Titus 15. which is in Scripture-language every town or viilage the town of Bethlehem Iohn 7.42 being little Mich. 5.2 yet called the City of David Luke 2.4 the towns of Iair threescore Cities Ioshua 13 3â— and Iudges 10.4 thirty Cities in the margent villages now if our Antagonists did but observe those things they would be content with those Churches which were so confin'd and so allotted to them and their Predecessours yea even by the Apostles themselves as all those Elders were which they placed in every Church The next mother Church was that at Antioch so called Acts 11.26 having some Apostles and many extraordinary prophets in it Acts 13.1 which came from Ierusalem Acts 11.27 and there they also tarried and many Christians were converted yea they were first called Christians at Autioch v. 16. Now this Church did as that at Ierusalem branch it self out into the Churches of Syria and Cilicia Acts 15.23.41 and those Churches were all governed by those Ministers at Antioch who came together as all concerned in the same businesse when seducers would have broached errors amongst them Acts 15.1 2. neither did they rest there in regard they could not there determin it but appealed to the Synod at Ierusalem made up of fixed Officers confined to their particular congregations yet those Elders with the Apostles came together about that question Acts 15.6 and so being determined by them all those Churches were established in the faith and increased in number daily not onely of Christians but of Churches Acts 16.5 and all as branches of that Church at Antioch depending still upon it and having recourse to it upon all weighty occasions And the next example are those Churches of Asia every Church there branching it self out into Churches and every Church there containing Churches was govern'd by one common Presbytery for the Angel of every Church is blamed for all things amiss in all those Churches contained in it now this Angel must either be an Arch-Bishop over all those Churches contained in it or else a Presbytery charged with those Churches but it was not an Arch-Bishop for saith Christ to his Ministers Kings of the Earth exercise Lordship over their brethren but it shall not be so among you Luk 22.25 26. Again all the Elders in Ephesus are charged to watch and feed that Flock conteining many Churches Acts 20.21 and they all as branches of that one Church so govern'd And thus it was of old the Lord brought a Vine out of Egypt called the Church in the Wildernesse Acts 7.38 This Vine the Lord planted in Canaan and it spred out her boughs to the Sea and her branches to the River and filled the Land Psal 80. And so that Congregation mentioned Psal 74.2 brancht it self out into Congregations ver 4. having Synagogues in every City where the Law of Moses was read every Sabbath day Acts 15.21 yea Christ and his Apostles did frequently preach in their Synagogues Luke 4.16 Acts 17.1 2. and also blame those that forsake this Assembling as the manner of some was Heb. 10.25 this is the true descent and dependency of Presbyterian Churches Obj. But your Churches are discended from Antichrist for Austin the Monk being sent into England by the Pope brought hither your religion and from him your Ministers had their ordination and shall be destroyed together Answ The Christian Religion came from Christ and not from Antichrist and also our Ministers ordination for Christ ordained 12. and sent them out to preach Mark 3.14 and they had power from him to ordain Elders in every Church Acts. 14.23 and they left the same power with other Ministers to ordain Elders in every City Titus 15. and thus they did successively to this day and although this Ordinance passed under Antichrist who sits in the Temple of God and received some defilement yet not so as to nullifie it but if this Monk or Popish Bishop shall renounce popery and all their usurpation and engagements to that strumpet and preach the word of God truly and to one flock I think they may be accounted still lawful Minsters and need no other ordination to admit them into the Ministry nor their people no other re-baptizing to admit them into our Church but secondly suppose the Pope and that Monk to be enemies to the true Church yet Christ sometimes makes use of his enemies to do service for his Church as the King of Assiria did though he thought not so Isa 10.7 saith Ioseph you thought evill but God meant it to good to save much people alive Gen. 50.20 The wrath of man shal praise him and the remainder he will restrain Psa 76.10 by the persecution at Ierusalem the Gospell was spred into all Nations Acts 11.19 yea the Devil himself by the treason of Iudas did accidentally forward our redemption by Christ who rules in the middest of his enemies Psal 110 2. Balaams prophesie nor the prophesie of Caiphes the High Priest must not be despised because they came from them nor what is of Christ in the hand of a Monk but 3dly I shall prove that the Christian Faith was in Britain before either Antichrist was in being or Austin the Monk came hither for saith Mr. Fox in his Epistle to the universall Church prefixed before his first volume to his Acts and Monuments the heathen Emperours of Rome sought to destroy the Church of Christ and their Persecution continued the space of 300 yeares Now mark in all this time God raised up in this Realm of Britain divers worthy Preachers and lest we should doubt the truth of it he sets down some of their names as Elnanus Medvinus Mettivianus Amphibolus Albaâ—us Aaron Iulius and others in which time the Doctrine of faith without mens traditions was sincerely preached even before the Man of sinne was revealed yea before the Empire which letted was taken away 2. Thes 2 3. to 9. and after their death and Martyrdome the Church having peace increased in Britain and was governed by Christian doctrine a long season by Fistidius Mujanus Parrynus Bcchiaâ—us Dubxinus Congellus Kentigernus Helmodus David Daniel Samoson Ellnadogus Asaphus Gildus Hentanus Ellbodus Dinathus Samuel Novius and many more a long season although the Civil Governors were carelesse as Gildas sharply lays to their charge and so at length were subdued by the Saxons now all this while about the space of 400 years Religion remain'd in Britain uncorrupt and the word of Christ was truly preached till about the comming of Austin and his Companions from Rome or as Cambden saith from the Pope who was not then in being nor him that leteth taken away for the Bishop of Rome calls King Lucius the Prince of Bishops and Mr. Fox page 11. saith the word Pope signifying Father was frequently given to all Bishops as to Augustine Hierome Epiphanius Athanasius and Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage yea to mean Bishops for all were of equall authority till the Councell of Nice held in the Year 340. where they
not with the like authority of Classes and Synods yet I say they may meet to idvise each other and to prepare things for Classes and Synod to try the gifts and abilities of those that are to be ordained and also ordain them Acts 1â— 23 1 Tim. 4.14 and thus they met in Solomons porch Acts 5.11 12. And so did all the Ministers in Corinth meet together for the Churches good 1 Cor. 14.23 But those in Corinth were not all Ministers for the Text saith the whole church met together Ans There was none but Ministers for they all spake with tongues 1 Cor. 14.23 but saith Paul do all speak with tongues 1 Cor. 12.39 2. They are called prophets ver 29. But are all Prophets 1 Cor. 12.29 3. They did not come together to preach but to dispute for they might all speak what was revealed to them ver 30 31. but all may not speak in the church let your women keep silence in the church it is not permitted for them to speak nor men that are ignorant ver 32 33 36. 4. This command came onely to Prophets and to them assigned to spirituall imployment ver 37. therefore there was none but Ministers at that meeting in Corinth much like our Assembly of Ministers at Westminster and sometimes at Sion Colledge yet I say not with the like power of Classes and Synods to make decrees for the church because it is not fully represented for lack of ruling Elders But may none but Ministers meet to ordain Ministers Ans Although it ought to be done in the congregatiou yet none may actually do it but ministers first because the Keyes of the church were given to them Mat. 16.19 Iohn 20.23 2. None durst ever take upon them to ordain others that were not Ministers themselves 3. when the people chose Deacons they brought them to the Apostles to be ordained Acts 6.3 4. Ministers are directed how to do it that is not by partiality preferring one before another nor rashly to lay hands suddenly on them 1 Tim. 5 11 12. 