gouuernement of the Church by an Eldership is perpetuall 4 That whose seuerall partes is perpetuall and whiche hath perpetuall giftes giuen for the furnishing thereof for euer that same must needes be perpetuall But the seuerall partes of the Eldership as Pastour Doctor and Elders be perpetuall as is prooued in the 10. and 12. chap. Therefore the Eldership is perpetuall 5 Whatsoeuer is grounded vpon the generall commandementes and rules of the Scriptures that same is perpetuall But the gouerning of the church by the Eldershippe is such as hath partlie bin prooued in election and ordination and execution of the seuerall Church-offices whiche is the greatest part of gouernement and shall further appeare in the censures of the church hereafter Therefore the gouernment of the Church by the Eldership is perpetuall 6 What soeuer manner of gouernement hath sufficient power and that from God to begin continue strengthen both the gouernours of the church in their callings and the people in the course of obedience vnto Christ that same gouernement is to be perpetuall But such is the gouernement by the Eldership as appeareth by this that the Apostles vsed no other Therefore the Eldershippe is to be perpetuall 7 That gouernement which the 12. Apostles and Paule before they consulted togither did vniformly agree in that same must needes bee of God and consequently perpetuall vnlesse the repealing of it doe appeare but such is the gouuernement by the Eldership for all the aduersaries therevnto confesse that it was in the Apostles time Therefore it is perpetuall 8 Whatsoeuer hath the same groundes that the preaching of the Worde and ministration of the Sacramentes haue the same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement of the Eldership for it is grounded vppon the commaundementes of Christ and practize of the Apostles Therefore it is perpetuall 9 That which hath the like groundes to bee perpetuall that the Apostles Prophetes and Euangelistes had to bee for a time the same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement of the Church by an Eldership which appeareth by this that they are therefore ceased because their giftes of immediate calling c. be gone and the giftes of these iointly and seuerally doe remaine Therefore it is perpetuall 10 Whatsoeuer is the perpetuall and ordinarie remedie to cure diseases of the Church and strengthen the health of the same that same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement by the Eldership as appeareth by the necessitie and profite of the seuerall offices thereof and of this that we are still to obserue in causes of extremities Tell the Church Matth. 18. 17. Therefore it is perpetuall 11 That gouernement which was in the Church appointed of God vnder the Lawe and continued in respect of the substance by Christ and his Apostles and bettered in respect of the accedents by them that same is perpetuall But such is the gouernement by the Eldershippe as appeareth in the 12. reason of the 1. chap. Therefore it is perpetuall 12 If there be any reason why this gouernement should be alterable being once set in the church by Christ it is eyther in respect of the extraordinarie offices ceased or the addition of the Magistrate But not of the former because the Church hath neuer had any neede of extraordinary giftes but God hath giuen them so will he euer nor of the latter for that the Magistrates office is to defende the buylding of the church by that order which Christ hath set downe and not to alter any thing therein Therefore it is perpetuall 13 Eyther this gouernement is the best and perpetuall or els there is none and so Christ should bee thought to haue left his Church without a gouernement which is disproued in the 7. and 8. reasons in the firste chap. for this was once established by Christ and so was no other But some gouernment must needes be the best and perpetuall Therefore this is perpetuall 14 No man may iustlie forbid speaking of the Church gouuernement to returne to the olde constitution of the Church of God and to receyue it before the custome of men 15 Experience teacheth this order speaking of the church gouernement was not for one age but necessarie to all ages 16 Though the cōmon wealth change hir gouernment yet the Church must keepe hirs still 17 Lamenteth that some were founde among them that are esteemed forwardest which would not haue the same discipline vsed now a dayes that was in the Apostles times obiecting the difference of times and men 18 The Apostles haue written these lawes speakinge of Discipline not for a day or for the first age but to endure for all times to come and therefore haue ratified them with a most earnest obtestation 1. Tim. 6. 