institution hereof vnder the olde testament soe hath hee as largely vnder the newe instituted or rather restored it being fallen downe and decayed the same by his Apostles as being a matter altogether most necessary for the right constitution and gouernement of his Church The which thing appeareth out of many places in the newe testament and especially out of the Acts of the Apostles the first epistle of Paul to the Corin. the first to Timothie and that to Titus In al which the like places whatsoeuer apertaines to the right and laweful gouernement of the Church is carefully and largely set downe Whether you regard the ordering of the whole Church in general or the gouerning of some fewe in particular In consideration whereof I thinke it a wonderful an absurde case that afterwards so many cannons so many decrees of synods so many constitutions of churches The Canons of generall and prouinciall Councels for the most part vaine and needles both general and particular were written and established for the ordering of Ecclesiastical gouernement For what neede was there of this labour which only did arise from the greate contempt and ignorance of these precepts which the holy Ghost had set downe by the pen of the Apostles and that because men despised the waies of God that they might establish the inuentions of their owne braynes and bring into the church their owne tradicions which for the most part were too absurde and childish and alwaies mere contrary vnto the Discipline prescribed in the worde of God But here some man wil demaund whether this discipline be so precisely set downe Note and prescribed in the newe testament as nothing can be added vnto it and apointed so strictly vnder paine of the Lords displeasure as men may not swerue any whit at al from it In the answere of this question I must be faine to vse a distinction For there are many and sundry partes of Ecclesiastical discipline whereof the one doth containe and describe only a general way and meane of placing guiding and ruling the Church in whatsoeuer place and country of the world it doth remaine As for example that only the voice of our Lorde Iesus Christ is to be harde in the church and no other That the sacraments are only to be deliuered vnto the godly and faythfull and all other pointes that are of like kinde which generally respect the conseruation of the Church The other parte doth handle and declare more particularly the rule of gouerning the same This latter parte of Ecclesiastical discipline containeth 4. heades First the election of these persons which are called vnto some Ecclesiasticall office Secondlye a description of the offices and callings of the persons that are elected Thirdly the way and maner of administring church censures as wel publickly before the assembly of the elders as otherwise The fourth is concerning the receiuing into the Church of them that are vnder the ecclesiasticall censures either suspended or excommunicated When as the question is therfore whether euery particular of these heades be so set downe in the word that nothing can be added thereunto Some things essentiall some things accidentarie in the regiment of the church I answere that in euery worke cause and action there are some things essential and some thinges accidental Those thinges are essential which contain the whol nature of the thing or some parte thereof as in this argument If any man in the laweful calling of Pastors or other church officers that are to be chosen shal deny either that their life and doctrine are to be tryed or that the approbation of the people is to be had in their choise he denieth those things which are essential vnto al laweful elections In like sort if any man shal say that this tryal is not to be had by the church and that by many but by one man alone and shall teache that the Church is to stande in this case vnto the meare determination of one he taketh away those things which are essential in election But if a man shoulde reason that this tryall by many is to bee done in this or that place at this or that time after this or that maner he speaketh only of those things which are accidental As for example the ancient manner in times past of election and tryal of Pastors was that he shoulde be chosen by 3. Bishops or Pastors that were next vnto him togither with the Eldership and church whereof hee was to be Pastor And this was done onely in the metropolitan City at a certaine and an apointed time namely in the time of publicke fast to bee short he was chosen not by the bare consent and voice of the people but by the lifting vp of their hands which was called χεῖ̓Ïοτονία al which things are to be accounted accidentarie and not essential in election This therefore wee conclude that whatsoeuer by the word of God is commanded to be done and obserued in the gouernment of the church whether it be coÌ„cerning the election or the offices of those that are called or whatsoeuer head of ecclesiastical discipline it doth respect we conclude I say that to be altogether essential But as for those thinges which are adjudged and appointed in euery particular prouince or Church to be most commodious to effect and practise the former points we hold theÌ„ to be but accidentary matters As that the preaching of