said to all the Ministery Mat. 16. Ioh. 20.23 Then I conclude that all the Members in the Presbytery so called by Paul 1 Tim. 4.14 The state of Elders Acts 22.5 And it is called The Assembly of the Elders Psa 107.32 Therefore they are all Iure Divino by the will and appointment of Iesus Christ But it may be some Independent will ask Why their Congregation belonging to one man is not of Divine Institution as well as a Presbyterial Congregation belonging to one man I answer There is this difference The Presbyterial Congregation is a part of the Universal visible Church as a branch of it which is descended from the first Christian Church although it passed under Antichrist and so was defiled yet still God had his Church amongst Papists and at the length brought it out of Babylon by Luther and others and our Ministers are descended from the Apostles whom Christ Ordained to Preach Mark 3.14 And they were sent into all Nations to convert men to the Christian Faith and they also Ordained Elders in every Church in every City or Town Acts 14.23 And after them they left others in their place to do it Tit. 1.5 And thus Church-Officers were Ordained by them of their own calling successively ever since although they passed under Antichrist till Luther renounced them and by him and others was brought out what they had from Christ and left what was of their own Invention and he caused them to protest against Babylon and so they were first called Protestants And then in Calvins time they made a Covenant to set up the true Discipline of Iesus Christ and we in this Kingdom have done the like both by a Protestation against Popery and a Covenant to set up the Discipline of Iesus Christ therefore our Congregations are of Divine Institution but Independent Congregations original descent is but from themselves and that within this few yeers to our knowledge Tradesmen have gathered many Churches but who sent those Tradesmen to Preach and how can they Preach unlesse they be sent Rom. 10.14 15. By what Authority do they Preach and who gave them that Authority Christ taught as one having Authority Mat. 21.23 24. 7.29 Then Independent Congregations are not of Divine Institution But they will say That our Parishes remain still as they did under Antichrist I answer Parishes were divided for better convenience of Publike Worship before Antichrist was in being when the Apostles gave order to set up Elders in every city Tit. 1.5 and they were bounded within a Sabboth dayes Iourney for Publike Worship Acts 1.12 And now Prelats cast out our Parishes remain in that first Institution for those Elders were bounded to that town or city where they were set up but Independent Congregations are boundlesse their Members thirty or fourty miles asunder that they cannot congregate together therefore they are not of Divine Institution The Parliaments third question is Whether the Supreme Assemblies or Elderships viz. The Classical Provincial and National Whether all or any of them and which of them are Iure Divino and by the appointment of Jesus Christ Their fourth question is Whether Appeals from Congregational Elderships to the Classical Provincial and National Assemblies or to any of them and to which of them are Iure Divino and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ And are their Powers upon such Appeals Iure Divino and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ Their fifth question is Whether Oecumenical Assemblies are Iure Divino And whether there be Appeals from any of the former Assemblies to the said Occumenical Iure Divino and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ Now the substance contained in these three questions is this First Whether Classical Provincial National or Oecumenical Elderships or Assemblies be Jure Divino Secondly Whether Appeals from Congregational Elderships to Classical Provincial and National Assemblies are Iure Divino or which of them or any of them to Oecumenical be Iure Divino and are their Powers upon such Appeals Iure Divino by the will and appointment of Iesus Christ To the first of these I have sufficiently proved That the Assembly of Elders and Presbytery are Scripture Names Psal 107.32 1 Tim. 4.14 And these I have shewed that they are frequently called the Church because they do represent it And now I shall prove That Appeals from the lesser Elderships to the greater is according to the Word of God and that their power is of Divine Right to suppresse Error and prophanenesse in case the Magistrate will not by his Positive Laws or to cast them out of the Church rather then the Ordinances of Christ should be polluted I prove it thus If there was Assemblies of Church Officers in the Christian Church who met together for this end then they ought to do so still and if there was Appeals from the lesser of those Assemblies to the greater in the Primitive Church it ought to be so still and if those Assemblies had power to make Decrees and passe Sentence and to binde several Churches to obey them it ought to be so still for we and all Christians pretend to be under the same Discipline of Christ as they were but