Selected quad for the lemma: power_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
power_n	king_n	law_n	sovereignty_n	3,188	5	10.8087	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89779	The temple measured: or, A brief survey of the temple mystical, which is the instituted church of Christ. Wherein are solidly and modestly discussed, most of the material questions touching the constitution and government of the visible church militant here on earth. Together with the solution of all sorts of objections which are usually framed against the model and platform of ecclesiastical polity, which is here asserted and maintained. In particular here are debated, the points of so much controversie, touching the unity of the church, the members of the church, the form of the church, and church covenant, the power of the church, the officers of the church, and their power in church-government, the power of magistrates about the church, and some church acts, as admission of members, and other things set down in the table before the book. / By James Noyes teacher of the church at Newbery in New England.	Noyes, James, 1608-1656.	1646 (1646)	Wing N1460; Thomason E359_12; ESTC R201171	85,622	104

meet to request assistance for exhortation together with prayer and blessing as also for the satisfaction of other Churches concerning the faith and order of such a Church But for a Fast of constitution for a concourse of Churches and their messengers and solemnities in way of covenant unto the rearing of particular Churches I finde no Apostolical direction or footstep of primitive practice A feast of dedication may seem as sutable as a fast for constitution Apostles and such like were present and did something in separating the brethren but for explicite covenanting pro modo forma I finde nothing Explicite covenanting and searching of the conscience may be a dispensation too violent and compulsory in respect of the facility of Gods grace in point of acceptance The Ordinances of the covenant of grace are sutable to the grace of the covenant The Elders of the cities of refuge did not expostulate with such as fled before the avenger of blood in way of any explicite covenant or exquisite examination Josh 20. The Eunuch did not promise by any covenant explicite what he would be he onely shewed what he did believe or what he was Excesse of complements in solemnities formalities punctualities is unsutable to the simplicity and spirituality of the Gospel and also fully forbidden in the second commandment Calvin in his commentary on Rom. 14.3 4. maketh Knowledge a sufficient testimony that a man is received of God When thou seest a man saith he illuminated with the knowledge of God Satis testimonii habes quod a Deo assumptus sit And he addeth that we ought to hope well of any one in quo cernimus aliquid Dei Confessions of Faith have been deemed sufficient for mutual communion of Churches either by writing or word of mouth Concerning the Power of the Church THe body of members women and such as are unmeet to govern Pro. 1. excepted hath all power originally and essentially The body of members is the immediate subject of the Keys 1. Every being be it never so subordinate hath a defensive power and the Church or body of members is a seat and society of Authority and therefore hath power both offensive and defensive within it self Those churches Acts 14.23 had no proper Officers when they were called churches and there is no intimation that their Officers made them churches Officers are not the like and soul of churches 2. Else the church shall be left destitute of necessary supports for its subsistence times may come in which no Elders are to be obtained for many particular churches Such as are wholly subject have a defensive power according to the law of Nature David and Elisha thought it lawful to defend themselves Israel defended Jonuthan 3. 2 Kings 6.32 3. It is natural that the Whole should have Soveraignty over its parts especially when parts are equal or pares If all members in the body had an eye all should give direction according to the order of nature 4. The church hath relation of a Spouse unto Christ and it is meet that the Spouse should have power some way or other in absence of the Husband 5. The church hath power to give the Keys therefore it hath power to act the Keys 6. Those which have power in other Societies to elect their Governours have power also to act themselves yea to reserve to themselves what power they please in respect of those that are elected And if the church be a church in propriety when it hath no Officers then it hath an offensive power over such as are within and a defensive power towards those without as all Beings have which are sui juris Object The church may have the Keys to give yet not to act A messenger may carry a commission and yet have no power to open or execute the commission Answ The Arguments from the constitution of the church do prove that the church hath power to act as well as it can until it be furnished with Officers 2. The churches power of election is forcible of it self unlesse there be something against the proportion of the churches power as compared with other Societies 3. The church is not onely the conduit but the onely ordinary fountain of power upon earth 4. The members have all of them gifts for edification 1 Cor. 12.5 In Israel the whole body did act as well as elect though when they had Magistrates they could onely exercise a defensive power in interposing with or against their Magistrates and that onely for demonstrable causes not scandalously circumstantiated The member● may act in the way of charity and of natural Office the Elders onely in way of Stewardship or instituted Office the people by a natural law the officers by a positive law The members have gifts and therefore may act as a potentia ad actum valet argumentum The people may give that which it hath onely virtually and act that which it hath formally or in potentia proxima Object There is not the same reason for supernatural Societies as for natural for the power of supernatural Societies as for the power of natural Societies Answ Supernatural Societies are as perfect as natural Societies and therefore if natural Societies have power within themselves for their subsistence the church must have the like Object The church cannot administer the Seals without Officers Answ The church hath power to act all Ordinances that are essential to its primary and natural integrality that are necessary to its being or first being though without Officers it cannot dispense some Ordinances as are necessary to its well-being or secondary being and essential to its secondary integrality The church hath not an organick integrity but it hath an essential integrity before it hath Officers The people have power to elect and authorize their own Officers Pro. 2. 