as it appeareth by many places both of the old and new Testament but chiefly in Numb 11. 16. Where God ordayned seuenty ancientes to assist Moses in his gouernment who were also endued at the same time with the spirite of prophecie from which time it became an ordinarie office and name of Gouernours in Israell Wherein we haue to note against the papistes that the ministers of the Church are neuer called in the new Testament by the name of sacrificing Priestes which were vnder the lawe but often are called Elders of the similitude of those ancientesâ— that gouerned the people of God Whereas if they had beene appoynted of God to be sacrificers the similitude name of sacrificing priestes would a great deale better haue agreed vnto them But whereas both these names were vsuall amongst the Iewes Iereus and Presbyteroi the one signifiyng sacrificers and the other Elders The spirit of God doth often call the ministers Elders but euermore preciselye auoydeth to name them sacrificers or priestes as we vse the terme yea though they succeed them in one principall part of their office that is to saye in teaching as it â—s written The lippes of the priest shoulde preserue knowledge and men shal seeke the law at his mouth The cause whereof is euident to bee this that the sacrificing priesthoode of Aaron is wholly translated vnto Christ in whom onely it resteth and passeth from him to none other But by the name of Elders the Pastors are called Act. 14. 23 Where Paule and Barnabas ordained Elders by election in euerye congregation And Act. 20. 17. Paule sent for the Elders of Ephesus to MiletuÌ„ Also â—he affirmeth those Elders especially which labour in preaching and doctrine to be worthy of double honor Which place also testifieth of an other kind of Elders of whom we shal â—haue occasion to speake more hereafter whose office consisteth only in gouernement and not in publique teaching Moreouer he sheweth that he appoynted Titus to ordaine Eldersin euery Citie and afterwarde describeth what maner of men hee woulde haue to bee chosen into the office Also Saint Iames in Cap. 5. 14. willeth that if anye bee sicke they shoulde call for the Elders of the Churche who being indewed with the gifte of healinge at that time should pray for the diseased and annoint him with oyl and he should be restored to his health Finally Saint Peter as a fellowe Elder exhorteth the Elders to employe all their diligence to the feeding of the flocke of God An other name they haue in the scripture which is Superintendents or Ouerseers because they ought to be vigilant and watchfull to ouersee the flocke and euery member thereof Which name is neuer vsed in the scripture for such Bishops as clayme and exercise dominion and authoritie ouer whole regions all the Pastours of the same but only for those that bee Pastours of euery seuerall congregation hauing no superiority â—uer their fellow Pastors but be al of equall dignity and authoritie So are â—hey named Act. 20. where S. Luke in â—he 17. vers calleth them Elders of the Church of Ephesus S. Paule in the 28. â—erse calleth the same ouerseers sayâ—ng Take heede to your selues and to the â—hole flocke ouer which the holy Ghoste â—ath made you ouerseers to feede or goâ—erne the Church of God which he hath â—â—rchased with his owne bloud In this â—lace all the three appellations conâ—urre namely of ouerseers plaineâ—e and Pastoures inclusiuely in the â—orde flocke and in the worde Potâ—ainan which signifieth to feede or gouern as a Pastor doeth his sheepe Where is to bee noted that Byshoppes or ouerseers of one Citye were manye which plainelye arguâ—th that they were none such as now a days are commonly called bishops which can be but one in one whole Diocesse much lesse many in one citie The same thing is to be obserued in the name of Bishoppes vsed by S. Paule Phillip 1. 1 where he Timothie sende salutations vnto the Bishops and Deacons of the church which was in the Citie of Philippi which bishops were the Elders or pastors else would he not haue saluted in special words the Deacons which were in inferiour office and omitted the Elders which were of more excellent calling In the same maner of speaking he describeth the qualities of those which were to be chosen into the office of the bishops and Deacons Likewise vnto Titus 1. 5. He calleth them Elders and immediatly after discribing the qualities of such as were meet to be ordained Elders he calleth them bishops saying For this cause did I leaue thee in Creta that thou shouldest continue to redresse the thinges that remaine and that thou shouldest ordayne Elders in euery Citie if anie be vnreproueable the husband of one wife hauing faithfull Children which are not accused of riot nor are disobedient For a Bishop or ouer seer must be vnreprooueable as the Steward of God not froward c. Finally S. Peter chapter 5. 1. the place before alleadged comprehendeth al the three names of Elders Pastours Bishops The Elders saith he which are among you I beseech The name of Pastor is vnderstanded by relation of the names of feeding and the flocke which he vseth also by the name of ArchipoymeÌ„ which signifieth the chief of Pastours which is our Sauiour Christ. The name of bishops or ouerseers is included in the worde Episcopountes which signifieth them which do carefully exercise the office of bishops or ouerseers His exhortation is this The Elders which are amongst you I beseech which am also a fellow Elder and a witnesse of the sufferinges of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that shalbe reuealed Feede the flocke of God which is committed vnto you so much as in you lieth carefully ouerseeing not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a readie minde not as exercising Lordshippe ouer the heritage but that you may be examples to the flocke and when the chiefe Pastor shall appeare you shal receiue an incorruptible Crowne of glory S. Peter in this place reprooueth three notable vices which doe great hurt among the ministers of the Church if they bee not taken heede of slouthfulnes in teaching couetousnes of lucre ambitious desire of exercising Lordship exhorting them to painfull diligence because they were Byshops or Ouerseers to a ready care because they were Pastoures and therefore should labour for loue of the flock and not for lucre like hirelinges to modest humility because their cheef dignity in that they were Elders was to excell in Godlinesse that they might be an ensample to the flock which cannot bee except they submit themselues and their liues to the common rule of other men which most excellente vertues if they imbrace they shoulde bee sure to bee plentifullye rewarded by him who onelye deserueth to bee called the cheefe of all Elders Pastors and Byshops to whome onely these honorable names of
and occasions are of small power to perswade any man and least of all the ignoraunt people Let long experience the Mystresse of fooles teach vs if knowledge the instructer of wise men cannot mooue vs. Howe many papists conuerted How many ignoraunt instructed How many wicked reformed are ye able to shew by this ignoraunt and vnlearned ministery with all the helpes of reading of forâ—all prayers and homilies without â—eaching and applying the Scripâ—â—res to the proper circumstaunces â—efore rehearsed Againe who seeth â—ot but he that is so blinde that he â—ill see nothing that these partes of â—true Pastors duetie which both the â—rophetes Ezechiel and Zachary reâ—earse namely to strengthen the â—eake to heale the sicke to bind the â—roken to seeke the lost to bring â—ome that is carried away to cherish â—e yong Lambs to feede the strong â—eepe c. cannot be performed of â—y man by such means as these but â—nely by such one as is a Godly and â—arned shepheard Wherefore these â—oore helpes of prescript forme of â—ading of praiers of Homilies and â—ch like when they are alleadged to maintaine the ignorance of vnskilful â—astors are called no better by the â—dgement of God but the instruâ—entes of foolish and idole sheapâ—eardes which haue a certaine preâ—â—nce of pastorall office but in effect are altogether vnmeet for the same Euen as Idiots and Idolles are good for nothing but able to doe much hurt concerning whom our sauiour Christ pronounceth this feareful sentence If the blind lead the blind they shal both fall into the pit How long therefore shal wee suffer the blinde to lead the blind to the destruction of both Let vs therfore now at the leÌ„gth