THE SMOAK OF THE Temple Cleared through the LIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURE By the unworthiest of al the Ministers of Christ Jo. Brayne JAMES 4.5 Do ye think the Scripture saith in vain the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth enviously CHAP. 1.21 Wherefore lay aside all filthiness and superfluitie of naughtiness and receive with meekness the ingraffed word which is able to save your souls LONDON Printed for Thomas Vere at the upper end of the Old Bayley MDCXLVIII The Epistle Dedicatory TO the Saints of God in all the world especially the Godly Magistrates and Ministers of this Land and the Kingdom of Scotland To you do I earnestly desire of God grace and Peace may be dayly multiplyed beseeching each of you in your severall places to have especially care of preserving the peace of the people of God knowing how easie a matter it is to occasion a War Religion being made the ground thereof How were the Heathens stirred up to fight for their Idol-gods how did Papists fight for Popery And it s not long since we had a War for Episcopacie the Lord grant our War end not in a War for Presbyterie or Independencie I have written this ensuing Tract without leaning to any partee desiring a friendly acceptation of al desiring if possibly to have here by the truth discovered which is onely able to unite us in Iudgement and make us one which War can never do but rather bring us all to nothing and remember Christ dyed to prevent the death and destruction of Saints and God is stiled the preserver of men whom we ought in this to imitate let us lay aside all affectedness to any way of our own and diligently search after truth though never so much contrary to our selves our way and practise submitting to the way of God in the Scriptures as that onely is to be walked in though never so difficult to be erected in which onely is peace and Righteousness to be found and if there be any thing contained in the ensuing Tract that may farther the ends proposed in the Church of God I shall greatly rejoyce for which I shal earnestly seek the Lord night and day as in duty I am bound to do and rest A most unworthy servant yet glad to do any service in the Church for Jesus sake and the Gospel J. Brayne To the Reader BEloved Friend the desire of the Saints Peace and Love to the truth especially moved me to write of that Subject that follows which as Johns Doctrine seems to be new to the world which I suppose on tryall thou wilt finde to be that truth which was from the beginning which though not so cleer at present yet by this God may be pleased to raise up some more learned godly and Judicious man to write more fully and cleerly of the Comfort and consolation of all Saints I desire thee not to carp at the imperfectness of the Coppie it is very rude and indigested having other affaires I could not attend the reading of the Copy after written being written in much haste nor was there any at the presse able to correct the faults committed in the writing most of which shall be in some kind amended in the Errata thus desiring thy favour thy increase of grace and knowledge with thy prayer for me and the whole Church of God I rest Thy Friend and Servant in the Gospel of Christ to do thee all service alwayes J. Brayne The Principall things Contained in the ensuing Treatise are 1 THat there is a Church Ministry pertaining thereunto onely 2. This Ministry consists of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers 3. Three of these onely are to be a continuing standing Ministry in the Church to the end of the World 4. There is a Ministry which is to be officiated out of the Church and prepares for the Church Ministry 5. This is proved by the practise of the Church of Corinth by the Epistles written to Rome Galatia Ephesus Colosse 6. By the Church at Jerusalem which was the mother Church and pattern of Churches the rest for the most part being imperfect and as the Apostle saith wanting things to be put in Order 7. Of the compleat Government left by Christ to be exercised in the Church representing Monarchy which Bishops took up Aristocracie which Presbyterians took up Democracie which Independents took up 8. The opening of severall Scriptures as the Parables of the Tares and of the Fish usually applyed to maintain mixt Congregations which rightly applyed make much against them and that of Acts 15. usually brought to prove and maintain the Dependency of Churches 9. That there is to be a combination of teaching and Ruling Elders but these to consist onely of the Evangelist Pastor and Teacher with their other helps in Government 10. That these onely are sufficient for the whole work of the Church-Ministry the edifying of the body and the perfecting of the Saints is proved 11. This is illustrated by the Vision of Ezechiel concerning the Temple which is not yet fulfilled but now neer to be erected in a spirituall way 12. Something is spoken concerning the places of administrating the publick administrations in the distinct societies of the Saints as spoken of in the Gospel ERRATA PAge 2. line 2. subjecting one P. 3. l. 21. officiated P. 5. l. 3. for these r. their ministry P. 6. l. 2. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 8. l. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 9. l. 10. I shal leave l. 30. immediate P. 10. l. 6. private P. 12. l. 1. as Evangelist P. 19. l. 