1. The people did something in the election of Matthias Act. 1. the members elected Deacons Acts 6. 2. The Officers have no constant and ordinary mean of calling but from the church and body of members they do not receive their Office immediately from Christ and they cannot receive it immediately always from other Elders The power of Officers is dependent on the church not the power of the church on the Officers The church is greater then its Officers in respect of priority fontality finality stability and dignity Master Parker hath abundantly demonstrated this assertion in his Ecclesiastical Policie and that from principles maintained by Gerson a Papist 3. It was a continued custome from the Apostles days that the people did elect their Officers consuetudo est bona juris interpres Calvin hath demonstrated this point from Cyprian Calvin is for some consent Cal. Instit l. 4. c. 3. Sect. 5. Beza Epist 83. p. 365. Beza for an implicite consent The election of the people gives the Keys at least incompleatly when they have Elders because their consent is necessary together with the consent of the Elders The Elders have

judicial power It is but equal that governors or rulers should have judicial power to constrain obedience which is inconsistent with a necessity of the members consent If an absolute Aristocracy be for the general lesse dangerous then a Democracy there is lesse danger in the church then in the Common-wealth from such an Aristocracy because the medium of government in the church is rather swasive then coactive Elders are to govern verbo non gladia Such governors do best become the Church as may eminently represent the kingly office of Christ at least as evidently as the priestly and prophetical office of Christ It is supposed that a King or Monarch may be complete in respect of ordinary execution and yet the Soveraignty or Majesty reside in the Kingdom and an Aristocracy may be complete in respect of ordinary execution and yet that Soveraignty or Majesty reside in the Common-wealth Where the people have power to set up and pul down Magistrates with an offensive power there is a Democracy in being or constitution if not in ordinary action or execution Epist 67. and 68. Arg. 10. Num. 21.16.17 1 Chr. 26. And a power defensive or a power to except and interpose in case of just defence is connatural to all bodies or beings civil or natural where the Soveraignty or Majestie is lost or given away to such as bear the ensignes of authority Bexa is for an implicite consent of the people in election but resolute against it in other cases non tantum periculosum sed etiam iniquuns esse totum caetum is suffragia witti Epist. 83. pag. 36. 10. The relations of elders to churches do challenge power complete They are antitypical the eyes heads fathers princes of the Congregation Moses and the Princes did represent Christ and his Apostles and Elders They are the Captains of the Lords Host Moses and the Princes digged the well and sang to it to denote how Christ and the Elders do digge the well of salvation and sing the new song of salvation to the Israel of God Though pro●ati● uni●● be probati● nullius sometimes yet such as these both together and apart may be vehemently perswasive Some do scruple at the calling of the Ministere heads of the Churches and indeed there is no universal head beside Christ but yet ministers may be called heads of particular churches in that sence as they are fathers and rulers 11. It was Gods Ordinance in Israel In all Courts Arg. 11. Lev. 13. Num. 35. Deut. 19.12 in the Temple in the Cities of Refuge in the Synagogues the elders had full power of execution The Priests did onely determine concerning the Leprosie The Levits themselves did open and shut were porters under the Priests This Ordinance of God seemeth to be grounded on moral equity we generally find an equity in Gods Ordinances as well as a ceremony And it is most sutable to nature it being unnatural for the multitude to execute I is true that the people of God are ●●●●isted to a ne●●● communion with God in worship then under the Law but it is true in respect of the Elders as well as of the common members And we are freed from the ceremony of the Mosaical Ordinances not from the equity 12. Arg. 12. That power which is ascribed to the Priests and Levites Ezek. 44.23 24. must needs type out the power of elders in the Christian church The whole chapter and prophesie concerneth the Christian church The civil acts in Israel were a typical pattern of the Christian church as well as the Temple The Priests and the Levits must stand in judgement and judge and determine controverfies in the church Deut. 19.17 By their word shall all strife be tryed Deut. 21.5 They shall give the sentence of judgement and thou shalt not decline from their judgement they are separated for this purpose by the Lord Deut. 17.9.11 Allegories are Argumentative when they are evident And though all things are not exactly typed out in the ceremonies at least in all ceremonies yet it is our duty to observe that which is representative The Priests were types of all spiritual men in opposition to natural men but they were types also of Elders in respect of their special