remoue these blind guides and place in their steeds faithfull ouerseers that may lead the flock of Christ into the way of saluation The ministers of the church are the salt of the earth If the salt be vnsauory wherwith shall it be seasoned It is good for nothing but to bee cast out and troden downe of mens feete Let vs not therfore seek politike shifts to maintain the vnsauory salt which our Sauiour Christe pronounceth to bee good for nothing but to be cast out By these and many other testimonies of the scripture it is as cleere as the Sunne at Noone dayes that it is the office and duetie of a Pastor both to be able and willing to teach his flocke and that no ignorant and vnlearned person is to bee admitted to that charge or reteined if hee bee â—rept in no more then a blind maÌ„ is to be suffred in an office which must be executed only with the sight or a Humbe Dog to giue warning which cannot barke or an Idol to haue the place of a man or a fool of a wise maÌ„ or a Wolfe of a Sheapheard or darknesse in steede of light or Salt that is vnsauory to season withal But while we intreat of teaching to be the duty of a pastor we do not only meane publike preaching when the coÌ„gregation is assembled but also priuate exhortation repreheÌ„sion consolatioÌ„ of euery particular person within his charge so often as need shall require And that this also is the duetye of a faithful Bishop S. Paule testifieth setting before the elders of the church of Ephesus the example of his diligeÌ„ce which he wold haue theÌ„ to folow You know saith hee from the first day that I came into Asia after what manner I haue bin with you at al seasons seruing the Lord withall modesty c. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable but haue shewed you and taught you both openly and throughout euery house By vvhich it is manifest that the Pastor must not onely teache al his flocke openly but also he must instruct euery familie priuatelie vvhersoeuer hee shal see it to be needfull or expedient which duty cannot bee accomplished by a reading Minister Also in the 26. vers of the same Chapiter hee commendeth vnto the Elders a general care of the vvhole flocke Take heede to your selues sayth hee and to the whole flocke Which care can not be wel or at al vndertaken except they be diligent to teach both al and euerie one of their flocke as neede shal require Which thing also hee willeth them once againe to obserue in his example verse 31. saying Therefore watch yee remembring that by the space of three yeeres I ceassed not night and day exhorting euery one of you By these testimonies it is euident to see what diligence the holy Ghoste requireth of Pastors in teaching both publikely and priuately as well generallye all their flocke as particularlye euerye one of them Hee therefore that is vnapt to execute this parte of a Pastors duety is altogether vnmeete to whome gouernance of the flocke of God shoule be committed In temporal affayres no man vvil commit the least charge that can bee to such persons as he knoweth to be altogether vnmeete or vnable to aunswere vnto the charge And shall we continue as we haue done hitherto to put theÌ„ in trust with the greatest charge that can be the saluation of so many thousande soules redeemed with the bloud of Christe whome wee knowe certainely to be able to doe no parte of a Pastours duety sufficiently God forbid that we should still continue so lightly to esteeme so waightye a matter as though we accounted the bloud of Christ by which we are sanctified to be prophane and woulde contumeliously withstande the spirit of God But necessitie you wil answere hath no lawe This necesity we haue aunswered before to consist in 2. points in lack of liuings and lack of learned men The first we haue shewed ought to be no lette no not of an howre if the other wante coulde so soone bee supplied And both must of necessity bee prouided for in time or else wee testify before God and his holy Angels that they which neglect or with stand this prouision shal be guilty of the bloude of all them that perisâ—e through the desaulte of teaching in the whole realm The lack of liuings may be supplied either by restoring the sacriledges of Abbies as Impropriations of benefices c. or by deuiding the supersluities of some places that haue to muche vnto them that haue too little or by any other godly meanes that may bee thought meet to these godly and wise gouernors that by duty ought and by authority may do it The lacke of learned preachers must be so farre forth supplied as it maye presentlye by encouraging and exhorting so many as are able to take that charge in hand by ouerseeing the Readers schollers in diuinity in the Vniuersities to doe their duties the one in teaching purely the other in learning diligeÌ„tly by thrusting out these vnprofitable heades of Colledges and other drone Bees which either are vnable or vnwilling to set forward the study of diuinity in their seuerall huoses placing diligent and learned gouernors students in their places
the consent of the church in that place 1. Tim. 2. 20. So likewise where he speaketh to Timothie in the singular nuÌ„ber concerning the hearing determining of matters pertaining to Discipline we ought to acknowlege that he teacheth in Timothie his person the duty of elders neuer ment to giue Timothy an absolute or singular authority to be iudge in these matters without consent of the Eldership whereof he maketh mention but a little before To conclude therfore the Pastor with aduise consent of the Elders hath authoritie to heare examine matters pertaining to Ecclesiasticall Discipline and as the cause requireth to excommunicate offenders and vpon their repentance and amendment to receiue them againe into the bosom of the church approued by the word of God Insteede of which Antichrist hath set vp a tyrannicall iurisdiction of one Bishop to be iudge of excommunication which is practized neyther for causes sufficient nor by sufficient authoritie in so much as it hath beene alreadye testified by the scripture that the power of excommunication is in no one man no not in an Apostle but is common to the whole church ought to be executed by lawful delegats of the church also But so much that vsurped authoritie presumeth that the bishop as an absolute owner therof commiteth it ouer to his chancelor or ArchdeacoÌ„ the Archdeacon to his Official he to his register he again to his substitute and his substitute to his seruants man or boy as it happeneth in so much that a learned preacher may be excommunicated by a folish boy If this matter seeme not to requyre speedy reformatioÌ„ god hath blinded our eies that we can not see the clere light of the sun shining in our faces For if we loke to banish the tyrannye of the Pope out of all mens harts we must vtterly remoue al his detestable enormities out of the Realme as it was wont to be sayd in the common prayers of the Church in the time of K. Henry and Edward whereas now by reteining stil all the detestable enormities of his prerogatiue and faculties whole course of his Canon law the papacie is not so much banished in name as translated in deede from the Sea of Rome to the Sea of Caunterbury vnder the shadowe of the Princes supremacie with as heynous iniurie and contumely of the lawful authoritie godly supremacie of the Prince as ioyned with the great dishonour of God and the miserable disorder of the Church But we meane not in this place to prosecute our iust complaintes nor to inueigh againste the abuse of these thinges with such vehemencie of wordes as the worthines of the matters deserueth but onelye in setting foorth the plaine trueth to giue a glimpst by the waye of the contrarye falshoode We must therefore returne to the authoritie of the Pastour which he hath ioyned with the Elders of the Church whereof he is pastour The Church hath alwayes had great care for prouision of the poore by which compassion they shewed that they were liuely members of the body of Christ and auoyded great reproch of them that were without For what shame is it for them that professe to be all sonnes of one father and therfore all brethren yea that be members all of one body to suffer their brethren fellow members to lacke necessaries to sustayne their temporal life as though they that communicate in all spiritual graces and blessinges were not worthye to take part of these worldlye benefites at leastwyse so farre forth as to supply their necessities Therefore our Sauiour Christe alwayes commendeth brotherly loue among his Disciples to teach vs how ready we ought to be to distribute vnto the necessities of our brethren which is a true testimonie of our loue declared by his owne example For although hee were so poore that he liued of the almesse and liberalitie of other men yet of that which was more then serued his owne necessitie he vsed to bestowe vppon the poore as Iohn 13. 