ouer them bring hither and slea them before me Luke 19. 27. The whiche fearefull sentence that we may auoide let euery one of vs ae may stande with our seuerall callings carefully endeuour to aduaunce this kingdome here whiche among other assurances giuen vs from the Lord shalbe a testimonie vnto vs that we shall haue part in that glorie which shalbe reuealed hereafter Nowe concerning the order of this booke to direst thee good Reader vnto thy further instruction in the pointes therof Thou hast in euery chapter diuers proofes out of the holy worde of God whiche must bee the things wherewith thou mayest safely informe thy conscience theÌ„ shalt thou finde also argumentes drawen from reason rightlie ruled by the same word lastly because our aduersaries charg vs that we desire a thing not knowen 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 all godly learned men of all times haue giuen testimonie vnto the trueth of it The most of the things that are here expressed I acknowledge to be gathered out of the bookes that haue bin published and are extant purposelie concerning this argument as may appeare in the seuerall points wherein thou art sent vnto them Nowe least eyther thou shouldest bee deceyued with a diuers impression or thinke me to misalleadge the authours I am to shew thee what bookees I haue followed The 1. booke of T. C. twise printed I follow the latter of Ecclesiasticall Discipline I followe 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 beene but once printed and therefore carrie no doubt in them If thou be satisfied herewith giue God the glory and promote the cause by prayer all other good means 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 A Table of Discipline the particular heads whereof are handled in the seuerall Chapters according to the number wherewith they are noted as followeth The Discipline of the Churche is the order that God hath prescribed in his wordâ— for the ruling of the same cap. 1. The offices and officers of whiche are to bee considered in Generall the calling whereunto to wit to A certaine office Chap. 2. Execute his office faithfully 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 how by publik praier with the people cap. 8. laying on of hands chap. 9. Particular the officers offices Simple by theÌ„selues Bishops Pastours chap. 10. Doctours chap. 11. Deacons or church seruants Ouerseers chap. 12. 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. CeÌ„sures by VVord chap. 17. deed Suspention cap 18. Excommunication cap. 19. A DEMONSTRATION of Discipline CHAP. 1. The diffinition of Discipline containeth this proposition holden by vs. THE worde of God describeth perfectly vnto vs that forme of gouerning the Church which is lawfull and the officers that are to execute the same froÌ„ the which no Christian Churche ought to swarue Admonition in the Preface Ecclesiasticall discipl fol. 5. T. C. first booke pag. 26. Counter-poyson pag. 8 Discourse of gouernment pag. 1. c. The assertion of the BB. and their adherents THe word of God describeth not any exact forme of Discipline neither are the offices and officers namely particularly expressed in the Scriptures but in some points left to the discretion and libertie of the Churche Whitgift in preface and page 84. to the answere to the Abstract pag. 33. The proofe of the former is the disproofe of the latter which is thus declared 1 These things write I vnto thee c. out of which place I reason thus That end which Paul respected in writing vnto Timothie doth the holy ghost direct all Ministers vnto for euer for it must be kept 1. Tim. 6. 14. But he wrote to direct him in the establishing and building of the Church Therefore that worde must direct Ministers for euer and consequently they neither may adde 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 skil full wise and carefull housholder onely But the Churche is the house of God and God is such a housholder Therefore the Churche ought to bee ruled by the orders of God onely which are no where to be had but in his word 3 That which teacheth euery good way teacheth also how the Church must bee gouerned But the worde of God teacheth euerie 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. Therfore in all that we doe there must be obedience to the word and consequently in gouerning his Church 5 If meate and drinke bee not sanctified vnto vs but by the word and prayer then much lâ—sse is any thing holy which is done in the gouernment of the Church besides the worde But the former is true by the testimonie of the Apostle 1. Tim. 4. 5. therefore the latter must be true also 6 All lawfull things are of faith Rom. 14. 23. All lawfull things that are of faith haue a warrant from the word for the worde is the foundation of faith therefore all things lawfull haue their warrant from the worde and consequently euery lawfull action in the gouernment of the Church 7 Either hath God left a prescript forme of gouernment for the Church vnder the new Testament or he is lesse carefull for it now then hee was vnder the lawe for his care is in guiding it But hee is as carefull nowe for his Church as hee was then Therefore hath hee left a prescript forme to gouerne it 8 Hee that was as faithfull as Moses left as cleare instruction both for the building of faith and gouernment of the Churche as Moses did But Christe was as faithfull in Gods house Heb. 3. 2. therfore he left as cleare instruction for them both as Moses but Moses gaue direction euen for euery particular as appeareth in the building of the Tabernacle and order of the Priesthood Therfore hath Christ also giuen particular direction for the gouernment of the Church 9 If the worde of God haue described sufficient Ministers and Ministeries for the building of the Church and keeping it in good order then is out assertion true But it hath set downe sufficient for doctrine exhortation ouerseeing
distributing and ordering of euery particular Church or generall Synode Therefore is our assertion true 10 That gouernment which the Apostles taught planted is expressed in the word of God But the Apostles taught and planted Pastors and Teachers for instruction Elders for ouersight and Deacons to distribute and that vniformely in euery Churche as appeareth by their writinges and practises Therfore a certaine forme of gouernment is expressed in the worde 11 Euery lawfull office and action in the building of the church is from heauen Mat. 21. 25. 26. Euery thing that is in the ordinarie building from heauen is reuealed in the word Therefore euerie lawfull office and action is reuealed in the worde 12 If God continued in regarde of the substaunce the Church administration as well as the thinges to bee administred then is the forme of Discipline described in the word But the former is true as appeareth by the particulars for Priestes Pastors for teaching Leuites or Doctors of the law Teachers for rulers of the Synagogue Elders for Leuiticall lookers to the treasurie Deacons for the Sanedrim the Eldership therefore the forme of gouernment is prescribed in the worde 13 Euery wise King that is carefull for his subiectes setteth downe lawes for the gouernment of the same and will haue them tyed to none other But Christ is such a King vnto his Church Therefore hath hee prescribed lawes vnto his Church which none therein can alter or disobey and consequently the certaine forme of gouernment of the Church is described in the worde 14 That which the Ministers must teach the people to obserue is set downe in the worde of God for they may teache nothing but that which is there Math. 28. 20. But they are to teach them to obserue and bee obedient vnto the particular forme of the Church gouernment Therefore the particular forme is set downe in the worde 15 Euery gouernment consisteth in the gouernours matter whereabout they are to be imployed and maner of doing it But in the worde are described all these particulars as it is shewed in the ninth reason Therefore the worde prescribeth a prescript forme of gouernment 16 The Christian religion shal find that out of this scripture rules of all doctrine haue sprong and that from hence doth spring and hither doth returne whatsoeuer the Ecclesiasticall discipline doth containe 17 Wee may not giue our selues the libertie to bring in any thing that other men bring of their will we haue the Apostles for authours which themselues brought nothing of their owne will but the Discipline which they receiued of Christ they deliuered faithfully to the people 18 It is adulterous it is sacrilegious whatsoeuer is ordained by humane furie that the diuine dispositon shoulde bee violated Therefore if Timothie was written vnto that he might be directed by the worde in disposing of the Churches if the lawes of God only being the housholder must bee followed in the Church his House if the worde of God teach vs in euerie good way whereof the gouernment of the Churche is one if God must be glorified in the ruling of his Churche which cannot be but by obedience to his worde if nothing be lawfull but that which is of faith warranted by the word if God haue shewed himselfe as carefull for his Church vnder the Gospell as vnder the law if Christ was as faithful to giue direction as Moses if in the worde bee described sufficient Ministers and Ministeries to build vp the Churche if that gouernment which the Apostles taught and practized be in the worde if euery lawfull office and action man ordinarie building be from heauen reuealed thence by the worde if God continued the same forme in respect of the substance in the time of the Gospell that was vnder the laws if euery wise carefull King doe set downe lawes for the direction of his subiects if the Apostles haue taught vs to obey that which Christe commaunded if both the gouernours matter of gouernment and maner of doing it bee set downe in the word if all that pertaineth to Ecclesiastical Discipline spring from the scriptures if wee may bring nothing into the Discipline of the Churche but that which the Apostles haue deliuered vs. Lastly if that bee adulterous and sacrilegious that is not according to the worde then it muste needes followe that God doth describe perfectly vnto vs out of his worde that forme of gouernment which is lawfull the officers that are to execute the same from the which it is not lawfull for any christian Churche to swarue And contrariwise that is a most vntrue assertion to say that the officers and offices are not particularly expressed but left to the discretion of the Churche The reasons that they alleage against this are in effect none and their obiections to these reasons not worthie to bee mentioned CHAP. 2. EVerie officer in the Churche must bee placed in some calling warranted by the word of God and some congregation must haue neede of such a one before hee be called to any function Wherein are these propositions 1 No calling is lawfull in the Churche but that which is directly warraunted out of the worde vnto him that executeth it The BB. and their adherents thinke otherwise as their practise in ordeyning Archbishops L. Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chauncellours Officials c. doth plainly declare 2 The name and office of an Archb. is contrarie to the word of God 3 No man may be ordained vnto any office in the church vntill there be such a place voide as he is fit for T. C. 1. booke page 61. They thinke otherwise as their making of so many Ministers at once prooueth and as is holden Whitgift page 222. 1 The first is prooued thus If Iohn was constrained to prooue his Ministerie out of the scriptures when the Priestes accused him then is no calling lawfull that hath not his warrant in the worde for if any bee priuiledged the extraordinarie Ministers whereof he was one are specially excepted But hee proueth his Ministerie by the worde as appeareth by his answere vnto them in the 23. verse Therefore no calling is lawful in the Church that hath not his warrant in the worde 2 The callinges vnder the Gospell must haue as good warrant as they had vnder the lawe because the light of the Gospell is at the least as cleare as that of the lawe But there was neuer any lawfull calling vnder the law excepting those that were by myraculous manner confirmed from heauen which had not his direct warrant out of the word Therefore no calling is lawfull in the Churche which is not directlie warranted in the worde 3 If Corath Dathan and Abiram thoughe they were Leuites were punished for that they had no warrant for that which they presumed to take in hand then is euerie lawfull calling both in generall warranted out of the word and particularly laid vpon the parties from
