wished, that _his head were waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears, that he might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of his people_. 11. That you would _persevere_ and _continue_ in the great trust committed unto you, not deserting, nor neglecting the duty thereof, for any present discouragements whatsoever; remembring what out Saviour saith, _He that hath put his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is not fit for the Kingdome of Heaven_. We cannot deny, but there are many things to dishearten you, and make you grow faint and weary, _viz._ your own insufficiency to so great a work; the untractablenesse, and unperswadeablenesse of many among the people to submit unto the Government; The small beginnings of reformation in Church-Government unto which we have yet attained, and especially the little countenance that it finds with many, from whom it might most justly be expected. Yet notwithstanding, we hope, that that God which hath stirred you up to help to lay the first stone in this building, will not suffer you to leave the work, till the _head stone_ be brought forth with shoutings, crying, _grace, grace unto it_. For this purpose, we desire you earnestly to consider with us; 1. That the Authority by which you act, is divine. For the office not only of a teaching, but also of a Ruling Elder, is founded upon the Word of God, as hath been already shewed. 2. That the Government which you have entred upon, is not a Government of mans framing, but the Government of Jesus Christ; who as King and Head of his Church, hath appointed you your work, and hath promised, [106]_That where two or three of you are gathered together in his name, there to be in the midst of you_, to protect, direct, sanctifie, support, and comfort you. This Christ is [107]_that stone cut out of the mountain without hands, that will destroy all the Kingdomes that oppose him and his Government, and will himself become a great mountain, filling the whole earth_. The time is shortly coming, when the _Kingdomes of this world shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ_; when the [108]_mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be axalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it: And many Nations shall say, Come and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of_ Jacob, _and he will teach us his wayes, and we will walk in his pathes. And that Nation and Kingdome, that will not serve the Lord Christ, shall perish yea those Nations shall be utterly wasted._ 3. The reward you shall have for the faithfull continuance in your office, [109]is not from men, (though you deserve, and ought to have even from men double honour, and are to be had in high esteem from your work sake,) but from God, who hath promised to give you a [110]_crown of glory, that fadeth not away, when the chiefe Shepherd shall appear_; which promise is applicable, not only to the teaching, but Ruling Elder; the Apostle speaking there of Elders indefinitely, without restriction or limitation. 4. The strength by which you act, is the strength of Christ; and though in your selves you be insufficient for so great a work, (_for who is sufficient for these things_) yet _by Christ that strengthens you, you are able to do all things_. God never calls a man to any employment, but he giveth a competent ability thereunto; and is angry with those that pretend insufficiency for that Office to which he calls them, as appears by the example of _Moses_, _Exod._ 3.10, 11, 13, 14. 5. Consider what great things God hath brought to pass with weak instruments. _Moses_ a shepherd was the deliverer of the Israelites out of _Egypt_; and a great part of the World was converted by a few Fisher-men. God delights to convey grace by contemptible Elements; as Water, Bread, and Wine, and to manifest his great power in mans great weakness, that so all the glory may redound to him alone. 6. That the greatest undertakings in the Church, have met with greatest difficulties and oppositions. [111]_Jerusalem_ was built again even in troublous times. _Tobia_ and _Sanballat_, and all their Adherents set themselves against it, both with scorns, false informations, and acts of violence, yet the work went on and prospered: and though it had very many years interruption, yet at last God raised up the spirit of _Haggai_, _Zecheriah_, and of _Zerubbabel_ and _Joshua_, and the work was suddainly finished. _Who art thou O great Mountain before_ Zerubbabel_? thou shalt become a plain_, &c. Oppositions should rather quicken, then cool activity. 7. That the greatest affairs and achievements are wont at first to have but small beginnings, like the Prophet _Elias_ cloud. The repair of the Temple and of the City of _Jerusalem_ was so small at first, as that the enemies mockt, and said[112]; _Even that which they build, if a Fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall._ And _Iudah_ her self said[113], _The strength of the bearers of the burden is decayed, and there is much rubbish, so as we are not able to build the wall._ And yet notwithstanding God saith[114], _Who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of_ Zerubbabel. _The hand of_ Zerubbabel _laid the foundation of this house, his hand shalt also finish it, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord[115]._ 8. Consider, _who_, and of what _carriage_ the most of those are that oppose this Government, and upon what grounds they are against it, and it will adde a singular testimony to the goodness of it, and incourage you the rather to stand for it, seeing so many erroneous, superstitious, hereticall, leud and licentious persons of all sorts, are so violent against it. 9. If God countenance the Government, it is the less matter if it want the countenance of man. Let not the faultinesse of others, discourage Gods faithfull Ones from their trust and duty: The fewer stand for it, the more reason there is that we should. _The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge_: And therefore let us not fear what man can do unto us, for there are more with us, then against us. 10. God hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and he can in an instant raise up a _Cyrus_ to appear for his People, and his Cause; he can raise up _Zerubbabels_, _Nehemiah's_, and _Ezrah's_; he can, and he will raise up Kings to be the nursing Fathers, and Queens the nursing Mothers of his Church; he can turn the hearts of people, and make them willing to submit their necks to the yoak of the Lord; and he hath promised, _that in the day of his power, the people shall be willing_. 11. Lastly, consider _what great things God hath done already for us_; and if he had meant to have destroyed us, he would not have done all this for us: He hath broken the iron yoak of Prelacy, removed superstitious Ceremonies, and Service-book, established a more pure way of Ordination of Ministers, and of worshipping of God, and there are hopefull beginnings of this Government in many of our Congregations; and we doubt not, but that God, who hath been the Author, will be the Finisher of this mighty Work. Let the consideration of these particulars exceedingly affect you, and stir you up to persevere, & hold out in that great office you have undertaken, in nothing being terrified or discouraged, but trusting in the great God, who never faileth those that put their trust in him. * * * * * Our second Exhortation is unto _those of our respective Congregations, that submit unto the Government, and are admitted unto the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ, in the_ Presbyterian way; That we are to exhort you unto, is, 1. That as you are Saints outwardly, and such who live (as we hope) unblameably in the eyes of the world; so you would labour to be Saints inwardly, approving not only your wayes unto men, but your hearts and consciences unto the heart-searching God. And for this purpose, we perswade you, [116]_to wash not only your hands, but your hearts, from all iniquity, and not to suffer vain thoughts to lodge within you; To put away the evill of your doings from before Gods eyes; [117]To be Jews inwardly circumcised with the circumcision of the heart, in the_ Spirit, _not in the_ Letter, _whose praise is not of Man, but of God_; To labour more to be _good_, then to seem to be _good_; to be more ashamed to be _evill_, then to be known to be _evill_; to strive more to get your sins _cured_, then _covered_; and to be not _gilded_, but _golden Christians_. Alas! what will it avail you, to be esteemed by your Minister and Elders reall Saints, when the Lord who is your Judge, knows you to be but painted Sepulchres: What will it profit you to have our _Euge_ and approbation, when you have the _Apage_ and disallowance of God, and all his holy Angels? And therefore our prayer to God for you is, that he would make you not only nominall, but reall Christians; not only Saints by profession, but by conversation; not only morally and formally, but Spiritually and Theologically good, having your persons, principles, and aims holy, as well as your actions. _He and he only is a right Christian, whose person is united to Christ by a lively Faith; and whose nature is elevated by the_ Spirit of Regeneration, _and whose principles, practices, and aims, are divine and supernatural._ Secondly, as it is your great honour and priviledg to be admitted to the Sacrament, when others by reason of ignorance or scandal are refused; so it must be your great care, to come _worthily_; and so to demean your selves, that you may be made partakers of the graces & consolations of this heavenly banquet; And for this end, we think it our dutie to propound certain necessary directions to you, for the right ordering of your Sacramental approaches; and to perswade you by the mercies of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the diligent and conscientious practice of these following particulars. 1. Not to rest contented with the examination of your Minister and Elders, but chiefly and especially to examine your selves, and so to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup: To examine your selves, whether you be in Christ or no, whether You do truly repent; whether You do hunger and thirst after Christ in the Sacrament; whether You have an unfeigned love to God, and Your Neighbour, manifested by an impartial respect unto all the Commandements and Ordinances of Christ: For though we may and ought to admit you upon the profession of these graces; yet Christ will not bid You welcome, unless You have them in truth and sinceritie. And though we cannot discern who are hypocrites, and who are sincere amongst You; yet he that can distinguish between star and star, can and will distinguish between a true Saint, and a formal Hypocrite: and therefore labour to be such, indeed and in truth, as You seem to Us, to be in _word and profession._ Secondly, As not to come without preparation and examination; so also _not to trust to your preparation and examination_. Sacraments do not work as Physick, whether men sleep or wake, _ex opere operato_, by vertue inherent in them; but _ex opere operantis, according to the disposition and qualification of the party that partakes of them_. If the party be not qualified according to the tenour of the Covenant of grace, he eats and drinks damnation to himself, and not salvation; and when he hath done all he can by grace received, to prepare himself; yet he must not relie upon his preparation, for this were to make an Idol of it, and set up dutie in the room of Christ. Excellent is that saying of _Austine_[118], _He that stands upon his own strength, shall never stand_; and of _Bernard_[119], _That man labours in vain, that doth not labour resting upon Christ and his merits_; and therefore we exhort You, after all your care of preparation, to renounce it as to the point of confidence, and _to come to Christ in the strength and confidence of Christ alone_. 3. Not be satisfied in the bare bringing of the forementioned graces with you to the Sacrament, but to labour according to the advice of the Apostle[120], _to stir up the gift of God that is in you_. The Greek is, _to blow up_, and cause the grace of God within us to kindle. Fire, as long as it lyeth raked up in the Embers, will give no heat; a man may die with cold, for all such a fire. Grace, as long as it lyeth dead in the habite, will not avail a man at the Sacrament. And therefore, that you may be worthy receivers, you must take pains to blow up the grace of God that is in you. You must arise and trim your _spirituall lamps_, (as the _wise Virgins_ did,) that so you may be fit to meet with your _Bridegroom_. You must _brighten_ your _spirituall armour_, & gird up the loins of your mind; You must not only have, but put on your _wedding garment_, and come to this heavenly feast apparrelled in all your spiritual ornaments. For it is a certain truth, that not only a wicked man, that wants grace, but a childe of God that hath true grace, may receive the Sacrament unworthily; though he cannot come unworthily as the wicked do, out of a total want of grace, yet he may come unworthily out of grosse negligence, and sinful carelesness, in not exciting and stirring up, and improving the grace of God that is in him.[121] For not to _use grace_, and not to _have grace_, in this case, do little differ in Gods account. And therefore, if you would be worthy guests at this Supper, you must not only have a _true_ Faith, but a _fit_ Faith; not only a true repentance, but a _fit_ repentance; you must not only have grace, but act grace; you must set your _Faith_ on work, to feed upon that blessed Sacramentall promise, _Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you; This is my blood which is shed for you_. And you must labour to make strong and particular applications of Christ to your souls, and to believe, that as verily as you eat the Bread, and drink the Wine, so verily you are made partakers of Christs body and blood, to your everlasting happiness. And so likewise you must act repentance, love, thankfullness, and obedience, according to the direction of the Word of God. 4. _To do all that you do at the Sacrament, in remembrance of Christ._ For this is the main design of Christ, in appointing this Ordinance, that it might be a _Love-token_ from Christ alwaies by us, and an effectual means to keep his death in perpetual remembrance, that it might be a lively picture of Christ crucified; and he that will receive aright, must be eying this Picture while he is at the Sacrament; and the more he minds it, the more he will admire it: The Angels[122] [123]_stoop down_ to _look_ upon Christ incarnate, and it is the happiness of heaven to have Christ alwaies before them; and it is our happiness on earth, that we have such a blessed commemoration of Christ crucified: As Christ is all in all, in all Creatures, in all Relations, in all Conditions, and in all Ordinances; so more especially in this: For the Elements of Bread and Wine are not appointed for natural ends and purposes, but Christ is all in all in them: They are Representations, Commemorations, Obsignations, and Exhibitions of Jesus Christ. You must labour with the Eye of Faith to see Christs name written upon the Bread and Wine, and you must read Christ in every Sacramental action: when You behold the Bread and Wine consecrated; You must remember how Jesus Christ was set apart by his Father, from all Eternity, to be the Redeemer of his People: And when the Minister breaks the bread, You must remember the great sufferings that Jesus Christ endured for Your sins; and when You take the Bread, and drink the Wine, you must do this in remembrance of Christ; You must believe, that now Christ giveth himself to be Your nourishment, and your Comforter unto eternal life; and you must labour by a lively Faith, to take him as your Lord and Saviour, and to cry out with _Thomas_ in the highest degree (if it be possible) of rejoycing, _My God, and my Lord_: [124]And when you eat the Bread, and drink the Wine, you must remember, that Christ _is the living Bread that came down from Heaven, and that whosoever eats of this Bread, shall live for ever: and that whosoever eateth the flesh of Christ, and drinketh his blood, dwelleth in Christ, and Christ in him_. And you must endeavour to receive Soul-nourishment from Christ, as your bodies do by the bread you eat; and as the bread is turned into your substance, so to be made more and more one with Christ by faith: that having a reall, though spirituall union with him, You may have a happy interest and communion in all his purchases. This is the life of the _Holy Sacrament_, without which, all is but a dead and empty Ceremonie. But we adde further, That this remembrance of Christ must not be barely _notionall_, _doctrinall_, and _historicall_, but it must be also _practicall_, _experimentall_, and _applicative_; it must produce these and such like blessed effects and operations in your hearts. 