14. that these commandements should be kept vntill the day of the Lord. Therefore if the causes of once ordayning an Eldership be perpetuall if Christ be the authour of it and left it in the Church by the Apostles if it be Gods commaundement not yet repealed if the partes of it and giftes for it be perpetuall if it be grounded vpon the generall commaundements and rules of the scriptures if it haue sufficient power from God to begin continue and confirme a Church if it was agreed vpon by the 12. Apostles and Paule before they met togither if it haue the same groundes with the preaching of the word if it haue as good grounds to bee perpetuall as the Apostles c. to be for a time if it be the perpetuall remedie against all the diseases of the Church if it was vnder the lawe and inriched by Christ and his Apostles vnder the Gospell if it bee neyther alterable in respect of the extraordinarie offices ceased nor the Magistrate added to the Church if it be the onlie gouernement that challengeth authoritie from God if no man may iustlie forbid it if it be necessarie for all times if the common wealth may chaunge hir gouernement but not the Church if the difference of times and men bee nothing against it lastlie if the rules that the Apostles gaue for it be confirmed with a charge to be kept vntill the comming of Christ then must it needes followe that the gouernement of the Church by an Eldership ought to be perpetuall They obiecte that many inconueniences would followe vppon this gouernement which are seuerallie to bee answered 1 Obiection By this euery parishe shall followe their Seniors and then there wilbe so many Elderships so many diuers fashions seeing one may not medle with another Answere The gouernement desired is vniforme for euerie Church and admitteth no change no not in outwarde ceremonies without a Synode of the choyce men of seuerall Elderships 2 Obiection If they being all meane men chuse an Earle he may not refuse but be at their becke and commaundement Answere No man that is chosen is compelled to an office against his will but he that despiseth to consult with others in Gods matters because they
trembling and feare and to kisse the sonne least he be angrie why did you not tell them that all states must be ruled by my worde and not my word by them and their pollicies When these thinges shall be laied to your charge your consciences shall answere that if you had done so you should haue lost your dignities which you loued and sought for especially then shall you wishe that the mountaines woulde fall vppon you and the hilles couer you from the presence of the lambe and from the presence of him that sitteth vppon the throne And I am perswaded that you are in league with hell and haue made a couenant with death yea you doe perswade your selues that there is no God neyther shall there be any such day of account or it were vnpossible that you should giue your eyes any sleepe or take any rest in your beds vntill you had vnto the Lord by repentance and the Churche by confession vuburdened your soules of these hellish wayes wherein you haue so long walked Repent repent be not ashamed to amende though others haue founde you out the way iudge your selues while you haue time least you be made fire brands of hell beyonde all time Let our challendges that wee haue made in the name of the Lord be hearkened vnto Let vs be disputed with before indifferent Iudges let the holy word of God be the touch-stone to trie our disputations by and then shall it easilie appeare who hath the Lorde on his side and who not The trueth wil preuaile in spite of your teeth and all other aduersaries vnto it for God disdaineth to be crossed by dust and ashes Therfore bee not obstinate so long as vntill you will bee founde fighters with God but preuent his wrath least it break forth against you like fire that none can quenche because of the wickednesse of your inuentions Venture your Bishoprickes vpon a disputation and wee will venture our liues take the challendge if you dare If the truth be on your side you may heereby be restored to your dignities and bee no more troubled by vs but if the trueth be against you what shall it profite you to winne the whole world and afterward loose your owne soules If you refuse still our offer then must you needs be guiltie either of this that you knowe your cause will not abide the triall or of this that you wil take no paines to confute vs that keepe such a sturre in the Church doe not think that because you haue humane authoritie on your side therfore you are safe for hee whose authoritie is on our side is the greatest to whose voyce all the Diuels in hell shall stoup much more the sielie arme of sinfull flesh Wet haue sought to aduance this cause of God by humble suite to the Parliament by supplication to your Conuocation house by writing in defence of it and by challendging to dispute for it seeing none of these meanes vsed by vs haue preuailed If it come in by that meanes which will make all your heartes to ake blame your selues for it must preuaile maugre the malice of all that stande against it or such a iudgement must ouertake this lande as shall cause the eares that heare thereof to tingle and make vs bee a by-worde to all that passe by vs. The Lorde open your eyes that you may see the confusions whereof you are the cause and giue you true repentance or confound you in all your purposes that bee against him and the regiment of his sonne