last considerable in this office is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Governance Hierarchia A sacred jurisdiction they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be obeyed and submitted to I need not cite those many texts (e) Rom. 8.12 1 Thes 5.12 1 Tim. 5.17 Et passim wherein they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 words of Rule and Authority There is a Governance in the Venerable Bishops who are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have the rule and oversight as of the flock so of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Clergy also as the Antithesis in St. Peter must infer (f) 1 Pet. 5.2 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Government which is not Despotical or Magisterial for the benefit of themselves not Lordlike or Domineering no they claime it not they exercise it not but Paternal and Pastoral for the benefit of the Church and salvation of souls not as (g) Jam. 3.1 Lords or Masters over them but as Pastors Brethren Fathers over the several Presbyters and people Under these The Presbyters also though subordinate to the Bishops as Subjects shall I say nay rather as Sons or Brethren in subordination to obey them as Fathers yet to Govern their respective flocks not Commanding with Dominion but Feeding Teaching so Ruling (h) 1 Cor. 16.14 with Charity and all possible (i) 2 Tim. 2.24 25. Meeknesse and Gentlenesse with all (k) 2 Tim. 4.2 Long-suffering and patience and yet with an holy (l) Tit. 2 15. Authority also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now though we consider the Bishop as Distinct from because in this point of Government superiour to other Presbyters yet the happinesse of a Church very much consisteth in the sweet harmony and consent between these two the one Ruling as a Father the other obeying as sons and Brethren and yet Both together exerciseing a Government in the Church A Reverend Episcopacy praesiding assisted with a pious subordinate Presbytery which the scriptures Warrant the lawes of our Church establish nor do any that I know claime any other Authorty I shall not divide them but only consider where this Government which they thus exercise doth consist viz. Chiefely in these four things 1. Admonition this is one of their works they labour This excercised 1. In Admonition and are over (m) 1 Thes 5.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and admonish it is an Apostolicall charge If any obey not [n] 2 Thes 3.10 Mark such a man yet count him not presently an enemie but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Admonish him as a brother And there must proceed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (o) Tit. 3.10 One and another Admonition before there be a passing to severer Censures Such mild and meek ways being first to be used as Chirurgeons are not to use Corrasives or Causticks where gentler Remedies will serve the turn The first work is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (p) Gal. 6.1 gently and tenderly To bind up the broken joint and restore the dislocated member but if this Admonition prevails not then must be added 2. Sharpe Reprehension 2. Rebuke When gentle Plaisters do no good Causticks and sharper Remedies must be applied (q) Gal. 6.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if any be overtaken or surprised use him in such a case with all possible lenity but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if a man overtake sin there must be another course (r) Jud. 22 23. Use some tenderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all compassion distinguishing between sinners but others save 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pluck them out by an holy severity that they may be afraid to sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (ſ) Tit. 1.13 Rebuke them sharply or cuttingly in love to their souls that they may be saved And if such Rebukes prevail not the Church must put forth her power in 3. Ecclesiastical Censures (t) 1 Tim. 5.20 When men sin openly 3. Censures rebuke them before all that others may fear When there is an open Scandal there must be a publick Censure (u) 2 Thes 3.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Note that man set a brand upon him that he may be brought to shame When Private Rebukes avail not a publick Censure must succeed and if this prevails not it makes way for 4. The last Cutting off 4. Excision or Excommunication or Casting out of the Church by Excommunication This is the highest Censure and the last which the Church must or can use and that but in the highest Cases Men cut not off a limb for a light spot or little irregularity nor should the Church cast out and excommunicate for trivial offences Nor do they cut off a member when it may be otherwise cured but when gangrened or there is no hope when apparent danger Ne pars sincera trahatur so in the Church would any means else reform a soul it would be high uncharitableness to cut him off Were I worthy to advice our Venerable Fathers who sit at the Stern I should make it mine earnest Request for the Church that no Court might pass this Censure but upon very great cause when this sin is notoriously scandalous to deserve it and there is no means else to reform it and with the greatest regret and sorrow for the sinner as we would mourn for the death of a Brother or be afflicted at the cutting off a limb from our bodies When upon every light occasion the Church shall proceed to Abscission it will make her Courts ridiculous her Censures scorned and the enemies of the Church to slight that which if well managed would fill them with shame and horror and awaken them to seek her peace But when the Scandal is notorious and it is so not only when the sin is highly enormous at the first but when it growes to it by degrees The sin may be light in the beginning and the offence small at first yet when men shall either persist notwithstanding all fair means to reform them or shall despise the power of the Church and to their first offence add a proud presumptuous Contumacy against the Laws of the Church this now growes highly scandalous which before might have been passed over with a light hand when I say the Scandal is thus notorious whether from the nature of the crime or by a superadded Contumacy the Church is offended when it is matter of ill example and danger to others when all means of Admonition Rebuke and other Censures are used and none do good but the sinner remains incorrigible then let him be Cast out for the humbling of himself and cleansing the Church If one and a second warning will not reclaim an Heretick then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (x) Tit. 3.10 Cast him out if there be an Incestuous Corinthian and he continue so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (y) 1 Cor. 5. ult Cut off vix By Excommunication That wicked person from among you Even nature teacheth this in the
