euery good minister and also in that hee describeth no other minister but the Bishoppe Therefore there ought to be a Bishop in euerie congregation 2 S. Paules bishoppes and his deacons were appointed to one place as appeareth both in the description of them and the practise of the Apostles But the Deacons were in euerie congregation which appeareth Phil. 1. 1. Act. 6. 2. that office being needfull euery where and in that it continued so longer then the office of Bishoppes Athanasius Apol. 2. Ierome contra Luciferianos c. Therefore there ought to be a Bishop in euery congregation 3 That which Paule enioyned to Titus is also to be practised alwayes in the like case But he commaunded him to ordaine Elders in euery Citie Tit. 1. 5. which are expounded in the next verse to be Bishops Therefore there must bee a Bishop in euery congregation 4 Euery Church should haue her Communion table euery Church her Bishop 5 Where there was founde anie worthie to be a Bishopp there a bishoppe was appointed and where there was not to furnishe both bishop and preaching Elder he meaneth the Doctor there the Apostles made a bishoppe and left the Elder 6 If a Bishop run into a slaunder and many Bishops can not suddenlie be gathered his cause shalbe hearde of twelue Bishops c. 7 If an Elder bee accused hee may call sixe Bishops from the places harde by 8 Stories make mention of Bishoppes of little townes as Soticus bishop of the village Cuman Mares bishopp of a small towne called Solicha Gregorie bishoppe of a small citie called Nazianzum The bishop of a Castle 9 A minister that is to saye a bishopp and a little after the Apostle doeth plainely teache that a minister and a Bishop is all one and vpon Titus a bishop and a minister are the same and ad Oceanū with the ancient fathers Bishops and Elders were all one 10 D. Barnes in his sixt article sayeth I will neuer beleeue neyther can I euer beleeue that one man may by the lawe of God be a bishop of two or three cities yea of a whole countrie for that it is contrarie to the doctrine of S. Paule who writing to Titus commaundeth that he should ordaine a bishop in euerie towne 11 It is pitie to see howe farre the office of a Bishop is degenerated from the originall in the Scripture it was not so in the beginning when Bishops were at the best as the Epistle to Titus testifieth that willeth him to ordayne in euerie citie c. They knowe the primitiue Churche had no such Bishops as we haue vntill the time of Siluester the first Therefore if a Bishop and a Minister be all one if bishops were to bee where Deacons are who were in euery congregation if Paule enioyned Titus to ordayne bishops in euery citie and if euerie Church had her Bishop a long time after the Apostles as appeareth by the testimonies of Councelles Histories and learned writers both olde and newe then must it needes followe that there ought to bee a Bishop in euerie Congregation CHAP. 11. FOr the further reuealing of the trueth God hath ordayned that there should be in the Church Doctours whose office is to be employed in teaching of doctrine and is an office different from that of the Pastour The latter parte of this proposition is the thing whiche especiallie they doe denie whiche is thus prooued to bee true 1 Those which the Apostle in speaking of distinct officers doeth distinguishe one from another are seuerall and distinct one from another But the Apostle doeth distinguish the Pastour and Teacher one from another Rom. 12. 7. 8. and Ephes. 4. 11. euen as hee distinguisheth man and woman Gal. 3. 28. See the Greeke of them both Therefore the office of Pastour and Doctour are distinct one from another 2 As are the giftes that adorne offices so are the officers them selues for the execution of the office consisteth in the employing of the giftes But the giftes of the Pastour Doctour are diuers as appeareth 1. Cor. 12. 8. and by experience for some hath an excellent gifte in doctrine and not in application and others excell in application and exhortation that are verie meane in deliuering of doctrine Therefore the office of a Pastour and Teacher are distinct one from another 3 Those that are to take a diuers course in teachinge are diuers and different in their functions for els why shoulde they be enioyned to take a diuers course But the Pastour is to take one course and the Doctour another for the one is to direct him selfe principallie to exhorte and the other to attende vpon doctrine Rom. 12. 7. 8. Therefore the office of Pastour and Doctour be distinct offices the one from the other 4 The ecclesiasticall stories especiallie speakinge of the Church of Alexandria doe vsuallie make a difference betwixt the Bishop and the Doctor 5 Cathedrall Churches haue yet some shewe thereof left in them who besides the Bishop haue also one that readeth a Lecture in diuinitie 6 If the distinguishing of them make more for the building of the church then the vniting of them then are they to be distinguished and not made all one But the former is true as appeareth by this that hardlie is a people brought to a sounde knowledge of godlines by him that instructeth in doctrine continuallie and as hardlie are wee stirred vppe to a zealous care of our duetie though we be exhorted continuallie which both should bee with lesse continuance if one man were to performe all Therefore they are to bee esteemed distinct offices and not partes of one office whiche one is to performe Therefore if the Apostle Paul distinguisheth them one from another if God doe vsuallie bestowe doctrine and exhortation vpon seuerall persons wherein eche is founde to excell and to bee no bodie in the other if the Pastour bee commaunded to take one course in teaching and the Doctor another if Ecclesiasticall stories doe vsuallie distinguish them if Cathedrall Churches haue yet some steppes lefte of the distinction if to distinguish them maketh more to the building of the Church then to vnite them then must it needes followe that the office of Pastor and Doctour be distinct and different the one from the other CHAP. 12. EVerie congregation ought to haue Elders to see into the maners of the people and to bee assistant vnto the Ministers in the gouernement Ecclesiasticall T. C. booke 1. pag. 174. Dise fol. 120. which they denie Whitgift pag. 627. and their practize in keepinge them out of the Church but it is prooued to be true by these reasons following 1 That which the Apostles established in euery Congregation ought still to continue seeing the Church must bee ruled by the same lawes that it was ruled by then and needeth as great furtherance nowe as it did then But the Apostles established Elders in euery congregation Actes 14.
distributing and ordering of euery particular Church or generall Synode Therefore is our assertion true 10 That gouernment which the Apostles taught planted is expressed in the word of God But the Apostles taught and planted Pastors and Teachers for instruction Elders for ouersight and Deacons to distribute and that vniformely in euery Churche as appeareth by their writinges and practises Therfore a certaine forme of gouernment is expressed in the worde 11 Euery lawfull office and action in the building of the church is from heauen Mat. 21. 25. 26. Euery thing that is in the ordinarie building from heauen is reuealed in the word Therefore euerie lawfull office and action is reuealed in the worde 12 If God continued in regarde of the substaunce the Church administration as well as the thinges to bee administred then is the forme of Discipline described in the word But the former is true as appeareth by the particulars for Priestes Pastors for teaching Leuites or Doctors of the law Teachers for rulers of the Synagogue Elders for Leuiticall lookers to the treasurie Deacons for the Sanedrim the Eldership therefore the forme of gouernment is prescribed in the worde 13 Euery wise King that is carefull for his subiectes setteth downe lawes for the gouernment of the same and will haue them tyed to none other But Christ is such a King vnto his Church Therefore hath hee prescribed lawes vnto his Church which none therein can alter or disobey and consequently the certaine forme of gouernment of the Church is described in the worde 14 That which the Ministers must teach the people to obserue is set downe in the worde of God for they may teache nothing but that which is there Math. 28. 20. But they are to teach them to obserue and bee obedient vnto the particular forme of the Church gouernment Therefore the particular forme is set downe in the worde 15 Euery gouernment consisteth in the gouernours matter whereabout they are to be imployed and maner of doing it But in the worde are described all these particulars as it is shewed in the ninth reason Therefore the worde prescribeth a prescript forme of gouernment 16 The Christian religion shal find that out of this scripture rules of all doctrine haue sprong and that from hence doth spring and hither doth returne whatsoeuer the Ecclesiasticall discipline doth containe 17 Wee may not giue our selues the libertie to bring in any thing that other men bring of their will we haue the Apostles for authours which themselues brought nothing of their owne will but the Discipline which they receiued of Christ they deliuered faithfully to the people 18 It is adulterous it is sacrilegious whatsoeuer is ordained by humane furie that the diuine dispositon shoulde bee violated Therefore if Timothie was written vnto that he might be directed by the worde in disposing of the Churches if the lawes of God only being the housholder must bee followed in the Church his House if the worde of God teach vs in euerie good way whereof the gouernment of the Churche is one if God must be glorified in the ruling of his Churche which cannot be but by obedience to his worde if nothing be lawfull but that which is of faith warranted by the word if God haue shewed himselfe as carefull for his Church vnder the Gospell as vnder the law if Christ was as faithful to giue direction as Moses if in the worde bee described sufficient Ministers and Ministeries to build vp the Churche if that gouernment which the Apostles taught and practized be in the worde if euery lawfull office and action man ordinarie building be from heauen reuealed thence by the worde if God continued the same forme in respect of the substance in the time of the Gospell that was vnder the laws if euery wise carefull King doe set downe lawes for the direction of his subiects if the Apostles haue taught vs to obey that which Christe commaunded if both the gouernours matter of gouernment and maner of doing it bee set downe in the word if all that pertaineth to Ecclesiastical Discipline spring from the scriptures if wee may bring nothing into the Discipline of the Churche but that which the Apostles haue deliuered vs. Lastly if that bee adulterous and sacrilegious that is not according to the worde then it muste needes followe that God doth describe perfectly vnto vs out of his worde that forme of gouernment which is lawfull the officers that are to execute the same from the which it is not lawfull for any christian Churche to swarue And contrariwise that is a most vntrue assertion to say that the officers and offices are not particularly expressed but left to the discretion of the Churche The reasons that they alleage against this are in effect none and their obiections to these reasons not worthie to bee mentioned CHAP. 2. EVerie officer in the Churche must bee placed in some calling warranted by the word of God and some congregation must haue neede of such a one before hee be called to any function Wherein are these propositions 1 No calling is lawfull in the Churche but that which is directly warraunted out of the worde vnto him that executeth it The BB. and their adherents thinke otherwise as their practise in ordeyning Archbishops L. Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chauncellours Officials c. doth plainly declare 2 The name and office of an Archb. is contrarie to the word of God 3 No man may be ordained vnto any office in the church vntill there be such a place voide as he is fit for T. C. 1. booke page 61. They thinke otherwise as their making of so many Ministers at once prooueth and as is holden Whitgift page 222. 1 The first is prooued thus If Iohn was constrained to prooue his Ministerie out of the scriptures when the Priestes accused him then is no calling lawfull that hath not his warrant in the worde for if any bee priuiledged the extraordinarie Ministers whereof he was one are specially excepted But hee proueth his Ministerie by the worde as appeareth by his answere vnto them in the 23. verse Therefore no calling is lawful in the Church that hath not his warrant in the worde 2 The callinges vnder the Gospell must haue as good warrant as they had vnder the lawe because the light of the Gospell is at the least as cleare as that of the lawe But there was neuer any lawfull calling vnder the law excepting those that were by myraculous manner confirmed from heauen which had not his direct warrant out of the word Therefore no calling is lawfull in the Churche which is not directlie warranted in the worde 3 If Corath Dathan and Abiram thoughe they were Leuites were punished for that they had no warrant for that which they presumed to take in hand then is euerie lawfull calling both in generall warranted out of the word and particularly laid vpon the parties from