office as they are opposed to the Saints in general 13. Arg. 13. Elders are titles of authority the notation thereof alludes to the Elders under the Law Pastors are titles of authority the notation thereof alludes to the use of the phrase in the Scriptures and it is applyed even to Civil Magistrates Shepherds do govern as well as feed and Elders are to feed by authority as well as by doctrine The Priests under the Law had complete power in the Temple 1. To admit into the outward Court 2. To administer at the Altar and Laver the Covenants and Doctrines and the sence of Regeneration and Justification of Mortification and Vivification 3 To administer about the Table and Candlestick for the increase of faith and love and joy Thus the Elders are to institute and make disciples and after institution by the doctrine of the Covenants to confirm by Baptism and then build them up unto perfection by teaching them all things Matth. 28.18 Go make Disciples in all Nations baptizing them and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Admission into the outward Court seemeth to signifie initiation into the visible Church the Altar and Laver and Table the gradual proceeding from grace to grace of those that are worshippers of God in spirit and in truth of inward worshippers of God of such as belong to the mystical Church Rev. 11.2 3. c. True converts are first brought to the altar of faith repentance and mortification and then to the laver for the confirmation of sanctification and justification by the doctrines and seals of the blood and spirit of Christ 14. What the Apostles could do in all Churches Arg. 14. that the ordinary Elders can do in respect of ordinary administrations and ordinary exemption within the sphaeres of their particular Churches And the Apostles could admit excommunicate threaten the rod make decrees c. They did not ask the vote of the Church in admissions or excommunications Acts 2. 1 Tim. 1. Philip himself could admit without the Church Acts 8. Paul bids Timothy and Titus to command and rebuke Tit. 1. Mr. Cartwright hath done enough for this point in his Reply If the Apostles had deprived the people of any power due to them in respect of their Elders they would have taken election out of their hands If the Apostles had power in all Churches in respect of ordinary administrations as Elders then they differ from ordinary Elders but as an Aristocracy in a Common-wealth from an Aristocracy in one City or as the great Synedrion of elders in Jerusalem from the lesser Synedrions in the Cities What power the Apostles had in all Churches as elders that power all elders must have in their

Levites in their passage over Jordan Joshua 3.4 Object The Church is the Spouse or the Bride Answ She is not yet married onely espoused or betrothed and therefore may not have the keyes in possession 2. She is yet under age unfit for government 3. She is but figuratively a Spouse and being constituted of so many persons unmeet to govern in point of ordinary execution 4. The Church of Israel was a spouse socia domus as well as the Christian Church and yet subjected to the Priests 5. The Spouse is kept under Magistracy and why not under the ministry Why not under both together Edicunt reges indicit festa sacerdos Object All the Saints are kings Answ In some common respects but not in respect of special office They are kings in respect of Church power or Church government fundamentally and essentially yet I do not find that the Scripture in the attribution of this title unto Christians hath respect to the power which visible Christians have over one another in special whereby they judge those that are within but in respect of that power whereby they reigne over themselves and over the world Rev. 11. All Saints are called Kings in respect of Christian power as mystical members not in respect of Ecclesiastick power 2. They were kings under the Law and yet subject to the Priests and Levites 3. They are priests as well as kings yet they are not Priests in respect of Ecclesiastick power according to the Scripture phrase They may not ordinarily preach and administer the seals by turn or every man in his course 4. They may be kings in respect of a Christian power mystically and yet be no more exempted from ministerial authority then from Magistratical authority They are not kings litterally and properly but figuratively or mystically Object Elders are ministers stewards servants of the Church Answ Respectively finaliter objective not absolutely or properly 2. They are fathers as well as stewards the stewards of Christ in propriety 3. If they are servants in propriety then they must not govern over the Church or with the Church but obey the Church 4. The Apostles were servants as well as ordinary elders yet they governed without the concurrence of the Church in way of consent The Church is the object of the elders ministry in p●r● but in this respect Angela and Magistrates are also servants to the Church Elders are not servants of the Church in propriety in way of subjection they are actually over the Church the governors of the Church the servants of Christ the whole Church is subject Object Elders must not have Lordlike power to excommunicate the whole Church Answ Lordlike power is not denominated from its extent in respect of the object of their administrations the Apostle had an extensive power over all Churches and yet not Lordlike power Lordlike power consisteth in Magistratical commands laws and mediums of punishment and in an imperious execution of power If the authoritas be in magistrates in respect of ordinary execution he may punish the whole Common-wealth one by one nay altogether de jure in point of ordinary execution in case justice requireth it If the Church may excommunicate Elders and yet have no Lordlike power then Elders may excommunicate the Church without a Lordlike power Object The whole Church cannot be excommunicated because excommunication is a casting out of the Church Answ Excommunication is essentially casting out of Church