5. Other men may not do it because they cannot try their gifts which must first be proved 1 Tim. 3.10.6 A Minister must not be confined to one place he may use his office in any congregation therefore universall Officers must ordain them into the Ministery who are not confined as Elders and Deacons but such as may preach in any church 8. None but Ministers may remove Ministers to other Churches the Lord said to the Prophets at Antioch separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have appointed them and they laid their hands on them and sent them away Acts 13.1 2 3. therefore none but Ministers may ordain Ministers But the house of Stephanus addicted themselves to the Ministry 1 Cor. 16.15 Ans It is true they addicted themselvs to it that is they had a good affection to it and it may be they used means to attain learning to make themselves fit for it but yet it will not follow that they did ordain or put themselves into the Ministry But the Waldenses being cast upon an Island and not knowing what to do for Ministers made some of themselves Ministers Answer All stories are not true neither are all examples to be followed especially when they erre from the rule which saith how can he preach except he be sent Rom. 10.14 and again let him be proved 1 Tim. 3.10 and the Apostles ordained Elders in every Church and after them they were ordained by other Ministers Titus 1.5 and then by the Presbytery assoon as it was erected 1 Tim. 4.14 But if the Waldenses had not done so they had been without Ministers Answ It had been better to have been without then to have used unlawfulmeans to obtain them for he that doth evil that good may come his damnation is just Rom. 3.9 2. They should have done as others did in the like case when the Iewes returned out of Babylon and had no Ministers they did not make Ministers of other men but sent to Iddo and his brethren desiring them to send them Ministers for the house of God and the Text saith they brought us a man of understanding of the sonnes of Levi Ezra 8.15 91.17 18. 3. They need not say they should have been without Ministers for the gates of hell shall not prevail to destroy either the Church or Ministry neither shall they be unwilling to supply any place that truly desires the Christian faith for when the Apostles heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent them Peter and Iohn Acts 8.14 and God that hath wrought these good desires will perfect them to the day of Iesus Christ yea God will supply all their need according to his riches in Iesus Christ Phil. 4.19 Lastly this pretence can be no better justified than that act of Vzza who might have said as well as they if the Ark should fall and break in pieces what shall we do for the Ark but God smote him to death for his errour 2 Sam 6.67 But if our minister be dead or removed may we not chuse another out of the congregation as well as they chose Deacons Acts 6. Ans No for the Deacons office is confined in that congregation so that if he remove he cannot take his office with him but he that is placed in the Ministry takes his office with him and he may exercise that office in another congregation without any more ordination 2. I grant that a member of the universall Church and not a Turk or a Iew who are not members of it ought to be chosen into the Ministry 3. The Scripture doth not say take a man of your particular congregation and make your watchman but take a man of your coasts and make your watchman Ezekiel 33.2 and we chuse our Minister from the Vniversity out of our Nationall church although not out of our particular congregation neither dare we to confine our choice into a narrower compasse than God hath allotted us But there is Superstition used at your Ordination which is by laying on of hands which ceased with the Apostles Ans Where was a two-fold laying on of hands in the Apostles dayes one of them belonged to the Apostles alone at which sign the holy Ghost was given that is the gift of Tongues and Miracles Paul laid on his hands and they spake with tongues and prophesied Act. 19.6 and he sayd to Timothy stir up that gift that was given thee by laying on of my hands 2 Tim. 1.6 Simon faw that on whomsoever the Apostles laid their hands the Holy Ghost was given he said give me this power also Acts 8.18.19 now this power ceased with the Apostles but then there was another laying on of hands when any was fitted before for the Ministery whether it was mediately or immediately it matter'd not they ordained such that is they approved of their fitnesse by that signe of laying on of their hands see both these in one
A brief ANSWER TO OBIECTIONS Of all sorts against PRESBYTERIAN CHVRCHES and their GOVERNMENT 1 Pet. 3 15 16. But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear Having a good Conscience that whereas they speak evill of you as of evill doers they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ London Printed by Francis Leach Anno Dom. 1650. An Answer to Obiections of all sorts against Presbyterial Churches their Government IN former times the Prelaticall party troubled our Church with a false Government but now in their stead is risen up an increase of sinfull men who will have no Government at all but combine together against all that are for it like Gebal Amon Amaleck and the Philistines with them of Tyre helping the Children of Lot to root out the name of Israel that it be no more had in remembrance Psalme 83. and all these take advantage upon the late Act of Parliament Intituled an Act for relief of Religious and peaceable people from the rigour of former Acts of Parliaments in matters of Religion by which all those penall Statutes are repeal'd that bound all sorts of People to frequent our publick Assemblies in the worship of God Objection But those former Acts of Parliament which are now repeal'd onely required our assembling at the time of Divine Service Ans It is true but then that which was Divine Service in shew and not in truth was abolished out of our Churches before this Act came forth together with the Service Book also and that which is truly Divine Service is still remaining which is preaching reading and expounding the word of God also catechising singing of Psalms prayer and Administration of both Sacraments now to the neglect of those duties the penalties of these Statutes did of right belong and these people being sensible of it desired freedome and that without danger of Law Objection But those duties are maintain'd in our select Congregations which are as true Churches as those particular Presbyterian Congregations Ans To acknowledge those Divine ordinances to be in our Churches and yet to separate from them shew plainly that their practise is sedition and their Assemblies to be but so many Conventicles against the true Churches of Iesus Christ 2. Independent Assemblies are not as branches of other fixed Churches because they are Independent for can that be a branch of the tree that was never fastened to it nor received any sap or moysture from it or can that be a member of the body that was never of it but altogether Independent 3. the Creatours and founders of those Assemblies we know yea any man that can but get to himself a company of followers he may soon create to himself such a Church although he steal to himself a flock out of the folds of other Shepherds as seducers use to do Acts 20.30.4 They deny Classes and Synods which would be as sinnews to the Body and as morter to the building to sement the Churches together and although they will ask counsell of other Churches they deny all power to determine any thing for particular Churches so that their meeting for counsell and advice can do them no more good than that head or body can do to the fingers and toes when the arms legs are cut off that should fasten them to the body 