braule and haue fallen to a contention Testimonies of the generall Councels 14 It is meete that you should haue power both to choose and to giue their names that are worthie to bee amonge the Cleargie and to doe all thinges absolutely according to the lawes and decrees of the Church and if it happen any to dye in the Church then those which were last taken are to bee promoted to the honour of him that is dead if they be worthie and if the people choose them 15 Let the people choose and the Bishop approoue and seale vp the election with them 16 In an Epistle to Damasus Ambrose c. sayeth Wee haue ordayned Nectarius Bishop of Constantinople c. the whole citie decreeing the same and Flâ—uianus was appointed Bishop of Antioch the whole citie appointing him 17 When he hath bin examined in all these and founde fullie instructed then let him bee ordayned Bishop by the common consent of the Clearkes and lay people 18 Let not him be counted a priest in the Church whom the Cleargie and people of that Citie where he is doe not choose 19 If any Bishop after the death of his predecessor be chosen of any but of the Bishops of the same prouince of the Cleargie and Citizens let another be chosen and if it bee otherwise let the ordination be voyde and of none effect Testimonies out of the Emperours lawes 20 Following the doctrine of the holy Apostles c. wee ordayne that as oft as it shall fall out that the Ministers place shalbe voyde in any citie that voyces be giuen of the inhabiters of that citie that hee of three whiche for their right faith holines of life other things are most approoued bee chosen to the Bishopricke which is moste meete of them 21 Being not ignorant of the holy canons that the holy Church should vse her honour the more freely we assent vnto the ecclesiasticall order that the Bishops be chosen by the election of the Cleargie and people 22 He decreed that he should be Bishop of Rome whom all the people of Rome should consent to choose 23 Lodouicke the seconde commaunded by his letters the Romanes to choose their owne Bishop not looking for other mens voyces which being straungers could not so well tell what was done in the common wealth where they were straungers and that it appartayned to the citizens 24 Let the people sayeth Otho the Emperour choose and I will approoue it The testimonies of the newe writers 25 The newe writers as Musculus in his common places in the title of Magistrates Bullinger vpon 1. Tim. 4. Caluin Institut booke 4. chap. 3. sect 15. Harmon confes Heluet chap. 18. and many others are on our side in this behalf 26 If there be none that write against it but the papistes and no argumentes vsed against it but those whiche be borrowed out of the popishe writers then doeth it belong to the Church to choose their owne Church-officers But the former is true as all that doe read them that write of this argument doe knowe and as is manifest by comparing Pighius Hosius c. with Whitgift Therefore the latter is true also Therefore seeing the interest of the Church in choosing of their Church-officers is grounded vpon the worde of God both in commaundement and continuall practize both in the olde and newe Testament seeing it is warranted by the light of common reason seeinge it is commended vnto vs by the manifolde practize of all auncient times so long as anie sinceritie remayned not only in the time of persecution but also of peace seeing it hath bin confirmed by so manie generall Councells and ratified by the decrees of so manie Emperours seeing it hath such a cloude of witnesses both of ancient and latter times of the best approued writers seeing none doe set them selues against it but the papistes or they that invade it onely with the same weapons that are fetched out of the popes armorie it must needes followe that it belongeth vnto the Church to choose their Church-officers and that the taking away of this freedom abridgeth the libertie that Christe hath endowed his Church withall and bringeth her into great boÌ„dage as Musculus truly affirmeth Their obiections against those things are these 1 Obiection They were then vnder the crosse fewe in number and therefore it was easilie knowen who were fit Answere The Gospell was dispersed thorowe out all Asia Africa and much of Europe and they could lesse keepe togither or meete and therfore that maketh rather for vs. 2 Obiection We haue many hypocrites to whom it were daungerous to committ such waightie actions Answere It is true that we haue many but it is a principle in hypocrisie to bee forwardest in such publike actions that they may get fame thereby 3 Obiection They had knowledge to doe it but our people be ignoranted Answere We should also finde our people to haue knowledge if they had teaching but howsoeuer they choose they can not haue worse then ordinarily are chosen by the Bishops and patrons 4 Obiection The Church was not then established Answere That is vntrue for though it wanted the helpe of Magistrates yet the Apostles could and did better establish without them then we can with the helpe of them but if this order might be altered it had bene fitter then for nowe the Magistracie may compounde the differences of the Elders which helpe then they lacked 5 Obiection Drunkards papistes c. will choose them that be like them selues and we knowe the best disposed bee alwayes the fewest Aunswere Such are not of the Church but without 1. Cor. 5. 12. and therefore are not to meddle in any holy action but if the people should choose an vnmeete man the eldershippe that gouerneth the action is to reforme them besides this if Gods order had hir place the schooles of the prophetes would sende them none for the ministers especially to make choyse of but meete men that whomsoeuer they tooke he should be founde sufficient 6 Obiection Paule commaundeth 1. Timo. 5. 22. to laye his handes on no man rashlie therefore one did it Answere He teacheth what to doe for his part though others would be rashe yet he should not ioyne with them in it as appeareth in the latter ende of that same verse for that is asscribed vnto him whiche also belonged vnto others because he was the director Caluine and Musculus expounde the place so 7 Obiection The Councell of Laodicea decreed that the people should not elect Answere That is as Caluin taketh it vpon Actes 16. they might not elect alone without the direction of some graue and good minister which should be the maner in the elections that according to Gods worde we desire CHAP. 5. NOne is to be admitted vnto any publike office in the Church vntill he be thorowly examined by the Eldership both concerning his state of Christianitie abilitie
and the latter disprooued by these reasons following 1 As Churchofficers were ordayned in the Apostles time so must they be continually for they did lay the plot according wherevnto the Church must bee built vnto the ende but they were ordayned in the Apostles time by the layinge on of the handes of the Eldershippe Actes 6. 6. and 13. 3. Therefore the Church-officers must be ordained by layinge on of the handes of the Eldership 2 Church-officers must be ordayned by them that haue warrant from the worde to assure the parties ordayned that they are called of God Onely the Eldershippe hath such a warraunt 1. Tim. 4. 14. Therefore they ought to be ordained by the Eldership 3 Many of the sentences alleadged before out of Councells Emperours lawes histories and sounde writers both olde and newe for election not to be by one but by diuers speake also of ordination and so are forcible to this purpose 4 Euagrius came to the office of a Bishoppe vnlawfullie because onely Paulinus ordayned him contrarie to the tenure of many Cannons whiche prouide that they should not be ordained but by all the Bishoppes of the prouince or at the least by three 5 When a Bishop is to be ordayned c. one Bishop shall pronounce the blessing and the rest of the Bishops with the Elders present shall all lay on their handes 6 When a Bishop was to be ordayned the Bishops adioyning did ordayne him Therefore if Church-officers were ordayned in the Apostles time not by one but by the Eldershippe consistinge of manie if they be to ordayne that haue warraunt out of the worde to assure the parties ordayned that they are called of God if ordination by one Bishop be vnlawfull and contrarie to many canons of Councells if the Bishops Elders were to laye on their hands lastlie if the Bishops adioyning were to ordayne then must it needes followe that Church-officers are not to be ordayned by one man but by the laying on of the handes of the Eldership But they fight harde against this because it striketh at a maine pillar of their kingdome their chiefe groundes be these 1 Obiection Paule and Barnabas ordayned Elders where is no mention of any Eldership Aunswere They are saide to ordayne because they being the chiefe procured it so is Ioshua 5. 3. saide to circumcise which was the Leuites office so saye wee The Queene hath made a lawe and yet not she alone maketh any 2 Obiection Though it were so then yet is it not so required nowe no more then the cōmunitie in the Apostles time Answere There was no more communitie then for they that thinke otherwise are in that point Anabaptistes then is to be required now so that instance maketh for vs. 3 Obiection Examples are no generall rules to bee followed Answere Examples not contrarying any rule or reason of the Scripture be to be followed as if they were commaundementes so that notwithstanding any thinge alleadged to the contrarie it remayneth vpon the former groundes most stedfast that it belōgeth to the Eldership to ordayne those church officers that are to be imployed in the publike seruice of god CHAP. 8. THE ordayning of Church-officers must be done with humble prayer of the Eldership the congregation Discipl Ecclesiast fol. 50. Their vnreuerent beginning and proceeding therewith in a corner is contrarie to this whiche is condemned by the proofe of our assertion by these reasons 1 We are to behaue our selues in these actions as they by whom we haue direction to doe them haue set vs an example But the Apostles Elders when they ordayned church-officers did alwayes commende the action to God by prayer togither with those congregations ouer whiche they placed them Actes 6. 6. and 14. 23. Therefore the ordayninge of Church-officers must bee done by humble prayer of the Eldership and congregation 2 The greater the action is that is in hande the more carefull must they be that haue it in hande to humble them selues by prayer for the Lordes assistance therein but the ordayning of Church-officers is an action of moste weightie importance Therefore they that haue it in hande which be the Eldershipp to ordaine him and congregation to receyue him ought to humble them selues in earnest prayer before hande 3 They that shall haue part in the comfort or discomfort of the action are to ioyne togither in prayer vnto GOD for the better euent and against the worse But the Eldershippe and people shall both haue part in the euent of the action Therefore they are to ioyne togither in humble prayer before hande c. CHAP. 9. CHurch-officers must bee ordayned by layinge on of handes in this they agree with vs concerning the ceremonie it selfe albeit neyther in the parties by whō nor on whom it must be conferred The profit of this ceremonie appeareth in the reasons following 1 That which stirreth vp euerie partie to pray with more feruencie is profitable to be vsed But such is this ceremonie for it affecteth the ordeyners when they feele him for whom they pray and the ordeyned when he feeleth a calling and charge from God as it were sensiblie comming vppon him and the congregation when they see him separated frō the rest by whom they shall reape much comfort or griefe Therefore the vse of it is very profitable 2 That which helpeth forward the partie ordayned in his care to walke with a good conscience in his calling is profitable to be vsed Such is the imposition of handes for both it declareth vnto him that he is separated of God for that purpose and also giueth him hope that his hande who allotted him therevnto will alwayes assist him in the course of that calling Therefore it is of a profitable vse 3 That which worketh a more acknowledgment of Gods ordinance in the heartes of the people is profitable to be vsed Such is the layinge on of handes for it declareth vnto them that the Lorde hath placed him in that callinge ouer them Therefore it is profitable to be vsed Therefore seeing the ceremonie of the laying on handes is forcible to increase the feruencie of euery partie when they pray seeing it assureth the callinge to the partie ordayned and giueth him an argument of good hope for the blessing of God vpon him in the course of the same and seeinge it procureth a more perswasion in the people that hee is allotted vnto them from the Lord him selfe it is euident that it is not a vaine and idle ceremonie as many doe imagine but of good and profitable vse in all ordinations CHAP. 10. THe Lorde hath ordayned that there should be one Bishopp or Pastor at the least president ouer euery congregation who are of equal authoritie in their seueral charges and in the generall gouernement of the Church T. C. 1. booke page 22. and 2. booke 1. part page 515. They mainteyne contrarie vnto this these two 1 That one may haue two or moe charges