welfare of men the recovering and saving the souls that were lost So under Christ the Government of Bishops Elders Ministers in the Church is not to meddle with political or civil matters as such in this case [l] 1 Cor. 6.4 set up others to judge but in things pertaining to God and the eternal advantage of mens pretious souls Even their severest Censures Excision by Excommunication tendeth to this That the soul may be brought home to God and the [m] 1 Cor. 5.5 Spirit saved in the day of Christ as I have already shewn 2. 2. In worth excellency It is a work about Souls then a work of Worth and Excellency to encourage fit persons to it when God hath given Abilities for it and brings men by a regular Call unto it They should not be unwilling to undertake it He that desires the Office of a Bishop desires a good work It is a pretious Employment A watching over and for the precious soul 3. 3. The weight of the Employment A work of Weight It is Opus onus tremendum Angelis They are to be employed about Souls Wherein as for the encouragement of Ministers they may be a means to [n] Jam. 5. ult save a soul from death and in the language of the Philosopher [o] Hierod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as much as may be to make a god of man that is of a Sinner to make a Saint or in the language of the Scripture [p] 2 Pet. 1.4 Partaker of the Divine nature which is the greatest and noblest work that man can do So to keep off those who [q] Jer. 23.21 run and are not sent it is such an employment as if considered well will make the best of men astonished at it To be a Steward in a noble Family is a work too weighty for every shoulder But to be a Steward of God in the Church a Dispenser of heavenly Mysteries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 [r] 2 Tim. 2.15 To divide the word aright and [ſ] Luk. 12.42 to give the proper portion in due season to the souls of men is much more And the miscarriage in this is wofully dangerous in the loss of souls which are more [t] Mat. 16.26 worth then the whole world besides being things which the whole world could not only the [u] 1 Pet. 1.16.18 precious blood of Christ was able to redeem The Employment then about these and the Government of them must needs be a work of worth and weight The Art of Arts [x] Greg. Naz. in Apologet. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. as that holy Nazianzen doth excellently express it This as 1. Vse 1. To engage Fidelity in Governors as it may encourage us to the worke and engage us to all care and fidelity in our charge so 2. It is a prevalent motive to perswade to the Duty of the Text Obedience and Submission Which is the Act required Obedience in all that are under them the first particular named in the Analysis though here handled last Obey and Submit your selves We have seen a Government in the Church the Governors and their office and the End thereof the Profit of Souls Let all Christians then learn to Obey (y) 1 Thes 5.12 Prize them for their workes sake Let them have their Double honour (z) 1 Tim. 5.17 especially they labouring in the Word and Doctrin Obey them for their place and Authority sake 1. 1 Reason Reason requires it to what end is their office 2 Religion requires Obedience to Rulers or do they Rule if they are not obeyed 2. Religion requires it They are some of the Fathers whom God in his Law viz. precept 5. hath commanded us to honor Every Authority both in Church and State is an (a) 1 Cor. 12.28 Rom. 13.1 2.5 Ordinance of God and to be obeyed for Conscience sake We are not only to look on them as Neighbours and Members or reverence them onely as Reverend pious men but to Obey them as Fathers and Governours They are Men and as men they have their personal faults but as he that gave to a bad man said Dedi non homini sed humanitati so in this case of Obedience it is not yeilded as to the men but as to them in such a place or office Obedience we must yeild to their not Commands as Princes but Counsels as Leaders Directions as Guides Censures as Governors to follow their Doctrin to reforme upon their Rebukes [b] 1 Cor. 11.1 so to follow them as they follow Christ Yeild your selves to be [c] Rom. 6.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moulded according to their Word and Doctrine as those who Watch for your souls This is indeed to [d] Cant. 1.8 Feed your selves by the shepheards tents And for us my Brethren of the Clergy would we find a just obedience to our Word and Doctrin to our Admonitions and Reproofs in our respectives charges let us shew an example of just Obedience in our Carriage and submission to our Superiours As we are over our flocks so must we remember that we are as the Centurion in the Gospel (e) Mat. 8.9 Men under Authority also When we shall contend for a Parity and deny a Subordination and usurp a power which we have not by the Lawes of God or the Land we make a fearful Schisme in the Church When we shall presume to reject our Bishops we teach people to reject us also yea and we shew the way to ruine both While we are divided we are neither safe but united the Bishop with his Presbyters A Venerable Episcopy presiding and principally ruling assisted by a subordinate Presbytery these together through Gods mercy shall be invincible Let us then in our places learn and yeild Obedience in duties which are in themselves necessary I presume none will scruple it but in Matters of Indifferency Circumstance and Order we shall also finde Obedience necessary Some things there are which Christ and his Apostles have already prescribed to be observed in all Churches in the World to such as these we are Obliged whether they are againe Commanded us or no and yet the command of our Superiours being added layeth a farther obligation to obey in these But besides these there are also many other things fit and Convenient to be done in the Church yea at least Prudentially necessary for the beauty of Order the Decency of Administration wherein our Governours have power to Command and we are obliged to obey Such are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (f) Tit. 1.5 Things that are wanting or left to the prudence and discretion of the Church in which the Apostle made no particular or expresse rules but left order to Titus in Creet and consequently to the Bishops and Governors of the Church in their several Provinces Diocesses and Jurisdictions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To settle and order them as should be most for the benefit Unity
