opposition in our capacity to all prelatick malignant enemies of the Lords worke and interest but how is it performd when we thus strengthen their hands in their avowed opposition therunto 7. How assist we and Defend in this common cause of Religion and liberty such as enter into this league when we thus Divide from our suffering brethren wound and offend them and shake off a faithfull Covenant-keeping Ministry 8 How maintain we our reformed Doctrine worship and union when thus owning false prophets and the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge and such as cause Divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine we have Learnd Prov. 19. 27. Rom. 16. 17 18. 9. How maintain we the priviledges of our Church and her Reformed Government when owning intruding prelats and their creatures as Ministers of this Church and disowning her true Ministers now taking her by the hand This practice is ane approving of Curats call and mission rather then that of presbyterian Ministers which no man will deny to be contrary to the Covenant Next owning and adhering to Curats in this our case and according to our principles hath an accession to much guilt otherwise such as 1. The owning of a palpably blasted and Disowning a palpably sealed Ministry 2 A high reflection on the sufferings of many Godly upon this ground 3. A shutting of our eyes against Ministerial Discoveries of the sin and duty of the time 4. A casting of our selves on tentations of greater complyance 5. A breaking of fellowship with these that are contending for Gods worke and denying a sympathy with them yea a trampling on their blood which has been shed on this ground 6. A disowning the Ministeriall authority and tearing the commission of Christs faithfull Ambassadours and depriving our selves of the blessing and benefit of their Labours c. 5. This practice of denying a Subjection to the Ministry of Conformists and of our Rulers demanded conformity therin unto the present course of defection will be found to fall under great scripture obligations such as 1. The obligation of persevering in integrity and holding it fast Colos. 1. 23. Heb. 10 23. Psal. 25. 21. Supposing prelacy unlawfull and the binding force of the Covenants in reference to all the work of reformation as it stood establisht this practice is clearly cross to the premised obligation both as ane acknowledgement of prelacy and Erastiani me and also as a Disowning of faithfull Ministers 2. The obligation of keeping at the greatest Distance from sin exprest Jude 23. 1 Thess. 5. 22. 1 Tim. 5. 22. will infer Disowning Curats in this case 1. All Direct or interpretative consent to sin is here Discharged 2. A practice otherwise lawfull will on this ground become inexpedient hic nunc We must not eat in the case of offence tho we may freely eat all meats Rom. 14. 14. 1 Cor. 10. 25. Now on the forementiond Suppositions the owning of Curats hath an accession to their sin beyond that of ane apearance or a touch It being both a Deserting the presbyterian Ministry and a badge of conformity to Erastian prelacy and all the corruption and defection of the time which is therby advanc'd promoted 't is also in this case of competition a deliberat adherence to the prelatick rather then presbyterian interest 3. The great obligation of a testimony to truth and Duty exprest Heb. 10. 23. Mat. 10. 32. will plead for this practice All truth must be avowed practically avowed We must walk circumspectly or exactly as the Word imports we must avow truth duty on the greatest hazard even the smallest mater is great when a testimony is concernd in it were it but the circumstance of an open window Daniel durst not ommit it upon the greatest hazard And as this testimony must be full so must it also be constant Demas shame is that the aflictions of the gospel made him forsake the Apostle after great appearances for Christ and embrace this present world And beside whatever truth or duty is opposed that becomes the speciall object of this testimony Hence Ministers and Professours in their capacity are called to contend for this Work of Reformation and Ministers silence as to a Ministerial testimony against this course of backsliding and people's disowning them and adhering to Conformists is so palpably cross therunto as nothing can be more 4. This practice is inferd from the scripture obligation to guard against the slumbling and offending our brethren exprest 2 Cor. 6. 3. Math. 18. 6. 1 Cor. 10. 32. Here is Discharged any Dictum vel factum quo alius deterior redditur saith Polanus Whatever practice gives occasion of our brothers sinning of calling truth in question of acting with a Doubting conscience or which weakens his plerophory or assurance is here discharged And neither the lawfulness nor Indifferency of the thing it self nor mens Authority commanding it Nor the weakness yea or wickedness of those in hazard to be stumbled will warrand the Doing of that out of which offence arises Paul Declares all meats lawfull yet will not eat in case of offence 1 Cor. 10. 25. 1 Cor. 8. 13. This Declaring of the lawfulness of that practice is equivalent to any civill Declarator or Law which alters not the nature of scandal Paul will not have the weak stumbled Rom. 14. 1 2 3. 1 Cor. 8. 11 12. Nor give occasion to the malicious who desired occasion 2 Cor. 11. 12. Now owning of Curats as the case is now circumstantiat doth harden them in their apostacy and hath a tendency to wound the peace of the godly who dare not owne them or may provoke them to act against their light and therefore unless owning them could be proved a necessary duty as matters now stand the premisd scripture obligation will infer it to be sinfull 5. disowning conformists will clearly follow from the scripture obligation to turn away from seducers and such as turn aside from Gods way 2 Tim. 3. 1. The apostle having given a large Induction of evills adhering to these in the last dayes putting among the rest of their black Theta's Covenant breaking concludes his discovery with this grand precept ver 5. from such turn away We must beware of false prophets the concision and of such as walk not according to the received ordinances Math. 7. 15. Rom. 16. 17. Philip. 3. 2. 2 Thess. 3. 6. Christs sheep do flee from the stranger and hear not his voice Iohn 10 27. 1. All promoters of wayes contrary to the simplicity of the gospel are here commanded to be eschewed 2. We must know and discover such by their fruits and practicall unfaithfulness as well as false Doctrine Mat. 7. 16. compared with 2 Tim. 3. These that practically act the foxes Cant. 2. 15. are to be taken away and consequently eschewed the saints must be fortifyed against these that ly in wait to deceive God disowns these that make sad the hearts of the godly and