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 6. the manner P. 22. l. 14. how they ought to be diversly P. 23. l. 24. and in P. 25. l. 13. the work l 27. but pulled l. 37. three admininistrations P. 28 l 6. baptism l. 14. Apostle l 29 though he P 32 l 2 if he l 14 thy ministry P 33 l 7 publike is to be left out l 33 are not exercised P 35 l 8 by all means P 36 l 36 priority P 37 l 15 many scores P 41 l 9 a threefold cord P 43 l 35 confirm as some say P 44 l 8 rent l 37 on Christ as on P 46 l 16 things which may be done successively may easily be granted P 47 l 3 of and in are not to be read THE Smoak of the Temple EXPEL'D By the Light of the Scriptures GOD above all blessings blessed the World in the Gospel to which was added the Ministry of it the exercise whereof the chief Founder of the Gentile Churches hath written unto us Eph. 3.9 saying That to him grace was given to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which hath been hid in God from the beginning of the world In which are intimated 1. That the fellowship of the mystery was a hidden thing and not the mystery only which is the Salvation it self but the means of
is properly applyed to places of office and trust 4. In Vers 7. the Apostle saith The Spirits manifestation is given to every man to profit withall shewing that the Church by the help of the Spirit had the benefit of all these gifts in the several Administrations of the Gospel 4. To these several Churches add the course of our Saviour who gave us an example herein Mark 6.7 When he did send forth his Disciples he sends them forth two by two to preach the Gospel which proves the work of the Ministry not to be a single work Object Christ sends forth two only you say there should be three Resp. 1. None was fit to officiate the Evangelists while that Christ was alive and this he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I remember not that ever the Apostles during Christs being on earth were ever said to Evangelize Christ was that to them they are now to us they teaching what they received from him as we teach what we received from them 2. The time of gathering Churches was not yet come they during Christs being on earth said only as John The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand 3. They were but to prepare for the Kingdom until upon the Lords Ascension they should have sent down on them the Spirit of grace to inable them thereunto 4. The compleat Church was not to be until the world or time to come so called among the Jews which was that time which was to succeed Moses Ministry and therefore as the Church was not to be compleat so was not the Ministry And here I cannot pass by the common acceptation of the word Church it was gross when only taken for the places of Assembly and indeed it is but little better as taken for our mixt assemblies Again others they prove their Church to be a true Church from the right Administration of Sacraments and true preaching of the Word but where or in what society this is done as yet I am altogether ignorant of But that the Scripture holds out is clear 1. Three distinct persons to be teachers in the Church 2. Distinguished by distinct Appellations as Evangelist Pastors and Teacher 3. Qualified with differing gifts 4. Have several Administrations committed to them to exercise their gifts in 5. That all these are but one compleat Ministry belonging to one Church only Question is How all these can be exercised in one Church Resol The Church of the Jews being the Mother Church and above all most excellently constituted I shall propose that for a further example to clear up this mystery to help us whereunto it is necessary we make use of those words in Galat. 2.9 where it is agreed amongst the Apostles that James Cephas and John be Ministers to the Jews set out by the Circumcision and Paul and Baritabas for the Gentiles James is here placed for Evangelist Peter for Pastor John for the Teacher of the Jews Church James who was the Evangelist whose work it was to lay the foundation of the Church among the Jews as Paul among the Gentiles writes his Epistles to such as were without the Church to prepare for it in the first place 1. As appears by the word Synagogue where the Gospel was not preached but as to a mixt multitude as appears in all the teachings of the Apostles mentioned in the Acts and is spoken of in Scripture in opposition to Church-society Acts 13.43 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Congregation be dismissed 2. As by the nature of the doctrine appears he calls upon some to wash their hands and cleanse their hearts to put away outward and inward corruptions with which they were defiled In the 5. Chap. he threats wo against them for oppressing the laborers James 5.19 20. he writes to unconverted persons 3. As appears by the dedicating his Epistie he writes it not to any by the name of a Church as men called out of the world in communion with Christ not to such as were Saints nor to such as were called of God nor to those that were apprehended to pertain to Gods Election only he adds the word Brother to it a word of common relation when used singly and without other expression thereto Que. Why James had not rather written as an Evangelist to his own Charge 1. This was part of his own Ministry he being to begin the work among the Jews as well as to perfect and to this I conceive our Saviour may allude when he saith That he that would be greatest should be their servant which in this work he did as it were serve in his Ministry to the Doctor and Pastor though after they did again as it were serve to him in the other part of his Ministry The second part of Ministry that attended next the preparatory Ministry was that of the Doctor for though the Apostle in descending begins with the Apostles the most eminent in the Church and ends with the lowest so if we ascend we must begin at the