5. These Church gatherers are not like to the Apostles who gathered Disciples from without among heathens and not from the folds of other shepherds 2. They gathered them all into that one universall Church but these to themselves which would have been sedition in all nations 3. They took nothing for their pains but these take mony of the poorest servant and such as cannot contribute to them shall not be admitted 6. These Church-gatherers are not like those fixed Officers as Pastours and Elders placed by the Apostles in every Church Acts 14.25 for these are not contented with that flock nor with the maintenance thereof allotted to them as their Predecessors were before them but seek for members out of other Churches to make it up 2. These men for the most part have not those qualifications required for that office having not the gifts of tongues I mean those originall languages in which the Scripture was first written neither mediately taught them in Schools nor by immediate inspiration 3. These Church-gatherers have no lawfull Ordination by the hands of the Presbyterie as all the Ministers of the Gospell have 1 Tim. 4.14 therefore they are no true Churches But now Presbyterian Churches are rightly descended as branches and Members of the first fixed Churches and they also as members of the universall visible Church instituted by Iesus Christ I call this Church universall because it is not confined to any place onely it shall be built upon that rock Iesus Christ Mat. 16.18 who will be with his people in all ages and places Mat. 28.20 to him be glory in the Church throughout all ages world without end Ephes 3.21 Now this Church so promised to be built cannot be meant that part of it in heaven called the Church of the first born where the souls of the just are made perfect Heb. 12.23 for that was not then to build but was prepared from the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 whose maker and builder is God Heb. 11.10 neither was that the invisible Church so loved and sanctified by Iesus Christ Eph. 5.25 because the Apostles are the builders of it for saith Paul I as a wise master builder have laid the foundation which is Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.9 10. and this foundation was to be laid in all nations Mat. 28.19 and in this Church were all the Ministers of the Gospel placed 1 Cor. 12.28 and unto this Church were all Christians when converted from heathens and Infidells admitted Acts 2 41 47. Now the builders of this universall visible Church being sent into all nations to build it where they saw the word of grace most effectuall there they tarried longest being first at Ierusalem and there multitudes were converted by the Apostles and the Seventy and others hereupon they were called the Church at Ierusalem Acts 22. now all the Apostles and extraordinary prophets so wrought together as a common Presbytery for the good of the whole multitude and none of them gathering to himself a Church but seeking all to enlarge that one Church now when all Ierusalem and all Iudea and round about Iordan were all baptised of Iohn Mat. 3.56 and so converted to the Christian faith then this Church branched it self out into Churches in Iudea and Galite and Samaria acts 9.31 1 Thes 2.2.14 and the Apostles ordained Elders being fixed officers and divided to every one his congregation ordaining Elders in every Church acts 14.23 and thus Paul left Tytus to ordain Elders fixed and confined to every City
made four Patriarks or Metropolitans the Bishop of Rome the Bishop of Alexandria the Bishop of Antioch the Bishop of Ierusalem and after that the Bishop of Constantinople instead of the Bishop of Antioch yet none of them universall till Pope Silvester claim'd this title in the year 670. and after him Hildebrand Gregory the seventh added the Temporall power caused the Sword to be carried before him see page 2. all which might suffice to shew that Britain had not received the Christian faith from either Pope or Monke and yet the true Christian faith for we have all the properties of a true Church we have the word of God truely taught and the Sacraments truly administred and prayer put up in the name of Iesus Christ by those that are lawfully called into the Ministery and our people yeelding true obedience to those truths taught and prayd for now although for sin God may remove our Candlestick yet the gates of Hell shall never prevaile to destroy such a Church Mat. 16.18 for God will have glory in the Church by Iesus Christ throughout all ages world without end Eohe 3.21 and Christ will be with his Ministery to the end of the world Mat 28.20 he holds the Stars in his Right hand Rev. 1.16 and what is done to them hee will take as done to himselfe and his Ordinances shall continue for Christ will be with his Ministers teaching and baptizing to the worlds end and the Lords supper shall shew forth the death of Christ till his coming again 1. Cor. 11.26 and both Ministry and Ordinances are placed in the Church for the perfecting of the Saints til they come to a complete man in the knowledg of the Son of God Eph. 4.12.13 which is not attain'd in this world for here we know but in part but then shall we know even as we are knnown 1 Co. 13.12 therefore our Churches are from Iesus Christ and not from Antichrist neither shall they be destroyed Object But since your first receiving the Christian saith England hath put themselves under the yoke of Antichrist for all Christian Kings had given their power to the Beast Rev. 17 12.17 Ans It is true that all these Kings gave their State-power to the Beast but the Churches power was not theirs to give neither did the Church give their power to the Beast for she had alwayes some to witnesse against Antichrist all the time of this Raign Rev. 11.3 yea the Ordinance of Baptisme and Ordination of Ministers the one to solemnize the admittance into the Church and the other into the Ministery was never taken out of the Christian Church no not out of Rrme it self for Antichrist sits in the Temple of God 2. Thes 2.4 so then it is not the want of these Ordinances but the abuse of them that makes Rome Antichrist neither doth the having of these Ordinances make Rome a true Church for Samaria had Circumcision and Rome hath Baptisme yet Samaria was not the Iewish Church no more is Apostate Rome the Christian Church for although their ministers are admitted into the ministry by Ordination and the people into the Christian Church by Baptisme yet they will neither teach the Covenant of grace nor the people yeeld obedience to it the which if they did I suppose their Ministers need no other Ordination into the Ministry nor the people no other Baptisme to admit them into the Christian Church Obj. But you give such names to the materiall places of publique worship as properly belongs to Gods People as the Church the house of God and the Temple which is superstition Ans It is true that Gods people are called the Church but it is as true that the place appointed or set apart for the Worship of God is called the Church for saith Paul When you come together in the Church or have you not houses to eat and drink in or despise yee the Church of God 1. Cor. 11.19.21 .. Secondly this place of publike worship in the Kingdom of Grace is a type of that place of eternall worship called the Church of the first-born Heb. 12.23 Therefore the type may be called the Church as well as the Antitype and Gods people are as lively stones built up into a spirituall house 1. Pet. 2.5 which house are wee Heb. 3.6 but it is as true that the place of Gods worship is called the house of God for saith David they take the houses of God in possession Psa 83.12 Is it time to dwell in your sealed houses and my house lye wast Hag. 1.4 My house saith Christ shall be called a house of Prayer Mat. 21.3 take these things hence and make not my Fathers house a house of Merchandize Iohn 2.16 and when this earthly house of Gods Worship is dissolved we shall have an house not made with hands 1. Cor. 5.1 And Gods people being together in the worship of God grow unto an holy Temple in the Lord Ephe. 2.21 but it is as true that the peace of Gods worship is called the Temple for Peter and Iohn went into the Temple at the hour of prayer being the ninth hour Acts 3 1. The messenger of the Covenant shall come into his Temple Mal. 3.1 This was fulfilled when Christ disputed in the Temple Luke 2.46 and when he drave out the buyers and sellers Iohn 2.15 And when he preached in the Temple Luke 19.47 Iohn 18.20 Again them of all Religions do highly esteem of the place set apart for the Worship of their Gods giving them the like honourable names as Dagons house the house of Baal and the Temple of Diana Acts 19.27 the Idoll Temple and also Churches for saith the town Clerk these men are no robters of Churches nor yet blasphemers of your Gods Acts 19.37 then why should not we say with David Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house and the place where thy Honour dwelleth Psal 26.8 Again what is set apart for holy uses is called holy as holy Sabbath Nehe 9.14 holy Law Rom. 7.12 holy place in Heaven Psal 24.3 and holy place on Earth Exodus 28.43 Mas. 24.15 and holy Temple Ionah 2.4 Yea where God did but manifest his presence holy ground Exo. 3.15 the Tabernacles altars and all the Vessels holy Exod. 40.4.10 and all that administer them and their garments holy Exod. 29.21 and their offerings holy the Paschall Lamb and the Lambe of Consecration holy Exod. 29.34 and the people holy Deut. 7.6 and all these not by infusing the grace of holinesse but onely set apart for holy uses so then every man may not administer those holy things but onely such as are set apart to doe it and secondly we ought to preserve that holinesse of separation of all things so set apart for holy uses Thirdly and this may shew us the horrible sinne of those that cast aspersions either upon the Ministry the Sabbath the Ordinances or place of Gods Worship and chiefly in those that make it a place of gaming and
drinking buying and selling what have you not houses to eat and drink in 1. Cor. 11.22 and hath not Christ whipt them out Iohn 2.15 16. then how dare they presume to doe so again but most abominable is it in those that pull downe the Pulpit and Pewes to make stables for Horses and their dunghill at the dore doe these men take heed to their feet when they go into the Temple of God Eccle. 5.1 and reverence the Sanctuary Lev. 19.30 certainly this is the abomination of desolation in the holy place Maâ— 24.15 these men doe not desire to be a dore-keeper in the house of the Lord rather then the Tents of the wicked Psal 84.10 these men are not glad when they are invited to the house of the Lord as David was Psal 122.1 neither are they grieved that they cannot go with the multitude of those that keep Holy day Psa 42.4 neither are they grieved to see the Heathen enter into the Sanctuary and violently destroy the places of the Assembly Lam. 1.10.26 nay they are not sensible how that fire is cast into the Sanctuary which is like to burn up all the Synagogues of God in the Land Psa 74.7 8. if the Lord in mercy prevent it not But those places for publike Worship were built by Papists for Idolatry and God hath commanded to destroy the places of Idolatry Deut. 12.2 Ans First it cannot be proved that our Churches were built by Papists for Idolatry for we had the Christian faith before Antichrist was in being therefore the places of publike Worship also Secondly that command was to destroy all the inhabitants with their houses goods and cattell yea every thing that breathed as well as the places of Idolatry Deut. 13.15.16.20.16.17 which may teach us to loath the sin but not to punish so severely without a speciall command as they had which did not reach to other people Deut 20.10 Secondly that command was to destroy their name also Deut. 12.3 but many Saints in the Apostles dayes were called after the names of their Idols Rom. 16.1.14 Phil. 2.15 Titus 3.13.1 cor 16.17 yet they did not destroy them nor change their names Thirdly meat sacrificed to Idols was as much polluted as the place yet the meat may be eaten asking no question for Conscience sake 1 Cor. 10.25 26 27. then why should the place be destroyed Fourthly God commanded to destroy the remainder of the Paschall Lamb Exâ— 12.10 and the remainder of the Pan and Bread of Consecration Ex. 29.34 which may teach us to prize our Sacraments yet not to burn the remainder of bread and wine after administration of the Lords supper Fiftly the Iews were bound to sacrifice in one place but now difference of place is taken away Iohn 4.21 neither did Paul destroy the schole of Tyrannus although a place of Idolatry and superstition Acts 19.9.10 but preached the Gospell there two years together with great successe But you imploy these places to superstitious singing of Psalms which was only for singers appointed in the Temple of the Iewes Answ It is foretold that in the times of the Gospell they shall break forth into singing together Isa 52.9 Secondly the Lord hath commanded all Lands to serve him with gladnesse and come before his presence with singing and into his Gates with thanksgiving and into his Courts with praise Psal 100.2.4 Thirdly the Church as an Ecce to that command saith O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyfull noise to the rock of our salvation let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyfull noise unto him with Psalms Psal 95.1 2. Fourthly the same parties that are here called upon to hear his voice and to kneele before him in prayer are called upon to make a joyfull noise unto him with Psalms and also the same parties that did partake at the Lords table with Christ did sing an Hymne or a Psalm in the margent Mat. 26.30 therefore singing of Psalm is an Ordinance of God in the church and ought to be read that all may sing with the spirit and with understanding also 1. Cor. 14.15 But your Parish Congregations were so bounded either by Magistrates or by the Prelates therefore not to be joyn'd with in the publique worship of God Answ If particular Churches had no bounds they could not congregate together as they are commanded Deut. 31.12 and as they frequently did in the new testament Secondly it would be a punishment as bad as casting out to be bound to Congregate some scores of miles from their dwellings Thirdly there was bounds set to Congregations in the Apostles dayes and that was to every Church in every Town or village as was shewed before yea they were confin'd to a Sabboth days journey Acts 1.2 that is so far as they might partake of the ordinances publickly in the Congregation and perform privat duties at home the same day But although the Iews had their Synagogues in every City for publike worship will it follow that Christians must be so bounded now all difference of place is taken away Ans Christian Magistrates as well as Iewish Magistrates are required to compell all to come to the publike worship of God Lu. 14.23 but they may not compell the people to things impossible 2. Magistrates now are nursing fathers to the Christian churchs therfore they ought to remove all inconveniences from the publike worship of God 3. Church Officers are required to feed the Flock and take care of the Flock and to be examples to the Fiock 1. Pet. 5.2.3 Pro. 27.23 Acts 20.28 but they could not doe these duties to them that live many miles assunder so likewise many duties of the Members one to another could not be performed such as mutuall love and holy conferrence tending to edification and works of mercy which could not be if particular Churches had no bounds Objection But your Parish congregations doe unavoidably admit of a mixed multitude to to partake in the publick worship of God Ans The like and much worse is committed in those gathered congregations being for the most part admitted more for money than for fitnesse as may easily be proved 2. In all reason both the Officers and Members yea and Magistrates also by their Lawes can better reform what is amisse both in Church and State amongst those that dwell near to them than they can those that live many miles distant from them 3. Presbyterian Churches if once they were erected their officers being appointed for it would keep the Ordinances of Christ from pollution 4. Presbyterians do receive none to the Lords Table without examination and if any be unworthy it was the Prelates fault and not theirs therefore this slander may more be retorted from whence it came Ob. But if to live in one of your Parishes will make a man a member of your Church then a Turk may take a house in your Parish and immediately be a Member of your Church Ans It will