themselves into which wee hopâ—… will be aboundantly clear to the understanding peruser of what I have offered upon that head and the state of the question as It is exhibited how clear and full our confessions and principles are in asserting the due right of Magistracy as well as of a true Gospel Ministry and how harmoniously wee join to the confessions of all the Reformed Churches herein is sufficiently notour to the unbyassed and judicious and consequently that no precipitations or strayings from the scripture path upon these heads can be charged upon our cause and principles Great and manifold have been the assaults of Satan upon this poor Church and reproaches of that grand accuser of the brethren upon our Reformation and the faithful promoters thereof And the plowers have long plowed upon her back and enemyes of all sorts have many time afflicted her from her youth O that our provoked jealous God would shew us wherefore he contends and give both Ministers and People a heart-affecting sight and sense of the true grounds of this controversy and shew unto us our transgressions wherein wee have exceeded and provoked him thus to lengthen out our desolation that he would excite Ministers to make full proof of their ministry and open up to them an effectual door and engadge his people to a due and suitable subjection to their Ministry that this word might run swiftly and this sword of the Lord eut the cords of the wicked that wee were all excited to encompase his throne with strong crying and tears in order to the returning of the Ecclipsed departing glory that this great Shepherd Israel would shew himself the only wise of God and the only Potentate in dissappointing and crushing the crafty cruel stratagems and designes of Satan now acting both the roaring lyon and subtile old Serpent and of his grand Lieutenant Antichrist and his Artizans That this our Isle upon which the â—…ay-spring from on high did early shinâ—… and which did early wait for his Lawâ—… who is Zions great Lawgiver was recâ—… vered from Popish darknesse and froâ—… decayes after the times of Reformation may have a restoring healing visit and being made a maried land may be upon this ground a land of desires That Christs Tabernacle now fallen down may be rear'd up according to the pattern and planted among us untill his glotious appearance to accomplish his Churches warfare and to make up his jewells This is the Expectation of the prisoners of hope and in this expectation let us turn in to the strong hold even to his name which is a strong tower and go on in his strentgh keeping his good way which hath alwayes been strenth unto the upright Let us contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and be stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord since he comes quickly who is our head and judge and his reward is with him so that neither our labour nor suffering shall be in vain in the Lord. The Contents FIRST PART Chap. 1. page 2. THat the prelat now established in this Church is both Diocesian and Erastian cleared By the present standing acts hereanent page 2 3. A twofold state of the question proponed accordingly Arguments from Scripture against the Diocesian Prelat as a pretended Church officer such as 1. appropriating the term Episcopus common to all Pastors to a Prelat The absu diâ—…y of this discovered Calvines remarkeable Testimony on Titus 1 7. page 4. 2 making it relate to Pastors which hath the flock for its immediat object Cleared from 1 Pet. 5 3. Invading and nulling the Authority allowed to Presbyters The matter of fact cleared from the principles of Prelatists and the absurdity hereof from severall Scripture grounds page 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. 4. Impeaching Christs Kingly office as head of his Church and the perfection of his word in obtruding an officer on his Church of a different mould from those described and allowed by him cleared from the nature of the prelats office and some Scripture grounds page 13 14 15. Chap. 2. page 16. Some more Arguments against the Diocesian Prelat that his office debases the acts and exercise of the power of order cleared from the matter of fact and Severall Scripture grounds page 16 17 18. It maimes and diversifies the Pastorall office by Anti-Scripturall new invented degrees thereof cleared at large page 19 〈◊〉 His office many wayes contrare to thevery nature 〈◊〉 the gospell Church Government cleard also at largâ—… from the nature of the Prelats office and several Scripture grounds page 21 22 23 24. Cap. 3 page 25. The Diocesian Bishops office debases extraordinary offices in consounding them with ordinary cleared from the Scripture-account of these extraordinary offices and the nature of the Prelats office according to the principles and pleading of the Episcopall party Pag 25 26 27 28 29. 