is not said how shall they preach except they be gifted but except they be sent and that as watchmen and messengers as the next words import out of the Prophet Isaiah 52.7.8 So the Scripture never saith that gifting is sending but supposeth that ordinarily before this distinctly speaks of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. of the abilities to preach or prophecy and authority to preach or prophecy of mens suitable qualifications for it and sending forth with commissions for it Witness Ezek. 2.2 3. Isai 6.7.8 9. Jer. 1.7 9. Joh. 20.21 22. And what though it be true that sending imports many times Gods commmanding men to go forth to the work of the Ministry yet as no gifted brother can shew us any such command from God so it 's observable that the Scripture never mentions any as sent forth to preach or prophesie but the same persons were always either mediately or immediately appointed of God unto the Office Witnesse Isai 1 8 9. Jer. 1.5 7. Ezek. 2.4 Mat. 10 1 5 16. Mar. 3 14. Joh. 1.6 Mat. 11.10 c. An immediate missioÌ„ appointment to this Office there are no pious men will boast they have or if they did there are no prudent men will believe they have till they see it attested with a power of miracles Nor is there any promise whereupon any should hope for it So that I cannot but conclude upon the whole That no man can now preach Ordinarily and orderly without Ordination or being sent forth of God mediately He sins in preaching that is not thus sent forth with power But to draw the proof of this proposition out into more paâ—ticulars Bee pleased to observe the expresse precepts eminent precedents and evident prescriptions wherewith God hath countenanced it and the elegant properties titles wherewith Ministers are clothed which bespeak it Sect. 1. See the expresse precepts of God for it to wave the implicit only * 1 Tim. 5.22 Rom. 10.15 Heb. 5.4 Behold as they ministred to the Lord and fasted Act. 13.2 the holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them And accordingly the Prophets and teachers mentioned ver 1. When they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands onthem they sent them away ver 3. Observe Christians God had suited them to the work God had supplied them with fitnesse yet these must separate them to the work and send them forth And why this separating think we of such extraordinary officers if not to sanctifie as it were and seall an Imprimatur upon the ordinary rule It is granted that Pauls Apostleship was not of men neither by man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead Gal. 1.1 That he was first immediately designed hereunto by Jesus Christ as it was declared to Ananias Act. 9.15 Bâ—â— if the holy Ghost will have one so miraculously immediately called to pass thiâ— common road before the ordinary execution of his office among the Gentiles who of us then may plead immunity from it or proudly take another by-path Though God had every way qualified Paul and Barnabas for the ministery though God had eminently called them to the ministry yet that these Prophets and Teachers do externally commission or separate them to the Ministry likewise iâ— evidently the command of the Holy Ghost Let me present you next with that precept of God by Paul to Titus Ch. 1.5 And ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee What Elders meaneth he By age No time as one saith * Collins vindic Minist Evang. qu. 2. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. not Titus must make these What Elders then Flders by Office as the words ensuing clear it and those not in the state but among and over the Saints Bishops or overseeers who are to hold fast the faithfull word verse 7 9. Now thus there is somewhat supposed in these words that there should be Elders in every City where the Churches were established and somwhat proposed how the Churches must be supplyed with Elders How so Titus must ordain them Ordain Elders in every City They are not Elders by Office then till Ordination But what is this must Titus qualifie them for this Office and is this all which is intended by it No this was God's part and is to be presupposed on their part e're Titus may put forth any such act towards them as Ordination is if you consult the following verses 6. ad 10. Titus may discuss and ventilate their gifts and qualifications but God onely can derive and furnish d) Is 1.17 1 Cor. 12.6 That which Titus hath in charge is to Ordain to confer the Office of Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in that notion is the word used not only by profane Authors frequently b) Sic apud DemostheneÌ„ Xenoph. HerodiaÌ„ occurrunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 similiter but by the Apostles Act. 6.