Synod both by themselves and by chusing such as may further promote the same in a National Council c. V. The Time of this Election is to be in that Session of the first Councils which doth immediately precede the stated Quarterly time of the Provincial Councils Meeting VI. The Order and Manner of this Election may be this The Moderator of that Session may first put this to vote whether they will send buâ—… one or more then one Teaching Elders for by the good Providence and rich Grace of Christ there may be sâ—…ndry able and eminent Lights in one first Council and such as that it were a publick injury and detriment to the Cause of Christ if they be not sent This provided That according to the Number of Teaching Elders a like Number of Ruling Elders be also sent with them The Manner of Election may be by Papers if they see meet which the Moderator and Notary are to take and number and manifest who are chosen and such as are chosen are by the Notary to be recorded VII The National Council doth consist of the most choice â—…oly able and eminent Lights in all the Provincial Councils by whom they are chosen and sent forth with their prayers and blessing Every Provincial Council chusing the most holy and able Elders both Teaching and Ruling that they have among them to constitute a National Council and to carry on the Ordinance of Counsel in that high and holy service of Christ and of all the Churches in the Nation yeâ—… and among other Nations if need be and when there is a calling thereunto VIII The Time of this Election is to be in that Session of the Provincial Councils which doth immediately precede the stated time of the Annual Session of the National Council The Order and Manner of their Election may be in all respects according to the forementioned Election in the Provincial Synod IX An Oecumenical Council is to consist of the most holy and eminent Lights in all the National Councils combined in this holy Ordinance of Mutual Counsel and may readily be ordered by this standard when the Lord shall in the riches of his grace give opportunity to exercise the same Touching the Duration of these Councils X. Every one of these Councils doth continue in being until according to Order a new Election be made the new Election doth antiquate the old Hence as the Primitive Church had Apostles alwayes in being for their help So there be at least three Orders of Ecclesiastical Councils ever in being in every populous Christian Nation who must at the stated Times and may at any â—…it time meet when the affairs of Christ and of any of the Churches do need and duely call for the same And when Christian Nations shall be thus combined there will be an Oecumenical Council ever in being yea and when all the World shall be combined there will be a great Oecumenical Council ever in being to order all ecclesiastical affaires in unity holiness and peace all the World over XI A principal objection ariseth against this fixing and stating of Councils viz. That although pro-renascent Councils are a divine remedy when troubles arise as it was at Antioch who also then finished the Council when the present work was finished but of fixed stated and permanent Councils we have no example nor doth there appear any ground iâ—… Scripture to bottom them upon Ans. The Primitive Churches had a stated and permâ—…nent way of counsel eminently and more then our stated and permanent Councils can be for they had the Apostles and Evangelists constantly among them And though they had fixed Elders in every Church yet they did need the visitations and frequently made use of the counsel of the Apostles and Evangelists who were the permanent Councils of the Primitive Churches And though it hath pleased the wisdome of our great Lawgiver to give us but one Example of an ordinary Council and that he hath done to be our perpetual guide in our ordinary way yet there be many examples of the Churches need of and frequent use of the Apostles and Evangelists counsel whom they had alwayes with them or knew when and where to repair unto them for their help And we finde by much and long experience that our Reforming Churches do stand in as much if not more need of constant and stated Councils as the primitive Churches did of the constant presence of the Apostles and Evangelists alwayes for their directive and often for their corrective â—…elp We finde by experience that our Churches do oftener need the directive help of Councils then the corrective and in both respects together we need them to be always in being Many good works for the promotion of the Gospel and Kingdom of Jesus Christ do stick long in the birth and languish yea oft miscarry and vanish for want of the help of Councils Sundry Churches also and remote places ly long in the dark without food and help for want of the orderly care of setled Councils Every bodies work is no-bodies But when all Churches are in order all know where their work lyeth Disorders likewise and insuperable distempers by long â—…retting and burning in the bosom of sundry Churches to the great dishonour of God and scandal to the Saints for want of stated Councils some or other refusing in the time of their temptations to submit themselves unto the remedy especially having that advantage that without their consent a pro-renascent Council may not be called or if called by some onely they have the less opportunity of doing good and are in the more danger of doing hurt Nor can it be said that there is no example nor ground of stated and permanent Councils in the holy Scriptures seeing the Apostles and Evangelists were so and more unto the Primitive Churches Hence also it was enough to give us one pâ—…tern of an ordinary Council there was no need for the continuation thereof whilst the Apostles and Evangelists did survive Object But doth not this strengthen the Argument for Bishops and such like Superintendents over the Churches for so they a gue Ans. Were there a like example in an ordinary way set down in Scripture for this work to be done by any one Man not extraordinarily called as there is for a Council then their Argument would have force with it but such â—… pattern or precept for it is not to be found And the way of Councils which is clearly instituted is sufficient to attain the end as we have found by pracious and pienteous experience though we are still defective in that we have not our Councils stated and we do finde great inconvenience by reason of that defect XII These Councils in the time of their duration may multiply or cut short their Sessions as need may require according as the business of the Churches and affairs of Christ may be more or less pressing and urgent XIII There be two sorts of their Meetings Staâ—…ed Occasional The
