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A31482
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Certain briefe treatises written by diverse learned men, concerning the ancient and moderne government of the church : wherein both the primitive institution of episcopacie is maintained, and the lawfulnesse of the ordination of the Protestant ministers beyond the seas likewise defended, the particulars whereof are set downe in the leafe following.
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1641
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Wing C1687A; ESTC R8074
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96,833
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184
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more did he permit these foure to be equals among themselves but appointed Ithamar Exod. 38.21 to command over Eliasaph with his Gershonits Num. 4.28 Zuriel with his Merarits Num. 4.33 Eleazar Num. 4.16 to have jurisdictio over His own Family Elizaphan with his Cohathites Yea he maketh not Eleazar and Ithamar to be absolute equals but giveth Eleazar preeminence over Ithamar and therefore termeth him Nasi Nesiim Princeps Principum or Praelatus Praelatorum Num. 3.32 And all these under Aaron the High Priest So that 1. Aaron was the High Priest 2. Under him Eleazar who as hee had his peculiar charge to look unto so was he generally to rule both Ithamars jurisdiction and his owne 3. Under him Ithamar over two families 4. Under him the three Prelats 5. Under each of them their severall chiefe Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they are termed Exod. 6.25 under Elizaphan foure under Eliasaph two under Zuriel two Num. 3.18 c. 6. Under these the severall persons of their kindreds This is here worth the noting that albeit it bee granted that Aaron was the type of Christ and so we forbeare to take any argument from him yet Eleazar who was no type nor ever so deemed by any writer will serve sufficiently to shew such superiority as is pleaded for that is a personall jurisdiction in one man restant over the heads or rulers of diverse charges The forme of government under JOSHUA THe Common-wealth being changed from the ambulatory form into a setled estate in the Cities of Canaan as before the Levits were divided according to the severall Quarters of the Camp so now were they sorted into the severall territories of the Tribes So God commanded Num. 35.2 8. The lot fell so that the foure partitions of the XII Tribes were not the same as when they camped before together but after another sort For the Tribes of 1. Iuda Simeon and Benjamin made the first Quarter 2. Ephraim Dan and halfe of Manasses the second 3. Issachar Asher Napthali and the other halfe of Manasses the third 4. Zebulun Reuben and Gad the fourth Now in these foure 1. The charge or oversight of the first was committed to Aaron and his family and they had therein assigned to them XIII Cities in Iudah and Simeon IX and in Benjamin IV. Ios 21.9 10 c. 2. Of the second the care was committed to the family of the Cohathits and they had assigned to them X. Cities in Ephraim IV. in Dan IV. and in the halfe of Manasses II. Ios 21.20 3. The third was committed to the family of Gershon and they had therein assigned to them XIII Cities in Issachar IV. in Asher IV. in Naphtali III. in the other halfe of Manasses II. Ios 21.27 4. The oversight of the fourth partition was committed to the Merarits and they had therein assigned to them XII Cities in Zebulun IV. in Reuben IV. in Gad IV. Ios 21.34 These were in all XLVIII Cities whereof the chiefe as may appeare were Cities set on Hills and all so situate in such proportion and distance as that they most equally parted their Tribe among them to performe unto them their duties of attendance and instruction Further there were in Ioshuahs time added by the decree of the Princes the Nethinims of the people of Gibeon for the lowest ministeries and for the service of the Levits Ios 9.27 So that now the order was thus 1. Eleazar 2. Phineas 3. Abisua 4. The three Nesiims 5. The Rase Aboth or Heads of the Families 6. The Levits 7. The Nethinims If this power and superiority was necessary when all the People and Priests were within one Trench even within the view of Aarons eye much more in Canaan when they were scattered abroad in divers Cities farre distant was the retaining of it more then necessary The forme of Government under DAVID ALbeit in Sauls government small regard was had to the Church yet David found at his comming a superiority amongst them For besides the Priests hee found six Princes or Rulers over six families of the Levits 1. Chron. 