23. which can not be vnderstoode of preachinge Elders onelie considering that the scarcitie of them was such as Paule was constrayned to sende Timothie and Titus to great cities whiche he could hardlie spare as hee often testifieth Therefore there ought to be such Elders as are onely to assiste in gouuernement in euery congregation 2 Those which God hath ordayned to helpe forwarde the building of the Church ought to bee in euery congregation vnles it may appeare that some cōgregation needeth not so much helpe as Christ hath appointed But Christ hath ordained Elders in the Church for the helping forwarde of the building of the Church 1. Cor. 12. 28. Therefore such Elders ought to be in euery congregation 3 That whiche being wanting the bodie can not be entiere that same must be in euery congregation But the Elders can not be wanting and the church be an entiere body Rom. 12. 8. which euery congregation should be Rom. 12. 4. Therefore there ought to bee such Elders in euerie congregation 5 If the worde of God doe describe such Elders in the church then ought they to bee in euerie congregation whiche is cleare by this that euery Congregation hath neede of them as well as any and that euery congregation must haue all the other officers of the church and that euery congregation is of equall dignitie in the bodie of Christ But the word of God describeth vnto vs such Elders 1. Ti. 5. 17. Therfore they ought to be in euery congregation 5 There is no Church that can stande without hir Eldership or Councell 6 It belongeth onely to the Bishop to baptize and the Elder Deacon may not doe it but vpon the bishops licence 7 Neither Elder nor Deacon haue right but vppon the Bishops commaundement so much as to baptize 8 Elders fell awaye thorough the ambition of the teachers 9 Valerius the bishop did contrarie to the custome of the Apostolicall churches in appointing Augustin to preach being but an Elder 10 After that Arrius was conuicted of heresie it was decreed that Elders should no more preache 11 The number of the Elders of euery Church ought to be encreased according to the multitude of the people 12 Speaking of the Elders that were to assist the minister he lamenteth that it is so fallen out of the church that the name doeth scarse remaine 13 Certaine of the people were ioyned with the pastour in the gouernement of the Church because the pastour was not able to doe all him selfe 14 There were Elders that did assist the Minister in the gouernement of the church c. 15 Whitgift confesseth that in the primitiue Churche they had in euery Church certaine Seniors pag. 638. Lett it then appeare out of the worde to satisfie the conscience how it may be left out 16 If the platforme set downe to Timothie and Titus bee for all Churches then must Elders be in all for these Elders are there described But it is a platforme for all Churches that to the ende of the worlde 1. Tim. 6. 14. Therefore they ought to be in euery congregation 17 That which is contayned in euery Ministers commission to teache and practise must be in euerie congregation but the ordination and practize of that office is in euery ministers commission Matth. 28. 20. or els they ordayned Elders without warrant from Christ which none dare affirme Therefore there must be Elders in euery congregation 18 Wheresoeuer a Bishop must be there must also the Elders be which appeareth by this that where the one is described there is the other also But a Bishoppe must be in euery congregation as I haue prooued sufficiently in the 10. chap. Therefore there ought to be Elders in euery congregation 19 If the Apostles laboured for vniformitie in the least things and established in all Churches one order then must there bee Elders in euery Congregation for they were in some as all men doe confesse But the former is true as not onely the viewe of their practize declareth but also the Apostles expresse wordes Thus I teache in all Churches Therefore the latter is true also that in euery Congregation there must be such Elders Therefore if the Apostles established Elders in euery congregation if Christ hath esteemed their helpe needefull to further the building of his Church if without them a congregation can not be entiere if the worde of God saye that they ought to be in the Church if it was continued so long after the Apostles time and bee approoued by the testimonie of manie verie learned both old newe writers confessed by the greatest aduersarie vnto them if they bee within the compasse of euerie ministers commission if they are to bee wheresoeuer a Bishop must be if the Apostles established vniformitie euen in the meanest things then must it needes followe that there ought to be such Elders in euery congregation as are to assiste the Minister in the gouuernement of the same They confesse it was so in the Apostles time but seeme to saye somewhat that it can not be vnder a christian Magistrate thus 1 Obiection God hath giuen the soueraigne authoritie ouer his Church to the christian Magistrate which these Elders would abridge Answere No more then the Eldership abridged the souueraingrie of Dauid oner Israell for his gouernement is temporall and theirs spirituall 2 Obiection Gualter vpon the 1. Cor. 5. denieth it to bee needfull vnder a christian Magistrate Answere Gualter denieth excommunication vnder a christian Magistrate hee is as partiall in this argument as Whitgift 3 Obiection The Prince hath the authoritie that the Elders had Answere That is no truer then to saye the Prince hath authoritie to preache the worde c. for these be thinges that his high authoritie must see done but he may doe none of them him selfe But there be many reasons which may bee alleadged to prooue that they are at the least as necessarie vnder a christian Magistrate in these dayes as they were in the time of the Apostles as namely these 1 The lesse able that Ministers are to direct their people in the wayes of godlines the more neede they haue of the assistaunce that God hath allowed them in his worde But Ministers are nowe lesse able especially vnder Christian Magistrates when men are ouertaken with ease and peace whiche quench good things then they were in the time of the Apostles Therefore there is as great if not greater neede of Elders nowe then was in the time of the Apostles 2 If christian Magistrates be to maintayne the order that Christ hath set downe for the gouernement of his Churche then must there be Elders in it vnder a christian Magistrate for Elders are appoynted of Christ 1. Cor. 12. 8. But christian Magistrates are to maintaine the order that Christ hath sette downe for the ruling of his Church Isai 49. 23. Therefore there must be Elders in the church vnder a
christian Magistrate 3 If the rule of Christe can not bee perpetnally obserued tell the Church vnles there be Elders then must there be such vnder a christian Magistrate But the former is true for by the Church is there meant the Senate of Ministers Elders as shalbe prooued in the chapter of Excommunication Therefore there must be Elders vnder a christian Magistrate 4 If the whole gouernement of the Church described in the Epistles to Timothie and Titus be to be obserued vntill the ende then must there bee Elders vnder christian Magistrates for they are contayned in those Epistles But the former is true 1. Tim. 6. 14. Therefore there must be Elders vnder a christian Magistrate 5 Where sinners are more outragious and the best most subiect to waxe colde there is greatest neede of all the helpes that God hath ordayned to punishe sinne and to cherish wel dooing But so it is vnder a christian Magistrate especially in the peace of the Church as Whitgift confesseth page 643. Therefore there is at the least as great neede of Elders seeing they are helpers appointed of God vnder a Christian Magistrate as at any other time Therefore if Ministers be lesse able nowe then in the Apostles time if christian Magistrates must mainteyne the order prescribed by Christ if els the rule of Christ Tel the church can not be still obserued if the whole gouernement described by S. Paule must be kept for euer lastlie if there bee at the least as great neede of all the helpers that can be as euer there was then must it needes followe that Elders are as necessarie in the Church vnder a christian Magistrate as in the time of persecution CHAP. 13. THere ought to be in euery congregation certaine Deacons endued with those qualities whiche the worde of God describeth whose office is onely in receyuing the liberalitie of the Saintes and distributing it vnto the needie T. C. 1. booke pag. 190. Disci Eccle. fol. 119. This assertion hath two braunches which both are gainsaide by our aduersaries the first whereof is this The office of the Deacon consisteth onely in receiuing and distributing vnto the poore the liberalitie of the Saintes whiche they denie Whitgift pag. 582. The booke of ordering c. that maketh it a degree of the ministerie but the proposition being prooued true maketh their opinion and practize appeare false which is thus 1 That wherein Steuen and the rest were imployed is the office of a Deacon for the first institution of them by the Apostles is in that example But they were onely to attende vpon the prouision for the poore Act. 6. 4. Therefore the office of the Deacon is onely to attende vpon the distributinge vnto the poore from the liberalitie of the Saintes 2 That whiche the Apostle maketh an ordinarie and distinct office from others in the Church must be attended vpon by them that are in the same office and not be mingled with any other But the Apostle Rom. 12. 8. maketh distributing in simplicitie such as office as it is expounded by M. Caluin Beza Bucer Martyr c. Therefore the Deacons office must be attended vpon and consequentlie it consisteth onelie in distributing c. 3 That which the Apostles founde them selues insufficient for that can no man nowe discharge in any tollerable measure for they were more adorned with giftes then anie be nowe But they founde them selues insufficient for the ministerie of the worde and distributing vnto the poore also Act. 6. 2. Therefore no man can in any tollerable measure discharge the office of a Minister and Deacon also and consequentlie the Deacon is to attende vpon distributing only 4 If the ministeries of the worde be perfect without the Deacon then may he not meddle in the same for howe may one lawfullie labour in that wherein there is no neede of him But such is the ministerie of the worde where the seuerall ministers thereof are named Ephes. 4. 11. wherein the Deacon is not contayned as Whitgift confesseth pag. 308. 309. Therefore the Deacon may not meddle with the ministerie of the worde and consequentlie must be imployed onlie in distributing c. 5 If there be no qualitie required in the perfect description of the Deacon which is proper to the ministerie of the worde then is not he to meddle with the same But the former is true as appeareth 1. Tim. 3. 