branch thereof already proved viz. That there is a WORLD to come wherein will be the New Heavens and a New Earth and the New Jerusalem By the World to come we are to understand that which the Apostle calls That inhabited WORLD even that to come Heb. 2.5 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Apostle Peter tells us that the old world being overflowed with water perished the world that now is even this present evil world is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment c. 2. Pet. 3.6 7. But there will come another world after the world that now is called the WORLD to come in contradistinction unto this world Eph. 1.21 This world is distinguished from that world by Christ himself Luk. 20.34 35 36 37. The WORLD to come will be a New Creation then Christ will make all things new Rev. 21.5 He will create New Heavens and a New Earth and a New Jerusalem Isa 65.17 When St. John had seen in his Vision the New Heaven and a New Earth Rev. 21.1 2. He saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven and vers 5. He that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new This New-Creation will bear some Resemblance unto the first Creation in respect of Matter Manner Parts and End thereof The Matter out of which the Lord Jesus Christ will create the WORLD to come whereof we treat is a meer Chaos viz. the Confusion and Desolation of this present evil world All things will be in a confused and desolate Condition towards the End of this world will be perilous Times 2 Tim. 3.1 In the last daies perilous Times shall come And great Tribulations such as never was Mat. 24.21 yea and most wicked Abomination the whole world lying in wickedness 1 John 5.19 and behold then even then will the Lord Jesus Christ appear Matth. 24.29 30. And HE will come and restore all things For then will be the Times of the Restitution of all things Act. 3.21 and then will Christ Restore our Judges as at the first Isa 1.26 27. HE will make our Oppressors Peace and our Exactors Righteousness Isa 60.17 Then the Wolf and the Lamb shall feed together They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain saith the Lord Isa 65.25 The Manner of the New-Creation will be in an Instant as the first Creation was God spake the word and it was done He commanded and they were created Psal 148.5 God said Let there be Light and there was Light Gen. 1.3 Isa 66.8 Who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in one day They are created now and not from the Beginning Isa 48.6 7. Or shall a Nation be born at once far as soon as Zion travelled she brought forth her children And so will the whole New-Creation there will be a Restitution of all things and all things will be on a sudden made new Rev. 21.5 The Parts of the New-Creation in the World to come are first the New-Heavens and the New-Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 whereby we are to understand that New-State and Frame of Government here on Earth which the Lord Jesus Christ the King of Kings and King of Nations will constitute and command his Saints to execute in all his Dominions and Kingdoms under the whole Heaven Dan. 7.13 14 27. Isa 9.6 7. Secondly The New Jerusalem that heavenly Jerusalem Heb. 12.22 23 24. called the General Assembly and the Church of the first born written in Heaven c. whereby we are to understand that glorious State of the Church of God on Earth which will be in that day when God will glorifie the House of his Glory Isa 60.1 2 7 13 19 20. which Christ shall present unto himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle nor any such thing Eph. 5.27 but holy and without blemish called the Lamb's Wife Rev. 21.9 10 11. prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband v. 2. In this holy City the heavenly New Jerusalem shall the pure Worship of God be celebrated and his Sacred Ordinances shall be administred according to his Divine Institutions and his Spiritual Gifts shall again be given unto his Saints for the Glory of his holy Name and for the Conversion of the Nations that shall be saved Isa 60.1 2 3 4 5. The Gentiles shall come to thy Light The Abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee And Rev. 21.10 23 24. And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it c. Thirdly The Renewed Creatures whose earnest Expectation waiteth for the Manifestation of the Sons of God Rom. 8. 23. And not only they but our selves also which have the first fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the Redemption of our body The End of the New-Creation in the World to come is first To make all things very good as God did in the first Creation Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good So the Lord Jesus Christ will create all things new and make every thing very good in the world to come Wherein will be the Times of the Restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began Act. 3.19 20 21. Secondly To glorifie himself and to make his Church glorious Isa 28.5 62.3 In that Day shall the LORD of Hosts be for a Crown of Glory and for a Diadem of Beauty unto the Residue of his People Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the LORD and a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God Isa 60.1 2 3 7 9 13 19 22. I the LORD