that word But if every Phaeton that thinks himself able may be permitted to drive the Charriot of the Sun no wonder if the World be set on fire saith Mr. Vines Well then Gifts won't serve turn 2. Neither hath the Election of the People any more power virtue or efficacy in it to make a Man a Minister No Authority can be deriv'd from them for Nihil dat quod non habet All their Interest about a Minister consists only in making choice of such a Person for the Exercise of his Ministry among 'em which is quite a distinct thing from Ordination or making a Man to be a Minister in General or confering the Office of a Minister upon him This appears plainly by that place Act. 6.2 3. The Twelve called the multitude of the disciples to 'em and said Look you out among you seven Men of honest report whom we my appoint over this business They were only to look out no nominate to fix upon the Persons who were fit for such an Employment and then the Apostles were to appoint 'em 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word frequently signifies to authorize or invest with authority as Matth. 24.45 47. and 25.23 Act. 7.10 27 35. and is translated to Ordain Tit. 1.5 I left thee in Crete that thou shouldst Ordain Elders in every City This the Apostles reserv'd to themselves as belonging to them to appoint ordain authorize Only Nomination and Election was the Disciples work Ordination was the Apostles And mark it this work that they were here Ordain'd unto was a work of an inferior nature to the Ministry viz. Serving of Tables v. 2. Now if they might not take upon 'em without the special Investiture and Admission of the Apostles much less might they have undertaken the work of the Ministry without it It 's without all warrant from Scripture that the People should make a Minister There 's neither Precept nor President for it in all the N. T. We read of Ordination by Apostles Acts 6.3 and 14.23 by Prophets and Teachers in my Text by Evangelists Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 5.22 and by Presbyters 1 Tim. 4.14 but for Ordination by the People we meet not at all with it and therefore it is observable that all that is written in any of the Epistles about Ordination is in those to Timothy and Titus who were Officers in the others which were written to the Churches there 's no mention made of these things which is a convincing proof that the work of Ordination is a work belonging to Ministers and not to the People say the London-Divines See this Point largely handled in Jus Div. Min. Evang. part 1. c. 9. Thus I hope I have kept my ground and defended my Position from all attacks made upon it either on the right hand or on the left That Officers in the Church and they only have Authority from Christ to set apart others for the work of the Ministry 3. Now I proceed to the last Head of Discourse concerning the Manner of this Separation or Ordination that it must be done by Fasting Prayer and Imposition of Hands That Fasting and Prayer must be used upon this occasion is granted by all There can be no question made of it The weightiness of the work requires it All the doubt is concerning Imposition of hands Therefore to clear that I shall shew as briefly as I can 1 The Original 2 The Necessity 3 The Vse of it in this case 4. Whose hands are to be Impos'd 1. For the Original of this Rite or Ceremony it was used upon several occasions Those that belong not to our present purpose I shall pass by The first place where it was us'd for a setting apart or Ordaining to an Office is Num. 8.10 Thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites and then v. 14. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel Here was a Separation for a particular Employment and this was directed to be done by the children of Israel which cannot possibly be meant of the whole Congregation that was impracticable and therefore must be understood only of some of 'em but then the question is Who these some were that were commanded to impose their hands on 'em and here Interpreters are divided Some understand 'em of the Princes and Chiefs of each Tribe who by this Ceremony signify'd their intire resignation and dedication of them to God's Service This Sense Mr. Pool prefers as the best But I rather think it must be meant of the First-born who supplied the place of the Priests before in whose stead the Levites were taken v. 16-18 For they the Levites are wholly given unto me from among the Children of Israel instead of such as open every Womb even instead of the First-born of all the Children of Israel have I taken them unto me For all the First-born of the Children of Israel are mine both of Man and Beast on the day that I smote every First-born in the Land of Egypt I sanctified them for my self And I have taken the Levites for all the First-born of the Children of Israel Whence it seems much more likely to me that these were the Persons that laid their hands on the