of the Church For the first Three Hundred years they were nothing but voluntary conventions of the Officers or Elders Bishops and Presbyters with some others of neighbouring Churches on the occasion of Differences or Heresies among them In and from the Council of Nice there were Assemblies of Bishops and others called together by the Authority of the Roman Emperours to advise about matters of Faith. In after Ages those which were called in the Western parts of the World in Italy Germany France and England were of a mixt nature advising about things Civil and Political as well as Sacred and Religious especially with respect unto mutual contests between Popes and Princes In them the whole nature of Ecclesiastical Synods was lost and buried and all Religion almost destroyed THUS this laudable practice of Churches acting their mutual Communion by meeting in Synods or Assemblies by their Delegates or Messengers to advise about things of their common concernment and joint Edification as occasion should require founded in the Light of Nature and countenanced by Primitive Apostolical Example was turned by the designing Interests and Ambition of Men unto the enstating of all Church-Power in such Synods and the Usurpation of a Power given unto no Churches nor all of them together as might be made evident by instances innumerable AND whereas they have made such a noise in Christian Religion and have filled so many Volumes with their Acts and doings yet some of them who under the Pope would place all Religion in them do grant and contend that they are a meer Humane Invention So Bellarmine affirms Pighius to have done in his Book de Coelest Hierarch Lib. 6. Cap. 1. But for his part he judgeth that it is more probable that they have a Divine Original by virtue of that Word Where Two or Three are gathered together in my Name there I will be in the midst of them Matth. 18. De Concil Lib. 1. Cap. 3. which will not bear the least part of the superstructure pretended to be built upon it OF these Delegates and Messengers of the Church the Elders or Officers of them or some of them at least ought to be the principal For there is a peculiar care of publick Edification incumbent on them which they are to exercise on all just occasions They are presumed justly to know best the state of their own Churches and to be best able to judge of matters under consideration And they do better represent the Churches from whom they are sent than any private Brethren can do and so receive that Respect and Reverence which is due to the Churches themselves As also they are most meet to report and recommend the Synodal Determinations unto their Churches and a contrary practice would quickly introduce confusion BUT yet it is not necessary that they alone should be so sent or Delegated by the Churches but many have others joined with them and had so until Prelatical Vsurpation overturned their Liberties So there were others beside Paul and Barnabas sent from Antioch to Jerusalem and the Brethren of that Church whatever is impudently pretended to the contrary concurred in the Decree and Determination there made 5. THAT which is termed the calling of these Synods is nothing but the voluntary consent of the Churches concerned to meet together by their Delegates and Messengers for the ends before declared I NO way deny but that a Christian Magistrate may convene by his Authority the Bishops Pastors or Ministers with such others as he shall think meet within his own Territories yea and receive into his Convention meet Men out of the Territories of others by their consent to advise among themselves and to give him Advice about such concernments of Religion and of the Church under his Dominion and Regulate himself accordingly It hath been practised with good success and may be with bad also And I do deny that Churches have Power without the consent and Authority of the Magistrate to convene themselves in Synods to exercise any Exterior Jurisdiction that should affect the Persons of his Subjects any otherwise than by the Law of the Land is allowed BUT whereas the Synods whereof we Treat and which are all that belong unto the Church can take no cognizance of any Civil Affairs wherein the Persons of Men are outwardly concerned have no Jurisdiction in any kind can make no determination but only Doctrinal Declarations of Divine Truth of the same nature with the Preaching of the Word there is no more required unto their calling beyond their own consent but only that they may meet in external peace by the permission of the Magistrate which when they cannot obtain they must deport themselves as in case of other Duties required of them by the Law of Christ. 