to God that their Offices are also distinct the Scriptures are so plaine they need no interpretation some rule some labour in the word and doctrine 5. Object But what Elders are those spoken of in those Scriptures are they lay Elders or Ecclesiasticall A. The word of God makes no such distinction I do not read in any place of Scripture of either Lay or Ecclesiastique but Elders they were endowed extraoadinarily with severall gifts some to labour in the word and doctrine although in that fence we take Lay viz. for Tradesmen I beleeve such for the most part if not all were the Elders in the Church of Christ in those times And therefore it is that the separate Churches rather question our Ecclesiastique Elders then the Lay to be of Divine Right On the otherside by reason our Churches have been governed by men devoted and set apart to the Ministery many think there ought to be no other but Ecclesiasticall I shall adhere with neither of them but say with all Reformed Churches that let men be gifted by God whether by ordinary or extraordinary means let them have a lawfull call to the function whether Lay or Ecclesiastique they are of Divine institution only we must not expect all to be alike qualified some gifted for the Ministery others for Discipline Order Government and others Church Administrations 6. Object What is the Office of a ruling Elder A. According to their severall titles in Scripture so is their Office and imployment they are called Governours Rulers Overseers Stewards Watchmen c. and their Office is 1. To govern and direct persons and things in the Church and therefore the Apostle reproves those that despise Government in that 2 Pet. 2.10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleannesse and dispise Government and indeed who are there dispise Government more then dissolute vain persons 1 Cor. 12.28 They are called Helps in Government viz. such as together with the Pastor govern the Church therefore 1 Tim. 5.17 Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour 2. As Stewards and Overseers they are to see the Lawes of their Masters house observed Luk. 1â— 41 1 Pet. 4.10 to whom they must give account and give each his portion 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of as as Stewards c. or dispensors vers 2. Moreover it s required of a Steward that he be found just and faithfull so also Heb 13.17 Obey them that have the oversight of you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with griefe for that is unprofitable for you 3. Their duty or office is to edifie the body of Christ viz. the Church and this is the end why the Lord gave severall gifts to those that had the Charge of the Church committed to them Ephes 4.12 So also 1 Cor. 14.12 4. They ought to keep the Doctrine Discipline and Ordinances of the Church from corruption the Church as much as in them lies from scandall 1 Cor. 11.2 Now I pray you brethren that you remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances as I deliver them to you The Apostle speaks here to those that had power in the Church and commends them for keeping the Ordinances and dispensations of the Church pure Again 1 Cor. 5.7 Purge out therefore the old leven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened 5. Their Office is to redresse abules in the Church ordering the affairs thereof decently as in the 1 Cor. 14.33 for God is not the Author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints implying all the Churches of the Saints are kept in good order vers 40. Let all things be done decently and in order 6. They are to end controversies and to make peace to help the weake to restore the penitent and to encorage every one in the wayes of peace and righteousnesse As in the 1 Cor. 6.5 I speak it to your shame is it so that there is not a wise man among you no not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren but a brother goeth to Law with a brother c. 1 Cor. 10.32 Give no offence neither to the Jew nor to the Gentile nor to the Church of God Philip. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlinesse of minde Let each esteem others better then himselfe It was the sin of the shepheards of Israel to neglect their duty Ezek. 34.4 the diseased have ye not strengthned neither have ye healed that which was sick neither have ye bound up that which was broken neither have ye brought again that which was driven away neither have ye sought that which was lost but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them And indeed this was the greatsin of our Episcopal Hyrarchy and of too too many of our idle shepherds under them the Lord reform it in succeding times 7. Their duty is to visite the sick especially when sent for and to pray for them and give comfort to them James 5.14 If any be sick among you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with oyle in the Name of the Lord and although this unction be now out of use yet with subjection I may say the Apostle intends that Prayer ought not to goe alone without applying lawfull means which indeed ought to be sanctifyed by the Word and Prayer 8. Their office is to admit such as are sit and to suspend the unworthy from the Sacrament of the Lords supper 1 Cor. 5.5 To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus vers 11. If any that is called a brother be a fornicator or covetuous or a drunkard or an Extortioner with such a one eat not vers 13. Therefore put away from you that wicked person 9. They ought to admit or dismisse Officers in the Church as occasion is offered and these joyntly Act. 6.6 And when they had prayed they laid their hands upon them c. verse 2. Look ye out seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this businesse So that by all that hath been said it sufficiently appears that Pastors Teachers and Elders their Titles Offices and Imployment in and about Church Administrations are of Divine Institution and that they had need to be Godly and discreet 7. Object But where I pray you will men be found fit for such weighty Imployments A. Indeed there are none sufficient for these things the best of men in all ages have been short of what they ought to be we cannot expect perfection in this life the most precious subject to manifold infirmities all may say with the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.16 Who is sufficient for these things Yet