8. Therefore the latter is true also and consequentlie he must attende onely vppon distributing c. 6 If it belong to the Deacons office to meddle with the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes then is it greater then that of the Pastor for that the doing of both requireth greater giftes then the one But it is not a greater but inferiour office to the pastor as appeareth by all those places wherin they are described that the Deacon is described after the Bishop Therefore his office is not to meddle with both and consequentlie he must attende vpon distributing c. 7 Deacons are ministers of tables and not of holy things 8 In the ministers sicknes the Deacons shall reade the Homilies of the Fathers 9 The Deacons haue neede of great wisedome although the preaching of the worde be not committed vnto them further it is absurde that they should doe both the offices of preaching and caring for the poore consideringe that they be not able to doe both thorowly 10 Although the goodes of the Church increasing there were besides the Deacons subdeacons and archdeacons yet the Deacons remayned still in their charge for the poore and were not as yet mingled with the Bishops or priestes with the order of them which taught 11 The office of Deaconship was religiouslie kept in the Church vntill it was driuen out by Antichrist 12 This office must of necessitie be restored as it is described Act. 6. if England for he speaketh it in the behalfe of our Church will receyue the Discipline of Christ. 13 Speaking of these Deacons lamenteth that this order is so fallen out of the Church that the name doth scarce remayne 14 Describing the Deacons of the Apostles time sayeth that we after their example ought to haue the like 15 The office of distributing the goodes of the church is an ordinarie function in a church lawfully constituted the which sect 30. he calleth the Deaconship Therefore if Steuen and the rest were imployed onely in distributing the goodes of the church if the Apostle maketh the Deacons office an ordinarie and distinct office from all others in the church if the Apostles were not sufficient for the ministerie of the worde and distributing if the ministeries of the worde be perfect without the Deacon if in the description of the Deacon no quallitie be required that is proper to a minister of the worde if to deale in both would make the Deacon a greater officer then the Pastor if the Councels auncient writers and the sounde writers of latter times
doe declare that the Deacons were to bee wholy imployed in the distributing of the goodes of the Church then must it needes followe that his office is not to meddle with any parte of the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes but to attende onelie vpon the distributing of the liberalitie of the Church vnto them that stande in neede thereof Their obiections herevnto be these two that followe 1 Obiection Philip one of the seuen Deacons did preach Act. 8. 8. Therefore Deacons may preach the worde Answere Philip was a Deacon of the Church at Ierusalem while they aboade togither but nowe hee was not anie more so but an Euangelist as he is euer tearmed after by vertue of which office he did preache 2 Obiection Steuen being a Deacon preached Act. 7. 2. Answere He preached not for all that is there was but his Apologie at the seate of iudgement which euery man in the like case may doe and which manie of the Martyrs haue done So that the former proposition beeing true vppon the groundes alleadged notwithstanding these obiections wee are to proceede to the seconde which is this There ought to be such Deacons as are described in the former proposition in euerie congregation whiche is thus prooued 1 That office which euerie congregation hath neede of ought to be in euerie congregation But euery congregation hath neede of the Deacons office whiche appeareth by this that they haue poore to prouide for or els they must regard the necessitie of others and the liberalitie of others to distribute Therefore Deacons ought to be in euery congregation 2 That whiche is indefinitely appointed for the good of the Churche belongeth vnto euery Congregation as well as to anie one But such is the appointment of the Deacons 1. Tim. 3. 8. Therefore there must be Deacons in euery Congregation 3 Euery Church ought to haue their office of Deaconshippe 4 All the reasons or the most of them that are alleadged chap. 10. for a Bishop in euery congregation and chap. 12. for Elders in euery congregation are forcible herevnto Therefore if there bee the like neede of Deacons in one congregation that is in another if they be appointed indefinitely for the good of the Church if euery church must haue their office of Deaconship and lastlie if there be like reasons to prooue them belong to euery Church that be for Bishops and Elders then must it needes followe that there ought to be Deacons in euery congregation CHAP. 14. THere ought to bee in euery Congregation an Eldershipp consisting of a pastor or pastors Doctor if there be anie and Elders whose authoritie Christ hath ordayned to be perpetuall in his church to gouuerne the same onely by the rules of Gods worde T. C. 1. booke pag. 175. Discip. Ecclesiast 123. which contayneth these 3. particular propositions defended by vs and gaynesayde by the Bishops and their adherents 1 The Eldership ought to be in euery Congregation 2 The office of the Eldership is perpetuall 3 The Church must be gouerned onely by the rules of Gods worde The first is denyed by them Whitgift page 627. and by their practize in tying the gouernement of many churches to the Bb. sea it is thus prooued 1 Whatsoeuer Christ hath ordayned as a meane to keepe men in obedience to the gospell that same must be in euerie congregation for particular men are in particular congregations But Christ hath ordayned the Eldership for that end as appeareth Matth. 18. 15. c. where Chrisost expoundeth Tell the Church that is sayeth hee the Gouuernours of the Church Therefore the Eldershippe ought to bee in euery Church 2 Where all sortes of Elders ought to be there must be also the ioyning of their offices in one for the good of that cōgregation ouer which they are placed But all sortes of Elders ought to be in euerie congregation as is prooued in the 10. chapter for Bishops the 12. for Elders c. Therfore there must be an Eldership in euery congregation 3 If no particular congregation haue greater priuiledges giuen therevnto by the worde of God then others haue then must there eyther be no Eldershipp at all whiche is false in that Elders are prooued to bee by the worde of God in the Church or els it must be in euery congregation But euerie congregation is of like priuiledge whiche appeareth by this that it is a perfect bodie of it selfe Therefore there must bee an Eldership in euery congregation 4 The same warrant that is in the worde of God for to haue an Eldership in one place is a warraunt for it in all for the worde of God tyeth it not to Churches in cities but indefinitely to the church But there is warrant for it out of the worde to be somewhere as appeareth by this that the Apostles are sayd to establishe it and make mention of it Therefore it must be in euery congregation Therefore if the Eldership bee ordayned by Christ as a meanes to keepe men in obedience vnto the Gospell if all sortes of Elders must be in euery church if euery congregation be of equall priuiledges lastly if there be the like warrant for it in euery church that is in any then must it needes followe that there ought to be an Eldershipp in euerie Congregation What soeuer is obiected against this that hath any shew in it is answered in the 12. chap. of Elders The office of the Eldership is ordayned by Christe to bee perpetual and ordinarie for the gouernement of his church T. C. 1. booke 177. denied by them Whitgift 627. and by their practize in keeping it out but the trueth of it appeareth by these reasons that doe follow 1 If the causes why Christ would haue an Eldershippe in his Church be perpetuall then must also the thing it selfe be perpetuall But the causes are perpetuall which bee to gouuerne the church by the rules of his worde and that ecclesiastically Therefore the Eldership is perpetuall 2 If Christ be the author of the Eldership and left it by the Apostles to be established in the Church then it is perpetual for his commission giuen to the Apostles is to bee obserued vnto the ende of the worlde But Christ is the author of it as appeareth both by his giuing of the giftes for the particular members thereof and the whole body of it as also in that the Apostles did establishe it in the church who went not frō their commission 1. Cor. 11. 12. Therefore the Eldershippe is perpetuall 3 Whatsoeuer is the commandement of God once deliuered by him is neuer repealed againe and to be acknoweledged of euery spirituall man that same is to be receyued by the Church of God to be perpetuall But such is the gouernment of the church by Pastors Doctors and Elders and so of the whole Eldership as appeareth in that they are all mentioned in the writings of S. Paule whiche are so esteemed 1. Cor. 14. 37. Therefore the
A demonstration of the trueth of that Discipline which Christ hath prescribed in his worde for the gouernment of his Church in all times and places vntill the end of the world Wherein are gathered into a plain forme of reasoning the prooft thereof out of the Scriptures the euidence of it by the light of reason rightlie ruled and the testimonies that haue been giuen thereunto by the course of the Church certaine hundreths of yeares after the Apostles time and the generall consent of the Churches rightly reformed in these latter times according as they are alleadged and maintained in those seuerall bookes that haue been written concerning the same Math. 21. 38. The husbandmen said among themselues this is the heire come let vs kill him and let vs take his inheritance Luke 19. 27. Those mine enemies vvhich vvould not that I should raigne ouer them bring hither and flea them before me To the supposed Gouernors of the Church of England the Archbishops Lord Bishops Archdeacons and the rest of that order MANY and most euident haue our declarations been concerning the trueth of that gouernment which Christe hath prescribed in his worde for the ruling of the Church which we haue manifested vnto you both by our writings and speeches as occasion hath been offered neuer hath any one of you taken in hande to say anie thing against it but it hath made his eyes to dazle as the clearest Sun-shining whereby hee hath been driuen to wander hither and thither groping for euasions and yet coulde not escape but hath falne into infinite most mostrous absurdities and blasphemous assertions as by their writinges yet extant it may appeare so forcible is the trueth to amaze the painesayers thereof and so pregnant is falshood to beget and bring foorth thousands of absurdities and euery one worse then other And will you still continue in your damnable and most diuelishe course Haue you solde your selues vnto Satan to fight for him vntill you bee dammed in hell with him Haue you morgaged the saluation of your soules and bodies for the present fruition of your pompe and pleasure is it because you see not what you should doe It may be so for many are so blinde that they grope euen at noone day but me thinkes it can hardly be so vnlesse you bee they that haue eyes see not for the cause hath been by the blessing of God so managed that many plough-men artificers and children doe see it and know it and are able by the worde of God to iustifie it and condemne you to bee aduersaries vnto the Gospell in resisting it But you thinke that gouernment not so needfull and your fault but small if it be any in continuing your course begunne The necessitie of the thing is many wayes apparant both in that it hath so plentifull warrant from Gods own word as the course of this booke doth uidently declare and also in that the Gospell can take no roote nor haue any free passage for want of it and the greatnesse of your fault appeareth by this that in so doing you are the cause of all the ignorance Atheisme schismes treasons poperie and vngodlinesse that is to be founde in this lande which we challenge to proue to your faces if we may indifferently be heard wherof in the meane while we will giue you a taste for the first it is cleare that you are the causers of that damnable ignorance wherein the people