Selected quad for the lemma: england_n
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A85410
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The controversie between episcopacy and presbytery stated and discussed, by way of letters, at the desire of a person of quality and learning. / By J. Gailhard, A.M. & D.
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Gailhard, J. (Jean)
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1660
(1660)
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Wing G119; Thomason E1083_3; ESTC R202264
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41,795
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51
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James his â—â—th had been one of the chief causes that brought â—â—ch heavy judgements 〈…〉 Bâ— as to this point of oaths Hon urable Sir I refer you to my 〈◊〉 upon the third Commandeâ—ent a Coâ—â—â— heâ—â— of I now â—nd you inâ—losed which with thâ—â— will I fear 〈…〉 have 〈…〉 from Honourable Sir Your c. G. Juâ—â— â—4 1â—â—0 The fourth Letter Honourable Sir I Conâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 to you not â—â—t of conceit in 〈◊〉 of any 〈◊〉 â—â—intâ—ent anâ— youâ— Commands or to require the hoâ— iâ— yâ—â— laâ— upon â—e in things aboâ—â— which you might have a 〈…〉 from many â—ore â—apable to give it then 〈…〉 effect oâ— that absolâ—â—â— obedience I have swâ—â— to your commands and that conâ—â—â—mmit I have promised to yâ—â— pleaâ—â—e 〈◊〉 whereâ—â— I will endeavoâ— at this time to lay open the 〈◊〉 conâ—â—oversie between Pâ—â—â—â—â—â—ans as they aâ—e 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 salen The sonneâ— do with and maintain the Church â—â—ght to be ruled by Elders whence they have the name of Presbyteâ—â—â—â— for you kn w that Pâ—â—â—â—â— â—n Greek signifieth an â—lder and first there ought to be Congâ—â—â—â—â—â— Elders in every Parish for it bâ—â—ng granted that theâ—e ought to be an order in the Church it must be that which is grounded upon Scriptures if now these Elders ought to be secular men as it will be proved hereafter They are sometimes called Lay-Elders which expression we will make use of because it is the common expression for they are chosen from the Layitie of the people for in pretence to the Ecclesiastical Office they are not lay men Truly besides divine institutions there is a great advantage cometh this way in union these persons that are Elders having influence upon others of the Parish may by their example and perswasion bring people into submission of order and holinesse of life for Elder must be persons of an excellent knowledge and of unblameable life And secondly hence discipline will be observ'd for these persons here being from amongst the people and changed from time to time their censure and judgement shall the more willingly be submitted unto the sentence of many is more considerable then that of few and thereby the hatred cast upon a Minister in the execution of discipline and the suspicion of his being partial may be washed away besides that it is easier to bribe one then many before these within their Parish the breach of Gods Law in Religion as prophanesse and neglect of Ordinances so the breach of Charitie in quarrels divisions scandals ought to be judged as our blessed Saviour saith Matth. 18. If thy brother hath offended thee and will not be reconciled in the prisoner of few till if the Church that is the Rulers of the Church to wit the Elders For first this cannot be understood of the Minister alone of the Church who indeed may be called the Angel of the Church Secondly This is not understood of every individual person of the Church this would introduce a strange confusion if all were to be judges which cannot be because of the incapacity and other unqualifications of persons as of women children and some men therefore it must be done by the Ministers and Representatives of the Church to wit Elders as you will see hereafter But as sometime such is the quality of the persons and nature of businesses as they cannot be decided in the Parish there may be an appeal to the Classis of those parts that is a certain number of Presbyters select for that division over which there ought to be a Moderator choâ—en by Plurality of Voyces and this only pre tempore Now this Classis is subordinate to the Synod of that County or Province which is the convention of all the classes of that County over the which shall also be a Moderator and this only pro tempore as Saint James was in Jerusalem Acts 15. by Plurality of Voyces and this provincial Synod shall be subordinate to the National whâ—â—e thâ—â— of high 〈◊〉 decided to the which two or more Mâ—â—â—e is and Prâ—â—â—â—â—â— oâ— every shire aâ—â— to be â—ent This may be callâ—d onâ—e a year the Provincial once every haâ—â— year the Claâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 every month is ther◠〈◊〉 caâ—e and the consâ—â—ty oâ— congregation 〈◊〉 bâ—â—twâ—â—ne every Loâ—de â—ry eve y forth night The Pâ—â—nate of Lâ—â—nd â—ave his â—â—gement 〈…〉 as Doctor Bernard doth testifie and certainly 〈◊〉 of Goâ—â—â—n none hath pâ—â—ved so happy as 〈◊〉 in Fâ—ance Scotland parts of Germany and other places wheâ—e it is strictly observed tâ—â—te hath been no schismâ—◠〈◊〉 of wickednesses committed howsoever not unâ—â—nished â—oâ— hereby they may presently be reâ—â—ained if incuâ—â—â— spâ—â—d out of the Church I might shew the happiness of the Reformed Churches in France under it considering their condition for they are Subjects to a Popish King but I have matter enough bâ—â—â—des this Aâ—â—â—e I prove thâ—â— to be of a divine Institution I will endeavour to proâ—â—â—gâ—te Eâ—â—jâ—â—pâ—â—r which being done it will be nâ— haâ—d matter to acteâ—s Prâ—â—â—â—ery But first Presbyters â—â—anâ— do allow of Bishops provided they be reduced to their former purity that is to be a Minister and not above a Minister of an â—weâ—eet or superintendent 〈◊〉 this is the 〈◊〉 sâ—â—nication of the â—oâ—â—â—â— its oâ—â—â—â—nal Now to be to Overices oâ—â—â— hâ—â— flock is pertaining to every Minister Acts 20 28. to you see every Minister is a Bishop 1 â—â—w 3. But Bâ—â—hops by way of it 〈◊〉 authority primaâ—y or dependency of one Minister from aâ—â—bet is in no 〈◊〉 grounded â—â—on Sâ—â—â—tures but it is Tyrannical by â—â—rpation and of humane invention as to the case of Aâ—â—â— Bishop they must confess it as they do to be instituted of men Supremacy therefore in Church is very dangerous it is a temptation to pâ—â—de and occasion of ambition which men are naturally prone unto 〈◊〉 Saint John had lived in these our dayes 〈◊〉 many Dâ—â—repheâ—â— wâ—â—â— he have diâ—covered whom he condemneth in his three Epistles 〈◊〉 he loveth to have the preeminenâ—e and sure I am we 〈◊〉 have a better Pattern for the Role of the Châ—â—ch then the school of Christ where he was so far from allowing of it that he reproved them when they had disputed who should be the 〈◊〉 he such Câ—â—iâ—â— that will be the greatest shall be the leâ—â—t where be makes an opposition between the Government of Church and State The King of the Nations exercise lordship â—ver them and those that are 〈◊〉 use authority â—ver them but amongst you it shall not be so he that will be the greatest let him be your servant Matth. 20.25 Why shall we so much condemn in the Pope that which they approve in others Shall one and the same thing evil of it self pride and usurpation be a crime in the Bishops of Rome and a vertue in the Bishops of England an Arch Bishop here that hath the precedencie of some of the Kings sonnes is he not an Image of that of Italy true it is it is not in