1. You must so remember Christ, as to find power coming out of Christ Sacramental, to break your hearts for all the sins you have committed against him. Christ is presented in the Sacrament as a broken Christ; his body broken, and his bloud poured out: and the very breaking of the bread understandingly looked upon, is a forcible argument to break your hearts. Was Jesus Christ rent and torn in pieces for you, and shall it not break you hearts, that you should sin against him? Was he crucified for you, and will you crucifie him by your sins? And besides, the breaking of the bread is not only ordained to be a motive unto brokenness of heart for sin, but also in the right use to effect that which it doth move unto. 2. You must so remember Christ Sacramentall, as to find power coming out of Christ, to subdue all your sins and iniquities; as the diseased woman felt vertue coming out of Christ, to cure her bloody Issue; so there is power in an _applicative and fiduciall remembrance_ of Christ at the Sacrament, to heal all the sinfull issues of our souls. There is no sin so strong, but it is conquerable by a power derived from Christ crucified. 3. This is to remember Christ aright at the Sacrament, when you never cease remembring him, till your hearts be brought into a thankfull frame to God, for Christ and for his ineffable blessings and mercies exhibited in the Sacrament to a worthy receiver. And therefore it is called an _Eucharist_, or a feast of thanksgiving. It is as _Justin Martyr_ saith, [125]_food made up all of thanksgiving_. It is a custome in Colledges and houses founded by the bounty of great men, to have a _feastivall commemoration_ of the bounties of their Benefactors. The Sacrament is a _commemoration day_ of your great Benefactor Iesus Christ, wherein you are to remember all those things which he suffered for you; and the proper duty of the day is _thanksgiving_. 4. You must not leave off remembring Christ Sacramental, till your hearts be inflamed with an ardent love to Jesus Christ; for he is set forth in this Sacrament, in all the endearing expressions, as a crucified Christ, as pouring out his blood for us. Now it is an excellent expression of _Bernard_: [126]_The more vile Christ made himself for us, the more dear he ought to be unto us._ You must never leave meditating of his love, [127]_till he be as fast fixed in your hearts, as he was upon the Cross_. 5. You must so remember Christ, as to be willing to do and suffer any thing for that Christ, that hath done and suffered so much for you; till you can say with _David_, _What shall I render for all his blessings towards me?_ till you can say with _Thomas_, _Come, let us go dye with him_; and we add, _for him_: till with the Apostle, you can rejoyce to be _counted worthy to be whipt for his names sake_. And can with _Ignatius_ that blessed Martyr, [128]call your iron chains, not _bonds_, but _Ornaments_, and _Spirituall Pearls_; till you can say, as _Judg._ 8.22. _Rule thou over us_, &c. _for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian_. There is nothing hard to that Christian, that doth rightly remember Christ Sacramental. 6. You must continue in remembring Christ in the Sacrament, till your hearts be wrought up to a _through contempt of the world, and all worldly things_. Christ instituted the Sacrament when he was going out of the world; and when he was crucifying, the whole world was in darkness and obscurity: and he is propounded in the Sacrament, as a _persecuted, broken, crucified Christ, despising, & being despised of the world_. And if you do practically remember the Sacrament of his death, you will finde vertue coming out thereof, to make you dead to the world, and all worldly things. The Sacrament is called by the Ancients, [129]_a feast for Eagles, not for Dawes_; and therefore it was a phrase ordinarily used in the administration of this Sacrament, _Lift up your hearts to heaven where Christ is_. 7. Cease not remembring Christ, till you be made partakers of the rare grace of _humility_. Of all the graces that Christ picks out, in which he would have Christians to imitate him in, _humility_ is one of the chiefest, _Matth._ 11.29. _Learn of me, for I am humble_, &c. And Christ in the Sacrament is presented, as _humbling himself_ to the death of the Cross, for our sakes. And what a shame is it, to remember an humble Christ, with a proud heart? The practicall remembrance of the humility of _Christ Sacramental_, when sanctified, is mighty in operation, to tame the pride of our hearts. 8. You must not fail to remember Christ in the Sacrament, till by faith you have _applyed Christ, as your Christ_: Till you can say with _Paul_, _Gal._ 2.20. _Who loved me, and gave himself for me._ Propriety in Christ, is that which sweetens all. For what are you the better _for Christ_, if he be not your _Christ_? The Divels and damned in Hell may remember Christ, but not with comfort, because they cannot remember him, but as their enemy. But you must so remember Christ, as to make him yours, by an _appropriating Faith_. [Sidenote: Quest.] But how shall we be inabled thus to apply Christ? [Sidenote: _Answ._] This is done, by studying the free tender that is made of Christ in the Covenant of grace, which is expressed, _Isai._ 55.1. _Revel._ 22.17. Jesus Christ is that brazen Serpent lifted up upon the Cross, on purpose, that whosoever looks up to him, shall be healed; and whosoever receives him as his Lord and Saviour, _should not perish, but have everlasting life_. You must study the _freeness_, _fulness_, and _particularity_ of the offer of Christ; and pray unto that Christ, who bids you believe, to give you to believe. And truly there cannot be a greater discourtesie to Jesus Christ, then to doubt of his love towards you, while ye are receiving the pledges of his love. For herein hath [130]_God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us_. What can Christ do more to manifest his love, or to perswade us of his love he bears to us? Much more might be said to this purpose, but we leave these things to be amplified by the Ministry of your faithful Pastors. And we proceed to give you further directions, for the right managing of your Sacramental addresses. 5. In the fifth place, we exhort you to consider the Sacrament, under a four-fold Notion: 1. As it is a _spirituall medicine_ to cure the remainders of your corruption. 2. As it is _spirituall food_ to strengthen your weak graces. 3. As it is a _spiritual Cordial_ to comfort your distressed consciences. 4. As it is a _strong obligation_ and forcible engagement to all acts of thankfulness and obedience unto Jesus Christ. Now if you would get the benefit and comfort of the Sacrament, you must when you come to it, carry these four considerations in your mind; and labour to draw out good from the Sacrament, according to each of them. 1. You must consider what sin it is, that is most unsubdued, and unmortified in you; you must use the Sacrament as a _medicine_ made of Christs body and blood, to heal that sin. 2. You must consider, what _grace_ is most weak in you; and you must come to the Sacrament, as to food appointed on purpose to strengthen weak grace. 3. You must consider what _doubt_ it is, that doth most obstruct your full assurance of salvation; and you must come to the Sacrament, as to a cheering Cordial, made for this very end, to revive your fainting spirit. It is also a _sealing Ordinance_ to seal up the love of God in Christ, and to be as a _golden clasp_ to fasten you to Christ, and Christ to you: And in which Christ doth often go from man to man, with his _privy seals_, and his _hidden manna_ of heavenly consolation. 4. You must consider how apt you are to start from God, and his just Commands, and therefore you must at the Sacrament _renew your Covenant_ with GOD, and binde your selves afresh unto GOD, in the strength of Christ, to be his more faithful servants afterwards, then ever you were before. And hereby likewise you may know when you come from the Sacrament, whether you have received worthily, or no: For if you finde these Effects from the Sacrament, that it hath been _Medicinall, corroborative, comforting, and obliging_: If you find your sins more mortified, your graces more strengthened, your souls more comforted, and your hearts more engaged unto God in obedience; You may certainly conclude, that you are worthy Receivers. Nay we adde, for the comfort of _weak Christians_, if you find any one of these Effects. For sometimes Christ lets out himself in the Sacrament in a way of _Comfort_; sometimes he hides, as it were, his face, and sends us home more _inlarged_ in our _desires_ after him; sometimes he _kisses his children with the kisses of his lips_, and gives them to eat of his _hidden Manna_; sometimes he sends them home inlarged with _godly sorrow_, for want of his imbraces. His dispensations are various. But if you finde his presence in any one of these waies, You are worthy Communicants. 6. To endeavour, that your [131]_eyes may affect your hearts_, when you are at the Sacrament. For as Christ in the Ministery of his Word, preacheth to the ear; and by the ear conveyeth himself into the heart: so in the Sacrament he preacheth to the eye; and by the eye, conveyeth himself into the heart. And therefore it is well called a _visible Sermon_. Take heed, lest the Devil steal away the benefit & comfort of it out of your hearts, by a wanton or wandring eye. And when you find your hearts deaded, and your meditations begin to flag and grow dry, fasten your eyes upon the Sacramental Elements, and Sacramental actions. Consider the bread broken, and the wine poured forth, and _let your eye affect your heart_; and never leave looking upon them, till Christ be pleased to look upon you, as he did upon _Peter_, and then your hearts will be affected indeed, as his was. 7. To take heed of passing _rash censures_ upon those that are admitted to the Sacrament, together with your selves; say not such a man is unworthy, but say rather with the Centurion, [132]_Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee_; say as _John Baptist_ of Christ, _I am not worthy to untye thy shooe-latchet_, much lesse to sit with thee at thy table; say not that such a one is a Dog, and not fit to eat childrens bread, but say rather of thy self, as _Mephibosheth_ doth, [133]_What am I? that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog_, &c. The nature of man is very apt (as one saith) [134]_to use spectacles, rather then looking-glasses_; spectacles, to behold other mens faults, rather then looking-glasses to behold our own. But we hope better things of you. Remember, that when the Disciples were at the Passeover with Christ, and Christ told them, that one of them should betray him; They did not passe harsh sentences one upon another, but every one suspected himself, rather then his fellow-Apostle, and said, _Master, Is it I?_ Be not offended at thy brothers wickednesse, which thou art not sure on, but at thine own unthankfulnesse, which thou art sure is very great. 8. When you are gone from the Sacrament, you must labour to walk in the _strength of that food_, (as _Elias_ did of his) _till you come to the mount of God_. As you have been made partakers of an Ordinance, to which others are not admitted, so you must endeavour to live more self-denyingly, more heavenly mindedly, more holily and righteously, then they do, that are not admitted. [135]_You must love your enemies; blesse them that curse you; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that do despitefully use you, and persecute you. For if you love them that love you, what reward have you? Do not even the Publicanes the same? And if you salute your Brethren only, what do ye more then others? Do not even the Publicanes so?_ You are admitted to an Ordinance, that is not common to all, but peculiar to Saints, and therefore your lives must have something peculiar in them, which no wicked man can have. You must believe and repent after such a manner, as no _Reprobate_ can do; You must pray in your families with more life and zeal then others; you must be more just & faithful in your dealings then others; and have more faith, and hope, and love to God. In a word, You must so carry and demean your selves in all your words and actions, as that you may be a credit and an ornament, and not a scandal to the Congregation, of which you are members. [136]_Walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being faithfull unto every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulnesse_. And this we pray[137], _That your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge, and in all judgment: That ye may approve the things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ: Being filled with the fruits of Righteousnesse, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God_. We have been larger, then we thought, in these particulars about the Sacrament, out of a holy jealousie which we have over you, (which we doubt not but you will pardon in us) fearing lest after your first admission to this Ordinance, you should grow remiss and careless, satisfying your consciences with the naked approbation that your Minister and Elders give of your knowledg and conversation; and in the mean time, neglecting to get the benefit and comfort of this Ordinance, and to thrive, and increase in knowledg and holiness proportionably to the expectation of God, and your godly officers. We shall be briefer in what we have further to say unto you. 3. In the third place we exhort you, to [138]_Obey those that rule over you, and submit your selves, for they, watch for your soules, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you_. [139]_And we beseech you, Brethren, know them which labour amongst you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peace amongst your selves._ And remember, [140]_That the Elders that rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine_. For the Scripture saith, _Thou shalt not muzzel the oxe that treadeth out the corn_, and _the labourer is worthy of his reward_. And it likewise saith, [141]_Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things_. And further, [142]_Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the Temple; and they which wait at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospell, should live of the Gospel.----If we have sowen unto you spirituall things, is it a great matter, if we reap your carnal things?_ This we write, not to shame you, but to intreat you to give liberall and honourable maintenance to your godly Ministers, that they may not only be [143]_lovers of hospitality_, but also inabled to exercise it: lest God in anger to you, drive your Ministers into corners, and take both your estates, and your Ministers from you; so as you shall neither have Ministers to give maintenance to, nor estates to maintain Ministers. 4. To perform all those offices which are required of you, as you are Members of a particular Congregation. For this purpose we exhort you brethren, to [144]_comfort your selves together, and edifie one another, even as you also do; to warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men: And see that none render evill for evill unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among your selves, and towards all men, &c. [145]Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdome, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymnes, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [146]Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth; and [147]let every one of you please his neighbour for his good, to edification; for even Christ pleased not himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me. [148]Let nothing be done through strife, or vain-glory; but in lowliness of minde, let each esteem other better then themselves._ Now though we are far from thinking, (as some do,) that you are bound to perform these duties only to those to whom you are united in Church-fellowship, (for if you ought to pluck your neighbours ox and horse out of a ditch, and to relieve his body, when in want, though not of the same Congregation with you, much more ought you to extend acts of spirituall mercy (such as these are) to their souls; and this you are bound unto by communion of natures, communion of Saints, communion of Churches; and by that Royal law of love, which commands us to love our neighbour as our selves,) yet notwithstanding we conceive that you are more especially tyed by your Congregational relation, to perform these duties to those that are of your own Communion. And therefore we further perswade you, _to watch over one another, to bear the burdens one of another, and so fulfill the Law of Christ. To consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of your selves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching_. And we likewise desire you not to neglect private meetings together for holy conference and prayer; that hereby you may be better acquainted one with another, and be mutual helps one to another in spirituall things. We think that speech of _Cain_ unbefitting the mouth of any Christian; _Am I my brothers keeper?