doe declare that the Deacons were to bee wholy imployed in the distributing of the goodes of the Church then must it needes followe that his office is not to meddle with any parte of the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes but to attende onelie vpon the distributing of the liberalitie of the Church vnto them that stande in neede thereof Their obiections herevnto be these two that followe 1 Obiection Philip one of the seuen Deacons did preach Act. 8. 8. Therefore Deacons may preach the worde Answere Philip was a Deacon of the Church at Ierusalem while they aboade togither but nowe hee was not anie more so but an Euangelist as he is euer tearmed after by vertue of which office he did preache 2 Obiection Steuen being a Deacon preached Act. 7. 2. Answere He preached not for all that is there was but his Apologie at the seate of iudgement which euery man in the like case may doe and which manie of the Martyrs haue done So that the former proposition beeing true vppon the groundes alleadged notwithstanding these obiections wee are to proceede to the seconde which is this There ought to be such Deacons as are described in the former proposition in euerie congregation whiche is thus prooued 1 That office which euerie congregation hath neede of ought to be in euerie congregation But euery congregation hath neede of the Deacons office whiche appeareth by this that they haue poore to prouide for or els they must regard the necessitie of others and the liberalitie of others to distribute Therefore Deacons ought to be in euery congregation 2 That whiche is indefinitely appointed for the good of the Churche belongeth vnto euery Congregation as well as to anie one But such is the appointment of the Deacons 1. Tim. 3. 8. Therefore there must be Deacons in euery Congregation 3 Euery Church ought to haue their office of Deaconshippe 4 All the reasons or the most of them that are alleadged chap. 10. for a Bishop in euery congregation and chap. 12. for Elders in euery congregation are forcible herevnto Therefore if there bee the like neede of Deacons in one congregation that is in another if they be appointed indefinitely for the good of the Church if euery church must haue their office of Deaconship and lastlie if there be like reasons to prooue them belong to euery Church that be for Bishops and Elders then must it needes followe that there ought to be Deacons in euery congregation CHAP. 14. THere ought to bee in euery Congregation an Eldershipp consisting of a pastor or pastors Doctor if there be anie and Elders whose authoritie Christ hath ordayned to be perpetuall in his church to gouuerne the same onely by the rules of Gods worde T. C. 1. booke pag. 175. Discip. Ecclesiast 123. which contayneth these 3. particular propositions defended by vs and gaynesayde by the Bishops and their adherents 1 The Eldership ought to be in euery Congregation 2 The office of the Eldership is perpetuall 3 The Church must be gouerned onely by the rules of Gods worde The first is denyed by them Whitgift page 627. and by their practize in tying the gouernement of many churches to the Bb. sea it is thus prooued 1 Whatsoeuer Christ hath ordayned as a meane to keepe men in obedience to the gospell that same must be in euerie congregation for particular men are in particular congregations But Christ hath ordayned the Eldership for that end as appeareth Matth. 18. 15. c. where Chrisost expoundeth Tell the Church that is sayeth hee the Gouuernours of the Church Therefore the Eldershippe ought to bee in euery Church 2 Where all sortes of Elders ought to be there must be also the ioyning of their offices in one for the good of that cōgregation ouer which they are placed But all sortes of Elders ought to be in euerie congregation as is prooued in the 10. chapter for Bishops the 12. for Elders c. Therfore there must be an Eldership in euery congregation 3 If no particular congregation haue greater priuiledges giuen therevnto by the worde of God then others haue then must there eyther be no Eldershipp at all whiche is false in that Elders are prooued to bee by the worde of God in the Church or els it must be in euery congregation But euerie congregation is of like priuiledge whiche appeareth by this that it is a perfect bodie of it selfe Therefore there must bee an Eldership in euery congregation 4 The same warrant that is in the worde of God for to haue an Eldership in one place is a warraunt for it in all for the worde of God tyeth it not to Churches in cities but indefinitely to the church But there is warrant for it out of the worde to be somewhere as appeareth by this that the Apostles are sayd to establishe it and make mention of it Therefore it must be in euery congregation Therefore if the Eldership bee ordayned by Christ as a meanes to keepe men in obedience vnto the Gospell if all sortes of Elders must be in euery church if euery congregation be of equall priuiledges lastly if there be the like warrant for it in euery church that is in any then must it needes followe that there ought to be an Eldershipp in euerie Congregation What soeuer is obiected against this that hath any shew in it is answered in the 12. chap. of Elders The office of the Eldership is ordayned by Christe to bee perpetual and ordinarie for the gouernement of his church T. C. 1. booke 177. denied by them Whitgift 627. and by their practize in keeping it out but the trueth of it appeareth by these reasons that doe follow 1 If the causes why Christ would haue an Eldershippe in his Church be perpetuall then must also the thing it selfe be perpetuall But the causes are perpetuall which bee to gouuerne the church by the rules of his worde and that ecclesiastically Therefore the Eldership is perpetuall 2 If Christ be the author of the Eldership and left it by the Apostles to be established in the Church then it is perpetual for his commission giuen to the Apostles is to bee obserued vnto the ende of the worlde But Christ is the author of it as appeareth both by his giuing of the giftes for the particular members thereof and the whole body of it as also in that the Apostles did establishe it in the church who went not frō their commission 1. Cor. 11. 12. Therefore the Eldershippe is perpetuall 3 Whatsoeuer is the commandement of God once deliuered by him is neuer repealed againe and to be acknoweledged of euery spirituall man that same is to be receyued by the Church of God to be perpetuall But such is the gouernment of the church by Pastors Doctors and Elders and so of the whole Eldership as appeareth in that they are all mentioned in the writings of S. Paule whiche are so esteemed 1. Cor. 14. 37. Therefore the
togither 1. Cor. 5. 5. Therefore it may not be done by one man 3 That which hath neede of greatest aduice and greatest authoritie may not be done by one man but such is the matter of excommunication being the denouncinge of that against a man which he will most hardlie beleeue and beinge the waightiest point of discipline Therefore it may not bee done by one man 4 Those must excommunicate that are to deale in the other partes of Discipline as shall appeare in the reasons following and as I thinke no man will denie But the other partes of Discipline are exercised not by one but by the Churh 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 doeth import and had nothing ceremoniall in it But it was executed among them by the Church and not any one Ioh. 9. 22. Therefore the Church is to excommunicate and not one man 6 Cyprian sayeth he would neuer doe any thing in his charge without the counsell of his Elders and coÌ„sent of the people 7 The Elders and other Church-officers haue as well power to absolue as the Bishop 8 For so much as absolution belongeth vnto all I alone dare not doe 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 doe beare rule certayne of the most approoued auncients or Elders of the Church which haue obtayned this honor 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 Baptisme 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 gouuernement in excommunication 14 It is very daungerous to permit so waightie a matter to one man and therefore that tyrannie may be auoyded this censure executed with greater fruite and grauitie the order that the Apostle there vseth is still to be obserued 15 Hee sheweth that it partayneth not to one man that it is a wicked fact that one should take the authoritie to him selfe 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 Bishops when they excommunicated of themselues alone did it ambitiouslie contrarie to the decrees of godly cannons See Bucer against Gropper and vpon Ephes. 4. De animicura also Zuinglius in Ecclesiast 17 It is plentifullie forbidden euen by that filthie puddle the cannon lawe and therefore it must needes bee a haynous sinne when it findeth faulte with it Therefore if excommunication be to be executed by the commaundement of Christ of the Church if S. Paule enioyned it vnto the church if it haue neede of greatest aduice and authoritie if it belong to them that may execute the other partes of Discipline if it was so executed amonge the Iewes if to absolue be as well in the Elders power as the Bishops if Cyprian durst not doe it alone if it was the action in Tertullians time of the most approoued Elders if to bee by the whole church helpeth much to make the partie more ashamed if the whole church haue interest in it if the whole Church at Corinth was reprooued for not doing it if it bee to waightie a matter for one man if the executing of it by one ouerturneth the order appointed by Christ bringeth in tyrannie maintayneth ambition and lastlie be forbidden by the cannon lawe it selfe then must it needes followe that it belongeth not vnto one man to excommunicate but vnto the Eldershippe and that with the consent of the whole Church Their obiections herevnto in defence of their owne practise be these 1 Obiection The right of excommunication was in Saint Paule and not in the rest Answere He gaue onely direction in that as in all other matters which he wrote of vnto them but if they had not throwne out the incestuous person he had remayned still vnexcommunicated for all that which S. Paul had sayde vnto them 2 Obiection Christ gaue Peter and euery Apostle power to binde and lose in earth and in heauen which interpreters expounde by Matth. 18. 15. Answere That power was of denouncing 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 Answere That is being moderator of the action he pronounced it not that he did it alone The same aunswere is to be made vnto the Fathers as Ambrose c. who are saide to excommunicate Therfore vpon these grounds of Scriptures Fathers CouÌ„cels Emperours Lawes Histories newe Writers and cleare light of reason I conclude that Christ hath prescribed vnto vs an exacte and perfect platforme of gouerninge his Church at all times and in all places which is this that there ought to be no ministers of the worde but Pastours Teachers whiche are to be called by the people and ordained by the Eldership are of equal authoritie in their seuerall congregations must with all faithfull diligence imploye theâ—selues in the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes that there are to bee in euery Congregation certaine Elders whose office is to ouersee the behauiour of the people and assist their pastour in the gouernement of the Church also Deacons who are to be imployed only in receyuing and bestowing the liberalitie and goods of the Church to the reliefe of the poore and other necessarie vses Lastlie that there must be in euery Congregation an Eldership of Pastour Teacher if they can haue any and Elders who are in common to see that the Church bee well gouerned not onely in maintayning the profession and practize of the worde in generall but also in admonishing reprehending or separatinge from the Lordes Supper them that walke offensiuely and lastlie in excommunicating them that by no other meanes can bee reclaimed So that all and euery gouernement contrarie or besides this whether in parte or in whole swarueth froÌ„ that order which Christ hath set downe in his worde and therefore is vnlawfull FINIS Omnia tum liceant non licet esse bonum 1. Tim. 3. 14. 15. Pro. 2. 9. 1. Cor. 10. 11. 1. Tim. 4. 5. Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 3. 2. Rom. 12. 5. 6. 7. 1. Co. 12. 28 Ephe. 4. 11. c. See