15.5 6 c. Vriel over Cohath Asajah over Merari Ioel over Gershon Shemajah over Elizaphan Eliel over Hebron Amminadab over Vzziel Likewise between the two Priests an inequality one Abiathar attending the Ark at Ierusalem the higher function the other Zadok the Tabernacle at Gibeon 2. Sam. 20.25 1. Chron. 16.37 39. But after the Ark was brought back he set a most exquisite order among the Levits and that by Samuels direction 1. Chron. 9.22 So that he is there reckoned as a new Founder Of them he made six orders 1. Chron. 23. 1. Priests 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 24000. vers 4. 2. Ministers of Priests 24000. vers 4. 3. Iudges 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6000. vers 4. 4. Officers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6000. vers 4. 5. Singers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4000. verse 5. 6. Porters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4000. verse 5. I. Of Priests Zadok was the chiefe of the family of Eleazar and Ahimelech the second of the family of Ithamar 1. Chron. 24.3 Under these were XXIIII other Courses Of the posteritie of Eleazar XVI 1. Chr. 24.4 Of the posteritie of Ithamar VIII 1. Chr. 24.4 Which XXIIII are called in the 5. verse Rulers of the Sanctuary and Rulers of the House of God and to whom the learned Interpreters thinke the XXIIII Elders Apocal. 4.4 have relation II. Of Levits that ministred to the Priests in their function likewise XXIIII Courses out of the * IX VIII families the Heads of whom are set downe in 1. Chron. 23.6 and 24.20 Over all which Jehdeiah was chiefe III. Of Iudges that sate for causes aswell of God as the King there were appointed 1. On this side Iordan upwards toward the River Ashhabiah the Hebronite 1. Chr. 26.30 2. On this side Iordan downwards towards the Sea Chenaniah the Isharite 1. Chr. 26.29 3. Beyond Iordan over the two Tribes and the halfe Ierijah the chiefe of the Hebronites 1. Chron. 26.31 IIII. Of Officers Scribes Shemaiah 1. Chron. 24.6 Scribes Seraiah 2. Sam. 8.17 Scribes Shevah 2. Sam. 20.25 Scribes of the Levits 1. Chron. 24.6 Scribes of the Temple 2. King 22.3 Ier. 36.10 Scribes of the People Mat. 2.4 Scribes of the King 2. King 12.10 V. Of the Singers likewise he set XXIV courses over which he placed three chiefe out of the three families 1. Chron. 15.17 25.2 3 4. Out of Cohath Heman Samuels nephew 1. Chr. 6.33 Out of Gershon Asaph 1. Chron. 6.39 Out of Merari Ethan or Ieduthun 1. Chron. 6.44 Of these Heman was the Chiefe 1. Ch. 25.5 Vnder these were diverse others 1. Chr. 15.18 VI. Of Porters who were divided into the Keepers of the watch of the Temple Mat. 27.65 Psal 134.1 who were placed on each quarter of the Tabernacle 1. Chr. 26.13 14 c. On the East side VI. over whom was Shelemiah South IIII. for the Tabernaele II. and II. for Asuppim over whō was Obed.
Apologies Defences and other writings which our great enemies have published under colour of seeking peace promising to bring nothing but reason and evident remonstrance of truth But who seeth not how full gorged they are with virulent slanderous and immodest speeches tending much to the disgrace to the disproofe nothing of that cause which they endeavour to overthrow Iob. 13.7 Will you speake wickedly for Gods defence saith Iob. Will you dipp your tongues in gall and your pennes in blood when yee write and speak in his cause Is the truth confirmed are men convicted of their errour when they are upbrayded with the miseries of their condition and estate When their understanding wit and knowledge is depressed When suspitions and rumours without respect how true or how false are objected to diminish their credit and estimation in the world Is it likely that Invectives Epigrammes Dialogues Epistles Libells loden with contumelies and criminations should bee the meanes to procure peace Surely they which doe take this course Rom 3.17 the way of peace they have not knowne If they did but once enter into a stayed consideration with themselves what they doe no doubt they would give over and resolve with Iob. Behold I am vile what shall I answer Iob. 40.4 5. I will lay my hand upon my mouth If I have spoken once amisse I will speak no more or if twice I will proceed no further But how sober and how sound soever our proceedings be in these causes all is in vaine which wee doe to abate the errours of men except their unruly affections be bridled Selfe-love vaine-glory impatience pride pertinacy these are the bane of our peace And these are not conquered or cast out but by prayer Pray for Ierusalem and your prayer shall cause the hills to bring forth peace Psal 72.3 6. peace shall distill and come downe like the raine upon the mowen grasse and as the showers that water the earth We have used all other meanes and behold wee are frustrate wee have laboured in vaine In disputations whether it be because men are ashamed to acknowledge their errours