6. IN the last place I shall speak briefly of the Power and Authority of these Synods in what measures extent and numbers soever they are assembled For although this may be easily Collected from what hath been declared concerning their Original Nature Causes Use and Ends yet it may be necessary to be more particularly enquired into because of the many differences that are about it THERE is a three-fold Power ascribed unto Synods The First is declarative consisting in an Authoritative Teaching and declaring the Mind of God in the Scripture The Second is constitutive appointing and ordaining things to be believed or done and observed by and upon its own Authority And Thirdly executive in Acts of Jurisdiction towards Persons and Churches THE Persons whom the Authority pleaded may affect are of Two sorts 1. Such as have their proper Representatives present in such Synods who are directly concerned in its conciliary determinations 2. Such as have no such Representatives in them who can be no otherwise concerned but in the Doctrine materially considered declared in them WHEREFORE the ground of any Churches receiving complying with or obeying the Determinations and Decrees of Synods must be either 1. The evidence of Truth given unto those Determinations by the Synod from the Scripture or 2. The Authority of the Synod it self affecting the Minds and Consciences of those concerned IN the First way wherein the Assent and Obedience of Churches is resolved ultimately into the evidence of Truth from the Scripture upon the judgment which they make thereof not only the discovery of Truth is to be owned but there is an Authoritative Proposal of it by virtue of the promised presence of Christ in them if duly sought and regarded whence great Respect and Reverence is due unto them THE Power of a Synod for the execution of its Decrees respects either 1. The Things or Doctrines declared and is recommendatory of them on its Authority from the presence of Christ or 2. Persons to Censure Excommunicate or punish those who receive them not THESE things being premised the just Power of Synods may be positively and negatively declared in the two following Assertions 1. THE Authority of a Synod declaring the mind of God
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is such Prophecy as is to be regulated by the Scripture it self which gives the Proportion of Faith. And there is not any thing in any or both of these Prophecy and Ministry but it belongs unto Office in the Church Neither is there any thing belonging unto Office in the Church but may be reduced unto one of these as they are all of them here by the Apostle 2. THE Gifts spoken of are in general referred unto all them who are intended Now these are either the whole Church and all the Members of it or all the Officers of the Church only Hence it is expressed in the Plural number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we having that is all we that are concerned herein This cannot be all of the Church for all the Church have not received the Gifts of Prophecy and Ministry Nor can any distinction be made of who doth receive them and who doth not but with respect unto Office. And therefore 3. IN the Distribution which ensues of Prophecy into Exhorting and Teaching and of Ministry into Shewing Mercy Rule and Giving having stated these Gifts in general in the Officers in general making distinct Application of them unto distinct Officers he speaks in the Singular number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He that Teacheth he that Exhorteth he that Ruleth 6. IT is then evident that Offices are intended and it is no less evident that distinct Offices are so which was to be proved in the Second place For 1. The distributive Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the indicative Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prefixed unto each Office in particular do shew them distinct so far as Words can do it As by the Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whether they are distinguished in their nature whether they be of this or that kind so by the Article prefixed to each of them in exercise they are distinguished in their Subjects 2. The Operations Work and Effects ascribed unto these Gifts require distinct Offices and Functions in their exercise And if the Distribution be made unto all promiscuously without respect unto distinct Offices it were the only way to bring confusion into the Church whereas indeed here is an accurate Order in all Church Administrations represented to us And it is farther evident that distinct Offices are intended 1. From the comparison made unto the Members of the Body ver 4. All the Members have not the same Office the eye hath one the ear hath another 2. Each of the Duties mentioned and given in charge is sufficient for a distinct Officer as is declared Act. 6. 7. IN particular He that Ruleth is a distinct Officer An Officer because Rule is an Act of Office or Office-Power And he is expresly distinguished from all others But say some he that Ruleth is he that doth so be who he will that is the Pastor or Teacher the Teaching Elder But the contrary is evident 1. He that says He that Exhorteth and then adds He that Ruleth having distinguished before between Prophecy whereunto Exhortation doth belong and Ministry whereof Rule is a part and prefixing the Prepositive Indicative Article to each of them doth as plainly put a difference between them as can be done by Words 2. Rule is the principal Work of him that Ruleth For he is to attend unto it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with Diligence that is such as is peculiar unto Rule in