Communion of Churches OR The Divine Management of Gospel-Churches by the Ordinance of COUNCILS Constituted in Order according to the SCRIPTURES AS ALSO The Way of bringing all Christian Parishes to be particular Reforming Congregationall Churches Humbly Proposed As a Way which hath so much Light from the Scriptures of Truth as that it may lawfully be Submitted unto by all and may by the blessing of the Lord be a Means of Uniting those two Holy and Eminent PARTIES The Presbyterians and the Congregationals AS ALSO To Prepare for the hoped-for Resurrection of the Churches and to Propose a way to bring all Christian Nations unto an Unity of the Faith and Order of the Gospel Written by Iohn Eliot Teacher of Roxbury in N. E. Psal. 1. â—…0 That ye may try the things that are excellent 1 John 4 1. Try the Spirits Cambridge Printed by Marmaduke Iohnson 1665. PREFACE ALthough a few Copies of this small Script are Printed yet it is not published onely committed privately to some Godly and Able hands to be Viewed Corrected Amended or Rejected as it shall be found to hold wright in the Sanctuary Ballance or not And it is the humble Request of the Author That whatever Objections Rectification or Emendatiâ—…ns may occurreâ—… they may be conveyed unto him who desireth nothing may be accepted in the Churches but what is according to the Will and Minde of God and tendeth to Holiness Peace and Promotion of the holy Kingdome of Iesus Christ. The procuring of half so many Copies Written and Corrected would be more difficult and chargeable then the Printing of these few I beg the Prayers as well as the Pains of the precioâ—…s Servants of the Lord that I may never have the least singer in doing any thing that may be derogatory to the Holiness and Honour of Iesus Christ and his Churches And to this I subscribe my self One of the least of the Labourers in our Lords Vineyard JOHN ELIOT Communion of Churches OR The divine Management of Gospel-Churches BY THE Ordinance of Councils CHAP. I. Prolegomena or Things premised I. THere be two holy Publick Societies famous in the Gospel 1. A Church of Believers 2. A Council of Churches A Church of Believers is a company of visible Sainte combined together with one heart to hold Communion in all the instituted Gospel-worship Ordinances and Discipline which Christ hath sitted for and given unto a particular Church Such a Company are frequently called A Church See a few places Acts 2. 47 11. 26. 14. 23 27. 1 Cor. 11. 18 20 22 c. A Council is a Society of particular Churches in Communion by their Representatives for their well-being and well-ordering all things among them by mutual Counsel in Truth Peace and Holiness Our Pattern is that Great Council Acts 15. which consisted of two Churches in an ordinary way expresly agreed to give and take counsel and it is leâ—… as a Standard and Pattern â—…ow the great Ordinance of Counsel is to be used and managed for the well-being of Churches to the worlds end II. The Constitution of both these Buildings or Societies are eminent and observable in the Gospel The first of these viz. A Church of Believers is first instituted by Christ himself and afterward put in practice by the Apostles Matth. 16. 18. Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church The Rock confessed is CHRIST Christ Confessëd is the Foundation of the Visible Church Peter confessing is an hewn stone squared to the foundation a Believer made Ecclesiastically visible sitted for Church-building and fellowship A company of such Confessors or a company of these confessing Believers 1. Have power to joyn together into a Gospel Church-state as they did Acts 1. 13 14. Continued with one accord so Acts 2. 46. 2. They have power to call Officers by whom they become an Organick Body and sitted to administer and enjoy all instituted Worship Acts 1. 15 23. Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples And they appointed two Acts 6. 3. Brethren look you out men Acts 14. 23. By bolding up bands made Elders 3. By the Ministry of these Officers the Church doth actually enjoy such Ordinances as are instituted by Christ for their Edisication Both Directive in Word Sacraments Prayer Singing of Psalms and Collections Acts 2. 42. They continuâ—…ct stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and sellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Col. 3. 16. Teaching one another in Psalms and Hymns c. â—…1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Every first day lay by it self c. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Neuter Gender as well as Masculine and is so to be read because they had two distinct Collections â—…t that time The Collection for Ierusalem was by it self a publick not a private Collection Corrective 1 Cor. â—…5 425. When gathered together deliver to Saâ—… III The administration of and participation in all these Ordiâ—…ances while we are in this flesh and state militant are in full of variety of difficulties and temptations especially where Churches are numerous that the work cannot long be carried on a while it sometimes may viz. while the Churches are under the eye of an adversary and when there be Elders eminent in Piety Humility and Ability without stated help The help which the Lord hath instituted is Counsel When Antiech had trouble in some points of Doctrine the Remedy which the holy Ghost applied was Counsel given them by a formall Council Acts 15. When Corinth wanted help in a point of Discipline the Apostle doth help by ministring Counsel unto them 1 Cor. 5. 3 4 5. and he counselleth the Church to Excommunicate the man the sinner Excommunication is a sharp Rod made up of seven most severe and terrible Twigs or a strong Purgation compounded of seven violent Ingredients viz. 1. He is cut off from visible Communion with Christ in the Church 2. He is cut off from familiar Communion with the Saints in Worship 3. He is cast out of the usual walk of the Spirit 4. He is cast out of the House of God as unsavoury Salt or a loathsome thing that doth offend 5. He is thrust out of the Paradise of God from eating the Tree of Life viz. Christ in the Sacrament of the Supper where the Spirit sitteth as in his Sealing-office 6. He is cut off from familiar Civil Communion with the Saints he may not be invited to eat with them 7. He is delivered to Satan and that by the Sentence of Christ through the hand of his Spouse the Church and all this to be inflicted upon a Brother Ah! who trembles not to minister such a Pill to lay on such a Rod And therefore it had need to be managed and administred with all care fear and clearness And all this sheweth and much more might be produced to shew what need there is of Counsel which after thirty or forty years experience in the way of Congregational Churches in fulness of
