thought to haue brought into the churche off god with out his word off our owne authority so many newe offices and functions as into how many partes and membres this one office is deuided Touchinge those thinges which besides this are faulty in the Election and Ordinacion off Pastors they haue bene spoken off in other places before neither is it needfull to repeat the same againe Therfore to conclude all this treatise off Bishoppes takinge away extraordinarie functions and offices and abolishing the pompe and tyranny off the Lord Bishoppes Let vs esteeme the office off a Bishopp and minister as yt is declared vnto vs in the word off god Let vs remembre that this is a seruice and Ministery not off the affaires off this life But off the holie word off god Let this most neceessary office amonges all other offices that be in the earthe both for the seruice and Religion off God and for the saluacion off man be ordeined and established thorowgh out this Realme Let an Assay be made that they which beinge vnmeete for the office being put out godlie learned and worthye men be chosen therunto who discharging ther offices faithfully may be sufficiently prouided for concerning the necessaries off this life as the Lord hath commanded Let vs fetche the manner and fashion off our examininge choosinge and ordeininge out off the Scriptures Let Doctors be appoynted to teache and Cathechize the rude and ignorant Let Pastors be ordeyned to Mynister the Sacramentes and to applye the generall Docrine to the particuler vses and occasions off the churche That faultes beinge amended and reformed accordinge to to the right lyne off the word off God a iust and lawfull ministerie suche as the Lord hath appointed may be established amonges vs That Christ powringe his blessing vpon his owne Ordenance and apointment as the Apostle noteth thes to be the endes off the ministery the work off the ministery may be done The bodie off Christ which is the churche may be edified and buylded vp and the Saintes may be fitly orderly and proportionally ioined and knit together one with an other Thus now hauinge finished one part off ecclesiasticall functiōs and charges namely that which consisteth in the dutie off a Bishoppe and the Ministerie off the worde Let vs come to that which remaineth and concerneth deacons But to the ende we may hereī also orderly procede first I say that Sainct Paule in his first epistle to Timothy and thyrd chap. and in the other places before alledged off me to the same ende calleth all those Deacons which do exercise any office or or charge in the churche not belonging to the Ministery off the word For ther be also other offices besides the ministery off the word needfull for the preseruacion off the churche Which what they be we shall see hereafter But iff they were not necessary for the preseruatiō off the whole body Surely Iesus Christ the most wise ruler and gouerner off his churche would neuer haue appointed them yff then this other ordre off Deacons be so necessary why do we want it wholie in our churche deforminge the body no lesse yea a great deale more by so notable want off those partes that are necessary then by the superfluitie off those which are not off the body as hath bene allready before shewed For let them not here speake off there Chauncelors whom I haue allready proued to haue no lawfull place in the church nor off the churche wardens off whom I shall speake more hereafter For I say we want and require Ecclesiasticall Deacons who accordinge to the ordinaunce off god are lawfully chosen created and ordemed to there offices not ciuill and politique men who by the authoritie off the Magistrate deale in some suche matter but what these be we shall see hereafter more at large Here I cannot sufficiently wonder at the boldnes off the braine off man who thus altereth and peruerteth wholie the lordes gouerment in his owne house appointinge some besides those which are appointed by him to the rulinge off his house and putting out those as iff the church off god had no neede off ther labour whō the Lord him selffe had apointed fynally licensing them selues in the lords matters to set downe and take away to adde and diminishe what they list and to rule ād dispose all thinge according to ther owne will and fantasy Thē the which seing ther cā be nothinge more against the honor off our Sauior let vs at the last learne to be modest and to be ruled by his word let vs suffer him to rule his owne house by his owne authoritie and restore againe to the churche those offices and functions which he hath thought meete and profitable for it But that thes thinges may be the better vnderstood and that we proceede the more orderly forewarde As I shewed in the former parte first what was ordeined off God wherby it was easie to vnderstād what was superfluous or to muche So I must likwise doe in this part that yt may be the better vnderstood what we want and what is to to be supplied in this behalffe There be therfore ij sortes off Deacons as they are deuided by Sainct Paule in the xij to the Romans The one sorte are called distributers who also in the sixte off the Actes are properly called Deacons The other ouer seers who also in other places are called Elders and Gouernors off the church Those therfore who are properly called Deacons are officers off the churche sette ouer the bestowing and distributing off the churche goodes and treasurie How great cause there was off institutinge this office in the churche it appereath in the sixth off the Actes wher the the Apostles who in the beginninge administred the treasury off the churche when they perceiued that they were not able to serue bothe that is to saye the preachinge off the word and the caringe for the pore gaue ouer this office to be Treasurers any more and propounded yt to the churche that ther might be a seuerall office appoynted for this charge that might take vppon them the prouidinge for the poore To whome should be giuen what so euer was bestowed for the reliefe off the needy that they might after dispose yt according as euery one had neede That the poore might not be dispised in the church off God whom he declareth to be so deare vnto hym and that all complaintes being taken awaie euery thing might be orderly and honestly gouerned in the house off god Therfore the Treasury off the church whither yt be in daily offringes or in rentes and reuenuews appoynted to that ende is to be cōmitted vnto the Deacons The hospitalles and houses which are appointed for the reliefe off straungers and off the poore are to be ruled by them fynally what other suche like thing ther is belongeth to the office off Deacons In olde tyme in deede in the prymitiue churche this Treasure was committed to the Bishoppes because all men trustinge
mountaines and wandringe in the woodes with out a guyde which he him selfe spared not to spēd his life for to bring yt into the way againe we are in no part inferior to the Papistes them selues Is this then our discipline is this that order which some men often tymes praisinge in wordes desire nothinge less in deed Is this the gouernment and administracion off our churche and yet no man may be suffred freely to speake for the reformaciō of the churche and restoringe againe of the pure and perfit gouernmēt of the Apostles Seinge thes are most manifestly contrary to the example off our Sauior Christ and off the Apostles Seinge they threaten the certeyne ruyne and ouer throw off the churche Seinge they do not only shake but turne vpward the pillers off the same Haue we not Good cause to be moued bothe for the Glory off God and the saluacion of the churche to requyre more holye ordinaunces and a better gouernment off the same Can any man esteeme thes light matters and off small waight that the sacred Lawes off God are openly violated and broken with oute any shame that the churche which Christ hath redemed with his bludd is neglected That ther is no regard had off discharginge off dewties That a man taketh to hym selfe which the Aungelles dare not and that the Archbishopp dare geue the Pastor leaue contrary to the expresse commandement off God to forsake his flock or graunt him suche priuiledges wheroff that same dothe necessaryly follow which no Archangell may challendge to him selff Or shall thos thinges also which I haue handled from the begynninge to this place be esteemed small faultes to ground Ecclesiasticall discipline not vpon the word off God and the will off the Lord Iesus But off the canon lawe Which suerly I doubt not to affirme to be the very fountaine and springe from whence all the rest off the Corruptions do flow that popishe priestes womē Archdeacons and Chauncelers with ther Officialles Commissaryes and the rest off that Trashe do bringe ther impure handes and neuer sanctified vnto God to do his holie seruice to preache his word to handle and distribute his facred mysteries to order and gouerne his churche And nothinge seare any punishement off this ther boldnes and most vnworthie prophanacion off the holie offices That Ionathan the Leuites shamefull example in seekinge a Maister or as we call yt in gettinge the good will off a Patrone is taken to be followed That Dauid and Salomons example in callinge the Priestes and Leuites to ther cyties and townes and the Apostles in ordeininge no ecclesiasticall officer but vnto certen churches is neglected and contemned And last off all that Thes wicked and intollerable faculties Prerogatiues Priuiledges and dispensacions tha◠I haue spoken off at suffered in our churche Are all thee I say to be countid trifles or certen light faultes and tollerable errors For my par e suerly I thincke as allso I suppose all they will do that will were this by the word off God as by the gold smythes ballance that ther is neuer a one off these light and small to be esteemed but that they ar all heynous trespasses and matters off Treason to be examined and iudged off in the highest courtes Therfore in the name off God let vs not seeke to bringe this holie doctrine off reforminge our discipline into hate and displeasur vnder a shew that yt is a newe and a