make all Nations their Disciples he laid upon them Discipline as well as Doctrine so we find the converted Nations are called not Followers Professors or Confessors but Disciples (c) Act. 15. 10 that is men interested and engaged in a Discipline or way of serving God that was not common and ordinary to other men 3. He sayes teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you that is to administer the rules and censures that I have left upon record unto you now what else do we conceive and understand by Discipline but an humble carefull wise administration of the rules and censures God hath left unto us in his Holy Word that is an observance of all things which Christ hath commanded to us and if this be punctually and posiâ—ively imposed and laid upon us in our Grand Commission what need is there of Forein Arguments for to assâ—rt it and hence it is that the Apostles every where commend the Churches for remembering and observing the traditions delivered to them (d) 1 Cor. 11. â— 2 Thes 2. 15. cap. 3. 6. which were not matters of Doctrine as the Papists would perswade us but of Discipline as appeares in that place of the Corinthians for hee spends the Chapter in directing their habits and behaviour in their publick meetings seeing therefore Discipline is commanded and enjoyned in â—ts proper place that is in the very words of ouâ— Commission we see not how it can be shifted or evaded by us Argu. 4. Ministers are compared to and called Shepheards our Saviour saw the people were as Sheep that had no Shepheards (e) Mat. 9. 36. 37. not properly but metaphorically as people are not properly Sheep but as Sheep so Ministers are not properly Shepheards but as Shepheards so the Prophet of Christ himself (f) Iâ—a 40. 11. he shall seed his flock like a Shepheard and gather the Lambs with his arms and carry them in his bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young Now by all these metaphorical expressions are meant teaching and guiding of them as it is in Mark (g) Mar. 6. 34. where it s said he began to teach them many things its true they are called Pastors frequently (h) Jer. 23. 1 2. Jer. 3. 15. but that is but the Latin word made English for what the Prophet calls Pastors in the first and second verses he calls Shepheards in the fourth verse and the Apostle (i) Eph. 4. 11. he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers now Shepheards we know are the guides and rulers of their Sheep for when they feed them they do not put the Grass and Hay into their mouths but lead them and drive them where it is to be had as David sayes (k) Psal 23. 1 2 3 4. he maketh me to ly down in the green Pastures he leadeth me beside the waters of comfort so thy rod and thy staff they comfort me what can be more magisterial than a rod as Paul (l) 1 Cor. 4. 21. Shall I come unto you with a rod or in love and in the Spirit of meeknesse the Crook and the Dog are inseparable companions and attendants of the Shepheard for though it be certain that the Sheep do know and understand their Shepheards voice or whistle as our Saviour speaks (m) John 10. 3 4. yet they will not bee corrected and restrained without his rod or staff what Solomon sayes of our Servants that they will not be corrected by words (n) Pro. 29. 19. is true of Gods Servants who though they hear they will not answer though they understand you will not act accordingly unlesse they bee restrained and compelled to it and therefore the same word doth signifie to feed and rule (o) Matth. 2. 6. and thou Bethelem in the Land of Judah art not the least among the Princes of Iuda for out of thee shall come a Governour that shall rule my people Israel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall rule or shall feed as it is in the margent of our Bibles yea sometimes it signifies to rule and not to feed (p) Rev. 19. 15 he shall rule them with a rod of Iron 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same word but no body will think that Sheep can be fed with Iron wee should think those very strange Sheep that should eat the Iron on the Shepheards Crook Sir Thomas More in his Eutopia saies That the Sheep of England have eaten up whole Towns yet wee do not think that they were Ostritches to eat the Iron in them but the Rod and Iron will restrain and rule them keep them within due bounds and lodge them on their owners Lands it s not for want of feeding and pasturage that we in this Country of Northampton are forced to maintain so many Shepheards but for want of Govenment that they feed not in the grounds of other men or in the severall not open and allowed to them or in moist or morâ—sh grounds where they may catch the â—ot and be corrupted it was our Saviours great injunction unto Peter when hee was to leave them and the world (q) John 21. 