to he is to be called T. C. 1. book page 38. Disci Ecclesiast fol. 46 They thinke one may do it as appeareth by the book of ordering c. VVhitgist page 134. 135. and their slight passing it ouer thorow the Archdeacons hands The former is prooued and the latter disprooued thus 1 Those that are to ordayne must haue particular knowledge of the parties to bee ordayned or else they breake the rule prescribed them 1. Tim. 5. 22 which cannot be without examination But the Eldership is to ordayneeuerye Churche officer as shall appeare in the Chap. of Ordination Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership to examine c. 2 The matter of greatest importance in the gouernement of the Churche must be done by the most able gouernours of the same The approouing or disproouing of Churche officers is the matter of greatest importance because the consequence of ruling well is the best or ill the worst and the Eldership is the Senate of most able gouernours in the Church as shall appear in the Chap. of Eldership Therefore the Eldership is to examine c. 3 The way whereby a mans insufficiencie is best espyed and his abilitie discerned is the fittest to examine them that are to be admitted But by the eldership consisting of diuers his insufficiencie is best espyed and his abilitie best discerned for the common prouerbe telleth vs that many eyes do see more then one Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 4 They are to examine Church officers that are least subiect to be blinded with partiallitie But the Eldership is least subiect to partiallitie both for that they be many who are not so easily ouer ruled by affection or fauour as one as also and that especially for that it being the Lords owne ordinance as shall appeare we are to perswade our selues that his spirit shal guyde them Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 5 The way that was vsed in the Apostles time in examining is of vs to be folowed vnles some reason out of the word to perswade the conscience can be alleadged to the contrary which none haue euer yet done But many vsed in the Apostles time to examine as appereth in chosing out one to be in the place of Iudas Act. 1. 22. 23. and fit men for Deacons Act. 6 5. wherof the gouernours especially were some for that they were to ordayn vpon knowledge as is said in the first reason Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 6 They whose testimony the people may best credit are to examine them that are to be admitted But the people may best credite the iudgement of a company of able and sufficient men which the Eldershipp rightly established must needes be Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 7 Examination belongeth vnto them which may most perswade the people of his sufficiency so procure gretest reuerence vnto him in his place But the examination by the Eldership is such Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. Therefore if they that are to ordain must examine if it be a matter of grerest waight in the gouernment of the Churche they the most able to dispatch it if by them his sufficiency or insufficiency be best found out if they be hardliest carried away with affection or parciallitie if the examination was suche in the Apostles time if the people may in reason giue most credit to the examination that is by such if that kinde of examination perswade the people best of his sufficiencie and procure him greatest reuerence in his place then must it needs folow that it pertaineth to the Eldership to examine those that are to bee admitted to any office in the Church There is nothing obiected against this that hath any shew of reason in it and therfore it were needles to set any thing downe CHAP. 6. BEfore consent be giuen to any man vnto any calling in the Churche it must appeare by sufficient tryall and due examination that he is quallified with those giftes that the worde of God requireth in one of that place Discipl Ecclesiast fol. 44. T. C. 2. booke 1. part page 368. and in many other places They gainsay this in two points first in mainteining their reading ministery secondly in gouerning the Church by their commissaries and officialls which both shal be ouerthrown if we prooue these two propositions following to be true by the worde of God No man ought to bee receiued vnto the ministery but such as be able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainsayers The Churche ought not to be gouerned by commissaries officialls and chauncellors 1 He that may be receiued into the ministery must be able to teach the people whatsoeuer Christe hath commaunded Matth. 28. 20. Onely he that is able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainsayers can teach the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commanded Therefore none must be receiued into the ministery but such as be able to teach c. 2 That which is to be done conditionally may not be done if that condition be not kept Men are to be receiued into the ministery conditionally that is if they bee vnreproâ—â—eable Tit. 1. 5. 6. Therefore if they be not such as bee there discribed they may not be receiued and consequently none may be receiued but such as be able to teach c. 3 That which cannot be done without the manifest brech of Gods commandement may not be done at all To receiue any that be not able to teach is a manifest breach of Gods coÌ„maundement 1. Tim. 3. 1. Tit. 1. 9. Therefore no man ought to be receiued into the ministerye that is not able to teach c. 4 They whome the Lorde refuseth to be his ministers may not be receiued into the ministery for the ministery being the Lords haruest we may admit none to labour therein but onely such as he hath giuen liking of by the rules of his worde The Lorde refuseth to be his ministers all those that cannot teach Hosea 4. 6. Therefore such as are not able to teache may not be receiued and consequently none may be receiued but those that be able to teach c. 5 He that may be admitted into the ministery must be able to deuide the word of God aright 2. Tim. 2. 15. Onely he that is able to teach and conuince the gainesayers can deuide the worde of God aright Therefore none may be admitted into the ministery but he that is able to teach c. 6 He that may bee admitted into the ministery must haue a treasury furnished with olde thinges and newe and must be able to bring it forth as occasion shal serue Matth. 13. 52. Onely hee that is able to teache c. is such a one Therefore onely he may be admitted c. 7 He that can espy the enemy and giue warning aforehand how to resist him may be receiued into the ministery Ezek. 33. 7. None can espy the enemie