false pretēce that all innouaciōs ād chāges are dangerous but rather abrogating thes most vniust and vnrighteous lawes dispensacions and as I may well call them pardones and indulgencies at the last let vs call agayne that maner off gouerninge the churche and that discipline being now lost which the Lord him selfe by his embassadors and Apostles hathe apointed Thus hauinge described and layd out the lawfull vocacion off all those which occupie any publique place in the churche let vs now come to the partes and members of the same which especially are two wherin the right maner off geuinge thes offices doth consist that is In election and ordinacion which is so properly called Election is the appointinge by the Elders the rest off the churche allowing it off a fitt man to the bearinge off some office in the churche And as for Election that it is necessary to the geuinge off any off thes offices it may appeare euen off that that S. Paul ioineth it with examinacion and trial and diligently warneth Timothie that he lay not on his handes vpon them that be vnworthie but only vpon thos that after a iust triall beinge had are found meet and chosen That same is proued also by the continuall vse off the Apostles who by the iudgmēt and authoritie off the churche apointed Bishopps to teache and Deacons for the orderinge off the Treasury off the churche For Christ hath not chosen any certen hous or famyly as it was in old tyme vnder the law wherin the gouernment off the churche should all wais remaine He gaue herein no right off Petigree stock and blood no ministers by inheritance but he would haue the iudgement left free vnto his churche and the offices theroff to be gyuen by choyse and worthines Off which election for asmuche as it was so necessary for the state off the churche that without yt the churche it selfe could not longe continew Our Sauior Christ was very carefull and therfor declared particularly and distinctly all thinges which apperteined to the orderyng theroff For he hath perfectly and diligently shewed bothe who owght to choose and to whom especially this care ought to belonge and what ought to be followed and regarded in chosinge off euery one For althoughe this question and controuersy off the chosers hathe beene diuersly disputed off by lerned men yet allmost all off them cōsen in this that ther must be moe to deale therin and that so great and so wayghtie a charge and belonginge to the especiall and singuler commodytie or discomoditie off the wholl churche ought not be committed to the authoritie off any one but be ordered and ruled by the iudgement and consent off many And this is the generall opynion off all thos that euer disputed lernedly and wisely in this cause from which I thinck no man can dissent but the Papists and they that haue succeded them in that authoritie which they most vnuistly and not without open iniury and tyranny doe vsurpe For the Bishopps that challeng this power vnto them selues by ther meere authoritie and ther owne only Iudgment and aduise to apoint the officers off the churche cannot challenge this by any right or law off God but exercise a very tyranny thoughe indeed longe agoe browght into the churche which lest I may seeme to haue said with out cause and to haue condemned them with out hearinge them to say what they can let them shew forth from whom and by what right this infynit power and authoritie is come into ther handes yff they say they haue
yt were made and appointed off God especially in this age and in thes daies wherin all thinges ar so corrupted that the most part followinge the pleasures off this life ar smally carefull for the right vse off spirituall giftes wher off notwithstandinge the Apostle would haue no man ignorant And allthoughe many wer able to iudge in other charges who ar meete and vnmeet how fewe be ther that could make triall and assay off a minister that could examyn his gifftes and make due searche and triall what godlines what lerninge or what ability he were off to edefy the churche And suerly iff all men were so taught off god that they could know and iudge off thes thinges then in deed we should neede no certein choosen men who by ther spirituall wisdome and discretion should gouerne and direct the Iudgementes off the people we should not then need to feare the chosinge off any vnworthy or vnable to edifie the churche ther would be no daunger off confusion and vproares Thes in deed should be the bancketes that they commend so highly that ar the dayntier the more ther be that bringe ther dishes to it and the Gosyppe feastes which they praise so muche which when they can prepare for vs we ar so fare off that we would not sit downe beinge bidden that with great thanckes to the host that so should receyue vs we would take great pleasure in the vse off so so exquisite daynties and preferre them before the most deyntie feastes off the Syracusians and such a table before that golden table off the sonne that Herodotus doth mencion But seinge thes thinges ar rather to be wished then hoped or loked for let vs keep that ordre which I haue described beinge most agreable to the decrees of the Apostles to edificacion the chiefest and most sacred lawe off discipline and furthest off from confusion and tumultes which is that the ecclesiasticall counsell when neede shal be prouide fitt men for the churche in euery function and office examin and trie them diligently and carefully then choose them after publishe and make knowne ther election vnto the church and last off all beinge allowed by the church lay ther handes vpon them and so stablishe them in ther place and callinge by ther authoritie But paraduenture I haue taried longer in this part then needed seing we ar not troubled with the lightnes and confusion off populer elections but with lordshipp and tyranny which I cannot se may continue with the safety off the church which it hath already allmost ouerthrowne so that speedie remedy is to befound lest we lament to late the ruine off our decaying church Now as for Elections ther must allwais goo before them a due profe and triall off the worthynes off the partyes that ar to be chosen For that which the Apostle to Timothe commandeth concerninge Deakons That they also be fist examined and then iff ther be no other cause to the contrary admitted to ther deaconshipp doth plainlie proue that examinacion owght to be had before that election and choise be made to any ecclesiasticall office and function for which cause also S. Paule doth no lesse declare the maner how to proue and trie a bishoppe or ministers then to examin the Deacon and ther is the same ende ād vse off examinaciō in all which is That no charge be cōmitted to an vnfit man or not able enoughe for the office wherby it might come to passe that both the church should want hir needfull and necessary helpes and that the holie offices should be prophaned Therfore the churche ought to choose no man but whom they knowe before to be chosen off God for it standeth vppon the gouerment off his house whos keies it is vnlawfull to commit vnto any to whom the Sonne and heyre that great steward off the house off Dauid vpon whose shoulder the master off the house hath laid the keies hath not thought good to credit and commit them vnto But God chooseth no man to any office whom therwith all he doth not indewe with meet giftes for the discharginge off it for otherwise how should he aske accōpt off doinge the office off him whom he compelled to beare and take it vpō him knowinge him vnmeet and vnable for it Therfore no man is sent oute off god without worthie giftes into any parte off his gouerment but for the burthen and function that he laieth vpon him he ministreth also strenght and force to beare it And this is the meaninge off the often repeatinge in the booke off Iudges off that sentence The Spirit off the Lord came vpon him and he iudged Israel ād many suche like examples are to be founde in the olde Testament off Moses and Iosua off the Prophetes Esay and Ieremy and many other whō when the Lord ment to vse in any the lest charge off his churche he therwith all endeweth them with worthy giftes for the good execution theroff And in the new Testament our Sauior Christ him selfe tooke not vpō hī to deale in the mediator his office before he had receiued the holy ghost wherby he might be furnished withmeet giftes for the full discharge and execution off it For so Esay expressely Prophesithe off him The pirit off the Lord is vpon me therfore he hath anoynted me he hath sent me to preach the Gospell vnto the pore c. Out off which place whe see that fyrst he receyued the Spirit or euer that office and embassage was enioyned him and that he was anoynted before he came to the wrestling and exercise So lickewise the Apostles allthoughe they had beene taught by our Sauior him selfe the most heauēly schole master that could be for three yeeres and more and had after a sorte receyued the holie ghost by his breathinge vppon them yet because they had a great battell to fight and muche trauell to be taken and many daungers to aduenture into he geuethe them warninge that they enter not into the listes rashly and vnprouided but commandeth them yet to tary and waite for the promise off the father and more plentifull guiftes off the holie ghost Hither also belongethe the ceremonies vsed in bothe the Testamentes in ordinacion or consecracion as we call it For what ells doth that anoyntinge off the priestes kinges and Prophetes declare But thos guyftes wherwith they who were anoynted were endewed by the holie ghost for the execucion off ther offices To this also the layinge on off handes in the newe testament is to be referred which declareth that the Lord had laid on his handes before and giuen them worthi gyftes for the places they were called vnto But what do I trauelinge so carefully in this behalfe doth not nature it selfe and reason and common experience teach vs this when some ar sett ouer the citie and cōmon wealth that they are choosen counsellors whom greate lerninge and long life and diligēt obseruacion and experience it selfe hath taught that worthie and hard knowledge off