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. whom we may appoint over this business as our translators render it This how did they but by prayer and laying their hands on them ver 6. and so putting them into the Office of Deacons besides if gifts if qualifications could have made them Elders of what need or use was there of such an order from Paul or of Ordination by Tituâ— for thus they had been Elders already before and without either if but 〈◊〉 charactered as the next verses do describe And if so how is Titus requireâ— to Ordain such and why restrained to Ordain such onely So obvious is iâ— that beside a competency of ability of their part there must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an appointment or Ordination on Titus's parâ— likewise or they are not to be acknowledged Elders So express are the precepts of God for it Sect. 4. And what eminent precedents find we among the godly for it Surely no man taketh this honour to himself but he that is called of God Heb 5.4 True many a man doth de facto but not any man doth i. e. ought de jure Not Aaron under the Law nor any of the Priests after his order ' They were separated from among the children of Israel to their Office * NuÌ„ 8.14 2.6 1 50. Exo. 28.1 2 Chro. 29.11 which was not only to offer sacrifice unto God but to open the statutes of God teach in Israel b) Deut. 33 10 Levit. 10.11 2 Chr. 17.18.9 the work now of every Gospel Minister So nor did the Apostle and high-Priest of our profession Christ Jesus He also glorified not himself to be made an high-Priest but he that said unto him Thou art my son to day have I begotten thee Heb. 5.5 What did he glorifie himself to be made a Prophet then Neither The Spirit of the Lord God saith he is upon mee and hath anointed mee to preach good tidings c. Isa 61.1 i.e. anointed
me not only with abilities but with authority Hee was a Prophet of the Lord 's raising up Act. 3.22 If I honour my self saith hee in his Ministry my honour is nothing it is my Father that honoureth me Joh. 8.54 It was the Father sanctified and sent him into the world about his Ministeriall concernments Joh. 10.36 and sealed him his Commission Joh. 6.27 And behold as my Father sent me even so send I you saith he to his Disciples Joh. 20.21 Ah beloved Self-Ministers then are none of our Saviours Ministers His Ministers can say he made us and not wee our selves And with Paul 1 Tim. 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me for that he counted mee faithfull putting me into the Ministry Observe He doth not thank him onely for his enablings for the Ministry but for his investiture with the Ministry not onely 〈◊〉 his promptness for it but for putting him iâ— it So distinct a notion did the holy Apostles and Prophets keep of their quaâ— fications for the Ministry which made theâ— apt to teach and of their commission tâ— be Ministers which gave them authority 〈◊〉 teach Lo as they were allowed of God 〈◊〉 be put in trust with the Gospel so they teâ— us they spake 1 Thes 2.4 and according as the glorious Gospel of God waâ— committed to them 1 Tim. 1.11 Did these holy men of God think it enough thaâ— they were able to preach Nay but this was it they chose rather to insist upon that they were as Paul saith of himself appointed preachers 2 Tim. 1.11 True it is they durst not but manifest his word through preaching but then it was committed to them according to the commandment of God our Saviour Tit. 1.3 And therefore how often have wee them both in the Prophesies of the Old Testament g) Jer. 1.5 7 17. Ezek. 1.3 2.3 7 8. Hos 1.1 2 c. and in the Prefaces to most of the Epistles h) Rom. 1.1 1 Cor. 1.1 Jam. 1.1 1 Pet. 1.1 c. in the New Testament insisting upon and justifying of their callings to bee Prophets and Apostles Beloved hear you any of them pleading that qualifications are a sufficient Commission or for a freedome of Prophesying by un-officed Prophets pardon the in congruence of the expression or because God hath fitted a man with parts and abilities that hee needs no other furniture of power or authority to exercise and exert them Rather do you not hear and read them distinctly propounding and directly proving their Commission over and above their qualifications Assuring you that God did not onely bring them gifts but bid them go Isai Chap. 6. verse 9. Amos Chap. 7. verse 15. Jeremiah Chap. 1. verse 7. Ezekiel Chap. 3. verse 1 4 11. That God sanctified them for that GOD sent them forth to and God set them in their Ministeriall work and Office Jeremiah Chap. 1. verse 5.7.10 Ezek. Chap. 2. verse 3.4 c. Not onely had they dispositions and gifts for communicating the Gospel but a dispensation of the Gospel was committed to them 1 Corinth Chap. 9. ver 17. Gal. 2.7 O my brethren are we compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses anâ— shall wee yet think the commitment 〈◊〉 the Ministry needlesse or uselesse ' 〈◊〉 can wee suffer our selves to bee put oâ— with so poor a pretext as this That aâ— these instances from the Apostles anâ— Prophets do not arise to the Ordâ—nation