of Ordination §. 8. THe Ministers of the Gospell thus separated and authorized to separate and authorize others are herein directed to Gospel Ordination as GODS institution for this end and purpose Thus Paul though immediately chosen by GOD even to an Apostolate must be ordained Act 13.1.2 and the Seven though â—mediately chosen by the multitude of disciples but even a Deaconship must be ordained Act 6.3 6. Paul and Barnabas goe from place to place to ordaine Presbyters in every City Act 14.23 Titus is left at Crete to ordaine Presbyters Tit 1.5 all which had been nedless if qualifications or popular election without ordination had been authoritative mission Timothy received his coÌ„mission by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery 1 Tim 4.14 and though in the negative he be forbad to lay hands sudenly on any man yet thereby in the affirmative he is coÌ„manded to lay on hands i. e. ordaine Ministers 1 Tim 5.22 Gospell-Ministers in the County of Corke excited to ordaine Ministers 1 By Sence of Duty §. 9. VVE doe not we dare not apologize for all or any the infirmities errors offences scandalls c of any in the Ministry It is the LORD knows a cause of sadness and heart-searching to us as often as we thinke of them and the rather considering how prodigiously provoking and of what dangerous destructive consequence the excesses and obliquities of the Sons of Levi are which the LORD hath been wont to prosecute with flaming expressions of an hot displeasure Mal 2.8 9 Yet since the unbeleife miscarriages of men can not make the faith of GOD of none effect in any thing that he hath promised to his Church Rom 3.3 2 Tim 2.13 and since even in the deepest defection of the Aaronicall Priest-hood which was to give place in time to the Evangelicall GOD tooke care ere he threw out one to provide for the substitution of another as if he would thereby acquaint us that it is some part of the mystery of his waies to be angry with men in Office and well pleased with the institution and Office it selfe at one and the same time as we may see in that famous portion of Scripture 1 Sam 2.27 ad fin Yea especially since we are incompassed with such a cloud of Scripture-testimonies already expressed That GOD will not leave his Church at any time after the manifestation and resurrection of his Son destitute of Pastours according to his own heart which shall to the end of the world teach and make Disciples out of all Nations unto whom our LORD JESVS hath annexed a Loe of his being present with them alwaies or every day Math 28.20 which word and phrase in our judgment imports a promise of a clear and daily manifestation of what a CHRIST present can discover and hand forth unto them We have therefore resolved through GODS assistance being confidently comfortably perswaded of the promised presence of our MASTER with us to put forth that power wherwith the LORD hath in this instance intrusted us That in this part of CHRISTS Church 1 A Gospell-Ministry may be regularly continued 2 Intruders prevented 3 CHRISTS Flocke preserved as well from dispersion as infection 2 By experience of divers sad consequents of non-ordination §. 10. COntraries are best illustrated by their Contraries We shall therefore particularize some of the sad coÌ„sequents which by experience we have observed to arise from entrance into the Ministry by other waies than GODS way of OrdinatioÌ„ 1 The most of those who take upon them the Ministry without ordination are far from having such gifts as are necessarily required in those that are instructours to others 2 Those Congregations who give this liberty to persons unordained are incompetent Judges of their gifts 3 Conversion-worke went on more lively when Ministeriall-worke was wholly in the hands of ordained men and Church-Guides 4 Such confident Intruders are seldome without their considerable errours not only in discipline but doctrine 5 Popery Apostacy have little prevailed but where and when either such as pretended to be Ministers laboured not in the word