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A64633 The true form of church government first instituted by Christ, novv used and practised in all the reformed churches of Germanie, France, and Scotland: humbly presented to the high and honourable court of Parliament, at this time most happily assembled. Plainly proved by Scripture, rectifide reason, and the testimonie of the Church, some hundreds of yeares after the Apostles time, and the generall consent of the Churches rightly reformed in these latter times, contrary to the Romish, and our archiepiscopall government. Udall, John, 1560?-1592. 1642 (1642) Wing U16; ESTC R218880 62,509 79

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denying of all the arguments that bee brought for it doth prove Whitgift page 154.166 c. and their practise of allowing patrons and also being such themselves doth evidently decla●e If the former be proved true then the latter must return to Antichrist which ●s thus declared 1 That which was the continuall and constant practise of the Church in the time of the Apostles that same is to be followed for ever which appeareth by this that the ordinances given from God by Paul 1 Tim. 6.14 are enjoyned to be kept untill Christ come to judgement But it was the constant and the continuall practise of the Churches then to have a stroke in the choise of their owne ecclesiasticall Officers Act. 1.26 where the Apostles presented two to the peoples liking whereof God was to be prayed unto to make one an Apostle Act. 6.3 where the Church is willed to choose their Deacons and Act. 14 25. where they gave their consent in the choosing of their Elders by the stretching forth of their hands Therefore it belongeth to the Church to choose their own Church Officers 2 If the people had an interest in the liking of their teaching Levites which were of the tribe of Aaron then much more must the people now for there was greater likelihood that they were sent of God then any of the common sort of men But the former is true as appeareth by the manner of the setting of them aside unto that office in the law Therefore must the latter needs be true also 3 That which pertaineth unto all ought to be approved of all the congregation But every Ministery in the Church pertaineth to all the congregation Therefore authority to approve of them pertaineth to all the congregation 4 That election which is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience is of all other the best and to abridge it is unlawfull But election by common consent is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience when they shall see him teach or rule whom they themselves have chosen Therefore election by the Church is the best and all other kinds of elections unlawfull 5 That election which procureth greatest reverence of the people to their teachers and rulers is meetest and all others unlawfull But for the people to consent in the election of their Governours procureth greatest reverence in their hearts towards them Therefore election by the people is the best and all others be unlawfull Testimonies of the ancient Writers 6 The Minister should be chosen the people being present in the eyes of all and should be by the common judgement and testimony approved worthy and fit c. Therefore this is the lawfull vocation by the word of God where those which are chosen be appointed by the consent and approbation of the people For which also he bringeth divers authorities out of the Scriptures 7. That is truly and certainly a Divine election of a Bishop which is made by the whole Church 8. Let the people have authority to choose their Clerkes and Ministers 9. They runne speaking of the life of the Clerkes to Bishops suffra●a●● certaine times of the yeare and bringing some summe of money they are anoynted and ordained being chosen of none and afterward the Bishop without any lawfull election is chosen in huggermuger of the Canons or Prebendaries onely without the knowledge of the people 10. In the Oration of the death of his Father approveth the election by the people at large and confuteth them that would hinder it 11. When he appointed Eradius to succeed him faith it was the approved right and custome that the whole Church should either choose o● consent unto their Bishop 12. Anthimius choosing a Bishop without the peoples consent filled all Armenia with sedition 13. Why did Peter communicate the election with the Disciples left the matter should have turned to a braule and have fallen to a contention Testimonies of generall Councells 14. It is meete that you should have power both to choose and to give their names that are worthy to be among the Clergie and to doe all things absolutely according to the lawes and decrees of the Church and if it happen any to dye in the Church then those which were last taken are to be promoted to the honour of him that is dead if they be worthy and if the people choose them 15. Let the people choose and the Bishop approve and seale up the election with them 16. In an Ep●stle to Damasus Ambrose c. saith wee have ordained Nectarius Bishop of Constantinople c. the whole Citie decreeing the same