now practised by the interventioâ— of men and imposition of the hands oâ— the Presbytery For who seeth not thaâ— they fully reach to evince the necessity 〈◊〉 a commissioning to the Office beside qualifications for the Office of Ministers which is the point now before us And it being more then manifest that the immediate ways of committing men to the Ministry are now ceased and a mediate way from God instead thereof commanded which is written as with a Sun beam in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus unless you will break with God and these precedents among the godly by putting your selves into the Ministry whereas they were put into it of God 1 Tim. 1.12 These instances will in effect and virtue bind you to the Ordination now practised if it be the only way now prescribed and lest us of Jesus Christ Of which hereafter Sect. 3. Thirdly see yet further the evident prescriptions which are given forth for putting men into Ministry by our Lord Jesus and these how numerous that they fill up a good part of three Epistles Beloved consider I beseech you Why should the conferring of the Ministry be so pressingly directed to Timothy and Titus why should the call of men to and their qualifications for the Ministry be so plainly differenced Why should the committers and they committed to it be so particularly distinguished If gifts with a desire to exercise them were sufficient or the solemn committing of this Office were but super-erogatory and superfluous Would the blessed Spirit of wisedom have spentit self in superfluites think we Is there no more set before us but who are to be Ministers and how they are to act in their Ministry Hath not the same spirit set before us their appointment and putting into the Ministry likewise Ay and this how articulately By what men in what manner after what matters previous and by what means present Who are to be Ordainers who and how they are to be Ordained what is pre required to it what to be performed in it and what the product and issue of it Read else but 1 Tim. 3. Chap and 1 Chap. of Titus Sirs why this wast iâ— more were no other ordination to the Office of Ministers but what giâ—â—s and our own or others desires to uâ—e them make O you that stand in the way and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way that we may walk therein must you not say of this This is it wherein God hath been alway wont to meet and give mission to his servants either immediately by investiture of them with the Office from himself as our Lord was pleased to send forth first the Twelve Luk. 9.1 and after the seventy Luk 10 1. Or else mediately by the interposition of his own Officers as Tâ—mothy is directed to do in this verse We doth Matthias Apostolize not till Christ appoints him Act. 1. Do Paul and Barnabas not â—ll our Saviour authorize them Act. 9.17 Chap. 13.2 Hath every Church its Elders that labour in the word and doctrine Buâ— Paul and Barnabas first Ordain them Act. 14.23 Is it the order of Christ that there be Elders in every City but withall that Titus Ordain them Tit. 1.5 Hath Timothy the gift or Office of an Evangelist but not without the laying on of Pauls hands and of the Presbytery likewise 2 Tim. 1.6 1 Tim. 4.4 There must be such who are by calling to teach others but Timothy must commit this trust to them for others as in the Text.
presbyters in Office whose part it was in the Ordination of Timothy 1 Tim. 4.14 Their common care and charge it was and not Pauls only 2 Tim. 1.6 We never read Paul to have practiced in or to have pretended to a sole power of Ordination or to so much as a negative voice in that particular though no doubt he had a greater latitude of authority than any can now lay claim to as being an Apostle not of or by man but by Jesus Christ Yet Paul was neither ordained nor did Ordain without the concurrence of some other Act. 13.1 2 3. ch 14.23 ' If any will yet implead ordination by a presbytery because without a Prelate 1 he ought to produce the divine institution of a Prelate distinct from a dignified beyond a Presbyter or Minister Certain we are the Apostles have left no such one upon their list of Church Officers Eph. 4 11. Rom. 12.6 7 8. 1 Cor. 12.28 and clear it is that a Bishop and Presbyter are all one in the language of the Scripture a) See sect 2. Tit. 1.10 b) vid. Hieronym ad Loc. Idem est ergo Presbyter qui Episcopus c. 1 Tim. 3.1 2. c) Post Episcopum Diaconi ordinationem subjicit Quare i st quia Episcopi Presbyteri una ordinatio est uterque exim saeerdos est Ambros ad Loc. c. having the same office the same ordination the same characters given to and qualitier ' required in them and the same work being committed to them And as clear 't is that a Presbyter or ordinary Minister is vested with a power of government or rule 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Thes 5.12 Act. 20.17 28. 