THE SMOAK OF THE Temple Cleared through the LIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURE By the unworthiest of al the Ministers of Christ Jo. Brayne JAMES 4.5 Do ye think the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth enviously CHAP. 1.21 Wherefore lay aside all filthiness and superfluitie of naughtiness and receive with meekness the ingraffed word which is able to save your souls LONDON Printed for Thomas Vere at the upper end of the Old Bayley MDCXLVIII The Epistle Dedicatory TO the Saints of God in all the world especially the Godly Magistrates and Ministers of this Land and the Kingdom of Scotland To you do I earnestly desire of God grace and Peace may be dayly multiplyed beseeching each of you in your severall places to have especially care of preserving the peace of the people of God knowing how easie a matter it is to occasion a War Religion being made the ground thereof How were the Heathens stirred up to fight for their Idol-gods how did Papists fight for Popery And it s not long since we had a War for Episcopacie the Lord grant our War end not in a War for Presbyterie or Independencie I have written this ensuing Tract without leaning to any partee desiring a friendly acceptation of al desiring if possibly to have here by the truth discovered which is onely able to unite us in Iudgement and make us one which War can never do but rather bring us all to nothing and remember Christ dyed to prevent the death and destruction of Saints and God is stiled the preserver of men whom we ought in this to imitate let us lay aside all affectedness to any way of our own and diligently search after truth though never so much contrary to our selves our way and practise submitting to the way of God in the Scriptures as that onely is to be walked in though never so difficult to be erected in which onely is peace and Righteousness to be found and if there be any thing contained in the ensuing Tract that may farther the ends proposed in the Church of God I shall greatly rejoyce for which I shal earnestly seek the Lord night and day as in duty I am bound to do and rest A most unworthy servant yet glad to do any service in the Church for Jesus sake and the Gospel J. Brayne To the Reader BEloved Friend the desire of the Saints Peace and Love to the truth especially moved me to write of that Subject that follows which as Johns Doctrine seems to be new to the world which I suppose on tryall thou wilt finde to be that truth which was from the beginning which though not so cleer at present yet by this God may be pleased to raise up some more learned godly and Judicious man to write more fully and cleerly of the Comfort and consolation of all Saints I desire thee not to carp at the imperfectness of the Coppie it is very rude and indigested having other affaires I could not attend the reading of the Copy after written being written in much haste nor was there any at the presse able to correct the faults committed in the writing most of which shall be in some kind amended in the Errata thus desiring thy favour thy increase of grace and knowledge with thy prayer for me and the whole Church of God I rest Thy Friend and Servant in the Gospel of Christ to do thee all service alwayes J. Brayne The Principall things Contained in the ensuing Treatise are 1 THat there is a Church Ministry pertaining thereunto onely 2. This Ministry consists of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers 3. Three of these onely are to be a continuing standing Ministry in the Church to the end of the World 4. There is a Ministry which is to be officiated out of the Church and prepares for the Church Ministry 5. This is proved by the practise of the Church of Corinth by the Epistles written to Rome Galatia Ephesus Colosse 6. By the Church at Jerusalem which was the mother Church and pattern of Churches the rest for the most part being imperfect and as the Apostle saith wanting things to be put in Order 7. Of the compleat Government left by Christ to be exercised in the Church representing Monarchy which Bishops took up Aristocracie which Presbyterians took up Democracie which Independents took up 8. The opening of severall Scriptures as the Parables of the Tares and of the Fish usually applyed to maintain mixt Congregations which rightly applyed make much against them and that of Acts 15. usually brought to prove and maintain the Dependency of Churches 9. That there is to be a combination of teaching and Ruling Elders but these to consist onely of the Evangelist Pastor and Teacher with their other helps in Government 10. That these onely are sufficient for the whole work of the Church-Ministry the edifying of the body and the perfecting of the Saints is proved 11. This is illustrated by the Vision of Ezechiel concerning the Temple which is not yet fulfilled but now neer to be erected in a spirituall way 12. Something is spoken concerning the places of administrating the publick administrations in the distinct societies of the Saints as spoken of in the Gospel ERRATA PAge 2. line 2. subjecting one P. 3. l. 21. officiated P. 5. l. 3. for these r. their ministry P. 6. l. 2. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 8. l. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 9. l. 10. I shal leave l. 30. immediate P. 10. l. 6. private P. 12. l. 1. as Evangelist P. 19. l. 