against him so will Truth be in power when it s clearly revealed men will not be able so to dispute against it as now they do there will not be that ground for Reason to object against it the Word agrees with it it will condemn every tongue shall speak against it For Independency I agree with it that Corinth Jerusalem and Ephesus is said to be but one Church though it consisted of three several congregations 2. That this Church was ruled by Officers of its own and not by any other Officers of another Church but that all Officers and Offices ought to be compleat in her by which all things ought to be done by her alone 3. I agree with it that people ought to be congregated in a Church-fellowship from the world Applic. is That I verily suppose that Independency comes neerest the minde of Christ of any Yet lest I should be thought to be engaged to them more then others I shall next shew in what I disagree 1 She hath not her full ministry 2 Not the right use of her ministry 3 Not the right way of making her members 4 Not the right way to increase the gifts of God in her members as ordained of the Lord in the word 5 Not the consultations ought to be had and held with the other Ministers to be had in and to be of its own consociation of whom it may be said as Solomon said of others that a three-fold is not easily broken In the government of the Church clearly appears according to the wisdom of God that all Government is comprehended in it Monarchy in that there was one chief Pastor Aristocracy in the consociation of Ministers and Elders Democracy in that many things which concerned the whole Church were to be done by and with consent of the Church 1 Bishops they with the help of Elders they together oppresse the people depriving them of all power 2 The Bishops they grew too great for the Elders and oppressed them 3 The Pope he grew too great for the Bishops now it was all their worke to adulterate the way of Christ in the Churches onely to feed their own greatnesse and further their own vile ends But the grand corruption of all was in that resemblance of Monarchy set up in the Church against Christ against his Law to the casting down of Christ and his worship Now in the revolution of the Churches estate it comes again by degrees to its restauration 1 The Bishops they cast off the Popes yoake 2 By the same argument Bishops cast off the Popes yoake the Presbytery cast off the Bishops 3 The people with a ministry joyn together against Presbytery for Independency 4 In the end when God shall restore the Church to its former estate all these severall wayes of government shall be reestated in the Church again without clashing one with another which now as divided are in some kinde used as it were to the destruction one of another yea of all we are willing to have one alone without the other and so strive to destroy the way God hath constituted in his Church making one form to serve all when all are to be exercised joyntly in the house of God for the more excellent perfect and exact government of it which by no means can be done by any of those powers alone dividedly which what wee doe in seeking one or setting up one above another or against another to the destruction one of other is not easily apprehended especially if wee consider 1. That the priority of the Evangelist was but in one Church-ministry not such as to have it to be as the Papacy or Episcopacy over whole countreys and counties 2. That the consociation or combination of the Presbytery was not over a Nation to exalt it over all but of the ministry joyned in fellowship for the edification of one onely Church consisting of onely an Evangelist Pastor and Teacher ordinarily 3. The Independency was not such as was of one onely minister and members joyned to him with helping governours in whom onely all Church-power should reside but was to be joyned in a combination with other ministers of the same church who were to have their helpers added to them for as Solomon saith In the multitude of Counsellors there is safety 1. The priority of the Evangelist is kept in its limits by the joyning of the Pastor and Teacher with him 2. The power of the Presbytery is moderated by the Elders exceeding them in number 3. The whole Presbytery if they are wanting to the church in things wherein peace and purity do consist are to be subject to the church to give an accompt thereof unto it Acts 11.2 3. Peter having been with Cornelius a Gentile was questioned by some of those that were of the Church at Jerusalem for going in to the uncircumcised and eating with them to which charge of the members Peter gives an accompt rehearsing the matter from the beginning and expounding it unto them 1 Cor. 5.7 the Apostle writes to the whole church to purge out the old leaven Now this was the work of all not of some as appears by the means ordained hereunto which was excommunication not practised then as done by Episcopacy in which the whole power of the Church was clean taken from them 4. Without all question the saying of Christ Go and tell the Church who had no respect to the then Jewish Church but the constitution of Christian Church to be doth imply that in the Church did reside authority and power to punish offenders with ecclesiasticall censures and without them it cannot be done which was the gracious provision God was pleased to make for the Church and the members thereof That this was not meant the Jewish Church appears because there was but little good to be done by telling them of any thing who had cast out all of their congregations that did confesse the name of Jesus Christ 2 He begins in the beginning of the chapter with the Kingdome of heaven which was the Gospel-government Matth. 19.1 and was the cause of what sayings ensued concerning dealing with an offending brother 3. Christ to clear up his meaning in these words to his disciples understandings fetcheth another parable taken from the likenesse of the Kingdome of heaven which was the estate of the Church to be under Gospel-government ver 23. Object Christ meant here the Church of the Jewes there was no other nor could the Disciples understand of what he spake if not of the Jews Church Respon They then understood nothing whatever he taught for he onely taught the mystery of the Kingdom Obj. How should they understand it Reso The holy Spirit tels us that it was given to them to know the mysteryes of the kingdome so that the mysteries and hidden things of the Gospel and Government were in some measure revealed to them though not as after the descending of the holy Spirit on them And here it will not be amisse to speak a word more
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
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