some in the Christian Church at Antioch would still observe Iewish Cermeonies and they had no small Disputation about it and yet could not suppresse it being parties therefore they determined to send Paul and Barnabas to Ierusalem not to a single Congregation for advice and councel but to the Assembly of Apostles and Elders who came together to consider of that matter Acts 15.1 2 6. And I think there was but two Apostles there and so there was at Antioch only they were parties and so they were not at Ierusalem But some will say What if they will not come to the Assembly or Eldership how then can they suppresse Error or Prophanenesse I answer The Magistrate must by his Positive Laws command obedience to the Church and in case they will not obey the Magistrate he must punish them by his Positive Laws but in case the Magistrate will not do it then the Church-Officers have power to cast them out to keep the Ordinances of Christ from pollution So then if the Magistrate do his part and Assemblies of Church-Officers also do theirs this will sweetly settle peace among the Churches and this is according to the Word of Christ and therefore of Divine Institution And for the Names of those Assemblies let them be called by any names of distinction and it sufficeth I hope we shall not contend about Names but rather labor for peace and a sweet enjoyment of all the mercies of God both in Church and State The sixth Question is this Whether by the Word of God the power of Judging and declaring what are such Notorious and Scandalous Offences for which persons guilty thereof are to be kept from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and of Conventing before them trying and actual
Apostle But then some of them say That hundred and twenty names was the Mother Church out of which all other Christian Churches were to spring forth therefore being the first it was Independent I Answ If Independent Churches must have one as their Mother out of which all other Independent Churches ought to spring forth then I would know which of their Churches is that Mother Church did Mr. Burtons Church descend out of Mr. Goodwins or Mr. Lockers Church descend out of Mr. Holms his Church or which is the Mother and which the Daughters But it may be they will say This Mother of Christian Churches did first Baptize them and so leave them not minding whether they were truly converted or not but then after this there followed some that gathered after them none but the godly into their Congregations out of those Baptized before and those alone were the true Churches having the Kingly Office of Christ and in a Church way and not the other and thus our Independents do here But then where is their proof for those things No the contrary is the truth for when Three thousand was converted and became Christians together and all others when they became Christians were added to the Church daily Acts 2.47 Then if Independents should come after the Apostles to cull for themselves a Church they must first unchurch them out of that where they were placed by the Apostles and so when they have cut them off from being Members of Christ they will prefer them to be their Members and then promise them great priviledges and Liberty of Conscience to live as they list But lest I should here make a digression I shall now prove that the number of names there spoken of was not an Independent Congregation consisting of men and women but a Presbytery of Church-Officers First If names in Scripture signifie Church-Officers then that hundred and twenty names were Church-Officers but the Saints having gotten victory over the Officers of Antichrist are said to get victory over the number of his name Rev. 14.2 And when the Officers of Antichrist shall be slain it is said That Seven thousand names of men shall be slain Rev. 11.13 Then the number of names here spoken of were Officers in the Christian Church Secondly If there may be found so many Officers then in the Christian Church then that hundred and twenty names were Officers in it but there was then eleven Apostles and seventy Disciples sent out by Christ before this and the rest of that hundred and twenty names were Teachers which had accompanied Christ from the Baptism of John until he was taken up Acts 1.21 And Christ Ordained more to Preach then the Eleven and the Seventy for saith he to another Go thou and Preach the Kingdom of God Luke 9.60 Then this was was not an Independent Congregation belonging to one particular man Thirdly If the Disciples were then numberlesse then they must needs be more then a single Congregation but the Disciples were then numberlesse for John Baptized all Judea and Jerusalem and all round about Jordan Mat. 6.5 6. and Johns Disciples encreased so fast that the Priests and Pharisees durst not say his Baptism was of men for fear of the people and Herod durst not put him to death for fear of the people Mat. 14.5.21 23 26. And Christ made more Disciples then John yea they could not Baptize together their multitudes were so great and the Pharisees said Perceive you not how the world is gone after him John 3.22 23.4.1.11.19 