such is the matter of excommunication being the denouncing of that against a man which he will most hardly beleeue being the wayghtiest poynt of discipline Therefore it may not be done by one man 4 Those must excommunicate that are to deale in the other partes of discipline as shall appear in the resons following and as I think no man will denie But the other partes of discipline are exercized not by one but by the Church as hath bene prooued Therefore not one but the Church is to excommunicate 5 As it was ministred among the Iewes so must it be in the Church for euer which appeareth by this that it is translated vnto vs from them as the Greeke word Synedrion being by a corrupt imitation called Sanedrim by the Rabbins doth import and had nothing ceremoniall in it But it was executed among them by the Church and not any one Iohn 9. 22. Therefore the Church is to excommunicate and not one man 6 Sayth he would neuer do any thing in his charge without the counsell of his Elders and consent of the people 7 The elders other church-officers haâ—e as wel power to obsolue as the byshop 8 For so much as absolution belongeth vnto all I alone dare not do it 9 If there be any that haue committed such a fault that he is to be put away from the partaking of the prayers of the Church c. There do be are rule certayne of the most approoued auncients or elders of the Church which haue obtayned this honour not by money but by good report 10 It helpeth much to make the party more ashamed that he be excommunicated by the whole Church also in his bookes of Baptiâ—me against the Donatists often 11 The Elders haue interest in other censures of the Church and the Church it selfe in excommunication 12 S. Paule accuseth the Corinthians for that the whole Church had not excommunicated the incestuous person 13 The Elders had the gouernement in excommunication 14 It is very dangerous to permit so weightie a matter to one man and therefore that tyrannie may be auoyded and this censure executed with greater fruite and grauitie the order that the Apostle there vseth is still to bee obserued 15 Hee sheweth that it pertayneth not to one man that it is a wicked fact that one should take the authoritie to himselfe that is common to others that it openeth a way to tyrannie taketh from the Church their right and abrogateth the Ecclesiasticall senate ordayned by Iesus Christ. 16 The byshops when they excommunicated of themselues alone did it ambitiously contrary to the decrees of godly cannons See Bucer against Groppet and vpon Ephes. 4. De animi Cura also Zuinglius in Ecclesiast 17 It is plentifully forbidden euen by that filthie puddle the cannon law and therefore it must needs be a haynous sinne when it findeth fault with it Therefore if excommunication be to be executed by the commaundement of Christe of the Churche if S. Paule enioyned it vnto the Church if it haue need of greatest aduice and authoritie if it belong to them that may execute the other partes of Discipline if it was so executed among the Iewes if to absolue be as well in the Elders power as the Byshops if Cyprian durst not do it alone if it was the action in Tertulians time of the most approoued Elders if to be by the whole Churche helpeth much to make the partie more ashamed if the whole Churche haue interest in it if the whole Church at Corinth was reprooued for not doing it if it be too weighty a matter for one man if the executing of it by one ouerturneth the order appoynted by Christ bringeth in tyrannie maintayneth ambition and lastly be forbidden by the cannon law it selfe Then must it needes followe that it belongeth not vnto one man to excommunicate but vnto the Eldershipp and that with the consent of the whole Church Their obiections herevnto in defence of their owne practize be these 1 Obiection The right of excommunication was in S. Paule and not in the rest Ansvvere He gaue onely direction in that as in all other matters whiche hee wrote of vnto them but if they had not throwne out the incestuous person he had remayned still vnexcommunicated for all that which S. Paule had sayd vnto them 2 Obiection Christ gaue Peter and euery Apostle power to binde and lose in earth and in heauen which interpreters expound by Matth. 18. 