1.1 Act. 20.28 1 Tim. 5.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word is different but in the main the persons and office are the same 1. The first and Primary Governors are the Bishops of the Church these are the Episcopi and these the Presbyteri the Primary and proper Elders In the beginning called Apostles and because they continued not in their persons but their successors Apostolical men in the first age and Bishops in the succeeding ages of the Church These are they to whom St. Peter writes (n) 1 Pet. 5.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such Elders then were they as St. Peter himself was he was but a fellow-Elder such as they and no more then they in that part of his Aposolical office which was of standing and perpetual use in the Church their work as well as his was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (o) 1 Pet. 5.2 to oversee to Rule as Bishops over the flock and there the Apostle seems to make an evident distinction and imparity in the Evangelicall Ministry some (p) v. 2.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not so much in Age as in Office whose work was to feed and Govern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some (q) v. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by Analogy to the former verses I conceive may well be interpreted to be not young in Age or Novices in Christianity but Juniours in regard of Place and Office who were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be under or obey the Bishop in the Church so that clearly there must be in the Clergy both the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Praepositi The Bishops or by what other name so ever they may fitly be called for we stand not upon names but things and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Subditi or Subordinati the Subordinate Pastors Priests or Ministers call them as you please who in their places are to Govern and feed their peculiar flockes yet to be under and obey their Bishop The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then in the text in the first notion are as the learned Grotius in another place notes (x) Gro ' in Liv. 22.2 Qui in Ecclesia sublimiorem caeteris consecuti sunt gradum ut Apostoli post eos Episcopi 2. Next to these are the Particular Pastors of the several Congregations Presbyters and Particular These are also the standing officers in the Church though to be under the Bishop yet to Feed Govern and lead their flocks and their work is also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Scriptures evidence Both these in their places and stations must be included under the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the text These have their place by Divine and Apostolicall institution And 3. Besides these there are or may be many other particular officers which though they have not such a particular expresse Divine institution Pastors Others used by the prudence of Church yet the Wisdome of the Church hath found them requisite and at least Prudentially necessary for the assistance of these undoubted Pastors and for the convenience of the severall administrations which being established in an authority by the Law of the Church or Kingdom of which we are such as amongst us the Chancellor Archdeacon c. or other like officers in other Churches they must by us be reckoned among these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and accordingly are to be obeyed in their places 2. Having found the Officers The office of Governours we are next to enquire their Work and employment And the text will shew us several particular worth noting both 1. in their office and 2. in the object of it 1. In their Office we have these four things remarkable Four things considerable in the work and office viz. their Eminence Precedence Observance Governance 1. The first is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eminence They are over you a degree above viz. in relation to matters of the Church Eminence So are all Rulers over the Ruled it is so in the State (ſ) Num. 27.16 let the Lord set a man over the Congregation saith Moses it is so in the Church (t) Luk. 12.42 who is the wise steward whom the Lond shall make Ruler over his house though they are all servants to the Lord of all net are some in Eminency over the rest as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before mentioned Yea even the Deacons are said to have some degree of Eminency they purchase to them elves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a good degree unlesse this be rather to be understood that by their faithfull diligence in that lower they come to gain a higher degree in the Church But however this is clear in the Place of Governours there is an Eminence 1. Which must engage us inferiours to yeild that just Reverence that is due to our Superiors for their place sake Use Engaging 1. Reverence in inferiours And 2. For us my Brethren of the Clergy As we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our flocks 2. Exemplary piety in the Governors and so have a degree of Eminency in that regard above them so are we by this engaged to a care to preserve the dignity of our office and Ministry to walke worthy of our high calling not by the vain pomp of the world but an holy exact conversation walking so much the more watchfully and warily as much as we are above others in place so must it be our eare to be better in life For Ye know the maxime in Law In dignitate qui peccat peccat amplius thus was Elies sin aggravated by the eminence of his place (u) 1 Sam. 2.27.29 I Chese thy fathers house took thee to be my Priest Why spurn Ye at my sacrifices c. And ye know also Quo major dignitas eo major deformitas Sin in a Minister is like a Wenn not on the foot or hand but in the face or over the eyes Sedes Summa et vita ima are ill-matched And we certainly have more eyes upon us our faults are more conspicuous then any as a black spot upon a white robe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In a valley things may be hid and not seen untill we come upon them but ye (x) Mat. 5.13.14 if any are the light of the world a City set upon an hill cannot be hid Soli latere si licet Regi adde Episcopo Clero licet And besides all this We may be sure our faults will be more observed then all our abilities pains and good actions whatsoever The glory and brightnesse of the Sun passeth all the year little noted but one Eclipse calls the eyes of all to behold and observe it Thus the general holy example eminent preaching of Ministers may be seen but is little observed but every one is ready to take notice of the least aberration