estate 2. A particular Church may be cast out of the universal Church Junius and all seem to deny an unity integral or visible in the universal Church yet they generally allow of a judicial power in Synods and Councells and how is that possible unlesse there be an universal visible Church But I am not to urge this point at present Object Elders are hereby made inexcommunicable Answ It is more sutable that Elders that Governors should be exempted from excommunication in point of ordinary execution then those which are governed 2. The major part of a particular Church is made inexcommunicable wholy if particular Churches are neither subordinate to their Elders nor to Synods and Councells 3. We suppose that Elders of particular Churches are subordinate to Synods and Councels and that the majesty resideth principally in the Church universal We suppose that Elders are subordinate to their particular Churches in respect of a defensive power in the way of excommunicating or withdrawing As Elders are ordained by Elders so it is meet that particular Churches should make use of Elders in the deposing and excommunicating of an Elder 5. We may put a difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary power A magistrate may be subordinate to his people in whom the majesty doth reside in point of extraordinary execution notwithstanding he hath power in point of ordinary execution to inflict capital punishment upon the people Potestas est in Magistratu principe co modo sub quo translata est Suar. de lege humana The practise of the Churches from the beginning of the World doth shew that they have not thought the consent of the body of the Church absolutely necessary Some godly writers have seemed to be in amaze when they have spoken of the consent of the members but what hath been their own practice Those of Reformed Churches for the general which have spoken most fully for the consent of the people have excluded it from being co-ordinate with the sentence of the Elders See the opinion of the Leyden Professors and Peter Martyr upon 1 Cor. 5. Beza in his Commentary upon the same chapter Res in Presbyteri● praejudicata sertur ad populum Cal. Com. 1 Cor. 5 4. requires no more then that excommunication be carryed conscia plebe Yet we must all protest against the magistratical and imperial Soveraignty of Antichrist and all Prelatical Spirits Christ and his Ministers do govern like the sweet fig tree the sat olive and the true vine not like the bramble that hath neither shadow nor good fruit It is observable how the Church is delineated Cant. 7. where the body of members is elegantly distinguished from the Elders as the body from the head 1. Her shoes and feet do denote her heavenly conversation and patience especially in the ambulatory course of the primitive Church for the conversion of the world Ephes 16.15 2. Her thighes navel and belly do represent her as the fountain of procreation and conversion The Church is the mother of all living The graces of the Spirit are the jewel-like joynts of her thighes The Church is the font of the world filled with the liquor of grace and out of her belly flow rivers of living water unto the regeneration or conversion of the world Her belly is compared to heaps of wheat beset with pleasant lillies to signifie that Christ conveigheth himself to the world as the bread of life by the Church in her womb all the infant converts of the world are nourished unto eternal life

for Civil Peace Though a Prince hath not all the means to make a good man which a Priest hath yet he hath some and is to improve them for the making of his Subjects good men Spiritually as well as Civilly and he that is integrè bonus this est bonus vir in respect of all vertues in both Tables Else why is it the duty of Magistrates to Instruct Pray provide by Laws c. for the preservation and promotion of Religion 3. Mr. Porker lib. 1. cap. 34. Such ends were primary ends of Magistracy in Ad●●s only we must remember that axiome Fi●o●s leges non eadere sub legens 4. The Priesthood it self is naturally a branch of Magistracy it remained in the Patriarchs till God severed one from the other and God did not give all Spiritual power to Aaron when he distinguished the Priesthood much remined still in Moses 5. The Oecumenical power of a Master of a Family is not Ecclesirstical yet he hath Spiritual power to Teach Pray Bless command as he is a Pater-sansllias 6. Else a Magistrate is a Magistrate must subordinate the first Table to the second the glory of God to the Temporal good of men God to man Religion to civllity 7. A Magistrate when he Prays blesseth or commandeth all to seek the God of Israel as he his Castes utriusque tabula is not supposed to use any of these means in the first place for the Temporal prosperity of the Common-wealth Must a Magistrate as a Magistrate pray only for Corn Wine and Oyl or may he serve God only for Corn Wine and Oyl and bless only with the dew of Heaven and satness of the Earth A Physitian indeed 〈◊〉 Physitian doth only heal and intend to heal the natural man because he hath only natural mediums but a Magistrate hath Spiritual mediums as he is a Magistrate A Magistrate as a man may make a Temporal being his first and last and only end but as a Magistrate he intends both Temporals and Spirituals A Christian as a man may be for the world but as a Christian he is for the Lord. A Magistrates Office is Spiritual though the Magistrates person be Prophane and Heathenish Concerning the extent of Magistratical or Princely Power in making of Laws or Power of Iurisdiction in the CHURCH MAgistrates have power to declare the express Laws of Christ with Authority Pro. 1. and also the implicite Laws of Christ though not expressed 1. This is requisite to the perfection of Magistracy otherwise it hath not compleat power to procure its ends Somtimes there is need of present action somtimes the Churches do degenerate the Ship may perish while the Mariners are consulting 2. Magistrates have coactive power over such as are not Members to compel them to the outward acts of Religion why not over Members and Churches in like maner 3. Magistrates have Spiritual power enough Isa 49. as it hath been demonstrated 4. The Church is subordinate to Magistrates they owe but fatherly respect to the Church in Magistratical acts 5. The Magistrates in Israel were acknowledged to have such power and so to be protectors of Religion and Piety as well as of Civility The Priests and Levites were subject to the Kings Solomon could deprive Abiathar of the Priesthood Magistrates therefore may circumstantiate Church-meetings Lectures command Fasting days 2 Chron. 