15. Ansvvere That power was of denouncinge Gods iudgements or pronouncing his mercie in preaching and not of this action they are expounded one by another because of the ratifying of them both in heauen alike 3 Obiection Paule did excommunicate Hymeneus and Philetus Ansvvere That is beeing moderator of the action he pronounced it not that he did it alone The same answere is to be made vnto the fathers as Ambrose c. who are said to excommunicate Therefore vpon these grounds of Scriptures Fathers Councels Emperours Lawes Histories newe writers and cleare light of reason I conclude that Christ hath prescribed vnto vs an exacte and perfect platforme of gouerning his church at all times and in all places which is this that there ought to be no ministers of the the word but pastors and teachers whiche are to be called by the people and ordained by the Eldership are of equall authoritie in their seuerall congregations muste with all faythfull diligence imploye themselues in the ministery of the worde and sacramentes that there are to be in euery congregation certaine elders whose office is to ouersee the behauiour of the people and assist their pastour in the gouernment of the church also Deacons who are to be imployed onely in receiuing and bestowing the liberallity and goods of the church to the reliefe of the poore and other necessary vses Lastly that there must be in euery congregation an eldershipp of pastour teacher if they can haue any and elders who are in common to see that the church be well gouerned not onely in maintayning the profession and practize of the worde in generall but also in admonishing reprehending or seperating froÌ„ the Lords supper them that walke offensiuely and lastly in excommunicating them that by no other meanes can be reclaimed So that all and euery gouernement contrary or besides this whether in part or in whol swarueth from that order which Christ hath set downe in his word and therefore is vnlawfull FINIS ERRATA Page 1. line 21. for 14. read 84. p. 4. l. 16. for Saâ—edoriâ— read Sanedrim p. 9. l. 11. for 43. read 43 8. l. 20 for ministerie read ministers p. 15. l. 3. blot out also p. 17. in the margent for Nepolitan read Nepotian pag. 22. l. 16. for Damascus read Damasus and so pag. 27. l. 24. pa. 23. l. 18. for the these p. 25. l. 2 for 6. read 26.
haue onely executed iustice vpon vs as malefactours and they perswade men that we desire a thing not warranted by the worde not heard of in the Church of God vntill within this few years nor tollerable in any christian common-weal whatsoeuer The whiche monstrous slaunders albeit they haue bene manye wayes and by many men of most worthie gifts detected and made knowne in those seuerall bookes that haue bene published concerning the same yet haue I thought it necessarie in another course to write also of it The course of my enterprise is first in respect of the fauorers of the desired reformation secondly of the aduersaries of the same the fauourers of it are also of two sorts ministers of the word priuate persons both I hope may haue profit by it Concerning the former when these wofull troubles that were renewed vpon vs by that wretched subscription that was euery where vrged did begin to increase I thought it meete to betake my selfe vnto that which I had read or might any way by studie finde out concerning the cause and collected all into a briefe sum and referred euery thing vnto some head whiche beeing euer present with me might furnish me to answere in the defence of the trueth though it were of a sodden by which thorow the blessing of God I found such profite in my seuerall troubles that I thought it a course not altogether vnprofitable for others also and vpon that occasion betooke my selfe vnto a more serious meditation about the matter and communicating the thing with diuers very worthy men I found encouragement hartening on generally by all whom I made acquainted therwith so that I trust the iudgments yea and wishes also of others so iumping with mine many ministers that loue the cause and haue not so thorowly studied it as were meet they should may reape some profit therby Now concerning priuate men that loue the cause som haue great affaires in hand and haue no leasure to read the seuerall books of this argumente some when they read are not of sufficient capacity to conceiue the force of a reason or to make vse of it to enform themselues in the grounded knowledge of the cause thereby some which is the generall falt of our religious gentlemē will take no paines to read some are poore and not able to buie the books which might let them see the cause al these I hope may finde helpe in some measure hereby Nowe concerning the aduersaries vnto the cause they are of two sortes also they that know it and they that are ignoraunt of it the former if they write anye thing against it are contented to deal in so rouing a course as may rather arise vnto great volumes then soundly to saye anye thing againste the cause Wherein D. Whitgifte but especially D. Bridges haue giuen vs an euident example and these with others of their iudgment though non in these latter dayes haue written more vnlearnedly then they of any argument of diuinity whatsoeuer are cōtented to make the world belieue if mē will be so wilfully seduced that our arguments be no arguments that they be grounded vpon false foundations that we are not able to conclude our cause in any forme of reasoning The course that is here taken I trust shall shew that they are liars the other sort of aduersaries be they that be meerly ignorant of any thing either for it or against it and perswading themselues that the sway and shew of the worlde must needs cary the truth with it do like blind bayardes boldly venture to say any thing against it and think they do wel Now of all these sorts of people I haue to request some thing I hope I shall obtaine my request at the least at the hands of some of thē The first sort of fauorers which be the ministers I intreat that as they tender the glory of God and honour of the cause which they stand in so they would diligently imploy themselues in this that they may be founde able to defend the same by sounde and euident grounds out of the worde so muche the rather for that the aduersaries doe greatly triumph when they meete with one that professeth the cause and is not able to defende it and confute the gainsayers of it The secoud sort of fauourers be the priuate persons that loue the cause whom I beseech to be carefull as of all other