lowest and end in the chiefest and this was Johns work 1. How clearly this appears in the Epistle from the difference of the matter and maner of teaching of that that is written in the Epistle of James That the one was of the Church Ministry the other to mixt Societies this of Johns is full of sweetness the other of terror to one he tells them You are beloved you are sanctified you are called the sons of God you have passed from death to life James cals those he writes unto Adulterers and Adulteresses and tells them their tongues are set on fire of hell 2. How clearly it appears that John was Doctor or Teacher of the babes in the Church of Jerusalem is evident 1. In that he directs it to the little children 1 John 2.1 and these he names before either fathers or young men 2. He calls them My little children he doth not appropriate any such interest to himself either in the young men when he speaks of them or the fathers 3. 1 Iohn 2.18 19. He comforts the whole Congregation of children against the apostacy of some saying They went out from us mark the emphasis of the expression in the Apostles stile joyning him to the society of the Infants 4. The whole doctrine is doctrine for babes speaking of the new birth of passing from death to life of being anointed and being called the sons of God and many other signs only to set forth and to discover the state of regeneracy from unregeneracy The third part of Ministry or second of the Church-Ministry and that is the Pastors office and this was done by Peter Now that his Ministry was to the young men which Iohn had before mentioned in his Epistle appears from his second Epistle which it is like was written to his particular charge in Ierusalem he being as it should seem by the postscript absent from thence 2. In the Introduction he calls them Elect and looks on them as such as had received like precious faith which in
us and the greatest Reformation that ever was made in Ecclesiastical things is to be made we being all as yet without Church and Church-Ministry and yet also confident of their way judgment as that theywil fight to uphold it and dye for it O what comfort will proceed from hence to us Let us first know the truth and then stand and strive together for it Quest Whether these differing Administrations differ not in degrees Resp. Yea more is required in the Ministry of the Apostle and Prophet then in the Evangelist more in the Pastor then in the Teacher so the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.5 There are differing Administrations First The Administration is according to those to whom it is administred unto Now the Doctors administred to babes only the Evangelists to men the Apostles to Evangelists Christ to the Apostles thus John writ to his children young men and fathers Secondly The Church of God is called the house of God and a great house in the Scripture n which are infants young men fathers and yet all but one Family so these divided Congregations make but one Church Consider but the Agreement of these 1. In their number an Evangelist Pastor Teacher for men young men and babes 2. In the constitution one Ministry one Church all three one both in the Ministry and in those that are to be ministred unto it is but to perfect the same man 3. The Constitutors only are differed in their gifts by a majus and a minus so the constituted are the same only differenced by the degrees of stature and perfection that is obtained under the dispensations of the Ministry 4. The ones Ministry ends in the other the Doctors in the Pastors the Pastors in the Evangelists to those it is ministred unto the childhood is swallowed up in youth the youth in manhood as the lesser is swallowed up in the greater light David Evangelically spake hereof Psal 84.7 They shall go from strength to strength until they appear perfect before God in Sion The Apostle alludes here to the Gospel state as in 1 Pet. 1.12 They did minister these things to us not to themselves that are reported to us they not having the grace we have in the fellowship of the Gospel under their Mosaical Ministry the words in the Original seem more fully and clearly to aim at such a thing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which as in the ordinary marginal notes is read they shal go from company to company and so Kerkeras of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saepissime collective pro cietu usurpatur oft times the word is used collectively for accompany Again a Gospel testimony seems to be of this thing in 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory as of the Lord the Spirit 1. Generally the Apostle shews the work is the Spirits that is here spoken of 2. The first part of it is an unvailing the face which must be done and is done in all which is the first degree of grace having in it the discovery of Jesus Christ 3. Upon this discovery he is by sanctification of the Spirit said to be changed in his life and in himself to a glorious estate 4. This glory hath yet another change to glory that is to a greater measure of sanctification and grace Some understand these words from glory to glory to have respect to grace here and glory hereafter but the words before make it plain that here is understood none else but the work of the Gospel-Ministry officiated in the Church by the appointment of Christ 2. If we look on the words themselves they prove as much unto us for this is to be done by looking on Christ in the word as in a glass a clear distinction used by the Apostle to distinguish the estate of Saints here and that in heaven hereafter 1 Cor. 13.12 Now we see darkly through a glass then face to