and Flaviarus was appointed Bishop of Antioch the whole Citie appointing him 17. When he hath beene examined in all these and found fully instructed then let him be ordained Bishop by the common consent of the Clerkes and lay people 18. Let not him be counted a Priest in the Church whom the Clergie and people of that Citie where he is doe not choose 19. If any Bishop after the death of his Predecessor be chosen of any but of the Bishops of the same Province and of the Clergie and Citizens let another be chosen and if it be otherwise let the ordination be void and of none effect Testimonies out of the Emperours Lawes 20. Following the doctrine of the holy Apostles c. wee ordaine that as oft as it shall fall out that the Ministers place shall be void in any Citie that voyces be given of the Inhabiters of that Citie that he of three which for their right faith holinesse of life and other things are most approved bee chosen to the Bishopricke which is most meete o● them 21. Being not ignorant of the holy Canons that the holy Church should use her honour the more freely we assert unto the Ecclesiasticall order that the Bishops be chosen by the election of the Clergie and people 22. He decreed that he should be Bishop of Rome whom all the people of Rome should consent to choose 23. Lodovicke the second commanded by h●s Letters the Romans to choose their owne Bish●p not looking for other mens voyces which being strangers could not so well tell wh●t was done in the Common-wealth where they were strangers and that it appertained to the Citizens 24. Let the people saith Otho the Emperour choose and I will approve it The testimonies of the new Writers 25. The new Writers as Musculus in his common places in the t●tle of Magistrates Bullinger upon 1 Tim. 4. Calvin Justitut Bo●ke 4 chap. 3. sect 15 Harmon confes. Helvet cap. 18. and many others are on our side in this behalfe 26. If there be none that write against it but the Papi●●s and no arguments us●d against it but those which b● borrowed out of the Popish writers then doth it belong to the Church to choose their owne Church officers but the former is true as a●l
therein Therefore it is perpetuall 13 Either this government is the best and perpetuall or els there is none and so Christ should be thought to have left his Church without a government which is disproved in the 7 and 8 reasons in the first chap. for this was once established by Christ and so was no other But some government must needs be the best and perpetuall Therefore this is perpetuall 14 No man may justly forbid speaking of the Church-government to returne to the old constitution of the Church of God and to receive it before the custome of men 15 Experience teacheth this order speaking of the Church government was not for one age but necessary to all ages 16 Though the Common-wealth change her government yet the Church must keepe hers still 17 Lamenteth that some were found among them that are esteemed forwardest which would not have the same discipline used now adayes that was in the Apostles times objecting the difference of times and men 18 The Apostles have written these Lawes speaking of Discipline not for a day or for the first age but to endure for all times to come and therefore have ratified them with a most earnest obtestation 1 Tim. 6.14 that these commandements should be kept untill the day of the Lord Therefore if the causes of once ordaining an Eldership be perpetuall if Christ be the Author of it and left it in the Church by the Apostles if it be Gods commandement not yet repealed if the parts of it and gifts for it be perpetuall if it be grounded upon the generall commandements and rules of the Scriptures if it have sufficient power from God to begin continue and confirme a Church if it was agreed upon by the twelve Apostles and Paul before they met together if it have the same grounds with the preaching of the Word if it have as good grounds to be perpetuall as the Apostles c to be for a time if it be the perpetuall remedy against all the diseases of the Church if it was under the Law and inriched by Christ and his Apostles under the Gospell if it be neither alterable in respect of the extraordinary offices ceased nor the Magistrate added to the Church if it be the onely government that challengeth authoritie from God if no man may justly forbid it if it be necessary for all times if the common-wealth may change her government but not the Church if the difference of times and men be nothing against it lastly if the rules that the Apostles gave for it be confirmed with a charge to be kept untill the comming of Christ then must it needs follow that the government of the Church by an Eldership ought to be perpetuall They object that many inconveniences would follow upon this government which are severally to be answered 1 Objection By this every Parish shall follow their Seniors and then there will be so many Elderships so many divers fashions seeing one may not meddle with another Answer The government desired is uniforme for every Church and admitteth no change no not in outward ceremonies without a Synode of the choyce men of severall