Christ Ezek. 47.3 the Prophet prophetically shewes what was to be after the Gospell-institution took place signified in the waters run out of the temple 1 The Lord measures the waters and brings him through thrice which signified as he was a Prophet and did signifie publick ministery to be under the Gospell that there was to be a three-fold administration of the Gospell the first is but to his Anckles the beginnings of Christ the next higher the next higher then that and these are not in the same place but one thousand reeds from the other which shews that this ministery is not to be executed by one nor preached at once to the same people 2 This directs us in ordaining ministers they are to proceed by degrees first preaching without for tryall then admitted within to the Doctors ministry then the Pastors and lastly the Evangelists this way Timotheus proceeded in the ministry Now that we may more clearly see that it was the Teachers Office to teach Babes Rom. 2.20 and art saith the Apostle there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Teacher of Babes which shewes who are Teachers Congregation and what is to be taught in that Congregation they being to be taught according to their capacitie 1. The Scriptures clearly shew what the Babe is and who and when to be admitted to Church-societie 2. The Scriptures shew abundantly concerning that estate and God hath therein provided abundantly for it 1. The Scriptures shew who the Babe is John 3.3 2. Of what he is to be borne and where verse 5. 3. The necessitie of this new Birth without which a man cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven 4. What is required of Babes 1 Peter 2.1 to lay aside malice hypocrisie evil-speaking and to desire the sincere milke of the Word that we may grow thereby 5. The Doctrine is set down Hebr. 6.1 to be laying the foundation of repentance from dead Workes faith towards God the Resurrection of the dead Shall God have Angels heavenly Spirits to attend the least of Saints and shall he not allow many a Church-minister by whom her portion in the Word may be divided rightly to them 2. The Euangelists Office is distinguisht from the Teachers by the Apostle in the 1 Cor. 1.17 where the Apostle tels us that he was not sent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to baptize which was the worke and the Doctrine of the Doctour as must clearly appeares Hebr. 6.1 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was to do the worke of an Euangelist as cocerning a man called to a distinct worke from that of Baptizing which if so spoken of in the person of the Apostle who had an extraordinary calling to all How then of those that have but an ordinary call to one And the words of Christ in Matthew to his Apostles shew that Baptizing is joyned to the first worke of the Ministerie following the making of Disciples now if those God hath joyned together are not to be separated by man How shall we dare to feparate them and as it were bestow them on others 2. The Apostle implieth in saying he was not sent to baptize that some are sent to baptize and that men not sent are not to baptize it being a part of the publique ministerial Dutie 3. He shewes that they differ in the call to what they are to do and that they have not baptized in commission equally and so consequently for other of the Gospel Administrations that that is proper to one is not to be done by another 4. He was sent to euangelize which shewes that the Apostle did prove his calling to do what he did do Object What is that to us the Apostle was an extraordinary person Resp. We are to consider him as in his ordinary and extra-ordinary capacitie in his extraordinary as a Prophet and then he saith that on him lieth the care of all the Churches but if in his ordinary capacitie then we consider him as one using the Euangelists Office to performe the which he took helpers with him for the worke of the Ministerie joyning himselfe to them It is granted indeed that he did take on him the whole worke of the Ministerie 1. Being extraordinarily called 2. Extraordinarily gifted 3. Others being at that time not to be had to supply it for him but in this case he is no president for us to do the like especially seeing he was sent to do the Euangelists Office though in the absence of other or in the first laying the foundation of the Church he may begin the workes as in Corinth he is sent to euangelize 1. It being next in place to his extraordinary Offices 2. As being more fully instructed to that Dutie than any other 3. The Euangelists place requiring greatest abilities in him that doth administer the same both in regard of the Ministerie it selfe and those to whom it is to be ministered unto 3. The Euangelists Office is of the most sublime administration it dispencing the highest things of God in its Ministerie that are communicated to the Saints by ordinary means in this World 1. Christ teaching Nicodemus the Doctrine of Repentance and New Birth cals these things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 earthly things things taught to men of the World 2. He cals the more spiritual part of Doctrine to be ministred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heavenly things which sheweth that there is a wide difference between the subject matter or way of dispensing the Doctrines pertaining to these two Administrations 3. To this agreeth that of the Apostle Rom. 10.15 How beautifull are the feet of those that euangelize good things and that euangelize peace which shews that the subject matter of the Euangelists Ministerie to those under his charge is generally contained under those two Heads of peace and good things holding out the glorie followes the revelation of Jesus Christ to the Soul and the good that belongs unto him yea this requires the greatest experience the most heavenly sense and nearest enjoyment of communion with God for he must come first to know these things in himselfe before he can teach them to others 4. The Euangelists Office is the chief in the worke of the Ministerie as appeares in that after Timothie had made use of the publique Ministerie Paul in his 2 Tim 4 5 bids Timothie do the worke of an Euangelist and make full proof in the Ministerie 1. Signifying that in other administrations there is not a perfect worke of the Ministerie 2. That the Euangelists Office is that that perfects the Ministerie both in respect of the Minister and People Not that the Euangelists Office is a full Ministerie without the other or the other without that but that the Ministerie ends in this and tends thereunto Again a Congregation under the Ministerie of a Doctour called out from the World and united to Christ having the administration of Gods Ordinance among them are a Church though in its infacie and childhood lying under imperfections 1. As not perfected in