are so generallie wrapped for that you haue from time to time stopped the streames of knowledge in those places where the Lorde in mercie bestowed the same and in steed of able and painefull Ministers haue pestered the Churche eyther with presumptuous proude persons that are esteemed learned and take no paines to bringe the people vnto the knowledge of Iesus Christe or which is the greatest number suche ignoraunt Asses and filthie swine as are not worthie to liue in a well ordered common-wealth and that you are the cause of all Atheisme it is plaine for one may as in deede many doe professe it and you say nothing to him for it If the most filthie liuer will fawne vpon you and bribe your seruants you will not only fauour him but assist him against any godly Minister or other but if any that feare God refuse to come vnder the least of your popish ceremonies hee shall bee molested till his purse be emptie or els by your tyrannous dealing he haue made shipwrack of a good censcience And are not you the cause of all schismes that make a hotch-pot of true religion and poperie and so giue some occasion to fall into this course and others into that And it is as cleare that you are so farre the cause of all treasons as without you they had not bin for if euery Church had had her gouernment according to Christes institution our young Gentlemen and students had not bin for want of teaching careful ouersight made a pray vnto the seducers and consequently to those practises which haue brought the bodies of so manie vnto Tyborne and their soules into hell and who but you be the causes of Poperie whilest you vse them so well let them doe wat they list yea and keepe them in office authoritie vnder you yea which more is giue them such offices as none that is not popish can execute I speak not of the ignorance which by your meanes raigneth euerie where which as they confesse is the mother of their deuotion and you are the wretched fathers of that filthie mother whereby you must needes be grandfathers at the least to all kind of poperie And who can without blushing denie you to bee the cause of all vngodlines seeing your gouernment is that which giueth leaue to a man to be any thing sauing a sounde Christian. For certainely it is more free in these dayes to bee a Papist Anabaptist of the famely of loue yea any most wicked one wahtsoeuer then that which we should be and I could liue these twenty yeres any such in Englande yea in a Bishops house it may bee and neuer bee muche molested for it so true is that which you are charged with in a Dialogue lately come foorth against you since burned by you that you care for nothing but the maintenance of your dignities bee it to the damnation of your owne soules and infinite millions moe Enter therefore nowe at the last into the serious confideration of these thinges remember that one day you must bee presented before the tribunall seate of Iesus Christe to bee arraigned for all the soules that haue gone to hell seeing you will needes bee the rulers of the Churche since the Gospell first appeared in this land then shall you not be excused with this the Queene and Counsell will haue it so not with that our state cannot beare it For it shall be said vnto you why do you not informe thē better of my will why taught you them not to worship with
ouer them bring hither and slea them before me Luke 19. 27. The whiche fearefull sentence that we may auoide let euery one of vs ae may stande with our seuerall callings carefully endeuour to aduaunce this kingdome here whiche among other assurances giuen vs from the Lord shalbe a testimonie vnto vs that we shall haue part in that glorie which shalbe reuealed hereafter Nowe concerning the order of this booke to direst thee good Reader vnto thy further instruction in the pointes therof Thou hast in euery chapter diuers proofes out of the holy worde of God whiche must bee the things wherewith thou mayest safely informe thy conscience theÌ„ shalt thou finde also argumentes drawen from reason rightlie ruled by the same word lastly because our aduersaries charg vs that we desire a thing not knowen vnto the olde writers nor agreed vpon among the newe thou hast here the witnes of them both in so plentifull and vniforme wise as may plainly declare that all godly learned men of all times haue giuen testimonie vnto the trueth of it The most of the things that are here expressed I acknowledge to be gathered out of the bookes that haue bin published and are extant purposelie concerning this argument as may appeare in the seuerall points wherein thou art sent vnto them Nowe least eyther thou shouldest bee deceyued with a diuers impression or thinke me to misalleadge the authours I am to shew thee what bookees I haue followed The 1. booke of T. C. twise printed I follow the latter of Ecclesiasticall Discipline I followe the Latine printed 1574. and the last booke of D. Whitgift which containeth all the former in it The rest as I take it haue beene but once printed and therefore carrie no doubt in them If thou be satisfied herewith giue God the glory and promote the cause by prayer all other good means that thy calling may affoord and pray for vs that we may neuer shrinke nor be ouerthrowen by the strength of them that fight against it A Table of Discipline the particular heads whereof are handled in the seuerall Chapters according to the number wherewith they are noted as followeth The Discipline of the Churche is the order that God hath prescribed in his wordâ— for the ruling of the same cap. 1. The offices and officers of whiche are to bee considered in Generall the calling whereunto to wit to A certaine office Chap. 2. Execute his office faithfully Chap. 3. how it muste be by Election whiche must be done by The people chap. 4. Examination chap. 5. Consent onely to a man fit for the place chap. 6. ordination By whom it must be by the eldership Chap. 7. The maner how by publik praier with the people cap. 8. laying on of hands chap. 9. Particular the officers offices Simple by theÌ„selues Bishops Pastours chap. 10. Doctours chap. 11. Deacons or church seruants Ouerseers chap. 12. Distributers chap. 13. Compound the Synode Ecclesiasticall what Be the parties Pastours Doctours and Elders chap. 14. Is the authoritie thereof chap. 15. wherein it consisteth in placing and displacing chap. 16. CeÌ„sures by VVord chap. 17. deed Suspention cap 18. Excommunication cap. 19. A DEMONSTRATION of Discipline CHAP. 1. The diffinition of Discipline containeth this proposition holden by vs. THE worde of God describeth perfectly vnto vs that forme of gouerning the Church which is lawfull and the officers that are to execute the same froÌ„ the which no Christian Churche ought to swarue Admonition in the Preface Ecclesiasticall discipl fol. 5. T. C. first booke pag. 26. Counter-poyson pag. 8 Discourse of gouernment pag. 1. c. The assertion of the BB. and their adherents THe word of God describeth not any exact forme of Discipline neither are the offices and officers namely particularly expressed in the Scriptures but in some points left to the discretion and libertie of the Churche Whitgift in preface and page 84. to the answere to the Abstract pag. 33. The proofe of the former is the disproofe of the latter which is thus declared 1 These things write I vnto thee c. out of which place I reason thus That end which Paul respected in writing vnto Timothie doth the holy ghost direct all Ministers vnto for euer for it must be kept 1. Tim. 6. 14. But he wrote to direct him in the establishing and building of the Church Therefore that worde must direct Ministers for euer and consequently they neither may adde to nor take from it but gouerne it onely by the rules that be there prescribed 2 Euery house ought to be ruled by the orders of the skil full wise and carefull housholder onely But the Churche is the house of God and God is such a housholder Therefore the Churche ought to bee ruled by the orders of God onely which are no where to be had but in his word 3 That which teacheth euery good way teacheth also how the Church must bee gouerned But the worde of God teacheth euerie good way Pro. 2. 9. therefore it teacheth how the Church must be gouerned 4 We cannot glorifie God but by obedience to his word in all that we doe we must glorifie God 1. Cor. 10. 31. Therfore in all that we doe there must be obedience to the word and consequently in gouerning his Church 5 If meate and drinke bee not sanctified vnto vs but by the word and prayer then much lâ—sse is any thing holy which is done in the gouernment of the Church besides the worde But the former is true by the testimonie of the Apostle 1. Tim. 4. 5. therefore the latter must be true also 6 All lawfull things are of faith Rom. 14. 23. All lawfull things that are of faith haue a warrant from the word for the worde is the foundation of faith therefore all things lawfull haue their warrant from the worde and consequently euery lawfull action in the gouernment of the Church 7 Either hath God left a prescript forme of gouernment for the Church vnder the new Testament or he is lesse carefull for it now then hee was vnder the lawe for his care is in guiding it But hee is as carefull nowe for his Church as hee was then Therefore hath hee left a prescript forme to gouerne it 8 Hee that was as faithfull as Moses left as cleare instruction both for the building of faith and gouernment of the Churche as Moses did But Christe was as faithfull in Gods house Heb. 3. 2. therfore he left as cleare instruction for them both as Moses but Moses gaue direction euen for euery particular as appeareth in the building of the Tabernacle and order of the Priesthood Therfore hath Christ also giuen particular direction for the gouernment of the Church 9 If the worde of God haue described sufficient Ministers and Ministeries for the building of the Church and keeping it in good order then is out assertion true But it hath set downe sufficient for doctrine exhortation ouerseeing
the Lorde But the former is true as the Historie teacheth vs Therefore must the latter needes be true also 4 That which giueth comfort vnto a man in the time of his troubles must haue a warrant out of Gods worde But euery lawfull calling giueth comfort vnto a man in the time of his troubles Therefore euerie lawfull calling hath a warrant out of Gods word 5 That which helpeth Gods people forward in godlines must haue a warrant out of Gods worde for God hath promised a blessing to his owne ordinance onlie But euery lawfull calling in the Church helpeth Gods people forwarde in godlines Therefore euerie lawfull calling hath a warrant out of Gods worde Therefore if Iohn did prooue his calling out of the Scriptures if euerie calling vnder the lawe was warranted out of the scriptures if Corath c. were punished for enterprising that which they had no warrant for out of the scriptures if comfort in troubles commeth onely from the scriptures and lastly if euery help to godlines is warranted in the scriptures then c. They confesse all these reasons to bee true but doe denie that the Archbish. lord Bish. c. bee distinct Ministers from others Whitgift pag. 303. which wee hold T. C. 2. booke pag. 438. and proue it thus 1 Those thinges that haue diuers efficient causes are diuers Our BB. and the Ministers of the worde haue diuers efficient causes for the one is the ordinance of God the other the constitution of humane pollicie as themselues doe confesse Therefore they are distinct Ministers from others 2 A diuers forme maketh diuers things the Ministers of the word and the Lord Bishops haue diuers formes for their ordination euen in the Church of England is diuers seeing one Lord Bishop may ordaine a Minister But there must be three to ordaine one of them therefore they are distinct Ministers 3 Members of one diuision are distinct one from another the L. Bishops and ordinarie ministers bee members of one diuision for vsually the Ministers bee diuided into the rulers and them that are to bee ruled therefore they are distinct Ministers 4 The things that haue diuers effects are diuers in them selues one from another the L.BB. and other Ministers haue diuers effects for the one effecteth rule and gouernment the other subiection and obedience Therefore they are diuers and distinct Ministers 5 They that be imployed about diuers thinges are diuers one from another The L.BB. and the ordinarie Ministers be imployed about diuers things for the one is exercised in generall view of many congregations and the other in the particular direction of one Therefore they bee distinct Ministers 6 That which is perpetuall and that which may be taken away by men are distinct one from another The office of the Minister is perpetuall Ephes. 