30. The derivation of the Prelats office from the Apostolical Authority and the power of Timothy and Titus loaded with absurdities ibid. Chap. 4. page 30. The Diocesian Prelats office takes away the peoples right to call their Pastor This right proved from Scripture and divine reason page 31 32 33. It excludes the office of the ruling elder proved from the practice of Prelatists as likewayes the preceeding charge the divine right of this office proved from several Scripture grounds especially 1 Tim. 5 17. And some chief exceptions of the prelatick party examined Page 34 35 36 37 38. Chap. 5. page 39. That the present Prelacy is grosse Erastianisme proved from the matter of fact some Arguments against it under that notion It excludes and denyes all Church Government in the hands of Church officers distinct from the civill contrary to the Churches priviledge both under the Old and New Testament which is demonstrat at large Page 41 42 43 44 Is in many points ane incroachment upon the liberties of the gospel Church and upon Christs mediatory Authority over the same which is cleared page 45 46. Chap. 6 page 47. Erastianisme denyes the compleat constitution of the Apostolick Church in point of Government Removes the Scripture land marks set to distinguish the civil and Ecclesiastick powers which is cleared in several points page 47 48 49 50. It is lyable to great absurdities ibid. Chap. 7. pag. 51. The Informers shifting and obscuring the true state of the question anent Episcopacy and flinching from the point debateable discovered several wayes page 52 53 He declines a direct pleading for the Prelats civill offices yet offers some arguments in defence thereof wherin his prevarication and contradiction to himself is made appear His pretended Scripture Arguments from the Instances of Eli and Samuel and the Priests concurrence in that Court 11 Numb to fortify the Prelats civil state offices ad examined page 54 55 56 57 58 59. He is contradicted by interpreters in this point Antiquity full and clear against him The grounds of the Assembly 1638 Sess. 25. Against the
be found in Scripture this Officer patched up thereof must either be unwarrantable or Christ the Churches head and lawgiver his Lawes and rules in point of Church Government and in relation to the duties gifts ordination and work of Church Officers are not full and perfect but mank and deficient as to such ane eminent Church Officer And where is then the perfection of his word and Testament to make not only the ordinarie Christian but even the mà n of God the Minister of God perfect and throughly furnished to every good work That non of all the formentioned particulars as to this Officer distinct from and superior to a Presbiter can be found in Scripture but are contrarie therunto I prove thus 1. The Scriptur mentions no name qualification work dutie or ordination of any or dinary Church Officer superior to presbiters and which are not likewayes appropriat to them who are called Rulers Governours Bishops and both ordination and Jurisdiction ar apropriat to them in a perfect paritie 1 Thess. 5 12. with 17. v. and 1 Tim. 5 17. Hebr. 13. v. 7 17. 1 Cor. 5 13. 1 Tim. 4 14. 3 Epist. Ioh. 9. v. 2. In all the Holy Ghost his purposed recitalls of ordinarie Church officers and purposed declaration of their gifts and duties ther is not the least hint of the premised ingredients of the office of this supposed Diocesian Bishop as thus distinct from and Superior to Presbiters 1 Cor. 12 28. Eph. 4 11 12. Rom. 12. 7 8. In these places wee have besyds the Apostles Prophets Evangelists whose Office as extraordinaire is ceased Pastores Elders Deacons But no hint of the Office name qualifications or Mission of ane ordinarie Church Officer Superior to the Pastor is either heire or in any Scripture else which notwithstanding is express as to the Office and qualifications even of the Deacon the lowest Officer Strange the server of Tables his Office and ordination clearlie set down in Scriptur And yet Altum silentium as to either name Office or ordination of the Diocesian Bishop If the argument of our divines be good from hence against the Pope because not mentioned in these Catalogues of Church Officers Ergo a pari It must hold good against the Prelat And as to that that the Prelat hath the Actus Signatus of a State Ruler how cross this is to Scripture we may after shew Sure since Christ set all these his Officers in the Church and commands them diligentlie to wait upon and attend their work and Ministery therein He never made or allowed them to bee State Rulers CHAP. II. Some more Arguments against the Diecesian Prelat That his office debases the Acts and exercise of the power of order cleared It maims and diversisies the Pastoral office by anti-scriptural now invented degrees thereof His office many wayes contrare to the very nature of the Gospel-Church-Government THe Diocesian Bishop his office is in this contrare to the Word of God V. In that it Debases the highest Acts and exercise of the power of order in a Gospel Ministery For all do grant preaching of the Word and the Administration of the Sacraments and Seals of the Covenant of grace to be such So that he who can do thes Acts hath the badge of the highest Ministerial Authority as ane ordinarie Church Officer these being among the most emnient Acts of the Apostles there office and Authoritie Go teach baptize c. They must have some to serve Tables that they may give themselves continually to the Ministery of the Word Timothy our prelatical mens Supposed-Bishop must preach the Word and be instant in season out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine 2 Tim. 4 1 2. The great Apostle of the Gentiles who had the care of all the Churches coming upon him and therin a great ruleing work Yet pronunces a woe upon himself if he preach not the Gospel 1 Cor. 9 28. And he tells us this was a speciall trust committed to him In this he admires the rich grace of God that he was putt into the Ministery and honoured to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Peter that great Apostle of the circumcision when by the Lord restored to his office and encouraged to its exercise by a Threefold renovation of his Mission is thryce enjoyned as the great badge of his love to his Master to feed his Lambes and Sheep Accordingly the Scripture Bishop