liberty we finde more and more need to insist upon and that in such a fixed and ordered way as that thereby men may be tyed to attend unto Counsel IV. A Council is constituted Acts. 15. where the wisdome of the holy Ghost hath given us a Pattern of the least and of the greatest Councils as our N. E. Divines have well observed There cannot be a less Council then that was for there were but two Churches mentioned and there cannot be a greater and more compleat one because there were the greatest Counsellors a most compleat Pattern even the Apostles of Jesus Christ teaching That if there be but two Churches they may enjoy the Ordinance of mutuall Counsel though more incompleatly But if there he many Churches then they are to be ordered according to the Pattern of Comblning Churches into compleat Councils Of which in the next Chapter V. Christ who hath all power Mat. 28. 20. hath derived all Ecclesiastical Power first unto the Apostles that they by Institution miâ—…ht distribute the same unto several Offices in the Church Hence As all Church-Officers especially Elders and more especially Teaching Elders are ordinary Successors of the Apostles in their several branches of Church power So Councils of Churches are their eminent ordinary Successors in point of Counsel and that in several respects First Because in Councils there is most light and nearest to infallibility and the more compleat the better though the most compleat Council may erre because they have not a promise of infallible assistance Secondly Because when the Apostles themselves had constituted Churches they did guide and counsel them how to use their power as Paul did the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. â—… 4. the Apostle did not act the Censure himself and so is that of Paul to be interpreted 1 Tim. 1. 20. I have delivered to Satan viz. as I did the incestuous Corinthian by giving such counsel to the Church whereof they were Members In thus doing Councils succeed the Apostles VI. Inasmuch as Councils are Publick Assemblies and that not onely Ecclesiastically publick but Civilly also when they are held with openness and boldness Hence Civill Authority hath influence by Law and Command to give allowance unto such Assemblies and so they have an Extrinsecall Efficiency in calling Councils but the Intrinsecall and proper Efficients of a Council are the Churches who elect and send Messengers to that end VII The Members constituent of a Council are Church-Messengers The persons sent ought to be Elders of both Orders Teaching and Ruling to represent the whole Church or in defect of Ruling Elders to represent the people Faithful Brethren eminent in holiness and wisdome who are as Elders Acts 15. 2. Certain other of them Ver. 22. Chosen men chief men among the Brethren Ver. 32. Being Prophets also themselves And the reason hereof is Because as the temptation of Learned men is to affect a Prolacy over the people So the temptation of the Fraternity is to affect a Morellian Democracy And therefore the wisdome of God hath by institution ballanced all Ecclesiastical Councils with Members of both sorts that may ballance each other by Number at least though not in Weight yet enough to prevent any prevalency of a temptation either to subjugate the Churches under any Prelatical Usurpation of the Learned or to elevate and intoxicate the Fraternity to affect any inordinate power which rather and more effectually teâ—…ds to enervate and evacuate Government then to preserve any Lawful and just Liberty of the Brotherhood The end of the Churches sending these Messengers is to manage the Ordinance of Counsel in due order VIII The Organick parts of a Council whereby they are enabled to manage their affairs in Prudence and Order are Moderators â—…nd Notaries the choice of whom is the first act they do to compleat themselves to be fit for action It may sometimes edifie to change Moderators every new Session partâ—…ly to train up each other unto that special work of Christ in the management of the Affairs and in caring for the publick welfare of all the Churches and also to take trial of mens Gifts Spirit and Abilities unto that high service that so when there may be special need they may know who is most fit to manage the Council at such â—… time for the glory of God and for the most effectual Edification and publick well being of the Churches Though Moderators may be often changed it is not fit that the Notaries should be so often changed IX The Power of Ecclesiastical Councils is onely Dogmatical or Doctrinal Power of Censure is by the Lord fixed in the Church and hence when any appeal unto a Council it is for further and more clear light from the Scripture and for conviction thereby but not for the Exercise of any Juridical Power CHAP. II. Of the Gospel-Measuring-Reed by the Number Twelve I. SEeing particular Congregations in Gospel-Order are Churches and these Churches for their well-being need to hold and exercise Communion by Councils and one Church as Antioch may need the greatest and highest Counsel Hence in such places where through the riches of the Grace of Christ Churches are numerous it will be necessary that the management of these Councils should be in Order according to the Pattern of Compleat Councils Acts 15. For multitude unordered by â—…ow much the greater they are the greater is their cumber and unaptness to operate in Order unto their end Lesser Bodies are more readily ordered and have a greater aptitude to be active in their Order unto their end Ordo anima rerum II. Order is one of the Beauties of Heaven and so it is of the Churches Let all things be done in Order 1 Cor 14. 40. Ierusalem is a City compacted Psal. 122. 3. and the more orderly Bodies are the better are they compacted Bodies that are compacted are so ordered by Number and Measure The New Ierusalem is the most glorious City that ever shall be on Earth and we see that it shall be compacted by Number and Measure Rev. 21. 12 to 18. and the Foundation Number is Twelve as appeareth ver 14. The wall of the City had twelve Foundations And this Number Twelve is multiplied by Twelve as appeareth ver 16 17. it is square Twelve every way which amounteth to One hundred forty and four III. The Twelve Tribes in the Old Testament and the Twelve Apostles in the New do make that Number famous in the Churches and fundamental in ordering and compacting of Churches into Ecclesiasticall Combinations of Councils The Twelve Tribes compacted in order was the most beautiful and heart-ravishing Camp that ever the worlds Eye did look upon Numb 24. 2 5 6. The Twelve Loaves of Shew-bread did represent the whole Visible Church before God in the Temple The Twelve Precious Staâ—…s in the Breast-plate of the High Priest shew That iâ—… such a Number Christ is pleased to order and represent the whole Militant Church before his Father in Heaven And