4. 13. and the Bishops may be taken away as themselues doe confesse Therfore they are diuers and distinct Ministers Therfore if the Ministers of the worde and Lord BB. proceede from diuers causes if they haue their being by diuers formes if they be members of one diuision which in nature cannot bee one if they produce diuers effects if they bee exercised about diuers subiectes Lastly if the one bee perpetuall and the other but for a time then must it needes follow that they are diuers and distinct Ministers one from another The name of an Archbishop and also the office that he executeth is contrarie to the worde of God First the reasons that prooue it vnlawful to giue the name vnto any man in the church are these 1 No man may haue the name giuen him which is proper to our Sauiour Iesus Christe But the name of Archbishop is proper vnto our Sauiour Iesus Christe as appeareth in the places quoted therefore no man may haue the name of Archb. giuen vnto him 2 If the name of Pope be therefore odious because of that Antichriste who is intituled therewith then must also the name of Archbishop when it is ascribed vnto any mortall man for so much as it is the title of a speciall member of that kingdome of Antichrist But the former is true euen by their owne confession Whitgift pag. 300. Therefore must the latter be true also But they obiect diuers things against this for the proouing of the name Archb. to bee lawfully giuen vnto some men which together with their answeres doe brieflie followe 1 Obiection Clemens alloweth of those names as Polydor reporteth lib. 4. cap. 12. Answere Polydor is but the reporter and M. Iewel hath prooued euidently against Harding that Clemens is counterfeite and worthie of no credite Obiection Erasmus saith that Titus was an Archbishop Answere He spake as the times were wherein hee liued but that proueth not that he helde him one in deed no more then our naming of the Archbishop of Canterbury when wee speake of him proueth that wee like and allow his authoritie 3 Obiection Anacletus saith that Iames was the first Archbishop of Ierusalem Answere He is forged as our answeres to the Papists haue shewed but a witnes of better credite calleth him only a Bishop Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 23. and Simon bishop after him lib. 3. ca. 22. And Iraen saith lib. 4. ca. 63. that the Apostles ordained Bishops euerie where making no mention of Archbishop 4 Obiection The Councell of Nice Canon 6. mentioneth a Metropolitan Bishop Answere That proueth nothing for it was only as much as to say the Bishop of the chiefe citie Secondly the reasons that prooue the office of the Archbishop vnlawfull be these 1 Euerie Ministerie that is lawfull must be of God The office of the Archbishop is not of God for that he is not described in the worde and them selues confesse that hee is of humane pollicie Therefore the office of the Archbishop is vnlawfull 2 That Ministerie whose originall is vnknowen hath no warrant from Gods worde and consequently is vnlawfull The originall of the Archb. is vnknowne as they confesse Whitegift pag. 351. Therefore it is vnlawfull 3 That office which is needles in the church is also vnlawfull to bee exercised in the same The office of the Archbishop is needlesse for the Ministerie is perfect without it as the Apostle proueth Ephes. 4. 13. Therefore the office of an Archb. is vnlawfull 4 If all the gifts needfull for the prefecting of the church be appropriated vnto other Ministeries then is his Ministerie vnlawfull But all the needefull giftes are appropriated vnto Pastours Doctours Elders and Deacons whereof he is none Therefore his office is vnlawfull 5 That office is vnlawful which none may lawfully giue But none may lawfully bestowe the office of an Archbishop because none can giue any new gifts to adorne him withal Therefore his office is vnlawfull This reason beeing vsed of all founde diuines against the Pope is of the same value against the Archbishop 6 If the office of an Archbishop bee lawefull then it is either in respect of his
may giue them selues to lust the sooner 18 It was ordayned that none eyther B or Elder shoulde goe from citie to citie Therefore if a Minister haue the charge of a flocke committed vnto him to the ende to feede it if God place men to the ende to haue them there imployed if flockes in daunger haue neede of continuall watche if the Ministers duetie to his flocke requireth all that trauayle that he can performe if he can not be fruitfullie profitable vnto them without continuall residence if his residence be as strictlie required as theirs vnder the lawe if he cannot be a paterne vnto them without he be resident if they can not follow him nor know him if he be absent if he cannot bee alwayes readie to feede his flocke vnles he be there if he cannot take heede to them feede them and watche ouer them without his presence if Satan be the authour of nonresidencie if his absence abridge Gods loue to them and comfort from him selfe if absence be an hinderance to the louing familiaritie that shoulde bee betwixt him and them if they haue interest in him continuall neede of him if he may no more be absent then the priestes dwell from the Temple if the Councell of Nice did vpon good grounds forbid it if absence bee like to the practise of an harlot if it be not lawfull to goe frō place to place then is nonresidence vnlawful and the practize thereof contrarie to the worde of God The bellie for which nonresidencie is defended and practized hath no eares therefore it is that they heare not these euident soundes yet haue they verie little to say for it so grosse is the error thereof so much as hath any shew of reason is here set downe and answered 1 Obiection Two parishes may bee vnited why then may not one haue charge of them both before when they be two Answere Because one shephearde may keepe one flocke though it be great but he can not keepe two being very little and going in diuers pastures agayne one man may haue so many flockes as he can lead in and out euery Sabboth to the exercises of religion which is very playne that he cannot doe to more then one Congregation 2 Obiection Parishes were deuided by men as especially by Denis the Monke Pope of Rome Aunswere That is vntrue for the Apostles deuided the Church into Congregations and placed Elders ouer euerie one of them as the whole course of the Actes and Epistles of the Apostles prooueth and Whitgift confesseth page 250. Therefore these mistes notwithstanding nonresidencie must needes be vnlawfull and certainly those that haue any sparkle of conscience feare of God or loue to their flockes will neuer defende it much lesse enter into the practize of it CHAP. 4. IT belongeth to the Church to make choise of those officers which Christ would haue placed in the same T. C. 2. booke 1. part pag. 193. Ecclesiast Discip. fo 40. Whitgift confesseth it pag. 164. They denie this as their denying of all the arguments that be brought for it doeth prooue Whitgift pag. 154. 166. c. and their practize of allowinge patrons and also being such them selues doeth euidentlie declare If the former be proued true then the latter must returne to Antichrist which is thus declared 1 That which was the continuall and constant practise of the Church in the time of the Apostles that same is to be followed for euer which appeareth by this that the ordinances giuen from God by Paule 1. Tim. 6. 14. are enioyned to bee kept vntill Christ come to iudgement But it was the cōstant and the continuall practize of the Churches them to haue a stroke in the choyse of their owne ecclesiasticall officers Act. 1. and 26. where the Apostles presented two to the peoples liking whereof God was to be prayed vnto to make one an Apostle Act. 6. 3. where the Church is willed to choose their Deacons and Act. 14. 25. where they gaue their consent in the choosing of their Elders by the stretching foorth of their handes Therefore it belongeth to the church to thoose their owne Church-officers 2 If the people had an interest in their liking of their teaching Leuites which were of the tribe of Aaron then much more must the people now for there was greater likelihood that they were sent of God then any of the common sorte of men But the former is true as appereth by the maner of the setting of them aside vnto that office in the lawe Therefore must the latter needes be true also 3 That which partayneth vnto all ought to be approued of all the Congregation But euery Ministerie in the Church pertayneth to all the congregation Therefore authoritie to approoue of them pertayneth to all the congregation 4 That election which is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience is of all other the best and to abridge it is vnlawfull But election by common consent is most effectuall to bring the people to obedience when they shall see him teache or rule whome they them selues haue chosen Therefore election by the Church is the best and all other kindes of elections vnlawfull 5 That election whiche procureth greatest reuerence of the people to their Teachers and Rulers is meetest and all others vnlawfull But for the people to consent in the election of their Gouuernours procureth greatest reuerence in their heartes towardes them Therefore election by the people is the best and all others be vnlawfull Testimonies of the ancient writers 6 The Minister should be chosen the people beeing present in the eyes of all and should be by the common iudgement and testimonie approoued worthie and fitte c. Therfore this is the lawfull vocation by the word of God where those which are chosen bee appointed by the consent and approbation of the people For which also hee bringeth diuers authorities out of the Scriptures 7 That is truely and certainlie a diuine election of a Bishop which is made by the whole Church 8 Let the people haue authoritie to choose their Clarkes and Ministers 9 They runne speaking of the life of the Clarkes to Bishops suffragans certaine times of the yeare and bringinge some summe of money they are anoynted and ordayned being chosen of none and afterwarde the Bishop without anie lawfull election is chosen in huggermuger of the Canons or Prebendaries onely without the knowledge of the people 10 In the Oration of the death of his Father approueth the election by the people at large and confuteth them that would hinder it 11 When he appointed Eradius to succeede him sayeth it was the approued right custome that the whole church should eyther choose or consent vnto their Bishop 12 Antimius choosing a Bishop without the peoples cōsent filled all Armenia with sedition 13 Why did Peter cōmunicate the election with the Disciples least the matter should haue turned to a