A demonstration of the trueth of that Discipline which Christ hath prescribed in his worde for the gouernment of his Church in all times and places vntill the end of the world Wherein are gathered into a plain forme of reasoning the prooft thereof out of the Scriptures the euidence of it by the light of reason rightlie ruled and the testimonies that haue been giuen thereunto by the course of the Church certaine hundreths of yeares after the Apostles time and the generall consent of the Churches rightly reformed in these latter times according as they are alleadged and maintained in those seuerall bookes that haue been written concerning the same Math. 21. 38. The husbandmen said among themselues this is the heire come let vs kill him and let vs take his inheritance Luke 19. 27. Those mine enemies vvhich vvould not that I should raigne ouer them bring hither and flea them before me To the supposed Gouernors of the Church of England the Archbishops Lord Bishops Archdeacons and the rest of that order MANY and most euident haue our declarations been concerning the trueth of that gouernment which Christe hath prescribed in his worde for the ruling of the Church which we haue manifested vnto you both by our writings and speeches as occasion hath been offered neuer hath any one of you taken in hande to say anie thing against it but it hath made his eyes to dazle as the clearest Sun-shining whereby hee hath been driuen to wander hither and thither groping for euasions and yet coulde not escape but hath falne into infinite most mostrous absurdities and blasphemous assertions as by their writinges yet extant it may appeare so forcible is the trueth to amaze the painesayers thereof and so pregnant is falshood to beget and bring foorth thousands of absurdities and euery one worse then other And will you still continue in your damnable and most diuelishe course Haue you solde your selues vnto Satan to fight for him vntill you bee dammed in hell with him Haue you morgaged the saluation of your soules and bodies for the present fruition of your pompe and pleasure is it because you see not what you should doe It may be so for many are so blinde that they grope euen at noone day but me thinkes it can hardly be so vnlesse you bee they that haue eyes see not for the cause hath been by the blessing of God so managed that many plough-men artificers and children doe see it and know it and are able by the worde of God to iustifie it and condemne you to bee aduersaries vnto the Gospell in resisting it But you thinke that gouernment not so needfull and your fault but small if it be any in continuing your course begunne The necessitie of the thing is many wayes apparant both in that it hath so plentifull warrant from Gods own word as the course of this booke doth uidently declare and also in that the Gospell can take no roote nor haue any free passage for want of it and the greatnesse of your fault appeareth by this that in so doing you are the cause of all the ignorance Atheisme schismes treasons poperie and vngodlinesse that is to be founde in this lande which we challenge to proue to your faces if we may indifferently be heard wherof in the meane while we will giue you a taste for the first it is cleare that you are the causers of that damnable ignorance wherein the people are so generallie wrapped for that you haue from time to time stopped the streames of knowledge in those places where the Lorde in mercie bestowed the same and in steed of able and painefull Ministers haue pestered the Churche eyther with presumptuous proude persons that are esteemed learned and take no paines to bringe the people vnto the knowledge of Iesus Christe or which is the greatest number suche ignoraunt Asses and filthie swine as are not worthie to liue in a well ordered common-wealth and that you are the cause of all Atheisme it is plaine for one may as in deede many doe professe it and you say nothing to him for it If the most filthie liuer will fawne vpon you and bribe your seruants you will not only fauour him but assist him against any godly Minister or other but if any that feare God refuse to come vnder the least of your popish ceremonies hee shall bee molested till his purse be emptie or els by your tyrannous dealing he haue made shipwrack of a good censcience And are not you the cause of all schismes that make a hotch-pot of true religion and poperie and so giue some occasion to fall into this course and others into that And it is as cleare that you are so farre the cause of all treasons as without you they had not bin for if euery Church had had her gouernment according to Christes institution our young Gentlemen and students had not bin for want of teaching careful ouersight made a pray vnto the seducers and consequently to those practises which haue brought the bodies of so manie vnto Tyborne and their soules into hell and who but you be the causes of Poperie whilest you vse them so well let them doe wat they list yea and keepe them in office authoritie vnder you yea which more is giue them such offices as none that is not popish can execute I speak not of the ignorance which by your meanes raigneth euerie where which as they confesse is the mother of their deuotion and you are the wretched fathers of that filthie mother whereby you must needes be grandfathers at the least to all kind of poperie And who can without blushing denie you to bee the cause of all vngodlines seeing your gouernment is that which giueth leaue to a man to be any thing sauing a sounde Christian. For certainely it is more free in these dayes to bee a Papist Anabaptist of the famely of loue yea any most wicked one wahtsoeuer then that which we should be and I could liue these twenty yeres any such in Englande yea in a Bishops house it may bee and neuer bee muche molested for it so true is that which you are charged with in a Dialogue lately come foorth against you since burned by you that you care for nothing but the maintenance of your dignities bee it to the damnation of your owne soules and infinite millions moe Enter therefore nowe at the last into the serious confideration of these thinges remember that one day you must bee presented before the tribunall seate of Iesus Christe to bee arraigned for all the soules that haue gone to hell seeing you will needes bee the rulers of the Churche since the Gospell first appeared in this land then shall you not be excused with this the Queene and Counsell will haue it so not with that our state cannot beare it For it shall be said vnto you why do you not informe thē better of my will why taught you them not to worship with
haue onlie executed iustice vpon vs as malefactors 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 fewyeares nor tollerable in any Christian Common-weal whatsoeuer The which monstrous slaunders albeit they haue been many wayes and by many men of moste worthie giftes detected and made knowne in those seuerall bookes that haue beene published concerning the same yet haue I thought it necessarie in an other course to write also of it The course of my enterprise is first in respect of the fauorers of the desired reformation secondlie of the aduersaries of the saeme the fauorers 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 woefull troublees that were renued vppon 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 summe referred euery thing vnto some head which beeing euer present with mee might furnishe mee to aunswere in the defence of the trueth though it were of a sodaine by which thorow the blessing of God I found such profit 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 verie worthie men I founde encouragement and heartening on generallie by all whom I made acquainted therewith so that I trust the iudgements yea and wishes also of others so iumping with mine manie Ministers that loue the cause and haue not so throughlie studied as were meet they should may reape some profite therby Now concerning priuate men that loue the cause some haue great affaires in hande and haue no leasure to reade the seuerall bookes of this argument some when they reade are not of sufficient capacitie to conceiue the force of a reason or to make vse of it to informe themselues in the grounded knowledge of the cause thereby some which is the generall fault of our religious Gentlemen will take no paines to reade some are poore and not able to buye the bookes which might let them see the cause all these I hoope may finde helpe in some measure heereby Nowe concerning the aduersaries vnto the cause they are of two sortes also they that know it and they that are ignorant of it the former if they write any thing against it are contented to deale in so rouing a course as may rather arise vnto great volumes then soundlie to say any thing against the cause Wherein D. Whitgift but especially D. Bridges haue giuen vs an euident example and these with others of their iudgement though none in these latter dayes haue written more vnlearnedly then they of any argument of diuinitie what soeuer are contented to make the world beleeue if men will be so wilfully seduced that our argumentes bee no arguments that they be grounded vpon false foundations and that we are not able to conclude our cause in any forme of reasoning The course that is heere taken I trust shall shewe that they are lyers the other sort of aduersaries be they that be meerly ignorant of anie thing either for it or against it and perswading themselues that the sway and shew of the worlde must needes carry the truth with it doe like blinde bayardes boldly venture to say any thing against it and thinke they doe well 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 handes of some of them The first sort of fauorers which be the Ministers I intreate that as they tender the glory of God and honour of the cause which they stand in so they would diligently employ themselues in this that they may be found able to defend the same by sounde and euident groundes out of the worde and so much the rather for that the aduersaries doe greatly triumph when they meete with one that professeth the cause and is not able to defend it and confute the gaine sayers of it The second 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 grow in the knowledge of the worde of God whereby they may be able vpon their owne knowledge to defende the trueth and not giue the enemie any occasion to thinke or say that they be of that minde because such and such Ministers whom they doe affect doe thinke so Now concerning the former sort of aduersaries to wit they that know it I pray them to looke into their own hearts they shall finde they mislike it either because it correcteth their excessiue pompe and maintenance or requireth more trauaile in their Ministerie then they are willing to vndergoe or at the least controlleth that dissolutenesse of behauiour wherein 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 mightie God before whom they must be called to giue an account which they doe resist they would I doubt not more carefully looke about them And lastly for them that be ignorant of the cause speake euill of that they knowe not let them if they will be admonished vouchsafe to reade this little booke and wey the reasons with an vpright iudgement which shall cause them at the least to suspend their sharpe censures which so vsuallie appeare in their ordinarie communication and concerning vs all let vs know for one day we shall be sure to feele it that the controuersie is not about goates wooll as the Prouerbe faith neither light trifling matters which may safely be followed or reiected as in deed the enemies of this cause do confidentlie affirm but about no lesse matter then this whether Iesus Christ shall be King or no For if none is said to be a King but he that ruleth by the scepter of his lawes thē the turning out of these orders which Christ hath prescribed in his word for the ruling of the church is to giue him the title and denie him the authoritie belonging to the same and so in trueth to make him an Idoll making him to carrie a shew of that which hee is not and with the crucifiers of him to put a reede in his hand in steed of his yron rod and crowning him with thornes in steede of the crowne of greatest glorie which is the cause that so many Atheistes spit in his face and so many godlesse persons doe make but a iest of him but when hee commeth to shewe him self in his glorious maiestie it shalbe said vnto all these sortes of aduersaries Those mine enimies which would not that I should raigne
