GODS GOVERNMENT OF HIS CHURCH AND THE DEPUTATION THEREOF TO MEN Both for the CIVILL and ECCLESIASTICAL Estate Especially for the Ecclesiasticall concerning which many doubts and debates are now moved PROV 8. VER 15 16. By mee Kings raignâ— and Princes decree Justice By mee Princes and Nobles even all the Judges of the earth rule Printed in the yeare 1641. GODS GOVERNMENT OF HIS CHURCH CHAP. I. SOme Heathen because they were regardlesse of the maine passages of the world and others because they did too curiously measure them by the line of humane reason erred in their opinion conceiving that God tooke not care of this inferiour world But such among them as were more considerate and better sighted made no question but that God had not onely an all-seeing eye of providence to behold and regard but also an eye intent to the ballancing of mens actions and in effect said that God was well pleased and would in mercy sooner or later reward them who continued in well doing and would punish those in this life or another who were given up to doe evill Christians have more undoubted knowledge of these things then others and well understand that God hath a speciall eye on mankind and hath not left men to themselves because they are prone to errour in judgement and mis-carriage in their actions as having of themselves more saile in their affections then ballast in their understanding and will and therefore that God as of right hee may so of his singular goodnesse he doth take care to governe and instruct the sons of men This the Holy Scripture maketh evident unto us when God is stiled The Lord and Father of all and all men said to be at his command and disposing his dutifull sons or rebellious children So when he is called the Master of the houshold and all the world his family The Builder of his Church making choice of fit stones for the rearing up of the same The Shepheard of the flocke and all the world his sheep or goats The Lord of the vineyard and all people his pleasant plants or fruitlesse trees That we might take more speciall notice hereof God is stiled The Ancient of dayes The King of kings The Prince of the Kings of the earth The Bishop of our soules The great Shepheard of the sheep The Rabbi or great teacher of his people The head of the Church and of all Principality and power By these Titles of God and all other the like in Scripture wee can attaine but in part and in some small measure to the knowledge of his Majesty wisedome and excellency For this Well is vast and deep and our pitchers narrow mouth'd and of small capacity yet may wee observe that these things attributed to God doe in most eminent and superlative manner belong unto him So that as God is the great Shepheard of the sheep and King of kings so he is likewise the great both Judge and Bishop of our soules and Ancient of dayes and the Judge of judges and Bishop of the bishops of our soules and the Ancient of all ancients of dayes In the beginning of the world God often shewed himselfe unto and in more familiar manner conversed and spake with the Patriarchs and thereby most clearly manifested his love and care of mankind his authority and wisedome to oversee and order to governe and teach them and to expresse the actions which are correspondent unto the titles above spoken of This was a wonderfull condiscending of his infinite Majestie to humane weakenesse and an extraordinary favour to some speciall instruments of his glory for the good of others his people and not the usuall way in which hee intended to walke as appeareth by the history of after times But greater love and mercy did God shew when the son of God tooke our nature upon him conversed among men thirty and odde yeares when I say Christ Jesus borne King of the Jewes and being the heire of David though refused by the Jews and their Rulers became obedient to death even to the death of the crosse and performed all things requisite and fore-appointed by God for mans salvation and redemption and having delivered all doctrine and instruction by his owne sermons and his Apostles preaching and writings in which were comprised all necessary matters for the working of faith in us that in beleeving wee may have eternall life through Christs name he left the world to make use of the same by the comfort of the Holy Ghost sent down unto them and sits on the right hand of his Father in heaven and as Lord and Christ rules and moderates all things here below as having all soveraigne power and authority in heaven and earth given unto him CHAP. II. Gods Deputation of the Government of the Church to men before Christs time and how it was practised IN regard that man as God himselfe said is but dust and of a fraile nature and as the chiefe Rulers of Israel felt at Gods terrible and dreadfull delivery of the Law humane imbecility is not able to endure Gods glory and majestie nor to heare his immediate voyce and because if God making much lesse appearance of Majesty should goe along with men in their proceedings hee should as he told Moses consume them in the way if they became which they are prone unto a froward rebellious and stiffe-necked people In regard I say that these dangers would befall mankind as also for many other reasons well did the Israelites say to Moses Talke thou with us and wee will heare but let not God talke with us lest we dye And for this cause God hath graciously vouchsafed to make over a Deputation to men and to commit the Government and teaching of the people to men called and gifted extraordinarily by himselfe or to men so qualified by ordinary meanes as he himselfe hath prescribed and so called by men as he hath appointed This God hath done because these his Deputies being men compassed with like infirmities and subject to like passions as others would moderately