before many witnesses or because extemporality doth exclude mature and ripe advise without which the truth cannot soundly and throughly bee demonstrated or because the fervor of contention doth so disturbe mens understanding that they cannot sincerely and effectually judge in Books and Sermons whether it be because we doe speak and write with too little advise or because you doe heare and read with too much prejudice in all humane means which have hitherto been used to procure peace whether it be because our dealings have been too feeble or the minds of men with whom we have dealt too too implacable or whatsoever the cause or causes have been for as much as wee see that as yet wee faile in our desires yea the wayes which we take to be most likely to make peace doe but move strife O that we would now hold our tongues leave contending with men and have our talke and treaty of peace with God We have spoken and written enough of peace Psal 122.6 there is no way left but this one Pray for the peace of Ierusalem THE FORME OF GOVERNMENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT And first under MOSES THE Common-wealth of ISRAEL was considered either as Personall containing all the whole people not a man left or Representative in the Estate Tribes Cities whose daughters the Townes adjacent are called I. The Estate had ever one Governour 1. Moses 2. Iosua 3. Iudges 4. Kings 5. Tirshathaes or Vice-royes Ezra 2.63 with whom were joyned the LXX Elders II. The Tribes had every one their Prince 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phylarcha Num. 2. with whom were joyned the chiefe of the families 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Patriarchae Num. 1.4 III. The Cities had each likewise their Ruler Iud. 9.30 1. King 22.26 2. King 23.8 with whom were joyned the Elders or Ancients Ruth 4.2 Ezr. 10.14 These last not before they came into Canaan and were setled in their Cities It appeareth that Moses sometime consulted only with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the heads of the Tribes and then one Trumpet only sounded Num. 10.4 in some other causes with the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Congregation and then both Trumpets called Num. 10.3 The highest BENCH or Iudgement for causes of greatest difficultie was that of the LXX who at the first were the Fathers of each familie that came down to Egypt Gen. 46. which number did after that remaine Exod. 24.1 9. and was at last by God himselfe so appointed Num. 11.16 See 2. Chron. 19.8 The inferiour BENCHES for matters of lesse importance were erected by Iethroes advice of Rulers of Thousands Hundreds Fifties Tithings Exod. 18.21 26 and after established by Gods approbation Deut. 16.18 In every City as * Antiquit. l. 4. c. 8. Iosephus saith were seven Iudges and for each Iudge two Levites which made together the Bench of each City The forme of the Ecclesiastical government under MOSES THe Priesthood was setled in the Tribe of Levi by God Levi had three sons Cohath Gershon and Merari Of these the line of Cohath was preferred before the rest From him descended four Families Amram Izhar Hebron and Vzziel Of these the stock of Amram was made chiefe He had two sons Aaron and Moses Aaron was by God appointed High Priest So that there came to be foure distinctions of Levitst 1. Aaron as chiefe 2. Cohath 3. Gershon 4. Merari The Commonwealth of Israel was at the beginning in the desert a Camp In the midst whereof the Arke and Tabernacle were pitched and according to the four Coasts whereof they guartered themselves on every side three Tribes On the East side Iudah Issachar Zabulon Num. 2. v. 3. On the South side Reuben Simeon Gad. Num. 2. v. 10. On the West side Ephraim Manasses Benjamin Num. 2. v. 18. On the North side Dan. Aser Napthali Num. 2. v. 25. These foure Quarters were committed to those foure Divisions of Levits The East quarter to Aaron and his family Num. 3. vers 38. The South quarter to The Cohathites Num. 3. vers 29. The West quarter to The Gershonits Num. 3. vers 23. The North quarter to The Merarits Num. 3. vers 35. Who lodged among them and took charge of them as of their severall Wards But there was not a parity in these foure for 1. Aarons family which bare the Ark it selfe was chiefe 2. Cohaths which bare the Tabernacle and vessels next 3. Gershons which bare the veile and hangings of the Court third 4. Meraries which bare the Pillars and Posts last Neither were all the Levits of each of these severall houses equall but God ordeined a superiority among them Over the Priests Eleazar Num. 3. v. 30.24.35 Over the Cohathits Elizaphan Num. 3. v. 30.24.35 Over the Gershenits Eliasaph Num. 3. v. 30.24.35 Over the Merarits Zuriel Num. 3. v. 30.24.35 Whom he termeth Nesiim that is Prelats or Superiors No