excellēcie aboue other men or the place whereof he is aboue other places But neither of these haue euer been neither hereafter can bee Therefore that office is vnlawfull Therefore if the office of the Archbishop be not of God if the originall of it bee vnknowne if in the Churche it be needlesse if all the giftes that God hath bestowed vppon his Ministerie bee appropriated vnto those Church officers whereof he is none if none may lawfully bestowe such an office vpon any if it can neither bee incident vnto any one man for his excellencie nor his place for preheminence then must it needes follow that his office is vnlawfull Caluin in his Institut booke 4. cap. 11. sect 7. alleadgeth diuers reasons to this purpose and Beza in his booke of Diuorcements stretcheth the same to all the inferiour officers vnder him saying Officials Proctours Promotours and all that swinish filth now of long time hath wasted the church So doth Peter Martyr vppon the Rom. 13. speaking against ciuill Iurisdiction in Bishops doth by the same reasons condemne it in their substitutes But this being the corner stone of their building they labour to support it with many props the most speciall wherof are these 1 Obiection Cypran saith lib 1. Epist. ad Cornelium Neither haue heresies and schismes risen of any other occasion then of that that the Priest of God is not obeyed neither one Priest for the time and one Iudge for the time in steede of Christ thought vppon to whome if the whole brotherhood woulde bee obedient according to Gods teaching no man woulde mooue any thing against the Colledge of Priests Answere This place is alleadged for the Pope and the answere that M. Iewel and others make to it serueth our turne onely let this be noted that Cyprian speaketh of the people at Rome that had receiued another Bishop besides Cornelius who was an heretike for all the course of his writings condemneth this superioritie It is expoounded by M. Iewel booke 1. sect 4. diuision 5. of euery Bishop and so is it by M. Nowel against Dorman booke 1. pag. 25. and also by M. Foxe tom 1. fol. 93. See T. C. in his 1. replie page 98. c. 2 Obiection The authoritie of the Archbishop preserueth vnitie Answere Cyprian lib. 4. Epist. 9. saith that vnitie is reserued by the agreement of Bishoppes that is of Ministers one with another 3 Obiection It compoundeth cōtrouersies that els would grow to many heades without any speciall remedie Answere Cyprian lib. 1. Epist. 13. saith that the plentifull bodie and companie of Elders are as it were the glewe of mutuall concord that if any of our company be authour of heresie the rest should helpe 4 Obiection Ierome vppon Tit. 1. saith that in the beginning a Bishop and Priest meaning a teaching Elder were all one but when men began to say I am of Paul I am of Apollo c. It was decreed that one shoulde bee chosen to beare rule ouer the rest Answere From the beginning it was not so the saying of Tertul. contra Prax. is fit for this that is true whatsoeuer is first and that is false whatsoeuer is latter and Ierome saith in the place alleaged that this authoritie is by custome and not by any institution of God if it had been the best waye to take away diuisions the Apostles in whose times the controuersies did arise would haue taken the same order 5 Obiectiō Caluin saith that the Apostles had one among them to gouerne the rest Answere That was not in superioritie but for order to propound the matters gather the voyces such like which is meete to be in euery well ordered meeting but his authoritie is no more ouer the rest then the speaker in the Parliament hath ouer the other knights and Burgesses 6 Obiection Paul was superior to Timothie and Titus Answere Paul and they had diuers offices whereof the Apostles office was the chiefe the like is to bee saide of Timothie and Titus hauing superioritie ouer the other Ministers for that they were Euangelists a degree aboue ordinarie Ministers Therefore if the place alleaged out of Cyprian make nothing for the Archb. if vnitie be not preserued by him but by the Bishops among themselues if his authoritie make nothing to the taking away of controuersies if it bee meerely inuented by man and not from the beginning if it bee by custome and not by any ordinaunce of God if neither one Apostle ouer the rest nor any of them ouer the Euangelistes nor of the Euangelists ouer the Pastours and Teachers will serue to proue their authoritie then must it needes followe that it is vtterly vnlawfull No man may be ordained vnto any office in the Church vntill there be such a place voide as hee is fit for T. C. booke 1. pag. 61. Whitgift pag. 222. 1 As was the 12. place for Matthias so is a certain church to euery Church officer But Matthias was not ordained vnto the place of an Apostle vntill Iudas by hanging himselfe had made it voide Act. 1. 20. Therefore may none be ordained vnto 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 euer But they ordeined neither Pastour Teacher Elder or Deacon butto some certaine church that had need thereof Therfore may none be ordained vnto any office vntill a place be voide that hath need of him 3 Those thinges that be of one beginning continuance and ending cannot bee one before or after another But a Minister and the execution of his Ministerie in a lawful standing be so for they be relatiues and haue reference one vnto the other Therfore a Minister ought not to be ordained before there be a Ministerie whereunto he is to be allotted 4 If none ought to be called to be a shepheard that hath no flocke of sheepe to keepe neither any watchman that is not allotted to some place to watch then may none bee ordained to any office before there be a place void for him for Ministers are in this sense tearmed shepheards and watchmen But the former is true as euery simple man can easilie perceiue Therefore the latter is true also 5 To doe contrary to the precepts and practise of the Apostles is vnlawfull But to ordaine any officer without a certaine place wherein he may bee imployed is contrarie to the precepts and practise of the Apostles as it appeareth Tit. 1. 5. Act. 14. 23. Therfore to ordaine any officer of the church without a certaine place whereunto he is to be allotted is vnlawfull 6 It was ordained that no Elder Deacon or any other Ecclesiasticall officer should be ordained a Apolelymenos that is loosely or let at randone but as afterwarde is expounded specially in a Church citie or towne 7 The ordination that is made without a title let
it bee voide and in what Church one is intituled let him there remaine 8 Hee complaineth that Ministers were ordained beeing chosen by no church and so went here and there hauing no certaine place 9 That action which neuer is read to be practised but by idolators is vnlawfull To haue wandering officers is onely found to be in idolaters as appeareth Iudg 17. 8. Therefore it is vnlawfull Therefore If the Apostles ordained not Matthias vntill the place was voide if in planting of Churches they euer allotted officers to their proper places if Minister and Ministerie be of one beginning continuance and ending if it bee with a Minister and his ministerie as with a shephearde and his flocke that hee cannot bee the one but in respect of hauing the other if it be lawfull to transgresse the precepts and practise of the Apostles if no Minister in the church bee ordained at randone if the ordination that is without a title bee voide if Ierome complained of it as a great fault in his time if no example be found of it but in Idolaters then it must needes followe that to ordaine any Church-officer vntill there be such a place voide as he is fit for is vtterly vnlawful and so the Bb. making of manie Ministers at once licencing of wandering Preachers is contrarie to the worde of God They will haue something to say for euery action they do be it neuer so shameful that which they alleagde for this is that Paul and Barnabas did wander The Apostles office and so the Euangelists as assistants vnto them was to preach the worde and plant Churches in euery part of the worlde but the order that they left is a president for vs which is that euerie Churche haue their proper officers and that there be no other els where to be found CHAP. 3. EVerie church-officer ought to execute the office committed vnto him with all faithfull diligence and consequently bee continuallie resident vppon his charge T. C. booke 1. page 65. The denie not the proposition but the consequent that is inferted vpon it as appeareth by their writings Whitgift pag. 246. and by their daylie practise in giuing dispensations for many benefices The reasons we alleage to proue the necessitie of perpetuall residence and the vnlawfulnes of nonresidence be these that follow 1 A shepheard hath a flocke to the ende to feede it continually The Minister is a shepheard and his charge a flocke Therefore he ought to feede it continually and consequently to be perpetually resident for how can he feede them frō whom he is absent 2 Where God doth place any man there his continuall trauaile is needfull for God is most wise in disposing euerie thing But God placeth euery right Minister ouer that people which is his charge Therefore his continuall trauaile is needful there and consequently he may not discontinue 3 Flockes that are in danger are by carefull shepheards watched night and day Luke 2. 8. Euery congregation is a flocke in danger for the enemie goeth about like a roaring lyon 1. Pet. 5. 8. and soweth tares whilest men sleepe Matth. 13. 25. Therefore euery congregation is to be watched night and day by the Minister thereof and consequently hee may not be nonresident 4 If his duetie to them requireth so muche trauaile as may continually set him on work then may he not bee non-resident But it is euident that it doth so to all them that either know by the worde of God what studie prayer doctrine exhortation c. bee required of him or maketh any conscience of giuing account for the soules committed to their charge Therefore may not they be nonresident 5 If the Minister cannot apply himselfe fruitfully to the capacity of his people vnlesse he haue particular knowledge of their disposition and capacitie then is it not lawfull for him to be nonresident for by continuall residence among them he may know them and not els But the former is true as the small knowledge that the people get by generall teaching doth euidently declare Therefore it is not lawfull for him to be nonresident 6 If the Ministers of the Gospell bee as narrowly tied to their charges as the Priests vnder the law then may they not be nonresident For they were alwaies readie in the Temple to answere the doubts 1. Sam. 1. 