29. to teache them whome hee hath blessed with Temporall riches which hee refused to enrich vs with heauenlye treasures that they of their superfluitie woulde be content to giue to the reliefe of their poore bretheren which he did not neglect in his extreame pouerty To teach also them that haue but mean substaunce that they ought not to bee excused but somewhat to contribute vnto the necessitie of their poore bretheren when he that had nothing at all but that which was giuen euen of that bestowed part Therefore the Apostles in the primitiue Church thought it to be expedient for the better prouiding for the poore that certaine men shoulde be appoynted of approoued Godlinesse and diligence which shoulde take the speciall charge of the distribution vnto the poore Act. 6. These men were called Deacons or ministers because they did minister and serue the poore in their necessities and because the occasion of the ordinaunce continueth alwayes as our Sauiour Christ hath sayde we should alwayes haue the poore amongest vs Iohn 12. 8. vvhereby GOD woulde exercise our charitie The office of Deacons also is perpetuall Therefore the Apostle Saint Paule prescribeth what kinde of men are meete for that office 1. Timothie 3. 8. And in euery well constituted Church they were ordayned accordingly as Phillip 1. 1. Also after the ordeyning of the seuen Deacons this office was deuided into diuers partes as necessitie shewed diuers occasions For some were appoynted for the collection and distribution of alâ—esse as Romans 12. 8. and some for attending vppon the sicke and impotent among the poore as in the same place Let him that distributeth doe it with simplicitie and let him that sheweth mercie doe it with cheerefulnesse Which kinde of Deacons 1. Cor. 12. 28. are called helpers and for the seruice of this office were appointed diuers olde poore widowes who as they were mainteined by the church so they serued the church attending vppon the other poore who beeing sicke and impotent had neede not onely of things necessary but also of seruice and attending 1. Timoth. 5. 5. These offices being instituted by the spirit of God for the necessary vse of the Church which vse still continueth ought also to be reteined among vs. For we see for want of these offices what great inconueniences are among vs concerning the poore For although ther be very good politike laws made for prouision of the pore yet smal reliefe commeth thereby to the poore indeed at least wise manie abuse the reliefe which they receiue which commeth of this that there be not in euery church or congregatioÌ„ such Deacons as the holy ghost hath appointed which should take a speciall care employ a great diligence for the prouision of the poore not only some to gather and distribute but also to see it well imployed on the poore and to imploy the poore that liue of the almes of the church to the releefe of their
fellow poore which are more impoteÌ„t theÌ„ they as it was vsed in the Primatiue Church And aboue all thinges to beware of them that walke disorderlye and labour not if they be able Of which kinde of people when there is so greate multitudes in this land that they doe euen ouerflowe the Countryes and haue beene knowne to bee practizers of greate matters agaynste the state It is maruayle that neither by politique nor by ecclesiasticall Lawe they are broughte into order and sette to laboure or else as Saynt Paule prescribeth so that they shoulde not eate vntill they bee willing to labour 2. Thes. 3. 10. But now to return to the Election of Deacons Concerning the form of chusing of Deacons we may reade at large Actes 6. that they were chosen by consente of the vvhole Churche and hadde the approbation of the Apostles And because wee maye not thinke there was anye confusion in that blessed companye wee muste needes confesse that vvhich hath beene before declared that there were euen in that assemblie and firste Churche at Hierusalem certayne elders appoynted which in the name and by the consente of the rest had the disposition of suche matters as appeareth by manie places of the Actes of the Apostles where the Elders are named with the Apostles As Actes 15. 4. 12. c. but especiallye concerning this matter of the distribution vnto the poore we reade that when the Church of Antiochia was so wel disposed as to make a collection to bee sente vnto the poore Brethren that dwelt in Iury they sent vnto the Elders by the handes of Barnabas and Saule Actes 11. 30. By vvhich it appearethe that the Elders had the disposition and appoynting of suche as shoulde destribute it vnto the Congregation which were the Deacons For it is agreeable to reason that hee that should doe any seruice in the name of all should be chosen and approued by the consent of all For the Regiment of the church as it ought to bee furthest of from all Tirannye so ought it to be as farre from Confusion and disorder Tyranny is auoyded when no one man contrarie to the ordinaunce of Christe shall presume to doe anye thing in the Church without the aduise and consent of others that bee Godlye and vvise and authorized by the consent of the Church Confusion is preuented by the graue counsayle and orderlye assemblye of Elders vnto vvhome the Churche hathe committed her authority By this it maye easily appeare vvhat great defaulte there is in our Church where those that are sayde to be ordeined Deacons neuer purpose in their life to execute any part of a Deacons office neither are chosen for that end but only that within a short time after they may bee made Priestes or ministers nothing in the worlde differing from the superstition of Popery where the office of Deacon was conferred onely as a step vnto priesthood As though it were necessarye that euerye one which is ordayned an Elder shoulde first be a Deacon and yet when he is made a Deacon hee is but an Idoll yea scarse an Idoll of a Deacon hauing no resemblaunce at all vnto a Deacon indeed but that he is a man This prophaning of Gods institution God will not alwayes suffer vnpunished especially when it is not maintained of ignoraunce or infirmity but defended against knowledge and vpon wilfulnesse Therefore the Collectors are more like to deacons a great deal then those that the Byshops make Deacons For first they haue after a sort election of the Church whereas the other haue but the approbation of one man And secondly they gather and distribute the common almes vnto the poore which the other neuer think of But yet we may not allow them for lawfull Deacons indeede because they are not alwayes endued with suche qualities as the Apostle requireth 1. Tim. 2. For they ought to bee men of good estimation in the Churche full of the holy Ghost and of wisedome that should be chosen Acts. 6. For as it is an office of good credit so ought the person to bee of good reputation Therefore saith S. Paule that Those Deacons that Minister well doe get them selues a good degree and great liberty in the faith which is in Christ Iesus Insomuch that S. Paule him self doth salute in speciall wordes the Deacons next to the Byshops or ouerseers in the Churche of Philipi Wee reade also what worthye men were chosen to be the first Deacons as Stephen the first Martyr and Philip which afterwarde was an Euangelist when the Churche was dispersed thoroughe the persecution raysed aboute Stephen So that euery ignoraunte contemptible personne is not to bee allowed vnto this office but as Godly wise and vvorshipfull as maye conuenientlye bee founde in the Congregation maye not thinke them selues too good to minister vnto Christe in his members and in the name of the Churche The Election also of oure Collectours is too Prophane for so holye an Office Wee maye reade in the Historye of the Actes Actes 6. with vvhat grauitye reuerence and religiousnesse the Apostles ordayned Deacons vvith Prayer and Imposition of handes For these and suche like causes althoughe the ordinarye Collectors haue some resemblance with the Deaconship of the church yet wee cannot in all poyntes allowe them for Deacons whose office truely consisteth onelye in ministration vnto the poore as wee haue shewed in that they bee Deacons Wee haue declared before that there is a double authority of the Pastour the one ioyned vvith the Elders of the Churche vvhereof hee is Pastour the other vvith the Synode or holy assembly whereof he is a member Of the former wee haue intreated hitherto Nowe it followeth that wee speake of the latter There aryseth oftentimes in the Church diuerse Controuersyes which cannot bee othervvise expressed pertayning to the state of the vvhole Churche then by a generall assemblye of all the Pastoures of that Churche vvhich is called a Synode or generall Counsayle Also there bee diuerse cases vvherein the seuerall Churches are driuen to pray the ayde of the Synode vvhere matters can not bee determined among them selues For this cause the Holye Ghoste hathe ordayned these Holy assembles with promise that they being gathered together in the name of Christe he him selfe will bee among them With the Synode the Pastour hath authority to determine concerning regiment of the Church Wherefore we haue to enquire of what persons a Synode doth consist For which intent wee finde in the history of Act. 15. 