the word shold be at this hower rather then at an other That the church should rather haue this number of Elders and deacons then that Al which things are to be held accidentary in no wise essential vnto the gouerment of the Church Nowe therefore vnto the present question in hand according vnto this distinction wee answer after this sorte that wee vtterly holde it vnlawful that such things as are essentiall vnto Church gouernment should be either augmented or diminished by the commandements lawes of men But as for the things that are accidental wee deny not but they may be increased diminished qualified or augmented not only by euery prouince but euen by particular Churches as they finde them conuenient or incommodious vnto their state and to speake in a word as occasion of the circumstances of places times and persons shall require And after the selfe same manner wee answere vnto that other demaunde of some which would know whether the Church may swarue from that order of gouernement which is set downe in the writings of the Apostles and whether the one the selfe same forme of Church regiment discipline ought to be established in al the churches that professe the Gospell For if they speake of those thinges which are essential vnto the gouerment of the church the answer is that al churches are bound alike to obserue and keepe them inuiolable as that the gouernement of the Church shoulde be Aristocratical that is in the handes of many and not monarchical that is in the handes of one
to offer extreame injurie vnto the maiesty of God which claimeth this authority vnto himselfe alone We do not deny but that kings and Princes together with their counsellours and such as are well seene in matters of state may deuise and enact wholsome lawes for the maintaining of publicke peace among their subiects but to inuent and ordaine newe lawes besides those that are prescribed in Gods word wherewith they would rule and binde the consciences of men or to appoint enact ordinances and constitutions concerning the lawful callings of those that gouerne the Church which is the house of God and not the mansion of anie earthly Prince they haue no warrant nor authoritie at all Yea and as hath bene sayd the whole Church of God gathered and assembled togeather in a generall Councell hath no authoritie at all to take any such worke in hand In so much as whatsoeuer generall Councels haue enacted and constituted different from or contrary vnto the substance of Ecclesiasticall Discipline prescribed in the worde of God it was nothing els but plaine tyrannie and a most injurious vsurpation of the right which belongeth vnto the Lorde alone although it cannot bee denied but those Councels and assemblies perswaded themselues that they went about no such matter but intended a farre better and a more holie purpose The confusion and miserable ruine of the Church folowed vpon their purposes do manifestly shew the truth hereof For if they had retained that discipline of the Apostles and appointed no other the Church of God had not fallen into that horrible disorder wherewith at the length it was lamentably ouerthrowen Doe you then will some men say condemne all those Churches that receiued the gospell wherein either no Ecclesiasticall discipline at all or at the least that ordained by the Apostles is not obserued but haue either corrupted the true Discipline or substituted a false in stead thereof Vnto this odious question wherewith we haue bene often cumbred wee answere plainely and yet louingly and modestly that we indeed do not condemne those Churches and congregations wher idolatry is banished and the pure and true preaching of the Gospell retained as not beeing the Churches of GOD notwithstanding that they want and in joy not the true gouerenment of the Church For the fundamentall and true and infallible note of gods Church heere vpon earth is onely one namely the word of God truly preached by a lawful Pastor the which true preaching of the worde wheresoeuer it bee there men may boldly conclude the Lordes flocke to bee a remnant according to the saying of our sauior Christ My sheepe heare my voyce yea and wee hould this flocke to bee the flocke of God although it want both the administration of the sacraments and the vse and practise of the true Discipline of the Church And whereas these 2. last markes to wit the sacraments and discipline are by some thought necessary to point out the true Church their meaning in this is nothing els but to shew what and how much is necessarily required to the perfect and absolute constitution of the outward face of a Churche But they are verye farre from thinking that those congregations cannot be at al accounted the Churches of God which want ecclesiasticall discipline so that the word of God be trulie and soundly preached in them Those congregations and assemblies then which want Discipline are indeed the Churches of God but yet lame vnperfect and maimed Churches As we cal him a man though he haue both his arms cut off so that hee be liuing haue the vse of his reason Notwithstanding all those Countries who hauing banished idolatry and receiued the true and liuely word of God do as yet want this disciplin ought to know that this shuld be their chiefe care and continual endeuor