And people pressed upon him to hear him Preach and the Priests could not destroy him for the people Luke 4.22.5 1 19.47 48. Five thousand came at one time and Seven thousand at another besides women and children and in the open field Zacheos could not see Christ for the multitudes but was forced to climb up into a Tree to see him Luke 19.3 Then was all this but a single Congregation belonging to one man and bearing the name of his Church Fourthly If there was an Universal Officer to be chosen out of these men and by these men then it appears that they were all Officers before as the seventy and the eleven and others were Mark 3.14 6.3 Luke 9.60 10.1 Again if it was an Independent Church like one of these at London then what should they have to do in the choyce of an Universal Officer unlesse one Independent Church had power to chuse Officers for another which will not be granted for that would soon destroy all their Independent Churches which must be alone having nothing to do with any other nor they with them as a duty only they may do something if they please upon courtisie and they may chuse then this was not such a one while they chose an Officer out of themselves to serve elswhere and not among themselves Let us see another instance Suppose our Independents shall say That Church at Jerusalem that was persecuted and scattered abroad was an Independent Church Acts 8.1 Upon this ground saying They were but a small number one single Congregation for say they If there had been such multitudes as I shewed before then how could they be persecuted and scattered and by whom were they so persecuted I Answer That Church at Ierusalem was the Officers of the Church and they were persecuted and scattered abroad all but the Apostles and this was done by the Rulers which did not believe in Christ Iohn 7.48 and by Saul before his conversion he was sent by the Priests to do it Acts 8.1 9.1 And the Officers may be called a Church Representative for the Lord said to Moses Speak to all the Congregation and then he spake to the Elders of the Congregation 12.21 And Christ said Tell the Church which is meant Tell the Officers of the Church who had both the Key of Doctrine and the Key of Discipline delivered to them before Mat. 16.18 19. 18.17 So here the Church was persecuted and scattered abroad that is their Officers for if all the Disciples had been scattered abroad what should the Apostles do behinde they would not tarry if they had none left to teach nor durst they tarry when there was none to harbor them and who would or who durst harbor them if all the Christians had been scattered and fled but there was Disciples still that did harbor them yea there was then many thousand Believers in Ierusalem and this was presently after that persecution as it were with the same breath Saul persecuted them and was converted as he was going to the next Town and came immediatly to Ierusalem and then there was many thousand Believers in Ierusalem see Acts 8.1 9.1 compared with 21.20 Again the Teachers were persecuted for they travelled as far as Cyprus and Phenice and Antioch Preaching the Word of God and they were called Prophets that came from Ierusalem to Antioch Acts 11.19 21.27 So then this Church was not an Independent Congregation but
had the full power of a King in relation to the Church and a Kings being a Christian addes nothing to him in point of Government in the Church only his own benefit as a Christian to enjoy the priviledges of it among other Christians when as Cyrus had not this benefit being a Heathen So then his power is not in the Church but about it he may by the Laws of the Land command obedience to the Church and by those Laws punish the disobedient yet not as an Officer in the Church But then Christ hath another Kingdom and that is Spiritual he saith My Kingdom is not of this world and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and Truth the Father seeketh such to worship him Iohn 4.23 24. 18.36 For this Kingdom he hath Church Officers to govern it every member hath not the same Office Rom. 12.4 The Office of a Bishop is a good work 1 Tim. 3.1 These Christ hath placed in the Church 1 Cor. 12.28 Aâ—ron and his Sons shall wait on the Priests Office Numb 3.10 In this Kingdom the Ministers are his Shepheards and all sorts of men their flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them over-seers Acts 20.18 And they are charged to feed their flock and to care for it and saith Paul The care of all the Churches lies upon me he was no Independent they became Independents that said What portion have we in David See to thine own house David to your Tents O Israel So they departed to their Tents 1 King 12.16 But I say Church-Officers are placed by Christ in the Spiritual Kingdom the Church as Kings and Magistrates are placed by him in the State and not to stand there like cyphers to fill the place for no use but to rule in it as the other do in the State yet with this difference Frinces and Magistrates have power to make those Laws by which they Rule the State for saith Daniel The Lord hath given thee a Kingdom Dan. 2.37 And