the conscience is not afraide off any winde or weather off any storme or tempest when as it staieth yt selfe vpon the lorde and followeth him in that waie wheren he goeth before Furthermore they that are gouerned can by no meanes better be browght to doe there dewtie ād persuaded to doe that which they owght then when they vnderstād that it is the lordes will and cōmandemēt whose embassador the mynister is For they reuerēce only that authoritie which they knowe to be off god hereoff we haue a manifest example in Dauid whome it staied oftētime being readie to fall and oftentimes also raised vp againe being beaten downe to the grounde that he came not to the kingdome by his owne ambicion as his enemies falselie blamed him but by the authoritie off god who called him and off Samuell the Prophete who by the Lordes cōmandemēt had anoynted him The maiestie and authoritie off which creacion at the last so moued all Israell that is to saie the ten tribes which for the space off seuē yeres were not obedient vnto him that they receiued him willinglie for there king whome before they had disdained For this cause also S. Paule so diligentlie almost in the beginning off euerie Epistle calleth him selfe an Apostle and seruante off God. For this cause also he taketh so greate paynes in his Epistles to the the Corinthes to proue his Apostleshippe which some false brethren sowght to take from him that by that meanes they might dyminishe his credite and authoritie with the churche Neyther in deede was he more confirmed by any thing in his infinite perilles trobles and labors which he bare for the Gospells cause then that he assured him selfe off the aide and assistaunce off God in the discharge off that dewtie vnto which he was appointed by him Which great fruyte and commoditie iff it maie moue vs let vs tarie ād waite for the Voice of God to call vs to beare office in his churche and let vs first be assured most plainlie and manifestlie that we are called thereunto by his gouernment and authoritie Lest that hauing entred in by the backe dore we finde the lorde to be punisher and Auenger off this ambycion the people disobedient and vntowarde and our owne consciences shaking and trembling not only at greate and vndowbted daungers but at euerie bugge and at the shaking off euerie leafe Therfore the authoritie off God is to be wayted for to the taking in hand or bearing off any ecclesiasticall office and so to be waited for that we ambiciouslie seke yt not by any disceitfull or vnhonest meanes And let no man boast here off his giftes and worthynes and in confidence thereof as a suter seke and laboure for honor For How fytte soeuer he semeth to be for any charge and office yet no thing is here to be taken rashelie in hand without the authoritie off God who will vse in his affaires whome it pleaseth him It is rehearsed in the holie historie off the iudges off what a meruoulons strengthe and mete for a Prince Sampson was yet notwithstanding iff he had not bene borne the Nazarite off the Lorde and chosen and apointed from his Mothers wombe to deliuer the people he owght not to haue sowght vengeaunce off the Philistines or to haue deliuered his owne countrey from there power and gouernment but rather to haue excercised that greate strengthe and might as Arrius writeth that Philoctetes bestowed his dartes vpon birdes and not vpon his armed enemies Neither had it bene lawfull for Salomon to haue taken in hand the gouernment off the kingdome off Israell to put in practise that excellent and worthie gifte off wisdome and gouernment in yt except the Lorde had first chosen him to succede in the princelie throne off his father Dauid and the administracion his his kingdome And worthelie were Absalon and Adoniah reiected who thinking them selues worthie toke that honor vnto them that he who was chosen by the Lorde and thought worthie by him might rule and gouerne As also was Core in the like case and the rest off his faction And after also king Vzziah desyring honors and places besides the good will and pleasure off god For the Lorde knoweth how to rule his familie and whateuerie man is to be put in trust withall according to that honestie and credite that he knoweth euerie one to be off So that he that resteth not in his iudgement but wolde haue and seketh by all meanes to procure vnto him selfe more then the Lorde hath geuen him must nedes accuse him off folishenes or off malice and therfore be giltie off most grieuous and haynons sinne And let them not obiecte against vs that sayinge off the Apostell that He that desireth the office off a Bishoppe desireth a good thing to proue and cōfirme this ambicious sewing and laboring for the ministerie whereas yt is so farr off that these wordes should kindle and enflame vs hereunto that contrariwise the Apostle semeth by these wordes to haue sowght to bridle our hastie desyre For whereas the Apostle saith that the office off a Bishoppe is a worthie worke to what ende thincke we doth he call yt so but therewithall to admonishe vs how hard yt is and that it requireth a man both off singuler learning and godlines For so yt followeth that Bishoppe owght to be off an honest and blameles life sober temperate liberall meke apte to teache and so forth And this is the worthines off the off ce off a Bishoppe which the Apostle sheweth in this place and which he so meruaileth at in other places that he thincketh no man mete to take so greate a charge vpon him By which dignitie and worthines off the office the Ambicion off men is rather quenched then kindled For vnderstanding thereby how greate and waightie a calcalling it is we are warned to take hede that we run̄e not rashelie to it but rather that we prepare our selues long before with all studye care and diligence for the bearing off so greate a burthen As for the worde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth to couette or desire yt is ill alledged for the profe off any ambicious seking off the mynisterie Whereas the Apostle vnderstandeth a godlie zeale to set furthe the glorie off god and to edifie his churche which wisheth and desireth indeede to be made able once by the grace off God to serve him and his churche in that calling which meditateth and thinketh dailie hereupō and exerciseth and prepareth him selfe thereunto bestowyng wholie all studie and laboure to that ende yet notwithstāding waiteth for the voice off God and authoritie off the churche to call him and by an vnripe and headie desire or ambicious kinde off hastines preuenteth not the tyme off his calling We reade that Christe our Sauior him selfe althoughe he were endewed with all heauenlie wisdome yet laie he hidde as yt were without exercising any publique office to the thyrtie yere off his age and taried for that
to escape In the end off the same Epistle wherin he is called a Bishop he sendethe for him from Ephesus to Rome which suerly he would neuer haue done yff he had beene appointed Bishopp ther or one off thos elders whom Paule in the twentieth off the Actes sent for to miletum and exhorteth to contynuall watche and ward And Paule hym selfe writeth that he willed him to tary at Ephesus not that he had ordeined him bishopp ther. A like obiection they make out off the Epistle to Titus wher it is written that Paule left him in Creta that he should appoint Elders in euery towne But it may lickwise be annswered that the Apostle saithe not that he ordeineth him Bishopp off the churches off Creta But only that he leaft him in Creta namely so longe vntill he had sett suche thinges in order as Paule beinge otherwise called away could not tarry to do and had appointed Elders in euery citie which apperethe by this that he commanded hym when thos thinges wer done to come to him to Nicopolis into Macedonia Lickwise in an other place he writeth that Titus was gonn into Dalmacia so that yt is cleere enoughe that Titus had no charge off any certen place or church Therfore seing I thinck yt is sufficiently proued that Titus and Tymothie were EuaÌ„gelistes and not Bishoppes how doeth that make for the Bishoppes which we see by ther Epistles was granted vnto theÌ„ For I thinck they will not compare them selues with the Euangelistes or affirme them selues to be off equall authoritie with them which iff they should they might be easelie confuted as after in dew place shal be declared But that we may put the case that Timothie was Bishopp at Ephesus and that we may freely graunt that what so euer may apperre to haue beene lawfull for him to be lawfull also for them Let vs see now what the Apostle graunted to Timothie For soothe say they that he might choose off his owne authoritie the officers off the church Let vs then see whether it be so or not And here is first to be noted that they do yll geue that vnto Election which perteyneth not to Election But to Ordinacion For the laying on off handes was not wonte to be vsed in choosinge off any Officers off the churche But in ordeininge off him Then that we graunt them this also That election hereby is signified I say that ther Tyranny and Lordly authoritie is by no place more confuted then by this which they bring for them selues which that yt may more cleerly appeere I must first take away a certen false exposicion which they bringe off this place that after I may the more easyly convince them by the true and naturall meaninge theroff Heere say they Tymothie is warned that he lay not his handes to hastely vpon any nor communicate with other mens faultes namely with thers say they who allthoughe they be vnworthy seeke to enter into the ministery An interpretacion very vnfytt either for the wordes off the Apostle or for those tymes Will they confesse that euen in thos tymes this ambicion had crept into the churche that as now a dayes so then also they went vnto the Bishop for order and layinge on off handes for otherwise what other menÌ„s fault is this wherwith the Apostle warne the Tymothi that he pollute not him selfe for what fault can this bee Not to be fitt to taky vpon him an ecclesiasticall function But herein is the fault that he that is