compassionate others who either through the ignorance of their mindes should fall into errour or through depravation of their wils and affections should trespasse in their actions This Deputation of Governours and Teachers appeareth most plainly in some parts of Scripture where occasion was given to explicate it fully and to have it settled exactly as in Moses time For then Moses first educated in Pharaohs court and afterward flying thence and becomming for forty years a shepheard in Midian that from a low degree he might be capable of exaltation was called by God to be the shepheard captain and King of Israel for leading Gods people out of Egypt Of this Moses God saith that he should be to Aaron as a Exod. 4.16 7.1 God and made him Judge of his people And when Moses could not hear b Exod. 18.13 and end all the controversies among so numerous a people God bids him take seventy cheif
1 Chr. 15.16 27. chief of the Levites To the g 1 Chr. 24 5. Prince of the Sanctuary Here then resipsa differenceth the generall term and prevents misprision confusion So likewise the term Rosh an Head or chiefe person is spoken of h 2 Ch. 13.12 God Of K. i 1 Ch. 20.27 Jehosaphat Of k 2 Chr. 24.6 Jehojadah the high Priest Of other l 1 Chr. 9.34 Priests Of a m Num. 7.11 chief man of a Tribe Of a n Judg. 11.9 Judge of Israel Of the chiefe o 1 Chr. 9.17 doore keeper of the Temple Of a p 1 Chr. 11.6 chiefe Captain The like variety of acception is to bee found in the words Nagid Prince and Nasi Ruler or Prelate By all which it appeareth evidently that the same terme may bee used of men much differing in place and degree and having an imparity in their callings So then the term Bishop being given to persons of severall degrees must be differenced according to the condition of their places God is the Bishop and great overseer of all the world Kings are now Overseers of all kind of affairs in their kingdoms Civill Magistrates are Bishops in matters secular Eleazar and Jehojadah were Bishops over the Priests and Levites The Apostles had each of them a Bishoprick superintendency over the severall nations to which they were sent The Elders of Ephesus were overseers and Bishops over their flocks The Angels overseers of the 7. Churches of Asia were their Bishops and S. John by Christ made a Bishop over them Thus cum de rebus constet vana est de verbis altercatio seeing the things themselves are plain why should wee strive about words But further it is objected Seeing the term is common to many why doth one only degree of men arrogate it to themselves Answ This scruple might well bee passed over but men prone to take exception will not let slip any the least atome The case is cleare to any seriously observant of one tongues borrowing words from another for words so borrowed usually by custome vary from their primitive acception And if custome of speech once bee taken up and become inveterate neither the plaine origination of words nor former practice of elder times once abandoned nor the clear use of words in Scripture nor any reason can prevaile against it Our cares will not endure that a Maior of a Citie bee called a Bishop of the same for though hee bee the Overseer of it the use of our English tongue will reject the calling of him Bishop Such a tyrant is Custome that Caesar may make a free-man of a Citie but cannot enfranchise a word Loquendum ut vulgus is the old Rule and therefore it would bee a vaine and idle quarrell to reason thus Why should Duke bee arrogated to one degree of men Herealt to another Heathen to all people not Jewes or Christians Clergie to Church-men Laity to the civill State Martyr to such onely as were put to death as witnesses of Gods truth Ecclesia to the Church of God seeing Dux is any Leader Herealt signifieth Herum altum an high Lord Ethnos a Joh. 11.47 signifies also the people of God Cleros b Deut. 4.20 9.29 1 Pet. 5.3 all members of the Church Laos c Joh. 11.51 the whole people Martyr d Mat. 18.16 one witnessing to the truth though never violently put to death for the same Ecclesia e Acts 19.39 a tumultuous assembly of Silver-smiths the like Custome of the times restrained the signification of these words and so of the word Bishop So that Bishop in Greeke whence it descends is any Overseer but in our English and some modern tongues it is restrained and appropriated to one in place as Overseer of the Clergy a work of singular use if well performed Secondly Nor doth the custome of our speech only in the practice of these our times make for this but Scripture it selfe shews the prevalency of custome and how use takes up and warrants some words for currant and lyes by others So hee of ancient time was f 1 Sam. 9.9 called Rhoe a Seer whom afterwards custome nominated Nabi a Prophet And whereas neither doth God give nor Moses and Aaron take to themselves in expresse Scripture the title of Sarim Princes but Korah and his adherents lay that to their charge that they made g Num. 16.13 themselves Sarim Princes and Rulers so that there the word is first used and in Korah's malice attributed to Moses and the Priests God who made them Rulers over the Priests though hee never before so farre as I know gave them that title yet afterward doth frequently stile the Priests Sarim Princes or chiefe Rulers in sacred performances to see them duly observed Wee know also that the name Apostle was given to the twelve and afterward to Paul Matthias and others but yet in the Epistles to the seven Churches of Asia Angel a terme equivalent is used Afterward as by the writings of succeeding times is evident the chiefe Ecclesiasticall person in any Church was not called Apostle or Angel but Archbishop Bishop or Papas Father or Patriarch chiefe Father and the word Apostle given commonly to the twelve and to Paul so often called Apostle that no custome could take it from him and the terme Angel appropriated to the ministring Spirits Gods messengers Also the terme Presbyter denoted any ancient ecclesiasticall man in the Apostles time as even the Apostles themselves 2 John 1. 