they consulted to establish a Royal Statute Dan. 6.7 He hath given the Earth to the Children of men Psal 115.16 But the Church was never so given to any no not to her Officers and Rulers they must not make Laws for it nor repeal any that are made There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Jam. 4.12 The Law of the Church is unalterable like that of the Medes and Persians Not one tittle of the Law shall fail Mat. 5. Their King is eternal and with them to the end of the world Mat. 28.20 And of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1.33 But Kings and Magistrate are placed by Christ in the Temporal Kingdom there indeed they rule with Power and Authority but they may not rule so in the other Kingdom the Church of Christ for these Reasons First If Kings and Magistrates should rule in the Church as Emperors rule the State this were to dethrone Christ who alone is placed and set by the Lord his King upon the holy hill of Sion Psal 2.6 And what affront is done to his Officers in the Church he takes as done to himself and no man ought to usurp the Authority of Church-Officers any more then Church Officers ought to usurp the Office of Magistrates for both must keep their place where Christ hath set them Secondly If Magistrates should rule in the Church as Officers in it this would confound the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ with the Kingdoms of men when as Christ hath plainly divided them Dan. 2. Iohn 18.36 both by precept and example commanding and also giving to God the things of God and to Cesar the things of Cesar Mat. 22.21 Thirdly If State-Officers and Church-Officers were the same and he that hath one hath both then it would follow That Christ and his Apostles both did and taught rebellion in all places where they came when they set up Elders or Church Officers in every Church Acts 14.23 And when Christ expounded the Law in his own name Mat. 5. But this were Blasphemy to affirm for the Government of the Church of Christ is Spiritual and allowed by Princes and Magistrates where ever they came for they know that it did not intrench upon their Authority Fourthly Church Officers have Gods Law for their rule but Magistrates have the Laws of the Common-wealth for their rule then they must keep their places the one to rule in the Church Ministerially because Christ their King is with them Mat. 28.20 and the other in the State with Majesty and Authority because the God of Heaven hath given them a Kingdom power and glory Dan. 2.37 Fifthly Many Kings and Magistrates are not so much as Members of the Church but rather Enemies of it and if they were Members yet they were unworthy of that place to rule in the Church unlesse they were well skill'd in Divinity to rule in Religiously but this were Treason to affirm Sixthly If Kings and Magistrates had power in the Church by vertue of their place then they might obtain this power by War or by Usurpation or Purchase or by Inheritance and so women would rule in the Church that are not permitted to speak in it 1 Cor. 14.34 and children should rule in the Church when as a Bishop must not be a Novice or a yong Scholler 1 Tim. 3. and the meanest Officer in the Church must first be proved before they be admitted Vers 6.10 Lastly If Magistrates power were in the Church they must either have this power from being a Magistrate or from being a Christian but if from being a Magistrate then all Magistrates and Princes must have the like power to rule the Church as well as they or else they are not perfect Magistrates or Princes and if they should have power to rule in the Church because they are Christians then all other Christians may rule in the Church as well as they for all are one in Christ Gal 3.28 Col. 2.11 Then Church Officers together with their Names and Offices are not to be created nor appointed by the Parliament as their creatures when as themselves are not Church Officers and if they were yet they have no power to give Titles Names Offices or Officers in the Church for that is peculiar to Iesus Christ the King of his Church Eph. 4.11 and from him all Church Officers have both their Names and Offices immediatly and therefore Church-Officers are Iure Divino and that for these Reasons First If Church-Officers are placed by Christ in the Church then they are not of Humane Institution but of Divine Right but Christ hath set some in the Church Apostles Prophets Teachers helps or Deacons 1 Cor. 12.28 then they being so placed by Christ in the Church they are Iure Divino Secondly If it was both the Apostles command and also their practise to set up Elders in every Church then Elders are Iure Divino of Divine Institution but Paul left Titus in Creet to set in