giltie to him selfe off his owne vnworthines desirethe notwithstandinge to take that vpon him which he is not able to be are with out great offence But who will say that so shamfull Ambicion raigned in the churche in thos daies which many yeeres after was borne and brought vpp at Rome And iff the church had then been steyned with this blott would not Paule expresly haue forbidden this Ambition seinge that he would haue a bishoppe to be blamles and prouided by all meanes that he sholde not swell and wax prowd Therfore this is off smaller waight then it may be allowed and the meaninge off this place is farr otherwise nam y this That Paule foreseyng longe before that greeuous wolues not sparing the flock would ryse vp euen off the Elders off Ephesus them selues and that Tymothie was but off equall authoritie with the Elders in gouerninge off the churche and choosinge off others into the same place and degree and that they that were suche wold choose to bâ— Elders and lay ther handes on suche as wer like them selues he warneth Timothy that he do nothing rashely in this behalffe neyther iff any suche thing happen althoughe other like neuer so well off it yet he shall not suffer him selfe to be led away by ther authoritie to the allowynge off it but iff he could not keep others by his counsell from so doinge at the least he should keepe hym selff pure and innocent for so he addeth emphatically Keepe thy self pure communicate not vvith other mens faultes And this is the true and naturall meaninge off this place wher by yt appeareth that the Apostle not only grauntith him no princely authoritie for then he would not haue warned him to keepe him selfe pure from allowynge any suche Election but haue commanded him off his meer authoritie to haue hindered and stayed yt and to haue made the choise of the rest off no effect by his negatiue voice but contrariwise that he was off so equall authoritie with the rest off the Elders that iff they had chosen one vnfyt in some respect yet he could not off his owne meere authoritie haue put hym back nor done any more in this matter theÌ„ any off the rest And that he could only take heede vnto him selfe that he allowed not any vnripe or vnworthie IudgmeÌ„tes off other officers Therfore ther is no cause which they should make Tymothie the Author off this ambition and tyranny Now let vs examin also the example off Titus whom they do trewly affirme to haue beene commanded to appoint Elders in euery citie but I suppose no man will thinck that Paule graunted more to Titus then eyther he and Barnabas or then all the rest off the Apostles tooke vnto them selues neyther iff he had graunted is it like that Titus being a yonge man and his scholler and as it wer his sonne would haue vsed it For as the Iewes say in a coÌ„mon prouerbe it is enoughe for the seruaÌ„t to be like his maister which sayinge allso Christ him selfe alloweth when he said that the disciple is not aboue his maister And that it owght to be enowghe for the scholer iff he be suche as his maister is But I haue shewed allredy what both Paule and all the rest off the Apostles did Neither is it â—ike that Titus did otherwise ordeine Elders in euery towne then Paule did in euery churche especially seing Paule doth expressly warne him to appoint them as he had commaÌ„ded
interpret the word off god vnto others althoughe also ther ought to be no common and ordinary but a singuler and chiefe respect in examyninge his manners as beinge suche whos smallest faultes for the high place wherin they are can by no meanes be hidden and couered Seing that the ministers off the word off God as Christ warneth the Apostles are like vnto cyties that are vpon the mountaynes Therfore seinge they must dwell in the eyes off men and in the fayrest light and as our Sauior Christ saith in the same place be put as it wer vpon candel stickes that they may gyue light vnto other It is meet that there holines off life godlines and moderat coÌ„uersacion should shine like lightes a monges men whervppon the Apostle Paule setting furth in Timothe a lawfull minister off the word declareth that he ought to be such as may be an example or glasse and a patterne to all the faithfull in loue â—n chastitie and in all the order off his life And sure good cause it is he should be innocent that asketh other meÌ„ accompt off ther life seinge nothing is more iust then that he that teacheth other should first instruct hym selffe and that callinge other men from shame he hould keep hym selffe free from any spott or blemishe For what a shame is it when the sick man may say to hym that wolde help him Physicion heale thy selfe or when thos thinges are cast in a mans teeth which Paule vpbraydeth the Iewes with all thow that teachest an other teachest not thy selffe and thow that preachest a man should not steale stealest thy selffe And againe the name off God is blasphemed amonge the gentils for your cause Therfore seing that they are set in so highe a plaâ—â— that the example off ther integritie not only edifieth the churche but also glorifieth god therby And contrarywise ther faultes and errors do geue occasion to straungers to speake euill off the Lord whom they preache and the gospell which they publishe abrode and to the faithfull that are weake to whom the lest fault that they make is as it wer a law wherby they thincke they may lickwise offend with out reproofe and seinge herein they hurt by ther example no lesse yea a great deale more then by the fault it selfe a great diligeÌ„ce and singuler care is to be had off the life and manners off him who is to be chosen a bishopp But seinge the office off a Bishop consisteth chifely in this that they publishe preach and interpret all the gospell especially thos giftes are to be respected which are proper and peculier to that office to the executinge wheroff he is to be chosen therfore he is to be examined how well he hath been exercised in the holie scriptures and whither he be able fruitfully and to edifyinge to coÌ„municate with the churche that which he doth godlilie vnderstaÌ„d No vnskillfull or vnlerned man may be called to the stearing off this helme vnlesse we would haue the shipp not only to be in daunger but willingly to runne vpon the râ—kes But what is he onlesse he wer coÌ„spired agaiÌ„st the safety of the church and of the sonÌ„es off god that would coÌ„mit the church which god redeemed with his blud that he might adopt vs to be his sonnes an this nobleship fraighted full off worthies to any but to some most conninge and expert pilote and master Therfore suche conÌ„ing Pylotes and gouernours ar to be chosen aÌ„d set to the stearinge off the shipp who ar able to discerne the diuers face and chaungeable contenaunce of the heaueÌ„s that ar able to for seestormes and teÌ„pestes that can guid ther ship by the north starr and finallie whom thos heauenly muses haue taught the vnknowne pathes aÌ„d wais of the sea and that which is in the Poet. From smoky storme fluddes that swell Kepe of the shipp guide it well But the word of god is the only starr wherby this life is Our eies must be bent vpon this heauen and fyrmament wherby stormes and tempestes are much more certenly fore sene then by the other This is the helme off our life which who so euer hath not lerned to steare and gouerne he may well be put to some other seruice but let hym not come into the sterne and iff he he do let him be put out a-againe For it is very good reason to requyre off an Artificer knowledge off that art which he professeth to require off a Captainâ— and a Generall knowledge and skill off war fare and chieualty off a physicion that he know how to mayteyne the health and to recouer them that are diseased And vnder the law the Lord apointed his priestes that they should be suche as might be able when they wer asked to answer out off the law off god Which wer adorned not only with the diademe and myter but with thos xij Iewelles and precious stones which Moses for ther lightsome clerenes and perfit beauty calleth Vrrim and Thummim by meanes wheroff they asked off the Lord in all affaires by which two names sometymes all the priesthood is signified to teach vs that he that hath not them hath nothing And that ther is no priesthood with out Vrim and Tummim To whom seinge the Bishoppes as parteininge to to this matter haue succeded although they had put on Aarons tunicle Ephod or Diademe yet iff thos stones shyne not in ther brest wherby as Ennius saithe men being doutfull of there matters what to do may be certefied that they take not waightâ— thinges rasshly in hand we acknowledge no stock nor succession off the Priesthoode nor all the rest off the garmentes off Aaron And seing we haue now in thes tymes no other meanes to be certified off the will off god besides his writteÌ„ word and the holy scriptures And seing it is sure that this word is come in place off the Arck the Sanctuary the brestplate off Iudgement and all the other ceremonies off off the old law euen as thos in old tyme wer necessary for the priestes So now is the vnderstandinge and knowledge heroff for the ministers off the word off god Therfore the Apostle Paule warneth Timothe that a bishopp ought to be able to teache Wheras declaringe that he ought to be suche he speaketh not off it as off some helpe or ornameÌ„t but as off the nature matter and substance off a Bishopâ— And that we may more fullâ— vnderstand what the force off the word is and how many thinges are conteined vnder it he declareth it more at large in his epistle to Titus sainge a Bishopp ought to besuche a one as holdeth fast the faithfull word according to doctrine that he may be able also to exhort with holesome doctrine and reproue them that speake against it But how is it possible that he should be able to exhort with sound doctrine vnlesse he hath first lerned that sound doctrine him selffe out off the holie scriptures And by what meanes