19.11 24.6 29. 30 31. and Thanksgiving days Synods Councels c. they ought to maintain their fatherly relation at least their fatherly relation bespeaks this power The Kings of Israel took care for the ordering of all things in the house of God disposing of the Ark while it abode in Tents commanded Feasts and Fasts and the Priests and Levites were very subordinate Magistrates power is directive Spiritually not Ecclesiastically even in acts of their office Obj. Magistrates have a directive power in Churches externally though not intrinsceally The policy of Israel was mixt this may be objected Ans Their Ecclesiastical power was distinguished from the Magistratical the Priests and Levites had their proper acts both in respect of order and Jurisdiction also 2. What the Kings of Israel could do as Magistrates in Israel that is permitted now in Magistrates by the Laws of Christ Extraordinary Magistrates such as Moses and David could indeed do many things which were proper to Ecclesiastical power they were great Prophets But the ordinary power of the King or the Prince or of the Priest was then distinguished as now the power of the Magistrate and of the Church Vot estis in Ecclesia ego extra-Ecclesiam Episcopus So Constantine Pro. 2. Magistrates are to allow the Church of Christ to circumstantiate its own archnatural mediums and circumstances in respect of decency and order within its self 1. The Church best knows what is expedient and therefore is most fit Ecclesiastical disputes are not so proper to the cognizance of Magistrates 2. It is necessary for the subsistance of Churches to have such power 3. The Apostles exercised this power Acts 15. and declared this power to the Corinth 1.14 4. Magistrates are subordinate to the Churches in respect of all Church power 5. The Church is an honorable and independent society under the Lord Christ is Priviledges are purchased by the blood of Christ 6. Magistrates are to consult and give counsel with and to the Church in acts of another nature before they command Hezekiah was a Royal president to Magistrates in this point 2 Chron. 30. Rom. 14.1 What Bilson saith serves this purpose Commissio est à Christo permissio à Magistratis Magistradies must tolerate some things which the Church may not the Church must tolerate that which Magistrates may not Non curat Lex de minimis Magistrates may not make unlimited Laws touching things good in their general nature because such things may be unexpedient in circumstances That which Gods Law doth absolutely prohibite is alwayes evil in its particular nature The matter of Gods Law ought to be the compasse of mens Law Magistratus non est dominus sed author legis Suarez defines a Law to be commune praceptum justum sufficientur promulgatum There may be somtimes Causa paenae ubi non est culpa in the civil State In things indifferent as when one thing compared with another is no better then another a Law may alter the case yet Magistrates ought to provide for the majesty and efficacy of Laws by the paucity and necessity of them and even in matters indifferent Ratio legis is necessary as well as voluntas Legistatoris Magistrates must punish an offence as reflecting upon the Civil State when they might tolerate it as an offence to the Church Quest What if Magistrates take too much upon them Ans They are to be obeyed passively 2. There must be a forbearance in respect of acting until due means of information be used 3. After due means of information there must not be

Priests office to take down the tent and tabernacle and accordingly it is onely the Elders office to preach ordinarily the doctrine of the Gospel the doctrine of humiliation and mortification to make way for the Churches progresse in the wildernesse Object The Princes are sent to teach 2 Chron. 17.7 Answ Piscator supposeth that the Princes did onely promove the Levites in teaching The Hebrew word doth signifie to make to learn whether by ones self or others 2. Magistrates have power to teach in the Common-wealth ordinarily though not as Prophets in the Church We may shut up all The Church is the golden Candlestick but the spirit of the Elders is the shining and burning light therein and the two Olive-branches thereof Zech. 4.2 Ezek. 7.20 The Church is the hangings of the Temple The Elders are the pillars on which the hangings did depend Concerning the Power of the Presbyterie THe Presbyterie is to govern with great condescendencie Prop. 1. and to labour for the consent of the Church in cases of moment Magistrates themselves are called Pastors and Fathers partly because they ought to be mild as Causabon and others have observed in the execution of their power Pastors should carry lambs in their bosomes Isa 40. Magistratical Soveraignty of spirit Luke 22. 1 Pet 5. is intolerable in Ministers of the Church It is better to be the Bride then the Bridegrooms friend Abrahams servant must intreat Rebeckah with kindnesse with bracelets and jewels and carry her to his master with honour The Priests were charged to take down the Tabernacle and the Levites to bear it with great respect and the Tabernacle was a type of the Church Our Solomon will have his mother to be set at his right hand in a chair of State Rev. 3. 4. 