_ And though we believe, that none ought to take the Office of a Minister, but he that is elected and ordained thereunto, yet we believe also, _that it is the duty of all private Christians, in a brotherly way, out of the common bond of charity, to build up one another in their most holy Faith_. And therefore let those [149]_that fear the Lord, speak often one to another_, especially in these evil daies: _and strive together for the Faith of the Gospel, standing fast in one spirit with one mind_. For it seemeth to us to be very unchristian, that they especially, that have chosen one and the same Minister, and wait constantly upon his Ministry, and that break bread together, should live together like Heathens and Publicanes: at as great a strangeness one from another, as if they lived many miles asunder. And that Drunkards and Adulterers should meet together to dishonor God, and to encourage one another in wickednesse; and you should not assemble your selves together, to honour God, to strengthen and edifie one another, and to confirm one another in the truth. Only be careful in your meetings, to take heed of [150]_doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railing, evill surmises, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth_. And [151]_avoid all foolish and unlearned Questions, for they are vain and unprofitable, and gender nothing but strife_; But help one another in that _one thing necessary_, how to _grow up in Christ_; how to _make your calling and election sure_; how to _thrive under Ordinances_; to be _faithfull under Relations_, to adorn the Gospel you profess; how to advance the power of godliness in your several spheres; and to be more spiritually serviceable unto God in your generations, and such like. And we further exhort you, that if any Brother in the Congregation walk _disorderly_ and _scandalously_, that you would carefully remember, It is your duty, first, _to tell him privately_; (and not to tell it to Others, to his and the Churches disgrace, as the manner of some is,) The text is plain, _Go and tell him his fault betwixt him and thee alone_; and if he shall hear thee, thou _hast gained thy Brother_. But if he will not hear thee, _then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established_. And if he shall neglect to hear them, _tell it to the Church_. And consider, we beseech you, that the most part of Sacramental reformation, begins with your performing of this dutie. For how can the Elders judicially take notice of any scandall, till it be brought unto them, in the way of Christ, by you that are Church-Members? There is great complaint amongst well-affected people, of _Sacramental pollutions_; and many thereupon, though groundlesly, separate from our Congregations. But if things were rightly considered, it would appear, that the people themselves are the chief causes of this pollution; for you are the _first wheel_ of this part of reformation, and if you neglect your part, how can we discharge ours? And therefore we intreat you, even for Christs sake, as ever you desire to keep your selves pure from the sin of those that receive unworthily, and from being Authors of the prophanation of the Sacrament, faithfully to discharge this your dutie. And we shall (by the help of God) be exactly careful of ours, that so the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us. 5. _To labour to keep your selves free from the Errours, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these Times._ For it is evident to every impartial Observer, that false teachers, evil men, and seducers are gone abroad amongst us; subverting of Souls and overthrowing the Faith of some; speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them; subverting whole Housholds, teaching things they ought not for filthy lucres sake; creeping into houses, and leading captive silly women, laden with divers lusts; and by good words, and fair speeches, deceiving the hearts of the simple; yea, by slight and cunning craftiness, lying in wait to deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect; and not only privily; but now openly and avowedly bringing in damnable Heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. The _Divine Authority_ of the Scriptures is oppugned, the _Deity of Christ opposed_, and his _Holy Spirit_ blasphemed, the Doctrine of the _Blessed Trinity_ questioned, the _Holy God_ made the _Author of sin_ and sinfulnesse, _Universall Redemption_ preached, and the ends of Christs death evacuated, _Free-will_ by nature to do _good_ maintained, the _mortallity_ of the _Soul_ affirmed; the _Use of the Morall Law of God_, the _Observation of the Christian Sabbath_, the _very calling and Function of the Ministry_, the _very being of a Church_ amongst Us, and all _the Ordinances of Christ_, are slighted and rejected. These, and too many more such _monstrous Opinions_ in the very spring-time of _Reformation_ do so multiply amongst vs, that the _tares_ are like to _overgrow the Wheat_, if God prevent not. And that which aggravates the evil of these things is, That _London_ should be guilty of such _Apostacy_ from the truth. _London_! which hast had able and faithful Ministers of the Word preaching to thee; that hast been so miraculously preserved from the Sword, Famine, and Pestilence these last Years, yet have Heresies been hatched and nourished up under _thy wings_; and from thee have they been spread all the Kingdom over. How many in this City have turned away their ears from the truth, faithfully preached by their _Pastors_; and being turned unto fables, have already followed the pernicious waies of Seducers, whereby the way of truth is evil spoken on! How is _Religion degenerated_ into vain janglings, and the _power of Godlinesse_ eaten up by perverse disputings! And that which should fill Us with more grief and astonishment is, That this inundation of Errours and Heresies hath increased upon Us, after such _prayers_, _preachings_, _disputes_, and _testimonies_ against them; after a _Covenant_ solemnly sworn to _God_, with hands lifted up to heaven, for the extirpation of them; and after a solemn Fast commanded by Authority, and observed throughout the whole _Kingdom_, for our humiliation for them. And yet (with grief of heart we mention it) those Errours which in the Prelates time were but a few, are now many: Those that of late crept into corners, now out-face the Sun: Those which the _Godly_ abhor'd from their hearts, are now vented as _new and glorious truths_: Nay, to such a degree of _Apostacie_ are some arrived, being waxen worse and worse, that they are labouring for an _odious tolleration_ of all those _abominable opinions_, as can shroud themselves under the name of Christian Religion. Wherefore, in the Name of Jesus Christ, we warn you all to take heed of these _Impostors_ and _Seducers_; and to keep close to those _good_ and _old_ principles of Christianitie, which you have suck't in at _your first conversion, out of the Word_, from your godly Ministers: And seeing ye know these things before, _beware lest you also being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastnesse; But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour_ Jesus Christ; _to him be glory, both now and for ever_, Amen. Oh how happy were it, if it might be said of all You that submit to the Presbyterian Government; as once of the _Godly_ in _Sardis_. [152]_There are a few names even in_ London, _that have not defiled their Garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy._ Which that you may the better be inabled to do, We beseech You Brethren, in the words of the Apostle, [153]_To mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them, for they that are such, serve not our Lord_ Jesus Christ, _but their own belly_. Observe here, that you are not only required to avoid their _Doctrines_, but their _persons_. And so likewise the same Apostle, [154]_If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholsome words, even the words of our Lord_ Jesus Christ, _and to the Doctrine which is according to Godlinesse, he is proud, knowing nothing_, &c. _From such withdraw thyself._ It is your dutie, not onely to keep your selves from the Heresies of these times; but, that you may be preserved from the Heresies, you must keep your selves, and all under your charge, from such as spread them, and from their meeting-places. For he that without a just cause goeth into a _Pesthouse_, may thank himself, if he get the plague. And he that runs headily into temptation, _hath no promise from God to be delivered out_. The Apostle _John_ refused to tarry in the same _Bath with Cerinthus_; and he commands us in his second Epistle, _If there come any unto you, and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God-speed, is partaker of his evil deeds._ Take heed how you touch pitch, lest you be defiled; And remember, we have faithfully discharged our consciences to you, in this particular; And that you may be farther instructed against the Errors and Heresies of these times, We will propound a few _Antidotes_ and _Preservatives_ unto you, under these general Rules following. 1. Whatsoever Doctrine is _contrary to Godlinesse_, and opens a door to Libertinism and Prophaneness, you must reject it as _Soul-poyson_. Such are Doctrines against the _Sabbath_, _Family-duties_, and _publique Ordinances_: Such is the Doctrine of an _Universall tolleration_ of all Religions. The Doctrine of the Gospel, is a Doctrine [155]_according to Godliness_; It is a _Mysterie of Godliness_; _It teacheth to deny all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world_. 2. You must reject all such Doctrines, as hold forth a _strictnesse above what is written_. Papists teach many strict Doctrines, of self-whippings, and voluntary povertie, vows of continency, and many such like; but the Apostle gives you an _Antidote_ against them, _Col._ 2.18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. And so also our blessed Saviour, _Matth._ 15.1. to the 10. Devout people are much taken with Doctrines that carry a shew of strictness, and of much purity; but you must not be wise above what is written; You must be _Candidates_ of a _Canonicall_, not an _Apocryphal_ strictness; And therefore when you are taught, that whosoever will enter into _Church-fellowship_, must first take a _Church-Covenant_; and that whosoever will be admitted unto the _Lords Supper_, must not only be free from ignorance and scandal, but he must have other, and more strict qualifications; you must enquire what word they have for these assertions; and where _God hath not a mouth to speak, you must not have an ear to hear, nor an heart to believe_. 3. Whatsoever Doctrine tendeth to the _lifting up of nature corrupted_, to the _exalting of unsanctified Reason_, and giveth _free will in supernaturall things to a man unconverted, is a Doctrine contrary to the Gospell_. For this is one chief aym of _Pauls_ Epistles, to shew, [156]_That by nature we are dead in sins and trespasses, and that the naturall man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishnesse unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned_, and that [157]_the carnall mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be_. This Rule will preserve you against all _Arminian Tenets_. For this is the main difference between the Doctrine of the Gospel, and the Arminians. The Gospel makes _free grace_ put the distinction between the Elect and Reprobate; and the Arminians _Free-will_. 4. All Doctrines that set up our own Righteousness, whether of _Morality_, or _Sanctification_, in the room of Christs Righteousness; That place good works in the throne of Christ, are Doctrines of Antichrist, and not of Christ. For the Gospel teacheth us, [158]that all our best works are imperfect, and that we are justified, not by our own inherent Righteousness, but by the Righteousness of Christ only, made ours by Faith: this Rule will keep you from much of the _poyson of Popery_. 5. All Doctrines that do set up Christ and his Righteousness, as to decry all works of Sanctification, and to deny them to be fruits and evidences of our justification, are to be avoided and abhorred. For [159]the Scripture makes sanctification an evidence of Justification, and commandeth all Believers to maintain good works. This Rule will preserve you against most of the Errors of the Antinomians. 6. That Doctrine _that lesseneth the priviledges of Believers under the New Testament, and maketh their Infants in a worse condition, then they were in under the Old Testament, cannot be the Doctrine of the Gospel_. For the Gospel tells you, [160]that Jesus Christ was made a Surety of a better Testament, and that the new Covenant is a better Covenant; established upon better promises. This Rule will preserve you from the poyson of Anabaptism. For if the children of the Jews were circumcised, and the children of Christians should not be baptized, either it must be granted, that circumcision was of no benefit to the Jewish children, which is contrary to _Rom._ 3.1, 2. or it must be granted, that the children of the Jews had greater priviledges then the children of Christians. 7. That Doctrine that cryeth up _Purity to the ruine of Unity, is contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel_. For the Gospel calleth for unity, as well as purity, 1 _Cor._ 1.10. _Phil._ 2.1, 2. _Eph._ 4.3, 4, 5, 6. And Christ prayed for the unity of his Church, as well as the Holiness, _Joh._ 17.21, 22. and it is prophesied of the times of the Gospel, That in those daies, God will give his people, _one heart, and one way, and to serve him with one consent_, _Jer._ 32.29. _Zeph._ 3.9. This Rule will teach you what to judg of the Congregational-way: For certainly that Government that carrieth in the front of it _A tolleration of different Religions_, and is not sufficient to keep the body of Christ in unity and purity, is not the Government of Christ. 