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 6. the manner P. 22. l. 14. how they ought to be diversly P. 23. l. 24. and in P. 25. l. 13. the work l 27. but pulled l. 37. three admininistrations P. 28 l 6. baptism l. 14. Apostle l 29 though he P 32 l 2 if he l 14 thy ministry P 33 l 7 publike is to be left out l 33 are not exercised P 35 l 8 by all means P 36 l 36 priority P 37 l 15 many scores P 41 l 9 a threefold cord P 43 l 35 confirm as some say P 44 l 8 rent l 37 on Christ as on P 46 l 16 things which may be done successively may easily be granted P 47 l 3 of and in are not to be read THE Smoak of the Temple EXPEL'D By the Light of the Scriptures GOD above all blessings blessed the World in the Gospel to which was added the Ministry of it the exercise whereof the chief Founder of the Gentile Churches hath written unto us Eph. 3.9 saying That to him grace was given to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which hath been hid in God from the beginning of the world In which are intimated 1. That the fellowship of the mystery was a hidden thing and not the mystery only which is the Salvation it self but the means of
mentioned in the Ephesians where it is said Christ ascended and gave gifts unto men Thirdly This clearly proves the Apostles had a call to officiate this three-fold office in the Church from Christ immediatly and not only Peter but all the other Apostles Fourthly That first the Saints are to be sed as lambs then as younger sheep then as elder sheep a clearer proof I think there needs none to shew the diversity of gifts and administrations in the Church ought thus to these to be diversly administred Thus the Apostle from 2 Cor. 6.1 where it is written we then as workers together with God Ministers these conclusions to be deduced thence First That the Ministry of the Gospel is not one single work or the work of one only man as now amongst us it is done Secondly That in the primitive times there were in every Church that was constituting two at the least and in every Church that was constituted three These Ministers do not teach distinctively but are co ordinate in the work one to the other and are one for the other and cannot be one without the other in a constituted Church Tourthly This Ministry in the Church is but one Ministry 1 Cor. 3.8 He that plants and he that waters are one that is they are one Ministry not one man which was spoken of the Doctors and the Pastors work in the Ministry Fifthly In no constituted Church we read of more then three in fellowship for the ordinary work of the Ministry 2 Cor. 1.15 Paul Sylvanus and Timothy are these before spoken of and said to work together Sixthly Hence it was I suppose the Apostle condemns the practise of the Corinthians 1 Cor. 1.12 for saying one was of Paul anothers of Apollo another of Cephas These did or others by these intended did work together in the Ministry Now it seems the infants boasted themselves against those that were not in Church-Society the young men boasted themselves against the children c. Now compare the 4 Chap. ver 6.7 the Scriptures clear it they were puffed up one against another and after saith to them who made thee to differ which sheweth that there was not only a difference in the Teacher but also there was a difference made amongst those that were taught in themselves within in their condition without We of the Ministry now that bear the whole burden of the work alone without question do that that never Apostle did or ought not to be done in the Church It may be said to us we take too much upon us what wisdom were it if we did submit to the Gospel rule and think of a means how in Cities to joyn together to the Work of the Lord as it is commanded Object The 1 Cor. 4.15 Though you have ten thousand instructors yet have ye not many fathers Hence it should seem the Church of Corinth had many more Teachers then three in it Secondly Compare 1 Cor. 3.12 with it there are several builders brought in by the Apostles as some building gold silver and precious stones others are said to build of hay wood and stubble Resp 1. That the true Church then must have successively more true Teachers then three because the Apostle could not stay long with them but having planted the Church here goeth to some other place but before his departure he ordained others to supply his place in his absence and of those that went with him to the work elsewhere and in this kind they must have many Teachers Acts 14.23 When they had oadained Elders in every City they departed which shews they departed not until they had ordained Elders Secondly The words are a Hyperbolical expression and prove nothing in particular only they had many and that if they had never so many more he was he that begat them in Christ Now for the second part of the objection taken out of 1 Cor 3.12 1 Note here are two sorts of teachers distingished the one true the other false the faithfull teachers are three the corrupt are the same number The true are distingisht in the difference of the materials set down all are precious but not all alike precious it clearly shews there was to be a difference in the ministry a difference in gifts and difference in doctrine the one inricheth men with silver of the Gospell the other with the gold of the Gospell the other with the precious stones of it 2 Now the false ministry counterfeits the true 1 They will have three in their worke of their ministry as the Apostle had in his 2 They differ in the doctrine also among themselves as hay wood and stubble doe 3 Becaue the Apostle was