15 16. 17. that he would feed his sheep and that if he loved him where we may not think that there was nothing meant but teaching and instructing for Peter himself expounds it otherwise (r) 1 Pet. 5. 2. feed the flock of God that is among you take the oversight or guardianship thereof 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 playing the Bishops with them that is ruling and guiding of them correcting reforming when there is need what ever may be thought of other Ministers yet Bishops ever were accounted Governours so Paul when he sends for the Elders of Ephesus unto him (s) Act. 20. 17. bids them take heed unto themselves and unto all the flock over whom the Holy Ghost hath made you Bishops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood that is to govern them and rule them as Bishops and Visitors do use to do especially if it should be true that a very learned Brother doth affirm that all these Elders were diocesan-Diocesan-Bishops and came to Ephesus as to the Metropolis or Arch-Bishops Sea to take instructions from the Apostle for the Government of their several and particular Stations and Jurisdictions but some kind of Bishops wee are sure they were and Jurisdiction and Inspection wee are sure they had and it is notorious that the Kings and Emperors among the Heathen were called Shepheards (t) Isa 44. 28. that â—aith of Cyrus he is my Shepheard aad shall perform all my pleasure even saying to Jerusalem thou shalt be built and to the Temple thy foundation shall be laid What a Magnificent and gallant Fellow is Agamemnon by the Poet said to be yet he calls him in the Illiades 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Shepheard or Pastor of the
minds and hearts of his Elect Church-matters and affairs left wholly unto Jesus Christ and no man meddle with them further then he is ingaged stirred up and set on work by those flames of holy fiâ—e that God hath kindled in his heart and spirit we think these be sad symptoms of a drooping and decaying state of want of love unto our Lord and Master Jesus Christ who surely would not have his Servants so indifferent puts Peter to approve and evidence his love by feeding of his Lambs and sheep (d) Joh. 21. 15 16 17. and when Paul saw that after his departure grievous Wolves should enter in among them not sparing the flock yea of their own selves should men arise speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them (e) Act. 20. 29. 30. he doth not leave all to Jesus Christ Though he was then as were we and conversant with his Church as now he is but send for the Elders of the Church and bids them take heed unto themselves and all the â—lock over whom the holy Ghost had made them overseers to feed the Church of God which he had purchased with his own blood (f) Act. 20. 28 yea bids them watch and remember that by the space of three years he ceased not to warn every one of them night and day with teares (g) Act. 20 31 yea that no man may pretend Christs service for his carelesness and think therein he acts according to the mind and will of Christ we will produce Christs speaking to the Church of Ephesus to whom Paul spake before (h) Rev. 2. 2. I know thy works and thy labor and thy patience and how thou canst not bear them that are evil anâ— tâ—ou hast tried them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them lyars when he was in the flesh he told us (i) Mat. 13. 25 that while men slept the enemy came and sowed tears among the wheat and went his way and we think that charge doth in a special manner belong to us that Paul in a manner concludeth his Epistle to the Corinthians with (k) 1 Cor. 16. 13. watch ye stand ye fast in the faith quit you like men be strong and that which he gave unto Timothy when he was ready to be offered up and the time of his departure was at hand (l) 2 Tim. 4. 6 Preach the word be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine for the time will come when they will not indure sound Doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables (m) 2 Tim. 4. 2 3 4. yea that of Jude who wrote a great while after Paul (n) Jud. 3. who thought it needful that he should write unto them and exhort them that they should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints We know not how soon some of us may be summoned for to appear before him and we would be loath for to be Children when we come and asked as David was with whom we have left those few sheep in the Wilder nesse (o) 1 Sam. 17. 28. the Lord inable us for to remember and consider the things that do belong unto our peace at least in this our day before they be hidden from our eyes before the dayes come that our enemies shall cast a trench about us and compasse us round and keep us in on every side and shall lay us even with the ground and our Children within us because we know not the time of our visitation as our Saviour Jesus Christ speaks to Jerusalem with weeping teares (p) Luk. 19. 