1 Pet. 5.1 insomuch that the name of Presbyter is attributed to the twenty foure sitting on Thrones and having Crownes on their heads Revel 4.4 These wee may conceive to bee Angels of the Churches and so called when speech was of them with reference to the Churches to which they had their mission but in presence of the Lambe they rise from their Thrones and cast downe their Crowns and are termed Presbyters so a deputed Officer in presence of his Prince stands by as a private man and layes downe the ensignes of his honour Yet after times appropriated the title Presbyter that is Priest to them whom wee call Ministers and since that custome hath so prevailed that the terme Priest is by our common people and others confined to a Popish Priest nor will they well endure to have the word righted according to his ancient acception and have Presbyter translated Priest which might justly be done if custome would give leave And thirdly As the Apostles imparted the titles of Apostle Presbyter Deacon Watchmen Souldiers Husbandmen Labourers Teachers Pastours to others so likewise they left the title of Bishop for each of them had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Bishoprick as above to Ecclesiasticall men succeeding them Only after times appropriated some of these Titles to certaine degrees of men as the prevalency of custome settled them and distinction of termes was entertained to avoyd confusion and misprision when the Church of
God was much enlarged The Church is now and ever was a Body consisting of severall members some in this a 1 Cor. 12. Body are eyes some hands some feet c. some b Luk. 22.26 are greater and chiefe some lesse in the Kingdome of Christ The lesse have a lesse service or charge the greater and chiefe are or should bee of greater service and imployment for the good of the whole and so they are indeed though it may seeme otherwise A prudent and considerate man will not judge the belly in the Roman Apologue to bee idler then the other parts nor the Master of the Ship sitting at the Sterne a lesse actor for the welfare of the passengers then they which tug at the oares or hoyse or strike saile As the hand and foot are content with their owne offices so should each member in the Church but yet there is a difference in some regard for one of inferiour place in the Church may desire the improvement of his talent and abilities may desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as was said above As Saint Paul approves this so the practice of the primitive times shew it then to have beene usuall Matthias of a Disciple was made an Apostle Philip of a Deacon became an Evangelist Furthermore concerning the performance of these Ecclesiasticall offices Saint Paul speaking of and particularly reckoning up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the diversities of Gods gifts sheweth a more excellent way to use them namely That whatsoever gift of God in this kinde any one hath hee should above all make use of Christian love without which tongues prophesie knowledge faith and all other gifts and graces are nothing and with which Christian love if any ones heart bee truly enflamed hee will apply himselfe to doe good in the Church in whatsoever kinde hee can as Pastor as Deacon as a fellow-workman as a Presbyter as an helper c. yea doe any usefull service in the Church as God gives ability and occasion is offered So Saint John being an Apostle did as a Prophet write the Revelation and as an Evangelist also his Gospel a divine supplement to the three other Gospels and then his Epistles Paul sent forth to preach did sometimes baptise performed the part of a Deacon and Evangelist yea became all things to all men But how may it appeare that any one as a Bishop had many Presbyters and Deacons under him or had a Diocesse or a large circuit of a country to be overseen by him Answer Wee may observe that the Apostles in regard of thepaucity of labourers in the great harvest of God had large as I may call them Diocesses and that each of them settled Presbyters in many Cities as we conceive by that which we read of some of them It is also manifest that there were many Presbyters at once in a Act. 20. Ephesus Acts 20. in Jerusalem Act. 11.30 in Antioch Act. 13.1 b Act. 11.30 at Caesarea there were at one time Philip the Evangelist Paul c Act. 13.1 and the companions of his travels Agabus and Luke These would not have stayed there but that there was worke for more then one of them Seeing professours of Christianity much increased and the Apostles endevoured to hold them in the true faith and still to convert more Proselites it necessarily followeth that they would not see them want any needfull supply of Teachers and Instructors but sent their Ministers and helpers to any Church as any present occasion required and that they call'd them back as they found necessary and expedient for any other place And seeing some Cities were large and had many a Act. 13.5 Synagogues which the Apostles made use of and so probably such as were by them sent or left there to preach it was requisite that they should have more then one Presbyter for the same over which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Angell of the Church was left When the rest of the twelve Apostles were dead and Saint John onely left alive but aged he not able to visit some remote Churches in his own person by writing to the seven Churches of Asia informed every one who had an eare in any Church whatsoever to heare their duties These Angels might according