Heads of the Levites than the Princes or any other even as he that brought a Burnt-offering was to put his hand upon the head of it Lv. 1.4 to note his laying his Sins upon it and offering it up in his own stead So here The Levites being taken instead of the First-born To whom did it more properly belong to lay their hands on them than to the First-born This is the first Example of this kind after which it was commonly made use of in setting apart to any Sacred Function 2. The Necessity of Imposition of Hands in Ordination I prove by these Arguments 1 Because all Scripture Examples of Ordination were performed with this Ceremony and none without it None is or can be produced We have Scripture-warrant for it but none for the neglect of it Therefore to those that profess to walk by Scripture-Rule this should be sufficient As we must not add to Scripture-Institutions by our own Inventions so neither must we detract or take from Scripture by neglecting any thing we have Scripture-warrant for Nay more than this 2 We have an express Command for it 1 Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no Man where the Negative includes the Affirmative As it forbids the denying of it rashly and unadvisedly so it enjoyns the doing of it considerately and deliberately 3 Because the special Nature of Ordination doth consist in this Ceremony as appears Because the Spirit of God in Scripture expresses the whole Work of Ordination by this one Act of Imposition of Hands as in the place last quoted and 1 Tim. 4.14 Yea not only so but the whole Work of the Ministry is couch'd under this Expression Heb. 6.2 as the most judicious and
solid Interpreters do understand it By all which the Necessity hereof appears in this case And yet it 's well known that some Persons tho' sometimes they will admit of it yet lay no stress upon it don't count it a necessary part of Ordination but think it may be as valid without it as with it and accordingly do frequently omit it From whence we may take notice of the unevenness of some Mens Consciences or of their Practice at least which is like Indentures sometimes up sometimes down They require positive signs of Grace in those they admit to be Members They insist upon a Church-Covenant to be ent'red into by them They admit Ordination by the People which things have no Foundation in Scripture On the other side they reject or at least neglect Imposition of hands in Ordination tho' there be such plain Scripture-warrant for it as you have seen 3. The next thing to be spoken unto is the Vse of this Ceremony It serves for divers Ends. 1 To convey unto and bestow upon the Person receiving it the Office of a Presbyter This is the principal Use of it So it was with Barnabas and Saul in the Text they were hereby separated to the Work of the Ministry among the Gentiles So it was with Timothy 1 Tim. 4.14 Neglect not the Gift that is in thee which was given thee by Prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery By Gift here the * The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is often taken not only for the Grace by which we are fitted for an Office but for an Office to wich Men thro' Grace are fitted Office of the Ministry is generally understood This was given or conveigh'd to him by Imposition of hands 2 It serves to design the particular Person that is set apart for this Office While Prayer is only made for this purpose possibly many Persons in the Congregation may not know who it is particularly that is meant but when hands come to be laid upon him or them then every one sees who it is 3 Thereby the Person is dedicated consecrated and offer'd up to the Lord and his Service as it was used in the Old Testament for this End Numb 8.10 c. 4 It 's used as an Authoritative and Ministerial Benediction of the Person ordain'd as it was used by Jacob Gen. 48.14 and by Christ in his Blessing and Praying over the little Children Matt. 9.15 4. Whose Hands are to be imposed Not the Hands of any of the People which some †In such Churches where there are no Elders Imposition of Hands may be perform'd by some of the Brethren chosen by the Church thereunto Platform of Church-Discipline c. 9. allow of when there are no Elders or Presbyters to be had But that is a case scarce to be supposed and therefore nothing follows upon it Certainly such may be had somewhere or other There is no warrant at all in Scripture for any to lay on Hands in Ordination but Church-Officers Nothing like a Proof is alledg'd but only that place Numb 8.10 but that must needs be meant of the First-born who were the Priests in each Family as I shew'd even now No these have no power to do it It must be done by Church-Officers So it was herein the Text and so in all other places where it is mention'd as I proved before Thus I have both asserted and maintain'd the Lawfulness and Warrantableness the Validity and Sufficiency of our Practice this day and also vindicated it