according to this Type Rev. 7. 4. the whole Visible Church is ordered multiplied and â—…ealed in this Number And Rev. 21. 12 14. the Twelve Tribes are the Twelve Gates and the Twelve Apostles are the Twelve Foundations of the New Ierusalem â—…hat glorious visible gospel-Gospel-Church Ezekâ—…8 â—…8 which is called Iehovah-Shamniah is ordered by the Number Twelve according to the Twelve Tribes of Israel as the Typicall and of Canaan was IV. In the perfect Pattern fâ—…r the Word is a perfect Rule which the holy Ghost hath left us Acts 15. as there is a ground work for the least of Councils in the Two Churches so of compleat Councils in the Twelve Apostles For though Herod had killed Iames with the sword Actsâ—… â—… â—… his Martyrdome did not remove him out of the Foundation but rather six him in it And the Apostles were most of them killed for the Testimony of Iesus before Iohn had his Revelation and yet we finde them all written in the Foundation of the New Ierusalem And therefore what should hinder but that in the ordering of Compleat Councils we should lay our foundation in the Number Twelve and all the Orders of Councils should be raised and compacted by that Number even from the bottom to the top V. And unto this Order and Number we may the â—…ather be induced because here will be the Twenty four Elderâ—… who do wait upon and worship the holy Majesty of God in all the Churches upon earth as he hath pleased to reveal himself Rev. 4. where the presence of God among the Churches is reveâ—…led First with his glorious Angels next him represented by the four living Creatures according to Ezek. 1. 10. And secondly with the Communion of Churches about him represented by the Twenty four Elders who do represent all the Churches on earth in Communion as will anon appear VI. For when Twelve Churches are combined to hold Communion together the least Number that one Church must by Institution send forth to that first Council must be one Teaching Elder and one Ruling Elder and then this Society of Churches is represented by twenty four Elders strictly And when Twelve of these first Councils shall with consent of the particular Churches elect and send forth one Teaching and one Ruling Elder the ablest and fittest among them to constitute a Provincial Council that Council will be strictly the Twenty four Elders representing all the Churches in that Province concurring in the Election And when Twelve Provincial Councils shall with like consent send forth from each of them one Teaching and one Ruling Elder the most holy and able among them to constitute a National Council they will still be strictly the Twenty four Elders representing the whole Nation in their Ecclesiastical state before the Lord. And when Twelve National Councils shall send forth in like manner from each of them one Teaching and one Ruling Elder the most holy and fit among them to constitute aâ—… Oecumenicâ—…l Council or by what other less term it may be thought meet to call it they will still be strictly the Twenty four Elders representing before the Lord all the Churches in all those Nations concurring in the Election And why may not this ascent and representation of all before the Lord be part of the meaning of that Text Rev. 5. 8 9 11 12 14 VII And this point is the more to be â—…eeded because Gods visible respect unto and acceptation of any people is according to the good aspect and condition of their Representatives There may be much drose in a Parish a Province a Nation and in the world yet if they have good Representatives before the Lord and if they carry the Lords matters well in his sight that doth obtain through Christ a favourable acceptation of and dispensation towards all that are so represented And he hath instituted Representatives of the Church on earth Aaron represented all Israel on his breast before the Lord Exod. 28. 29. And a Council consisting of Messengers of Churches the glory of Christ do represent the Churches who send and constitute that Council Acts 15. Oh! how happy were it for any people to be in such visible instituted Order on earth as that they may be through Christ acceptably represented before the Lord For God is so well pleased to see his people in Order as that he will dwell in that place and call it by his own Name Iehovah-Shamniah especially when they are Civilly as well as Ecclesiastically in good order represented before Him VIII Furthermore this is to be considered that though the Twenty four Elders are so called by the least Number that they can be by this Constitution yet according as the riches of Gods grace is more abundantly poured out they may be more in Number though under this constituting denomination For one Church may send forth â—…ing Elders as Antioch sent forth Paul and Barnabas and Ruling Elders or Brethren proportionably So likewise upon the same ground when there be more Eminent Lights in any of the Councils as through grace it is like often to be they may send more then one to the Provincial or National or Oecumenical Councils but still they are the Twenty four Elders because that is the Foundation Number IX What if I should illustrate this Point by that of the Apostles who are often in Scripture called the Twelve Apostles and yet there were more Apostles then Twelve for who doubteth but that Paul who was none of the Twelve yet he was an Apostle and a chief Apostle a great Foundation and Barnabas was an Apostle also Acts 14 14. and 1 Cor. â—… 9. But Twelve is the Foundation Number and therefore they are so denominated X. Again though Twelve Churches be the lowest Number of the first Combination yet they may be more then Twelve when the pourings out of Gods grace shall be inlarged yea they may be any Number under Twenty four Churches If then Twenty three Churches should be in a Combination their Messengers sent to the first Council will be a great Number but still they are the Twenty four Elders before the Lord by their fundamental Constitution So a like Number of Provincial Councils and a like Number of National Councils though their Messengers are many yet they are still the Twenty four Elders growing up through grace and increasing unto more Orders of Councils for the greater glory of Christ. And when through grace there shall be Twenty four Churches or first Councils or Provincial or National Councils then they must be compacted into two Orders of those Councils because Twelve is the Foundation Number by which they are multiplied and compacted And when this is done they are reduced to be Twenty four Elders strictly the Foundation Number As in the Order of that Civill Government set up by Moses the Orders of Ten and of fifty c. are denominated bâ—… the least and constituting Number though those Orders may consist when they are full of people and