and doctrin or such as pretended to labour in the word and doctrine were not Ministers 6 Enthusiasmes in such we see often pretended to and no wonder when Learning which in an ordinary way should furnish with abilities is wanting 7 Though this Gangrene begins at the foote yet it suddenly cates to the heart we seldome see any who are against Ordinances Sabbaths of Scriptures CHRIST but such as were first against ordained Ministers Some of them who without ordination pretended to be prime Preachers of CHRIST doe now themselves protend to be CHRIST 8 In such unordained men is easily discernable not only the bublings up but the flowings over of a Spirit of pride selfe-confidence 9 They who exclaime against Ministers as preaching for Tithes have given shrewd cause of suspition that themselves preached for places and employments 10 Such unordained persons coÌ„monly divide and breake insunder such Congregations in which they have liberty to exercise 11 They ordinarily obtrude themselves on such Congregations as are conscientiously scrupled and professedly unsatisfied with them 12 Many or them neglect the duties of their particular and generall Calling and whilst they pretend to teach whole Congregations they omit to instruct their Children and Servants 13 Because of such wild and irregular practises the Ordinances of the Gospell come to be contemned and the offering of the LORD to be abhorred 14 Men of learning and ability whose labours might have been of singular and signall advantage have by this meanes been slighted excluded 15 Even by naturall conscience the prophane are convinced that duties of Religion ought to be performed and distinct Persons attend them when therefore they see such as pretend to the power of Religion to despise the forme which is the utmost their Capacities can reach they are easily induced by the old Serpent to over value the forme and despise the power and when they see other prophane ones prize what they prize and those that pretend to the power despise the same by making it coÌ„mon and of ordinary address they are rootedly hardned in their prophaness 16 The Irish and Papists are alienated from the Protestant Religion 1 Ignorance is the mother of Popish devotion they therefore respect more the persons of teachers than the things taughts and where these are contemned they are apt to repute Religion denied 2 Order and Unity are essentiall properties in the Papists opinion of the true Church but disorder and Schisme are the naturall consequents of unordained Intruders and where these are the Papists doe readily conclude that Religion is not 3 Many Papists though so ignorant in the choise principles of Christianity that their faith is implicate yet in many things especially Popish controversied they clearly discover a greater ignorance and weakness in these Intruders the discovery whereof together with the admiration of their own dark Sophisters
THE AGREEMENT AND RESOLVTION OF SEVERALL ASSOCIATED MINISTERS IN THE COUNTY OF CORKE FOR THE ORDAINING OF MINISTERS MAT 9.37 38. Then saith he unto his Disciples The harvest truely is plenteous but the Labourers are few Pray the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth Labourers into his harvest 2 TIM 2.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithfull men who shall be able to teach others also CORKE ¶ Printed by WILLIAM SMITH for Richard Plummer and are to be sold at his house in Corke THE WORKE OF THE MINISTRY PERPETUALLY NECESSARY TO THE CHVRCH-MILITANT §. 1. THe worke of the Ministry is as well of perpetuall necessity as of spirituall advantage to the Church-Militant To restraine 2 Cron 24.2 To call 2. Thes 2.14 To convert Act 26.16 17 18. To expound the Divine will Act 8.31 To make known the manifold wisdom of GOD Eph 3.7 ad verse 10 and heart secrets of men Heb 4.12 To minister the Spirit 2. Cor 3.8 Gal 3.2 5 which is not promised to teach any thing but what CHRIST hath spoken before Iohn 14.26 and Iohn makes it to be the infallible examen or triall of the Spirits whether they be of GOD or not That they consent that CHRIST is come in the flesh 1 Iohn 4.1 2 3 and heare that is obey his word by his appointed Ministry which he professedly determines to be of GOD verse 6. To worke Faith Rom 10 14. 