8. Whatsoever Doctrine is contrary to the Rule of Faith, or to any duty required in the ten Commandements, or to any Petition of the Lords prayer, is not a Doctrine of Christ, and therefore to be rejected. We might add many more Rules, but we forbear, lest we should be over-tedious. Our prayer to God for you is, That you may be fix't, not falling Stars, in the Firmament of his Church; _Not children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine_; Not Reeds shaken with every wind, but firm Pillars in his house. Wherefore, Beloved Brethren, _Stand fast and immoveable, alwayes abounding in the Work of the Lord; Forasmuch as you know, that your labour is not in vain in the Lord_. But now, because he that would keep himself from the Errour of the times, must also keep himself from the sins of the times: (For it is sin that makes God give us up to errour, 2 _Thess._ 2.10, 11. and it is sin that makes a man like a _piece of wax_, ready to receive the impression of any errour. The women in _Timothie_ were first laden with divers lusts, before they were led away captive to divers errours; and whosoever puts away a good confidence, will quickly _concerning Faith make ship wrack_, as we are told, 1 _Tim._ 1.19.) Therefore we are necessitated to inlarge our Exhortation to you in one particular more; which though it be the last, yet it is not the least of those things which we have to say unto you, and that is, 6. To exhort you, or rather to require and charge you, _to keep your selves unspotted_, not only from the errors and heresies, (as before) but also _from the sins and iniquities of the times wherein you live_. We say, _unspotted_, and so doth the Apostle, _Jam._ 1.27. It is not enough for you to keep your selves from being _bemired and besmeared_, but you must labour to keep your _Garments_ so white, as not to have the least _spot of defilement_ from the persons or places where you live. The Apostle tells us, That [161]_in the last daies perillous times shall come_: _For men should be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, unthankfull, unholy, without naturall affection, truce-breakers, false Accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God; having a form of Godlinesse, but denying the power thereof._ Those words, _having a form of Godlinesse_, must be understood, =apo koinou=, and referred to all the other sins. And the meaning is, That men would be _self-lovers_, having a form of godlinesse, _truce-breakers_, having a form of godliness, _truce-breakers_, having a form of godlinesse, _Traytors and false accusers_, having a form of godlinesse, _&c_. They should cover all their ungodlinesse, under the specious form of Godliness: Such are the times in which we live, of which we may truly say, There were never fewer, and yet never more Saints; never more nominal, never fewer real Saints; Never more self-seekers, and yet never more that pretended to seek the interest of Christ. We are an _hypocritall Nation_, _the people of Gods wrath_; _We have broken the Covenant of our God, even that Covenant, which in the day of our distress and fear, we made with hands lifted up to heaven. We are apostatized from our Principles and practices; We contemn the pretious ordinances, despise and abuse the Godly Ministers; We break the Sabbaths, hate the very name of Reformation, and scorn to submit to the sweet yoke of Christ and his Government; We are proud, secure, lyars, swearers, and forswearers, Murderers, drunkards, Adulterers, and oppressors: We have not learned Righteousnesse, but unrighteousness, by all the Judgements of God; We are worse and worse by all our deliverances; We have spilt the blood of Christ in the Sacrament, by our unworthy receiving_, and therefore it hath been just with God to spill our blood. It would be too long to reckon up all the particular sins of Magistrates, Ministers, Husbands, wives, Fathers, Children, Masters, and Servants; neither is it the design of this Discourse. We may truly say with the Prophet, [162]_Ah sinful Nation, a people laden with iniquity; a seed of evill doers, children that are corrupters, that have forsaken the Lord, that have provoked the holy One of Israel unto anger; that are gone away backward: Why should we be smitten any longer? we will revolt more and more, the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint; from the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there if no soundness in us, but wounds and bruises, and putrified sores_, &c. Wherefore dearly beloved, we do most earnestly beseech you, in the bowels of Jesus Christ, that you would be deeply sensible of, and humbled for these evills that do so much abound in the midst of us, for which the Earth mourns, and the Heavens are black over us. _Oh let your souls weep in secret, and your eyes weep sore, and run down with tears, and sigh to the breaking of your loyns, yea to the breaking of your hearts with godly sorrow, which may work in you repentance, never to be repented of._ Mourn more for the sins that have brought these miseries upon us, then for the miseries our sins have brought; more, for burdening God with sin, then for being burdened with plagues; more for your hard hearts, then these hard times. And we further intreat everie one of you, to put _away the iniquity that is in his hand_; _to know every man the plague that is in his own heart_; _to search and try his waies, and to turn unto the Lord his God_; _to cease to do evill, and to learn to do well_: to be tender of the oathes which he hath taken, or which may be offered unto him to take; to keep close to his _Covenant_; to prize the Ordinances, Reverence Godly Ministers, sanctifie the Sabbaths, to hate hypocrisie and self seeking, to receive the love of the truth, lest God give him over to believe lyes. Not to trust to his own understanding, lest God blind his understanding. To practise the _truths_ he doth know, that God may reveal unto him the _truths_ he doth not know; not to heap to himself teachers, having _itching ears_, lest he _turn away his ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables_; not to have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, in respect of persons, imbracing the Doctrine for the persons sake, and not the person for the Doctrines sake. To seek after the truth, for the truths sake, with uprightness of heart, and not for outward respects, lest God answer thee according to the Idols thou hast in thy heart. To labour to be more and more grounded in the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ; to study catechisme more diligently, and so to be led on to perfection, that he may not alwayes be a babe, unskilfull in the word of Righteousness, but by reason of use, may have his senses exercised to discern both good and evil. In a word, we once more beseech you all that are admitted to our Sacraments, that your _conversation may be as becometh the Gospell of Christ_; and as you have given up your names unto Christ by profession, so give up your hearts to him, by universall, sincere, and constant obedience: _And let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity._ * * * * * Our third and last Exhortation is unto all those _that live within the bounds of the Province, and have not yet submitted to the Government, nor are admitted to the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in the_ Presbyterian way: These may be reduced into two ranks: 1. Such as separate from our Churches. 2. Such as continue still with us, but do not joyn in the Sacrament. The first of these admit of so many _divisions_, and _subdivisions_, and are so contrary not only to us, but one to another, as that we are hardly able to rank them into order; and yet for method sake, we will divide them into two sorts: 1. _Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government._ 2. _Such as separate from us, for matter of doctrine also._ 1. _Such as separate from us, only for matter of Government._ To these we have spoken already in our Vindication; We now think fit to add one thing more; And that is, To beseech and intreat you, as Brethren, to consider, what a sin it is, to separate from Churches, which you your selves acknowledg to be true Churches of Jesus Christ; and that, while they are endeavouring more and more after a reformation according to the Word; and to set up Churches of another constitution; Is not this to set up Church against Church? and as the Ancients were wont to express it, _Altar against Altar_? And whereas you should rather joyn with us, and put to your helping hand to reform the Nation, and to bring our Churches into the order of the Gospel; do you not rather weaken our hands, by dividing from us, and dividing of us; and thereby obstructing and hindering the glorious work of Reformation? For what with the Prelatical on the one hand, that will not come up to a Scripture-Reformation; and with you on the other, that will not joyn with us whilest we are endeavouring after a Scripture-Reformation, The building of Gods house ceaseth, in most parts of the Kingdome; and instead of a Reformation, we see nothing but deformation and desolation. If we be the _Church of Christ, and Christ holdeth communion with us, Why do you separate from us? If we be of the body of Christ, do not they that separate from the body, separate from the head also?_ We are loath to speak any thing, that may offend you; yet we intreat you to consider, That if the Apostle calls those divisions of the Church of _Corinth_, wherein Christians did not separate into divers formed Congregations of several communion in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, _Schismes_, 1 _Cor._ 1.10. May not your _secession_ from us, and _profession_ that you cannot joyn with Us as members, and setting up Congregations of another communion be more properly called _schisme_? The Greek word for _Schism_ signifies _rending_; and sure it is, that you rend your selves from Us, and not, _as from Churches the same rule_, but _as Churches differing in the rule_, with a dislike of Us, and a protestation, that You cannot joyn with Us as fixed members without sin; You hear Us preach, not as persons in Office, but as gifted men only; and some of you refuse to hear us preach at all: You renounce all _Church communion_ with us as members; and not only so, but you invite our people from Us, by telling them, _That they cannot continue with us without sin_: You gather Churches out of our Churches, and You set up Churches in an opposite way to our Churches; and all this you do voluntarily, (not separated, but separating, _non fugati, sed fugitivi_) and unwarrantably, not having any sufficient cause for it; and notwithstanding all this, yet you acknowledge Us to be the true Churches of Jesus Christ, and Churches with which Christ holds communion. May we not therefore most justly charge you as guilty in making a Schism in the Body of Christ? We are far from thinking, that every difference in Judgment, or every separation from a Church, maketh a Schism; for it is not the Separation, but the Cause, that makes the Schismatick. The Godly-learned say, [163]_That every unjust, and rash separation from a true Church_, (that is, when there is no just cause, or at least no sufficient cause of the separation) is a schism. And that there is [164]a negative and positive schism, the former is, when men do peaceably and quietly draw from communion with a Church, not making a head against that Church from which they are departed: the other is, when persons so withdrawing, do consociate & draw themselves into a distinct and opposite Bodie, seting up a Church against a Church (as you do;) which _Camero_ cals _A schism by way of eminencie_, & further tels us, that there are [165]four causes that make a separation from a Church, lawful. 1. When they that separate, are grievously and intollerably persecuted. 2. When the Church they separate from, is heretical. 3. When it is Idolatrical. 4. When it is the Seat of Antichrist. And where none of these four are to be found, there the separation is insufficient and schismatical. Now we are fully assured, that none of these four causes can be justly charged upon our Congregations. And therefore you must not be displeased with us, but with your selves, if we blame you as guilty of a positive Schism. There are two things will be objected against what is here said. [Sidenote: _Object._ 1.] That you are forced to separate from Us, because of those sinfull mixtures that are tolerated amongst Us; That our Congregations are miscellaneous companies of all gatherings, without any due separation of the wheat from the chaff: that all sorts are admitted even to Sacramental communion. And that therefore you ought to come out from amongst Us, that you be not made partakers of our sins. We answer, [Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] 1. That this charge, if understood of those Congregations, that are reformed according to the rules of the Presbyterial Government, is most untrue and unrighteous. It is sufficiently known what we suffer in our estates, and in our outward peace and quiet, because we will not allow of sinful mixtures in our Churches. The Lord that observes our particular carriages knows, that we study purity of members, as well as purity of Ordinances, and verity of doctrine. And though we dare not make separation from a true Church, by departing from it, as you do; yet we do make a separation in a true Church, by purging and reforming it, which you do not do. The rule of the Assembly for the Church-members, is very full: _That they must be visible Saints, such as being of age, do professe Faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the rules of Faith and life, taught by Christ and his Apostles._ Doth not the Scripture require more then this? why then will ye separate from us for sinfull mixtures, when we are purging out sinfull mixtures? when God is coming towards us, why will you run away from us? When God is building us up, why are you so active in pulling us down? Are we not coming out of the Wildernesse, and will you now forsake us? It is not many years since the ship of this Church was sinking into Popery, and then some of you separated from it into other parts of the world. And when of late years, there was hope through the mercy of God, of saving the ship, you returned back; and instead of helping to save her, you presently began to separate from her; and whilest we were pumping to preserve the ship, your practices have occasioned & made many leaks in it. This is a sad thing, and if rightly apprehended, must sit sadly upon the spirits of some. [Sidenote: _Answ._ 2.] Suppose there were some sinfull mixtures at our Sacraments, yet we conceive, this is not a sufficient ground of a negative, much lesse of a positive separation. [166]The learned Author forementioned tells us, that _corruption in manners crept into a Church, is not sufficient cause of separation from it_. This he proves from Matth. 23.2, 3. and he also gives this reason for it; Because _in what Church soever, there purity of Doctrine, there God hath his Church, though overwhelmed with scandalls. And therefore whosoever separates from such an Assembly, separates from that place where God hath his Church, which is rash and unwarrantable._ The Church of _Corinth_ had such a profane mixture at their Sacrament, as we believe few (if any) of our Congregations can be charged withal. And yet the Apostle doth not perswade thy godly party to separate, much less to gather a Church out of a Church. There were many godly and learned Non-conformists of this last age, that were perswaded in their consciences, that they could not hold communion with the Church of _England_, in receiving the Sacrament kneeling, without sin, yet did they not separate from her. Indeed, in that particular act they withdrew, but yet so, as that they held communion with her in the rest, being far from a negative, much more from a positive separation. Nay some of them, even then when our Churches were full of sinfull mixtures, with great zeal and learning, defended them so far, as to [167]write against those that did separate from them. He that will never communicate with any Church, till every thing that offendeth be removed out of it, must tarry till the great day of judgment, when (and not till then) [168]_Christ will send forth his Angels, to gather out of his Kingdome every thing that offendeth, and them that do iniquity._ _Musculus_ tells us of a [169]_Schwenkfeldian_ at _Augusta_, whom he asked, when he had _received the Sacrament_; he answered, _not these twelve years_: He asked him the reason; he answered, _Because he could not finde a Church which was inwardly and outwardly adorned fit for a spouse of Christ, and that he would defer receiving the Sacrament, till he could finde such a one_. This man never did receive: No more will any of his opinion. We speak not of these things, to justifie the negligence and wickedness of Church-Officers, in suffering these prophane mixtures; we have already proved it to be their duty, to keep all visibly-wicked persons from the Sacrament, and have given divers arguments to perswade them thereunto. We have likewise shewed it to be the duty of private members, to do what in them lyes, for the removing of scandalls out of the Church. If a brother offend them, they are not to separate from him, (for this is not the way of Christ, to _gain_, but to _destroy_ his soul,) but they are to tell him of it privately, and in an orderly way to bring it to the Church. And when they have done their duty, they have freed their own souls, and may safely and comfortably communicate in that Church, without sin. [Sidenote: _Object._ 2.] Though we do separate from you, yet we cannot stand charged with _Schisme_, because the nature of Schisme consisteth in an open breach of Christian love; and is such a separation, which is joyned with a condemnation of those Churches from which they separate, as false Churches, which we are far from. [Sidenote: _Answ._] We grant, that to make up the formality of a _Schismatick_, there must be added uncharitableness; as to make up the formality of an _Heretique_, there must be added _obstinacy_. But yet as he that denyeth a fundamental Article of Faith, is guilty of heresie, though he add not _obstinacy_ thereunto to make him an heretique; so he that doth _unwarrantably_ separate from a true Church, is truly guilty of _Schisme_, though he add not _uncharitableness_ thereunto, to denominate him a compleat Schismatique. A Reverend Brother of your own, calleth [170]_Brownisme_, _a bitter root of rigid separation_. And we beseech you, with the spirit of meekness, to consider what bitter fruits have sprung from your more moderate separation: what great and wofull breaches have been made upon the blessed grace of charity: what harsh and rigid censures some of you have passed upon our persons and government; calling us _Lordly, and Prelaticall_; and it, _Tyrannical and prejudicial to civill States_, on purpose, to make us, and it odious, and thereby to render your persons and way the more amiable to the people. And that which is more then this, Are there not some of you, that choose rather to joyn with Anabaptists, and Episcopal men, then with us? And that will give letters dimissory to your members, to depart from you to the Churches of the Anabaptists? and at the same time, deny them to such as desire them, for to joyn with Churches of our communion? Is not this to separate with an open breach of Christian Charity? We charge not these things upon all of you, but only upon some, whose names we forbear to mention. And for our parts, we do here profess, That it is and shall be our great care, to study _purity and charity_, as well as _verity and unity_; and _purity of members_ according to the Word, as well as of _Ordinances_. We abhor an over rigid urging of uniformity in circumstantiall things. And are far from the cruelty of that Gyant, _who laid upon a bed all he took; and those who were too long, he cut them even with his bed; and such as were too short, he stretched out to the length of it_. God hath not made all men of a length, nor height. Mens parts, gifts, graces differ; and if there should be no forbearance in matters of inferior alloy, all the world would be perpetually quarrelling. If you would fully know our judgments herein, we will present them in these two Propositions: 1. That it is the duty of all Christians, to study to enjoy the Ordinances of Christ in unity, and uniformity, as far as it is possible; for the Scripture calls [171]to unity and uniformity, as well as to purity and verity: and surely, it is not impossible to obtain this so much desired unity and uniformity, because that God hath promised, that his children shall serve him with [172]_one heart, and with one way, and with one shoulder_. And that in the days of the Gospel, _There shall be one Lord, and his name one._ And Christ hath prayed, [173]_That we may be all one, as the Father is in him, and he in the Father._ And he adds a most prevalent reasons, _that the world may believe that thou hast sent me_. Nothing hinders the propagation of the Gospel, so much as the divisions and separations of Gospel-Professors. If then it be Gods promise, and Christs prayer, it is certainly a thing possible to be obtained, and a duty incumbent upon all true Christians, to labour after. 