blessing of many more even any number under Twenty and an hundred c. But when Ten are become Twenty and when Fifty are become an hundred then they must be multiplied into more Orders because these Numbers are Foundation Numbers by which the Orders of the Government are multiplied and compacted and when that is transacted they are reduced unto their Foundation Numbers So it is here in the Ecclesiastical Orders of Government the least Number of a compleat stated first Council is Twelve Churches whose least Number of Messengers are Twenty four and by these Numbers they are denominated though they may be more Churches in a Combination and more Messengers from some of the Churches and so it is in all the other Orders of Councils For a little further illustration of this point I shall propose and answer Six Questions which may let in a little further light into this Frame and remove some Objections Quest. 1. May a Church perform any Ecclesiastical Acts by Messengers or Representatives in their Name Answ. Yea. doubtless they may they may Consult and Agree to give Counsel in such cases as may be presented for that end touching either Faith or Order as it appeareth Acts 15. Quest 2. May a Church elect by Messengers or Representatives when themselves cannot be present where such Election is performed Answ. Aâ—… act of Election may be transacted by some of a Society yea by a few in behalf of the rest when they have their consent and a calling so to act For instance If a lesser Number of a Church be necessarily absent from an act of Election performed in a lawful Assembly they are all involved in the act of the major part This is without Controversie foâ—… Here some onely Elect and all are engaged Again if the major part be necessarily absent and fond a lesser part or a â—…ew with their express consent to do an act oâ—… Election it hath the like force and validity The royal Arâ—… which chose David to be their King â—… Chron. 12. were farre the lesser part of the People but they were 〈◊〉 and elected for them and did perform it as affectually as if the whole People had been present and David was King not onely over the Representatives who did actually chuse him but over all the People who did Elect him by their Representatives If the parties sâ—…nt to transact an Election do act according to their heart who sent them they will not object for had they been there present they would have done the same but if the parties sent to Elect do not Elect according to their heart they may justly question their act and consider of their Apologie but that doth not nullifie the act in point of Order When Political Bodies whether Civil or Ecclesiastical are multitudinous and remote from the place of action either all cannot act or if they do it must be by Representatives Quest. 3. May a Church Elect Elders or Messengers out of another Church unto a publick and common service of Christ and of the Churches Answ. Yea they may For the great Collection of the Gentile Churches which Paul carried up to Ierusalem at his last going thither was an act of many Churches And Paul with those that went with him to present it were chosen by the Churches unto that service 2 Cor. 8. 19. And there were many more Churches Contributors then there were Messengers sent to carry it Acts 20. 4. there were but seven or eight in Pauls company but all the Churches of Galatia Corinth Asia and Macedonia were Contributors Therefore many Churches chose Messengers who were none of their own particular Churches unto that publick and common service of Christ and of the Churches Again the ready subjection of all the Churches about Antioch and other places Acts 16. 4. unto the Decrees of the Council at Ierusalem doth probably speak That as the trouble by those Questions was a common case in all the Churches so they had some fore-knowledge concurrence and consent after consent sure enough they hâ—…d in the Mission of Paul and Barnabas Teaching Elders of Antioch Acts 13. 2. unto Ierusalem to the Apostles and Elders about that matter Again seeing the Rule of Communion of Churches doth impose upon Elders a degree of care of all the Churches especially of those within their Ordered Communion it doth also give unto all the Churches a mutual interest in each others Elders Hence when they chuse any of the Elders within the compass of their Order they chuse those who in some respect are their own in whom they have an Ecclesiastical interest especially unto this publick service of Counsel Quest. 4. May many Churches Elect a â—…ew of their Elders unto some publick and common service wherein all the Churches so Electing are interessed Answ. Yea they may For all the Churches of Asia Galatia Macedonia c. did Elect a few to accompany Paul in carrying their Contributions unto Ierusalem and it is expresly said that from the Churches of Asia there were but two sent Acts 20. 4. and we know there were at least seven Churches in Asia Rev. 1 â—…4 Quest. 5. When two or a few Elders are chosen by many Churches unto some publick and common service of the Churches do they represent all the Churches who did Elect them unto that service Answ. Yea they do so For when many Churches by Paul's ordering sent a few Messengers to Corinth 2 Cor. 8. 23. to fetch their Contribution to be carried among the Contribution of many other Churches unto Ierusalem by the hands of Paul and a few others chosen by the Churches unto that service â—… Cor. 8. 19. these few Messengers did represent all the Churches who sent them So as that what the Church of Corinth should transact afore them is expresly said to be afore all the Churches viz. who sent them 2 Cor. 8. 24. Quest. 6. These Orders of Councils First Second Third representing fewer or more Churches Are they a Divine Institution Answ. Touching the first Councils consisting of immediate Messengers of Churches sent for that end it is out of question that these are a Divine Institution Acts 15. The great difficulty is touching the second and third Orders of Councils and so higher unto the highest Oecumenical Council whose Members are chosen immediately by Councils yet with the express consent of every particular Church not immediately by the Churches but by their Representatives Touching these in way of humble Proposal I affirm That they are a Divine Institution 1. Because their Foundation Formation and Constitution is deducible from the Word of God as appeareth by laying together the foregoing Questions and Answers thereunto with what hath been said before 2. Because this multiplying of Order upon Order seemeth to be typified in the Ascents and Degrees in Ezekiels Temple and by the multiplication of the Number Twelve in the New Ierusalem Rev. 21 c. 3. Because if there be not this multiplying of Council above Council above I