face hear now and then distinguish the times present and that to come the glass and the face distinguish the manner of the discovery of God here and that which is to be hereafter The Lord speaks not of the first change because in that the soul is not come to be made like to the Lord nor to have put on his glory but when he is come to be made like Christ and put on his image then he is said to be carryed from glory to glory which shews that the work of the Ministry is to be a work which worketh these things by degrees in the Saints and shew forth to us the footsteps of God having on it the image and superscription of God commending to us his wisdom and prudence who far herein exceeds the principles of humane policy and wisdom To this also sweetly agreeth the charge of Christ to Peter John ult 15.16.17 in which Christ commands Peter to feed his lambs his sheep his sheep There are in these words of Christ closely and mysteriously meant three sorts persons though but two at first seem to be only named lambs and sheep but he manner of feeding them clearly distiugnisheth them First The Lord saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feed my lambs Secondly The other two are indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sheep which seems to make them the same but not without some eminent cause the Lord hath clearly distinguished them so as that they may be and are to be understood of two sorts and this distinction is not in themselves but the feeding them First He gives the younger sheep the name of the elder and makes them one with them in that Secondly in their feeding distinguishing them signified to Peter that in the Ministry there was to be exercised a differing administration even unto sheep and sheep and not to be taught the same doctrines this appears to the first sheep it is said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word here for feeding is the same before for the feeding of the lambs though they are sheep Now of the other sheep which were sheep indeed he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these are sheep and fed as sheep the others are sheep and fed as lambs and may be considered as of a differing growth nor lambs nor sheep but between both Object Peter grieved it is said to hear Christ speak thus three times to him he understood no such thing and therefore sure there is no such thing intended in the word Resp Many things were hid as yet from the Disciples and likely this not any Churches being as yet gathered nor had they yet instruction to gather them Acts 1.30 Christ was with his Disciples 40 days instructing them in the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God which were especially doubtless concerning the way God would have taken in the Church for the edification of it Secondly Nor were the gifts given thereunto until after Christs Resurrection as appears by the words of the Apostle
the Church lay the foundation of the Church in which he served to the rest of the ministry preparing for them in this as they prepared for him after the greatest office is for service in the Church in which to place any is the worke of the Lord Jesus Christ who tryeth the spirits and knoweth the gifts of all better then they that have them and from whom they have them The last office we are to speake of is the Pastors distinguisht in the Gospell 1 His ministry is contained in those parts of Scripture in which the Saints are stirred up to duty 2 In those that invite to perfection 3 In those that exercise the Saints Iudgment in the knowledge of the word and the work of righteousnesse hence is he called the exhorter and doctrine exhortation Noting unto us what Judgement wisdome experience and Understanding is required to be in the man that officiats this part of ministry in the Church Heb. 5.12 All their Doctrine is spoken of together distinctly 1 milke for babes 2. Ver. 13. the skilfulnesse in the word of Righteousnesse was for the young man in which he differs from the babe and the Apostle shews it that he that useth milk is unskilfull in the word of Righteousnesse this is for the Pastor 3. Ver. 14. the Apostle saith concerning the growne Christians he should have strong meat Now I come to shew how all these Ministers are but one compleat ministry in the Church of God 1 They preach the same Gospell doing the same work 2 It s the same faith in the beleever as a child and a strong-man onely it is to be perfected in him by degrees according to that way God hath ordained in his word therefore 3 They are all for the same end which is for edification of the whole body 4 They respect the same persons only consisting in government Liberty peace and purity Heb. 13.17 submit your selves to your leaders that is meant of the ministring officers mentioned before and not governing Elders as appears from verse 7. which words will hardly be applyed rightly to the Episcopall Presbyterian or Independent way they having but one Minister in a Church as they call it here are many and in their relation so they are said to be joyned to the flock as no Pastor can be more neerly joyned 1 They watch for their souls 2 They must give an account for them Now I suppose under these two words are comprehended the whole of the ministerial duty together with that in ver 7. where it is said that they have spoken to them the word of God here is both ministry and government but no government is here allowed to any other but those that ministed nor subjection required of the Church to any other which proves that the Church ministery was not a single ministry nor were they governed by an externall power Now where any of these are