he which laid the foundation of the Church of Corinth and was the glory of the ministry they will also themselves take on themselves to be Apostles also 4 The Apostles build immediatly on Christ we on the Apostles they build on Christ immediately not on the Apostles they of say Paul his speach is contemtible 1 Cor. 3.10 And here I suppose was the first corruption or counterfeiting of the Church and Church despensations which was not like that mad of Rome in which not onely things were counterfeied to pull down and other set up in their steed that for twelve hundred yeeers it hath not been known what the Church was governed by nor how 1 This confirmes there were many teachers in Corinth indeed 2 But no more but three only in Church fellowship together 3 In that there were but three in the corrupt society no more nor lesse then in the true Church it much consirmes the truth of the doctrine that in the true Church which these did counterfeit there were onley threefold administrations in the Church then in use at Coriuth 4 It shews that the corrupt teachers did retaine the same form of government in their Ghurch as the Apostles had set up in the true for otherwise they hed not been able to draw men away so easily from the truth 5 Paul saith that he transferred the things he spake of the false teachers to the true who were only three Paul Apollo Cephas it is like if they differed in the outward form the Apostle would have reproved it in them 1 Cor. 1.12 compared with 1 Cor. 4.6 2 Cor. 11.13 he calls them false Apostles Secondly he calls them deceitfull workers now in that what they did against the truth was done by deceit it sheweth that they did as much as possibly they could to counterfeit the truth and the true way practised by the Apostles in the Churches A shadow of these things are also set out on the Mosaicall service Aaron and his sons signifie Christ and his two disciples or rather in the Priests and the Levites which were added to them as helpers in the same work First the one was to help kill the other to help wash and then then the Priest offered up the sacrifice so the Apostle desired to offer up the a chaste Virgine to Jesus
that power and authority given to these that Christ hath given to his Church for the Saints to have exercised in the Church among them 1 For removing scandalous things and persons 2 For advice and counsel 3 For exhortation reproof 2 It is for the work of the ministry 1 These all only can do but the work of the ministry that is to be done in the Church I speak not here of that part of ministry exercised to those without the Church 2 Without all these as I have formerly shewed they are and ought to be in the Church the work of the ministry cannot be done according to Gospel rules 3 There is no other worke to be done by the ministry either in teaching or ruling then what is to be done by these only 4 The Church is not nor cannot be sufficiently provided for without all these but it must be imperfect and must be straightned in the worke of the ministry which is the onely worke we ought to strive to have wrought amongst us 5 Ordination being a Presbyterial or ministerial act is in every right constituted Church virtually as other ordinances of the Church are 6 Hence the Church hath all power in it selfe that is or can be for its good communicated of Christ unto it and needs not to go out of it self to any other for help 1 Conclusion Hence is this that there is no other way to be found out more mighty to convince gainesayers to order Assem Ites to build up the Saints maintain unity and peace to restore the humbled to cast out the profane or to doe whatsoever else is to be done ministerially in or for the Church then what these and none but these are to doe 2 Nor hath God left to his Church any other way or means to doe it and especiall care is to be had what authority is exercised what way is erected in the Church of Christ over his people that it prove not Antichristian and turn not unto tyranny over the Saints God complains those that ruled over his people made them to cry and shews Gods people can bear no yoake as Christs that is gentle nor no yoake but Christs the other yoake is an unequall yoake they can never draw easie in it 3 The third thing this ministry is to doe is to edifie the body more then these three things remaines not to be done by the ministry for the church on earth 1 The Apostles and Prophets gave the Scriptures as that by which it may be edifyed 2 The Prophets forwarned her of her sad times and told her again of her glad times to come 3 The Doctor he drew the milke out of the word for the children 4 The Pastor brought forth thence the young mans meat 5 The Evangelist he furnish from thence the strong mans table with strong meat fit to feed him Now judge and tell me without which of these the church can be and how sufficiently God hath provided for his church and people in these 1 Who can preach without the Apostles 2 Who can comfort without the Prophets 3 How can the child live without milke 4 How shall the other christians live without meat Obj. This were not provision sufficient against Heresies Resp Let us take heed of questioning the Lords wisdome in the order taken for the subsistence of the church as if the Lord knew not there would be heresies because he provided not sufficiently against them or that he knew not best how or by whom or by what means to preserve the church against it 2 God doubtlesse will not be wanting