to the example of Titus left by Paul in Creet ordaine Presbyters in every of their Cities They might also try those who said * Rev. 3.9 Rev. 2.2 they were Jewes that is Christians and might examine them who pretended to be Apostles and were found lyars Had not these seven Churches more then one Teacher entertained in them no stranger would have fained * Say he was an Apostle a mission unto any of them and if the Angell of a Church exercised his power to examine and reject false pretenders we see thereby what his authority was for he who could do thus by a stranger might doe as much by a Presbyter bred up in his owne Church As for Diocesses the thing is ancient For the great Cities of old had some Pagi or villages neer adjoyned and subordinate to them Hence we read of a Jos 15. Gilead Ekron c. and their villages of Jerusalem b Ezek. 16. and her daughters Of this there is no need to doubt because it is usuall in all Countries whatsoever as being a thing for many reasons expedient and therefore wee may well grant that Ephesus Smyrna Philadelphia c. had some villages depending on them and subject to them and that therein some free men of the chiefe Cities did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 inhabit And thus the thing is ancient how late soever some affirme the name to be Men also have used of old 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to dwell together for mutuall defence and comfort one of another so that the thing here also is ancient and was fitted of old for the name of Christian Parishes Suppose there were such adjacent villages to the great Cities and that the retired persons and shepheards there harkned as soon or sooner to the Gospel then the richer and greater Citizens who were cumbred with worldly imployments burdened with the weight of honourable places because also the shepheards of Bethlehem and Joseph of Arimathea and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 coasts neer adjoyning to the more noble Cities were often more attentive to the Gospel then the great men in Jerusalem and other large Cities suppose all this yet how will it appeare that these Angels or chief Overseers of the Churches had such large revenues as some Bishops in these our dayes Answer To this an answer is easily made No man can expect that a river should have so great a stream at or neer the spring head as it hath after many miles running 'T is not possible that a Lords or Knights house in New-England should be as well built furnished and attended as a Lords or Knights house usually in Old-England The Angels and Presbyters of the primitive times found stronger
opposition from the potent Romans and cruell Heathen and had much more to doe to keep off the violent hands of malicious persecutors then the New-Englanders to withstand the unarmed Salvages and to build and settle themselves in their neighbourhood If now in the Lands which have long entertained Christianity the goodnesse of God and the bounty of Christian Princes and worthy private men under them have as David and Solomon and their Nobles better provided for the Ecclesiasticall estate and endowed them with a propriety in a larger Revenue then the Apostles times enjoyed we have greater cause to blesse God for all and to sound forth his praise in sacred hymnes as David caused to be done That other Nations seeing the righteous flourish and abundance of peace made use of in due manner for Gods glory may rejoyce and say Happy are the people which are in such a state yea blessed are they which have the Lord for their God who upon a right seeking of his kingdome addes over and above temporall benefits Matth. 6.33 The Civill and Ecclesiasticall state have in all times endured affliction or prosperity alike and joyntly God extraordinarily provided for his People and Priests Manna and quailes in the barren wildernesse but in Canaan gave the People corne wine and oyle in plenty and the Priests tithes his own portion free will offerings and consecrate things of great worth given by David Solomon their worthies and other devout persons so God first provided for his Apostles Presbyters c. extraordinarily by the selling of the beleevers possessions but afterward by free gifts of bountifull persons conferred on them according to the plenty and peace of their times they were furnished with more plentifull meanes to live cheerfully and to undergoe their weighty charge with comfort and alacrity and as God gave more and more increase unto them to build and endow Colledges Schools and Hospitals If Abraham and Job and other religious sacrificers were not the slacker but more frequent in their sacred duties and instruction of their people why should plenty of meanes and outward estate be thought to dull and take off the edge of Ecclesiasticall persons from their sacred offices and performances The same might and sometimes did befall of old so prone is man to sin but Ecclesiasticall persons have and should make use of their religious knowledge to use temporall things aright if they doe not good Lawes established in a Christian Common-wealth are of force to prevent or cure that malady The Gospel by Gods great goodnesse as it hath brought unto us a better covenant and better promises so it hath bettered and enlarged the temporall meanes of all estates Is it fit here to make the Ecclesiasticall estate an exception from the generall Let that I pray you be duly considered God thankes be unto him for his gracious goodnesse hath now made roome enough for his people as for Israel in Canaan and what needs ships having sea roome at will to clash and fall foule one against another God is good unto all and can open the windowes of heaven and poure out a blessing on all estates Onely let the civill and spirituall estates as two strong pillars