not follow for he must be first baptised and so admitted into the universall visible Church which includes all particular congregations and gives him a right to partake in all publick Ordinances in case his knowledge and life be approved of by the Eldership without any rebaptising or any other covenant engaging whatsover but this Priviledge no Turk can have by living in one of our Parishes let him have never so much knowledge or holinesse till he he seal'd his professed obedience to to the Covenant of grace by Baptisme Obj. But you stand so much upon Baptisme so that if a man be but baptised though never so prophane you hold him still to be a member of your Church Ans It is true for so he is untill for his misdemeanour he be judicially cut off yea he is still a member while he is under the spirituall Physicians hands although by suspension he is disabled for the present to act as a member as as man sick in his body or in prison cannot use his freedome of the City yet he ia a freeman still for all that therefore the Church officers ought to take care of their patient and comfort him lest Satan get advantage and the man be swallrwed up of overmuch sorrow 2 Cor. 2.7.11 2 Thes 3.15 Ob. But more is required to make members of a Church than Baptisme to seal their professed obedience to the covenant of grace and the approbation of the Eldership to partake of the Lords Table for they must engage themselves to each other to walk in all the wayes of God Ans The covenant of grace being sealed by Baptisme is sufficient to bind them to walk in all the wayes of God 2. This professed obedience to that covenant is the onely form of all Christian Churches 3s That bond lies on all that have seal'd that covenant for ever 4. To make any other engagement than what Christ hath made for admission into the Church is the direct mark of the beast Revel 13.16 17. Ob. But King Asa and the people entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord 2 Chron. 15.1 and the Priests and Levites sealed such a Covenant Nehemiah 3.38 and it s foretold that in the times of the Gospel men shall bind themselves in a perpetuall Covenant Ier. 50.5 and Paul was not suffered to join himself with the Disciples till his engagement Acts 9.26.27.30 Ans 1. Concerning Paul the Disciples imposed no engagement on him at all onely Barnabas declared his conversion and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of the Lord Iesus and how he was with them at Ierusalem and how he had disputed against the Grecians who went about to kill him now when they knew this by Barnabas they brought him down to Cesarea and fent him on their businesse to Tarsus onely upon that report of Barnabas without any of his engagement to them and for those other Covenants they were not for admission of those without the Church to bring them in but of those already in it to walk more closely with God according to the Covenant of grace which they had sealed before at their Circumsion and often renewed at the Passeover and for that Prophecy to bind themselves in a perpetuall Covenant is either meant of those without that shall come in and seal the Covenant of grace or else it is no more but that Christians should do as the Iewes did before them that is to bind themselves to walk more closely with with God which was done both at our Protestation and at our solemne League and Covenant yet these men reproach our Church and Ministry in which and by whom they say they will be converted But is your Presbyteriall Government of Divine institution Ans Yes for God hath set in his Church Governments 1 Cor. 12.28 yea all the three persons in Trinity had a hand in it the father sends forth labourers into the Harvest Mat. 9.38 and the Son gave some to be Apostles some Pastours and teachers Ephes 4.11 and the holy Ghost made them overseeers Acts 20.28 and the Elders of Ephesus were those overseers ver 17. for the Apostles ordained Elders in every Church Acts 14.23 and after their decease they left others to ordain in every City or Church Titus 15. now these Elders were of two sorts first such as were both rulers and teachers for saith Paul obey them that have the rule over you who also speak unto you the word of God Heb. 13.7 17. those Bishops or overseers must be apt also to teach 1 Tim. 3.2 and there is also another sort of Elders which onely are rulers but do not labour in the word and Doctrine and if they rule well are worthy of double honour but more especially they that also both rule well and labour in the word and Doctrine 1 Tim 5.17 now both these have rule over the Saints Heb. 13.24 and worthy of this honour if they rule well Rom 12.8 But shall the Eldership judge and determine of all matters in the congregation Ans Yes they are to judge of all matters unlesse in case of appeals to Classes and Synods first because the Elders are charged to watch and keep the flock from the danger of wolves Acts 20.28 29 30. 1. Pet. 5.13 2. The stock for the poore is to be put into the hands of the Eldership Acts 11 29 30. 3. The Keyes of the Church are to be committed to them for binding and loosing Mat. 16.19 Iohn 20.23 4. All controversies in the Church are to be decided by them for if brethren cannot do it then saith Christ tell the Church Mat. 16.17 18. But shall the Eldership judge and determine who are fit to partake at the Lords Table and keep them back who are not fit to partake of that Ordinance Ans Yes for if they are to judge of all matters then of this also 2. Some were charged to keep the doore in the time of Administration 1 Chron. 26.12 to 19. and some had the charge of the holy place 2 Chron. 23.32.3 Some were blam'd for not putting a difference between the holy and prophane Ezekiel 22.26.4 The younger sort have in all ages and Churches been examined and catechised before admittance to the Lords table that they may offer unto the Lord a pure offering Mal. 1.11 But after admittance to the Lords table shall any be deferr'd from that Ordinance before any crime is laid to his charge or proved against him Ans No for it were unjust to punish a man before he be proved to be guilty of some offence deserving that punishment Secondly it would rend the Church in pieces to suspend any communicants before they be charged with any offence deserving i. t If the Eldership shall suspend both the godly and ungodly before they be charged with any offence and proceed to make a new admittance of those allready admitted the succeeding Eldership might do the like to those that they have admitted and so do and undo for ever Fourthly
God and the condemning power of the Law and all miseries upon body and soul name and state in this world and those unsufferable everlasting torments in hell and I believe that all the creatures in heaven and earth are not able to deliver us out of this condition and I believe that the greatest part of mankind are reprobates and shall unavoidably suffer these torments now this is part of the account of our faith yet no account at all of our hope so likewise I believe that Iesus Christ the Sonne of God was conceived by the holy Ghost born of the virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was dead and buried and the third day he arose from the dead and ascended into heaven now to put hope in this place that Christ would do those things would destroy our faith so dangerous it is to the Eldership to require an account of faith from unblameable communicants to debarre them from the Lords Table till they have from them a second admission from this Text. But Paul saith let a man examine himself and so let him eat now he will do it partially if left to himself neither doth this Text exclude the Eldership Ans I am speaking of those examined already or at least tendred themselves to it when they were admitted 2. That self examination is of the heart whether Christ be in them see 2 Cor. 13.5 which none but themselves can do 3. If this Text include the Eldership they must examine them every time they come to that Ordinance 4. The Eldership is onely to examine those that are not Communicants that they may be Communicants unlesse some great sinne be laid to their