wanting in a Church 1 There is a deficiency in officers 2 Thence a deficiency in the office 3 Thence a deficiency in the end for which this office was ordained in the Church which is the edifying of the Church and constituting of it 4 A deficiency in the Church it self 1 Where the Church ministry and ordinances are exercised there cannot properly be said to be a Church visible nor can I conceive but that as yet the Church remaines hid in respect of outward government and order to the world and hath not put on its ornaments as yet 2 I commend it to all my brethren the Ministers to judge whether our ministry as now exercised be any other then that which is without the Church and prepares onely for a Church ministry 3 I doe not say but a Church constitution may be without any other ministry then the teachers until that men are become capable of the other parts of ministry when that is come to passe the Church ought not to continue in its deficiency but by all men to have Gods ordinances exalted among them Again not only people Ministers and ordinary ministry in some kinde resembling the Trinity and are three and yet but one but we shall see the whole Scripture is divided among five two for the giving the other ordinary three for the exercise of the word 2 Tim 3.16 17. 1 All Scripture is given by divine inspiration here the Apostles and Prophets worke is set forth 2 The use of it is for the Doctrine which is the Doctors part for a babe in Christ 3 For instruction to righteousnesse this is proper to the ministry of the Pastor in the Congregation of the young-men 4 That the man of God may be perfect this is proper to the Evangelists office 1 That the whole Scriptures are imployed by this ministry 2 That by these they are rightly exercised for Edification 3 That there is nothing wanting in the Scripture to exercise them is a most strong and undenyable ground that this is the Scripture ministry and that ministry that hath more officers or lesse then this is not the true Scripture or Church ministry and this will more clearly appear if you consider 1 That this ministry is bounded and directed in the Gospell which other ministry is not by and in the word which proves it Evangelicall 1 The Doctrine for the teacher which is the ground worke 2 Exhortation to the Pastor which succeeds rightly Dotrine 3. Evangelicall peace to the evangelized christian man 2. Their ministry is bounded in respect of the people to whom it is to be ministred 1. Doctrine is not for all but babes onely 2. Exhortation for young men onely And 3. Evangelicall ministry for the perfect men onely 3. Their ministry is bounded for the place of it which is the Church of God these offices are not to be at all exercised but in the Church The Apostle in 1 Cor. 4.1 saith Let a man account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteryes of God Note here the combination implyed in the word us us ministers us stewards 1. Shewing in the ministry is to be more then one 2. That as they are ministers so they are stewards also 3. Of what they are ministers they are also stewards the doctor is minister and steward of the doctrinall part of Scriture the Evangelist of the evangelicall part From hence I desire it may be conscienciously considered of 1. Whether any Sacraments be to be administred untill we are in a Church-way 2. To whose ministry and stewardship they do belong 3. Whether the doctrine of baptisme belonging to the doctor baptism belong not to him alone of which he is both minister and steward 4. The ministry of the sacrament of the Lords Supper to whose stewardship that pertains in the Church 5. Whether any of these may be exercised ordinarily in the Church by any but those to whom they are of God recommended in particular 6. Whether the Apostle did not aim at this in saying the Lord hath not sent me to
speak a word more of this Scripture which is that Christ did herein at least confirm the dependency of Church upon Church now from the then dependency which was in the then Jewish administrations to which Christ alludes 1. The ministry of Christ was evangelicall Mark 1.14 Christ is said to preach the Gospel of the kingdom 2 This being part of his ministry proves that Christ had respect herein to the Gospel administration 3 Christ intended this onely without mixture or relation to the other Matth. 9.16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth to an old garment Mark it well there is not a piece to be put to it for that which is to fill it up will make the ren the worse see then what it is to patch old with new or new with old it is cleer Christ used it not in his ministry Obj. Matth. 13.52 Every wise Scribe bringeth forth of his treasury new things and old that is Law and Gospel Resp It is true but then he distinguisheth them in that they come to be cleerly discerned as in the Parables of the tares and fish follow to be spoken of The last generall that wee now come to speak of for further discovery of the exercise of these severall administrations in the church may be for that it is implyed in the Scripture of church-meetings though one intire church yet usually not to be assembled in one place 1 Cor. 14.23 If therefore the whole Church meet together in one place The conditionall expression sheweth they usually met not in one place it would have been confused for all the severall Ministers to have taught their severall doctrines at the same time in the same place the Apostle doth adjudge it so saying One had a doctrine another a Psalm which he saith ought not to be And this was in their generall meetings 2. Their meeting together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was