euen that they may without delay joyne and adde vnto their Church this notable ornament namely Ecclesiasticall Discipline as it is prescribed in the writinges of the Apostles and so they shall not only haue the bones and sinowes but inioy the bloud colour beauty and retaine the absolute strength of a Church And in this point that speeche of the holy ghost is carefully to be hearkned vnto that we ought to make straight steps vnto our feet least that which halteth be at length clean turned out of the way For if those things which are needful be through carelesnesse neglected in the Church of God it will come to passe that in processe of time the Church it selfe wil be clean alienated from God And in asmuch as this Discipline whereof wee speake is set downe in the first Epistle of Tim. therfore I haue principally chosen it in the expoūding wherof I thought good briefly to set down my iudgement concerning this whole argument Diuers many both new and olde writers being indeed learned men haue written vpon this Epistle But amongst the rest one Claudius Spensaeus especially endeuoured to shew how much he was able to write concerning the Discipline of the Church For besides a large commentarie that he hath written vpon the text it selfe he hath also published no lesse then three tedious books of digressions as he calleth them vpon this verie same Epistle But he is so farre in my iudgement from being a helpe vnto any man by his bookes that in my daies I haue knowen nothing more obscure then his verie commentary and nothing more confused and out of order then are his intricate discourses For these Schoolmen of whose number this Spensaeus was on are blinded by the iust iudgement of God and so giuen to obscuritie that in the most thinges they vnderstand not themselues because their onely bringing vp is in darknes and vaine iangling Indeed when I had lighted vpon these commentaries and could profit my selfe nothing at all by them the best course that I could take was to betake me from his wandering digressions vnto the right way it selfe that is vnto the text of the Apostle and so as the olde prouerbe faith I dranke and hasted away For my selfe what I haue attained vnto by this my trauel and howe much I haue manifested this cause which otherwise for want of practise nowe these many yeares was growen out of vse the knowledge of men let others iudge Thus much I may bouldlye affirme that I was not able to bring to light these olde rubushes of antiquitie without great labour and paines Howsoeuer it bee I intreat the Lord God that these my labours may be profitable vnto his Church and acceptable vnto the godly And as for your excellency most noble prince vnto whome I doe most humbly and willinglie dedicate this worke if it may bee but approoued of you I shal take your acceptation as a great fruit of the labour bestowed heerein There are many and diuerse causes of waight why I should dedicate this trauel of mine vnto your excellency but this in speciall And that is that whereas by the blessing of GOD and your great
THE IVDGEMENT OF THAT REVEREND AND GODLY LERNED MAN M. LAMBERT DANAEVS TOVching certaine points now in controuersie contained in his preface before his commentary vpon the first Epistle to Timothie written in Latine and dedicated by him to the Prince of Orange BVT NOVV TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISHE FOR THE BEHOFE and comfort of all those who not vnderstanding the Latine tongue are desirous to know the trueth in those points TO THE RIGHT HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE WILLIAM Prince of Orange Earle of Nassaw the most valiant maintainer defender of Christs glorie in Holland and Zeland grace and peace from the Lord. IT is an olde saying most noble prince vsed also of Aristotle that there is nothing more beutifull in the whol frame of nature then comlinesse and good order For what confused and disorderlye thing can be pleasant to the eye Order how necessary or delightsome vnto the minde of man verely nothing at al. And in deede if these things that either we looke vpon with the eies of our bodie or consider with the faculties of our minde seeme vnto vs neither to be orderly disposed nor to cleaue together by any comodious situation nor ordered by any decent and seemely maner wee presently giue sentence that they haue neither profit nor delight in them And wee doe noe lesse abhorre such vncomly sightes then we delight to look vpon those things which are distinguished into their natural and proper parts And this that I speake is verified to be true in kingdoms in common wealthes in townes in vilages in priuat houses in gardens in feildes in wildernesses and in whatsoeuer either nature bringeth forth or mans wit and industrie inuenteth as not only experience it selfe but euen the common voice of al men both godly prophane doth witnesse To be briefe the world it selfe being the most beutifull worke of Gods owne hand is of the Grecians called κοσμος for the order and comlinesse that is therein Whereby their opinion apeareth to be most detestable Order or beauty which not only delight them selues in disorder confusion but also by remouing of al good order do indeuor to turn euery thing vpside down to induce a generall mixture of al things