say not in any â—…â—…cal Power but in Order and Extent then it doth not yet appear that there is any way or expedient whereby there should be a General and Equal Communion of all the Churches in a Nation wherein every Church shall be by their own act and consent interessed and concerned Much less can there be aâ—… Equal Communion of Churches of several Nations For if several Nations should need and desire to hold Communion of Councils who shall chuse the Persons or Instruments by whom this Communion shall be held and acted If Princes chuse them it is not a regular Ecclesiastical Council If Churches chuse and send them shall some Churches onely chuse them or all the Churches â—…f some onely who and why they and not others and how can their act interest and oblige all If all the Churches must chuse then Immediately or â—… Delegates Immediately it is unfeizible especially to act in knowledge and prudence but mediately by their Confidents and Representatives they may The same may be said of the Communion of all the Churches in a Nation or Province where Elections must â—…e performed by Representatives In which way a General and Equal Election is attainable and without it it doth not yet appear that it is attainable Now that several Nations ought to hold Communion and also all the Churches in a Nation it doth appear in these Scriptures Isa. 19. 23 24 25. Zeph. 3. 9. 1 Cor. 11. 1â—… 14. 32 36. Of which see more in Synod at Boston This being commanded by God and as yet no Way or Expedient appearing whereby it may be duely acted we are at a great loss Therefore the Lord opening this way which is so attainable and not without Scripture Light What iâ—… the Churches should set upon the Tryall of it and see how the Lord may appear unto his Servants therein As for the Episcopal Way of Government Alas that is most remote from this Ordinance of Communion of Churches CHAP. III. Of the Constitution of Four Orders of Councils I. WHen Twelve Churches or any other Number under Twenty â—…our shall agree to hold Communion in a Council for Mutual Help and shall send forth Messengers at least two from every Church and they of both Orders of Elders or in defect of Ruling Elders Brethren eminent in Piety and Wisdome who are as Elders to manage the Ordinance of Counsel in the behalf and for the benefit of all the Churches herein combined These do constitute the first Order of a compleat Council the first Ascent of the glorious Temple the first Row in compacting the New Ierusalem These are the Twenty four Elders before the Lord representing all the Congregations which sent them It is both needful and attainable that these Councils should meet once every Moneth II. When Twelve of the first Order of Councils or any other Number under Twenty four shall with the express consent of all their particular Churches agree to hold Communion in a Council for Mutual Help and for the benefit of all the Churches combined and to that end shall send forth from among themselves at least one principal and eminent Teaching Elder and one Ruling Elder to manage the Ordinance of Counsel in a Provincial Synod in the behalf and for the benefit of all the Churches herein combined These do constitute the second Order of Councils These are a Provincial Council these do represent very many Churches and all the people in them with their express consent and yet they are but Twenty four Elders so denominated by their least and constituting Number though the Numbers represented be very great according to Rev. 5. 8 9 c. These all are Church-Messengers sent forth to manage the Ordinance of Counsel though immediately sent forth by the first Councils with the express consent of all the Churches combined These are the second Row of Churches compacted by the Number Twelve the second Row of 〈◊〉 in the Temple of equal dimensions to the first and built upon the first standing upon the same bottom and foundation the Twelve Apostles It is both needfull and attainable that these should meet quarterly III. When Twelve Provincial Councils or any other number under Twenty four shall with the explicite consent of the first Councils and with the explicite consent of the Churches who are in this Combination agree to hold Communion in a Council for Mutual Help and to that end shall send forth from among themselves at least one principal Teaching Elder and one Ruling Elder both eminent in holiness wisdome and all fitting abilities to manage the Ordinance of Counsel in a National Synod in the behalf and for the benefit of all the Provinces first Councils and particular Churches herein combined These do constitute a Third Order of Councils These are a National Council these do represent a whole Nation of Churches and all the people of the Land and yet they are but Twenty four Elders as Rev. 5 1â—… 13 14. though all Creatures concurre and are combined in the work all are represented before the Lord in Twenty four Elders These are all of them Church-Messengers sent forth to manage the Ordinance of Counsel but they are immediately sent forth by the Proviâ—…iall Councils IV. As the first Councils consist of the most choyce persons in all the Churches so the Provincial Councils do consist of the most choyce Instruments in the respective Provinces and the National Council doth consist of the most choyce persons in all the Nation who pass through so many Ecclesiastical Elections before they arrive unto this high and â—…oly Service They pass under an opportunity of being called out from among all the Choyce Iewels of the Nation who are in â—…n Ecclesiastical Order and Capacity It will be both needful and attainable that these should meet once in a Year V. When Twelve National Councils or any Number under Twenty four shall agree with the explicite consent of all the Churches passing and arising through all the Orders of Councils to hold Communion in Councils for Mutual Help and to that end shall send Forth at least one Teaching and one Ruling Elder men eminent in Holiness and Abilities for so high a service to constitute an Oecumenical Council and there to manage the Ordinance of Counsel in the behalf and for the benefit of all the Churches and Councils herein combined These do constitute a Fourth Order of Councils They are an Oecumenical Council and represent all the Churches in those Nations before the Lord VI. Twenty three Nations met in one Council will be a great glory to Christ and by what hath yet been in the world may be called Oecumenical Yet when the Kingdomes of this world shall become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ I know not but there will be Councils above this Nay why may there not be Twelve Ascents in combining all the World Rev. 21. 16 17. But I leave it to the Lord. At present this is the top and uppermost