would either have been found unfit upon tryall or if not hearty to the worke would have hindred the successe thereof 3. If but one third part of those chosen hold and who are upon tryall found fit being confirmed by them their authoritie is as binding as if five times their number had imbraced it and the fewer there are the more commendable is their resolution against difficulty and the lesse fear of dissention who also if they find the work too hard as opportunitie is offered may admit of additional assistance 4. The numerousnesse of the Presbytery is one of the blocks cast in the way of reformation therefore there is lesse need to stumble at their paucity if able to carry on the work Ob. 22. But is it meet all men should come before the Eldership to be examined before admittance me thinks they should go to the houses of some men of best rank and converse with them there Answ Vnlesse in case of sicknesse or the like it is very unfit For 1. It s exemplary giving occasion to others to expect the like and sets open a doore of chargeing the Eldership with partiallity and un-even dealing in distribution of Divine Ordinances 2. It must needs draw contempt both upon Governours and Government and Ordinances 3. It were an endlesse work and let men be never so high in the world yet if they ow not so much respect for the work sake to those whom God hath set over them in the Church as to come before them such men will never receive benefit by the Ordinance And if such a spirit predominate I am sure it s against the rule laid down by the Apostle 1 Tim. 5.17 Yea and derogates very much from the disposition of every one that are either fit for Church Communion or Heavenly intertainment Mark 10.15 Verily verily I say unto you whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child he shall not enter therein So also Matth. 18.4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the Kingdome of God David a King yet thought it his honour to be humble Psal 131.2 professing himself to be as a weaned child 4. Where the soul truly thirsts after Jesus Christ in the Ordinances it will easily step over this block hunger will break stone walls And although the Devil and wicked men indeavour to hedge up thy way to the Ordinances yet if thou spiritually hunger and thirst all these will be laid low every one that hath the knowledge of Jesus Christ hath learned to deny himself 5. Although the Eldership would willingly use all good means to win men by love and ready to deny themselves as it s their dutie for the avoyding of offence and the enlargement of the Church yet herein they should but please some and displease many more and bring such an endlesse task upon themselves as would take up much time and abundantly retard the work 6. It s not a work either commanded or commended to any particular Eldership by the Classical assembly how ever in some extraordinary cases something of this nature may be done left to the discretion of the particular Presbytery and who I doubt not but will condescend to any thing that may promote the work of God Ob. 23. But if men and women must both be examined it may fall out a man may be found unfit and his wife may be received sometime the man received and his wife unfit what a kind of confusion will this be doth not the Apostle Paul say The unbelieving woman is sanctified by the believing man and the unbelieving man by the believing woman 1 Cor. 7.14 A. The Apostle speaks there concerning the reason why unbelievers and believers might cohabit and continue in a conjugal estate of matrimony And is not so to be understood as that the wife can be saved by the husbands faith or the husband by the wives this were to crosse the doctrine of Scripture and the analogie of faith for every man must know and believe for himself The just shall live by his faith neither Abraham Noah Iob or Daniel could deliver any mans soul by their faith though never so nearly related The Apostle only signifies three that it was unlawfull to depart matrimonial society because both were not believers for that if the one did believe it gave their children right to external Christian Church priviledges and such Ordinances as they were capable of as Circumcision under the Law Baptisme in time of the Gospel not that the Parents can either adde or infuse Grace into their children for the dearest of Gods Saints may have children destitute of Grace and uncapable either of Church-fellowship or the least share in Jesus Christ neither is there the least hint of any thing in this Text of Sacramental Communion or of things pertaining to life and salvation for in such cases every man and woman must plead their own interest and either have particular and peculiar saving Grace or the nearest relation they have to the most Holy can do them no good He that believes shall be saved he that believeth on the Sonne hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him Iohn 3.16 And hence is it that in the great and general judgement men and women of nearest relations are separated Two shall be in the field the one taken and the other left two women grinding at the mill the one taken and the other left March 24.40 41. 2. As in the Kingdome of Heaven there is neither marrying Mark 12.16 nor giving in marriage but all are as the Angels so the Church of God on earth take no cognizance whether men be married or single wives or Virgins but he or she that 's capable of Church Communion ought to be admitted and must be visible Saints And although never so nearly related if not so ought to be shut out 3. Suppose a man upâ—â— examination be admitted and his wife respited for her incapacity a while till God shall enable her or suppose the wife be admitted and her husband for like reason suspended is it not better for that party found fit to be admitted and the party unfit to be debarred then either both to be admitted or both kept back or that either of them should deny themselves the benefit of the Ordinance For 1. It s agreeable to the Word of God and Ordinances of the Church and tends much to the comfort of the Communicant to be admitted if worthy and to admit the unworthy is contrary to all 2. What comfort can it be to thee while thou art participating the body and bloud of Jesus Christ if thy wife unworthily admitted not discerning the Lords Body be eating and drinking damnation to her self or contrariwise if thy wife be a worthy Communicant it will be the terror of her soul to see her husband hailing destruction upon himself by