41 42 43 44. CHAP. IV. The generall Objection answered BUt perhaps it will be said we are mistaken and misapply what 's meant well if we conclude that godly Ministers are laid aside because some others are incouraged to exercise those gifts and graces God hath given them that are not counted and esteemed Ministers by all that is that are not educated in the Universities nor solemnly ordained and set apart to that imployment but take oc casion as it s offered to them to speak unto men to edification and exhortation and comfort as the Apostle speaks (q) 1 Cor. 14. 3. and as they have received the gift so to minister the same to another as good Stewards of the manifold graces of God (r) 1 Pet 4. 10 that because the best are bad enough and need be quickened and stirred up all may have liberty to do it if they will and can and because many places are exceeding ignorant and destitute of the knowledge of God those that are able and willing to instruct them may have liberty to do it and not be curbed and discouraged therein and if Gods spirit have breathed upon any one and put him on to do good he may be allowed to do all the good he can (s) Gal. 6. 10. and that great work of teaching and instructing others may not be straitned and confined unto some few that must be trained up and fitted by a tedious and long-winded education or else be silenced and shut out but that any one may trade in spirituall things and no imbargo or restraint be laid upon them in a word we wish that all the Lords people did prophecie and that the Lord would poure out his spirit upon them as Moses did (t) Numb 11. 29. and why this should occasion feare and jealousie we do not know The Lord forbid that we should go about to hinder any body from doing good or to straiten and confine the doing of it unto any kind of men for we think all bound to do all the good they can (u) 1 Tim. 6. 18 19. but because there may be much deceit in universals we humbly crave that our answer may be taken in these particulars 1. That all good cannot be done by all in a Ship all cannot steere in an Army all cannot rule in a Family all cannot be the Steward (w) Mat. 24. 45. who then is a faithful and wise Servant whom his Lord shall make ruler over his houshold to give them their portion of meat in due season Some must do one thing some another and no man chuse his work but take that work that is assigned him though it be not that which he desires or thinks himself fit for Adonijah sayes I will be King x 1 King 1. 5. yet was not fit for it I have not sent these Prophets sayes God yet they ran I have not spoken to them yet they prophecied (y) Jer. 23. 21 Luk. 10. 17. its not enough to have the general calling of Christianity for exercising a particular jurisdiction or imployment in the Church or State but we must have Orders and Commissions in particular neither is the best and
a cause is weighed should be examined and first set even That if we must boule for this prize we have so long enjoyed and possessed in uneven ground our boules may be alike either biassed and unbiassed CHAP. XXII The sixteenth Argument THat ought to be in every setled well-ordered Arg 16 Church without which a Church cannot be setled nor ordered well as that ought to be in every man without which one is not nor cannot be a man for in every species or kind of being there must be something that compounds it and begets a difference from other beings and therefore though there be and ought to be in every man a Reasonable faculty yet that compounds him not essentially and as a constituting principle because it doth not distinguish him from Angels but to be a reasonable animal doth or beast or wight as those are called (a) Rev. 6. 6 7 8. When some of the Philosophers had read unto their schollars that Homo was animal bipes implume 't is said Diogenes pull'd all the feathers off a Cock and turned him alive amongst the Scholars and told them that was their Masters Homo for those two properties being accidentall both of them and forraign could not essentially distinguish him so that glorious founder of Winchester Schoole New-Colledge was wont to say that manners made a man but he did not mean it naturally but morally not essentially but accidentally that they were the beauty grace and Ornament of man but not the being of him But without some to attend and act in holy things a Church cannot be setled nor ordered well for Pastors and Teachers were given by Christ for the perfecting of the Saints the work of the Ministery the edifying of the body of Christ (b) Eph. 4. 