mutually conjoyne their forces and in Christian love support the whole frame of the building and so make each other the more steady and strong But further Is it fit that our ecclesiasticall persons should bee termed Lords Answer first It pleased God as above was shewed to vouchsafe titles of his owne to Civill and Ecclesiasticall persons as these to the ecclesiasticall Sar Prince Nasi Prelate Rosh head Architecton chiefe builder c. These as also the terme Adon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord are in the highest and most eminent sense due to God onely for hee is a Lord doing what ever hee pleaseth of his owne authority yet in an inferiour and subordinate sense Sara called Abraham Lord so did the Hittite Genesis 23. Abrahams servant is called Lord Genesis 24.18 So is any master of servants Exodus 21.5 Col. 4.7 and which comes home to this present objection one of the foure and twenty Presbyters Apoc. 7.14 is called Lord And if so then this terme is not denyable to Bishops Secondly as others in chiefe places subordinate to Princes are high and honourable Lords so may the chiefe Ecclesiasticall persons be venerable and reverend Lords because in all times from the worlds beginning untill Christs dayes Ecclesiasticall persons were of great esteeme in the primitive times they were chiefe governours of the Church under Christ and for their sacred imployments sake being men answerable to their calling ought doubtlesse to have a neer subordination to Christian Princes and if the kingdome of God by their vigilancy be first and chiefly sought all other matters of this world wil be the more prosperous Thirdly Though God in some sense as above doth deny certain titles to men yet he never was against words of due respect and observance to superiours nor indeed are such words blame worthy so that they be not a As Judas his Haile Master bare and meer complement and not cordiat or b As was Herods applause Acts 12.19 hyperbolicall to puffe up men with pride Yea I know not whether due titles bee not now more studiously and frequently fitted to mens persons Because 1. Some sects set themselves to vilifie them 2. Because 't is not amisse thereby to put some great ones in minde to be Lords defending the innocent as well as to have a title to rule over others in the Lord to be Lords providing for the welfare of all under them as well as to have a power commanding them God hath been bountifull to Ecclesiasticall persons many wayes and they who truely consider that will not be strict handed to them What hath been here spoken in their behalfe was occasioned by some who upon faulty arguments as I conceive judge amisse of their places and callings These have as Saint Paul in like case said compelled mee to speak what I by Gods word finde to bee truth in this point and submit whatsoever I have herein written to the religious grave and mature judgement of all who bee growne men in Christ and by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evill FINIS
occasion of sicknesse wounds wearinesse or otherwise may supply the place of the superiour The like care was of old taken among the Priests for Aaron had Eleazar and upon Aarons death Eleazar had Phinees their seconds In each of the foure and twenty Orders or Courses of Priests and Levites there was one chiefe and each of the chiefe had a second * 1. Chro. 24.8 9 10 18. adjoyned to him such it seemeth was our Ancestors care who to a Bishop subordinated a Dean and to a Rector of a Parish a Vicar 9 To some Christ gave ability to speake divers tongues By this gift of God many were converted at Pentecost after Christs ascension many afterwards This gift was fore-prophesied of as appeaeth Acts 2. from Joel 2. and 1. Cor. 14. from Esay 28.11 Some use there was of divers tongues before Christs time for then many Proselytes were won out of Nations differing in speech from the Jewes yet not by any miraculous gift of tongues but by the Hebrew or some other tongue attained in an ordinary way No one person had all these gifts for Paul saith Are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers 1. Cor. 12.29 are all Workers of Miracles and so forth Each one had such indowments as God pleased to give and occasion incident seemed to require Some one had many of these gifts though no one man all Saint John was an Apostle an Evangelist a Prophet a Teacher Saint Paul was an Apostle a Prophet a Teacher had ability to speake many tongues these two might have som other of the gifts above-named so might other of the Apostles Deacons Presbyters in like manner have divers of the administrations and operations Other titles which are elsewhere in the new Testament given to such instruments as Christ pleased to imploy for the propagation of the Gospel doe fall within the compass of these and are co-incident with some of them here above specified For Bishops Presbyters Deacons Angels of the Churches Embassadours Builders of the Church husband men in Gods field are of like nature with these Of these titles no one is wholly new but every one of them upon some occasion lesse or more serviceable in the times under the Law and made use of heretofore Hence it may be that Saint Paul saith that hee did in the ministration of the Gospel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do the part of a sacrificing Priest Rom. 15.16 that is in some part of their sacred office not in sacrificing but in preaching praying and the like Only as John Baptist was greater then any Prophet before for he did say This Jesus whom here you see is the Lamb of God who shall dye for you He taketh away the sins of the world so that in him all Nations of the earth shall bee blessed so these other messengers sent forth gifted by Christ were greater then he in this that they could say Christ hath dyed and rose againe and taken away the sins of the world and extends his mercy both to Jewes and Gentiles Thus Jesus Christ the King of kings and the Priest after the order of Melchisedech and according to the times before the Law given to Moses and coming of the Tribe of Judah to which the Priesthood did not belong by the ordinances of Moses Law did provide notwithstanding the Romans tyranny Deputies to instruct and to take order for the instruction of the people These Deputies he chose not out of Aarons Tribe but Jews without respect unto any other Tribe in speciall and called them not Hieries Sacrificers as of old but by other titles not unknowne to the Jewes and such was the nature of these titles that they expressed their mission oversight teaching administration and their manifold care to be diligently imployed for the good of the Church Of these some were fishermen and unlettered as Andrew and Peter and others that the Gospels propagation might be knowne to be of God and not to depend on or subsist by humane wisdome others had parts more eminent for learning as Paul brought up at Gamaliels feete and Apollos commended for his eloquence and other the like that when extraordinary gifts should cease the helpe of Arts and humane learning and education if christianly and religiously managed might be knowne to be of good use However were Christs instruments literate or unlearned he furnished them with gifts for discharge of their callings He prescribed that the Apostles whom the holy Spirit led into all truth and who under Christ had each of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Bishoprick and that Apostolick men approved and appointed by them should as a Titus left by S. Paul in Crete a Tit. 1. ordaine Officers in Gods Church who should be in many respects religiously qualified able to teach convince c. and to ordaine things which were wanting So in the beginning of the world men gratiously qualified and walking with God as Enoch and Noah were Gods Prophets and Teachers and Cains wicked sons of the elder house passed by so Japhets the elder brothers sons were dispersed at Babels building and Sems the younger brothers b Gen. 9.27 tents conspicuous for religion So Abraham Isaac Jacob were pious men and Gods Priests and Nahor Ismael and Esau the elder brethren passed by So now Christ as he hath no speciall Tribe of Israel so neither to any prerogative of birth but in the ordinary course requireth that men be chosen into sacred offices who be well gifted for the discharge of the same And to this end the Apostles took to them one or more of the Christian Disciples to accompany them and to minister unto them that these seeing the Apostles practice and hearing their doctrine might in due time be serviceable to Gods Church as of old the Prophets of God had done by educating some sons or schollers under them and as out of the persons which accompanied the Apostles in Christs life time Matthias but here Christs authority by a religious lot was used because hee immediately called the other Apostles was chosen As the sacred offices were correspondent and in great part the same with those in Moses and the Prophets so the doctrine taught in the new Testament is the same in substance and not much differing from that which formerly was openly or in types or closer significations delivered by Moses the Prophets Things done to Christ were foretold by Moses and the Prophets Luk. 18.31 24.25 Christ restoreth all things spoken of by the Law and the Prophets Act. 3.21 All the Prophets witnessed that by his Name salvation should come to the Gentiles Act. 10.43 The sum of the Law was The loue of God above all and the love of our neighbour as our selves salvation by faith in Christ and that which is the effect thereof holiness of life 1 Pet. 1.9 10 and 16. The new Testament treateth upon the same Theames Besides As Israel of old was Gods people a Kingdom of Priests an
Priests and Levites 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diversities of gifts of God of administrations and operations By Gods appointment and gracious dispensation the high Priest had the chiefe place other Priests were under him the Levites inferiour to these had one chiefe in every degree the rest under them had their different administrations some were Singers others Porters Some of these were gifted by God for exposition of Scripture or Prophecy or making sacred hymnes and other holy imployment So in time of the Gospel There were b 1. Cor. 12.4 5 6. diversity of gifts by one and the same Spirit diversity of administrations by one and the same Lord diversitie of operations by one and the same God Of the Disciples and scholars of Christ some were called to be Apostles and Teachers and Workers of miracles c. some to be Evangelists some to be Prophets These trained up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Attendants Deacons fellow workemen fellow souldiers These according as the Apostles pleased and saw expedient for the Churches use grew up from Schollars or Disciples to be helpers or Deacons and then afterward to be fellow workmen and fellow souldiers with the Apostles themselves for they of inferiour gifts were to endevour to obtain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the c 1. Cor. 12.31 more excellent gifts This Paul commands In the Law the chiefe places of the Priests and Levites over their brethren came to them by succession of bloud so that the hoary head found in the way of a faithfull and right performance of the charge entrusted unto him upon the death of the Sar or Nagîd prince or chiefe man in the high priesthood or any of the 24. Courses and the other places was preferred and succeeded the deceased But in time of the Gospel the Apostles and Apostolicall men by their