20. The four and twenty Elders have all thrones and crowns as Christians Cyprian ad Cl●rum nihil sine vestro consilio plebi consensu Lib. 3. Ep. 10. l 4. Ep 5. l. 3. Ep. 22. l. ● Ep. 10. l. 5. Ep. 7. though not as Ecclesiastick Governours Cyprian seemeth sometimes to tender thus much respect to the common members or body of the Church as when he saith Vobis praesentibus judicautibus but not a word of suffrage in antiquity except in point of Election And Cyprian is bold to write after this manner hortor mando as to subjects The Apostle is bold to threaten the rod to the Corinthians Shall I come unto you with a rod 1 Cor. 4 21. The more authority is conferred upon Elders the more humble have they need to be Caesari cui omnia licent propter hoc minus licet I suppose the power of Jurisdiction doth originally and essentially reside in the body of members Elders have their power either by Election or Ordination because there is no other ordinary mean of vocation Election is necessary even from the people because they are to subject themselves or withdraw according as Elders preach for Christ or against Christ and therefore the peoples election doth incompleatly at least give the keys We affirm that the power of Presbyters doth not essentially depend on Ordination but on Election The people have power to act yea even to administer the Seals virtually and mediately and give power by Election to the Elders Election is now answerable to the hereditary vocation under the Law and the Ceremonial Ordination was but circumstantial to the hereditary right of the Levi●es Election in all Societies doth substantially or essentially derive power and correspondeth to an hereditary derivation of power * Ep. 65. p. 285. 67. p. 289. 13. p 365. Beza is onely for an implicite consent of the people and that onely in Election The French Synods have condemned Morellius his Democracie and established the next Proposition The commom members are not to govern by suffrage and co-ordinate authority together with their Elders Pro. 2. Prudence and brotherly love require an endeavour in the Elders for the procuring of consent from all Confessus seniorum est judicium Reclesiae Calv. Instis l. 4 c. 12. Sect 3. but consent is not absolutely necessary The consent of the people is not authoritative but consultative in respect of the Elders Praeter electionem ministrorum plebis nullas esse partes in Ecclesiastico regimine censemus so Chamier 1. Arg. 1. If the Presbytery be not invested with the power of Jurisdiction then the Presbytery serves but for order Cyprian by himself or his 〈◊〉 by it self either in consult a pl●●e did binde and loose censure and absolve the lapset though he speaks of the consensus plebis at such times Presbyters are but Prolocutors every members is essentially and substantially a Governour as well as an Elder 2. Arg. 2. If the Elders are not to baptize and administer the Seals but at the appointment of the Church in particular then they have not compleat power of order because they have not compleat power to execute their proper acts which belong to the power of order 3. The ministerial Keys or the Keys of execution were given to Peter as an Apostle Matth. 16.18 19. They may be given to Peter before he was an Apostle quoad promissionem after he was an Apostle quoad confirmationem when he was made an Apostle Arg. 3. quoad constitutionem 1. Peter is here made oeconomus Ecclesiae the keys of the Kingdom are given to Peter and kingdom includes the Church Peter is evidently distinguished from the Church therefore he doth not represent the Church On this rock saith the Lord Christ will I build my Church and unto thee will I give the keys he doth not say Vnto it as meaning the Church out Vnto thee meaning Peter and distinguishing Peter from the Church Object If it be objected that the Keys are not given to the Church here mentioned because it is the universal Church Answ I reply 1. The universal Church may as well be made the subject as the object of the Keys as it is the object in particular visible Churches so it may be the subject also 2. It may as well be made the subject of the Keys as of the visible Officers 1 Cor. 12.28 3. Is it probable that Pote● should represent any other Church then that which is expressed in the Text 4. I suppose it hath been already proved that there is an universal visible Church Secondly Peters confession argueth that this promise was made unto Peters person in way of reward 3. Peter is made a principal stone of the Church a secondary foundation a master-builder The doctrine of the Apostles is called a foundation of the Church Eph. 2.20 Rev. 11. the twelve Apostles are twelve sundamental stones of New Jerusalem Peter was named so with reference to his Ministery One and the same rule is not sutable to Peter as an Apostolical stone and as a Christian stone also Christ is the Rock Peter a stone

Christ the matter or object of Peters confession is the Roc●●● not the Confession it self The doctrine of the Apostles is a secondary foundation Ephes 2. and Christ in the doctrine of the Gospel is the fundamental Rock The Confession is not the Rock because the Rock is an antecedent to the Church but faith or confession is a concomitant That which is revealed to Peter is Christ in the doctrine or matter of confession and upon this is the Church to be built The foundation is homogeneous to the first essentials of the building visible confession is an accident to the Church as mystical 5. The Apostles had the power of the keys immediately from Christ and where if not in such explicite passages as these are 6. Let one place be found where one of the Apostles alone is brought in as representing the common members I cannot finde Peter or any one of the Apostles so much as to represent the other Apostles when our Saviour speaks to them When Peter speaks in the name of all the Apostles Joh. 6. and Matth. 