pointes of religion of this that they growe in the knowledge of the word of God whereby they may be able vpon their owne knowledge to defend the truth and not giue the enemie any occasion to think or say that they be of that minde because such and suche ministers whom they do affect do thinke so Now concerning the former sort of aduersaries to wit they that know it I pray them to looke into their owne hearts and they shal finde they mislike it eyther because it correcteth their excessiue pompe and maintenaunce or requireth more trauaile in their ministery then they are willing to vndergo or at the least controlleth that dissolutnes of behauior wherin they willingly wallow and if it would please god to bring them to a serious meditation of this that it is the will of the mighty God before whō they must be called to giue an account whiche they doe resist they would I doubt not more carefully looke about thē And lastly for them that being ignorant of the cause speake euill of that they know not let them if they will bee admonished vouchsafe to reade this little book and wey the reasons with an vpright iudgment which shal cause thē at the least to suspend their sharpe censures which so vsually appeare in their ordinary communication concerning vs al let vs know for one day we shal be sure to feel it that the controuersie is not about goats woolle as the prouerbe sayth neither light trifling maters which may safely be folowed or reiected as in deed the enemies of this cause do confidently affirme but about no les matter thē this whether Iesus Christ shal be king or no For if none is said to be a king but he that ruleth by the scepter of his lawes then the turning out of these orders which christ hath prescribed in his word for the ruling of the Church is to giue him the tytle and denye him the authority belonging to the same and so in trueth to make him an Idol making him to cary a shew of that which he is not with the crucifiers of him to put a reede in his hand in stead of his yron rod and crowning him with thorns in stead of the crown of greatest glory which is the cause that so many Atheists spit in his face and so many godles persons do make but a iest of him but when he commeth to shew him-selfe in his glorious maiestie it shal be said vnto all these sorts of aduersaries Those mine enemies whiche would not that I should raigue ouer them
bring hither and slea them before me Luk. 19. 27. The which fearefull sentence that we may auoide let euerye one of vs as may stand with our seuerall callings carefully endeuor to aduaunce this kingdom here which among other assurances giuen vs from the Lord shal be a testimonie vnto vs that we shall haue part in that glory which shal be reuealed herafter Now concerning the order of this booke to direct thee good reader vnto thy further instructioÌ„ in the points therof Thou hast in euery chapter diuers proofs out of the holy word of God which must be the things wherewith thou mayest safely informe thy conscience then shalt thou finde also arguments drawn from reson rightly ruled by the same word and lastly because our aduersaries charge vs that we desire a thing not known vnto the olde writers nor agreed vpon among the newe thou hast here the witnes of them both in so plentifull and vniforme wise as may plainly declare that al godly learned men of al times haue giuen testimony vnto the trueth of it The most of the thinges that are here expressed I acknowledg to be gathered out of the books that haue bene published and are extant purposely concerning this argumeÌ„t as may appeare in the seueral points wherein thou art sent vnto theÌ„ Now lest either thou shouldst be deceiued with a diuers impression or think me to missealleadge the authors I am to shew thee what books I haue followed The 1. book of T. C. twise printed I folow the latter of Ecclesiast discip I folow the latine printed 1574. and the last booke of D. Whitgift which containeth all the former in it The rest as I take it haue bene but once printed and therefore cary no doubt in them If thou bee satisfied herewith giue God the glory and promote the cause by prayer and all other good meanes that thy calling may affoord and pray for vs that we may neuer shrinke nor be ouerthrowen by the strength of them that fight against it FINIS A Table of Discipline the particular heades whereof are handled in the seuerall chapters according to the number wherevvith they are noted as follovveth The Discipline of the Church is the order that GOD hath prescribed in his worde for the ruling of the same cap. 1 The offices officers of whiche are to bee considered in General the calling wherevnto to wit to A certaine office Chap. 2. Execute his office faythfully Chap. 3. how it muste be by Election whiche must be done by The people chap. 4. Examination chap. 5. Consent onely to a man fit for the place Chap. 6. ordination By whom it must be by the eldership Chap. 7. The maner howe by publike prayer with the people chap. 8. laying on of hands cap. 9. Particular the officers and offices Simple by themselues Byshops Pastours chap. 10. Doctours chap 11. Deacons or Church seruants Ouerseâ—â—â— chap. 1â— Distributers chap. 13. compound the Synode Ecclesiasticall What Be the parties Pastours Doctours and Elders Chap. 14. Is the authoritie thereof chap. 15. wherein it consisteth in placing and displacing chap. 16. Censures by Word chap. 17. deed Suspention cap. 1â— Excommunication Chap. 19. A DEMONSTRATION of Discipline CHAP. 1. The diffinition of Discipline contayneth this proposition holden by vs. THe worde of God describâ—th perfectly vnto vs that forme of gouerning the Church which is Iawfull and the officers that are to execute the same from the which no Christian Church ought to swarue Admonition in the praeface Ecclesiasticall Discip. fol. 5. T. C. first booke page 26. Counterpoyson page 8. Discourse of gouernement page 1. c. The Assertion of the BB. and their adherents THe worde of God describeth not any exacte forme of Discipline neyther are the offices and officers namely and particularly expressed in the Scriptures but in some points left to the discretion and libertie of the Churche VVhitgift in praeface and page 14. aunswere to the Abstract page 33. The proofe of the former is the disproofe of the latter which is thus declared 1. These thinges write I vnto thee c. out of whiche place I reason thus That end which Paule respected in writing vnto Timothie doth the holy ghost direct al ministers vnto for euer for it must be kept 1. Tim. 6. 