remaine Then we should not haue had at this day so great coÌ„tencion for ther filthy garmentes But it hathe come to passe by the ignoraunce off the priestes when they wer nor able to Iudge according to the lawe what wer cleane and what were vncleane and thought that the leprosy had not spred it selffe vppon the garmentes that they haue not condemned them to be burned but to be washed only the filthe wheroff no art or conninge off the fuller is able to washe away But this in the way off digression yet I trust not vnprofitablie Now let vs retourne to our purpose and conclude that for suche causes as haue bene alledged we ought to obey the Apostles decree touching thes Novices and grene kinghtes and not admit them to ministerie off the word And thes are thos thinges which are required off a fit Bishopp and which especially the posers and examiners ought to haue respect vnto For wheras the old CanoÌ„s require that he be off a certen age surely the choosers ought wisely to consider off it for it is not allmost possible but by the singuler and especiall grace off off god that youthe should be so well ordered and gouerned that the want off yeeres appere not in some youthfull trick or â—oy that may dishonest the sacred office notwithstandinge seing the Apostle geueth no precept nor commandement touchinge age yea rather forbiddethe any man to condemne and despise Tymothi and Titus for ther youthe godly and lerned yonge men are not to be kept back from this office For somtymes thes first fruites are consecrated to god and then comonly they are more holie then the rest off the lompe And as the Poeth saithe Some tymes on yong mens heades doth grow the hoary heare Before by nature yt be tyme for them such crowne to weare That is to sey They haue hoarie heares off godlines and holines yea and somtimes also hoary knewledge as it appereth in certen notable examples off Daniel Thimothy and Titus and some other which are worthie examples for yonge men to follow often times also they are more inflamed and set on fire with that heauenly fire off the zeale off god then other And I know not howe but thes first fruties off the spirit are oftentimes more holie and thes first begotten guiftes off the holie ghost are more stronge and mightie And thus muche off the particuler election off bishoppes and ministers Now let vs beginne a newe and speake of ther ordinatioÌ„ I said before that all the offices of the churche are to be ordeined and apointed to certen places and persons wher and amoÌ„ges whom ther may exercise ther office But the orderinge off bishopes hathe this thiÌ„g particuler in our times for wheras in times past this was coÌ„mon to them with the rest off the ancieÌ„tes that was for a singuler respect aÌ„d especiall occasioÌ„ off that time that off ther apointinge and ordinacion to a certen place and flock which they ought diligently to defend and loke vnto certen profit and coÌ„modities do depend wherof they may liue and wherby they may be susteined and norished wheroff I shall need to speake more at large that all men may vnderstaÌ„d that they are bound by the coÌ„mandement off god to performe this dewty to ther bishoppes and ministers and that I may represse the couetones of some meÌ„ which haue neuer enoughe And first off all we must remeÌ„bre here that which was proued before that bishops that is so say ministers ought to geue theÌ„ selues continuallie to praier and to the administracion off the word and not suffer them selues to be called from doing that ther dewty by any office be it neuer so honorable either in the church or in the coÌ„mon wealthe For thes idle bellies that wildo none of ther dewty ought also to haue no dewty done to theÌ„ againe but they are rather to be delt with as Paule coÌ„mandeth the Thessalonians to deale with thos that liue disorderly that is say that They that labor not shold not eate But and if they be suche as do ther dewtie and refuse to deale with the affaires off the coÌ„mon welche the handlung wher off might be honorable vnto theÌ„ for the churches cause how great wrong wer it to suffer suche men to be pore an needie and compelled â—o seeke ther liuinge by some haÌ„die crafft or occupatioÌ„ wherby they should be no lesse hindred froÌ„ doing ther duties then by the honorable charges of the coÌ„mon welthe And seiÌ„ge they ar day aÌ„d night carefull for the churche and setting all other thinges a side wholie thinck how they may defend it and promote the saluacioÌ„ theroff what can be more iust or equall then that they againe should not be neglected off those for whose cause they take so great paynes For who did euer as S. Paule notably handlethe this matter to the CorinthiaÌ„s goe to warfare of his owne charges who plaÌ„tethe a vineiard and eatethe not of the fruit therof or who feedeth a flocke and eatethe non off the milck off it But the churche hathe many mortall enemyes and continuall warre with them without any peace or truce and the bishops be they that take vpon them and susteine thes enmyties for the churches cause and striue to ther very great daunger for the saluacion theroff with most mighty princes and potentares as S. Paule callethe them and the monarche and prince off this world For how often thinck we euen for this cause are they assaulted because ther defend the churche how many dauÌ„gers do they put them selues into and with what fiercnes thinck we dothe the enemies pursue theÌ„ knowing that many ar preserued by there life Therfore they that wold suffer this ther souldier or captaine to die for hunger were they not worthie to fall into the handes off ther enemies And what vineiard is ther so painfully trimmed and dressed off the husband man as the churches are dressed of there husbaÌ„d meÌ„ how carefull are they in plantinge what paines take they in pruninge and culting oft aÌ„d other suche like toile and labor if theÌ„ being so well dressed it should not norishe the husbaÌ„d maÌ„ that dressed it might they not worthelie coÌ„plaine off it as the lord by the prophet Esay after an other sorte complainethe off his vine Seinge also ther is nothinge more reasonable then that the shepherd should feede off the milke of his flock should not those shepeherdes be fedde which the milke and clothed with the flece aÌ„d wolle of there flockes who susteine for the flockes cause the assaultes of most greeuous wolues and watch fortheÌ„ day and night suffring the parching heate and chillinge cold for ther cause who feede theÌ„ ouersee theÌ„ and seeke theÌ„ and often tymes put ther life in extreame danger to defend them Nether are these thinges spoken and grounded only vpon humaine and naturall reason or handled according to mans Iudgment only but this is Goddes ordinaunce and appointment and groundeth
yet when Iames was slaine they did choose nome into his Roume or the Roume oft any other off the Apostles when they died So that yt is plaine that this office is abolished Which beinge playne off the Apostles must be likewise vnderstood off the Euangelistes who serued and mynistred vnto them and were after a sort ther vicairs and deputies For as it doth appere in the Actes This was the office of the Euangelistes to accōpany the Apostles whom they when they had gathered any company off a churche together and must needes depart left behind them beinge instructed by them in what sort ād order to stablishe the churche who hauinge set the churche in order and prouided pastors and Elders to gouerne yt left it ād followed the Apostles againe So they as Emperors and Generalles when they had ouercome any citie left as it were some chiefe captaines behinde them vntill thinges could be brought to a better stay and that ancientes and elders as certen perpetuall garrisons were set ouer them for the Apostles were appointed to cōquere and to ouercome The Euangelistes to establishe and set in order The elders to mainteine and preserue the churche of god Therfore this office off the Euangelist must needes cease seinge the Apostleshippe is ceased allreadie As for the Prophetes office althoughe it consisted in expoundinge the scriptures yet seinge it was ioyned with extraordinary gyft off foretellinge thinges to come necessary for the primitiue churche but now no more in vse yt can not be doubted but that the office ys ceased as well as the gyft wherupon we may conclude That seinge as Saint Paule witnessethe onely Apostles Euangelistes Prophetes Pastors and Doctors were geuen by Christ to the edifyinge off the churche and the work off the ministery That the three first ceasinge there remaine only Pastors and Doctors perpetuall and ordinary ministers off the word In deede sometymes the lord extraordinarily in a confused state where is no place off ordynary callinge stirreth vp as be did in our tyme as yt were certen newe Apostles to lighten the world agayne with the light off the gospell And Eusebius maketh mencion off some who saith he with a heauenly zeale off followinge the Apostles went preachinge the gospell to the Indians But I speake off the Ordinary state off the churche suche as oures ought to be after so many yeeres Therfore Sainct Paule in the xij to the Romans speakinge off this state makethe no mencion off Apostles Euangelistes or Prophetes but only off Teachers and exhorters callinge Pastors Exhorters as it shall appeere hereafter Neither was i◠needfull that they should continewe any longer in the churche no more then it is needfull after the platforme be drawen that the master builder tarie any longer but that there be carpenters and workmen to builde and raise the worck as he hathe appointed And it seemethe that our Sauior Christ in the stablishinge off his kingdome followed a kind off order not diuers from that which is vsed by earthly kinges and princes Who at the daie off ther coronacion and for a certen time after make many officers for diuers and sondry vses who serue not only for a solemnitie pompe and shewe but also to great vse and seruice for that time but when thinges are set in order and the kingdome stablished are vsed no longer So Christ our lord and king when as beinge ascended into heauen he was as it were inuested into his kingdome created Apostles and suche other officers which should set his kingdome in order and appoint and ordeine a certen ordinary state for the gouernment and administracion off it which being so