1 Cor 3.5 Ioh 17.20 To sanctify Ioh 17.17 To establish Eph 4.14 To seale Eph 1.13 To come with and convey much assurance with evidence of Divine Election 1 Thes 1.4 5 joy in the Holy GHOST v 6. To convince Gain-sayers and stop the Mouths of Deceivers Tit 1.9 11 whereunto the Church Militant is in all Ages obnoxious 2 Pet 2.1 1 Tim 4.2 Elect Ones shall if is were possible be deceived Math 24.24 by the uncertaine sound of Schismes brazen Trumpets 1 Cor 14.8 Zions Silver ones are needfull to call her Assemblies Numb 10.7 and alarum her Sons to battel v 9. Every Hereticke and deceiver will in these last and perilous times be pointing at CHRIST with a Loe here Loe there is CHRIST is if he were there in sober sadness Math 24.23 24 There is a necessity of the continuance of these Philips to lead doubting Nathaniels unto JESVS Ioh 1.46 ignorant Eunuchs to a right understanding of the word Act 8.30 to v. 35 to a due participation of the Sacraments v 36 37 38. The world lyes in wickedness 1 Ioh 5.19 in thicke gross Egyptian darkness Ioh 1.5.3.19 these Lights must flame on the hill Math 5.14 in the Candlestick v. 15 to dispell and breake it v 16. False Apostles will fill their hands or consecrate them selves 1 Kings 13.33 these Ephesine Angels must try them Rev 2 2. Jezabel will make hereselfe a Prophetess to teach and to seduce these Thyatirian Angels must prohibit her Rev 2.20 Diotrephes's men loving preheminence will exercise arbitrary power in the Churches Others shall not be Ministers They will be Masters there must be a succession of authorized Iohns to remember their deeds and silence their pratings 3 Ioh v 9 10. Consusiōs will multiply in the Church of Corinth till there be neither measure nor end of them unless some Pauls be in being carefull to set things in order when they come 1. Cor 11.34 Many Children will want their food and allowance if at any time there be none in Office Stewards of the Mysteries and manifold wisdome of GOD 1 Cor 4.1 1 Pet 4.10 CHRISTS cōming can not be as it was in the dayes of Noah Math 24.37 unless some Preacher of righteousness be then living 2 Pet 2.5 to warne the sinfull world of their wickedness and danger The purest graine hath its chaffe 1. Ioh 1.8 10. Pro 20.9 the best need this Fanne to cleanse them Math 3.12 Sheep are apt to wander Psal 119.176 Esa 53.6 the best need a Nathan to reduce them 2 Sam 12.7 All flesh is liable to Fly-blows Eccl 7.20 the best neede this salt to preserve them Math 5.13 Where grace is not the worke of the Ministry is necessary to beget it 1 Cor 4.15 Jam 1.18 where grace is the worke of the Ministry is necessary to continue it 1 Thes 5.19 20. to increase it Act 20 28. 1 Pet. 2.2 As long as there is one Sinner to be converted one Saint to be perfected one member in the body of CHRIST to be edified one Christian militant to be made triumphant the worke of the Ministry is necessary Math 28.19 20. Eph 4.11 12. Act 20.32 Office-power perpetually necessary to the work of the Ministry §. 2. AS much as the Ability or Gift is in order to the Office or Administration So much is the Office in order to the Worke or Operation 1 Cor 12.4.5.6 1 The worke of labouring in the word and Doctrine is the distinctive character of Pastours 1 Tim 5.17 Eph 4.12 2 Those only are gifted for the worke of the Ministry for whom CHRIST received to whom CHRIST gave Gifts these in the Holy GHOSTS Register are only gifted Church-Officers Eph 4.11 12 13. Psal 68.18 3 Office-power is so essentiall that if the Office-worke may be done by others then instituted Officers 1 Positive acts of Religion neede not an affirmative warrant 2 The institution of Officers had been superfluous 3 GODS Judgments against Intruders had been unjust absie Nor was that which the Scripture makes to be the extreame of Jeroboams Apostacy any so great matter 1. Kings 12.31 cap 13.33 Nor that sad threatning of the Church of Jsrael by the Prophet Hosea any thing at all Hos 4.9 Read also and consider Jer 23.21 1 Sam 13.13 2 Sam 6.7 The distinction of the Ministeriall-Office §. 