2. Hee ought to prove the divine investiture of prelates with Ordination ard imposition of hands different from presbyters whereof ' we read not one word in all the Scriptures but of the laying on of the hands of the presbytery in fair and open characters 1 Tim. 4.14 True 't is that we read of Ordination by Timothy and Titus ' Evangelists by Paul and Barnabas Apostles but this neither directly serveth the cause of the Prelates they being neither Apostles nor Evangelists nor indirectly unlesse they can prove themselves to be a distinct order or dignity of Ministers by the divine appointment of Jesus Christ in that sence can put in a plea of being their successors which a Presbyter in a fair construction may 1 Pet. 5.1 2. Though a Prelate without a forced construction cannot Where doth ' the Scripture prescribe that there should be any ordination of Prelates different from or over and above their former ordination as Presbyters Or that there should be any Ordination by prelates as distinct from Presbyters When it is a ruled case that a Bishop or Prelate ordained per saltum i. e. who never had the Ordination of a Presbyter himself but only of a Bishop can neither consecrate and administer the Sacrament of the Lords body nor ordain a Presbyter d) of the Church l. 3. ch 39. by which it appeareth that a Bishop doth not excell a Presbyter by a distinct and higher order or power of order ' for which Doctor Field hath produced the acknowledgment of the most learned among the Papists d) Aquin. Bonavent Dominic à Soto Armacanus Camerar Contarenus e The instance of Timothy and Titus as if Bishops of Ephesus and Crete will be a covering too narrow For as we never read the Spirit of God calling them Bishops in Scripture the Post-script to those Epistles being disowned from being any part of the Canon by many Papists even by Baronius and the Rhemists and are so disproved by severall Protestants f vide Beza Anot. maj ad 1 Tim. 6.22 ad 2 Tim. 4.23 ad Tit. 3.14 So Timothy is expresly enough called an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4.5 ' Nor could their frequent removes g see them described Jus Divin Min. Evan. par 2. p. 69. Smectimnuus sect 13. after the mention of their being at Ephesus and Crete have any consistence ' with the charge or Office of a Bishop which obligeth to a fixed residence among his flock to passe other reasons h see Jus Di vin Minist Evang. par 2. c. 5. throughout against their diocesan Episcopacy ' Their frequent diversions and journeys and various dispatches to and fro at the desire of the Apostles and as might best subserve the design and welfare of the generall visible Church do loudly enough proclaim them to be Evangelists I know there are on the other hand that vest the people with this power and priviledge of Ordination beyond what was ever possessed by the Prelates But with no countenance that I know from Christ yea or conveniency to Christians while it is little other than a seed-plot of dissentions among them and of divisions into parties and while beside their distance from the power of ruling whose place it is to be ruled such are their disabilities disproportion to make proof of mens ready instruction to the kingdom of God either in cleering the difficulties of the Gospel or in eâ—viâ—cing gainsayers 'T is true We read whatsome ingeniously observe before us k) London Ministâ—e in their Jns div min. evan par 3. c. 13. of Ordaining Elders in every Church but we never read of Ordaining Elders by any Church They Ordained them Elders in every Church Act. 14.23 Who Ordained them Paul and Barnabas for the people not the people for themselves That every Church should Ordain them Elders in every Church grates too much upon common sense and truth Nor will the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 help it out for what ever bee the import of l) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. To stretch out the hand which is still done in Ordination with imposition of hands Nor can there much more be evinced by the usage of this word in this place if there be any worth in that observation of learned Stephanus that it signifieth not to give suffrage but to create ordain c. when it governs an accusarive case as here it doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Steph. Thesaur Ling. graec ad verbum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 manifest enough it is both from what is antecedent to this expression and what is after it that Paul and Barnabas were the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to whom they must necessarily bee understood to relate nine times besides in the narrative or relation which is herewith made ver 21. ad finem Far be it from mee to divest the Churches of Jesus from any part of those priviledges which are given them by his charter Let it be granted them for me that the people may choose and look out men and set them before the Presbytery as they did for Deacons before the Apostles still observing their limies Act. 6.3 5 6. But the Presbytery 't is that commit the Ministry appoint and send forth the men as then did the Apostles ver 3.6