established and set in order Those offices should cease and the kingdome should be gouerned as they had appointed Therfore theris no cause why we should think the loue ād care off our Sauior towardes his churche to be diminished for this cause or that he dealethe not bountifully and liberallie with vs no more then subiectes for the like cause haue occasiō to suspect ther kinges good will and fauor to be chaunged towardes them For these thinges are but for a certeyne time and perteine to the beginninge off the kingdome which time seemethe necessarilie to require some other kinde of order then all the rest that followeth Therfore to cōtinewe the same similiritude after he was crowned-kinge he scattered in great aboundāce spirituall giftes off knowledge prophesyinge healinge and other graces as gold and siluer amonges his people All the conduites ranne with sweet and most pleasant wyne All the pipes and cockes ranne with rose water and other sweet and plesant waters But allthoughe he geueth vs dailie all thinges liberally and plentifully yet he geueth vs not dailie a Largesse as at the tyme off his coronacion Therfore we ought to be content with that liberalitie which the lord shewethe vnto vs and not to looke to haue allwais alike The same reason is off the perpetuall mynisters off the word with whom he would haue vs to be contented and not to wishe for the first and those which were extraordinary and apointed to serue but for a tyme For as some thinge was geuen more liberally and extraordinarilie to the extraordinary tymes off the churche So we are sufficiently prouided for off all thinges which belonge to the continuall and necessarie vse off the churche Therfore beinge content with this meane estate and condicion Let vs vse that which is giuen vnto vs and seeke not for offices which serued but for a tyme in the perpetuall gouernment off the churche nor wil he extraordinary functions in an ordinary state Wherfore we ought to haue Pastors and Doctors appointed in our churche and not to reteine still the extraordinary office off preachers which yet I reproue more sparingly for the respect I haue to many worthie men who haue labored with some fruite after this sort for I see that some by the negligence off those who ought to haue prouided meete Pastors for the churches for the loue they had vnto the gospell thought it lawfull for them in these tymes to take vpon them this Apostolicall or Euangelicall kind off office and embassage wheras rather they owght to haue vrged the full and perfit reformacion off our churche and to haue striuen by the word off god that euery church might haue bene prouided off a fit Pastor And that the Lordes heritage might be no more left barren and vntilled left that at the last the Lord be angry with vs and take it from vs and let out his farme to other that will dresse it better But iff there be any which please them selues to muche in this gadding abroade thorough out the churches and will contend they may do so by the example off the Apostles and Euangelistes let them shew vs the signes off ther Apostleship as Saint Paule did to the Corinthians Let them proue that they are indewed with those Apostolicall gyftes off knowledge and vnderstanding tonges healinges doinge off
to ther conscience whom they thought to haue a speciall care off yt hoped that all thinges wold be more faithfully ordered for the benefit off the churche and maintenance off the poore But they wheras they ought rather to haue followed the example off the Apostes and to haue requested that they might geue them selues to preaching and praier and that they would choose some other to take that charge vppon them did not only suffer them selues to be entreated to take yt But also did vnfaithfullie behaue them selues in disposing the poore mens boxe that at the last they ceased to be Almners any more or distributers vnto others and as yff they had bene the poore men gaue all vnto them selues concerning which matter the Deacons iff we had any ought to deale with the Bishoppes in the behalffe off the poore whose charge is committed vnto them by the churche and enter an action against them for recouering this mony againe to requyre againe ther siluer vesselles and the golden plate wherwith they haue so gorgeously garnished and adorned ther cuphordes and pleade against them that all that belongeth to the poore by whose pouertie they haue waxen riche by whose want and neede they are become full and welthy Therfore seinge the office off a Deacon is so necessary yt may seme a merueile how the churche could suffer that the poore and the straungers who for Christes cause ought to be most deere vnto vs shold want ther Gardyanes and Tutors We haue brought in other Collectors gatherers and church wardēs into ther roume But yt were better that we had none suche at all then that by them so necessarye an office should be abolished For seinge the charge requirethe both a singuler wisdome simplicitie and integrity why shold ther not be choise made as in the other offices off the churche triall had that the wisest may be chosen by the churche and as the Apostle Sainct Peter speakethe suche as be full off the holie ghost and off wisdome Why are not handes laid vppon them that they may knowe that they deale in the Lordes busines Why are they not praid for that they may haue grace to discharge there duty Fynally why had they rather that they should be cyuill then Ecclesiasticall Officers this therfore is the charge and office off Deacons In whose Election and ordynacion seing ther is nothing ells partyculerly to be considered besydes that which hath bene Generallie spoken off all heretofore Let vs come to the Elders which are the second kind and sort off Deacons Elders therfore are Deacons who are appoynted to take heede off the offences that arise in the churche Therfore in well reformed churches euery one off them haue ther warde and as yt were there watche to looke vnto off that porcion off the churche in which they may most fytlye serue Wherin iff any thinge be done otherwise then ought to be that shall deserue iust reproufe yff yt be priuatly committed He Goeth vnto the partie and admonisheth him priuatly for his fault accordinge to the word off God exhortinge him that he do so no more but iff openly he certifiethe the counsell or consistory off the churche lest the faulte off one man be spred to the destruction off all the rest For although after a sort yt is all mens duty to bringe him into his waye which goeth astray yet better and more diligent heed is takē that offences arise not in the churche when euery part off the churche shold haue ther watchmen assigned to them to whose office especially it should belonge to marke ouersee and obserue all mens manners Wheras otherwise ther are many faultes which may easilie escape those who haue not a carefull eye ouerthem For which cause Saint Paule to the Thessalonians attributeth admonitions and reprehensions specially vnto the Elders which notwithstanding afterwardes in an other sorte he declareth to belonge vnto all the faithfull Therfore those Elders be such as those officers off the Athenienses were who had charge to see the lawes kept or as the Censors off Rome who exacted and examined euery citezens life accordinge to the lawes So they marke and obserue euery mans manners and they them selues doe admonishe men off the lighter faultes and bring the greater to the Consistory Finally they take heede by all meanes lest God be offended with the churche by reason off some mans fault and see that thinges be done honestly godly and comely in the churche off God. Therfore yff ther come into there warde any strangers from other places to inhabit whose Religion is not yet knowne They certifie the Ministers that they may haue meanes to talke with thē before they come to the Lordes supper So lykewise iff ther be any children to be baptized they admonishe the minister of it ād finallie off all suche thinges which do belonge to the good and semely gouerment off the churche that the minister shold vnderstand theroff Furder more also in the administration off the Lordes supper for the better commoditie off the churche they helpe the pastor and take heede that none come vnto the lordes supper whose Religion and honestie is not knowen and with whome the ministers haue not delt withall before and other suche like things which allthough they be not all expresly mencioned in the Scriptures yet seing it belongethe not only vnto Order and to comelines But also to the profit and commoditie off the churche that some shold be set ouer thes matters suche as emonges the Iewes were those who were called Cheeff off the Synagoge and seing the Scripture mencionethe no other Elders to whome the charge off these thinges should apperteine I thincke it plaine enoughe that these thinges by the worde off god ought to be referred to the office off Elders And as for that part off there office off taking heede to offences who can doubt that That charge properly apperteineth vnto the Elders seing that they are saide also in the Scriptures to rule to ouersee and to gouerne For this ouersight can haue but two partes only wheroff the first perteinethe to Doctrine and Religion the other to life and māners Seing then that two kindes off Elders are expressly named by Saint Paule wher off the first sort are occupied in preachinge and Doctrine Iris necessary that the other should haue charge off manners and conuersacion which part only remaineth And hitherto the example off the primitiue churche doth leade vs which for asmuche as they were next to the Apostles time might best vnderstand to what vse Elders had bene appointed in the church by them But how the primitiue churche tooke those degrees off the Apostles both Ecclesiasticall histories doe witnes ād reformed churches which in our tyme haue reformed them selues according to there example doe sufficiently declare Therfore seing the office off Elders was apointed in the churche off our Sauior Christ by his Apostles and seing it is so proffitable ād necessarie for the same haue we not
