she should advise nor in what cases neighbor Churches may call an offending Church to account or how oft they must do it nor when they may lawfully non-communion a Sister-Church nor doth the Scripture limit the number of Elders as three four five six c. which each Congregation must have and neither more no less nor doth it bound a Congregational Church saying it must consist of one hundred two or three hundred five or six hundred or a thousand two three or more thousands nor that the bounds of the habitation of its members should be two three four ten twenty miles but these things are left to prudence according to the general rules of the Word 4. How much the greater distance there is between Churches so much the less needs the visible communion thereof to be because danger of scandal and infection and opportunity of mutual edification is less or more according as the distance of place is greater or less and this occasions and justifies the more strict ordinary visible Ecclesiastical Communion of the Congregations within a Classis then within a Province within a Nation then in all the World 5. God requires no further association then he gives opportunity to as in case a particular person have not opportunity of joyning to any Congregation or a particular Congregation have no neighbors to associate with that is supream Ecclesiastical Authority to us which is the highest we can get pro hic et nunc if God by his providence shut the door of higher Appeals that we cannot ascend above a National or a Provincial Assembly or above a particular Church and this is true also in some necessary cases that supream civil power may be exercised in one Assembly yea in one Family the same thing may be said of the Jewish Synagogues in Heathen Countries that they were independent when they could not have the benefit of superior judicatories though they were nothing so in Indea where they might have that benefit 6. In the Jewish Church were several distinct Presbyteries or Conventions of Elders subordinate one to another and as the word Presbytery is translated to the Christian Church x 1 Tim. 4 14. so that subordination of Presbyteries was not ceremonial nor typical nor a temple-ordinance but grounded on Reason and the light of nature as appears by Jethro's advice to Moses y Exod. 18 21 22 23 c. and by the consent of all Nations warrantably moulding civil Government in such a subordination and God hath not commanded men to lay aside their reason nor hath he prohibited such subordination but commanded it rather Mat. 18. For. 1. Christ speaks of a Church then extant which could be no other then the Jewish Church no Christian Church being then founded with subordinate Judicatories appeals and therefore must needs be understood by tell the Church to command appeals from the Synagogue to the Sanhedrim while the Jewish Church and the Government thereof stood undissolved 2. There is no appearance in the words there or elsewhere that Christ appointed that the Christian Churches Government should be moulded after another manner then the Jewish in matters of moral Equity 3. Subordination of a particular person offending to a particular Church doth by a like reason prove the subordination of a Church to greater Assemblies because the grounds reasons and ends of subordination are the same in both 4. The Elders and Governors are in Scripture frequently called by the name of Rahal and by the Septuagint Ecclesia or Church a Deut. 31 30. with 28 Lev. 4. 14. with 15. 2 Chron. 1 2. with 3. Deut. 23. 1 2 3 8. and sometimes the word Rahal or Church is translated by the 70. the Synedrion b Prov. 26 26. and therefore the Apostles might well understand our Saviour by Church to mean the Elders and not the whole Congregation especially he speaking of judicial proceedings when the Elders came alone to the Church-meeting then but one trumpet sounded but if both trumpets sounded then both Elders and people met together in one Assembly c Num. 10 2 4. They that interpret the word Church of Elders and brethren of a particular Congregation are desired to shew where Elders and Brethren without women and children are called a Church 7. If there be an universal visible Church and Apostles Teachers Governments d 1 Cor. 12 28. be seated primarily in it and the whole is not subject to a part but the part to the whole then the neerer any Assembly of Churches combined comes to the universal visible Church the more authority it is invested withall and a general Councel is of more authority then a national and a national then a provincial Quest 19. It is granted that the Scripture doth warrant elective occasional Synods such as that was Acts 15. but doth it mention or warrant set stated Synodical Assemblies to meet monethly or yearly Answ This is but a circumstance of time which followeth necessarily the substance of the things if Synods sit they must sit in some time but what