both priuat publick The which sort of men as being the monsters common plagues of mankind the Auncients were wont to cal vnruly and vnbrideled spirits But concerning comlines and good order this we are to thinke of it that as the same is not onely profitable but also most necessary euery where soe especially ought it to haue place in the church of God as the Apostle Paule by expresse commaundement doth teach vs. 1. Cor. 14.40 For the church is the house of God that great King of Kinges Wherein therefore al things ought to be done circumspectly seemly and decently as Paul him selfe speketh The dishonor of god ioyned with the disorder of the Church honestly and according vnto good order but nothing confusedly disorderly least the disorder of the house be a staine and a dishonor vnto the Maiesty of the houshoulder him selfe who is the great and the mightie God And to this purpose he himselfe of his great mercie hath prescribed in his worde not onely those things which are necessarie to eternall life and concearne the ground-worke and saluation of his Church But also hath manifested those pointes which are behoofefull vnto the right gouernement and beautie of his Church least there shuld be any thing appertaining to the right constitution of his house whereof we should not be fully and sufficiently instructed out of his owne mouth And to the end that those rules which belong vnto the regiment of the church should expresly bee seuered and distinguished from those pointes which containe the doctrine of iustifiyng faith they are generally called of all men Ecclesiasticall Discipline by the name of Ecclesiasticall Discipline For euen as that part of gods word and the knowledge of his truth which teacheth vs what we are to beleeue concerning God the Father concerning Christ together with his natures and offices concerning the holy Ghost concerning the causes of our saluation and concerning eternal life doth containe the very bones and sinows and as it were the being and essence of the body of the church So the same part of the word of God which setteth downe the rules of Ecclesiasticall Discipline doth make vp the ornamentes and iewels of the body of the church whereby it is attired and without which it is no other then a body naked and without cloathing So that hereby we may see what a nere conjunction and agreement there is betweene these two to wit betweene the doctrine and discipline of the Church For except you joine ecclesiastical discipline vnto the light profession of the truth an assembly of men euen embrasing the purity of the word preached shal be nothing but a naked body bereaued and destitute of al attire and ornaments And therefore is this ecclesiastical discipline rightly tearmed by some of the Ancient fathers to be the keeper of the doctrine of faith the mother of vertue the bond of honestie and the very sinewe of christian society The force whereof indeede is so greate that it alone bringeth vnto the church whatsoeuer we account to be the comlinesse beuty brightnes and ornament thereof and it maketh the same so pleasant vnto the eies that as Tertullian saith the heretickes which were alwaies the greatest and most deadly enemies thereof did spitefully cal ecclesiastical discipline a baite to ensnare and alure men to loue the church Ecclesiastical discipline when it began Seeing therefore this discipline is a rule and a parte of that justice whereby the outwarde order and the lawful gouernment of the whole church is contained who are they that with any coulor can pretend that ether the same is to be despised or not to be labored for VVhose institution began not first vnder the newe Testament but was first ordained vnder the lawe by God himselfe as that worthie professor of the Hebrue tongue and my fellow laborer Cornelius Bertram hath long since very learnedly taught in his booke concerning the pollicy of the Iewes For what els but the prescribing of ecclesiastical discipline doe the lawes of God meane which distinguishe the tribe of Leuie from al other tribes that out of it onely the ministers of the temple shoulde be chosen within the same tribe doe seuere the office of the priest from the Leuits set downe what was the authority both of the high priest and of the rest of those that had to doe with the priesthood And what els doe these lawes meane which sette down what rites and drinke offrings were required in euery kinde of sacrifice To conclude the whole ceremonial lawe appointed by the Lorde him selfe what els I praye you is it but a most ample and a most cleare description of ecclesiastical discipline And as the Lord was not sparing in the