2. That is their duty to hold communion together, as one Church, in what they agree; and in this way of union mutually to tolerate and bear with one another in lesser differences. And here that golden Rule of the Apostle takes place, [174]_Let us therefore as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you: Neverthelesse whereto we have already attained, Let us walk by the same Rule, let us mind the same thing._ This was the practice of the primitive Christians. All such who professed Christianity, held Communion together, as one Church, notwithstanding the difference of Judgements in lesser things, and much corruption in conversation. We beseech you therefore Brethren, that you would endeavour to keep the _Unity of the spirit in the bond of peace; for there is one Body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling; one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptisme; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all._ For our parts, we do here manifest our willingness, (as we have already said) to accommodate with you according to the Word, in a way of union; And (such of us as are Ministers,) to preach up, and to practise a mutual forbearance and toleration in all things, _that may consist with the fundamentalls of Religion, with the power of Godlinesse, and with that peace which Christ hath established in his Church_, but to make ruptures in the body of Christ, and to divide Church from Church, and to set up Church against Church, and to gather Churches out of true Churches: And because we differ in some things, therefore to hold Church-communion in Nothing; this we think hath no warrant out of the Word of God, and will introduce all manner of confusion in Churches and Families; and not only disturb, but in a little time destroy the power of Godlinesse, purity of Religion, peace of Christians, and set open a wide gap to bring in Atheisme, Popery, Heresie, and all manner of wickednesse: We will therefore conclude with that description that Doctor _Ames_ gives of the sinfulnesse and mischievousnesse of Schisme, lib. 5. cap. 12.[175] Schisme, properly so called, is a most grievous sin; 1. Because it is _against charity towards our Neighbour_, &c. 2. Because it is _against the Edification of him who makes the separation, in that he deprives himself Communion in spirituall good_. 3. _Because it is against the honour of Christ, in that, at much as in it lyeth, it takes away the Unity of his mysticall body._ 4. _It makes way unto Heresie, and separation from Christ._ And therefore it is a sin by all good men to be abhorred. [Sidenote: Second sort of Separatists.] 2. The second sort are such, as _separate from our Churches, as false Churches_; And from our _Ministry, as Antichristian_: and differ from us not only in Discipline, but in Doctrine also. We purpose not to undertake a particular confutation of your Errours. Four things only we have to say: 1. To beseech you to consider, whether you did not receive the _work of Conversion from sin unto God, which ye presume to be wrought in you first of all, in these publique assemblies, from which you now separate?_ And if once you found Christ walking amongst us, How is it that you do now leave us? Do you not therein leave Christ also? Are we lesse, and not rather more reformed then we were? If the presence of Christ, both of his power and grace, be with us, why will you deny us your presence? Are ye holier and wiser then Christ? Is not this an evident token that we are true Churches, and have a true Ministry, because we have the seal of our Ministry, even the conversion of many sons and daughters unto God? Doth not the Apostle from this very ground, [176]argue the truth of his Apostleship? Is it not apparent, that our Ministers are sent by God, Because their Embassage is made successfull by God, for the good of souls? Did you ever read of true conversion ordinarily in a false Church? Will the Lord concur with those Ministers whom he sends not? Doth not the Prophet seem to say the quite contrary, _Ier._ 23.33. And therefore either renounce your conversion, or be converted from that great sin of separating from us. 2. To consider, whether there was not a time, _when ye could have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to those Ministers, whose eyes you would now pluck out, and whom now you hate, and think you do God good service, in reviling and persecuting them._ How is it, that you are thus altered and changed? _Are they become your enemies, because they tell you the truth?_ You will Reply, It is because they are _Ministers Ordained by Antichristian Bishops_; and therefore before they have renounced their false Ministry, we cannot with a safe conscience hear them, nor expect a blessing from their Ministry. This Reply is, we confess, a great stumbling block to many godly people, in this Kingdome; for satisfaction to it, we offer these particulars: 1. Many of you that make this Reply, hold, _That the Election of the people is by Gods Word sufficient to make a man a true Minister without Ordination._ Now it is certain, that many publique Ministers have been chosen by the free and full consent of their Congregations; and most of them have had an after consent, which was sufficient to make _Leah_ _Jacobs_ wife[177], and why not (to use your own words) to marry a man to a people; and therefore according to your own judgments, all such are lawfull Ministers. For sinfull superadditions do not nullifie divine Institutions. 2. Some of you, that besides Election, require Ordination for the making of a Minister, yet say, that this Ordination must be by the people of the Congregation; and thus are your Ministers ordained. Now we finde neither precept nor president for this in all the Scripture; we finde [178]_Ordination by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery_, but never of the laying on of the hands of the people. We finde [179]the Apostles, _Timothy_ and _Titus_, _Ordaining_, but never the people _Ordaining_; and for private persons to assume the power of Ordination (that is, a power to send men to preach the Gospel, and administer the Sacraments) is a sin like unto the sin of _Uzzah_, and of _Corah_, and his company. Therefore we say to you, as Christ doth, _Matth._ 6. _First pluck the beam out of thine own eye, and then_, &c. First justifie the Ordination of your own Ministers by private persons, and then you will see better, to find fault with the Ordination of our Ministers. 3. We distinguish between a defective Ministry, and a false Ministry, as we do between a man that is lame or blind, and a man that is but the picture of a man. We do not deny, but that the way of Ministers entring into the Ministry by the Bishops, had many defects in it, for which they ought to be humbled: But we add, that notwithstanding all the accidental corruptions, yet it is not substantially and essentially corrupted: As it is with Baptism in the Popish Church; all Orthodox Divines account it valid, though mingled with much dross, because the party baptized, is _baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost_. And therefore, when a Papist turns Protestant, he is not baptized again, because the substance of Baptisme is preserved in Popery under many defects. The like, and much more, may be said for the _Ordination of our Ministers by Bishops_: It is lawful and valid for the substance of it, though mingled with many circumstantial defects. And this appears, 1. Because when they were ordained, _they were designed to no other Office, but to preach the Word, and administer the Sacraments; according to the Will of Christ._ 2. Because since their Ordination, _God hath sealed the truth of their Ministry_ (as hath been said) _by his blessing upon it_. If they be _Antichristian Ministers_, how is your _conversion Christian_? 3. Because they were ordained by Bishops, not as Lord Bishops, or as _a superiour Order by divine Right above a Presbyter_; but as they were _Presbyters_. For the understanding of which, you must know, 1. That by Scripture, a Bishop and Presbyter is all one, as appears by _Act._ 10.27, 28. _Tit._ 1.5, 6, 7, 8. _Phil._ 1.1. 1 _Tim._ 3.1, 2, &c. 1 _Pet._ 5.1, 2. and by what is said by the Authors quoted in the [180]Margent. 2. _That the Lordly Dignities of Bishops were meer civill additaments annexed to their Bishopricks by Kingly favour._ 3. That this Opinion, that _Bishops are a [181]superiour Order of Ministry, by Divine Right above a Presbyter, is a late upstart Opinion, contrary to antiquity_, as appears by the Authors quoted in the Margent. 4. That the Laws of this Realm do account nothing _divine_ in a Bishop, but his being a Presbyter; and therefore the Parliament in their _Ordinance for Ordination_, tels us, _That they did ordain as Presbyters, not as Bishops, much lesse as Lord Bishops_. As for their usurpation of the sole power of Jurisdiction, together with their Lordly Titles & Dignities, and Dependances, we have renounced them in our _Solemn League and Covenant_: But we never did, nor never shall renounce them as _Presbyters_, which by the consent of all sides, are by _Divine Right_. We shall add one thing more, 4. That Ministers do not receive their Ministry from the People, or Bishops, but immediatly from Jesus Christ: For they are Ministers and Embassadors of Christ, not of the People: Indeed they are Embassadors for the good of the People, but not Embassadors of the People: All that the people or Bishop doth, is but to _choose_ and _ordain_ a man; but it is Christ that gives him his _power and authority_; As when a wife _chooseth a husband_, and a Town a Mayor; the Town doth not give the Mayor, nor the wife the husband, the power they have; but the _Laws of God_, the one and of _Man_, the other: So it is here, It is Christ that gives the Office, and the Call to the Ministry; They are his _Servants_, and in his _Name_ execute their function. It is he that fits them with ability for their work; the people they consent, and the _Bishop as a Presbyter, with other Presbyters, ordain him_; which though it had many Corruptions mingled with it, when the _Bishop_ was in all his pomp and Lordliness, yet for the substance of it, it was lawful & warrantable, and _therefore cannot without sin be renounced and abjured_. 3. In the third place we exhort you to consider, _whether since you have forsaken our Congregations, you have not fallen into such strange opinions, and those of so high a nature, as that if any man should have told you seven years ago, that you would have one time or another fall into them, you would have said to him, as_ Hazael _did to the Prophet; Am I a dog, that I should do this?_ Who would ever have thought, that you that did once sigh, mourn, and bitterly complain, _That a Chappell was permitted to the Queen to hear Masse in, should now plead for a toleration of Popery, and all manner of Errours and Heresies? That you that did once flock to our Churches as Doves to the windows, should now not only forsake ours, but all Churches of whatever constitution; That you that did once so much prize Christ, and his holy Scriptures, should now (some of you at least) deny the Divinity of Christ, and his holy Scriptures?_ But this is no great wonder, for the Apostle hath foretold it, [182]_That evill men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived_; and that _they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a Canker_, &c. _Errour_ is of an incroaching nature; as the _little Theef_ openeth the _door_ oftentimes to the _great Theef_ so a little _errour_ paves a cause-way to a greater: The _Popish superstition_ at first grew secretly, the _tares_ were hidden under the _corn_; but in a little while the _tares_ grew up, so as no _corn_ could be seen: Images, at first were brought into the Church _only for an historicall use_; afterwards, to stir up _devotion_, at last, they came to be _worshipped_: Let the Serpent but winde in his head, & he will quickly bring in his whole body: Your _first errour_ was in _separating from our Churches_, from which _Christ doth not separate_. Here the _Serpent got in his head_, & no wonder his whole body _followed_; he that saith _yea_ to the Devil in a little, shall not say _nay_ when he please: He that tumbleth down the _Hill of Error_, will never leave tumbling, till he comes to the _bottome_. First you deny our Ministers to be true Ministers, and our Ordinances to be true Ordinances; and then God, as a just Judge, gives you over, in a little time, to deny all _Ministers and Ordinances_, and then to be _above all Ministers and Ordinances_; and at last, to be above Christ himself, and not to stand in need of his _mediation to God the Father_. First you deny _Baptisme of Infants_, and then after, _Baptisme of water_: In a word, First you _run away from us_, and then for the most part turn _Independents_, then _Antinomians_, then _Anabaptists_ then _Arminians_, then some of you _Socinians_, _Antiscripturists_, _Anti-Trinitarians_, still waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived, & in the conclusion, meer _Atheists_. Suffer us therefore to speak to you in the words of Christ, to the Church of _Ephesus_. Rev. 2.5. _Remember from whence you are faln, and repent, and do your first works_, &c. Repent of all your Soul-destroying _Errours_, and return to the Churches from which ye have most unjustly separated, for fear, lest _God as a just Judge_, because you would not receive the love of the truth that you might be saved, should still give you over to strong delusions, that ye should believe a lye, _That all they might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse_: And this makes way to the fourth thing we have to say to you; and that is, 4. To beseech you to consider, _Whether since you forsook our Congregations, you are not much decayed in the power of Godliness_, whether you have not lost your first love to Godly Ministers, Gospel-Ordinances, Fastings, reading the Word, private & Family prayers, and Communion of Saints; whether you are not grown more censorious, self-conceited, headie, high-minded, treacherous, fierce, despisers of those that are good, and lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God; whether Duties to God and Man have not been more neglected, Sabbaths more prophaned, Families worse governed; the publique welfare of Church and State have not been less minded, whether prophaneness, or prophane Ones, have not been more indulged; and whether you be not sensibly and dangerously apostatized from that close and humble walking with God, which formerly some of you did so much labour after: For the truth is, _Corruption in the Judgment, will quickly bring corruption in the conversation_. Our actions are guided by our apprehensions; and if our apprehensions be _erroneous_, our _actions_ will quickly be tainted with wickednesse; And therefore it is very observeable, [183]_That in the old Law, when the Leprosie was in the head, the Priest was not only to pronounce the man unclean, but utterly unclean_: For Leprosie in the head, will quickly beget a Leprosie in the whole man: As the Sun is to the World; so is the Understanding to Man: If the Sun be dark, all the world is in darknesse; and if the light that is in thee (saith Christ) be darkness, _How great is that darkness?