appointment having the dispensation of matters under their Lord Christ committed to them and observing in severall persons the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gracious gifts bestowed by the divine power upon them whom they instructed destinated them to administrations and imployments accordingly which were diversified as was requisite for the building of Gods Church For as in the d 1 Co. 12.12 naturall body there be divers members of more noble or meaner use and all even the meanest very usefull so 't is in the Church or body of Christ And in regard that the Church is here militant under Christ the chief captain he hath his under and subordinate Captains they inferiour captains under them and lastly the common souldiers namely each private Christian who all in their places civill or sacred war under Christs banner for God hath not gifted men with an equality of courage and indowments and therefore intended not a parity either in Civill or Ecclesiasticall places There were of old among the sacred officers Sarim Negidim Nesiim Chieftains Rulers Princes of the sanctuary for the well ordering of the Priests in their severall administrations according to their faculties who were under them and doth not the equity of the matter require the same subordination in the Church of God now yea it appeareth that the Church of God was so ordered in the Primitive times for Christ ascending into heaven sate there as King of kings to preserve his people notwithstanding all Roman tyranny and appeareth there as high Priest for ever He sent twelve Apostles Bishops under him into severall parts of the world they disposed of such scholars as Christ in his life time or themselves did educate and instruct and planted Apostolicall men Presbiters Deacons their fellow workmen and the rest under other titles as they found the occasions of Gods Church to require and people fitted and ready to receive them This was put in practise in the seven Churches of Asia at Philippi Corinth and elsewere For see what course was observed in some few Churches the like we may conceive of the rest for their generall carriage The Epistles in the Apocalipse are directed to the e Apoc. 2. 3. Angel of each Church of the seven in Asia as denoting one principall man in each for so The Lord of the vineyard The Lord of the House The Lord of that servant elsewhere speeches in form like these imply one speciall Lord and not many Lords one equall to another Besides in those times there were some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not men which seemed to be eminent and were not but who were such as they seemed men f Gal. 2.6 9. of chiefe place above others dignified both by God and men pillars in Gods Church not pillars in the same rank as all good Christians are that is standing stedfast in Gods truth but pillars in regard of eminency and administration above others such were James Caiphas John And Paul and Barnabas taken unto them Again God who is * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Architection The chief builder of the Church vouchsafeth the title to St. Paul that he is called an Architecton g 1. Cor. 3.10 a chiefe builder which intimates that the other Apostles were chiefe builders also and if Paul may well be stiled an Arch-builder he may also rightly be called an Archbishop Also St. John the Apostle was an Archbuilder an Archbishop under Christ The Archbuilder and the Archbishop For if Paul was so the same cannot be denyed to John Quia similium similis est ratio Christ supreme in authority gives order to John John sends the Epistles to the Angels of the Churches the Angels receive them for their own and the other Teachers for there were other Teachers besides the seven Angels and the peoples instruction This also is deducible from the equity of the Law and the order settled among the Priests of old for while Aaron the Type of Christ was alive Eleazar his sonne was stiled Nasi Nesiim Prelate of prelates or Chieftain of chieftains and the chief fathers in the 24. courses are Roshei Aboth Archpatriots and Patriarchs And seeing the new Testament doth often borrow not onely doctrine but termes of speech from the old and that very usually may we not judge that we have Architecton and Patriarch Bishop and the like borrowed from the old Testament and conceive that in the Grecian Eastern and African Churches as well as in the Roman Western Churches these titles and a like subordination of governours have taken place seeing Paul calleth himself Architecton this warranteth the rest of like nature Only a care must be had that they who have these titles 1. must not love a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 23.6 the title or preheminence belonging thereunto nor earnestly affect to be great in dignity but being call'd to any high place becom as Moses meek men and be truly fathers and overseers performing usefull service for the whole Church where they are thus dignified for Christ forbidding men to be called b verse 8 9 10 Rabbi Father Doctor yet in Scripture stileth men by the same c