order things that were wanting and to Ordain Elders in every city as he had appointed Tit. 1.5 And these were not Magistrates for such were before in every city but these were then wanting which Paul from Christ appointed Titus to Ordain in every city neither were the Ministers to Ordain and set up Magistrates and yet by their own practise they did Ordain Elders in every Church Acts 14.23 then they are not of Humane but of Divine Institution Thirdly If both the key of Doctrine and of Diselpline were given to Church Officers by Iesus Christ then they alone have a Divine Right to use them but the keys were not given to the whole Church but to the Officers for saith Christ to Peter To this will I give the Keys Mat. 16.19 And whatsoever the Church-Officers shall binde on Earth shall be bound in Heaven and what they loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven Chap. 18. v. 17 18. And what sins ye remit shall be remitted and what sins ye retain shall be retained Iohn 20.23 Then they alone have a Divine Right to use them Fourthly If Christ commanded the Church to obey those that have the rule over them in the Church and not in the State then such only are to rule in the Church But saith Paul Obey them who also have spoken unto you the Word of God they that watch for your souls as they that must give an account neither must all the Saints rule in the Church for saith Paul Salute them that have the rule over you and all the Saints Heb. 13.17 24. then they are of Divine Institution and must rule in the Church and take care for it as for their own house 1 Tim. 3.4 5. 5. If the Christian Church had those Officers placed in it by Christ and his Apostles before they had any Magistrates or any humane Laws in it then they are of Divine Institution and no Magistrates ought to take that from them which Christ gave them before they had any Magistrates in the Christian Church but they chose and ordained Elders in every Church before they had any Magistrates Acts 14.23 then they are not of Humane but of Divine Institution Sixthly This Discipline was in the hand of Church-Officers if they onely were blamed if it was neglected But the Lord said to Church-Officers I have something against thee because thou sufferest that woman Iezebel to teach and to seduce my servants and others were blamed because there was some among them that held the Doctrine of Balaam Rev. 2.14 20. Then here it is plain that both the Key of Doctrine and the Key of Discipline are in the hand of Church-Officers by Divine Institution Seventhly If this Discipline was ever in the hand of Church-Officers it ought to be so still But saith Paul I have delivered Hymeneus and Alexander to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1.20 and concerning the Incestuous person he saith I have judged already and do not ye judge those that are within cast out therefore that wicked person 1 Cor. 5.3 12 13. And if any say that all must judge from this Text I Answer All are to refer it to the Presbytery but sufficient is that punishment that was inflicted by many not by all 2 Cor. 2.6 Christ gave his life a ransome for many not for all Mat. 20.28 Again saith Paul a Church-Officer He that troubleth you shall bear his judgement whoever he be Gal. 5.10 Then this may suffice to answer the first Question That the Presbyterial Elderships are Iure Divine yet if any be not fully satisfied I shal yet make it more clearly appear by answering a question thus Suppose there should be any disturbance in the Church assembled for the publike Worship of God by some Drunkard or mad man or any Heretick either by Sporting or by Railing or Seducing or any abominable action where lyes the power to suppresse it Is it in the Magistrates or in Church-Officers I answer It is in the hand or power of Church-Officers first because they were charged to keep the door that there may be no such occasion of disturbance in the midst of Divine Worship 2 Chron. 26.12 19. Secondly this power was in the hand of Church-Officers for when Vzziah the King would needs burn Incense the valiant Priests bade him go out of the Sanctuary and cut him off from the house of the Lord Neither was this because he was leaprous but because he offered Incense and as they were thrusting him out his leprosie appeared 2 Chro. 26.17 18 21. and when they were weeping publikely for the abominable whoredom with the daughters of Moab there was such an action committed in the assembly in the sight of Moses mark that yet Phinehas the Priest executed justice and the wrath of the Lord was pacified Num. 25. And when Elies Sons lay with the women when they assembled at the Tabernacle door and he did not restrain them the Lord slew all his whole house and that sin could never be purged with Sacrifice 1 Sam. 2.22 and 3.13 14. Then if the Lord was so well pleased with Phine as the Priest for his justice and so offended with Eli the Priest for neglecting of it when committed in the congregation then the power to suppresse such abominations committed in the assembly is in the hand of Church-Officers Again when there was buying and selling in the Church Christ drave them out because the Lord said My house shall be called the house of Prayer Thirdly when Israel committed Idolatry not onely in private but in the Assembly the Lord caused Moses to cull out those that were on his side and sheath their Swords in those Idolaters and the Levites came forth and did so and the Lord for that very action put them into the Ministry Then it is plain the Lord would have the