contradistinction unto what is principally required in other Administrations But Rule is not the principal Work of the Pastor requiring constant and continual attendance For his labour in the Word and Doctrine is ordinarily sufficient for the utmost of his Diligence and Abilities 8. WE have therefore in this Context the beautiful Order of things in and of the Church All the Duties of it with respect unto its Edification derived from distinct differing Spiritual Gifts exercised in and by distinct Officers unto their peculiar ends The distinction that is in the nature of those Gifts their use and end being provided for in distinct Subjects The mind of no One Man at least ordinarily is meet to be the seat and subject of all those differing Gifts in any eminent degree the Person of no Man being sufficient meet or able to exercise them in a way of Office towards the whole Church especially those who labour in the Word and Doctrine being obliged to give themselves wholly thereunto and those that Rule to attend thereto with diligence so many distinct Works Duties and Operations with the Qualifications required in their discharge being inconsistent in the same Subject all things are here distributed into their proper Order and Tendency unto the Edification of the Church Every distinct Gift required to be exercised in a peculiar manner unto the publick Edification of the Church is distributed unto peculiar Officers unto whom an especial Work is assigned to be discharged by virtue of the Gifts received unto the Edification of the whole Body No Man alive is able to fix on any thing which is necessary unto the Edification of the Church that is not contained in these Distributions under some of the Heads of them Nor can any Man find out any thing in these Assignations of distinct Duties unto distinct Offices that is superfluous redundant or not directly necessary unto the Edification of the whole with all the Parts and Members of it nor do I know any wise and sober Man who knows any thing how the Duties enjoined are to be performed with what Care Diligence Circumspection Prayer and Wisdom suited unto the nature ends and objects of them can ever imagine that they can all of them belong unto one and the same Office or be discharged by one and the same Person LET Men advance any other Church Order in the room of that here declared so suited unto the principles of Natural Light Operations and Duties of diverse natures being distributed and assigned to such distinct Gifts acted in distinct Offices as renders those unto whom they are prescribed meet and able for them so correspondent to all Institutions Rules and Examples of Church-Order in other places of Scripture so suited unto the Edification of the Church wherein nothing which is necessary thereunto is omitted nor any thing added above what is necessary and it shall be cheerfully embraced THE Truth is the ground of the different Interpretations and Applications of this Context of the Apostle ariseth meerly from the prejudicate Apprehensions that Men have concerning the State of the Church and its Rule For if the State of it be National or Diocesan if the Rule of it be by Arbitrary Rules and Canons from an Authority exerting it self in Courts Ecclesiastical Legal or Illegal the Order of things here described by the Apostle doth no way belong nor can be accommodated thereunto To suppose that we have a full Description and Account in these Words of all the Offices and Officers of the Church of their Duty and Authority of all they
have to do and the manner how they are to do it is altogether unreasonable and senceless unto them who have another Idea of Church-Affairs and Rule conceived in their Minds or received by Tradition and riveted by Interest And on the other hand those who know little or nothing of what belongs unto the due Edification of the Church beyond Preaching the Word and reaping the Advantage that is obtained thereby cannot see any necessity of the distribution of these several Works and Duties unto several Officers but suppose all may be done well enough by One or Two in the same Office. Wherefore it will be necessary that we treat briefly of the Nature of the Rule of the Church in particular and what is required thereunto which shall be done in the close of this Discourse 9. THE Exceptions which are usually put in unto this Testimony have not the least countenance from the Text or Context nor the matter treated of nor Confirmation 〈◊〉 any other Divine Testimony It is therefore in vain to contend about them being such as any Man may multiply at his pleasure on the like occasion and used by those who on other considerations are not willing that things should be as they are here declared to be by the Apostle Yet we may take a brief Specimen of them Some say it is Gifts absolutely without respect unto distinct Offices that the Apostle Treats of which hath been disproved from the Text and Context before Some say that Rule is included in the Pastoral Office so as that the Pastor only is here intended But 1. Rule is not his principal Work which he is to attend unto in a peculiar manner with diligence above other parts of his Duty 2. The care of the Poor of the Flock belongs also to the Pastoral Office yet is there another Office appointed to attend unto it in a peculiar manner Act. 6. 