stands in Doctrine exhortation and reproof c. to bring home the Scripture for the instruction of the Hearts and Minds of Men by exposition application catechism and defending the Truth against gain-sayers Phil. You give the whole Preaching Office unto the Pastor Christ It is in him and may ordinarily be performed by him providing his strength and ability can reach to it and other parts of his Office lye not too hard upon him or can be performed to the Churches full edification Phil. But what if it cannot be performed to the Church's full edification Christ Then it is requisite that a Coadjutor or assistant to him be chosen in this part of his Office to wit a Teacher or Teaching Elder who is to wait mostly on doctrinal expository and catechumenal teaching Phil. But this seems not a distinct Officer Christ Though he come into part of the Pastoral or Episcopal Office yet he becomes a distinct Officer for he comes in as a governing feeding Officer attending more particularly on the part of the Office to which he is appointed and chosen for he is to feed the Flock so far as the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer by the call of the Church for their necessary supply Neither doth his Office power curtalize at all the power of the Pastor only acting in conjunction with his Office is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opitulatio a help or assistance taking off part of the burthen from him and such Teachers were set in the Church 1 Cor. 12.28 and such an one is to wait on his teaching Rom. 12.7 Where teaching seems plainly to be specified as a distinct office-work in one called thereto as exhorting in him that is more especially called to exhortation And Teachers are plainly enough named in distinction from Pastors as Officers set by Christ in his Churches Eph. 4.11 12. For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry i. e. Officers for the filling up the ministerial office and edifying the body of Christ Therefore when this Officer is necessary for full edification of the Church in the work of the Ministry then he is to be added Phil. Is there no Officer appointed to take up as a help to the Pastor in ruling and governing the Church For where a Church is large the oversight of the flock in way of rule according to the order of the Gospel will require much labour diligence and wisdom Christ There are ruling Elders or Presbyters called to attend and wait upon that part of the Pastoral Office to take up with him and be helps in Governments I conceive they are to be understood by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12.28 which should not be rendred miracles but ruling Officers or Powers as the same word is rendred Rom. 8.38 Persons in Power the abstract put for the concrete and the gifts for the edifying of the Church first and last are specified under the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gifts graciously bestowed among which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gubernationes governing or ruling Gifts Phil. You make then a Ruling Elder a distinct Officer of the Church Christ I do not say that the Pastor or Teacher are not ruling Elders but that when one or both are not able to manage the ruling part for the sufficient edification of the Church there ought one or more to be called into that part of the Ministry and to attend thereto with Diligence And accordingly the Apostle Rom. 12.7 8 9. calls the whole Ministry of the Church Episcopal and Diaconal by the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Ministry and gives us an account of the several Offices to be attended to the Teacher that attends on Teaching the Exhorter that attends on Exhortation the Deacon that distributes with simplicity the ruling Elder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that presides in governing let him do it with Industry or Diligence Phil. But is there any Presbyter or Elder that is not teaching You seem to be for Lay-Elders Christ The distinction between Clergy and Laity comes from Rome we own it not in the sence it 's used by no means for the people are the Clergy in the sence of the Spirit of God The Apostle Peter shewing the Duty of Presbyters 1 Pet. 5.3 he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not Lording it as Lord-Bishops over Gods heritage 2. They are no more Laymen than the Pastor and Teacher yea I may affirm if they that are ordained Officers of Christ in the Church are made thereby the Clergy then all the Ministers even Deacons as well as Pastors for there 's but one kind of Ordination to all the Officers Presbyters and Deacons 3. We deny not Pastors and Teachers to be ruling Elders neither do we deny that a ruling Elder may speak and teach as occasion requires to the edification of the Church especially in matters that concern his Office in Publick or Private And therefore it 's one qualification requisite to all Presbyters or ruling Elders preaching or not that they be apt to teach 1 Tim. 3.2 and 2 Tim. 2.24 The Elder must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Bishop i. e. a ruling Elder or Presbyter must be apt to teach i. e. so far at least as to be able to give a Word of Exhortation as he is called thereto 4. But the Apostle doth speak very clearly in distributing the Elders into them whose ordinary and chief work is to labour in the Word and Doctrine And such whose more peculiar work is to attend Government though there never wants those that will endeavour to darken and baffle the expressions of Scripture that are clearest to common sence 1 Tim. 5.17 The Presbyters that rule well for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are Presiders or Presidents in rule and Government as all the Presbyters or Bishops are in the Church shall be worthy or let them be counted worthy of double honour i. e. by virtue of their Office and well management thereof Let such have greater honour than any aged person that is but an ordinary Brother for he had spoken before of our carriage to aged Brethren and Sisters But such as these we should esteem them for their work sake but especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine the Preaching Presbyters let them in an especial manner be honoured or esteemed Phil. How many ruling Elders ought there to be Christ Christ hath not limited Churches here but left them to walk by the rule of edification The Church may be such as that it may be fully edified by a Pastor or Teacher as the sole Presbyter And there may be little or no use of a distinct ruling Elder till the Church encrease to a greater bigness and when it is encreased the Church may choose one or more according as is judged necessary to it's edification Phil. What if the Church have not a man or men duly qualified for that Office Christ. They may pitch upon a Brother not in Office of