_ We wonder not at the _looseness_ of your practices, when we consider the _looseness_ of your principles: _For Doctrines contrary to Godliness, must needs bring forth a conversation contrary to the Gospell._ And this is an evident token to us, that the _New-Lights_ (as they are called) which you hold forth to the world, proceed not from the _Father of Lights_, but the _Prince of Darkness_, because they lead men into the _Works of Darkness_. Therefore seeing that since your departure from us, you have wofully back-slidden from God, and are visibly decaid in Holiness and Righteousness, Our Exhortation to you is, that you would return to your first Principles; for then it was better with you, then now; And our prayer to God for you is, _That he would give you repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that you may recover your selves out of the snare of the Devill, who are taken captive by his will._ Having finished that we had to say to those that separate from our Church, we now go on to speak a few words to those that _continue with us still, and that wait upon the publique Ministry, but do not yet joyn with us, in partaking of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper_. These we shall divide into three ranks. 1. Such as are _young people_, not yet sufficiently instructed in the grounds of Religion. 2. Such as are _grown in years_, and come to our Churches, but yet are scandalous in life and conversation. 3. Such as live, for ought we know, unblameably, but yet refuse to come to the Sacrament in the Presbyterian way. 1. Such as are _young people_, and not yet sufficiently instructed in the grounds of Religion; Our Exhortation to you is, _That you would remember your Creator in the days of your Youth_; the word in the Hebrew[184] is, in the choyce of thy dayes: The time of Youth is the Golden Age; and grace in Youth, is like a Jewel in a gold-ring. The time of Youth, it is the _Seasoning Age_: A Vessell will of a long time retain the savour of that liquor that it is first seasoned withall; _Teach a child_ (saith Solomon) _the trade of his way, and he will not depart from it when he is old_. The time of Youth is the chiefe time you have to _work for heaven_. Old age is a time to _spend grace_; but Youth is the time to get it: Old Age is the time to _reap_ the fruit of holiness, but Youth is the time to _sow_ the seed of it: And it is a time, that of all times God doth most require, and most delight in. It is observed by one, that Christ [185]_loved his youngest Disciple best_: And by Another, that Christ was _wonderfully delighted_ with that _Hosanna_ that the children sang unto him, Mat. 21.16. [186]_The childrens Hosanna pleased him no less then the mens Hallelujahs; Suffer little children to come unto me_, saith Christ, _for to them belongeth the Kingdome of God._ In the Old Testament God hath manifested a great deal of love to young people; He chose _Abel_, the younger, _Shem_, the younger, _Abraham_, the younger, _Jacob_, the younger; young _Samuel_, and young _David_, and young _Josiah_: And therefore let young men, especially, be exhorted to begin betimes, to bear the yoak of the Lord; _Seek ye first the Kingdome of God, and his Righteousness_; first, _before_ any thing else; and first, _more_ then any other thing. Say not, (O say not!) I am a young man, and therefore may plead for liberty to do what I list, till I come of riper years: But remember, _That Jesus Christ shed his blood for thee when he was 8. dayes old_; and took thee into his Family by _Baptisme_, _when thou didst hang upon thy mothers Breast_; Thou art (it may be) a young man, but a Baptized young-man; A Young-man consecrated and dedicated to God; And it is not only sin, but sacriledg and perjury, to _impropriate that that is dedicated to God, to the service of the Devill_. Remember the wrath manifested from Heaven _against the 42. children_ that mocked _Elisha_; And remember further, That young people must dye, as well as old: _There are Skulls in Golgotha, of all sizes_; and young people have _immortall souls_, and must appear at the great day of Judgment, as well as _old_; Young people are by nature _children of wrath, heires of hell_; and therefore this is thy first work (_O young man_) to get out of the Root of Abomination, into the Root of Acceptation; out of the old _Adam_ into the new _Adam_; & before this be done, (though thou shouldst spend thy time in gathering up Pearls and Jewels,) thou art an undone creature. For the better effecting of this, we exhort you, to attend diligently to the publike Preaching of the Word, and willingly and cheerfully to submit to be catechized and instructed by your _Parents, Masters, and Ministers_. The Scripture divideth a Congregation, into him that _catechizeth_, and those that are _catechized_, saying, [187]_Let them that are taught_, or (as it is in the Greek) _Catechized, communicate to him that teacheth_ (or _catechizeth_) _them in all good things_. In the Primitive times, when any Heathen man was converted to Christianity, he was first a _catechumenus_, before he was admitted either to _Baptisme_, or the _Lords Supper_. And _Egesippus_ testifies, [188]_that by the diligent instruction of the Church, there was no known Common-Wealth in any part of the World, inhabited, but within fourty years after Christs passion, received a great shaking of Heathenish Religion._ There are in Christian Religion, _fundamentalls_ and _superstructions_. The _fundamentalls_ are the vitals of Christianity: These are comprized in many of our _English_ Catechismes. Amongst all others, we do more especially commend the _greater and lesser Catechismes made by the Reverend Assembly of Divines_, _and published to be used in all Churches in_ England _and_ Wales, _by Authority of Parliament_. These we exhort you, not only to read, but to learn. And to invite you thereunto, we further declare; That the study of the Catechisme, is a singular help for the _right understanding_ of the Scriptures: (For the Catechisme is nothing else, but a Methodical Extract out of the Bible, of the fundamentals of Christian Religion;) And it is also very useful to make you understand what your _Ministers preach to you_; And to keep you from the _Errours_ and _Heresies of these times_ to prepare you to give a distinct and perfect account of your Faith to the Minister and Elders. For one great Reason why men do so pervert the Scriptures to their own destruction, and run wilde into so many errors and heresies, and are so unable to give a particular and distinct account to the Minister and Elders, is for want of the study of the Catechisme. As a ship _without ballast_ is tossed about with every wave and wind; so is a _man without the study of the Catechisme_, carried about with every wind of vain doctrine. As a _house_ without a foundation will quickly fall, so will a Christian that is not well verst in the fundamentals of Religion. As Children grow _crooked_, that are not well looked to at first; so many run into _crooked opinions_, because not well catechized. And therefore we earnestly beseech and intreat all Parents, and Masters of Families, that they would make conscience of this great duty of catechizing their children and servants. And oh that the Lord would make our words to take impression upon your hearts. In the Old Testament God commands Parents to _teach diligently their children_. The word in the Hebrew[189] is, to _whet the Law_ upon their children. The fourth Commandement is directed not to children, and servants, but to Parents and Masters; And they are there commanded, not only _in their own persons_, to keep the Sabbath; but to see that their _children and servants do it also_. It is not, _Thou, or thy son, or thy daughter; But thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter_. It doth not say, (as _Zanchy_ well observes[190],) _Remember thou to keep holy the Sabbath day, and to perswade thy children and servants to keep it holy_: But _remember thou to keep it holy, and thy son, and thy servant_, implying thereby, _that it is the Duty of the Master and Father, to compell his servant and children to the keeping of the Sabbath day_. For doing of this, God exceedingly extols _Abraham_, Gen. 18.19. _I know that he will command his children, and his household after him, that they keep the wayes of the Lord_: upon which words, a learned Divine wrote thus; [191]_Abraham did not leave his children and servants to their own genius, their own counsels, their own lusts, though it is certain, divers of them would have thanked him for such a liberty; for they had been nursed up in superstition and idolatry, as_ Abraham _was, and might have pretended, that they were not satisfied in point of conscience. But_ Abraham _knew how to distinguish between liberty of conscience, and liberty of lust, and therefore would not allow them such a liberty as would have enticed them into the worst kinde of bondage._ The New Testament also calls upon Parents, not only to bring up their children, but to [192]_nurture them up in instruction and admonition of the Lord_. Old _Eli_ was _grievously punished_ for neglect of this duty: And let his severe chastisement be as a _warning-piece_ to all Fathers and Masters; And let them know, _That if their children and servants perish for want of instruction, through their negligence, their blood will be required at their hands._ And if Parents and Masters, much more ought Ministers to be very conscientious in the diligent discharge of this duty. Our Saviour Christ layeth an express command upon them, not only _to feed the sheep_, _but also the lambs of Christ_. It is no disparagement to a _Peter_, to be a _feeder of Christs lambs_. Oh that Ministers would unanimously and universally set to this duty! We commend it to them, as a most _Soveraign Antidote_, to preserve their Congregations from the errours of these times. It is reported of _Julian_, that amongst other subtile plots he used for the rooting out of Christian Religion; One was the _suppression of all Christian Schools_, and places of catechizing. [193]And as one saith, _If he had not been as a Cloud that soon passeth away, it had been to be feared, lest within a short time he had overshadowed all Religion._ For when Catechizing was taken from the Church, it was presently all overspread with ignorance. And it is further added by the same Author, That the Papists themselves acknowledg, that all the advantage the Protestants got of them in the beginning of Reformation, was by their catechizing; because they began sooner to catechize, then they did. And it is to be feared, saith he, if ever the Papists get once again advantage of Us, it will be by their exacter catechizing, then ours. And therefore, if ever you would prevent the further _corruption_ of mens Judgments, and secure them from the infection of _errour_, and preserve Religion from ruine. We exhort you in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, to practise this duty; and intreat our people with all readiness and constancie, to submit unto this Ordinance of God, which with so much publique prejudice, hath been so long neglected. And to perswade people thereunto, let them consider further, 1. If Ministers are bound to catechize; then people are bound to be catechized. 2. That they are baptized, and thereby consecrated unto Christ, and obliged by promise, to give up themselves unto instruction. 3. That ignorance, though it be not the greatest, yet it is a most dangerous sin: All sin is wrapt up in ignorance, as a child in swadling clouts. The Scripture saith, [194]_That Christ will come in flaming fire to render vengeance upon all those that know him not_, &c. It makes the _ignorance of God_ to be the cause of all sin, 1 _Sam._ 2.12. 1 _Joh._ 2.4. _Eph._ 4.19. And _David_ prayeth unto God, [195]_To pour out his wrath upon the heathen that know him not_; how much more upon the Christians that know him not? As toads and Serpents grow in dark and dirty sellars: so all sin and wickednesse in an ignorant and blind soul. Now there is no ordinary way for young people to gain the knowledge of God, but by _Catechizing_. 4. That the time of youth is the _golden Age_, the _seasoning age_, and a time in which men are apt to receive abiding impressions of evil, or good. And if they can learn to say to _Elisha_, _Bald-pate_, why should they be unwilling to learn to sing to Christ, _Hosanna_? 5. That it is not so great a shame for young people to be ignorant, as to be wilful and obstinate in ignorance. And if they refuse to be _Catechised_, they shall perish in their ignorance; but the _Minister_ is free from the blood of their souls. The second sort are such _as live within the bounds of our Province, and come to our Congregations, and yet are wicked and prophane, and such, as if they should come to be examined by the Minister and Elders, would not be received to the Sacrament_. These are Christians in _name_, but they are a shame to the _name_, and bear it (as _Urijah_ did a letter to _Joab_) _for their ruine and destruction_. We beseech and intreat them to consider, what a sinful and cursed condition it is to live ungodlily and unrighteously under the abundance of Gospel-Ordinances. First, what a _sinful condition_ it is; For, 1. It is as much as in them lyes, a frustrating of the great love of Christ in dying for them: For, therefore Christ dyed, _that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which dyed for them, and rose again_, 2 Cor. 5.13. 2. It is a frustrating of the gracious design of God, in sending the Gospel to them; for one chief errand of the Gospel, is to _teach us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world_, Tit. 2.12. 3. It is not only to sin against the _light of nature_, but against the _light of the Gospel_. 4. Not only against the _creating and preserving mercies of God_, but against the _heart-blood mercy_ of Jesus Christ. 5. It is a sin of _horrible ingratitude and unthankfulness_; a sin that makes God himself to stand, as it were, amazed, that any man should be so wicked, as to be guilty of it, _Isai._ 1.2. _Jer._ 2.11, 12. 6. It is a sin that will make us speechlesse, and unexcusable at the great day, _Joh._ 15.22. 7. It is a sin that renders a Christian worse then the very bruit creatures, _Isa._ 1.3. And in this one sense, worse then the Devills themselves, because the Devills never refused so great salvation. 2. Consider what a cursed condition this is: For, 1. It is a _spirituall plague_, which is so much greater then a corporal, by how much the Soul is better then the Body. 2. It is a sign not only of Gods Fatherly, but revengeful displeasure, _a brand of reprobation, and the high-way to damnation_. 3. It renders a man utterly uncapable (as such) of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ; for Christ ordained the Sacrament for his friends, not for his enemies; to increase, not beget grace; for those that are visible Saints, not for those that are visibly wicked. 4. It brings _Personall, Congregationall_, and _Nationall Judgments_, Luk. 13.5. Isa. 5. 