14. But he wrote to directe him in the establishing and building of the Church Therefore that word must direct ministers for euer and consequently they neither may add to nor take from it but gouerne it onely by the rules that be there prescribed 2 Euery house ought to be ruled by the orders of the skilfull wise and careful householder onely But the Church is the house of God and God is such a householder Therefore the Church ought to be ruled by the orders of God onely which are no where to be had but in his worde 3 That which teacheth euery good way teacheth also how the Church must be gouerned But the word of God teacheth euery good way pro. 2. 9. therefore it teacheth how the Church must be gouerned 4 We cannot glorifie God but by obedience to his word in all that we doe we must glorifie God 1. Cor. 10. 31. Therefore in all that we doe there must be obedience to the word and consequently in gouerning his Church 5 If meat and drinke be not sanctified vnto vs but by the word prayer then much lesse is any thing holy which is done in the gouernement of the Church besides the word But the former is true by the testimonie of the Apostle 1. Tim. 4. 5 therfore the latter must be true also 6 All lawfull things are of fayth Rom. 14 23. All lawfull things that are of fayth haue a warrant from the word for the word is the foundation of fayth therefore all things lawfull haue their warrant from the word and consequently euery lawfull action in the gouernement of the Church 7 Eyther hath God left a prescript forme of gouernement for the Church vnder the newe testament or he is lesse careful for it now then he was vnder the lawe for his care is in guyding it But he is as careful now for his church as he was then Therefore hath hee left a prescript forme to gouerne it 8 He that was as faythfull as Moses left as clear instruction both for the buylding of faith and gouernment of the Churche as Moses did But Christ was as faythfull in Gods house Heb. 3. 2 therefore he lefte as cleare instruction for them both as Moses but Moses gaue direction euen for euery particular as appeareth in the buylding of the Tabernacle and order of the priesthood Therefore hath Christe also giuen particuler direction for the gouernment of the Church 9 If the word of God haue described sufficient ministers and ministeries for the buylding of the Church and keeping it in good order then is our assertion true But it hath set downe sufficient for doctrine exhortation ouerseeing distributing
former is true as the historie teacheth vs Therefore must the latter needes be true also 4 That which giueth comfort vnto a man in the time of his troubles must haue a warraunt out of Gods worde But euerye lawfull calling giueth comfort vnto a man in the time of his troubles Therefore euery lawfull calling hath a warrant out of Gods word 5 That which helpeth Gods people forward in godlines must haue a warraunt out of Gods word for God hath promised a blessing to his owne ordinance onely But euery lawfull calling in the Churche helpeth Gods people forward in godlines Therefore euerie lawfull calling hath a warrant out of Gods word Therefore if Iohn did prooue his calling out of the Scriptures if euerye calling vnder the lawe was warraunted out of the Scriptures if Corath c. were punnished for enterprising that which they had no warrant for out of the Scriptures if comfort in troubles commeth onely from the Scriptures and lastly if euery helpe to godlines is warraunted in the Scriptures then c. They confesse all these reasons to be true but do denie that the Archbish. L. B. c. be distinct ministers from others VVhigift page 303. which we holde T. C. 1. booke page 438 prooue it thus 1 Those thinges that haue diuers efficient causes are diuers Our BB. and the ministers of the worde haue diuers efficient causes for the one is the ordinance of God the other the constitution of humane pollicie as themselues doe confesse Therefore they are distinct ministers from others 2 A diuers forme maketh diuers things the minister◠of the word and the L. Byshops haue diuers formes for their ordination euen in the Church of England is diuers seeing one L. B. may ordaine a minister But there must bee three to ordaine one of them Therefore they are distinct ministers 3 Members of one diuision are distincte one from another the L. BB. and ordinarie ministers bee members of one diuision for vsually the ministers be diuided into the rulers them that are to be ruled therefore they are distinct ministers 4 The things that haue diuers effects are diuers in them-selues one from another the L. BB. and other ministers haue diuers effects for the one effecteth rule and gouernement the other subiection and obedience Therfore they are diuers and distinct ministers 5 They that be imploied about diuers things are diuers one from another The L. Bb. and the ordinary ministers be imployed about diuers things for the one is exercised in generall viewe of many congregations and the other in the particular direction of one Therfore they be distinct ministers 6 That which is perpetuall and that which may be taken away by men are distinct one frō another The office of the minister is perpetuall Ephes. 