〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one here is described by two that is the pillar upon the base firmely sustaining that which is built and erected upon it so the Church firmely built upon the basis of trueths to the which the body of divine trueths are delivered holds them out to her Children Since the Trent Papists the Rhemists and other Iesuits pervere 3 The due vindication of this place from the Iesuits cavills this place I wipe off their Objections 1. Say they If the Church be the pillar of trueth but in the sense now delivered then it is rather a Chist unto Trueth and not the Pillar of it thus it is but as a Book-sellers Shope containing many Trueths in it Answ 1. The Church is both that is both an Ark wherein are the Tables of the Covenant as also a Pillar 1 Ob. in the sense given these are well consisting 2. The Church acts that which no Chist or Book-sellers Shope can do it not onely keeps but it promulgats transmitts the truth to ages 3. The Church is not onely Index but also a Vindex of the trueth yea in a sound sense it is also a Judex of it to wit secundarie ministeriall and accountable Well doth Altingius L. C. p. 2. pag. 588. distinguish The Church is a pillar not in regarde of inherent infallibilitie in every thing but in respect of its office adhering to it that is keeping discerning interpreting preaching the truâ—h Here the Iesuite Becan lib. 1. cap. 3. of his Man assumes then even according to our sense The Roman Kirk is a true kirk because it acts all the wayes wee allow to a pillar Here I deny the Antecedent it smothers and opposes revealed trueths as shall be proven Then when he arguments thus whatsoever Church acts these foure wayes now set down that is a true Visible Church but the Roman kirk acts thus Here againe I grant the proposition and deny the assumption Bellar. lib. de eccl Milit. cap. 12. 13. reasons thus The Pillar 2 Ob. of trueth is infallible but the Visible Kirk is the Pillar of trueth ergo it is infallible Answ I may grant both the Propositions with no disadvantage to our Cause 2. In the Iesuits sense I deny them both 3. Whether I grant or deny both yet the Elench is not inferred What is this to the Roman kirk where at they aime in this dispute But Bellarm indeavours to strengthen his inference thus 1. Upon this ground onely and no other was the Roman kirk called the Mother and Mistresse of all Churches that it is and was the Pillar of trueth Whence also it was that Ambrose writting of this place hath these words Though all the World be Gods yet the Church onely is his House and pillar whereof Damasus Bishope of Rome is Rector this day Hence it is sayes he that the Roman kirk was so esteemed for the emitting transmitting infallible trueths to all Christian Churches Now to all this I might answere as Isaias chap. 33. 23. said of the Assyrian forces Thy tacklings are loosed they could not well strengthen their mast Yet in particular I answere 1. to argue from Rome now Apostaticall to what it was when Apostolicall is very inconsequent 2. It was not so stiled by any antient Writter of the first 600 years for then was no supremacy over other Churches theÌ„ it and other Churches were sisterly associated collaterall then it was coÌ„mended as Solidata super Petram which Rock according to Cyprian Hieron August others is Christ. 3. It is flately denied That the kirk of Rome emitts all saving trueths though it retain some trueths if hee except then it is a true Church in so far as it retains some trueths even wee being Judges and in so farre is a Pillar I Ans 1. Be it so but as we say of a man he may be a man essentially as consisting of two essentiall parts soule and body who yet is not so for the trueth of integrity if there bee either excesse or defect maimed or monstruous and for the trueth of Perfection he may yet be farre lesse a man as if a Foole if witlesse if mad so I say of the present Roman Church or as our Divines distinguish A Man may be a true man Metaphysically as for entitie who is not so morally that is for honesty As we say of a Theefe he is truly a man for essence though he be noâ— a true man for fidelity so the Roman kirk is a true kirk equivocally being for parts integrall and for perfection a most false Kirk 4. As to that passage of Ambrose the very flattering Canonists with their Dominus deus noster Papa Christus noster servator nostor Papa do confesse these Commentaries to be spurious and not to be Ambroses at all but granting them to be his yet as is well marked both by Feeld and Cartwright they are thus to bee read whereof Damasus is a Ruler but not the Ruler for so are all Bishops and Pastors as Cyprian well sayes there is one Bishoperick wherof each hath a part But what a Rector even this Damasus was the bloody Contests between him Vrsacius about that Idoll of Rome the Chayre the Supremacy historians do testifie 4. Some