Iesus Christe The same Lorde for the loue he beareth to his people open the eyes of her Maiestie and the Honorable Counsellers that they may see your godlesse practises and in pitie to Gods people ridde vs from you and turne away his iudgements which the reiecting of his holie yoke hath deserued not punishing them that mourne for the desolation of Sion with those that spoyle and make hauocke of the Lordes inheritance Amen To the Reader INfinite and vnspeakeable Christian Reader are the miseries from which Jesus Christ our Sauiour hath freed vs and the benefites and blessings wherewith in this life he beginneth and for euer will continue to adorne vs. The consideration wherof if our vnthankfulnes vnto his Maiesty were any way proporcionable to that which we indeuour vnto towards men should make vs continually to deuise and all the dayes of our life to studie how we might shew our selues at least in some sort carefull to glorifie his blessed name aboue all thinges that we desire by how much as his loue towardes vs excelleth whatsoeuer can els according to our wish befall vnto vs but if wee doe with equall ballance on the other side looke into the course of mans life how wel this duetie is performed we shall see that men declare themselues rather bent to spit in his face to defie him then any way to honour him as their head and Soueraigne for to say nothing of the prophane life and godlesse conuersation wherewith the generall number that professeth Iesus Christ is wholy defiled wee see that many nations people and languages are very willing to receiue Iesus Christe as their Priest to sacrifice for their sinnes but that hee shoulde become their King to prescribe lawes vnto them whereby they may be ruled is of all other thinges the moste vnsauorie yea if it offered the most grieuous tidings and vnreasonable request wherein albeit manie nations that haue renounced that whoore of Rome are heynously sinnefull against his glorious Maiestie yet is there none in the whole worlde so farre out of square as England in reteyning that Popish Hierarchie first coyned in the midst of the Mysterie of iniquitie and that filthie sincke of the Canon law which was inuented patched togeather for the confirming and increasing of the kingdome of Antichriste Wherein as great indignitie is offered vnto Jesus Christe in committing his Churche vnto the gouernment of the same as can bee by meane vnderlinges vnto a King in committing his beloued spouse vnto the direction of the Mystresse of the Stewes and inforcing her to liue after the orders of a Brothel house For the reformation whereof while some haue written and others according to their callinges carefully stoode how heynously it hath been taken howe hardly they haue been vsed and what shamefull reproches haue been offered euen vnto the course of the Gospell for spite that hath beene borne vnto reformation almost by all estates and degrees lamentable experience hath taught many of vs but our posteritie shall knowe it more particularlie and the Church throughout the world shall discorne and iudge of it more euidently when their bodies are rotten in the dust and their soules if they repent not in eternall and intollerable torments who haue rezected a request so holy profitable and reasonable yea handeled the intreaters for the same so cruelly vnchristianly and vnlawfully but they would gladly perswade themselues if their conscience would let them that they
the Lorde But the former is true as the Historie teacheth vs Therefore must the latter needes be true also 4 That which giueth comfort vnto a man in the time of his troubles must haue a warrant out of Gods worde But euery lawfull calling giueth comfort vnto a man in the time of his troubles Therefore euerie lawfull calling hath a warrant out of Gods word 5 That which helpeth Gods people forward in godlines must haue a warrant out of Gods worde for God hath promised a blessing to his owne ordinance onlie But euery lawfull calling in the Church helpeth Gods people forwarde in godlines Therefore euerie lawfull calling hath a warrant out of Gods worde Therefore if Iohn did prooue his calling out of the Scriptures if euerie calling vnder the lawe was warranted out of the scriptures if Corath c. were punished for enterprising that which they had no warrant for out of the scriptures if comfort in troubles commeth onely from the scriptures and lastly if euery help to godlines is warranted in the scriptures then c. They confesse all these reasons to bee true but doe denie that the Archbish. lord Bish. c. bee distinct Ministers from others Whitgift pag. 303. which wee hold T. C. 2. booke pag. 438. and proue it thus 1 Those thinges that haue diuers efficient causes are diuers Our BB. and the Ministers of the worde haue diuers efficient causes for the one is the ordinance of God the other the constitution of humane pollicie as themselues doe confesse Therefore they are distinct Ministers from others 2 A diuers forme maketh diuers things the Ministers of the word and the Lord Bishops haue diuers formes for their ordination