9. But it is cleare that they are because men are now as hardly trained vnto godlinesse and the enemie is as wrathfull as hee was then Therefore they may not be nonresident 7 If the Minister must be an example to his people then must he bee daily present with them that they may beholde him But the former is true 1. Tim. 4. 12. Therfore is the latter true also 8 Hee whom the sheepe are to follow in and out must know by the voyce ought to bee continually among them A good Minister of the worde is such a one Ioh. 10. 4. Therfore he must be resident among them 9 None can bee alwayes readie to feede his flocke that is absent from it Euery Minister must be alwaies ready to feed his flocke because it dependeth vpon him 1. Pet. 5. 2. Therefore euery Minister is to be resident with his flocke 10 Hee that must take heede to his flocke watch ouer it and feede it must be resident continually with it Euery Minister must doe so Actes 20. 28. Therefore c. 11 If Satan be the cause of nonresidence then is it vtterlie vnlawfull But Satan is the cause of it 1. Thes. 2. 17. 18. Therefore it is vtterly vnlawfull 12 That which abridgeth the loue of God to his people and comfort to the Minister that same is vnlawfull But not to be resident doth both Therefore it is vnlawfull 13 That which hindereth the louing familiaritie that shoulde bee betwixt the Minister and his people that same is vnlawfull But nonresidence doth so for it maketh them straunge one to another and argueth small loue in him towards them Therefore it is vnlawfull 14 To be absent from them that haue interest in vs and continuall need of vs is vnlawfull which wee can see to bee true in our seruants c. But the congregation hath an interest in the Minister and continuall neede of him Therefore it is vnlawfull for him to be absent from them 15 If the Priestes might not dwell farre from the Temple then may not Ministers bee nonresident But the former is true as appeareth by this that they had houses builded close to the Temple 1. Chron. 28. 13. Therefore the latter is true also seeing the residence of the one is as needful as the other as appeareth in the sixt reason 16 Let no Clarke be placed in two charges for it is filthie marchandize and no man can serue two maisters and euery one must tarrie in that place wherevnto he is called 17 Damasus compareth them that set ouer their charges to others to harlottes that put out their children that they
may giue them selues to lust the sooner 18 It was ordayned that none eyther B or Elder shoulde goe from citie to citie Therefore if a Minister haue the charge of a flocke committed vnto him to the ende to feede it if God place men to the ende to haue them there imployed if flockes in daunger haue neede of continuall watche if the Ministers duetie to his flocke requireth all that trauayle that he can performe if he can not be fruitfullie profitable vnto them without continuall residence if his residence be as strictlie required as theirs vnder the lawe if he cannot be a paterne vnto them without he be resident if they can not follow him nor know him if he be absent if he cannot bee alwayes readie to feede his flocke vnles he be there if he cannot take heede to them feede them and watche ouer them without his presence if Satan be the authour of nonresidencie if his absence abridge Gods loue to them and comfort from him selfe if absence be an hinderance to the louing familiaritie that shoulde bee betwixt him and them if they haue interest in him continuall neede of him if he may no more be absent then the priestes dwell from the Temple if the Councell of Nice did vpon good grounds forbid it if absence bee like to the practise of an harlot if it be not lawfull to goe frō place to place then is nonresidence vnlawful and the practize thereof contrarie to the worde of God The bellie for which nonresidencie is defended and practized hath no eares therefore it is that they heare not these euident soundes yet haue they verie little to say for it so grosse is the error thereof so much as hath any shew of reason is here set downe and answered 1 Obiection Two parishes may bee vnited why then may not one haue charge of them both before when they be two Answere Because one shephearde may keepe one flocke though it be great but he can not keepe two being very little and going in diuers pastures agayne one man may haue so many flockes as he can lead in and out euery Sabboth to the exercises of religion which is very playne that he cannot doe to more then one Congregation 2 Obiection Parishes were deuided by men as especially by Denis the Monke Pope of Rome Aunswere That is vntrue for the Apostles deuided the Church into Congregations and placed Elders ouer euerie one of them as the whole course of the Actes and Epistles of the Apostles prooueth and Whitgift confesseth page 250. Therefore these mistes notwithstanding nonresidencie must needes be vnlawfull and certainly those that haue any sparkle of conscience feare of God or loue to their flockes will neuer defende it much lesse enter into the practize of it CHAP. 4. IT belongeth to the Church to make choise of those officers which Christ would haue placed in the same T. C. 2. booke 1. part pag. 193. Ecclesiast Discip. fo 40. Whitgift confesseth it pag. 164. They denie this as their denying of all the arguments that be brought for it doeth prooue Whitgift pag. 154. 166. c. and their practize of allowinge patrons and also being such them selues doeth euidentlie declare If the former be proued true then the latter must returne to Antichrist which is 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 euer which appeareth by this that the ordinances giuen from God by Paule 1. Tim. 6. 14. are enioyned to bee kept vntill Christ come to iudgement But it was the cōstant and the continuall practize of the Churches them to haue a stroke in the choyse of their owne ecclesiasticall officers Act. 1. and 26. where the Apostles presented two to the peoples liking whereof God was to be prayed vnto to make one an Apostle Act. 6. 3. where the Church is willed to choose their Deacons and Act. 14. 25. where they gaue their consent in the choosing of their Elders by the stretching foorth of their handes Therefore it belongeth to the church to thoose their owne Church-officers 2 If the people had an interest in their liking of their teaching Leuites 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 sorte of men But the former is true as appereth by the maner of the setting of them aside vnto that office in the lawe Therefore must the latter needes be true also 3 That which partayneth vnto all ought to be approued of all the Congregation But euery Ministerie in the Church pertayneth to all the congregation Therefore authoritie to approoue of them pertayneth 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 vnlawfull But election by common consent is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience when they shall see him teache or rule whome they them selues haue chosen Therefore election by the Church is the best and all other kindes of elections vnlawfull 5 That election whiche procureth greatest reuerence of the people to their Teachers and Rulers is meetest and all others vnlawfull But for the people to consent in the election of their Gouuernours procureth greatest reuerence in their heartes towardes them Therefore election by the people is the best and all others be vnlawfull Testimonies of the ancient writers 6 The Minister should be chosen the people beeing present in the eyes of all and should be by the common iudgement and testimonie approoued worthie and fitte c. Therfore this is the lawfull vocation by the word of God where those which are chosen bee appointed by the consent and approbation of the people For which also hee bringeth diuers authorities out of the Scriptures 7 That is truely and certainlie a diuine election of a Bishop which is made by the whole Church 8 Let the people haue authoritie to choose their Clarkes and Ministers 9 They runne speaking of the life of the Clarkes to Bishops suffragans certaine times of the yeare and bringinge some summe of money they are anoynted and ordayned being chosen of none and afterwarde the Bishop without anie 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 approueth the election by the people at large and confuteth them that would hinder it 11 When he appointed Eradius to succeede him sayeth it was the approued right custome that the whole church should eyther choose or consent vnto their Bishop 12 Antimius choosing a Bishop without the peoples cōsent filled all Armenia with sedition 13 Why did Peter cōmunicate the election with the Disciples least the matter should haue turned to a
to that place whereto he is to be called T. C. 1. book page 38. Disci Ecclesiast fol. 46. They thinke one may doe it as appeareth by the booke of ordering c. Whitgift page 134. and 135. and their slight passing it ouer thorowe the Archdeacons handes 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 els they breake the rule prescribed them 1. Tim. 5. 22. whiche cannot be without examination But the Eldershippe is to ordayne euerie Church-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 gouernment of the Church must be done by the most able gouuernours of the same The approuing or disprouing of Church-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 appeare in the chap. of Eldership Therefore the Eldership is to examine c. 3 The way whereby a mans insufficiencie is best espied 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 espied and his abilitie best discerned for the common prouerbe telleth vs That many eyes doe 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 partialitie But the Eldershipp is least subiect to partialitie both for that they be many who are not so easilie ouer-ruled by affection or fauour as one as also and that especially for that it being the Lordes owne ordinance as shall appeare wee are to perswade our selues that his spirit shall 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 bee followed vnles some reason out of the worde to perswade the conscience can be alleadged to the contrarie which none haue euer yet done But many vsed in the Apostles time to examine as appeareth in choosinge out one to be in the place of Iudas Act. 1. 22. 23. and fit men for Deacons Actes 6. 