4. 13. and the Bb. may be taken away as themselues do confesse Therefore they are diuers and distinct ministers Therefore if the ministers of the worde and L. Bb. proceed from diuers causes if they haue their being by diuers formes if they be members of one diuision which in nature cannot be one if they produce diuers effectes if they be exercized about diuers subiectes lastly if the one be perpetuall and the other but for a time then must it needes followe that they are diuers distinct ministers one from another The name of an Archb. and also the office that he executeth is contrary to the vvord of God First the reasons that prooue it vnlawfull to giue the name vnto any man in the Churche are these 1 No man may haue the name giuen him which is proper to our Sauiour Iesus Christe But the name of Archb. is proper vnto our Sauiour Iesus Christe as appeareth in the places quoted Therfore no man may haue the name of Archb. giuen vnto him 2 If the name Pope be therefore odious because of that Antichrist who is intituled therwith then must also the name of Archb. when it is ascribed vnto any mortal man forsomuch as it is the title of a speciall member of that kingdom of Antichrist But the former is true euen by their owne confession VVhitgift page 300. Therefore must the latter be true also But they obiect diuers things against this for the proouing of the name Archb. to bee lawfully giuen vnto some men which together with their answers do briefly follow 1 Obiection Clemens aloweth of those names as Polydor reporteth lib. 4. cap. 12. Ansvvere Polydor is but the reporter and M. Iewell hath prooued euidently against Harding that Clemens is countefeite and worthy of no credite 2 Obiection Erasmus sayth that Titus was an Archbishop Ansvvere He spake as the times were wherein he liued but that prooueth not that he helde him one in deed no more then our naming of the Archb. of Canterburye when we speake of him prooueth that we like and allow his authoritie 3 Obiection Anacletus sayth that Iames was the first Archb. of Ierusalem Ansvvere He is forged as our aunswers to the papists haue shewed but a witnes of better credit calleth him onely a bishop Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 23. and Simon bishop after him lib. 3. cap. 22. Iraeneus saith lib. 4. cap. 63. that the Apostles ordayned bishops euery where making no mention of Archb. 4 Obiection The Councell of Nice Canon 6. mentioneth a Metropolitan bishop Ansvvere That prooueth nothing for it was onely as much as to say the Bish. of the chiefe Citie Secondly the reasons that prooue the office of the Archb. vnlawfull be these 1 Euery ministery that is lawful must be of God The office of the Archb. is not of God for that he is not described in the worde and themselues confesse that he is of humane pollicie Therefore the office of the Archb. is vnlawfull 2 That ministery whose original is vnknown hath no warrant from Gods worde and consequently is vnlawfull The original of the Arch. is vnknowne as they confesse VVhitgift page 351. Therefore it is vnlawfull 3 That office which is needles in the church is also vnlawful to be exercised in the same The office of the Archb. is needlesse for the ministery is perfect without it as the Apostle prooueth Ephes. 4. 13. Therefore the office of an Archb. is vnlawfull 4 If all the giftes needful for the perfecting of the Church be appropriated vnto other ministeries then is his ministery vnlawful But al the needful gifts are appropriated vnto pastors doctors elders deacons whereof he is none Therefore his office is vnlawful 5 That office is vnlawful which none may lawfully giue But none may lawfully bestowe the office of an Archb. because none can giue any newe giftes to adorne him withall Therefore his office is vnlawfull This reason being vsed of all sounde diuines against the pope is of the same valewe against the Archb. 6 If the office of an Archb. be lawfull then it is eyther in respect of his excellencie aboue other men or the place
a contention Testimonies of gennerall Councells 14 It is meete that you should haue power both to choose and to giue their names that are worthy to be among the cleargie and to do all things absolutely according to the lawes 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 honor of him that is dead if they be worthy and if the people choose them 15 Let the people choose and the Byshopp approoue and seale vp the election with them 16 In an Epistle to Damasâ—us Ambrose c. sayth we haue ordayned Nectarius Bishopp of Constantinople c. the whole citie decreeing the same and Flauianus was appoynted Bishop of Antioch the whole citie appoynting him 17 When he hath bin examined in all these and found fully instructed then let him be ordayned Bishop by the common consent of the Clarkes and lay people 18 Let not him be counted a prieste in the Church whom the cleargie and people of that citie where he is do not choose 19 If any Bishop after the death of his predecessor be chosen of any but of the Bishops of the same prouince and of the cleargie and citizens let another be chosen and if it be otherwise let the ordination be void and of none effecte Testimonies out of the Emperors lavves 20 Following the doctrine of the holy Apostles c. we ordayne that as oft as it shall fall out that the ministers place shal be voyde in any citie that voyces be giuen of the inhabiters of that citie that hee of three whiche for their right fayth holines of life and other things are most approoued be chosen to the Bishopprick which is most meete of them 21 Being not ignoraunt of the holy canons that the holy Churche should vse her honour the more freely we assent