Charge which if proved may justly debarre them from that Ordinance till reformation and satisfaction to the Church for it now the younger sort who never were yet at the Sacrament will more freely answer before the grave Eldership than before all the Congregation and so will those that are cast out that they may be admitted But is it sufficient for the teaching Elder to sow the seed of sound Doctrine and then to look no further after the growth of it in the hearts of his people Ans No for the Teaching Elder and the ruling Elders together ought to visit their flock and to labour to remove whatsoever will hinder the growth of it as the husbandman doth when he hath sowed the seed who when he seeth great stones lie upon it will remove them or great clods then he will break them or if water stand to drown it he will let it out or if the fence be broken he will make it up even so should Church officers labour to remove all doubts and scruples that may hinder their growth in grace and also defend them from any that shall seduce them by error and prophanenesse thus when Christ had preached publickly in the Temple Iohn 18.20 Then privately he expounded all things unto them Mark 4.10 34. yea he went into his garden to see if the vine did flourish or the pomgranats budded which made the spouse immediately to be as the Chariots of Aminadab swift and comely Cant. 6.11 12. so also when Christ had sent out his Apostles to preach Mat. 10. he presently sent out seventy more to confirm their Doctrine Luke 10. so when Paul had preached to them publickly he then admonished them privately from house to house Acts 20.20 yea when any of the Apostles had preached publickly they returned to confirm the souls of the Disciples Acts 14 21 22.15.41 Paul plants and Apollo waters 1 Cor. 3.5 6. when Apollo went into Achaia the brethren wrote unto the Disciples to receive him who when he was come helped them much that believed through grace Acts 18.26 27. so should ruling Elders long to impart unto them some spirituall gift for their mutuall joy Rom. 1.11 12 But although Christ and his Apostles did so will it follow that the minister and Elders ought now to do so Ans Yes for what Christ and his Apostles did publickly in the Ministery was for other Ministers imitation and what they did privately was for all Christians to follow but especially ruling Elders who are appointed to assist them in Church government 2. All Christians are bound to admonish one another in the faith Heb. 10.25 Iud. 20. much more ought ruling Elders 3. Some ought to warn the unruly and to comfort the feeble minded and support the weak 1 Thes 5.14.15 but neither equalls nor inferiors can do this 4. It is the custome of other Churches with whom we have engaged that the officers should visit the flock both for their protection and edification 5. The Church hath many enemies who seek to destroy it Acts 20.29 30. 1 Pet. 5.8 2 Tim. 3.6 therefore some had need to defend it and who so fit as ruling Elders who watch for their souls with the teaching Elder as those that must give an account for them Heb. 13.7 17. Lastly this visiting them from house to house by mutuall conference will remove jealousie of their pride and increase knowledge and unity between them and the people But what if the Eldership shall find some who were formerly admitted to be both prophane and scandalous shall they still partake at the Lords Table Ans No if they declare their sinne as Sodom and hide it not and their very countenance doth testifie against them Isa 3.9 when the pride of Israel doth testifie to his face that he doth not turn to the Lord his God Hos 7.10.5 5. Such need no further proof if they paint the face as Iesabel 2 Kings 9.30 35. or by setting such spots on them which shews they are none of Gods people Deur 32.5 or by their naked breasts or if men do as it was fasly reported of David shamelessely uncover themselves in the sight of Maidservants 2 Sam. 6.20 or men hung about most vainly with ribbonds and points or women in the harlots habit Prov. 7 10. their apparrell being strange to all modesty God will destroy such although they be Princes children Zephaniab 1.8 But what if they in their visiting find some men wearing long hair and poundred locks and women lay out their hair shall such come to the Lords table Ans No not till Reformation for such people are so far from Grace that they have almost sinned out the very light of nature for doth not even nature it self teach that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him 1. Cor. 11.14 Secondly when men are called to fasting and prayer they are charged to cut off their hair Jer. 7.29 and Iob did so when he fell on the ground and worshipped Iob 1.20 yea saith Paul judge your selves is it comely for a woman uncovered to joyn in publike prayer or prophecying or at the Lords Table 1 Cor. 11.5.13.20 Thirdly the Churches of God have no such custome although some will be contentious ver 16. and women ought to have power over their heads in the sight of the
angells ' or Ministers ver 10. let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor 14.40 Fourthly long haire in men is the mark of Antichristian Locusts foretold to be in these days who are enemies to Christ for they have faces like Lyons and hair like woman Rev. 9.7 yea they imitate him whose understanding and reason was departed from him and the heart of a beast given to him his hair grew like Eagles Fethers his nails like birds claws Dan. 4. Fifthly Such had rather leave the Sacrament than cut off their hair which shews that they have no true desire to eat the Passeover as Christ had Lu 22.15 and women that so prize their hair shew that they have not the hidden man of the heart and that they are none of those holy women who trust in God being Sarahs daughters 1 Pet. 3.3 4 5 6. when Mary was converted she wiped the feet of Christ with her haire Luke 7.38 Lastly God hath punished this pride in Men especially when Absolom shall pretend to go pay his vowes at Hebron glorying in his long hair was hanged by the head that bore it between the Earth and Heaven 2 Sam 15 7. 2 Sam. 18.9 10. and women for this pride instead of well set hair shall have boldnesse Psal 3.24 But by what rule shall we measure our hayre and when is it too long Ans The hair is called the hair of the head and not the haire of the shoulders Mâ— 10.30 therefore it must be there confined Ephraim had gray hairs and he knew it not Hosea 7.9 Secondly the face of man is his glory and his eyes are his guide to perform all duties to God and Man and to avoid evill now if the hair cover any part of the face it is to cast shame upon his glory and if it cover the eyes it makes blind his guide so that the man is in danger both to fall into the evill of sinne and the evil of punishment Thirdly it is most safe to be farthest from danger now it is not short haire but long haire that is both blamed and punished Fourthly neither imitate erronious nor prophane persons for the one is an Antick in his attire and the other tossed about with every wind of doctrine Ephe. 4.18 both like Ruben as unstable as water Gen. 49.4 but mark the Godly man his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 112.7 and Sarie daughters will adorn their souls and not plate their hair especially when they come to the Lords table But what if some after admittance shall be found Schismaticks or Hereticks shall they still partake at the Lords table Ans No for there must be no Schisme in the body 1 Cor. 12.25 Secondly if an Heretick doe not reform after the first and second admonition he is to be rejected that is cast out Titus 2.29 Thirdly we have the example of Iohn the Baptist who would not admit the Sects of Scribes and Pharisees to come to his baptisme Mat. 3.8 9. much lesse to the Lords Table Fourthly the leven of false doctrine must be purged out Mat. 16.12 as well as the leven of prophanenesse Cor. 5.7 2 Cor. 2.5.6 for the one undermines the truth and eats it out as a Gangreen 2 Tim. 2.17 18. and the other like Swine tread the holy things of God under feet Ma. 7 But by these rules you admit some to the Lords table which are prohibited by the Ordinance of Parlament and keep back others not prohibited by those Ordinances Ans state-State-Officers ought not to judge and determine what sinnes are most scandalous to the Law of God and Religion nor limit Church Officers in their censure any more than Church Officers ought to judge and determine what is most offensive as a breach of the Law of the Land nor to limit or direct the Iudge in his censure Secondly for State officers thus to limit Church Officers is to rob them of that power that Christ hath given them which is as bad as for Antichrist a Church Officer who presumes to rob Princes of their State-power which God had given them For as Magistrates are placed by God in the State and all mankinde are required to yeeld obedience unto them so Church Officers are placed in the Church and all sorts of mankinde are required to yeeld obedience unto them But have Magistrates no power in the Church Ans No their power is much about the Church but not in it they may command all to hear the word of God when truly preached Deut. 31.12 and they may proclame a Fast Jonah 3.7 2 Chron. 