Elderships 2 Objection If they being all meane men chuse an Earle he may not refuse but be at their bo●k and commandment Answer No man that is chosen is compelled to an office against his will but he that despiseth to consult with others in Gods matters because they be poore reproacheth God that made them Pro. 17.5 3 Objection It overburdeneth the Parish to provide for the nourishment of so many Church-Officers Answer It is not necessary that they should provide for any moe of them saving those that are exercised in the ministery of the Word unlesse any of the rest may need the liberalitie of the Church 4 Objection It bringeth in a new Popedome and tyranny into the Church Answer It is blasphemie to tearme the government of Christ so because we refuse the tyranny of the Pope shall we therefore doe what we list and ●o● yeeld obedience to the Scepter of Christ 5 Objection It is a kinde of Donatisme to challenge such authoritie over Princes Answer And it is flattery to suffer Princes to do what they list this is the objection of Gualter who is a professed enemy to discipline 6 Objection It taketh away Princes authoritie in causes Ecclesiasticall Answer No more than it did from David in his time nor so much as the Bb. doe now for the Prince requireth but this to see the Church well ordered which the Eldership alloweth and craveth 7 Objection It transformeth the state of the Common-wealth into a meere popularitie and will alter the government thereof Answer It neither transformeth nor altereth any thing in it for let it be shewed what damage would come by this discipline to any Magistracy from the Princes throne to the office of the headborough 8 Objection It will breed contention and partialitie in judgement Answer Where can be greater contention than the Bb. maintaine for their kingdome or greater partialitie than in them to their kinsfolks servants Sycophants c. 9 Objection It will be contemned and so good order neglected Answer None ever deserved more contempt than the Bb. and their officers doe for all their pompe but God whose ordinance it is will procure sufficient awe unto it mark how these Objections stand together in the fourth it was tyranny and here it is too contemptible these be contrary 10 Objection All alterations be dangerous Answer Never where we change from the obedience of Antichrist to the service of the living God was it ever dangerous to amend things amisse by that course which is described of God if it were let the particular of it appeare this might well have beene Stephen Gardiners reason for Popery in the time of King Henry the eight The Church must be governed onely by the rules of Gods Word this is in effect the proposition of the first Chapter whereunto all those reasons there alledged may be referred there is advouched generally the certain grounds of the whole discipline against the imagined libertie left to the Church here is affirmed the particular direction of the Church-government by the authoritie of the Eldership to proceed according to the rules of Gods revealed will and not by that cursed and monstrous Cannon Law which is made manifest unto us by these reasons 1. All governours are to execute their authoritie by the same warrant from which they have it But the governours of the Church of God have their warrant to be gove●nours onely from the Word 1 Cor. 12.28 Therefore they must govern● the Church onely by the Word 2. The Church is to be governed by that which the Ministers may teach unto the same for they are taught to the end that they may obey and so be governed by the same But the Ministers may teach nothing but the Word of God 1 Cor. 11.23 Therefore the Church is to be governed onely by
one should be chosen to beare rule over the rest Answer From the beginning it was not so the saying of Tertul. Contra Prax. is fit for this That is true whatsoever is first and that is false whatsoever is latter and Ierome saith in the place alledged that this Authority is by custome and not by any Institution of God if it had beene the best way to take away divisions the Apostles in whose times the controversies did arise would have taken the same order 5. Objection Calvin saith that the Apostles had one among them to governe the rest Answ. That was not in Superioritie but for Order to propound the matters gather the voyces and such like which ●s meete to be in every well ordered meeting but his Authority is no more over the rest then the Speaker in the Parliament hath over the other Knights and Burgesses 6. Ob●ect Paul was Superiour to Tim●thy and Titus Answ. Paul and they had divers Offices whereof the Apostles Office was the chiefe the like is to be said of Timothy and Titus having Superiority over the other Ministers for that they were Evangelists a degree above ordinarie Ministers Ther●fore if the place alledged out of Cyprian make nothing for Archb. if unity be not preserved by him but by the Bishops among themselves if his Authority make nothing to the taking away of Controversies if it be meerely invented by man and not from the beginning if it bee by Custome and not by any Ordinance of God if neither one Apostle over the rest nor any of them over the Evangelists nor of the Evangelists over the Pastours and Teachers will serve to prove their Authority then must it needs follow that it is utterly unlawfull No man may be Ordained unto any Office in the Church untill there be such a place voyd as he is fit for T.C. booke 1 page 61. Whitgift page 222. 