stated Meetings of the first Councils are every Moneth and what if it should be on the â—…irst Third day of the week in every month through the year The stated meeting of the Provincial Councils are once every quarter and what if two of them be the first Third day after the Sun touches the middle point of the summer and winter Solstices And the other two the first Third day after the Sun is in the Vernal and Autumnal Equinâ—…ial With this consideration that if the Sun touch any of these points upon the Third day of the week then that is the day of meeting if on any other day then the Third day after The stated meeting of the National Council is once a Year and best in the Spring and what if it be the last Third day of the First Moneth called March XIV The Law of the Constitution doth call all these Councils to meet at the stated times without any other order or appointment XV. It is very requisite that some eminent man preach a publick Lecture on the day of the meeting of every Council â—…o draw many Saints together and to raise a strong breath of Prayer and to put the greater Solemnity upon so holy a work XVI Occasional Meetings may be multiplied either by intricacy of Cases Variety of Opinions Troublesomeness of Persons Danger of Churches Gross Scandals that cannot proceed to Censure because of some obstruction without the help of Counsel Such Occasional Meetings if foreseen may be appointed by the Council before they rise if not foreseen then they must be called by the Moderator then in being and the Notary by Letters under either of their hands where distance of place requireth it XVII The place of Meeting for these Councils and especially of the first Councils is not to be limited or tyed to any one place because there be sundry Considerations about the place whereof one may be prevalent at one time and another time another Sometimes the age and unfitness for Travel of some eminently useful person sometimes the common conveniency for all Sometimes it may edifie to meet in that Church where the chief Trouble may at the present be ard yet this not alwayes so because the troubles of Antioch were heard and setled at Ierusalem where the best and ablest Counsel was to be had with the least trouble and inconveniency unto any CHAP. V. The generall Work of all Ecclesiasticall Councils THese Ecclesiastical Councils are to do for all the Churches in an ordinary way what the Apostles were to do in an extraordinary way The care of all the Churches doth lye upon them which appeareth both in the Manner of their Constitution and End of their Meeting Yea they are to do for all the World what lyeth in them as the Apostles were to do Matth 28. Go and teach all Nations c. I. Hence first if there be any Heathen people that yet know not Christ it is a work well-becoming any of these Orders of Councils and all of them in their harmony to seek out and send forth sit Labourers to such a work and service of Christ to carry the Gospel and preach Jesus Christ unto them to gather and plant Churches amongst them And it is the duty of particular Churches unto whose Society such Instruments chosen by the Councils do belong by Fasting and Prayer and Imposition of hands to send them forth unto that Work as the Church of Antioch did unto Barnâ—…bas and Saul when they were extraordinarily called and sent forth unto such a Work as we are now speaking of Acts 13. 2 3. And this will be one holy way of improvement of Church-treasuries raised by voluntary Contributions to spread and propagate the Gospel to all the World II. If there be any among the professing Nations that sie in darkness and in the region of the shadow of death and see no light and too many such dark Corners there be in the Land of Zebulon and Naphthali Mat. 4 15 16. who have none to bring the glad Tidings of Light and Life unto them at least none that do it It well becometh the vigilance of these Councils to provide and send â—…it Instruments unto them by whose Labours the Light through grace may arise and shine among them And it is the duty of the Churches to send forth such persons with their prayers and blessing as abovesaid III. If there be any Sister-Church that hath no Breasts which by death or other means oft falleth out where Churches are numerous it is a special and proper care of the Ecclesiastical Councils to take a prudent pious and speedy course for their supply It being a matter that hath a great tendency to the well-being not onely of that Church but of the Councils also into whose Communion â—…ll Elders are received And unto this point of their care and duty it doth belong sometimes to remove Lights from one Candlestick to another where the gifts and labours of some special Instruments may be most fruitful to the glory of God and the publick good of Religion and all the Churches But this is to be done with all wisdome tenderness and evidence of Scripture-light that it is the Will of God and for his Glory so to be that so the Church concerned may yield it as an act of obedience to Christ for whose sake they should be willing to pluck out their right eyes and give them unto Christ in obedience as unto the Apostles so unto Counâ—…ils their ordinary Successors IV. As the care of all the Churches dyeth on the Ecclesiastical Councils so especially the care of those Churches which are in Combination together and whose Communion they do act and towards whom their first trust and care is to be exercised for their well-being on earth and for the furtherance of their eternal being in the Kingdome of heaven and in all for the glory of Christ and in particular to take care that there be general directions for Publick Worship and all other Ecclesiastical Administrations and Conversation and for Catecâ—…ism and Platform both of Doctrine and Discipline V. If any Errour or Heresie arise or be by any evil Instruments openly or secretly buzzed and infused or any way â—…ented and diffused to â—…azard the infecting and poisoning any of the people It is a special care of these Councils to take up the matter to clear up the light of the case by the Word of God and in due order to settle the Cause and suppress the Errour by counselling the Church to whom the person belongeth to a due exercise of Discipline if need be VI. If any Controversie or doubtful Disputation arise in any of the Churches about any point of Religion either in Faith or Order because all difference of Opinion is apt to breed aliemtion of affection and give entrance to Satan and grief to the Spirit of Love and Peace It concerneth the Councils with all care and prudence in due order to settle and siâ—…nce such a Controversie
