Our Gracious KING with You His greatest and best Councell And give unto You all the spirits of zeale and feare of the LORD so to Decree and Enact that the Truth the power and Sincerity of the Gospell may bee the honour and glory of this Kingdome with the Ordinances of GOD in the purity thereof all mis-understanding betweene His Royall MAIESTIE and Your selves reconciled and all evill Councellors on both sides removed all dissentions discords and disaffections amongst us people composed And all of Vs againe KING Parliament and people made one as the Truth and Our GOD thereof is one Finally my humble prayer is that Your Wisdomes would pardon my boldnesse And that You would be pleased to construe all that I have done or said to be entiâ—ely and sincerely from the bottome of my heart for the glory of GOD the Honour of KING and Parliament and the dutie of love I owe unto my Christian Neighbours in the fellowship and unitie of the Truth And I shall ever remaine praying for you J. G. To the Reader Christian Friend AS Gods love hath beene free to me so my hearty desire is to manifest my love to all that are his And as in all things I have received of him so especially of the best blessings that we may all prosper even as our soules prosper And therefore the first thing I communicated to the publick was a briefe description of the Kingdome of God and the Children thereof their spirituall conditions and holy persons their estate of suffering and that of triumphing And although therein I have shewed and set it forth yet briefly the great things of Gods Law or Covenant yet some have accounted it a vaine thing so that there was some cause to have spoken no more Yet the generall breach of conformitie and uniforme walking in the publick Ordinances of the Church of England hath so grieved my spirit that I am constrained through the love I beare to Gods people therein I say to make this briefe discourse following Wherein I have kept my selfe close to the Ordinances themselves examining them by such rules in Scriptures as do apparently warrant them so that if all things bee considered there is nothing imposed in the publick by Authoritie that doth any way hinder or prejudice the spirituall sinceritie of the true and pure worshipp of God therefore beloved let us studie to give God thankes for these reformations in the outward wee doe injoy already and that the same God would direct the same power of King and Parliament to goe on to a full perfection of what is begun And in the meane while wee to demeane our selves in obeying praying and studying to shew our selves approved unto God and men giving no offend in any thing that our profession be not blamed And as there 〈◊〉 more truth in the Doctrine of the Church of England then in an other professâ—on of Religion I know of so let our Uniformity anâ— agreements in all other outward Ordinances of publicke communâ— on exceed theirs And let us endeavour to manifest our holy inward and spirituall communion by our external union so shall 〈◊〉 ever be yours that is the Lords I. G. THE CHVRCHES PVBLICK ORDER Wherein the Ordinances of the Church of England for Gods publick worship are proved to bee agreeable to Gods Word argued and opened at a second conference between Silvanus and Hymeneus Hymeneus WEll met friend SILVANUS I have often thought of our discourse when we were last together Sil. Sir I am glad if it have given you occasion for your better meditations that Truth and the God thereof may have any glory by my poore endeavours Hym. I must confesse that I have reviewed it since it hatâ— beene published and I am perswaded your discription both of 〈◊〉 Christian in particular and the true Church in generall is agreeable to Gods Word and that the promises to the Patriarch Prophets and Apostles are truly expounded of which I desire 〈◊〉 have further conference hereafter Silv. It is but a breviation of those many particulars mentioned but if the Scriptures be examined it will make the truth more manifested Hym. You have spoken nothing of the outward condition of the Church neither of Minister nor people which are things I would faine have your judgment in Sil. The true and inward Christian onely knowes how rightly and truely to order state and dispose of ouâ—ward things and the Christian without or outwardly knowes not how to order one or other as Saint Paul saith the spirituall man or he that is spirituall discerneth all things 1 Cor. â—2 15 Hym. I would pray you to resolve me of those foure particulars that concerne the outward estate of the Church First of the Ministers Officers and people of each Congregation or Paâ—rish Secondly of the time or times of Gods publick worship Thirdly the place or places for their meetings Fourthly the worship it selfe both for the matter and manner Sil. Expresse your meaning in the first question Hym. For as much as you deny that the people are to call their Minister shew me how they should be called by the Scriptures Sil. It seemes by calling of Ministers you meane ordination of Ministers