observations and vses 1. Now ere I come to the last title Anent this That the Church of the Living God is the Pillar of the trueth I observe 1. Whatever Society it is that either expressly or by just consequence opposeth revealed trueths that is not the Pillar of trueth whence I inferre That the Roman kirk cannot be this Pillar of trueth since it enerrats divine trueths what by addition what by detraction Hieron hath a trimme speech when he sayes Sanctorum Congregatio est dicta columna c. that is The company of saints is called a pillar both for soliditie and for stabilitie and Theodoret. The company of Believers is called the pillar of trueth because being grounded on the Rock they remaine stable unmoveable so preach dogmatick trueths But so it is the Representative of the Roman Kirk doth not hold out infallibly divine revealed trueths as Tirinus would have it Our learned Divines have much holden out the trueth of this negative by the induction of the chiefe particulars as anent the Mediation of Christ Justification Free-will number and efficacy of Sacraments Traditions equalled if not preferred to Scripture the Nature and Notes of the Scriptures All which Doctrinalls of faith are by them fearfully depraved Wherefore passing these I offer to hold the point out meerlie in these two heads at this time 1. Let any consider the XII Articles of the new Tridentine Faith approven by Pius IV. P. called the new Symbol now dayly urged by the Spaynish Inquisition wherein are so grosse additions supperadded to that wee finde in Scripture or which wee call the Apostles Creed that any Reader that compares shall easily finde them as is well both observed by Crakenthorp H.
to regulate Evangelists and Note three 1. Pastors both in their fixed residences so we have it Tit. 15. as also in their necessarie excursions and delegations for although as Gillesp. q. 4. Miscell well notes for latitude the office of the Evangelist was commensurable with that of an Apostle yet so they were not for power of Commission or jurisdiction 2. is That accordingly Paul indeavours to be usefull now that is 2. by Epistolick CoÌ„mission to supply the want of his Personall presence comforts and conference Thus the Fathers of the ancient kirk did as said is and this is to lesson us now that as occasion is offered from Providence we imitate him in this 3. is That 3. hence I finde no warrant for Roman-Rescripts or papall Decretalls now for it were in consequent to argue from the power of Apostolick Delegations to that of the present Roman tyrannicall Dayes wer that Roman delegations to sister Churches as to Carthage Antioch Millan Alexandria were wholsome but the case is altered as is well noted by Spalato lib. 4. cap. 12. Rep. eccl Qâ—eolim fuit legatio sana postea valetudinaria tandem mortua facta First it was sound then languid lastly dead and null As for the Third unto thee whether to him as an Evangelist III. To whom or as an ordinarie Pastor at EPHESUS it matters not much Onlie this he as an inferiour was to receive Orders from a potestative Superiour as the same Spal writes l. 4. cap. 1. Justin Martyr and Beza hold him out as the Angel of the Church of Ephesus or that he was Moderator Bishope and President amongst the Elders there I shall now onely marke what good account Paul gives of him in Scripture And first see his Linage birth and breeding 1. Who he was II. Tim. 1. 5. secondly his Calling II. Tim. 4. 5. thirdly his gifts and abilities II. Tim. 1. 6. II. Tim. 3. 15. I. Tim. 3. 14. Fourthly his diligence and fidelitie in imployments see Phil. 2. 20. Fifthly his strict walking insinuated I. Tim. 5. 25. Whence I note this Where all these concurre it is an evident signe of an inward CALL The Madeburg Centur. lib. 2. Câ—nt 1. cap. 3. hold as others also That Hee with Onesimus Dion Areopag were executed at ROME by Domitians command Use to be made hereof is this Since Paul writes to him then Vse Timothy must reade this script both to make him wise to salvatioÌ„ as also to behave himself as becomes in Gods house Are not all scriptures Gods epistles to men so August on psal 90. The scripture is Gods letter dated from that City to which as pilgrames wee travell The first Nicen Councel decreed That no Christian want a Bible CHRYSOST 3 Hom. on Lazar. bids the people take the Bable and reade it HIERON in the epitaph of Paul and in his epistle to Laeta Theodora c. affirmeth it to be unlawfull for women to be ignorant of the scriptures or that one day should passe without learning something out of them daylie Whose testimonies I the rather cite against these two most erroneous bold assertions of the Iesuite Stapleton Relect. Cont. 5. q. 3. a. 4. First That the Translation of Scriptures is the seminarie of heresie 2. That the reading of scriptures by the Laicks is impious and pernitious O heavens be astonished at this The INTENT is to come shortly to them Anent this comparative 2. his purpose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I note that some as Aretius referre it vnto his writting but others to the nearest his comming But the maine Observe of Critiques here is That this Comparative addeth much to the simple signification of the absolute so it is Joh. 13. 