12. an house cannot be setled and ordered well till it be built settlement order suppose being nothing is setled that is not se tuor ordered that is not bene esse supposeth esse so Solomon (c) 1 King 8. 13. I have surely built thee an house to dwel in a setled place for thee to abide in for ever an house must be built and then setled so in the Prophet (d) Ezek. 40. the building of the house is first shewed then the beautifying and endowing of it some rude unhewen materials may be comported and brought together without this setled and orderly attendance we do acknowledge but cannot be framed into a building without an architect there must be a skilful Master-builder such as Paul was (e) 1 Cor. 3. 10 to lay the foundations of it and others to build on that foundation If we come into an unknown Country and meet there with well-framed and composed structures and edifices we conclude that workmen have been there and so it is truly said (f) Heb 3. 4. every house is builded by some man but setling supposeth much more then building and being barely for it supposeth Officers and acts as Solomon not only built his house but ordered it with many other accomodations before he could be said to settle it (g) 1 King 10. 4 5. there was not only the house that he had built but also the meat of his Table and the sitting of his Servants and the attendance of his Ministers and their apparell so in the Church there is not only the building of it but the order and beauty to be regarded the meat of their Table that wholsome food may be provided pastors wich shall feed them with knowledge and understanding (h) Jer. 3. 15. so Timothy is left at Ephesus that he might charge some that they teach no other Doctrine nor give heed to fables (i) 1 Tim. 1. 3 4. he would not have Gods people poysoned nor fed with trash and windy meats which may be done by young unskilful Caterers if there be not some body to oversee and take care of it as that ignorant novice did (k) 2 King 4. 39 40 41. It is a dangerous thing to have mens bodies poysoned and great care should be taken to prevent it and provide men wholsome food but there is greater danger in poysoning of the souls of men and greater care is to be taken for preventing that and therefore Paul when he was at Miletus sends for the Elders of the Church of Ephesus and bids them take care of the flock over whom the holy Ghost had made them overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood (l) Act. 20. 28. As in a great house there are not only Cooks to dresse and season meat but Clarkes also of the Kitchin to oversee and look that every one doth what belongs unto him Yea unto settlement there is required Officers of all sorts as in the first establishment being there was much to do there were many hands imployed (m) Eph. 4. 11 some Apostles and some â—rophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and teachers when Paul was constrained to go from Creet before it could be setled and ordered well he leaves behinde him Titus a confiding person that he might set in order the things that were wanting and ordain them Elders in every City (n) Tit. 1. 5. Upon the settlement and Coronation of a King in this Nation there was wont to be a Champion compleatly armed that should make an open challenge unto any one that would oppose there ought to be such in every setled well-ordered Church and Congregation that may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gain-sayer (o) Tit. 1. 9. and this is needful and essential for non minor est virtus quam quaerere parta tueri one is not setled till he be able to have and to hold what 's necessary for him so Paul to Timothy hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me (p) 2 Tim. 1. 13. for it is wont to be in this case as it is with an Heire that is newly come unto a fair estate who will be sure to have those come unto him that will sift him and trie what metall he is made of whether he can hold as well as have a fortune and Estate and there is some weaker place then other in every settlement which they will batter and attempt as now in Creet the point of Circumcision was not so clear a Law and Ordinance of God no where repealed and therefore urged as unavoidable and necessary to salvation (q) Act. 15. 1. and after much debate it was evinced and setled by consequences probabilities (r) Act. 15. 28 their mouthes must be stopped sayes he to Titus not by suspensions and deprivations immediately and out of hand but in debates and Arguments and therefore in every setled wel-ordered Church there should be some that are able to mannage and hold an Argument to finde out fallacies and to discover them to innocent well-meaning persons which none could do but such as