Rabbi is Teacher and usuall Joh. 1.38 Paul a father to the Corinthians 1. Cor. 4.15 Barnabas and Silas leaders Act. 15.22 terms and therefore doth not absolutely deny them but their use in the Pharisaicall humour which was to love them and to be proud of them that their party might overtop the Sadduces so faction here as in many other kinds is chief cause of the mischief 2. They which have these titles must acknowledge their Deputation from God and these terms due properly and indeed to him but lent to them for saith Christ ye have one Rabbi Father Doctor in heaven those in earth are but subordinate to him they must not require to be heard in their owne names but in Christs Thus saith the Lord must be their plea. 3. They must not do as the Kings of the earth the heathen Roman Lords then most in the Jews eye who 1. neither d Pilate said Knowest thou not that I have power c. ruled nor taught according to Gods Law but by humane reason and Laws of their own in many things very corrupt 2. they minded an earthly Empire e They would have no King but Caesar to rule all over the whole world and domineered therein over the Kings of the earth 3. promoted their f Who can war with the beast Apoc. 13 4. Soveraignty by the sword and violent means 4. made all their acquirements serve to the getting of g Who is like unto the beast ibid. same and glory to themselves 5. became gracious h See Luk. 3.1 Lords to their instruments and rewarded them with worldly honours and preferments and minded not at all the doing of their soules good and the obtaining a better life after this which are the maine ayme of Christs Deputies for ruling and teaching So then these obliquities being avoyded the titles of a Patriarch an Archbuilder an Archbishop are in themselves lawfull being moderatly managed for the service and good of Gods people God deales in like manner with kings for though he himself be The King of kings and the Lord of lords yet is Nebuchadnezzar by the Spirit of God stiled A King of kings And if so then a Christian King as Gods Deputy and having more then one Kingdome subject to him may be termed a King of kings and may substitute under him Viceroyes Nobles and Judges as helpers to bear the burden of governement under him as well as Archbuilders and Bishops for sacred matters Yet the practice of the Pope of Rome is not at all warranted or countenanced hereby but rather hence it may be argued that hee sins most highly 1. Because being an ecclesiasticall man he claimeth the secular and civill power also and would have both swords whereas every soule is bidden to be subject to the higher power and if every soule then both Pauls and Peters and much more the Popes 2. The Popes sins that being an ecclesiasticall person he claims superiority over Kings and Princes in all the world this extent of Soveraignty is Christs prerogative only 3. That hee too little esteemeth Gods Law and too highly advanceth his owne Constitutions and Canons and Doctrines many of them needlesse or false or contrary to Gods Lawes But his pride is abundantly manifest therefore I say no more Whereas his Orators plead in his behalf that he is as far above the Emperor or any King in dignity as the Sun before the Moon Heaven before the Earth and spirituall things before temporall and in regard that matters concerning the soul are of more esteem then matters of the body he is above all Kings States in the world I answer In these things they grosly flatter him and deceive themselves for God knowing the condition of humane nature to be frail and the necessities incident to our bodies very many appointed six dayes in speciall for provision for the body and but one in speciall for his service and the instruction of our souls and yet the soul is of far greater dignity and worth then the body And manifest it is that God set Moses David and Solomon in place above Aaron Abiathar and Zadock for though well and happy being is more excellent in it self then meer being yet seeing the care of being is in order progresse before well being and in the way necessary thereunto for man must have a being else he cannot have a well being therefore God hath given the first and chief place to the King that 1. We may live and enjoy a quiet and peaceable life and not one become a prey to another 2. Lead this life in all godlinesse and honesty by the Kings care who provides for both these by subordinate civill and ecclesiasticall persons And for this cause it was and is that though the duties of the Sabbath and service of God are more excellent in themselves then our food and care of our bodies yet God will have mercy rather then sacrifice and dispenseth with sacred duties for the saving of mens lives and necessary cure of diseases But on the other side some object The terme Bishop is attributed to a Presbyter Tit. 1.5 7. and elsewhere So that every Presbyter or Minister may bee truly called a Bishop and if so then why should there be an imparity maintained in this calling I answer The word Bishop in its owne nature signifieth an Overseer or Superintendent in any kinde as Pakid in Hebrew So God is The great Bishop of all Job 20.29 1 Pet. 2.25 * Euseb in vit Constant l. 4. Constantine termes himselfe Episcopon in one kind his ecclesiasticall chief Rulers in another Heathen Authors stile God Episcopon of all good and bad actions and give the title also to civill Magistrates In the like acception the 70. Interpreters use it 2 Kin. 11.15 and elsewhere It is also given to ecclesiasticall Officers as to Eleazar who though he was under Aaron yet was Captain of the Captains over the Levites Numb 4.16 So 't is to the Priests in office under Jehojadah 2 King 11.18 In the new Testament the 11. Apostles had the same Episcopen Bishoprick from which Judas fell and into which Matthias was chosen Act. 1.20 In the Church of Ephesus those which bee called Presbyters or Elders that is Ministers as by custome now wee call them are likewise called Bishops or Overseers over their flocks Now though the same terme be given to all these yet the matter it selfe and the very different degrees of the persons to whom it is given admit not a parity in any wise The like is evident in other termes Christ is Sar a Isa 9.6 Prince of peace and Michael the great Sar b Dan. 12.1 Prince The Kings of Persia and Grecia are each of them called Sar This very word is attributed to the c 1 Sam. 12.9 Captain of an army To the d 2 Chr. 18.25 Ruler of a City To the chief e 1 Chr. 27.22 Rulers of the Tribes To the f