1.1 Act. 20.28 1 Tim. 5.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word is different but in the main the persons and office are the same 1. The first and Primary Governors are the Bishops of the Church these are the Episcopi and these the Presbyteri the Primary and proper Elders In the beginning called Apostles and because they continued not in their persons but their successors Apostolical men in the first age and Bishops in the succeeding ages of the Church These are they to whom St. Peter writes (n) 1 Pet. 5.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such Elders then were they as St. Peter himself was he was but a fellow-Elder such as they and no more then they in that part of his Aposolical office which was of standing and perpetual use in the Church their work as well as his was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (o) 1 Pet. 5.2 to oversee to Rule as Bishops over the flock and there the Apostle seems to make an evident distinction and imparity in the Evangelicall Ministry some (p) v. 2.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not so much in Age as in Office whose work was to feed and Govern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some (q) v. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by Analogy to the former verses I conceive may well be interpreted to be not young in Age or Novices in Christianity but Juniours in regard of Place and Office who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be under or obey the Bishop in the Church so that clearly there must be in the Clergy both the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Praepositi The Bishops or by what other name so ever they may fitly be called for we stand not upon names but things and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Subditi or Subordinati the Subordinate Pastors Priests or Ministers call them as you please who in their places are to Govern and feed their peculiar flockes yet to be under and obey their Bishop The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then in the text in the first notion are as the learned Grotius in another place notes (x) Gro ' in Liv. 22.2 Qui in Ecclesia sublimiorem caeteris consecuti sunt gradum ut Apostoli post eos Episcopi 2. Next to these are the Particular Pastors of the several Congregations Presbyters and Particular These are also the standing officers in the Church though to be under the Bishop yet to Feed Govern and lead their flocks and their work is also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Scriptures evidence Both these in their places and stations must be included under the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the text These have their place by Divine and Apostolicall institution And 3. Besides these there are or may be many other particular officers which though they have not such a particular expresse Divine institution Pastors Others used by the prudence of Church yet the Wisdome of the Church hath found them requisite and at least Prudentially necessary for the assistance of these undoubted Pastors and for the convenience of the severall administrations which being established in an authority by the Law of the Church or Kingdom of which we are such as amongst us the Chancellor Archdeacon c. or other like officers in other Churches they must by us be reckoned among these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and accordingly are to be obeyed in their places 2. Having found the Officers The office of Governours we are next to enquire their Work and employment And the text will shew us several particular worth noting both 1. in their office and 2. in the object of it 1. In their Office we have these four things remarkable Four things considerable in the work and office viz. their Eminence Precedence Observance Governance 1. The first is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eminence They are over you a degree above viz. in relation to matters of the Church Eminence So are all Rulers over the Ruled it is so in the State (ſ) Num. 27.16 let the Lord set a man over the Congregation saith Moses it is so in the Church (t) Luk. 12.42 who is the wise steward whom the Lond shall make Ruler over his house though they are all servants to the Lord of all net are some in Eminency over the rest as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before mentioned Yea even the Deacons are said to have some degree of Eminency they purchase to them elves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a good degree unlesse this be rather to be understood that by their faithfull diligence in that lower they come to gain a higher degree in the Church But however this is clear in the Place of Governours there is an Eminence 1. Which must engage us inferiours to yeild that just Reverence that is due to our Superiors for their place sake Use Engaging 1. Reverence in inferiours And 2. For us my Brethren of the Clergy As we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our flocks 2. Exemplary piety in the Governors and so have a degree of Eminency in that regard above them so are we by this engaged to a care to preserve the dignity of our office and Ministry to walke worthy of our high calling not by the vain pomp of the world but an holy exact conversation walking so much the more watchfully and warily as much as we are above others in place so must it be our eare to be better in life For Ye know the maxime in Law In dignitate qui peccat peccat amplius thus was Elies sin aggravated by the eminence of his place (u) 1 Sam. 2.27.29 I Chese thy fathers house took thee to be my Priest Why spurn Ye at my sacrifices c. And ye know also Quo major dignitas eo major deformitas Sin in a Minister is like a Wenn not on the foot or hand but in the face or over the eyes Sedes Summa et vita ima are ill-matched And we certainly have more eyes upon us our faults are more conspicuous then any as a black spot upon a white robe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In a valley things may be hid and not seen untill we come upon them but ye (x) Mat. 5.13.14 if any are the light of the world a City set upon an hill cannot be hid Soli latere si licet Regi adde Episcopo Clero licet And besides all this We may be sure our faults will be more observed then all our abilities pains and good actions whatsoever The glory and brightnesse of the Sun passeth all the year little noted but one Eclipse calls the eyes of all to behold and observe it Thus the general holy example eminent preaching of Ministers may be seen but is little observed but every one is ready to take notice of the least aberration