must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apt to teach and he that teacheth by office scilicet must waite upon teaching and the wise and faithful Steward appointed by the Lord to give the children their meat in dew Season must be found So doeing when the Lord comes to reckon with him and not lay up this noble Talent in a Napkine To this the key of diseiplin is inferior and Subordinat as themean to its end the higher honour above ruleing only being allowed to the labourer in the word doctrine 1 Tim. 5 17. This being clear I say the office of the Diocesian Bishop debases and tramples upon these highe and noble Acts of a Pastor and consequently upon the premised Scriptures asserting the same and that in these wayes I. In that the quondam Presbyter only when made a Prelat leaves off The feeding of the flock and layes by the preaching talent the Church wher he did preach or officiat it may be shall never see or hear him againe but is ipso facto voyde to be possed by another nor by his now-office is he oblidged to preach or Minister the Sacraments any more at all these petty peeces of work being below his new Lordship Trew he may preach if he please and at the Church wher he reseeds but that is per accidens ex abundanti and out of courtesie but by his office Qua Prelat he is bound to preach no more to any frock nor is he in the least judged faultie or deficient in his Episcopal office if he be wholly silent Nay in England preaching Prelats have been highely upbraided and reproached by their fellowes and called preaching Cox Combes Wee all know what ane odd peece of work Mr Lightoun's preaching was esteemed by the generalitie of the Prelatick partie when he turned Prelat Now let any of commune Reason or ingenuity judge what ane office that must be which putts a Minister intrusted with the Lords great commission to preach the Gospel under pretence of advancement to a higher Sphere in the Ministery to lay by this work which is the noblest and highest of the Ministerial Authoritie wherin the Apostles themselves mainely laboured and gloried as the most noble meane of the conversion of Sonles and consequentlie of the glorie of Christ therin Nay to lay by this noble work under pretence of new burdene of Government Wheras the Apostles who had the wholl Churches to plant and Govern most enixely plyed this work still If this man become not a dumb dog and a sloathfull unprofiteable servant let
is not one with himself in it acknowledges that the Lord discharged all inequality and especially a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or primat among the Apoles and therefore why his scoler John censured not likewayes a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or primacy affecting Minister seeking the same principality over his Brethren or fellow Ministers which our Lord discharged among the Disciples will puzell him to shew the disparity Surely when our Lord said It shall not be so among you and when he discharged a protos or Chief among the Disciples recomending to the desirer of this to be their servant over whom this was affected he spoke to them as Ministers and in that capacitie and therefore discharges this among all Ministers For aquatenus ad omne I wonder if this man will say that if any of the Seventy Disciples had affected to be a protos over the rest our Lord would not have given them the same injunction Or if he will say that they did not hold themselves concerned in the same rule and the prohibition which the Disciples here got Surely he cannot deny this and therfore it is Certan that John discharhes the very protos or prostacy self for what reason will it he invent wherefor a preeminence or primacy should be disgarged to the Apostles and allowed among the Seventy who he thinks represents the Pastours or any Inferiour order of Church officers Besides what was it which Peter discharged to these Bishops 1 Pet. 5. Was it not a preeminence or masterly primacy and to be a protos learned he not this prohibition of his Lord and will it not be a Critical distinction to distinguish lordship from preeminence Now the first we find universally discharged to Pastours even over the flockâ—… as this man acknowledges and therefore why this preeminence is not likwise in it self and simply stricken against will be Impossible to shew the disparity I must presume that the Apostle understood the sence of this prohibition of his Lord much better then our Informer and we see he applyes to inferiour Pastours and Bishops that which was discharged to himself and the rest of his fellow disciples And as I said befor if none of these scripture-Bishops were to lord it over the flock farr less over their fellowes So that to be a protos or Chief over them was inhibit as by the lord befor so by the Apostle here and consequently this lover of preeminence is simply condemned The Inglish Annot make the two places of Peter John parallel the same evill to be discharged in both So doe the dutch annot expressing that which diotrephes sought in the Apostle Peters terms of lording it over his brethren Now I hope he will not say that when Peter discharges Ministers to be lords over Gods Heritage he discharged only ane ambitious affectation and Supposed a laâ—…ll Lordship over the flockâ—… abstracting from this ambitious affectation Surely then this Prohibition of the Apostle Iohn where Diotrephes is supposed to be practising what is by Peter discharged can admit of no such evasion either unless he would make these Apostles to interfer together in this matter for it were strange clashing of weapones and contradiction of the tongues and pens of these Apostles if Peter should discharge all Lording even over the flocks in any Pastour and yet Iohn should allow unto a Pastour a preeminence and primacy both over the flocks and his fellow Ministers and labourers with him in the Lords vineyeard Infine If to be a primat or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was a lawfull office to be a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or