iust cause now to complaine that our church wanteth so worthy an office do not the slaunders off our aduersaries who are ready to take all occasions to speak euill off the Gospell require suche watchemen to watche and see that offences rise not in the churche doth not the shamefull wickednes off men require suche Censors And can this noble lawe off doinge all thinges orderly and comely in the churche off God want those any longer who shold haue a care to see it kept That all thinges come not to confusion and be turned vpside downe Therfore let Elders be restored to our churche againe which are both necessary helpes for the safetye and preseruation off yt and worthy ornamentes for the estimation off the same Let vs obeye the Lordes Commaundement touchinge the ordeyninge off Elders yff either the safety or estymacion off the church be deare vnto vs or yff we haue any care off doinge our duty vnto god As for election and Ordynacion off them seing yt may be taken out off those Generall rules which I haue giuen before and doth not requyre any thinge to be speciallie spoken in this behalffe Let vs conclude this matter and together with all euen the whole treaty which hath bene handled concerninge the symple charges and offices off the churche besech ing God our most mercifull father that yt may please him to haue mercy off our churche and that as he hath raised yt in a maÌ„ner from the deade and oute of the graue againe So he would also vouchsafe to adorne and beautyfy yt being raised vpp That yt may please hym to take awaye the deformyties off yt cutting off that which is superfluous and supplyinge that which wantethe To encrease hir beauâ—y and ornamentes and to Poolishe and perfect her with his most freshe and lyuely colors To restore trewe Discypline againe To abolishe the Canon lawe that only they which are called may bare office in the churche That Ambition may be repulsed and put back That the the lawes off lawfull Election and ordynation may be kept Fynally that a lawfull Mynistery may be established thoroughout the Realme which may continewe for euer That Deacons may be made for the poore and Elders to admonishe such as goe astray And last off all that as he hath most mercifully allready begonn in our church all thinges which he hath most wisely appoynted to the glorifyinge off his name and preseruinge off his churche So yt may please hym of like grace and fauour to perfect and finishe his worck emonges vs And thus much off those offices and charges off the churche whiche we call symple It followeth now to speake off the Consystory or Councell off the churche Whereoff allthoughe ther be no newe or speciall Eelection and ordynacion because yt consisteth off suche as are allredy called to the former offices yet I thought Good euen for this cause to distinguishe them from the former for that here no one man hath any office or authothoritye to do any thing as in the former But ther is one office off all which they all do execute in common together For the Consistory or Councell off the churche is the company and Assemblye off the Elders off the churche who by common Counsell and authoritye do rule and gouerne the same Vnder the name off Elders I do meane only Pastors Doctors and those who are by proper named called Elders For I see not what ground yt hath that some would also haue Deacons to be off this company For seing that Sainct Paule calleth this assembly the company off Elders It followeth that they must be Elders who be off this assembly But the name off Elders is no wher in the Scriptures that I can remember attributed vnto Deacons But only vnto Pastors Doctors and suche as are properly so called To proue that Pastors and Doctors be Elders I neede not cite many places which are infinite where they are so named As for them who are specially called by this name That one place in the xij off the Romanes may sufficiently proue Where the Apostle distinguishinge the office off a Deacon into two partes geueth to those only the name off Elders and gouerners calling the other by an other name This Consistory therfore consisteth of these three ordres Pastors Doctors and Elders which is called by S. Paule the Assembly off Elders as also by the same Apostle they are all called by the name off Elders in an other place In the xviij off Mathew our Sauior calleth them by the name of the churche because they rule aÌ„d gouerne church matters vnder the name and authority off the churchr So likewise the name off all the assembly by Moses is geuen to the Elders off the Iewes that is to say vnto certein chosen and picked out men who were assigned by all the congregation to the gouernment off the affaires Thus plainly it is taken in the viij of nombres wher the Lord appointeth that the Congregation shall lay handes vppoÌ„ the Leuites But I think no man will say that this is to be vnderstoode off all the congregatioÌ„ that so many thousandes should laie there handes vpon them as are rehersed to haue bene then in the host off Israell but the Elders and princes only as Aben Ezra doth rightly interprete yt Which is to be noted the rather because some will haue the wordes off our Sauior to be expounded off all the churche wher as accordinge to the manner off speakinge which the Hebries vse the Consistory or counsell off the churche is called the church where also it is to be obserued that togither with the name the thing it selfe is translated from the Iewes vnto vs That looke what a Counsell the Iewes vsed for the gouernment off the churche we ought to vnderstand by this name that suche a one is apointed by our Sauior to be in our churche Therfore in the same place he attributeth to this Counsell the chiefe gouernment off all churche matters that all such thinges as cannot otherwise be agreed and ended be at the last brought vnto them and ended by ther auâ—horitie and iudgement And iff there shold be any off so desperate boldnes that should dispise the authoritie off this Assembly off Elders Our Sauiour Christ pronounceth hym to he as an ethnik or a publycan assuringe suche a one that his stubburnnes and rebellion shall not escape vnpunished Wherfore he graunteth vnto them chiefe authoritie accordinge to his word to forgeue or retaine synnes which the Doctors off the church are wont to call the keies off heauen because that heauen is in a manner set open for them to enter into whome they haue thus accordinge to god his word forgyuen there synnes as contrarywise it is shutte and barred against them whose sinnes they doe retaine And seing that God hath giueÌ„ to our Sauiour Christ all power in heauen and in earth and that the keye off the house off Dauid which is the church off god is geuen to him
and laid vppon his shoulders so that no man may shutte iff he doth open neither open iff he doe shutte yt is not to be doubted but that heauen is open and shutte also when they do open and shutt who haue receiued his authority and vnto whom he hath committed this keye Therfore as Lacedemon had an assemblie off Elders Athenes a highe court named Areopagus Rome a Senate and fynally euery kingdome and coÌ„mon welthe a Counsell whos authoritie is chiefe and soueraigne in all affaires and by whome the rest off the society are gouerned So lykewise the churche hath an Assembly off Elders by whose authoritie ecclesiasticall and church matters are gouerned and administred But these thinges are to be declared more at large and all this power and authority more especially and particulerly to be shewed that we may knowe how farre it extendeth it selffe and off how great force and waight it is to the lawfull gouernment off the churche Therfore the whole authority of the coÌ„sistory coÌ„sisteth in ij partes off which the first concernethe the officers off the churche that is to saie touchinge bothe the choosinge and deposinge off theÌ„ wherof I shall not need to speake in this place seig I haue sufficiently spoken before off Elections wherby also may be easelye vnderstoode that which apperteynethe to the other pointe off depositions The secoÌ„d part off this authoritie coÌ„sisteth allmost wholie in takinge heede to offences and correcting and remouinge them out off the churche Which offences Saint Paule semeth in the xvj off the Romans to deuide into two sortes into sectes and Offences wheroff the first semeth to apperteine vnto Doctrine and the other vnto manners All which authority off Correctinge is spirituall as proceeding not from the Magistrates but from the Elders off the churche For as this counsell is Ecclesiasticall and the court a spirituall court as we vse to call yt as also it is manifestly distinguished by S. Paule from the cyuill courtes and places which the Apostle calleth courtes for thinges belonging to this life So also the punyshement is speciall and suche as belongeth to the sowle and Conscience and concerneth not this life nor those thinges with which the ciuill magistrate is wont to deale So that they are the more to blame who for this cause reiect and refuse all Ecclesasticall kinde off punishement as iniurious to the magistrate seing it handleth nothing that the magistrate can in suche sort deale with all but is lymited and bounded with reprehensions taken out off the word off god by takinge awaye the vse and communication off Sacramentes and publique praiers from them and suche like thinges as do apperteine to the soule and conscience But most off all they are to be blamed who doe falsly charge this lawfull discipline as I shewed whith offendinge against Princes and magistrates wheras yt neither punysheth any thiÌ„ge which beloÌ„geth to the courtes off ciuil officers nor yet punysheth with cyuill punishemeÌ„t as off goodes or off body any fault which it correcteth but only in such sort as hath bene declared wheras they whoe do obiect this may be charged with bothe faultes For this discipline off theyrs both dealeth in cyuill causes and by right apperteyninge to the courtes off the Magystrates and often tymes those whome they haue authoritye to correct they punyshe by the purse or emprisonment But to passe thes lightly ouer for hast which notwithstanding are most waighty accusations and worthy