entrusted and authorized by the Lord Jesus Christ the Members are to obey and submit themselves unto them Heb. 13.17 Phil. You seem to give away all the power from the Officers to the People and make the Officers insignificant Christ I say the power is wholly in the People before there is Officers and when there is Officers they have not given away their power but retain it in conjunction with their Officers I mean as to the decisive power or key for letting in and out it is the Officers and Brethren Though the authoritative management of Church rule as to declaration of the mind of Christ the prudential ordering matters and presiding in all cases belongs to Officers The management of our civil rights in England is a great illustration in this case We chuse to be judged by our Peers in matters of Life and Estate as to matter of fact the Jury adjudges the decisive power is committed to them and the Judge doth but preside in the Court and see that all things be legally and orderly managed declares the mind of the Law unto the Jury and then delivers the Sentence of the Law as the Jury finds the fact So it is in Churches the Officers for rule have as much power in a Church according to the nature of that Constitution as a Judge or a Mayor hath that sits on the Bench to hear and determine civil concerns Phil. You have greatly satisfied me now that as our Constitution is the best in the World were it not abused for judging civil concerns so I believe such a Constitution of a Church must needs be the freest from exception For 1. A people cannot be offended at such a judgment as is passed by themselves for who would a Member of any Society be freer to be tryed by than his Peers And the Apostle blames the Corinthians for seeking a decision in doubtful cases of civil matters out of the Church 1 Cor. 6.2 2. And as for Church Officers I think the most judicious would not desire an absolute power in themselves to lye liable to the many censures of men and the odium that would be cast by reproachful Tongues upon their most righteous and upright proceedings Christ If the matters of the greatest concern in civil affairs as to Life and Estate be tryed by twelve honest neighbours of ordinary Morality scarce so much many times and all men usually acquiesce in it how much more ought we to be satisfied that all Ecclesiastical debates should come to decision as to matter of Fact by the judgment of so choice a community as a Church of Christ is or should be Phil. But ordinary Christians are to seek in many great and weighty matters of Faith Order and cannot determine where the Truth lies it is fitter for Divines to judge Christ I distinguish between matter of Fact and matter of Law The Churches decision is of matter of Fact as to matter of the Law or the mind and will of Christ it 's the Pastor or Elders place to inform them and if they are not satisfied therewith it may be carried as a case to advise upon with other Churches or Elders Phil. I have little farther to object against the principles of Order which you have laid down only one thing which is I confess of no great weight to me I have heard some Church-Members say they joyn to this or that Church only because of the present Pastor yea that they joyned to the Pastor only not to the Church and when the Pastor dieth they are at liberty to go whither they please Christ This proceeds from the Ignorance Corruption of many Members who are not or will not be rightly informed in the Principles which they would seem to profess This is so absurd a thing that the asserters thereof would be ashamed of it in civil Societies of such a Nature Doth any Man joyn himself to the Master or Wardens of the Company only or to the Company it self when he is made a Member Officers are changeable either by the fundamental Constitution of the Society or by Death and if this were so then all Churches were dissolved upon the Death of their Pastor Besides the terms of admission into Congregational Societies speaks plainly otherwise that they give up themselves to Christ and the Congregation put themselves under the Office watch and the watch of each Member are admitted by the common suffrage of the Church therefore such things as these are but some of the Wiles and Subterfuges of Satan which loose-spirited and Principled Members make use of for the shaking off the Yoak of Christ Phil. But when a case falls out to be determined by the decisive power of the Church after due debate as supposing the choosing of an Officer or in the Key of rule in admission or exclusion of a Member and the Fraternity or the Elders and Fraternity divide into a Major and Minor part what should the Minor do Christ It is by the known Laws of the Society to acquiesce in what is done by the major part as that which is the Churches act or else it 's not possible to maintain any Societies of that Nature yea they must fall Butif a particular Member or more will not acquiesce in the Churches Act as he is not fit to continue for the Peace and Order of the Church so he may peaceably depart at the same door he came in at to another Church by an express dismission Phil. What if he will not ask such a dismission but withdraw from Communion and reject it in a kind of defiance and continue incorrigible therein Christ Such an one ought to be dealt with in form and manner as in some scandalous sin of another nature for such an one is herein scandalous Besides he is incorrigible whereupon the Church is to proceed against him as such an one he appearing to others but a man of Belial which is an ungovernable person for so the Spirit speaks 2 Cor. 6.15 What fellowship hath Christ with Belial viz. a lawless person that is not fit for any Society especially of the Church he will not bear the yoke of Christs Government Chap. IV. Of Officers extraordinary Phil. I Desire you will now acquaint me what are the Offices and Ordinances which Christ hath Instituted in his Church Christ The Officers Instituted by Christ are Pastoral and Diaconal viz. Bishops and Deacons Phil. 1.1 Phil. Are not Presbyters and Bishops distinct Orders Our Church makes them so Christ Nay the Scripture make Presbyters and Bishops the same there 's no difference between them For a Bishop is but an Overseer of the Church so is every Presbyter or Elder see Acts 20.28 and there he is no more than an Elder to a Particular Congregation Phil. How comes it to pass that our Bishops are exalted so far above Presbyters in Office and Benefice Christ From the corruptions of the pretended Church and Ministry viz. through Ambition Covetousness and Human