the contents and aim of these Epistles which concern publick tranfactions in the Church especially publick teachers or if 3. the command it self be duly weighed fo◠such as are to teach but privately an◠from grounds of charity only need n◠such commitment of these things t◠them nor needs it that there be such choyce of men this being every ma◠and womans duty Heb 5.12 Nor ca◠any thing be justly impleaded from the Apostles use of the future tense who shall b◠able to teach others also for though tha◠they shal be able to teachothers be necessari◠antecedent to the commitment of the Office◠sensu physico i. e. that they shal have abi◠lities to teach yet it followeth the commitment of the Office sensu morali i. e. tha◠they shall use such abilities ordinarily or b◠able to teach others acceptably and lawfully remembring still that old honest an◠veceived principle Illud tantum possumu◠quod jure possumus We are able to do n◠more than we are able in Law or may 〈◊〉 lawfully And thus our text aptly corresponds to that of the same Apostle Rom. 10. vers 15. How shall they preach except they be sent i. e. how shall they preach warrantably Abilities they must have before sending but sending vests them with authority So that the words speak as much in effect as this Doth Timothy know such as are faithfull and fit or able to teach others he must commit these things to them as Trustees for others Doth he find any so qualified for the Office to teach hee must leave them Commissioned to this Office Are they qualified with fidelity and ability Timothy must commit to them a furniture of authoriy Thirdly but how must Timothy commit these things this Office to them What! he only he and none but hee No we never find the Ministry committed to any by a single person but still it is done by severall in society We always read of more than one concurring to it and never remember less than two And those are no less than were Paul Barnabas Act. 14.23 The Twelve are associates in it Acts 6.2 3 6. and it is the joint act of how many teachers and Prophets Act. 13.1 2 3. The seat and subject of this power is not a Presbyter but the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4.14 Can we rationally think that Paul doth require Timothy to commit the Ministry to others so as recedes from and hath no consistency with the practice of Paul in the same case upon Timothy himself Well and who of us doth not remember that Timothy received his Commission no tonly by the laying on of Paul's hands but of the Presbytery likewise 2 Tim. 1 6. and 1 Tim. 4.14 True 't is that Titus is to Ordain Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 City by City where the Churches were planted and their condition called for it but with this proviso as Paul had appointed him Tit. 1.5 And who can think that Paul's appointments and Paul's actions should so little accord or so much interfere that Paul should order either Titus there or Timothy here to do that singly by himself which Paul an Apostle never did if I may not say never durst but in society It is granted that this command did concern Timothy eminently and signally above others but not exclusively so as to shut out all others It must be done by others likewise though it be directed to and is to be directed by him especially as one that had an eminent and speciall trust about the ordering of this and all other Church affairs being by office an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4.5 Fourthly Yet once more to whom must Timothy commit this trust these things in way of office What to all the Congregation No There must be some to be taught as well as others sent forth to teach What then to any of whatever qualification Nor this They must be at least men of a good life faithfull men yea and men of good learning too that shall be able to teach others also The text thus opened the truth is obvious which I shall at this time take up or observe from it Observ Those that are authoritatively from Christ in his Church to teach others must have that Office committed to them as well as bee qualified for that Office How orient me thinks is this observation in all its truths from the text Lo 1. Some there must be in the Church who are authoritatively from Christ to teach others But then 2. That there may be such in the Church who are from Christ to teach authoritatively they must have the Office committed to them by some Timothy Yet 3. Timothy may not give Commission to this Office unlesse he find qualifications for this Office Timothy may not dare to confer authority on any without due cognizance first had both of their fidelity and ability Well 4. Hath God qualified any with fidelity and ability yet though they are able to teach