from the Cavils and Exceptions of Adversaries on either hand so that I hope you are all fully satisfied that we don't take more upon us than we have good ground in Scripture for That we don't remove any ancient Land-marks That we don't 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Intrench upon the Rights of others but keep within the Bounds God has fixed and prescribed to us and so may lawfully proceed to the Work that further remains to be done by us The Exhortation BEloved in our Lord I begin the concluding part of the Solemn Work of this day with the words of the Apostle Heb. 13.22 I beseech you Brethren suffer the word of Exhortation which I shall direct first to you who have been solemnly set apart to the Office and Work of the Ministry by the laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery accompanied with Fasting Prayer and Blessing and then to you the People That which now Sir I am to entertain you with is That you would seriously consider the Greatness of your Office and Work How weighty your Calling is above all others which hath so near a relation to the Purpose of the Father the Purchase of his Son and the Charge of the Holy Spirit To you is committed the Word of Reconciliation your God hath counted you Faithful put you into the Ministry and intrusted you with what highly concerns his own Glory and the Everlasting Happiness of Precious Souls Oh take heed to your self and to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Bishop to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Acts 20.28 Your principal Work is to Preach the Gospel 1 Cor. 1.17 Ministerially to reveal the Will of God to his Church Soundly to Interpret Expound and Apply the Scriptures to their Edification and especially to Preach Christ to them This is most Profitable both for them and your self This is most Weelcome and Comfortable and the readiest way to break their Hearts Eph. 3.17 18. Luther at his Death thus Pray'd Thee O Christ have I known Thee have I loved Thee have I taught Thee have I trusted and now into thy hands do I commend my Spirit The Name of Christ in a Sermon makes the Preaching Sweetest You are not to be a legal Preacher to preach Salvation by keeping of the Law yet you are to preach the Law a Rule of Obedience as a means to discover Sin and convince Men of their Misery out of Christ as a School-master to draw to Christ Gal. 3.24 Which is God's ordinary way to prepare to the receiving of Christ So preach the Law that you may preach the Gospel for that Preaching is best which drives to Christ and he is the best Preacher not that tickles the Ear but breaks the Heart to seek after Christ the Physician of Souls Labour to preach with all Plainness and Perspicuity to the meanest set off your good Notions in the most obvious plain Expressions The greatest Learning is seen in the greatest Plainness The Learned Dr. Preston did spread his Net that he might catch the Fish Non Rhetorice sed Apostolice non quanta Eloquentia sed Evidentia saith Austin Clearness and Perspicuity is the Grace of Speech painted Glass-windows hinder the Light The Persian Roses were marr'd with the Sweetness of Perfumes An Iron Key will unlock where a Wedge of Gold will not the Foolishness of Preaching tho' not Foolish Preaching Saves The Walls of Jericho
Gate of Heaven that God would open his Mouth both for inward Gifts and Abilities and the outward Expression of them Eph. 6.18 19. Col. 4.2 3. 2 Cor. 1.11 Beg a Door of entrance for your selves that God would open your Hearts and not only give you an Eye to see but an Heart to embrace the Word Eph. 1.17 18. Psal 119.18 Luke 24.45 Pray that the Word may have a free passage in his Mouth and your Hearts God must do both Acts 16.14 The Messages that he brings and the Blessing of his Labours is from God Pray for his Protection Assistance and Success in his Work which is of great Importance very hazardous to miscarry in and most opposed by Earth and Hell He that is engag'd in this Work is subject to the like Infirmities with his Brethren yea he is at work for you for the Service of your Faith and your Profit by him is not a little furthered by your Prayers for him Forget not then to commend your Minister to God He hath Authority to reprove Sin in any of you and that plainly and boldly as one having Authority Tit. 2.15 Jer. 2.17 It is your Duty to admit and accept of this part of God's Ordinance even of the word of Reproof as well as of Instruction and Comfort James 1.21 And if you have Grace you 'll take well and love him the better that deals Faithfully with you this way for surely much of Grace is seen in giving a Reproof duly and in taking a Reproof thankfully He is to be exemplary in Piety yet you are not to expect he should be free from some Frailties Weaknesses and Infirmities tho' he may from Enormities He is subject to like Passions with other Men so was Elias Paul c. The High Priest himself who was only to