lover of it which is all that the word will Import could deserve no censure The Informer knowes who said He that desires the office of a Bishop desires a good work but our Lord who spoke this by the pen of Paul said also himself immediatly to the Apostles by the Apostle Iohn in this place he that desires to be a protos or Chief must quite that desire Hence these are different objects of desire to be a scripture Bishop and a protos or primat To affect the office of a scriptur Bishop and a primacy are Antipods so that it was not a lawfull nor consequently praeexistent office in the Church allowed by Iohn which this man desired and therefore he is simply condemned by the Apostle both as to the desire it self and the object of it Hee who thus affects to be first deserves to be called least in the Kingdome of God and who thus exalt themselves shall be abased To all which I might add that diotrephes Imperious lordly carriage in casting out and censureing and not admitting into this Church such as the Apostle appointed to be therein receaved is a lively effigies of anâ—… Episcopal primacy or preeminence and of that arbitrary prelacy that sole power in ordination and censures which this Informer pleads for Against which disorderlines of this early primat the Apostles threatning of his holy censure is a thunder-clapp which may terrifie all who carry this usurped office and may make his Supposed Angels or Prelats for this their aspyreing fear the stroake and punishment of those Angels who keeped not their first estate but left their own habitation I shall dimiss the Informers last argument with one remarke further which is this if the affecting to be a protos or Chief tainted the Apostles themselves while the Christian Church was in its first Infancy if in Pauls time the mistery of Iniquity and of propry was working the monstrous embrio of a papacy and consequently of a Prelacy If peter found it needfull to disscharge Covetousnes and lordship to ministers If the holy Apostle John was contradicted and counteracted by ane aspiring primat Surely we need not wonder at that universal Change of the Apostolick Holy humble Church Disciplin and parity among Ministers which overspread the Christian Church not long therafter And to our prelatists ordinary question When began the Change of preshyterian parity among Ministes Wee may answer That the bitter â—…ootes of a Primacy or prelacy were sprouting in the Apostles times and therefore it is no strange thing that this destroying weed grew up so quickly thereafter the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or evill one did quickly sow his Cocle among the wheat and blew up this fire of ambition primacy pride and his own proper sin till it came to the flam first of a human proftasie then of a Hierarchy and unto the Culmen or tope of a chief universal primacy at last For that which he adds of Blondel his granting That diotrephes sought to be first Presbyter such a president as had authority over the rest Surely none who haâ—…e read Blondel can but acknowledge that he distinguishes all along the Presbyters set over others from the Episcopus divine jure institutus So in his 1 2 3. and 4t Arguments page 190 191 192 193 c. So that he maks the very constant fixed president much more
eyed So when a faithfull Minister is thus duely called and setled people are obliged to owne his Ministry by a due attendance upon the ordinances administred by him which is all that decency union and order and that act of our Church after mention'd doth call for which notwithstanding cannot be supposed to exclude all occasional usemaking of other gifts bestowed upon faithfull Ministers which were as I said cross to the communion of Saints and beleevers interest in one anothers gifts and graces But 4. our question here being stated upon the supposition of the greater part of this National Church their apostacy defection from our sworn Reformation and a great part of Ministers and professors adhering to their principles viz. to which of the two parties on this supposition people are to adhere in worship sure the Lords palpable blasting the backsliding party their gifts as to any saving success and on the contrary his as palpable owning and sealing with his blessing the Ministry of his faithfull servants adhering to his truth is a loud call in this broken state of our Church and case of defection and persecution to come out from the one party and way and adhere to the other So his Doubter in this and the next objection should have argued thus In this case of defection and overturning of our Reformation God being pleased to seal with a palpable blessing on our souls the word from Ministers adhering to their principles we may safely look on this as a call from God to hear them rather then the prelats perjurd hirelings whose Ministry we have found palpably blasted since they complyed with â—…his course of perjurious back siding and opposition to Gods work In this case certainly its an argument very pungent and founded on that of Jer. 3. 31 32. Where the Lord threatneth the prophets who caused the people to err by their lies and lightness and whom he hath not sent nor commanded tho they prophesie with this that therefore they shall not profite the people at all So the Argument going upon the supposition of our Churches broken and persecute state and a competition betwixt a faithfull Ministry and a party of Schismatick Innovators and overturners of our Reformation will infer nothing against our Churches setled order under Presbyterian government nor the assemblies act 1647. presupposing the same and it s not meerly the gifts but Gods saving blessing attending the same which is the ground of this argument and that practice pleaded for thereby Now as to his answer It s palpable that it meets not this argument in the least and besides his exclusive gloss is very impertinent viz. because we are to seek the best and edifying gifts fâ—…r our selfs in our siation therefore we are not to seek the best in others also What consequence is this Sure the Informer will not deny simpliciter that people are to seek after the most edifying Minister and this will follow on the very ground of our edification which we are to design in seeking the best gifts in and for ourselves Nay the one is the great mean subservient to the other a faithfull edifying Ministry is Gods Method for winning to the best gifts for my self and therefore as a mean leading to this end fals within the compass of this command to seek and Covet the best gifts So a greater then he Voetius concludes it a duty to seek the best edifying Ministry on this ground De politeia Eccles. pag. 52. And likewise on these Scriptures Luk. 8 18 1 Thess. 