3. TO run without Office-power argues presumption to stand still with it laziness The former because the Ministry is a distinct Office The latter because it impowers for distinct Workes 1 Tim 3.1 1 The Persons impower'd distinct some Eph 4.11 not all 1 Cor 11.29 and in relation to their Office distinguished from other Saints Heb 13.24 2 The Office Office-titles distinct 1 Tim 3.1 Ier 3.15 Math 9.36 37 38. 1 Cor 3.9.4.1.2.15 2 Cor 3.6.5.20 Act 20.28 Rev 1.16 20. 3 distinct promises are made to Church-Officers Mat 10.19.16.19.18.18.28.20 1 Tim 4.16 1 Pet 5.4 Dan. 12.3 4 distinct gifts and qualifications required in them 1 Tim 3.2 Tit 1.7 8 9. 5 distinct duties imposed on them concerning others 1 Pet 5.2 3. 1 Tim 4.13 14 15. 2 Tim 4.2 Heb 13.17 the neglect whereof procures Woe peculiarly to them 1 Cor 9.16 is reproved peculiarly in them and for the observance they peculiarly approved Rev 2. cap 3. 6 distinct Duties imposed on others concerning them 1 Cor 16.10 11 15 16 17 18. 2 Cor 8.23 24. 1 Cor 9. Gal 6.6 1 Thes 5.12 13. 1 Tim 5.17 Heb 13.7 Phil 2.29 the
observance wherof in the lowest measure is kindly accepted by CHRIST Math 10.40 Ioh 13.20 the neglect condemned as the worst of Sins 2 Cron 36.15 16. Lu 10.16 Hos 4.4 Resisters of them are said to resist the Holy GHOST Act 7.51 52 dispisers of them are said to be despisers of GOD 1 Thes 4.8 to judge themselves unworthy of eternall life Act 13.46 to reject the counsell of GOD against themselves Lu 7.30 punnished with the worst of judgments 2 Cron 36.16 17. 1 Thes 2.16 2 Kings 2.24 Amos. 2.12 to v. 16. The Apostle Jude v. 11. taxeth the primitive Hereticks with three horrid crimes against Christianity 1 Cruelty against their Brethren as Cain 2 Vassalling Religion under covetousness as Balaam 3 Opposition to the ministerial Function as Core and adjoines perishing as the necessary product of that contradiction To this Sin temporall punnishments are often consequent 2 Cron 36.17 Amos. 2.12 to v. 16. 2 Kings 2.24 Spirituall alwaies That dreadfull judgment threatned Isai 6.9 10 and so often repeated in the new Testament Mat 13. Mar 4.12 Lu 8.10 Ioh 12.40 Act 28.26 Rom. 11.8 where Gods dispensations both in mercies and judgements are especially spirituall in each of the Evangelists in the Acts and in the Epistles is the speciall fruit of this impiety When those who are antiministeriall reele so fast to Atheisine and a sottish insensibility let none imagine that GOD leaves them unpunished The distinct ministeriall-werke and Office proved by Reason §. 4. THough grace doth unbeast us yet it doth not unman us The will of GOD therefore discovered by right reason binds our observance and right reason gives in its suffrage to the distinct worke and Office of the Ministry as 1 From the nature of Religious Ordinances which are 1 High and difficult such as require the whole time 1 Tim 4.15 yea more than the whole man 2 Cor 2.16 2 Mysterious and excellent mysterious because religious of inward grace as well as outward rites excellent because mysterious And the difficulty Act 6.2 excellency Heb 5.4 and mysteriousness 1 Cor 4.1 1 Tim. 3.16 as of every Employment so especially of that which is sacred distinguisheth Persons to attend it 2 From the manner of religious duties A worke done in religion is not done if the manner of doing confutes the matter of the thing done 1 Cor 11.17 20. Hos 7.14 But such as are regardless Who performes religious cuties are coÌ„monly regardless whether alwaies regardless how they are performed 1 Kings 12.31 32. 