27. so Act. 25. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so II. Tim. 1. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Since then wee finde his Resolve is for Ephesus the question is Did hee indeed by a locall motion returne to it Although some for the affirmative ground on the words Act. 18. 23. yet the most are for the negative and if so yet his Intent is rationall and for why to come good vse as is well observed by judicious Calvin and learned Danaus as 1. to represse insolent and contumacious Spirits and to sober their minds upon the supposall of his speedy returne 2. To refresh the present incumbent with a comfortable hope of injoying his personall presence to ease and relieve him 3. To excite Timothy and stirre him up to further diligence to and attendance on his Calling see the like I. Tim. 4. 13. 4. To demoÌ„strat Pauls continued care of the welfare of all the Churches of Christ Now to this vers 15. bee subjoines a PROVISO If his occasionall affaires should retard him yet in the interim make use of this written Directory Now these words But if I tarry long are very well rendered Verse 15. by Chrysost on the place thus Whether I come sooner or later or in Providence not at all yet by these I minde thee of this HOW TO BEHAVE THY SELF c. do thou duty follow these precepts thus set down or further to be set down applicable to all Pastors Churches as to Timothy and Ephesus Here wee may take notice of those I. Obser two 1. by this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wee see his promised returne to be conditionall but not absolute as is well noted by Estius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sayeth Chrysost on the place For though all prima 〈…〉 were sufficiently revealed to the Apostles yet all future and emergent Circumstances were not clearly revealed Then waite on duty submit to providence referre events to God Distinguish between Gods disposals and 2. Obj. is an vse mans proposals The spirits impulse admitts of no repulse see a cleare instance of this Act. 16. 7. there the Holy Ghost did forbid them to preach the word in Asia and the spirit did not suffer them to go to Bithynia But to passe this as lesse Materiall Let us consider what the 1. The end of writting Church is in which a behaviour sutable is required In which observe these two 1. The end of his writting that thou mayest know how c. 2. The Churches dignity which is the object of this comely behaviour by way of Panegyrick beyond all that can be given to all Arts or sciences In the which are those two 1. Who is the Proprietary of this House and of the Church 2. What is the property or rather office of this house and Church that is to be the ground and pillar of the trueth Now because the Object well known moves and excits to the 2. A description of the Object duty we shal insist on these two first Namely why the Church is called the house of God the Church of the living God with some vses of either then in what sense the Church is indeed and justly so called the pillar and ground of trueth As for the first of these two titles
The house of God the 1. The house of God Church in scripture is compared to a garden inclosed to an Army to a City and here to an House but to that of God CHRYSOST affirming the Apostle here to allude to Bethel and to the Temple of the Lord. Here first consider Why the Church hath this denomination then give some vses of it As to the first The very origination or signification of the I. Why the Church is so called word in the Hebrew Greeke and English relates to it as of God In the first it is building in the second it is dwelling in the third it is defending IT is well remarked by D. HaÌ„mond this is a phrase taken froÌ„ that speciall place of Gods presentiating himself For as Ambrose sayes Thoughall the world be his Dominion yet the Church is onely his House For here Hee dwels here hee delights to meete with the pious devout soule here hee receives their addresses here hee answers their petitions here he is worshipped Three-fold hous of God 1. Materiall and without this house is no such communications no such intertainment But further to cleare this the word House of God relates either 1. to the Materiall house whereof reade I. King 8. ordained as an adminicle to advance Prayer praise sacrifices in it Or Sedgwick on psal 23. mantaines this to Of this hous ar these places meaned luke 19. 