would either have been found unfit upon tryall or if not hearty to the worke would have hindred the successe thereof 3. If but one third part of those chosen hold and who are upon tryall found fit being confirmed by them their authoritie is as binding as if five times their number had imbraced it and the fewer there are the more commendable is their resolution against difficulty and the lesse fear of dissention who also if they find the work too hard as opportunitie is offered may admit of additional assistance 4. The numerousnesse of the Presbytery is one of the blocks cast in the way of reformation therefore there is lesse need to stumble at their paucity if able to carry on the work Ob. 22. But is it meet all men should come before the Eldership to be examined before admittance me thinks they should go to the houses of some men of best rank and converse with them there Answ Vnlesse in case of sicknesse or the like it is very unfit For 1. It s exemplary giving occasion to others to expect the like and sets open a doore of chargeing the Eldership with partiallity and un-even dealing in distribution of Divine Ordinances 2. It must needs draw contempt both upon Governours and Government and Ordinances 3. It were an endlesse work and let men be never so high in the world yet if they ow not so much respect for the work sake to those whom God hath set over them in the Church as to come before them such men will never receive benefit by the Ordinance And if such a spirit predominate I am sure it s against the rule laid down by the Apostle 1 Tim. 5.17 Yea and derogates very much from the disposition of every one that are either fit for Church Communion or Heavenly intertainment Mark 10.15 Verily verily I say unto you whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child he shall not enter therein So also Matth. 18.4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child the same is greatest in the Kingdome of God David a King yet thought it his honour to be humble Psal 131.2 professing himself to be as a weaned child 4. Where the soul truly thirsts after Jesus Christ in the Ordinances it will easily step over this block hunger will break stone walls And although the Devil and wicked men indeavour to hedge up thy way to the Ordinances yet if thou spiritually hunger and thirst all these will be laid low every one that hath the knowledge of Jesus Christ hath learned to deny himself 5. Although the Eldership would willingly use all good means to win men by love and ready to deny themselves as it s their dutie for the avoyding of offence and the enlargement of the Church yet herein they should but please some and displease many more and bring such an endlesse task upon themselves as would take up much time and abundantly retard the work 6. It s not a work either commanded or commended to any particular Eldership by the Classical assembly how ever in some extraordinary cases something of this nature may be done left to the discretion of the particular Presbytery and who I doubt not but will condescend to any thing that may promote the work of God Ob. 23. But if men and women must both be examined it may fall out a man may be found unfit and his wife may be received sometime the man received and his wife unfit what a kind of confusion will this be doth not the Apostle Paul say The unbelieving woman is sanctified by the believing man and the unbelieving man by the believing woman 1 Cor. 7.14 A. The Apostle speaks there concerning the reason why unbelievers and believers might cohabit and continue in a conjugal estate of matrimony And is not so to be understood as that the wife can be saved by the husbands faith or the husband by the wives this were to crosse the doctrine of Scripture and the analogie of faith for every man must know and believe for himself The just shall live by his faith neither Abraham Noah Iob or Daniel could deliver any mans soul by their faith though never so nearly related The Apostle only signifies three that it was unlawfull to depart matrimonial society because both were not believers for that if the one did believe it gave their children right to external Christian Church priviledges and such Ordinances as they were capable of as Circumcision under the Law Baptisme in time of the Gospel not that the Parents can either adde or infuse Grace into their children for the dearest of Gods Saints may have children destitute of Grace and uncapable either of Church-fellowship or the least share in Jesus Christ neither is there the least hint of any thing in this Text of Sacramental Communion or of things pertaining to life and salvation for in such cases every man and woman must plead their own interest and either have particular and peculiar saving Grace or the nearest relation they have to the most Holy can do them no good He that believes shall be saved he that believeth on the Sonne hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him Iohn 3.16 And hence is it that in the great and general judgement men and women of nearest relations are separated Two shall be in the field the one taken and the other left two women grinding at the mill the one taken and the other left March 24.40 41. 2. As in the Kingdome of Heaven there is neither marrying Mark 12.16 nor giving in marriage but all are as the Angels so the Church of God on earth take no cognizance whether men be married or single wives or Virgins but he or she that 's capable of Church Communion ought to be admitted and must be visible Saints And although never so nearly related if not so ought to be shut out 3. Suppose a man upâ—â— examination be admitted and his wife respited for her incapacity a while till God shall enable her or suppose the wife be admitted and her husband for like reason suspended is it not better for that party found fit to be admitted and the party unfit to be debarred then either both to be admitted or both kept back or that either of them should deny themselves the benefit of the Ordinance For 1. It s agreeable to the Word of God and Ordinances of the Church and tends much to the comfort of the Communicant to be admitted if worthy and to admit the unworthy is contrary to all 2. What comfort can it be to thee while thou art participating the body and bloud of Jesus Christ if thy wife unworthily admitted not discerning the Lords Body be eating and drinking damnation to her self or contrariwise if thy wife be a worthy Communicant it will be the terror of her soul to see her husband hailing destruction upon himself by