and so I understood you the last time we spake of your new fashion in New England Hym. Yes that is my meaning Sil. We finde it written that our Lord Himselfe Marke 3.14 Ordained that is sent his Twelve Apostles and Saint Luke saith he gave them power and authoritie c. and sent them to preach the kingdome of God Luke 9.1 2. And this Evangelist saâ—â—h the Lord appointed or sent other seventy also and further teacheth us to pray therefore the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest ver 2. So likewise after Christ Assension the Apostles that were sent by himselfe sent others And so this same Evangelist witnesses in the Acts that the Apostles prayed and laid their hands on Stepheâ— and Philip and others and did thereby ordaine and senâ— them into the ministery as well as into the Deaconshiâ— Acts 6.6 And indeed wonderfull and powerfull they werâ— in their Ministerie as he afterwards sheweth so the Apostle Paul affirmeth that Timothie received the gift and authoritie to preach thorow the laying on the hands of tâ—â— Ministers which he there calls the Presbyterie 1 Timoâ—â— 4.14 15. And so also himselfe the same Apostle in parâ—â—cular speakes to Timothy 1 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore Iâ—â— put thee in remembrance that thou stirre up the gift of Gâ— that is in thee by the putting in of my hands and so 〈◊〉 Apostle gives him direction also for his ordayning otâ—â— Ministers 1 Timothy 5.22 Lay thy hands suddenly onâ— man neither bee partaker of other mens sinnes keepe thy 〈◊〉 pure According to these Scriptures the Church of Engâ—â—â—â— hath ordained and appointed that none but such meâ— are ordained Ministers shall have power and authoritâ— the ordination of Ministers Hym. These Scriptures you alleadge now and
of most or all reformed Churches p. 473 and pag. 499. And it is an Act and Statute Law in our Church of England Anno 5. 6. of Edw 6th Chap. the third in these very words Neither is it to be thought that there is any certaine time or definite number of days prescribed in holy Scripture but that the appointment both of the time and also of the number of days is left by the authority of Gods Word to the liberty of Christs Church to be determined and assigned orderly in every Country by the discretion of the Ministers and Rulers thereof or as they shall judge most expedient in the true setting forth of Gods glory and the edification of the people And it followes be it therfore enacted by the King our Soveraign Lord with the asseÌ„t of the Lords c. and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same that all the dayes hereafter mentioned shall bee kept and commanded to be kept Holy-dayes and none other that is to say all Sundaies in the yeare c. and so nameth all the rest particularly Hym. But you have not a Scripture for this day nor any of the rest Sil. For the first day of the weeke called Sunday wee have Apostolicall and Primitive example for it Acts 24.7 Hym. You know examples without precepts binde not in Divine things Sil. Therefore I have shewed you before the Act of Parliament the command of the Church And where Mans Ordinance is not against Gods command there St. Peter commends subjection in these words Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sike 1 Peter 2.13 There is no word in Scripture to command you to fast the last Wednesday of every moneth yet your practice shâ—wes you thinke you ought so to doe it being commanded Hym. You have fully satisfied mee by Scripture And the Churches Ordinance for the time and times commanded for Gods publick worship Now pray resolve my next question and shew me what warrant there is for commanding a place where to meet Sil. Authority commanding one for the publick doth not forbid any for the private And therefore there 's much cause and reason for it for if there be no place there can be no meeting Hym. I thinke the Scripture speakes against the appointment of a place Iohn 4.21 You shall neither in this mountaine nor at Ierusalem worship the Father Sil. Although our Lord did know and fore-tell to the woman the destruction of Ierusalem and the dispersion of both Iewes and Samaritants and that it should be done by Gods enemies and Idoll worshippers so that there should be no true worshippers to worship in those places which were the usuall places of their publick worship intimated in these words verse 21. Woman beleeve me the houre commeth when yee shall neither in this mountaine nor yet at Ierusalem worship the Father Yet it doth not follow but that in other places the true worshippers might and should worship God in spirit and in truth for so much our Lord saith ver 23. The houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him we reade that Our Lord came often to the Temple daily teaching the people often worshipping in the Mount of Olives Hee appointed an upper roome for the celebration of the Passeover with his Disciples so it is said when the Eleven were together Christ cmae amongst them And also that they were altogether in the Mount