last considerable in this office is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Governance Hierarchia A sacred jurisdiction they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be obeyed and submitted to I need not cite those many texts (e) Rom. 8.12 1 Thes 5.12 1 Tim. 5.17 Et passim wherein they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 words of Rule and Authority There is a Governance in the Venerable Bishops who are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have the rule and oversight as of the flock so of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Clergy also as the Antithesis in St. Peter must infer (f) 1 Pet. 5.2 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Government which is not Despotical or Magisterial for the benefit of themselves not Lordlike or Domineering no they claime it not they exercise it not but Paternal and Pastoral for the benefit of the Church and salvation of souls not as (g) Jam. 3.1 Lords or Masters over them but as Pastors Brethren Fathers over the several Presbyters and people Under these The Presbyters also though subordinate to the Bishops as Subjects shall I say nay rather as Sons or Brethren in subordination to obey them as Fathers yet to Govern their respective flocks not Commanding with Dominion but Feeding Teaching so Ruling (h) 1 Cor. 16.14 with Charity and all possible (i) 2 Tim. 2.24 25. Meeknesse and Gentlenesse with all (k) 2 Tim. 4.2 Long-suffering and patience and yet with an holy (l) Tit. 2 15. Authority also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Now though we consider the Bishop as Distinct from because in this point of Government superiour to other Presbyters yet the happinesse of a Church very much consisteth in the sweet harmony and consent between these two the one Ruling as a Father the other obeying as sons and Brethren and yet Both together exerciseing a Government in the Church A Reverend Episcopacy praesiding assisted with a pious subordinate Presbytery which the scriptures Warrant the lawes of our Church establish nor do any that I know claime any other Authorty I shall not divide them but only consider where this Government which they thus exercise doth consist viz. Chiefely in these four things 1. Admonition this is one of their works they labour This excercised 1. In Admonition and are over (m) 1 Thes 5.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and admonish it is an Apostolicall charge If any obey not [n] 2 Thes 3.10 Mark such a man yet count him not presently an enemie but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Admonish him as a brother And there must proceed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (o) Tit. 3.10 One and another Admonition before there be a passing to severer Censures Such mild and meek ways being first to be used as Chirurgeons are not to use Corrasives or Causticks where gentler Remedies will serve the turn The first work is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (p) Gal. 6.1 gently and tenderly To bind up the broken joint and restore the dislocated member but if this Admonition prevails not then must be added 2. Sharpe Reprehension 2. Rebuke When gentle Plaisters do no good Causticks and sharper Remedies must be applied (q) Gal. 6.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if any be overtaken or surprised use him in such a case with all possible lenity but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if a man overtake sin there must be another course (r) Jud. 22 23. Use some tenderly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all compassion distinguishing between sinners but others save 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pluck them out by an holy severity that they may be afraid to sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (ſ) Tit. 1.13 Rebuke them sharply or cuttingly in love to their souls that they may be saved And if such Rebukes prevail not the Church must put forth her power in 3. Ecclesiastical Censures (t) 1 Tim. 5.20 When men sin openly 3. Censures rebuke them before all that others may fear When there is an open Scandal there must be a publick Censure (u) 2 Thes 3.14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Note that man set a brand upon him that he may be brought to shame When Private Rebukes avail not a publick Censure must succeed and if this prevails not it makes way for 4. The last Cutting off 4. Excision or Excommunication or Casting out of the Church by Excommunication This is the highest Censure and the last which the Church must or can use and that but in the highest Cases Men cut not off a limb for a light spot or little irregularity nor should the Church cast out and excommunicate for trivial offences Nor do they cut off a member when it may be otherwise cured but when gangrened or there is no hope when apparent danger Ne pars sincera trahatur so in the Church would any means else reform a soul it would be high uncharitableness to cut him off Were I worthy to advice our Venerable Fathers who sit at the Stern I should make it mine earnest Request for the Church that no Court might pass this Censure but upon very great cause when this sin is notoriously scandalous to deserve it and there is no means else to reform it and with the greatest regret and sorrow for the sinner as we would mourn for the death of a Brother or be afflicted at the cutting off a limb from our bodies When upon every light occasion the Church shall proceed to Abscission it will make her Courts ridiculous her Censures scorned and the enemies of the Church to slight that which if well managed would fill them with shame and horror and awaken them to seek her peace But when the Scandal is notorious and it is so not only when the sin is highly enormous at the first but when it growes to it by degrees The sin may be light in the beginning and the offence small at first yet when men shall either persist notwithstanding all fair means to reform them or shall despise the power of the Church and to their first offence add a proud presumptuous Contumacy against the Laws of the Church this now growes highly scandalous which before might have been passed over with a light hand when I say the Scandal is thus notorious whether from the nature of the crime or by a superadded Contumacy the Church is offended when it is matter of ill example and danger to others when all means of Admonition Rebuke and other Censures are used and none do good but the sinner remains incorrigible then let him be Cast out for the humbling of himself and cleansing the Church If one and a second warning will not reclaim an Heretick then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (x) Tit. 3.10 Cast him out if there be an Incestuous Corinthian and he continue so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (y) 1 Cor. 5. ult Cut off vix By Excommunication That wicked person from among you Even nature teacheth this in the