5. It makes a Christians condition at the day of Judgment more intolerable, then the condition of _Sodom and Gomorrah_. It makes the Gospel it self to be the chiefest inditement against him; and the hottest place in Hell to be his portion for ever, and ever. Oh that the Lord would give hearts to these men to meditate on these things! and to repent of all their swearing, cursing, lying, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, Sabbath-breaking, and such like abominations! And let them not be offended with us, (as most of them are) for not admitting them to the Sacrament; but rather offended with their sins, that make them uncapable, as such, of the Sacrament. Let not them cry out against us, but against themselves; and study to be revenged, not of their Ministers and Elders, but of their sins, and themselves. The Lord knows, that it is meer love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and tender pity and compassion to their and our own souls, that forceth us to deny them this Ordinance; lest we should be instrumental to their eating and drinking their own damnation, and accessary to their unworthy receiving, and to the prophanation of the Sacrament; _Let not our pity, love, and care to them, breed hatred against us, in them._ And why should they desire to partake in these holy mysteries, whose hearts and lives are so full of unholinesse? why should they that want spirituall life, desire to eat of spirituall food? What should men spiritually dead, do at a spiritual feast? why should they desire to eat that bread, which will certainly, as long as they continue in this condition, be the bread of death, not of life; and to drink that cup, which will certainly be a cup, not of salvation, but of damnation! Let our counsel be acceptable to you; _First wash you, make ye clean, put away the evill of your doings from before Gods eyes, cease to do evill, learn to do well_; and then come and see whether we will not receive you heartily and joyfully to the Sacrament. _First wash your hands in innocency, and then you will be fit to compasse the Lords Altar._ First get _spirituall life, and then come and eat spirituall food_. First get to be a friend and Disciple of Christ; and then not only We, but Christ himself, will bid you welcome, and make you partakers of all the benefits and comforts of the blessed Sacrament. The third and last sort, _are such as come to our Congregation, and live_ (for ought we know) _unblameably_; and yet refuse to joyn with Us in the Sacrament upon this account, because they will not come to be examined by the Minister and Elders. This (as we find by woful experience) is the great mountain that lyeth in the way, and hindereth the free passage of the Presbyterial-Government; and therefore we have taken some pains in our Vindication for the removing of it; we have shewed, 1. That the Ruling-Elder (which is the Officer so much opposed) hath a Divine Warrant. 2. It is the Will of Jesus Christ, that they that come to the Sacrament, should first submit themselves to Examination; and not only so, but to _Examination by Minister and Elders_. 3. What this Examination is, which is required, and how often it is required. 4. The reason why ancient men and women, that have formerly under the Prelatical Government been admitted to the Sacrament, are required to submit unto Examination, before they can be again admitted; It remains, That we give Answers to the Objections that are brought against this way of Examination; but before we do this, we will first offer certain Reasons and Motives (besides those already named) to perswade every one of our respective Congregations, as well old, as young, rich as poor, freely and cheerfully to submit unto it. [Sidenote: Motive 1.] The first _Motive_, is _from the evident necessity of it, especially now, while we are reforming the promiscuous admission of all sorts of people to the Lords Table, formerly so scandalous_. And this appears; because, 1. Without this, how can _ignorant persons_ (_unfit to communicate_) be detected? what other ordinary and regular course can be imagined, to discover who are insufficient in regard of their want of knowledge? And it is most certain, that there are many ignorant persons, old, as well as young, rich, as well as poor, in the most knowing Congregations; and many times, those whom we suppose _to be very skilful in the word of Righteousnesse_, upon _Examination_ are found to be _babes in knowledge_. 2. Without this course, multitudes of ignorant persons, both old and young, will intrude themselves, who by reason of their ignorance, being not able to discern the Lords body, must needs _eat and drink Judgment to themselves, and become guilty of the body and blood of Christ_, 1 Cor. 11.27, 29. 3. Without this, how shall Ministers and Elders ever come truly to know the _spiritual state_ of their Congregation, that they may watch over them in the Lord? 4. Unless every one of the Congregation give an account of their Faith to the Eldership, as well as any one, the people will be extreamly apt to object unto the _Minister and Elders_, partial-dealing in this particular, which is contrary to that heavy charge of the Apostle, [196]_I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality._ And it will breed _discontents_ and _animosities_ in the people against the Eldership, and great _divisions_ and _dissentions_ among themselves. 5. This course should be submitted to by the most intelligent and knowing Christians in a Congregation, that by their _good example_, and _professed subjection_ to the Government of Christ, those that have not so great a measure of knowledge, and so have more need to come, may more readily and effectually be perswaded to do the same. 6. Finally, how can the _Ministers and Elders_, intrusted by God with the _Oversight of their flock_, keep themselves pure from the sin of those Persons, who through ignorance cannot chuse but prophane the Lords Supper; unless by this means, they use their best endeavors to finde out where ignorance is, and to remove it: And it is their duty to _keep themselves pure_, _and not to be partakers of other mens sins_. [Sidenote: Motive 2.] The second motive, is from the _great profit and benefit that will redound to our respective Congregations, from this practice, prudently and faithfully undertaken, and universally submitted unto_. For, 1. Hereby the whole Congregation, in all the members of it, shall receive much advantage and edification, whilest those that are _knowing_, shall be encouraged, and those that are _weaker_ in understanding, further strengthened in knowledg; and those that are _ignorant_, put into a way of gaining knowledge, and so be prepared to partake of the Ordinance of the Lords Supper, more conscionably; and more comfortably discern the Lords body, which is done by _knowledge_; as well as by _Faith_, 1 _Cor._ 11.29. 2. Hereby the great offence of promiscuous, or mixt communion, will be prevented, which hath been heretofore, and is to this day, a great grief to the godly, both Ministers and people: and which hath been, and is daily objected against us, by them that separate from our Churches, as the ground why they are necessitated to depart from us; and are still discouraged from returning to us. 3. Hereby a _good foundation_ will be laid, of carrying on that _reall reformation_ which we have _covenanted for_, both in Congregations, families, and particular persons; _growth in knowledge_ being a great means to further _our growth in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ_, 2 Pet. 3.18. 4. Hereby those uncomfortable and disorderly fractions and divisions among the members of our severall Congregations, (some refusing to submit to all orders, while others christianly submit themselves,) wil in good measure be _cured_, and our Congregations to the _glory of God_, and the comfort of _Minister_, _and Elders_, be reduced to a sweet Harmonious _unity and uniformity_, not only in judgment, but in practice, both thinking and doing the same thing; which were a _Gospel-blessing_ much to be desired, as a fruit of that Ancient Promise, _Jer._ 32.39. [Sidenote: Motive 3.] The third Motive is from the _Mischiefs that will inevitably ensue upon the neglect of this practice_. For hereby, 1. _Ignorant persons_ shall go on in their ignorance undiscovered, unreformed. 2. The _Lords Supper_ in many Congregations will be wholly disused, or miserably prophaned. 3. Particular Congregations will be filled with distractions and discontents, whilest a great part among them refuse to walk orderly. 4. The _Ministers and Elders_, who sincerely tender the spiritual welfare of their Congregations will be much _discouraged_ and _discomforted_. 5. The _Work of Reformation_, and particularly the growth of people in knowledg and the grace of Jesus Christ, will extreamly be obstructed and hindered; _and whosoever shall be any cause or occasion thereof, will but uncomfortably answer it unto Jesus Christ_. [Sidenote: Motive 4.] The fourth Motive, is from the _weaknesse and insuffiency_ of the objections that are brought against this practice; To which we shall now (God assisting us) return _distinct_, and we hope, _satisfactory_ Answers. The Objections are: [Sidenote: _Object._ 1.] Many who are well inclined, object their own _timorousness_: And have _jealousies_ that the Minister will propound such hard and unusual questions, as they shall not on a sudden be able to answer. [Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] The Questions to be propounded by the Eldership to persons, before they come to the Lords Table, are for the substance of them contained in the _Ordinance of Parliament_, of the 20th of _October_, 1643. the particulars thereof being the _fundamentalls of Religion_, contained usually in most _Catechismes_, which persons of the meanest capacity ought to understand. 2. We doubt not but the _Ministers with the Elders_, will make it their serious Endeavours, to deal with all persons in all _Prudence, meeknesse, tendernesse, and love_, as the condition of those that come before them shall require; They being not insensible of their own _weaknesse_, will take heed of Discouraging the meanest, or Quenching the smoaking flax, well knowing, _That they are not to Lord it over Gods heritage, but to promote their growth, and to be Helpers of their joy_. [Sidenote: _Object._ 2.] Why may not people be now admitted to the Sacrament, without examination, as well as before the Elders were chosen? [Sidenote: _Answ._ 2.] Because; 1. Before Elders were chosen, and the foundation of Church-Government begun to be laid, the Church of _England_ was in _point of Church Government_ in an unreformed condition: But now (blessed be God) in a way of Reformation. And we have in our _Nationall Covenant_, _sworn to endeavour a reformation in Church-Government, according to the Word of God_. In pursuance of that Covenant, there are many Ordinances of Parliament, to require it; and accordingly it is practised in many Congregations; and _shall we still persist in our old unreformed way?_ 2. The _Promiscuous admission_ of all sorts of Persons heretofore without examination tended much to the _Prophanation of the Lords Supper_, and was a great _scandall_ in our Church, _Hazarded_ the souls of thousands, _occasioned_ separations from our Churches, brought the judgments of God upon the _Kingdome_, and was no small griefe to godly Ministers, &c. But now God having provided a further Remedy, we ought not only, not to _oppose it_, but to _submit_ to it, with all readiness and thankfulness. [Sidenote: _Object._ 3.] Will you have the _Ancient men of a Congregation, that have for divers years been partakers of the Sacrament, come now in their Old Age to be Examined; will you have Noblemen, and Rich men, and Aldermen_, &c. [Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] We have formerly declared, That the Presbyteriall Government doth not precisely require of those that come to the Sacrament, _That they should first be Examined by Questions and Answers: But if any man shall make a good profession of his Faith, in a continued discourse, without being asked any Questions, it will be accepted, as well as if they were Examined by particular Questions._ 2. We have likewise shewed the Reason why Ancient men and women, that have formerly been admitted, are required to submit to Examination, before they can be again admitted, &c. We have intreated you, to distinguish between a _Church-reforming in Discipline, and reformed_: When a Church is once reformed, and members admitted by Examination of the Eldership, there will never be any necessity of coming afterwards to Ministers and Elders, for re-admission; (unless it be in case of excommunication.) But in a Church reforming, as ours is, when all sorts have formerly been admitted, without any Distinction, then _Old men_ must be willing to give an account, as well as _young men_, and _rich men_, as well as _poor_: Because, 1. Old men and rich men are found to be _ignorant_, and to prophane the Sacrament, as well as _young men_, and _poor men_. 2. In Gospell-administrations God is no respecter of persons; neither must his Officers be, if they would be found faithfull in their places; _It is not gray hairs, nor silken coats; but knowledg, faith, repentance, love and thankefulness, will qualifie a man for the Sacrament._ 3. If old men and rich men are more gracious and knowing, then others, their good examples will be mighty incouragements, to draw on the younger, and poorer sort. And wherein can _Noblemen, and Richmen, express their thankfulness to God, for his distinguishing mercies towards them, better, then in becoming patterns and presidents to others, in their ready obedience to the will of Christ_, in this particular? [Sidenote: _Object._ 4.] We are willing to come to the _Minister alone_, to be examined; But we will never come before the _Ruling-Elders_. [Sidenote: _Answ._ 1.] The Office of the _Ruling Elders_, as they are distinct from _teaching Elders_, is grounded upon Scripture; and is not an invention of man, but an _Ordinance of Christ_, (as we have shewed,) and therefore to be submitted unto. 2. Admission of members to the Sacrament, is an act of Church-Government, and therefore belongs to the Elders, as well as the Minister: (as we have likewise shewed.) _Church-Government is not committed by Christ unto Ministers severally, but, to Ministers and Elders joyntly_, Matth. 10.17. 1 Cor. 12.28. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thess. 5.12. Act. 15.6. Act. 20.17, 28. And therefore in conscience, people ought to submit to the Ministers and Elders. 3. This is a Practice according to the example of the _best reformed Churches_, wherein Elders are joyned with Ministers in this particular. 4. To devolve this work upon one Minister alone, as it is sinful, so it will prove very _prejudicial_, both to Minister and People: For in some places _Ministers_ may not be so faithful and Prudentiall as they ought to be, and may, through pride, covetousness, partiality, or rashness, keep from the Sacrament, or admit to the Sacrament, whom Christ would not have admitted, or kept away. And in other places, where _Ministers_ are more _wise_, and _humble_, and _faithfull_, if they should assume the power of Examination, without _Elders_ assisting of them, they will be wofully _mis-reported_ and scandalized by those that come before them, or by others, that are disaffected to them; For if such horrid and base reports are already raised about the Questions propounded by the Minister and Elders, when they sit together; (as by sad experience these wicked dayes of ours will witnesse:) what will not ungodly men be afraid to report, when the Minister alone shall ingross this power? 5. We have formerly shewed, that these Elders whom you so much oppose, are such _as you either have, or might have chosen; and they were chosen for the relief and benefit or the Congregation, that so the Minister might not be sole judge of those that come to the Sacrament, but might have others joyned with him, to see that he doth nothing out of envy, malice, pride, or partiality; but that all things may be managed for the good and edification of those for whose sake they are chosen_: And therefore it is a wonder to us, to hear men speak so much against _Ruling-Elders_, when they are purposely chosen for their _own relief and benefit_. 6. We have also formerly shewed, that when the Parliament gave their allowance to the Presbyterial Government, if they had put the whole _juridical power_ of the Church, into the hands of one Minister alone, they that now seem so willing to come to be examined by the Minister, without his Elders, would have more bitterly declaimed against that way, then now they do against this: For this indeed were to make every Minister a _Prelate_ in his Congregation; and to bring in that, which hath some Resemblance to _Auricular confession_. [Sidenote: _Object._ 5.] Though some _Ministers rigidly keep all from the Sacrament, that will not come before the Eldership; yet there are others that are Presbyterians, and have Elders chosen, that examine without them, and will receive us to the Sacrament, without coming before them._ In answer to this, [Sidenote: _Answ._] 1. We doubt whether there be any _Ministers_ of the Presbyterian judgment, that do thus practise. 