1. As was the 12. place for Matthias so is a certaine Church to every Church officer But Matthias was not ordained unto the place of an Apostle untill Judas by hanging himselfe had made it void Act. 1.20 Therefore may none be ordained unto any Office in the Church before the place where he may be imployed be destitute of such a one 2. As the Apostles did in planting of the Churches so must it be done in the building thereof for ever But they Ordained neither Pastour Teacher Elder or Deacon but to some certaine Church that had need thereof Therefore may none be ordained unto any Office untill a place be void that hath need of him 3. Those things that be of one beginning continuance and ending cannot be one before or after another But a Minister and the execution of his Ministry in a lawfull standing be so for they bee Relatives and have reference one unto the other Therefore a Minister ought not be ordained before there be a Ministery whereunto he is to be allotted 4. If none ought to be called to be a Shepheard that hath no flock of Sheepe to keepe neither any Watchman that is not allotted to some place to watch then may none be Ordained to any Office before there be a place void for him for Ministers are in this sence tearmed shepheards and Watchmen But the former is true as every simple man can easily perceive Therefore the latter is true also 5. To doe contrary to the precepts and practize of the Apostles is unlawfull But to ordaine any officer without a certaine place wherein he may be imployed is contrary to the precepts and practize of the Apostles as it appeareth Tit. 1.5 Act. 14.23 Therefore to ordaine any officer of the Church without a certaine place whereunto he is to be allotted is unlawfull 6. It was ordained that no Elder Deacon or any other Ecclesiasticall officer should be ordained a Apolelymen●s that is loosely or let at randone but a● afterward is expounded specially in a Church of Citie or Towne 7. The ordination that is made without a title let it bee void and in what Church one is intituled let him there remaine 8. He complaineth that ministers were ordained being chosen by no Church and so went here and there h●ving no certaine place 9. That action which never is read to be practized but by Idolaters is unlawfull To have wandring officers is onely ●ound to be in idolaters as appeareth Iudg. 17.8 Therefore it is unlawfull Therefore if the Apostles ordained not Matthias untill the place was void if in planting of Churches they ever alotted Officers to their proper places If Minister and ministery be of one beginning continuance and ending If it be with a Minister and his ministery as with a Shepheard and his flocke that he cannot bee the one but in respect of having the other If it be unlawfull to transgresse the precepts and practice of the Apostles If no Minister in the Church be ordained at randone If the ordination that is without a title be voyd If Jerome complained of it as a great fault in his time If no example be found of it but in Idolaters then must it needs follow that to ordaine any Church officer untill there be such a place void as he is fit for is utterly unlawfull and so the Bb. making of many Ministers at once and licencing of wandring Preachers is contrary to the word of God They will have something to say for every action they doe be it never so shamefull That which they alledge for this is that Paul and Barnabas did wander The Apostles office and so the Evangelists as assistants unto them was to preach the Word and plant Churches in every part of the world but the order that they left is a president for us which is that every Church have their proper Officers and that there bee no other elsewhere to be found CHAP. III. EVery Church-officer ought to execute the office committed unto him with all faith●ull diligence and consequently be continually resident upon his charge T.C. book 1. page 65. They deny not the proposition but the consequent that is inferred upon it as appeareth by their writings Whitgift page 246. and by their daily practice in giving dispensations for many Benefices The reasons we alledge to prove the necessitie of perpetuall residence and the unlawfulnesse of nonresidence be these that follow 1. A Shepheard hath a flocke to the end to feed it continually The Minister is a shepheard and his charge a flocke Therefore he ought to feed it continually and consequently to bee perpetually resident for how can he feed them from whom he is absent 2. Where God doth place any man there his continuall travaile is needfull for God is most wise in disposing every thing But God placeth every right Minister over that people which is his charge Therefore his continuall travaile is needfull there and consequently he may not discontinue 3. Flockes that are in danger are by carefull Shepheards watched night and day