and be absent from them as their dispensations and practize doe prooue 2 That one minister may haue a Soueraingtie and Lordship ouer his fellowe ministers which both beeing disprooued the former assertion will remaine still sure 1 One man may not haue moe charges then he is able in any measure to discharge No man is able in any measure to discharge the duetie that is belonging vnto moe flockes then one seeing he can not preache vnto them both in season out of season Therefore no man may haue moe charges then one 2 That which maketh an open entrance to the enimie to spoile can not be lawfull for one to haue moe charges then one maketh an open entrance for the enimie to spoyle for the wolffe watcheth to deuoure whilest the shepheard is absent Therefore no man may haue moe charges then one 3 That which hath neyther precepte nor president for it eyther in Gods worde or any approoued writer but onelie from Antichrist is vnlawfull But such is the hauing of moe charges then one Therefore it is vnlawfull 4 That which declareth a minister to be more desirous of the fleece then to profite the flocke that same is vnlawfull But such is the hauing of mo charges then one for were it not for the gaine they would thinke one a burden as heauie as they could beare Therefore it is vnlawfull 5 All the reasons that be alleadged in the thirde chapter against nonresidence are forcible to this purpose for if hee may not be nonresident he may not haue mo charges vnles he be willing to be quartered that euery charge may haue a piece of him He reckoneth them among theeues and their action to be theeuerie condemned by that commaundement Therefore if one man cannot in any tollerable measure discharge mo charges then one if to haue mo maketh an open entrance to the enimie to spoyle if it haue neyther precept nor president for it but onely in the kingdome of Antichrist if it declare the practizers to be more desirous of the fleece then to feede the flocke if all the reasons that condemne nonresidencie be against it lastlie if it be plain theeuerie then must it needs follow that one may not haue two or mo charges Their obiections such as they be are set downe in the 3. chapter and the aunsweres vnto them The seconde proposition that they holde is thus One minister may haue a soueraigne authoritie Lordship ouer his fellowe ministers which is thus disproued 1 They that haue their commission indifferentlie giuen them without difference betweene one and another are of equall authoritie and may not be one ouer another But such is the commission of all Gods ministers indifferentlie as appeareth Mat. 28. 19. 20. Therefore they are of equall authoritie and may not haue anie dominion one ouer another 2 That which Christ hath directlie forbidden that maye not in any case be allowed but is euer vnlawfull But Christ hath directlie forbidden that one minister shoulde haue dominion ouer another Matth. 20. 25. Luke 22. 25. Therefore one minister may not haue superioritie or dominion ouer another 3 They that may not be Lordes ouer the people of God may much lesse be Lordes ouer the Ministers for the Ministers bee in respect of the ministerie aboue the people But a Minister may not be Lordly ouer Gods people as is testified by him on whom they would father the greatest lordlines 1. Pet. 5. 3. Therefore one minister may not be Lord or haue superioritie ouer another 4 It is ordayned and is equall and right that euery mans cause bee hearde where the faulte was committed and it is meete to handle the matter there where they may haue both the accusers and witnesses of the faulte which sheweth that euerie minister had authoritie ouer his owne flocke and no other to meddle 5 Bishops wheresoeuer they be in all the worlde are equall to our Bishops or parishe ministers and preachers of none it can be sayde one is Lorde another is seruaunt whatsoeuer belongeth to the Church belongeth equallie to all sauing that some are of better giftes then others howebeit such giftes cause no inequalitie or lordship in the church 6 In the Apostolike Church the Ministers of the Worde were none aboue another and were subiect to no heade or president c. 7 The honor of a Bishop being taken from the rest of the ministers and giuen to one was the first step to papacie 8 Christ did most feuerilie forbid vnto the Apostles and their successors primacie and dominion 9 Equall power and function is giuen to all ministers of the Church and that from the beginning no one preferred him selfe before another sauinge onely that for order some one did call them togither propounded the matters that were to be consulted off and gathered the voyces Therefore if all Ministers haue their commission indifferentlie giuen vnto them if Christ haue forbidden that one Minister should haue dominion ouer another if no Minister may exercise dominion ouer Gods people if authoritie to handdle controuersies belonged to euerie seuerall Congregation if a Bishoppe and parishe minister bee all one if in the Apostles time no minister was aboue another if the superioritie of one aboue another was the firste steppe to the papacie lastlie if they haue equal power and function from the beginning then must it needes followe that no minister may haue superioritie or exercise dominion ouer another Their obiections herevnto so many as are worthie anie answere be these 1 Obiection Christ Matth. 20. 25. forbiddeth onely ambition and not dominion as Musculus expoundeth it Answere Musculus his iudgement appeareth in the 6. and 7. reasons the place is expounded against superioritie by Caluin Bullinger Zwinglius Gualter Hemingius c. But let it bee so expounded that dominion is ambition because it causeth a man to aspire aboue his fellowe ministers 2 Obiection The Greeke worde signifieth rule with oppression which is the thing that is forbidden Answere That is not so for Luke 22. 25. vseth the single verbe Keurieuem whiche signifieth simplie to rule The sonnes of Zebedeus desired not to oppresse but to rule which desire he reprooued 3 Obiection Christ sayeth not no man shalbe so but hee that will be so desiring it Answere But Luke sayth Let the greatest be as your seruant and therefore that is but a sillie shifte So that their assertions being ouerthrowen and their obiections aunswered it remayneth that wee prooue yet more directlie that the Lorde hath ordayned that there should be a Bishoppe resident ouer euerie Congregation which is proued thus 1 If a Bishop and Minister be all one then must there be a Bishoppe in euery Congregation for euery man will confesse that euerie Congregation ought to haue a minister But a Bishoppe and a Minister is all one as appeareth by this that Saint Paule describeth not one qualitie for the Bishopp but it is also the qualitie of
sinners that can not without offence be admitted to the Lordes supper yet deserue not excommunication if for corporall vncleannes vnder the lawe they were to abstaine a certaine time and if the church can not without great offence suffer him that hath committed an open sinne though he repent or that is vehemently suspected of a notorious sinn cōtinue in the execution of his office vntill the Congregation bee satisfied Lastlie if the priest that was vncleane or suspected of leprosie might not offer sacrifices then is it plaine that both the separation of some men from the Lordes supper and other from the execution of their publike function for a time is a thing warranted by the worde of God The latter part which is that this kinde of suspention hath a profitable vse in the Church of God is thus proued 1 That which keepeth the godly in more carefull obedience and keepeth in the hypocrites that they breake not out is very profitable for the Church of God But such is the vse of the separation from the Lordes Supper and from executing publike function in the Church Therefore it is profitable in the church of God 2 That whiche remooueth euen the appearance of offence from the Church of God is very profitable for the same But such is the separation Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 3 That which declareth vnto the worlde that the Church of God is carefull to practise that which it professeth is verie profitable But such is this separation for it sheweth that they cannot away with vngodly life no nor among them selues Therefore it is profitable for the church of God 4 That which giueth occasion to the Church to be exercised in the action of religion with more sounde comfort is profitable for the same But such is this separation for euery one shall see thereby the vnworthy for whose sakes God might be angrie with them all Iosh. 7. 11. weeded from among them Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 5 That which is a speciall meanes to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde vnto his Church is profitable for the same such is this separation for it is a notable meanes to keepe men in obedience to that whiche they professe Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God Therefore if separation of the knowne or suspected sinner from the Lordes supper and such a Church-officer from the execution of his publike function doe keepe men in obedience that be godly and restrayneth hypocrites from outrage if it remooue the very appearance of euill if it lett the world see that the Church laboureth to practize that which it doeth professe if it make euery member of the Church to be exercised in the actions of religion with greater comfort Lastlie if it be a speciall meane to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde then must it needes followe that it is of verie profitable vse vnto the Church of God CHAP. 19. WHen neyther admonition nor suspention will serue to reclay me the offendor but that it doth appeare that he abydeth in impenitencie and is incorrigible the Eldership after mature deliberation and commending of the partie vnto the prayers of the Church he yet remaining obstinate is to proceede to excommunication which containeth these propositions in question betwixt vs and the Bishops 1 It may not be done but vpon great and waightie occasion 2 It may not bee done by any one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto The former is holden by vs T. C. 1. booke pag. 183. disc Eccle. 130. and denied by them in their practise that sende it out many times for not paying of sixe pence But our assertion is thus prooued and their godles practise disproued 1 That which Christ hath ordayned for the last remedie against sinne and onely to bee vsed when neyther admonition reprehension nor separation from the externall communion of the Saintes for a time will serue that same is not to be vsed but vpon great extremitie But such is excommunication as appeareth Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not bee vsed but vpon most waightie occasion that is in the case onlie of extremitie when no other meanes will serue the turne 2 That whiche cutteth a man off from the Church of God and giueth him ouer vnto Satan as one in a desperate case that same may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie But such is excommunication being vsed according as God hath left it vnto his Church 1. Cor. 5. 5. Therefore it may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie 3 That which a man will doe in the cutting off of his hande or his foote that same must the Church doe in excommunication for it is the cutting off of a member But a man will trie all other wayes and will neuer cutt of his hande or his foote vntill he see it incurable and readie to infect the other partes of his bodie Therefore excommunication may not be vsed but in case of greatest extremitie 4 That which is contrarie to naturall affection and worketh that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke of that same may not bee done but in greatest extremitie But such is the excommunication for it depriueth the party excommunicated of our loue and throweth him into the most wretched case that can befall vnto man in this life Therefore it may not be done but in case of greatest extremitie Therefore if excommunication be ordained of Christ as a remedie onely when all other helpes will not serue if it cutt the partie from Gods Church and giue him ouer vnto Satan if it must be proceeded vnto as a man doeth to the cutting off of his hande or foote lastlie if it be a worke contrarie vnto the naturall affection of man and effecteth that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke vppon then must it needes followe that it is to be proceeded vnto onely in the cases of greatest extremitie and after that all other meanes haue bin vsed and doe appeare not to preuayle The latter poynt whiche is that excommunication may not be done by one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto is holden by vs T. C booke 1. pag. 183. Discipl Ecclest 130. c. and denied by them Whitgift pag. 662. and their continuall practize But our assertion is thus prooued and their opinion practize found to be erroneous and vngodlie 1 That whiche Christe commaunded to bee done by the Church may not be done by one man vnles you take my L. Grace for the Church as Whitgift doeth page 662. whiche needeth no confutation But Christe commaunded that excommunication should be done by the Church Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not be done by one man 2 That whiche Paule enioyned the Church when they were met togither to doe may not be done by one man But he commaunded them to excommunicate the incestuous person when they were met