frequently and more affectionately (w) Phil. 2. 22. ye know the proof of him that as a Son with the Father so he hath served with me in the Gospel so when he was resolved to intrust Titus with Ordination (x) Titus 1. 5. he doth in the verse before bestow a Son-ship on him (y) Verse 4. to Titus mine own Son after the common faith he gives this power unto none but unto Sons that should be bound to carry on Gods Interest and Design Seeing therefore partiality will cleave unto Authority be sure the Authority be fixed where it should be seeing every entity and being in the world is apt for to augment and magnifie it self according to that saying of the Philosopher 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what one hath he labours for to heap its good to follow God and hope the best of things Object 5. If Ordination thus descends from Presbyter to Presbyter from one to one in a succession line and uninterrupted course we see not how the Popes of Rome can be declined and excluded for they are Presbyters what Peter was they say they are for claim to be his Followers and Successors and though some have been Cardinals that never were Presbyters or Priests yet certain it is there never was a Pope that was not first a Priest or Presbyter (z) 1 Pet. 5. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Presbyters which are among you I exhort who am also a Presbyter or Elder not only a single and simple Presbyter but a Presbyter in composition or combination and if it once be in the Pope it must come from him for he for many years hath looked on himself as the root and fountain of all Ecclesiasticall and Spirituall power and to be sure there were no Presbyters for many ages and successions in the Church but what received Ordination from his Authority and Influence and if the persons Ordained be the Sons of those that do Ordain as hath been said then our Presbyters at this day must be Popes Sons for indeed Papa is but Father in other words only used because of the affinity it hath with other Forreign Languages so that the Pope must needs bee not God-Father but Father to all the Presbyters that are now and forasmuch as in the judgement and opinion of all our Presbyters to be sure of those that be of the Province of London the Pope is Antichrist we see not how his Sons and Children can be freed from being Antichristian for if they go about for to evade by shifting and distinctions they will be found to be as arrant Sons as formerly only more dis-ingenuous and disobedient to their Parents they should be honester in our opinions if they would do as one in this Nation who chose rather to be accounted as he was indeed a Noble mans Bastard than an ordinary mans Son as otherwise he might have been Sol. 1. The Popes of Rome are not the first nor only Antichrists for there were such in the Church when Rome was Orthodox and farre enough from being Antichristian for the mystery of iniquity began to work in Pauls time as he sayes (a) 2 Thes 2. 7. and some began to love preheminence in Saint John's time (b) John 3. 9. which is the great peece of Antichristianism that is objected to the Pope nay so modest were the Popes of Rome that they contended not for the Title of Vniversall Bishop untill John Bishop of Constantinople went about to snatch it from them and affix it unto that Seat about the year of our Lord five hundred ninety five Now when they saw it would be gone they put in for it and prevailed and for that other part of Antichrist which is to be Heterodox about the Nature and Offices of Christ according as Saint John determined it (c) Joh. 2. 22. there were many of that spirit and perswasion in the Church before John the Apostle wrote his Epistle (d) 1 John 1. 18. 1 John 4. 3. and Arrianism and Photinianism that flatly and plainly denied Christs Divinity were almost every where before they were at Rome for it is well known that Rome was Orthodox cum ingemuerat orbis miratus erat se factum esse Arrianum when the whole World groaned under that opinion now shall we account those Antichristian that have received Ordination from the Successors of those Arrian and Photinian Bishops if so then all the Eastern Churches ever since were and still are Antichristian then those good Bishops that made up the four first Oâ—cumenical or Generall Councills must be Antichristian for Ordination came to them in this respect from Antichrists 2. God is the Father of all Beleevers as wee are taught (e) Matth. 6. 9. yea we are bidden to own no other Father (f) Mat. 23. 9. call no man Father upon earth for one is your Father which is in Heaven this is the Originall and root of all the Church as the Apostle plainly shews (g) Eph. 3. 14 15. and sure we are that he was long before the Pope of Rome and if we be examined further and looked on as we are Presbyters yet here we are more ancient than the Pope for not only did God set Teachers in the Church (h) 1 Cor. 12. 