euen in the Church of England is diuers seeing one Lord Bishop may ordaine a Minister But there must be three to ordaine one of them therefore they are distinct Ministers 3 Members of one diuision are distinct one from another the L. Bishops and ordinarie ministers bee members of one diuision for vsually the Ministers bee diuided into the rulers and them that are to bee ruled therefore they are distinct Ministers 4 The things that haue diuers effects are diuers in them selues one from another the L.BB. and other Ministers haue diuers effects for the one effecteth rule and gouernment the other subiection and obedience Therefore they are diuers and distinct Ministers 5 They that be imployed about diuers thinges are diuers one from another The L.BB. and the ordinarie Ministers be imployed about diuers things for the one is exercised in generall view of many congregations and the other in the particular direction of one Therefore they bee distinct Ministers 6 That which is perpetuall and that which may be taken away by men are distinct one from another The office of the Minister is perpetuall Ephes. 4. 13. and the Bishops may be taken away as themselues doe confesse Therfore they are diuers and distinct Ministers Therfore if the Ministers of the worde and Lord BB. proceede from diuers causes if they haue their being by diuers formes if they be members of one diuision which in nature cannot bee one if they produce diuers effects if they bee exercised about diuers subiectes Lastly if the one bee perpetuall and the other but for a time then must it needes follow that they are diuers and distinct Ministers one from another The name of an Archbishop and also the office that he executeth is contrarie to the worde of God First the reasons that prooue it vnlawful to giue the name vnto any man in the church are these 1 No man may haue the name giuen him which is proper to our Sauiour Iesus Christe But the name of Archbishop is proper vnto our Sauiour Iesus Christe as appeareth in the places quoted therefore no man may haue the name of Archb. giuen vnto him 2 If the name of Pope be therefore odious because of that Antichriste who is intituled therewith then must also the name of Archbishop when it is ascribed vnto any mortall man for so much as it is the title of a speciall member of that kingdome of Antichrist But the former is true euen by their owne confession Whitgift pag. 300. Therefore must the latter be true also But they obiect diuers things against this for the proouing of the name Archb. to bee lawfully giuen vnto some men which together with their answeres doe brieflie followe 1 Obiection Clemens alloweth of those names as Polydor reporteth lib. 4. cap. 12. Answere Polydor is but the reporter and M. Iewel hath prooued euidently against Harding that Clemens is counterfeite and worthie of no credite Obiection Erasmus saith that Titus was an Archbishop Answere He spake as the times were wherein hee liued but that proueth not that he helde him one in deed no more then our naming of the Archbishop of Canterbury when wee speake of him proueth that wee like and allow his authoritie 3 Obiection Anacletus saith that Iames was the first Archbishop of Ierusalem Answere He is forged as our answeres to the Papists haue shewed but a witnes of better credite calleth him only a Bishop Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 23. and Simon bishop after him lib. 3. ca. 22. And Iraen saith lib. 4. ca. 63. that the Apostles ordained Bishops euerie where making no mention of Archbishop 4 Obiection The Councell of Nice Canon 6. mentioneth a Metropolitan Bishop Answere That proueth nothing for it was only as much as to say the Bishop of the chiefe citie Secondly the reasons that prooue the office of the Archbishop vnlawfull be these 1 Euerie Ministerie that is lawfull must be of God The office of the Archbishop is not of God for that he is not described in the worde and them selues confesse that hee is of humane pollicie Therefore the office of the Archbishop is vnlawfull 2 That Ministerie whose originall is vnknowen hath no warrant from Gods worde and consequently is vnlawfull The originall of the Archb. is vnknowne as they confesse Whitegift pag. 351. Therefore it is vnlawfull 3 That office which is needles in the church is also vnlawfull to bee exercised in the same The office of the Archbishop is needlesse for the Ministerie is perfect without it as the Apostle proueth Ephes. 4. 13. Therefore the office of an Archb. is vnlawfull 4 If all the gifts needfull for the prefecting of the church be appropriated vnto other Ministeries then is his Ministerie vnlawfull But all the needefull giftes are appropriated vnto Pastours Doctours Elders and Deacons whereof he is none Therefore his office is vnlawfull 5 That office is vnlawful which none may lawfully giue But none may lawfully bestowe the office of an Archbishop because none can giue any new gifts to adorne him withal Therefore his office is vnlawfull This reason beeing vsed of all founde diuines against the Pope is of the same value against the Archbishop 6 If the office of an Archbishop bee lawefull then it is either in respect of his