6. that when a contâ—ouersie arose concerning the Ceremonies of the Lawe whether they were to bee vsed by those Christians that were conuerted of the Gentiles The Apostles Elders came together to consider of this matter and that the people was not excluded appeareth by the 12. verse the whol multitude being perswaded by the argumentes alleaged by Peter helde their peace and quietly hearde Paule and Barnabas declare what signes wonders God had wrought by them amongest the
wisedome of the Synode therefore ought to haue such regard of all churches that they haue speciall respect to euerye one Wherin we of long time in England haue beene caried away with an vntrue principle that vniformitie must be in all places and thinges a like as though we would feede old men and sucking infants all with one kind of meat or as though we would cloath all ages in a robe of one assize and that which is more absurde compell men of ripe age to sucke the dugge to weare their biggins and to carrye Rattles and other Childish bables Our lande is not yet wholly conuerted to Christe so great hath beene our negligence hitherto therefore there can not bee suche an vniformitye of orders in all places as shall be profitable for all Therefore it were meete that the Ouerseers and Elders of the Churche shoulde come together to consider of this matter what orders were moste meete for diuerse places to bring thē to the obediēce of Christ what for the furtheraunce of them that are newly come and what for the continuance and increase of thē that are very well come on The same doctrine although not the same parts of Doctrine is to bee euery where but ceremonies euen as they be ceremonies do admit variety as time persons and occasions serue to be diuerse Yea Christian liberty in them somtimes is necessary to be testified because there are many so simple that they know not the difference betweene those thinges that are necessarye in the Churche and those that are not of necessitye There be that thinke a Crosse or Font as they call it is as necessary in baptisme as water and that kneeling at the Communion is more necessary then preaching of the Lordes death that a Surplusse in common prayer is more necessary then a deuoute minde and greate occasions offered to the ignoraunt so to thinke vvhen they see them that preache moste diligently pray most feruentlye and minister the Sacramentes moste reuerently according to Christes institution to be displaced of all ministery for a Crosse or a Fonte or a Surplusse or some such other trifle The Synode therefore oughte to bee carefull in ordayning of Ceremonyes not onelye that they bee pure and agreeable to the worde of God but also that they bee expediente for the time and personnes for whose vse they are ordayned And as wilfull contemners of good orders established by publique authoritye are worthy to bee corrected so intangling of mens consciences or tyrannicall coaction in these indifferente matters must alwayes bee auoyded The Synode hathe further authoritye concerninge Discipline to refourme and redresse by Ecclesiasticall Censure all suche defaultes and controuersies as cannot bee determined in the particuler Churches as for example If the Pastour himselfe haue neede to bee seuerelye punished vvhere there is but one Pastour in a Churche or if Elders vvhiche shoulde bee refourmers of others haue notoriouslye misgouerned them selues or if they haue beene ledde by affection to condemne an Innocente or to iustifye the vngodlye in these and suche like cases all Contention is to bee concluded by the authority of the Synode Some example vvee haue thereof Acts. 15. where those contentious Schismatiques that withstoode Paule and Barnabas at Antiochia were constrained to yeelde by authoritye of the Councell and Paul and Barnabas restored to their credite For which causes Synodes ought oftentimes to bee assembled though not general of the whole realme but particular of euery prouince or shire as it may be most conueniently that such thinges as are to be refourmed may bee redressed with speede Last of all forasmuch as the election of Pastors is a great waighty matter which ought not to bee permitted to the iudgement of anye one man but pertaineth to the Church whereunto they shoulde be chosen both for better aduise in chusing of a meete man and for authority in causing him to accept their election it is conuenient that it bee done by iudgement of the particular Sinode That no one man hath authority to ordaine Pastors and to impose them ouer churches hath bene before declared by example of the Apostles Paule and Barnabas who although they were Apostles yet would they not challenge that prerogatiue vnto themselues but by common election they ordained Elders in euery Church Acts. 14. 23. Timothy also receiued his charge although it were through prophecy by imposition of handes of the Eldership 1. Timoth. 4. 14. Therefore as it hath bene euidently declared before the assembly of Elders consisting of graue wise and Godly men ought to enquire when the Pastors place is voyd wher they may finde a man meete to supplie his roome and therein to desire aide of the Synode The man by such Godly aduise so chosen ought to be presented to the Congregation and of them to be allowed and receiued if no man can shew anye reasonable cause to the contrarie This is the right election and ordaining of Pastors grounded vppon the worde of God and practised by the primatiue Church two hundred yeeres after Christ vntil the mistery of iniquity grew to work more openly to the setting vp of the tyrannicall kingdome of Antichrist By this we may plainly see that our presentation of patrons is both prophane and preiudicial our giuing of orders by Byshoppes is presumptuous and full of absurdities Firste because they take vppon them to do that which none of the Apostles durst doe that is without election of Churches to ordayne Elders Secondly that they giue an Office vvithout a charge to make a Pastour and sende him to seeke a Flocke where hee canne finde it which is as vnreasonable a thing as if one were chosen to bee a Church-warden and had neuer a Churche to keepe or made a Constable that had neuer a Towne or place appoynted whereof he should bee Constable For the name of a Pastour Elder or Ouerseer is the name of an office in Act and esse because it is a proper Relatiue and not a Potentiall abilitye in the Cloudes If Byshoppes as they bee nowe were consecrated after the same maner to seeke theire Byshoprickes vvhere they coulde finde them it 〈◊〉 no greater absurdity then it is to ordayne Pastoures and let them proll where they can for their benefices Thirdlye by this wandring we may also say vagabounde ministery shifting from place to place and in all places to bee counted a Minister where he hath no charge it wold grieue a man to thinke what inconueniences doth follow but principally how filthily it stinketh of the olde Popish indelible character frō whēce it hath his ground and neither of any reason or of the worde of God And yet forsooth it is so perfect that it may abide no reformatiō Fourthly if you will see how well the authority which they claime and practize is vsed of them that onelye haue the choyse and admission of Ministers Looke ouer the vvhole Realme of Englande What a multitude of vnfitte Pastours shall you