will hasten it in his Time The second Branch of our general Position which hath also been proved is this That the LORD Jesus Christ shall appear the Second Time which is now to be explained The Second Coming of Christ from Heaven is often asserted by the Prophets and Apostles and confirmed by the Testimony of Christ himself Rev. 22.7 I come quickly ver 12. Behold I come quickly And ver 26. Surely I come quickly Amen Even so Come LORD Jesus Zech. 14.5 And the Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee Also 1 Thes 3.13 At the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ with all his Saints These Scriptures and those also before mentioned for proof of this Branch of our Position viz. Phil. 3.20 Heb. 9.28 do testifie That our LORD Jesus Christ will certainly suddenly and visibly appear the Second Time and come from Heaven upon the Earth in his own Person This Job believed and therefore did he speak Job 19.25 For I know that my Redeemer Liveth And be shall stand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the last of Time or Day upon the Earth Read ver 26 27. Heb. 10.37 Yet
Heb. 8.2 called The Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3.15 The LORD Jesus Christ in order unto the building up his House the Church of God did ordain a Gospel-Ministry Eph. 4.11 12 13. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. And set them in his Church 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers c. The Apostles as wise Master-builders did prepare fit Materials for to build the House of God and to that purpose they having received Commission and Command from the LORD Jesus Christ Mark 16.15 went out into the WORLD and Preached the Gospel beginning at Jerusalem And when they had made and baptized many Disciples they planted those Churches that we read of in the holy Scriptures which were built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed together was builded together an Habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2 19-22 The Church at Jerusalem was the first of all those Gospel-Churches Act. 2.47 And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Which Church was at its first Constitution a particular Congregation of sanctified Believers baptized with Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit Matth. 28.19 and separated from the Synagogues of the unbelieving Jews to worship God in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4.21 23 24. according to the sacred Institutions of Christ and his Apostles even the Ordinances of God delivered unto his Churches of Saints 1 Cor. 11.1 2. And although the number of the Disciples were multiplied from one hundred and twenty Act. 1.15 to three thousand Act. 2.41 yea to five thousand Act. 4 4. Act. 5.14 And Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women So that the Apostles had their own distinct Companies Societies or Congregations in Jerusalem Act. 4.13 19 23. And Peter and John being let go they went to their own Company Yet they all being of one heart and of one soul were but one Church and are so denominated Act. 15.4 And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church c. Act. 15.22 The whole Church And so were all the particular Congregations in every City denominated and called viz. The Church of God at Corinth 1 Cor. 1.2 And so our Lord and Saviour denominated all the Churches of God in Asia by the particular Cities wherein they were first planted and assembled to worship God Rev. 2.1 8 12 18. Rev. 3.1 7 14. Read those verses I intreat the Reader to consider 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ in building up his own House the Church of God ordained and appointed a preceding Ministry to be workers together with him in building his House Heb. 3.4 1 Cor. 3.9 10 11. We are labourers together with God Ye are God's Building c. 2. That the Churches of God under the Gospel are not National but Political and Congregational 3. That a particular visible true Constituted Gospel Church of God doth consist of fit Matter and due Form Jesus Christ the Chief Corner Stone is a lively Stone and the Materials of the Church ought to be living Stones Mat. 3.16 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Sanctified Believers 1 Cor. 1.2 6. And Christ himself was Baptized with Water Act. 10.44 47 48. and with the holy Spirit every one in his Visible Churches of Saints ought to be Baptized with Water and with the holy Spirit (a) Joh. 5. v. 5. 2. Those sanctified Believers ought to he fitly framed together and orderly compacted joyned and built together an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. chap. 4.15 16. which is the Form of the House of God the Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3. v. 15. God commanded his Prophet Ezekiel chap. 43. v. 10 11. saying Thou Son of Man shew the House to the House of Israel (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in conjugatione hiph Annunciavit exposuit narravit indicavit And let them measure the Pattern Shew them the Form of the House And write it in their sight A wise Master-builder will take care to prepare fit Materials in every respect answerable and suitable unto the House he is about to build and so ought the Ministers of Christ who are Co-workers