for those things which were generally of common concernment to all the members 1 Cor. 11.20 When ye meet together in the fame place is this to eat the Lords Supper Note the doctrine which they were to be taught differing and the Ministers they were to meet in severall places for to avoid confusion and be a help to edification But in the administration of the Sacraments in which every child had his interest as wel as the man Christian in this all were to meet together feasting on him as in a feast upon a Sacrifice This Scripture 1 Cor. 14.23 of the gathering of the whole church together I suppose to be occasioned for the tryall of the members gifts to see whether those under the teachers administration were fitted for to partake with the Pastors charge and those under the Pastor to be admitted to society with the Evangelists congregation 1. Hence in this meeting the Apostle saith All may prophesie ver 24 31. 2. This prophesie was to be according to the measure of faith either as a child or a man according to the severall degrees of knowledge he had in him of the Gospel and of God so was he to propesie in this meeting 3. Nor do I think that this was ordinary with them to prophesie but on tryall of members In this kinde 1 Cor. 12.29 Are all prophets Are all teachers which shews the office of teaching in ordinary meetings was proper work of some particular persons When none but the Pastor or Teacher did teach onely the rest were onely to sit still and judge 1. Some there are that take these words all all may prophesie collectively for all the Prophets or Teachers which cannot be because the Apostle saith Two or three may speake the rest judge now sure the Church had not so many faithfull teachers pertaining to their church 2 Others understand it of some of their choyest Christians only 1 They cannot agree with the word all for if some onely then not all 2 The holy Ghost saith they may prophesie according to the proportion of faith which shews that it did belong to those of the Children congregation as well as those of the men and whereunto should this serve if not for triall of gifts and the bringing of the Christian from company to company for his furtherance in knowledge and grace 3 By this tryall the Church came to know the proof of men who among them were fitted to send forth for the propagation of the Gospel in other places 4 It is implyed that the admitting of members to be the first society and then doubtlesse it was so in the other also it was a publick worke of the Church in which great care is to be had that neglected proved the ill calamities and trouble of the Church and so again for the casting them forth 2 Gal. 4. The Apostles reproves the underhand dealings there used which was as it is to be thought a practise of the officers in the Church who brought in false brethren privily without publick tryall and not at the Churches publick meetings against the course of the Church Jude saith the like That false brethren are crept in unawares Jude 4. Obj. How could the Church meet in one place Res 1 They had exceeding large roomes in Jerusalem as appeares in the multitude met in one place Act. 21. in which three thousand were converted at one sermon 2 The word implyeth they did do it 3 They being to doe it not to hear but to receive the Sacrament and the like that may be done successively it may easily be granted 4 It may be the Church increasing they may increase the roome 5 As the Atheists of old questioned the Scriptures by questioning the possiblity of Noahs ark carrying the creatures in it and the provision for them So now men question the Scriptures by questioning how these could come to meet all in one place being so great a multitude as the Scripture affirms them to be In the Applycation I came to shew that there is no Church nor Church way that is according to God but this of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastor and teacher 1 These must be to the constitution of a true Church or it cannot be a true Church 2 In the lack of one of these there can be no compleat and perfect Church-administration exercised 3 These in combination only need no other to be joyned to them for the ordering of Church affaires as appeares Christ having given the ministry above said Ephes 4.12 he tels us they are for the perfecting of the Saints the worke of the ministry and the edifying of the body 1 It is for the perfecting of the saints 1 Shew The Saints are not to be perfected by any one of they must have all to perfect them which shews how it it should be the desire of the Christians to see this way of God set up among them as the true and only means of their perfection 2 If these serve for the perfecting of the Saints what need we any more yea who shall add more 3 There is all
that power and authority given to these that Christ hath given to his Church for the Saints to have exercised in the Church among them 1 For removing scandalous things and persons 2 For advice and counsel 3 For exhortation reproof 2 It is for the work of the ministry 1 These all only can do but the work of the ministry that is to be done in the Church I speak not here of that part of ministry exercised to those without the Church 2 Without all these as I have formerly shewed they are and ought to be in the Church the work of the ministry cannot be done according to Gospel rules 3 There is no other worke to be done by the ministry either in teaching or ruling then what is to be done by these only 4 The Church is not nor cannot be sufficiently provided for without all these but it must be imperfect and must be straightned in the worke of the