to his own Way and whenever his way shall be erected amongst us there will be other manner of gifts communicated by him to the church to doe this and all other things for its good 3. See how little good Counsels have done in this kind since that the frame of Gospel government hath been subverted 4. The Apostle shews ver 14. that this is the only means to preserve men from being carryed away by every wind of doctrine or by the cunning craft of men that lye in wait to deceive 1. More then this what is to be done 2. Shall we now Idolize our own wisdom or submit to Gods way in this matter If we oppose here against God shall we not kick against the pricks 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church is called the pillar and ground of truth as rightly constituted until the Church was driven away the enemy could never set up their heresies so as after Conclusion 1. Let us set up Gods way and that will pul down heresie dissentions will fall quickly and quietly Gods weapons hereunto are full of all might ours full of weakness 2. No Authority is to be made use of in a right constituted Church but that God hath errected only Illustration 1. Gal. 1. The Apostle writes to the Churches of Galatia 1. In Galatia were more Churches then one and so no national Church 2. These Churches are written all unto to amend their corruptions they had within them each one distinctly without any command of acting one with or over another as perfect bodies furnisht with compleat Authority thereunto without any extrinsecal power joyned unto it for assistance The main ground in Scripture brought to prove the Combination of a Ministry in Classes and in provincial and national Assembly I suppose is taken from Acts 15.2 where it is said the Church of Antioch did send to the Apostles and Elders of the Church of Jerusalem about the question Resp 1. This in sending to the Apostles was not to send to Members of another Church but of their own Church the Apostles being Members of all the Churches in the world 2. In the Apostles times the word was not written nor the mind of God fully known therefore no doubtful thing was to be resolved but by their advice as the Epistles of Corinth shew in which it appears the Corinthians had sought to advice of the Apostles in very many cases Object They had Apostolical Authority before they need not to send to Jerusalem for that Paul himself being with them Resp The Church was not builded on one Apostle but the Apostles Ephes 2.20 2. God required that every truth should be confirmed by the Testimony of two or three so that to Apostolical Testimony it was necessary there should be two or three for to confirm it yea God saith there are three that do bear witness in Heaven it self so that it was in this case for confirmation of the Church in the truth that there should be the Testimony of two or three Apostles to witness to it Object They write to the Apostles that indeed was no extrinsecal Authority but here they write to the Elders also that were at Jerusalem and this was extrinsecal Resp. The Apostles and Elders were but one and the same men they were not several persons and here as I suppose is the great mistake in the controversie 1. I have shewed before how James Peter
and John were in the ordinary way of Ministry designed to officiate as other Ministers in the Church of Jerusalem 2 Those that held Episcopacy held James to be Bishop of Jerusalem those for Presbytery that he was President of the Counsel which was fulfilled in his Evangelical office by which he had a kind of priority in the Church 3. In 2 Pet. 5.1 Peter who was an Apostle as James was also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only an Elder but an Elder with others in the Church of Jerusalem which were James and John 4. None do speak to the question but Peter and Iames in the Counsel Iohn it is like was not present and if others had been required to answer to the question it is like they would have been put on to speak to it if they had spoken to it it had been doubtless written of 5. It being a question of doctrine it is likely here the Church did not send to these Elders who were ordained for helps in government only 6. I suppose none could joyn with the Apostles that were ordinary men to say as the Apostles did ver 28. saying it seemed good to us and the Holy Ghost 7. If I should grant that there were other Elders and not the Apostles I suppose we should not have sufficient ground from hence to practise it 1. These had extraordinary gifts the Holy Ghost having visibly before descended on them 2. That there was some more then ordinary cause in it appears because they pass by other Churches and send to that though they were neerer to them and that not only because she was the Mother Church Quest Why did they send to the Apostles under both Titles and not use one of them only if there be meant the same persons in this place only 1 As Elders they wrote concerning their Members and their sending forth to the Churches in which they had relation to them as Pastors 2. As Apostles so they wrote concerning the doctrine for the Answer is made from them distinctly and divided into these two heads Acts 15.24 It pleased the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to write For as much as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls saying ye must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such Commandment 1. This was done of them as Elders joyntly with