togither 1. Cor. 5. 5. Therefore it may not be done by one man 3 That which hath neede of greatest aduice and greatest authoritie may not be done by one man but such is the matter of excommunication being the denouncinge of that against a man which he will most hardlie beleeue and beinge the waightiest point of discipline Therefore it may not bee done by one man 4 Those must excommunicate that are to deale in the other partes of Discipline as shall appeare in the reasons following and as I thinke no man will denie But the other partes of Discipline are exercised not by one but by the Churh as hath bene prooued Therefore not one but the Church is to excommunicate 5 As it was ministred among the Iewes so must it be in the Church for euer which appeareth by this that it is translated vnto vs from them as the Greeke word Synedrion being by a corrupt imitation called Sanedrim by the Rabbins doeth import and had nothing ceremoniall in it But it was executed among them by the Church and not any one Ioh. 9. 22. Therefore the Church is to excommunicate and not one man 6 Cyprian sayeth he would neuer doe any thing in his charge without the counsell of his Elders and coÌ„sent of the people 7 The Elders and other Church-officers haue as well power to absolue as the Bishop 8 For so much as absolution belongeth vnto all I alone dare not doe it 9 If there be any that haue committed such a fault that he is to be put away from the partaking of the prayers of the Church c. There doe beare rule certayne of the most approoued auncients or Elders of the Church which haue obtayned this honor not by money but by good report 10 It helpeth much to make the party more ashamed that he be excommunicated by the whole church also in his bookes of Baptisme against the Donatists often 11 The Elders haue interest in other censures of the Church and the Church it selfe in excommunication 12 S. Paule accuseth the Corinthians for that the whole Church had not excommunicated the incestuous person 13 The Elders had the gouuernement in excommunication 14 It is very daungerous to permit so waightie a matter to one man and therefore that tyrannie may be auoyded this censure executed with greater fruite and grauitie the order that the Apostle there vseth is still to be obserued 15 Hee sheweth that it partayneth not to one man that it is a wicked fact that one should take the authoritie to him selfe that is common to others that it openeth a way to tyrannie taketh from the Church their right and abrogateth the Ecclesiasticall senate ordayned by Iesus Christ. 16 The Bishops when they excommunicated of themselues alone did it ambitiouslie contrarie to the decrees of godly cannons See Bucer against Gropper and vpon Ephes. 4. De animicura also Zuinglius in Ecclesiast 17 It is plentifullie forbidden euen by that filthie puddle the cannon lawe and therefore it must needes bee a haynous sinne when it findeth faulte with it Therefore if excommunication be to be executed by the commaundement of Christ of the Church if S. Paule enioyned it vnto the church if it haue neede of greatest aduice and authoritie if it belong to them that may execute the other partes of Discipline if it was so executed amonge the Iewes if to absolue be as well in the Elders power as the Bishops if Cyprian durst not doe it alone if it was the action in Tertullians time of the most approoued Elders if to bee by the whole church helpeth much to make the partie more ashamed if the whole church haue interest in it if the whole Church at Corinth was reprooued for not doing it if it bee to waightie a matter for one man if the executing of it by one ouerturneth the order appointed by Christ bringeth in tyrannie maintayneth ambition and lastlie be forbidden by the cannon lawe it selfe then must it needes followe that it belongeth not vnto one man to excommunicate but vnto the Eldershippe and that with the consent of the whole Church Their obiections herevnto in defence of their owne practise be these 1 Obiection The right of excommunication was in Saint Paule and not in the rest Answere He gaue onely direction in that as in all other matters which he wrote of vnto them but if they had not throwne out the incestuous person he had remayned still vnexcommunicated for all that which S. Paul had sayde vnto them 2 Obiection Christ gaue Peter and euery Apostle power to binde and lose in earth and in heauen which interpreters expounde by Matth. 18. 15. Answere That power was of denouncing Gods iudgements or pronouncing his mercie in preaching and not of this action they are expounded one by another because of the ratifying of them both in heauen alike 3 Obiection Paule did excommunicate Hymeneus and Philetus Answere That is being moderator of the action he pronounced it not that he did it alone The same aunswere is to be made vnto the Fathers as Ambrose c. who are saide to excommunicate Therfore vpon these grounds of Scriptures Fathers CouÌ„cels Emperours Lawes Histories newe Writers and cleare light of reason I conclude that Christ hath prescribed vnto vs an exacte and perfect platforme of gouerninge his Church at all times and in all places which is this that there ought to be no ministers of the worde but Pastours Teachers whiche are to be called by the people and ordained by the Eldership are of equal authoritie in their seuerall congregations must with all faithfull diligence imploye theâ—selues in the ministerie of the worde and Sacramentes that there are to bee in euery Congregation certaine Elders whose office is to ouersee the behauiour of the people and assist their pastour in the gouernement of the Church also Deacons who are to be imployed only in receyuing and bestowing the liberalitie and goods of the Church to the reliefe of the poore and other necessarie vses Lastlie that there must be in euery Congregation an Eldership of Pastour Teacher if they can haue any and Elders who are in common to see that the Church bee well gouerned not onely in maintayning the profession and practize of the worde in generall but also in admonishing reprehending or separatinge from the Lordes Supper them that walke offensiuely and lastlie in excommunicating them that by no other meanes can bee reclaimed So that all and euery gouernement contrarie or besides this whether in parte or in whole swarueth froÌ„ that order which Christ hath set downe in his worde and therefore is vnlawfull FINIS Omnia tum liceant non licet esse bonum 1. Tim. 3. 14. 15. Pro. 2. 9. 1. Cor. 10. 11. 1. Tim. 4. 5. Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 3. 2. Rom. 12. 5. 6. 7. 1. Co. 12. 28 Ephe. 4. 11. c. See
can espye the enimie and giue warning aforehande howe to resiste him but he that is able to teache c. Therefore none may be admitted into the ministerie but he that is able to teache c. 8 He that leadeth him selfe and his people into hell may not be admitted into the ministerie Hee that is not able to teache and conuince the gainsayer leadeth him selfe and his people into hell Mat. 15. 14. Therefore he that is not able to teache c. may not be admitted into the ministerie 9 He that preacheth not but holdeth his peace murdereth 10 He that preacheth not is not sent and so he begetteth no fayth in man 11 In that S. Paule requireth that a Bishoppe should bee wise he barreth those that vnder the name of simplicitie excuse the follie of ministers 12 We condemne all vnmeete Ministers not endued with giftes necessarie for a shephearde that should feed his flocke Therefore if a Minister must teache vnto his people all that Christ hath commaunded if none may be made ministers but conditionally if they be qualified with giftes meete for the same if vnpreaching Ministers can not be made without the manifest breach of the commaundement of God if they may not be made ministers whom the Lorde refuseth to haue if euery minister must haue a treasurie well furnished and be able to bring foorth of it when need requireth if euery minister must haue skill to see the enemie and to giue warning aforehande howe to resiste him if vnlearned ministers draw their people to hell after them if he that preacheth not be a murtherer if he be not sent and so doe no good if he be barred from the ministerie lastlie if hee bee condemned as not to be in such a place then must it needes followe that none many be receyued into the ministerie but such as be able to teache the trueth and to conuince the gainsayer Many are the argumentes that be alleadged to this purpose and many moe may be alleadged for the whole course of the scriptures tende therevnto the testimonie of all sortes of writers is very plentifull for this purpose yea of the verie Canon lawe as the authour of the Abstract hath learnedlie prooued and yet doe not our Prelates rest in the same but haue sett them selues though in a sillie maner against it in this sorte that followeth 1 Obiection There must be reading in the Church therfore a reading ministerie Whitgift pag. 252. Answer By that reason we must haue an officer for euerie particular action for there must be breaking of bread in the Church and powring of water but it followeth not that therefore there must be one whose office must bee onely to breake bread or to powre water 2 Obiection It is better to haue readers then none for preachers can not be had for euery congregation Answere It is not better for if they had none they would seeke for him that they should haue whereas now they that haue a reader onely think them selues in case good inought but if there be such wante of preachers why are so many of the most diligent and able ones turned out 3 Obiection It is impossible to haue Preachers euerie-where and such as can be had must be taken Answere Sometimes you say all is well and is it now impossible that our state should obey the Lordes ordinaunces this is the greatest disgrace to it that can be and yet it followeth not for no necessitie may warrant vs to violate the decrees of the highest 4 Obiection It were vncharitablenes to turne them out that bee bare readers for so they their wiues and children might begge Answere This is to sell mens souls for morsels of bread shall we rather feare the begging of three or foure then the damnation of 1000. but they may bee otherwayes prouided for they neede not begge many of them may returne to their occupations againe So that all these obiections notwithstanding the conclusion remaineth sure which is grounded vppon so many certaine and vnmoueable foundations The Churche ought not to be gouerned by Commissaries and Officialls and Chauncellors 1 They which are no Elders of the Church haue nothing to doe in the gouernement of the same 1. Tim. 5. 17. These Chauncellours Commissaries and officialls are no Elders in the Church whether we expounde Elder for a minister and him also that is assistant vnto the minister in ouerseeing the Church or for a minister onely as they do for none of them be ministers and if they be they doe not rule in this respect that they are ministers Therefore the Church ought not to be gouerned by them 2 They that must gouerne the Church of God must haue a warraunt for their so doing from Iesus Christ the head of the Church But Chauncellors c. haue no warraunt so to doe from Iesus Christ the head of the Church Therefore the Church ought not to be gouerned by them 3 Those whose names office and practize be deriued frō Antichrist may haue nothing to doe in the gouuernement of the Church for who will suffer his wife to be gouuerned by the master of a brothelhouse But the names offices and practize of Chauncellours officialles and commissaries be such which is plaine by this that they haue their grounde in that filthie dunghill the Cannon lawe Therefore they may haue nothing to doe in the gouernement of the Church 4 They that being inferiours doe proudly tyrannize ouer their superiours ought not to rule the Church of God for it is meete it should be ruled by modest humble and orderlie men But such are they for being inferiours to the ministers of the worde as our aduersaries doe confesse and is plaine also by the cannon lawe they crowe ouer them as if they were their slaues and if they doe not so they can doe nothinge Therefore they ought not to rule the Church of God 5 They that liue by the faultes of men are not fitt to rule the Church of God for they will rather increase offences that their gayne may increase then orderlie lessen them as experience also prooueth But such are all Chauncellours commissaries and officialls Therefore they ought not to rule the Church of God Therefore if Chauncellours commissaries and officialls be no Elders of the Church if they haue no warraunt from Iesus Christe the head of the Church if their names offices and practize be deriued from Antichrist if their office compell them being inferiours to tyrannize ouer their superiours if they liue onely by the faultes and offences of men then it must needes followe that the Church of God ought not to be gouerned by them CHAP. 7. EVerie officer of the Church must bee ordayned by the laying on of the handes of the Eldershippe T. C. 2. booke 1. part pag. 274. Discip. Eccle. fol. 53. They say it ought to be done by the Bishop alone Whitg pag. 196. their daily practize doeth likewise shewe it The former is prooued