time or times they should sit doth depend upon circumstances and as the Church business requireth the Scripture mentions not any stated Ecclesiastical meeting for Government Synodical or Congregational that they should meet weekly monethly c. nor any set Church-meetings except the Lords day for preaching hearing fasting prayer thanksgiving conference yet the Church may upon occasion order weekly or monthly Congregational meetings according to the general Rules of Gods Word the same may be said of Synodical Assemblies 2. There is no such material difference between standing Synods and occasional neither in point of lawfulness nor power both for ought we know may be of like divine authority Triennial standing Parliaments may be as lawful and authoritative as occasional Parliaments 3. There may be standing Courts at Westminster though differences and suits in Law be occasional and a standing Colledg of Physitians though diseases be occasional 2. As to electiveness 1. It is contrary to Reason and Scripture that an erroneous and offending Congregation shall choose their own Judges seeing it is probable they will either choose none at all or such as they know before hand are likely to be of their Judgment 2. If those that are in the right should choose the Synod yet still the question will be who are in the right for of dissenting parties both pretend to it and neither will confess they are in the wrong 3. It a thing is agreed on that all the Churches in a Province being offended at a Particular Congregation may call that single Congregation to account yea all the Churches in a Nation may call one or more Congregations to account that they may convent and call before them any person within their bounds whom the Ecclesiastical business before them doth concern may examine admonish and in case of obstinacy declare them to be subverters of the faith may give advice to the Magistrate in matters
THE Main Points OF Church-Government AND DISCIPLINE Plainly and modestly handled by way of Question and Answer Very useful to such as either want Money to buy or Leasure to read larger Tracts LONDON Printed by J. M. for LUKE FAVVNE and are to be sold at his shop at the Parrot ni pauls Church-yard 1649. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Christian Reader ALthough the worth of the Author and solidity of the matter of this book might sufficiently commend it self unto thy perusal yet I shall add this to its Commendation that 't is plain but profitable short but sound so that I may say of it as Tully did of Brutus his Laconical Epistle Quam multa quam paucis how much in a little Here is a great deal of matter in a few words he studyed brevity yet solidity in this small piece by the reading whereof not only the weak may be instructed but the strong also establisht in the truth which is the hearty desire of him who subscribes himself Thine in the Lord CHRISTOPHER LOVE A plain PLATFORM OF Presbyterial Government Catechistically and Methodically propounded QUEST I. WHat Government of the Church is most agreeable to the Word of GOD Answ The Government of the Church by Presbyters or Elders for they have the rule a Heb. 13. 7 17. 1 Tim. 5. 17. the keys which in the very notion of them do carry power and authority properly so called b Isa 22 22 Rev. 1. 18 3 7. are committed to them c Mat. 16. 19 and power to remit and retain sins d John 20 28 they feed and govern the flock e 1 Pet. 5. 2 Act. 20 17 28 and are over the people in the Lord f 1 Thes 5 12 they are Guides Leaders Bishops Governors Pastors which Titles in Scripture are used to expresse the power of Civill Magistrates g Josh 13. 21. Numb 31. 14. Mat. 27. 2. Jud. 8 14. Acts 23 14. Hence the Angels the Elders of the Churches are commended for good Discipline and reprehended for bad h Rev. 2. 2 6 14 20 Rev. 3. Quest 2. What kind of Government have Presbyters or Elders over the Church Answ Not Kingly Lordly or Magisterial power which onely belongs to Christ i 1 Pet. 5 3. 1 Cor. 8. 6. 12. 5 Psal 2 6 Col. 1. 18. Eph. 2 22. but Stewardly and Ministeriall k 1 Cor. 4. 1. 2 Cor. 5 20. Mat. 9. 38. Quest 3. From whom receive they their Stewardly and Ministeriall Power Answ From Jesus Christ l Mat. 16. 19. 28 18 19 20. Ioh. 20. 21 23. 2 Cor. 8. 10 they are his Stewards m 1 Cor 4 i. his Ministers and Embassadors n 1 Cor. 4. 1. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. having their Office from him o Eph 4. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Act. 20. 28 29. and they are to act in his name p Mat. 18. 19 1 Cor. 5. 4 5. and must give account to him q Heb. 13 17 18. Luc. 12. 41 42. Quest 4. But do they not receive their Governing Power and Authority from the Church or Body of the People Answ No though they be for the good and benefit of the General Visible Church and of particular Churches r Eph. 4. 7 10 11 12 2 Cor. 12. 