5. whereof the gouuernours especially were some for that they were to ordayne vpon knowledge as is saide in the first reason Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 6 They whose testimonie the people may best credit are to examine them that are to be admitted but the people may best credite the iudgement of a companie of able and sufficient men which the Eldershippe rightlie established must needes be Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 7 Examination belongeth vnto them which may moste perswade the people of his sufficiencie and so procure greatest reuerence vnto him in his place But the examination by the Eldership is such Therefore it belongeth to the Eldershippe c. Therefore if they that are to ordayne must examine if it be a matter of greatest waight in the gouuernement of the Church and they the most able to dispatch it if by them his sufficiencie or insufficiencie be best founde out if they bee hardliest carried away with affection or partialitie if the examination was such in the Apostles time if the people may in reason giue most credite 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 needes followe that it partayneth to the Eldership to examine those that are to be admitted to anie office in the Church There is nothing obiected against this that hath anie shewe of reason in it and therefore it were needles to set anie thing downe CHAP. 6 BEfore consent be giuen to any man vnto any calling in the Church it must appeare by sufficient triall due examination that he is qualified with those giftes that the worde of God requireth in one of that place Discip. Ecclesiast fol. 44. T. C. 2. booke 1. part page 368. and in manie other places They gainsay this in two points first in maintayning their reading ministerie secondlie in gouerninge the Church by their commissaries and officialls whiche both shalbe ouerthrowen if we prooue these two propositions followinge to be true by the worde of God No man ought to bee receyued vnto the ministerie but such as be able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainesayers The Church ought not to be gouerned by commissaries officialls and chauncellors 1 He that may be receyued into the ministerie must bee able to teache the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded Matth. 28. 20. Onely he that is able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainsayers can teache the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded Therefore none must bee receiued into the the ministerie but such as be able to teache c. 2 That which is to be done conditionally may not bee done if that condition be not kept Men are to bee receyued into the ministerie conditionally that is if they be vnreproueable Tit. 1. 5. 6. Therefore if they be not such as bee there described they may not bee receyued and consequentlie none may be receyued but such as be able to teach c. 3 That which cannot be done without the manifest breach of Gods commaundement may not bee done at all To receyue any that be not able to teache is a manifest breache of Gods commaundement 1. Tim. 3. 1. Tit. 1. 9. Therefore no man ought to be receiued into the ministerie that is not able to teache c. 4 They whom the Lord refuseth to be his ministers may not be receyued into the ministerie for the ministerie beeing the Lordes haruest wee 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 can not teache Hosea 4. 6. Therefore such as are not able to teache may not bee receyued and consequentlie none may be receyued but those that be able to teache c. 5 He that may be admitted into the ministerie must bee able to diuide the worde of God aright 2. Tim. 2. 15. Onelie he that is able to teache and conuince the gainsayers can diuide the worde of God aright Therefore none may bee admitted into the ministerie but he that is able to teache c. 6 He that may be admitted into the ministerie must haue a treasurie furnished with olde thinges and newe and must be able to bring it foorth as occasion shall serue Mat. 13. 25. Onely he that is able to teache c. is such a one Therefore onely he may be admitted c. 7 He that can espie the enimie and giue warning aforehande howe to resist him may bee receyued into the ministerie Ezek. 33. 7. None
can espye the enimie and giue warning aforehande howe to resiste him but he that is able to teache c. Therefore none may be admitted into the ministerie but he that is able to teache c. 8 He that leadeth him selfe and his people into hell may not be admitted into the ministerie Hee that is not able to teache and conuince the gainsayer leadeth him selfe and his people into hell Mat. 15. 14. Therefore he that is not able to teache c. may not be admitted into the ministerie 9 He that preacheth not but holdeth his peace murdereth 10 He that preacheth not is not sent and so he begetteth no fayth in man 11 In that S. Paule requireth that a Bishoppe should bee wise he barreth those that vnder the name of simplicitie excuse the follie of ministers 12 We condemne all vnmeete Ministers not endued with giftes necessarie for a shephearde that should feed his flocke Therefore if a Minister must teache vnto his people all that Christ hath commaunded if none may be made ministers but conditionally if they be qualified with giftes meete for the same if vnpreaching Ministers can not be made without the manifest breach of the commaundement of God if they may not be made ministers whom the Lorde refuseth to haue if euery minister must haue a treasurie well furnished and be able to bring foorth of it when need requireth if euery minister must haue skill to see the enemie and to giue warning aforehande howe to resiste him if vnlearned ministers draw their people to hell after them if he that preacheth not be a murtherer if he be not sent and so doe no good if he be barred from the ministerie lastlie if hee bee condemned as not to be in such a place then must it needes followe that none many be receyued into the ministerie but such as be able to teache the trueth and to conuince the gainsayer Many are the argumentes that be alleadged to this purpose and many moe may be alleadged for the whole course of the scriptures tende therevnto the testimonie of all sortes of writers is very plentifull for this purpose yea of the verie Canon lawe as the authour of the Abstract hath learnedlie prooued and yet doe not our Prelates rest in the same but haue sett them selues though in a sillie maner against it in this sorte that followeth 1 Obiection There must be reading in the Church therfore a reading ministerie Whitgift pag. 252. Answer By that reason we must haue an officer for euerie particular action for there must be breaking of bread in the Church and powring of water but it followeth not that therefore there must be one whose office must bee onely to breake bread or to powre water 2 Obiection It is better to haue readers then none for preachers can not be had for euery congregation Answere It is not better for if they had none they would seeke for him that they should haue whereas now they that haue a reader onely think them selues in case good inought but if there be such wante of preachers why are so many of the most diligent and able ones turned out 3 Obiection It is impossible to haue Preachers euerie-where and such as can be had must be taken Answere Sometimes you say all is well and is it now impossible that our state should obey the Lordes ordinaunces this is the greatest disgrace to it that can be and yet it followeth not for no necessitie may warrant vs to violate the decrees of the highest 4 Obiection It were vncharitablenes to turne them out that bee bare readers for so they their wiues and children might begge Answere This is to sell mens souls for morsels of bread shall we rather feare the begging of three or foure then the damnation of 1000. but they may bee otherwayes prouided for they neede not begge many of them may returne to their occupations againe So that all these obiections notwithstanding the conclusion remaineth sure which is grounded vppon so many certaine and vnmoueable foundations The Churche ought not to be gouerned by Commissaries and Officialls and Chauncellors 1 They which are no Elders of the Church haue nothing to doe in the gouernement of the same 1. Tim. 5. 17. These Chauncellours Commissaries and officialls are no Elders in the Church whether we expounde Elder for a minister and him also that is assistant vnto the minister in ouerseeing the Church or for a minister onely as they do for none of them be ministers and if they be they doe not rule in this respect that they are ministers Therefore the Church ought not to be gouerned by them 2 They that must gouerne the Church of God must haue a warraunt for their so doing from Iesus Christ the head of the Church But Chauncellors c. haue no warraunt so to doe from Iesus Christ the head of the Church Therefore the Church ought not to be gouerned by them 3 Those whose names office and practize be deriued frō Antichrist may haue nothing to doe in the gouuernement of the Church for who will suffer his wife to be gouuerned by the master of a brothelhouse But the names offices and practize of Chauncellours officialles and commissaries be such which is plaine by this that they haue their grounde in that filthie dunghill the Cannon lawe Therefore they may haue nothing to doe in the gouernement of the Church 4 They that being inferiours doe proudly tyrannize ouer their superiours ought not to rule the Church of God for it is meete it should be ruled by modest humble and orderlie men But such are they for being inferiours to the ministers of the worde as our aduersaries doe confesse and is plaine also by the cannon lawe they crowe ouer them as if they were their slaues and if they doe not so they can doe nothinge Therefore they ought not to rule the Church of God 5 They that liue by the faultes of men are not fitt to rule the Church of God for they will rather increase offences that their gayne may increase then orderlie lessen them as experience also prooueth But such are all Chauncellours commissaries and officialls Therefore they ought not to rule the Church of God Therefore if Chauncellours commissaries and officialls be no Elders of the Church if they haue no warraunt from Iesus Christe the head of the Church if their names offices and practize be deriued from Antichrist if their office compell them being inferiours to tyrannize ouer their superiours if they liue onely by the faultes and offences of men then it must needes followe that the Church of God ought not to be gouerned by them CHAP. 7. EVerie officer of the Church must bee ordayned by the laying on of the handes of the Eldershippe T. C. 2. booke 1. part pag. 274. Discip. Eccle. fol. 53. They say it ought to be done by the Bishop alone Whitg pag. 196. their daily practize doeth likewise shewe it The former is prooued
and the latter disprooued by these reasons following 1 As Churchofficers were ordayned in the Apostles time so must they be continually for they did lay the plot according wherevnto the Church must bee built vnto the ende but they were ordayned in the Apostles time by the layinge on of the handes of the Eldershippe Actes 6. 6. and 13. 3. Therefore the Church-officers must be ordained by layinge on of the handes of the Eldership 2 Church-officers must be ordayned by them that haue warrant from the worde to assure the parties ordayned that they are called of God Onely the Eldershippe hath such a warraunt 1. Tim. 4. 14. Therefore they ought to be ordained by the Eldership 3 Many of the sentences alleadged before out of Councells Emperours lawes histories and sounde writers both olde and newe for election not to be by one but by diuers speake also of ordination and so are forcible to this purpose 4 Euagrius came to the office of a Bishoppe vnlawfullie because onely Paulinus ordayned him contrarie to the tenure of many Cannons whiche prouide that they should not be ordained but by all the Bishoppes of the prouince or at the least by three 5 When a Bishop is to be ordayned c. one Bishop shall pronounce the blessing and the rest of the Bishops with the Elders present shall all lay on their handes 6 When a Bishop was to be ordayned the Bishops adioyning did ordayne him Therefore if Church-officers were ordayned in the Apostles time not by one but by the Eldershippe consistinge of manie if they be to ordayne that haue warraunt out of the worde to assure the parties ordayned that they are called of God if ordination by one Bishop be vnlawfull and contrarie to many canons of Councells if the Bishops Elders were to laye on their hands lastlie if the Bishops adioyning were to ordayne then must it needes followe that Church-officers are not to be ordayned by one man but by the laying on of the handes of the Eldership But they fight harde against this because it striketh at a maine pillar of their kingdome their chiefe groundes be these 1 Obiection Paule and Barnabas ordayned Elders where is no mention of any Eldership Aunswere They are saide to ordayne because they being the chiefe procured it so is Ioshua 5. 