to that place whereto he is to be called T. C. 1. book page 38. Disci Ecclesiast fol. 46. They thinke one may doe it as appeareth by the booke of ordering c. Whitgift page 134. and 135. and their slight passing it ouer thorowe the Archdeacons handes The former is prooued and the latter disprooued thus 1 Those that are to ordayne must haue particular knowledge of the parties to bee ordayned or els they breake the rule prescribed them 1. Tim. 5. 22. whiche cannot be without examination But the Eldershippe is to ordayne euerie Church-officer as shall appeare in the Chap. of Ordination Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership to examine c. 2 The matter of greatest importance in the gouernment of the Church must be done by the most able gouuernours of the same The approuing or disprouing of Church-officers is the matter of greatest importance because the consequence of ruling well is the best or ill the worst and the Eldership is the Senate of most able gouernours in the church as shall appeare in the chap. of Eldership Therefore the Eldership is to examine c. 3 The way whereby a mans insufficiencie is best espied and his abilitie discerned is the fittest to examine them that are to be admitted But by the Eldership consisting of diuers his insufficiencie is best espied and his abilitie best discerned for the common prouerbe telleth vs That many eyes doe see more then one Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 4 They are to examine Church-officers that are least subiect to be blinded with partialitie But the Eldershipp is least subiect to partialitie both for that they be many who are not so easilie ouer-ruled by affection or fauour as one as also and that especially for that it being the Lordes owne ordinance as shall appeare wee are to perswade our selues that his spirit shall guyde them Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 5 The way that was vsed in the Apostles time in examining is of vs to bee followed vnles some reason out of the worde to perswade the conscience can be alleadged to the contrarie which none haue euer yet done But many vsed in the Apostles time to examine as appeareth in choosinge out one to be in the place of Iudas Act. 1. 22. 23. and fit men for Deacons Actes 6. 5. whereof the gouuernours especially were some for that they were to ordayne vpon knowledge as is saide in the first reason Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 6 They whose testimonie the people may best credit are to examine them that are to be admitted but the people may best credite the iudgement of a companie of able and sufficient men which the Eldershippe rightlie established must needes be Therefore it belongeth to the Eldership c. 7 Examination belongeth vnto them which may moste perswade the people of his sufficiencie and so procure greatest reuerence vnto him in his place But the examination by the Eldership is such Therefore it belongeth to the Eldershippe c. Therefore if they that are to ordayne must examine if it be a matter of greatest waight in the gouuernement of the Church and they the most able to dispatch it if by them his sufficiencie or insufficiencie be best founde out if they bee hardliest carried away with affection or partialitie if the examination was such in the Apostles time if the people may in reason giue most credite to the examination that is by such if that kinde of examination perswade the people best of his sufficiencie and procure him greatest reuerence in his place then must it needes followe that it partayneth to the Eldership to examine those that are to be admitted to anie office in the Church There is nothing obiected against this that hath anie shewe of reason in it and therefore it were needles to set anie thing downe CHAP. 6 BEfore consent be giuen to any man vnto any calling in the Church it must appeare by sufficient triall due examination that he is qualified with those giftes that the worde of God requireth in one of that place Discip. Ecclesiast fol. 44. T. C. 2. booke 1. part page 368. and in manie other places They gainsay this in two points first in maintayning their reading ministerie secondlie in gouerninge the Church by their commissaries and officialls whiche both shalbe ouerthrowen if we prooue these two propositions followinge to be true by the worde of God No man ought to bee receyued vnto the ministerie but such as be able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainesayers The Church ought not to be gouerned by commissaries officialls and chauncellors 1 He that may be receyued into the ministerie must bee able to teache the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded Matth. 28. 20. Onely he that is able to teache the trueth and conuince the gainsayers can teache the people whatsoeuer Christ hath commaunded Therefore none must bee receiued into the the ministerie but such as be able to teache c. 2 That which is to be done conditionally may not bee done if that condition be not kept Men are to bee receyued into the ministerie conditionally that is if they be vnreproueable Tit. 1. 