with God in building his House which is his Church to take heed both what and how they build 1 Cor. 3 9-14 Every mans work shall be made manifest for the Day shall declare it And the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is c. Young Converts new-born-Babes in Christ may be added to the Church of God Act. 2.41 47. But they are not fit Materials to be laid next unto the Corner Stone of that Spiritual building I say again they are not fit for the Foundation-work of God's building nor are they fit for Pillars in the House of God Consider what St. Paul that wise Master-builder saith of such young Converts 1 Cor. 3.1 2 3. Heb. 5.12 13. Read the words These and such as these are not fit Matter for the Foundation nor for Pillars nor for Beams in the House of God at the first Beginning Planting and Building or Gathering of a Church of God But rather Fathers that is grave gracious holy wise and experienced Believers Also some young Men that is such Christians that are strong in Faith and have in some measure overcome the World the Devil and their own Corruptions who are full of the holy Spirit rich in Grace and zealous for the House of God and the Purity of his Worship I say a competent number of such Christians being sound in the Faith holy in their Life and fitly qualified with diversity of spiritual gifts knowledge and grace are in my Opinion most meet to be by their own mutual free consent and agreement joyned tegether to become a particular Church of Saints by the help of some wise Master-builders and faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3 9-11 The Gospel-Form of a particular Church of God consists as we said in the fitly framing compacting and joyning those sanctified Believers together into ONE Fellowship Society and Gospel Brotherhood in a solemn Day of Prayer with Fasting wherein some Able Minister of the Gospel having by Preaching the Word unto them shewed them their Respective Duties in a Church Relation the Elders and Chief Brethren of some particular Churches of Saints being present and assisting in the work of the Day if they may be obtained may in the Name and Authority of the LORD Jesus Christ by virtue of this Commission given to him constitute and make them a particular Visible Church of God they giving up themselves professedly first to the LORD and then one to another mutually and
solemnly with one accord engaging themselves to come together in ONE Congregation and to Assemble themselves together in some one Place every first Day of the week to worship God publickly in all his holy Ordinances with their mutual professed Subjection unto the Laws of God's House and with a Professed Resolution to Continue in the Apostles Doctrine and in Fellowship and in Breaking of Bread and Prayer through the Help of God All which being done the same Minister ought to declare them to be a Church of Saints and the Ministers and Brethren of other Churches being also present ought to own and acknowledge them to be a Sister-Church by giving them the Right hand of Fellowship and so to commend them by Prayer unto God and to the Word of his Grace who is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified The Well-Being of a particular Church of Saints doth principally consist in three things viz. Oneness Order and Government That Gospel-Oneness which maketh very much for the Well-Being of a particular Church is threefold First That there be but ONE Church in one City 1 Cor. 14.19 34. and that all the Congregations of Saints in that City called Churches bear but one Name to wit the Church of God in that City as in the Apostles daies Act. 15.4.22 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2. 3. chap. That so there may be no Schism Divisions nor sinful Separations from the Church of God but that the whole Church may be perfectly joyned together in ONE As a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 as an House or Building fitly framed together Ephes 2.21 22. and as a Body fitly joyned and compacted by every joynt of supply Eph. 4.16 Secondly That this Church be of one Heart and of one Soul Act. 4.32 being perfectly joyned together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment 1 Cor. 1.2 9 10. that so they may all with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 having the same Love one to another Phil. 2.1 2 3. and the same Care one for another 1 Cor. 12.25 26 27. each one endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4 3-6 This Oneness will make the Communion of Saints very comfortable Col. 2 2-5 And hereby they will enjoy Fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit in all God's holy Gospel-Ordinances to the Glory of God and their own Edification Thirdly That this one Church and all the Congregations of Saints that are Members thereof walk by one and the same Rule of the written Word of God Phil. 3.16 being Ordered and Guided by their Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders according to the Royal Laws of God's House called the perfect Law of Liberty Jam. 1.25 submitting themselves unto those Guides Act. 20.28 whom God hath made their Overseers who watch for their Souls as they that must give an Account Heb. 13.7 17. Cant. 6.4.10 Gospel-Order is a great Beauty and Ornament to