3. saide to circumcise which was the Leuites office so saye wee The Queene hath made a lawe and yet not she alone maketh any 2 Obiection Though it were so then yet is it not so required nowe no more then the cōmunitie in the Apostles time Answere There was no more communitie then for they that thinke otherwise are in that point Anabaptistes then is to be required now so that instance maketh for vs. 3 Obiection Examples are no generall rules to bee followed Answere Examples not contrarying any rule or reason of the Scripture be to be followed as if they were commaundementes so that notwithstanding any thinge alleadged to the contrarie it remayneth vpon the former groundes most stedfast that it belōgeth to the Eldership to ordayne those church officers that are to be imployed in the publike seruice of god CHAP. 8. THE ordayning of Church-officers must be done with humble prayer of the Eldership the congregation Discipl Ecclesiast fol. 50. Their vnreuerent beginning and proceeding therewith in a corner is contrarie to this whiche is condemned by the proofe of our assertion by these reasons 1 We are to behaue our selues in these actions as they by whom we haue direction to doe them haue set vs an example But the Apostles Elders when they ordayned church-officers did alwayes commende the action to God by prayer togither with those congregations ouer whiche they placed them Actes 6. 6. and 14. 23. Therefore the ordayninge of Church-officers must bee done by humble prayer of the Eldership and congregation 2 The greater the action is that is in hande the more carefull must they be that haue it in hande to humble them selues by prayer for the Lordes assistance therein but the ordayning of Church-officers is an action of moste weightie importance Therefore they that haue it in hande which be the Eldershipp to ordaine him and congregation to receyue him ought to humble them selues in earnest prayer before hande 3 They that shall haue part in the comfort or discomfort of the action are to ioyne togither in prayer vnto GOD for the better euent and against the worse But the Eldershippe and people shall both haue part in the euent of the action Therefore they are to ioyne togither in humble prayer before hande c. CHAP. 9. CHurch-officers must bee ordayned by layinge on of handes in this they agree with vs concerning the ceremonie it selfe albeit neyther in the parties by whō nor on whom it must be conferred The profit of this ceremonie appeareth in the reasons following 1 That which stirreth vp euerie partie to pray with more feruencie is profitable to be vsed But such is this ceremonie for it affecteth the ordeyners when they feele him for whom they pray and the ordeyned when he feeleth a calling and charge from God as it were sensiblie comming vppon him and the congregation when they see him separated frō the rest by whom they shall reape much comfort or griefe Therefore the vse of it is very profitable 2 That which helpeth forward the partie ordayned in his care to walke with a good conscience in his calling is profitable to be vsed Such is the imposition of handes for both it declareth vnto him that he is separated of God for that purpose and also giueth him hope that his hande who allotted him therevnto will alwayes assist him in the course of that calling Therefore it is of a profitable vse 3 That which worketh a more acknowledgment of Gods ordinance in the heartes of the people is profitable to be vsed Such is the layinge on of handes for it declareth vnto them that the Lorde hath placed him in that callinge ouer them Therefore it is profitable to be vsed Therefore seeing the ceremonie of the laying on handes is forcible to increase the feruencie of euery partie when they pray seeing it assureth the callinge to the partie ordayned and giueth him an argument of good hope for the blessing of God vpon him in the course of the same and seeinge it procureth a more perswasion in the people that hee is allotted vnto them from the Lord him selfe it is euident that it is not a vaine and idle ceremonie as many doe imagine but of good and profitable vse in all ordinations CHAP. 10. THe Lorde hath ordayned that there should be one Bishopp or Pastor at the least president ouer euery congregation who are of equal authoritie in their seueral charges and in the generall gouernement of the Church T. C. 1. booke page 22. and 2. booke 1. part page 515. They mainteyne contrarie vnto this these two 1 That one may haue two or moe charges
that which the Ministers may teache if the worde of God onely make the Church obedient vnto Christ if euerie kingdome must be ruled by the lawes of their King and if the cannon lawe be ordayned to destroye the Church if it was inuented to persecute the church if it strengthen the power of darkenesse and ignorance if it kill the church of God if it breede moe traiterous papistes then the Seminaries at Rome and Rhemes if it nourishe the hope of Antichrists returne lastlie if all the churches that haue forsaken the pope haue cast it of also yea if we our selues doe mislike it then must it needes followe that the Church ought to bee gouerned onely by that golden rule of Gods worde not by that leaden lumpe of the cannon lawe CHAP. 15. THe office of the Church gouernement is meere Ecclesiasticall and therefore the gouernours of the church may not meddle but onely in Church-matters as for example vocation and abdication deciding of controuersies in doctrine and manners so farre as appertayneth to conscience and the church censures T. C. booke 1. pag. 206. Discipl Eccle 126. but they thinke that church-gouernours may also meddle in ciuill causes Whitgift pa. 749. and their practize that take vpon them to be Councellors of state to iudge ciuillie as punish with imprisonment c. But this is disprooued and so the former proued by these reasons 1 That which our Sauiour Christ refused because it belonged not vnto him ruling and teaching the church that same is not lawfull for any Ecclesiasticall person to doe But Christ refused to deuide the inheritance Luke 12. 14. onely because he came to buylde a spirituall kingdome for otherwise he being God had authoritie ouer all thinges Therfore it is not lawfull for Ecclesiasticall persons to bee iudges of ciuill causes 2 That which was forbidden the Apostles is vnlawful for euery Ecclesiasticall officer for they were the chiefe vnder Christ and had after a sort all offices in themselues vntill they could plant them in others But such dominiō was forbidden them as the Kinges of the nations and other ciuill Magistrates haue Luke 22. 28. which is to rule ciuilly Therfore they may not exercise any ciuill authoritie 3 If necessarie dueties are to be lefte rather then our dueties to the Church should not be thorowly discharged then may not a church-officer deale in ciuill iurisdiction which is lesse necessarie vnto him But the former is true as appeareth by the wordes of Christ to him that would haue buried his father Luke 9. 59. 60. Therefore they may not exercise anie ciuill authoritie 4 If he that hath an office must atrende vpon it then may he not meddle in another for he can not attende them both at once But the former is true Rom. 12. 7. Therefore maye no Church-officer medle with temporall iurisdiction 5 As the Souldiour is in his warfare so are Church-officers in the ruling of Gods church But the Souldiour entangleth not him selfe in the things of this life because they are of another nature to his warfare which place Cyprian alleadgeth against a minister that became an executour to his friendes will Therefore church-officers may not meddle with ciuill offices because they are of another nature then his calling 6 Those things that in them selues are of contrarie quallitie can not concurre in one subiect But the gouernments of the Church and common wealth bee such not onelie in this that they are the next speciall members of one generall but also in that the one is spirituall and the other temporall the one respecteth the soule and the other the bodie Therefore they can not be in one man togither and consequentlie c. 7 If the gouernement of the Church both in euery particular mans office and in the generall Eldership bee a matter of great waight and the abilitie of man very small in euery good action then may not a church-officer meddle in another calling whereby hee is made lesse able to discharge his duetie But the former is true as all men may see that looke into the worde of God what is required of such men and knowe by the same worde the manifolde infirmities vntowardnes of man Therefore the latter must needes bee true also 8 If the Apostles who were the most able of all others founde them selues vnfitt for two offices whiche were both Ecclesiasticall then is the best church-gouernour vnfitt for two which be of more difference one from another as bee the gouernement of the church and common wealth But the former is true as appeareth Actes 6. 2. Therefore the latter must needes be true also 9 That which we iustly reprooue in the papistes muste needes if we doe like be founde more vnlawfull and intollerable in ourselues But we iustly reprooue the papistes for hauing in their handes both the swordes that is the Ecclesiasticall and ciuill iurisdiction Therefore it is more intollerable being founde in any of vs. 10 If it be lawfull for an Ecclesiasticall person to exercise the office of the ciuill Magistrate then on the contrary it is lawfull for the ciuill Magistrate to exercise the offices of Ecciesiasticall persons for there is as good reason for the one as the other But the latter is vnlawfull for who would like of any L. Mayor to step into the pulpit and preach c. Therfore the first is vnlawfull also 11 They may not intangle them selues with worldly offices but attende vpon their Ecclesiasticall affaires 12 None of the Clarkes or Cleargie shall receyue any charge of those which are vnder age the cause of that decree is there saide to be for that there were certaine Ministers that were stewardes to noble men and in the 7. cannon that none of them should receyue any secular honors 13 The Bishops shall onely attende vnto prayer reading and preaching 14 He bringeth diuers reasons to prooue that Bishops may neither vsurpe nor take beeing offered vnto them any ciuill office 15 He sheweth howe the offices are to bee distinguished and in what sorte it is sayd that the fathers dealt in the things of this life and howe the corporall punishmentes by the Apostles were particular and extraordinarie 16 When both the offices meete in one man the one hindereth the other so that he that exerciseth the one cannot minister the other 17 There is no man so wise and holy which is able to exercise both the ciuill and Ecclesiasticall power and therefore he that will exercise the one must leaue the other Therefore if Christe refused to iudge in temporall causes because it belonged not to his office if ciuill dominion was forbidden the Apostles if necessarie dueties are rather to bee lefte vndone then our diligence in the matters of the church should be lessened if he that hath an office must attende vppon it if we may not bee intangled with any hinderance if the ciuill and Ecclesiasticall functions bee of contrarie natures if euery office in