46 Eccl. 4. last be Gods house both for operation and for separation in that divine duties and services are performed in it and so to be set a part as not to be a Stable or an Aile-house The primitive Christians after the publick peace of Christendome sutably had their Auditories and Oratories which the Grecians and Latines called Basilicae and Dominicae 2. Is the Coelestiall whereof we we reade 2. Cor. 5. 1. 2. and Joh. 14. 2. 3. Is the Spirituall yet 2. Coelestiall Militant the true Church on earth both visible and invisible this is here and of this house are also these places Heb. 3. 2. 6. 3. Spirituall I. Pet. 4. 17. Psal 69. 9. Luk. 1. 27. Ephes 2. 19. Gal. 6. 10. This is that house where fatnesse is psal 36. 8. this is that house wher satisfying goodnesse is psal 65. 4. this is that house of David luk 1. 33. this is that house built on the Rocke Matth. 7. 24. this is that house where holinesse is seemly psal 93. 5. here wee inquire psal 27. 4. here he remains by ordinances and his spirit see I. cor 3. 16. I. Cor. 6. 19. II. Cor. 6. 16. Augustine yet further holds out the resemblance thus 1. A house hath the ground the walls the roofe so the Church hath saith to be grounded upon hope to bee erected by and love that covereth c. 2. A great house hath severall Office-bearers so that the Church I. Cor. 12. 28. Ephes 4. 11. 12. 3. A great mans house hath vessels and vtâ—nfiles of all and for all sorts Now as God is a great Honsholder Matth. 20. 1. so hath he in the Catholick Visible Church vessels of diverse frames II. Tim. 2. 20. 4. In a great house is provision for young and old poore and rich weake and strong so it is in this house see Heb. 5. 12. 13. 14. I. Pet. 2. 2. Matth. 15. 26. Marke the Differences between God his house ours 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 27. 5. In a great house there is but one Head and Lord so here it is Ephes 33. 22. Eph. 5. 24. Col. 1. 18. But yet further to inlarge the point marke the great differences between Gods House and our houses in these 1. Our houses keepe and defend us but God keeps and defends His House psal 121. 3. 5. 6. psal 125. 2. Isai 40. 2. Isai 27. 2. 3. it is not with Gods house as with that of dagon I. Sam. 5. 4. 2. Our houses locally comprehend us but no house coÌ„prehends God as I. Kings 8. 27. 4. Wee may be absent from our houses elswhere but it is not so here see psal 24. 1. Matth. 28. 20. Isai 43. 2. Heb. 13. 5. 5. The strongest of our houses they decay weare away and are perishing as Amos 6. 11. Psal 49. 11. 12 but not so here All true Members of this lower house or Militant Church though now they be Viatores shall be of the vpper house or of the Triumphant Church and Comprehensores see psal 84. 11. The Lord will give grace and glory 6. O how farre is this House surpassing all the magnifick Structures all the sumptuous fabricks of the most curious and exquisite Architects of this world if wee either regard the eminent Structure the situation the accomodation the contrivement the duration the perfection of its beauty see psal 87. Isai 26. 1. 2. Heb. 11. 10. Rev. 21 c. Never talk of the Persian Hispaan the Ethiopian Amara the Egyptian Pyramids the Adrian Mole or the Lorenzo in Spayn for in comparison with this They are but as the drope of the bucket compared to the sea or as the dust of the ballance compared to the whole earth Vses 1 Now in so much That sutable to this House of God behaviour is required my first vse is this Laboure to be within this house Do as David psal 23. 5. I will dwell in it for ever This is the Mother of us all This must be to us as the Ark of Noah not onely to be in it but abide in it see Joh. 15. 6. 7. I. Joh. 2. 19. Away with separation needlesse and unjust IT is a good word of CYPRIAN He that hath not the Church for his Mother he hath not God for his Father If we be Members of this House it shall be our best behaviour to 2. Vse carry so as becomes the house wee are come off Let us look out like vessels of honour fitted for the Masters use a peevish or a ranting behaviour argues a vessell of dishonour Remember that of ps 93. 5. Holinesse becomes thy house O Lord it is good word of Nehemiah chap. 6. vers 11. Should such a man as I flee Should one inrolled in the King of heavens Family carry basesly idlely divisively Remember who are without Revel 22. 15. c. If civill carriage bee much required and looked after in a great mans house how much more is christian and spirituall behaviour required in this great Lords House Then in particular Let each Member minde the welfare and 3. Vse standing of Gods house Augustine being interrogated how this should bee Answered Orando juvando condolendo congaudendo for which acts see these scriptures psal 122. 9. 7. 8. 9. Amos 6. 6. Rom. 12. 15. I. Cor. 12. 26. psal 42. 4. psal 27. 4. c. Our greatest joy and glory shall be to contribute our talents hither to repaire breaches to restore paths to dwell in Then in speciall Let Ministers looke to their behaviour in this house No house requires so wise