the spirits of many the Arch Enemies of Church and Kingdom are not subdued yet their rage and mallice is so limited that although like the surging untamed waves they would again break out if not bounded and their power so broken that the mightiest Leviathans are now held by the Hooke of God That God hath also in this breath of time put into the heart of Parliament and Synod to settle a Government in the Church having laid a good foundation of Reformation of corruptions in and about the Ordinances Officers and Administrations thereof And for that the spirits of men are wonderfully averse to this so necessary a work that although it have cost so much time treasure and blood to bring to this maturitie yet glad they would be to bring religion to a very hotch-potch as appears by those many vain and needless scruples and Stumbling-blocks which Satan and such men are every day casting in to obstruct I have thought good as in duty every Christian is bound as much as in them lies to help the Lord against the mighty and that no man that truly desires satisfaction may misse of it I have endeavoured to enumerate all such objections as have any shadow of reason that the ignorant may be informed the wilfull convinced and the weak Christian satisfied that so the Church may be edified and God glorified And that I may not be tedious I shall without more adoe lay down these following Truths which by Gods grace I shall vindicate against all opposers That Reformation of corruptions in the Church of God is of absolute necessity although not to the being yet to the well being thereof and that as well in Discipline as Doctrine That the Government of the Church by Pastors Teachers and Elders is of Divine institution That although all men ought to hear the word yet neither the ignorant nor prophane ought to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper That self examination although a duty of absolute necessitie in every Communicant yet it s not all required And that Examination by the Eldership is both grounded upon Scripture and good reason For the First That Reformation of corruptions in the Church of God is of absolute necessitie c. is granted of all therefore needs no dispute only 1. Q. What is meant by Reformation A. The bringing of the Church and worship of God to as neer a conformitie to the minde and will of God and to the primative Institution as may be both by casting out corruptions and by supply of defects in and about the Ordinances Administrations Officers and Members thereof 2. Object Was not the government of the Church by Bishops c. according to the Word of God they were Protestants and we enjoyed far more peace in the Church then now men enjoyed then the Ordinances without interruption and doubtlesse many thousands went to heaven by Gods blessing upon means then in use A. I shall nor need now to spend time about that Argument of the Government by Bishops and their Substitutes abundance of satisfaction having by divers been given to that point True it is they were Protestant Bishops in point of Doctrine if we look upon the Doctrine of the Church generally owned but their standing was not of Divine Right both Parliament and Synod having long since condemned that Hyrarchy without doubt that Lordly Prelacy over Gods heritage being quite contrary to the word of God 1 Pet. 5.3 Neither being as Lords over Gods heritage but being examples to the flock It s true we enjoyed much Peace because the strong man kept possession none daring to question their proceedings though never so impious but when the Lord called them to account for their oppression and tyranny and that Satan saw his Kingdom begin to shake he mustered up all his servants to his support which hath made our times so troublesome And although many by Gods blessing upon means and Ordinances then in use were saved this we must attribute to the work of Gods spirit and to God owning his own Ordinances in the midst of much corruption This therefore makes not at all against casting out abuses crept into the Church neither can we expect so great a work as the turning of Church and State up-side down can be done without much combustion especially considering how most men are apt to be led by custom though never so corrupt and its a special mercy considering how many grand Enemies we have had to do withall that God hath put so timely a period to our old troubles I pray God our corrupt hearts and causelesse contentions provoke him not to punish us yet seven times more 3. Object But are there not some that create Churches to themselves what think ye of them A. I think if they deny our Congregations to be true Churches they are erronious and if they do not their separation the more unlawfull And I think as there is many gon from us because they were not of us so many are joyned to other assemblies because our Government was so long before setled being too impatient to wait Gods leisure Such men surely forgot the Israelites were forty years together without the Passeover all the while they were in the Journy to Canaan had they but well eyed the Church they might have seen it some years together in a wildernesse of distraction but still no way to Reformation and therefore ought rather to have waited till God had brought them into the desired Land then to turn their backs upon that work which fares the worse for their departure many thousands are gone that would had they continued have much added to the visible beauty of the Church who are justly to be blamed God and man looking for Reformation not Separation And it s no marvell God so much confounds their Language who will be building Babels to themselves For the Second That Pastors Teachers Elders c. 4. Object Can you make it dppear that the Government of the Church by Pastors Teachers Elders c. is of Divine Institution by the Word of God A. Yea By divers places of Scripture as 1 Tim. 4.14 the Apostle there saith neglect not the gift that is in you which was given with the laying on of the hands of the Tresbytery Again 1 Cor. 12. and God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secundarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healing helps in Government c. viz. men fitted with severall gifts suitable to the severall ages of the Church Again 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine Likewise 1 Pet. 5.1 The Elders that are among you I exhort who also am an Elder and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ So also Rom. 12.6 7 8. Having gifts differing c. by all which places its apparent That the government of the Church by Pastors Teachers Elders c. is according