National Council 1. The present state of all the first Councils and of all the Churches combined with them 2. All the Causes that are transmitted by them unto the National Council 3. The Appeals if any such be All these being first read are delivered to them and so they are sent with their prayers and blessing 11. If these Councils foresee any future Sessions this quarter they may now agree upon the same if any Fasts or Feasts are to be kept by all their Churches they may now agree upon it and propose the Causes thereof 12. When these Elders do next meet in their first Councils they must prudently and faithfully report the good state of all the rest of the first Councils in the Province and of all the Churches combined with them and all other weighty affairs fitting to be communicated that so they may relate them to their Churches that these things may be mutter of joy praise thanksgiving prayer and obedience in all the Churches The particular Works of the National and highest Ecclesiastical Council within the Nation THe National Council being met at the stated time and place agreed on compleated and blessed then 1. The Moderator with the co attestation of the Ruling Elder his Associate is to declare unto them the present good estate of that Provincial Council which sent them as also the state of all the first Councils and particular Churches with them combined Also he declareth such casesâ—…s â—…s are transmitted by them unto this Council and such Appeals as are made unto them as part of the presentâ—… business of this Council All these things to be delivered in writing distinctly unto the Notaries who reade them all and then record the present good estate of that Province and all the Councils and Churches therein combined as also the matters that are from them dilated unto the present Council 2. The Moderator calleth all the rest of the Provincial Representatives in order who are to make the like declaration â—…s the Moderator hath done with the co-attestation of their Associate Ruling Elders All their Papers are to be delivered to the Notaries who are to reade and then record them distinctly with the present Ecclesiastical state of all the Provinces in the Nation whose Representatives do there appear make declaration thereof before the National Council 3. The Notaries are orderly to propose all the matters presented by the Provincial Councils when the Moderator requireth the same Care being had that the persons concerned be present and have free and competent liberty to argue answer object in due reverent and modest manner and to do what may be necessary for the finding out of the truth 4. If there be no Cases transmitted to them nor Appeals the affairs of all the Churches in the Nation are presently issued with glory and praise to the Lord Iesus the King of Peace 5. If any other person or persons within the Nation or of any other Nation have any Cases or Questions about Religion they may now have liberty of proposing the same to receive an answer 6. If any Cases of difficulty be such as that they cannot obtain an issue and resolution satisfactory then the Case must be recorded and stay untill by further consideration and discussion God shall please to reveal further light therein because there is no Higher Council to appeal unto for light within the Nation And in such casés so the Apostles did walk and teach the Churches to walk Phil 3. 15 16. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded God shall reveal even this unto you Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule let us minde the same things But if the matter be of due weight and worth then either by Transmission or Appeal it may ascend unto an Occumenical Council 7. If any person or persons whose opinion or practice receiveth a judgement with counsel and advice in reference to the person or persons concerned and he or they rest not therein as to Peace and Order then if he or they be they many or few be not already under Church Censure the Church to which they belong are to proceed according to the determination of this Council in the case unto their Censure as the Church of Corinth did upon the advice of Paul 1 Cor. 5. 4 5. for the healing of their soules and bringing of them unto repentance and good order Which being effected the end of all this acting both in Conviction and Correction is attended And thus within the compass of one year the whole Order of Ecclesiastical Discipline hath its course and that in a most difficult case 8. But yet if he or they rest not such are high disturbers and must be suppressed by civil Power And in civil Order he that doth not submit unto and rest in as to peace and order the sentence of the Supreme Power is guilty of a Capital Offence and ought to be put to death by the Law of God Deut. 17. 10 11 12 13. and the reason is because Order is better then any of our lives It is a greater good to preserve Order then to preserve the lives of the wilfull and obstinate violaters thereof And the loss of Order and Peace in Ecclesiastical Government in the way of the Churches is of greater consequence then the loss of their lives Zec. 13. 3 6. 9. All things that are to be commended or committed to Civil Authority either from the Churches or in behalf of the Churches and Religion are to be resolved and acted by the National Council Where great care is to be had to keep a clear distinction betwixt Civil and Ecclesiastical Power and not to meddle or in the least intrude or intrench upon Civil Authority The usurpation of Antichrist upon the Civil Authority must ever keep the Ecclesiastical Councils in a vigilant fear of that aspiring pride a worm too apt to breed and grow in the breasts of learned and eminently gifted men if there be not a vigilant spirit of mortification and humble subjection unto Order 10 It will be necessary that an appointed Committee of this National Council be alwayes some or other of them resident near unto the Supream Civil Authority that they may speedily have notice of all occurrences that may have respect unto or concern the Ecclesiastical affaires of the Churches and may receive Commands from Authority about Fastings or Feastings according to the well or ill being of the affaires of the Nation or the Churches either at home or abroad and may call together the whole Council if there be any cause that it should be so c. 11. Such publick Fasts and Feasts as concern all the Churches in the Nation to solemnize which are not first commanded by civil Authority why may they not be appointed and agreed on by the National Councilâ—… such publick sins as are to be bewailed such mercies as are to