that they may have something wherewith to put off our rebukes or by our example encourage and sooth up themselves in their sins or take occasion to blaspheme or reproach our function As therefore we are in place of Eminence so let it be our care to maintain the honour of our place by an holy and blamelesse conversation 2 The next considerable in this office is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Precedence to go before Precedence and to lead the flock for this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is vox castrensis but used of Publick persons whether in the Camp City or Church and this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye know answer to the Heb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dux Praesul Antistes As the Prince hath Precedence in Civil things the Captain in Military So the Priest in Sacred The Bishop as Leivetennat General under Christ who alone is (y) Heb. 12.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Cheif-Captain and the Presbyters as inferior Captains and subordinate leaders who are to set themselves in the Front or Fore-ward of their several Charges and manfully marching before the Church encouraging all to follow with like valour diligence in the Christian Warfare against the World the Flesh and the Devill We have also in the Scripture another Metaphor much to the same purpose (z) Num. 27.16.11 let the Lord of the spirits saith Moses set a man over the Congregation that he may go out before them and come in before them to lead them out and to bring them in that they may not be as sheep having no sheephard alluding to the Custome of those Eastern Countries not as with us to drive the sheep but to go before and lead them to which custome also our Saviour alludes (a) 1 John 10.8 the sheep hearing knowing the voyce of their own sheepheard do follow him Thus Rulers are Leaders it is so in (b) Isa 3.12 Political it is so in Ecclesiasticals Prophets Bishops Priests are such Leaders Pastors Guides as the Scriptures in many places shew Which Precedence is not so much in Civill respects (c) Mat. 28.6.7 taking the upper hand c. as a going before others in a way of Doctrin Direction Circumspect Walking and the example of an holy life this is the only way to vindicate both our persons and Ministry from contempt and to gain a Credit and a Repute to both by being (d) 1 Tim. 4.12 examples in Word in Conversation in Charity in Spirit in Faith and Purity (e) Tit. 2.7 Paterns of good VVorks (f) 1 Pet. 5.3 not as Domineerings Lords for it is not the Title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the abuse of power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is there condemned but as ensamples to the flock This Precedence now must teach us a double duty 1. Diligence in study to know the way Vse Engaging workes and will of God To get our own eyes enlightned and to keep them open Our selves must first learn and be sufficiently furnished with a stock of divine knowledge Diligence in study ere we can teach and instruct others It is sad with the Church when men will undertake to be teachers who themselves have not learned the mysteries of faith and principles of this Doctrin of God prius effundere quam infundi volunt If we undertake to be guides be sure first that we see well (g) Mat. 15.14 if the blind lead the blind ye know the danger of both Let us not then be strangers to our studies but be earnest by Study Meditation and Prayer to gaine an higher measure of knowledge a deeper and farther insight into the mysteries of the Gospell Those who are to teach others should know more then others we must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (h) 2 Tim. 2.24 apt and ready to teach that is our office then we must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learned that we may be able to perform it (i) 1 Tim. 4.13 give attendance first to Reading then to Exhortation and Doctrine 2. Holines of life Holinesse of life if we are Guides we must take the more care that we go not out of the way least by our miscarriage we draw others into perdition True it is our examples are no Rule for others to follow in evill courses Si bene dixerimus vestrum est si male vixerimus nostrum est Aug. nor will it be a plea for any to justifie sin here Christs rule must hold (k) Mat. 23.3 do as they say but do not after their evill works Yet when men are so prone exemplo vivere especially by the examples of their Leaders who as Seneca observes plus exemplo quam peccato nocent there cannot but be by our evill examples too great occasion of sin to the flock And it will be a sad account that we shall make when God shall say (l) Isa 3.12 Qui ducunt te seducuut te and it shall appear that we not onely fall our selves but like the Devill or first falling Angel to which there seemes to be an allusion in the (m) Rev. 12.3 Apocalypse draw thousands also down after us Are we Guides then it must be our care that we turn not to the right hand or to the left but (n) Prov. 4. last keep our feet from evill We must be examples in faith Charity Purity c. If examples then must we strive to be the best and most perfect in a more refined life and higher purity of Conversation As we are by our places brought nearer to God so in our lives should we strive to be more like unto God Excellent is that passage of that holy (o) Greg. Nazia in Apologet. Gregorie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VVhen we are entrusted with this place and office by God it is not enough that we are not wicked for this is to be abhorred in the lowest of the people but it must be our endeavour to be more above them in piety and goodnesse then we are in place and office to account it nothing that we excell them in dignity but to account it our shame and losse if we in all things answer not that honor place and employment to which we are called we must not think 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same measure fits every person there is not the same age or strength of all nor the same nature of every Creature nor the same quality of every Earth nor the same beauty and lustre of every star c. It is the sin of private and the meanest Christians to do that which is evill but of the Minister Guide and Leader in the Church it is required 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be the best and to preceed still and proceed in that which is good 3. The next remarkable in this office is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Observance or according to the word in the text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 VVatching or