vnto the ecclesiasticall order that the Bishops be chosen by the election of the cleargie and people 22 He decreed that he should be Bishop of Rome whome all the people of Rome shoulde consent to choose 23 Lodouicke the second commaunded by his letters the Romanes to choose their owne Bishopp not looking for other mens voyces which being straungers coulde not so well tell what was done in the common-wealth where they were strangers and that it appertayned to the citizens 24 Let the people sayth Otho the Emperor choose and I will approoue it The testimonies of the nevve vvriters 25 The newe writers as Muscuâ—us in his Common places in the title of Magistrats Bullinger vpon 1. Tim. 4. Calume Institut booke 4. chap. 3. sect 15. Harmon confes Heluet. cap. 18. many others are on our side in this behalfe 26 If there bee none that write against it but the papists and no arguments vsed against it but those which be 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 all that doe read them that write of this argument do knowe and as is manifest by comparing Pighius Hosius c. with VVhitgift Therefore the latter is true also Therefore seeing the interest of the Church in choosing of their Church officers is grounded vpon the word of God both in commaundement and continuall practize both in the olde and newe Testament seeing it is warranted by the light of common reason seeing it is commended vnto vs by the manifold practize of all ancient times so long as any sinceritie remayned not onely in the time of persecution but also of peace seeing it hath beene confirmed by so many generall Councels and ratified by the decrees of so many Emperors seing it hath such a cloude of witnesses both of ancient and latter times of the best approoued writers seeing none doe set themselues against it but the papistes or they that invade it onely with the same weapons that are fetched out of the popes Armory it must needs follow that it belongeth vnto the Churche to choose their Churche officers and that the taking away of this freedom abridgeth the libertie that Christ hath endowed his Churche withall and bringeth her into great bondage as Musculus truely affirmeth Their obiections against those things are these 1 Obiection They were then vnder the crosse few in number and therfore it was easily knowen who were fit Ansvvere The Gospell was dispersed thorow out all Asia Affrica and much of Europe and they could lesse keepe together or meete and therefore that maketh rather for vs. 2 Obiection Wee haue many hypocrites to whome it were daungerous to committ suche waightie actions Ansvvere It is true that we haue many but it is a principle in hypocrisie to be forwardst in such publike actions that they may get fame thereby 3 Obiection They had knowledge to doe it but our people be ignoranteâ— Ansvvere We should also finde our people to haue knowledge if they had teaching but howsoeuer they choose they cannot haue worse then ordinarily are chosen by the â—ishops and patrons 4 Obiection The Church was not then established Ansvvere That is vntrue for though it wanted the helpe of Magistrates yet the Apostles coulde and did better establish without them then we can with the helpe of them but if this order might be altered it had bene fitter then for nowe the magistracie may compounde tho differences of the Elders which help then they lacked 5 Obiection Drunkards papists c. wil choose them that bee like themselues and we knowe the best disposed be alwayes the fewest Ansvvere Such are not of the Churche but without 1. Cor. 5. 12. and therefore are not to meddle in anye holy action but if the people shoulde choose an vnmeete man the eldershippe that gouerneth the action is to reforme them besides this if Gods order had hir place the schooles of the prophets would send them none for the ministers especially to make choyse of but meet men that whomsoeuer they tooke he should be found sufficient 6 Obiection Paule commandeth 1. Tim. 5. 22 to lay his handes on no man rashly therefore one did it Ansvvere Hee teacheth what to doe for his part and though others would be rashe yet he should not ioyne with them in it as appeareth in the latter ende of that same verse for that is ascribed vnto him which also belonged vnto others because he was the director Caluin and Musculus expound the place so 7 Obiection The Councell of Laodicea decreed that the people should not elect Ansvvere That is as Caluine taketh it vpon Acts 16. they might not elect alone without the direction of some graue good minister which should be the manner in the elections that according to Gods word we desire CHAP. 5. NOne is to be admitted vnto any publike office in the Church vntill he be thorowly examined by the eldership both concerning his state of Christianitie abilitie to that place where
of like nature if we iustly reprooue the papists for their two swordes if a magistrate may not preach if they may not meddle with worldly offices nor be tutors to Orphans but attend only vnto the ministery of the word if they may neither vsurpe nor take being offered any ciuill-office if they be to be distinguished to seuerall persons or els one hindereth the other lastly if none be able to execute both then must it needs follow that Ecclesiasticall officers may not beare ciuill offices and consequently the office of the Church-gouernment is meere ecclesiasticall Their obiections hereunto be these 1 Obiection It countenanceth and maintayneth religion to haue ciuill authoritie Ansvvere It is in deed the papists reason for their two swordes which M. Caluin confuteth Institut booke 4. cap. 11. sect 9. 