and then moste earnestly commaundeth him to practise the same with all diligence his wordes are these All Scripture is inspired of GOD and profitable for Doctrine for exhortation for reformation and for instruction which is in righteousnesse thaâ— the man of God maye bee prepared to aâ— good workes Therefore I charge thee before God before the Lord Iesus Christ which shall iudge the quicke and the deade at his appearing and in his kingdome preache the worde bee instanâ— in season and out of season improoue rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine The firste part therefore and the cheefest of a Pastours office or duety is to feede with wholsome doctrine the flocke that is committed to his charge and therefore Sainte Paulâ— describing what manner of men are meete for that charge vnto Timothy requireth that a Byshop or Pastour bee apt or able to teache for if a man haue neuer so much knoweledge and bee not apt or able to teach he ought by no meanes to be admitted vnto this vocation And vnto Titus writing Chap. 1. verse 9. he requireth that he be such a one as holdeth fast the faythfull worde according to Doctrine that he also may be able to exhort with wholesome Doctrine and improoue them that say against it Wherevppon it followeth necessarily that whosoeuer is himselfe ignoraunt in the knowledge of Gods worde and therefore vnable eyther to exhorte with wholsome doctrine or to confute them that gainsay it is altogether vnmeete for the office of a Pastor or bishop Wherefore if euer we minde suche a reformation as God shall thereby bee glorifyed and his Churche edifyed wee must vtterlye remooue al the vnlearned pastors as men by no means to be tollerated to haue any charge ouer the lords flok also prouide that herafter none be receiued into that office but such as are sufficient for their knowledge abilitie in teaching to take so waightie a charge in hand What man hauing but one hundreth sheep would make such a man shepheard or ouerseer ouer them as were a naturall Idiott or otherwise altogeather vnskilfull or vnable to performe those thinges that belong to a shepheard If no man haue so little care of brute beastes What brutishe negligence is it to commit the people of God redeemed with the precious bloud of Iesus Christ to such vnskilfull and vnsufficient Pastours as neither them selues know the waye of saluation neither are able to lead other vnto it whereof they are ignoraunt them selues If there bee no waye of saluation but by faith and none can beleeue but such as heare the worde of God preached O Lorde how miserable is the state of many flockes in this lande who either seldome or neuer heare the worde of God truely preached and â—herefore know not how to beleeue that they might be saued But here it will be aunswered that as it is a thing greatly to be desired To it is altogether vnpossible to prouide the Church of so many learned Pastours as shoulde take charge of euery seueral congregation But hereto we replie that it is a thing necessarily required at our hands by God almighty and therefore we must obiect no impossibilitie especially wheÌ„ our owne negligence is the cause of all the difficultie or if you will so call it impossibilitie We confesse it will be harde at the first but we must doe our endeuour and commit the successe vnto God and there is no doubt but in time it will grow to an happy ende But when we shall be altogether carelesse as we haue been of long time and that is worse not acknowledging anye default in this behalfe as there be that doe not and that is most of all mayntaining suche lets and hinderaunces as bee continuall nurseies of ignoraunce and ignorant pastors We may bee ashamed to alledge that difficulty for which none are to be blamed but we our selues We may be ashamed now that our church hath had rest and peace with free preaching of the gospel this 25. or 26. years vnder the protection of our most gratious Queen to bee so vnfurnished of learned Pastors as we are whereas if that diligence had bene vsed of all partes as might and shoulde haue beene emploied of all them that vnfaignedly seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse almoste in halfe the time this necessitie might haue bene well supplied If we seeke experience what diligent carefull prouision is able to do with the blessing of God looke to our neighbours brethren in Christ of Fraunce whoe although they neuer enioyed one day of such peace as we haue don so many years Yet how plentifullie they are furnished withall kinds of Ecclesiasticall ministers and namely with Godly and learned pastors it would reioyce any Christian heart to beholde in them â—nd lament to see the lack in vs. But â—s for those that acknowledge no deâ—ect in our Church thorow the great multitude of ignoraunt Pastors We had rather at this time praie to God â—o lighten their blindenes then by â—ny long discourse to discouer their palpable darkenes Would to God there were not more difficultie in reforming them that maintaine suche inconueniences as except they bee taken away we shall neuer be disburdened of the cankers of the church those vnlearned ministers For while Nonresidents and Pluralities be reteined we shal neuer want vnlearned Curates that for small stipendes will supplie the absence of Pluralities and Nonresidentes Which grosse corruptions of pastorall office as they maye haue some honest pretence so canne they haue no better pretence neyther are they reteyned with a better conscience then the Priestes in our Sauiour Christs time suffered the exchaungers of mony Grasyers and Pulterers to make a Burse or shambles and a Pultrie yea a denne of theeues of the Temple of God which was appoynted to be a house of prayer to all nations Math. 21. 12. Mark 11. 15. Iohn 2. 14. But especially while the whole office of a Pastour shall be thought to consist in reading onely a prescript number of Psalmes and chapters of the scriptures with other appointed formes of prayer and that he maye bee allowed as a sufficient Pastour which doth the thinges which a Childe of ten yeares olde maye doe as well as he so long shall we neuer lacke vnlearned Pastours ignoraunt and vngodly people Symonicall and sacrilegious patrones So long the building of Gods Church shall goe but slowly forwarde beside other superstitious fantasies mayntained in the peoples heartes which for shortnesse wee omitte to speake off What though some saye formall reading might be borne withall for a time vntill the Church might bee prouided of sufficient Pastours which yet is not graunted shall it therefore continue alwayes to the perpetuall decay of knowledge and hurt of the Church of God What greater discouragement is there vnto Students then to see the rewardes of learning bestowed as commonly vppon the ignorant as vpon the learned What encouragement
intemperate person and therfore feared the iudgment of God for his sinne which he purposed not to forsake Such is the maiestie of Gods word when it is preached that either it boweth or breaketh the wicked in pieces God grant therefore that in steede of ordinarie formes of praiers we may haue preaching in all places The seconde thing that we haue to obserue is this that although we make it the dutie of the Pastour to pray in the name of the whole congregation yet we doe not so meane but that the whole congregatioÌ„ with one heart and with one voyce maye praise God with singing of Psalmes all at once For this custome hath continued in the church from the beginning that the congregation haue praised God with Psalmes singing altogeather And these three partes of a pastors dutie to preach to minister the sacramentes and to praye are so necessarilye requyred of him in the word of God as no man may rightly execute the office of a Pastor but he that performeth al these each one in their due time And to this part of prayer maye be referred the blessing of marriages not of necessitie but of an auncient vse of the Church Furthermore in those thinges that are necessarie partes of the Pastours office the Church hath authoritie to dispose them as touching the circumstaunces for order and comelynesse sake but cheefely for edification As the dayes and times of preaching and administring the Sacramentes the places meet for the same for publique praiers also the form and maner of vsing those thinges so that all things be don comely and agreeably to order but especially that in all things principall regarde be had to edification which S. Paule so often and so precisely vrgeth in the 14. chapiter of the 1. Cor. For therfore ought our assemblies and comminges together to serue that therefore we maye be better that we may be taught that we may be edified 1. Cor. 11. 