19.28 Christ speaks to all in the plural number not to Peter onely It is questionable whether Peter did intend to speak in the name of all in this place and it is as questionable whether our Saviour intended all directly in speaking to Peter 7. What is there in that Text to argue that Peter is here representative both as a member in common and also as an Apostle Apostolical power and Church-power cannot be conveyed in the same expressions tum quoad praedicatum subjectum * If Christ had said Thou art Peter both a common member an Apostle and unto thee will I give the keys then there had been reason to have conceived that the keys had contained both Church-power and Apostolical power but the Text doth not so speak Augustine seemeth sometimes to apprehend that Peter did represent all Christians but Doctor Reynolds hath observed that he affirmeth that Peter received the Apostolical Office here Personam omnium Apostolorum gerentem in Johan Tractat. 118. It is evident that Augustine did not make the body of members the subject of executive power Object Peter doth at least represent the Apostles and their successors Answ 1. The Keys may be given onely to Peter directly here because they were in Peter wholly and the other Apostles were not spoken unto All power of execution is virtually in every Apostle One Apostle hath as much power in case there be but one as all together One Elder hath not a divided power where there are more then one to constitute a Presbyterie Arg. 4. 2. The Keys were given to all the Apostles by consequence though not in the way of representation 3. If Peter did now receive the Keys Apostolical then he could not represent the common Presbyters The same rule in the same expressions cannot confer such a different power as the power of common elders and the power Apostolical the Text and the parallels do not admit of any such representation The Apostles could not possibly represent the Church Matth. 18. They are distinguished from the Church which they are sent to gather The Church gathered is the object of the Ministery of those that are sent They are to teach them after that they have baptized The Apostles could not possibly represent the Church Matth. 18. They are distinguished from the Church which they are sent to gather The Church gathered is the object of the Ministery of those that are sene They are to teach them after that they have baptized them 2. They have power of office or actual power to baptize 3. They are bid Ga up and down to teach all Nations This place is thus far parallel to Matth. 16 and confirmeth the interpretavion precedent But our Saviour here intendeth this commission even to the successors of the Apostles I am with you saith he to the end of the World In all congruity our Saviour understands by you such as you are such as are indued with authority to teach and baptize as well as you onely the commission is to be interpreted quoad materiam subjectam and therefore the Apostolical commission is not exactly quadrato to the common Elders The promise of Christs presence tended to the encouragement of the Apostles and their successors in the work of the Ministery about which they were now sent and that power which is given to the Apostles here is given to all Elders as far as Scripture may permit 5. Elders have as full power to baptize as to teach Arg. 5. according to this Text and by consequence they have full power to admit members Full power to baptize upon making a disciple without any intervening act of the Church doth argue full power to admit because admission is not a consequent of Baptism 6. If all members young and old children and men Arg. 6. if thousands together must judge and govern upon conscience together with the Presbyterie 1. It must needs interrupt the work 2. It is work enough a double labour for the Elders to instruct the Church how to judge There is more time spent in informing the Church then in determining the case The members will make the keys flite about their Blders ears if they have them Must Elders hold the hands of the common members as the master teacheth Scholars to write and act onely by them 3. Pride is an epidemical discase in Democratical Government Who is sufficient to hold the reins of authority Where there are no standing Magistrates in the Common-wealth and in the Church no Governours at all or none but Governours the off-spring is like to be an Iehabed 4. Confusion and disorder is inevitable Turba ruunt The Church ought to be a patern of punctual order A Democracie is called by Plato Nundi●ae populares 5. As Church-work must needs be too long a doing by so many when it is casie so it must needs be done too soon by such as are precipitant when it is difficult Some are conscientious and scrupulous others unseasoned ignoran youthful This is a Pedocracy as well as a Democracy The seat of Government is the seat of Wisedom 7. Arg. 7. It is naturally in the power of the Presbyterie to admonish the whole church to suspend the whole church in respect of the seals 1 Thes 5.12 It is intoletable that many whole churches should convene and act ●on●●nctim especially for all offences Arg. 8. otherwise they might be active in administring to those which are known to be unworthy This power containeth more then a negative reference to their elders The church and its elders are not co-ordinate societies in respect of ordinary execution In Israel there was Soveraignty in the Magistrates or Princes Amongst the Romans Imperium was in magistratu Majestas in populo 8. It is granted that Elders have full power in respect of some acts of jurisdiction elders may send to or speak to one another for a