sinners that can not without offence be admitted to the Lordes supper yet deserue not excommunication if for corporall vncleannes vnder the lawe they were to abstaine a certaine time and if the church can not without great offence suffer him that hath committed an open sinne though he repent or that is vehemently suspected of a notorious sinn cōtinue in the execution of his office vntill the Congregation bee satisfied Lastlie if the priest that was vncleane or suspected of leprosie might not offer sacrifices then is it plaine that both the separation of some men from the Lordes supper and other from the execution of their publike function for a time is a thing warranted by the worde of God The latter part which is that this kinde of suspention hath a profitable vse in the Church of God is thus proued 1 That which keepeth the godly in more carefull obedience and keepeth in the hypocrites that they breake not out is very profitable for the Church of God But such is the vse of the separation from the Lordes Supper and from executing publike function in the Church Therefore it is profitable in the church of God 2 That whiche remooueth euen the appearance of offence from the Church of God is very profitable for the same But such is the separation Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 3 That which declareth vnto the worlde that the Church of God is carefull to practise that which it professeth is verie profitable But such is this separation for it sheweth that they cannot away with vngodly life no nor among them selues Therefore it is profitable for the church of God 4 That which giueth occasion to the Church to be exercised in the action of religion with more sounde comfort is profitable for the same But such is this separation for euery one shall see thereby the vnworthy for whose sakes God might be angrie with them all Iosh. 7. 11. weeded from among them Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 5 That which is a speciall meanes to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde vnto his Church is profitable for the same such is this separation for it is a notable meanes to keepe men in obedience to that whiche they professe Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God Therefore if separation of the knowne or suspected sinner from the Lordes supper and such a Church-officer from the execution of his publike function doe keepe men in obedience that be godly and restrayneth hypocrites from outrage if it remooue the very appearance of euill if it lett the world see that the Church laboureth to practize that which it doeth professe if it make euery member of the Church to be exercised in the actions of religion with greater comfort Lastlie if it be a speciall meane to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde then must it needes followe that it is of verie profitable vse vnto the Church of God CHAP. 19. WHen neyther admonition nor suspention will serue to reclay me the offendor but that it doth appeare that he abydeth in impenitencie and is incorrigible the Eldership after mature deliberation and commending of the partie vnto the prayers of the Church he yet remaining obstinate is to proceede to excommunication which containeth these propositions in question betwixt vs and the Bishops 1 It may not be done but vpon great and waightie occasion 2 It may not bee done by any one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto The former is holden by vs T. C. 1. booke pag. 183. disc Eccle. 130. and denied by them in their practise that sende it out many times for not paying of sixe pence But our assertion is thus prooued and their godles practise disproued 1 That which Christ hath ordayned for the last remedie against sinne and onely to bee vsed when neyther admonition reprehension nor separation from the externall communion of the Saintes for a time will serue that same is not to be vsed but vpon great extremitie But such is excommunication as appeareth Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not bee vsed but vpon most waightie occasion that is in the case onlie of extremitie when no other meanes will serue the turne 2 That whiche cutteth a man off from the Church of God and giueth him ouer vnto Satan as one in a desperate case that same may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie But such is excommunication being vsed according as God hath left it vnto his Church 1. Cor. 5. 5. Therefore it may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie 3 That which a man will doe in the cutting off of his hande or his foote that same must the Church doe in excommunication for it is the cutting off of a member But a man will trie all other wayes and will neuer cutt of his hande or his foote vntill he see it incurable and readie to infect the other partes of his bodie Therefore excommunication may not be vsed but in case of greatest extremitie 4 That which is contrarie to naturall affection and worketh that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke of that same may not bee done but in greatest extremitie But such is the excommunication for it depriueth the party excommunicated of our loue and throweth him into the most wretched case that can befall vnto man in this life Therefore it may not be done but in case of greatest extremitie Therefore if excommunication be ordained of Christ as a remedie onely when all other helpes will not serue if it cutt the partie from Gods Church and giue him ouer vnto Satan if it must be proceeded vnto as a man doeth to the cutting off of his hande or foote lastlie if it be a worke contrarie vnto the naturall affection of man and effecteth that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke vppon then must it needes followe that it is to be proceeded vnto onely in the cases of greatest extremitie and after that all other meanes haue bin vsed and doe appeare not to preuayle The latter poynt whiche is that excommunication may not be done by one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto is holden by vs T. C booke 1. pag. 183. Discipl Ecclest 130. c. and denied by them Whitgift pag. 662. and their continuall practize But our assertion is thus prooued and their opinion practize found to be erroneous and vngodlie 1 That whiche Christe commaunded to bee done by the Church may not be done by one man vnles you take my L. Grace for the Church as Whitgift doeth page 662. whiche needeth no confutation But Christe commaunded that excommunication should be done by the Church Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not be done by one man 2 That whiche Paule enioyned the Church when they were met togither to doe may not be done by one man But he commaunded them to excommunicate the incestuous person when they were met
braule and haue fallen to a contention Testimonies of the generall Councels 14 It is meete that you should haue power both to choose and to giue their names that are worthie to bee amonge the Cleargie and to doe all thinges 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 bee promoted to the honour of him that is dead if they be worthie and if the people choose them 15 Let the people choose and the Bishop approoue and seale vp the election with them 16 In an Epistle to Damasus Ambrose c. sayeth Wee haue ordayned Nectarius Bishop of Constantinople c. the whole citie decreeing the same and Flâ—uianus was appointed Bishop of Antioch the whole citie appointing him 17 When he hath bin examined in all these and founde fullie instructed then let him bee ordayned Bishop by the common consent of the Clearkes and lay people 18 Let not him be counted a priest in the Church whom the Cleargie 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 prouince of the Cleargie and Citizens let another be chosen and if it bee otherwise let the ordination be voyde and of none effect Testimonies out of the Emperours lawes 20 Following the doctrine of the holy Apostles c. wee ordayne that as oft as it shall fall out that the Ministers place shalbe voyde in any citie that voyces be giuen of the inhabiters of that citie that hee of three whiche for their right faith holines of life other things are most approoued bee chosen to the Bishopricke which is moste meete of them 21 Being not ignorant of the holy canons that the holy Church 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 whom all the people of Rome should consent to choose 23 Lodouicke the seconde commaunded by his letters the Romanes to choose their owne Bishop not looking for other mens voyces which being straungers could not so well tell what was done in the common wealth where they were straungers and that it appartayned to the citizens 24 Let the people sayeth Otho the Emperour choose and I will approoue it The testimonies of the newe writers 25 The newe writers as Musculus in his common places in the title of Magistrates Bullinger vpon 1. Tim. 4. Caluin Institut booke 4. chap. 3. sect 15. Harmon confes Heluet chap. 18. and many others are on our side in this behalf 26 If there be none that write against it but the papistes and no argumentes vsed against it but those whiche be borrowed out of the popishe writers then doeth 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 doe knowe and as is manifest by comparing Pighius Hosius c. with Whitgift Therefore the latter is true also Therefore seeing the interest of the Church in choosing of their Church-officers is grounded vpon the worde 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 seeinge it is commended vnto vs by the manifolde practize of all auncient times so long as anie sinceritie remayned not only in the time of persecution but also of peace seeing it hath bin confirmed by so manie generall Councells and ratified by the decrees of so manie Emperours seeing it hath such a cloude of witnesses both of ancient and latter times of the best approued writers seeing none doe set them selues against it but the papistes or they that invade it onely with the same weapons that are fetched out of the popes armorie it must needes followe that it belongeth vnto the Church to choose their Church-officers and that the taking away of this freedom abridgeth the libertie that Christe hath endowed his Church withall and bringeth her into great boÌ„dage as Musculus truly affirmeth Their obiections against those things are these 1 Obiection They were then vnder the crosse fewe in number and therefore it was easilie knowen who were fit Answere The Gospell was dispersed thorowe out all Asia Africa and much of Europe and they could lesse keepe togither or meete and therfore that maketh rather for vs. 2 Obiection We haue many hypocrites to whom it were daungerous to committ such waightie actions Answere It is true that we haue many but it is a principle in hypocrisie to bee forwardest in such publike actions that they may get fame thereby 3 Obiection They had knowledge to doe it but our people be ignoranted Answere We should also finde our people to haue knowledge if they had teaching but howsoeuer they choose they can not haue worse then ordinarily are chosen by the Bishops and patrons 4 Obiection The Church was not then established Answere That is vntrue for though it wanted the helpe of Magistrates yet the Apostles could 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 the differences of the Elders which helpe then they lacked 5 Obiection Drunkards papistes c. will choose them that be like them selues and we knowe the best disposed bee alwayes the fewest Aunswere Such are not of the Church but without 1. Cor. 5. 12. and therefore are not to meddle in any holy action but if the people should 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 prophetes would sende them none for the ministers especially to make choyse of but meete men that whomsoeuer they tooke he should be founde sufficient 6 Obiection Paule commaundeth 1. Timo. 5. 22. to laye his handes on no man rashlie therefore one did it Answere He teacheth what to doe for his part 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 asscribed vnto him whiche also belonged vnto others because he was the director Caluine and Musculus expounde the place so 7 Obiection The Councell of Laodicea decreed that the people should not elect Answere That is as Caluin taketh it vpon Actes 16. they might not elect alone without the direction of some graue and good minister which should be the maner in the elections that according to Gods worde 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