3 From the end of Religion the deligne whereof is GODS glory i.e. the manifestation of divine excellency 1 GODS Being is manifested when as in the darker glass of the world so in the clearer glass of the Church representing more lively GODS Image 2 Cor 3.18 by this dependance of one on another we are led to him the originall of all 2 GODS Power is manifested when by such neake distinct Instruments of divine appointment 1 Nations propossessed with enmity and prejudice are subdued to owne the way of Religion 1 Cor 1.27 28. 2 The heart which is GODS privy-chamber is reached Paul a prisoner at the barre makes Felix a Judge on the bench to tremble Act 24.25 Agrippa becemes almost a Christian at one of the same prisoner-preachers Sermons Act 26.28 3. Supernaturall treatures are conveyed by earthen vessells the power therfore is of GOD 2 Cor 4.7 upon which account the Apostle puts Faith wrought by Gospell-preaching in the first ranke of the admirable things of the great day 2 Thes 1.10 3 GODS universall Soveraignty is manifested by our united services as sociable creatures which are required of us Heb 10.25 and can not be performed by us without distinct Ordinances nor those orderly administred without distinct Officers And as GOD is the GOD of order in the whole Universe so especially in the Churches of the Saints 4 GODS goodness is manifested by imploying 1 such distinct Iustruments as are symbolicall and therfore most probable to be effectuall Ex 20.19 2 Such as may in their lives exemplify what in their doctrines they teach Phil 3.17 1 Tim 4.12 1 Pet 5.3 3 such as have their adventurers in the same vessell 2 Cor 1.6 8 So that they can not deceive others but they must deceive themselves Math 15.14 5 GODS wisdome is manifested in the institution of this distinct double witness Ioh 15.26 27 double meanes 1 Cor 3.9 inward and outward GOD is a Spirit his conveyances of himselfe must be spirituall we are Bodies our present receptioÌ„s must be corporeall so the infinite wisdome of our GOD that suits his institutes to both to the former by the Spirit of his grace to the latter by the Ministry of Man That it is GOD who calls to the Office-worke and power ministeriall §. 5. BUt all meanes ought to be proportioned to their proper ends The Streame can not rise higher then the spring-head As therfore the ends so likewise the institution of the Ministry is supernaturalls Not to speake of the Poiest-hood before and under Mosaicall Paedagogie GOD promiseth Esa 66.21 to single or take out from the rest of beleevers under the Gospell some for Priestes and Levites â—â—es New-Testament Officers set forth in old Testament characters And according to this promise GOD sets such in the Church 1 Cor. 12.28 29 2 Cor 5 18.19 Christ 〈◊〉 gives them to the Church Ephe 4.11 1 Tim. 1.11 12 The Holy GHOST seperates them for the Church Act 13.2.20.28 Ordinary Ministers §. 6. THis truth reacheth not only Apostles Prop hets and Evangelists extraordinary but Past ours and Teachers also ordinary Church-officers Thus Apollo 1 Cor 3.5 Epaphras Col 1.7 Archippus Col 4.17 Silvanus 1 Thes 1.10 with cap 2.4 Tychicus Col 4.7 Eph 6.21 ordinary Ministers received their Ministry from the LORD And mediately by Ministers §. 7. ANd as it is perpetually necessary that those who minister in the things of GOD should be thereto seperated by GOD so is it perpetually necessary that by some externall act it might appeare who are thus separated This Express under the Gospell Christ at first determined either by personall or miraculous signation Personall during his humiliatioÌ„ as the 12 Apostles Math 10 Miraculous after his ascension as Matthias by Lot Act 1.26 Paul Barnabas by vision Act 13.2 Timothy by prophesy 1 Tim 4.14 But though Miracles cease yet the Gospell-ministration and Ministry must continue 2 Cor 3.11 in regard that the Churches neede of it as Sect 1. GODs care to supply it is the same to the end Math 16.18 24.14 Esa 30.20 Therefore doth CHRIST send Gospell-Ministers as the FATHER sent him Ioh 20.21 authorizeth them acting under him and in his stead 2 Cor 5.20 to authorize others 2 Tim 2.2 And as their worke office shall continue to the end of the world so he promiseth his presence with them alwaies even to the end of the world Mith 28.18 19 20. By the way