22. but when Christ ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men that is hee gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers (i) Ephes 4. 8. 11. There were therefore Pastors and Teachers in the Church before the Bishops of Rome were called Popes or pretended unto that Universality of Jurisdiction or Ambition of being above all that justly brought upon him the suspition of being the Antichrist or Man of Sin signified by the Apostle in that signall place (k) 2 Thes 2. 4. yea not onely in other parts of the World but also here in England Pastors and Teachers were established before the Popes of Rome had any interest or anthority among us three Bishops sent from hence unto the Synod of Arles when Constantine the Great was Governour and Ruler here before he was made Emperour the whole Synod with the names of the Bishops sent from hence may be seen at large in the First Volumn of Sir Henry Spelman's Councills its true that this Land was much afflicted partly by the venom of the Arrian and Pelagian Heresies partly by the barbarous cruelty of the Northern Nations that were Pagan-Idolaters for the recovery and relief of whom Gregory the Bishop not yet Pope of Rome sent over Austin and other Ministers not to plant the Faith and Gospell which was done long before but to reclaim and reconcile the jarring parties that were found among the Britaines that were forced into Wales for their security and partly to work upon the Saxon Kings that then were little better than Pagans for Austin found in those parts both Bishops and Presbyters that told him of his pride and
into a common Pasture are alwayes branded that they may be known So much more when they are admitted into the Church and set over people should they be marked that they may be known from others that if wee think not fit to retain the old distinction that was wont to be among the Shepheards where some were Shepheards (q) Joh. 10. 2. some chief Shepheards (r) 1 Pet. 5. 4. yet the Shepheards mâ—y be still distinguished from the Sheep that the Minister or Pastor of the Church may be known as they say from a black Sheep yea from a white one also for if there be no distinction between Sheep and Shepheard the Wolf may sometimes be entertained and folded among the Sheep beware saith Christ of false Prophets that come unto you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly are ravening wolves (s) Matth. 7 15 16. A Wolf you see may come in the garb and habit of a Sheep but not of a Shepheard and though it be true that Christ saies ye shall know them by their fruits yet they may do a deal of hurt before their fruit discover them if a Wolf should be lodged one night with the Sheep what a deal of mischief might he do before morning When Vlysses and his men had bored Polyphemus eye and made him blinde yet he resolved to take them as they went out and be revenged on them for he thought a man could not be formed into the shape and habit of a Sheep but Vlysses tying his men under the bellies of those large and lusty Sheep escaped Scot free So if a Romish Wolf those grievous Wolves the Apostle speaks of (t) Act. 20. 29 30. should be tyed under the belly of a Preaching-Sheep what work might he make in the Fold before he were discovered Durius ejicitur quam non admittitur hospes it is easier by Ordination to keep them out than by excommunication to remove them We have shewed before that Ordination is a Arg. 7 sacred and solemn dedication and devoting of a man to holy services that the solemnities are fervent and proper prayers unto God for the enabling and assisting of the person in his Work and therefore it ought to be continued in the Church for the work and service is of that great concernment unto our everlasting happiness that it ought to be attended with all assisting and enabling circumstances as when a young man is to go Factor beyond the Seas to Smyrna or Alâ—ppo or some other dangerous place he gets the prayers of some noted Congregations in London or other places for him and all acknowledge it a good assistance and security for the effectuall fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much (u) Jam. 5. 16. as the Apostle speaks or when some great engagement draweth nigh as when Israel in their journey were to fight with Amaleck (w) Exod. 17. 11 12. what steed was Moses prayer in Now a Minister engaging in this common service of the Saints and Church of Christ doth undertake a greater and hotter service than any other Warrior Ungodly men are not only compared unto thornes and briars as the Apostle speaks (x) Ezek. 2. 6. against which one must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear as he speaks (y) 2 Sam. 23. 6 7. but unto a Bear robbed of her Whelps as the wise man hath it (z) Pro. 17. 