3. He that Ruleth is in this place expresly distinguished from him that Exhorteth and him that Teacheth Some say that he that Ruleth is he that Ruleth his Family But this is disproved by the Analysis of the Chapter before declared And this Duty which is common unto all that have Families and confined unto their Families is ill placed among those publick Duties which are designed unto the Edification of the whole Church It is objected that he that Ruleth is here placed after him that giveth that is the Deacon I say then it cannot be the Pastor that is intended if we may prescribe Methods of expressing himself unto the Apostle But he useth his Liberty and doth not oblige himself unto any Order in the annumeration of the Offices of the Church see 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10 28. And some other Exceptions are insisted on of the same nature and importance which indeed deserve not our consideration 10. THERE is the same Evidence given unto the Truth argued for in another Testimony of the same Apostle 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church First Apostles Secondarily Prophets Thirdly Teachers after that Miracles then Gifts of Healings Helps Governments Diversities of Tongues I shall not insist on this Testimony and its Vindication in particular seeing many things would be required thereunto which have been Treated of already Some things may be briefly observed concerning it That there is here an Annumeration of Officers and Offices in the Church both extraordinary for that season and ordinary for continuance is beyond exception Unto them is added the present exercise of some extraordinary Gifts as Miracles Healing Tongues That by Helps the Deacons of the Church are intended most do agree because their Original Institution was as helpers in the Affairs of the Church Governments are Governours or Rulers the Abstract for the Concrete that is such as are distinct from Teachers such hath God placed in the Church and such there ought to be But it is said that Gifts not Offices are intended the Gift of Goverment or Gift for Government If so then these Gifts are either ordinary or extraordinary if ordinary how come they to be reckoned among Miracles Healing and Tongues if extraordinary what extraordinary Gifts for Government were then given distinct from those of the Apostles and what instance is any where given of them in the Scripture Again If God hath given Gifts for Government to abide in the Church distinct from those given unto Teachers and unto other Persons than the Teachers then is there a distinct Office of Rule or Government in the Church which is all we plead for 11. THE Original Order in these things is plain in the Scripture The Apostles had all Church-Power and Church-Office in themselves with Authority to exercise all Acts of them everywhere on all occasions But considering the nature of the Church with that of the Rule appointed by the Lord Christ in it or over it they did not they would not ordinarily exercise their power by themselves or in their own persons alone And therefore when the First Church consisted of a small number the Apostles acted all things in it by the consent of the whole Multitude or the Fraternity as we have proved from Acts the First And when the number of Believers encreased so as that the Apostles themselves could not in their own Persons attend unto all the Duties that were to be performed towards the Church by virtue of Office they added by the direction of the Holy Ghost the Office of the Deacons for the especial discharge of the Duty which the Church oweth unto its poor Members Whereas therefore it is evident that the Apostles could no more personally attend unto the Rule of the Church with all that belongs thereunto without an entrenchment on that labour in the Word and Prayer which was incumbent on them than they could attend unto the Relief of the Poor they appointed Elders to help and assist in that part of Office-Work as the Deacons did in the other THESE Elders are first mentioned Act. 11.30 where they are spoken of as those which were well known and had now been of some time in the Church Afterwards they are still mentioned in conjunction with the Apostles and distinction from the Church it self Acts 15.2 4 6 22. Chap. 16.4 Chap. 21.18 Now the Apostles themselves were Teaching Elders that is such as had the Work of Teaching and Rule committed to them 1 Pet. 5.1 2 Joh. 1. And these Elders are constantly distinguished from them which makes it evident that they were not Teaching Elders And therefore in all the mention that is made of them the Work of Teaching or Preaching is no where ascribed unto them which at Jerusalem the Apostles reserved to themselves Act. 6.2 3. but they are every where introduced as joining with the Apostles in the Rule of the Church and that in distinction from the Church it self or the Brethren of it Yea it is altogether improbable that whilst the Apostles were at Jerusalem giving themselves wholly unto the Word and Prayer that they