Church Discipline in the hand of Church-Officers they must keep the Ordinances of Christ from pollution and those that do not rule well their own house are not fit to take care for the Church of God 1 Tim. 3.5 as if he should say That man that is negligent to use Family-Discipline is not fit to be made a Church-Officer lest he neglect the Church Discipline yet all this hinders not but that Magistrates may punish all manner of wickednesse in the State if their Positive Laws will reach it but not else yet I say Church-Officers are charged to keep the Ordinances of Christ from pollution and for that end they are placed by him in the Church by Divine Institution The Parliaments second Question is Whether all the Members of the said Elderships as Members thereof or which of them are Jure Divino and by the will and appointment of Iesus Christ I answer as before The Independent Elderships are not of Divine Institution because their Congregations are not but all the Members of every Presbytery or Eldership they have this Discipline committed unto them for what was said to Peter was
suspending from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper such Offenders accordingly is either in the Congregational Eldership in Presbytery or in any other Eldership Congregation or Persons And whether such powers are in them only or any of them and in which of them Iure Divino and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ I answer to the first part of this question That Church Officers by the perfect rule of Gods Word have power to judge and declare what sins are scandalous for which those that are guilty are to be punished by the Magistrate but in case he will not do his duty then for the same Church-Officers have power to cast them out of the Church to keep the Ordinances of Christ from pollution some of them Paul mentions before his Institution of the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11. such as these as Drunkennesse Heresie Divisions and Contentions and men wearing long hair and women with the hair out or uncovered all these must be Reformed for these are Scandalous and then there are inward sins as Ignorance not discerning the Lords body but the communicants must examine themselves of this and so let them Eat they are not to be cast out for Ignorance all did eat the Passeover and all them in the Primitive Church did receive the Supper Acts 2.46 20.7 Neither do I finde any such thing in Scripture as suspension from one Ordinance when they freely enjoy all the rest Neither do I finde such trying and conventing as in civil Courts they are not to cast out for private sins when a private trespasse was brought to the Church Officers Matth. 18.17 they could not cast him out but said to the Plaintiff Let him be to thee as a Heathen or a Publican that is Do thou keep no company with him Church-Officers must say as the Lord did I have not found it by secret search Ier 2.34 But when they declare their sin as Sodom and hide it not Isa 3.9 As Elies Sons did to make the offerings of the Lord to be abhor'd 1 Sam. 22.17 And when Phineas the Priest slew Zimry and Cozby Numb 25. And when Uzza was cast out of the House of the Lord 2 Chron. 26.21 And Christ whipt them out of the Temple all these need no witnesse but were cast out all but Elies Sons and because Ely the Priest did not do it to his Sons the Lord utterly cut off Elies house The next thing in this question is In whose hand is this Power To this I have answered In the hand of the Presbytery or Church Officers If the person be Scandalous to many Congregations the greater Presbytery is to cast him out but if in some Country town there be but one Church and the parties haunt be no further I suppose they may cast him out of their Church and not to suffer him to abuse the Ordinances of Christ but no other hath this power neither Independent Congregations nor Prelats for Presbyterial Church-Officers are only Jure Divino and by the will and appointment of Iesus Christ The seventh question is Whether there be any certain and particular Rules expressed in the Word of God to direct the Elderships or Presbyteries Congregations or Persons or any of them in the Exercise and Execution of the Powers aforesaid and what are those Rules I answer Paul saith in the Name of all Church-Officers We will not least of things without our measure but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us 2 Cor. 10.13 Then here all may see that they have a Rule and he saith Let us walk by the same rule Phil. 3.16 And as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be unto them Gal. 6.16 Now by this Rule Paul judged though absent that the Incestuous person should be cast out and by the same Rule the Church-Officers of Corinth cast him out 1 Cor. 5.3.12 13. And if any shall say he spake to all in the Church I answer It was to give their consent but that punishment was to be inflicted by many but not by all see the same man cast out 2 Cor. 2.6 And he cast out Hymeueus and Philetus for blasphemy yet I suppose there was others with him though he passed the sentence 1 Tim. 1.20 And saith Paul He