2 Obiection It is good to punishe vice by corporall punishment that Gods word may be the better obeyed Ansvvere It is good to preach Gods word to men that they may obey their prince for conscience sake may the magistrate therefore preach wee may not doe euerye thing that is good but onely that which is agreeable to our callings 3 Obiection Eli and Samuel were both priests and Iudges Ansvvere They were extraordinary for God separated those two offices in Moses and gaue the one vnto Aaron and so was Eliahs killing of the false prophets and Christes whipping of the buyers and sellers out of the Temple 4 Obiection Peter killed Ananias therefore â—B may haue prisons Ansvvere It was by his worde onely and not by anye ciuill punishment if they can doe the like Peters example will serue their turnes if not then must it be with the former extraordinarie CHAP. 16. THe placing and displacing of Church-officers appertaineth vnto the Eldership This is prooued in the 7. chap. and their obiections are there aunswered for the first part which is the placing but the latter part is to be cleared by some mo reasons because the BB. do displace the best ministers at their plesure which is proued to be a most wicked action by these resons 1 Those that are called vnto the ministery by the Lord from heauen and outwardly by the meanes of men so long as they are blameles in doctrine and conuersation 1. Tim. 3. 10. cannot be displaced without hainous wikednes against the manifest will of God But suche are the ministers that the BB. do daily displace as they coÌ„fesse themselues when euen in their sermons they iustifie their doctrine in saying that they differ onely in outward rites and as their greatest enemies will saye when they are asked of such mens liues Therefore they cannot be displaced without great wickednes 2 Those that are carefull to discharge the dutie of Gods ministers both in teaching and giuing example to their flockes cannot be displaced without great impietie Such are these ministers that are daily displaced as appeareth by this that they preache more diligently then any other and that they followe not the course of the worlde in adding liuing vnto liuing but many of them being as worthy for their giftes as the worthiest liue poorely rather then they will want the comfort of a good conscience Therefore they cannot be put to silence without great sinne 3 To depriue Gods people of their spirituall comfort is a grieuous and horrible wickednes To put such to silence as are before mentioned is to depriue Gods people of their spirituall coÌ„fort which if any man will denie all the godly where such a one dwelleth shall tell him hee lyeth Therefore to displace such ministers is a haynous and horrible wickednes 4 That which giueth occasion to the weake to stumble and fall away from the Gospell is a haynous and horrible sinne But such is the displacing of those ministers as appeareth by this that many doubt whether that which he hath taught be true whom the professors of the gospell do displace and by this that many who had made good beginnings by the discontinuance of their teachers doe fall away Therefore to displace those ministers is a haynous and horrible sinne 5 Those whose labours God doth blesse can not be displaced without fighting against God and consequently great impietie But such are these ministers that the BB. doe dayly displace as all that loue the Gospell in euery countrye can witnes Therfore to displace them is great impiety 6 That action which giueth the common enemy iust cause to reioyce and hope to get the victory is a haynous and horrible offence But such is the displacing of those ministers as appeareth in euery country where such ministers are displaced and such enemies do dwell Therfore to displace such is a haynous and horrible offence 7 That action that causeth the doers therof to be esteemed enemies to the gospell must needes be a haynous sinne But such is the putting of those ministers to silence for it maketh the people that haue any loue to religion think that they are not of God in so doing for say they he that loueth Christ cannot crosse the course of the Gospel as these men doe Therefore the displacing of them is a haynous sinne 8 That which letteth in more wickednes at once then the diligent preaching of the worde could driue out in diuers yeeres must needs be a haynous sinne but suche is the displacing of these ministers for prophaning of the Saboth and all disorder commeth into a congregation the same day that such a minister that hath long labored against it is displaced as experience in suche places prooueth Therefore to displace such ministers is a haynous sinne 9 That which interrupteth the course of the Gospell without warraunt eyther from Gods word or the lawes of the land is a haynous and horrible sinne Such is the displacing of those ministers as is proued in al the writings on our side lastly in the answere to D. Bridges therfore to displace such ministers is a haynous horrible sinne Therefore if the ministers that bee vsually displaced be called of God if they discharge the dutie of good ministers both in doctrine and life if the displacing of them bee to depriue Gods people of their spiritual comfort if it giue occasion to some to doubt of the Gospel and to fall away if God giue a blessing vnto their labours if the displacing of them giue the enemy matter to reioyce and hope to ouercome if it cause the displacers to be esteemed enemies to the Gospell if it let in more wickednesse in one day then preaching can throwe out in many yeeres if it interrupt the course of the gospell without warrant eyther from the word of God or lawes of the land then must it needs follow that the displacing of those ministers is a most haynous and horrible sinne against the Lord. CHAP. 17. THe Eldership is to admonishe euery one by whome offence appeareth vnto them to grow in the Church There is no question between vs about admonition it selfe but this they deny that