of Olives at our Lords Assension into Heaven and they were not to depart from Ierusalem but there to waite for the promise of the Father And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place Peter Iohn went up together into the Temple at the houre of prayer wee finde Paul often in the Synagogue and abundance more instances to prove the publick places that Gods people met into worship Hym. But wee have no command for any in the New Testament Sil. No more you have for the time as before is shewed nor for the Femall Sex or Children of either Sex to be baptized it is warrant sufficient that authority commands them all Hym. I pray what reason is there to call the place appointed for publick worship the Church for you have proved before in our firâ—â—â—nference Peter 5. That the Elect of God called and sanctified are the Church of God And I am sure that is true but that wood and stone should be so called it seems strange to me Silv. It is strange â—mee that you should be such a stranger to the Scriptures â—r the Scriptures often give the name of the thing signified to the signification of it so our Lord calls the signification of his body His body it selfe in the words Take eate this is my body Matth. 26.21 So Moses and Abraham both call the signe of the Covenant Circumcision the Covenant it selfe Genesis 17.10 11. this is my covenant c. Salomon also calls the house hee built for Gods publick worship the Temple 2 King 11. And the Temple of the Lord 2 Chro. 26.16 when it is not so properly but by way of allusion and resemblance only For the regenerated ones the truly faithful men are Gods house his habitation and dwelling place as the Scripture speakes Yee are the Temple of God 1 Cor. 3.16 and againe for the Temple of God is holy which Temple yee are ver 17. So likewise the materiall house is called the Church or the Temple of God also because it is appoynted and set apart onely for the holy services of this spirituall Temple there to converse with God in his holy Ordinances of praying and preaching and all other his holy services and in this respect hath beene and may be called a holy place And such Vessells and Vestments holy in regard of the holy use they are sanctified or set apart for Not that stones wood mettalls or cloathes are capable of holinesse but they are in Scripture called holy in regard they are assigned to serve about Gods holy worship Now as the Temple and all Vessells and Vestments are called holy in regard of their holy imployment so also they are called holy in regard of Gods holy presence who is more manifested present in the place of the administration of his Ordinances than in any other place and so the place is called holy Exodus 31. 1. and Vestments likewise And so is the ground also Exodus 3.5 The place where thou standest is holy ground And therefore we ought to have them in a reverent esteeme and respect Pull off thy shoes saith the Angel to Moses Those places and things therefore are not to be common as other things and places wherefore our Ministers are to be blamed that they doe not informe the people with the truth of this Doctrine our Lords owne practice that onely and alone act of corporall punishment
that beforâ— our first conference Acts 14.23 And they ordained them Eâ— in every Church that is Preachers as you there observed 〈◊〉 Yet not one nor all those places doe shew the forme they 〈◊〉 though they prove the thing they practised Silv. Neither doe the Scriptures lay downe the fâ—â— of Marriage although it bee honoured beyond conâ— by God Himselfe in Paradice Gen. 2.22 As also bâ— Lords first miracle Iohn 2.1 11. And the author 〈◊〉 â—ebrewes layes it down as an Ordinance for ever Marriage 〈◊〉 honourable in all Hebr. 13.4 and yet in all the Scripâ—â—â—es old or new we doe not finde a forme for the manner â—or persons appoined to celebrate the matter but some â—â—nes wee finde the Parents did performe it in the Patriâ—â—hs times and in the Iudges times the Magistrates and 〈◊〉 other places it is said they tooke unto them Wives as 〈◊〉 they married themselves for so it is said Gene. 6.3 â—ow because there is not a forme of words in Scripture â—he holy ordinance of Marriage waste and voyd No â—inke none will be so voyd of Religion to say so but 〈◊〉 it not rather prove that it is left by the Authoritie Gods Word to the liberty of Christs Church to deâ—ine assigne and order in every Countrey as I shall 〈◊〉 anon an Act of Parliament of this Church in anoâ—â—â—â— case Hym. But hath the Church of England appointed a forme â—rdination as it hath done for Marriage â—â—l Yes such holy exhortations divine instructions â—ffectuall expressions as there cannot be better thought 〈…〉 Hym. I pray let me heare your knowledge of it 〈◊〉 As the ignorance of Scriptures is the cause of all 〈◊〉 and faction so also the ignorance of those wholeâ— Lawes and Ordinances which the Church hath proâ—â—â—â— in many particulars makes many have a worse opiâ—â—â—â— of the government of the Church then otherwise â—ould possibly have â—â—nnot but