the Church where they officiated their ministerial calling Verse 28. It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay no greater burden on you Now this the Apostles did as Apostles not as Elders for it was not in the power of any Church to impose a burden on another Church which Christ had not imposed I may in this kind speak much more in Answer to this Objection but I am diversly at present straightned One of the most usual Scriptures brought to confirm mixt Congregations is that of the Tares Mat. 13. then which I think none more fully condemns it I shall shew you the wrong application of the words and the right using together for brevity sake the Parable and Exposition made by Christ in the Chapter together 1. The man is Christ which sowed the word in his field that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world 2. The tares who are the children of the wicked and ungodly men they appear among the good seed which is the godly 3. The Ministers ver 28. would gather forth the wicked from the good but Christ saith let them alone lest they root up good men with the bad 4. They must both grow together vers 30. untill the harvest which is the end of the world being the day of judgment and then God sends forth the Angels the reapers to gather them and burn them Others hence say this was not to continue mixt societies with ungodlymen that were openly prophane but that the tares were so like the wheat as that the Apostles may be deceived in the likeness of them and pull up one for another But briefly to speak to the point the falacie lyeth in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these being rightly understood shew the truth and it is thus Christ he preaching the word to the people of Church-Commuon calls it the world his Ministry works on some that they were born again by the immortal seed of the word others they hearing shew their hate against it the Apostles see a necessity for the good of the wheat that the tares be pulled away which they desire but are forbid until the accomplishment of this time which is the time of continuance of Moses Ministry in which Christ then was and endured until Christs Resurrection when the harvest was to begin ver 39. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we understand it generally when the Angels the Ministers of the Gospel were to be sent out and when the tares were to be gathered out as Mat. 28. the Apostles were sent out by Christ heretofore Mat. 9.37 38. The harvest is great the labourers are few Pray the Lord of the harvest that he send forth labourers into his harvest Now whether the harvest in this acceptation be not to succeed the end of Moses Ministry in which Believers were only added to the Church or such as did outwardly profess the Gospel and others excluded I leave to be judged and then what is to be gathered out all that doth offend Ceremonies and all things offensive and then the persons offending both persons and things are to be taken thence to which if we add the place to which the corn in harvest is brought It will yet more plainly appear ver 30. it is to be carryed into Christs barn which is the Church and the estate of grace here ver 41. after all things offences and offenders are gathered out which is not to be untill the end of the world and the wicked are cast into hell then the righteous shine in the Kingdom of their Father Now this hath respect to the state of glory in the Heavens the Fathers Kingdom being now under administration then before they were this Parable I suppose was chiefly directed to the Jews the Parable of the fish to the Gentiles which is used in the same nature to prove the same thing as this that is mentioned before 1. Mat. 13.47 The net is the Gospel the Sea the Heathen world in opposittion to the Jew set out by the field and in respect of the troublesomness of the people under the Gospel-Ministry as it was prophesied by the Psalmist Psal 2.1 Why do the Gentiles rage 2. In that it is said they took of every kind signified the many Nations tongues and people should be brought in and converted by the Gospel to God 3. The Gospel under this Metaphorical expression a net is said to gatherthem to bring men to hear it to gain on mens affections and then to draw them signifying the power of the Gospel in the heart
is properly applyed to places of office and trust 4. In Vers 7. the Apostle saith The Spirits manifestation is given to every man to profit withall shewing that the Church by the help of the Spirit had the benefit of all these gifts in the several Administrations of the Gospel 4. To these several Churches add the course of our Saviour who gave us an example herein Mark 6.7 When he did send forth his Disciples he sends them forth two by two to preach the Gospel which proves the work of the Ministry not to be a single work Object Christ sends forth two only you say there should be three Resp. 1. None was fit to officiate the Evangelists while that Christ was alive and this he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I remember not that ever the Apostles during Christs being on earth were ever said to Evangelize Christ was that to them they are now to us they teaching what they received from him as we teach what we received from them 2. The time of gathering Churches was not yet come they during Christs being on earth said only as John The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand 3. They were but to prepare for the Kingdom