12 this the Apostle knew very well when he doth so seriously and pathetically begge their prayers (a) Rom. 15. 30 31. Now I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may be delivered from them that beleeve not in Judea and that my service which I have at Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints yet he was an old Souldier and had much experience of Gods in abling and assisting presence with him and this was but one particular and single act how much more ought those to beg and crave our prayers and assistance when they are launching out into this great and dangerous service when they are going to fetch away the Beares Whelps from her to turn men from darknesse unto light and from the power of Satan unto God (b) Act. 26. 17 18. There is no doubt but a man may pray the same thing twice as he may write the same thing again as we may find it in the practice of our Saviour Christ (c) Mark 34. 39. and the latter doth corroborate the former the heat and fervor of the Spirit is strengthened by repetitions and therefore our Saviour doth not prohibite repetitions simply but vain repetitions (d) Mat 6. 7. and accordingly we find the Holy Ghost giving order for a second Ordination of Paul and Barnabas when they were to be sent upon that dangerous and weighty Message (e) Act. 13. 2 3 4. the prayers of Gods people do fill their sailes and make them wings to fly with both on their prey off their danger as occasion is therefore if there were no other use of Ordination but the assisting and enabling of the ordained persons unto their work it were sufficient to argue the continuance at least in this time when grievous wolves are entred in already not sparing the flock and of our own selves do men rise up speaking perverse things to draw Disciples after them (f) Act. 20. 29 30 31. Should one throw down his sword when an enemy is ready to invade him sleep on the guard when an assault is given how justly doe they call up Jonas to his prayers when the Ship was tossed and was ready to be broken (g) Jon. 1. 6. when the Church and Truth is many wayes invaded and endangered to leave the doors and gates open and remove the Porters Watchmen from their charges There is great care taken that none be approved or admitted unto Livings and Augmentations but only those that have upon them a work of Grace as well as Gifts that have their gifts and learning sanctified and sweetned by the influence and operation of the Holy Ghost upon them therefore we should be carefull of all those wayes and means whereby the Holy Ghost is gotten and given for the Holy Ghost is worth the asking and not attended ordinarily without it (h) Luk. 11. 13 If ye then being evill know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him they may contribute prayers that have nothing else to give and as multorum manibus so multorum precibus grande levatur onus as Peter when he was in Prison was let out by their prayers (i) Act. 12. 5. In all estates and ages of the world Church robbing Arg. 8 hath been odious and abominable Dionysius for his boldnesse in it was abhorred every where when that great uproar was made at
Ephesus by Demetrius and the crafts-men against the Apostles the Town-Clerk wisely tells them that they had brought men thither who were neither Robbers of Churches nor Blasphemers of their Goddesse (k) Act. 19. 37. implying that if they had been guily either of blasphemy or sacrilege they had been justly called in o question Ordination therefore cannot be removed that hath been so many years possessed by the Church for we find it done by Christ himself (l) Mark 3. 12. and he ordained twelve that they should be with him and that he might send them forth to preach and as soon as ever he was taken from them the first work they do is Ordination (m) Act. 1. 22 so Paul and Barnabas made it their businesse to ordain Elders in every Church (n) Act. 14. 23. and because he could not stay himself at Grete to set right all things that were needfull he leaves there Titus as his substitute to make supply and especially to ordain Elders in every City (o) Titus 5. 7. and what was vested in her then and she hath worn from age to age for sixteen hundred years and upwards cannot be taken from her now without manifest notorious Sacrilege if she be stripped of Ordination she is robbed not of her Veil and Ornaments as she was (p) Cant. 5. 7. but of her safe guard and security of the guard and fence that God hath granted her and she hath lived and subsisted by so many hundred years When we see one seize upon our Weapons and take them from us we make account he means to strip us and leave us nothing for so it follows in the Psalmist Why hast thou then broken down her Hedges so that all that passe by the way do pluck her the Boar out (q) Psa 80. 