17. 1. Cor. 14. 23. 24. 25. 26. 31. And therefore we haue great maruell that some are so precise in vrging ceremonies as many thinke much hindering edification but as moste men confesse nothing profiting to edifycation hauing alwayes in their mouth that sentence of Saint Paule 1. Corinth 14. 40. Let all thinges bee done decently and according to an order And doe so little remember that the Apostle in that long Chapiter laboureth altogether to driue al things to edificatioÌ„ or els to driue theÌ„ out of the church As he saith of him that hath the gift of tongues being of it selfe an excellente and comely gifte of the holye ghost and being vsed orderly of one or two by course with an interpreter mighte doe muche good in the Church But if there be none interpreter saith he Let him holde his peace in the congregation 1. Cor. 14. 28. The vncomlinesse that Saint Paule reproueth was that women shold preach in the Church as ver 30. 35. The disorder that those giftes which serued leaste for edifying were preferred before them that serued moste for edifying as tongs before prophecie By which it is euident that S. Paules words are wrested of some clean contrary to his meaning to make him a Patron of idle if not hurtful ceremonies maintained more vpon wil then reason or graunted of Gods worde vnder the colour of order and decency not onely with neglect but also with great hinderance of Gods building by spoyling the Churche of so many learned pastoures There are besides these thinges certaine other matters as confirmation Churching of women buriall of the deade thoughte to belonge to the office of a Byshoppe or Pastour Whereof the firste two are meere deuises of men and ought to haue no place in the Churche of Christe The other albeit it bee to bee retayned with a certayne honestye yet it is not to bee tied to the proper office of a Pastour And as for Confirmation it oughte therefore to be shut oute and haue no place in the church of God as wel because it displaced Catechising and broughte in steede thereof vayne toyes and Childishe ceremonies to the greate hurte of the Churche as for that also it derogateth muche from the dignitye of Baptisme the sacrament of the Lorde and is extolled aboue it being a deuise of man and is pretended to bee a signe to certify the Children of the fauoure and gratious goodnesse of GOD towardes them falsely grounded vpon the example of the Apostles Whereas the ministration of baptisme is permitted to euery hedge-priest minister and Deacon And as for Churching of Women because it sauoureth of the Iewish purification and of Popish institution it ought altogether to bee omitted for it breedeth and nourisheth many superstitious opinions in the simple peoples hearts as that the woman which hath born a child is vncleane or vnholy whereas the Apostle pronounceth that Godlye women are sanctified and saued by bearing of Children 1. Timoth. 2. 15. that it is vnlawfull for her for any necessity to go out of her doores before she bee Churched that this churching is a necessarye part of the Pastors office that shee must weare a white raile ouer her head when she goeth to Churche by the Midwife waighted Home with the Parishe Clearke with diuers suche like Bables vvhiche in a vvell refourmed Churche are not to bee suffered As for the buriall of the deade because Sathan tooke occasion vppon Ceremonies appointed therunto to sowe the seede of manye Herisies in the Church as prayers for the dead oblations for the deade Purgatory c. Also many superstitions as hallowing of Churcbyardes distinction of Burialls as some in the Chauncel some in the Churche and some in the Church-yardes some with more pompe as singing ringing c. some with lesse burying towards the East lightes and holy water bestowed vpon the dead c. It is thought good to the best and right reformed churches to burye their deade reuerently without any ceremonies of praying or preaching at them because experience hath taught them what inconuenience may grow therof by exaÌ„ple of that which hath bin before And as they are not to be excused if any for small triâ—â—es only raise vp hâ—t contentions so they haue much to aunswere before God that suffer the people of God to lacke the onelye foode of their souls for such humain constitutions But to conclude it is the duty of euery true Pastor to obserue those thinges that are concluded by the lawfull authoritye of the church concerning ceremonial matters for order and comlinesse sake and for edification and not to controll publique order by his priuate iudgement but vpon great waighty causes Wee haue hitherto intreated of the proper dutye of a Pastour himselfe nowe it followeth that we likewise set foorth his authoritye in common gouernment with the Elders But least any man shoulde mistake that which wee purpose to say of his authority wee haue neede to expresse what wee meane by this worde authoritye For euen those thinges
that wee haue shewed before to bee the duetye of a Pastor may also bee called his authority as to preach and teach wherein is included his authoritye to forgiue and retaine sinnes also his authoritye to minister the Sacramentes and to doe other thinges in the Churche which none may doe but hee But in this place wee vnderstande authority for power of gouernment in the Church Whereof the Apostle speaketh that it is one of the graces and giftes of GOD necessarye for the building of his Church This authority of regiment we haue declared that it ought not to be a Lordly ruling neither ouer their flocke nor yet ouer their fellowe seruauntes and brethren and leaste of all that they ought to haue dominion or Lordship ouer the faith of the Church In all these the man of sinne hath exalted him selfe contrary to the worde of God So that he would be head of all the Church Byshop of all Byshops and haue authoritye to make nevve Articles of Faythe Whose vntollerable presumption as we haue long since banished out of this Lande so we wish that no steppes of such pride and arrogancy might be left behind him namely that no elder or minister of the Church shoulde challendge vnto himselfe or accept it if it were offred vnto him any other authority then that is allowed by the spirit of God but cheefly to beware that hee vsurp no authority which is forbidden by the word of God For wherefore do wee deâ—est the Pope and his vsurped supremacy but bicau â—se he arrogateth the same vnto himself not only with out the warrant of Gods worde but also cleane contrarye to the same Now if the same reasons authorities that haue banished the Pope do serue to condemn all other vsurped authoritye that is practised in the Church Why shoulde not all such vsurped authority be banished as well as the Pope We can alledge against the Pope and rightly that which S. Ioh. Baptist did answere to his disciples No man can take vnto himself any thing except it be giuen him from Heauen Ioh. 3. 27. And that saying of the Apostle to the Hebrewes No man may take vpoÌ„ him any honor in the church of God but he that is called of God as was Aaron Insomuch that Christe himselfe did not giue himselfe to be an high Priest but he that saide vnto him Thou art my Sonne this day I haue begotten thee Hee sayth in another place Thou art a priest for euer after the order of Melchisedec Now seeing these rules are so generall that the Sonne of God him selfe was not exempted from them but shewed foorth the decree wherein he was authorized By what rule caÌ„ any man reteine that authority in the church of god which is not called thereto by the worde of God Likewise we can alledge again against the supremacie of the Pope to proue that Peter was not superiour to the other Apostles that which our sauiour Christ sayeth to his Apostles Luk. 22. 26. and Mat. 20. 25. Mark 10. 42. It shall not be so among you but he that is greatest amongst you shall be as the yongest and he that ruleth as he that serueth And Mat. 23. 