and that euery congregation should haue in it a Senate or company of Elders Al churches therefore are bound to be gouerned by the eldership chose by the church without whom neither the Pastor nor any man els is to deale in the affairs of the church and that in euery congregation there bee some censuring of wickednes and of vnruly manners which censures are not to be administred by the arbitriment of one man but by the deliberation and judgment of the leaders and gouerners and as Ierom saith of the Elders of the church To be short it is essential vnto ecclesiasticall discipline that the sentence of excommunication bee giuen forth against the obstinat and that it be pronounced not according to the minde and judgement of ciuilians and such as giue sentence according vnto the lawes of man but by the direction of the officers of the church which judge acording vnto the lawes of God and that it be giuen forth not in a corner by one man alone but by the consent and in the presence of the Church the same being gathered together for that purpose And therefore wee answere plainly and directly that the substance or essential partes of ecclesiastical discipline ought to be the same in al the churches that professe the Gospel or cary the name of any reformation with them But if the question bee concerning outwarde things which only are accidentary vnto this discipline wherin onely the conuenience or discommodity standeth in the practise or the omitting of some thinges indifferent wee holde that those pointes may bee changeable yea and that often times it is requisite they shoulde bee changed in consideration of the respect that is to be had vnto the diuersitie of times places persons So far are wee in this point from requiring that euery countrey and region shoulde be tyed vnto the same forme of outwarde order For it may fal out that these thinges which in this place and in this countrey is wel and commodiously done As for example the lords supper is administred in France once euery quarter cannot bee so conueniently practised in other regions and countries After this manner it is that the sentence of excommunication in som places is red out of booke which in other Churches is denounced by the Pastor as the Lord directeth him to speake for the present time Euen so also the maner is in this Church of Geneua that he who hath fallen to Idolatry and desireth afterwardes to bee reconciled vnto the Church maketh confession of his fault vpon the Lords day onely whereas in other Churches he might doe it at any other day that the Churche thinketh conuenient Here with vs the penitent readeth his confession in other places he speaketh it as he is moued for the present Al these indifferent things then may haue a diuers forme according to the diuersity of places times c so that alwaies the correction of manners the acknoweledging of the fault the seperation of the goates from the sheepe be retained in the lordes house those thinges done which God requireth to bee put in execution And so this point be euermore practised that the Church and house of God bee orderly gouerned that it may appeare not to be a cadge of vncleane birdes but the well gouerned familie of the liuing God The substance therefore and essential partes of discipline ought to bee one and the selfe same in al the Churches of God in what age or place soeuer they bee but as for such thinges as are accidentary thereunto they may bee changed And therefore in this question wee holde it needefull that men should learne alwaies to make a distinction betweene the accidentall and the essentiall partes of Church discipline Furthermore we account it meerely vnlaweful that any man yea the supreame Magistrate or yet the vniuersal body of the true Church should goe about to change alter remoue diminish or augment any thing that is Essentiall in Ecclesiasticall Discipline For although in ciuil causes the King The gouernment of the church not to bee changed or the chiefe magistrate may by vertue of the authority graunted vnto him by the Lord make newe lawes and abrogate the olde yet notwithstanding he hath not the like authoritie either in abolishing and changing the essential parts of ecclesiastical discipline or yet in adding any thing of his own thereunto The reason whereof is most manifest and cleare For seeing the especial scope and end of Ecclesiastical Discipline is first that the Pastors which take charge of Gods people haue a laweful calling Secondly that the consciences of men bee ruled and by true conuersion and repentance brought vnto the obedience of Gods wil it must needs follow that the ordaining appointing of ecclesiastical discipline is only in the Lords hand because that he alone is the Lord king ruler and lawgiuer of his Church and hee alone the onely true and lawful iudge and gouernour of the consciences of men And therefore hee alone is both to prescribe the rules of the lawfull callings of such as are to beare office in his house and also to set downe the way howe the consciences of men may bee mooued and repentaunce wrought in them In which two points as we haue sayd the chiefe force and drift of Ecclesiasticall discipline is contained And concerning these matters neither king nor yet the whole body of the Church haue authority to prescribe any other lawes then those which Christ himselfe hath set downe For the Church it selfe is no other then a seruaunt to be ruled by the commaundements of God hir soueraigne Lorde and not a Queene or a Lady to prescribe vnto her selfe what lawe she likes best and as for Kings and Princes they are members and not heads of the Church members indeede that are to be reuerenced aboue the rest in respect of their calling yet members in such sort as in the gouerning of the Churche they are not to commaund as they list but their duety is onely to be carefull that the commaundements of the Lord may bee put in execution by and