5. 6. Therefore if they be not such as bee there described they may not bee receyued and consequentlie none may be receyued but such as be able to teach c. 3 That which cannot be done without the manifest breach of Gods commaundement may not bee done at all To receyue any that be not able to teache is a manifest breache of Gods commaundement 1. Tim. 3. 1. Tit. 1. 9. Therefore no man ought to be receiued into the ministerie that is not able to teache c. 4 They whom the Lord refuseth to be his ministers may not be receyued into the ministerie for the ministerie beeing the Lordes haruest wee may admit none to labour therein but onely such as he hath giuen liking of by the rules of his worde The Lorde refuseth to be his ministers all those that can not teache Hosea 4. 6. Therefore such as are not able to teache may not bee receyued and consequentlie none may be receyued but those that be able to teache c. 5 He that may be admitted into the ministerie must bee able to diuide the worde of God aright 2. Tim. 2. 15. Onelie he that is able to teache and conuince the gainsayers can diuide the worde of God aright Therefore none may bee admitted into the ministerie but he that is able to teache c. 6 He that may be admitted into the ministerie must haue a treasurie furnished with olde thinges and newe and must be able to bring it foorth as occasion shall serue Mat. 13. 25. Onely he that is able to teache c. is such a one Therefore onely he may be admitted c. 7 He that can espie the enimie and giue warning aforehande howe to resist him may bee receyued into the ministerie Ezek. 33. 7. None
the Church be more then any one can perfectlie discharge if the Apostles founde them selues vnfit for two offices of like nature if we iustlie reprooue the papistes for their two swordes if a Magistrate may not preache if they may not meddle with worldlie offices nor be tutours to Orphans but attende onely vnto the ministerie of the worde c. if they may neither vsurpe nor take being offered any ciuill office if they be to be distinguished to seueral persons or els one hindereth the other lastlie if none bee able to execute both then must it needes followe that Ecclesiasticall officers may not beare ciuill offices and consequentlie the office of the church-gouernement is meere Ecclesiasticall Their obiections herevnto be these 1 Obiection It countenanceth and maintayneth religion to haue ciuill authoritie Answere It is in deede the papistes reason for their two swordes which M. Caluin confuteth Institut booke 4. cap. 11. sect 9. 2 Obiction It is good to punish vice by corporall punishment that Gods worde may be the better obeyed Answere It is good to preache Gods worde to men that they may obey their Prince for conscience sake may the Magistrate therefore preache we may not doe euery thing that is good but onely that which is agreeable to our callings 3 Obiection Eli and Samuel were both Priests Iudges Answere They were extraordinarie for God separated those two offices in Moses and gaue the one vnto Aaron so was Eliahs killing of the false prophetes Christes whipping of the buyers and sellers out of the Temple 4 Obiection Peter killed Ananias therefore Bishops may haue prisons Answere It was by his worde onely and not by any ciuill punishement if they can doe the like Peters example will serue their turnes if not then must it bee with the former extraordinarie CHAP. 16. THe placing and displacing of Church-officers appertayneth vnto the Eldership This is prooued in the 7. chap. and their obiections are there aunswered for the first part which is the placing but the latter part is to be cleared by some moe reasons because the Bishops doe displace the best Ministers at their pleasure which is prooued to be a most wicked action by these reasons 1 Those that are called vnto the ministerie by the Lorde from heauen and out wardlie by the meanes of men so long as they are blameles in doctrine and conuersation 1. Tim. 3. 10. can not be displaced without hainous wickednes against the manifest will of God But such are the Ministers that the Bishops doe daily displace as they confesse them selues when euen in their sermons they iustifie their doctrine in saying that they differ onely in outwarde rites and as their greatest enimies will saye when they are asked of such mens liues Therefore they can not bee displaced without great wickednes 2 Those that are carefull to discharge the duetie of Gods Ministers both in teaching and giuinge example to their flockes can not be displaced without great impietie Such are these Ministers that are daily displaced as appeareth by this that they preache more diligentlie then any other and that they followe not the course of the worlde in adding liuing vnot liuing but many of them being as woorthie for their giftes as the worthiest liue poorelie rather then they will want the comfort of a good conscience Therefore they can not be put to silence without great sinne 3 To depriue Gods people of their