5. 22. And removes objections to the cotraire His 2d answer is That the Apostle is there pressing unity and not to despise the meanest gifts more then the meanest member and to avoid Schism verse 25. Ans. Then it followes that in the sense of this precept which we have explain'd seeking the best gifts is consistent with unity and avoiding Schism and consequently in this our case it s no wayes inductive to schism but consistent with a due esteem of the meanest gifted Minister who is faithfull to withdraw from scandalous innovators who have already fixt a Schism in this Church by opposing her sworn reformation order and unity Nay as matters now stand this is the surest way to keep our Churches union and integrity Since this their course has such a clear tendency to the ruine of her Reformation and pure constitution in doctrine Worship discipline and Government as is above clear'd His 3d Answer is that edification is to be sought in an orderly way not in a way that marrs the Churches peace and that though our sense of this generall direction were granted it s thus to be understood Ans. Let our sworn establisht Reformation its principles rules and design sit in Judgement and determine who are greater enemies to this Churches peace and order they or we Was not this Church priviledged with a beautifull order of Government pure Gospel-Worship and sound doctrine before Prelacy was introduced Well then the way to this Churches true peace Union and order must be in opposing their pretended order who are letting in the enemies and have broken her walls and hedge Many of them said and swore that the Presbyterial Government of this Church was a beautifull order unto which since they stand in opposition they are the most orderly who disowne them As for that which he adds of peoples neglecting Ministers set over them in the Lord he must prove that Conformists are such Ministers who are both scandalous for the far greatest part in their carriage having no visible badge of the Lords call and do owne principles and carry on a designe point blank contraire to our reformation have left the peoples conduct in the way of truth given up all their Ministeriall authority to abjured prelacy and make it their work to destroy and waste the Lords vineyard Tho it were granted that they had been so set over people yet since they are tracing wayes of Schism and innovations condemned by our Church Christs flocks cannot owne or be subject to them as their soules spiritual guides they being men that have corrupted the Covenant of Levi and made many stumble at the Law And besides since that complyance in subjection to conformists and disowning of Presbyterian Ministers which he doth here plead for is in very deed a despising faithfull Ministers set over their flocks by the Lord and standing in a Ministeriall relation to them and whom consequently the Lords people are called to honour and obey this same reason whereby he would persuade to adhere to the conforming party pleads more strongly against them And his rule aftermentioned not to do evill that good may come of it will conclude that we should not under pretence of keeping parochiall order or for eviting confusion deprive our selves of the blessing of the Ministry of Christs faithfull Ambassadours to adhere unto whom in this case we are under so many obligations As for the Canons after'cited by him against Ministers
so far from tying congregations to conformists as this man alleages that they tye them to their own faithfull Presbyterian pastours and by consequence to disowne prelats and their intruding hirelings as none of the lawfull Pastours of this Church I might here add that the account of the Pastours duty and the ground of the people's subjection and obedience exhibit to us in these scriptures which he mentions doth sufficiently exclude their party from any claim therunto What do they hear Gods word and warn the people from him who are generally so ignorant of his word walking contrary to it themselves and hardning others in rebellion against him are they watching for souls as they that must give account who are loving to sleep and slumber and dare not say most of them that ever they enquird at any soul how it is betwixt God and them do their lips keep knowledge who have departed out of the way and caused many stumble at the Law are they labouring and admonishing as to sin and duty who are ringleaders in a course of defection Sure if the duties of subjection reverence and obedience suppose such characters of Ministers and such qualifications as are here exprest people are hereby abundantly discharged from such subjection and obedience as to Conformists who are so palpably destitute of these qualifications So that the Informer falls utterly short of his intended advantage by this citation of Mr Durham and the scriptures therin mentioned do wound his cause tâ—… death and cut the sinews of his reasoning This man is so unhappy as to fall still by the rebound of his own arguments and the scripture-weapons which in pleading for this cause will never be found the weapons of his warfare wounds him every time he handles them which as it hath before so it shall presently appear further in some more of his arguments and answers upon this point which we now present CHAP. III. The Doubters argument from Curats not entring by a call from the people and that passage Acts 14. 