that troubleth you with the leven of Heresie shall hear his judgement whoever he be and I have confidence in you through the Lord Jesus that you will be none otherwise minded but give your consent I would they were cut off that trouble you Gal. 5.9 10 11 12. The eighth question is this Is there any thing contained in the Word of God that the Supreme Magistracy in a Christian State may not judge and determine what are the aforesaid Notorious and Scandalous Offences and the manner of Suspension for the same and in what particulare concerning the Prenises is the said Supreme Magistracy by the Word of God excluded I answer The Supreme Magistracy is to judge and determine of the same sins by the Positive Laws of the Land and punish the Offenders according to those Laws in the Temporal Kingdom of Christ but he may not judge and determine of them in the Church about casting out by Excommunication that is the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ and his Church-Officers are Spiritual Officers and therein State Officers are excluded as I shewed before The ninth question is Whether the provision of Commissioners to judge of Scandals not enumerated as they are Authorized by the Ordinance of Parliament be contrary to that way of Government which Christ hath appointed in his Church and wherein they are so contrary I answer That Christ alone is to give both Offices and Officers and also their names but Christ never gave any such for his Church as Commissioners neither must Parliaments create any Names or Offices or Officers as their creatures to be set up and appointed their work in the Church it is a great affront to Christ the King of the Church to do it It is observable David saith Christ received gifts for men Psal 68.18 And then Paul saith He gave gifts to men Eph. 4.11 So then Christ as Mediator received those gifts of his Father and then gave them to his Church but there is but one Mediator between God and man the man Christ Iesus 1 Tim. 2.5 Then there was none but he that received those gifts for the Church and therefore no other can give them Again the Authority of the Parliament will not bear them out when Christ will disclaim them as Vsurpers whom he never palced in the Church And what profit or blessing to the Church can be expected from those that Christ never sent nor placed in the Church Again the Parliament that sent them are themselves placed by Christ in his Temporal Kingdom the State or Common-wealth to govern that and place Officers in it but they may not Ordain Church-Officers that must be done by Church-Officers and that successively from Christ who first Ordained the Twelve and then the Seventy and then the Twelve being sent to all Nations after his death they did Ordain Elders in every Church Acts 14.23 And then they left others to Ordain Elders successively Saith Paul I left thee to Ordain Elders in every Church Tit. 1.5 And so it hath been by them successively to this day Then I conclude That for State-Officers either to Ordain Elders which ought to be in the Church or to create new Officers in the Church is contrary to that way of Government which Christ hath appointed in his Church and I have shewed wherein it is so contrary The tenth and last is onely a perswasion that those of the Assembly would set down their Names together with their Votes whether Affirmative or Negative to those former particulars and the clear Texts of Scripture on which their Opinions are grounded Now none but the last concerns me which I have done and if the Lord be pleased to set it home to the soul it may be conviction and satisfaction to it FINIS
AN ANSWER To those QVESTIONS Propounded by the PARLIAMENT TO THE Assembly of Divines Touching JVS DIVINVM In matter of Church-Government Wherein is clearly proved from Scripture That the Presbyterial Government is Jure Divino of Divine Institution and according to the will and appointment of JESUS CHRIST Act. 14.23 When they had Ordained them Elders in every Church and prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed Acts 5.38 39 43. And now I say unto you refrain from those men and let them alone for if this counsel or this work be of men it will come to naught but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest haply ye be found to fight against God And to him they all agreed c. Licensed and Published according to Order London Printed for WILLIAM LEY and are are to be sold at his shop at Pauls Chain neer Doctors Commons 1646. An Answer to those questions propounded by the Parliament to the Assembly of Divines LEst it should be thought presumption in any to undertake this work that are not of the Assembly who alone were appointed for it therefore I thought it needful to shew the Reader the Grounds and Reasons that moved me to it First it hath been long expected that the Assembly should give in their Answer and because it is not many of the Presbyterians are disheartned Secondly It hath caused others to contemn them saying The Assembly have now a Bone to pick Thirdly It hath caused many to turn to the Error of Erastus witnesse the late Petition to the Parliament Fourthly