8. You haue but one master which is Christ and all you are brethren If these places prooue that the Pope ought not to bee aboue other ministers of the church Why doe they not likewise proue that the Ministers are equal among themselues And for the most part all those arguments and authorities of Scripture that are vsed to confute the vsurped authoritie of the pope are of as great force aganst all other vsurped authorities of one pastor ouer an other Therfore while we intreate of the authoritie of the pastors we must take heede that we open not a window to popish tyrannie in steede of pastorall authoritye that we enlarge not the bounds of authoritye without the boundes of the Scripture Wherefore while wee search the Scripture the onelye rule whereby the Church of God oughte to be gouerned we finde that in regiment gouernaÌ„ce of the church the pastor bishop or elder hath none authority by himself seperated from other For in the Church ther ought to be no monarchy or sole absolute gouernment but that is referred peculiarly to our sauiour Christe only 2. Tim. 6. 7. Iude. 4. And that regimente which hee hath left vnto his Church is a consent of his houshold seruaunts to do all things according to his prescription as he witnesseth Math. 18. 19. If two of you consent vpon earth vppon any matter what soeuer ye shall aske it shall bee graunted to you of my Father which is in Heauen For wheresoeuer two or three bee gathered together in my name there am I in the middest of them Seeing therefore that our Sauiour Christe hath neither authorized nor promised to blesse anye other forme of regiment then that which consisteth of the consent and gathering together of his Seruauntes in his name wee holde vs content with this simplicity and therefore we are bolde to say that the authoritye of a Pastour in publique Regiment or Discipline seperate from others is nothing at all Let vs then see what is his authority ioined with others and first who are so ioyned in Commission with him that without their consent hee can do nothing We say therefore that the authority of Christ is left vnto his whole Church and so to euery church that none may challeÌ„ge Episcopall or Metropoliticall authority as it is with vs at this day ouer other without greate tyrannye and manifest iniury For seeing our Sauiour Christe promised his presence and authority to euery Churche indifferentlye Math. 18. 19. 20 None may challenge any such prerogatiue aâ—ore other but as the Churches are limitted out for order conueniency so is euery one of them of like authority in it self but because they make al but one church one body of Christ therefore there is but one authority in them to determine of matters concerning them all By which ther appeareth to be a double authority of the Pastor one with the seuerall congregation in which he is Pastour the other with the whole Synode or assembly whereof hee is a member and both these authorities wee finde sufficientlye authorized in the Scripture as shall playnâ—lye appeare in the seuerall Discourses of them First therefore wee will speake of his authoritye in his seuerall Churche in which hee maye doe nothing without the consente of the Churche And first let vs examine whether this authority bee so diffused ouer the whole Churche that the hearing trying and determyning of all matters pertayneth to the vvhole multitude or to some speciall chosen persons amongest them meete for that purpose The authoritye is the power of our Lorde Iesus Christe graunted vnto the Church But because the iudgement of the multitude is confuse whereas God is not the authoure of Confusion but of order and that
finde in euery place So that Ieroboam neuer made worse Priestes of the refuse of the people to serue his Golden Calues then they haue ordayned Ministers to feede the Flocke of Christe which hee hathe purchased with his owne bloude This complaint we confesse is greeuous but the indignity of the matter inforceth it We know that vaine excuses shall not be wanting of necessity c. But if necessity compelled thē to take such at the first what necessity compelleth them to suffer them to bee such still For if they woulde needes admit ignoraunt persons to that charge yet should they haue enforced them to study as wel as to other thinges they haue inforced them vnto that in time they might haue growne to be meete for their calling Which if they had done in 10. 12. or 13. yeeres space a great many might haue proued excellētly well learned and able to serue in the Church with great fruit and profit and the rest according to proportion of their time might haue come to some mediocrity in knowledg wheras nowe as ignoraunt and as vnfit as they were the first day so are they still for the moste parte and will so continue to theire liues ende if they may be suffered in idlenesse as they haue beene hitherto Then it is a torment to thinke what ambitious suing what enuious labouring what vnseemelie flattering what prodigall bribing is vsed to attayne to greate dignities in the Church to farre vnmeete for the modesty and grauitye that shoulde be in Christian preachers And as for the inferior benefices from the fattest Parsonadge to the poorest Vicaradge almoste if it bee worth 40. pounds by the year what Symonicall bargains of leases Annuities Reseruations exhibitions yea notwithstanding the Act of Parliament Anno. 13. by Antedates and other subtil conueyances what christian heart can think of them without detestation of such horrible abuses Shall we speak here any thing of the popish priesthood the greatest blasphemy that euer was how long was it allowed for a lawfull ministery vntill by the Godlye meaning of the sayde Parliament some brandmarke of shame was set vppon it But howe pitifullye that authority was abused which was by the same statute committed to the bishops in allowing of priests that came to doe their penance by negligence of the bishops bribery of their Officers the country crieth out of it and the state of the church is little amended by it Old Sir Iohn Lacklatin that had not seen some of his benefices a dosē yeare before was carried aboute on his Mare and sometimes on a Cart First to the bishop whom he chose if he might for his purpose such one as had bene a priest of his owne order and cared leaste what ministers serue in his Diocesse and then from Shire to Shire one distant an hundred mile from another mumbling vp his Articles in his morowmasse voice in euery Church where hee had liuing and returned as very a beaste as hee came But this and all other inconueniences before rehearsed shoulde vtterlye bee auoyded if wee mighte once establish the lawfull election of Pastours according to the word of God It were also greatly to bee wished that it might bee broughte to passe that in euery Congregation there shoulde be two pastors at the least both because the charge is great and also for supplying the lack of the one if the other were sicke or absent vppon necessity or any such like case Which thing were both agreeable to the example of the Apostolike Churche and also verye profitable for the Congregation Wee doe not meane this in euerye Parish as they bee nowe distinguished but in euery Congregation as they may be disposed both for best edifying and also for sufficient liuing for the Pastors It will bee obiected when we haue all thinges at our pleasure concerning the Election of Pastors yet will there creepe in many abuses Wee answere they shall not so soone nor so easily nor so many abuses creepe in as nowe at wide Windowes yea great port-gates doe throng in But if as many or more abuses if more coulde bee were crept in yet were the case better then it is now for we shoulde be sure that God approoueth our order though he condemn the abuses because it is grounded vpon Gods worde whereas now he abhorreth both But of the authority that Pastors haue as members of the Synode we haue spoken hitherto sufficiently By which it is euidēt how all things haue beene corrupted in Poperye which had at the first any good institution which corruptions we also retaine at this day without desiring of any refourmation For to begin first with our particuler Synodes good lord what a mockery they are of law ful synodes beeing holden for no other ende almoste but to gather vp fees both ordinary extraordinary with dayly newe deuises to poll the poore Priestes of their mony which they extort for seeing the Letters of orders for Dynners and suche like matters And yet a newe inuented pyllage vvhereby they compell men to buy Bookes of them for 4. pence or 6. pence which are to deare of a peny or two pence and not onelye suche small Ware but also greate bookes beeing such as euerie parish is appointed to buy must be bought of them for two or three Shyllinges in a Booke dearer then it may bee