admire the solemne grave and honouâ—â—orme of Matrimony the Scriptures for instruâ—â—â—â—â—ppointed to be read the holy exhortations and adâ—â—ons the union pronounced in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost the concluding the ordnance with pertinent blessings I say I cannot chose but morâ— and more admire it because now a many of unadwâ—sed Ministers use unworthy and unwarrantable forme thereby couzening and cheating those they pretend tâ—â— Marry for except the words are used in the manner appointed by the Law the Law knowes them not marrieâ— but the Wife in the sence of the Law is accounted a whoâ— and the Children Bastards and the next of kinne will 〈◊〉 cover all personall estate and inheritance And the reâ—son is cleare because the Law knowes nor allowes of aâ—â— other forme for Marriage but that enacted Oh woeâ— to such unwise Ministers that have done this wrong aâ— injury to the Children unborne by seducing their ignorâ—â—â—â— Parents But to give you satisfaction in that you desire concerâ—ing Ordination of Ministers the Church hath appointâ—â— a very good rule and forme for it many pithy and apt prâ—â—ers unto God for His blessiing many Scriptures to bee râ—â—â— agreeing to the Ordinance As Saint Pauls counsell to â—mothy and the words and gesture the Apostles used whâ—â— they ordained Stephen and the rest Acts 6. as also 〈◊〉 words of our Lord Iohn 10. And diverse questions are made to them that are to 〈◊〉 ordained such as these are you assured or doe you beleâ—â— you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upâ—â— you this office and ministration to serve God for the pâ—moting his glory and the edifying his people And he â—â—swers I beleeve so Also hee is askt doe you thinke you are truly called â—â—cording to the will of our Lord Iesus Christ doe 〈◊〉 unfainedly beleeve all the Canonicall Scriptures of 〈◊〉 â—ld and New Testament and will you apply your selfe to â—udy read and preach the same they promise they will 〈◊〉 And further also to lay aside the studies of the World 〈◊〉 the flesh to endeavour by good life and holy examâ—e to edifie Christs flock These and many more are the â—questions and exhortations then doth the Minister ordainâ—ng speake to the whole Congregation declaring to them â—e Ordination and there being no cause shewed against â—y the people hee proceeds in prayer and layes on his â—d upon him thereby giving him power to preach and â—ficiate in all other administrations Hym. This forme is very good and seems to mee warranâ—e but what rule hath the Church of England for ordination â—other Officers Sil. For such as have the place of ruling Elders comâ—only called Church-wardens and for such as receive and â—tribute to the necessity of the poore commonly called â—erseers the Minister and Congregation doe choose â—â—â—m together by most voyces according to Act of Parâ—â—â—ment Hym. But how are the people or Congregation ordered Silvanus All Parishes or Congregations are â—orporated and Ordayned by Act of Parliament â—e law gives power to the Minister and Churchâ—ficers to examine and see that obedience by yeelded to 〈◊〉 such things as concerne the time the place the manner 〈◊〉 matter of Gods worship in publick and accordingly â—acquit them if innocent or to indite or present them â—uiltie Anno 1. Edw. 6. Anno 1. Eliz. 2. Hym. I pray Sir resolve mee in my second question how a â—e may be commanded for it seemes to me the Apostles doctâ— teacheth otherwise Galath 4.10 11. Where he saith Yee â—ve dayes and moneths and times and yeares I am afraid of of you lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vaine Sil. The Apostle being rightly understood doth not write to the Galatians against a time or times to be appointed by authority for the publick worship of God but hee teacheth against the use of such Ceremonies that the cleare and open manifestation of the Truth and substance thereof made weake beggerly and uselesse and more principally hee directly preacheth against them as some thereby and in Obedience to sought life and justification against this the Apostle concludes peremptorily to the Romans Romans 3 28. in these words Wee conclude therefore that a man is justified by faith without the workes of the Law and hee accepts none to the Galatians but affirmeth that whosoever seeks justification by the Law he is fallen from Grace Gala. 5.4 And aggravates it by reduplications as most certaine and a thing never to be questioned the holy Ghost bearing witnesse with him and therefore speakes in a phrase never to be repealed for by the workes of the Law shall no flesh be justified Gal. 2 16. Hym. What rule have you then for the time and times of Gods publick worship Sil. The first day of the week and all other dayes and times are by Ordinance of the Church appointed this hath beene the judgement of former times amongst the Fathers as Hierome Austine and Tertullian Master Frith and Master Tindall amongst the Martyrs Master Calvin and many others in the book called the Harmony of confessions