others they may not acceptably teach others in the sense mentioned unlesse for proof of those abilities untill Timothy hath from God committed to them authority likewise But to lead you further abroad Give me leave to open and offer to you these five things and thereto lend me I beseech you your most strict and serious attention 1. There must bee some in the Church who are by Office from Christ authoritatively to teach others 2. They must be qualified for this Office 3. They must have this Office cōmitted to them 4. How it must be cōmitted And 5. Why it must be committed to them First there are to be some in the Church who are by Office authoritatively from Christ to teach others I say by Office but this not civil but spiritual Officers wee are not in the Common-wealth but in the Church to which Christ hath promised I will also make thy Officers peace Isa 60.17 Thus brethren and beloved we may with Paul magnifie our Office * Rom. 11.13 An Office the Ministry is 1 Tim. 3.1 Yea such is the Deaconship ver 10.13 and therefore this much more which as to your want and its worth doth so much transcend that as the Apostles intimate Act. 6.2 What lesse than this that it is an Office doth Paul assert of his own Ministry Rom. 11.13 or assure the Saints of ours when he tells them Rom. 12.4 That as we have many members in one body naturall and all members have not the same Office so 't is in the body mysticall too ver 5.6 wherein Deacons Pastors Teachers and Rulers be in distinct Office as the 7. and 8. verses import So that Preachers are by Office distinct from and dignified above the people Are all Teachers saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.29 It is no more possible that all be Ministers or Teachers in the body spiritual than that all be Magistrates in the body civill or that all be Officers in the body military or that all the members be eye or tongue in the body
naturall If all may be Teachers where are the others to be taught of whom this Text tells us Need I mention the practice under the Law the Prophecies then touching the Gospel or the precedents left us in the times of the Gospel He that runs may read a constant discretion between the Priests and people then between Pastor and people now between the members of the Church and the Ministers of the Church in both To the Law and to the Testimony And here how eminent a difference hath the Holy Ghost made Ministers of the Church are to be overseers members of the Church to be overseen Acts 20.28 These are set under those said to be over them in the Lord 1 Thes 5.12 These are to submit those to preside and rule Heb. 13.7 17. Briefly these to bee taught the other to teach Galat. 6. ver 6. Yea teach we must not only with assiduity but with authority With authority I say not magisterial indeed as if we were Lords over the Church 1 Pet. 5.3 That is interdicted Mar. 10.42 but Ministertall as over the Church in the Lord 1 Thes 5.12 this is incouraged Heb. 13.17 Far far be it that we should preach up such an authority as if we had dominion over your faith 2 Cor. 1.24 No all the authority which we plead for is the dispensation not domination committed to us for the good of the faithfull 1 Cor. 9.17 The authority which the Lord hath given us is for your edification and not for your destruction 2 Cor. 10.8 And with this restriction and under this respect let me tell you that we are to teach and exhort and rebuke not only with authority but with all authority Tit. 2.15 and there is not that holy Minister but may speak wiâ—h holy Micah according to his measure Truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord of judgment and of might to declare unto Jacob his transgression unto Israel his sin Mic. 3.8 True it is that all Church-members ought to be teachers of others Heb. 5.12 But this private and charitative Christ hath therefore over and above appointed in his Church such teaing likewise as may be publick and authoritative i.e. that there be such teachers who are by power and authority derived from him to them publickly to open and apply the Scriptures for the conversion and edification of souls as in his stead and not only in private ' Where yet such in teaching are properly enough said to preach though it be in a private house Act. 5.42 or but to one particular person Act. 8.35 it being not simply an act of ' charity in them but an act of authority which it cannot be said to be in others Charitative teaching which should be every mans work too soon becometh no mans work And therefore Christ hath ordained that there be peculiar officers for authoritative teaching who are to give themselvs wholly to it 1 Tim. 4.15 and must not only be able to teach as the Text speaks but must be apt to teach 2 Tim. 2.24 and abide in teaching 1 Tim. 4.16 And unto these teachers all people are bound to attend as those that teach not only by ability but by authority derived