20.3 and they may impose a Covenant to seek the Lord 2 Chron. 15.8 9. 34.31 32.35.10.16 and they may punish those that refuse to obey God and the King Ezra 7.23 25.26 yea Kings shall be instrumentall to destroy Antichrist for Kings shall hate the Whore and burn her flesh with fire and make her desolate Rev. 17.16 and the Magistrate is to be a guard to the Church as the Shepherd to a Flock Psa 49.23 therefore they ought to punish those Lyons and Be ares that would devour the Lambs and poyson the Children Psa 60.10 12. Heathen Kings have made Lawes to punish those that did abuse the Idoll worship Dan. 3.24.6.26 much more ought Christian Magistrates to punish those that abuse the worship of the true God and make rents in the Church of Christ see 1 Kings 18.40.23.20 Iudges 6.3 yea saith Iob Idolatry ought to be punished by the Iudges Iob 31.27 28. and evill doers ought to be punished by the Magistrate Rom. 13.4 1 Pet. 2.14 but seducers are evill doers 2 Iohn 11. and Paul appeals to Caesar where he ought to be judged Acts 25.10 11. which was for sedition in the Church if they could have proved it for they said he was a mover of sedition and a ring-leader of the Sect of the Nazarers Acts 24.5 6. but they could not prove the things they did accuse him of verse 13. But what if a controversie arise in the Congregation that the Eldership cannot determine shall they not appeale from the Church to the Parliament Ans No for God hath provided another remedy to whom they ought to appeal and that is to a greater Eldership made up also of Ministers and ruling Elders of severall Congregations being sufficiently able to determin all controversies let them be what they will As first suppose the controversie shall arise between the Pastour and the people there be many Pastors and people of other Congregations to decide it Secondly if the controversie shall be between two Congregations there be many delegates from severall Congregations to decide it Thirdly if half of the same Congregation shall divide against the other half then neither of those parties shall be their own Iudges but it shall be referr'd to those that will judge impartially being related no more to the one than they are to the other Fourthly if the matter require hast because of danger to the Church they meet
once a moneth and oftner if any occasion beâ— this we call the Classicall Eldership And lastly in case any matter shall not here be decided they may appeal to the Provinciall or Nationall Synods and there it shall be determined But how will it appear that there is any such Churches so govern'd by Synods Ans For such names it is not materiall we contend not about names but the thing it selfe we shall find in Scripture First for Provinciall churches we find that every Church in Asia was made up of severall Churches in the second and third Chapters of the Revelations Now such a Church which comprehended many Churches in it could not be one single Congregation made up of one Pastor and his people neither could these be Nationall Churches because at Ephesus which was a City Acts 18 28.19 and at Thyatira a City Acts 16.14 the like may be said of Corinth there was many Congregations 1 Cor. 1.12.3.4 and all made up the Church at Corinth 1 Cor. 1.2 also Corinth was a City Acts 18.8 10. these were provinciall Churches Secondly in Jerusalem were more Christians than could congregate together three thousand were added to that Church at one time Acts 2.41 47. and five thousand at another Acts 4.4 so that there were many thâ—â—and Believers in Ierusalem Acts 21.20 yea it was said that all Ierusalem were baptized of Iohn in Iordan 3.5 6 and yet they are called the Church at Ierusalem Acts 11.21 which could be no other but a Provinciall Church Thirdly there was in Ierusalem many Ministers theer was the 12 Apostles and the 70 and others then what Church would this be having above a hundred Ministers in it this could not be a single Congregation neither could it be a Nationall Church because at Ierusalem the like may be said of the Church at Antioch there was many Prophets and some Apostles Acts 11.26 27. and yet the Church at Antioch Acts 13.4 Fourthly all that multitude of Christians yea I may say all those Churches in Ierusalem for they had Elders chosen which are fixed Officers placed in every single Congregation and there confin'd see Acts 14.23 yet all these Churches were govern'd by one common Presbytery which some times sate in Solomons porch Acts 5.12 13. and sometimes in other places for Paul came to Ierusalem and went in where the Elders were present Acts 21.18 and so was every Church in Asia containing Churches governed and they blamed for every thing that was amisse in any of those Churches comprehended in that Church under that Government Now a Nationall Church is that when God shall deal with any Nation as he did with the nation of the Iews to make them his people in Covenant and give his Statutes Sabbaths and Sacraments as he did to them Nehe. 9.13 14 15. Psal 147.19 20. then that is a Nationall Church as well as that of the Iews but God hath given England and Scotland the Book of the Covenant and Ministers after his own heart to shew us the meaning of it And he hath given the Sabbath day appointed for that end and the Sacraments whereby we have seal'd that Covenant and also the Lord hath sealed many of us with his spirit therefore our Church is a nationall Church 2. all our Congregations containing the whole Nation are fastened and semented together as Members of one body and as branches of one Vine by Classes and Synods as all the Congregations in Israel made one Congregation Psa 74.2 4. therefore it is a Nationall Church for it is not confin'd to a City or Province or one Assembly under one Shepherd but as that Vine brought out of Aegypt and planted in Canaan taking deep root spred her boughs to the Sea and her branches to the river and so filled the land Psal 80. and so we as well as they became a nationall Church 3. It is foretold that nations shall come into the Christian Church Isa 2.2.61.1 to 11.66.18 and this we see fulfilled for all the whole Nation are come in and have sealed the covenant of grace by Baptisme and all professe our selves members of this Church and there is as many living members in this Church as in that nationall Church of the Iewes 4. The Lord hath not as yet given us a Bill of Divorcement but owns us still for his Church continuing his Ministers and his Ordinances with us and his blessing upon them both to convert those that are not converted and to strengthen those that are We have seen thy goings O God in the Sanctuary Psa 68.24 Lastly these Churches have and do still own this title the Church of England and the Church of Scotland and all Christian Churches do so approve of our Church therefore it is a Nationall Church And the universall Church I prove thus first all the Churches of Christ have one foundation upon this rock will I build my Church Mat. 16.18 and yet the builders are sent into all Nations to build it Mat. 28.19 and that upon this foundation for other foundation can no man lay than what is laid which is Iesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.4 which shews that the Churches in all nations make up but this one Church 2. Paul persecuted the Christians at Ierusalem and at Damacus and in other strange Cities Acts 26.10.11 yet all these hee calls the Church of God Gal. 1.13 1 Cor. 15.9 which shews that the Church is universall 3. Iewes and Gentiles which comprehend all Nations make but one Church for saith Paul give no offence to Iewes nor Gentiles nor to the Church of God 1 Cor. 10.32 this cannot be meant a third sort of people because there was no more and this Church was made up of both because both are mentioned therefore it is universall 4. All the Churches of Christ make but one Church for saith Paul the Churches of Christ salute you yea the whole Church saluteth you Rom. 16.10.23 5. All Ministers are placed in one Church 1 Cor. 12.28 which shews it to be universall 6. All Churches have but one King and governed by one Law Iomes 4.12 therefore universall 7. All Churches are called one body one dove one Queen Ephes 44. 