spirituall comfort is a grieuous and horrible wickednes To put such to silence as are before mentioned is to depriue Gods people of their spirituall comfort which if anie man will denie all the godlie where such a one dwelleth shall tell him hee lyeth Therefore to displace such Ministers is a haynous and horrible wickednes 4 That which giueth occasion to the weake to stumble fall away from the Gospell is a haynous and horrible sinne But such is the displacing of those Ministers as appeareth by this that many doubt whether that which he hath taught be true whom the professors of the Gospell doe displace and by this that many who had made good beginnings by the discontinuance of their Teachers doe fall away Therefore to displace those Ministers is a haynous and horrible sinne 5 Those whose labours God doeth blesse can not bee displaced without fighting against God and consequentlie great impietie But such are the Ministers that the Bb. doe daily displace as all that loue the Gospell in euery countrie can witnes Therefore to displace them is great impietie 6 That action whiche giueth the common enimie iust cause to reioyce and hope to get the victorie is a haynous horrible offence But such is the displacing of those Ministers as appeareth in euery countrie where such Ministers are displaced and such enemies doe dwell Therefore to displace such is a haynous and horrible offence 7 That action that causeth the doers thereof to bee esteemed enimies to the Gospell must needes be a haynous sinne But such is the putting of those Ministers to silence for it maketh the people that haue any loue to religion thinke that they are not of God in so doing for say they hee that loueth Christ can not crosse the course of the Gospell as these men doe Therefore the displacing of them is a haynous sinne 8 That which letteth in more wickednes at once then the diligent preaching of the worde could driue out in diuers yeares must needes be a haynous sinne But such is the displacing of these Ministers for prophaning of the Saboth and all disorder commeth into a congregation the same day that such a Minister that hath long laboured against it is displaced as experience in such places prooueth Therefore to displace such ministers is a haynous sinne 9 That which interrupteth the course of the Gospel without warraunt eyther from Gods worde or the lawes of the lande is a haynous and horrible sinne Such is the displacing of those Ministers as is prooued in all the writinges on our side and lastlie in the answere to D. Bridges therefore to displace such Ministers is a haynous and horrible sinne Therefore if the Ministers that be vsuallie displaced bee called of God if they discharge the duetie of good ministers both in doctrine and life if the displacing of them be to depriue Gods people of their spirituall comfort if it giue occasion to some to doubt of the Gospell and to fall away if God giue a blessing vnto their labours if the displacing of them giue the enimie matter to reioyce and hope to ouercome if it cause the displacers to be esteemed enimies to the Gospell if it let in more wickednesse in one day then preachinge can throwe out in many yeeres if it interrupte the course of the Gospell without warrant eyther from the worde of God or lawes of the lande then must it needes followe that the displacing of those Ministers is a most haynous and horrible sinne against the Lord. CHAP. 17. THe Eldership is to
sinners that can not without offence be admitted to the Lordes supper yet deserue not excommunication if for corporall vncleannes vnder the lawe they were to abstaine a certaine time and if the church can not without great offence suffer him that hath committed an open sinne though he repent or that is vehemently suspected of a notorious sinn cōtinue in the execution of his office vntill the Congregation bee satisfied Lastlie if the priest that was vncleane or suspected of leprosie might not offer sacrifices then is it plaine that both the separation of some men from the Lordes supper and other from the execution of their publike function for a time is a thing warranted by the worde of God The latter part which is that this kinde of suspention hath a profitable vse in the Church of God is thus proued 1 That which keepeth the godly in more carefull obedience and keepeth in the hypocrites that they breake not out is very profitable for the Church of God But such is the vse of the separation from the Lordes Supper and from executing publike function in the Church Therefore it is profitable in the church of God 2 That whiche remooueth euen the appearance of offence from the Church of God is very profitable for the same But such is the separation Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 3 That which declareth vnto the worlde that the Church of God is carefull to practise that which it professeth is verie profitable But such is this separation for it sheweth that they cannot away with vngodly life no nor among them selues Therefore it is profitable for the church of God 4 That which giueth occasion to the Church to be exercised in the action of religion with more sounde comfort is profitable for the same But such is this separation for euery one shall see thereby the vnworthy for whose sakes God might be angrie with them all Iosh. 7. 