from Jesus Christ Luke 12.16 Indeed how shall they hear without a preacher sent RoÌ„ 10.14 15 Think you that such teachers are now ceased and that this office was of no longer continuance than the first age or century of the Church Oh! Where are your considerations of the everlasting Kingdome of Christ a) Is 9.6.7 Lu. 1.33 of the Churches perpetual existencies b) Mat. 16.18 Heb. 12.27 28. and of her continued pressing exigencies c) Rom. 10.14 Eph. 4.12.13 14. or of our dearest Christs ends by and engagements to the Ministry d) Mat. 28.19 20. Lu. 24.46 47. Did a Kingdom ever stand without Officers Did the Church ever subsist without a Ministry and Ordinances Or hath Christ said that she ever should on this side glory Nay hath he not rather told us that the word of the Lord endureth for ever and that this is the word which by the Gospell is preached to you 1 Pet. 1.24.25 Beloved did not Christ assure his Christian Churches by prophecy under the Old Testament of giving them teachers by office without limiting it to this or that Century or age Jer. 3.15 Nay rather letting us understand that he will have such continued even after the Jews are called if you compare that vers with the 14 16 17. ver Or Jer. 23.3.4 c. or Isa 66.20 21. Besides When Christ had actually sent forth first the Twelve Mat. 10.1 and after that the Seventy Luk. 10.1 and again enlarged their Commission Mat. 28.19 doth not he ascertain his presence with them e're he parted from the earth alway to the end of the world ver 20. which could not intend themselves onely but must include their successors * Quamvis quoad modum gradum extraordinarii Ministri nullos habent successores quoad ipsam tamen essentiam administrationis eodem officio funguntur Ministri Ordinarii versus Ecclesiam quo extraordinarii olim fungebantur Ames Medu Theol. lib. 1. ca. 35. n. 4. who-ever are according to his ordinance bid go teach and baptize For the Disciples where are they and the Apostles do they live for ever Again being ascended up on high did not our Lord Christ give gifts unto men and thus not only some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists but som Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ ends of continued and constant observation need and use But till when shall these Pastors and teachers endure and how long shal the Church enjoy them Till wee are all come in or into * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod scitè exposuit Syrus interpres quasi Scriptum sit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bâ—zâ— Annot maj ad Loc. the unity of the faith and of the knowledg of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4 8 11 12 13. Shall I add to all this how Christ hath particularly directed for the investiture of fit and faithfull men with this Office in his severall Churches in these two Epistles to Timothy and in the next to Titus and how hee will have these Commandments inviolably and impartially kept until his appearing 1 Tim. 5.21 22. chap 6.14 Readers if you can believe that there is no more need of labourers for husbandry 1 Cor. 3.9 or of seedsmen or reapers for harvest 2 Cor. 9.11 Luk. 10.2 or of builders for houses 1 Cor. 3.9 10. or of some to plant and water for gardens and orchards 1 Cor. 3.6 then and not till then may you believe that the Church shall have no more need of Ministers by office for thus the Scriptures mentioned express our necessities of them to us Sure
I am if Church-members may be still called the Sons and Daughters of God 2 Cor. 6.16 Such Ministers may be likewise called the Spirituall Fathers that beget them 1 Cor. 4.15 the spirituall nurses that feed and nourish them 1 Thes 2.7 1 Cor. 3.2 and are the stewards that when grown up are to give them their portion of meat in due season Luk. 12.42 In a word if men had need still to be believers they have still need of Ministers by whom ye believed 1 Cor. 3 6. and if ye are still Pilgrims and strangers 1 Pet 2.11 how ye can want such Officers as are called guides Heb. 13.7 and the light of the Word Mat 5.14 I must profess I see not farewell the Office-Ministers of Christ in England and farewell the chariots and horsmen of England 2 Kings 2.12 Sect. 2 Secondly those that are by Office authoritatively from Christ to teach others must be qualified for this Office before they have it committed to them This is a true saying indeed if a man desire the Office of a Bishop which term in Scripture phrase bespeaketh no more then a Presbyter or Minister a) Tit. 1.5 with 7. Phil. 1.1 Act. 20.17 with 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word every where else rēdered Bishop by our translators many of our English Bishops i. e. Prelates themselves being judges b) A.B. Whitgift against Cartwright p. 383. Anselm in 1 Tim. 3. B. Bridges of the Princes Supremacy p. 255. B. Bilson against Seminaries lib. 1. p. 318. see B. Jewel against Harding Def