23. cleared and improven The Informers exceptions upon the terme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fully examined and the peoples right in the call of Pastours cleared therfrom His reasonings about Patronages and the prelatick ordination and peoples disowning of Scandalous Ministers not censured As also his great argument from Math. 23. 1. and the owning of the Temple-worship scanned and retorted upon him Mr Durham in this point pleads nothing for the Informer His answers and reasonings anent the charge of Introsion examined Our Informer upon this point of separation which he holds to be his fort-royal in the present differences having plyed his Doubter with offensive weapons will needs shew his skill and just dealing in acting the defendant for some time But I doubt that his defensive armour and answers shall be found as thin and penetrable in this debate as his impugning weapons are bluntand pointless Well this fair disputant will hear some of our arguments against the owning of Conformists but be sure they must be of his own mould and digesting for these can best suit the design of that pretty piece of pageantry which he is acting in this pamphlet The first argument which his Doubter offers is their not entring by a call from the people as all Ministers should citing Act. 14. 23. but by a presentation from the patron In answer to this he spends some discourse upon that text which we shall examine But to clear this point the more fully I will premise three things 1. That the people have a divine right to call their pastouâ—… we proved before in the 9th argument against Episcopacy and from other scripture-grounds beside this although it be a weighty ground also unto this we refer the reader 2. That upon supposal of this divine rule and pattern of a Ministers Lawfull call it doth clearly follow that the patronages are a corruption rendring the Ministers call in this respect maimed and not so consonant to scripture as it ought to be 3. Though it be granted that a Minister presented by the Patron and not called by the people hath the essence of the Ministerial office and might in some cases be owned as a Minister yet this will plead nothing for the owning of Curats as the case is now circumstantiat Because 1. It s certain that according to the principles and reformation of this Church as establisht before these innovations a Ministers entry by imposition of the hands of the Presbytery without the usurping Prelate and by the call of the people without the Patron is the more pure and scriptural way of entry into the Ministry and moreover the only way of entry own'd and authorized by her supreme Indicatories and by consequence its most suitable to Presbyterian principles when there is a competition betwixt the one and the other and Ministers thus Lawfully called are violently ejected by men reestablishing prelacy and patronages formerly cast out and vowed against that people do adhere to their faithfull pastours rather then these Innovators and intruders which will be convincingly clear if it be also considered particularly that as prelacy allits corruptions usurpations now existent and introduced were fully removed and abjured by this Church so laick patronages in speciall were upon most weighty grounds removed by the parliament 1649. in correspondence to our Churches declarator as appears in the Narrative of their 39. act viz. The sense of the obligation lying upon them both by the National and solemn league covenant by many deliverances and mercies from God by the latesolemn engadgement to duties to preserve the doctrine and to maintain and vindicat the liberties of the Church of Scotland to advance the work of Reformation and considering that patronages persentations of Kirkes is an evill and bondage under which the Lords people Ministers of this land have long groan'd That it hath no warrand in Gods word but is founded only on the Canon Law that it is a popish custom brought into this Church in time of ignorance superstition that its contrary to the 2d book of discipline wherein upon solid grounds it s reckon'd among abuses that are desired to be reformed and Contrary to several acts of general assemblies prejudicial to the liberty of the people and planting of Churches to the free call and entry of Ministers to their charge c. This act the parliament 1662 did ranverse among other pieces of our Reformation Ordaining all Ministers that entered since 49. to have no right to the benefice till they obtain a presentation from the Lawfull Patron and collation from the Bishop Now upon supposal of the Covenant obligation and our engadgement therein to separat from any corruption contrary to our Reformation to give a testimony to that work to with-draw from backsliders is there any doubt but that people are oblidged upon these grounds to adhere to that body of faithful Ministers who are standing to our principles and sworn
pure doctrine of this Church in complyance with persecuters surely they and they only are the schismaticks Had not this invasion been made upon our Church and her priviledges what would have been her Judgement of the present principles and practices of Conformists in any of her Lawfull courts would they not have been judged censurable as the worst of Schismaticks Now what is the difference here except that this party makes the greater number but will this take away the charge of schism suppose a party of notorious schismaticks should cry ouâ—… upon such as withdraw from them as schismaticks were not this a ridiculous charge and Just so is that of Conformists in this case 2. Every schism supposes ane obligation of adherence to that Church from which the separation is made Now then let him prove ministers obligation to joyn into this Prelatick course without which they will not admit them to officiat and disprove our prior obligations to opposeit or else