Jerusalem is the mother of us all 3. She is described with breasts to declare how she nurseth her new born babes with the milk of the Word But how and by whom doth the Church conceive bring forth and breed up her children Her head is indued with variety of gifts for teaching discerning and governing that is the seat of wisdom and government the body is the region of subjection To conclude the key of authority is in God the key of excellency is in Christ the key of ministry is in the Church fundamentally in the Presbyterie for execution A primo omnia per ordinem omnia ad finem omnis perfectio rerum omnium quies ordo est perfectionis sola inevitabilis via Isaacus a Telia I understand by the keys in the Text the official or stewardlike power of administring the word and prayer the seals and censures in the Church Election is an act of essential authority directly and primarily of derived authority secondarily and consequenter In case the Presbyterie doth censure the Church by vertue of derived authority and the Church the Presbyterie by vertue of essential authority other Churches must judge which cause is just by the rule of Christ in the Word Presbyters are not subject to the common members in censures of superiority In Israel the Elders or magistrates were primitively elected by a Democratical power and yet were not subject to a Democratical power being once elected A power in the people to set up and depose their Magistrates in way of authority constituteth a Democracy The fraternity hath a defensive power to non-communicate with their Elders or power of a defensive excommunication with reference to their Elders One Church hath a co-ordinate power of defence Jus est vel rectorium vel aequatorium in relation to another Church not offensive power In an Aristocracy or Monarchy the people have a defensive power to repel injury not an offensive power The Elders of the Church have power of order to act in all Churches upon the intreaty or consent either of Elders or the Churches themselves 1. Pro. 3. It is natural to all bodies to act for their mutual edification 2. The seals and such like administrations have a common relation to admit members to dispence censures hath a particular relation to a particular Church but the word and seals have a common and general relation to all Churches equally 3. There is a sacred-aptitude though no indeleble Character imprinted on Elders else they are not accomodated to administer holy things especially such things as are holy by institution This ministerial aptitude or fitnesse hath relation to holy things in all Churches there is nothing wanting to execution but orderly permission 4. The ground of dividing the Church into particular Churches doth warrant this power We are many Temples or Churches for edification sake If there had been many Temples in Judea what could have hindred the Priests from ministring as occasion required in any of them 5. We allow communion of Members why not of Ministers As Ministers depend on their particular Church for Authority to dispense holy things so Members depend on their particular Church for Authority to partake of holy things As it is a priviledge to partake so it is grounded upon Authority a Member may challenge communion And it is a priviledge also to dispense holy things though dependent on Authority 6. The Churches do mutually allow and ratifie one anothers acts One Church admitteth Members for all Churches and one Church electeth Officers for all Churches one gate of Jerusalem admitteth into the whole City Rev. 21. One Elder hath a general relation to the universal Church as well as a special relation to his particular Church To say no more it is sufficient that such a power of Elders tendeth to the edification of the Churches while nothing can be produced in oppositum The Apostle doth implicitely command us to do all things which are for edification confideratis considerandus when he commandeth us to do all things in such a maner as may be for edification 1 Cor. 14. What hath been said for the Unity of the Church doth shew that there is no ataxis or disorder in this communion of Elders There was no question in Primitive days concerning the power of Eldere in respect of Ordination Administration of the Seals and Preaching of the Word in all Churches It is commonly known that Anicatus permitted Polycarpus to administer the Sacrament in his Church See Magdebar Centariatores Concerning the Power of Synods and Councels or Churches Assembled CHurches have no power to invent Instituted mediums of Worship Pro. 1. or to make Laws concerning means of Worship which are not natural or to Institute mediums of Worship which are not contained in the first Commandment A Papist asked a Protestant What if our holy Mother the Church determine it The Protestant answered the Papist What if our heavenly Father determine otherwise 1. To make any thing holy for signification or operation which God hath not or more holy then God hath made it by Nature or Institution is so far Idolatrous or Superstitious and is Imagery forbid in the second Commandment 2. The Prophets and Apostles were charged to teach only what God had commanded and they professed they could do no more Deut. 4. Matth. 28. 3. Exod. 30. 1 Cor. 14.37 The Lord Christ condemned and opposed the Traditions of men both by Practise and Doctrine Matth. 15. 4. Our Saviour hath taken upon himself to Institute all holy Times Offices and Ordinances He is sufficiently wise and faithful we derogate from him in adding to his Institution 5. Kings themselves who are most independent and absolute have been corrected by God for taking upon them such a power 1 Chron. 13. 6. Circumstances which are natural means of Worship may be superstitiously abused by excess in using of them even remote means of Worship Quatenûs non expedit non licet as Canonical hours c. So far as any thing is excessively used in Gods Worship it grows unnatural and becomes an Image of mans invention We are to avoid appearances of Superstition as well as of other sins whether they are appearances in the opinion of men or in the nature of the things themselves in respect of their neer Neighborhood unto that which is evil Appearances of Superstition may be opposite to goodness when they are not contrary to truth Excessive use of remote circumstances in Worship whispers unto the weak that they are substantial means of Worship Invented means of Worship are unsuitable unto the nature of God who is a Spirit a Spirit hath no shadows to Christ who is not hid now in the vail of legal Ordinances to the great light of the Gospel the Word and the Church the shadows are longest when the Sun is lowest John 4. Phil. 3.3 we are called to Worship God in the Spirit It is a patching of that vail which