1 Cor. 12.12 Cant. 6.8 Lastly the doore of the Church is as wide as the Christian world for he that is admitted into one Church by Baptisme is admitted into all and he that is cut off as Iulian was is cut off from all Churches therefore it is univerfall But how do you prove the Appeals of Churches and of persons in the Church Ans First I will shew the appeals of persons in the church for a private trespasse If thy brother shall trespasse against thee saith Christ go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother But 2. if he will not hear thee take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be estabished but 3. If he neglect to hear them tell
the Church Mat. 18.15 16 17. that is the Eldership for saith the Lord to Moses speak unto all the congregation then he called the Elders and spake unto them Exodus 12.21 which are called the assembly of Elders distinct from the congregation Psa 107.32 or the estate of the Elders Acts 22.5 neither could any two or three Saints be this Church for then the offendor and the offended brethren were this Church but that they were not nor one or two more for it was the third gradation neither was it the whole Congregation here ment for then if any two or three doe but agree about binding loosing it should be ratified in heaven although all the rest were against it But lastly it is ment her Officers who have the keyes of binding and loosing committed unto them although but two Elders and a Pastor in that Eldership yet if but two of them agree being the major part of that Eldership it shall be ratified in Heaven Mat. 18.17.18.19 being the highest appeale in a particular Church In the next place I wil shew by Scripture the Appeals of Churches the lesser to the greater for publique offences not one Congregation to another nor one Classes to another nor one Provinciall Synod to another for so they are of equall authority but a Congregation to a Classes made up of many represented or a Classes to a Provinciall Synod being greater than that and from thence to the Nationall Synod being the greatest power in the Nationall Church I begin with the first and that is proved by all those particular Churches in Syria and Cilicia appealing to the Church at Antioch being a Presbyteriall Church having Apostles and extraordinary Prophets and many Ministers in it who came as being all concern'd in the busines when seducers would have broched errors amongst them Acts 15.12 and there they had great disputation with those seducers even the Apostles themselves who might have determined the businesse there but that it was to be a president for all Christian Churches therefore that Classicall Assembly at last determined to send to the Synod at Ierusalem about that question ver 2. and being brought on their way by the Church that is by some representing the Church ver 3. and they were received of the Church not as if all those many thousands of Beleevers came forth to receive them but some of the Synod representing them all were sent to receive them ver 4. and the Apostles and Elders came together not casu ally but on purpose to consider of that matter ver 6. those Churches having referr'd themselves to their finall determination they did authoratively passe sentence and made decrees to be kept for all those Churches who did thus appeal first to that Church at Antioch and from thence to Ierusalem and they being fully satisfied for having read the Epistle they rejoyced for the consolation ver 30.31 and so all these Churches of Syria and Cilicia were established in the faith ver 41. Chap. 16.4.5 But you give Classes and Synods absolute power to impose there conclusions and determinations on particular Churches without any refusing Ans It is true that all particular Churches ought to refer themselves and that none should be permitted to refuse yet we do not give Classes and Synods absolute power over them so as to impose on them what they please nor at all to make laws for the Church as the Parlament for the State but only to gather out of Scripture a model of that discipline which Christ hath already made and cause that and no other to be put in execution But Classes and Synods hinder obedience to that command of Christ which is to try all things 1 Thes 5.21 and make the Saints liberty lesse than it was in the Apostles dayes for then they might trie their Doctrines Acts 17 11. yea they would be Lords over Gods heritage which they ought not 1 Pet. 5.3 and which no Counsell or Synod since the Apostles dayes ever had nor claimed neither did Christ ever give it to them Ans Classes and Synods do but shew the absolute power of Christ and impose that only as necessary without refusing they doe but gather up the severall Lawes of Christ already made into a moddell to be observed which is not to be Lords over Gods heritage nor challenge to themselves a power which Christ never gave them but rather to dispence the mind of Christ to the People But Classes and Synods makes a Pastor to undertake more Churches than his own and makes them lame that they cannot do their Office themselves and hinders matters from being tryed where they were committed which doth occasion Tyranny and hinder Church-liberty and put men into many intollerable temotations as to wrest the Scripture to a contrary sence and to stop the way of knowledg by stinting mens gifts and abilities and making men to build their observation and practice of divine Laws upon humane principles and policies that will gender to bondage therefore Christ will root it up as the Prelacy Ans Classes and Synods do not undertake more Churches than their own unlesse in case of appeal for their help when as their own Eldership cannot do it neither doth lending a hand make their own Officers lame but rather support them when they were ready to sink under their burden but if they can bear it themselves Classes and Synods will not hinder them but rather encourage them to doe it still which will free them of a great deale of trouble neither are matters to be tryed where the offence was committed but in places of Iudicatory both in Church and State And to speak of Tyranny all Sects are more guilty than Presbyterians for their parties are their Iudges without suffering any appeales from them neither do Classes and Synods force men to wrest Scripture but rather take care to put out such mechanick fellowes who cannot avoid it for want of Learning And it is rather a temptation to error and blasphemy when suffered than if such were punished for it Neither doth Classes and Synods hinder mens gifts and abilities but only rectifies them where to be imployed for more profit and that is in their own families by them neglected while they presume without warrant from the word of God to meddle with other mens businesse Also they further a learned Ministry which may teach the people knowledg and only labour to prevent the blind from leading the blind into the ditch neither is the discipline of Christ to be called humane principles and policies nor is it bondage to be kept from error and blasphemy but rather perfect freedome neither will the Lord root out Presbytery as the Prelacy because some beleeve it but rather their faith shall fail being built on the Churches ruine against which the gates of Hell shall not prevail Mat. 16.18 But may not Ministers alone sometimes meet together to advise each other for the Churches good without Classes and Synods Ans Yes but