Ministers obligation to preach and peoples consequently to hear in opposition to this course of defection will stand good on the old grounds and all the scripture comands founded on Pastours of this Church their Ministerial relation to set the trumpet to their mouth and give a Ministerial testimony against this defection and peoples obligation to hear and take warning will press and plead for that which he calls schism and a sinfull separation 3. Hence Presbyterian Ministers and professors are in this their practise never toched by all his arguments and defences but these are weapons in their hands against him and the conforming party 1. Whereas he pleads the essence of the ministeriall call which conformists lay claim unto Presbyterian Ministers answer that Nonconforming Ministers have this that they are Ministers of this Church and have a better right to officiat as her true pastours then Prelatists And if this will not plead for hearing Non-conformists why shall this argument be thought valide for hearing Curats is not the same way from Athens to Thebes and from Thebes to Athens if his concession touching the essence of their Ministerial call will not with him infer hearing Non-conformists because of their supposed schism Ergo a fortiori it will not infer the hearing of Curats who really are such 2. he pleads that corruptions and failings in administrators or even some corruptions in ordinances will not infer disowning of Ministers Why then pleads he for disowning Presbyterian Ministers and ordinances adminis red by them to whom this is so clarly applicable 3ly he pleads union But let him say what was the order and union of this Church before these innovations was it ane union under Prelacie Erastianism and persurious breach of Covenant was not our Churches Reformation in doctrine worship discipline and Goverment a beautiful order and union Now who broke this supppose we should Plead union against his withdrawing Presbyterian professours from Presbyterian Ministers will he owne this pleading or not rather disowne it because he thinks our union is schismatical well so we hold and do prove the prelatick union to be therefore untill he disprove our charge against his party this pleading is null 4. Divines do tell us particularly Timorcus chap. 7. page 32. that a sinfull separation which falls within the compass of schism is from the communion of a Church as walking according to the divine rule otherwise if the Churches deviation specially be great there is no fear of any guilt by schism in departing from it and hence infers that unless absolvers can instruct that prelacy is juris divini disowning and abjuring it cannot be schismatical Moreover this man himself grants that schism in its ordinary acceptation is taken for a causless separating and that where communion with a Church cannot be held without sin in that case separation is necessary Now then if we can prove that our non union is not causless and that communion cannot be held with Conformists in our case and circumstances without sin we are not Schismaticks by his oun confession To clear then this great point of the sinfulness of owning them in their demanded conformity we offer these considerations 1. Owning them and subjecting our selves to their Ministry as the Pastours of this Church hath a palpable breach of Covenant in it as the case now stands for all along we must suppose its binding force and that there is a considerable body of Ministers professours contending for it and that the question is to which of the parties contending we are bound to adhere and that according to our principles anent its binding force and the unlawfulness of Prelacie which this man cannot disprove The owning of them in the manner above expressed is a breach of Covenant many wayes specially as this man pleads for it with a totall disowning of Presbyterian Ministers in their Ministry In this case it is a resiling from what we have attain'd in point of reformation contrary to the first article wherein we are bound to maintain purity of worship and Doctrine as then establisht Now their preaching is for the most part consisting of corrupt doctrine contrary to our Reformation And their prayers have severall petitions with which we cannot joyn such as for prospering Prelats and their courses Not to speak of the abrogating the lecture repeating of the creed at baptism singing a set forme of conclusion or what innovations in worship are introduced Again this is a concurience with promoters of this course of backsliding and a suffering our selves to be withdrawen from our union engadged unto and a denyall of suteable assistance to faithfull Ministers contending for the Covenant against backsliders all which are contrary to the other articles thereof This will be specially clear if it be further considered That 1. The body of presbyterian Ministers being ejected if disown'd in the manner and extent pleaded for by this Informer the presbyterian interest and our Reformation according to the Covenant will be extinct sold and betrayed 2. Hearing Curats and peoples subjecting themselves to their Ministry as the Pastours of this Church is by the Rulers required as a direct badge and Test of owning Erastianism and prelacie in opposition to the Covenant work of Reformation So that its a case of confession now to adhere to a faithfull Ministry contending for it 3. Ther 's no other way to exoner our consciences before God and the World and Declare our nonconformitie to this course of backsliding but by this practice there is no getting of wrongs redrest or corruptions in the Ministry removed Thus the Apology pag. 272. 4. We are in the Covenant engadged against Indifferency in this great work of Reformation and is not this the way to fall into it more and more 5. We engadge that we shall endeavour that this work of Reformation shall remain inviolable to posterity But what memory shall the posterity have of this work if prelats and curats be thus submitted unto 6. We engadge