be wiser for the body then for the soule which is more worth then the whole world 5. Although men be never so rich and great in the world yet if they be called and quallified for this work they must become fooles children and servants or else not fit 1 Tim. 5.17 either for the Kingdom of heaven or to be imployed in the Church of God And this is one obsticle in the way of great men who if they had eyes to see they might know that the service of God and his Church is not only the greatest freedom 1 Cor. 4.20 but the highest honour 6. It s an Argument of an ignorant and carnall heart and of such as are utterly unacquainted with Iesus Christ thus to stumble at his crosse was it not the ignorance and impietie of the Scribes and Pharisees thus to do did not they say of the Lord Christ Is not this the Carpenters sonne are not his brethren with us c. Do any of the Rulers beleeve in him c. Who is it that counts the wisdom of God foolishnesse but men worldly wise And are not we apt to say What is such or such a one do not we know them well enough taking exceptions at men excellently quallisied if not so great in the world as our selves 7. Know this is only a block cast in the way by Satan that men may stumble without cause and fall Notwithstanding men of abilicie and known fidelitie be in most places chosen yet it s ordinary with the devil and his instruments to obstruct therefore if he cannot quarrell with the Ordinances then with dispensations if no cause there then with the Instruments and if with none of those then with Christ with Truth it selfe For he knows the settlement of the discipline of the Church will exceedingly obstruct the increase of his Kingdom when corruptions are cast out and persons ignorant and scandalous debarred that Ordinance which makes them ten fold more the children of the devil by unworthy participating For it s all one to him either to make men rush hand overhead upon the Ordinance to their ruine or to raise a prejudice against the duty and Instruments imployed to deprive them of that mercy which by Gods blessing might be very Instrumentall to their salvation 8. If they be Legally chosen have past the tryall and the time of exception not made use of blame your selves Neverthelesse if they be unfit there is place of appeal and remedy 9. Ob. Me thinks the Pastors and Elders in Presbyterian Congregations are neither rightly called nor fitly qualified A I. Although I doubt not but many yea the most of them are as well qualified as we can expect for that as we cannot expect perfection here nor in a Legall sence any fitly qualified yet Evangelically considered although none are sufficient the Lord looks upon them with approbation and acceptance 2. Notwithstanding there is also sufficient provision made for the removall of such whether Pastor or Elder as are uncapable either by ignorance or scandall It s not here as in Independent Churches where if the people injure their Pastor or Elders c. or the Officers injure the people without redresse but if either party be found faulty they are responsible and satisfaction is given to the suffering party according to the demerit and doubtlesse corruption will creep especially into Churches where provision is not made to keepe it out 3. Although I would not plead for the unsutablenesse or incapacitie of any cal'd to the meanest office in the Church of God yet I would have them looked upon as men subject to infirmities not as Angels and if we would not have such we must ascend higher to look for Pastors Elders c. then either God or man ordained or expects And yet ordinarily those that stumble most at the inablities of Church-Officers are men most incapable of Church Communion Secondly For the Calling of Church-Officers If Pastors Teachers Elders c. be chosen according to those directions laid down in the Ordinance and have past thorow the door of tryall accordingly as in most places they have or otherwaies men disaffected to the Government would quickly have let them know it There can be no just exception especially if the time limited for exception be more then past abundantly unlesse you deny the publique Congregations in England to be true Churches which hath been and is generally attested not only by the National Synod now sitting the Godly Learned in generall whether Episcopall or Presbyterian but all the reformed Churches nay the most pious and prudent of the Independent judgement also have publiquely positively and affirmatively declared them to be true Churches of Iesus Christ however confessed on all sides to be full of corruptiâ—ns or else we should have no need of Reformation many Godly and learned Divines having taken much pains in publique to defend the Truth against all opposers and indeed the satisfaction of such weak Christians as stumbled hereat together with that other scruple of participating the Sacrament in mixt Assemblies was the chief cause of my own undertaking that Subject published for common benefit in the Book called the Bramble berry wherein there is full satisfaction given to that point therefore not willing now to insist further I refer such as yet scruple thither 10. Q. But why must we appeal to Classes have they any power to determine differences and to reform abuses in particular Congregations A. Yea and that for very good reason for 1. Besides the appointment by Parliament and Assembly they are our own Trustees or Representatives such as are chosen by particular Congregations to hear and determine differences and reform such abuses as in case of error or injury they themselves cannot for were it not for Classis the Pastors Elders c might injure the Congregation or the people injure the Pastor c. and remain remedilesse Classis therefore are as Committees chosen out or made up of pastors and Elders out of particular Churches and although they have appointment by Authoritie of Parliament and Assembly so they are approved and chosen by particular Churches as their Trustees so that every particular Church hath like interest and so receive like redresse in point of appeal And that these may not be oppressive or injurous they are responsible to the Provincialls which are also made up of so many delegates as are thought fit out of the severall Classis as their Representatives and those also responsible to a National Synod and they likewise to a Parliament so that as much provision as may be is made to keep out Arbitrary proceeds and tyranny and to redresse all abuses and that neither Pastor or other Officer be wronged by the people or the people by the Pastor c. or joyntly fall into errors without remedy 2. Although its true wee read of no such power in the Church as Classis Provincialls Nationalls c. in the Scripture yet we finde something