amongest their subiectes For out of all controuersie the Lorde alone is to appoint and ordaine Ecclesiasticall vocations and callinges as hee is the onely searcher and ruler of the soule and conscience And therefore seeing the ruling of the consciences of men and the subduing of them vnto the obedience of God is the end wherefore Ecclesiasticall Discipline is ordained The way and the means wherby that worke is to be effected can be shewed by none saue onely by the Lorde alone because hee only made and formed the conscience and mind of man he only knoweth how they may be ruled turned and changed and he onely is the Lord of them Whence it is that to seeke any where els especially from the mouth of natural man saue only at the word of God the laws to rule and guide the conscience is nothing els but to hunt after errours and delusions and
wisedome and strength the Churches of Zealand Holland and the whole coast therabouts haue obtained peace I thinke nothing more profitable and more necessarie for the establishing and preseruing of a right gouernement in them then are the things which I haue handled in this Commentarie For euen as the contempt and neglect of the Churche Discipline hath brought ruine vnto the Churche so the carefull obseruation thereof beeing ordayned according vnto the rule of the Apostles hath not onelie maintained the soundnes and puritie of the heauenly doctrine amongest men but also hath amended and retained in the obedience of GOD the manners and behauiour of those that professed the name of Christ if at any time they seemed to decline from the sinceritie of their profession To bee shorte this selfe same Discipline is both a most strong fortresse against heresies and Schismes that are comming vppe and a most excellent preseruatiue and counterpoyson against those that are alreadie growen And although I knowe that your excellencye wants not the meanes to come vnto the knowledge of these thinges by the learned conferences which you may haue with diuers of great knowledge and learning and especially with that honorable and worthie man Phillip Marnixus the Lord of the mount of Saint Aldegond with that faithfull Minister of God M. Taffinne yet notwithstanding I thought it not amisse for me to bestow this my talent according vnto mine abilitie vnto the common behoofe and profite of your Churches that they may vnderstand both what great good will I beare vnto them from my heart euen in respect of your excellencie and also howe vncessantly I pray vnto the Lord to vouchsafe them all peace and prosperity To come vnder your selfe most noble Prince it is not vnknowen how well you haue deserued both at the handes of all men professing religion and especially of our Countrey men in Fraunce Of whose safety preseruation both your selfe and that noble Earle your brother Count Lodowick whose famous and happy memory I hope will neuer decay in Gods Church haue bene alwaies especiallye carefull For by the force and counsell of you two the French Churches haue bene a long time protected from the most barbarous crueltie which by their enemies haue bene offered vnto them contrary to the lawes of their Countrey and the custome of all antiquity In conclusion your renown the commendacions of those exploytes that you haue atchieued for the defence of gods glory is so rife in the mouths of all men in Christendome that your match in the constant defending of the good cause is not euery where to be found amongst men For you haue deliuered the Countrey committed vnto your gouernment from the tyrannie of the Spaniards and all forraine enemies you haue by vnexpected waies and almost after an extraordinarie manner healed the breaches of the Lowe-countrey that was lamentablie torne in sunder by inward broiles and discord and haue restored them to their former ancient liberty and honor You haue put the enemies to flight being nowe ready to deuide the spoil and carrying before you the ensigne of Christes cause gotten the victorie and triumphed ouer them You are renowned by all men as a patrone of godlines and pietie the most valiant vphoulder of publike iustice and peace So that you which haue done so great and so excellent things for the enlarging of the kingdome of our Lorde Iesus Christ and the defence of the liberties of your Countrey doe also iustly deserue to bee well spoken of by all men For as Euripides saith mens good deedes doe alwaies procure good speches to be vttered in their praise and commendacions As to my selfe right excellent Prince seing I doe vnderstand that so many of your admirable and worthy actions are euerie where commended through the world I thought it my duty to leaue this worke as a testimonie of my dutifull good will towards your excellencie and of my poore endeuour to publish abroad the commendacion of your deserued praise and renowne The which labour of mine I earnestly entreat your excellencie to accept in good part The Lord who is God alone eternal wise good just and mercifull strengthen and confirme you as hee did Daniell with his holy spirite and preserue you among vs and especially in the Lowe-countries for the support defence of his church in quietnes and prosperitie many yeares Geneua the calends of August 1577. Your excellencies most bounden LAMBERT DANAEVS