14 and ought to make themselves servants thereunto as Jesus Christ and his Apostles which did not receive their authority from thence did s Math 20 26 27 28 2 Cor. 4. 5 Col. 1. 7. and though they be elected by the people yet they do not receive their Authoritie from them For 1. the power of Church-Government is not conveighed to the body of the people by any authentick grant or Commission from Jesus Christ as it is to the Officers 2. The people are not called Governors Guides Leaders as the Officers are but on the contrary are called the flock t Acts 20. 28. 1 Pet. 5. 2 the Saints u Hebr. 13 24. Phi 1. 1 as distinct from their Bishops Pastors Rulers to whom they are commanded to be subject and obedient w 1 Thess 5. 12 1 Tim. 5 17. Heb 13. 7 17. 3. The people have not received from Christ due gifts and qualifications for the exercise of Government and jurisdiction x 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 17 28 29 as Officers have y Ephel 4. 11 12 1 Tim 4. 14 4. It cannot be shewed that God in the Old or New Testament did erect any Church without Officers seeing Adam was a Priest to his wife a Gen. 4. 3 Ainsworth and family as Noah also was and the first born were Priests b Exod. 19 22 at the founding of the Jewish Church and Christ his Apostles were Officers in Commission at the founding of the Christian Churches 5. It is more absurd and irrational that all the males should govern in a Church then in a City or Common-wealth that the Elders should be subject to the people then that Magistrates should be subject to their subjects seeing the power of Church-government is derived not from the Law of Nature which placeth the Originall of Civill Government in the people but the Canon of Scripture which saith no such thing concerning Church-Government Nor 6. doth it warrant that the people should exercise power and authority in Preaching Ordaining Administration of Sacraments or censures therefore they have it not for such power is vain and impertinent as may not be drawn into act by them that have it and therefore Pastors Preaching Baptizing Ordaining c. do not put forth the peoples power but the power and authority of Jesus Christ c 2 Cor. 13 10. Math. 28. 19 20 Quest 5. You spake of a General Visible Church doth the Scripture hold out such a Church Answ Yes for 1. The Apostles which were General Officers to which a generall Church is the adequate correlative and had the care of all the Churches d 2 Cor. 11 28 are said to set put or placed in the Church e 1 Cor. 12 28 as speaking but of one Paul was a Minister of this Church f Col. 1. 25 2. That one body that one fold into which all both Jews and Gentiles are Baptized and brought g 1 Cor. 12 12 13. Eph 2. 16. 36 Joh. 10 16 mast needs be the universall visible Church 3. That house or Temple in which Antichrist did sit h 2 Thess 2. 4 that woman travelling i Rev. 12. 1 2. c. the Bride and Spouse of Christ k Rev. 21. 2 a child and in non-age under the Law and at full age under the Gospell l Gal. 4. 1 2 that assembly of 24 Elders and 4 Beasts m Rev. 4. that one Sion having many Assemblies in it n Isa 4. 5 that one City one new Jerusalem o Rev. 20. 9. 21. 2 that one Feast p Mat. 22. 2 field q Mit. 13. 24. floor r Mat. 3.
the duties of their places became a Church together sufficiently distinguished from others and this is far from the Church-covenant urged by some it being only an agreement implyed in actions as when a man dwells in a Town joyns in chusing Constables and other Offices pays Lays and Taxes assists Officers and bears Office if required doth tacitly agree that he is one of that Town and yet we cannot say that he hath entred into covenant or that entring into covenant doth make him so Quest 16. How large or how little may particular Churches be Answ A Church must consist of more then two or three though when there was no more in the world but Adam and Eve they two made a Church if there was any for two or three were to give the second Admonition which if a man did not here they were to tell the Church f Math. 18 15 16 17. and therefore the Church must of necessity consist of more then two or three yea there should be in a Church a competent number to be Officers and Members at least the Members should be as a Flock that is many though there were no Officer but one Pastor The Churches in the Gospel were numerous consisting of thousands and that they might do so the Apostles planted Churches only in Cities and in great Towns Cenchrea the least was a much frequented populous and famous Haven-Town g Gualter in Rom. 16 so also were the Churches of Galatia Macedonia Judea placed in the Cities of those Countries as Antioch Laodicea Philippi Thessalonica Jerusalem Lidda c. and how numerous soever any Church did grow we read not that it was divided into two or more Churches or that there were more Churches then one in any one City or Town As it is acknowledged on all hands that a particular Church may consist of as many as may meet every Lords day in oue place for edification so it may be proved that the Church of Jerusalem did consist of more then did or could meet with edification in one place 1. By the multitude of Beleevers Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region round about Jordan were baptized by John h Mat. 3. 