Religion But where this hope is you usually see how ready men are to speak of the Grace of God to Friend and Neighbour why not to a Church or its Officers that may bring their Relation to the Church You see how naturally in our discourse but now you fell into this when I took but occasion to ask how you came so suddenly in love with the Lord Jesus Christ you gave me a very full account of the Grace of God towards your Soul Phil. Why is it no more than such a poor account as I gave you but now alas I could have said a great deal more concerning Gods wonderful gracious dealings with me but that I hasted to this discourse with you about Gospel Church and Order which I have long wished for I had thought your members must have prepared some set speech in such exact form and manner as some men can do But alas how many good honest Christians cannot express themselves but they can tell you in their plain way of speaking what they were Drunkards Lyars Scoffers Debauched Adulterers Blasphemers c. And one will say God cast me down under the sence of sin by awakening my Conscience by such a Word or such a Providence and I began to think how I was in hastning to eternal destruction he will tell of the great struglings he had with Satan the World and his Company to hold him fast in his sinful ways he will tell you what good tidings to him the Revelation of the Free Grace and Love of God to Sinners was And how thereby his Heart was drawn forth to Faith in his blood and obedience to all his commands he will tell you the Sermon and places of Scripture some at least of the most remarkable which were made most effectual for his Souls benefit and advantage If this be all you stand upon I think none that hath tasted that the Lord is gracious will make any scruple of it As for my own part I could be willing to make it my frequent discourse to any faithful Friend in Christ to declare to him what God hath done for my Soul and should look upon it as the best entertainment he could give me to hear the like from him And I know not why any one should question the doing it to a Church of Christ where so many faithful ones labour under the sence of their own sins and weaknesses as well as a mans self Christ I find bashfulness is a great hindrance to many in some especially Women it is from their Sex and the natural temper of many of both Sex there is no remedy for them but to pray against it and for Church Officers to deal with them in all Tenderness and Condescention supposing still that there is much of the Grace of God and sence of Sin in them which is not expressed by what shews it self Again others are ashamed some upon this account viz. to tell the World how wicked and vile they have been others afraid they shall be rejected and that would be a great disgrace to them As to the first sort I say Churches do not stand upon this that every one should particularize the individual Sin that he hath committed it may be some of an heinous and enormous nature it is enough that he specifies the sence of the greatness of the sins he lived in in General unless he finds it for the honour of God and the good of others to declare what a wicked wretch in this or that kind he hath been which the world and his acquaintance knows as well as he and in that respect it is necessary for the honour of God and Paul did so that great Apostle I was a Persecutor c. And how often doth he aggravate his sin and magnifie the rich Grace of God that called and saved him That great notorious sin of his known to all he declares often to the Churches and others Then as to the declaring our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in his great and precious Promises there is no reason any should be ashamed of it unless a man be ashamed the World should know he is willing to be saved and not eternally perish Rom. 10.10 11. The Apostle anticipates this Objection when he saith with the Heart man Believes and with the Tongue Confession i. e. of that Faith is made unto Salvation it immediately follows for the Scripture saith He that believeth on him shall not be ashamed i. e. To confess with his Mouth what he believeth in his Heart As for Confession of particular secret sins it is not expected by the Churches they have no such custom to require it but leave it to the wicked practice of the Romish Priests in Auricular Confession Phil. You have given very good satisfaction in this point for I have heard many that are not acquainted with the way of your Churches object this very strenuously as if your Ministers took upon them the practice of those Wicked Varlots who make Confession a stratagem to creep into acquaintance with mens secrets for their own advantage But I would have you answer the other objection that many are afraid they shall be rejected and I will tell you too many are loath to bewray their own ignorance and unacquaintedness with the things of God Christ As for such who fear they shall be rejected they are of two sorts 1. Such as are lifted up in themselves and put on Religion more for the applause of it than for the love of it these have not learned Christ for they know not how to deny themselves and therefore it 's better they stay off than offer themselves till their Hearts be enclined to love Christ and his commands more than the applause of men And these have usually one of these reasons for their fears first Either that they have lived in some known scandalous sins that they cannot give any sufficient grounds to others to believe they have thorowly repented of by a manifest Reformation and such had better forbear offering themselves till their Friends and Acquaintance observe some evident change in them Or it is by reason they fear as you say they shall bewray their Ignorance in the things of God if that be the reason it is much better for them to discover their Ignorance than to remain in it being the enquiries upon this account into mens Knowledge it is only in the great and weighty points of the Gospel without acquaintance with which a man cannot believe unto Salvation by Jesus Christ Besides what danger is there of publick disgrace If the way of the Churches be known no unprejudiced Christian can think there is any for if a man offer himself to joyn to a particular Congregation he goeth to the Pastor or Elder and acquaints him with his desire who will if he think there be reason first enquire of his knowledge in some great fundamental points wherein finding him grosly defective he gives him Information and desires him frequently