the Church Col. 2.5 and Order makes very much for the Well-Being of the Church And Gospel-Order consisteth in these things Psal 48.2 Ezek. 16.12 14. First That the Bishop and Presbyters set in Order the things which are wanting in the Church Titus 1.5 1 Cor. 11.34 Secondly That all things in the Church be done decently and in Order which Christ hath commanded to be done 1 Cor. 14.40 And for which his Apostles and Disciples have given us Example Phil. 3.17 Thirdly That the Order of the Gospel be carefully observed and kept in the Administration of God's Sacred Ordinances in the Admission of Members in the Ordination of Church-Officers and in withdrawing from every Brother that walketh Disorderly God was offended with his Church under the Law because they sought him not in due Order 2 Chron. 15.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 14.33 And God hath committed the Government of his Gospel-Church and Kingdom unto Christ to Order it c. Isa 9.6 7. God is not the Author of Confusion Gospel-Government is ordained and appointed of God for the Well-Being of his Church The Church of God cannot have a Well-Being without Christ's Instituted Gospel-Government And to that end God the Father hath laid the Government of his Church upon his Son Jesus Christ Isa 9.6 7. To whom he gave all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 And he hath made Christ Lord of his House and King of his Church Heb. 3 1-6 Psal 149.2 The Lord Jesus Christ deligated this his Ecclesiastical Government of the Church unto his holy Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers called Bishops Presbyters or Elders who where allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel 1 Thes 2.4 And the Apostles and Evangelists did commit the same unto faithful men 2 Tim. 2.12 whom they Ordained Bishops Presbyters or Elders in the Churches of Saints Titus 1.5 7. Act. 14.23 which Gospel-Government as we said before is not a Coercive-Power over Mens Consciences nor is it a Dominion over their Faith neither is it a Lordship over God's Clergy or Heritage but it is a Stewardship of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2 3 4. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God And Titus 1.7 For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God Unto this Gospel-Government appertains Church-Censures of Admonition 2 Thes 3.15 and Titus 3.10 Suspension or withdrawing from a Brother or Member that hath and doth walk disorderly 2 Thes 3.6 and Excommunication of those Members that live in gross and scandalous sins 1 Cor. 5.1 4 5 13. CHAP. II. Of Gospel-Ministry § 1. THE LORD Jesus Christ is the Chief Minister of God's Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 8.1 2. which the Lord pitched and not Man He is the Chief Pastor of God's little Flock (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastorum Princeps 1 Pet. 5.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the Bishop of our Souls (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.25 Heb. 13.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 13.20 The great Shepherd of of the Sheep who in all things hath the Pre-eminence (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in omnibus Ipse Primatum tenens or Supremacy § 2. HE gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry Ephes 4.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 The Apostles Prophets Evangelists were appointed by Christ to Preach the Gospel to the World Mark 16.15 and for the Gathering of the Saints framing and perfectly joyning them together (e) Eph. 4.11 12 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Pastors and Teachers were Set by Christ in the Churches as fixed Officers for the Edifying of the Body until we all meet together in
22. that is to hearken attend and observe what the Lord Jesus Christ by his Spirit saith utno the Churches not to this or that particular Church only Rev. 2.1 7. nor to these seven Churches exclusively but unto all the Churches of Saints in all other Countries Cities and Places in all the future Ages of the World Dr. Scultetus saith (a) Scult observat in Titum Doctissimi quique interpretes per septem Ecclesiarum Angelos interpretantur septem Ecclesiarum Episcopos neque enim aliter possunt vim nisi facere Textui velint All the most Learned Interpreters by Angels expound the Bishops of the Churches nor can it be otherwise interpreted without Violence to the Text. As punctually and pertinently speaks Marlorat (b) Marlorat in Apoc 1.12 Quamvis quaedam tam in Clero quà m in Populo corrigenda essent non tamen Populum sed Clerum aggreditur nec quemlibet de Clero nominatim Principem Cleri utique Episcopum Some things saith he were to be corrected as well in the People as in the Clergy yet doth not Saint John write unto the People nor yet to the Clergy but to the Chief of them which is the Bishop Dr. Reynolds in his Conference with Hart. cap. 2. divisio 3. saith Although in the Church of Ephesus there were sundry Elders and Pastors to guide it yet among these sundry Pastors was there one Chief whom our Saviour calleth the Angel of that Church Apoc. 2.1 And the said Doctor telling us of that very Time when St. Paul assembled the Elders of Ephesus at Miletum Act. 20. 