6 7 and the Disciples of Christ baptized more Disciples then John i Joh. 4. 1 and many of the people beleeved in Jesus k Joh 2. 23 7 31. 8 30 The Pharisees said the world is gone after him l Joh. 12 19 and after Christs ascension there were added 3000 souls m Act. 2 41 and 5000 n Act. 4. 4 and afterward the Disciples were multiplyed greatly and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith o Act. 6. 1 7 Now all these which deserved to be called a City a World of people thousands and multitudes for the Holy Ghost at the last leaves numbering could not meet together in one place for hearing the Word For no one room in a private house could hold them all no one mans voyce could reach them much less could so many thousands orderly at once receive the Sacrament together nor could be accommodated with beds to sit lie or lean upon which was Christs gesture a Table to receive at and Cups to drink in and therefore they were constrained to sever themselves into divers companies for breaking of bread p Act 2 46 and to meet distributively in their private houses for that purpose Hence it is observable that though proof be offered by some that the Church of Jerusalem did meet together in the Temple to heat the Word which was common to Jews with Christians and to chuse Officers which is not every Lords day-work and to which the presence of women and children the greater half of the Church is not required yet not one word is brought to prove that they all met in one place to receive the Sacrament the chief Church-ordinance 2. Twelve Apostles q Math. 9. 35. 10 1 seventy Disciples r Luke 10 2 besides Elders mentioned Act. 11. s Act. 11. 30 as being extant before that time which doubtless were diligent Preachers in Jerusalem the chief place of their residence and could not all nor most of them be imployed once every Lords day if there was but one Congregation in Jerusalem 3. The Church that prayed for Peter met many of them in the house of Mary and others of them James and his brethren elsewhere t Act. 12. 5. with 12 17 so that Church did not meet in one place 4. It is said that Paul abode in Jerusalem with Peter fifteen days v Gal. 1. 18 and doubtless Peter and he frequented the Church-meetings yet he saw no other of the Apostles save James the Lords brother he saith not they were not in Jerusalem but he saw them not which had been very improbable if not impossible seeing the Apostles were diligent in preaching if there had been but one Church-meeting in Jerusalem more might be said to prove that the Church of Jerusalem consisted of more then one Congregation and instance of the like may be given in other Churches of Samaria Ephesus Corinth c. Q. 17. May not every Congregation enjoy all the Ordinances of God within it self Ans No 1. Synods are the Ordinances of God and cannot be had in a particular Congregation yea general Councels are the Ordinances of God and yet cannot be found in any less Church then the universal visible 2. A particular Congregation consisting only of private Members cannot enjoy ordination by Presbyters which is an ordinance of God nor can she in that state regularly partake in Sacraments and Censures therefore combination or consociation of Churches is useful and needful in the aforesaid cases as also in case of a particular Churches insufficiency to transact her own business in case of business of common concernment to more Churches then one in case of an incompetent particular Eldership of appellation of presumed mal-administration of divisions in a particular Church of differences between Churches of spreading Heresies indangering Truth Peace decision of hard questions direction in hard cases or the like w Act. 15 Quest 18. Doth the Scripture warrant the use and subordination of Congregational Classical Provincial National and Oecumenical Assemblies Ans Yes it doth For 1. of Congregational Assemblies no question is made 2. The proving of the Church of Jerusalem to consist of more Congregations then one and their Elders questionless convening for Acts of government of those Congregations doth also prove the warrantableness of a Classical Assembly 3. There being warrant sufficient for combination of Churches and the Scripture not limiting it to such or such limits beyond which it may not exceed doth sufficiently warrant the greater combinations as occasion may require them and they may with conveniency be had the Scripture doth not determine those cases in which a Church may call neighboring Churches together for advice nor with how many Churches or with what Churches