2. If there be any such, we conceive that herein they act not only contrary to an _Ordinance of Parliament_, but to an _Ordinance of Christ_, who hath given the power of Discipline, not to _one Minister_, (as we have said) but to an _united company of Presbyters_ And for one Minister to assume this power unto himself, is (as we have also declared) _to make himself the whole Church; It is to build up what he hath destroyed, and to usurp the Prelaticall power of sole jurisdiction, in his Congregation._ For he doth not only assume a Pastoral power of instructing those that are to come to the Sacrament, but an Authoritative power of admitting to, & keeping from the Sacrament; which is to take to himself an authority that Christ hath never given him. And we desire these Ministers to consider what we have formerly delivered, _That it is as warrantable by the Word of God for one Minister to assume the whole power of suspending persons from the Sacrament, who have been duly admitted thereunto, as it is to assume the whole power of admitting to the Sacrament_, &c. And further we beseech and intreat them (if there be any such,) to consider what an offence they give in this particular, to all their Brethren in the Ministry; and what an argument they put into the mouthes of those that are disaffected to the government; and in the fear of God to forsake this way and course, lest while they think _to build with us, they be found to be destroyers, both of the Presbyterian Government and Ministry, and to open a wide door to Sacramental Prophanation_. [Sidenote: _Object._ 6.] Doth not the Scripture say, _Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat?_ &c. but it no where saith, Let a man be examined by the Minister and Elders. [Sidenote: _Answ._] 1. The text speaks of those that were formerly admited in a due way to the Sacrament; and of such it is only required, that they should _examine themselves_: For the Examining of those amongst us that have formerly bin admitted, is occasioned by the great Church deformation that hath been amongst us; which being once healed, there will not be again that need afterwards of _Church-Examination._ 2. The Apostles words are not to be understood _restrictively and exclusively_. For he doth not say, Let a man examine himself _only_, But let a man _Examine himself_, that is, Let him _especially examine himself_. Take a parallel text, Rom. 14.12. _So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God_; which text is not to be understood exclusively; For it is certain, that Ministers must give an account to God, not only of themselves, but also for their people; And Parents and Masters, for their children, and servants; so it is here, Let a man examine himself: This doth not exclude the duty of a father, in examining his children; or of a Master, Minister, or Elder, in examining those under his Charge: But it teacheth us, That we must not rest in, nor trust to the Examination of our Father, Master, Minister, or Elders, but likewise examine our selves: _If a childe, or servant should say unto his father, or master, when he is examined about his knowledge, or faith, The Scripture bids me examine my self, and therefore I will not be examined by you. Would not this be accounted a great affront, and an unnsufferable abuse to the holy Scriptures?_ and yet just so do they reason & argue, that from this Scripture, would exempt themselves from all examination by Minister & Elders. And so likewise when Christ saith, Matth, 7.1. _Judge not, that you be not judged_: He that should interpret that text _exclusively_, of all kind of judging; would overthrow all Magistracy. But it is to be understood only, as excluding private and rash judging, (when a man judgeth his Brother, and hath no calling to judge him, not a just cause:) so it is here; This text excludes all private Christians from examining others; but to say, that it excludes all men in office and place in the Church, and in the family, would at once destroy all Church-Government, and all family-government. 3. We might add, that those that are most ready to pretend, that it is needless to give an account before the Minister and Elders, because they are to _examine themselves_, it is to be feared, are as regardless of examining themselves, as unwilling to give an account to the Eldership. [Sidenote: _Object._ 7.] Doth not the Scripture also say, _whosoever eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself_? It is not said, to the Eldership. [Sidenote: _Answ._] That text is not to be understood _exclusively_, unless it relate to close hypocrites: An _hypocrite_ eats and drinks damnation to himself only, but if it relates to those that are _grosly ignorant and scandalous_, it cannot be understood exclusively. For when a man that is grosly ignorant and scandalous, receives the Sacrament, he not only eats and drinks judgment to himself, but the _guilt of the sin lyeth upon all those that knew of it, and did not do their duty for the hindering of it_, as we have formerly shewed. [Sidenote: _Object._ 8.] There are many _Elders_ that are very ignorant, and fiter rather to be _examined_, then to _examine_; and that propound unbeseeming and absurd questions. [Sidenote: _Answ._] The ignorance of some Elders doth no more prejudice the office of an Elder, then the ignorance of some Physitians, or Ministers, doth the calling of Ministers and Physitians: If ignorant Elders be chosen, the fault is not in the Office, but in the Choosers. 2. This objection cannot be justly made against the Ruling-Elders within this Province; we hope we may say without boasting, that they are very knowing, and very godly; and we are confident, that all the reports that are vented concerning absurd and unbeseeming questions, &c. are meer lyes and falsities. In all such meetings, the Minister is the Moderator, and he onely propounds the questions; the Elders sit by and judge. 3. In those Parishes where there are none sufficiently qualified to be Elders, the Presbyterian Government doth not require them to chuse Elders, but Orders, _That all such Parishes should be under the immediate care, inspection, and government of the Classical Presbytery_. [Sidenote: _Object._ 9.] It is not enough for a _Minister to forewarn his people of the danger of unworthy coming to the Lords Supper; and if they will notwithstanding the warning, come unworthily, is not the Minister free?_ It is not enough for a father to tell his child, that he must not drink such a cup of poyson, and yet afterwards (when he seeth his child very greedy of it) to give it him; especially, when he knoweth that it will certainly poyson him. It was not enough for old _Eli_ to admonish his Sons; but because he did not use his power, in hindring them, he is reproved, as accessary to their sins. [Sidenote: _Object._ 10.] I have _lived thus long, and never yet was examined, and certainly I will not now begin in my old age, I will rather never receive the Sacrament at all_. [Sidenote: _Answ._] Old Customes are no good principles to build upon; these are times of Reformation. 2. Consider thine own spiritual wants, and what need thou hast of this blessed Ordinance; and remember what the servant of _Naaman_ said unto him, _If the Prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith, Wash and be clean?_ So give Us leave to say to you, _If Christ had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it, rather then be deprived of this Ordinance? how much rather when he saith to thee only, Come and give an account of thy Faith before the Eldership, and thou shalt be made partaker of this Heavenly banquet?_ [Sidenote: _Object._ 11.] But I have made a Vow, that I will never come before the Elders. [Sidenote: _Answ._] This Vow is rash and sinful, a bond of iniquity; and therefore by keeping of it, you become guilty of a double sin: the Eldership is an Ordinance of Christ (as we have shewed) and therefore not to be vowed against. [Sidenote: _Object._ 12.] I am every way able to examine my self, and none knows what is in my heart; and therefore I will venture upon my own private examination. [Sidenote: _Answ._] How is it, that thou art unwilling to venture thy estate, without first advising with a Lawyer: and wilt advise with Physitians about thy bodily health; but wilt venture thy soul at the Sacrament, upon thine own head, without taking the advice of Minister and Elders; _Is thy soul less precious to thee, then thy body, or thy estate?_ Besides, if thou hast knowledg, why wilt thou not come to examination; if no knowledg, why wilt thou refuse the way & means to get knowledg? the truth is, the true ground why some men do oppose this way, is either, 1. Out of ignorance and pride, because they are impatient to have their ignorance discovered: 2. Or else, Secondly, it is from a prophane spirit of opposition; not onely against Church-Government, and all good order; but against all the wayes of Christ. But let such persons consider; 1. That it is far better to have their ignorance cured, then covered: Ignorance covered will make us go blindfold to Hell; But Ignorance cured, will make us go with open eyes to Heaven. 2. That Christ accounts them his enemies, that will not have him to [197]_reign over them_, and will destroy them as his enemies. 3. To hate Instruction and Reformation, is a certain sign of wickedness, which God abhors. 4. All the opposition that carnal and rebellious spirits have against Christ and his wayes, will in the end, prove kicking against the pricks, and most pernicious to their own Souls. And thus we have answered all those objections, that are usually brought against this way of Examination, and herein (as we hope) have given abundant satisfaction to all those that are willing to receive it. And we have likewise finished our Exhortation. As for the successe of it, we leave it wholy to God; as having learn't, that _duty is ours_, but _success is Gods_. When _Paul_ had finished his Sermon at [198]_Athens, some mocked; and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed, &c._ We doubt not but there are many within the Province; whose hearts _the Lord will open, to attend to what is here said_. Our desire is to do good unto all, even unto those that are our greatest adversaries; and not _to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good_. If they mock at us (as they did at _Paul_) yet surely, [199]_Our Judgment is with the Lord, and our work with our God; He that is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is unjust, let him be unjust still_: But we hope better things of you, that have submitted to the Presbyterian-Government. For whom we pray, [200]_That the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our_ Lord Jesus Christ, _that great Shepherd of his sheep, through the bloud of the everlasting_ Covenant, _would make you perfect in every good work, to do his Will; working in you, that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through_ Jesus Christ; _to whom be glory, for ever and ever_, Amen. [96] Rom. 12.8. [97] 1 Pet. 5. [98] Luk. 22.25, 26. [99] =hêgoumenos=. [100] Matth. 23.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. [101] 2 Tim. 2.24, 25, 26. [102] Phil. 1. [103] Psal. 74. & 137. [104] _unus homo, solus totius orbis impetum sustinuit._ [105] Isai. 8.11, 12, 13, 14. [106] Matth. 18.20. [107] Dan. 2.35, 45. [108] Micah 4.1, 2. [109] Isai. 61.12. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Thes. 5.13. [110] 1 Pet. 5.4. [111] Dan. 9.25. [112] Neh. 4.3, 4. [113] Neh. 4.10. [114] Zech. 4.10. [115] and Zech. 4.9. 6.8. [116] Jer. 4.14. Isai. 1.16. [117] Rom. 2.29. [118] _In te stas, & non stas._ [119] _Frustra nititur qui non innititur._ [120] 2 Tim. 1.6. [121] _Manducatio Indignorum, & Manducatio Indigna._ Alsted. [122] 1 Pet. 1.12. [123] =epithymousin angeloi parakypsai=. [124] Joh. 6.51. and 56. [125] =trophê eucharistêtheisa=. [126] _Quantò pro nobis vilior, tantò nobis charior._ [127] _Donec totus fixus in Corde qui totus fixus in cruce._ [128] _Non vincula sed ornamenta, & spirituales Margaritæ_, quoted by _Nyc. Vedelius_, in his Epistle before his Commentary upon _Ignatius_. [129] _Festum Aquilarum, non Graculorum_. [130] Rom. 5.8. [131] Lam. 3. [132] Luk. 7.6, 7. [133] 2 Sam. 9. [134] _Utimur perspecillis magis quàm speculis._ Senec. [135] Matth. 5.44, 45, 46. [136] Col. 1.10, 11. [137] Phil. 1.9, 10, 11. [138] Heb. 13.17. [139] 1 Thess. 5.12. [140] 1 Tim. 5.17, 18. [141] Gal. 6.6. [142] 1 Cor. 9.13, 14. [143] =Philoxenoi=. Tit. 1.8. [144] 1 Thess. 5.11, 14, 15. [145] Col. 3.1, 6. [146] 1 Cor. 10.24. [147] Rom. 15.2, 3. [148] Phil. 2.3. [149] Mal. 3.16. [150] 1 Tim. 6.4, 5. [151] 2 Tim. 2.23. [152] Rev. 3.4. [153] Rom. 16.17. [154] 1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5. [155] Tit. 1. 1 Tim 3.16. Tit. 2.12. [156] Eph. 2.1. 1 Cor. 2.14. [157] Rom. 8.7. [158] Gal. 5.17. Rom. 7.18, 19, 23, 24. Isa. 64.6. Rom. 3.28. Phil. 3.9. 2 Cor. 5.21. [159] Rom. 8.1, 13. 1 Joh. 3.14. Eph. 2.16. Titus 3.16. 1 Thess. 4.3. Heb. 12.14. [160] Heb. 7.22. Heb. 8.6. [161] 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, &c. [162] Isai. 1.5, 6. [163] _Schisma, ni fallor, est eadem opinantem, & eodem ritu utentem solo Congregationis delectari dissidio, & Schismaticos facit non diversa fides, sed communionis disrupta societas_, Aug. contra Faustum. lib. 20. cap 3. _Schisma dicitur a scindendo, & est scissio, separatio, disjunctio, aut dissolutio unionis illius, quæ debet inter Christianos observari. Quia autem hæc Scissio maximè perficitur, & apparet in debitâ communione Ecclesiasticâ recusandâ, idcirco illa separatio per appropriationem singularem, rectè vocatur Schisma._ Ames. cas. consc. lib. 5. cap 12. _Schisma est secessio in religionis negotio, vel temeraria, vel injusta, sive facta sit, sive continuata_, Camero, de Eccles. tom 1. pag 396. [164] _Schisma aliud est, ut loquuntur in scholis, negativum, aliud positivum. Negativum vocamus, quod non exit in coetum & societatem aliquam religiosam, sed simpliciter secessio est, & subductio; cum non instituitur Ecclesia, facto schismate &c. Positivum tum fit, cum instituitur Ecclesia, hoc est, cum fit consociatio quædam, quæ legibus Ecclesiasticis, & Dei verbo atque Sacramentorum administratione utitur separatim: quod quadam formulâ desumptâ ex Scriptura dicitur struere altare adversus altare, hoc est, quod Schisma Antonomastic=ô=s dicitur, &_ =kat' exochên=, _&c._ Camero de Schismate, pag. 402. [165] _Temeritas secessionis deprehenditur, ut loquuntur, a posteriori, si ejus occasio levis sit: erit autem levis, nisi vel inciderit gravis & intolerabilis persecutio, vel ille coetus unde fit secessio laboret hæresi, aut verò deditus fit Idololatriæ._ Camero, pag. 399. And afterwards, pag. 405. _Quarta verò causa (cujus non meminimus supra, quia versabamur in thesi, hic vero meminimus, quia ventum est ad hypothesim) si agnitus fuerit Antichristus._ [166] _Etiam secessio fit temerè, cum fit ob morum corruptelas; quorsum illud Christi pertinet_, Sedent in Cathedra Mosis, facite quæcunque dixerint vobis. _Cujus rei hæc est ratio, quòd ubicunque viget puritas doctrinæ, Deum in eo coetu necessse est habere Ecclesiam, tametsi obrutam penè multitudine scandalorum. Itaque qui secessionem faciunt ab ejusmodi coetu, haud dubiè inde secedunt ubi Deus colligit Ecclesiam._ Camero, pag. 400. [167] _Mr. Carthwright. Mr. Dod. M. Hildersham. Mr. Bradshaw. Mr. Ball._ [168] Matth. 13.9. [169] _Musculus_ on 1 Cor. 11. [170] _Thomas Goodwin_, in his Sermon upon _Zech._ 4. [171] 1 Cor. 1.10. Phil. 2.1, 2. Eph. 4.3, 4, 5, 6. [172] Jer. 32.39. Zeph. 3.9. Zach. 14.9. [173] Joh. 17.21. [174] Phil. 3.15, 16. [175] _Schisma propriè dictum est peccatum gravissimum_: 1 _Quia adversatur charitati erga proximum, & privat eum spirituali bono_. 2 _Adversatur ædificationi illius qui facit separationem, quatenus privat semetipsum Communione in bono spirituali_. 3 _Adversatur Christo, quatenus unitatem corporis ejus mystici suo modo tollit_. 4 _Viam facit ad hæresin & separationem à Christo_. [176] 1 Cor 9.2. [177] _Subsequens consensus_ Jacobi _in_ Leam, _fecit eos conjuges_. Pareus, _&c._ [178] 1 Tim. 4.14. [179] Act. 14.23. 1 Tim. 5.22. Tit. 1.5. [180] Smectymnuus. _The answer of Mr._ Marshal, _Mr._ Vines, _Mr._ Caryl, _Mr._ Seaman, returned to the late King, in the Treaty at the Isle of Wight. [181] Ambros. in cap. 4. ad Ephes. & in 1 Tim. 3. Hier. in Tit. 1. & ad Euagrium. Aug. epist. 19. Chrys. in 1 Tim. 3. [182] 2 Tim. 3.13. 2.16, 17. [183] Levit. 13, 14. [184] +bekhurotekha+. [185] _Discipulum minimum Iesus amavit plurimùm_, Hieron. [186] _Non minus placet Deo_ Hosanna _puerorum, quàm Hallelujah virorum, Dr._ Andrews _in his Preface to the Command._ [187] Gal. 6.6. [188] Quoted by Dr. Andrewes, in his Preface to the Com. [189] Deut. 6.7. +veshinantem+. [190] Zanch. in 4. præceptum. [191] Mr. _Cheynell_ in a Sermon before the House of Commons. [192] Ephes. 6. =ektrephein=. [193] Dr. _Andrews_ in the forementioned Preface. [194] 2 Thess. 1.8. [195] Psal. 79.6. [196] 1 Tim. 5.21. [197] Luk. 19.14, 27. [198] Act. 17.32, 34. [199] Isa. 49.4. [200] Heb. 13.19, 20. Subscribed in the Name, and by the Appointment of the Assembly, _George Walker_, Moderator. _Arthur Jackson_, } _Edmund Calamy_, } Assessors. _Roger Drake_, Scriba. _Elidad Blackwell_, Scriba. FINIS. 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