for the haynousnes off them to be deâ—ie with in the kinges benche as offending so highly against the state and authoritie off the prince and Magistrate Let vs come to the diuers kindes of Censures and reprehensions which are vsed in this lawfull discipline Now this correction is off two sortes and is done either by Speeche or wordes only as when a man is rubuked for some fault which he hath committed and is warned to take heed that he offend not so againe or ells when besides the chastisement off wordes ther is some spirituall punishement and correction adioyned therunto Example we haue off the first sort in the fourth off the Actes where Theapostells Peter and Iohn being brought to the Assembly off the Elders they were asked by what authoritie they taught the people and preached the resurrection from the dead in the name of Iesus for which after that they had bene rebuked and threatned they were forbidden to preache or speake any more to any man in the name off Christ and so let go In deed they did wickedly to rebuke them for the preachinge the of gospell the best thing that caÌ„ be and most necessary for the saluacion off man but yet by this there doinge we may perceiue what was the forme off gouernment off the churche emonges the Iewes which our Sauiour Christ hath translated to his churche For this is it that our Sauiour Christ meanethe in the xviij off Matthew and xvij verse when he commandeth the stubborne that will not be obedient to the admonytion off two or three to be brought to the churche that he may be admonished and corrected by the churche Wher vnto also belongeth that wher S. Paule admonisheth Tymothy off reprouinge the Elders openly that is to say suche as had bene lawfullie conuicted And for those admonitions and corrections which haue some punishment ioined with them for the diuersitie both of faultes and punishementes they are deuided into two sortes And resemble in a manner those two punishementes off the Romanes wherby the state condition and priuilege off suche as did offend was diminished wheroff the first is called by Ecclesiasticall writers Suspension the second Excommunication Now suspension is a charge geuen by the assembly of the Elders to absteyne a certen tyme from the communication off the supper off lord Hereoff ther is some example and shadowe in the lawe which forbiddeth such as be vncleane to be partakers off hoâ—y thinges and suffered not indifferently any to enter into the Temple and to be partakers off the Sacramentes and sacrifices which were offred Therfore there were appointed keepers off the gates off the temple by Iehoyada the priest to keepe euery filthy and vncleane person from entringe into the temple So also in the xij off Exodus It is forbidden that any man being vncircuncised shold be admitted to the cmomunicatinge off the Passouer or that any straunger who by receiuinge circuncision professed not the like Religion with them should be admitted In the ix off Nombres ther is a notable example concerninge this matter off certen who beinge driuen from communicatinge the Passouer bycause they had polluted them selues by touchinge a dead body weÌ„t to Moses and Aaron that is to say syttinge in the Counsell house as it is well noted by an Hebrew Interpretor and desyred that ther vncleanes might be forgeuen them that they might eate the passeouer with the rest off Israell alledginge that seinge off necessitie some must dailie die in so great a multitude yt seemed
for I se no cause whithis may not aswel bee referred to all the maner off ordeininge of theÌ„ as to that which followeth Therfore that at the last I may coÌ„clude all this matter The EuaÌ„gelistes ar no more PatroÌ„es for this matter then the Apostles wer neyther is ther any the lest deed or word off eny off them wherby this tyranny may be allowed Therfore let them confesse as the thinges in deed That this mischife was borne and bred at Rome which after together with the empier spred it selfe ouer into all landes But all the question off the chosers off Ecclesiasticall officers is not yet thus ended For all thoughe I haue concluded owte off the worde off god that one man can not vsurpe this power without tyranny yet here arise new pleas and controuersies And it is doubted whether this be equally to be permitted vnto all or only vnto certene chosen men that exercise ordinarie Iurisdiction in the churche As for me when I consider both the holy scriptures and the exaÌ„ple off the best reformed churches I thinck it most agreing with the will off God that that Senate and counsell which exercisethe ordinary authoritie in all the affaires off the churche and whom for the same cause the Apostle calleth leaders and ouer seers and exhorteth the church to obey them an suffer it selffe to be ruled by theÌ„ shold also haue most a doe in this busynes to gouerne the ElectioÌ„ and to guyde and direct the iudgmeÌ„t of the rest of the churche with ther wisdoÌ„e and authoritie Neither do I bring in heere any Oligarky or tyrannous rule off a few and reteyne still the same tyranny in the churche chaunginge only the persons For I would not that the iudgment off the rest off the churche should be contemned and neglected or that the counsell or elders off the churche should off ther owne authoritie sett one ouer the churche whom they list against the churches will but that the Elders goinge before the people also follow and hauinge hard and vnderstorde ther sentence and decree may either by some outward token or ells by ther sylence allow it iff it be to be liked off or gayne say it iff it be not iust and vpright And not only gayne say yt but iff iust cause of ther dislikinge may be brought make it alltogether voyde and off none effect vntill at the last a meete one may be chosen by the authoritie and voices off the Elders and allowed off by the consent and approbacion off the rest off the churche So that herein ther is no cause to coÌ„pleine that by the bringing in off the rule of a fewe the maiesty off the wholl church is diminished we read in deed that it was some what otherwise practized in the sixth and fourtheÌ„et off the Actes aÌ„d that the people had the chiefe power and authoritie in thos elections but that me thinck was done for a speciall cause which doth not in like maner belonge vnto vs neither ought to be referred to the ordinary and perpetuall gouernment of the church For as in coÌ„mon welthes not only suche wher the people is to be made soueraigne or a few but also eueÌ„ wher the kingdome of one is to be established before it be confirmed all the power is in the peoples handes who of ther free will choose magistrates vnto them vnder whos autoritie they may after be gouerned and afterwardes not all the people but only the magistrates chosen by them administer and gouerne the affaires off the common wealthe So it cometh to passe in the establishinge off the churche So that when as yet ther were none set ouer them all the authoritie was in all mens handes but after that they had once geuen the helme into the handes off certeÌ„ chosen men this power no lenger belonged vnto all but only to thos who wer chosen by them to steare and gouerne the churche off god As for the election off Seacons ther was yet an other especiall reason why yt was meet that they should haue beene chosen all the churche For when the Grecians murmured against the hebrues and complained that they had wronge for that in the distribucion which was dailie made for the help off the poore ther widowes were not dewly regarded It was need full that they to whom this charge was to be coÌ„mitted should be chosen by all the company that all occasioÌ„ off complayninge and suspicion might be taken away therfor that which once extra ordinarilie was done by the people for certen speciall and particuler causes and respectes ought not to be referred to the perpetuall certeÌ„ stable and ordinary maner of gouerninge the church Althoughe euen in this election the Apostles reserued vnto themselues the chiefe authoritie of â—â—yinge on of haÌ„des and allowing or dissalowinge the iudgmentes and voices off the people which power and authoritie seinge in the very tyme off the Apostles theÌ„ selfes and that by ther allowynge yt was traÌ„slated to the Ecclesiasticall consell and the Elders that had the ordinari gouernment as after in dew place shall appere whi shall I not thinck that the power also of examininge and doinge of other thinges that perteine to the electioÌ„ is to gether with the other translated vnto them Therfor keepinge the right libertie off the churche I conclude oute iff the word off god and the examples off the Apostles That no thinge be done not only against the god will theroff or vnknowinge to the same but also not with out the consent and approbation off it But we must keepe also the iust authoritie off the elders that they goe before the people in the election that they try and examin thos that aâ—e to be chosen that they iudge off ther worthines and publishe vnto the church whom they haue thought meeâ—e and worthie that beinge allowed by the consent off aâ—â— they may bey receiued for thus the wholl body off the churche is bâ—st preserued when euery part and membre doth his office when the eyes do see and leade the waye and the other partes suffer them selues to beled and guided in the way But the Elders in elections as also in all the rest off the gouernment off the churche ar as Eâ—es vnâ—o the rest and leade and direct them that either through ignorance or beinge blinded with ther owne desires they slyde not in the way For which causes I said they ar called gouernors Ouer seers and Elders And how shall the people be able to iudge off the diuers giftes off the Spirit off god to chose this man to gouerne that to teache and an other to ouerse the treasury off the churche for as thes be diuers offices so to discharge them well they had neede to be indewed with diuerse guiyftes off the holie ghost that be chosen therunto as after shal be declared more at large in ther seuerall offices But euery man is not able to iudge off thes diuerse guyftes which ar fitt for what purpose and at