bought in Paules Church-yarde yea otherwhiles though the Parish bee furnished of them alreadye they are not authenticall except they be boughte at Master Chauncellers and Officiall at Master Regesters hands As for refourmation of any thing in the Churche there are indeede many presentments and men sworn to presente matters but little or none amendmente at all doth followe So that it is a common saying in the Countrie when the presentment is once receyued they shal neuer heare more of it Soone after the Visitation or Synode the petitbribing Sumner rideth foorth laden with Excommunications which hee scattereth abroad in the Country as thicke as Haileshot against this parson and that Vicar this Church warden and that Side-man whome hee himselfe when he came to summon him to the Synode for a Cheeze or a Gammon of Bacon had vndertaken to excuse for none apparaunce But when he is once Excommunicated there is no remedy but hee must trudge to the Chauncelour or Officiall for absolution who after hee hath once absolued his Purse of a fewe Groates giueth him his blessing and sendeth him away And this is the image of our litle or particuler Synode Our generall Conuocations haue a more shevve of good order but in effect little better For firste they are stuffed full of Popish and prophane Chauncelloures and other Lawyers which beeing meere laye men and vnlearned in Diuinitie by their owne Lawe ought to be no members of the Synode And yet these will beare the greatest sway in all thinges The Byshops as though they were greater then the Apostles must haue their seuerall couuenticle wheras the Apostles and elders came
and 2. Cor. 2. where he purposely intreateth of ecclesiasticall Discipline be weighed A little leauen sowreth a whole lumpe of dowe For infection yee are puffed vp where yee should be sad and ashamed For ignominie We deliuer him to Sathan to the destruction of his fleshe that his spirite may be saued in the day of the Lorde For repentance publique reprehension of manye which beeing Godly refuse to eat with such one is profitable both to driue him selfe to repentaunce and to keepe other in order for feare of like punishment Where this Discipline is not no maruell if all wickednesse ouerflowe to the dishonour of God and of his Gospel to the destruction of many corrupting of more to the griefe of the Godly offence of the weake incouragement of the wicked and reioycing of the aduersary Let vs therefore proceede in setting foorth the authoritie of the Pastour with the Elders which is first to punishe offendours and bring them to repentance or else to cut them cleane frō the church as rotten and infected members But heere we haue to enquire for what offences the Church may proceede to so sharpe a punishment For God forbidde that the swoorde of excommunication shold be drawne out to cut off the members of our bodie for euery small disease that is in them but onely when the disease is deadlye and the member rotted thereby For we ought as hardly to be brought to excommunicate anye of our brethren as we woulde haue a legge or an arme cut off from our body Therfore the popish tyrannie is detestable which thundereth out their pretended excommunication for euery trifle yea suche as are no sinnes as non payment of a little mony where it is not deteyned of fraude non apparance where men otherwyse haue necessary impediments as though it were but a smal matter to put men out of the protection of Christ and to deliuer them vnto the tyrannie of Sathan to depriue them of eternall saluation and to cast them into euerlasting damnation Least therefore we should vse such vnreasonable rigour the spirite of God teacheth vs what maner of sinnes deserue excommunication 1. Cor. 5. 11. If any that is called a brother be an whooremonger or a couetous person or an idolater or a slaunderer or a drunckard or an extorcioner with such a one see that yee eat not These offences therefore and such like are to be punnished by excommunication Also an obstinate Heretique that wil not repent by admonition is worthy of this punishment Tit. 3. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 16. 1. Tim. 1. 20. 2. Ioh. 10. 11. And not onely these great and notorious sinnes deserue this correction but also lesser crimes increased with contumacie and contempt of the Churches admonition become worthie of the same castigation Therefore sayth our sauiour Christ of priuate offences Math. 18. 15. 16. c. If thy brother sinne against thee goe and reprooue him betweene him and thee alone if he heare thee thou hast won thy brother but if he heare thee not take with thee one or two that in the mouth of two or three witnesses euerye worde may stande if he disobey them then tell the Church if he disobey the Church then let him be to thee as an heathen or Publicane The Apostle Saint Paule likewise 2. Thes. 3. 6. c. concerning those that were idle and walked disorderlye will haue all-gentle meanes vsed to bring them to labour and good order but if they woulde not be refourmed for anye admonition he commaundeth them to be seperated by excommunication But it may be obiected that hitherto appeareth not so great vse of this Consistorye why it shoulde bee thought necessarye for excommunication Neyther doth Saint Paule make mention of it in all places where he speaketh of excommunication We aunswere that although the simple institution of Christ and approbation of the holy Ghost shoulde suffice vs to thinke it necessarye yet there are many necessary vses thereof to be alleadged For wheras our Sauiour Christ commandeth in priuate offences the matter to be brought before the congregation except you vnderstande thereby the congregation or assemblye of Elders there shall follow horrible confusion and disorder thereby For admit a man might accuse his brother vnto the whole multitude yet how should the whole multitude admonish him and exhort him to repentance Againe of these notorious offences that are worthye of excommunication some are openly knowen so that they neede no tryall as the adultery of that Corinthian 1. Cor. 5. some are in controuersie and are to be examined concerning which Saint Paule warneth Timothie that he admit not any accusation against an Elder but vnder two or three witnesses and chargeth him before GOD and before the Lorde Iesus Christe and his elect Aungelles that he doe nothing thorow rashe or ouer hastie iudgement and that hee doe all thinges without partialitie or affection vnto parties 1. Timothie 5. cap. 19. and twentie one verse We see heere manyfestly a necessarye vse of the Eldership For howe is it possible for the whole Churche to examine and discusse such difficult controuersies Therefore it behooueth the Church to haue such ordinary Delegates as may and ought to applye their diligence vuto such matters Moreouer to ouersee the Church for matters pertaining to order and Discipline How can the multitude ouersee thēselues or the Pastours onelye which haue a principall care of Doctrine to attēd vpon And to the secōd part of the obiection that S. Paul doth make mention of the Eldership or Consistory of Elders in all places where he speaketh of Excommunication wee aunswere that it is not necessary hee should so do For wheras our sauiour Christ hath prescribed a form thereof that hee which obeyeth not the Congregation should be excommunicated and that in other places hee maketh sufficient mention both of the Elders and of the assemblie wee oughte to vnderstande that his purpose is to obserue that forme to the vttermost And although he doe not always make expresse mētion therof yet must we not imagine that he mēt to alter or chaunge the same In the first to the Corinthians the fift verse It is manifest that albeit he◠desired nothing more then that the incestuous Adulterer should bee excommunicated and therefore determined of him for his owne part as absent in body but present in spirite yet hee acknowledgeth that hee could not be excommunicated without the consent of the Congregation being gathered together in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christe 1. Cor. 5. 4. Likewise when he shoulde be receiued againe he was to be pardoned not onelie by him but by them also 2. Cor. 1. 10. And therefore if so high an Apostle could not by his priuate authority excommunicate that Corinthian we must not thinke that by his priuate authority but by consent of the Churche of Ephesus he excommunicated Himmineus Alexander although he do not make expresse mentiō of