17 28. chap. 8. distinct 3. saith One was chosen as Chief called Bishop § 9. Smectym c. assert that the word Angel Rev. 2.1 c. doth signifie only the Presbytery or the Colledge of Elders Pastors and not the Church (a) Smectym Vindication pag. 146 148. And they draw argument from the Epistle of Christ to the Church in Thyatira Rev. 2.18.20 24. Upon which place Beza thus paraphrased Unto you that is saith he unto the Angel as President and unto the rest of the Elders viz. the Colledge of Presbyters in Thyatira And as many as have not this Doctrine that is have not received this Doctrine of Jezebel But why would Christ have the Angel or Chief Bishop of the Church of Thyatira blamed for suffering false Teachers in that Church to Teach and Seduce his Servants if he was not their President or Superintendent who had Priority Preeminency and Authority above other Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders called Bishops in that Church (b) Beza in Apoc. 2.1 Angelus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quem oportet admoneri per eum Collegas totamque adeo Ecclesiam Gualther Hom. 9. in Apoc. 2.8 Angelo id est Episcopo Smyrnensi atque toti Ecclesiae constat ex Historiis Polycarpum fuisse hunc Angelum Consult Beza Gualter especially Ignatius that holy Martyr who is said to live in the daies of the Apostles who writ an Epistle to the Ephesians wherein he hath plainly and fully distinguished between Bishops and Presbyters and towards the end of that Epistle he doth exhort them to obey both the Bishop and the Presbytery with an undivided mind (b) IgnaEpist ad Ephes p. 17-29 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 § 10. Polycarpus was Bishop of Smyrna when St. John wrote that Epistle Revel 2.8 Unto the Angel of the Church of the Smyrnians saith Irenaeus And who can better inform us than they that lived in the daies of the Apostles Polycarpus saith Irenaeus (c) Iren. advers Haeres l. 3. c. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. was not only taught by the Apostles and conversed with many that had seen Christ but also was by the Apostles Constituted in Asia Bishop of the Church which is in Smyrna Whom we our selves also did see in our younger Age for he continued long And being very aged he most gloriously and nobly suffering Martyrdom departed this Life To this let me add the Testimony which those Brethren of the Church of Smyrna who were present at the Martyrdom of their Bishop Polycarpus gave him (d) Smyrnens Eccles epist de Martyrio Policarpi Euseb lib. 4. hist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vide Euseb l. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Eusebius l. 4. Hist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15. He was said his Brethren the most admirable Man in our Times an Apostolical and Prophetical Doctor and Bishop of the whole Church in Smyrna Famous and certain is the Testimony of Hegesippus in his History of the Church as Eusebius noteth to the same purpose The next and last I shall cite is the Testimony of Clement whom St. Paul mentioneth among other his fellow Labourours Phil. 4.3 § 11. Clement is said by the Antients to have written an Epistle to the Church and Saints at Corinth which Epistle hath the Attestation of Irenaeus who calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a most substantial Epistle to the Corinthians and of Photius that stiles it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an eloquent or a worthy spoken Epistle It is also highly commended by Origin Cyril Justin Martyr St. Jerom and other godly and learned men Which Epistle Mr. Patrick Young saith is extant in the King's Library at Oxford His words in that his Epistle are these (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Clem. Epist ad Corinth pag. 57. D. Patrieii Junii Our Apostles knew saith he by our Lord Jesus Christ that there will be Contention about the Name of Episcopacy And therefore for this very same cause having received perfect knowledge thy appointed the foresaid Degrees and gave thereupon a Designed Order and List of Offices c. And it would be no small sin in us saith he if we should refuse or reject them who have sacredly and without Reproof undergone the Offices of Episcopacy c. The Magd. Cent. 1 2 3. do make mention of such Bishops in the Churches of God And all Ecclesiastical Historians that I have Read do testify the Priority and Pre-eminence of Bishops § 12. I would not be misunderstood therefore I will take liberty to tell the Reader That this Priority Presidence and Pre-eminence of any one Bishop above other Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders and Ministers of Christ is not any Lordly Prelacy with coercive Power over the Conscience or Dominion over the Faith of God's Clergy For the holy Apostles did approve themselves to every Mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.1 2. not having Dominion over their Faith 2 Cor. 1.24 Neither as being Lords over God's Clergy or Heritage 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. But I mean and intend any one of the Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders who are or shall by the Consent Approbation and Choice of the rest be appointed ordained and set over them as Chief Bishop or Presbyter