ministry which is the onely worke we ought to strive to have wrought amongst us 5 Ordination being a Presbyterial or ministerial act is in every right constituted Church virtually as other ordinances of the Church are 6 Hence the Church hath all power in it selfe that is or can be for its good communicated of Christ unto it and needs not to go out of it self to any other for help 1 Conclusion Hence is this that there is no other way to be found out more mighty to convince gainesayers to order Assem Ites to build up the Saints maintain unity and peace to restore the humbled to cast out the profane or to doe whatsoever else is to be done ministerially in or for the Church then what these and none but these are to doe 2 Nor hath God left to his Church any other way or means to doe it and especiall care is to be had what authority is exercised what way is erected in the Church of Christ over his people that it prove not Antichristian and turn not unto tyranny over the Saints God complains those that ruled over his people made them to cry and shews Gods people can bear no yoake as Christs that is gentle nor no yoake but Christs the other yoake is an unequall yoake they can never draw easie in it 3 The third thing this ministry is to doe is to edifie the body more then these three things remaines not to be done by the ministry for the church on earth 1 The Apostles and Prophets gave the Scriptures as that by which it may be edifyed 2 The Prophets forwarned her of her sad times and told her again of her glad times to come 3 The Doctor he drew the milke out of the word for the children 4 The Pastor brought forth thence the young mans meat 5 The Evangelist he furnish from thence the strong mans table with strong meat fit to feed him Now judge and tell me without which of these the church can be and how sufficiently God hath provided for his church and people in these 1 Who can preach without the Apostles 2 Who can comfort without the Prophets 3 How can the child live without milke 4 How shall the other christians live without meat Obj. This were not provision sufficient against Heresies Resp Let us take heed of questioning the Lords wisdome in the order taken for the subsistence of the church as if the Lord knew not there would be heresies because he provided not sufficiently against them or that he knew not best how or by whom or by what means to preserve the church against it 2 God doubtlesse will not be wanting to his own Way and whenever his way shall be erected amongst us there will be other manner of gifts communicated by him to the church to doe this and all other things for its good 3. See how little good Counsels have done in this kind since that the frame of Gospel government hath been subverted 4. The Apostle shews ver 14. that this is the only means to preserve men from being carryed away by every wind of doctrine or by the cunning craft of men that lye in wait to deceive 1. More then this what is to be done 2. Shall we now Idolize our own wisdom or submit to Gods way in this matter If we oppose here against God shall we not kick against the pricks 1 Tim. 3.15 The Church is called the pillar and ground of truth as rightly constituted until the Church was driven away the enemy could never set up their heresies so as after Conclusion 1. Let us set up Gods way and that will pul down heresie dissentions will fall quickly and quietly Gods weapons hereunto are full of all might ours full of weakness 2. No Authority is to be made use of in a right constituted Church but that God hath errected only Illustration 1. Gal. 1. The Apostle writes to the Churches of Galatia 1. In Galatia were more Churches then one and so no national Church 2. These Churches are written all unto to amend their corruptions they had within them each one distinctly without any command of acting one with or over another as perfect bodies furnisht with compleat Authority thereunto without any extrinsecal power joyned unto it for assistance The main ground in Scripture brought to prove the Combination of a Ministry in Classes and in provincial and national Assembly I suppose is taken from Acts 15.2 where it is said the Church of Antioch did send to the Apostles and Elders of the Church of Jerusalem about the question Resp 1. This in sending to the Apostles was not to send to Members of another Church but of their own Church the Apostles being Members of all the Churches in the world 2. In the Apostles times the word was not written nor the mind of God fully known therefore no doubtful thing was to be resolved but by their advice as the Epistles of Corinth shew in which it appears the Corinthians had sought to advice of the Apostles in very many cases Object They had Apostolical Authority before they need not to send to Jerusalem for that Paul himself being with them Resp The Church was not builded on one Apostle but the Apostles Ephes 2.20 2. God required that every truth should be confirmed by the Testimony of two or three so that to Apostolical Testimony it was necessary there should be two or three for to confirm it yea God saith there are three that do bear witness in Heaven it self so that it was in this case for confirmation of the Church in the truth that there should be the Testimony of two or three Apostles to witness to it Object They write to the Apostles that indeed was no extrinsecal Authority but here they write to the Elders also that were at Jerusalem and this was extrinsecal Resp. The Apostles and Elders were but one and the same men they were not several persons and here as I suppose is the great mistake in the controversie 1. I have shewed before how James Peter