enter into the Holy of Holies was first to offer for his own then for the Sins of the People Dirt may but Dust can hardly be kept from Cloaths The most Godly Minister hath his Pillar of Cloud as well as of Fire Is he a Man of God yet but a Man yea none are so clean but others may cast Dirt upon them Cloaths brush'd and clean may be dash'd and spotted in dirty Ways by passers by Some paint Angels black because they cannot make them so this was done to Christ and the Primitive Christians Thus it fared with Athanasius Luther Calvin Beza not to instance in the more Modern And alas hereby the Power of the Ministry is hindred in the Hearts of the Hearers Look not for Angelical Perfection in your Minister nor Censure or Despise him for the least Infirmity you discern in him or any that are or may be near to him yea be loth and unwilling to see Infirmities in him but rather set your Eyes on God's Ordinance and the good things that are in him and that you receive by him and make account that he is a Man as well as you subject to the same Infirmities that you are He is not to shew himself Stately Austere Churlish or Strange to any of you that shall be willing to make use of him about your Doubts but to encourage you to move your Doubts to him You are not carelesly to pass over what you hear and understand not but to seek to know the meaning of it and to be resolved by conferring among your selves and if you that way receive not Satisfaction you are to go to your Minister your Teacher and if that will not ferve go to Christ by Prayer You are to put your Minister forward in his Work and Service and with Love Wisdom and due Respect to his Place and Calling put him in mind of his Duty Say to Archippus is Faul's Charge to the Colossians But withal you are to encourage him not only verbally but really allowing him a Competent and Comfortable Maintenance honouring and respecting his Place and Calling whatever his Person deserves his Calling is honourable and challenges respect You Sir are to use all good means to gain and maintain the Credit Reverence and Estimation of your Person and Ministry in the Hearts of your People and you Sirs are to honour your Minister for his Gifts and Works sake 1 Thess 5.12 13. I do not call for the Honour due to the Magistrate and Great Ones of the World but in your Minds and Judgments you are rightly to esteem of the need you have of God's Ordinance in his Ministry and of the inestimable Benefit you receive by it 1 Cor. 4.1 In your Affections and Hearts you are to Reverence him and in your Practice to yield Obedience to his Doctrine and be directed by him according to the Word of God Your Minister will thankfully resent your Civility when you shew Respect to his Person Yet I am to let you know that this is not all that he looks for or can be contented with but you would glad his very Heart with the Joyful News of your Repentance and Acceptation of Jesus Christ May you accept his Labours may your Persons Ears Hearts Lives entertain the Work of his Ministry no Encouragement like this To conclude Do you Sir your utmost Endeavour to pursue the Design of your Office and the Ends of year Ministerial Gifts and Abilities as an Embassador to Negotiate this Peoples Reconciliation to God as an Angel to be a Ministring Spirit sent forth to Minister for them that shall be Heirs as a Builder to edifie this People in Faith and Knowledge as a Steward to distribute what you are intrusted with for the Good of God's Family the Houshold of Faith as a Nurse to give out the Sincere Milk of the Word whereby the Children of God may grow as a Star to shine for the Benefit of others especially in this Night of Ignorance and Atheism This will be your Comfort both here and hereafter on a Death-bed when your Conscience shall testifie to the Sincerity of your Desires of Saving Souls 2 Cor. 1.12 Acts 20.24 2 Tim. 4.6 7. and your Reward will be certain and great Dan. 12.3 you shall have a Prophet's Reward one of those three Aureola's mention'd by the School-men an additional Accession to the essential Happiness of the Saints O ye People Do you grow and thrive in Grace let your Minister find the Work of the Lord to prosper in his hands and see his Labour which is not in vain in the Lord not to be in vain in your Hearts and Lives This will be a Credit to the Gospel and proclaim to the World that it is more than a meer Notion and that there is Power Virtue and Efficacy in it This will be the Joy of Angels the Advantage and Comfort of your Pastor and Minister in Life and at Death at once a Credit to the Embassador and his Message the Preacher and his Gospel and be a Testimony and Evidence of the Power of his Preaching This would secure and encourage the Increase of his Gifts when he sees so happy an Issue of his Prayers and Sermons of his many restless Nights and weary Days In a word This would sweeten all his Enjoyments and be your own Concernment and Interest FINIS