vain is to set things to rights between God and the soule in secret which being the greater work the Apostle urges that only not intending to exclude Examination by the Church as needlesse and is it not for this purpose the Apostle Peter laies down that Apostolicall injunction 1. Pet. 3.15 Be ready alwaies to give answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fear First saith he Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts that is be sure the heart be upright with God and then be ready alwaies to render account c. If a man must be alwayes ready and to all men to give account surely especially to the Church of God And although Christians ought not to be ashamed to confesse Jesus Christ and to make profession of their faith even to heathens or persecutors if called to it yet it s mainly intended that none should refuse to render a reason of their faith to the Church of God yea and that Scripture holds forth that they must be both knowing and faithfull that render account as well as men ignorant or scandalous Now that Examination by the Eldership is very requisite will appear by these and such like ensuing Arguments it being already sufficiently proved that Pastors Teachers Elders their Offices titles and imployments are of Divine institution and also that their titles are sutable to their imployments they are in scripture called Rulers Governours Overseers Stewards Watchmen c. and their Office as hath been largely proved is to order out the administrations of the Church decently to admit or suspend from the Sacrament according to mens severall capacities c. and therefore Examination must inevitably follow For Argum. 1 They that are bound to give account to God concerning the Church and the particular members thereof ought to be acquainted with their spiritual condition But Pastors Teachers and Elders of particular Congregations are bound to give account to God of the particular members of their Churches Therefore ought to be well acquainted with their spirituall condition Argum. 2 Those to whom we are bound to submit and obey in the Church to them we ought to render account of our faith if called to it Examination being an Ordinance of the Church But we are bound to submit to and to obey the Pastors and Elders of the Church in all Church ordinances Therefore we ought to obey them in this ordinance of Examination Argum. 3 If none but men sit to participate the Sacrament are to bee admitted and that the unfit are to be kept back by the Eldership it s of necessitie they should know who are fit and who are not which cannot be done without Examination But the worthy are to be admitted and the unworthy to be suspended by the Eldership neither can they know mens severall capacities or conditions without Examination Therefore Examination by the Eldership is of necessity without which they cannot separate between the precious and the vile as their duty is Jer. 15..19 Many Arguments might more be offered but the matter is so plain that to any reasonable man there can remain no seruple neither do I quotescriptures to those Arguments by reason they are grounded upon the former scriptures alledged for the proof of the Eldership to be of Divine right I shall only propound this one text which will answer all Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your soules as they that must give account that they may doe it with joy and not with grief for that is not profitable for you Heb. 13.17 In which scripture all may clearly see that the foregoing Arguments and many more is strongly held forth there beeing contained in the words these following Truths 1. That subjection and obedience is to be given to those that rule and governe in the Church 2. That the reason why men must obey those that rule in the Church is for that they are set over their soules as watchmen and must give account to God concerning those committed to their Charge 3. That its an occasion of Joy to Governours in the Church when people are obedient to the ordinances thereof and of grief when they disobey 4. That the hurt that follows upon the peoples non obedience and the good that attends their obedience redounds to themselves 5. That its the sinne of particular members of the Church not to obey them that in the Lord are set over them in the Church Certainly the consideration of their office and the ends of their appointments to them is Argument enough doubtlesse he is not fit to be a Steward nor can possibly give account that knows not the state of his Charge neither is he fit to be a Shepherd that knows not the state of his flock And if Elders must reprove rebuke exhort admonish and encourage as occasion is How shall they do this without Examining those with whom they have to do 2 Tim. 4.2 Notwithstanding by reason of that generall aversenesse to this necessary duty I add these ensuing considerations being willing to satisfie all 1. Consider if publique profession and confession were requisite in men grown to maturitie before they could be baptized much more requisite is it before admittance to this ordinance The Eunuch although a man of great authoritie and well instructed by Philip and although coming to Jerusalem to worship yet could not be baptized till he made profession of his faith and was first well Catechised concerning Christ Act. 8.37 If thou beleevest with all thy heart thou maiest and he answered and said I beleeve c. and although the Jewes were circumcised and were of the Nationall Church of God yet were none of them received into the particular Congregations and Churches of Jesus Christ without profession of their faith and confession of sins out of which we may gather that our baptisme gives us no right at all to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unlesse we be sutably quallified we may eat and drink our own damnation 2. Consider there is in every Christian required not onely a believing heart but a verball profession of Faith in Christ Rom. 10.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made to salvation 3. Although every man ought to examine himself that comes to the Table of the Lord yet the Officers of the Church must also examine else how shall they know who is able to examine himself And I fear they that plead most against examination by the Eldership are both least capable and most carelesse of that especiall duty of self examination besides self examination is all that is required of any man after first admittance Those the Apostle speaks to 1. Cor. 11.28 were members of the Church who had before admittance made profession of their faith in Christ 4. Methinks particular men should not stumble at examination seeing those that are in place of