I am confident Gods people will rejoyce by whomsoever this work is done For these causes I undertook it not doubting but it will give satisfastion to many and be convincing to others FIrst I shall speak a few words to the Preamble wherein it is said to be resolved by both Houses That persons guilty of Scandalous offences should be suspended from the Lords Supper when as Christ alone is the King and Master of the Feast and hath Church-Officers as his Deputies in the Church whom he hath appointed to see and judge who are worthy and who are not and to keep the Ordinances of Christ from pollution for if any shall presume to come not having a Wedding garment the King will say to his Servants the Ministers Binde him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into utter darknesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Mat. 22.3 12 13. Luke 14.16 17. Whatsoever ye shall binde on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Mat. 18.18 Iohn 20.23 But Magistrates are placed by Christ in his temporal Kingdom and are called the Ordinance of man 1 Pet. 2.13 and appointed to govern the State and also by their positive Laws they are to be as a guide to the Church and may be instruments of much good to it so far as their positive Laws may reach about it but not as ruling Officers in it as shal more fully be shewn The first Question is Whether the Parochial and Congregational Elderships appointed by Ordinance of Parliament or any other Congregational or Presbyterial Elderships are Iure Divine and by the will and appointment of Iesus Christ and whether any particular Church Government be Iure Divino and what that Government is I Answer If the first of these the Parochial Congregational Eldership be understood the Vicar or Curate together with the Churchwardens and Sidemen in the Parish being all under the Prelâ—tical Government being neither Scripture Names nor Officers but rather Antichristian Inventions these cannot properly be called Elderships seeing the Officers bear not the name of Elders these have been proved by many to be rather Antichristian then Iure Divino and seeing the main pillars of Antichrist are tumbled down these bearing his name shall tumble down together with him and I hope they need no further Answer The next thing considerable is Whether any other Congregational or Presbyterial Elderships are Iure Divino and by the will and appointment of Iesus Christ To the first of these I Answer Negatively that there is no such Church in Scripture as they call Independent or Congregational Churches and the proving of this will satisfie that there Congregational Elderships are not Jure Divine of Divine Institution nor their Churches but to be demolished as the Prelatical for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one Iob 14.4 I prove the point by this Argument If there be no Church in Scripture belonging peculiarly to one man as to Peter James or John and to bear his name to be called his Church as being peculiarly by him gathered as they say into a Church-way as the Independent Churches are both named and gathered then Independent Churches are not of Divine Institution and if not their Churches much lesse their Elderships But there is no shch Church in Scripture so gathered and so named Ergo The Independent Church-way is of no Divine Institution much lesse are their Elderships Jure Divino or according to the will and appointment of Iesus Christ The major part of the Proposition I suppose all men will grant and for the minor I shall prove by taking a view of those Scripture Churches which they chiefly would have to be Independent being of the first planting first that hundred and twenty names Acts 1.15 some of them have affirmed to be an Independent Church or Congregation because say they that 120. names was made up both of men and women Acts 1.14 Therefore say they it was an Indedependent Church To this I answer Those women there mentioned were not of this company for that were before this and those men and women there spoken of was at prayer together and it is very likely the cause of it was to seek the Lord for a Blessing upon this weighty businesse which was the choyce of another Apostle in stead of Judas for in those dayes it was said That Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples and said The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty and he that is Judas was numbred with us but since he by transgression fell let another take his Office wherefore of those men numbred to be an hundred and twenty together which have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us from the Baptism of John unto the same day that he was taken up from us must one be Ordained to be a witnesse with us of his Resurrection Ver. 21 22. Hence I gather That if the hundred and twenty names was all men as Peter here affirms then it was not that company that was at Prayer before for a Blessing upon this weighty businesse in the chusing of another Apostle in stead of Judas then this was not a single Congregation but it was the Officers were then assembled in a Presbytery upon the choyce of another