11. weeded from among them Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God 5 That which is a speciall meanes to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde vnto his Church is profitable for the same such is this separation for it is a notable meanes to keepe men in obedience to that whiche they professe Therefore it is profitable for the Church of God Therefore if separation of the knowne or suspected sinner from the Lordes supper and such a Church-officer from the execution of his publike function doe keepe men in obedience that be godly and restrayneth hypocrites from outrage if it remooue the very appearance of euill if it lett the world see that the Church laboureth to practize that which it doeth professe if it make euery member of the Church to be exercised in the actions of religion with greater comfort Lastlie if it be a speciall meane to procure the Lorde in mercie to continue his worde then must it needes followe that it is of verie profitable vse vnto the Church of God CHAP. 19. WHen neyther admonition nor suspention will serue to reclay me the offendor but that it doth appeare that he abydeth in impenitencie and is incorrigible the Eldership after mature deliberation and commending of the partie vnto the prayers of the Church he yet remaining obstinate is to proceede to excommunication which containeth these propositions in question betwixt vs and the Bishops 1 It may not be done but vpon great and waightie occasion 2 It may not bee done by any one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto The former is holden by vs T. C. 1. booke pag. 183. disc Eccle. 130. and denied by them in their practise that sende it out many times for not paying of sixe pence But our assertion is thus prooued and their godles practise disproued 1 That which Christ hath ordayned for the last remedie against sinne and onely to bee vsed when neyther admonition reprehension nor separation from the externall communion of the Saintes for a time will serue that same is not to be vsed but vpon great extremitie But such is excommunication as appeareth Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not bee vsed but vpon most waightie occasion that is in the case onlie of extremitie when no other meanes will serue the turne 2 That whiche cutteth a man off from the Church of God and giueth him ouer vnto Satan as one in a desperate case that same may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie But such is excommunication being vsed according as God hath left it vnto his Church 1. Cor. 5. 5. Therefore it may not be vsed but in greatest extremitie 3 That which a man will doe in the cutting off of his hande or his foote that same must the Church doe in excommunication for it is the cutting off of a member But a man will trie all other wayes and will neuer cutt of his hande or his foote vntill he see it incurable and readie to infect the other partes of his bodie Therefore excommunication may not be vsed but in case of greatest extremitie 4 That which is contrarie to naturall affection and worketh that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke of that same may not bee done but in greatest extremitie But such is the excommunication for it depriueth the party excommunicated of our loue and throweth him into the most wretched case that can befall vnto man in this life Therefore it may not be done but in case of greatest extremitie Therefore if excommunication be ordained of Christ as a remedie onely when all other helpes will not serue if it cutt the partie from Gods Church and giue him ouer vnto Satan if it must be proceeded vnto as a man doeth to the cutting off of his hande or foote lastlie if it be a worke contrarie vnto the naturall affection of man and effecteth that which a louing heart doeth tremble to thinke vppon then must it needes followe that it is to be proceeded vnto onely in the cases of greatest extremitie and after that all other meanes haue bin vsed and doe appeare not to preuayle The latter poynt whiche is that excommunication may not be done by one man but by the Eldership the whole Church consenting therevnto is holden by vs T. C booke 1. pag. 183. Discipl Ecclest 130. c. and denied by them Whitgift pag. 662. and their continuall practize But our assertion is thus prooued and their opinion practize found to be erroneous and vngodlie 1 That whiche Christe commaunded to bee done by the Church may not be done by one man vnles you take my L. Grace for the Church as Whitgift doeth page 662. whiche needeth no confutation But Christe commaunded that excommunication should be done by the Church Mat. 18. 15. Therefore it may not be done by one man 2 That whiche Paule enioyned the Church when they were met togither to doe may not be done by one man But he commaunded them to excommunicate the incestuous person when they were met