until upon the Lords Ascension they should have sent down on them the Spirit of grace to inable them thereunto 4. The compleat Church was not to be until the world or time to come so called among the Jews which was that time which was to succeed Moses Ministry and therefore as the Church was not to be compleat so was not the Ministry And here I cannot pass by the common acceptation of the word Church it was gross when only taken for the places of Assembly and indeed it is but little better as taken for our mixt assemblies Again others they prove their Church to be a true Church from the right Administration of Sacraments and true preaching of the Word but where or in what society this is done as yet I am altogether ignorant of But that the Scripture holds out is clear 1. Three distinct persons to be teachers in the Church 2. Distinguished by distinct Appellations as Evangelist Pastors and Teacher 3. Qualified with differing gifts 4. Have several Administrations committed to them to exercise their gifts in 5. That all these are but one compleat Ministry belonging to one Church only Question is How all these can be exercised in one Church Resol The Church of the Jews being the Mother Church and above all most excellently constituted I shall propose that for a further example to clear up this mystery to help us whereunto it is necessary we make use of those words in Galat. 2.9 where it is agreed amongst the Apostles that James Cephas and John be Ministers to the Jews set out by the Circumcision and Paul and Baritabas for the Gentiles James is here placed for Evangelist Peter for Pastor John for the Teacher of the Jews Church James who was the Evangelist whose work it was to lay the foundation of the Church among the Jews as Paul among the Gentiles writes his Epistles to such as were without the Church to prepare for it in the first place 1. As appears by the word Synagogue where the Gospel was not preached but as to a mixt multitude as appears in all the teachings of the Apostles mentioned in the Acts and is spoken of in Scripture in opposition to Church-society Acts 13.43 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Congregation be dismissed 2. As by the nature of the doctrine appears he calls upon some to wash their hands and cleanse their hearts to put away outward and inward corruptions with which they were defiled In the 5. Chap. he threats wo against them for oppressing the laborers James 5.19 20. he writes to unconverted persons 3. As appears by the dedicating his Epistie he writes it not to any by the name of a Church as men called out of the world in communion with Christ not to such as were Saints nor to such as were called of God nor to those that were apprehended to pertain to Gods Election only he adds the word Brother to it a word of common relation when used singly and without other expression thereto Que. Why James had not rather written as an Evangelist to his own Charge 1. This was part of his own Ministry he being to begin the work among the Jews as well as to perfect and to this I conceive our Saviour may allude when he saith That he that would be greatest should be their servant which in this work he did as it were serve in his Ministry to the Doctor and Pastor though after they did again as it were serve to him in the other part of his Ministry The second part of Ministry that attended next the preparatory Ministry was that of the Doctor for though the Apostle in descending begins with the Apostles the most eminent in the Church and ends with the lowest so if we ascend we must begin at the lowest and end in the chiefest and this was Johns work 1. How clearly this appears in the Epistle from the difference of the matter and maner of teaching of that that is written in the Epistle of James That the one was of the Church Ministry the other to mixt Societies this of Johns is full of sweetness the other of terror to one he tells them You are beloved you are sanctified you are called the sons of God you have passed from death to life James cals those he writes unto Adulterers and Adulteresses and tells them their tongues are set on fire of hell 2. How clearly it appears that John was Doctor or Teacher of the babes in the Church of Jerusalem is evident 1. In that he directs it to the little children 1 John 2.1 and these he names before either fathers or young men 2. He calls them My little children he doth not appropriate any such interest to himself either in the young men when he speaks of them or the fathers 3. 1 Iohn 2.18 19. He comforts the whole Congregation of children against the apostacy of some saying They went out from us mark the emphasis of the expression in the Apostles stile joyning him to the society of the Infants 4. The whole doctrine is doctrine for babes speaking of the new birth of passing from death to life of being anointed and being called the sons of God and many other signs only to set forth and to discover the state of regeneracy from unregeneracy The third part of Ministry or second of the Church-Ministry and that is the Pastors office and this was done by Peter Now that his Ministry was to the young men which Iohn had before mentioned in his Epistle appears from his second Epistle which it is like was written to his particular charge in Ierusalem he being as it should seem by the postscript absent from thence 2. In the Introduction he calls them Elect and looks on them as such as had received like precious faith which in