of the Apolog par 2. ch 3. divis chap 9. divis 1. B. Morton Cathol Apol par 1. ch 33. he desireth a good work 1 Tim. 3. ver 1. But must not this bee acknowledged a true saying likewise that who and what the man is that desireth it how able how apt c should be first considered before he be Commissioned or set apart unto it Else what mean those numerous characters which Timothy hath given him in charge that are continued to the eight verse and whereof Titus is re-minded likewise by the same Apostle when he appoints him to ordain Elders in every City at least of Creet Tit. 1.5 ad 13. Or what means else that notable and no less dreadfull charge 1 Tim. 5. ver 21.22 I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins keep thy self pure Ah my brethren Church-work is chary work Lay we on hands suddenly and we lay them on sinfully And to be sure we shall partake of other mens sins if we shall so little prize their our own other mens souls which any thing below the blood of him that was God Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 1.18.19 is too smal to purchase Come sirs who is the faithful and wise steward him shall the Lord make ruler over his houshold Luk. 12.42 And shall we who are the Lords by Office and must account to the Lord for our Office shall we make them rulers who will manifestly ruine more than rule the houshold of Faith Can wee keep our selves pure and yet be careless of conferring such a power such an honour as the Ministry is it hath a power to bind to loos from hell A power to open and shut heaven Mat. 16.19 and an honour abstractly so called Heb. 5.4 that doth not onely speak us to be Embassadours for Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 but Angels rather than men Rev. 1. C. 2. O beloved who is sufficient for these things Surely none are in regard of adequation and alas how few in regard of acceptation But what though we cannot find men equall to the Office shal we forget that men should bee able for the Office * See more use 2 sect 1 Surely the bold precipitancies of men uncalled upon this Office and the bloody preceleratings of men unqualified into this Office are abominations never enough to be bewailed before the Lord. Thirdly Those that are authoritatively from Christ to teach others in his Church must not only be quallified for this Office but must have the Office committed to them Hear the Apostle How shall they preach except they be sent Rom. 10.15 How shall they saith he Nay they do and this how often how open and God sent them not say the godly Yea I have not sent these Prophets yet they ran I have not spoken to them yet they prophesied saith God himself Jer. 23.21 True they do it wickedly but how shall they do it warrantably How shal they preach except they be sent i.e. with the approbation of God's Law they may easily adventure upon it from their own lust How shall they preach either with success and countenance from him or without sinfull and sawcy presumption in them How dareth he perform the Heralds Office to proclaim war and peace in the conscience who was never put into the Office nor can produce an Herald's patent This is the Metaphor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How shall they preach as God's Herald's Lo Christians beside meetness for the Office an Herald of God a Minister must have mission suitableness to the Office is not enough without sending Nay are you not told in the same strains of reason and Rhetorick that there is as great a necessity of sending that we bee preachers as was and is of preachers that you be hearers or of hearing that you bee believers or of believing if you expect an answer to and the acceptation of your prayers So high our Apostle carrieth it if you look back upon the 13 and 14. verses Such an holy concatenation maketh he of all these ' So that you cannot bear us in hand with the blasphemous Socinian that there remains no more a necessity of such sending since the Apostles ceased for that say they * Ostorod in Instit c. 42. Th. Nicholaid in desens Tract so cui de Eccl. c. 1. Schmaltz in resert Thes D Frantz per. 2. disput 4. these were to preach a new doctrine which we now are not For with what faithfulness can this be said in regard either of hearers the interrogations all running in so clear and constant a stream 'T is as much said How shall they hear without a Preacher and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard c as how shal they preach except they be sent Or in regard of the holy Apostles who assure us that they preached no other things thā those which Moses and the Prophets did say should come Act. 26.22 Chap. 24.14 Chap. 28.23 And not only as they passed to and fro did they ordain Elders in every Church Act. 14.23 but prescribed a constant course for Ordination likewise as the Epistles to Timothy and Titus witnesse Nor can you say that they are sent of God who are only gifted For as it