12 13. of the Wood doth waste it and the wilde Beast of the Field dothd evour it especially when there is little else remaining when she hath parted with her state and dignities her riches and revenues when cold winds breath and blow upon her as those bloody Papists in the frozen vallies of the Alps for if there be no Ordination in a little time there will be no Ministers and then no Ordinances and then no propagating and begetting men to God and then confusion and afterwards destruction will ensue Let men therefore take heed of that luke-warmnesse that is so much practised in these dangerous declining times wherein men magnifie and cry up grace that they may with more security silence pull down Ordination which is the Grand-Mother at least of grace The Kings of this Land have often threatned London with the removall of the Termes but if they could remove the Thames they would soon ruine her The Honors and revenues of the Church have often been disturbed and interrupted yet she hath lived but if ever Ordination be removed she is undone and ruined CHAP. VII Containing the Objections that are commonly made against it with there Answers ORdination is a dedication and devoting of a Object man to service not for a year or a term of years but for ones life it s like Hannahs offering of her Son (a) 1 Sam. 1. 11. now that should not be till men are well advised of it An Hebrew might be bound for seven years but not for term of life unlesse he were content and had a principle of love that did engage him and enable him (b) Exod. 21. 5 6. it becomes not God to press men to his Wars they are and should be Volunteers that fight his Battels as they are promised to be (c) Psal 110. 3. the Temple should be built up as â—he Tabernacle was by willing-hearted men (d) Exod. 35. 5. Now there are many godly willing well-affected men that are able to do service unto God yet will not be arraigned before an Eldership and then engage unto a way without all power of revocation and return as Monks and Friars are shut up within a Cell and not allowed to look abroad what ever minde or fitnesse they may have to do God service in another way unlesse they will break down the Barres and Cloisters as Musculuâ— Luther and some others did which Erasmus prudently fore-seeing could not be gotten for to be a Monk durius ejicitur quam non admittitur hospes so when young men are engaged and prepossed with an Obligation before they are experienced in it it is inconvenient therfore God wills them to be very well advised before they vow because when they have vowed they are obliged to perform (e) Eccles 5. 4 5. seeing they must not make enquiry after vows its good to do it throughly before Sol. 1. Ordination is not the first degree or step unto the Pulpit there must be previous dispositions in the party as there were in Timothy (f) 1 Tim. 1. 18 and a designe and resolution in the Governours and Parents to devote him if all things suit and education answerable whereby his parts are widened his will inclined and his resolution strengthened and confirmed in the way and this may be before he have a proper liberty nam initia virtutum sunt sogenda a child may be trained up in the way that he should go (g) Pro. 22. 6. and may be given by his friends or parents unto God before he is aware as Samuel was (h) 1 Sam. 1. 11 yea tutored and taught the grounds of that he is designed to as Timothy was (i) a Tim. 3. 15. for in these cases their Parents wills are substituted and make supply we do not leave our children liberty to chuse whether they will willingly be Christians but we command and over rule that as Abraham did (k) Gen. 18. 18 19. and do engage them solemnly at Baptism without advising with them there was no liberty allowed in Circumsion but either themselves or their fore skins must be cut off as God precisely orders and appoints (l) Gen. 17. 10 11 12 13 14. so we may purpose and design our children or friends unto the Ministery without advising with them and educate them answerably 2. Un willing persons cannot be ordained for they are not compelled to come to it but every man is at his liberty they are only fairly told that if they will be Ministers they must be inabled thereunto by Oâ—dination as when there is a Countie Feast in London there is notice given that if any body will come he must bring a Ticket from the Stewards So when they were invited to the Wedding in the Gospel (m) Mat. 22. 11 12 13. it was required they should have on a Wedding-Garment so we require that Ordination should precede Administration and that is all but if they be not willing to be Ministers we meddle not Indeed when Parks and Palaces were added and annexed there was some reason to suspect that men for worldly ends might be affected to the way but now that bias is taken